As I am writing ✍️this blog I am thinking about my niece Emily.  She is in my thoughts and prayers because she is a sensitive and beautiful young lady who is in shock at the passing of Liam Payne from One Direction. Emily is in her mid to late twenties and hasn’t experienced a lot of death in her life, so she is deeply affected by Liam’s passing.  I really want to give her a big hug 🫂 and let her know that time is a good healer.  I can totally understand her feelings because I was devastated when Paul Hester from Crowded House tragically passed from suicide back when I was in my thirties. At the, time it was devastating for me, one of my idols dying so tragically.

Over the past ten to twenty years, I have experisomed sone grief at loved ones passing  that has changed my view of life.  I truly believe our souls are eternal and that when we pass over, our souls enter heaven.   It is the only thing that helps my grief make sense is that one day, we will be reunited with our loved 😍 ones in heaven.   I deeply felt grief when both Susanna and Muchael passed away, and I truly believe they are in heaven.  I like to think that Susanna runs a tearooms in heaven and that she employs Michael to cook desserts for her. Having that fantasy helps me in my grief because  I can visualise this, and it warms my heart ❤️.  Susanna and Michael were angels on 🌎 earth, so it makes sense that they would work together in heaven. I like to think that Liam Payne is in heaven now, at peace, and that Susanna has invited him to her tearooms.  Those who have passed over tragically find peace and warmth in heaven, and they no longer suffer.  I, too, know my time will come one day, and I look forward to seeing Susannas tearooms.

If there is anything that I truly love (other than Lily), it is the experience of opshopping at charity stores like the Salvos and St. Vinnies.

I first developed this obsession in my early 20s when I was obsessed with rock’n’roll dancing and wanted to wear the clothes from the 40s, 50s, and 60s.  I would go to trendy opshops and buy things like dresses and cardigans from that era.  As I was a uni student, funds were limited, so I would choose classic pieces wisely.  I also had a wonderful mother who was an excellent seamstress, and she would make me dresses 👗 , blouses, and skirts from that era that were individual, meaning no one else had them

I will let you in on a little secret of mine from that time. I did love the style of Laura Ashley and Country Road at that time but there was no way I could usually afford that style,  so I would save up and about once or twice a year I would visit Laura Ashley or Country Road’s clearance centre in Richmond and buy myself one piece of their clothing, be it a skirt or blouse or 👗 dress and wear these with the genuine vintage piece or the pieces my mother made for me.  When you have limited funds, this mishmash of second-hand vintage and designer clothes is the way to go. Think of Molly Ringwald’s character of Andie Walsh in Pretty In Pink, and you have my inspiration in my own way.  Fashion doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and you can find excellent value for money if you are willing to second-hand hand clothes.  Some of my more lovely finds as a young lady came from vintage stores around Prahran or South Yarra, Camberwell etc.  Be prepared to go fossicking for clothes in different places,  take a friend and make a day of it, and have a nice lunch on the way and chat about your wonderful vintage finds. Not only are you investing in your wardrobe, you are supporting some pretty wonderful  charities along the way. Shop to you drop and enjoy.

I have just watched one of the most genuinely funny witty and clever half hours of television that makes me proud to be Australian.

The program that I watched was Spicks and Specks which is a comical music trivia show that aims in Australia on the ABC and iview

Today’s episode of Spicks and Specks was particularly notable because our Prime Minister the honourable Anthony Albanese was on the panel. His appearance on this program shows he has a good sense of humour and doesn’t take himself too seriously. He also showed just what a knowledgeable man he is when it comes to Australian 🎶 music..  Spicks and Specks has a history for the talent that comes on the program and for being one of the most genuinely interesting funny and clever programs that the ABC produce.  It hosted by Adam Hills who would have to be the most versatile funny man on television. I dare you to watch Spicks and Specks or the other show he hosts called the Last Leg and not be laughing so hard at his talent that tears fall from your eyes.

I would recommend to everyone that they should try to watch Spicks and Specks on iview or whatever streaming service you are on.  It shows that our wonderful national broadcaster can produce great programming on a limited budget.  If you don’t believe this to be true, you obviously haven’t seen programs like The Recording Studio,  Wakefield,  Love On The Spectrum,  The Assembly etc, and the list goes on.

Spicks and Specks keeps its programming fresh and up to date and if you like your humour witty and clever it is a must see. It genuinely makes me laugh and smile and definitely is a antidepressant.  Watch and enjoy.