Shine A Little Light

Monday Morning Meme

2009-04-13T04:17:00.001-07:00

A weekly meme from Karen and Write from Karen.

1. How long have you been blogging? Who is your target audience? How often, if at all, do you think about quitting or taking an extended break? What do you do when you start feeling burned out with blogging?

I started blogging just over two years ago - starting out with my MySpace blog. Perhaps because I'm never sure on my target audience I never hone in and develop a steady following. I write/blog about writing (Write Anything), breastfeeding (Type A Mom), the joys of motherhood (here) and post up my short stories and other writing bits and pieces at my base blog Writing With Passionate Abandon! I'm sporadic in nature - so I blog hard core for a while, then drop off though two regular writing gigs are putting pay to just dropping off the face of the earth every now and again.

I'd never consider taking an extended break or quitting. There are days when I would prefer not to have to front up to my Type A Mom writing gig ... but I remind myself it's all experience and exposure. Plus I have information and wisdom to share. When I feel a bit burnt out - look for something fun to write about ... or consider keeping to a routine that brings me into contact with lots of interesting things to blog about.

The greatest enemy of my blogging is time - the time to sit and write!

2. What’s on your mind now?

The rain ... well it's almost 9:30pm here in Australia ... and it's been the main thing on my mind, other than the articles that needed to be written today and tomorrow ... and wondering if the rain will continue for a friends kids birthday party tomorrow.

3. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the body or the mind of a 30-year old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want? Explain your answer, please.

I would go with my 30 year old body - because I believe that the mind, if kept active never deteriorates, whereas the body, even with the best of care and nourishment will fade and fall apart eventually.

4. What would you constitute a “perfect” evening for you?

Perfect evening - would start with not having to hang out for half an hour with my son helping him go to sleep. Someone else cooking dinner and washing up, a chance to snuggle with my partner and a book/or movie. Getting to swim under the moon before bed.

Or - if I really push the limits - having a brand new rave outfit and go dancing until the sun comes up ... and have the stamina and fitness for one night to do it!!

Date Night at Chez Harris

2009-03-25T21:32:00.000-07:00

As a spin off from Reclaim Sex After Birth Annie and I decided to run a "Date Night Challenge". We've got couples to sign up and committ to spending two hours a week with their partner/spouse - in a date scenario.

So I mentioned this to Dave on Monday. We've already got into the habit in the last month or so of watching a DVD together on a Tuesday night - but I wanted to get us out of our comfort zone. All week I've been asking Dave what he wanted to do for date night ... and we finally decided today.

It's going to be Scrabble and a bottle of wine. Very reminiscent of our early days together as a couple.

I have to admit to feeling a bit trepidatious about the idea of wine - I really have lost the taste of it and since I'm meant to be sugar free, the idea of quoffing down liqueurs is both tempting and terrifying.

I'll be back tomorrow to share how our date night went.

You can find more information on Date Night on the Reclaim Sex After Birth blog.

Give me the Grateful Life

2009-03-22T04:42:00.000-07:00

As I procrastinate from returning to the cold dish water to finish off the evening's dishes ... here are my reflections for the week past and all that I am grateful for.

1. I am grateful for unexpected cheques from Centrelink in the mail, the small personal crises that arise from such windfalls and the transcendence and clarity that follows.

2. I am grateful that true friendship only builds and strengthens with time and that the Universe saw to send me the abundance and love of my beautiful soul sister all those years ago.

3. I am grateful to my gorgeous partner for giving me the freedom to roam with my bestfriends this weekend and for understanding how important that time with them was. And to not begrudge me for it.

4. I am grateful that Mr D has begun to see the value and fun in chronically life - and hope that one day he can proudly admit he started writing a journal at the ripe old age of four!

5. I am grateful for not having ripped anyone's head off or said anything that I may regret in the lead up to my moon time.

6. I am grateful to have found live green smoothies and the health benefits that I am already receiving from drinking them.

7. I am grateful for all the work that we've been putting in with Reclaim and all the ground work we did last year - and celebrating the 6th day in a row of 100+ visits to the site. Now to sell some books.

8. I am grateful to the Universe for sending us the interest and support of Pinky McKay for our Reclaim Sex After Birth book.

9. I am grateful to my soul sister for staying up way to late to read my tarot cards and to give me clarity on an issue that I have been strugglingn with.

10. I am grateful that we're coming up to the dark moon again - I feel the need to clean and downsize.

11. I am grateful that I saw Tim Minchin at the Brisbane Comedy Festival on Thursday night - and that I dragged myself out despite wishing that I was going to bed. It was more than worth the trip out. And grateful to see an artist so publicly shaming the monster that first shamed him.

What are you grateful for this week?

Going Green

2009-03-18T19:23:00.001-07:00

I've always been terrible when it comes to eating fruit. I don't mind the occassional apple - and I do love stone fruit and berries, but the problem lies in that I'm lazy about the process. I don't like the sweet sticky mess of juice running through my hand and down my arm. I get cross with having to take the time to cut the skin off (in the case of pineapple - one of my favourite fruits). Basically I'm a fruit feeb!

My Mum was never a keen fruit eater so it was never pushed when we were kids. So like anything, I never formed healthy habits with fruit. I'm am trying to change this with Mr D, encouraging him to eat fruit though it's hard when you can't lead by example.

Greens ... well I do love my greens.

A few weeks ago I discovered The Green Smoothie, which combines the health benefits of greens and fruit.

My friend Annie and her family have in the last month converted to raw foods and it was through Annie that I had my first green smoothie. Annie's been chronically their experiences at Our Journey to Raw. I will admit - I was a little horrified seeing the bok choy, the parsley (which I HATE!) and the spinach all being thrown in. I really liked it though- despite the less than appealing swamp green colour, and discovering later that the fruit base of banana (which I am allergic to)

But it didn't stop me.

Since then I've been found (don't you love the way the Universe works) by Angela Leeds and her fabulous site The Live Green Smoothie Diet and the wonderful articles What's a Live Green Smoothie Anyway? and How to make a Live Green Smoothie.

As I write this I'm quoffing a mango, pear and endive smoothie and encouraging my partner to do so. Who would have thought?

In the past half an hour the fog has lifted from my head, I feel like I can focus and finally the motivation to work is building. If only that had have been the case at 10am this morning, rather than at lunch time. Oh well.

Thanks live green smoothie!

Would you ever consider making live green smoothies part of your diet?

Image: Zugreenie compliments of Annie Evett from Our Journey to Raw

Supporting your Immune System with Essential Oils

2009-03-17T18:53:00.000-07:00

Following on from my rant about French Onion soup, and in the midst of writing a Type A Mom article on natural remedies for treatment of colds and the flu, I went back to do a little research on the essential oils we've used in the past for colds and flu. I've always loved working with essential oils but it is something that I've dropped as part of a daily practise. Being sick has reminded me of how effective they are.

As such I thought that I'd share and have in one place for myself the list, because I never seem to find the right page in Valerie Ann Worwood's The Fragrant Pharmacy - a book that EVERY home should have.

To create the following recipes for immune boosting - you need five oils

Thyme (red preferrably)
Tea Tree
Eucalytpus
Lemon
Lavender

Based on the Handmade Natural price list excluding the thyme (which is a special order item and the price has rubbed off my bottle) you would get change from $40.00 - which is about the cost of seeing a doctor BEFORE filling your perscription. Actually, it's been that long since I last saw a doctor I have no idea what it would cost to see one.

Colds
For hot bath

2 drops of Thyme
2 drops of Tea Tree
1 drop of Eucalyptus
3 drops Lemon

Inhalation
1 drop each of

Thyme
Tea tree
Lavender
Clove

Flu
For a warm bath

5 drops tea tree
2 drop lavender
2 drops thyme

After bath

2 drops tea tree
3 drops Eucalyptus

Diluted in a teaspoon of almond oil (or the likes) and rubbed into the body

Teas
Clove and Lavender tea is especially good for helping combat the onset of the flu. Even though ingestion of essential oils is not usually encouraged this particular one is fantastic.

To make, create combined clove and lavender oils at the radio of 1 drop of clove to two drops of lavender in a separate bottle and clearly label.

Put one drop of the clove/lavender mix on a spoon of honey and mix with boiling water. If you don't want to take it with honey (as I do) you can put one drop straight into the water. It tastes quite foul but works a treat.

Image from The Joy of Reflexology

French Onion Soup for the Soul

2009-03-17T16:38:00.000-07:00

The mere mention of French onion soup used to conjure up images of Maggi instant soup packets, philly cheese and the horror of the spac-like filler of my mother’s French onion dip between two pieces of wholemeal bread for lunch. This was her version of a ‘gourmet sandwich’ of which I never had the heart to tell her, a peanut butter one would do just fine.

And then there’s the images of Stephen Giacometti, my partner in crime, squishing a non descript summer creepy crawlie and poking it into the same French onion dip at a New Years Eve party at our house when we were 11. I remember us, my sister included, standing around the corner giggling as adult after adult dug into the dip.

So that last thing I ever associated French Onion soup with, was comfort food. That all changed a few years ago when I decided to breastfeed beyond the first six months of Mr D’s life and I had to get creative with ways to treat myself when I was ill. I had not idea of the wonderful health benefits of onions – much less the magic that could be woven with French onion soup.

Suffering a head cold last week and worried that everyone else in the household was going to come down with it, I whipped up a pot of my French Onion soup – an adaption of one that appears in a wonderful Kate West book.

Ingredients

1kg brown onions – peeled and sliced thinly
2 cloves garlic – peeled and grated
30-50g butter
1 – 1.5l vegetable or beef stock
1 tbs vegemite (yeast extract) if using vegetable stock
Cracked pepper
Dash cayenne pepper (optional)

How to

Spend 10 – 20 minutes sautéing the onions in the butter over a low heat - until they are golden.
Add the garlic and cook for a minute, stirring to stop the garlic from sticking.
Stir in the stock, vegemite and cracked pepper. Bring to a low boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
Take off the heat and cool for at least an hour – this helps to blend the flavours and yes, you can taste the difference.
Re-heat the soup and serve with your favourite crusty bread.

Using a good quality organic vegetable stock or home made beef broth will enhance both the flavour and the restorative qualities of the soup (the Chinese feed their new mums broth made from ox bones because they believe it is imbued strengthening properties!) Unlike most French onion soups (commercial and restaurant ones) this soup is not salty if you get the stock right. And will help you feeling better sooner rather than later.

A Moment of Recognition

2009-03-11T05:15:00.000-07:00

Monday we were at kindy gym.

At the end of the class we get out the parachute, the parents hold onto it and the kiddies get to jump the air out of it, then giggle and squeal under it as it balloons out over the top of them.

As I grabbed my section of the parachute I looked across. The lady opposite me had a SuperGirl t-shirt on and I was smiling thinking it was so apt. I realised then that she was looking at me and that my silly grin was being reflected back.

I was wearing a Wonder Woman t-shirt.

Give me the Grateful Life

2009-03-08T07:22:00.001-07:00

It's been two weeks since I was last here - and even though there's lots to be a grateful for, I will try and keep the list compact.

1. I am grateful for having had four days at the Sunshine coast - time to stop, relax, build sandcastles and frollic in the surf. It also meant not having to cook dinner for three nights.

2. I am grateful for surprise lunch dates and having wonderful friends who bouy me with their enthusiasm for what is going on in my life.

3. I am grateful that Dylan is enjoying going to kindy gym and to introductory gymnastics. I continue to be amazed by his fortitude and determination.

4. I am grateful I am coming from a position of building bridges rather than burning them .. and for Dan sharing the philosophy of non-resistance.

5. I am grateful for supportive and clued in writing colleagues who were able to support me through the Facebook article debacle. Now I'm just glad for the traffic going to my blog.

6. I am grateful for free tickets - and thankful to Kerry and Kylie from Mothers Toolkit for the opportunity to go to the International Women's Day Luncheon last Friday.

7. I am grateful that networking is really just talking about yourself - and oh how I love to talk, and don't mind sharing a bit about myself either.

8. I am grateful that I still have a Facebook account.

9. I am grateful that the car is still running despite a massive oil leak. It WILL go to the car doc this week.

10. I am grateful for chances to rest in bed on the weekend - even if it comes in the guise of a headcold.

11. I am grateful for a resourceful partner who managed to find me sugarfree throat lozengers - so I could have a less sore throat without the sugar rush.

12. I am grateful for the continuing adventues of the amazing shrinking woman ... I am now 7kg lighter than I was at the beginning of the year ... and revelling in the comments from friends about the glow that I currently have.

13. I am grateful it was my turn to write some Captain Juan this week - I feel as though my fiction muscles as been atrophied of late.

What are you grateful for this week?

A Week of Gratitude

2009-02-24T04:33:00.000-08:00

It's time once again to pause, reflect and give thanks on the week that was (again late!)

With things back on a slightly more even keep than the have been in the past few weeks ... I should be back on track in a fortnight to start posting these wonderful lists on a Sunday evening.

1. I am grateful for the time and space that my partner's business trips bring.

2. I am grateful that I had my mother in law here to share the job of keeping Mr D amused while his Daddy was away.

3. I am grateful for high school crushes and the interesting twists they bring to life 20 years later.

4. I am grateful that the IGA down the road opens at 6am for emergency supplies of flour.

5. I am grateful that I am still moderating my sugar in take and continuing on my path as the amazing shrinking woman.

6. I am grateful for long cool glasses of mineral water and easy conversation.

7. I am grateful the Mr D is finally settling into kindy and enjoying himself.

8. I am grateful for kindy gym.

9. I am grateful for routines that fall into place without any thought or effort.

10. I am grateful for both my writing roles at Type A Mom and Write Anything for creating some structure to my writing week.

11. I am grateful for the writing courses that the Queensland Writer's Centre puts on.

12. I am grateful to have a business partner and writing colleague in Paul Anderson, and all the wonderful gifts he brings to these collaborations ... as well as being a wonderful friend.

13. I am grateful that after all this time Chinese Whisperings is starting to move forward and gain momentum.

14. I am grateful for the gifts that the Universe lavishes me with and for the moments of synchronicity.

What are you grateful for this week?

Give Me The Grateful Life

2009-02-18T04:12:00.000-08:00

It's time to give gratitude and thanks for the week that was (very very late I know)

1. I am grateful that I horded clothes for years and was able to donate them to the Victorian bushfire survivors. I thought that I was saving them for a rainy day - seems I was waiting for a fire storm. In doing this I was able to consolidate some of the trauma I felt from the '83 Ash Wednesday bush fires.

2. I am grateful that Dylan is back at kindy full time.

3. I am grateful that I am beginning to refill my cup again.

4. I am grateful that I have my mother-in-law staying while my beloved is away.

5. I am grateful for beer at the pub and conversations about quantum physics.

6. I am grateful that I collaborate with writers who are as crazy as I am.

7. I am grateful that I can say 'I love you' to my sister.

What are you grateful for this week?

Give me the Grateful Life

2009-02-10T05:41:00.000-08:00

It's taken me two days to work up to writing this post. In the aftermath of the Victorian bushfires I've felt guilty about coming here to write what I have anything to be grateful for, when so many others have lost more than I can ever imagine.

I am grateful that all my family and friends, both north and south are alive, safe from fire and floods and have their homes intact. I am also grateful that out of the death, destruction and anguish that a family rift has been healed. We've been estranged from my aunt's family for the past 16 years. The fires around the Whittlesea area were the impetus for my Mum to pick up the phone and ring her sister. Now there's a new chapter to look foward to in our family history - when chapters for other families are closing forever.

My heart and thoughts go out to not just the victims of this weekend's fires, but the survivors from Ash Wednesday in 1983 and Black Friday in 1939 - who must be reliving the horror all over again.

Tomorrow I will be going through our wardrobes for clothes and Mr D's room for toys to put with loads of other donations being shipped to Melbourne from Brisbane. I will also be donating blood next week. I am grateful that I have a chance to give something despite being so far away.

Give me the Grateful Life

2009-02-02T03:34:00.000-08:00

It's time again to give thanks for the week that was.

1. I am grateful that I am still awake to write this post - it seems to be a mammoth effort. But I am here.

2. I am grateful that we not only survived, but enjoyed our first camping trip away as a family.

3. I am grateful for the natural beauty that is so close to Brisbane.

4. I am grateful that I am fit enough to almost climb to the top of a crazy mini mountain. Check out the facebook photo.

5. I am grateful for having partaken in some sugary food and drink last week and discovered as a consequence that sugar now gives me a hideous headache. Now I have something else to sure up my resolve to stay away from the nasty substance.

6. I am grateful for Annie's folks for putting us up at their place for two nights.

7. I am grateful to Annie for inviting us all up to the Stanthorpe show and to revel in the excitement, via Dylan, that I once had for the carnival during summer as a child.

8. I am grateful that I am still crazy enough to consider the dodge 'em cars great fun and even more grateful that the head on collision I had didn't give me a sore neck like I feared it may have.

9. I am grateful that Dave's Mum is here allowing me some time to really get stuck into my anthology editing.

10. I am grateful for the new insight for a theme for my anthology and for the new challenges it poses to the creation of the anthology.

11. I am grateful that the weather has cooled a little and that the rain held off for my washing to get dry today - no more smokey camp fire smell infusing our clothing.

12. I am grateful that my internet is running at full speed again.

13. I am grateful to be doing the Artist Way with old friends and new ones, and to have Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach complimenting the wisdom of Julia Cameron.

14. I am grateful that I was able to devour Twilight despite having a busy weekend and spending one night without electric lighting! It will be easy to hit my February target of two books - though I might not learn much about good writing, just a little about the trascendence of a brilliant story over clumsy and immature writing!

15. I am grateful to Tallula for putting us onto the brilliant camping store - so I could get a camp fry pan, a toaster for the open fire and a few other necessities that large franchises don't bother to stock.

What are you grateful for this week past?

Give me the Grateful Life

2009-01-26T05:17:00.000-08:00

This week it's been the end of my creative year and the beginning (today) of a new one. It's also been ridiculously hot and humid for Brisbane, and the end of my love affair with the school holidays.

Having said that - it's the time of the week to look back and give thanks for the week that was.

1. I am grateful for airconditioning - I cannot believe that I am writing that as my number one for this week, but it's totally and utterly true. Those who know me wont believe it. I've lost my Cairns fortitude for the humidity.

2. I am grateful that I am look back and give thanks on my first year of writing .. and to also offer thanks to those who have travelled that path with me.

3. I am grateful that yesterday there was some quiet time to make card to say thank you!

4. I am grateful that I know my limitations and boundaries and that I can ask for help when needed.

5. I am grateful that I am bleeding today - one more day of PMT and the family would have relocated.

6. I am grateful that I can create a Red Tent in my head and retreat there.

7. I am grateful for good friends, good good and conversation.

8. I am grateful that it is the Year of the Ox and I feel fantastic about it!

9. I am grateful that Mr Dave and Dave spending time together is win-win-win for all of us.

10. I am grateful for discovering the pink bubbles that Annie left behind.

11. I am grateful to my beautiful friend Michelle for opening her home to us last week and allowing us to romp and play in the surf.

12. I am grateful also to my friend for Michelle for being flexible and allowing Mr D to camp out under the massage table so I could have my KaHuna body work and still allow Mr D to have the connection and sense of safety he needed.

13. I am grateful that childeren tell the truth - there are no veils, not deceptions - all you have to do is listen!

14. I am grateful that I will only have to sit through the Tale of Desperaux ONCE!

What are you grateful for this week?

Give me the Grateful Life

2009-01-19T14:41:00.000-08:00

It's time again to reflect back on the week that was and give gratitude and thanks.

This week it's a bit tough, as I sit here (a day late), in a less than gracious mood, being hassled by Mr D to make porridge (because they had porridge on Sesame Street) to be grateful, but I'll give it a try.

1. I am grateful for making this weekly post, because it forces me to be grateful when I'd rather be writing a list of things to be p*ssed off about!

2. I am grateful to have a new writing and editing gig at Type-A Mom in the breastfeeding section.

3. I am grateful that the Universe always knows the best place to put me - that breastfeeding is probably a far better (and safer option) for me to be in, than birth.

4. I am grateful that I might actually earn some money from writing or editing.

5. I am grateful that my partner has a sense of humour and can tease me about my friendship with Paul - calling him 'my other boyfriend' - without any element of jealousy.

6. I am grateful that my profile as a writer is increasing.

7. I am grateful that I've enjoyed most of the school holidays.

8. I am grateful that we are on the count down to the start of the kindy year (with Orientation morning this Thursday).

9. I am grateful that Mr D has been asking when kindy starts again - missing it makes m hopefuly that the transition back in will be easier than last year.

10. I am grateful for really cool, free public activities like Disco Puppy at the Ipswich Art Centre.

11. I am grateful that Mr D and I will be spending the day together doing fun stuff on Thursday.

12. I am grateful my nephew really liked the the Wedgeits that we got him for his birthday.

13. I am grateful that I am now in a better mood for having written this list!

What are you grateful for this week?

Give me the Grateful Life - Monday

2009-01-11T23:52:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the week again when I pause, ponder and give thanks for the week that was - and encourage you to do the same.

1. I am grateful that Pluto is out of Sagittarius and that Jupiter is moving into Aquarius - for I now feel freer and lighter, expansive and confident that I have in - well I can't remember when!

2. I am grateful for IKEA and the fact that my partner and son can assemble the flat packs without too much trouble.

3. I am grateful for Facebook hooking me out with long lost friends. I feel truly blessed.

4. I am grateful for having wonderful writing colleagues such as Annie and Paul.

5. I am grateful for having decided to compile and anthology of my short stories even though it is currently a painful process of editing and rewriting which I wish would just end. I know the end product will be worth it.

6. I am grateful to all the friends I have in Brisbane who expect nothing of me other than my friendship.

6. I am grateful that Rachael turned 40 recently - so she could have a cracking party at the Jazz Club last night.

7. I am grateful that I have given up sugar (it is now 12 days but I'm not counting) I have currently lost almost 2.5kg and it continues to drop off.

8. I am grateful that my digestive functions are getting a change to return to normal after years of abuse.

9. I am grateful that I didn't have a hangover this morning - though there was definitely a threat of it.

10. I am grateful that there seem to be enough job opportunities out there to keep my darling partner bouyed in his efforts to find a new job. I might even say one day that I am grateful to Rio Tinto for making him redundant and slashing 90% of the old Alcaneng workforce.

11. I am grateful that I have wanderlust - this means that it isn't so daunting to have a partner applying for jobs in the United Arab Emirates.

12. I am grateful to be right here, right now.

13. I am grateful that we can go to the movies and get tickest, pop corn and a frozen drink for less than $20. The Balmoral Theatre rocks!

14. I am grateful that I chose to have a down year last year and am now ready to attack this year with passionate abandon.

By Jove! An Adventure in Ikea Land

2009-01-07T21:09:00.000-08:00

There's been some massive shifts in the astrological energy of late. Pluto moved out of Sagittarius ( hurray!) and into Capricorn late last year. Now Jupiter has moved into Aquarius where it will spend the rest of this year. I wouldn't normally go on too much about feeling 'shifts' etc but this time I have definitely felt the moves. That's probably not surprisingly considering that I am a Sagittarian and part of me is very glad to see the last of Pluto in my sun sign. Pluto is revolutionary and evolutionary and I'm certainly a stronger person for having survived 12 years of the Lord in my sun sign. Pluto for me feels like a heavy weight bearing down on you - at best a wet blanket. In terms of Jupiter and Aquarius - I have my natal Jupiter in Aquarius. Jupiter is also the ruling planet of Sagittarius.

Lots of things from the past few years that have seemed unmoveable or beyond my emotional resilience have, literally, just dissolved away. And part of my wonders what the big deal was? There is enough residual to remember that it was a big deal, yet now it seems hard to really comprehend how hard and difficult it was (a little like labouring I guess). I feel light, unfettered and free of the baggage of the past. It feels good!

Now with Jupiter slipping into Aquarius I am already feeling the expansion through there. Aquarius falls in my 11th house mainly, so a very Jupiter feel hitting on goals, friends, community. For the first time in a year I feel not just ready to crawl out of last years cocoon and meet the world, but feel more like my happy go lucky self. Ready to have adventures and do slightly bizarre things. Like my trip to Ikea today.

Mr D went off with Annie and her tribe, while I was planning to dump my flat packs at home, pick up my computer and go back to Annie's house. When I got to the car I realised I needed someone else to help me get the largest flat pack into the car. Looking across to the neighbouring car, I could see that there were two teenage boys there. After a few more attempts of sliding it into the wagon by myself I resolved to go over and ask a lend of a son.

If this were last year I would have thought it, cringed away from it and just battled with the flat pack.

Luck (Jove?) was on my side, because the lady with the teenage boys saw me and asked if I'd like help and sent one of the boys to lend me a hand. Then it was my turn to lend a hand.

Getting flat packs, your other assorted loose items, all your children and yourself into the car can be the real life equivalent to 3D tetris. I could hear one of the boys saying 'It's not going to fit Mum.' I was invited over to have a look and give my ideas on how it might all fit in. It didn't take long to realise that no amount of creative thinking, laying down of seats of squeezing in was going to make it all fit in. They decided that they'd need to go back upstairs and organise to have it delivered.

I couldn't help myself: "Where do you live?"

As it turned out quite a distance from where I was heading, but factoring in Mr D at Annie's place, and ignoring my 'need' for my computer (as opposed to my 'need' for a good excuse to swear off editing a short story today!) their place was actually near to where I was going. So I ended up taking Meg's flat packs in my car, followed her home to her place and voila! And the generosity worked both ways - with Meg's very generous donation towards fuel. Thanks Meg!

It's the sort of crazy thing I would never have contemplated a few months ago. I would have scurried back into my car and left - probably beating myself up on the way home for not at least offering to help. In doing this not only did I help someone out but stepped out of my comfort zone to meet someone new. How exciting!

So the Universe works in strange ways ... and, if being totally honest, I'm glad to have been made a deposit in my karma bank.

When Mystic Medusa's site goes live again (she's currently in the process of upgrarding and shifting things across into their new format) I'll post a link for some great information regarding what to expect from Jupiter in Aquarius and the impending Mercury Retrograde that kicks off over the weekend.

Give me the Grateful Life - Monday

2009-01-04T22:19:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the week again when it's time to pause, ponder and give thanks for the week that was.

This week was one of those lovely quiet weeks where life gets put on hold for a while and you can just hang out. It was also the week that saw one door closing and another on opening.

I am grateful that my neighbours are happy to co-exist happily beside me, without the need for storming my sovereign territory and exerting the idea of rulership over me.
I am grateful to see the end of 2008 and to embrace a new year. One that I feel offers all manner of wonderful opportunities to grow as a person, a mother, a partner and a writer.
I am grateful for having been able to see the dawn of a new year - and to have a pool in which to take a dip in as the sun rises on that very first morning.
I am grateful for having written enough stories to compile a professional anthology of short stories this month.
I am grateful for having the skills to be able to create above mentioned self publishing ventures and to share those skills with my fellow writers.
I am grateful for the fact that my connection to the creative stream has been strong.
I am grateful for a new year, for resolutions, action plans and the likes that provide ample fodder for blog posts and keeping goals of writing every day.
I am grateful to a wonderful partner who helped to clean and tidy the house over the weekend - grateful that we're almost there!
I am grateful that play dates have resumed and that the holidays are almost half over. And to think that I was worried that I wasn't going to cope?
I am grateful that we've decided to take a more active role socially and will enjoy many more wonderful bbq and social gatherings in our home and beyond.
I am grateful for my 4c a day funding of the ABC (Aunty) - it's the cheapest babysitting especially on New Years Day.
I am grateful that my partner had lots of time off over the festive season and had a chance to reconnect with Mr D.
I am grateful for being busy!

What are you grateful for this week?

You can find Give me the Grateful Life at Merlot's Mum, where the original idea comes from.

Image found at Powerful Intentions

A tale of New Years Past

2008-12-31T09:35:00.000-08:00

I've just been reading my post from approximately the same time last year. This year it's a slightly sadder and more difficult affair to see the dawn of a new year (which has been tradition for most of this millenium, which I was able to reintergrate back into my life last year!) There is no Rage this year and certainly no Chaser programming it. Instead there was Moulin Rouge - which would have been great had I not watched it as my birthday movie two weeks ago and Can't Stop the Music (The Village People movie). Now having moved into the third hour of the new year there is only the those terrible adds that run for half an hour to sell you miracle skin care, cosmetics, kitchen appliances etc. So it's just me, the glass of frangelico with the rapidly melting ice, the clatter of the fan and the quiet chorus of cicadas floating through my window.

On the way to Annie and Adrian's tonight, Dave and I were discussing how New Years changes as you get older. I guess what we were angling at was that the meaning put on New Years changes as we get older. Personally I was never a great fan of New Years Eve. It always just seemed to be full of pissed wankers making my life difficult or just a really dismal evening. Too much expectation and not enough in return. Dave had different ideas based on his own experiences.

Reflecting back I remembered the New Years Eve (when I was 20 I'm reckoning) where I decided it would be a great idea to ask the guy from the bank out for New Years drinks. As it turned out he was deathly boring and I spent all night stuck next to him trying to strike up a conversation, trying to get someone else to strike up a conversation with him and/or wishing that I was , dancing like a wild chick and not giving a damn about babysitting someone with the personality of a rock! Sadly after this encounter I had to go to a different branch to avoid him.

Then there was the New Years Eve the year before that when I was released from hospital after having micro surgery on my eye, having had my best friend bunk off with one boyfriend and the one that came after that bunking off with his best mates sister - so I was all alone, with an eye that had been carved up, unable to drink alcohol, nursing a broken heart and post surgery woes. From memory, through my one good eye I watched one of the Alien movies and something with Sean Connery in it (Medicine Man?)

We wont mention my first new years eve legally allowed to drink(it's like the war in Fawlty Towers but you dont get away with it just the once!) ... if my Mum or my sister are reading this - they'll remember it and I'm sure put their 2 cents worth in through the comment box. Let's just say it had lots to do with Mississipi Moonshine and Brian's Adams, and not a lot to do with anything else.

Fast forward a few more years, to 1999 and I made the new years resolution that I would not be with my partner of the time the following new years eve (and I wasn't - just so you know that I do keep my resolutions when I make them - just like giving up beer and MacDonalds at various other times through out my checkered life) We were in Port Fairy which had pretty strict public alcohol rules. Through the drunken reverie I heard my name called out, turned to see a copper. I immediately hid the bourbon and coke behind my back, thinking I was about to be done for having alcohol in the mainstreet. On closer inspection the copper turned out to be an old friend I hadn't seen in years. The strangest places you meet people!

It wasn't until I met my soul sister Karen that New Years looked up. We spent the first NYE of our friend at a Rave that basically consisted of the two of us, the DJs and some security hosted at the Table Tennis Association! It poured rain and in between the dancing I was on the phone to America to a guy I'd been chatting to on the internet. At dawn we went down to the esplanade to see the sun come up - which was a little pointless. It was so heavily overcast we had to guess when the sun was up. It was the first of three years in a row when I fell asleep in the bath, with the shower running overhead at Karen's place.

The following year it was Karen, Lisa and I - and my Audrey Hepburn retro Rave dress. I'd returned out of the blue two weeks earlier from NSW and the three of us were set to party! We danced for five hours (in my high heel boots - it took days for my feet to recover) fueled by bottles of V, nectarines from Rusty's market and chocolate. Just before dawn he headed down to the Esplanade to see the sun come up - blessed by clearish skies and I watched my (then) pilot boyfriend fly out over the inlet for PNG. We had lots of photos taken in our sunnies and rave clothes and then it was back to Karen's to fall asleep in the shower.

The last NYE Karen and I had together it was with our men in tow - Lisa had gone overseas to England. We caught the fire works and then headed into Orchid Valley to a rainforest rave. There was a moment where a guy was sitting in the middle of the rainforest stream, legs crossed mediatating - looking as though he was levitating on the water. Karen came up with the brilliant idea that we should go to Bramston Beach to watch the sun come up (the kookaburras have just started up here - it's currently 3:47am) So into the car we piled - none of having drunk anything other than some V and water .. and off for a 45 minute drive. It was amazing watching the sun come up over the water - the beach all to ourselves. The photos taken that morning are some of my most treasured photos. I wont bother to put in the bit about bumping wallabies on the way into Bramston Beach.

Since then NYE hasn't been the same. It never seems like a party without Karen.

At Annie's tonight we sat around the table contemplating what 2009 held for us and what we wanted to snatch from it - the books we wanted to read, the things we wanted to learn, the things we wanted to give back .... but more of that tomorrow.

As always I feel like I'm now in limbo land between the 'Western' new year and the 'Eastern' new year. For the next 25 days until the Chinese New Year begins I'm going to do some cleaning up and laying down of some groundwork for (at least) one writing project that's been long over due. Time to contemplate the year of authenticity that is passing and the year of action that is coming into the fore. But there will be some biting of the bullet occuring when I wake up and as far as my body and my mind are concerned the new year begins. But until then -

To pass the time until the sun comes up and I can take my celebratory swin ... I think I'll go and lay out my tarot cards and see what awaits me in 2009?

PS: I'm bringing the Audrey Hepburn retro rave dress out of moth balls for NYE 2009/10 and you can hold me to that one!

Original Image (c) Karen van Harskamp 2002, additional graphics Jodi Cleghorn 2008

Give me the Grateful Life - Monday

2008-12-29T04:30:00.001-08:00

It's that time of the week again when it's time to pause, ponder and give thanks for the week that was.

As a week that enveloped the festive celebrations of Christmas and flare ups in violence in the Gaza Strip there is a lot to be thankful for.

1. I am grateful that I live in a house, a suburb, a city, a state and a country that is safe - where I do not have to live in constant fear of bombings, military/militia attacks, gun battles, to worry for the safety of myself, my family or friends ....

2. I am grateful that Christmas was a wonderful family event that flowed on into Boxing Day and the days after.

3. I am grateful that I got to meet my niece Kira for the first time and hope to be able to forge a close bond with her over the coming years.

4. I am grateful (for once) that my mental processes for 'come back lines' is slow and I therefore avoided a potential argument/disruption to the family festivities on Christmas Day when my Grandmother baited me for the second time on Christmas Day. And then to have let it go so I could enjoy, instead of simmer, for the rest of the day.

5. I am grateful that I am able to recognise within myself that I am wrong sometimes, that I am an imperfect person at best and that I can shoulder the burden of my trajectories in life for what they are.

6. I am grateful for the fact that my family, both nuclear and extended, accepts me for what I am and who I am, even when I can't accept myself.

7. I am grateful to my Mum for shouting us three lovely nights in a rather swank holiday apartment at Coco Mooloolaba over the Christmas period.

8. I am grateful for the airconditioning engine that seized in our holiday apartment the first night that we were there which has given us the opportunity to go back there for another three nights some time in the near future. And also grateful to Peter at Coco for his efforts to ensure we were comfortable during the balmy days and nights.

9. I am grateful for the wonderful hospitality ofBrigitte and Peter at Lydon Lodge in Maleny where we stayed in the lead up to Christmas and especially for the shine they both took to Mr D. Also for the other guests who were so open and friendly to offers of rum balls and other delights on Christmas Eve and slightly loud boisterous excitement on Christmas morning.

10. I am grateful to have spent time over the Christmas break with all my family - including my now adult cousin who I haven't seen, much less spoken to, since he was a little kid no bigger than Mr D.

11. I am grateful for the calm of the mountains and the soothing essence of the sea.

12. I am grateful to be a wild and impetuous writer who has visitations from her characters at all bizarre moments of the day and night.

13. I am grateful to have a son who hugs and kisses me - who writes "I love Mum" on the fogged up shower panel.

14. I am grateful (though rather sad) that Mr D's hair is gone. No more arguments about hair washing/brushing/combing which have ensued over the past two and a half years.

2008-12-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

Three Things is an project of Oxfam's centred on sharing thoughts and ideas on what makes our world tick and how we can make it better. Three Things has listed the following questions on their Facebook Page under the company overview:

Three Things that make you smile...
1. my son – especially when he’s smiling or singing silly songs.
2. watching Adam Hills or David Tennant
3. talking about Captain Juan and his future adventures

Three things you do each day...
1. wake up
2. wish I had more time
3. read

Three Things that frustrate you...
1. Writers block or not having the time to write when beset with the writers urge
2. Being interrupted when I’m trying to work
3. Ants

Three Things you can do to help a stranger...
1. smile
2. if they’re a Mum with a difficult child reassure them that we all have days like this and they’re doing the toughest job on the planet (someone once did this for me on a particularly bad trip to the supermarket)
3. offer directions if they ask for help

Three Things you'd like to change...
1. The general population’s attitude towards birthing
2. The general population’s attitude towards mothering
3. The Government’s commitment to reducing green house emissions

Now I ask three friends to share their free things ... so Annie, Paul and Dan - what are your three things?

Give me the Grateful Life - Monday

2008-12-22T00:16:00.000-08:00

In this pre-Christmas funk – caught somewhere between packing and wrapping to go away on holiday and the excitement of actually being away, I'm stopping to pause and reflect on the week that was.

Giving thanks and gratitude is one of the most soul warming things we can do in life.

1. I am grateful for the school holidays and for the chance to reconnect with Mr D. I thought it would be awful with no down time, but to date it hasn’t been. You are welcome to quote me on this around week 6 of the holiday period.

2. I am grateful for having a child and having permission to do lots of things that are considered unseemly for adults to be seen doing.

3. I am grateful for having a pool – this summer is far hotter than the last and with Mr D swimming independently now it’s the place to while away the hours.

4. I am grateful for the live violin music that is filtering in through my bedroom window from somewhere further down the street. (My partner is pointing out that earlier it was recorder and it was bloody awful .. I’ve obviously picked the right time of day to be writing in the bedroom)

5. I am grateful that tomorrow I will be on holidays.

6. I am grateful that rum balls are so easy to make and so yummy to eat.

7. I am grateful that I have a thick skin and that I was able to take the rejection of my short story in my stride and see it as a positive rather than a negative. See below for more details.

8. I am grateful for the opportunity to have critiqued one of Paul’s short stories and on the back of that to have had a wonderful conversation with him via Skype. A bit of a weird moment where the ‘podcast voice’ was actually talking back to me, rather than at me.

9. I am grateful that when I go to bed tonight all the presents will be wrapped, all the clothes will be packed and in the morning we will simply get up and leave (that’s what I am putting out to the Universe) for Maleny.

10. I am grateful to be another year older and wiser, and to still be without a grey hair (I've probably gone and done it now!)

11. I am grateful to the Universe for heeding my wishes (even if I was ignoring them) and giving me the chance to have the low key, quiet birthday that I actually wanted. But grateful also for Facebook that allowed me to receive more birthday wishes that I have had in years, from friends I definitely haven’t seen in years.

12. I am grateful for having breastfeed Mr D for three years. He had chicken pox last week and other than a few skin lesions and being a little more emotionally sensitive, didn’t miss and beat.

13. I am grateful for Mr D’s singing ability and his choice of songs. Today it’s his own composition “Rock n Roll Space Monkey” and an awesome rendition of “last Christmas’ by Wham that he picked up from me.

14. I am grateful that I am looking forward to an extended family Christmas with much excitement and anticipation, and the relief that brings.

Have a very Merry Christmas and I’ll be back around the 29th December with new tales to tell and pictures to share from a very Cleghorn Christmas on the Sunshine Coast. Until then I will try my best to have a couple of scheduled posts to tie you over.

I’ve also published my story ‘Deck the Balls’ in two parts on my other blog.

You can find Give me the Grateful Life at Merlot's Mum, where the original idea comes from.

From the mouth of Babes

2008-12-17T18:30:00.000-08:00

I always forget these joyous snippets compliments of Mr D ... so here is one from a few days ago. We were watching Bear in the Big Blue house and preparing to celebrate my birthday. The conversation went something like this ...

Mr D: Mum why doesn't Bear in the Big Blue house have a penis?
Me: (busy doing other stuff I misheard what he said and replied) That's not Bear's penis, it's his tail love.
Mr D: NO! I know that's his tail. Why doesn't he have a penis?
Mum: (a moment of quiet contemplation on my part) Because sweetheart if he had a penis he wouldn't be allowed on kid's TV, that's why.
Mr D: How does he pee then?
Mum: (another moment of quiet contemplation) Is Bear in the Big Blue House real sweetheart?
Mr D: (giggling) of course not. He's pretend.
Mum: OK - well if Bear in the Big Blue House needed to pee, the man would just climb out of the costume and go to the toilet.

Mr D nods and goes back to watching Bear in the Big Blue house and the moment has passed. I found out that afternoon that Bear does have a DVD about potty training. I'm sure that must be interesting for a Bear emasculated of the necessary pipework :) And to think that Humphrey Bear has been controversial for years for the fact that he has never worn pants - just that tartan vest and tie. I understand now ... the lack of pants is controversial because of all the thought provoking comments made by small children who have realised over the years that Australia's most loved Bear is missing what nature intended ... and all those poor Mum's scrambling to explain why that is so.

Happy Birthday

2008-12-16T03:34:00.000-08:00

Today was my birthday. I'm not shy - I turned 35 this year. Unlike other years I hankered after a low key event. It seemed to be more in keeping with what my year has been like. A chrysalis year. I wanted to keep it simple but all my friends were asking what I intended to do for my birthday - so I felt somewhat compelled to have my big birthday bash with the yearly bad movie (this year it was the 'good' Moulin Rouge')

This is where I love how the Universe steps in to create what I wanted in the first place. Mr D broke out with Chicken Pox on Sunday, so it was down to just Annie and I, and a tribe of kids. So beware what you secretly desire because the Universe is always listening.

Today, somehow we got onto the topic of Hector the Cat. He was the big road safety icon in Victoria in the '70s (but possibly across at least all of Australia and the UK). I couldn't help myself and went searching for a clip on the internet. And in my travels I came across this - which seemed to be a perfect way to celebrate my 35 years on this planet ... with a bit of humour. The ones with the smiley face after them are ones that I remember.

From the BBC's H2G2 site -
You're almost certainly a child of the 1970s if any of these make sense to you:

* You remember the theme tune from The Muppets :o) and I can still sing it

* Summers were long and hot. :o) and you could play on the slip and slide

* Basketball was only played by Americans my Dad said he broke fingers playing it at high school so not so sure about this one.

* Doctor Who scared you silly :o) and still does - though everyone knows my position on David Tennant

* You remember the first space invaders :o) rock on Atari

* You remember real water restrictions - there's something worse than Level 6 water restrictions???

* You queued up to see The Village People movie - too young!

* You went to a drive-in with your parents... in your pyjamas :o) I remember seeing King Kong

* You didn't want the hairdresser to cut above your ears until late high school.

* Fags were called fags and nobody batted an eyelid when eight year olds walked down the street with a lolly cigarette hanging out their mouth :o) I still remember the taste of these things and how cool we thought we looked with them hanging out our gobs.

* You got tough summer feet every summer without trying :o)

* You remember when electric typewriters came in :o)

* You remember when calculators were introduced at school :o)

* You remember the fuss made about gays in San Fransisco.

* You drank flavoured milk - I didn't but everyone else did

* You collected plastic toys out of cornflakes packets :o) Elephants if I remember correctly were my favourite and were always inappropriately coloured.

* You desperately, desperately wanted one of those cool six wheeled buggies that the Banana Splits drove :o) and I still love the song from the Banana Splits

* Stubbing your toe whilst running across the road in summer barefoot, trying not to burn your feet raw was an annual experience :o)

* Matchbox cars or Barbies were essential to your development :o) I had both - well rounded .. and I also had Charlie's Angels dolls until my sister pulled the head off them all.

* You had cardboard dolls (or your sisters did) that came with books of paper clothes that you tore out and stuck on the doll :o)

* Kids read children's magazines that had cartoons without fighting and guns in them :o)

* The kid with the pool was your best friend :o) has anything changed?

* The only place you could get a pizza was Pizza Hut - and it was expensive :o) It was still a BIG THING in high school to go to Pizza Hut - remember Rachael Hussy's birthday party there in Year 8? Though in the 70's we DID have an awesome Italian pizza shop in Warrandyte.

* You played dress-ups in your parents' funky clothes that you would kill to get your hands on now :o) we were literally just talking about this yesterday.

* You had a terry towelling hat that had yellow plastic sunglasses built into the brim that came down over your face - this sounds like something Elton John is to blame for??

* You, or a female relative, had a see through umbrella that came down over the shoulders so you had to look through the plastic. They were totally useless in windy conditions, though very hard to turn inside out.

*
You weren't wearing flannelette because it was cool :o) I still love flannelette PJs and sheets

And here are just a few items that might be specific to Australia...:

* You remember Hector the Road Safety Cat sing :

Look to the right, look to the left, and look to the right again, then if the road is clear of traffic. Walk straight across the road - don't run - walk straight across the road.

* 20c worth of mixed lollies could last you hours... and 50c, well only older kids could afford that much :o) 50c worth came in brown paper bags as opposed to the little white ones that 20c came in

* Icypoles were 5c and paddle pops were 20c :o)

* Sunnyboys and poppers (boxed drinks with straws attached) were your stable school diet :o)

* Fanta tasted like Fanta should. There was Tang and Tab. Tab, so right for beautiful people, and Leed lemonade :o) The Tab add had a negro lady which would be sooooo politically incorrect now!

* You wondered how the Coke girls and boys got inside that big clear beach ball.

* You wore a leather band around your wrist and believed that you had to sleep with any boy/girl that broke it - definitely too young for that one!

* Dunlop Volleys trainers were a viable option and Puma Romes were fashionable :o)

* You remember those plastic 'Peters' ice cream signs glowing at the top of the milkbar. And you collected the plastic popsticks that had holes in them so you could make things with them, and they came in lots of bright colours :o) Back in the days when everyone lived near a 'corner store' or 'milkbar'

* You watched Hey, Hey It's Saturday... before breakfast :o) again we were talking about this yesterday

* Leopard footprints on the soles of your school shoes were ace.

* You put chip packets in the oven to make shrinkies :o) and made our mother VERY mad trying to shrink twistie packets

* An essential part of your packed lunch in highschool was a Prima, unless you bought a frozen Sunny Boy :o) Razz the red ones were my favourite.

* You actually went through at least one pair of thongs a year because you wore them so much.

* There were swap cards in with the bread that was wrapped in wax paper.

* Ice cream came in tins made of metal, not plastic pots.

If you were a child of the 70's what do you remember?

And to end ... who do I share my birthday with. I thought I'd turn to Wiki to explore beyond the known ... and came up with some interesting ones:

Catherine of Aragon (First wife of Henry 8th)
Ludwig Beethoven
Jane Austen
Margaret Mead
Sir Arthur C Clarke (perhaps there's hope for my sci-fi writing after all!)
Phillip K Dick (perhaps there really is!)
Benny Andersson
Joel Garner
Georgie Parker (I still hate her singing on Play School even if we do share a birthday!)
Miranda Otto

Give me the Grateful Life

2008-12-15T01:54:00.000-08:00

For the past few months I have been getting Merlot Mum's blog posts via FeedBurner. I particularly look forward to her Monday post (which sadly arrives Tuesday for me because of time zone differences) What makes Monday so special. As each week kicks off Merlot Mum looks back on the week that was and reflects on the things that she's grateful for.

In our busy and challenging lives as Mums we can get so caught up in life that we forget and give thanks for what we have. In the spirit of Merlot Mum ... here is my first list of gratitudes (and hopefully not the last!)

1. I am grateful that my body is still young enough to cope with a night of Xmas frivolity - including lots of white wine, dancing and even a surreptious puff on a cigarette. I shall just forget the fact that it's taken two days to recover! I am also grateful for being reminded how much I love dancing and how wonderful the body can feel after some exercise.

2. I am grateful for the wonderful care that my son received at kindy this year that's allowed him to come into his own as a young fella - to have had his emotional and social wellbeing nurtured and encouraged. And for the fantastic folder that his kindy teacher and assistant put together, with many wonderful keeps sakes and loads of fantastic photos. I'm also grateful that he will be returning to kindy in 2009 along with three other friends from this year.

3. I'm grateful that we have a pool to escape from the heat from.

4. I'm grateful for the parking fairy who got us a park first up this morning on our trip to the shops for Santa photos.

5. I am grateful that Mr D climbed up onto Santa's knee without hestitation this year and shared a stunning smile with all. And also grateful that we didn't have to wait forever in line and that Annie paved the way with her kids and was so respectful of Dylan's need to suss out Santa (as I'd got caught up chatting to a friend from Kindy)

6. I am grateful for the fact that I don't need to invite thousands of friends and their tribes to my birthday to feel loved and appreciated. The fact that I love and appreciate myself is enough this year - all the rest will be icing on the cake.

7. I am grateful that I will be spending the Christmas period with my family and that we are all in a good space together at the moment.

8. I am grateful to my Mum for shouting us three nights in a beautiful apartment in Mooloolaba so that we can all be close together for a few evenings.

9. I am grateful for the fact that I don't give a toss how bad I look in my new black and white stripey bikinis and can just enjoy romping around the pool in them.

10. I am grateful for the fact that Rio Tinto have told my partner that he wont have a job after January so we now all know where we stand and can move on to find another job.

11. I am grateful to the Universe and Dave's considerable contacts for the fact that we wont end up in a precarious financial situation in 2009.

12. I am grateful for my beautiful friend Annie and her two fanastic kids. I don't tell them enough how important and special they are.

13. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to sit in circle with women over the weekend at a blessingway and to have been able to share in the wonders that such gatherings bring.

14. I am grateful for double brie cheese on sale ... I'd never get to enjoy it otherwise.

15. I am grateful for the breeze that is picking up - promising a cooler night than we've had recently.

16. I am grateful it is school holidays. I'll say it now because in two weeks time I may not be in such a good place with it

What are you grateful for this week?

Image found at Powerful Intentions

A Tomato Sandwich

2008-12-07T02:07:00.000-08:00

“It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a home-grown tomato.”

Lewis Grizzard

I’ve been on all year about simple pleasures and luxuries. While we were away in New South Wales I indulged in one of my long forgotten favourites.

A tomato sandwich.

When I was a kid my parents always grew tomatoes. No matter where we were there were always a couple of tomato bushes. When we lived in Cairns they were fertilised with the slops from the bottom of my Dad’s home brew (and incidentally were the best tomatoes that I’ve EVER tasted!) As a primary school kid, in summer there was always a tomato in my lunch box, despite the fact that my friends thought it bizarre to eat a tomato as though it were an apple. I loved them too much to give in to peer pressure and ask Mum to leave them out of my lunch box.

Having my parent’s home grown tomatoes on soft white bread, with the tiniest shake of black pepper … it was one of the best things in the world and an easy weekend lunch. Everyone knows, you can only truly enjoy a tomato sandwich fresh – before the sweet juices turn the bread back to dough.

While my cherry tomatoes this year are more like weeds (they have taken over part of the backyard) … I haven’t perfected their bigger sisters. I think I need to get some good organic stock. Or perhaps Dave needs to start brewing his own beer!

So this summer – I will be treating myself to the effortless pleasure of a tomato sandwhich on fresh chunky bread more often. Who knows – maybe I’ll even fire up the bread maker and start making my own bread again?

If a sandwich can be considered a simple luxury – how do you indulge?

Pluto in Capricorn

2008-11-26T22:59:00.000-08:00

"I am profoundly imbued with a sense of awakening because of your veil lifting. I was lost, but now I am found..." From Lost in Space

It's the end of an era.

Pluto moved into Capricorn today. Then end of a 12 year period. For me it's meant a very intense period where Pluto transitted my sun. I'm really glad for a new start. And with this new start I have decided to divide my blog - my fiction writing and non fiction articles will remain at Jodi Cleghorn ... and my personal musings are finding a new home here.

I will be back in a week after a trip to New South Wales to celebrate some belated birthdays and catch up with family we haven't seen for a long time. I'm sure there will be much to share when I get back.

Shine a little light

2008-08-19T04:33:00.000-07:00

.... And of course when the first electric bulb was on, he was dazed, mystified. He was sitting there looking at it. Half the night passed, and more and more hours started slipping by. And his wife came and she said, "Have you gone mad or something? What are you doing here looking at that stupid light? Go to sleep!"

She called it "that stupid light." And it is said that Edison cried, "You call it a stupid light. Do you know what electricity is?"

And she said "I know," because she had been watching him turn things on and off, this and that. And she said, "I know - you turn that on or off. That's electricity."

(from OSHO - Sex Matters:from sex to superconsciousness)

Photo: (c) Jodi Cleghorn - Lighthouse at Cape Byron 2008