I'm writing again with much sadness in my heart. I've blogged several times about MND, or Motor Neurone Disease. You can read those posts here and here. Our friend, Graham, who has fought with MND for many years, passed away on Good Friday. Graham defied the odds in many ways. He had the ALS form … Continue reading Sadness
Cyclone Debbie is bearing down on the north Queensland coast as I type. It's a funny feeling. We lived in one of the most cyclone prone areas of the world (Pilbara region in WA) for many years, but have now lived in NSW for the last fifteen years. It's sort of weird, because now our … Continue reading Storms of Future Past
I was thinking quite a lot about being a woman today, probably because it's International Women's Day. I've just watched a short video about books, which demonstrates the relative proportions of books that 1) actually feature girls, 2) feature girls who speak and 3) feature girls who aren't princesses, waiting for their prince charming. The … Continue reading Ponderings
I went and saw Hidden Figures this afternoon. I was looking forward to seeing a good movie, but I actually saw a great one. The story was compelling, based on fact, and emotional. Despite knowing about segregation, and the lack of equality between black and white, and between male and female, seeing it depicted drove … Continue reading Do Yourself a Favour – Go and See Hidden Figures
Today has an ominous feel to it. It's the second day of extreme heat here, and now there's a howling gale. The fire danger is described as catastrophic, and there's just a hint of smoke on the breeze, which is probably coming from Cassilis/Dungog way. There's a fire out there, which is burning with so … Continue reading Ominous
I've got a Goodreads Giveaway starting today. If you'd like the chance to win a signed paperback of Frontier Incursion, just click and enter! (And it's 6.25pm AEDT, and it's not yet open - must be operating on US time. Can only be a few hours to go!) Goodreads Book Giveaway Frontier Incursion by Leonie … Continue reading Goodreads Giveaway
It's Australia Day. All around the world, Australians are celebrating being Australian. For some, it doesn't get much further than contemplating a barbecue, eating a lamington or two, or maybe having Vegemite on toast for brekkie. For many indigenous Australians, this particular date is problematic. Some other Australians don't get this, however. You see, this … Continue reading Australia Day #changethedate
It's hot. It's been hot for days, and it's getting hotter again tomorrow and Tuesday. And after that, it'll just be averagely hot. When you consider that I spent sixteen years living in the Pilbara, you'd think I'd be used to heat. Well, maybe I was once, but I think I've had enough now. Maybe … Continue reading Hot, Hot, Hot…
I've been writing the second part of a fantasy trilogy. None of it's published at this point, but for the last few weeks it's been hard going. Partly because during the whole Christmas and New Year period there's been an awful lot of stuff going on, and partly because although I know exactly where this … Continue reading When You Have to Rearrange Your Story
It's eight thirty on Christmas evening here in New South Wales. Yesterday we spent the afternoon experiencing torrential rain, thunder, lightning and in some areas of our rural town, flash flooding. This morning at church, we sang carols, and then listened to a timely reminder of a sermon. I'm now sitting typing, listening to an … Continue reading Merry Christmas
