Luv from Dog by Murray Ball

 

Romances come and go. But when a man suffers the scorn of a scented seductress, the pain of parting, the ache of a lonely heart, when he’s bursting with shame, humiliation and jealousy, where can he turn? To his best friend, of course: his dog.

luv from dog

 

‘Luv from Dog’ is a selection of Murray Ball’s 1975 – 1990 Footrot Flats cartoon strips and standalone images all dealing with love and lust. It is a light and humours read that I really enjoyed. You cannot help but fall in love with “Dog” and wish him success in chasing away that She Devil Cheeky Hobson.dog heart

There is not much more I can say really – 5 out of 5 stars for an iconic comic and the Man, Mr Bell behind the DOG.go on

Siblings

To give Riley a sibling or not to give Riley a sibling – that is the question!

My husband Shane and I had decided that we would have one more. I’ve even been telling people when they ask “when’s the next one coming” that we be trying again next year after our Cape Trip in July/August. Riley would be just over two years old by that point, so he’d be somewhere over three by the time the second child came along.

I am an only child and I always dreamt of having a brother, but like a best mate brother. Initially after having Riley I was so traumatised, I was firm that I was NEVER HAVING ANYMORE. Once I managed to get over thinking that my body had failed me (36 hours of labour, 2 hours of pushing & then had to have an emergency C-section to get the stuck bugger out). It took me a good six months to get over it and realise, umm no your body didn’t fail you, look at that beautiful happy healthy baby boy, yeah your body made that, your body is an awesome miracle maker. From the moment I met Riley I knew he was worth it, but it took me that extra six months to realise I am strong enough to do it again. Women, we are so wonderfully awesome.

My dad comes from a large family and always wanted more than one kid, he’s often joked that he wants 6 -8 grandchildren, yeah not happening buddy. My mum thinks one is a good number, speaking from the experience of only having to cart me around traveling, camping etc.

We took Riley on his first camping trip over Easter and it all went wonderfully, but we’d majorly have to rethink our sleeping arguments and probably have to tow a trailer for all the a extra gear we’d need for two – but that’s minor stuff and I can figure that out when the time comes.

What’s really got me in a funk and has always worried me is Shane’s younger and only sibling Michael. The hell the two of them put their mother through infuriates me! I’m constantly saying to Shane “remember all that shit we went through during labour, feeding in the middle of the night, red bums and constant screaming, Yeah your mum did all that shit you”. When I was set firm on not having a second I made the joke “I got the Shane in Riley, the older brother, even though he can be winey and sooky, he’s mostly a calm happy baby and I don’t want the Michael, the second son, bonces of the walls, short temper, happy only when things go his way. Michael’s son is exactly like him, scares me. Hell I’m very much like him, I bounce of walls, I have a short temper, BUT I have more respect for others and I’d like to think I don’t always have to have things my way, but I’m sure others would say different.

So my husband and his brother don’t have a good relationship and that scares me. I don’t want to give Riley a little brother that’s going to drive him crazy all the time, I want to give him a best friend for life. I look at my cousins, the care and concern one of them has for his older brother. I was recently at one of my cousin’s weddings and the love between him and his little sister just melted me, made me go YES I must give Riley this. Then all this shit with Shane’s family flares up again. SO HELP ME what the fuck am I meant to do. I’m an only child I don’t get it!!! What makes you mates and what makes you enemies. Shane and Michael had separate rooms growing up, but shared a lot of similar interests, sailing, archery etc. My father shared a room with two of his brothers and they survived. My mum shared a room with her sister and I’ve never really heard stories of them fighting. Does the joint room thing make any difference? Riley and the new baby would have their own room. I like my own space so feel I should give them theirs.

I look at the bad times and go, hell no I don’t want this doubled, then I look at the good times and go, YES I want this doubled. But really what it boils down to is I want to give Riley the best life possible. I thought he needed siblings for that, that if I don’t give him a brother or sister he’ll be alone. But the bullshit between Shane and his brother makes me think otherwise 😦 Oh the dramas of a developed nation – Any who tell me your thoughts?

Who out there was an only child went and had siblings, would you suggest it?

Who out there had siblings that decided NO only to have one?

How did your siblings shape you?

How many Children have you got or are hoping to have and why?

Riley’s First Camping Trip

Capture.22PNGMy Husband Shane and I spent this Easter taking our Son Riley, who is now almost 10 months old, for his first ever camping trip.

It was also the first camping trip for our 80. When Riley was born we sold our beloved Nissan Patrol single cab Ute, which we had perfectly set up for our style of camping and 4wding and we purchased a Toyota 80 series Landcruiser, which we are in the process of setting up family style.

On Thursday we got up, got ourselves and Riley ready, loaded up the 80 and headed up to Narrabri. We made fairly good time and Riley was an Angel on the 400klm – 6 hour journey. We managed to get our brand new Roof Top Tent set up without much drama considering it was our first attempt at doing so. Once we had everything set up we realised we had forgotten to bring sugar and our pillows, dang it!

On Friday I sat around read and relaxed, Shane went fishing and Riley made some new friends – This is pretty much what we did the whole time.10170931_1425931957662166_3131954294624548325_n

On Saturday night the boys had their Camp oven cook off – An event that happens between my dad and our mates Don and Matthew each camping trip. They cooked off, with my dad and Mathew making beef stews and Don a Lamb stew. No one could decide a winner but we all stuffed ourselves silly with the outstanding creations.

Shane then attempted to make a chocolate damper for desert, a perfect way to christen our brand new camp oven, but he slipped while removing the lid the whole thing got covered in ash and embers, although no one was deterred the damper was shook off and eaten anyway “She’ll be right mate” “just a bit of extra crunch”.

On Sunday it was my Dad’s 56th birthday so a concoction of red wine and rum was partaken in.

On Monday Riley took six whole steps buy himself and then proceeded to take a few here and there. He took a few more once we got home, boy is it weird to see him wobble and walk – he’s growing up way too fast.

Riley has fast become a terrific camper, he slept well and enjoyed playing with leaves, dirt and dogs the whole time. The fishing wasn’t as plentiful as the boys would have liked, but you can’t have everything. We slept up the top of the roof top tent with Riley down the bottom in a porta-cot. I’d spent the two weeks prior putting him to sleep in the porta-cot at home to get him used to it and it seems to have paid off. He’d flight sleep during the day, but slept quite well at night, possibly because he’s so exhausted from his adventures.

10277009_1426698347585527_3840396842785608338_nOn Tuesday we headed home and yet again Riley Impressed us with his traveling abilities.

Be Free

She sits alone in the dark

Afraid to light her torch

For fear of what she might see

She can hear the creatures crawling

How close they must be

The darkness in her mind all consuming

The beasts won’t let her be reprieved

Then someone steps up with their torches blazing

Attempting to help her be free

The light from their glow is rather daunting

She’s not sure if she can leave

She sees her surroundings

The stranger’s presence commanding

As he turns and starts to lead

She follows faithfully

And they find a better and brighter way to be

The stranger a stranger no more

He helped her find the strength to leave

Cover Forest DK

 

 

This Poem is out of my in progress collection “The World Around Me” that will, fingers crossed, be published soon.

SmashCover

 

 

 

My First Collection “My Mind The Menace” was published late last month. YAY! accomplished.

Check it out – If you Dare!

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/423080

 

Dementional by Tonya Cannariato

Dementional by Tonya Cannariato @tmycann

Goodreads Synopsis:

Mark Inman has two loves: particle physics and Sarah. She agrees to become his wife at the same time his experiment to find the Higgs boson goes off the rails.

Journey with Mark while his existence melts and reforms in unpredictable ways as the veils between realities thin. His exploration of the minutiae of quantum physics builds a fascinating tapestry of alternate universes.

His search for survival, and the search for meaning and what is real, drive Mark as he experiences lives he never dreamed possible. His only touchstones: find Sarah and find his way home.

My Thoughts:

“I’m beginning to think every timeline has a moment of crisis – a turning point when that reality’s participants are forced to choose whether their space-time implodes or evolves.”

Thank you Tonya, Five Stars. The last couple of books I’ve reviewed didn’t had any love in them, this did, THANK YOU. So so so much love. This is a beautiful story about True Love and Soul Mates. This adventure through time and parallel dimensions, gives us science to make us think and an everlasting bond between a husband and wife that makes you feel good inside.

I really enjoyed this book, it was fresh and unlike everything else I’ve been reading lately. I loved how the story made me think about parallel and alternate versions of myself. I wanted Mark to shift to the next dimension, but then I didn’t because I was enjoying it, I wanted him to get home. I was so caught up and wanted to see how it would all end, but I was mourning the loss of Petal as well. I loved how even amongst the scientific research and theories that spiritualty and love was all up in there as well. I don’t want to say too much and give the story away (Go & Read it), but I loved going on this trip with Mark and Sarah it was brilliant.

Authors Good reads page: http://www.goodreads.com/tmycann 

I found this book through Booktastik >> Great site check it out >> http://booktastik.com/

 

Arms Around Me

My Mind the Menace a debut poetry collection by new to the publishing world poet Sarah Fairbairn. That’s Me That’s Me.

This is a collection from a darker period in Sarah’s life, a period she is happy to say she made it through. Here as a teaser is two poems from the collection available now at Smashwords.

Arms around me

I want to run and hide

Down deep inside

How happy I would be

You no longer poisoning my mind

Please set my soul free

I’d no longer need to lie

Without your arms around me

But I’m frozen in pain

Shame won’t let me leave

The failure I’ve become

Is unbecoming to me

You no longer by my side

I’d set my soul free

But with you till I die

I told you I would be

So here still I lie

With your arms around me

I feel the need to cry

But the tears won’t leave me

While you wallow in sorrow and self-pity

Why don’t you just leave me?

All the past tears we’ve cried

With your arms around me

I’m trying to figure out why

And if I should leave

But with you till I die

I told you I would be

So here still I lie

With your arms around me

 SmashCover

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/423080

About the Author  That’s Me That’s Me.

When Sarah Fairbairn Isn’t at her day job, dancing around annoying the other employees at her family’s mechanical workshop, or running around and looking after her two boys, her Nine month old Son and her Husband, she locks herself away in her Bat Cave or rather Sac Cave, fully fitted out with an old lounge chair and dining table as a writing desk, typing out her blog posts, trying to get some reading done and or cruising the web. Her poetry is usually scribbled on bits of paper scattered over her work desk, car and handbag, as thoughts always strike her at the most inconvenient moments or when she is without her much loved tablet PC. She has been writing poetry since High School and has a passion for reading, although having a small child leaves her less time read these days as she would like.

Subscribe to Sarah’s Blog: http://www.sarahalison27.org

Follow Sarah on Twitter: http://twitter.com/@SarahAlison27

Friend Sarah on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SarahAlison27

Favourite Sarah at Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/sarahalison27

Connect with Sarah on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/SarahAlison27

Shame

My Mind the Menace a debut poetry collection by new to the publishing world poet ***ME*** Sarah Fairbairn.

This is a collection from a darker period in my life, a period I am happy to say I made it through. Here as a teaser is one of the poems from the collection available now at Smashwords.

Shame

You are self-scented

But self-sufficient you are not

Your arguments for your behaviour are rot

You will never grow up

You were not taught how

A responsible adult is all I ask for

All I get is a childish howl

You are never happy with what you’ve got

And some of what you think you’ve got

You have not

You lost my love

Betrayed by my fraying heart

From this life we started living

I did depart

I am not only to blame

Although I’ll take on all the shame

To washed up madness you have driven me

A life full of joy

You have not given me

To think I once thought you might be

The one who was meant for me

Seeds don’t sow with only neglect

I am sure one day you will reflect

And regret you did not look after me

Now watch me take away

What you thought was your happy

SmashCoverhttps://www.smashwords.com/books/view/423080

About the Author

When I’m not at my day job, dancing around annoying the other employees at my family’s mechanical workshop, or running around and looking after my two boys, my Nine month old Son and Husband, I lock myself away in my Bat Cave or rather Sac Cave, it’s fully fitted out with an old lounge chair and dining table as a writing desk, I’ll be typing out my blog posts, trying to get some reading done and or cruising the web. My poetry is usually scribbled on bits of paper scattered over my work desk, car and handbag, as thoughts always strike me at the most inconvenient moments or when I’m without my much loved tablet PC. I have been writing poetry since High School and have a passion for reading, although having a small child leaves me less time read these days as I would like.

Subscribe to My Blog: http://www.sarahalison27.org

Follow Me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/@SarahAlison27

Friend Me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SarahAlison27

Favourite Me at Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/sarahalison27

Connect with Me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/SarahAlison27

Please child stop crying

This poem came to me this morning while I had a sooky, sleepy baby sitting in my lap, I thought you all might enjoy it.

Please child stop crying

Yes there is no denying

You’re in pain

Please child stop crying

Your tears are driving me insane

Please child stop crying

The way you are screaming

With your wet cheeks gleaming

The neighbours will think you’re dying

I keep and keep trying

To sooth and calm you

Please child stop crying

You’re making me cry to

Please kid I’ve only got 2 hands

And I’ve done all I can

And it’s really hard to think at 2am

Please child stop crying

Go to sleep

Come on there’s no harm in trying

Mummy will pass out on the floor and try to

2013 The Year That Was

20132013 The Year You Were Born. 2013 on an early June morn, well before dawn.

I Wrote this as a time capsule, a snapshot of the year that my son was born, you never know it may be extremely interesting in 30-50 years.

2013 (MMXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar, the 2013th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 13th year of the 3rd millennium, the 13th year of the 21st century, and the 4th year of the 2010s decade.

Monarch was: Queen Elizabeth II

Prime Minister of Australia was: Julia Gillard (until 27 June), then Kevin Rudd (until 18 September), then Tony Abbott.

Price of Bread was: $1.50-ish (You could buy fancy stuff for upwards of five dollars, but good old plain Coles home brand bad arse white bread was only $1)

Price of a newspaper was: $1.20

Price of a movie tickets for an Adult was: $11.50

Music: One Direction’s Midnight Memories was the biggest selling artist album of the year.

Movies: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was the top grossing movie of the year.

January: On the 4th to 20th a heat wave in south-eastern Australia resulted in several bushfires in Tasmania, but in good old Australian style on the 23rd a monsoon trough passed over parts of Queensland and New South Wales, causing severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes. Ah beautiful unpredictable Aussie weather.

February: On the 17th Australia won the 2013 Women’s Cricket World Cup in India, although I doubt most of Australia realised this as they only seem to care about Male Cricket!

March: On the 21st Prime Minister Julia Gillard made a speech apologising on behalf of the federal government to families affected by forced adoption in Australia. On the 30th The Murrawarri Republic declares its independence from the Commonwealth of Australia.

April: On the 17th Australia’s greatest racing horse since Phar Lap and one of the greatest mares in world history, Black Caviar was retired on an unbeaten record of 25 wins. Which was Good! Because the old girl deserved to live the rest of her life happily.

May: On the 3rd Harrison (Harry) Miller was born giving Jaxson a little Brother and Carissa and Danny a second son.

June: On the 26th Kevin Rudd defeats Julia Gillard 57 to 45 in an Australian Labor Party leadership spill and takes over as Prime Minister. On the 27th Riley Paul Fairbairn was born at John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, Australia, 3.15am, 4.3 kilos.

July: On the 9th the Giant telescope Murchison Widefield Array telescope in Western Australia, goes online. On the 17th the Queensland Maroons win the 2013 State of Origin series, the team’s eighth consecutive win (Rugby league). Oh Well there’s always Next year for the New South Wales Blues! On the 22nd Prince George of Cambridge was born; Prince George of Cambridge is the son of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and the only grandchild at the time of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales. He was born in St Mary’s Hospital, London in the United Kingdom. On the 23rd the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation’s AUD $630 million New Central Office is opened in Canberra.

August: On the 3rd Simon Kruger, a seven-year-old boy, goes missing in the bush after wandering away from a family picnic. He is found by searchers the next day, and claimed that a kangaroo had kept him warm as he slept under a tree. On the 12th the Euahlayi Nation declares its independence from the Commonwealth of Australia.

September: On the 7th The Liberal/National coalition led by Tony Abbott won the 2013 federal election. Bustard! Give me back the Ranga Gillard Thanks!! (but that’s just my opinion).

October: On the 6th the Sydney Roosters defeated the Manly Sea Eagles 26–18 in the 2013 NRL Grand Final. On the 13th the 2013 New South Wales bushfires begin. The fires were the worst New South Wales had seen since the 1960s. As of 19th, 248 houses and other structures were destroyed across the state. Two fatalities were attributed to the fires and it was estimated that claims would exceed $94 million. The 2013 New South Wales bushfires were a series of bushfires across the state of New South Wales starting or becoming notable on 13th; followed by the worst of the fires beginning in the Greater Blue Mountains Area on 16th and 17th. At the peak of the fires, on the morning of the 18th, over 100 fires were burning across the state. On the 22nd the Marriage Equality Act 2013 was passed in the Australian Capital Territory, making the ACT the first state or territory to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia. But the High Court chucked out ACT’s same-sex marriage laws. After being married for less than a week, same-sex couples who wed in the ACT will have their unions annulled after the High Court ruled against the laws. Very Sad! That the Australia government is so full of morons and small minded people. One day hopefully this will change.

November: On the 5th Fiorente, ridden by jockey Damien Oliver, won the 2013 Melbourne Cup. The first Melbourne Cup horse race was run in Melbourne cup 1861, so that’s 152 years so far!

December: On the 10th the analog television signal is switched off in Victoria, completing Australia’s digital television transition. On the 11th Aussie Car manufacturer Holden announces it will cease production of vehicles in Australia by 2017. Crushed, by this news I was. On the 17th Australia regains The Ashes for the first time in seven years, after winning the first three tests of the 2013–14 Ashes series (Male Cricket). On the 28th Wild Oats XI takes line honours in the 2013 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, the yacht’s seventh win. The First Sydney to Hobart was in 1945 and the fleet comprised 9 starters and of those 9 starters, 8 yachts completed the race. The inaugural race, like all those that followed, began on Sydney Harbour, at noon on Boxing Day (26th), before heading south for 630 nautical miles (1,170 km) through the Tasman Sea, past Bass Strait, into Storm Bay and up the Derwent River, to cross the finish line in Hobart, Tasmania.