It's been a kind of quiet busyness here this week. I'm trying to get some sewing finished before I start the simple living workshops, and they start next weekend. Thanks to everyone who has signed up. I think we're going to have a great time and I can't wait to actually see all of you in person.
I'm thinking of having another workshop, closer to Easter, on writing. I'm not specifying the type of writing, it will be a general discussion, over two workshops of three hours in total, where I share how I started, how I maintain motivation, how I became a published writer, the commitment and hard work all serious writers need, and a little bit on contracts. I get quite a few emails from budding writers who usually ask me about getting to the next level. They want to make a living out of writing but they get to a point, get bogged down and don't know what to do next. I think a workshop using our shared experience might kick-start a few writers and maybe clarify for others what they need to work on. It will be online, on Zoom. Let me know your thoughts.
Soft vegetables like green onions last much longer if you prepare them as soon as you pick them or bring them home from the shop. They just need a good wash then cut them to suit the size of the container you'll store them in; they should be stored in the fridge. They'll easily last a couple of weeks like this. When you want to use them, just take them out and cut to size for your particular recipe. Lettuce and celery can be processed the same way, they will last much longer and be nice and crisp.
Australia is generally doing okay with Covid. We've had nearly 29,000 cases and 909 deaths, most of those being in Victoria when a second wave took hold late last year. The state I live in has had 1300 cases and even though that's a fairly low number, it caused us to lockdown and change our lives.
Watching what's happening in the USA, UK and Europe now, as well as the flare-ups in South America and Africa makes me wonder if it will ever end. Well, we've been told now it won't and that while most countries will control Covid19, it will be something we have to live with in the future. The vaccine is being given worldwide at the moment and that will help but there's a lot we can do ourselves - chiefly, staying at home and keeping your family close. If you're living with Covid, or if it's in your neighbourhood, workplace, church or school, I send love and my best wishes to you. I'm sure the readers here do too. You're not alone and although we're not there with you, we're thinking of you and hoping you stay healthy and strong. 💚
We are privileged to see a lot of wild birds here in our garden and cockatoos are one of the most common - black and white ones. They fly around in small and large flocks we often hear them as they screech in the tall trees. Sometimes they come down to drink, but they usually do that alone. This white cockatoo visited our birdbath during the week. I'm sorry for the quality of the photos, I took them through my office window.
Success, social life and serenity: Katharine Whitehorn's guide to happiness at every ageThe gap between Australian house prices and incomes is only likely to grow
Covid-19's astounding death toll in the US - I worry about all our American readers and when I read this, I was horrified and sad.
