A new year, a new ABOUT page.
Hi, I’m Selma. I live in Sydney, Australia. I can see the Harbour Bridge from the park at the end of my street as well as the lesser known but just as spectacular, Anzac Bridge.
I am a mother, wife, writer, sometime editor, sometime general dogsbody, sometime teacher. I like music, films and art.
I was born in Glasgow, Scotland and still have a slight accent despite years of saying No worries, mate and Fair Suck of The Sav. Even though it is rarely used in Australian conversation these days I have been known to call people drongos.
I have written lots of books and would like to get one published before I die or before the sherry I drink for medicinal purposes destroys my ability to distinguish the present participle from the dangling.
I am fortysomething. At my age the something is the all important part. I have a fear of mothballs and ventriloquist dummies. The most terrifying thing in the world for me wouldn’t be the Antichrist manifesting before me but opening a box to find a ventriloquist dummy packed in mothballs.
I love poetry and poets but I can’t write a decent couplet, rhyming or otherwise. I have been told I have a wide vocabulary but I can’t say anaesthetist. I also have trouble with interminable. I really like words that rhyme with orange.
I like nature, chocolate and limericks. One of my heroes is Spike Milligan.
Most of the time I’m only happy when it rains.
I am passionate, impetuous and eco-friendly.
Welcome to my blog. It is a pleasure to have you here.
Yep, “anaesthetist” is a toughie. But “architecture” stumps me; it always slips out as “architexture”.
Hi DAOINE:
Isn’t it funny how we all have words that trip us up? I wonder if it’s because the first person we ever heard say that word mispronounced it. So interesting….
We have a comic strip here in our newspaper called “Rhymes with Orange.”
Wayyyyyyy back on my first blog (before you were born…heheh), I wrote one of my limericks….Loved reading about the (new) you.
Hi GEL:
Now that sounds like my kind of comic strip. I would love to read your limerick. They are actually quite hard to write!
Selma, your blog is absolutely marvellous. I really hope you get one of your books published; I’ve a hunch it’ll be grand.
I find my inability to pronounce ‘testosterone’ embarrassing!
Hi MAIMOONA:
Testosterone is a tricky one. I even find it hard to type it. Thank you for your kind words. You have made my day!
I stumbled upon your blogg in my search for perimenopausal relief!!
I still have all the dreaded symptoms but you eased them all with a good laugh and reminded me that i am by no means alone!
I actually shared your blogg on Facebook and I am sure my friends will enjoy a read as much as I have.
Hi SHERIDAN:
Glad I could provide some comic relief. Thanks for the shout out
Hi Selma, Thanks for the comment on my blog! It seems we share at least two things, an appreciation of the talent and humanity of Ricky May and my inability to pronounce ‘anaesthetist’ if I am not reading it! How did y0u know Ricky?
I hope people won’t be offended as I roll out a few more, most about his food problems. He thought they were funny when he told them, so I guess that’s the test.
HI STAFFORD:
Believe it or not I met Ricky May when I was a singer and my band was one of the bands that played as support on his tour. I only met him once but he was very gracious to me. Lovely man. He is very much missed.
Yes, he was a great talent. Found some more viedo of him today and will include in future post(s). The last time I worked with Rick was when he did the Daly Wilson Band tour about 1972 maybe? So much was happening then I find it hard to place events in a date line.
Now, as you worked with Ricky, surely I have met/seen you around the gigs! I used my shortened name then [and still do among friends] ie, Ford Ray, when I played bass around the town in many venues… had my ten minutes of fame. On second thoughts, you would be a whole generation younger and wo0uldn’t have heard of me! Anyway nice to meet you and maybe you have recorded something I can refer to in my blog?
Hi STAFFORD:
It wasn’t a regular gig, I’m afraid, and it was more than 20 years ago. The band and I recorded a couple of things but I would have no idea where they are now. I was only 7 in 1972 and living in Scotland so I definitely wouldn’t have seen you around the traps. I will keep reading your blog so I can learn more. Sounds like you’ve led an interesting life!
From Maine, USA & love Oz, stormy, rainy, snowy, foggy, etc days. Trip over too many words in too many languages to let it bother me. Just an Old Indian up here inna mountains of Western ME. Absolutely love Perth for some strange reason. Been ages so probably feel very strange to me today. Been over 30 yrs since last there.
Hi MIKE S:
Great to meet you. Maine is a beautiful part of the world. Perth is nice too although a little too hot for me. So glad you stopped by!
Will be loading you to my blogroll on ‘fixed’ PC. PC has no memory yet. Subscribed already. Also added the ‘Oranges’ gal. Just noticed you’re from/lived in Scotland. One of my favorite places too. Was in Glasgow in Nov & Dec 71. Still have friends there & read e-edition Scotsman daily. Wife is Scots-Irish.
Hi MIKE S:
Thanks for that. I am in the process of updating my blogrolls (see various pages above) so I will return the favour. Wow, you actually read The Scotsman. That is so cool. You are very well-travelled!
I’m new to your blog via Lissa, Selma. Pleased to meet a fellow Australian and writer. I look forward to exploring your blog.
Hi ELISABETH:
Really nice to meet you. I am so glad you stopped by. Any friend of Lissa’s is more than welcome!
I like your new avatar!
Hi STAFFORD:
I can’t stop fiddling around with my avatar. I’ve never had a webcam before and I’m always playing around with it. Hence the various avatars. I’m like a kid with a new Barbie doll!
Selma! Hello! I think we have some stuff in common – I’m also Scottish, and I just got my first teaching position (English and French). I’ll add you to my blogroll and come back and read more. Maybe I’ll have to ask you for some teaching advice at some point!
http://petrichoric.wordpress.com
Hi PETRICHORIC:
A kindred spirit indeed. A pleasure to have you visit!
Great description. Especially orange.
Oh, and the ventriloquist dummy in mothballs. Creepy.
Hi SQUIRREL:
Haha. I had forgotten I had written this. It is very idiosyncratic. Orange just cannot be rhymed. I throw out the challenge to any poet out there. It just can’t be done
If you like limericks, may I suggest you go HERE to see my dear Mrs Trellis, who hase ovedosed on them in her latest post!
Hi JINKSY:
I will definitely do that. I enjoy a good limerick. They are not easy to write. Thanks for the link!
Hello Selma,
I too am an author, mother, wife, grandmother(nana), and 50 something.
I was born in the USA in Illinois, but my Irish roots run very deep from both my father’s and mother’s family. I write children’s books about my grandchildren and their magical adventures at my country home. I teach them about the old Irish and Celtic background of our family and of course, all about the fey folk (faeries).
I loved your story about the winter fairies. I too am a storyteller. I give programs and magical tea parties were I talk all about faeries and how they have been with me since I was a child.
I believe this world would be a better place if everyone would take a second out of their busy lives to take a deep breath, close their eyes and be at one with mother nature, then slowly open them to see the beautiful magic that is right before us.
Creativeness comes from deep within ones’ heart or spirit, manifesting “imagination”.
Blessings
Hi SANDRA:
What a beautiful comment. The winter fairies is one of my favourite stories. You are so right about taking a moment to appreciate the beauty around us. What a different world it would be if that were the case. It has been an absolute pleasure to meet you. Thank you for visiting!
Selma put out the chall-enge
To find a neat rhyme for ‘orange’!
So I racked my brane
But not a word came
So now when I see her I’ll cringe!
your blog is just pure awesomeness!!!! And you will publish that book of yours because I really want to have a signed book by Selma in my book collection!!!!
HI STAFFORD:
I was sure if anyone could find a rhyme it would be you, Stafford. It’s not easy. But may I say?What an excellent attempt. You rock 8)
Hi TBALL:
You are such a sweetie. Love you ☆✤✺
Ref; Your visit. See T Cosies at http://www.blogger.com/profile/17329511641055727201
Loani Prior is worth knowing and of course the cosies are outrageous. An art form!!! I wish you a Christmas that you look back in with smiles!
Thanks for the tip, Stafford.
Isn’t 40something just the best ever? Although in 10 years I reserve the right to update that to 50something.
SHOUTABYSS – In 10 years fiftysomething will be the new fortysomething. Or so I’ve heard. Hahaha.
I love you Selma. You are one of my fav people in the entire world.
ROSHAN, You are one of my favourites too. Awwwww ♥☺✇
Hello Selma,I too am an author, mother, wife, grandmother(nana), and 50 something.I was born in the USA in Illinois, but my Irish roots run very deep from both my father’s and mother’s family. I write children’s books about my grandchildren and their magical adventures at my country home. I teach them about the old Irish and Celtic background of our family and of course, all about the fey folk (faeries). I loved your story about the winter fairies. I too am a storyteller. I give programs and magical tea parties were I talk all about faeries and how they have been with me since I was a child. I believe this world would be a better place if everyone would take a second out of their busy lives to take a deep breath, close their eyes and be at one with mother nature, then slowly open them to see the beautiful magic that is right before us. Creativeness comes from deep within ones’ heart or spirit, manifesting “imagination”.Blessings
+1
I came here by way of Gabrielle Bryden’s blog – your blog is a definite antidote to mine, your humour, a delight (and this deluge today must be making you very happy
)
Your blog is very inspiring with all the talk about real situations. You don’t sugarcoat things, but you tell it honestly. I really admire that. As naive as a kid in high school can be, I had no idea about the extreme economic recession in Australia. Australia looks like a lovely place and I can’t wait until I can come travel there for a few weeks. It’s actually on my bucket list to travel the world. Australia is one of my top countries to see! Please check out my blog and maybe someday you’ll see a post about me traveling the world.
Selma, I am also a 4(almost 1) year old mom. I am new to blogging and your blog came up when I signed on to wordpress.com. Your blog is great! I live in Vermont, USA and my husband and I want to travel the world … in two years when my twins graduate high school. I have always wanted to visit both Scotland and Australia. I can’t wait to see the bridges you are talking about and figure out exactly what “fair suck of the sav” means anyway! I am also a writer, but of poetry and have always stumbled over things that rhyme with orange, and saying fictitiously. I can’t wait to read more about you and your adventures in life!
Loved the blog and have subscribed. I also love wrting; have published one book so far. I’m very envious that you have left the UK for a new life in Oz. I’ve always wanted to do that (I live in NW England) but realise that I never will now. Hope you’ll subscribe to my blog. All the best to you
LINA,
You sound amazing. I would love to attend one of your tea parties. I love that kind of thing. Thanks so much for visiting!
BLUEBEE,
I am so glad you visited. The deluge at the moment from that Doppelganger post is quite wild. I didn’t expect it at all. Lovely to see you here
BUCKETLISTING,
I hope you get to Australia one day. You will enjoy it. There are many gorgeous sights to see. It is a bit tough here at the moment but I do think it’s a worldwide thing. Hopefully, things will pick up within the next 6 months. I am really glad you visited!
MICHELLE,
It is so nice to meet you. I hope you do get to travel to all the places you want to go.
‘fair suck of the sav’ is what you say to someone when you are appealing to them to be more reasonable or fair. There are many funny Aussie sayings like that. Thank you so much for visiting. You are very welcome!
JON,
Congrats on getting published. That is fantastic. You should be very proud of such an achievement. With regard to leaving England – you just never know what lies round the corner. I still miss the UK, truth be told. I think you never truly forget the place you were born. Thanks so much for visiting!
Get well, Selma – we miss you xx
You are so kind, Bluebee. Thank you xxxx
I really like your blog so I nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award. Check it out here http://monalisareflections.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/versatile-blogger-award/ Happy New Year!
That is so lovely of you, Mona Lisa. Thank you very much!
Thank you for your kind words left on my site.
This is a very interesting blog you have going here–one of the very few where readers actually speak their minds and disagree at times (5 greatest Torch Songs and Doris Day). That’s refreshing.
I’m going to come back for a better look. Thank you again.
Please come as often as you want, weisserwatercolours. You are very welcome!
Selma, I couldn’t find your email contact, so I am just going to post this here – this site is looking for writers passionate about Sydney and I thought you might be interest in applying.
http://www.killyourdarlingsjournal.com/2012/04/slow-guides-call-out-for-writers/
bb
xx
Thanks so much for that link and for thinking of me, Bluebee. I will need to get a contact email on here. I’ve been meaning to do it for ages but keep forgetting. HOPELESS!!!! Thanks again ♥
HELP! I can’t find the comment box on your new post! I can see the 1 comment, I click on it but no box opens at the bottom for me to enter my comment. What am I doing wrong??
I don’t know what’s going on, Josie because the comment box is there for me. All I can suggest is to refresh the page or sign in again. WordPress can be a bit buggy sometimes. Sorry about that.
Hi Selma
I am going to be freshening up my Links shortly and would like to include you under “Writers I like” section. Is that ok? On that subject, here is a writer – a poet – I like and who I think might appeal to you and to your readers. Feel free to pass the link around if you like Sophie’s work. I think she deserves to be widely read. Thanks!
http://anne-whitaker.com/2012/06/22/sophie-agrell-a-bright-new-talent/
Anne, sorry for the late reply. I would be delighted to be included. Thanks so much for asking
Hi Selma
your link is now up – check it if you wish, by scrolling down to ‘writers I like’ at http://anne-whitaker.com/index-categories-archives-blogroll/