Dear Reader Advice from a book summary I came across a post in Facebook discussing a book the writer had previously read. The title appealed to me, and, as I'm still not reading, I enjoyed her summary It might appeal to you, if you've ever wished you'd kept your mouth shut too. Keep it Shut One quote from the book struck a chord with me and brought back a flood of memories, "Just Because You Can Say It Doesn’t Mean You Should: Karen opened with something that immediately gripped me: the...
16 days ago • 4 min read
Dear Reader I love this frog! It was a cold morning here in Hamilton. Cold and full of sunshine when we opened our lounge windows to be greeted by this cheery fellow. He was happy to see the sun too. He reminds me to enjoy the warmth of the sun, even in the cold of winter! Smiley frog greeting the sun. The best character strength to teach your children This is a little book I wrote, and ten-year-old granddaughter Bella illustrated, about 15 years ago. There's a back story about Beatrice, but...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Dear Reader Wedding Anniversary A truly happy day! I am soooo excited. This week Neil and I celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary. The photo I'm sharing sits on our kitchen wall as a reminder of that beautiful day. I often look at the photo of Neil and see how happy he was then. I look so I can check if I still see that joy today. Last time I looked though, my eyes fell on my face and the joy I see reflected there grabbed at my heart in recognition that I still feel that joy now - seven...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Dear Reader A little apology - Because last newsletter was a week late, I decided to keep to my schedule and share this newsletter on my Tuesday, as per normal. But I've written this on Mother's Day so I'm sending it out today, two days early! I'll be back on schedule next time I promise! Mother's Day Me and my Mum 2002 I'm writing this on Mother's Day because thoughts of my Mama have been with me since I woke up. This photo was taken not long before she died. Mum had vascular dementia and it...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Dear Reader Where do we find Joy? Finding the joy in my every day life is something I've committed myself to over the past few years. I admit I'm not always successful. I don't always like the things that pop up in my day - and sometimes the whole day appears to start miserably! Where's the joy in that? And it's been particularly hard the last few weeks. Splitting headache, double vision that's got a whole lot worse. I ended in the Emergency Department where the diagnosis was blood pressure...
2 months ago • 4 min read
Dear Reader Daylight SavingsSome thoughts We put our clocks back at 2am on April 6th, and thus Autumn is here, soon to be followed by winter. I don't know about you. I just do not understand the logic (is there any?) of this Daylight Savings practice. I was born in Queensland in Australia. Queenslanders voted not to have Daylight Savings, so in the summer we in New Zealand become three hours ahead of Queensland but only 2 hours ahead of the rest of the Eastern States. In Queensland, there is...
3 months ago • 4 min read
Dear Reader Trees and Water - and Good Company The past two weeks have been a delightful feast of 'trees and water - and good company' for me! Have you ever anticipated something that didn't happen, then, years later, it's promised to you again? Years ago, my friend Tina tried to come visit us - and for various reasons got to the airline gate and was denied her flight. AND Wednesday week ago she finally arrived - bringing her friend, Cathy, with her (now our friend too!) We planned a feast....
3 months ago • 2 min read
Dear Reader Fear - What does it mean? Can you think of a time when something you perceived as a threat was not based on actual danger, but on your own view of the situation as a threat? Have you seen this meaning of fear in your life? F - False E - Evidence A - Appearing R - Real This acronym for FEAR has always intrigued me. And over the years I've drawn comfort from knowing that my fears are not necessarily based in reality. In fact, in hindsight I see that most of my fears have been...
4 months ago • 5 min read
Dear Reader A gift from a Friend At coffee yesterday, my friend surprised me with this perfect specimen from her garden. I was (am) mesmerised by the perfection of its flowerheard. I can see what I've been told is true - that the sunflower is a pseudanthium made up of many small flowers. I've never seen one so delicate. I hope my photo does it justice and you enjoy it too. Sunflower I've been doing 'Swedish Death Cleaning' Do you ever come across a concept that has the potential to change...
4 months ago • 5 min read