There are a few things that I have been working on
The first is that I am in the process of having my second book “Dance Of The Emerald Dress 👗 ” self published. All going well that should happen in the next few weeks.
I am also looking forward to Christmas this year and for the past few weeks have been purchasing goodies for Christmas 🎄 hampers. I am always organised in that way and look forward to spending time with loved ones over Christmas 🎄 time. To this end I am also budgeting well, so I can still manage to save money. To this end I lead a very simple quiet life, and try not to eat takeaway, as it is cheaper to cook simple dishes than it is to eat takeaway. Thank goodness for ALDI as I save money shopping there and they have a good and interesting range of goods.
Something amusing has happened. In my local community I have become known as “the Dog Lady”. I see the humour in it, because of my bond with my own little Lily. It is amazing how many people I have met through walking Lily. A lot of this is because Lily is such a stunning little dog. I am also well known for my little book God Bless Our Dogs “. That is why I am called the dog Lady. My neighbours all loved that book and would like me to write more stories about dogs. I don’t mind, I absolutely love the attention that little book has brought to my life. So the “DOG LADY ” I proudly am.
A good neighbour is someone who is friendly and helpful and practices good hospitality and watches over their neighbours in a way that shows concern, but respectful of privacy. They don’t spread gossip, but are caring and compassionate.
The principles that define how I live are Christian principles that come from my faith in God. I believe that we should do onto others as you would have them do onto you. This guides my daily behaviours in my life. As part of my faith I am a big believer in angels guiding us as messengers of God, and I also am a believer 🙏 in Karma. We reap what we sow in this world 🌎 and the universe responds in accordance to how we behave. So I always try to do the right thing as the most basic principle thst drives my day to day life.
Today I feel a sense of disappointment with the nation that I live in.
Yesterday we had a referendum about our first nation’s people being given a voice in our constitution and the policies of our nation. I am a proud generation X lady, who growing up had witnessed such things as a growing peace, environmental and anti nuclear movement. Many of my adolescent idols preached peace and green points of view. I learned a lot about politics of this land from people like Peter Garrett and Shane Howard singing about things like the Franklin dam, the nuclear disarmament movement and land rights . I thought I was in the majority of Australians who believed in equality for all, and wanted to give the most disadvantaged people in our society a fair go.. it appears that a vast majority of Australians don’t share my view of equality for all and giving the first nation’s people a say in the policies that affect them.
The majority of people I know voted 🗳 YES, because the majority of people I know believe in basic human rights and have empathy for everyone in society, particularly those who are stigmatised and disadvantaged. The majority of people I know are today very disappointed and down hearted and feel a sense of despair or doom. We can see how this NO vote is going to n lead to division and segregation of our society. It leaves more questions than answers and shows the world 🌎 that our dark history still exists. In my lifetime a lot has been done to build bridges with the indigenous people of this land, and yes a lot of good things have happened for those indigenous people, but I see that yesterday’s referendum result, was a major setback for us as a nation. I hope and pray 🙏 🤲 that somehow it won’t divide us, but fear that it will. To the first nation’s people I hope we can come together as a nation, and that those who voted YES will not allow inequality to be known as what Australia is all about. I hope Ahthony Albanese and our other political leaders find a way to bring harmony, peace and equality to all who make up our nation. I hope the Statement from the heart be upheld and show the world what an egalitarian and fair nation Australia can be. I hope there 🙏 are no dark days ahead.
When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?
The first time I really felt like a grown up was when I first went to university straight out of high school. It was just such a melting pot of ideas and people from all walks of life. I felt privileged to be able to attend such a place and I think I grew up quickly by being in amongst such an environment.
If you had a million dollars to give away, who would you give it to?
If I had a million dollars 💸 I would give some to my nephews and nieces. I would also give quite a bit of it to mental health services here in Victoria. Headspace, Mind and Beyond Blue. I would also give some to the Royal Children’s Hospital and also some to So They Can to help build schools in Africa 🌍.
What was the hardest personal goal you’ve set for yourself?
The hardest personal goal I’ve set for myself over the last couple of years is to walk 🚶♀️ away from and end any relationships in my life , thst are toxic for me and negatively impact upon my mental health issues. This is far easier said than done because of my feelings towards such people, but ultimately I now put my own mental health first and know however hard it is for me, my own well-being is my number one priority. Because of my relationships, this is definitely the hardest goal to maintain but ultimately looking after myself brings me peace of mind and emotional equilibrium.
My favourite legendary artists 🎨 are Monet Van Gough and DaVinchi.
My all time favourite artist is Michael Fleming my very lovely friend and father figure, who sadly passed away in 2009. I am pleased to say that I own one of his paintings 🖼 that he gave me as a birthday 🎁 gift many years ago.
There is another reason that I cherish Michael so. Not long before Michael left his job and moved to regional Victoria, he painted a version of Madonna and Chlid. Michael was very much into religious iconography and had created several versions of Madonna and Child over the years. This one was particularly special to me, because it this version the Madonna was wearing a green top, had blonde bobbed hair and blue eyes 👀 and glasses. A few people commented that the lady Madonna in this painting 🖼 looked exactly like me, but I was too embarrassed to ask Michael about this and Michael was a very quiet, gentleman, so I never questioned him about it. I lost my chance to talk to Michael about it, because not long after he left work and moved he suddenly tragically passed away. I know that Michael’s son Anthony had all of his Dads paintings, and he moved back to Ireland not long after his father’s passing. So the mystery of the Madonna and Child remains in my life. Was it a painting of me, and if so , why did he paint me as the Madonna. I will never have a answer to that
For people who are interested in Michael Fleming , he was becoming a known artist here in Australia before he passed away. Look him up on the internet. Word of warning, he is not the American children’s illustrater also called Michael Fleming. If you put in keywords, such as Ireland and Australia, hopefully that will guide your search.
My two favourite pastimes should aurprise none of my regular readers.
My first favourite pastime is writing ✍️, both writing my blog and writing books and stories for children
My other favourite is to go opshopping, particularly when I go with Kathryn. It is amazing what you can buy second hand and I have even started my Christmas shopping at the local Salvos shop.
Kaye's Life and other gems 