Origami and Stuff

Some how the days seem pretty busy with just the things it takes to keep family life going… food and clothes and cleaning etc. In a way we’re still finding our feet here with new routines and things like shopping still take me longer than usual as I get used to things. We’re so lucky at the moment that Doug is home with us. This will have to change pretty soon as he’ll need to get a job, but for now it’s lovely having him around.

Here’s just some things we’ve been doing lately. Just living life together and learning together along the way.

Origami:

I borrowed this book from the library the other day on a whim, and we’ve been having fun trying different origami projects. All the kids have enjoyed it, but Ben in particular really got into it and with me helping step by step made the spinning top. Emma has been making a pizza which isn’t finished yet because she’s using blank paper and decorating it herself. Ryan’s favourite was the rocket and the little paper box because he saw in the book that you can put lollies in it.

I found it interesting that Ben with his mathematical mind really enjoyed origami…some of the instructions are rather difficult to follow from a picture, and he figured some of them out for himself, and the more difficult steps we did together with me showing him as I made another project along side him.

Today while I was out with Emma, the boys got stuck into some bike work. They fixed a puncture, put the wheel back on , and they all had a great time figuring out how the gears work.

Bosom Books

What follows is a shameless plug for a little creative venture that my friend Zo and I have been busy with.

Bosom Books are one of a kind, hand bound and hand painted books for unlimited uses. Journals, poetry, inspiration, shopping lists, book lists, reminders, sketches or whatever you like.

“A bosom friend–an intimate friend, you know–a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul.”
~ L M Montgomery

You can find them on Facebook at Bosom Books.

I took myself out today

I had coffee and wandered and found a cozy place to read.

I loved every moment and it reminded me of this:

The Cave

OK so I went nuts on this song last night. Sorry You Tube, I might have broken the replay button. I love the pure joy of the musicians, and what a great song. You may not agree, but that’s ok. We’re not all here to agree.

But I really like the lyrics, and have noticed that lots of Mumford & Sons songs have strong literary references. So, it’s not surprising I like them really. Anyway…that’s not the point. The point is…

Yeah, well the point is, I dreamed that Marcus Mumford came to live with us. Just him and his guitar. Giggle. No one knew really, it was very low key, very normal. In fact it took me a day or two to figure it out that this was pretty cool and that I should invite a couple of friends over.

Sigh..so maybe I’m a little smitten. I mean, the smile*, the words, the music AND he has his own BOOK CLUB!

*I could watch the first 25 seconds of this video over and over and never tire of the irrepressible smile as he hears the crowd singing back his own lyrics.

The German Wizard

So once again. People.

I am once again blown away by the treasure that is people.

Our German hitch-hiker friend came to stay for two nights. It was an absolute pleasure to have him in our home.

He’s a bit of an artist and shared his drawings with us. As we paged through his hand bound sketch book (he made it himself) I was struck by how personal it is to share your gift with someone. I almost felt uncomfortable because looking at his drawings was really like seeing little pieces of his heart.  He wasn’t just showing us pictures, he was showing us who he is, what he loves, how he sees the world.

He has also been travelling in Australia and while there did some beautiful drawings of Australian birds. I really miss the Australian birds, and was a little enthusiastic about one in particular…a sketch and water colour of a Kookaburra.

Early Thursday morning we were up and ready to take him to the airport…and there it was. The Kookaburra picture propped on the shelf in the kitchen. An unexpected gift from him to us. (Although I’m already calling it MY Kookaburra) I was touched. A beautiful gift, worth so much.

Here he is, the little King of the Bush:

I love my Kookaburra. Every time I see him it makes me smile.

What the heck?

I haven’t posted anything for aaaagggggeeeeessss.

So what’s new?

Back at work today after a year off for parental leave. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s nursing, so it meant an early start and on my feet all day. It was a typically busy day in an acute surgical ward with all it’s dramas, but so good to be out there in the real world. The world of adults that is

I missed the kiddies though. Zo looked after two of them, and the two big boys went to play. All were happy and well cared for which took a load off my mind. I got home around 4 and by 7:30pm had come to the firm conclusion that working is by far easier than being a mother. And a hat tip to the mums out there doing both all the time. I have it easy…in paid work only one day a week.

Anyway….what else? OH! Check out this cool journal. I love the idea so much I bought one. I can’t wait for it to arrive so I can wreck it! It sounds ridiculous, but I’ve been so inspired by all these pics.

I went to the library yesterday and didn’t borrow a single book. Not reading.

Zoe made chicken curry for dinner.

I gave 5 home grown tomatoes to my neighbour. She gave me a block of chocolate. Then I gave her some chicken curry. She gave me chocolate almonds.

The End.

Rediscovering Poetry

I have just discovered Billy Collins the poet. A friend posted a video on facebook, and I’ve spent the last hour hunting down his work. Here are two of my favourites:

 

I so enjoy listening to poetry read by the author. A million billion times better than  reading the words on paper. I like reading poetry, but how much better to listen to the author read it him/herself exactly how they intended it to sound?

Anyone else like poetry? Please share your favourites…I’m rediscovering a lost love and would like something fresh.

A February Tuesday

She was up early that morning. She dressed carefully, taking time to select the perfect dress, and spent a little longer in front of the mirror taking extra care in her appearance. She felt pretty, and the joy of what the coming day held added a sparkle to her smile. It had been too long. Too many days, weeks, months of taut emotions. And today marked an end to that ache, and a joyful new beginning. Years later she realised that beautiful summer’s day was more significant than they recognised at the time. It was the start of a whole new life.

The minutes dragged, and while she tried to relax and settle the pound of her heart, there was no calming it. She found herself unable to concentrate on an activity, her thoughts dashing here and there and always coming back to dwell on what the rest of the day held for her. For them.

When it was finally time to leave (and still excessively early) she left the house and drove the short distance. Her palms were sweaty with excitement, and she felt a little shaky. Restlessly she wandered around the arrival gate trying to find just the right place to stand, and never found it. Finally people started to walk through the rotating doors in ones and twos. She could never remember whether he came off the plane first or last or somewhere in the middle, just that suddenly she was in his arms. Powerful emotions overtook them, and she felt as though time stood still.

They stood together for a very long time, drinking each other in. She was acutely aware of only him. His warmth, his arms, his familiar smell. Emotions welled, like a sigh of relief. It was over. No more goodbyes. No more missing. No more wishing. Finally he was here. She was here. They didn’t speak. There was no need for words right now. Their bond was palpable.

Gradually they remembered that they were still standing there in a public place, and broke away. They laughed as they realised the gate lounge was empty. The people had all disappeared. Just one lonely bag was left on the baggage carousel, riding round and round all by itself. He picked it up, took her hand, and they walked.

Writing prompt from Mama Kat’s Writers Workshop: A Happy Reunion

Creative Writing – Getting Started

A few days ago I posted a message to my kids about things I want them to know. One of them was to write. I’ve always enjoyed writing, and I keep a hand written journal.  But I don’t take the time to write particularly well. It’s just a heart/brain spew of thoughts on to the page. Just to get it down. Writing helps me process what ever is spinning around in my head, and I also like being able to read back over it all in years to come.  Lately I’ve written something daily and it’s becoming a good record of the minutiae of life. But still, most of it is not good writing, and it’s written only for me.

I have written the odd piece of poetry from time to time, but I find it difficult most of the time. Occasionally it will flow and I’ll be pleased with it but most of the time I struggle and give up. Here’s one I wrote in 2007 called I Am From.

However, I’ve had a desire to write more creatively, or should I say more purposefully. Every time I see a blank page, I can almost hear it begging for words. Begging for a story. I really want to write. I love words. A friend of mine is writing a book and has asked me to read over her manuscript as she goes and critique it. I am loving doing this! I’m in word heaven!

I’m not sure if I have any talent for creative writing, but I’m going to enjoy spending a little time being creative with words. I feel like I need a little inspiration and guidance, so I found this free online Creative Writing course. It has a basic overview of the main genres and writing exercises to get the words flowing. Something to get me started.

Anyway, I attempted some of the exercises and surprised myself. I’m not sure it was good, but that I came up with something was a pleasant surprise. I didn’t have any trouble finding the words. So….here’s my words.

Write down your first response to these words or phrases:

Blue ball

And that’s when the sadness came

Coffee

• Blue Ball - It was shiny and new and I wrapped my sweaty grubby fingers around it. I brought it up to my face and with it pressed into my palm, inhaled that plasticky new smell. The owning of something new was such an excitement to me and I reveled in the thought that it was mine and no one else’s. I didn’t have to give it back with a pang of disappointment, or hide it from view in case my mother discovered it and ordered me to give it back to its’ rightful owner. It was mine and I was delighted that I could enjoy it all to myself. I was discovering ownership for the very first time.

• And that’s when the sadness came – It sank down into my heart with a heaviness I had never known. It felt like a cold wet towel, and chilled my arms and made them feel weak and watery. I didn’t cry. It was too heavy for that. It just dragged me, downwards and backwards, like forever walking against the tide.

• Coffee – “Ah, yes, time for coffee” he said. He smiled as I placed the cup down. I watched him reach out and hold is as he always did, in two hands, with fingertips and as he carefully brought it to his mouth. I hid my smile as I realised what was slightly strange about it. He drinks like a child, I thought, carefully with two hands in case he was to spill it on the journey from the table to his lips.

Creating an Education That Nurtures Creativity

“If you’re not prepared to be wrong you’ll never come up with anything original” ~ Sir Ken Robinson

I loved this video. It’s worth the 20 minutes or so to watch if you are passionate about your children, their dreams, their education, and your own creativity. (And he’s funny)