words – Page 4

My Mother, My Father – edited by Susan Wyndham (book review)

Last year, I attended the Bendigo Writers Festival. One of the sessions I attended was titled On Grieving. As someone who has lamented the lack of books available on the topic of grief, this was one of the first sessions I circled in my program. I ...

Determined

Last year, I chose a word for the year. Steady. That word served me well. So well, in fact, that I'm keeping it. I'll continue on my steady way in 2016. But this year, I'm combining it with another word. Determined. Determined. ...

Reflecting on 2015

Warning: self-indulgence ahead. Still here? Fabulous! But don't say I didn't warn you. This time last year, I reflected on the year that was. My 'greatest hits' of the year, by month, in reverse order. And it was a lovely way to round out the ...

Emojis as words – Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year

Last week, Oxford Dictionaries announced the 'Face with Tears of Joy' emoji as its 2015 Word of the Year (for the US and the UK). OUTRAGEOUS, huh? Except not really. For what it's worth, I don't emoji. I'm not cool enough. (Remember when ...

Family quirks

I've been slack on the blog lately. Some of it's been work. Some of it's been life. But most of it's been ... sigh ... something ... else? I can't concentrate. Social issues are getting me fired up, particularly when they're close to home. ...

Do you phub? – an interview with David Astle

Two years ago, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing David Astle. Name ring a bell? It should. He's an author (and if you're not familiar with his work, I suggest you start with Puzzled). He was the 'dictionary guy' on quiz show Letters and ...

Boy, Lost – Kristina Olsson (book review)

In August, I went to the Bendigo Writers Festival and had a wonderful time. I thought I would enjoy it and get a bit from it, but my expectations were exceeded. Twice over. One of the sessions I attended was titled On Grieving. As someone who has ...

Click, Clack, Moo and more: A Barnyard Collection – Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin (book review)

When my (now five-year-old) daughter was still a bub, I had a vivid dream. It was about a group of cows that were owned by Peter Combe, and they went on strike until their demands for juicy, juicy green grass were met. I shared this incredible dream ...

Too Busy Sleeping – Zanni Louise and Anna Pignataro (book review)

I have been a bloggy fan of Zanni Louise's for a very long time. I met her late last year, and it was wonderful to chat words, blogs and children in the Queensland sun. I was delighted when she sent me an advance copy of her debut children's book, ...

Whelm

I don't want to be over; Then I've too much on my plate. I don't want to be under; Then I've too much time to wait. I've got to find the balance, Got to walk the tightrope straight. That balance isn't easy; What suits ...