What a strange Easter this has been. Not going to church Good Friday and again today for Easter Day, as it is already here in Australia, has been very odd. It makes it not feel like Easter at all, because to me Easter has less to do with chocolate, eggs and bunnies and more to do with the most amazing event in history, the resurrection of Jesus. To be here and see my husband go off on his own to church again this morning is hard. We’re so used to going to church together and sharing these special occasions together. … Continue reading →

It’s that time of year here where the weather keeps changing. One day it is beautiful and he next cold and windy. Sometimes it changes even within the one day. Sunday morning when we went to church it was brilliantly sunny and we expected a warm day exactly like the day before. By the time we came out of church it was cold and windy. Many people seem to be struggling with colds and largely because their bodies can’t adjust fast enough to the changes in weather patterns. I’ve been one of them. I’ve been battling cold and flu symptoms … Continue reading →

A local woman here in Australia, who suffered Neonatal Loss of her twin boys a couple of years ago, has come up with a novel idea for those who suffer a miscarriage. Erin Hartigan was 24 weeks pregnant when her her two boys were born prematurely. They only lived a short time. As a result of the pain and loss she suffered, she wanted to try and do something to help other mothers who had undergone a miscarriage or a similar experience of loss. This year on January 2 she had a dream about making a box to put all … Continue reading →

Miscarriage or a baby still born is one of those things many of us have experienced. It’s also something people are often reluctant to talk about. Sometimes that attitude can be a defense mechanism. I know when I was a young married and miscarried the last thing I wanted to do was talk about it. I couldn’t handle people’s sympathy. It was easier not to think about it and to try and pretend it had never happened. Easier at the time perhaps but looking back I realize it was far from helpful. When there is a miscarriage or a child … Continue reading →

It’s not just slot machines that are additive but any form of gambling. When younger our daughter worked for a time at a newsagent she could not believe the amount of money people wasted on lottery and lotto tickets. Coming from a family which does not gable this was an eye opener for her. All she could think of was how much better use the money could be put to. If you have a gambler who is a problem in your family, what can you do to help them? Talking to them about their problem and letting them know how … Continue reading →

Today I received a petition for me to sign about what is known as the ‘crack cocaine of the gambling industry.’ What are being referred to here are poker machines, or pokies as they are called in Australia, or slot machines ass they are called in America. According to reports a gambler can easily lose $1000 an hour on these machines. That is a staggering amount. Mind you, I find it hard to believe how anyone can willfully put that amount of money into a machine, which is designed to make profit for the clubs rather than the person playing … Continue reading →

Sometimes with the arts, it’s a matter of not making assumptions. Recently a friend made an assumption because her husband wouldn’t go to an arts event, no-one else’s husband would either. There’s always a danger and a problem with making blanket assumptions about people. Opportunity and trying new things can make the change. Mick found when he was willing to try live theatre, he liked it. He liked how it’s a different medium to movies and how actors, directors and stage technicians get around the scenery changes required. He also liked the immediacy of live theatre. But he wouldn’t have … Continue reading →