We all know that every dryer on the planet has a fetish for socks.

We don’t quite understand it but we never question its power.

Wash, spin, dry, MIA.

Red ones. White ones. Striped ones. Mismatched ones.

Where have all the good socks gone?

So how delighted are we when our colours match and we can click our heels, roll and stuff away.

you bloody ripper!

When is the last time you indulged yourself?

When is the last time you paused to observe something you do every day?

Today, why don’t you  take notice of something small and see what temporary awe feels like.

you bloody ripper!

There’s nothing quite like getting the order just right.

Strip.

Spin.

Shower.

Step out.

Soak up.

Sift out.

Slip on.

Sizzle.

Sensational.

you bloody ripper!

Travelling alone provides one with plenty of opportunity to reflect on those people who have touched our life.

On my last journey overseas,  I traversed the Cambodian countryside on buses, motodups, tuk tuks and taxis for a total of 19 hours over a three day period.

I still recall one morning when everyone else seemed to be nursing their Saturday hangover, so I sat alone enjoying my fruit salad and rice muesli. No one to chat to, but plenty of time for reflection.

Although I sat by myself, I felt I had not come alone, but was sharing this journey with two people who mean so very much to me. A small gift to me had helped finance my trip, so I thought it only fair that if I had to endure the potholes and broken suspension on all forms of transport, that they should also, albeit in my passport.

Frank and Mary Peek are my grandparents. I still recall the weekends of my youth spent baking date rolls, choko pies and fresh custard. My favourite part of any baking day was definitely licking the thick, warm custard off the wooden spoon. Although it may be a toss up with the just baked on goodness at the bottom of the saucepan. Then again that weekend roast lunch always did have me asking for seconds. After each meal there was the wander through the pumpkin and passionfruit vines in search of a tasty piece of sugarcane on which to chew.

Children of the depression, nothing was thrown out at Frank and Mary´s house. Adorning the vj walls of their Queenslander were bird feathers, calendars reflecting a history of coronations, sporting heroes and photographs from 90+ years of life.

Frank and Mary passed away within six months of each other, having been married for 63 years.  Due to illness and the cruelty of alzheimers, they could not be together in the final year of their lives. However, I made sure they were together for eternity, joining in a local tradition of placing their names on a padlock and throwing away the key atop one of China´s holy mountains, Hua Shan.

At the time of writing this, I have tears.

When people leave our lives, we can always wish we had talked more, shared more, asked more, loved more, learned more. I do. But I can also ensure that the memories I have of them stay with me and I never forget what they gave me, nor the value they placed on their family and the little that they had.

When I helped clean up their house, I found a sealed envelope. On the front in my grandmother´s scrawl was written ¨to those left behind¨. I had not been in the country when Mary passed away, and with the deepest sadness did not attend her funeral. I felt that for some reason I was chosen to find the letter, hidden in the dark recesses of a wardrobe for over 20 years.

My hands trembled as I opened the letter. I could imagine Mary sitting at her old manual typewriter, keying in the names of all her children and grandchildren. On the attached page was a short message stating the love she had for her family and her wish for their happiness.

Frank and Mary – I love you. I am forever grateful for what you gave me. You may not have been perfect, but then again, who is? You were who you were, due to circumstance, experience, need and uncertainty. You may have known no better. You may simply have not known. I forgive. I forget. I remember. I appreciate.

I hope for all who read this, that you take some time out to thank those in your life who have provided you with opportunity, knowledge, purpose and memories.

Frank, you can finally be proud. Mary, you need not worry – I am happy.

you bloody ripper!

Old Mother Hubbard

Went to the cupboard,

To give the poor dog a bone:

When she came there,

The cupboard was bare

And so the poor dog had none.

Hubbard, the moral of the story is:

Keep a tin of spaghetti in the cupboard!

you bloody ripper!

Forgetting towel so walk to bedroom.

Guilty.

Water trail.

Guilty.

Preparation of breakfast.

Guilty.

Laze on couch with book for an hour.

Guilty.

Freedom.

Guilty.

Getting dressed.

Not guilty.

you bloody ripper!

1. Riding a bicycle, catching the tram and only using the car when I need to escape the inner city on the weekends.
2. Making great food and sharing it with friends.
3. Gardening and growing my own vegetables.
4. Flirting.
5. Dancing and singing… in the lounge, at the workplace, on the beach, in the carpark, in the car, in the shopping centre, on the tram….
6. Spending time with children and animals.
7. Making love during the hours between sunrise and sunset.
8. Intense, enjoyable and hilarious conversations.
9. Writing a letter or card instead of emailing.
10. Making love in the dark.

If we all spent some time developing our own list, imagine the impact on climate change. Not to mention the fun, hilarity, harmonious relationships, better communication and random, raunchy and ridiculous we would have every single day.

Imagine all those bloody rippers….

you bloody ripper!

Sometimes, I get a little bored.

At the moment, I’m going through a period of tediousness with breakfast cereal. When you live by yourself, working through a box, loaf or package of anything, every morning for two weeks, definitely is not starting my day off well. Ho hum.

If you don’t like something, change it.

It was time for the inevitable: a trip to the health food store.

Loaded up with rice puffs, cashews, dried plums and apple, pistachios, almonds, linseed, pecans, currants, coconut and cinnamon, I headed home to toast, chop, stir and sprinkle.

Now for the all important test. Open wide…. the taste buds were once again alive.

Make it. Taste it. Monotony relief.

you bloody ripper!

Do you have to do anything today?

Nope – not today.

Permission granted to curl up on couch, read a book cover to cover, watch a film or two, paint on a face mask, play your favourite tunes as loud as you like, sip copious amounts of peppermint tea and hang out with your chilled self.

Cheers to all about you day!

you bloody ripper!

Ever type in a google search term and hundreds of options are found? Where does one begin?

Incorrect. Bland. Infuriating. Overwhelming. Like a rat in a rubbish dump, we dig around for one tiny morsel that is gold.

The statistics are great on WordPress blogs. I know you care more about tattoos than cleaning the car, being dumped showed keen interest in my love life (now I just wish I had a love life) and with courage being the number one spot, I’ll take you all into the lion’s den any day.

Tonight, I had a you bloody ripper surprise as I noticed that someone had typed in google.com

how to achieve the feeling of completion

and it directed them to a story of when I dance around my lounge room while putting away my clothes.

I’m not so sure they would have persevered with the rest of the site if they were on their spiritual journey. Or perhaps  they did?

This blog keeps my sanity in check. It helps me fight the battle. It keeps me consistent in an inconsistent universe. It makes me recognise and appreciate the whole of my life rather than simply the milestones, amazing experiences and accomplishments.

If I reflect on all the little things that happen each and every day and pull them all together, I feel pretty complete.

Today I smiled. I laughed. I admired a clear, blue sky. I relaxed. I sorted out a little problem. I ate a big slab of Whittakers chocolate and didn’t think about the hips. I got excited that my niece is coming to stay for three nights. I talked to someone in a lift. I experienced. I wheeled a trolley around and wished the aisles were wider so I could do burn outs. I made a difference. I admired an incredible visionary. I held hands with a small child.  I had a nice surprise. Someone remembered the words thank you do exist and directed them my way. I cooked a simple meal. I asked a question. I learnt something new. I lived.

Google – thanks for proving that it is the small stuff that when the senses are awakened, appreciated and enjoyed, it all leads to a feeling of completion!

Awaken your senses… experience your days. The answer is in the top ten search results so you don’t have to dig around too long.

Who knows? I may not be the only one swearing if we all did it!

you bloody ripper!