Who are your current most favorite people?

Today’s topic is an easy one to write ✍️ about. One of my favourite well-known people is Sam Neill, who has written his memoirs whilst he has been battling cancer, called Did I Ever Tell You This. His memoirs are warm, heartfelt, funny, and poignant. I would love to have a meal with Sam and just chew the fat, so to speak.

My second favourite well-known person is Scott Aplin. I personally like Scott a lot because of my personal contact with him, he as been compassionate, empathic, wam, thoughtful, and engaging. He is one of the people I would most like to meet. He is remarkably talented, and I think every fan of The Voice and The Recording Studio here in Australia would really like him.

My other favourite people are Kathryn, Helen, Russell and Liz. These people, including Adrian, are my best friends in this world. I particularly appreciate Kathryn Helen and Adrian because during my hospitalisation many months ago, they would come and take me on outings outside of the hospital environment. This did me a world of good, and I appreciate that more than words can say. I appreciate Liz for looking after Lily at this time. She provided Lily with a warm, safe, loving home at that time. Russell, as always, is the most amazing gentleman friend I have ever known. We are soul mates in many ways. I am blessed with the people in my life, and I don’t take this for granted.

What are your favorite animals?

My favourite animal, not surprisingly, is a dog. I love my little Lily more than anything on 🌎 earth. Dogs are amazing creatures for their bond to us humans. They love us more than they love other dogs.

Also, not surprisingly, I love the wildlife native to my homeland, being koalas, kangaroos, and wombats, and I think that platypuses are pretty special too I live in a country know for its unique wildlife. I am a proud Aussie animal lover.

Beach or mountains? Which do you prefer? Why?

Although I do love the high country here in Victoria, I would have to say I prefer the beach, particularly the west coast here in Victoria. My favourite beach is Barwon Heads for families with young children and Ocean Grove as a surf beach. We used to rent holiday houses at Barwon Heads when I was a small child and I have good memories of this as a child, even though when I was a toddler walking along Thirteenth beach a freak wave carried me some distance. I’m obviously not traumatised by that because I love the beach.

I had a dream honeymoon at the seaside village of Queenscliff, not far from Barwon Heads. It is such a quaint historic and beautiful little town, full of character. Although my marriage didn’t work out, I treasure the memory of time spent in Queenscliff.

My favourite little seaside village close to Melbourne would have to be Williamstown. again, it is quaint and full of character. My parents nearly bought a house there when they were first married and I often wonder if they had lived in Williamstown would they still have had me, and how different my life would have been growing up in Williamstown. I love the shops in Williamstown and love the fish 🐟 and chip shop along the pier

I recommend that any visitors to Melbourne visit Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Queenscliff, and Williamstown to get an idea of what life is like in coastal Victoria.

What are your family’s top 3 favorite meals?

The top 3 meals that I like to cook when I have company over for dinner are as follows

1 Chicken and spinach Indian style curry from Gabriel Gates Good food fast. I occasionally have substituted silver beet for the spinach. This is a truly delicious meal.

2. Roast lamb with mint jelly and vegetables. I haven’t cooked this in a while because lamb is too expensive at the moment. I would cook the lamb in my slow cooker with potatoes, pumpkin, and sweet potato. It’s a definite favourite..

3 Beef and red wine casserole with all sorts of veggies. Again, this is a recipe from Gabriel Gates. Good food fast, which I have cooked a lot. It’s a really hearty winter casserole that is made extra special with a little red wine added.

Do you trust your instincts?

Do I trust my instincts? Absolutely I do. In my life, one of the main impacts on me is to trust my gut. If my gut, my women’s intuition is telling me something is not as it seems I know from experience to trust it. The times I have ignored my gut instincts are the times I have experienced difficulties and trouble and strife in my life. When I trust my gut, I make wiser choices with my life. So yes, I do trust my instincts.

What’s your favorite month of the year? Why?

My favourite month of the year is November. I like it because it is late Spring here in Melbourne and the flowers 💐 are blooming. The weather is just starting to heat up and is pleasant. Daylight saving means the days are longer.

What is your favorite place to go in your city?

In the past before covid and lockdown occurred. My favourite place to go in the City of Melbourne was the Hopetoun Tea Rooms in the Block Arcade on Collins Street. It was a historic landmark in Melbourbe that was affected economically by lockdown. It moved to Bourke Street, but I heard recently that it had closed. It’s such a shame to lose something of such historical significance.

My favourite place to go in Sunbury is the Gatehouse Cafe at Rupertswood. It is such a lovely old fashioned atmosphere and the food is to die for. I recommend that if you visit Sunbury pay a visit to the Gatehouse, it is truly lovely 😍 👌 👍 🥰.

What’s the first impression you want to give people?

The first impression that I want to give people is that I am a positive, optimistic person with a lot of compassion and empathy for the people of this world 🌎. My friend Russell says that I am a positive force to be reckoned with.

I guess I want people to see the beauty within. True beauty is not what is on our face but is what our heart radiates. True beauty comes from within and is why Susanna was the most beautiful angel lady I have ever met.

Appearances can be deceiving, so look for a person’s inner beauty because that is the mark of a good person. Don’t be fooled by a pretty face. Not everything is what it seems to be. Look for what a person’s heart ❤️ radiates, and that will be your guide as to what a person’s true intentions are.

What book are you reading right now?

The book I am reading 📚 at the moment is The Family Gift by Cathy Kelly. My regular readers will know she is my favourite author. I can read and reread her books endlessly.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

If I could live anywhere in the world it would be in New Zealand. It would be a dream come true. If I was really wealthy I would live in Parnell, an inner city suburb of Auckland, and the wealthiest suburb too. It is full of lovely old mansions. If I wasn’t in Parnell, I would like to live in Akaroa, or Gisborne. They are both quaint little towns and really picturesque. I am absolutely in love with New Zealand, but realistic enough to know it is a daydream and unlikely to ever happen.