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.
NBN Outages
Over the last few days we’ve seen been severe storms and power outages across Vicoria. Some people have been warned not to expect the power back on until June 17th.
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.
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.
Dating Spending Plan
I heard the divorce rate has skyrocketed, so it’s the perfect time to set up a dating spending plan
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Planning 2021
Before we get to Planning 2021, let’s take a quick look back at previous years. According to global horoscope predictions…
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
Welcome Back!
Welcome, welcome back! It’s been ages since I wrote. I didn’t mean to leave such a long gap between posts.
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.
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…
2020 Signature Wardrobe Winter Update
Let’s just say I’ve been cold, and skip to the rest of the 2020 Signature Wardrobe Winter Update. My 2020 Winter plan was based on costumes for two characters:
The Tiny Pretty Things
When you think about it, life is all about the tiny things. The tiny pretty things.
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…
“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.
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…
July 2020 Progress Report
July 2020 was a mixed blessing. One the one hand, the planet, and Melbourne in particular is a disaster.
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.”
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.
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…
Choosing to Make a Difference
So, given everything else that’s going on, it seemed a good time to revisit Choice. Or choosing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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…
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.
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…
The Joy of Being
It seems to me, despite the sh*t going on right now, the joy of being alive balances it out.
I’m Fine Just Behind
It’s been a long and hard couple of weeks, so I’ve fallen behind. But bearing in mind my friend Katy’s concern about her favourite blogger, I thought I’d post a picture and let you know…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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. I’m not fretting too much about…
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.)
How to Set up a Giving Programme
About a hundred years ago (February 2020), I suggested we think about setting up a giving programme.
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!”
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.
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.
2020 Q1 Review
Before I start with the 2020 Q1 review, let’s take a quick look back. As it turns out, those astrological predictions of a turbulent start to 2020 weren’t that far off. It’s gone so far…
March 2020 Progress Report
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…
2020 Signature Wardrobe Winter Plan
Thanks to our highly variable Melbourne weather, I’ve been thinking about my 2020 Signature Wardrobe Winter Plan for some time. And staying warm! 2020 Winter Plan Following the Summer 2019 Update, I’m still a bit…
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
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). If you don’t know, the OED…
2019 Signature Wardrobe Summer Update
I know that technically, Summer has just ended, and it’s time for the 2019 Signature Wardrobe Summer Update, but the weather has been cool and wet and I’m already thinking about Winter. And pretty much…
February 2020 Progress Report
Made some progress in February 2020, but I feel the year has already run away without me and I’ll not be able to catch up. Maybe that’s because my to-do list seems much bigger with…
Was that a Radio Conversation or Not?
The other day I was trotting around doing some chores before work, and I thought I heard a radio conversation.
Wealthy is as Wealthy Does
There’s a proverb of sorts, Beauty is as Beauty does And according to Walt Disney (video has sound) at any rate, it means being kind and doing something nice for someone who feels down. Every…
The Pleasure and Pain of Healthy Habits
My last Transplant Clinic appointment was less pleasant than I’d hoped, and now I’m back to contemplating the nature of choice and healthy habits. And complacency. It seems that after my last transplant biopsy, a…
What, Why, and How of Pleasure
When times get tough, one of the first expenses cut is pleasure. In the face of all other considerations, it becomes frivolous and wasteful. And yet, without pleasure, life can look and feel very grim.
The Weird Joy of Life with Wildlife
Since my post about my garden planning, people have told me how weird they think life with wildlife must be.
How to Design a Peaceful Garden
I’ve mentioned one of my major goals this year is to create a peaceful garden that’s lush and abundant, provides habitats, weather protection and a mystical threshold. And the goal for Q1 2020, is to…
January 2020 Progress Report
January 2020 marked the start of the transition to Quarterly planning. It’s been both harder and easier than I expected. Virtue Dec Jan Notes Pleasure: AdventurePlan and take an international vacation late Q3/early Q4. –…
Public Bathroom Benefits
A while back, someone told me that most people are too lazy to travel more than one or two cubicles in a public bathroom. And the longer the run, the cleaner the end is by…
How to Respect All People
Respect; politeness, honour, and care shown towards someone or something that is considered important (Cambridge dictionary) When
Planning a Life Worth Living 2020
Before we get to the 2020 planning, let’s take a quick look back. According to global horoscope predictions (if you believe in that kind of thing): 2017 would be a difficult year full of turbulence…
2019 Year End Review – Project Life Worth Living
Now the year is done, it’s time for the 2019 year-end review. I wouldn’t say that 2019 was my best year ever, but I feel like I made some progress towards my goals, especially the…
December 2019 Progress Report
I’ve been so busy planning 2020, that December 2019 has become a distant memory. I’ve had to go back through my journal to see what happened. Virtue Nov Dec Notes Beauty: bodyI enjoy exercising my…
Welcome 2020, good to see you
It seems like no time at all since I was wishing you Happy Holidays, and now it’s all Welcome 2020.
Happy Holidays 2019!!!
The fifth anniversary of this blog passed quietly during the year, so this is the sixth time I’ve wished you all Happy Holidays. So, happy holidays 2019.
How to Solve the Time Management Mystery
I was chatting about the Time Management Mystery with some creative friends the other day. Actually, we were whining about how we have so much to do, and not enough time to do it in.…
November 2019 Progress Report
November 2019 was difficult as Pretty Girl has been very ill, and we thought we were going to lose her. Not that we’ll have her for much longer, but at least we have time to…
The Melodious Dawn Chorus Daily
One of the amazing things about birds and animals, is vocal group communications, whether that’s the Dawn Chorus, Twighlight Barking, or the alarm tones that signal mass evacuations.
Thank You Mrs Sparkle
Mrs Sparkle is the most selflessly loving person I know. She’s always making and doing things for other people, and no one ever says thank you.
Remembering and Forgetting
Not long ago, Katy got in touch. And I was remembering that she taught me one of the most important lessons that I have ever learned.
Medieval Dinner Party
I watched The King, so now I’m doing a Medieval Dinner Party. Though I suppose more technically it should be called a Banquet.
October 2019 Progress Report
Is it my imagination, or did we skip right over October 2019? I mean I know there was stuff that happened, but I feel a bit like Speedy Gonzales whipped by and I’m left clinging…
2019 Transplantiversary
It’s the 2019 Transplantiversary already – number eight. As I mentioned in the mid-year review, my transplant is deteriorating, and if I’m good, I’ll get at least another five years from it. On the bright…
Joy in Matching Beanies
The other day, I saw a young couple wearing matching beanies on the train. He had his arm around her, and she was nestled into his armpit, leaning her head on his shoulder.
Alice ‘mid the Starships
When I first saw this image I was intrigued because it’s a Victorian glass lantern slide titled ” Oh there, ‘mid the starships, Alice, I know a”. And I was really curious about the starships.
