I confess that I do often lose things in my house (and in moving have found things I've been trying to locate for years). On the other hand, I also have a sixth sense for where certain items are, despite the piles of boxes yet to be unpacked and stacks of books. Take, for example,
It may seem strange to say that I like a long haul flight. I see it as a fabulous opportunity to do nothing for a day, without having to think of anything more than which movie to watch. It just dawned on my that I can drink G&Ts and binge watch movies all the way
A letter arrives in the mailbox with the logo of your energy company on the front. Tired of paying an endless stream of bills, you leave it sitting on the bench for several days before opening. You're sure that it is another bill inside. When pragmatism beats procrastination you open the letter to find a
The Château de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley in France has immaculate gardens, exquisitely designed and carefully maintained, delighting the eye in every direction. In addition there is a prolific flower garden with blooms destined for the château. In every room and corridor there are fascinating flower arrangements, every bit as interesting as the furniture
They sit on the shelf like wise old sages. Not demanding to be read like their flashy descendants, but waiting patiently until the time is right. A classic tale unravels in the printed word and the untold story of readers over decades floats from between the pages. Who read this before me? And who before
Opium fuelled orchestral music at it's finest! Un Bal from Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique is one of my favourite pieces of all time. It is pure escapism to turn it up and wallow in the decadent romanticism of 1830. As Bernstein said, "Berlioz tells it like it is. You take a trip, you wind up screaming at
Small poetry for growing small people. Small poetry to teach them to find joy in the small things. Words to live by, regardless of size. William Martin - The Parent's Tao Te Ching
Reversing with a trailer on does weird things to even the most engineering driven brain. Working out the logic of articulation whilst doing it is a gargantuan cognitive task (because no-one practices reversing a trailer - you just find yourself needing to do it and realise you haven't done it for several years and all
Happiness = wine in the walk in wardrobe. This is really why I need a walk in wardrobe. It's not for clothes or shoes or extra pillows. What joy to see deliciousness every morning as I rummage through the drawer looking for clean socks! Photo: L'Intendant (Bordeaux)
Humour is such an intrinsic part of culture. You know you're fluent in another language when you get the jokes. Similarly, there's a resonance in the humour of your primary culture and language. Australian political satire has a very distinctive flavour, and I love it. Every now and then I'm reminded of how funny and