MOJO Month

Extra time, check. Motivation, MIA. 

These last four months have just flown by and I can't say I've completed my best-seller, written a ton of articles, become an expert baker, learnt any fabulous new skills, read a heap of books, got crafty, got fit (fat maybe) or done anything that feels particularly productive.

Whilst Lockdown 1.0 had some novelty about it, this time around, well the novelty has definitely worn off and like most people, I'm over it.  However, unlike the covidiots (WTF are some people thinking) out there, I'm more than happy to wash my hands, wear my mask, stay close to home, socially distance and do whatever we need to do to stay safe and get "over this" - whatever that means.

Lockdown 2.0 is definitely leading me down a path of laziness and procrastination, so time to kick my own butt into gear and at least try and get my writing MOJO back. So I've signed up for MOJO month with the Australian Writers Centre. Here we are Day 1, the main theme being stepping beyond your comfort zone.  "The comfort zone is a beautiful place - but nothing grows there"

Under Operation, our mission for today, should we choose to accept it, was to create an Acrostic using our names to introduce ourselves. Geez, I gave myself 15 minutes and it was harder than it should have been:

Joyfully Usurping Laziness Impatiently Awaiting

Adventure New Travel Inspiration Growth Ushering Exciting Days And Dreams

You can teach an old dog new tricks

Sometime BC, I was working on my abandoned list and trying to revive it for 2020.  Well that hasn’t worked out too well thanks to current circumstances, but one of the things I did add, was to learn to play a musical instrument.  I suppose I could count the beautiful melodies played out on the old brown school recorder. After all, everyone should be proficient in playing Three Blind Mice on one of those.  It’s a life skill that I’ve turned to time and time again throughout difficult times.  I was pretty good on the old triangle and tamborine too.  

What to learn?  I had previously toyed with the idea of leaning to play the sax, but that idea had waned.  Piano would be good, but no room for a piano. Drums would be fun and excellent for stress relief, but the neighbours might not be too happy.  So I settled on guitar.  Relatively inexpensive (for a beginner one), doesn’t take up too much room and easy to transport.

A quick search led me to Ron Leigh’s Music Factory which is just around the corner.  Handy.  Decided it was meant to be when someone mentioned that they’ve been around for ages and are very well regarded.  Right then, it was time to pick a guitar and book in for some lessons.  And then along came Covid-19 and that plan was temporarily shelved.

But just last week on a walk around the neighbourhood, I walked past Ron Leigh’s and spotted this groovy purple guitar in the window (brand name was Valencia – I took it as a sign) and the cutest collection of ukulele.  Being a Sunday, the shop was closed, but I did notice they were still open during the week.

On Thursday, Emi surprised me and came home with a ukulele.  I think it’s more of a “display” piece, but it is very cute and lets face it, I have no idea what I'm doing anyway.  Today, I lovingly took it out of its bag and turned to that great teacher, YouTube, and found a few free lessons.  Lesson 1, “You are my Sunshine” and learning a few Chords.  Obstacle 1, I have to cut my nails.  And practice.  A lot.  I have no idea on tuning (gotta get me one of those little tuner thingies) or if the notes are even close to what they are supposed to sound like.  But that’s OK, minor details.  

I do still want to buy the purple guitar and get some lessons, but I’ll wait until they are back doing them in person.  In the meantime, well I’ll practice on my new little ukulele.

Cactus Country

After 5 days of very hot weather up in Kyabram or Ky as the locals call it, which raises an interesting question of the pronunciation of Kyabram and Kyneton – but that’s a whole other story, 31 December 2019 had cooler weather forecasted so we made the most of it.  We finished the year/decade with a long overdue visit to Cactus Country in Strathmerton (approximately 3 hours north of Melbourne, near Cobram).

What an awesome place!  If you love cactus and succulents, then this is the place for you.  They have over 4,000 species from around the globe spread over 12 acres.  Easy to follow coloured trails (borrow a folder containing maps and descriptions of the different varieties and where they are from) allow you to wander around marvelling at the range and size of their collection – with plans to continue expanding!

Many of the cactus were still in flower, although if you want to see them in full bloom, October/November is probably the best time of the year.  They are open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm.

Owner Jim Hall has done a brilliant job of bringing a little bit of Mexico to Victoria and he was more than happy to chat and share his passion for all things prickly.  As well as the gorgeous gardens, they have a café, bar and restaurant on site and lots of cute little nooks and crannies that make for some fabulous Instagram moments (if you’re into that sort of thing).  Not surprising that they hold weddings and functions here, it makes for a great back drop. We tried the Cactus Cake and that was delish – super moist, but a bit early for Margaritas (never too early?).

Many know my love of skulls, so I loved the Mexican graveyard with its Day of the Dead theme – wore a skull t-shirt for the occasion.  They host a Day of the Dead fiesta which looks like lots of fun, must return for that!  Sunset and night-time tours are also available – check the website for details.

They also have an area for plant sales on site where you can add to your own collection. Some of the unusual Elephant’s foot, (Dioscorea elephantipes), available.  Resembling an elephant’s foot or a tortoise shell they belong to the yam family and are native to semi-arid areas in southern Africa. They are not cheap, but they do make an interesting talking point.

All in all, well worth the visit.  Oh and dogs are welcome, so even Lola got to enjoy being part of the day and meeting Oreo the local doggy on-site.  Just watch where they walk and pee – cactus spikes can hurt!

Gorgeous Colour

Love the graveyard for a bit of fun!

Lola enjoying her day out exploring

The unusual Elephant's Foot - at $450 for this one, not cheap!

Happy 14th Birthday Lola!

On this day back in 2006, our beloved fur-baby Lola was born.  14 years old today.  She might not be as active and arthritis, Cushings, near deafness and her itches might have slowed her down, but she brings joy every day and we love her dearly.

Lola came into our lives in April 2006 weighing in at a mighty 900g.  A tiny little ball of fluff, we had to put a bell on her to stop us stepping on her.  Sad to say that she was a pet-shop puppy – bought before we knew better, on the spur of the moment.  We’d gone to Kmart to buy welly boots and there she was.  Well not in Kmart, but next door. We had been looking for a new Cocker Spaniel to join our family and had just missed out on a nine-month-old.  Emi saw her, picked her up and that was it – all over red rover. Love at first sight. 

Our dearly missed bubba Lucas (just re-read this, so now have tears streaming down my face) wasn’t overly impressed at his new baby sis (maybe because she wasn’t a Cocker), but they eventually became friends and shared many happy adventures together.  Since losing Lucas, Lola has become the queen of her domain, defender of the home and remains the happy little (OK maybe not so little – she’s now a porky 10kg) fur-baby she has always been.

So on this day of her 14^th Birthday, we celebrate and hope that she is with us for many more to come. A few of Lola's adventures (like me, even she has slacked off on the writing):

Lola the Explorer goes to Lake Eildon
Left behind
Christmas in Ballarat - Part Two
Back to Baconsville
Lola and the mystery of the black truffle
It's all about me - a special guest post
Lola goes to the beauty parlour
Tail on the Road

Lola and Lucas

Always had my dad wrapped around my paw

A bit of yoga

Today is also “Reyes” or the Three Kings Day (something to do with Epiphany). Celebrated in Spain (and elsewhere) it’s the day the 3 wise men arrived bearing gifts.  Gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death. Weird gifts for a bub, but I guess they were different times.  In Spain today it’s celebrated with a parade, sweets, presents and Rosca de Reyes (Ring of the Kings) a sweet bread.  Nothing like extending Christmas holidays and more eating.

New Year, New Decade, New Word

It’s that time of the year when thoughts turn to New Year’s Resolutions, goals, plans for the year and lists (lots of people are addicted to lists - and notebooks). Sadly, my 2019 list of things to do was severely neglected in 2019 – even though I had more time than ever to get things done.  So neglected, that when I upgraded my computer, it seems to have dropped off and I've only just noticed. Technology fail.

I don’t really go for New Year’s Resolutions – in one year and out the other (I did read this week that they are basically just to-do-lists for the first week of the year) – but I do like a good list and I choose a ‘word.’ 

My word for 2019 was FREEDOM.  That was an easy one, after all I was happily unemployed and had a whole year ahead of me to do as I pleased.  But what did that actually mean?  Time to write more, read more, get fit, learn new things and do all those things I’ve always wanted to do but never had enough time.

Full steam ahead.  Until, I stalled.  Life got slower, I don’t mean I slept in or spent all day doing nothing, I walked more, got out and met new people for coffee, chatted to neighbours, went overseas, helped Emi, ironed (livin' the dream) and cooked more than ever!  Was I bored? Never. Did I miss work? Fuck no.  But I didn’t do all the things that I thought were important. I didn’t write more, I wrote less, I read less, I ticked less things off my list and I still don’t have a Will.

For me, FREEDOM meant PROCRASTINATION.

I would have quiet happily remained 'retired', but financially not a realistic option and FREEDOM obviously wasn’t working out as expected.  Get a job I love was top of the list, working out what that was – hard!  Finding a job outside of “what you do” not so easy.  

But exactly one year after FREEDOM, I started working again.  My new job came out of the blue in that I didn’t apply for it.  Do I love it? Does it pay well? No, not really but guess what, I’m starting to get more of the things I love to do done!  The saying “if you want something done give it to a busy person” now makes perfect sense. 

I start 2020 employed.  I’ve given some thought to goals and have started working on my list of things to do for the year.  And now I need a word.  In a recent post, I asked for a positive word that began with the first letter of your name to get some ideas. 

  I received lots of great words and added a few more and came up with a long list:

BEAUTIFUL	MARVELLOUS	AMAZING	TRANQUIL
KINDNESS	RESPECT	DETERMINATION	BOLDNESS
CALM	CARE	JOY	DO
CHALLENGE	ENJOY	LISTEN	LAUGH
AMAZING	FUN	RELEASE	HAPPY
BEGIN	DREAM	ALIGNMENT	BALANCED
HOPE	COMPASSION	GRATITUDE	GROW
FORGIVE	WONDER	AWESOME	PRESENCE
INSPIRATION	ADVENTURE	POSITIVITY	IMAGINE
ACTION	CONFIDENCE	JOURNEY	SATISFACTION
COMMITTED	ENOUGH	DIRECTION	BRAVE
TRUST	SPARKLE	STRENGTH	TODAY
LOVE	FOCUS	POSSIBILITIES	RECLAIM

 I narrowed it down to five and then chose one without overthinking it. And the word is…………..

BEGIN

Not sure why that word stood out for me. Maybe because I’d read a recent quote by Zig Ziglar:

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great”   Be like Zig.

All of a sudden, I came across other quotes that resonated: 

“Start before you're ready. Don't prepare, begin.” - Mel Robbins

“Begin, be bold, and venture to be wise.” - Horace

“There are so many doors to open. I am impatient to begin." - Charlie Gordan

“Beginning is difficult, but unavoidable” - Israelmore Ayivor

“Don't try to figure out the whole race. Just figure out where to put your foot for the starting line. Just start.” - Jeff Olson

Footnote:  Thanks Lesley for writing down "Lazy".  Because it's an important reminder that we should all have a lazy day once in a while!  Siesta Sunday's should be a thing.

Come from Away

Am I the only one that didn't know this story? 

The play Come from Away caught my attention and I entered the cheap tix lottery and managed to grab 2 tickets ($50 each and great seats). So off we went on a Sunday afternoon at the end of July with only a vague idea that it was based on a true story about planes diverted to Canada on 11 September 2001. 9/11, that fateful day.

So glad we did.  It's one of those feel good plays that you walk away from with a big smile on your face. Take tissues. Actually, that's possibly just me, I cry at everything. It is indeed the remarkable true story of the day 38 civilian, 4 military planes and more than 6,600 passengers and crew (and 19 animals in cargo) were diverted to Gander when US airspace was closed.  

The small town of Gander (population in 2001 approx. 10,000) on the island of Newfoundland (The Rock, nothing to do with the man), is home to Gander International Airport (opened January 1938), once an important refuelling stop and still used today as an emergency landing point. 

It must have been terrifying for those passengers, not knowing where they were (welcome to Gander - where the fuck are we), what was happening or when they would be getting home. For up to 6 days passengers were stranded and it's hard to imagine what it must have been like. So Operation Yellow Ribbon was put into action and residents of Gander and the surrounding towns swung into action volunteering to house, feed and entertain all these "Come from Aways" The term is used by locals for anyone not born on the island. 

The play tells the story.  How unease, fear, culture clashes and mistrust was turned around with patience, music and friendship - oh and maybe with a bit of alcohol thrown in.  The scene where the musicians (Celtic style) join in the fun, and over many drinks, tensions ease and lifelong friendships are formed is awesome.  When it was time to leave, the locals refused any money and once everyone left, they found money had been tucked away as a way of saying thanks to their hosts.

One of the scenes was the "Kissing the Cod" or "Screech-in." Like all good local customs, it's usually performed at a pub by a resident.  The "Come from Away" kisses a cod and is asked by the local "Is ye a Screecher?" The newcomer must reply "Deed I is, me old cock, and long may your big jib draw!" Which translates to "Yes indeed my friend, may there always be wind in your sails." Then you drink a shot of Newfoundland Screech, a type of rum, and receive a certificate from the Royal Order of Newfoundland Screechers.  Kiss the Cod - I'll add it to the list 'cos it sounds like my sort of tradition.

Women on Walks

Back in May I discovered this Facebook group called "Women on Walks" and decided I could do with a bit more getting off my fat arse and walking.  The next planned walk was along the beach from Sandringham to Green Point in Brighton.  Talked Andrea, Heather and Erminia into coming along, so at 9.45am on a grey Tuesday, (ah the joys of not working are never-ending) off we set.  Easy pace, walked past the Sandringham Rotunda, Sandy Yacht Club, through some bushland which sometimes is hard to believe is right on our doorstep, along Hampton beach (home sweet home) and finally to Green Point where we had a short pit-stop for morning tea (BYO). On the way back we stopped off at a café in Sandringham Village (Elefant) for lunch/coffee and were back where we started at around 1.30pm.  

Friday 12 July was a bit of a wet and wild day in St Kilda. I guess bad weather needs to be factored in when it's the middle of winter.  Anyway, we didn't let that stop us as we set off through the St Kilda Botanical Gardens and made our way to Albert Park and then strolled around the lake. Heavy rain at one point, but at least it was only blowing in 1 direction so only half the body got wet.  Wandered down Fitzroy and Acland Streets and ended up at Iddy Biddy Bar for a much needed coffee and a delish lunch. Oh and met Ron Barassi along the way - much to the delight (if the squeals were anything to go by) of some of our fellow walkers.

The weather gods took pity on us on Sunday 21st July and the sun was shining.  This time we were in the city and after meeting up in Fed Square, we were off to check out the street art in a couple of laneways (I do love a good laneway stroll). On to and around Carlton Gardens and then back past Parliament for a walk through Treasury and Fitzroy Gardens before our coffee/lunch stop at Great Space café. Lots to see along the way and we had many keen photographers merrily snapping away on route.

The most recent walk was on Sunday 18 August and it was a repeat of the St Kilda one - this time with no rain and much warmer, although it was windy around the lake - and not just because there were 25 women chatting away. We kept a look out for the great Ron B, but he wasn't hanging around on any street corners on this day.

Each month there are two walks. One held during the week and one on the weekend.  The following month, the one that was held during the week is repeated on a Sunday for those that aren't lucky enough to be retired/unemployed/taking a break.  

Each walk is around 10 - 12km and everyone is welcome. Well, as long as you are a women. Apparently some men have tried to join the group and have been politely turned away. Can't blame them for trying - I'm sure an equivalent men's walking group would be nowhere near as exciting when it comes to gossip. 

The group is run by the lovely Annie, who diligently takes a practice walk when planning the next ones and ensures that coffee/lunch spots are up to scratch.  So far I've met a lovely bunch of ladies,  all ages and from various walks of life. Some mothers and daughters share the day and there is usually at least one fur-baby (male's welcome) accompanying us.  It's a fabulous way to get a bit of exercise, discover new spots around our city and make new friends.

All walks to date have been classed as "Easy." Although in October, a slightly more taxing hike down in the Mornington Peninsula is planned and that will be 14.5km.  Now the question has been raised - What is the difference between a "hike" and a "walk?" The answer appears a bit grey, but seems to depend on the surface being walked upon and where you are. Walking tends to refer to the stuff we do everyday on hard, relatively flat surfaces in urban areas, whereas hiking is done in nature and on more natural, uneven ground. Got it?  So really, telling someone to take a hike is not necessarily a bad thing.