Womanhood

One Molecule at a Time

February 8, 2024

I ask, “Watch the movie or read the book? Which one do you prefer doing first?” Imogen replies without hesitating, “Read the book.” Then she adds, “Unless the book is based on

Books·Creativity·Faith·Life·Womanhood

The Woman Chain

January 18, 2024

Just over a year ago, I was in a dark place. The world had returned to normal after covid, but I was finding it hard to shrug off the effects of being

Faith·Motherhood·Womanhood

Silence and Slow

January 10, 2024

The other day, I listened to a podcast conversation between Fr Mike Schmitz and Matt Fradd. Matt said something like, “I’ve been telling people I went to Sydney to give some talks,

Books·Creativity·Life·Marriage·Womanhood

Waiting and Creating

January 2, 2024

“If art doesn’t make us better,” Alice Walker said, “what on earth is it for?” I found these words in Claire Cook’s book, Life Glows On. My sister, Barbie, gave me this

Books·Life·Womanhood

Getting Older, Feeling Lost

October 3, 2023

Gabrielle is having a crisis: she’s lost her top notes. How will she resume her career as a famous opera singer if her voice isn’t what it used to be? What will

Creativity·Womanhood

Fashion Selfie

May 23, 2023

A few days ago, I tore off the wrappings of a Mother’s Day parcel to reveal a gorgeous green cardigan crocheted by my daughter Imogen. With a grin, I held it up

Faith·Marriage·Motherhood·Womanhood

Adorn

May 12, 2023

A parcel from my favourite clothes shop – Karma East – drops in my letterbox. Tearing it open, I reveal a print fabric bag that conceals a vibrant dress that delights my

Womanhood

The Wise and Sparkly Older Gang

August 5, 2022

Do you ever get concerned about ageing? Do you slather on the anti-wrinkle creams, hoping to preserve your youthful appearance? Perhaps you choose and edit your photos with care, accepting only those

Faith·Womanhood

Reinventing Ourselves

May 14, 2022

When I was younger, I often came home from social gatherings and replayed conversations in my head. Did I talk too much? Had I sounded silly? I’d wish I could go back

Life·Womanhood

Green Flower Dress

April 8, 2020

Just before the world turned strange, on the day that my Godson married his bride, I wore a new green flower print dress. The next day, I received an email from my

Life·Womanhood

Corona Eyebrows

April 4, 2020

After dinner on Wednesday, March 25, I slipped out of the house and made my way to our village. I was on a clandestine mission. Would anyone see me? Would I return

Womanhood

The Secret Thrill of Getting Older

June 15, 2019

Many years ago, whenever I walked along the street followed by my gaggle of kids, people used to say, “You don’t look old enough to have that many children!” Of course, I

Motherhood·Womanhood

The Shaming Things People Say

July 9, 2018

She was so fat she couldn’t fit into a telephone box. How could anyone be that big? It didn’t seem possible. But it was. It was common knowledge. How did she feel?

Womanhood

What if Wrinkles Were Beautiful?

May 3, 2016

“What if people liked wrinkles?” I say to my girls. “What if wrinkles were thought to be beautiful? If I looked in the mirror and discovered a new line, I’d smile and

My children’s novels

My unschooling books