There is a deeper voice of God, which you must learn to hear and obey in the second half of life. It will sound an awful lot like the voices of risk, of trust, of surrender, of soul, of “common sense,” of destiny, of love, of an intimate stranger, of our deepest self … the true faith…Continue reading The Way We Were
Confessions of a Bibliophile
“There is no friend as loyal as a book” Ernest Hemingway I am an only child. From time to time people ask whether I missed having brothers or sisters. This is rather a peculiar question. It’s like asking someone who has never tasted eggs whether they miss quiche. In short, no. I did not miss…Continue reading Confessions of a Bibliophile
In Honour of the Humble Nasturtium
Nasturtiums, who coloured you, you wonderful, glowing things? You must have been fashioned out of summer sunsets. Lucy Laud Montgomery It has been nearly six years since we moved into our newly built home in the countryside. I remember looking at the scraped clay all around the house, the many slopes and awkward corners, and thinking…Continue reading In Honour of the Humble Nasturtium
The ‘Others’: Ideas that Shape Australia’s Attitude and Policies on Asylum Seekers
This past week our world was again reminded of the stark and devastating reality that we are facing a crisis of displaced people, due to war and natural disasters, unparalleled since World War Two. The image of a tiny Syrian boy, drowned at sea whilst seeking refuge, whose body had washed up on the idyllic…Continue reading The ‘Others’: Ideas that Shape Australia’s Attitude and Policies on Asylum Seekers
For the Love of Bread
I love bread. There is something about the smell and taste of freshly baked bread that turns me into a three year old doing a happy dance. In my German tradition we shared Abendbrot (literally translated ‘evening bread’). The very word ushers in memories of sharing the last meal of the day with my parents, seated around a…Continue reading For the Love of Bread
Of course I’m a Feminist!
“Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” – G.D. Anderson I am a feminist. No, that does not mean I hate men. In fact some of the most influential people in my life have been, and are, men. No, I haven’t…Continue reading Of course I’m a Feminist!
Origins
In a few months time I will be trekking via a hellhole, known as economy class, to the home of my patriarchal ancestors. I will be visiting a part of Poland which was once known as East Prussia. Arriving in Warsaw, the beloved and I will hire a car and navigate the Polish roads to…Continue reading Origins
Concerning Mugwumps
Perhaps most readers would associate the word ‘mugwump’ with Albus Dumbledore of the much loved Harry Potter series. Dumbledore was the Supreme Mugwump, head of the Wizengamot, the International Confederation of Wizards – except in the fifth book where his cohort suspects he is totally nuts (don’t worry, he is restored to his position by…Continue reading Concerning Mugwumps