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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.
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September 2021 Progress Report
September 2021 is best summed up by Dickens. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times
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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.
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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 catalogues, and soon they’ll be replacing them with new styles for warmer weather.
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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 next day. But the Monk’s purpose in their evening routine is to bring the mind back home to stillness and…
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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 why.
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Princess Jellyfish
I recently watched a Japanese show called Princess Jellyfish, based on the Shลjo manga (girl comic) of the same name.
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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…
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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.
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Do or Die
It feels like we’ve been in forever, but with so much time spent at home (where possible), many people have found this a good time to get healthier. Do or die of a different kind.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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…
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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!”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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NBN Outages
Over the last few days weโve seen been severe storms and power outages across Vicoria. Some people have been warned not to expect the power back on until June 17th.
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May 2021 Progress Report
May 2021 turns out to be the month I broke, and then got my shit back together again. Struggling with bronchitis, but making progress. It feels bloody good to get back to living again.
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Silent Walk in the Park
We take Clever Girl to the park every day – because if I want to get anything done, it has to be done. Recently, it’s been a silent walk in the park.
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Dating Spending Plan
I heard the divorce rate has skyrocketed, so it’s the perfect time to set up a dating spending plan
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The Nature of Pleasure
I recently that stoke survivors have a decreased ability to experience pleasure and it made me wonder about the nature of pleasure.
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April 2021 Progress Report
April 2021 pretty much followed on from where March left off, and I ended the month still tired and needing some rest.
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The Miracle of Rain
The miracle of rain is that it happens at all – drinking water just falls from the sky. It supports all life on this planet, and literally falls fall from the sky! That’s amazing.
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Forgetting and Remembering
I find I’m forgetting a lot lately. And I’ve been thinking a lot about how to expand my memory, in part to recapture some of what I lost after the stroke.
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March 2021 Progress Report
Spent most of March 2021 feeling exhausted and napping. I am one of those people tend to sleep when times get tough, so I’m starting to feel the pandemic is finally getting to me.
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Puppy has Sharp Teeth
It’s hardly groundbreaking news for anyone who owns a puppy (or is owned by one), but they have sharp teeth.
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Decisions Big and Small
Lately, I’m wiped out by about lunchtime. I put it down to all the decisions I’m making. It’s like all the small decisions take just as much brain space as the big.
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2021 Winter Wardrobe Plan
I’ve been freezing for what seems like ever. And therefore, thinking about lots of warm layers for my 2021 Signature Wardrobe Winter Plan.
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It’s Not All Just Dumb Luck
I admit it. In fact, I proudly declare it. I am a “bleeding heart liberal.” It’s probably because I grew up poor. The seemingly dumb luck of it. I mentioned in the dedication to Holistic Personal Finance that my mother saved the one and two cent pieces for herself. She saved the 5c for me.…
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2020 Summer Wardrobe Update
Before I get into my 2020 Summer Wardrobe Update, let’s recap the Summer Plan. Which was basically to get a bunch of black clothes.
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February 2021 Progress Report
February 2021 was mostly devoted to settling the new addition to our family in. There was a lot of dog proofing, though we found out fairly quickly it was mostly inadequate, so we now have boxes stacked above puppy height with all the portable things.
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I’m Losing My Mind (I think)
I think as well as rats (of the flying and furry kind) we are infested with mischievous pixies. Either that or I’m losing my mind.
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Life is Short
Life is short. It’s over before you know it. Even without the Cult of Celebrity, most of us want to be remembered. Hopefully for something worthwhile. I’d prefer to be known more for my books than my lackadaisical housekeeping. You might prefer being a good parent, circus performer or surgeon. It’s funny that when I…
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The Cost of Money
Wealth is worth more than the cost of money. Wealth is an abundance of something, whether that’s time, money or physical wellbeing.
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Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Something I’ve learned since becoming a dog owner again is that it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie. When they’re sleeping they are quiet.
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January 2021 Progress Report
January 2021 is off to a good start. And hopefully, I’ll continue to be a little kinder to myself, and remember not to think too far ahead, and to stay focused on each day.
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5 Things I Learned From My New Dog
We recently got a new dog, and boy it’s been exhausting. Lily died at 16. And I’d forgotten what she was like during the first few months.
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When the Sun Comes Out
Last week was a bit cloudy and miserable, and I was struck by how beautiful the garden was when the sun comes out. Raindrops glistening and all that.
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Taking Pleasure Where You Find it
Taking pleasure is largely a matter of choice. Sometimes the things that bring you pleasure are the things you have to work for.
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Stop and Smell the Roses
Last year, I wrote about tiny little things. How pausing to stop and smell the roses might help you feel a little bit more in control. It does for me at any rate.
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Planning 2021
Before we get to Planning 2021, let’s take a quick look back at previous years. According to global horoscope predictions…
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2020 Year End Review
Skipping December 2020 because we spent most of it in lock down. Moving right on to the 2020 Year End Review, and from there my plans for 2021.
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Time Passes Slowly
I’d like to say my vacation time passes slowly, and I really enjoyed my break, but that would be a lie. I’d also like to say I’ve got grand plans for 2021, but I didn’t really make time to work them out yet.
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Happy Holidays 2020!
Happy holidays 2020! But, let’s be honest. The only happy thing about holidays in 2020, is that the year is nearly over.
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2020 Signature Wardrobe Summer Plan
Due to unforeseen circumstances, my 2020 Signature Wardrobe Summer Plan is the kind of extreme you get when you have to replace your entire wardrobe.
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September November 2020 Progress Report
Right. Well. Um. I had a stroke. The months between September November 2020 have been crammed full of doctors appointments, with naps in the spaces.
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Welcome Back!
Welcome, welcome back! It’s been ages since I wrote. I didn’t mean to leave such a long gap between posts.
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This Will Pass (at some point)
I’m writing the books people will need to take their next steps into whatever new normal is on the way. So my point here, is this will pass. Life will move on.
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August 2020 Progress Report
I about reached the end of my rope in August 2020. For the most part nothing much has changed for me since January. I stay home, I write, I develop my Photoshop skills, I get through the day. But even I am having difficulties. I’d probably still choose to stay home, but having the choice…
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2020 Winter Wardrobe Update
Let’s just say I’ve been cold, and skip to the rest of the 2020 Winter Wardrobe Update. My 2020 Winter plan was based on costumes for two characters:
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The Tiny Pretty Things
When you think about it, life is all about the tiny things. The tiny pretty things.
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The Three Wise Monkeys
Have you heard of the three wise monkeys? Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. In the modern west, it’s often used in the sense of ignoring something morally wrong. But in the original Japanese context, it’s about not doing or being morally wrong.
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“My” Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine is out!
Just a quick note to let you know my story is in the September/October Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, available from August 21, 2020.
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Beauty Excites Emotion
Okay, so we all know that the last few months have been hard, emotionally draining, and not very beautiful. Especially here in Australia, what with it being winter and all. Some days, I look out the window at the cold grey skies, and wonder where all the beauty went. Though beauty is as beauty does.…
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July 2020 Progress Report
July 2020 was a mixed blessing. One the one hand, the planet, and Melbourne in particular is a disaster.
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Melody for Marbles
In a recent blog post, Dean Wesley Smith mentioned driving from Lincoln City, Oregon to Las Vegas, Nevada with a car full of marbles. Carefully packed to not “bang together.”
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We’re Busy Doing Nothing
Many of my friends are marooned at home, busy doing nothing. For them the world has ended, but for me nothing much has changed.
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Product Price v Quality
Continuing the theme of choice, and gratitude, today I’m talking a bit more about choice. Only this time, more about things than people. Both in terms of price, v quality. And why it’s sometimes better to pay a bit more.
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Choosing to Make a Difference
So, given everything else that’s going on, it seemed a good time to revisit Choice. Or choosing.
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My Trifecta of Thanks
There’s a lot to be upset about at the moment, most of it we have no control over, but there’s still a lot to be grateful for, so here’s my Trifecta of Thanks.
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2020 Q2 Review
Here we are at the 2020 Q2 review already. It seems the paradox of this year is that it seems like no time, as well as centuries, have passed since the Q1 review.
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June 2020 Progress Report
June 2020 feels like a five-minute disaster movie sandwiched in between a bunch of other disaster movies in a century long disaster movie marathon.
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Times Are Tough and Getting Tougher
There’s no doubt times are tough right now – June especially so under Covid restrictions has passed, even though they’re easing a bit.
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Is the Old or New Normal Better For You?
Politicians have “won” the war on Covid, and are talking “getting back to normal,” even though we don’t have a normal to go back to. We have a “new normal.”
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How to Choose Appropriate Makeup
So. I mentioned last time I’d intended to talk about appropriate makeup. And this is the post I’m going to do it in.
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Carlton the Human Hairpin
I have to start by saying this is not the post I set out to write, and if you’re not fond of clowns, you should immediately shut the page down and move on to something less frightening. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Now. I’ve written before about appropriateness in clothing and a little about…
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A Feng Shui Garden
With the change in the seasons, we’ve been working in the garden. And having done a bunch of Feng Shui research for a fiction project, I’ve discovered the possibility of a Feng Shui garden.
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May 2020 Progress Report
Sitting here, preparing to review May 2020, it just feels like a sucky month. And this is, of course, the point of a monthly review – there was always more that happened than you can remember.
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The Joy of Being
It seems to me, despite the sh*t going on right now, the joy of being alive balances it out.
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I’m Fine Just Behind
Bearing in mind my friend Katy’s concern about her favourite blogger, I thought I’d post a picture and let you know I’m fine just behind.
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The Life-Changing Magic of Getting a Haircut
Somewhat related to my version of string theory is my hair theory, That getting a haircut can, and does change your life.
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The Pleasure of Getting Things Done
Despite the hope of getting things done, we’re often better at starting than finishing them. Yet by definition, getting things done is all about the finish. Finish: A1. to complete something or come to the end of an activityB1. to eat, drink, or use something completely so that none remains Cambridge Dictionary And there’s the…
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Virtual Dinner Party
It’s hard to stay connected in lock-down. You can’t meet in person, but you can get online and host a Virtual Dinner Party.
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The Little Things I’m Grateful For
When times are tough (like now), it can help to acknowledge the good things we’re grateful for. Some days are harder than others, and on those days, I try to focus on the little things I’m grateful for. The everyday ones that I would suffer without.
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April 2020 Progress Report
April 2020 just happened in between all the spaces. And there were a lot of spaces as (unsurprisingly) my appointments and meetings were cancelled or rescheduled one by one.
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It’s Weather for Ducks
I’m not sure why people compain about rain they call it nasty – weather for ducks! (Though I’m not exactly sure why it’s only weather for ducks, and not swans or ibis.)
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How to Set up a Giving Programme
About a hundred years ago (February 2020), I suggested we think about setting up a giving programme.
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I Still Survive
Sometimes you’re not thriving, sometimes it’s as much as you can do to come to a place where you can say “I still survive!”
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It’s Not War, it’s Sickness
All these fat old white men talking about a war on Covid-19 is making me irritable. It’s not war, it’s sickness.
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Dance of Death
I was reminded of Danse Macabre, also known as the Dance of Death. An allegorical concept, highlighting that regardless of your station, death comes to us all.
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2020 Q1 Review
Before I start with the 2020 Q1 review, letโs take a quick look back As it turns out, those astrological predictions of a turbulent start to 2020 werenโt that far off.
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March 2020
March 2020 was a horror month. There was/is all the Covid-19 shit going on, but more importantly for us, we had to say goodbye to Pretty Girl. She leaves an enormous hole, but also the opportunity to consciously reshape our lives with better habits. Virtue Feb Mar Notes Pleasure: AdventurePlan and take an international vacation…
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2020 Winter Wardrobe Plan
Thanks to our highly variable Melbourne weather, I’ve been thinking about my 2020 Winter Wardrobe Plan for some time. And staying warm!
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Do I Start Again or Start Something New?
Poor Pretty Girl is gone now, and I find myself not only orphaned but petless too. It’s been hard to start again
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In Memoriam Pretty Girl; Maidenbelle Snow Lily (2004 โ 2020)
Little pretty girl, playful and so very sweet, goodbye, yu good dog
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On Not Perpetuating Sexist Language
I recently read an interesting piece by Alison Flood, who reports Oxford University Press (OUP) are replacing the sexist language in example sentences in the Oxford English Dictionaries (OED).
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2019 Summer Wardrobe Update
Technically, Summer has just ended, and itโs time for the 2019 Summer Wardrobe Update, but the weather has been cool and wet and Iโm already thinking about Winter.
