Elsie told Santa in a shopping centre that she’d like a colourful wooden train. He said he knew exactly the one she was talking about and for a few moments they nodded and agreed about the size of the red and yellow pieces on the train. Afterwards I led Elsie through a toy store and … Continue reading You better not cry, you better not pout
Advent calendar or not, the countdown is on
Is anyone else ticking things off their calendar like it’s a relief? ‘Oh thank goodness, we can tick that one off.’ Is that how I want to teach our girls to live their lives? Everyone’s talking about it. December is crazy when it comes to functions, break ups, Christmas parties, Christmas drinks, as well as … Continue reading Advent calendar or not, the countdown is on
The things our kids teach us
Earlier this year, Elsie said she didn’t need to go to school next year because she already knew everything. I hoped she wasn’t paraphrasing something she’d heard me say. At the time and since, I did my best to explain what school is and what she’ll learn and the fun she’ll have. Thinking back to … Continue reading The things our kids teach us
Today’s news, tomorrow
In most Wimmera Mallee small towns, businesses close on Saturday at midday and re-open on Monday morning. For that reason, I was amused to drive through one today, past all of the closed doors and darkened stores, and see that a bright yellow sign advertising the Sunday Herald Sun occupied a quarter of the newsagent’s … Continue reading Today’s news, tomorrow
I’ll be the filter
As a kid, my idea of cool included footy cards, motor bikes, and Test Match cricket (I loved putting the silver ball in the tiny cup at the end of the bowler’s arm and tilting it so that the ball rolled along the green felt straight towards the wicket—whether or not it hit depended on … Continue reading I’ll be the filter
Last minute ‘cramming’
The Kasey Chambers CD has finished and the next one starts automatically. I listen to Paul Kelly do a brilliant live version of To Her Door and wonder if the guy in the silver top taxi cab ever did make a picture and get them all to fit. I wish I could play the harmonica like … Continue reading Last minute ‘cramming’
‘I do it.’
You know when someone warns you not to look up, you just can't help but take a quick glance skyward? Or if you're not allowed to scratch your nose for some reason (whatever that reason may be. What would it be?), then your nose itches and twitches and you'd do anything to be able to … Continue reading ‘I do it.’
Can I mention another reason we live where we live?
The cool part about living in a small town is that when you ask the bank manager if she needs to see your marriage certificate to become a signatory on your husband's account, she tells you that she saw your wedding photo in the local paper, so she knows you're married. The cool thing about … Continue reading Can I mention another reason we live where we live?
A new chapter begins
I feel a bit like today is the end of an era. The era of us having 'young' children, staying in our pyjamas for as long as we like in the mornings, going for day trips and not looking at the clock, taking no notice of school holiday dates and not even knowing when terms start … Continue reading A new chapter begins
Writing by Larissa Patton 