“It were a grief so brief to part with thee. Farewell.” William Shakespeare

I loved these boots, but alas they split on the top, allowing water in, which defeated the point. I wore them through puddles, to shows and muddy festivals. They've been there for the storm clouds and rain. They were often met with compliments from strangers. It was a hard goodbye, after 10 or 15 years of good times.

It's a sad goodbye when you aren't ready for it.

The farewells that are forced upon you.

 

Okay, well the lover bit isn't appropriate but as they say in The Castle, 'the whole vibe of the thing' fits. 

They've been replaced with these snuggly and sparkly boots, though these are heavier so may not be as good for the mud and dancing at Bluesfest or other outdoor dancing.

Do you get sad when you have to replace old favourites?

Linking with #Stylewithasmile

Forget your troubles and dance - Bob Marley

I mentioned awhile back The Wednesday Club booked into Boot Scootin' and the date finally came round.

Despite my lack of co-ordination and difficulty remembering my left and right (for real!) it was relatively easy and a LOT of energetic fun!

The best part, it was quick. You spend less than 5 minutes learning the dance, then you did the dance to a whole song and then you moved on to the next dance. 

I had been worried that we would spend an hour learning one dance as I had in other dance classes.  However, these dance moves are repetitive, so you actually get better at it as the song progresses. It didn't take long not to care about skill and if you mucked it up, it was easy enough to get back in time with the group, so great for beginners like us.

We all had a good time and are booked in to go again at the next available session. It is booked out months in advance so if keen, there might be somewhere closer to you.

I had said while venting to my husband that I was 'maxxed' out on stress levels just a few hours before, due to family issues and work problems (all falling on me at the same time), plus trying to juggle the kids needs. I walked to the venue to get some exercise but was still grumbly on arrival.

However, it didn't take long to transform that!

I was laughing at how bad I was, and then I was bouncing around energetically with the music plus the bonus of memory exercise. By the time we left I felt transformed! 

As an aside, the teacher was hilarious - there was a warning before we were filmed (to avoid a Cold Play moment) and she made fun of us (in a funny way, not hurtful) as we were a jumble of fairly hopeless skill levels. So there was quite a comedic element to the frivolity too.

I was too busy dancing to take photos and while I just wore sneakers, I was very taken with the instructor's glitter heeled boot!

As they say, there are shortcuts to Happiness and dancing is one of them!

Thus another thing is ticked off the Torschlusspanik List.

Torschlusspanik List

1. Shooting (check)
2. Fencing (check)
3. Play croquet at Croquet Club
4. Laser skeet (check)
5. Off road buggy driving
6. Play Assassins Creed
7. Jetpacking (check)
8. The Color Run (check)
9. Invent something
10. Cooking Masterclass (check)
11. Master a Masterclass (check)
12. Perform a rap song (check)
13. Trampoline adventure (check)
14. BMX Riding (check)
15. Do a cart wheel (check)
16. Ride an Electric Bike (check)
17. Astonish Myself
18. Write a book.
19. Participate in a distance event (check)
20. Climb Sydney Tower (check)
21. Dance in a dance class (check)
22. Trust a stranger

23. Get a truck for the Landmine Museum and Relief Centre in Siem Reap

24. Paint a picture 

25. Go Rollerskating (check)

26. Do Chinese Square Dancing

27. Do some life drawing (Check)

28. Make something on a pottery wheel (check)

29. Try Axe Throwing (Check)

30. Get into a nightclub with 'a strict dress code'. (check)

31. Go to a gig that starts after midnight. (check)

32. Glass Blowing (Check)

33. Go line dancing  (check) 

Rainy Season

Sydney is in full rainy season. It's the pits. Nothing dries, it's a pain getting around. Overall bleagh fills the house, or at least my mood.

And it's cold. 

It is snowing all over NSW in crazy amounts.

I hope it is better weather where you are....

This week is tricky with both work and family obligations so I will be MIA. I will try to get round to comments but please excuse me if I don't this week.

#Allseasons linky runs  from Thursday to Wednesday each week. 

Link one post that shows something seasonal. Traditional weather wise, a seasonal nature marker or a seasonal celebration. 

Make sure you link back to this  #AllSeasons post. 

Please comment on the post before yours and the host. Don't dump and run.  

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

August Reading

 I find grief really fascinating because it's so weird and so individual. So I read about it, listen about it, write about it - and almost all my published stories are on it.

This book is not the best on it, but I found it really interesting, especially my reaction to the story about the dog. I found that shocking and my emotional reaction was unexpectedly severe (compared to the loss of her husband). Some good practical things to consider in the fall out of loss too.

Worth reading if you are far enough into your grief, or if you are interested in that literary circle.

As an aside, this is one of my favourite songs of loss.

I came across this when trying to remember what the fairy story comic books were called (review here for Far Out Fairy Tales). It intrigued me after I got over my initial recoil at what I thought was an offensive slur. Anyway, it's a very interesting book of a family whose father came out in the 1980s. I learnt a bit about Canadian history (and that Margaret Atwood has been fighting the good fight since forever). She divides it into how it was for her as a kid, how it was for him, how it was for her mother and then how it is for them all now. It's an interesting insight into a complex life in a conservative society,

My bookclub is reading Goodbye to Berlin which is in part what the musical Cabaret is based on. The chapter on Sally Bowles is very familiar, including much talk of Prairie Oysters. The characters are strange and quirky and overall oblivious to the rising menace that the reader sees, beyond the talk of inflation and growing poverty. I really enjoyed it and it's worth a read. My favourite of this month, and I'll read the other book in the collection, Mr Norris Changes Train when I get the chance.

I read this so I could listen to the Stunners Bookclub podcast on it. I'd not read any Chopin and it's quite short. As a novel, it wasn't really for me, but I can see it was a very important book, and the fact that it's still relevant today means it must have been incredibly scandalous at the time - having  a wife and mother have her own desires and *gasp* being a sexual being. It raises a lot of interesting ideas, especially as it is almost all the women in the story encouraging her to stick in the role and duties of wife and mother that are drowning her. So while I wouldn't say it was a book I loved, I do think it's a book you should read, in that classic sense. (Even writing this, I think I like it more than when I was reading it).

This is a little book of poetry that plays with the themes and poetry of Shelley, Coleridge and other Romantic poets. It's a sci-fi influenced look at poetry, and thus makes it great for teachers wanting to make fun comparisons with the classic works. Ozymandias is one of my favourite poems (obviously appealing to the existentialist in me) and I couldn't help smiling when I read Forbidden City in this book. It's funny how some images or words are burnt into our memories, instantly recognisable even when the words and context are different.

I get a smile every time I walk past these little books lying all over the house at the moment. The fav booking part begins (as the money comes in).


Linking with #TalkaboutitTuesday #IMWAYR (the poetry book is suitable for YA) #SeniorSalonPitstop #Bookdate #SundayPost #SundaySalon #StackingtheShelves #MonthlyBookworms  #WeekendCoffeeshare 

Whale season

Sydney is in the throws of Whale Watching Season. 

The whales migrate in numbers so large the Australian eastern coast is known as the Humpback Highway. There's a great book on it too, if you're interested (reviewed here).

Officially the season runs May - November with June & July peak months as they go north, and then again September & October as they come back.

We've yet to get out and see them but I must make that happen.

These pics are from previous trips.

Do you go whale watching?

Linking with #WaterThursday 

Hidden Forest

On the weekend I went bush with some friends for a nature walk.

There was a joyous cacophony of bird calls and the crunch of the leaves underfoot.

We were far from civilisation.

Except we weren't. We were walking from the pub to the train station.

Trumper Park is in the middle of Sydney, between Paddington and Edgecliff Station.

It is remarkable that I live in this urban city and still stumble across pockets unknown to me. This is why I like to venture out of my locals, as convenient as they are. There's a whole city out there....

In a very built up area, there is a park that feels a million miles from anywhere, and animals and birds abound.  

We'd been at the 4 in Hand for the Sunday Roast and Christmas in July. 

The walk through the trees was a fabulous end to the festivities.

The reflections in the mirror are for #WeekendReflection and linking with #HappyTuesday  #HappyNow (as it was a delightful discovery) #NaturesNotes #MySundaySnapshot #HappyTuesday #KeithsRamblings  #WWOT

Share Four Somethings

Street flowers on the dog walk brightened my day!

I find it hard to believe I'm doing this again already! Where did this month go? And I'm still doing the Tax, which I've been doing unsuccessfully for a week. Time is being stolen from me somehow!

Something I loved Tomorrowland (and Parookaville) is my favourite time on Social Media - all the DJs I follow share their sets and it's really wonderful to see all the people having fun. I am supremely jealous and hope one day to get there...(though I know the 'one days' are running out). As you may know, the main stage burnt down the day before it was set to open. Metallica stepped in to help lending speakers and equipment and the show amazingly went on. The best bit, however, that made my feed overwhelmingly wholesome, is how much everyone loved it. The DJs and punters decided it was possibly better than normal, less people on phones, more people in the moment, and all around great vibes. It reminded me of a long lost time when people got together in adversity, and put a positive spin on it, rather than complain. Fun fact - the Voice of Tomorrowland was also Winnie The Pooh! It doesn't get more wholesome than that!

Loving this mix of the Lola Young song. Hot Dub played Messy and announced 'This song goes out to all the parents' and I now can only hear it in those terms, not as a dysfunctional romantic relationship that I thought it was about.

Little smiles - I think I am FINALLY growing ice plants, after a few failed attempts. I can't begin to describe how excited I am about this!

Vinnies in Newtown (our local op shop for those OS) has gone next level in cool. Was walking past and had to go in to investigate after Mick caught my eye...Definitely something to love!

The circle on the right is the moon, the left is a light. I can't get my head around how nuts it was. The world is an amazing place.

The shout out from Is this Mutton made me smile! A lovely surprise. This post did resonate with people. We are all more similar than we realise.

Something I learned  Genghis Khan killed an estimated 40 million people and as a result removed about 700 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the planet. Note human impact on climate began with land clearing for agriculture, not just cars and fossil fuels.

Something that went well I have started breaking my day at my desk with 5 or 10 mins of little stretching and weight exercises. I do believe it's working and I'm feeling physically better and maybe my arms are getting slightly stronger.

Something I let go of  I read this and decided with one group of people I needed to step back and do just that. It was time, there had been too many incidents over the years that were not good for my self esteem. It really hasn't made much of a difference to me as I only saw them when I organised it. I've just stopped putting in the effort. I am sad it took me so long to realise I needed to move on but I am at peace with it now. I'm still seeing those that put in the occasional effort, and I'm letting the others go. My number hasn't changed and my door is open, but if I've extended the last 5 or 10 attempts to see you, as far as I'm concerned,  it's your turn. 

Interestingly a number of people messaged me about the Instagram post when I shared it, and feel in the same boat with their friends, so it seems to be a pattern out there with people our age.  Why persist with people that offer nothing in return?  If I see them at a party or a dinner, it's fine. I'll chat away as normal, happy enough to see them, but I am putting up some boundaries and no longer tolerating people that don't reciprocate friendship. 

Linking with  #ShareFourSomethings #FloralFridayFotos #GardenAffair #NaturesNotes #TheRandom

Little Loves - July

READ I read this post by The Annoyed Thyroid and it sent me on a nostalgic mania, and a week or so later I've booked a trip we can't really afford for next year to Paris (and Venice). I've got a lot of serious ill health in my family at the moment so I'm guessing this is a reaction to that. As we learnt from Squid Game "Hodie mihi, cras tibi" the Latin for 'Today it is my turn, tomorrow it will be yours."

WATCHED Been to the theatre a bit - saw Betrayal (Pinter) last night at the Old Fitz (ends August 10) and Judy Davis in The Spare Room (based on the Helen Garner book. While I didn't like the narrator in the book, I thought Davis made her much more likeable). We also saw Lisa Simone's show on her mother's legacy. I found it quite sad how tangled up her life is. As a parent, I think you want your child to be their own star. She is in a tricky situation, because she knows why 90% of the audience went, so doesn't want to disappoint, but also wants to showcase her talents in her own music.

HEARD A friend and I went to Kiasmos at the Opera House, not the ideal venue for a dance but after the first song, they waved us up so the whole audience eagerly jumped to their feet and we danced for the rest of the show. In that moment the energy and vibe of the concert hall instantaneously changed. It was so fun and joyful!

The most Sydney street art ever!

Late to the party but I discovered The Guilty Feminist is watching And Just Like That - so listening to those episodes in reverse order. If you find yourself hate watching the show, annoyed with all the characters, it will definitely make you laugh! Seriously though, was Carrie always this awful and why didn't I ever notice? And Aiden? What on earth is she thinking. Big time ick.

WORE I found this dress in the back of my wardrobe and started wearing it again after forgetting I own it. Really like it and it's perfect for winter. Also been living in my Uniqlo fleeces, that are normally too hot for most of the winter but this winter is definitely colder than normal. Lastly, much to the disgust of everyone in the house, my Japanese socks with the corrective walker shoes...but snug and comfy, so who cares? (Reason i am not a fashion blogger!)

AND LASTLY My top three moments? How to narrow it down? I've had lots of lovely dinners, lunches and brunches out. Not sure which to say was the highlight? They were all great. But I guess getting all the kids together for a family catch up is always my favourite. Too rare for my liking but I'm greedy for their time. (And as I said re Lisa Simone, I want them to also have their own lives and happiness, so I try to walk the fine line that works for all of us).

Been going to music trivia and music bingo. These are such fun ways to get out during the week. With groups or just another friend, it's always a laugh and easy catch up.

Went to a fantastic party at the start of the month. We danced like crazy things, met some interesting people and had an all round good time. So that was a highlight! It elevated my mood for days! Good times with good friends - there's nothing better!

My greatest 'little' love - my baby with her baby!

And absolutely last, leaving you with Nina. She really was an extraordinary talent.

There is Christmas in July still to come, so follow along on Instagram.

Note the reflection shots are in the State Theatre, the street art is in Kings Cross (walking to the Old Fitz) and the Opera House is getting new stairs....

Linking with #WWWhimsy  #TheRandom #MondayMusicMovesMe #MuralMondays #WeekendCoffeeShare #WeekendReflection #Stylewithasmile (I am getting a 403 error when I try to comment on your post??) #LittleLoves

#TuesdayTwirl #AwwMondays for my baby and her baby!