Tag: discipline

Categories
family anecdotes Writing

1/52 and let’s add photos…

Last year was somewhat successful in the blogging department. There were daily blogposts in June (thanks to @FiFYI for the challenge all those years ago now!) and pretty much weekly blogging for all the other months, so all in all I’m happy with that. Consistency was incredibly lacking prior to 2024, so hopefully 2025 will see me consolidate that improvement!

And this year I’m challenging myself with adding photos. Meaning the taking of photos, and sharing of same. Which is confronting, because I’d much rather not show evidence of how not-good a photographer I am.

And this new challenge? It’s going to include photos of me. See? Look how happy I am about this new challenge!

Just kidding. But if it’s ’only dead fish swim with the stream’ then I figure that to ‘be alive’ is ‘to grow’ and growth takes effort… which is uncomfortable. And I want to FEEL alive not just BE alive so this photo challenge it is. Something which takes me incredibly out of my comfort zone – not always a bad thing…

The photo above, taken by Miss16, is one I sent to my Compassion sponsor child earlier this week, when I finally worked out how to write letters online (sad, I know!) and I’m hoping he’ll like it because it’s been years since I sent him a photo of me! Other photos I took this week:

Mooloolaba at NYE after the 8.30pm fireworks. It’s a very pretty part of the world I’m blessed to call home! And:

The new look to my lounge room: the piano that Miss16 and I moved out of her bedroom. And I sightread a two-page Telemann piece after moving it, so I was doubly proud of these efforts! And finally, the social media screenshot which I’m FAR more comfortable sharing with you compared to my own photography efforts! This one I loved due to its surprising simile usage 🙂

And that’s it from me. Have an amazing second week of January, dear Reader, and I’ll meet you all back here next Sunday!

  • KRidwyn
Categories
#blogjune

#blogJune day 5

It’s started getting cold here, and regular Readers of this blog may remember I don’t do well in the cold. My athsma plays up: less sunlight equaling less vitamin D equaling a weaker immune system, I guess.

This year, however, I’ve been more healthy than usual. And I put a large part of that down to Hubby. He has a bit of a citrus obsession, you see.

Every Saturday morning he heads to the local fruit market and stocks up on our fruit and veg for the coming week… and citrus forms quite a significant portion of that purchase. He then juices said citrus each morning: about 1.5L for him and 300ml for me. (Yes, he likes his juice!)

It started with just oranges. Then he started adding lemon, and grapefruit on occasion. And I would raise an eyebrow at the cost of it all.

Eyebrow raise no longer. Check out this year’s addition: homegrown!

And they’re beautiful 🙂

Here’s wishing you a fruitful day too, dear Reader – and a safe one, as well.

– KRidwyn

Categories
More about me Random thoughts

My love affair with gambling

I’m in Brisbane at as I type. Sitting comfortably on the lounge in Room 1025 of the Novotel Brisbane, looking out my window at what looks to be a gorgeous day shaping up. Thanks to my membership in Accor Advantage Plus, Hubby and I get to spend a ‘free’ night’s accommodation away once a year. So this was it. Last night, as per usual, we dined early at Cafe Mondial, before watching a movie in the Myer Centre, and then I enjoyed a waffle icecream during our leisurely walk back to the hotel.
Last night however, we ended up having an extremely early evening meal, due to neither of us eating since breakfast. Which left us with more time than normal before the movie. And as I’ve blogged about in the past, the Casino was calling to me. As a (recovering?) gambling addict, I often get the overpowering urge to hit the BlackJack tables. Living on the Sunshine Coast, it’s easy to control. But being in Brisbane, within walking distance to Treasury, it’s much harder. And last night, holding tight to Hubby’s hand, I entered.
It was the first time in many years that I’ve voluntarily entered a casino, with the express purpose of being *in* a casino. Not much had changed. The overwhelming, all-encompassing desire was there, the instant recognition of what I would do, had I the chips in my hand, etc etc. Hubby noticed how it had gotten dingier since our last visit, many years ago, but all I noticed was that the minimum bet had risen.
I kept my hands in my pockets. I did not change money into chips. I watched as others around me lost money – and won money – and lost money again. My thought stream was high on adrenalin, going non-stop, deciding what I would have done… Which box I would have bet in, which person I would have backbet, whether the table was getting warmer or cooler, etc etc etc. But, ever so proud of myself, I left it at that. I did not bet. And I walked out again after a while, in time to see “The Hunger Games”.
I would not say that I’m not still addicted. But I think that I’m able to control myself. Not that I’m planning on a solo trip any time soon! But last night helped me see that my mind is stronger than I thought it was. And I’m happy about that.
Have a great day, dear readers!