A day in the life: lake Moogerah

These photos were taken at Lake Moogerah, which is such a picturesque part of the Scenic Rim hinterland.

We stopped at a picnic area….with no tidbits for the birds but water! This Miner bird stayed with us a few minutes, hoping….then flew off.

Next time we visit, I ‘ll remember the wildlife!

On a creative note, I ‘ve finished proofreading my second Cozy Mystery! All the plotpoints/red herrings, seem to be in place. I just have to go over it again….its the most tedious part of the writing process and I couldn’t be an editor for a living that’s for sure!

Also, have enrolled in anther MOOC with the University of Iowa. Its free and this one’s called Stories and Places. I’m also enrolled on a uni course at Deakin over the summer, called Short Stories: Visionary & Revisionary…so have loads to keep me motivated!

Have a happy creative weekend 🙌💚📚

#creativity #writer #lifestyle

The Witch by Ronald Hutton

This book has been on my TBR list for a few months. Its a pivotal text for anyone who has an interest in the Early Modern Period in European History, especially the phenomenon of the witchcraft trials and the persecution of thousands of men (but mostly women) that changed the very structures of society. It was a dangerous time to be different, and the religious and political reforms targeted the poor, the infirm, and women who, for whatever reasons, lived indepentantly from patriarchal society.

The Witch is an important read as an insight to this time, that seems so alien to the modern world.

Looking forward to delving in!

#thewitch #ronaldhutton #books #research #writerslife 📚

A Short Analysis of Wordsworth’s ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’

Classic William Wordsworth. Thanks to interestingliterature.com for this post 🙂

Interesting Literature

A reading of Wordsworth’s classic daffodils poem

Often known simply as ‘Daffodils’ or ‘The Daffodils’, William Wordsworth’s poem that begins ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’ is, in many ways, the quintessential English Romantic poem. Its theme is the relationship between the individual and the natural world, though those daffodils are obviously the most memorable image from the poem. Here is the poem we should probably correctly call ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’, followed by a short analysis of its themes, meaning, and language.

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

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Lake Moogerah, Queensland

Such a gorgeous part of the world. It amazes me that in all the years we’ve lived in Australia that we’re never travelled this far inland. We’ll definitely pay a visit again soon, its inspiring and breathtaking.

#inspiring #creativity #writer #writerslife 🙏

Boonah, Queensland

A short story that I wrote after visiting the hinterland over the weekend. We stopped in Boonah, a country town that is pretty and friendly….we will definitely visit again.

Short Story – A Country Tale

Its so hot! I dive into the dark space in the corner of the garage, pushing aside boxes filled with Christmas decorations. Where has it got to? Christmas? – my god, I’ll have to get through this heat before then.

A huge spider scuttles across the concrete garage floor. Is he guarding that air conditioning unit? Even the size of him doesn’t put me off as I kick aside an old gasoline container…yes, I think I see it.

In my haste to retrieve the unit so that we can have a bit of coolness in the house, I’ve barely noticed Rob pulling up on the driveway. He has someone in the car with him, even though he’s supposed to have gone to get water bottles and come straight back.

‘Look who I bumped into, ‘ he says, getting out of the car. Its his mate from work, the one whose always the last to leave any party or bbq we go to ( he’s usually far too drunk), and who loves to tell rude jokes in front of the kids.

I plaster a smile on my face, but inside….well, its a different story.

‘Hi Jake, ‘ I say, cheerfully. ‘Hows Cherry?’

‘Don’t ask,’ adds Rob. ‘She’s left him. Is it okay if he stays here a while?’

My heart sinks. ‘Okay…..,’ I say. ‘Thats fine, but remember; I’m going to Couran Cove on the weekend. Taking the kids with me. Thats why I was in the garage, looking for their swimmers. Jake’s welcome to stay….’ I leave it open as Robs face drops. Suddenly inviting his heart-broken friend around is not such a good idea.

A muffled ringing interupts our conversation. I let it drop, follow the men into the house. Switching on the aircon, I push the water bottles to one side in the fridge that’s filled with beer.

‘Who’s that on the blower?’ Rob asks, popping open a beer and handing it to Jake.

‘Just the missus,’ he says, sheepishly. ‘Cherry’s wondering where I am.’

‘Haven’t you just split up? Invite her round Jake – we can get a bbq going. Rob, get back in the car – we need some meat and salad.’ I sound determined now, quick to take charge. This evening’s going to work in my favour, that’s for sure.

Later that night, after the kids are tucked up in bed and Jake and Cherry have made up (over a couple of beers around our bbq), I switch off the bathroom light and snuck in next to Rob. He smells of beer and stirs as I pull over the quilt, letting the cool air conditioner work its magic around the bedroom.

‘What’s this about Couran Cove?’ he murmers.

‘Well, if you will get in between those two, ‘ I reply. ‘I saw Cherry earlier. She told me all about it. You know how fickle they are – he’s lost without her and vice versa.’

‘So, you arranged this bbq then, without me knowing?’

‘You were in work. Look I’ll tell you more on our weekend away,’ I say, laughing. ‘And as for my helping you with your mate’s love life, you can book us into Couran Cove first thing as a reward – I havent done it yet but I couldn’t resist that look on your face when you thought you weren’t going.’

#shortstories #shortstory #fiction #countrytown