To re-read or not?

To re-read or not? That is the question! You can probably see from the creases in the spines of these books, that they’ve been handled a lot. I mean, a lot! I’m not sure how many times I’ve re-read Jillaroo, but it might be close to five. The Michael Connelly 3-in1 book, hmm, maybe six…

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The reality of glyphosate

I watched with annoyance, the ABC’s 4 Corners report on glyphosate and it’s ‘carcinogenic causing’ qualities, then with amusement when the 7.30 report started their series on Australia, how big is too big? According to the 7.30 Report, there is ‘national anxiety’ about the population of Australia; how we’re going to feed and water ourselves,…

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Sneek peek

I’m sure you all know that Where the River Runs is coming very soon! 1st of November in fact. About six weeks time. BUT… Here’s your chance to be first to read a sampler of Where the River Runs. YAY! I loved writing this story about Chelsea and her beautiful daughter Aria. If you like…

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The senselessness of sabotage

  There is a Facebook photo with a picture of a strawberry saying: ‘cut ‘em up, don’t throw ‘em out. Please continue to support Aussie Farmers through berry tough times.’ What a great campaign created through horrible circumstances. I wonder what makes someone or some people want to bring an industry to its knees? What…

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Where the River Runs

Today, Where the River Runs, goes to print. This book feels like it’s been a mammoth effort – I was supposed to have it finished a long time before I actually handed the manuscript in… There was a reason!   On the 29th of December I was leaning down to pull up a fence so…

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What do you want to read?

It’s time! I’ve been thinking about re-inventing my blog for some time and now that time is right here. I used to love writing blogs – they would get my fingers all warmed up for writing during the day and I LOVED sharing photos and little stories of my farming life with you all. Since…

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Bush Lanterns – Kalyn Fletcher

“Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.” -Brad Henry Kalyn Fletcher – This entrepreneurial Business woman who is born and bred in Kununurra,  has recently been named Western Australian winner of the RIRDC Rural Women’s Award and one of the Business Women…

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Times, they are a-changin’

Meet Jack. He’s the new addition to the McDonald household. He’s a gorgeous, energetic, five year old Kelpie from Woonwooring Kelpies at Cunderdin. Why, might you ask, does someone who lives in town and writes books for a living, need a Kelpie? And that would be good question because Kelpies need space to run around…

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Bush Lanterns – Annika Anderson

“Make your life a masterpiece; imagine no limitations on what you can be, have and do.” ~ Brian Tracy Welcome to my series, Bush Lanterns, highlighting women in the rural and agriculture sector! There are so many amazing and wonderful women who don’t always get recognised for what they do and I feel it’s my…

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This is how I roll…

The last couple of days have included a few strange ways of getting around the place! Normally I drive a very nice Nissan Patrol Wagon – very comfortable, fuel efficient and very ‘normal’. My friend, however, has a new, fun type car. Can you guess what ‘breed’ it is from this pic? Yesterday was a…

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It’s here again!

Today sees us start seeding. The tractor is going up and back in the paddock, putting the in the oats for the hay crop. We’re five weeks later starting seeding than last year. Traditionally the canola starts to go in on Anzac Day, but this year has been a completely different kettle of fish to…

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Happenings

  Farmers are always accused of complaining about the weather. Let me explain why. A couple of weeks ago, we got a beautiful 18mm. It fell over a few days – in fact I think we had about five or six days straight where if we didn’t get falls of five or so millimetres, we…

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Dreams

Mum always taught us kids, to have dreams. They also taught us to chase them. Maybe that’s why my brother is a professional percussionist, my sister is a tourism operator with incredible foresight and I’m a writer. We found something we loved, something we dreamed about about and made it happen. Full moons make me…

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Supremely beautiful…

There is something supremely beautiful and quiet about shearing sheds, when they are empty. I’ve always thought they are so atmospheric. When I was younger, I often headed up to the shearing shed on my Nana and Papa’s station and just sit and think, or even walk around and feel the smooth wood, smell the…

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