This summer I embarked on a 2 week solo roadie around the East Coast of our North Island. In normal times, this would be an absolute indulgence; but this year even more so. I am very aware of how privileged I am to be able to do this. And I’m trying to fill and appreciate … Continue reading Tales from the Road – #2 Alone
Category: tribe
Tales from the Road.. #1 The Arts
This summer I have embarked on a 2 week solo roadie around the East Coast of our North Island. In normal times, this would be an absolute indulgence; but this year even more so. I am very aware of how privileged I am to be able to do this. And I’m trying to fill and … Continue reading Tales from the Road.. #1 The Arts
Peddling
My daily meanderings take my past the local BMX track. It's obscured by trees and embankments, but you can hear the shrieks and whirrs of peddles as they shoot past. And there is a part that rises above the Palisade, where if you time it right, you see the cyclist fly by, often airborne, always … Continue reading Peddling
“Tara Chook, Keep Smiling”
Back in January, I wrote a blog about the people who live on the periphery of our lives “The Regulars” (https://chrissiestable.com/2020/01/31/the-regulars/ ) And I wrote about Dave, who was moving from a regular to a friend…. As summer came to a close; we would see each other most days, and chat. He was English, always … Continue reading “Tara Chook, Keep Smiling”
a teacher’s insight
“She tolerates aloneness well” -Miss Mardle, Form Teacher, 5M, 1981 A long remembered line in my last school report, at my old high school before it closed, and I set off to a much bigger school the following year. I thought I understood what she meant, but it wouldn’t be until almost 40 years later, … Continue reading a teacher’s insight
The Wordsmith
“That’s what I do, I write, and I know things.” Apologies to George R R Martin, and Tyrrione, for bastardising this often memed quote.. I love words, reading, writing, speaking, collecting. I’ve had it described as my Superpower… I love being able to take people on a journey, in their heads, by just using words; … Continue reading The Wordsmith
Deep Voices and Loud Laughter
My younger son has left home. The exodus from the family home has begun… To mark his leaving, there was, of course, a shared dinner… And as my, ever increasing, whanau sat, sated, playing a card game, I was given to reflect on the deep voices around my table and the full bellied laughs…… There … Continue reading Deep Voices and Loud Laughter
“taonga”
“A treasured thing” As I start the declutter of the house, I face a thousand (actually possibly a million) decisions of what to keep and what to rehome/recycle/pass to charity… (throwing away being the last option). I have many MANY “things” and am finding as life changes I am willing to part with more of … Continue reading “taonga”
dear me…..
I was given this book for Christmas; letters famous people have written to their younger selves. A writer friend and I decided we would join in….. It turned out to be a harder write than I anticipated…. This is my fourth draft…. So here we go…. Ahh Chris, 16 was one of the best years! … Continue reading dear me…..
The Generation Game
“Nice to see you, to see you Nice!” Anyone of a certain age, who watched British TV in the 70s will recognise that particularly cringe worthy phrase from one of the original TV Game shows.. It basically pitted 2 generations of 1 family against 2 generations of other families… Camp, corny and hugely popular, it … Continue reading The Generation Game