Monday, 24 March 2025

March Reading

This was a bookclub pick. I struggled with it. It's a lot of exposition and I'm really did not enjoy it. I felt like I was waiting for the story to start almost all the way through. I only made it to the end because my friend said she cried buckets. I missed that part (feeling any emotion) because I think I was just so fed up with it. In fact, I'm sort of curious about that she did. So maybe you'll love it (as one of my book club friends said "you always think the opposite of me"). That said, I did listen to this interview after I read it and I found the interview interesting and I had already been donating to some of the campaigns to prevent the destruction of Ningaloo.

I really liked this book. It's a feminist manifesto of sorts, but to me, more of a way to think about how beauty standards affect you, and consent. I actually want my adult son to read the consent part and I'm getting copies for my daughters because it points out red flags in relationships and acceptable boundaries to have with partners. And consent. Great book and a great gift for young people, women in particular.

This is my other bookclub's title and I had thought it was fiction. Midway through I worked out it was autobiographical (I knew the names of some of the legal people), and that she wasn't just referencing real events. It's engaging from the very first paragraph and a real insight into the violence against women in both this country and other cultures. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it but I was definitely engrossed in it and recommend it as a good read. (Trigger warning on domestic violence).

This just turned up in the post. I've no idea when I ordered it but I love Brian K. Vaughan so I definitely ordered it. It was written in 2017 and is about the US invading Canada (and the Canadian resistance). It is fascinatingly accurate given what is happening due to the real reason why. Vaughan is always one to make you think! If one of the bloggers recommended it, thanks for the tip!

I read this play one Saturday afternoon. It was a lovely way to spend a sunny 90 mins. The play was in London and the Edinburgh Festival and I think is currently touring in the US (Boston and New York?). It's about disability and ableism. I laughed out loud quite a few times, and also grimaced uncomfortably when I recognised myself and some of my well meaning but offensive ideas. I was also shocked at somethings I hadn't thought about. We really can do better. If you get a chance to see it, I'd def go! It's great fun and very clever.

Slow reading this month as the Tim Winton was long and I was not eager to get back to it....

What's been on your list?

Linking with #IMWAYR Older teens would enjoy the Vaughan and the play. I also think Women don't owe you pretty is a good read for older teen girls.

Sunday, 23 March 2025

Jonothan Livingston Seagull

I spent a good amount of time trying to capture the seagulls in flight on the beach. With the sunrise, and where they were flying, the light was always in the wrong spot (though it looked pretty). I still got a great deal of enjoyment out of trying, even though none of the pictures were particularly what I was after.

Happiness is found in the doing, not always in the achieving.

I am not a patient person, so it's good exercise for me to wait and focus on such a simple task.

I read an article that said it was a sign of ageing if you become really interested in birds. So mea culpa. What can I say?

Linking with #GardenAffair #Skywatch #GaleriaHimmelslich #WaterThursday #KeithsRamblings #NaturesNotes

Thursday, 20 March 2025

Share Four Somethings - March

Something I loved At lunch, a friend suggested we walk back to the house, an hour away (only 4kms, so not far). I initially said no. Then I said yes but in my head thought it would be too hot and it was a stupid thing to do but I would be a 'team player'. How wrong was I? It was the highlight of the weekend for me. Stunningly beautiful, and she is always good company. It was just that really lovely, relaxed fun. Chicken soup for the soul as they say, So the moral is, as I've written before, not to default to NO.

It's an oldie but a goodie that's made it's way back into my playlist. Loving this song again!

Something I learned Baby corn is just unpollinated corn. Gardeners correct me if I'm wrong but basically the ear of corn is female and the silk threads at the end are male, so you harvest the corn before the silks appear (or just as they appear). Wild, huh? Who knew?

Something that went well I went on a weekend away and one woman was so rude to another, I was really shocked. I immediately made a comment that the rudeness was actually aimed at me, even though it was being said to her and it made her laugh. I was thinking I had playfully made the first woman check her tone but then she unbelievably did it a second time. So I spoke up again. I did make the target smile and feel better, and at least know someone had her back but she was obviously hurt and we were both uncomfortable. We are far too old to behave like that. Even if you don't like someone, on a group weekend you suck it up. Surely the goal is to make everyone welcome? It's a big group so you can pretty much avoid anyone you need to. It really tarnished what could have been an overall lovely day for me and question what I was doing there, because that is not my type of vibe at all. I am putting it down to the speaker having a bad day, and it just coming out wrong, as we all have those moments. I am however now wary.

Something I let go of This one I need to work on. There was more fall out from that weekend and I honestly wish I hadn't gone. I am so close to saying things I can't walk back from so am just keeping my mouth shut, and not bring past baggage with that group into play. I have to see one of them next week and I really don't want to, but it's too petty if I fail to show. This is not appropriate for an adult and I'm not proud of this at all. I am glad I have a fun weekend planned with other friends, and really glad I'm seeing those pals that have my back next week. I hope in a few days I've moved on. I'm a little ashamed that I'm still carrying it. That says more about me than them, and it is not good.

Linking with #ShareFourSomethings #TrafficJamreboot #TalkaboutitTuesday

#TravelTuesday for the pics of

Casuarina Beach #GalleriaHimmelsblick and #Skywatch

The moon was up on my morning walk. Photos are from the walk after lunch and my sunrise walk.

Monday, 17 March 2025

Claris in Paris

My kids didn't really know Claris, as the first book was published in 2018 though the youngest had a little stint with Angelina the ballet mouse books...my question, what is it with fancy girl mice books? Personally I'm a Hello Kitty fan, or Miffy so I don't get the mouse thing at all. Ha!

Claris has apparently taken the world by storm and even Bvlgari and Valentino have done collaborations.

The website is here with all the guff for those that don't know or want to look at the collabs.

We were having friends for lunch from Greece so I headed to The Grounds to pick up a pav, the quintessential Australian dessert.

I got the lasts snaps of the Claris laneway, as it was being dismantled the next day to be set up for Snow White. Not you have to have purchased something to be able to walk through nowadays, due to the crowds.

I have to admit it was very pretty and adorable to see the little girls all dressed up in their Parisian chic. And some of the parents too!

Linking with #WeekendCoffeeShare #TheRandom #WordlessWednesday #SundayBest

Sunday, 16 March 2025

"Prove yourself brave, truthful, and unselfish, and someday you will be a real boy"

The title is spoken by the Blue Fairy to Pinocchio.

While we were in Kingscliff, we went to the Tweed Regional Gallery. There is a very life like bronze statue outside, and I decided to make him real...