Spending a lovely yesterday, having a simple lunch with friends in one of Melbourne’s iconic beach boxes beside Port Phillip Bay, lifted my spirits. The day had everything. Simple but tasty food. Stimulating conversation. Water lapping gently underneath our deck at high tide. Afterwards, a walk back up the cliff along a scenic bush track.
With the new year already well underway, it took until yesterday to get me started on thinking more positively about the future, given the distressing state of the world being handed on to my four late-teens grandchildren.
Last year I did make plans for this year. It’s time to get started on them. Some ruthless de-cluttering of my study will be a part-time job as I make headway with the first chapter of a new novel with a romance orientation. It has been mapped out. I just need to start writing!
Two talks about my latest non-fiction book, ‘Richard Ridge: Convict, Trader and Bailiff in Early Colonial NSW’ are scheduled. Some positive feedback about Richard's true story has brought a relieved smile to my face. Authors devote much time to their book babies and love to hear that readers have gained a benefit from that effort.
In the first half of this year there’s a family wedding to look forward to. And a big birthday of my own to think about, as well as new membership of a local gym to utilise, as I endeavour to keep fit beyond what I do as a walker.
So I’ll try to accentuate the positive as the year 2026 unfolds. Our younger family members need to feel there's scope for them to hold on to hope for the future.