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The educational journey of a country woman
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How does a woman who moves to a farm in a little country town, end up with a doctorate? I share this story to encourage all women to consider further study. In the beginning In the ’80s, I attended two different universities. I was kicked out of the first one and I didn’t complete…
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Easter Sunday
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I don’t recall too much fuss being made of Easter as I was growing up. The memory of going to Mass on Easter Sunday morning is rather vivid. Being involved in a house fire on Easter Saturday night, when I was seven years old, might be one reason why I can’t get overly excited…
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Women, work, and financial independence
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If I fully resign after this period of long service, I will lose my financial freedom. I have worked hard to get to where I am, but more than anything, I fear not having a fortnightly pay. Am I doing a disservice to women, everywhere?
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Birthday rain and season break
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I promised the farmer I would bring rain on my birthday. We have been desperately waiting for some to fall so that we can be assured of some moisture to germinate the seed. We are planting wheat and barley. It has been raining all morning, signaling the start of the agricultural seeding season. The…
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Retirement goals
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I am not quite sure if people set retirement goals, but considering how I will live my life for the next 30 years makes me think I might need to. Certainly not the first of my goals, but on recommendation from a doctor (to slow down my highly active and anxious mind) I enrolled…
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Retirement rehearsal
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I’ve been rehearsing retirement these last few months. In saying that, I have been working; in the home, helping out on the farm and project managing a renovation. I guess I have never acknowledged these things as work. Mind you, I don’t get paid for any of those jobs (where payment for work creates…
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City life vs farm life through lockdown
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Through a global pandemic, would it be better to self-isolate in the city or country? I have chosen to stay in the city at a house we share/rent with our daughter and her family. Australia is in lockdown and WA has closed its internal borders. The country is quiet enough as it is. As…
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Taking a break from work during COVID19
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A BREAK from work I am taking a break from work after almost 30 years in the same job. The older I get, the less I am able to tolerate work stress and pressure. Right now, life is wonderful. But we are in the midst of a pandemic and countries all over the world…
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City Beach and self-isolation
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Despite the need for social distancing and self-isolation during Covid 19, the lawns at City Beach are filled with picnickers, couples, and families. There is an eerie feeling out there though and I cannot pinpoint it. I am sitting here alone, feeling miles away from the sunsets on the farm.
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Work pressure
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Work pressure How does one cope with prolonged work pressure? I sought medical leave when the stress and pressure were more than I could bear. Waking at 4 am and not being able to get back to sleep, thinking of what I needed to do to get through the next day meant that I…