#BookSnapSunday – Great Expectations

Guilt and desire, money and the nature of capitalism are pervasive themes in Dickens’ magnificent novel. Pip’s expectation, before his expectations, is that he will be shown to have already committed a crime…The orphan Pip’s terrifying encounter with an escaped convict on the Kent marshes, and his mysterious summons to the house of Miss Havisham …

World Smile Day 2020

Yesterday, October 2nd, was World Smile Day. I hadn’t ever come across World Smile Day until I was doing a bit of research into International Days. There are so many International Days that there is just about one for every day of the year, but this one, World Smile Day, is certainly worth celebrating. Especially …

#BookSnapSunday – Castle Rackrent

This is not the Book Snap that I had originally planned a few days ago. We were meant to spend yesterday at Dicky Beach, near Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, catching up with friends from South Australia. Dan was very excited about going to the beach and knowing that we were going to be at …

The Empire Theatre Reopens

After a forced closure due to social distancing requirements, the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba has struck back at Covid 19 reopening to a series of small performances promoted as The Empire Strikes Back. As a Star Wars fan, I love the title. It's very apt. But this post is not about Star Wars but the …

Caring During Covid 19

Covid 19 has scored a sizeable hit on life as we once knew it. Businesses and services were closed. Many people lost their jobs. Travellers were stranded overseas and grocery shopping became the social highlight of the week. As schools closed and moved to online learning, many parents struggled to balance working from home with …

#BookSnapSunday – Australian History

  Since the beginning of Covid 19 my reading has taken a downward spiral. Despite all the extra time spent at home I seem to have had less time for reading rather than more. Being naturally introverted, I initially relished the idea of having a valid excuse for staying home and thought of all the …

Taking Art Outdoors

Ever since the implementation of Covid 19 restrictions, we have been wondering whether life would ever return to the way it used to be. Social commentators predict that even when this is all over, whenever that may actually be, life will be changed. And to a certain extent that is true. Life after a crisis …

#BookSnapSunday – Silent Spring

The last few months have been a time of unimaginable change. Who could have imagined that vast numbers of people would be working, learning and socialising from home. Who could have imagined that in the twenty-first century a virus could cause such widespread social and economic pain. Who could have imagined we would be drawing …

A Puzzling Time

Jigsaw puzzles have always been a favourite activity for our family but it has taken on a new meaning as we are spending more and more time at home. With Bec and I both studying online from home, there are times when we need to find something to keep Dan occupied. Dan has a lot …

Australian Ballet Online

Dance is the hidden language of the soul – Martha Graham We love the arts in all of its forms. We have spent many enjoyable hours experiencing live performances at the Empire Theatre, listening to music, and visiting art galleries and museums. In our spare time we enjoy dabbling in art and craft activities. There's something …