Posted on by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

Horse Tales

A long time ago in a land far away, my True Love and I had a big adventure.  It was on our European backpacking tour of ’91.  While we were in Ireland, we decided we would lash out (spend up big) and take an organised day tour of Killarney National Park.  Our mode of transport was horse and cart, and then dinghy for the return across Loch Léin to Ross Castle (I hope I’ve got that right.  It was such a long time ago).  For the more intrepid traveler, there was the option of riding a horse.  Now I’m not that intrepid but I used to be a good rider, so I chose to ride.  My True Love wisely chose to travel by cart. Read more

Posted on by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

Book Review: Our Life Off the Grid – An Urban Couple Goes Feral (by J. David Cox)

offgridDavid Cox and Sally Davies escape the rat race of Vancouver and corporate careers for life on a remote island in British Columbia, Canada.  Think of it as a mid-life crisis or perhaps even an epiphany.  There isn’t much that Dave can’t learn from a book or the internet, or through trial and error.  So Dave and Sally set out to self-build a house on a steep and difficult site on the tip of a peninsula (ie. no road access).  Much of the book is devoted to the trials, tribulations and joys of remote living and the characters that form part of Dave and Sally’s remote community.  Sound boring?  It isn’t. Read more

Posted on by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

To Thine Own Self Be True, Especially If You Want to Make a Zillion Bucks

WordPress Daily Prompt  —  Authentic

The Daily Prompt is “authentic“.  I should leave this one alone, but I’m afraid I can’t help myself.  I’ve got a blog so I might as well use it.  Authentic seems to be more than just the le mot du jour; it’s everywhere and has been for a few years now.  It has crept into every-day conversation.  We all want to be authentic. Read more

Posted on by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

Sounds of Zen – A Parody

In honour of the National Folk Festival (Australia), which opens tonight (Thursday), I have written a little parody that I thought I would test out on you, dear Readers.  I have no idea whether I will be brave enough to recite it at any of the poetry workshops.  I never have before.  It depends on your feedback.   If you are really brave, you can try to sing along to the tune of the Sounds of Then, which was written and performed by Ganggajang (you’ll have to sing over the top of their words).  I won’t be singing come performance time.  I’ve provided a link to the original song below.  Aussies may find this fun, but others will probably be completely flummoxed.  Please note there is a certain amount of hyperbole used in this poem.

Read more