words at random
With time on our hands
The past year has been tough on all of us in one way or another. Too many people have tragically lost their lives, and too many more are struggling with the loss of family, friends, good health, livelihoods, and safety nets. Not being able to meet up in person, dine...
Musings of a novice stargazer
Nope, definitely not this. Comet Leonard, Swan Hill, Victoria, December 21. Photo: Michael Mattiazzo Sunday December 12 at 7:07 am in the southern sky, a smear of light traced a gentle arc toward the horizon. In the few seconds I watched, I thought it was Comet...
The days of tea and raisin toast
Back when I lived in Sydney, Mum and I occasionally went to the local shopping mall. We'd drive to Roselands, wander around for a bit, and pick up groceries before heading home. Between wandering and groceries, we always stopped for tea and raisin toast. If I remember...
For the love of books
There are many things I've missed since Covid took hold of our lives, but one in particular is the Children's Hospital Book Market in St Vital shopping mall. Two or three times a year for the past 60 years, volunteers have organised thousands of donations into various...
The greatest souvenir ever
My version inspired by Geoff's creations. Not your typical souvenir, but a gift I still treasure eight years later. In October 2013, I travelled to Switzerland to visit my niece Nicola who was in the middle of a year-long Rotary exchange. Part of the time, I was...
Thank you to a very good man
Dave Barber. Photo: Wayne Glowacki, WFP. I’m on the fence when it comes to putting up statues and memorials, and naming buildings, bridges, roads and venues after people and companies. Mostly, I just don’t think it necessary, but sometimes it is, particular when...
Keep writing, keep believing
For those of you slogging it out on your manuscript and wondering whether it will ever be published, consider the story of author T. J. Newman. In the acknowledgements of her first book "Falling", Newman says her manuscript was rejected by 41 literary agents before...