Earlier this week I defended my PhD. This was a milestone moment in my life. I had always wanted to do my PhD but thought it would be in the area of Art history – my great passion. Instead, I embarked on a journey to recount the history of my maternal heritage. White Russians whoContinue reading “Mamma told me there’d be days like this…”
Category Archives: life
Waiting…..
Negotiating my way along the perimeter of a huge void.
And I miss you……
It was M’s birthday the other day and that night, for the first time since his death, I dreamt about him. It wasn’t a comfortable dream. I found myself desperately trying to get back to him from wherever I was. Finally, I managed to find a pay phone and I inserted my coins and rangContinue reading “And I miss you……”
Melbourne – my kind of town
Its been a while since I’ve been in my old city. A long time since I lived here and quite a while since I’ve visited. My kids live in Melbourne now – both in Northcote. When I last lived in Northcote it was just outside the fringe; Fitzroy was still the happening place. Further downContinue reading “Melbourne – my kind of town”
Traveling solo
It’s raining as I sit here looking out the window at the Brisbane terminal. I’m on my way to Melbourne to visit family and friends. Its been a while. COVID put a stop to our ordinary connections, our ability to decide to go visit and catch up, to see an exhibition, to join friends orContinue reading “Traveling solo”
What goes on in your mind?
I’ve been thinking about Michael and how he died without being able to communicate; a tracheostomy inserted into his windpipe in order to breathe meant that his voice box couldn’t work. At first he tried, very valiantly, to speak in the hope that we would all be able to understand. To read his lips. ButContinue reading “What goes on in your mind?”
Ashes to sea
Yesterday I travelled to Sunshine Beach to scatter some of M’s ashes into the sea. I hadn’t planned on doing this. We were such itinerants that no one place seemed to be “our place” so I had organised to send half of his ashes to his daughters in Melbourne and half to his family inContinue reading “Ashes to sea”
Burnt toast and kerosene heaters
Last night I had a hankering for some toast – just some plain toast with a smear of vegemite. Down I went into the kitchen and put the bread in the toaster and waited for what seemed like ages. Impatient, and sure that the toast must be ready I pressed the cancel button and upContinue reading “Burnt toast and kerosene heaters”
My life in limbo
I have recently become widowed. As such my life is in limbo. I have no idea of what to do or how to live my life.
This wondering life
I have a hankering to write about things. Random things that come to me such as my frustration with traffic not obeying my rules and making it impossible for me to get somewhere on time, or my absolute delight at seeing an art exhibition that leaves me feeling joyful and inspired. Awed, thwarted, amused orContinue reading “This wondering life”
tania j layden 