I like chasing down rabbit holes, learning strange and obscure facts.
And I like to think about them.
And now and again, share my opinion about them.
- Beauty (213)
- Friendship (317)
- Haiku (105)
- Pleasure (190)
- Project Worthwhile Life (167)
- Virtues (13)
- Wealth (112)
- Wisdom (239)
- Writing (5)
Forever free, unsponsored, and proudly primate produced! If you’ve enjoyed reading, please consider buying me a coffee.
The Cairn at the Dog Park
I noticed this cairn at the dog park today… I don’t know who left it. Or how many people added to it, or why it’s there, or in fact, anything about it at all.
Agatha Christie
I’ve been watching Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen, in which Dr Lucy Worsley OBE tells us that Mrs Christie is not the person we all thought she was.
Planning 2023
I’m a bit stumped when it comes to planning 2023; there’s a great deal of uncertainty and unpredicatibility coming up for me this year.
2022 Year End Review
My 2022 year end review almost didn’t happen; I received reviews from every single company I did business with during the year, and I could care less. But when I was working as a Project…
December 2022 Progress Report
So. December 2022. Last month of the year. Supposedly the time you close out the year, ready to start afresh the very next day. I’m fairly certain I didn’t get to that…
I’m Not Ready!
Somehow, we’ve arrived at January 9th, theoretically, my first day back at work, and I’m not ready. It’s not really my first day back, I’ve worked more or less through the break, taking care of…
Happy Holidays 2022!
Here we are again, approaching Christmas and the excesses of the season, in my ninth seasonal greeting – Happy Holidays 2022!
Lack of Focus
Recently, I’ve been feeling a lack of focus, so I read Stolen Focus, by Johann Hari. And judging by the wait list at the library, I’m not the only one either.
November 2022 Progress Report
What can I say about November 2022? I finally got my sauna! And while getting it unpacked and put up almost killed me, along with the fencing, I’m really happy it’s here.
The Smell of Woodsmoke
The other day, we took Clever girl for a walk around the neighbourhood. There was a beautiful blue sky, and the temperature was warm, but not too warm, with just a lazy wind. And the…
Boundaries
I live on the edge of a creek that has no boundaries. We decided to fence it off partly because Clever Girl has shown more of an interest in getting into the creek than our…
October 2022 Progress Report
October 2022 is over already! A day seems to take forever, but the month seems to have flown by. As usual.
Christmas is coming
I saw my first Christmas decorations recently, and I suddenly realised Christmas is coming. It came as quite a surprise.
2022 Transplantiversary
It’s that time again – the 2022 transplantiversary. Eleven years and counting – officially past the nice, neat, predictable transplanted lifetime.
There’s been a Data Breach!
“There’s been a Data Breach!” (please imagine the grizzled voice of Taggart’s Detective Chief Inspector Burke).
The Wisdom of the Crone
One of the major fictional archetypes is the crone. She may be the grumpy old woman you want to steer clear of in case she curses you.
Christmas Gift Idea
Today, for something a little different, I’d like to share a Christmas gift idea for you to consider.
Q3 2022 Review & Q4 Plan
Well, Q3 may have gone a lot better if I hadn’t missed the first couple of months, but with a new spirit of get-it-done-ishness, my Q4 plan can only make it better!
September 2022 Progress Report
September 2022 was notable for a deluge of stationery shop emails inviting me to pre-order my 2023 diary. Which was also handy for remembering to start my Christmas shopping list!
Little Seal Pup
We managed to get away and took Clever Girl for a long walk along the beach. While we were there, we saw a little seal pup.
Is Your Home Your Castle or Prison?
Recently, I’ve been wondering whether my home is my castle or prison – does it keep me, or do Ikeep it?
Too Late Now!
I admit it – now and again; I get annoyed with Clever Girl and want to send her back. But I recently realised it’s too late now. We can’t let her go.
Leaving a Legacy
Just recently, the notion of leaving a legacy keeps coming up again and again as I research and write blog posts and stories.For example, during research for a recent story, I discovered a large oak…
Daffodils in Bloom
The other day, I happened to notice the daffodils in bloom. It’s not as exciting as when I lived in the UK – one day nothing, the next masses of them.
2022 Summer Wardrobe Plan
It’s cold and raining outside right now as I start thinking about my 2022 Summer wardrobe plan. I’m well rugged up with layers and layers trying to keep warm.
July-August 2022 Progress Report
This is a combined July-August 2022 report, because quite frankly I’ve no idea why I didn’t do one in July. And I’m not going to bother this late.
2022 Winter Wardrobe Update
As it turns out, my 2022 Winter Wardrobe Update is a tale of two sides of a coin – had to buy more than expected, but enjoyed in-person shopping.
In Case of Doubt
I recently came across an emergency alarm – “in case of emergency, break glass”. A clear and simple instruction, along with a clear and simple action – break the glass.
Climate Change in the Garden
We’ve seen climate change in the garden recently, because we took the first step toward our extension by cutting down trees and shrubs, most of them weed species that had to be removed anyway.
Q3 2022 Plan
I can’t help but feel more positive about my Q3 2022 plan, there’s just enough change to make me feel like I might be getting somewhere.
Q2 2022 Review
So. Q2 2022 Review eh? Pffffffffff! For those who don’t know, that’s how you write the sound of someone blowing a raspberry
June 2022 Progress Report
June 2022, was pretty much missing in action – I went out to visit a doctor and came home with a lurgy or two. It seems I need to build up my immunity after being…
May 2022 Progress Report
What can I say about May 2022, except that it came and went way too quickly. And I discovered there’s a world day for bees!
The Greatest Ever Haiku
I wrote the Greatest Ever Haiku this morning, and I was so excited to share it with you. But there is a thing that sometimes happens to writers. It’s distraction.
Inflation and You
I’ve been watching the inflation rate with interest. The local commercial tv stations running around like headless chickens talking about how disastrous inflation is
When Enough is Enough
Recently, I’ve been a bit short tempered and snappy. Prone to watering eyes at the oddest of occaisions. Thinking enough is enough!
World Day for Bees!
I recently discovered there is a day for bees. World Bee Day was created by Slovenia and endorsed by 115 UN members. It aims to create awareness of the “significance of bees and other pollinators…
Warm Outfit
In the midst of energy price increases, we’ve had a cold snap, and my thoughts are turning to the kind of warm outfit you can wear when working from home on your own. While not…
The Virtues of Leadership
Way back when I was studying for my Masters in Project Management, one of the core (compulsory) units was Leadership. Mainly because Project Managers have to unify short-term teams of people. Most often while they…
April 2022 Progress Report
So, April 2022 marked the start of the second quarter, and my second 12 Week Year, the first using the 12 Week Year For Writers. And started with a sense of excitement.
Life With Dog
Check any dog owner’s instagram, tiktok, or whatever feed, you’ll see any number of cute life with dog pictures of dogs doing adorable things.
Time, Time, Time!
Did you ever wonder how it is that time seemed to last forever when you were young but now you’re old it’s gone before you know it?
What Was the Question Again?
So much of life involves answering a question, usually presented in an either/or situation. You can choose the red pill or blue pill, not both. And no variants of purple, pink or aqua pills. Only…
Q2 2022 Plan
Hopefully my Q2 2022 plan will build on the lessons learned in Q1 and turn out more successfully.
Q1 2022 Review
My Q1 2022 review tells me I haven’t stuck to my plan. Though, to be honest, we all knew that already.
March 2022 Progress Report
The end of March 2022 marks the end of the quarter, and I can’t help feeling the year is over. Though I suppose my first 12 Week Year is. It’s left me feeling tired and…
Who are you?
I had my hair cut today. That neatly generic old lady in the mirror didn’t feel like me. “Who are you?” I asked myself.
2022 Winter Wardrobe Plan
There’s a lot to consider for the 2022 Winter wardrobe plan; Over the last 6 – 12 months I’ve slimmed down from a LARGE to a Small verging on Extra Small.
2021 Summer Wardrobe Update
Once again the weather is changeable, even for “Four Seasons in One Day” Melbourne, and it’s time to look at the 2022 Summer wardrobe update.
February 2022 Progress Report
Now that it’s February 2022, thanks to the 12 Week Year, I have the uncomfortable feeling the year is half over. And it kind of is.
Filing Cabinet
Decluttering my filing cabinet has been on my to do list for at least the last five years.
Bold and Beautiful
Having been out of action for a few weeks, I’ve had plenty of time to look around me at my home. The one we bought and did up twenty years ago, but haven’t really done…
Money, Time, and Health
As far as I am concerned, there are three aspects to wealth: money, time and health. As I say in Holistic Personal Finance, the value of money
Adulting, Accountability & Responsibility
Not long ago, Katy asked for adulting tips, and I made a smart comment about social media. She scornfully suggested no one plans to waste an hour on social media, and that was kind of…
January 2022 Progress Report
January 2022, the first four weeks of my first attempt at a 12 Week Year. With mixed results.
Isn’t it Odd?
I’ve discovered it’s possible to be frustrated and amused at the same time. Isn’t it odd? And a bit weird?
Revisiting Just-in-Time Delivery
The concept of just-in-time delivery is essentially having ZERO stock on hand, ordering it when when you need it. In 2015, when I was long-term unemployed, I wrote a post about developing the virtue of…
Q1 2022 Plan
Right, so the Q1 2022 plan is a good time to tell you I’m not going to wite a 2022 plan as such.
2021 Review (Year’s End)
As 2021 draws to its close, it’s time to look back and take stock in a 2021 review. Because if you don’t, what will you learn, and how can you do better next year?
Q4 2021 Review
Q4 2021 for me was definitely a Big Fat Restart, coming as it did with the return of my inner dialogue.
December 2021 Progress Report
Ah, December 2021, when the year that was FINALLY ran out of steam and ground down to the end. I thought we’d never make it.
New Life Emerging!
And here we are, emerging into 2022. And despite the ongoing Covid Cataclysm, I feel more positive about “things” than I have at any other time during the last two years.
Happy Holidays 2021!
I feel more positive about the 2021 Holidays than I did about the 2020 Holidays. Perhpas because last year was looking like more of the same, but this year, I feel like 2022 might actually…
Ma’aming Me Elderly
Only weeks after my Woman of a Certain Age post, I’ve reached a new miletstone in the race towards elderly, and I thought I’d share it with you.
November 2021 Progress Report
November 2021 was like when someone (e.g., your recorded meditation) tells you to set your mind free and let it go anywhere it wants to go, but you don’t know where that is. And the…
Tidy Desk Tidy Mind
Does a tidy desk really equal a tidy mind? Or is it just that the open, expansive space feels more relaxing? Rife with possibilities.
What are They Fighting For?
And like many vaccinated people, I’ve been watching the protesters on the news, trying to work out what they’re fighting for. It’s not easy to understand.
Where did all your friends go?
One of my friends asked me what happened to DB, Katy and Toseland. And as it turns out, it’s a good lead in to a post I’ve been trying to write for a while. Because…
October 2021 Progress Report
October 2021 marked the lifting of restrictions and the end of COVID lock downs. We were watching the vaccination rate increase, and I felt like a kid again, counting down the last couple of weeks…
The Smell of Fresh Laundry
I LOVE the smell of fresh laundry – hints of lavender, mown lawn, and a little little bit of sunshine. So with the odd warm day we’ve had lately, I’ve been catching up on the…
2021 Transplantiversary
My 2021 transplantiversary marks the TENTH year of my transplant! It feels like a real achievement, and I feel like I should get it a gift to commemorate the day we met.
A Woman of a Certain Age
Some where along the line, I became a “Woman of a Certain Age.” That is, the age at which it becomes unnecessary, and possibly impolite to query further.
Time and Tide Wait for No One
Time and tide bring to mind the story of King Canute commanding the tide to be still. But tide is also an Old English word, meaning a period of time, such as Yuletide, (good) tidings…
Q3 2021 Review
The third quarter, as Dean Wesley Smith calls it, is the Time of Great Regret. And for me, Q3 2021 was definitely that.
September 2021 Progress Report
September 2021 is best summed up by Dickens. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times
I Got My Voice Back!
You may or may not know that when I had the stroke last year, my inner dialogue went missing. For a while I really missed it. But I got used to it.
2021 Summer Wardrobe Plan
It’s time to start looking at my 2021 Summer Wardrobe Plan. As I write, the sun is shining, and I’m putting on and taking off my fleece. The shops are frantically dispatching end of season…
Monk’s Evening Routine
Having been intrigued by the Venerable Nick Keomahavong’s morning routine, it’s only a small step to wondering about a Monk’s evening routine. Similar to morning routine, most evening routines are focused on increasing productivity the…
Monk’s Morning Routine
Not sure what I was searching for when I came across a new to me take on the morning routine – the Buddhist Monk’s morning routine as demonstrated by the Venerable Nick Keomahavong.
2021 Winter Wardrobe Update
Winter has been a mixed bag in terms of clothes, weather and the pandemic, but now it’s time for my 2021 Winter Wardrobe Update.
August 2021 Progress Report
Well, it’s August 2021, and I’m still here. Nothing much has changed since last month… Remember the good old days when something was always happening?
Some Things to Live By
After another few weeks in lockdown, I’ve been thinking about “things”. Both the physical some things and the mental some things we accumulate as the days go by.
The Joy of Freshly Mown Lawn
In a rare break of sunshine, we did a little yard work; pruning, weeding, lawn mowing. It’s amazing how much better the garden looks with a freshly mown lawn.
The Significance of Sighing
DB commented the other day that I’ve been sighing a lot. I had no idea. But now that he’s mentioned it, I’m noticing I do it all the time! So I decided to find out…
Princess Jellyfish
I recently watched a Japanese show called Princess Jellyfish, based on the Shōjo manga (girl comic) of the same name.
July 2021 Progress Report
Is it July 2021 already? It’s almost not worth ticking the days off the calendar – my life feels like one long hump day. Groundhog Wednesday…
The Day Seems Bleak
We’ve had FIVE covid related lockdowns. Full of long, bleak days. So many that even I, an introvert who works from home, has about had enough.
Developments in my Lifetime
I started thinking about the scientific and medical developments I’ve seen in my lifetime. How very fortunate I am, and how grateful I am for that.
Walking the Tightrope
It’s the time of year when I usually start to get a bit snaky. Walking the tightrope between the usual thing and the need for a break.
Q2 2021 Review
The first quarter has been and gone, and now we’re doing the 2021 Q2 Review for, as Dean Wesley Smith calls it the Time of Great Forgetting.
June 2021 Progress Report
June 2021. I’ve no idea how to describe June. Or where it went. Though I know I wrote a new short story a collection…
The Time Flew By
Have you ever lost yourself in some kind of activity and wondered where the time went? You say, “oh my gosh, the time flew by, I have no idea where it went!”
5 Tips for updating our homes without updating them
In April, I mentioned we had started a list of renovations for updating our homes. I had even gone as far as short listing some builders to do the work.
Tell your fear “Silenzio Bruno!”
Alberto tells Luca that the voice of his fear is Bruno, whose role is to stop him doing anything interesting. That when he’s afraid he should tell the voice “Silenzio Bruno,” and do it anyway.
Liquidambar Leaves Falling
This time of year, liquidambar leaves are falling, though I only just noticed them. I mentioned before, that we take Clever Girl to the local park every day.
