Recalling my childhood years – firstly in a country town, now referred to as ‘rural living’ and then in the suburbs of Melbourne, now referred to as the ‘eastern suburbs’, often conjures up quirky thought processes.
 
I remember that in those days, as a kid, people (grown-ups) were referred to as ‘sheilas and blokes’.  I don’t recall when or from who I first heard the reference of ‘guys and gals’, but I do remember it was considered very ‘American’.  I do have a faint memory that at times the term sheila would be used as an insulting or derogatory term, by the tone used or the context in which the reference was made.
 
In 1976 a book was released called “Sheilas: A tribute to Australian women”, by John Larkins and Bruce Howard.
 
On a popular UK book seller site, the description states, “Profiles 70 women including Pat Lovell/ Judy Cassab/ Jeannie 'Liz' Bailey/ Sister Vivien Bullwinkel and many more: people with business, hitchhikers, craftmakers and artists, professionals, land owners, farmers, towns-people and more across Australia. (I like the one about the librarian in Armidale! She shares amusing stories about borrowers and books.)”
 
I purchased the book when it was released and in my quirky thought processes, I always thought of it as a great book.  I know that in my twenties, I used it as a source of inspiration on many occasions, particularly when I experienced yet another ‘it’s a man’s world’ moment.
 
Over the years thoughts of the book have fleeted in and out of my mind and for some time I have felt great affection for those sheilas represented in the book. Contemplating why the term sheilas had become unfashionable over the decades, only increased my affection for it.  So, a while back I decided to reclaim the term and often now use “sheilas” to refer to other women with affection, respect and empathy.  
 
Recently, while rummaging through the bookcase looking for another title, I found it. Believing it was long gone in a garage sale, I was delighted to discover I still own my original copy and written proudly inside the cover is my name, printed in my early twenties hand script.
 
What a comfort it is, to reconnect with those sheilas and indulge myself in their inspiration once again. 
 
#allyouneedislove   #allyouneedisagoodbook

i still love the feel, smell and emotion of holding a good book.

​DC

The melting clock painting by Salvador Dali became the “logo” of 2020 in my mind. What was a year that has probably had more adjectives and descriptions than can be captured, will eventually/maybe, become iconic.  Not saying whether it will be recalled in a good or bad way – but it sure has left its mark !!
 
I wrote a lot of ‘stuff’ during last year but did not post on my blog at all …. Not one single post.  I have no recollection that that was a deliberate decision, but reading my last post of 2019 and thinking about this one today has really been quite a personal epiphany.
 
http://www.ploughcreek.com.au/pch-blog/2019-move-over-bring-it-on-2020
 
When I said bring it on – what ended up rolling out was not what I expected. That is an obvious understatement. I am not sure why the Dali painting that was created in 1931, always came to mind when I was navigating the year that has been. But it did. Time was bizarre as it dragged soooo slowly, while at the same time everything was on fast forward.
 
Dali’s painting is called “The persistence of Memory” and I understand that it is representative of Dali’s theory of softness and hardness.  Many experts from numerous sources will explain all that better than I ever can. But for me it reflects perfectly the opposites of slow- and fast-moving time in 2020.
 
I am no philosopher and I certainly am not an academic, so I can offer no clever theory or wisdom to sum up 2020.  What I do know is that I, just like everyone else, had quite a year.

​Whether 2021 continues like 2020 or sets a whole new scene for us all to navigate – I do hope for all, that we have peace and kindness in abundance.
 
#allyouneedislove

DC