30 November 2022

I'm having trouble writing another blog post


Queen Anne's Lace cut from a ten foot high plant in the back yard.


Although I'm feeling okay overall, I'm having trouble writing another blog post. The ideas I have in my head don't become the words and sentences I want to write so I've decided to take a break until the new year. I'm sorry to disappoint you but I have to look after myself.


I'm looking forward to Friday when we're celebrating Jamie's last day of primary school with a family lunch. I'll spend Christmas here with my family coming over for lunch and, of course, the cricket started today. So along with my daily chores and sewing a set of new aprons, I'll have plenty of slow work to keep me out of trouble.


Thank you for your kindness and comments during what has been a life-changing year for me. I hope you enjoy the holidays and can spend time with your loved ones.

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58 comments

  1. Dear Rhonda, do whatever is best for you. Enjoy the time with your lovely family. When I want to "hear" from you, I will read your archives. There is always something interesting and useful to be found.
    Hilde in Germany

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  2. Hello Rhonda, Linda here from Redlands in SEQ. I have been reading your blog for years now (and have seldom commented). I want to say thank you for all wisdom and guidance. You have taught me a lot. I wish you a wonderful Xmas with your family, and a restful time watching cricket, pottering in your garden and sewing over the summer. With kindest regards. xx

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  3. Hi Rhonda,
    Enjoy your break and celebrations! It's been a privilege to hear and see your beautiful Jamie growing up. Finishing primary school is a real milestone.
    While I love your blog and eagerly anticipate each new post, I would be sad to think you might feel you were disappointing anyone by simply running to your own timetable as it suits you best. That's the philosophy you have gifted us with, after all!
    Best wishes, Michelle

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  4. I think a lot of us are feeling like you Rhonda, so take it easy, enjoy your family and the cricket, and come back fresh to it in the new year!

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  5. You don't disappoint us , Rhonda! Take good care of yourself, enjoy your family.
    Anyway, while you're away, I enjoy reading your blog posts. This year has been so hard for you ! I will see you with pleasure next year.

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  6. the words aren't coming out right for me here, so just know I'm wishing you all the love and kindness, compassion and peace for this season. May you feel the love and support from those around you and from of us all around the globe who you have touched, encouraged and inspired over the past many years.
    thank you
    cheers Kate

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    1. Dear Rhonda,
      Have a wonderful christmas with your loved ones and enjoy the cricket and all the rest!
      I look forward to reading your next blogpost in the new year.
      Warm greetings from the Netherlands.
      Jo.

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  7. No apology needed, Rhonda. Take care of yourself and enjoy your family time. Best wishes, Margaret x

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  8. Like others I will keep in touch with you
    re-reading some of your earlier blogs.
    They are a wonderful fount of wisdom, social history and celebration of a successful change of life direction.
    They always point me back to maintaining a balanced life and stop me panicking when I feel things drifting our of control.
    We cannot sort world problems out on our own but you show us how to think for ourselves and tackle our own challenges.
    Enjoy your family and Christmas.
    Sue

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    1. Dear Rhonda. Ditto to all the above. We'll be here. Hugs from NC,USA

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  9. Dear Rhonda
    Please rest and relax, I hope you have a lovely lunch with your family.
    Have a relaxing time with family and friends over the Christmas and New Year. All of the people who read your column , including me will be here if you need or want to talk. Don’t feel pressured you have had a big year.
    Love to Gracie too of course.
    Would love to send a Christmas card but not sure if you have a post box as I don’t want to invade your privacy?

    Merry Christmas

    Donna😊

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  10. Hi Rhonda, take all the time you need. You are in no way obligated to regularily write blog posts, though it is obvious we all love to hear from you. I really enjoy coming by your blog and taking a good look-around. There is so much to find here! Wishing you strength for the days and weeks ahead of you. Have a lovely Christmas with your family and a good start to the new year.
    Greetings from Germany
    Susanne

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  11. Dear Rhonda you have had a huge year. I look forward to your writings always, but your rest and recuperation is more important. Enjoy your time with your wonderful family x

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  12. Taking care of yourself is so important. I hope you have a wonderful family time over the Christmas holidays, but I realise how hard this time of year will be for you and all the family. Hold each other in your hearts and take time for yourself too. xx

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  13. I'm wishing you all the blessings of this season. You have touched and inspired so many of us and I hope you know how we appreciate your wisdom.
    Thank you.

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  14. No worries, dear Rhonda. We always have past posts to read and glean from. You have shared so much wisdom through the years, and we are so grateful for it.
    Take good care and all good health and happiness through the holidays and into the new year. Cheers!

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  15. Have a beautiful Christmas season and I pray it will be a time of renewal for you. Merry Christmas :)

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  16. Sewing aprons will be a lovely sort of recreation. Enjoy your family, and the much - earned time of rest.

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  17. Take good care of yourself. Wishing you a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas.

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  18. Rhonda you have shared so very much and taught so many things and kept older skills alive. Taking time for you is important and I respect that you can see a need and and deal with it for you.

    Enjoy the cricket and take the time to do the things you love to do.

    I wish you and yours a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful 2023.

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  19. You truly have readers from all over the world. I am a long time reader living in USA.
    Take care of yourself and Merry Christmas.

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  20. Do rest and feel better but
    you will be missed

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  21. Taking care of yourself is most important holidays after a great loss are often difficult / needing space / time away... and by taking the time you need is teaching by example. Bless you 🙏 ❤️

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  22. Dear Rhonda,
    It's important to step away in order to care for ourselves; sometimes we are our own worst enemies when it comes to that! You're setting a good example for so many by knowing when you need a break (and for putting the word out so we're not worried by the pause here🙂). I hope you have a restful and restorative holiday season with your family and your faithful companion Gracie. Stay safe and well! ~ Louise

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  23. May God bless you and keep you in his care, Rhonda!!

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  24. You have given your readers so much time and knowledge. I visit your blog regularly and love re-reading your entries. Taking a break is something we all should do at times. Hope that the days ahead are happy and healthy. Happy holidays and take care.
    Barbara, WY USA

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  25. Have a wonderful Holiday and a nice break!

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  26. Have a wonderful December and holiday! Your blog has been so much a part of my learning a new lifestyle, thank you for all that you share! Get some well deserved rest and family events. As someone else commented above, I will reread some of your earlier posts. Hilogene in Az

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  27. Hello Rhonda,
    Enjoy your family and puttering in your home. I am going to enjoy re-reading some of your posts. I haven't done that for a while and I always learn something when I do.
    Take care,
    Darlene

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  28. Rhonda you definitely need to take time for yourself. This year has been very traumatic. Enjoy your Christmas and New Year with your family, and when you feel like coming back, we will once again enjoy your wonderful posts.

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  29. Look after yourself and enjoy every minute of every day. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Maureen and Kevin O'Rourke

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  30. Take great care of yourself Rhonda. I’ve been through exactly the same experience as you recently and it is life changing. We put on a brave face for the world to see but the hurt of losing the love of your life is so hard. We need to be kind to ourselves, accept the help and love of our family and friends and hope time heals. I’m sure it will but these things can’t be rushed.
    Sending my love, enjoy your break with your family and I look forward to hearing from you again when you feel stronger.

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  31. Wishing you a restful time, cuppa tea and shared moments with Gracie and your dear family. To everything there is a season and this is the season of rest. Your readers will be checking on you from time to time. Wishing you good health and a happy holiday season.

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  32. Have a Happy Christmas, Rhonda, and I hope the rest and enjoyment you'll get will restore you. :)

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  33. Dear Rhonda
    The Queen Anne’s Lace is just lovely and set off perfectly in your blue jug.
    Thank you for so many years of beautiful photos and excellent illustrations of what is for me a veritable treasure trove of practical, sensible ideas and thoughts and home resources.
    And affirmation. Your writing and sharing has often affirmed the way we choose to live- simply, frugally with pleasure in being at home. Thank you.
    Seems to me you do indeed need to take care of yourself first and continue to ‘do well’ as you say. It will be nice to read your blog posts again in the new year if you decide to write a little again and if not… we shall think of you and Gracie in your pleasant cool shady spot reading and thinking and dreaming and listening and we shall do the same here in New Zealand. Happy days and all good wishes to you.

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  34. I wish for you comfort and joy. Love and good times with your family. Healing and peace. Strength. We will be here when you feel ready to return. Merry Christmas and Happier New Year. Love, Connie from Georgia, USA

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  35. Rhonda, best wishes for a happy Christmas with your family and a better year in 2023. Take care of yourself. I am looking forward to your posts when you resume writing.

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  36. Be well, Rhonda. Looking forward to your return.

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  37. Best wishes for a wonderful calm and peaceful Christmas and New Year season with your family and friends. I don't watch much of the cricket, but when it's on I usually think of you! Now our grandson has started to play we have had to keep updated to keep the conversation rolling! It's been very cool down south, and my 'pot' vege garden is a bit slow to get going,but this weekend is warmer. A big pat to Gracie 🎄See you next year xx

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  38. We do what we need to do to care for ourselves, after the loss of a spouse. Just know that you are not alone. Many of us have been through this journey and completely understand. Hugs across the miles!

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  39. Dear Rhonda, please don’t feel the need to apologise. As you have so often spoken about, self-care is vital. You and your family should always come first - that is the foundation of simplicity. I wish you a beautiful peaceful summer and Christmas. Space to reflect, remember and enjoy time spent with your loved ones. I do hope you feel like writing again next year but even if you never write another word again you have still enriched and inspired people all over the world to live more fulfilling lives - me included! Much love being sent your way and many hours enjoying the cricket! Xx 😀😘

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  40. Hi Forest lots of love to you we both love the cricket. We are still cleaning up after the floods on 22/11/22
    Take care and enjoy your family
    Chookasmum

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  41. Rhonda, look after you, do what is right for you and be patient with yourself. You, sadly, have had an horrendous year so be gentle with yourself. Enjoy your family and Christmas and so on, your daily to does and your time, have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, I just wish I had your enthusiasm for the cricket, haha. God bless you.

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  42. Proud of you ! 🤍 Keep calm and carry on !

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  43. Oh, that must be frustrating, Rhonda. You have given us all so much...I am glad that you are enjoying your time at home, making aprons, and spending time with your family. You have built such a fabulous retirement. Mine is going very well, thanks to finding you in my thirties. Take care, and Merry Christmas.

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  44. Enjoy a well earned rest Rhonda and enjoy your beautiful family and home. The hard year has taken its toll. Wishing you a lovely restful summer and a fresh start in the new year.

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  45. You will be missed Rhonda, but you have to think of yourself. A blog should never be a weight around your neck and having to think of new things to write all the time becomes a chore eventually. So have a good rest, and have a lovely xmas with your family xxx

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  46. Dear Rhonda, I read each of your posts and you enrich my life. Sometimes we each need to take a bit of a break. One of the things that I admire about you is that you seem to know what you need and you take good care of yourself. I will look forward to reading your next post when you are ready to write again. May peace be with you, Dianna

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  47. I don`t comment very often but just wanted to say that I do appreciate your blog and it helps me to focus on what truly matters, especially at times when life isn`t quite what you thought it was going to be. Take care of yourself Rhonda and come back when you are ready. The Queen Anne`s Lace is beautiful.

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  48. Dear Rhonda, maybe the time is right now for all your readers to write to you, until your mojo comes back. After a difficult year, enjoy an extended holiday time to reinvent your life, to enjoy the presence of your family and that beautiful back yard.
    So, a bit of reading for you...here in Adelaide now is a crisp morning after two days over 30. The sun has glimpsed a bit early on, but now is cloudy. At 57, for a couple of months I started working 3 days a week, which means on Mondays I spend most of the day cooking or gardening. The gardening is, I would say, totally random - not a decorative back yard, nor vegetables. Between stone fruit trees, a tomato plant sprouted so I take care of it and curios to see what kind of tomato it bears. Little pea plants are slowly growing next to a timber post, remnant of when passionfruit vines seemed a good idea.
    And now, before you get bored, I’ll finish my break and start reorganizing the pantry. So many thinks that can be done around the house!
    All the best and hope to hear from you in 2023.

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  49. Hi Rhonda,
    Please take care of yourself as the year has been a tough one.
    Whenever I feel I need inspiration, I just up look up the topic and find wonderful posts here. Wishing you and yours the very best for Christmas and the coming New Year!
    Many thanks
    Irene

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  50. Wishing you a restful Christmas Rhonda. I look forward to reading more from you in 2023. Many thanks! Kate

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  51. I've read every comment of yours for years. Give yourself all the time you need. Enjoy your break and your family. Thank you for feeling you can share how you are just now. You honor us. Hear from you when you are ready . Xx

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  52. You are wise to give yourself the grace of a break.

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  53. Your Honesty is welcomed as much as your posts. Sending heart-felt wishes for Happy Holidays to you and your Dear Family~! 💖~Carolyne

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  54. Wishing you and the family a happy Christmas. Take care of you. xxx

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  55. Dear Rhonda, thank you for all your help and support. A question for anyone who can help me - how do I search for previous posts? On my phone there isn’t a search button or archive list. Just home, books, and about us. Many thanks to anyone who can help.

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    1. Sure, no problem. Just go onto the Google search page and type in "down to earth blog baking bread" or whatever your query is. Type 'down to earth blog" first, then your topic. Good luck.

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