Living in today’s world is like trying to make tofu taste good. Let’s be honest: tofu is tasteless and the texture is like biting into a mushy sponge. Listening to the news, even here down under is depressing. It makes me want to bury my head in the sand. News is bad, not just tasteless, … Continue reading Making tasty tofu
Writing
Writing a Novel
I’ve been writing a Romance Novel. Alice Goes Down Under for a couple of years. I’ve been using Scriverner to organize the chapters. I’m at the end of the first revision. I’ve been sharing it chapter by chapter online with my Round Rock writers group in Texas, and my Write On writers group in Door … Continue reading Writing a Novel
Living on Two Continents
Living on two continents ought to be the best of both worlds. After all, I spend the North American winter in Australia, where it is summer and the cold unheated Melbourne winter in Door County Wi, where cool breezes off Lake Michigan moderate the temperature. For three years my Australian partner and I have made … Continue reading Living on Two Continents
Losing Native Trees
Everyone says to plant trees. Part of our city council promotes biodiversity. But the people in charge of street trees cut down mature native trees that provide food for beautiful Australian birds. They plant exotic trees that won’t bother the overhead lines or maybe disrupt the sidewalk. I can walk down one street and hear … Continue reading Losing Native Trees
Visions from Two Continents today written with word Dictation
In Australia my arm in a sling from a bicycle accident My country tis of thee Sweet land of liberty of the icing. (of thee I sing) That's what dictating springs. My right arm is in a sling. I can't type a thing. Yet, I want to compare my two countries right now. I … Continue reading Visions from Two Continents today written with word Dictation
Portland Japanese Garden in the Fall.
We thought since is was Wednesday it wouldn’t be crowded. But it was a special day, after all the sun was out in Portland. It was a long drive through the city to get there, but the trees glowed all along the side of the road. We were lucky someone was pulling out near the … Continue reading Portland Japanese Garden in the Fall.
Homesick
I’ve stayed too long in the USA. My ticket is not until November. I’m missing Australia, especially the trees and the birds. As the trees here lose their leaves I imagine the spring flowers now unfolding in Australia. How can I be homesick for what was my mother’s home? Is a longing to go back … Continue reading Homesick
BAck, Back in the USA
That is the USA not the USSR. USSR made for a better rhyme, but I want to be in a country with fair free elections and an independent civil service system that unholds the constitution. A country that has been famous for peaceful transfer of power from one Presidential election to the next. I have … Continue reading BAck, Back in the USA
Going Back to the USA
I heading back. Going from fall to spring. The wildflowers are blooming in Woodside Park and a need to be there. I need to see them this year. On this day 15 years ago Dutchman’s Breeches were in full bloom. Dutchman’s breeches are featured in my new book which I’m writing. I find peace in … Continue reading Going Back to the USA
Writers Victoria – Writing Exquisite Sentences
The doors are open. The light seeps in from the narrow opening. But Ethel sits still on the bare wooden chair. Her dark shoulders stoop down as she tries to figure out this new gadget. They just left her alone with this thing as though that would replace them. Her frizzled hair reflects the frizzle … Continue reading Writers Victoria – Writing Exquisite Sentences
Visions from Two Continents. 