June 2009

This post is not about Michael Jackson. Not really.

June 30, 2009

There was a television special on Saturday night, as I’m sure there will be more to come, about the life and music of Michael Jackson. I put it on out of respect, more than anything, to the talent I don’t think anyone could doubt he had. We sat the kids down to watch, but Keira [...]

Thoughts on Australian ‘mummyblogging’/'mommyblogging’

June 29, 2009

I’ve been asked a few times lately to give my thoughts on the rise of mummyblogging / parenting blogs in Australia and the power and attention these are starting to get from marketing and PR companies. In all honesty, I’ve not been much help as this subject does not rate high up in my list [...]

Writing vs Mothering

June 26, 2009

Keira: Mum, is this your new book? {She points to the open manuscript as I type its revisions into the computer.} Me: It is. Keira: Is it also going to be in a bookshop one day? Me: I sincerely hope so. {Pause} Me: Yes? What else? Keira: Can you wipe off my boogers, please?

Black Saturday reminders are still in the garden

June 25, 2009

It’s now the season for my cherry to be in full blossom – well, it would be in full blossom if the top leaves weren’t still there, charred and angry-looking. I’ve been waiting for them to drop, but I won’t think they will. It’s like they’re soldered to the branch. Here’s an azalea that I [...]

What I’m reading 4th week June 2009

June 24, 2009

I read ‘The Spare Room’ in two hours last Friday night, a loan from the much loved Gen. I borrowed ‘Bel Canto’ because a friend of mine has been begging me to read it and ‘Stardust’ because I’m on a bit of a Neil Gaiman binge. The books behind are what we’ve got on our [...]

Again, why we worship the wireless Internet in this house

June 23, 2009

This was our birthday present to Keira, the “Children’s Map of Europe” which you can get for $24.95 at such places like these. I do have one slight quibble, and that is the borderlines between countries are quite hard to find/follow. However, the reason I do like it – the reason I bought it – [...]

Damn you, Masterchef Australia

June 22, 2009

Yes, really. Damn you. You’ve gotten my kids interested in cooking. Do you know how many nights I’ve contemptuously thrown the dinner plates down in front of them? I’ve gone through dusters before a cookbook has left its musty place on the shelf. Then you come along, with little bantam George Calombaris and that degustantional [...]

Tweet of the week

June 19, 2009

She caresses my finer sensibilities

June 18, 2009

She caresses my finer sensibilities on days they are barraged by ugliness. Her love a salve, her laugh the soft cloak, I wrap around myself in the moments hours of ever questioning, mothering need. Karen Andrews