Something I loved My travels! I had the best time - and while predominately alone for it (I did spend 4 days with a friend in the 2 weeks), it was such a luxury to travel at my own pace (which is more intense than my family can deal with) and cramming so much sight seeing in - I was still roaming around sites at 10pm some nights - there was not a wasted minute!
Seeing Alle Farben at Parookaville, neither of which disappointed. He was so great with a choir, brass section and violinist at times, as well as live singers. It was such a joyous set and my heart was full!
Something that sustained me My travels! I saw so much beautiful art and interesting history and culture. I was filling my mind every day with things to think about and learn. It was so invigorating!
Something I'm carrying forward from this month to next I read three books in the two weeks I was away. I really hope to keep that pace up, making time to physically read. There's a real joy in that, plus relaxation of getting lost in another world.
Something I'm making space for I think I say this every month but exercise. While I was away I was walking around so much, lugging heavy bags and really just getting a work out daily. I need to keep this up as I think I felt better for it....
I read Hooked because I liked the cover. I enjoyed it - it's quite nasty and funny, but it is a little too long and I felt the ending was a bit soft. I then read Butter as friends had been talking about it, and I realised it was the same author.
The concept is really interesting, and the ideas, that food is made to show love, but for women, it's restriction and a problem etc. Again nasty people, lonely people but a more interesting imagery thread than Hooked. That said, I think I liked Hooked better - more gritty and laugh out loud humour.
I liked Butter more than my friends did, but again, it's too long. I think both books would benefit with more concise storytelling. But it's a best seller so what do I know?
This is a short story and really lovely - powerful and impactful. I thought it was excellent. Dua Lipa's book club discussion about it with Claire Keegan is here.
This is our book club book. I have to say there's nothing wrong with it, just not for me. Very light and easy to read. Obviously about ageing...and people...It's written by a Australian Doctor who works in the sector and so there's a lot of what good aged care can do to allow elderly people to thrive in a new stage of life that can be so difficult to adjust to. It's sweet.
With the school holidays, and a very sick dog (breaking my heart) and a pending trip, I've shut #Allseasons until the end of the month, and am now off the blog until August. I want to apologise to all for the terrible effort in keeping up with comments on the linkies. I will try to do better on my return.
Life has just been unravelling for me of late.
Wishing you all safe journeys if on School holidays or just peace in your world.
I will be on Insta playing a real life version of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? So feel free to follow along to watch what maybe the most logistically idiotic trip ever imagined....(Or the best trip ever, who can tell?)
I was heading to the Opera House when a woman literally ran after me and stopped me. We had gone to school together and been friends when the kids were young, but feel out of touch when they moved interstate and we stopped going up there for holidays.
We caught up for lunch at a midway point, well out of any of my usual haunts.
As lovely as it was to catch up on our lives and find our old friendship, it was invogorating to visit and explore a new place.
We get too stuck in what's local and familliar, and our world shrinks because of it. There is something so invograting and refreshing by seeing new landscapes, learning new things or hearing new stories.
I think we need to always have curiosity and a keeness for discovery. I don't believe you have to travel far to gain all the benefits of 'travel'. It's the feeling and the attitude that can be gained anywhere new to you.
Even as I was getting in the car to head off, I spotted a massive rabbit - a rarity for me, but it ran off when an eager dog appeared hot on it's trail.
The dopamine hit of seeing the Eiffel Tower is the same for me as an unexpected rabbit or whale. Intellect judges the value but the body records it the same.
So as Bradbury said "Stuff your eyes with wonder" and even the smallest effort will be rewarded.
Halfway through the year? How is this possible. And yet here we are.
READ I am getting rid of books on ebay and in the street library - I have thousands. I had recently read About Eve by Ariel Gore and noticed that she had got me through my first child years with Hip Mama Survival Guide and The Mother Trip, and now is writing about the death of a parent, while I too have been in that stage of life. I feel I've travelled my life in a parallel time line - though with a very different lived expereince. As I came across these Mama books, I started flicking through the Mother Trip and have decided to reread it before passing it on. Less on raising children and more on being a person who raises children. I'm finding a lot of it is good reminders, not just through the lens of being a mum, and more on just every day life.
WATCHED We are still getting through The Bear, and just started the new seasons of Sugar and The Agency. I get very scared of things and don't watch horror at all, so while I enjoyed the comedy of Widow's Bay and found it hilarious, I did get scarded and have to keep my eyes shut which provided my husband with no end of amusement as apparently it wasn't scary at all. I did also ring him and crossly tell him I got scared in the hotel in Hobart that the clown was coming for me...and THIS is why I can't watch scary movies! Something Scary (dance) at the Opera House and Izzard's Hamlet were both excellent and the theatre highlights of the month.
HEARD I am getting less new music without daily drive feeding me songs. So I need away to rectify that. I've been listening to terms & condtions for a quick pick me up (saw Bless at Field Day this year) and Alle Farben who I'm countng down the days until I see - thought the news of the cancelation of Defcon1 is making me nervous...
MADE Dinners. I'm kind of sick of it.
WORE My heavy coat and beanie while stomping around Hobart. It's fun to rug up when we usually never need to...
Also, while at Hotdub I got hit in the head with a beach ball and it sent my glasses flying. I am blind without them and it was terrifying, worring how I would walk home without them, even guided by friends. So now in the most un-rock'n'roll move I now wear them with a Nana necklace attached. Hopefully that will prevent it ever happening again....
No longer wearing: - this tee shirt. It breaks my heart I'm just too big. Boo hiss menopause body shape change. I need to say, it's about 37 years old so I really can't complain too much.
Wish I was wearing: These divine hats and fascinators in the hat shop in Salamanca. I did purchase hairclips there and some bracelets but would love to get round in some of the hats...
MY TOP THREE MOMENTS FROM THE MONTH GONE BY
My first Dark Mofo. I was only three 2 nights. I will go for longer next year. Already getting a crew together!
Going to the University open day and seeing my youngest see her life there next year. It also reminded my husband and I of our Unidays. It was a really fun real time reminisence.
Lastly, the World Cup! All of it, but watching in the pub and getting through was great, though stressful fun!
I'm off the blog now until the end of July. My Insta should be interesting, if all goes to plan. You can follow along here.
Have a good break and see you all on the flip side.
Seeing Alle Farben at Parookaville, neither of which disappointed. He was so great with a choir, brass section and violinist at times, as well as live singers. It was such a joyous set and my heart was full! 
Something that sustained me My travels! I saw so much beautiful art and interesting history and culture. I was filling my mind every day with things to think about and learn. It was so invigorating!
.png)
.jpg)
