tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-106680802024-03-08T13:41:34.789+11:00over the page..."But don't try and use the same route twice... Indeed, don't try to get there at all... It will happen when you're not looking for it..." - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. C.S. LEWISSharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.comBlogger363125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-76277430636369977732012-01-11T18:23:00.002+11:002012-01-11T21:02:17.843+11:00the last waltz...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...this is my 100 year old Dad dancing at his birthday bash yesterday - 10th January.. The residential care where he lives threw him a party to mark his BIG, BIG birthday... The organizers went to a lot of trouble to make it a memorable one for him... One of the surprises they had was to have a couple come in from a local dance school to do a demonstration. Dad had taught, competed and danced in exhibition ballroom dancing in his very early days so this was really special for him...At the end of their demonstration the young woman approached Dad if he would join in her in the last dance - a waltz... After an initial hesitation he managed a few steps... For a nanosecond it was as if his younger self 'stepped in' and his old body remembered its younger days...It was quite stirring watching him as he moved with her across the floor...And as you can hear in the background there was lots of encouraging clapping and cheering...<span style="background-color: #fee4ff; color: #003264; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px;"> </span> A wonderful afternoon was had by all but I think a very overwhelmed and tired 100 year man wouldn't have been too long out of bed last evening...<br />
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Here is a shot of my Dad and Mum dancing... Mum would have been about 18 or 19 and Dad would have been about 22 or 23... I don't believe they were married at this stage...<br />
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This was a glamour publicity shot... Little did these two young people know what was ahead of them as they stared off into the distance....<br />
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Until later, take care<br />
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Sharon x xSharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-13155339334745807822012-01-07T15:12:00.002+11:002012-01-07T17:29:28.398+11:00...and welcome to you too..My apologies to anyone who may be still swinging past this blog - I have been very neglectful... 2011 was a year which I am glad to see disappearing into the distance - but in saying that - it is one I won't forget in a hurry... But now it is time to move on and get on with the business of life in 2012...<br />
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One thing that I managed to maintain throughout the chaos of 2011 was my reading - I was pleasantly surprised to see that I have read 35 books in total... Not a huge amount for some people but quite a few for me. I tend to have two books on the go most of the time... My bus book which is self explanatory and a bedside book, again self explanatory... Usually one is a kid's or young adult novel and the other is what ever else takes my fancy... At the moment I have so many new books calling my name it is a wonder I am not deafened by the noise...<br />
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This year I will try to do a bit more of a review on the ones that stand out... You will notice in my side bar under READ 2011 there is an asterisk against the ones that really made an impact on me one way or another... But again only my personal opinion...<br />
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One of my very favorites and one not mentioned in my sidebar was a kid's picture book called Flotsam by David Wiesner. I discovered Flotsam while I was shelving some books in the book shop where I work. I was immediately captivated by the illustrations and the largely no text format... It was one of those books that the more you look at it the more you see... Of course I just had to add it to my pile... I keep it in my sewing room and look at it often... Flotsam continually offers me inspiration so much so I hope to utilize it as as starting point when I come to make one of my crazy quilt blocks for the Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012 - the block - needless to say - will have an underwater theme. If you happen to come across Flotsam do your self a favor and take the time to have a look at it- you won't be disappointed... Meanwhile, watch the youtube sweetener...<br />
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Until later, take care<br />
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Sharon x xSharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-10993508836214151542012-01-07T14:45:00.001+11:002012-01-07T19:52:19.159+11:00Welcome 2012<span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #351c75; font-family: Bentham; line-height: 24px;">Life, I believe is like a river - it takes you on a journey... There are bends, twists and rapids that keep us alert and vigilant from sloth and complacency...It has calm and peaceful moments which offers us the stillness in which to rest, reflect and dream ... </span><br />
<span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #351c75; font-family: Bentham; line-height: 24px;">Life, like a river - has forever changing scenery - are we constantly straining forward to see what's ahead not stopping to appreciate what is before us... Life, like a river gives us opportunities to explore, discover and grow both in strength and mind... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEGY2nfBVRCIksPfftWvrlIEesp2tTdLyTFaFBpcynn7T4_4fQ5SoXiI9hsY9zXNuB5qUxwLB8a2G-3RKfS0q6wf6GMJZkWdZwrfd0OHUbebuCyY5CVFoKOxR25nNnveFdcTc/s1600/Warrendyte+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEGY2nfBVRCIksPfftWvrlIEesp2tTdLyTFaFBpcynn7T4_4fQ5SoXiI9hsY9zXNuB5qUxwLB8a2G-3RKfS0q6wf6GMJZkWdZwrfd0OHUbebuCyY5CVFoKOxR25nNnveFdcTc/s320/Warrendyte+011.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; font-family: Bentham; line-height: 24px;">Where ever your 'river' takes you in 2012 may it be a journey, that it be abundant and prosperous</span><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; font-family: Corsiva; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; font-family: Corsiva; line-height: 24px;">and joyful...</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Happy New Year!!</span></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-3840437348389435842011-04-26T18:21:00.007+10:002011-04-26T21:30:03.272+10:00er, um...over the page...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gmG_0cyxwE0blK3ances24i2cRYsKxKRg8LPgdOJx1yxBEssfQwiFqs5EbAVf___EtqtqQ0skRTn5KVHrawUY1vaFGQugayJRAdcWdzLzrkz40b-dAXmhbUxota1aRbl4_uN/s1600/hunger+games.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 225px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599847838567259362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gmG_0cyxwE0blK3ances24i2cRYsKxKRg8LPgdOJx1yxBEssfQwiFqs5EbAVf___EtqtqQ0skRTn5KVHrawUY1vaFGQugayJRAdcWdzLzrkz40b-dAXmhbUxota1aRbl4_uN/s320/hunger+games.bmp" /></a> ... I can make no apologies other than this whole work thing has sapped any sort of creative, blogging energy from me... But on the up side if there was to be one I have been reading more than I have in a little while - not that I am counting...<br /><br />Since Santus I have read a wide array of titles but perhaps the one that has left the deepest impression has been 'The Hunger Games' by <a href="http://www.thehungergames.co.uk/about_the_author">Suzanne Collins... </a>It is categorized as YA - Young Adult fiction and I would agree - as an adult reader this book has left me thinking about the world and how we view it.<br /><br />Hunger Games is a three book series... Hunger Games being the first, Catching Fire the second and Mockingjay the third and final book.<br /><em></em><br />Plot synopsis of The Hunger Games courtesy of Wikipedia<br /><br /><em>The Hunger Games takes place in an unidentified future time period after the destruction of </em><em>North America</em><em>, in a nation known as </em><em>Panem</em><em>. Panem consists of a wealthy Capitol and twelve surrounding, poorer districts. District 12, where the book begins, is located in the coal-rich region </em><em>Appalachia</em><br /><em>As punishment for a previous rebellion against the Capitol, every year one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 from each district are selected at random and forced to participate in the Hunger Games, a televised event in which the participants, or "tributes", must fight to the death in a dangerous outdoor arena until only one remains. The story follows fatherless 16-year-old </em><em>Katniss Everdeen</em><em>, a girl from </em><em>District 12</em><em> who volunteers for the 74th Games in place of her younger sister, </em><em>Primrose</em><em>. Also participating from District 12 is </em><em>Peeta Mellark</em><em>, a boy whom Katniss knows from school and who once saved her life by giving her bread when her family was starving.<br />Katniss and Peeta are taken to the Capitol, where they meet the other tributes and are publicly displayed to the Capitol audience. During this time, Peeta reveals on-air his long-time unrequited love for Katniss. Katniss believes this to be a ploy to gain audience support for the Games, which can be crucial for survival, as audience members are permitted to send gifts to favored tributes during the Games. The Games begin with eleven of the 24 tributes dying in the first day, while Katniss relies on her well-practiced hunting and outdoor skills to survive. As the games continue, the tribute death toll increases, but both Katniss and Peeta are able to evade death.<br />Supposedly due to Katniss and Peeta's beloved image in the minds of the audience as "star-crossed lovers", a rule change is announced midway through the games, stating that two tributes from the same district can win the Hunger Games as a pair. Upon hearing this, Katniss searches for Peeta and finds him wounded. She nurses him back to health and acts the part of a young girl falling in love to gain more favor with the audience and, consequently, gifts from her sponsors. When the couple are finally the last two tributes, the Gamemakers suddenly reverse the rule change and try to force them into a dramatic finale where one must kill the other to win. Instead, they both threaten suicide by means of </em><em>poisonous berries</em><em> in hope that the Gamemakers would rather have two winners than none. It works, and both Katniss and Peeta are declared winners of the 74th Hunger Games.<br />Though she survives the ordeal in the arena and is treated to a hero's welcome in the Capitol, Katniss is warned that she has now become a political target after having defied her society's authoritarian leaders so publicly. Afterwards, Peeta is heartbroken to learn that their relationship was at least partially a calculated ploy to garner sympathy from the audience, although Katniss remains unsure of her own feelings.</em><br /><br />What did I think of it?? As I said previously it left a deep impression on my pysche. After reading it I did some internet research and found this again on Wikipedia<br /><br /><em>"Collins says that the idea for The Hunger Games came from channel surfing on the T.V. On one channel she observed people competing on a reality show and on another she saw footage of the </em><em>Iraq War</em><em>. The two blended together and the idea of children fighting each other to the death was formed..."</em><br /><br />I think that the plot is brutal and yet convincing - I thought about all the reality programs that are currently aired where we the viewers sit in the comfort of our living rooms watching contestants battle it out for 'the end prize'...<br /><br />The Hunger Games takes all of this a step further - these contestants are children chosen by a ballot (echoes of 1960 conscription here in Australia) to participate in a game which will see them battling it out to the death. This game is televised country wide. The Capital which is the ruling power - use the Hunger Games as a means to suppress their people making them realise that they, the Capital are the controlling force which governs their lives even taking away their children at will...<br /><br />This series is very popular with YA I wouldn't like to see anyone under about fourteen read it - or though I am told that most of them play harsher computer games or watch more violent films and TV - I rest my case...<br /><br />I haven't gone on to read the next two as yet - I felt like I needed a breather before I went onto the next one. I doubt very much whether I will see the proposed film when it comes out. That doesn't say I didn't like the Hunger Games or not appreciate the point Suzanne Collins was making... I thought it was well written and if perhaps it makes one person think about a larger picture then I would say she, Suzanne has done her job well... The only thing that niggles me a tad , aren't we again the 'watchers' of a violent arena and perhaps endorsing violence as entertainment - there is a very fine line drawn here...<br /><br />But in saying that I think it would make an interesting text for schools and even adult book clubs would benefit from it. Would I recommend it - yes I would but I would caution the reader to the content first...<br /><br />But why don't you make your own minds up and give it a read...<br /><br />What am I reading now??? One book which caught my eye at the library was 'a brief history of Montmaray' written by Michelle Cooper. Again this one is written for the YA market. Again, as in the Hunger Games the main character is a sixteen year old Sophie - instead of a distant future this one opens in 1936.<br /><br />Plot synopsis of 'a brief history of Montmaray' courtesy of <a href="http://www.michellecooper-writer.com/index.html">Michelle Cooper</a><br /><br /><em>"I need to write down what has just happened. I need to set down the truth. If I write lies or if I write nothing at all, this journal is worthless. I must do this, in case anything happens.<br />All right. This is what happened tonight, every single terrible thing that I can remember . . ."</em><br /><br />Sophie FitzOsborne lives in a crumbling castle in the tiny island kingdom of Montmaray, along with her tomboy younger sister Henry, her beautiful, intellectual cousin Veronica, and Veronica's father, the completely mad King John. When Sophie receives a leather-bound journal for her sixteenth birthday, she decides to write about her day-to-day life on the island. But it is 1936 and the world is in turmoil. Does the arrival of two strangers threaten everything that Sophie holds dear?<br /><br />The other book that finally won me over to start was 'Discovery of Witches' by Deborah Harkness. This is my go to bed book and I am loving it. I wasn't sure what I thought about it when I started it but I am loving every page of it... Here, I will give you a <a href="http://deborahharkness.com/discovery-of-witches/">link</a> to go read the plot synopsis yourself...<br /><br />Keep watching my sidebar for more titles as I go over the page...<br /><br />Until later<br /><br />S xSharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-85972602076367444012011-01-30T11:45:00.003+11:002011-01-30T12:06:40.781+11:00Sanctus ~ Simon Toyne<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaqKUGnledt7vJLfYUJdYMb2V8uBhhjwhj4yjIlL7d5e5i5rEblyHyio5Pl_JrrHls6mZ8a3EgptGSY2aCxh8qXeZueSOV439hpAbTolodvqDiegeJ0quvRoufadA30ok7Wf0/s1600/sanctus.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 99px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567774854728784626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaqKUGnledt7vJLfYUJdYMb2V8uBhhjwhj4yjIlL7d5e5i5rEblyHyio5Pl_JrrHls6mZ8a3EgptGSY2aCxh8qXeZueSOV439hpAbTolodvqDiegeJ0quvRoufadA30ok7Wf0/s320/sanctus.jpg" /></a> I finished Sanctus by <a href="http://www.simontoyne.net/author">Simon Toyne</a> in the wee small hours of this morning. My heart was pounding and my mouth was dry as I turned the last 50 or so pages and I felt like I had to 'brake hard' it was such a 'fast ride'. Sanctus held my attention from the very first page to the end of this roller coaster adventure. Simon's writing style is charactistic of a film maker with short sharp chapters continually changing 'scenes' to keep the reader on the edge. While I know it is a work of fiction - it did make me reflect - what if religion as we know it could have been that easy to manipulate.. What if there was another version? A version which would change the world as we know it... If you like action packed suspense with intrigue this will be the book for you. This is the first book of a trilogy - the other two will be released 2012 and 2013 respectively I can see it would very easily translate onto the big screen. Sanctus will be available in store in April...<br />~<br /><br /><div align="left">Book Description - courtesy HarperCollins publishing<br /><br />"REVELATION OR DEVASTATION?<br /></div><br /><div align="left">The certainties of the modern world are about to be blown apart by a three thousand year-old conspiracy nurtured by blood and lies ...<br /></div><br /><div align="left">A man throws himself to his death from the oldest inhabited place on the face of the earth, a mountainous citadel in the historic Turkish city of Ruin. This is no ordinary suicide but a symbolic act. And thanks to the media, it is witnessed by the entire world.<br /></div><br /><div align="left">But few understand it. For charity worker Kathryn Mann and a handful of others in the know, it is what they have been waiting for. The cowled and secretive fanatics that live in the Citadel suspect it could mean the end of everything they have built -- and they will kill, torture and break every law to stop that. </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">For Liv Adamsen, New York crime reporter, it begins the next stage of a journey into the heart of her own identity.<br /></div><br /><div align="left">And at that journey′s end lies a discovery that will change EVERYTHING ...<br />SANCTUS is an apocalyptic conspiracy thriller like no other -- it re-sets the bar for excitement and fascination, and marks the debut of a major talent in Simon Toyne."</div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-60557624252656336582011-01-29T20:13:00.000+11:002011-01-29T20:18:00.287+11:00animals! Animals! animals!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFI2T4m6LvY53YDSSpZDNQM7IUzfzwn3k-6DMblDn_QW8C7-grSc0KkCDrdjWVr5v21-XPixexXlUWSbCCPqokjyDijat77QqwCEg5Uv2N5eUFhp8t_qXw4iFU3kMwkaDdgSfJ/s1600/erinsexhibition.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567533826858804802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFI2T4m6LvY53YDSSpZDNQM7IUzfzwn3k-6DMblDn_QW8C7-grSc0KkCDrdjWVr5v21-XPixexXlUWSbCCPqokjyDijat77QqwCEg5Uv2N5eUFhp8t_qXw4iFU3kMwkaDdgSfJ/s320/erinsexhibition.bmp" /></a> ..yep, that's right!!!! E and two others are having an exhibition...<br /><div></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-52822673927985575192011-01-26T20:51:00.007+11:002011-01-26T21:24:06.208+11:00Louis's big day out...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSCmTkhgM0wnJrynA-uCVRZ9t0rz6BsH6IxG2YOcDn6WWmOGktHmrXxy3addOQ9Q2bGrrvpOEAf5ZrOUMJS14hsRJ8mEQ1WezKnP1-hs90yYcBYqVzfmE_oFGifgDEWXHyE8l/s1600/australia+day+020.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566434586084840210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSCmTkhgM0wnJrynA-uCVRZ9t0rz6BsH6IxG2YOcDn6WWmOGktHmrXxy3addOQ9Q2bGrrvpOEAf5ZrOUMJS14hsRJ8mEQ1WezKnP1-hs90yYcBYqVzfmE_oFGifgDEWXHyE8l/s320/australia+day+020.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb3Ev5L3UDp9aAq0mFBhs1KnY8ZSv2h4ux5m0cx0va8aSV2J9Vhyphenhyphen5t5fJUMBc20K_8JTk093OXTvBE0XTm8wLzjg1uUE994jOGDe4MMdQP6IOPrOSSqUmGky6CgyEoKU49SyY/s1600/australia+day+022.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566432128917330930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb3Ev5L3UDp9aAq0mFBhs1KnY8ZSv2h4ux5m0cx0va8aSV2J9Vhyphenhyphen5t5fJUMBc20K_8JTk093OXTvBE0XTm8wLzjg1uUE994jOGDe4MMdQP6IOPrOSSqUmGky6CgyEoKU49SyY/s320/australia+day+022.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwAeOqlpA_q8w-EizVyspCMCEn0TGJR13NJyo7Mo8hBCWuhsFMlXHrirx5TilILKu6HXuV71v1Tk-NhdW4y-o-kqCJpP9e2c6q-yvneA1Tv64Btn6qfDQWZApDLddcMrr6pkh/s1600/australia+day+026.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566431842816015282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwAeOqlpA_q8w-EizVyspCMCEn0TGJR13NJyo7Mo8hBCWuhsFMlXHrirx5TilILKu6HXuV71v1Tk-NhdW4y-o-kqCJpP9e2c6q-yvneA1Tv64Btn6qfDQWZApDLddcMrr6pkh/s320/australia+day+026.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJGfoyN0dEE9bhMLdrxOch12xRXSYIlS92nA80gicYeELxIps_c5OC-mey-KC3kRbjAHkyH-qZaO2KZZkhFdbHDyMqiHcZ-jQ46FirAi4Uz3UoZVIzICQgpKwFjSNcxH7iaam/s1600/australia+day+011.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566431835613456642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJGfoyN0dEE9bhMLdrxOch12xRXSYIlS92nA80gicYeELxIps_c5OC-mey-KC3kRbjAHkyH-qZaO2KZZkhFdbHDyMqiHcZ-jQ46FirAi4Uz3UoZVIzICQgpKwFjSNcxH7iaam/s320/australia+day+011.JPG" /></a><br />Tonight E and I took Louis across to the park for a walk... A couple of others out for a walk couldn't take their eyes off us as we followed Louis around on his lead....Walking a cat is the opposite of walking a dog - you are the one that tends to 'follow' rather than 'lead'. I thought he may have been afraid as he is an indoor cat however he just loved it and we are now going to try with Matilda. She is not as placid as Louis but we hope that she works it out that the lead means 'outside'... This I believe would lower her stress level and ours. At the moment she is on supervised walks in our very tiny backyard - not at all satisfying for any of us...</div></div></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-41482434546233005652011-01-26T12:19:00.006+11:002011-01-26T18:59:27.274+11:00A mid week pause..<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMN1KdZUzGMsypHJTd3qLLWxsl2PAOahlenBfTdeHAQ4nE-_PyVCh8TBQ4knl5SF__-TyLDGZDUNKXfH78nXLVWPmZ8E-uisdNEkbiWIaagafOrhIsPvLF6iWHtxEQAQ8zYrV/s1600/MatildaTiger.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566332010516062930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMN1KdZUzGMsypHJTd3qLLWxsl2PAOahlenBfTdeHAQ4nE-_PyVCh8TBQ4knl5SF__-TyLDGZDUNKXfH78nXLVWPmZ8E-uisdNEkbiWIaagafOrhIsPvLF6iWHtxEQAQ8zYrV/s320/MatildaTiger.jpg" /></a> I know it is a variation on an <a href="http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://missingchildprevention.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/et3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dailybeerreview.com/2009_09_01_archive.html&usg=__MxTWFr-pdra8IPnVTfBqx6yEulQ=&h=349&w=400&sz=40&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=AMvnpuYMCu0KjM:&tbnh=128&tbnw=144&ei=BtQ_TePwDpCAvgPutrW2Aw&prev=/images%3Fq%3DET%2Bmovie%2Bpicture%2Bof%2BET%2Bhiding%2Bin%2Bthe%2Btoys%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1276%26bih%3D573%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=407&vpy=99&dur=5007&hovh=210&hovw=240&tx=153&ty=154&oei=xdM_TYreBIayvgO88-jpAg&esq=17&page=1&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0">old theme</a> -but I liked it anyway... We have a collection of soft toys and who should pop up between them but our Matilda...<br /><br />As I suspected once I went back to work 'normal viewing was resumed'. We are all concerned to what the future is going to bring us and we are sad that as a staff we will be flung to the four corners... As one of the younger casuals commented that despite a large age gap we all get on extremely well and there is rarely disharmony. In my time there I have seen most of these casuals tentatively approach the desk for <strong>the </strong>interview and then I have witnessed a growth and maturing as they settled into another phase of their lives when they have come to work for us I will miss 'the kids' as I call them. I appreciate listening to their views on life and I think it keeps me with at least a link to their generation.<br /><br />With all the speculation about the shop closing, it has made me reflective about my work life now that there is the likelihood of it changing. While I wish I didn't have to work as much or at least not full time, I again appreciate that I do work. I don't think that my personality is the kind to stay home permanently - I find after a little while I get 'cabin fever'. I know that I need the stimulation that going out to work brings - whether it is with the work itself, talking to other people or just having a purpose for each day... While I would like to know what will be happening with the shop I am endeavouring to take it one day at a time - I guess there will be time enough for its conclusion...<br /><br />I have read a couple more books <strong>Jasper Jones</strong> written by Craig Silvey and <strong>Indelible Ink</strong> written by Fiona McGregor. Both great reads and I would highly recommend them... Each quite different however the central theme being about people and circumstances that they find themselves in. I am currently reading Sanctus written by Simon Toyne - it is a March 2011 release. Sanctus is the first book in a trilogy - it has been described (on the inside cover) as "an apocalyptic conspiracy thriller". I am in about 160 pages but not sure what I think so far. The chapters are only three and four pages long so that the 'landscape' is constantly changing... The characters at this point don't have very much "history" but I am sure they will develop depth as the book proceeds. This year I am trying to read more and be a little more selective as I go. It is always a bit of a trap when the reading copies come into the shop ahead of general release - you want to read them first -but I have a number of books I would like to read as well. Ahhh - so many books and so little time...<br /><br />Today is Australia Day - a holiday for most people... Traditionally a day for get togethers, BBQ's and a little down time... I am taking full advantage of the mid week pause to do a little stitching, a little reading and generally be a sloth on the couch...<br /><br />Take care all<br /><br />S xxSharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-34959963752168768722011-01-11T21:12:00.008+11:002011-01-11T21:46:35.623+11:00Guess who...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6a4UtmSZf79wYp52LqwIsr8Xm1EpkAcGhJPlnSmEqMCGsleWUIV7w-0jOiV89jkJEEnKCY73icOcROqScS29TgPPCxgAKOeWtlF5RtOl6fm3jD71iPTA1yrcqKfHbfN9IWYe1/s1600/vals+011.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560872788156027938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6a4UtmSZf79wYp52LqwIsr8Xm1EpkAcGhJPlnSmEqMCGsleWUIV7w-0jOiV89jkJEEnKCY73icOcROqScS29TgPPCxgAKOeWtlF5RtOl6fm3jD71iPTA1yrcqKfHbfN9IWYe1/s320/vals+011.JPG" /></a>...was 99 on Monday...Not the best photo but I couldn't let the day pass to far along without sharing it... Unfortunately for my dad he was in hospital for his birthday as he had a bad chest infection towards the middle of last week... He seldom complains when he is sick so it wasn't until he collapsed that the alarm bells went off and he was shipped off to hospital where he picked up fairly quickly...<br /><br /><br />I told him yesterday he only another 365 days until he gets his letter from the Queen... That and a BIG party...<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGPkJwYypHFxgmHRuUEnSRjYcmYDjxvdZCeJxPjUg05EfzQL881J1pFNY4c-i00fJTtcL0MqNO554zILMpsHblxhXaAW8tqjEtkdaLoJwabF9JceUhbYLKP5EARE41DCN41vS/s1600/vals+012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560877170276719986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGPkJwYypHFxgmHRuUEnSRjYcmYDjxvdZCeJxPjUg05EfzQL881J1pFNY4c-i00fJTtcL0MqNO554zILMpsHblxhXaAW8tqjEtkdaLoJwabF9JceUhbYLKP5EARE41DCN41vS/s320/vals+012.JPG" /></a>That's him tucking into an 'iced coffee' which in his words was "bewt"<br /><br /><br />Until later please take care - especially those of you in Queensland flood affected areas - you are in my thoughts and prayers...<br /><br />S xxSharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-53291784468291449312011-01-08T17:23:00.008+11:002011-01-08T22:59:10.044+11:00Sacred Hearts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8jnRrVKmRrlZTKz97wkFQRcTpDqBxhOp8OGRkxXfNQSB1UOKqd_DIPv0XsuXGXA5x0qex7LLia9DmbnnU37YXcpEMr7H5cjSwg7DeDqJ0jmXSud1WHSNbmSiPf-Us7pKGW7I/s1600/sacred+hearts+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 194px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559698767552279762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8jnRrVKmRrlZTKz97wkFQRcTpDqBxhOp8OGRkxXfNQSB1UOKqd_DIPv0XsuXGXA5x0qex7LLia9DmbnnU37YXcpEMr7H5cjSwg7DeDqJ0jmXSud1WHSNbmSiPf-Us7pKGW7I/s320/sacred+hearts+2.jpg" /></a> Sacred Hearts by <a href="http://www.sarahdunant.com/blog/">Sarah Dunant</a> has sat on my stack beside the bed for quite some time... I think I bought it not long after it came out so that will tell you something...<br /><br />Since I have decided that I would like to lessen the chance of being buried alive I have made myself a promise that I shall try and read as many of them as possible...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sarahdunant.com/Library-Sacred-Hearts/library-best-selling-author-sarah-dunant.htm">Sacred Hearts</a>, as you can see from the cover illustration, is about nuns - I have a thing about nuns - their whole lifestyle fascinates me (left overs from a past life, I presume) so of course the cover 'spoke' to me straight away...<br /><br />Sarah Dunant has spent some time researching convent life in the 16<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> Century when the Roman Church was feeling the winds of change blowing...<br /><br />Within the microcosm of the convent walls the internal politics reflect what is going on in religious world outside. Convents are struggling to maintain some autonomy as the Church Reformation threatens to make them even more closed to the world than they already are.<br /><br />Inside the convent Santa Caterina, there is a faction who believe that the convent lacks sufficient discipline and that godliness has been replaced with other activities that while beneficial to those within the walls detract from the devoutness. They welcome the changes that are already being implemented in other Orders across Italy. The abbess, Madonna <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chiara</span> is astute enough to realise that they can only forestall change for a while. In the meantime she has to be sure that what goes on within her walls doesn't leave them.<br /><br />During this time many young women who were considered not marriageable were committed to the convent by their families. In fact the convents depended on these young women joining their ranks so that the convent could remain viable. This was made possible through the donations from the families. Whilst most young women accepted their fate there was those who resisted becoming 'brides of Christ' and rebelled against their confinement.<br /><br />We join the story when one such young woman, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Serafina</span>, arrives at the Santa Caterina's doors and sets in motion a chain of events that will shake the convent to its centre.<br /><br />I am probably not even scratching the surface of the story but I can tell you I have been thoroughly committed 'behind the convent walls' for its 400 plus pages... As I paused for a moment and marvelled that there are those people who have such a way with words and can weave a story that is totally <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mesmerizing</span> - storytelling at its best...<br /><br />It took me a little while to "come down" from Sacred Hearts but because I have borrowed my next book from the library I have made myself settle down to it. It is <a href="http://www.readings.com.au/review/indelible-ink-fiona-mcgregor">Indelible Ink</a> by Australian writer Fiona <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">McGregor</span>... I have heard mixed reviews about this one but because the main character and I are nearly the same age that in itself interested me...<br /><br />I have just loved these holidays - lots of reading, some stitching, some catching up with people, lots of sleeping. Just having a different pace to life - time to think and catch my breath - I feel so much better -shame it will all be ending soon...<br /><br />Until later, back to page turning<br /><br />S xxSharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-47213402880761595632011-01-03T18:39:00.006+11:002011-01-03T22:01:50.867+11:00The Third Day of the New Year...<span style="font-family:georgia;">Today I got confirmation of what I have been expecting to hear for weeks now. The book shop which I work for is to be sold. The book trade universally has been taking quite a beating – books can be sourced from so many different places and in so many ways that one no longer has to rely on the bricks and mortar shop front to buy from. Our Christmas trade was way down – not only for us in the book trade but across the board – retailers were slogging it out trying to catch the eye as well as the dollar of the paying public – hence the mad sales that were evident leading up to Christmas and beyond. </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The book industry however has been doing it tough for a number of reasons and as booksellers we could see the writing on the wall as the one shop after another faltered. Even one largish book chain is rumoured to be in deep trouble... </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Our store is part of a franchise which means although it comes under a larger banner it is privately owned – in essence- much like your corner milk bar. Our boss while he was optimistic initially that we could ride it out, has seen disappointing sales put an end to that. Try as we might we cannot compete ultimately with overseas online companies which can deliver books to your door in some cases with free delivery and at a much cheaper price... Nor can we compete with the department chain stores that sell their books at a loss primarily because they know that once over their threshold you will more than likely buy another unrelated product. And let us not forget the ipad, e-readers and other book delivering devices. These hold x amount of books are more convenient than bookshelves and according to their fans are "just, more well... more convenient!!!" Let's hope the power doesn't go out for any length of time or they drop it in the bath...</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Ironic really, we hear so much about creating customer loyalty, achieving excellent customer service etc but when push comes to shove no one is really all that interested in how well we do our job and what our knowledge base is - as long as we do it the cheapest price...</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />How do I feel? Sad for the most part – our boss had a dream and it has evaporated – not because he wasn’t delivering an excellent product or that he didn’t have the support and expertise of a great staff but he was the casualty of a greater war and sometimes one has to know when it is time to walk away. </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">What is the future? For me it is unknown – I guess we are all hoping that someone will step forward and take over the ownership – if that doesn’t happen then it will be only a matter of time before the doors close...</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The publishing/book industry I believe is undergoing a metamorphosis of sorts. Yes, I believe that books will survive - whether bookshops in their current form do - is debatable. My wish is that somehow, that somewhere in the future a child will take delight in a real book - (one that has a cover that opens, pages to turn and a smell that only a new book has) which was recommended by a person who too delighted reading it as a child and works in a bookshop because of that love, the adventure and pleasure that books and reading brings...</span>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-79066205769839291662010-12-27T17:59:00.009+11:002010-12-27T19:30:04.194+11:00On the SECOND day AFTER Christmas...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmQlPZpZBBwy14dy3Qsm6VMQ7aGfr_-VKJGzthL4BNmHyiVzN6DYIVL_ZYq5BP9Mt5XeNzUVsrIBbl2SGqr3MpAAahQBdXoDJr4JRMffwIBREIGmheDbfQm-t_L_4tcnAOqHV/s1600/her-fearful-symmetry_medium.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 208px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555268728437314546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmQlPZpZBBwy14dy3Qsm6VMQ7aGfr_-VKJGzthL4BNmHyiVzN6DYIVL_ZYq5BP9Mt5XeNzUVsrIBbl2SGqr3MpAAahQBdXoDJr4JRMffwIBREIGmheDbfQm-t_L_4tcnAOqHV/s320/her-fearful-symmetry_medium.jpg" /></a> Today was the day I promised myself all through those l-o-n-g pre Christmas customer service days. My oasis - after the rush of Christmas - a day in bed! It was to be my day of unapologetic sloth.The weather even obliged me - grey and chilly not an inducement for me to leave my cosy nest. As I arranged the pillows around me and wiggled further under the doona I thought this is just Bliss with a capital B!!!!<br /><div></div><br /><div>I took the opportunity to do my next favorite thing - read.. What did I read I hear you ask - "Her Fearful Symmetry" written by Audrey Niffenegger. I found it at the library a couple of weeks ago when I was there. I wasn't sure that I would like it as it had had mixed reviews from a couple of people who had read it - but surprisingly I did... Left me with a bit of an odd unsettled feeling though - not unlike wisps of a dream which curl around long after you wake up... I haven't read any other of Audrey Niffenegger's work - her most famous being "The Time Traveller's Wife" so I couldn't make a comparison. However I genuinely liked her characters - they were well drawn - peculiarities and all which I guess in turn makes them more believable. Perhaps the ones who touched me the most was Martin and his wife Marijke and of course Robert Fanshaw and Valentina Poole.<br /><br />The plot is essentially about love, loss, the striving for identity and family secrets with a ghost as the pivotal character... The backdrop is London and the immediate surroundings of the story is the famous <a href="http://www.highgate-cemetery.org/">Highgate Cemetery</a>. Worth a read if you are looking for something a little different...<br /><br />One of my 2011 resolutions is to try and do a little more of what I have done today - I haven't felt this relaxed in a long time. Now I'm off to have a look through the pile of books beside the bed and choose another one... There are two which are equal contenders with a third following close. My goal was to read three books before I went to work - one down, two to go...<br /><br />S xx</div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-25081776150462254022010-12-12T22:13:00.004+11:002010-12-12T22:57:14.164+11:00...it's starting...... to feel like Christmas... Every year it seems to take me longer and longer to get into the spirit of things... I don't know why it is perhaps because I work in retail and we always seem to be way ahead... At the moment I am being shown books for Easter and Mother's Day by the reps... No wonder I always feel a little confused at to what part of the year I'm in... At the moment I can hardly wait until it is over and I can get down to the job of just being slothful for a few days and catching my breath... I can feel the end coming to my bookselling days and I wonder what Life has in store for me next... I wish I could just stay at home for a little while and 'play house'... But unless I win lotto that is not likely to happen any time soon...<br /><br />But I digress...<br /><br />Today I got the Chrsitmas pudding made - a new recipe and a new slow cooker so I am crossing my fingers that all is well and by the morning I shall have a great tasting pudding... I had priced some - puddings that is - and I was very tempted to just buy one but in some mad way I feel like I am 'letting the side down' by not making one. P is going to make his special vanilla icecream and I was thinking about an old recipe of a chocolate mousse I used to make... We are thinking just simple home cooked roast chickens with perhaps some ham and roast veggies or a salad if it is warm...<br /><br />We are aiming at a simple Christmas this year - just enough food with a little left over for Boxing Day and a present under the tree (or in the absense of it - in the space where it should be) for every one to feel that they have been thought of...<br /><br />What do I want this year... I can't actually think of anything... I have enough books and needlework to keep me well and truely occupied for a very long time and there isn't anything I actually need...<br /><br />I know I am making it hard for P and E as to suggestions on what they might get me but I am wracking my brain to think of anything at the moment... I am hoping inspiration will hit me soon...<br /><br />I am not one for buying DVDs once I have seen something that is enough... However yesterday I sat for probably close to four hours totally enthralled watching the first couple of discs in the series the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_House_of_Eliott">House of Eliott</a>... I absolutely loved it - apparently made about 16 years ago - it had a huge following - I can understand why it is well put together and for anyone interested in that era it makes for compelling watching... Worth a look if you haven't seen it...<br /><br />Well, time for me to head off to bed before it starts all over again tomorrow...<br /><br />** P and I had a laugh earlier on - we have just managed to start the last block of chocolate we received last Christmas - the space in the fridge is clear - just in time for a refill!!!!<br /><br />Sharon xSharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-75157569293508446402010-12-04T09:57:00.006+11:002010-12-04T12:57:35.323+11:00...where to start...... perhaps I will just pick up the thread anywhere so bear with me...It may take a few posts to get up to speed...<br /><br />As you can see by my previous post we have had a death in the family... He was my ex-husband's brother and as with all marriage breakups, parts of family are inevitably lost to either one side or the other. It was still a shock to hear how he became so very ill and see that once fit, healthy man go down hill as quickly as he did...He had just turned 62 - still in the prime of his life and looking forward to retiring... If anything, his death has made me once again look at my own life and appreciate it - swearing not to flitter it away on the trivial and unimportant...<br /><br />While we were still in recovery mode from J's death, my eldest daughter's beloved cat Toshi also went to meet his maker... He had been ailing for a little while but deteriorated quite quickly and passed away on Thursday... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayWN1jOlOTSLp5PAtIcRMxD4rkAGPYd82Mhfi_P5kZfLUn75AfICh6jcV7Aw9Vt65-gz-twc3Z4h-n6a9CB4EWaLTP03VB5VMBeSu7NUkmP2Q38zQOq4DnWabv8EDBQEyi3Bi/s1600/Book+sale+081.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayWN1jOlOTSLp5PAtIcRMxD4rkAGPYd82Mhfi_P5kZfLUn75AfICh6jcV7Aw9Vt65-gz-twc3Z4h-n6a9CB4EWaLTP03VB5VMBeSu7NUkmP2Q38zQOq4DnWabv8EDBQEyi3Bi/s320/Book+sale+081.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546600664011137506" /></a><br /><br />This is a (not very good photo) of Tosh doing his second favorite thing - sleeping... The first favorite being eating... <br /><br />Rest in peace in your favorite part of the garden Tosh...<br /><br />More laterSharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-13719650775560041462010-11-28T20:09:00.004+11:002010-11-28T20:20:08.546+11:00A Sad Farewell..<div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedOJ1WsZNgSA-Nbs65rCoo_k9pPp0HeOM4zNAiqYi5u6yVjBwEem6EQ897N_B4ZM55aDQHYSfJqrZwKEzJCKvWmvN1avteikwDPt5vGwby6lxQXqolCKIk0OPxWlZTQPCi5En/s1600/john+hunting.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544525544994017250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedOJ1WsZNgSA-Nbs65rCoo_k9pPp0HeOM4zNAiqYi5u6yVjBwEem6EQ897N_B4ZM55aDQHYSfJqrZwKEzJCKvWmvN1avteikwDPt5vGwby6lxQXqolCKIk0OPxWlZTQPCi5En/s320/john+hunting.bmp" /></a></div><div align="center">John Philip Hunting 1948 - 2010 </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">May you rest in peace... </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-17420670461107964132010-11-20T17:29:00.002+11:002010-11-20T17:40:59.900+11:00...taking time to smell the roses...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRA6g_eqix0LQoNbzV1Xnf1HROpncBr-VFr54yvxZfthIHQK-K3Wv7cx3CyYWbgQC7mNBor0DEuvuqDcsLrI8_PEMiAvNLqU8pX6ZpPphq35bqgTMKlPFx2oXlmBBUXkZiaUz/s1600/DSC00401.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541516431635753666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRA6g_eqix0LQoNbzV1Xnf1HROpncBr-VFr54yvxZfthIHQK-K3Wv7cx3CyYWbgQC7mNBor0DEuvuqDcsLrI8_PEMiAvNLqU8pX6ZpPphq35bqgTMKlPFx2oXlmBBUXkZiaUz/s320/DSC00401.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtOj3_48tSwlk7DJDct4d0W7gkHvvnxX3ynjAAIUua_ZjE5WdZvabs6vu-1HMG3saoDNnEnxYROuUjucbB_4Oq4L-j4KOFT1sorEj4gBZUeBKYAaaAMRtpL_xiSkM2yx4-MGA/s1600/DSC00407.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541516423748233490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtOj3_48tSwlk7DJDct4d0W7gkHvvnxX3ynjAAIUua_ZjE5WdZvabs6vu-1HMG3saoDNnEnxYROuUjucbB_4Oq4L-j4KOFT1sorEj4gBZUeBKYAaaAMRtpL_xiSkM2yx4-MGA/s320/DSC00407.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZKdbyWjAGt_TvUNa65cmNZFBzPeaLugfAKe1DEVmUDgBvRhNSQ6aqFyUI_7XaqmJ08c0ZtV1n94zYEz-9ZVjQafiNF8DRL7XQVujgm1A_ApfV8-F8pL1It6s-1-UbHZUbWnV/s1600/DSC00389.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541516418276713394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZKdbyWjAGt_TvUNa65cmNZFBzPeaLugfAKe1DEVmUDgBvRhNSQ6aqFyUI_7XaqmJ08c0ZtV1n94zYEz-9ZVjQafiNF8DRL7XQVujgm1A_ApfV8-F8pL1It6s-1-UbHZUbWnV/s320/DSC00389.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXabcRaHAF6VI7JVUVF2vyyqg2GYmvzp6sDYjuaonBRPnBZV9mD6Ikat2B0Gw5SzxFp5nuIyQtLKUWxwM0JR27JyYh-aTMcI0iqzwxu6fJiy-V2i6FU3bFVkTD-GbXR9QXqh5V/s1600/DSC00387.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541516414745490082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXabcRaHAF6VI7JVUVF2vyyqg2GYmvzp6sDYjuaonBRPnBZV9mD6Ikat2B0Gw5SzxFp5nuIyQtLKUWxwM0JR27JyYh-aTMcI0iqzwxu6fJiy-V2i6FU3bFVkTD-GbXR9QXqh5V/s320/DSC00387.JPG" /></a> These roses are on my way to the bus stop I go to each morning I can't help but be hypnotised at their simple beauty... Especially as some of them are almost forgotten in the midst of a neglected garden...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig70nK6nw9mxrPgY9nh3gQ5PxGEn1BuW5soCraOQ3j88ax62DEbKFcYye79WBa52z4OJJL7-xEhF1Ktw_po-keF22kat-Tgre91KrRqLTm62YpOpyifygUaBJJbMbb71xE-EKh/s1600/DSC00381.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541516405447272882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig70nK6nw9mxrPgY9nh3gQ5PxGEn1BuW5soCraOQ3j88ax62DEbKFcYye79WBa52z4OJJL7-xEhF1Ktw_po-keF22kat-Tgre91KrRqLTm62YpOpyifygUaBJJbMbb71xE-EKh/s320/DSC00381.JPG" /></a><br /><br />as always...</div><div></div><div>S X<br /><br /></div></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-63741138193944128422010-11-14T00:29:00.004+11:002010-11-14T17:07:25.333+11:00again a new beginning......after a couple of false starts I am ready to try again... My plan is to start with one post a week and slowly build on it... I realise that I have been missing in action for quite awhile now and what with one thing and another life here has been interesting to say the least...<br /><br />2010 has flitted past like a dragonfly and moments of stillness for reflection have been few and far between... P and my trip to Tasmania was so far the highlight of this year we just loved it... We have tentatively made plans to go back again in 2011... But as P says "As you make plans God laughs.." So whether we actually get back there remains to be seen...<br /><br />As I look back from this point in the year I think for a moment of L who lost her fight with ovarian cancer - her death having a far greater an impact on me than I care to admit...The continual loss I feel for a friend. One <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">never</span> realises just how precious relationships are until they are threatened or broken. Family conflict too has been another major bump in the road with resolutions for recovery still far from resolved. My health has been questionable this year with me just not feeling myself at all... I am unsure where this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">particular</span> road is leading. Now watching my brother-in-law facing a life or death struggle, one wonders what Life is indeed about. Work life for me has been one of constant upheaval as the particular industry I am in is under constant battery... I wonder if in fact I shall have employment this time next year...<br /><br />As of my birthday in September I have entered a Year One in numerology terms... Year Ones are a time of new beginnings - starting out - new projects etc... I have been known to do quite extraordinary things in these phases of my life... But so far nothing has indicated that Life will go on any other way than the way it has... While I don't live my life by the numbers I have an open mind to their relationship with us... I do believe ther is more on offer than we tend to see or believe.<br /><br />Later on today I am trying something new - a workshop on the Introduction to Botanical Art... It has been something which has always 'sparked my imagination' so to speak and E gave me the workshop as a present last birthday. I am a little nervous about it but I keep reminding myself that it will be good to try something new... I feel like a little kid with my new pencils and paints and a fresh new sketch book..<br /><br />Well time to head off to bed... Until later...<br /><br />S xSharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-40658514657415392010-11-14T00:09:00.001+11:002010-11-14T00:12:31.983+11:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxU0mH1I57hwQI7fpMOw3roHgFc9TvyYz2i55NBrc5arNJ7iOwJkeZt9NELI_IhtqqLUW_hEYkDDe4PcAKPVaHDz2XvPC7lL_pddqtDrJ458U0OD7DEMpmiybjv6DWLpx9C9l/s1600/SATURDAY+288.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539021410424930898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxU0mH1I57hwQI7fpMOw3roHgFc9TvyYz2i55NBrc5arNJ7iOwJkeZt9NELI_IhtqqLUW_hEYkDDe4PcAKPVaHDz2XvPC7lL_pddqtDrJ458U0OD7DEMpmiybjv6DWLpx9C9l/s320/SATURDAY+288.JPG" /></a>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-37648405110822861432010-07-19T07:06:00.003+10:002010-07-19T07:09:08.550+10:00Another new look...I just love this new blog template - it is just what I have been looking for... It inspires me to do more and I am hoping that my time away will motivate me to start some things which I have relegated to the back burner...Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-60616242054478151942010-07-12T18:24:00.004+10:002010-07-12T18:27:06.252+10:00Am I boring you...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItr5ddRri2DoJYp2g5rrMGwe-ucDhCUeuW22GjSSt6cugHGX2m5ZonLlSPTy0OG0nGU9tMlgCAP3oIzZFq8bAtZ4zXCH41ZqhGeAOVWLCNOAd9s6hEiXTlhZaAe68ENQRQ8cu/s1600/Louis2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492933017034809314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItr5ddRri2DoJYp2g5rrMGwe-ucDhCUeuW22GjSSt6cugHGX2m5ZonLlSPTy0OG0nGU9tMlgCAP3oIzZFq8bAtZ4zXCH41ZqhGeAOVWLCNOAd9s6hEiXTlhZaAe68ENQRQ8cu/s320/Louis2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>... but isn't he cute...</div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-4636711290122771112010-07-10T10:58:00.000+10:002010-07-10T11:00:00.081+10:00Yet...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBeZdwFfSgQyq_ex4LFxi8-bBbY6uMdeKdyWH34W2en8a8ugagENMu7cXPLU9w1U3C04MLWtso1bqWl-vvuNKM22PstuCBXh6GUcCPle9L02xw50Yvd_grsNiU0lryxG96VEn/s1600/LOUISLAPTOP.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492075874921518418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBeZdwFfSgQyq_ex4LFxi8-bBbY6uMdeKdyWH34W2en8a8ugagENMu7cXPLU9w1U3C04MLWtso1bqWl-vvuNKM22PstuCBXh6GUcCPle9L02xw50Yvd_grsNiU0lryxG96VEn/s320/LOUISLAPTOP.jpg" /></a><br /><div>...another photo...</div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-41844434471434849162010-07-05T22:32:00.002+10:002010-07-05T22:37:07.244+10:00G...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZpiVQ7CvOMLyIVPcCrnMq2bs3jbcJa20jVIx1wP4WqJK7OS3fHyVKuou7E6UCv5-8mjIGbukw-foaEthUmZohW9T_je628sRU4ba5jc27CF-v5DIBlYG9PdFQKKBjMHVJhGC/s1600/LOUIS.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490399330535379794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZpiVQ7CvOMLyIVPcCrnMq2bs3jbcJa20jVIx1wP4WqJK7OS3fHyVKuou7E6UCv5-8mjIGbukw-foaEthUmZohW9T_je628sRU4ba5jc27CF-v5DIBlYG9PdFQKKBjMHVJhGC/s320/LOUIS.jpg" /></a><br /><div><strong>for you - the new face at the dinner table ... Meet the 'new kid' - Louis - E's new mate...</strong></div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong>S</strong></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-48678768971349565192010-04-26T18:34:00.006+10:002010-04-26T20:40:05.075+10:00A new name...<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">You who still visit here will now notice a new name... I have been musing for quite some time to change the name... I believe both I and the blog have outgrown 'Beyond...' I initially started 'Beyond' for a couple of reasons of which really don't matter now... However I would like to think I in some ways achieved what I needed to... </span><br /><br />Why 'A Variegated Thread' ?? I love variegated thread and I use it a bit in my embroidery I love the unexpectedness of it - it can change within a few stitches - changing the look and sometimes the tone of the piece. The meaning of the word variegate suggests change the appearance of, especially by marking with different colors... Of course the word thread applies both to embroidery and in this case to words...<br /><br />I have always seen words 'in colour'. I understand the power of words and that they can to change the appearance of a story, a message, a passage of writing - they can alter it abruptly or subtly - they can take you on a journey or 'show' you something... Words can persude you, elate you, anger you or simply offer an explanation..<br /><br />This is what I hope to do with A Variegated Thread - offer differences, so you the reader won't know what to expect - sometimes reflection, or a rant, or maybe just an image which moves me... Sometimes I will talk about my life on this side of the screen, or a book which has caught my eye perhaps a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tit bit</span> of conversation I have overheard...<br /><br />Whatever it is I bring it to you and I hope you will enjoy it...<br /><br />Until next time...<br /><br />SSharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-39788597273090731002010-04-25T16:49:00.003+10:002010-04-25T16:53:00.832+10:00Look who's here...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2YnW2ellGVfwujGGjiFrdIVxvD1QGQTgzcopHEUCAh_1KwDwiK2zzOjpxYHXqqaTpsTahZ6ZDv764xuhm8zpG1tANMUktNm_pl1Ywv9NwYyqjDhR7kKUQ3QCQekgGGZeLZd3/s1600/2442010+132.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463963929037510498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2YnW2ellGVfwujGGjiFrdIVxvD1QGQTgzcopHEUCAh_1KwDwiK2zzOjpxYHXqqaTpsTahZ6ZDv764xuhm8zpG1tANMUktNm_pl1Ywv9NwYyqjDhR7kKUQ3QCQekgGGZeLZd3/s320/2442010+132.JPG" /></a> She looks innocent doesn't she???Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10668080.post-25971299824999544662010-02-21T17:36:00.006+11:002010-02-22T20:46:11.649+11:002010It's time for a change... Beyond the blank page...Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964691229955614154noreply@blogger.com2