As we close out a year that everyone will be glad to see the back of, I hope the word unprecedented will be able to take a well-earned break from the world’s vocabulary.  We’ve learned things about ourselves, our country and the world in general. We’ve seen the worst in people and we’ve seen the … Continue reading The Year That Was and ‘That Word’.

"Patience and fortitude conquer all things." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson While out walking, I came across a sticker with the word Fortitude. It was quite random. Before long though, I was thinking about the word fortitude which comes from the Latin word 'fortitudo' meaning strength. Fortitude is something that we all have to cultivate in … Continue reading Fortitude

I knew I was overdue for another blog. The thing is, as a writer you need to build an ‘author platform’, but the time you devote putting words together for a blog or post or whatever else you are working on, takes time way from the main thing you need to do – writing your … Continue reading Procrastination

 There’s a segment of the track on my daily walk that has short steep incline. It’s been interesting observing the various bike riders when they come to this section of the pathway. Some riders don’t even bother trying to ride the section, they just get off and walk up with the bike. Some riders get … Continue reading The Steep Incline

Lately,  I’ve been doing a lot of winnowing - trying to separate the good stuff from the bad. Wheat from the chaff  if you will. Winnowing is the word used to describe the process for separating the grain from the chaff, once it has been loosened in the threshing process.  I believe it comes from the old English … Continue reading Wheat and Chaff

I was working on different blog subject, but I felt this one was more timely. Not sure how things are in your part of the world Covid 19 wise, but here in Australia our Prime Minister has copped a hammering. To say it has been a difficult few months would be an understatement. We have … Continue reading Critical of Criticism

I am, as I recently found out, a librocubicularist and I don’t mind one bit. It just means I like to read in bed. (or on the bed as the case may be). Nothing I’d prefer to do more – given the chance. As a teenager, I’d much rather be inside reading than outside with … Continue reading Reading for Distraction

Research is always an important part of the writing process. Gathering information to add life and credibility to a story. The satisfaction of finding some gems that you have been searching for, or ones that you didn't realize you were needing to add to your narrative. Weaving both fact and fiction together. Trying to determine … Continue reading Fact Finding Missing

I've just come back from a trip to India and there were a few issues with our accommodation. I used an online booking site for some of the hotels and discovered, the hard way, that the photos posted and the accompanying reviews may not necessarily be one hundred percent truthful. In fact after we decided … Continue reading Not quite what it seems…

Out walking the other day, I came across a detour sign – it wasn’t there earlier when I walked past. Isn’t that like life though – detours turn up unexpectedly. If you are familiar with the area – you think – okay there’s a detour but I know it will probably mean I’m going along … Continue reading Detours