The 12 days of Christmas
No one really knows where the 12 days of Christmas song originated. Many people know that the first day of Christmas is Christmas Day and the last day is the day the Magi arrived in Bethlehem. One popular theory about the song is that the items in the song are a code for Christianity. Another […]
Does this earring make my ear look big
Three years ago, a friend asked me to write a book about ageing. It was to be a reference book for those of us PAST menopause. Yes, Virginia, there is a long and vital life after menopause. Once your memory comes back and the hot flushes go, you have a life that’s as full as […]
The challenging child at school
A challenging child needs, most of all, supportive parents. One of the most important choices a supportive parent makes is the right school for the child. The right school for the child is a place where adults care about and are trained to help children become their best intellectual, emotional and physical selves. Rose Marie […]
So near and yet so far
I live near the ocean, about eighty kilometres from the city of Melbourne where my son and his family live. I have not seen my son and his family (except on messenger) since March 16. Neither have I seen my sister in law and her family who also live in Melbourne. That’s not a long […]
An Australian world traveller
For three weeks while in Alamos Mexico, I wore my friend’s hat. I loved that hat and I know she would have given it to me except that it was a souvenir from her best friend from Seattle. I wore that hat to lunch, to the beach and on walks. It was light, versatile and […]
All the time in the world
Some people are fortunate enough to have a safe home, enough good food, some form of transportation and enough friends to help them weather the storm of Covid-19. I am one of those. I live in a small ocean side town in southern Australia, and it is beautiful, clean and relatively quiet after the tourist […]
Temple respects and gallery tours
Over the past week I’ve revisited places I’ve enjoyed in Bangkok. One lovely day – temperature in the low 30’s with a breeze and light cloud cover – a friend and I visited six different Wat’s. That same week I visited two favourite art exhibitions and one new exhibition. In returns of time, energy and […]
Why grab a Grab?
You live here. You have a bank account from which money can be drawn. You’re tired of being told it’s 500B to get to Silom – and the metre doesn’t work. You’re sick of a taxi pulling up, rolling down the window, considering your destination and saying “mai di”. You don’t like taxis that smell […]
Alex Drummond, teacher and amateur photographer from New Zealand.
His stay in Thailand produced marvellous images of all things Thai. His love of colour, detail and pattern is beautifully used in this collection of images showing the many ways in which Thais honour the Buddha and incorporate other beliefs. The Buddha, the Dharma (Buddha’s words) and the Sangha (those who honour the Buddha) are […]