Farewell:

Life has become very exciting. My beloved had an article written about himself and his work by Andrea Louise Thomas for a Mornington Peninsula paper called ‘Mint.’ This young woman, a poet, came into our lives like a hurricane. After much talk, we were encouraged to see the play, ‘Hamlet’, directed by Damien Ryan for the Bell Shakespeare Company. A really fresh approach was taken as a modern day thriller, with modern dress and a simple but magnificent set. This brought back memories of my student days.

Thursday I joined a Writing Skills workshop from 9.15-2.30 in Sandringham, an hour from where we live. The tutor, Claire Gaskin, is also a poet. Her class is inspirational. The group is full of keen writers of different genres, all willing to help one another. I had taken the first couple of chapters of my book, and with their input, I’m totally rewriting it! Besides rewriting, there is homework. Five questions, and then a 500-word short story. So this ten-week course is certainly helping me to refresh my ideas.

Thursday night we went to hear Rosie Batty, Australian of the Year, talk with Jon Faine, an ABC radio personality, in Mornington. Rosie was launching her book, ‘A Mother’s Story’, which I have read. It is inspiring to read and hear how she overcame so much and is continuing to work bringing family violence to the fore. Laws need to be changed and much has begun to change already.

Friday night Christopher had his painting in the Salon des Refuse´s, opening in Mornington. It was a big crowd and Rosie Batty opened the exhibition.

Mornington Gallery
Photo: Susan Gordon-Brown

This is the piece that I wrote for my writing class that had to start with, ‘And we’d been so clever,’ that links into the story above.

And we’d been so clever sitting in the second row, out of the limelight. The woman in the front row turned around and denounced my husband’s painting. ‘It’s a terrible painting. I ‘m familiar with Rosie Batty and that’s not her, she is such a strong woman. It’s a complete dirge, just look at it!’

My husband said, ‘That’s an old word.’

‘Yes, I’ve an understanding of words and I’m prepared to use them.’

My husband eggs her on some more,

‘Yes, she wears black glasses and here she’s wearing really light ones.’

The woman finding a ready audience really steamed ahead.

The speeches started and very soon Christopher is pointed out as the artist of the Rosie painting. The redness rose from her neck to her hairline in total embarrassment. She turned around to apologise at the end of the speeches, and Chris dismissed her, saying,

‘Don’t bother, I’m used to it,’ and walked off. It made our night seeing this haughty woman squirm.

Barbara, Christopher Pyett and Rosie Batty at Mornington Gallery with Rosie’s portrait
photo: Susan Gordon- Brown

The painting looks very light and doesn’t photograph well, but it has some amazing detail if closely examined. Chris found it a deeply spiritual experience painting Rosie.

This shall be my last post for some time. I have been having computer problems, and continue to have them. So I’m going to have to learn to use a new laptop. I am not sure if the number of e-mails has been choking my computer, so I am cutting off for the present. I shall miss you all, but am sure one day I’ll get this computer business sorted out.

Thank you all for being my friends from afar and I wish you all well with your writing and blogging. Adieu for the present!

 

Inspiration:

An original photo of Christopher Robin and Pooh Bear sent to me on the Internet. It is not a surprise that this boy inspired the Pooh Bear books. He looks totally absorbed in his bear.

These are two of my inspirations: Millie and Jack.

Retirement and what it means: daily prompt

“We all have complicated histories. When was the last time your past experiences informed a major decision you’ve made?”Complicated is a simple word for it! I’ve been thinking about how people fill their retirement. One can become invisible after leaving the work force. Christopher and I content ourselves in painting, writing and gardening with occasional family gatherings. After busy lives, we’ve chosen to retire into our own peaceful environment. Others have been far more adventurous, travelling and discovering new things. I have been totally impressed by my friend Sandy, who has overcome an abusive relationship and now lives in a small coastal community and has brought about positive changes to others around her. Sandy joined the local choir, a journal-writing group, and then became a member of the Country Women’s Association. (CWA) Sandy became secretary of the CWA, and after several monthly meetings, where people sat listening, empty handed, Sandy suggested a knitting project. This then became a weekly gathering. Knitting squares developed into making blankets for the ‘wrapped in love’ project, which have been sent overseas, or fill more local needs. A physio attends the CWA, and through her work met an elderly obese woman, who was confined to her room in an old age home. Previously she’d sat eating and watching TV. The physio found out that she enjoyed knitting, and suggested joining in with the project of knitting squares. This she has done and became so involved with it she lost 15 Kg. This project has become a wonderful community project, and has filled a place in many, what could have been, lonely lives. I do admire what Sandy has achieved in a few years. I had hoped to insert a photo of the wraps, but it doesn’t want to do that, sorry!  One raised $150 for the local hospital last year. They are colourful squares with diagonal stripes on some making patterns. Inspiration and creativity can change other’s lives. I’m sure many of you are doing that through your writing. Good books, a short story, an article, a post on your blog, are all ways in which others might be inspired. I found Sandy’s story very inspirational. Do you have any stories that you can share? http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/baggage-check/

It’s my party: Daily Prompt

If I am to have a party, it will be a ‘virtual party’ and you are all invited.

Solid wooden tables draped in white linen cloths are covered in food. The gentle light emanates from white tapered candles, displaying Elaine’s fabulous vegan dishes that tempt the most restrained of you.

Fluted Champagne and orange juice glasses are topped with fresh strawberries. The air is warm with wafting perfumes of Bragmansia, (angel’s trumpets) and jasmine.

Live music of your choice makes you want to dance. The person of your dreams entices you to dance. Heady with movement, sound, warmth and love you dance until dawn.

Teleporting back to your home you feel refreshed. Sleep can wait; you are vibrant and ready to attack the new day.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/its-my-party/

 

Que Sera Sera: Daily prompt

This is a tricky one. In earlier times I allowed life to take me on it’s tide, floating along, just drifting and allowing the waves to waft me where they would. I enjoyed the freedom and enjoyment of being young and life was good.

Responsibility grew as I grew older. Choices had to be made. Maybe Fate put things in my way, who knows. In my later teens I had a horoscope drawn up. MIne was a positive one. The professor’s wife, who wrote this, did one for me about my boyfriend. This was not a good one. When she wrote the letter accompanying it, she hoped this was an ex- boyfriend. It arrived the week we were getting engaged.

I didn’t believe any one could have such a dreadful life, and I’d prove it wrong…. big mistake?His violent death, might happen when he was 90? He was 57 when he took his life. So many things were foretold. I found that strange to say the least.

People say that generalities are put in such documents. Yes, that is true. I found having my horoscope done useful. It made me realise that I should be wary where drugs were concerned. That was good advice. My learning for this life is patience, again good advice! It did give me confidence in myself, and there were times when that was a strength I could draw on.

Having buffeted many raging storms, I have found positive thinking one of the major helpful character traits to draw on. We make our own choices to a certain extent; but I give thanks to the universe for my good fortune. What will be, will be.

 

 

Dame Elisabeth’s anniversary, 8th February

Miracle Matthew, my computer man has been and fixed my recalcitrant computer.

Today is the anniversary of the birth of an important person in our lives, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch. She lived a full and exciting life, supporting the Arts, amongst her wide and varying interests. We were lucky enough to be living nearby as caretakers at McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park; where she took a particular interest. We could see her warmth and genuine caring at close hand.

Not only was Dame Elisabeth an icon; she inspired others to fulfil themselves to become better people. One can’t pass Cruden Farm without thinking of her. Her trees will remain to benefit generations to come. Her garden continues to raise money for the many charities she  supported and remains an oasis in Langwarrin.

There is now a Peter Corlett sculpture of her to inspire those who visit the Frankston Arts Centre. For those of you in the city, all three venues are worth a visit. Make sure you make a booking at McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park for a wonderful lunch; allowing time to walk around the park to see the sculptures, before visiting Cruden Farm. The gallery should be able to tell you if it is a Cruden Farm open day.

It would have been Dame Elisabeth’s 105th birthday today, the year that she had hoped to achieve. Still 103 is no mean feat. There will be many people remembering her today.