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Wisdom comes into our lives in many forms - by knowledge gained, by experiences experienced, by patience and dedication, by the passing years and by the example and mentoring of others.

Into my life, over the years, have come many inspirational people who have taught me many life skills. Let me tell you about some of them...

• My four grandparents offered much to me in the way of inspiration. My maternal Grandmother lived a life of simplicity, mostly through necessity and some because of her simple faith in a loving God. She loved gifts and was equally delighted with a single rose from the garden or a piece of handiwork made just for her. Although poor, she was a true lady and it didn't surprise me to find, on researching her family tree, that she did in fact come from a line of landed gentry who were philanthropic by nature. Her husband, my Grandad, was a simple, homely man from a country agricultural labour background. But his thirst for knowledge and understanding and his willingness to encourage us young'uns to be the same has lived with me long after he left this world. My paternal Grandparents had other gifts to offer. Nan was involved with her church and community and was a giving and loving homemaker. When I make a batch of Welsh cakes or have the house looking spick and span I know it is thanks to her inspiration. And my gentle grandfather blessed us with his humour and grace.

• Early in my life I was inspired by my Godmother, Florence. She was a patient and giving person who took her duties of Godmother very seriously. When my father was taken ill with agoraphobia she knew that my parents wouldn't be able to visit me at Guide camp. In the 1960's Guide camps were at least 2 weeks long so a visiting day was offered. Rather than leaving me without a visitor, dear Florence (who was such a lady) found a driver to drive all the way into the next county to visit me. I am sure that tramping through a farmer's field was a new experience for her but she was determined she would show her care for me by making that visit, and I have never forgotten.

• During the early years of living in Australia I was fortunate to meet a lady who inspired me with her dedication to motherhood. Pam sadly had breast cancer when her only son was about 10. She prayed and prayed to be healed - not for herself but so she could be there for her son. She prayed that when he was old enough to look after herself God could take her. And her prayers were answered. She went into remission. During this time she prepared her son and taught him life skills. She encouraged a deep relationship to form between her husband and son. When her boy reached 16 the cancer returned and she passed away.

• There was a time when I was lost and and struggling with my faith. It was at a time when American Evangelists were getting bad press as was the American character in general so it was serendipity, then, that Steve and Beth came into my life. They were starting a new church in the area and I decided to go along to the first service. I smiled as I heard the twang of Steve's accent. I couldn't complain because I was a fairly new immigrant with an accent of my own, but could I trust an American? (Please note these were my thoughts at the time and I do not harbour negative thoughts based on ethnicity). Steve spoke with gentleness and humour. I will never forget his telling of going to the optometrist to see if his specs could be repaired and told he had 'buckley's'. Not knowing that this was an Australian saying meaning 'no chance' he feared he, or his specs, had some terrible illness. As time went by, I grew to love Steve and sweet Beth - they shared their vulnerability and love to all their congregation and we felt their care for us. I failed them often, but they never failed me. Steve got out of bed one cold night ready to search for my husband who hadn't arrived home from a late shift at work. Before mobile phones and with a large young family at home, I wasn't able to make any contact with my husband who worked an hour's drive away. The willingness of Steve and Beth to serve their congregation was a true inspiration.

• Which brings me to another Steve. He was my 'boss' for a number of years and everyone who worked for him loved him. He was fair and honest and a big softy! His people skills were second to none. He let us get away with misbehaving sometimes but we knew when we had to knuckle down and work hard. We wanted to be loyal to Steve, just as he was loyal to us. On bad days, Steve understood. His staff acted as a team and when the team's morale was low we would find a gift on our desk or be taken to the local pub for lunch.

• I said farewell to my most inspirational hero on March 1st this year confident I will see her again in heaven. My dear Mum passed away and I was able to go home to the UK for the funeral. The funeral was everything Mum was - gentle, gracious, full of faith. The minister bid her a safe journey into her new life and we all knew she had been a woman of faith and has received her reward in heaven. Although we all cried it was tears for our sadness but it was also tears of joy for Mum's wonderful life on this earth. Love you, Mum - thanks for all you were and all you did.

• And I can't finish without saying that my kids, grandkids and dear, gentle, wise, supportive husband bring wisdom and inspiration to my life every single day. Blessed indeed!

Cargoes

Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir,

Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine,

With a cargo of ivory, And apes and peacocks,

Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine.

Stately Spanish galleon coming from the Isthmus,

Dipping through the Tropics by the palm-green shores,

With a cargo of diamonds, emeralds, amethysts,

Topazes, and cinnamon, and gold moidores.

Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack,

Butting through the Channel in the mad March days,

With a cargo of Tyne coal, Road-rails, pig-lead,

Firewood, iron-ware, and cheap tin trays.

-- John Masefield

  

The ringing phone woke me up 2 hours before my usual getting up time this morning. Humph! I got to the phone just as it stopped. Humph! Did a star 10 hash ring back only to find it was a call for my son who had already left for work. Humph! Trudged back upstairs. Humph! Then I remembered what I wrote about yesterday and what my subject was for today - Patience.

I lay in bed and relaxed - the view out of my window was interesting - soft white clouds moving quite quickly with little puffy grey ones moving faster. No trees were moving. I reflected how fortunate I am that my view is pure nature - nothing man-made can be seen through my bedroom window from my bed. I decided to get up rather than go back to sleep and was so blessed for doing so. The sun was coming up over the trees and was putting on a beautiful display just for me. Low cloud swirled around me (we live in the mountains) on the verandah. The sun set alight the colour red of the glass in the lanterns and turned the humble clothes line into a diamond necklace.

I could have had such a different day if I had not reacted in a patient manner - instead of grumpily going back to bed and pulling up the bedclothes, probably sleeeping in making me even more grumpy, I embraced the day and was gifted with beauty that I could not have created.

 

Over the past five days, I have enjoyed sharing some of my insights into the secret of health for mind and body and how it touches me every day. I wish you well if you try to journey along the same path.

Be in the Moment; Take a Risk; Make a Difference; Choose Love; Be Patient

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly".

When you wake up each morning you have a choice, regardless of what is going on in your life.............begin the day on a positive note or choose to be negative. Choosing to love those around you for who they are is challenging, but doable. Don't judge them by their choices or beliefs, which may be quite different to yours. I belong to an online craft swap club and I was saddened today when I found a self-proclaimed Christian mention another person who is a self-proclaimed agnostic and suggest we don't swap with her. I have swapped with this agnostic lady - we have opposing views of life but we are able to enjoy knowing each other and understanding how each of us thinks and lives. In this, we show love for each other.

Do you go the extra mile for your friends and family? Going the extra mile is a choice you make which almost always delights the recipient. Today I had a visit from a dear friend who took time to show her love for me by stopping to collect these little snowbells and violets from her garden. It is a wet and cold day here today and she didn't have to take time out to do this but she did and it brought so much delight to my life and will for a while as I admire them on my kitchen windowsill.

On Monday it was my wedding anniversary and my husband stopped on his way home from work to buy some flowers for me. He works long hours and was tired and looking forward to getting home to rest. But he loves me and chose to show that by buying the roses and making sure they were a colour that looked good on our dinner table.

If you are in conflict with anyone today, try to find a way to quickly and easily come to an agreement, let go and move on. Life is too short to waste time being at odds with anyone. Look around you - can you choose to show love to someone in a small, tangible way today?

 

The whole reason behind this website of mine is to encourage myself and others to make a difference in our lives and more importantly the lives of others around us. It is a sad fact that it is often not until we are well into our lives - say 50's upwards - that the reality of the importance of our family, friends, neighbours and environment dawns on us and we get to discover the warm feelings that emanate from a giving, simple lifestyle. Perhaps we have to experience the clamouring after 'things' and false relationships to appreciate simplicity and kindness?

We start to wonder what more we can do or be. Do we love our family unconditionally and do we appreciate their love for us? Can we be more giving to those around us or those in need - making a difference with the resources we have at our disposal, our skills and gifts, our strengths and life's experience. Are we treading lightly on the environment showing our love for the beauty that surrounds us and the gifts that come from the earth?

• If you have spare money, will you sponsor a child? Or lend to a 3rd world entrepreneur?
• If you have experienced hard times can you be a listening ear to someone going through the same experience?
• If you have too much stuff - give it away!
• If you have life's experience try mentoring a younger person - it's fun and you learn as much from them as they do from you.
• If you can bake, sew, knit, draw, write, speak, listen, dance, laugh, mend things, change light bulbs.......there is always someone who needs your help

To get you started on sharing 'things', here is a list of several organisations/links that can use or recycle your leftovers.

• Spectacles Lion's Club 

• Used Postage Stamps GiveNow 

• Bras Project Uplift 

• Wool and Knitted Blankets/Beanies/Baby Knits etc Kogo  ; Wrap With Love 

• Craft materials, Paper Southern Cross Kids Camps 

• Coloured Hairspray/Nail Varnish Southern Cross Kids Camp 

• Computers Computer Bank 

• Corks Girl Guides 

• Ink cartridges Planet Ark 

• Freecycle Freecycle 

• Magazines are welcomed at nursing homes and medical waiting rooms

• Baby stuff and toiletries - try Women's Shelters

• Blankets and towels are often welcomed at animal shelters and vets

And for lots more ideas go to:  www.givenow.com.au 

Sharing is Fun!

What a beautiful creation is a spider..........don't agree? I am scared of mice but not snakes or spiders. I am betting at least one of those three things sets your heart racing, but if you look at the intricacies of its form you have to see beauty there. This funnel web spider was in our garden and then invited itself into out house. We are aware that these spiders are deadly so we dealt with her with care. We took a risk to keep her long enough to look closely and photograph this shiny, hairy black creature that shares our world with us. And we were rewarded by the beauty of what we saw. Then she was released back to her home in the surrounding bushland.

Looking at another of the paths to health and happiness from yesterday - Take a Risk - I have seen this idea on various blogs with various interpretations. Copy this to your own blog/website or write it into your journal. Highlight all the things you have done. Check out the others on the list - can you find a few outside your comfort zone that you could try? Write down a few things that you want to do, but have been too scared to try. Dare to be a beginner at something, regardless of what others might think or what you look like doing it. It is your life and at the end you only have to answer to yourself. So take some risks and go for it, so you have no regrets. Don't worry about failure! I can't swim and the fear of failure (not to mention drowning!) holds me back. So this summer I will do something about it! And as my daughter, who has offered to teach me, will read this, she will hold me to it. I'll let you know how I go. I'll try to get in that water and splash about even though I am scared and even though I may not succeed in learning to swim properly - I'll try.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Alaska
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Climbed a mountain
8. Held a spider/snake - not a poisonous one!
9. Sang a solo
10. Bungee jumped
11. Watched a lightning storm from a plane
12. Taught yourself an art/craft from scratch
13. Adopted a child
14. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
15. Grown your own vegetables
16. Seen the Mona Lisa
17. Slept on an overnight train
18. Had a pillow fight
19. Built a snow fort or snowman
20. Fed a lamb
21. Run a Marathon
22. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
23. Seen a total eclipse
24. Watched a sunrise or sunset
25. Been on a cruise
26. Seen Niagara Falls in person
27. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
28. Seen an Amish community
29. Learnt a new language
30. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
31. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
32. Gone rock climbing
33. Seen Michelangelo’s David
34. Sung karaoke
35. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
36. Visited Africa
37. Walked on a beach by moonlight
38. Had your portrait painted
39. Gone deep sea fishing
40. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
41. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris – saw it, but didn’t go to the top
42. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
43. Kissed in the rain
44. Played in the mud
45. Gone to a drive-in theatre
46. Been in a movie
47. Visited the Great Wall of China
48. Started a business
49. Taken a martial arts class
50. Visited Russia
51. Served at a soup kitchen
52. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (Girl Guide)
53. Gone whale watching
54. Got flowers for no reason
55. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
56. Gone sky diving
57. Flown in a helicopter
58. Eaten Caviar
59. Pieced a quilt
60. Stood in Times Square
61. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
62. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
63. Published a book
64. Had your picture in the newspaper
65. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
66. Visited the Parliament House of your country
67. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
68. Saved someone’s life
69. Sat on a jury
70. Abseiled
71. Joined a book club

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly".

A very dear friend sent me this quote – it is one of her favourites. Health and happiness seem to go hand in hand. By health I don’t mean the opposite of illness. I believe you can be ‘healthy’ in the midst of illness – healthy in this case being a state of mind. Sophie Keller at www.howhappyis.com gives many practical ways of getting ‘health and happiness’ into your daily life. Five ways she suggests are:

• Be in the Moment
• Take a Risk
• Make a Difference
• Choose Love
• Be Patient

I plan to explore these over the next few days but let’s think about ‘Being in the Moment’ today.

I believe you need training to learn how to be in the moment. Or perhaps I should say re-training….look at any child playing imaginatively. They are well and truly in the moment – not thinking about the telling off they got in the morning for being slow to get ready, not worrying about what they are going to have for tea. They are living and breathing in the moment of their game. Be a footy team member and see what happens if you try not living in the moment – oops there goes the ball to the other side. And just look at my son - is he ever in the moment in this picture - eating the cream left in the bowl!

But how do we get to be in the NOW? You are where you are….how does your body feel, what is it doing – is your face twisted (I say this because right now I am pursing my lips for no apparent reason – just concentrating I suppose), what can you hear, what can you see, smell. This moment is all there is………we can’t re-live yesterday only in memory and tomorrow is a gift we may or may not receive.

How peaceful it is in a concentrated moment – if life is tough for you right now, that tiny moment is probably something you can cope with. When I was deep in depression my day was lived like this – coping moment by moment and celebrating the achievements of each moment. The triumph of getting one leg out of the bed covers – it only took a moment and the other leg would take a moment later on when I felt I could cope. Later I took another moment to sit up on the edge of the bed and standing up was an achievement that could have rightfully been celebrated with trumpets and cheers.

Living in the moment means you won't miss that loving look from your dog when you give him a schmacko (real life example!), the last pink in the sky as the sun finally sinks behind the horizon, the feel of fresh linen taken from the clothesline, the first bite into a juicy mango, a glass of cold water when you are very thirsty.........notice all these things are free............except for the schmackos!

Is there anything more 'simply beautiful' than the laughter of a child. When a baby first chuckles, who can stop themselves laughing with them? It is said that laughter prolongs life and enriches relationships. If it could be bottled, I daresay it would be sold at inflated prices and everyone would buy a goodly supply.

What a privilege, then, to be the source of children's reason to laugh. One of my sons is in that position. His alter ego is 'Ryan the Lion' - or Ryan DA Lion as I must rightly call him because I am told he was named after his great grandfather 'Da the Lion'. Ryan visits schools, camps, beach missions and churches. The kids (and I fear the adults) love him because they relate to his mischievous, self centred character but with a heart of gold and a willingness to learn from his offsider. When asked if he had any brothers or sisters, Ryan answered, 'I have a REALLY annoying little sister. One time she said 'hello' to me in the morning WHILE I WAS TRYING TO EAT BREAKFAST Can you believe that!!?? I picked up my breakfast cereal and poured it on her head. She thinks IT"S ME who is annoying, but I have never done anything mean or annoying before.'

Ryan now has his own online club and already has over 30 youngsters eagerly awaiting their first Ryan Da Lion magazine and swap cards. Ryan's team brings with them the simple message of a loving and understanding God and it is this mission that brings about the joy and simplicity of children's acceptance of a greater being who loves them exactly as they are.

Ryan's website will give you a giggle today.......

 

The Paradox of Life:

A bit beyond perception's reach

I sometimes believe I see

that Life is two locked boxes, each

containing the other's key.

Piet Hein, Danish mathematician, physicist, philosopher, writer and creator of puzzles and games.

Garage sales are the epitome of the reduce, reuse, recycle maxim. Having a garage sale and seeing how little people are prepared to pay for your 'treasures' makes you realise how relative 'needs and wants' really are. Something you 'need' should never go out of fashion. Your own garage sale may inspire you to reduce the number of items you purchase in the first place. There are never a shortage of buyers at garage sales so your items will be taken home gleefully by bargain hunters and re-used. So a garage sale is a win-win solution. You get rid of clutter from your home and even get paid for it. Someone else, hopefully, purchases something that they would otherwise buy new, so 'saving the planet's resources' just a little bit. But what about those weird and wonderful items that are basically valueless in terms of utility, beauty or desirability? I think this is where recycle comes to the fore.

It delights me to spend an evening trawling the Internet looking for recycled crafts. So many artistic and creative people in this world inspire and amuse by their interpretations of other's clutter. One website I particularly enjoy is Blah to Tada Claire makes the most of everything that comes her way. Whether it starts as trash or unloved treasure, she always adds her magic inspiration and creates a 'Tada!' moment.

I am often inspired by Claire, although a lot of my blah's are sitting sadly in a cupboard waiting for their tada! moment.

 

Today's round of the garage sales resulted in a new version of 'Trivial Pursuit' - have you seen the price of new board games? Our family often gather round after a simply beautiful dinner to play games. The grandkids have a box of treasures at my house so another couple of bits were added today costing me a grand total of 20c. Then I scored some pretties for me - nothing about 'reduce, reuse, recycle' says 'spartan' so something to put a sparkle in your day is always permissable, especially when you only need to pay a couple of dollars - hey it costs more for a coffee and cake in town and my treasures today are much less in calories. In fact I may even be inspired to add my 'magic touch' to them and give them as recycled gifts to my like-minded firends. Go the garage sale!

Don't ever forget

Your presence is a gift to the world,

You’re unique and one of a kind.

Your life can be what you want it to be -

Take it one day at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles,

And you’ll make it through what comes along.

Within you are so many answers,

Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don’t put limits on yourself,

Your dreams are waiting to be realized.

Don’t leave your important decisions to chance -

Reach for your peak, your goal, and your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying -

The longer a problem is carried, the heavier it gets.

Don’t take things too seriously -

Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way -

Remember that a lot goes forever.

Remember that friendship is a wise investment,

Life’s treasures are people… together.

Have health and hope and happiness,

Take the time to wish on a star.

And don’t ever forget for even a day…

How very special YOU are!

Author unknown

Christmas Countdown - Christmas Layouts

Being born and bred in UK, the cooler months of June and July in Australia bring with them a Christmassy feel. Crisp mornings, rugging up to go out, snuggling under a cuddly throw by the fire in the evenings, getting out the knitting needles to knit scarves and mittens were all a lead up to our Christmas Celebrations. Tomorrow we are going to celebrate Yulefest at my house, here in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney NSW.

Christmas means gifts and now is an ideal time to think about Christmas giving to those in need. One of my pet projects is Operation Christmas Child run by Samaritan's Purse. Each year thousands of decorated shoeboxes filled with gifts are delivered to children overseas who would otherwise not receive a Christmas gift. Now would be a good time to find a shoebox and add bits to it each week so that you will have it filled by September when they are collected and shipped. Why stop at one? Try filling one for a girl and one for a boy, then keep going! You will find all sorts of interesting facts, pictures and videos at:

www.operationchristmaschild.org.au

Ideas For Shoe Box Gifts

Something to Love: Teddy, Doll, Soft Toy, Knitted Toy

Something for School: Pencil case, Coloured Pencils, Pencils with Sharpener, Novelty Erasers, Colouring Book, Notebook, Gel Pens, Stickers, Stencils, Safety Scissors, Paint Box, Chalk

Something to Wear: T-shirt, Underwear, Beanie, Cap, Shorts, Thongs, Sandals, Sundress

Something to Play with:Tennis Ball, Craft Kit, Puzzle, Small Jigsaw, Spillikins, Marbles, Dominoes, YoYo, Car, Musical Instrument (triangle, kazoo, tambourine), Slinky, Finger Puppets, Kaleidoscope

Something for Personal Hygiene: Toothbrush, Novelty plastic cup, Soap, Hand cream, Face Washer, Hand Towel, Hairbrush, Comb, Hair Accessories (Scrunchies, Bobbles, Clips)

Something Special: Windup Music Box, Kid’s Jewellery/Beads, Carry Bag/Small Handbag, Sunglasses, Postcards of Australia, Wind up Torch, Sewing Kit, Trinket Box

 

If our likely life span is 80 years and we divide these years into four seasons, I am now entering the winter of my life. Winter has always been my favourite season and I am looking forward to this time. Thinking about it in the modern idiom, it is time to embrace the authentic self………….in other words………..embarrass the kids!

This is how I plan to do it:

• Let my hair show its gray

• Wear my specs on the end of my nose

• Proudly walk into town with my shopper on wheels

• Enjoy hearing again with a hearing aid that whistles and hums

• Dance when I feel like it

• Keep telling ‘‘Remember when” stories

• Forget the high fashion clothes

• Be fat and call it that

• Eat my favourite foods

• Keep laughing

• Keep learning

• Get up when my body tells me

• Hand back my grandkids when they cry or grumble

And my kids will say…….

‘Mum nothing changes!!’

PS - Photo is not me!

Some people just don't get it! In the '60's, during the Beatles heyday, my Grandfather was amused by all the hype but found it hard to remember their name, a name strange to his 60 year old ears. They were variably called 'The Bumbles' or 'The Bootles' or worse.

I am beginning to understand now that I have 60 year old ears! I haven't been able to get my head around a recent overseas visitor's unfamiliar name - it would not stick in my brain so he got called a variety of names like Sebastian and Geronimo!

Recently I have enjoyed learning a new art creation called ATC's - Artist Trading Cards. My family 'just don't get it' - they call them odd names like BBC's and when I talk about them they ask 'What are they again?'. Worse they just don't 'get' the pleasure ATC's give me both making and swapping them with other artists....and they definitely think it is all a bit weird.

These are flippant examples of 'not getting it' caused by lack of knowledge, interest, understanding or empathy.

But if we get serious for a minute........one of the tragedies of our society is Depression. I have several friends suffering from various forms of Depression and Anxiety at this very moment and having walked this path myself I know that when someone says to a clinically depressed person 'pull your socks up and just get over it', they have never experienced the 'black dog', as Winston Churchill so aptly called it. Even worse are those who say they understand but by their actions prove they don't. If you have never experienced the hopelessness and black sludge of depression please don't say you understand - be honest and say 'I just don't get it but I'm here for you' then just get stuck in and support your loved one in practical ways.

Whether you are a sufferer or a supporter you can find lots more to help at:

www.beyondblue.org.au

www.youthbeyondblue.com

So what are these ATC's about? Artist trading cards are little pieces of artwork given away or swapped with other artists. There are only 2 rules - They must measure exactly 2.5 inches x 3.5 inches (6cm x 9 cm) and they cannot be sold. They can be made in any medium: paper, collage, painting, wood, glass, fabric. On the front of an ATC an artist creates an original work to showcase their art. It can be a one-off, part of a series, or a limited edition. On the back the artist puts their name, contact details, title of the ATC, number if it's a limited edition, and sometimes the date it was created. Who you trade with and whether you trade one of your cards for one of someone elses, or think it's more valuable and want multiple cards, is up to you. You can also trade cards you've received if you don't want to keep them. The whole aim is to be creative and communicate with other people being creative. As you can imagine the design ideas are limitless. Today I received a card that looked like a little letter tied up in brown paper and string - a very novel ATC.

 

My Grandmother lived a simple life. One of her greatest pleasures was to see a line of clean washing flapping in the breeze - even more so if it was crisp white linens. I must have inherited this gene because I get the very same shiver of pleasure. Especially when the wind gets up and you can hear the 'flap,flap' of the sheets.

Nan never quite got the idea of TV, especially adverts - they were very real to her. So when one advert showed a housewife's full clothes line break for the 'nth time that day, Nan became very agitated and said 'I wish her husband would fix that line properly'. Nan always had a twinkle in her eye so we never knew for sure if she was serious or not.

I was also blessed with a Godmother who inspired me in many ways. Most of it was spiritual inspiration but on one surprise visit to her home it was a simple observation that has stayed with me to this day and given me an enviable (to others) love of ironing. Florence (and isn't that a beautiful name from the past) ironed everything, even her nylon stockings, and when I saw her neat, smooth pile of ironed clothes and house linens I felt a shiver of simple delight.

Now my husband laughs at me when I primp my ironed pile with much patting and smoothing......but hey! I enjoy ironing so who's complaining?

With our current eco awareness and the economic downturn it would be a wonderful outcome if we started to see such simple pleasures as a clothes line full of flapping linens and eco-cottons rather than dragging our synthetics out of an electricity guzzling clothes dryer. And the bonus?....more clothes needing to be ironed...oops I think I've lost you there!