The year is spinning by so fast I can hardly believe it. Despite recent years of minimising and editing my environment as well as downsizing interaction with social media, days are full and my energy wanes. Sometimes I think the summer here is like winter in the northern hemisphere, a time for stasis, or at least slowing down. But the one thing I make time to do nearly every single day is walk. I love to walk in the early morning.
Light. Quiet. Relative cool. Promise. Beauty. So many reasons to walk early. And this…
I have no profound topics to share with you this time, but decided that you might find a little gem in amongst some of the things that have interested me in recent weeks.
Podcasts:
Your Creative Push – interviews with various artists and people who share helpful insights for creative practices. This episode is an artist whose work I recently purchased and if you listen until the very end she shares a good tip from Martha Beck for tackling big projects. (Aimée Hoover, artist, website here)
Chat10 Looks3 – This podcast is by two of Australia’s leading journalists, Annabelle Crabb and Leigh Sales. They are brilliant women whose banter is hilarious but they also impart a lot of information regarding Australian culture, books and other media. It makes me laugh so much, if I listen to it when I’m walking I’m sure I’m in danger of being taken away to the psych ward. If you are not Australian it may not make as much sense.
Tim Ferris Show – interviews with people who inspire and illuminate. This episode with Brené Brown.
BBC Food Programme – A factual, in-depth examination of all things food. Fascinating. This episode is for my Northern Hemisphere friends as it is all about the humble dish of porridge (oatmeal).
Conversations with Richard Fidler – MY FAVOURITE! Yes you can read that in shouty tones because that is how much I loved this episode. And now I want a horse. Or at least to be near one. A radio interview can actually have that effect on a person.
(*note – Not all of these interviewers are the best, but these are still my favourite interviews of recent weeks, usually because of the person being interviewed or some bit of wisdom they present)
Books:
Outline by Rachel Cusk – did not hit my sweet spot but it might hit yours (fiction) I noticed that reviews were varied, though mostly positive.
Everywhere I Look by Helen Garner – a revelation (to me) in writing style. This is a series of essays, some I liked very much, others not as much but overall a very worthwhile book. (non-fiction)
The Summary of Small Things by Carol Adams – a surprising and gentle little book filled with details from six months of a life lived in Central Australia, with awareness and engagement. I was delighted by this book. (non-fiction) This is the second in a series of locally published books (Ptilotus Press) about Central Australia. Carol is a long time resident, artist and author from Alice Springs. Book is only $15 (plus postage) and is available from Red Kangaroo books, 79 Todd Mall, Alice Springs Ph: 08 89532137 and email: redkanga@bigpond.com
Small House Living Australia by Catherine Foster. Over the years I’ve become very interested in the ‘small but perfectly formed’ abode. This book has photos and floor plans of smartly designed homes of 90 square metres (~315 sq. feet) or less. (non-fiction) (there is also a New Zealand version here)
Food:
New favourite salad – http://www.theglowingfridge.com/crunchy-thai-noodle-salad/
This is not my photo, but from the website with the recipe. I ate mine so fast I forgot to photograph it!
(I can’t eat the rice noodles so left them out and still found it delicious. This is a vegan salad as it is, but you could easily add prawns/shrimp, salmon or boiled egg if you want more protein.)
YouTube:
Mel Robbins – is probably classified as a motivational speaker. What fascinated me is this particular ‘5 second rule’ idea. This link is for the short version, lasts only 5 minutes.
This link is for a 25 minute interview with Mel — her story of how she discovered this ‘5 second rule’ which she admits she wishes had a different name 🙂
As I look back at what I’ve been consuming…no wonder the days are flying by. xx
ardysez 
Ardys – you have made me make notes! Thus what you had to say I found more than serious >) ! OK: I have never found time for a podcast but that ‘Chat10Looks3’ [ by Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales] will surely be on the menu whenever!!!! Adore both!!! OK: am also madly trying to find time to read . . . so, so, so many glorious bios and auto’bios afoot! Oh, salads: eat one big one every day . . . does it really matter whatever goes into it as far as . . . and Ardys, never worry about what others would say, just do what feels wonderful for you . . . . so, who cares . . . ?
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Oh my, I’ve made you take notes!! If you are a fan of Sales and Crabb, I think you really would enjoy their podcast. I don’t listen to podcasts for hours a day, only on my morning walks, sometimes. But the cumulative experience they provide over a period of weeks is quite good, and often augments what I’m reading. I try not to worry what others say, I’m just a searcher and a student of life who wants to know more…but mostly I am a work in progress 🙂 Thanks Eha.
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Wow! I do love these notes and find that I am totally lacking in keeping a record of my own reading/listening/walking activities. I do try to write up my food-related things in my monthly In My Kitchen blog post. Thanks for the link to BBC Food Program. Suddenly I seem to have a craving for oatmeal!
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Haha, I’m glad the oatmeal podcast sounded interesting. I know it doesn’t sound riveting, but it was honestly quite fun and interesting. I don’t always keep such good track of my listening activities, but my photos are a sort of diary of my walks, so that is helpful. Would love to know if you like the BBC Food Program. As with most series, there are some really good episodes and some average ones, but on the whole I find most of this series quite interesting. Thanks Debi. x
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What a grand idea. I just spent the last 50 minutes joyfully listening to the Conversations Podcast on horses. Having owned horses and lived in horse country (Lexington, KY-USA), I fond the podcast must entertaining. Thanks for sharing.
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I’m SO pleased you listened Ron. I really loved that podcast. Am trying to get the courage to ask a lady I met recently if I can just go be in the energy field of her horse with her. It’s a strong need that I’m feeling and my feelings seldom lead me astray. Thank you for reading and telling us your experience.
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What did Don say when you told him you want a horse? Wyoming is whispering your name dear Ardys!
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Well, funny you should ask…he mentioned the name of a lady we met only a few days after I listened to this podcast and she owns a horse! I’m trying to screw up my courage to ask if I can go be with her and her horse some time. You would really enjoy the podcast, it’s very Australian but the horse energy is universal so I know you would enjoy it. Thanks for reading Donna. xx
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I keep saying one day I will read and listen to podcasts. When I have time I am studying wildlife, and researching various things and looking at reviews. The only time I get to read is if I have a physical ailment that keeps me down!
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I did not listen to podcasts until about a year ago. All things in their own time Lori. You are a seeker and a student too and you find your own unique path. One day, if you do decide to try a podcast, start with Conversations, the episode about horses. I think you would enjoy it. xx
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So lovely to see what has captured your attention over the season. I look forward to exploring the links. My summer break activities continue to keep me well occupied…
I have less than 2 weeks until I go back to Tafe so I will be lining up podcasts to listen to during the drive, definitely Chat10looks3. Conversations is on my podcast list and I will seek out the horse episode.
I hope you get to spend some time with a horse, I’ve always loved them. When we stopped at Mt Isa during our travels our camp spot was next to a horse paddock and I had the pleasure of not only interacting with the equine neighbours myself but helping a very young girl find the confidence to do so. Her delight, and theirs, was a joy.
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The new season of Chat10Looks3 is back as of yesterday and the first episode was pretty funny. The girls were excited and full of holiday stories. I have taken steps to meet a horse! Have contacted my friend who is the boss of the woman we met on Christmas who has a horse and he is going to ask her if she minds if I accompany her and take some photos of the horse. I thought taking photos will give me reason to hang out, and I can share any good ones with her, and possibly use on the blog as well…stay tuned! She is away and I await an answer. Thank you Dale, best wishes for your next phase of TAFE!
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Hi Debi–so glad you found the podcast interesting. You know, when I listened to that episode I bought the book as well!!! I only read about a quarter of it and then got sidetracked, but you’ve motivated me to get back to it. Thanks for the shout out and feedback!
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