Back in My Big Backyard

I returned to Australia in September, and I'm enjoying the small-country-town-life in Daylesford again, along with lots of attention from Miss Jelly Bean.

Today was a day for household chores at Tasma House and Gardens with Adrian.  Housework is not something I enjoy doing, but I appreciate the ability to do it.  It has been just over one year since I had a tumour removed and dealt with the fears that go along with such a surgery.  I am thankful that everything went well and that I am healthy enough to travel and to do the kind of work that I need to be doing, as I return to Daylesford.

My Husband Is Now a Permanent Resident of the U.S.A.

Yay! After many, many, jumps through numerous hoops, Adrian has been awarded permanent residency in the U.S.A.  We are very thankful for this.

Visitors from Memphis!

Adrian and I were excited to have these visitors in our little ice cream shop in Clarksdale, Mississippi, last night!

My girl took a Polaroid pic of Adrian and me.  Here's my photo of that photo:

I'm in Business! (Small business, that is.)

As my Mississippi Delta house (The Holy Moly) becomes a home, I'm starting a new home-based business -- an ice cream shop/espresso coffee & snack bar -- at the corner of Third & Issaquena in downtown Clarksdale.

The City of Clarksdale

Last Friday, at a reception for Australian visitors at the Juke Joint Festival, Adrian Kosky and I were honoured by the City of Clarksdale, Mississippi.  We received a key to the city, as thanks for our involvement.  

We were surprised to receive this award.

It is a lovely thing.......to feel appreciated.

I Got Married Last Monday!

It seems like I have been avoiding my blog, I know; but I have not felt like I had anything new enough to blog about......until now!

Entertaining Myself in Mississippi

I am blogging via my iphone, as I am having ongoing computer problems. The stress of that has pushed me to drawing. 

I have been photographing the people and places in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and escaping into the scenes with my pencil and sketchpad. 

I hate computer problems. 

Just Living Life

I haven't neglected my blog. I just haven't been ready to write.  I've been just living life in this beautiful country town, Daylesford, Victoria, Australia, since returning in July.  I don't like to write, when I don't know what to say.   Ordinary life is good, but is it something to blog about?

"Ordinary" probably doesn't describe my life.....

It's almost time to write, again. In the meantime, I'm communicating with friends, family & the rest of the world via pictures on pinterest, tweets on twitter, and videos on youtube, along with my facebook activities.  I am continually thankful for the www.

Living in Clarksdale, Mississippi!

Well, my house is looking pretty good, and I'm feeling really comfortable in Clarksdale now.  I'm living in the first apartment inside The Holy Moly!

I

Setting Up House in Clarksdale, Mississippi!

Converting an optometrist office to a cozy bedroom was not easy....but it was relatively inexpensive, considering that the office came with the building which Adrian and I just purchased and that it is now furnished, mostly, with items I owned or found in the building.  

A Totally Merry Christmas!

It is 11:54 p.m. on Christmas Day, and I am happy to say it was a totally merry Christmas for me in Memphis.

My mother did it again! She has a wonderful way of creating especially special occasions for our family in her home. The peanut-butter stars were one of the highlights of the holiday. I was glad to see them when I arrived.....they did not last long.

Congratulations, Alex Maxwell!

I'm so blessed to be here in Tennessee celebrating with my daughter on her accomplishment of a bachelor of science degree from Freed Hardeman University.

Trusting, With Intent

This week I am packing up and heading to the U.S.A. for a three-month visit.  My partner, Adrian Kosky, and I are leaving our beautiful Tasma House and Gardens group accommodation biz in good hands, though.  More importantly, I dare say, we are also entrusting the care of our dear doggie to our friend, Gerry Managh.  

This trip marks the beginning of a new part of my life.....the part where I actively reside in two countries, and on two continents, by choice and with intent.  

Often life events happen by accident or from necessity.  For me, many life events are random and come about without intent......and then they evolve into planned up activities.  I'm thinking of my artistic randomness, now.

The Holy Moly Masonic Temple Project

I'm working on a new project with Adrian Kosky, and this is the building where it's all going to happen.  We are looking into our future with the potential of artist-in-residence spaces and group accommodation (similar to what we have at Tasma House) in downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S.A., in the old Masonic Temple located at Third Street and Issaquena Avenue. This new project is unfolding daily, as Adrian and I learn what we may and may not do as citizens of two different countries/continents.  I am so excited by the possibility of having fun by living a busy life again that I am finding it hard to concentrate on feeding the ducks and cockatoos in my backyard!  I can't sleep, can't paint, can't ea....... nevermind, enough said.

First World Pains

I'm blogging from my BRAND NEW COMPUTER!  Feeling happy and blessed to have this luxury birthday present ordered by Adrian.  

What are my "first world pains?" The learning curve, for sure.....lots of newness to deal with.....My "old" computer was purchased in 2007 with hopes of doing all kinds of photo editing and movie making, etc.  As it turned out, I never did need the fancy photo editing software, and I never made any major movies.  My old computer served me well, though, and it worked very hard, down to its last 4.46 gigs....bless its heart!