BBC production Like many people around the world, I watched the news with horrified wonder that people could be attacked with Cold War poison more than two decades after the break-up of the Soviet Union. Adding to the intrigue were the incompatible images in my mind: this monstrous act colliding with my treasured memories of… Continue reading TV: “The Salisbury Poisonings”
A gift from a student who was ***not*** doing okay. The mental health supports swung into action to try to understand her suicidal intentions, alleviate the chances of tragedy. At year's end, among the sweetmeats and cards, a gift that I first mistook for chocolates: three luxury soaps in a box saying PEACE. I appreciate… Continue reading Soaps
A weary flower. Can't get my mojo working today. This is a day when I dial down my expectations. Of all the things I CAN do - many I feel I SHOULD do - today I will not rush headlong into my activities and tasks. Instead, I will honour what I feel and take care… Continue reading Weary
Kerryn Fields I first saw this Kiwi performer at last year’s SacredEdge. I was lucky enough to see her again at this year’sNewstead Live! What I love about folk festivals is the sheer diversity of music styles - all within the umbrella genre of folk. Kerryn is staunchly in the soul-fuelled singer-songwriter category, sweeping the… Continue reading Kerryn Fields
Oddity Specimen A In my sleeping quarters under the house. ******sniff***** What. Is. THAT ????? A growl builds in my throat, escapes as a warning bark. I stand over the Oddity: bark Bark BaRk BARK BARK ... until Frauchen points out ... it's okay, it won't hurt us. The rain brings out the Oddities from… Continue reading Oddities
Heart Advice for Difficult Times This book was recommended to me last year, when my life framework shifted and I lost my grounding. Published in 1997, I'm surprised it hasn't come across my radar earlier ... it's been a great one to discover, now! Author Pema Chödrön is an American-born nun within the practice of… Continue reading “When Things Fall Apart”
Joel McKerrow I met this young performance poet at SacredEdge: he presented his original poems with dynamism. I like the idea of performance poetry because, while I have published two poetry books, outside of book launches I'm not accustomed to performing my work - and definitely not by memory! So I'm in awe of talented… Continue reading Joel McKerrow
The Five-Step Plan every educator needs Dear Graduate Teacher, Congratulations on your first teaching job! Double-congratulations for making it through the hardest part - the start. You've survived the first term and are now catching up on sleep in your school holidays. WOOHOO!! How's your lesson-planning going? Your assessments and reports? Parent-teacher interviews? Your portfolio… Continue reading The Five-Step Plan
The lunar landscape of an ear infection under the microscope Under the microscope skin cells look like autumn leaves, red, orange, crinkly-edged. Virus cells masquerade as snowmen, bacteria as tiny dots clumped together. I walk out mega-dollars poorer, antibiotics and viscous ointment-pump in hand.
The spiritual seagull Recently I had the opportunity to read this oldie-but-goodie again. A short read, it's a little snapshot of pure inspiration. There is an equal amount of photography (by Russell Munson) in it as there is text (by Richard Bach), and the photos amplify the story beautifully. It's been a long time since… Continue reading “Jonathon Livingstone Seagull”
Annabel Harz: Author and Artist 