At the moment I tend to go to bed around 9.00pm to 9 30pm. I am naturally an early riser, a morning person, so I tend to wake up between 5.00am and 6.00am. I think the morning is the best part of the day, when the air is fresh and crisp and all the smells of nature come alive. I treasure 🚶♂️ walking Lily at this time and she just loves it. My mind is sharp and more highly functioning of a morning 🌄 so that is the best time for me to work and write. Because of my mental health issues I develop fogginess of mind later in the day and after dinner time my mind is tired and foggy, so I am not as lucid as I am earlier in the day. I tend not to study or write later in th day because mentally I am tired and need a good night’s sleep to function at a high level the next day .
This topic is a bit of fun and a chance to dream. What I am most excited about is my writing, in particular writing this blog. I also am in the process of collecting all the blog posts Susanna has inspired and self publishing that collection for her family and friends. I am not seeking to make money out of that. It is more a gesture of goodwill, so Susanna will live on in loved one’s memories forever more.
I am also excited for the future celebrations in my life of family and friends. These celebrations don’t have to be big or expensive, just good times spent in good company. And of course time spent in the company of Lily never goes astray and brings me 🙏 pleasure.
I love today’s question because I am music lover. My absolute favourite band is Crowded House. I love them with passion, particularly the music Neil Finn has written, I also include Tim Finn and Split Enz amongst the music that resonates with me, and brings back memories of a childhood well spent. Paul McCartney was right when he said Neil Finn was a great songwriter and the world 🌎 is all the more better with Songs like Dont Dream It’s Over, Better Be Home Soon and Distant Sun. To say Neil is a wonderful human being is an understatement. Not only is he a talented performer, but he is a very good person, whom does work on various charitable projects and he really earned the credit he received by becoming part of Fleetwood Mac.
I also liked ABBA as a child, and my Mum is determined that I am never going to forget that
I also like Van Morrison for his love sings.
The music I grew up listening 🎶 to was Australian Music of the 1980s and 1990s. I am still fond of this genre and love Cold Chisel. Midnight Oil, Noiseworks Moving Pitures, Hunters and Collectors and 1927. I am lucky that all the 🎶 music Iike is still played on the radio. From my Dad I have inherited a like of Big Band Swing like Glenn Miller.
Music is an important part of my life that brings me so much 🙏 pleasure.
My most memorable and most loved vacation was the cruise to New Zealand that was back in 2019. It was lovely beyond words, and New Zealand is my favourite place in the world 🌎. It is beautiful, picturesque and the people are gentle,friendly, warm and engaging.
I will always treasure having seen Milford Sound from the cruise ship. The beauty of the wilderness of Milford Sound is indescribable. I could easily live in Dunedin, Akaroa, Christchurch, Gisborne or Auckland. Dunedin would be much colder in winter than what I am used to, but it definitely is beautiful and peaceful. Gisborne is a seaside village that is charming. I would most definitely love to live in Auckland, which wouldn’t be greatly different to life here in Melbourne, the only big difference is that it is more expensive to live in Auckland than what it is in Melbourne. Oh well we can always dream.
The cruise itself was wonderful, yes it was the dreamboat of holidays, pardon the pun. The accommodation was so comfortable. The activities on the ship were interesting and fun
The food was the most delicious, magnificent and plentiful I have ever experienced. There were so many people who would spend all day at the buffet on the cruise,and come home 15 kilos heavier. I ,much preferred the fine dining restaurants where you could have a three course meal included in the price of the cruise and be treated as a Princess or Royalty. Again pardon the pun, as it was a cruise on the Golden Princess. To say I love Princess Cruises would be an understatement, the whole experience and in particular the staff, made the cruise memorable beyond all.
This vacation was to me the experience of a lifetime and I would definitely go on a Princess Cruise again.
Wow what a question. I don’t consider myself an absolute expert on anything, but there are topics that experience has taught me a helluva lot about.
Firstly I know alot about mental illness, mostly from my own experience and from having had a career working in mental health. I am very tuned into the warning signs of someone who is obviously experiencing mental health concerns both in myself and others. I know how someone with these issues will act,say and do. People need to know that people who are unwell aren’t evil and that not all negative behaviour is a sign of mental illness. Unfortunately I have experienced some people trying to use coercive behaviour and ringing my mental health professionals everytime I have a disagreement with them. This is extremely frustrating and totally unhelpful.
I have learned through my own experience of mental health issues how to practice self care and mindfulness to better improve my mental health. It is so important to be kind to yourself first and foremost, particularly when the black dog of depression and anxiety come knocking at your door. I know when I get extremely anxious or frightened about something, that is really the sign that I am starting to become unwell. Knowing at this time to adopt a more mindful attitude and experience helps to reduce and heal from whatever is troubling me. Taking things easy and experiencing the little things that bring pleasure help. Focusing on my breathing and savouring the taste of what I eat all help. Experiencing pleasure 🙏 and taking it easy on yourself all do wonders to help heal what has caused your issues.
Through my experience of studying children’s literature has taught me what sort of themes and stores children are really drawn to.. I shower the loved children in my life with wonderful children’s literature. I always knew I would be writing ✍️ as my main occupation, and it should be no great surprise that my first published book was a collection of dog stories called God bless our dogs 🙏. Children love dog stories because they love dogs and you can have eat fun reading about the exploits of our canine companions. Children’s literature doesn’t have to be complicated or intense but it should be fun and little bit of fantasy doesn’t go astray.
I may not be a total expert but my experiences have taught me well and made my journey all the richer.
To be honest it has been a little while since I have experienced romance. I believe that beautiful flowers and things like scented candles add to make a more romantic atmosphere.
For me personally a man whom is chivalrous and gentlemanly and treats me respectfully, like a lady helps to put me in a romantic mood. Nothing brings on romance more than respect and tender loving care.
As part of my faith Gratitude and Gratefulness are an essential part 🙏 of my life am very fortunate as I have some truly wonderful people in my life, and really do appreciate that. I don’t take this for granted, as I know what it feels like to feel lonely, isolated and misunderstood. My faith has helped me on this journey.
Probably the greatest lesson I have learned from my beautiful angel lady Susanna, is to accept good graciously into my life. Susanna was a beautiful angel who showered me with love and genorosity. She was a sister to me in the very essence of the word. Now because of what a beautiful role model she was I have decided to spread love and goodwill amongst my loved one’s and everyday send a good morning text and gif to all my loved one’s. Susanna taught me well and I am so grateful 🙏 ro have known her. Her legacy is that she taught me to appreciate the little things in life.
She taught me that Goodwill generates Goodwill and I am forever in her debt
To my dear readers Take care and may God bless you all.
The thing I worry about most for the future is the impact of Climate Change leading to a lack of resources in the world 🌎 ultimately leading to a rationing of food and fuels globally. Extreme rationing like we have never seen before because those with wealth and power selfishly using our supply leading to shortages for those without wealth or power.
Today’s topic is an interesting one for me, both for my experience of good teachers and mentors and the experience of having been a student teacher on teaching rounds.
I have great memories of good teachers throughout my lifetime. The most memorable was Mr Guppy my year 9 social studies teacher who recognised my writing ✍️ talent and met with my parents to discuss my talent and the fact he thought I needed to go to a different high school in the area, where my talents would be nurtured. To say he altered the course of my life, would be an understatement. I have him to thank for the direction 🙏 that my life has taken. I vividly remember one of his classes when he had written on the blackboard the lyrics to the John Lennon song 🎵 “Imagine ” and asked us to reflect what those words meant to us. He was nothing short of inspirational, with compassion and empathy and had a knack for fostering talent.
Straight out of high school I did 2 years of a primary teaching degree and majored in children’s literature. I really struggled with this at the time ⏲️ because of other stressful things happening in my life. One of my lecturers commented that I had excellent observation skills and a knack for expressing myself well in writing ✍️. I always knew that one day I would be an author and writer 😀.
I had some great lecturers when I studied welfare studies, people who were role models for me of how to use your experiences to help and benefit other people.
The best teachers I have had are those whom can foster talent have compassion and empathy and havev great powers of observation.
I have two important daily habits. One is that I walk and nurture my dog Lily. The other is that I send a good morning 🙏 by text and gif to all my loved ones family and friends.
Kaye's Life and other gems 