Friends

Just as humans benefit from friendship,

Chicki and Kelvin: friends

so do our canine companions.

Take for example our young Maltese, Chicki. As an ‘only’ dog, at home she misses out on contact with other four-legged friends.

Out and about, though, it’s a different story. Although she’s choosy, she has several furry comrades.

Meet Kelvin! He’s a strong, ruggedly handsome Kelpie: his manners are impeccable. Exuding charm, his calm demeanour  makes him an ideal pal for our young lady.

They often rendezvous by the river, and watch, enthralled, the goings-on of everyone: human and animal.

And there’s more to their bond that meets the eye. Both Kelvin and Chicki are ex RSPCA dogs: they’ve known another life.

Is it any wonder they’re so chummy together?

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Through the window-pane

Pink Geranium

What’s more cheering than brightly-coloured flowers? And what better place to see these is through a window-pane?

I guess it’s just luck that this beautiful, pink geranium has climbed so high that it’s reached eye-level at my laundry window. It lifts the whole environment.

Why not take a peek around your place and see if there’s a way to emulate this? You never know, it may be possible, even by using plants in containers. Believe me, it makes a difference!

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What I Love about Fiction Writing

Fiction writing is a passion.

It opens up endless scenarios involving characters of my choice. In other words, I’m  in control:  I  can bring ecstacy or disaster.  I can conjure up tales that entertain, strike a chord, or even offer guidance to those in a similar situation.

At another level, fiction writing allows exploration of the scope of language. Evocation is my aim, and within the meaning of words comes the substance of its creation.  Mood, theme, character and location: these pose wonderfully intriguing challenges.

And what a buzz I get  my own work pleasurably engages me! I guess we writers share this reward: it’s the proverbial icing on the cake.

Then, there’s the thrill of learning what others make of it: family, friends, readers and reviewers. The mind-boggling wonder: is it being read ( and hopefully enjoyed) at this very moment?

Finally, to behold my stories packaged as a book: to hold it my hands, and see my name as author: is one of the best moments of my life. Small wonder I love to write fiction!

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What I Love about Blogging

Backtrack two years, and I’d never even heard about blogging. At that point. I’d started writing my first book: a collection of Short Stories and vignettes, which ultimately became ’25 Stories of Life and Love in Australia’.   

Writing a book was one thing: blogging, quite another. And I had no idea that authors were expected to share their life with the rest of the world, by way of writing a blog.

But, once I’d tasted it, I began to relish blogging. It has so much going for it.

Blogging allows for immediate publication. There’s no need to wait: and many posts are so much better for being relevant to current circumstances. Flowers, seasons, new literary releases, current affairs: the list is endless.

More: results can be almost immediate. Within minutes, I’ve had positive feedback: thoughtful comments, or even a simple ‘like’ bring their reward.

Linked to this is the associations: even friendships: that can be engendered between bloggers and their readers. Meaningful conversations can be had,  and information transferred between blogger and commentator. What other medium allows for such easy and potentially valuable communication?

Sure, social networking sites also have this application, yet blogging seems to me to have greater potential. Don’t the other sites tend to have much scantier development of ideas?

Lastly, there’s the ever-present potential to be nominated out of the blue for  Blogging Awards. I’ve been nominated twice: The Versatile Blogger and The Sunshine Award. Fun!

If you’re thinking about starting your own blog: well, think no more.  Just do it!

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It’s Jacaranda Time!

Jacaranda in flower

Here in Australia, it’s Jacaranda time.

While Grafton, N.S.W., is famous for these striking trees, here in Sydney they are also making eye-catching displays.

Driving around the suburbs, one can readily spot the purple/blue flowers still clinging to their maker.  The days will pass: these will fall and form a carpet. Those of us with bare, delicate skin had better watch out for busy bees….

Native to Brazil, Jacarandas come in a multitude of varieties. There is even a white-flowering type named ‘White Christmas’, but it is hard to get in Australian nurseries. Our eyes are accustomed to one known as Jacaranda mimosifolia: and really, isn’t its purple a lovely shade?

This tree has its critics: those who despise fallen leaves and squishy flowers. Please do not count me amongst them.

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Happy Anniversary!

Chicki and Margaret on the first anniversary.

Today is a special day: it’s our first anniversary.

On this day, 6th September 2011, my husband Ron and I made a big decision. We chose to adopt.

We’d been thinking about this for over a month.  Every day,  I’d  religiously check the internet listings of the nearby RSPCA’s  and other animal surrender centres, and been sorely tempted several times.

We knew what we were looking for: a young Maltese female, not more than a year or so.  The type that was more than happy with a quiet, indoor life, and an occasional game of pull the rope: interspersed with outside activities such as strolls in the park, or beside a beach.

And then, one day,  we found her! She was standing in the corner of her sparsely-furnished pen: a sweet-looking, little white pup with, I soon learned, a shy disposition. And why not? With an unsettled past, hadn’t she been through quite a lot?

At first, I wondered if she would take to me: she hung back, as if wondering what it was all about. But before we knew it, she was in my arms: and we all knew then that she was The One.

And so, a year has passed, and she’s turned two.

With tons of outings under her belt, and lots of love dished out every day, I’ll bet she knows that she’s truly found her ‘forever home’.

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