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Tri This: One Year!!!

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Steph was the first WordPress blogger to sponsor me for my ‘Refugee Rations Week’ – thanks Steph! And she can’t do it herself because she’s running her first Triathalon- very inspiring for anyone over 50- we can do [almost] anything ❤ xx G

curioussteph's avatarCurious Steph

One year ago today, I began my triathlon training adventure. I had been inspired by a report in my local newspaper about a sprint/mini-sprint race held at a rec center the previous weekend. I looked at the distances involved and thought “I can do that”. More importantly, I wanted to do that.

Starting out, my goal was to do a sprint distance race about a year from when I began. I’m on track, with that race scheduled for a week from Saturday. I’ve done two mini sprint races in the interim, one last August, and an indoor time rather than distance based race in January. As I’ve mentioned before, this upcoming race is a leap both in terms of distance covered and the swim is open water, in a reservoir. Open water adds some challenges; a more congested group start, staying on course without that black line on the…

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My ‘Refugee rations’ box has arrived, & I’m a bit scared

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Support my refugee cause by donating

Please donate to the refugee cause #rationchallenge #actforpeace #refugeerations #firstworldproblems

Next week, June 17-24, I’m going to be hungry and grumpy. How do I know already? Because I will be trying to survive on official refugee rations for that one week.

Right now, there are more than 65.5 million refugees and displaced persons around the world, according to the UN Refugee Agency. This means elderly people who’ve lost their lifelong homes, sick or injured people with no access to medical care, loving families crammed into thin tents in cold winters, and of course children with no option to go to school.

I live a wonderfully privileged life here in Australia, with fresh water in my kitchen, organic produce at the Farmers Markets every week, and sleeping safely in my bed each night.

But if I’d been born in Syria, I would have a different story. Right now, I could be living in a tent with my son, with minimal prospects for employment or education, and trying to feed ourselves with only the official weekly refugee rations:

  • 420g white rice
  • 170g lentils
  • 85g dried chick peas
  • A tin of sardines or 125g block of tofu
  • 1 tin of red kidney beans
  • 300ml vegetable oil
  • 400g plain flour
  • Another 1.5kg of white rice if needed

That’s no salt. No vegetables. No tea, coffee, sugar, milk, garlic, black pepper, spices or flavourings of any kind. No fruit or sweet treats. No alcohol, and certainly no avocados (my addiction).

Support my refugee cause by donating

Please donate to the refugee cause #rationchallenge #actforpeace #refugeerations #firstworldproblems

Please sponsor me to complete this daunting challenge, and help me raise funds for refugee resources via organisation Act for Peace, which has been running this campaign for 4 years, inspiring more than 25,000 people, and raising more than $6 million for refugees and vulnerable communities around the world.

Even a $10 donation will make a huge difference.

For $64, we can feed a refugee family for a week.

For $144, a single child can access education and counselling in a refugee camp for 2 months.

If you’re feeling really generous, $512 can provide emergency food rations (just like mine) for 2 Syrian refugees for a whole year.

Now bone&silver has officially got 875 Followers; if only half of you donated $10, we’d raise over $4,300…

It’s super easy to do: just CLICK THIS LINK to my team fundraising page!

In gratitude for your support, encouragement, and cold hard cash, G xO 

 

When you decide on the perfect gift for your 18-year old son, but then…

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An old silver ring as an ideal birthday gift

Mexican ring #over50 #australia #familyheirloom #birthdaygift

What would you buy a teenager reaching such a milestone birthday? The challenge threw me for days, until inspiration suddenly struck at 3am (thanks menopause): Mum’s ring! Well, it’s my ring actually, which Mum passed on to me many years ago, that I treasure.

My Dad gave it to her on their honeymoon in Mexico, and although it’s a simple design, I love it, loaded with sentiment and meaning as it is now.

The stick figure is roughly carved, and apparently represents the legend of a Girl holding a Rainbow- perfect for me. My son ’17’ often picks it up when I’ve left it lying around on the shelf after washing dishes for example, and has made frequent comments about how well it fits him, and how good it looks on him (as teenagers are wont to do).

But I always refuse to lend it to him, and have remained strict about that, despite his cute cajoling (as teenagers are wont to do). Imagine if he lost it?

Then 3am inspiration arrived: why not get a replica made locally, so that we each have one?

Brilliant.

I knew I’d nailed it. What a sublime gift idea, full of symbolism and family connection, yet unique too; ticking all the boxes for a perfect 18th birthday gift.

So I couldn’t help myself: I bragged a little. To my friends, to a few Pilates clients, to random strangers in the supermarket, to more friends, but swearing everyone to secrecy of course, and leaving no trail of my activities.

Then I made the mistake of boasting to ’17’ himself during Sunday breakfast.

‘I’ve nailed your birthday present. You’re gonna love it. It’s so good.’

He looked at me over his muesli bowl.

‘That’s a big statement Mum. Are you really sure? Should you tell me what it is so I can confirm it’s truly a good idea?’

I back-pedalled slightly, swore myself to secrecy, and changed the subject fast…

Until we met again in the kitchen at 10pm, returning from a fundraising party we’d both been at, smiling at each other occasionally across the dance floor.

‘So I’ve been thinking about my birthday present all day Mum, wondering what it is. Are you buying me a book or something?’

No.

‘Are you taking me on a trip somewhere, like Bali to surf?’

You wish Honey.

‘Are you getting me some cool vintage clothes?’

Oh stop it.

By now he was almost in bed, as I was turning off all the lights and settling the cat; he suddenly stopped talking, and just looked right at me.

For about 5 seconds.

Then said:

‘You’re getting me a replica of that ring aren’t you?’

Teenage Tuesday: The last one ever with ’17’

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This son of mine is funny, strong-minded, sensitive, and kind. He can also be messy, selfish, a bit lazy, and quite stubborn; a fairly normal teenager. We’ve had a good time with him here, haven’t we, laughing at his contributions to bone&silver?

But it’s all going to change on the weekend.

I was so content being pregnant, full of health and wellbeing

Like a lamb to the slaughter #innocent #pregnant #firsttime #australia @boneAndsilver

For this was me, a lifetime ago, standing on the edge of changes I had zero idea about, despite the weekly pregnancy group meetings, and various well-thumbed books.

I went past my due date by more than two weeks, which stressed out both my midwives, but then I had my baby at home on the back verandah as planned, with no interventions or pain relief. As long as I was up and walking, labour wasn’t too painful… just long.

Very long.

Long as in “Started-On-Wednesday-Morning-Came-Out-Friday-Morning-Long”.

Anyway, I made it. We made it. Born at 5am, on a clear frosty Winter’s morning, after his Mum had walked round and round the garden wrapped in a quilt for hours.

Resting in bed with my new baby, tired but so happy

Best place in the world #newborn #mum #baby #grateful #love

And now this weekend, he’s passing from 17 to 18, which is a massive milestone! No doubt I’ll write more about it, but I just wanted to acknowledge that this is the last possible Teenage Tuesday with ’17’ in it.

So I’m going to document his response today, as I made the innocent mistake of sharing some new information:

Me: I just found out a friend of mine makes her son a cooked breakfast every morning.

Him *without raising his eyes from his muesli bowl or missing a beat*: Yes, you really need to step it up a level Mum.

In gratitude for my wonderful baby boy, who will always be my baby, G xO 

 

Two comets dancing

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Cuddling with the cat while I contemplate new queer romance over 50 in

Life over 50 is easier as a cat #romance #wellbeing #advice #blogging @boneAndsilver

I’m sitting here smiling with the cat at that post title. The attraction dance continues, slowly turning as we tangle in each other’s tails, sparks flying off the edges. [Not me and the cat; me and her.]

Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to comment with advice on my last post, it was super helpful. A couple of real life friends kinda told me off for being too personal, and asked me if I was being a self-indulgent narcissist?

*gulp.

I don’t think so. I was reaching out for support and wisdoms which I didn’t feel I had to give myself, and the call was answered by my awesome blogging buddies. It was a personal post, but that’s the point round here. I’m trying to respond honestly to whatever’s going on, and use it as a stimulus for writing/creativity/art/connection- sometimes it’s ’17’, sometimes it’s politics, and sometimes it’s sex/love.

So be it.

And as I pointed out to my [wonderfully loving] yet challenging friends: if my post helped ONE person with their own dating issues, or negative patterns, or low self esteem, or heartache, then I’m happy.

The easy general consensus about my dating nervousness was:

  • Stop thinking too much
  • Life is short so go for it
  • It’s good to be aware of your habits, but having fun is also important

And this later comment (which some of you may have missed) was the golden nugget I couldn’t even dream of finding:

“The purpose of dating has two sides to it. Firstly, getting to know one another. Slow things down, enjoy the fireworks, find out what you have in common, look for signs of her attachment style, remembering that we each have bits n pieces of all of them but tend to have a default also. This is not to be used to analyse and decide to stay or go, but more to look deeper beyond the attraction. What does she need in a relationship to both keep her safe and to grow into her dreams? Do you have the capacity to meet the needs of her particular adaptations to love? These are big questions and take time to discover.

The other purpose I think is to see if this wonderful woman who breaths excitement into your very existence can meet your particular attachment kaleidoscope and needs. Can you show her your vulnerability? Can she hold it with the care of holding a new born baby? Does she show curiosity and want to know more about you, your experiences, your values? Does she support your ideas and dreams? Can she give you the freedom you need to flourish in the world? Can you truly be your vibrant, broken at times, creative, juicy, playful self? Can you communicate your heart’s desires, or do you at times clip your own wings so as not to ‘be too much’ or whatever old pattern may be stuck on replay.

I love that you are intent on staying conscious in this process. I don’t think it’s about the mismatch of attachment styles as much as I used to, I now think it’s about understanding theirs and yours so intently that you transcend the old push pull dynamic that can erupt when we hit one another’s sensitivities and wounds. This only comes from the intention to grow, the intention to experience true love…not just have a good time.

Wishing you an abundance of the kind of love that transforms lives ❤”

What a comment hey?! From an expert in the field of relationships and attachment systems- please contact me if you’re in Australia and would like more information about her.

In gratitude for shared care and understanding, G xO 

When a comet shoots by, but it’s probably just your Attachment system getting rattled

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Going on a date night over 50 for my wellbeing and pleasure

#over50 #queer #rainbow #australia #dating @boneAndsilver

Time for a dating update folks: I met someone in real life. Well, I noticed her at a dance party about a year ago, but being a loyal partner to my ex, I just ignored her…

Then 6 months ago, a very good mutual friend actually introduced us properly, and I couldn’t stop myself from thinking ‘Oh you are so cute’, but being a loyal partner to my ex, I just ignored me…

Until 2 weeks ago, when on another funky dance floor in my killer blue jumpsuit over my freshly-healed heart, I found myself facing her, and just couldn’t ignore her for one more second.

We danced. We smiled. We yelled in each others’ ears. We flirted, then drifted away and back together a few times (I got on that dance floor at 5pm when I arrived, and barely left till the party closed at 11.30pm) before I finally asked her if she had a girlfriend (my middle name is clearly ‘Direct’).

When she said no, I may or may not have seen a small firework display go off behind us, lighting up the heavens with possibility and coloured sparks.

Yet another mutual friend ‘M’ then shimmied past and suddenly said ‘Oh my god, you two should so get together, you’d have so much fun!’ (‘M’s middle name is obviously similar to mine). We two grinned at each other awkwardly, then shyly looked in opposite directions.

Anyway, the DJ finally stopped playing, and someone flicked on the overhead neons; we all fled the scene like cockroaches surprised in the kitchen in the middle of the night, and I decided to head home sensibly solo before anything untoward happened.

*sigh

*being 51 and ‘sensible’ is soooooo overrated sometimes.

The next morning, still totally high from the endorphins of 6 hours of dancing, my phone buzzed, and there was a text from friend ‘M’, sending me her number, and saying he’d sent her mine as well, hoping that was OK?

Was it OK? BLESS THE PROACTIVE MATCHMAKERS OF THIS WORLD I SAY.

I texted back:

Thanks M 🙂 I’ll contact her tomorrow and tell her you…- wait, my phone just buzzed…- it’s her- I’d better go! xx

Well, it all got a little more exciting… a bit of to and fro (how did we ever date before texting??), and we caught up again that evening… at a mellow recovery dance party (I feel like I need to point out here that my life is usually NOT just one long party…). BUT ’17’ was there too, so I was acutely aware of my teenage son being on the same dance floor (how totally COOL is that though?), so minimised the flirting.

Since then there’s been a beach walk and quick brekky, plus a cuppa on my verandah, and multiple texts/explanations/ridiculous coincidences, but nothing other than hugs. So far.

Which gives me an incredible opportunity to try and check out my attachment system; I am sooooooooo sensible sometimes aren’t I?

I feel ridiculously excited when she’s around, but we are literally like fire and water: she parties hard, has a stressful demanding job, is super busy, and parties very hard (yes, I’m mentioning it twice because I feel like I need to).

I’m a clean-living, mostly non-drinking, health-orientated, pretty calm and centred human being; WHY am I so attracted to her? Does she symbolise my shadow side? The wild girl in contrast to Mrs Sensible? Is she an Avoidant, thereby appealing to my Anxious side? But she has a history of long term, live-in relationships, so she’s probably more Securely-attached than I am. Am I simply thinking too much? Quite honestly, I’m surprised at my own reactions; usually I’m a bit more self-contained.

And more than anything else, I want to go into this new phase of dating post-break-up with as much clarity as possible about what I’m doing, and why; being attracted to, and pursuing, a ridiculously different person to me seems like a silly thing to do… but oh how I want to. I feel like I’ve caught a comet by the tail, and it’s compelling.

Any thoughts? I’m relying on you!

In gratitude for all my readers with outside perspective, and objective advice, love G xO

Time to get a little serious, and possibly hungry

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This healthy breakfast fuels my wellbeing for the day over 50

#idealbreakfast #wellbeing #selfcare #over50 #avocado #paleo #refugeerations @boneAndsilver

So we’ve been having a nice time here lately haven’t we? New fun hair dos, online dating adventures, and even occasional Teenage Tuesday posts [still in negotiations for full time returns of this activity by the way].

I haven’t told you how devastated and outraged I was by the increased conflicts in Syria, and now the latest school shooting in the US; I know you’re all with me in this distress and disbelief of course.

Remember the friend I went walking in Tasmania with for her 50th? She is a tireless advocate for those less well-off than us, and has easily encouraged me to join her in the Act for Peace ‘Ration Challenge’ Australia’.

Basically, we’re going to gain sponsorship to eat only refugee rations for a week, which I’m going to find REALLY HARD.

Here’s how it started:

“Four years ago, Act for Peace staff members Ben Littlejohn and Karen McGrath visited a Burmese refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border. Cramped together in tiny bamboo shelters, people were going hungry because there wasn’t enough money to give rations to everyone. Ben and Karen were angry and ashamed by what they saw and knew that if people back home could understand what refugees were going through, they would want to do more to help. But how?

“From humble beginnings, we never could have imagined just what this growing community would achieve for refugees around the world.” Karen

In 2014, they decided to try living on rations for a week and get sponsored to do it. Joined by 100 pioneering people, they put themselves in the shoes of refugees for seven days, raising awareness and $60,000 – enough to feed 277 refugees for a year. The Ration Challenge was born.

Join us!
In the three years since then, more than 25,000 people across Australia have signed up to survive on rations during Refugee Week in June. Together these incredible people and their generous sponsors have raised almost $6 million.

And importantly, by coming together and taking action, the Ration Challenge community is showing refugees we’re with them, not against them.”

For this incredibly worthy cause, I’m going to miss my perfect daily breakfast so much: organic paleo toast with miso paste, macadamia nut butter, avocado, and turmeric sauerkraut, all freshly sourced from the local famers’ markets each week.

This healthy breakfast fuels my wellbeing for the day over 50

#idealbreakfast #wellbeing #selfcare #over50 #avocado #paleo #refugeerations @boneAndsilver

Because what’s actually IN in the refugee ration pack you wonder? 

Rice – 420g
Lentils – 170g
Dried chick peas – 85g
Tinned sardines – 125g
Tinned kidney beans – 400g
Vegetable oil – 300ml

That’s it. No fruit, no vegetables, and certainly no avocados.

As a vegetarian/vegan, I’m allowed to swap out the sardines for a packet of tofu, but as an enthusiastic and healthy eater, I could literally eat all that in 2 days, not 7.

It doesn’t start till June 17, so I have several more weeks to keep psyching myself into it… and to see if anyone out there wants to come along for the ride? Hit this link for more info:

About ‘Act for Peace’ and the Refugee rations challenge

Obviously I will be blogging about it, then shamelessly asking for sponsorship/donations for such a worthy cause please, so take this as your warning notice, with much love in advance!

In gratitude for the hugely privileged full fridge I live with, and open at least 15 times a day, G xO

For the second half of our date, we met visual artist Patricia Piccinini at Brisbane’s GOMA

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OK, that statement may not be strictly true… After our great night together, my date and I decided to treat ourselves to a café breakfast in the morning, then go to the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA).

Siri was back on board being deceptive, so after yet another convoluted journey via a random overpass network (those things sure are hard to get off once you’re on), we lashed out on underground parking just to get rid of the city-car-driving responsibility ASAP (no traffic lights or roundabouts in my home town y’see).

Then in the Gallery foyer, the descent into Patricia Piccinini’s darkly vivid and futuristic imagination began:

#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver
#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver

Flowers? Brains? Sacrums? Aliens? Who knows. But it’s just the start…

A few years ago, ’17’ and I went to the Adelaide Art Gallery during his school holidays, and rounded a corner to see this sculpture ‘Mother’ displayed in a huge archway of her own; we’ve never forgotten the shocking image. Here she is again, no less disturbing to me:

#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver
#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver
#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver

Using silicone, fibreglass, human hair, and wax, Piccinini’s sculptures are arrestingly familiar yet eerily out of this world. Or are they? Her fascination with genetic modification, and the evolution of our science-based values illuminates the path we are heading down perhaps.

#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver
#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver
#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver

I delight in being so disturbed, without words. An artist’s vision piercing straight past intellect, into my visceral reactions. Fantastic, thank you.

#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver
#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver
#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver

I only took photos of a third of the sculptures, and none of her metallic fibreglass works, so please visit her website HERE for more images.

#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver
#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver

It’s her killer combination of evoking both empathy yet fear and/or revulsion which does it for me, every time. And seriously, those eyes glint, and the nostrils look like they’re about to flare; the skill is astounding.

#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver
#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver
#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver

Her largest piece for this exhibition was an installation with a slightly shifting floor, so that we observers created movement which brought the ‘flowers’ to life. Here’s the rationale for this work:

Grateful for Piccinini's wax sculptures in Brisbane at GOMA for art appreciation for wellbeing over 50

#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver

#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver
#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver

Imagine being surrounded by dark and silence, except for a creaking floor as you walk, and the gentle swaying of 3000 of these…

Grateful for Piccinini's wax sculptures in Brisbane at GOMA for art appreciation for wellbeing over 50

#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver

Then into a cave, where mutant ‘male’ creatures guard eggs, and hundreds of bat-like fungus hang from the walls:

#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver
#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver

But what’s this? Round another corner is the ubiquitous Australian caravan, set up for a summer holiday, including food stuffs and half-drunk cups of tea. But who’s camping in it?

#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver
#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver

We’ve interrupted them just after a moment of passion, creating the next generation in the time-honoured way, forced to peer in through the window to get a clear view, so the feeling of discomfort continues:

Grateful for Piccinini's wax sculptures in Brisbane at GOMA for art appreciation for wellbeing over 50

#GOMA #PatriciaPiccinini #PiccininiGOMA #FeelitatGOMA #Brisbane #art #wellbeing #gratitude #over50 @boneandsilver

She is a prolific and articulate visual artist, collaborating with a team of creators, including her husband, to bring her visions to life. I returned to my car, glancing about me in case one of her creatures scuttled out of the shadows.

What a wonderful weekend it was; I returned home to my desperately-lonely sulking grateful cat, and felt freshly-bonded with my city-slicker dating self.

When was the last time you took yourself to an exhibition or Art Gallery? Such an essential treat for writers to take an occasional break from all the words we love…

In complete gratitude for artists who shake up our world views, G xO

I went on a great date in the big city with a truly fabulous human being

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Going on a date night over 50 for my wellbeing and pleasure

#over50 #queer #rainbow #australia #powerhouse #meltfestival @boneAndsilver

I live a cruisey 1.5 hours drive from Brisbane, and there was a Queer Arts and Culture festival on called Melt that I wanted to check out this weekend. So I’d already arranged to stay with a dear friend of mine, which helped the rest of the plans for my date fall easily into place.

I was excited. I brought my fav blue jumpsuit to wear, and my cute-but-super-comfy platform shoes. I took my time getting ready (my friend had already gone out to a different engagement), and I must admit, I scrubbed up quite well. I even put a tiny bit of mascara and lippy on!

Dumb Siri got me a bit lost on the way to the rendezvous, so I went the long way round through a tunnel I’d never even heard of before, but I’d allowed plenty of time, so it wasn’t a drama; I even found a park right outside the massive venue, a pre-war industrial power station turned iconic arts centre called Brisbane Powerhouse.

I snapped that photo above which led from the carpark to the main entrance, and then we met inside right on time. We ordered a bottle of mineral water from the bar, and decided to lash out and buy bar food we’d never usually eat: a bowl of chips and aioli, plus beetroot and goat’s cheese Arancini balls with pesto. Delicious.

We felt really comfortable in each other’s company, and decided spontaneously to see a theatre show which started at 8.30- what fun.

Going on a date night over 50 for my wellbeing and pleasure

#over50 #queer #rainbow #australia #powerhouse @boneAndsilver

The cabaret act was great, and at one point the singer walked through the crowd asking questions of the audience; she plopped down beside me, and asked what my favourite food was? Now you’d think being a performer myself, I would have created a better answer than I did wouldn’t you? Damn audience participation throws me every time.

“Avocado on toast.”

Anyway, my date generously forgave me, then we bumped into mutual friends in the lobby, so hung out on the dance floor there, being a bit silly and playful till nearly midnight- this over 50s chick loves a bit of disco dancing, as you well know by now.

I had such a wonderful, easy, special evening, and even Siri behaved herself for the drive home…

We tiptoed into my friend’s unlocked house, creaked every floor board known to mankind while giggling and shushing, put pyjamas on, and snuggled up in bed by 1am.

What a great night. And do you want to know who my awesome date was?

Me.

When was the last time you took yourself on a date night? And what did you do? I thoroughly recommend it.

In gratitude for the pleasure of my own company, and the freedom to enjoy it, G xO 

It’s a Hallmark construction yes, but has layers to it still

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Mother's Day is not always easy over 50 as we age

#australia #mother’sday #over50 #MotherEarth #grateful #love @boneAndsilver

My son ’17’ and I don’t do Mother’s Day; he did give me a hug, and we acknowledged that lots of other people around the world were celebrating it together. But this is the image I shared on my Facebook page that morning (no source credit sorry).

“Motherhood” is such a loaded concept, with so many differing expectations, and I was grateful to be able to offer my tiny input into considering some of the non-dominant paradigms as illustrated.

Then I went and got sweaty on a bush walk with the Tasmanian tiger who recently turned 50 and made us all do that bloody 4-day hike!

It was so good to be in the forest, and commune with Mama Earth. We started by looking at the waterfall we were walking to the base of:

Waterfall in Australia to hike to for Mother's Day self care and wellbeing over 50

#australia #mother’sday #over50 #MotherEarth #grateful #love @boneAndsilver

The track was clear but narrow, and obviously heading down, but everything is easy among the trees when you’re NOT carrying a 15kg back pack:

#australia #mother’sday #over50 #MotherEarth #grateful #love @boneAndsilver
#australia #mother’sday #over50 #MotherEarth #grateful #love @boneAndsilver

We got to the base after scrabbling up rocks like ninjas middle-aged ninjas, where recent rains thundered the falls over the volcanic rock:

Waterfall in Australia to hike to for Mother's Day self care and wellbeing over 50

#australia #mother’sday #over50 #MotherEarth #grateful #love @boneAndsilver

Then a climb up the other side of the valley, noting details along the way, while discussing relationships/online dating/attachment theory/gossip/teenagers etc (pretty much just a live version of this blog really):

#australia #mother’sday #over50 #MotherEarth #grateful #love @boneAndsilver
#australia #mother’sday #over50 #MotherEarth #grateful #love @boneAndsilver
#australia #mother’sday #over50 #MotherEarth #grateful #love @boneAndsilver

We paused to reflect on being a ‘Mum’, and how differently so many of us take on that role, despite social pressures. Not to mention the women who don’t/can’t/won’t do it, or have suffered terrible losses on their journey.

I shamelessly hugged this huge tree, because I’m grateful to be here in Australia, & grateful to be a Mum, yet aware of the difficulties I’ve actually had being a mother sometimes, and with my own Mum over the years:

Massive tree in Australia to hike to for Mother's Day self care and wellbeing over 50

#australia #mother’sday #over50 #MotherEarth #grateful #love @boneAndsilver

But trees just ARE. They simply grow, intimately entwined with their immediate environment, while contributing to the larger global environment which gives us breath and life.

We pushed on after the philosophical introspection, and reached the top of the falls, first from one side, then the other. It was high up, and kinda scary but thrilling (like mothering really):

#australia #mother’sday #over50 #MotherEarth #grateful #love @boneAndsilver
#australia #mother’sday #over50 #MotherEarth #grateful #love @boneAndsilver
#australia #mother’sday #over50 #MotherEarth #grateful #love @boneAndsilver

Sometimes the beauty of the Australian bush hooks into a memory, and I recalled the first time I ever saw the ‘scribbly gum’ marks after emigrating here from England, which still stun me:

#australia #mother’sday #over50 #MotherEarth #grateful #love @boneAndsilver
#australia #mother’sday #over50 #MotherEarth #grateful #love @boneAndsilver
#australia #mother’sday #over50 #MotherEarth #grateful #love @boneAndsilver

The 3-hour hike was delightful, and we paused often to stand in complete silence and let the bush soundtrack wash over us. ‘Forest-bathing’ is a thing you know, even according to TIME magazine; go try it.

Then fill yourself with gratitude: for your family, your friends, your neighbourhood, plus the tiny daily choices you can make to take better care of our one and only Mother Earth, thank you, with love G xO