Baby Boomer Connections

Friday, April 19, 2013

To dye or not to dye

I have been dying to talk about hair, mainly about issues to do with dyeing it or not - and my friend from www.shopatnextdoor.com provided me with the perfect opportunity when she said, "Have you ever just wanted a change? You know something to brighten your day, set your world on fire? Well that was me yesterday at the hair salon. Why not go red? After all I was born a red head. My father's nick name was Red. I have fair skin and freckles, perfect for red hair. So I pulled the plug (on the bottle) and unleashed the real me. Reddy, set, go. you think? R"

Red, Set Go...R's fabulous new hair colour
self portrait taken with my iPhone and photo shopped just a tiny bit

Hi R

"I have cut out articles from magazines etc, have observed brave friends who have taken the au - naturale road (No no no! Not me! Don't be silly!), so feel I am quite expert at the subject; and I am totally with you. Why not be a perfectly natural red head? I think you look like a movie star!
More to come on this strand but in the meantime, how has it has changed your life?
Clara of blonde tresses

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What is the correct length for skinny jeans

Hi there

"I shop therefore I am" - a new twist on an old saying. And of course the first item we need is a pair of well fitting black jeans to kickstart the season.
So today, I found a great pair of semi skinny, not too low rise and in a fabric that kind of keeps you in. They look great with this season's longer look tops for a timeless look.

A few years ago, I visited my friend R, who owns a beautiful store 'Shop at Next Door' which stocks an extensive range of jeans with fabulous tops and accessories. I learnt the ins and outs of how to wear skinny jeans - with boots of course but also with killer heels, flats and flip flops. R says that the worst mistake you can make when taking up jeans is to make them too short - flared jeans need to be almost to the ground but skinny jeans are a little tricky to get right. Have them as long as you can make them without cupping the bottoms too much; a certain amount of cupping however is necessary for the look and with summer jeans you can fold up the bottoms for a casual look.

This is what she says on her site http://www.shopatnextdoor.com/ - click on Jean Scene at bottom of Home Page.

'No, you do not have to be skinny to wear skinny jeans. It's all about how you wear them that makes the difference. Going into a Wisconsin winter, we all know how great it is to throw on your favorite skinny jeans with a pair of boots and a big oversized sweater. It's the one time that living in the frozen tundra makes fashion fun as well as practical. But thankfully that is all behind us for another seven months or so. So now what? Well a picture is worth a thousand words. Wear skinny jeans with killer heels, your favorite flats, barefoot if the moment is right and of course your favorite flip flops. You can wear a skinny jean scrunched around your ankle or cuffed for a casual look. That solves some of the length issues, which is nice for us as well as you. Of course we'll always shorten them for you if need be.'

I'm off now to take up some jeans - because they're usually too long for me. I learnt from R how to do a professional job but am under threat of dire consequence if I devulge the secret. Sorry!
Clara
By the way - if you want some tasty food ideas that will help you to be able to fit into your jeans go to www.fitinyourjeanscuisine.com

Monday, March 18, 2013

Babyboomers relish in moment in Balmoral swim

Hi there
What a great day - the photos say it all!
Overheard from "We can beat cancer" participants - "Relish the moment - can you believe you are here doing it? Be proud because you are amazing."
Makes me wish I was doing it too.

Claire
ps - by the way - there were people of all ages particiapating including children and some in their 80's, many of whom swim every day.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Featuring the Babyboomer body - it's OK to be white!

OK BB
I'm going to be featuring the Babyboomer body because two glasses of good red wine have stopped the throbbing in my nose and upper right chest after a day procedure at RNS (local hospital).

It's important to pass it on to our children and grandchildren, even though they already know, that skin has 'memory', and my nose and right chest remembers the times I allowed them to be exposed to the sun.

My Anglosaxon pale skin areas were exposed pre awareness of skin memory and future damage from the sun's rays. Initially, it was when, our family was out there having fun perhaps caravaning in Dad's homemade caravan in New Zealand. If you caught too much sun on the weekend you would peel by Wednesday or Thursday when my sister and I had fun peeling the skin from each other's shoulders, like little monkeys.

Then there was the 'greater awareness stage' - a time when I wanted the look of the time, which meant being brown, even though I was a " 'pakehah - white person in Maori'."
By this time we had moved to Australia and I was a teenager, with a brand new forbidden bikini. Bondi had the whitest of sand and my visit there included a full body spray of coconut oil, resulting in my entire body being fried by the sun. It also meant that the wearing of the forbidden 'bikini' was revealed when I returned home looking like a tomato - and that was how my dad treated the burn ie with ripe tomatoes.

Fortunately our education has moved us on from this state of mind. However many of us remain there and still want to be tanned.
I actually don't want that any more and am reminded today that it's OK to be white.
Clara

Feedback keeps me going.
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Friday, March 8, 2013

OK - this is my book - Mosman Meanders & foreshore flavours

Hi Babyboomers

Mosman Meanders & foreshore flavours is a coffee table book

Ok this is my book. It's taken 2 years to write and it's been an amazing learning curve in so many ways. I thought you might like to know what else I do with my time when I'm not blogging.

Mosman Meanders and foreshore flavours has been described as a ‘Must have gift' – Pages & Pages, after the book’s successful launch in December 2012. It’s worth considering as a gift, with Mothers Day coming up as it will appeal to, families, residents and ex-patriots as a reference or a memento.

It’s a photographic style coffee table book, featuring walks along the magnificent foreshores between Mosman and the Spit, and contains reference to the rich history and cultural heritage of the area. Bushland walking tracks provide opportunities to view major Sydney icons such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as well as some of the newly opened, navigational and maritime sites. The book lists casual food and cafe destinations with recipes for readers to experience themselves.

You can pick up a copy through local bookstores and some local cafes, or purchase online at http://mosmanmeanders.blogspot.com.au . This blog link will tell you more about the book which has proven popular, through the Pages & Pages on-line brochure, with expatriates of Mosman.

My journey has released me from the spectre of retirement and since I'm now addicted to writing, there is a new book following of course.
This one is going to be about retirement or more correctly about non-retirement, which will include interesting insights into this period of our lives.
Cheers C

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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

He wants to be a grey nomad!!!???.

Hi BB
There's a man in my house!
Yes, I know that he's been here for a long time, but on & off. Now, he's actually here! Like - retired. And I don't quite know how to handle it, and him.
He's actually out of context.
C
ps - he wants to be a grey nomad!

To view or add comment, you can comment as 'anonymous' if you don't have a google account; or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au or visit my website at www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Older Australians enjoy an active sex life as much as the younger ones

Hi BB
Good article from our Ita.

Sydney Morning Herald - 25/2/2013

To view or add comment, click on 0 comments at bottom of page - you can comment as 'anonomous' on the dropdown menu; or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au or visit my website at www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Mangoes are insanely antiageing

Mango magic

This dish was served to us by Alvina and Umberto from www.timeintuscany.com , not in Tuscany but here in Sydney when mangoes were at their best, and Tuscany is under snow. In true Tuscan style, fruits and vegetables in season are used in an amazing variety of simply delicious dishes.

For the mango jelly
makes 4 servings

2 ripe mangoes - peeled and cut (see
¼ cup caster sugar
Juice of 1 lime
1 cup water
1 tbsp gelatine powder
2 tbsp hot water
macadamia pralines - crushed

Place mango, sugar, lime juice and water into the jug of a blender and blend until smooth.
Strain the mango mixture through a sieve into a saucepan. Place it over medium heat and cook, stirring, until it’s heated through and the sugar is melted.
Place the gelatine powder into a small bowl, add the hot water and whisk well until the gelatine dissolves.
Add the gelatine mixture to the mango mixture and stir to combine. Divide the mixture into individual wetted moulds, cover and place into the fridge for 3-4 hours until set.

To serve, arrange slices of cut mango on plates, dip moulds in hot water and invert to release the jelly. Serve with icecream or Greek yoghurt if desired and sprinkle with crushed macadamia praline.

How to choose and cut a mango
The best way by far is to simply eat the mango after cutting it expertly as shown below. Recipes to follow.

Mango - Childers Queensland Australia- in mid January
it was so dry the grass was crunchy beneath my feet.
Two weeks later the area is in flood.

Mangoes - Noosaville Markets

Is it ripe? You can't always judge the ripeness by colour as they come in many hues depending on variety. The best flavored fruit have a yellow tinge when ripe; however, color may be red, yellow, green, orange or any combination.

Ripeness of mangoes can be determined by either smelling or by gently squeezing. A ripe mango will have a full, fruity aroma emitting from the stem end and can be considered ready to eat when slightly soft to the touch and yielding to gentle pressure, like a ripe peach.

Cutting a Mango can be a slimy, slippery challenge. The best way to go about it is to start first with a ripe, but still firm fruit. If the mango is too ripe, it will be a mushy mess, and hard to cut into pieces, though easy enough to scoop out for pulp.

Cubes

Holding the mango with one hand, stand it on its end, stem side down. With a sharp knife in your other hand, cut from the top of the mango, down one side of the pit. Then repeat with the other side. You should end up with three pieces - two halves, and a middle section that includes the pit.

Take a mango half and use a knife to make lengthwise and crosswise cuts in it, but try not to cut through the peel. Using your fingers on the skin side, raise the fruit cubes into eating or cutting position. Simply serve and eat the fruit or for a salad peel off the segments with your fingers. Or use a small paring knife to cut away the pieces from the peel.
Take the mango piece with the pit, lay it flat on the cutting board. Use a paring knife to cut out the pit and remove the peel. Some simply eat this section holding it over the sink as you eat.

For easy slices cut off cheeks as above then slice lengthways

Or using a sharp thin-bladed knife, cut off both ends of the fruit. Place fruit on flat end and cut away peel from top to bottom along curvature of the fruit.Cut fruit into slices by carving lengthwise along the pit.

Nutrition - They are high in fibre and antioxidants and are rich in Vitamin A, C, E, B6 and potassium. They have been found to protect against colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers and promote heart health and lower blood pressure.

www.timeintuscany.com

Sunday, December 30, 2012

To his fellow sinners - Happy New Year

Henry Lawson has to have been the most prolific Australian poet with his down to earth comments on so many subjects - it makes one think that perhaps his language of thought was "verse". Here's one on New Year's Eve - to his fellow sinners.

Give yourself a Show: New Year's Eve

TO my fellow sinners all, who, in hope and doubt,
Through the Commonwealth to-night watch the Old Year out,
New Year’s Resolutions are jerry-built I know,
But I want to say to you, “Give yourselves a show”.

You who drink for drinking’s sake, love for lust alone,
Thinking heaven is a myth and the world your own—
Dancing gaily down to hell in the devil’s dance—
This I have to say to you: “Give your souls a chance”.

You who drink because of shame that you think will last,
Or because of wrong done you—trouble in the past—
“Nothing left to live for now,” you will say, I know;
But you have your own self yet, give that self a show!

You who want all things on earth—money, love, and fame
Having the advantage of worldly place or name—
You who have more than you want, even than you know,
In the glorious New Year give someone else a show.

You, the mischief-makers all, who in secret glee
Love to tell the villainies of a scamp like me;
There are things he’ll never tell—things you’ll never know—
Look into your own lives first—give the man a show.

You, the politician, who, for jealousy or gold,
Or for mean ambition, sell, or see your country sold,
Pandering to the hollow crowd, toadying to the low,
For shame’s sake banish selfishness—give your land a show.

Henry Lawson

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Emerson defines New Year Success

Wishing you all a successful New Year

New Year "Reflections from my garden" video is below

Clara

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Today is my birthday. Am I coping?

Hi Babyboomers
Today is my birthday - dangerously close to being unacceptable.

Am I coping? Yes, I have several strategies in place, of which 'denial' is the most effective.

Seriously, however, involvement in something I love is what makes me happy that I have lived beyond the years that my parents and sister did. Reinvention is another fantasic way to beat the years - recently I published a book - weelll OK - "Mosman Meanders & foreshore flavours" which I'll no doubt tell you about. It has kept me busy for over two years and is now out there, doing OK. How about that? So I could tick 'Author' off the list but believe that writing is in my blood.

Now marketing it is keeping both my husband and myself busy.

I can actually talk about him here - his name is G, with the reason I can, being that he "doesn't understand or read blogs".

G gave me his presents weeks ago - a bike and helmet. I'll tell you about the bike in another post - it has a little electric motor to help go up the many steep hills around the foreshores. I'm actually quite nervous since I've fallen off twice, just need to practice.

The day started with a coffee at a favourite cafe at Balmoral and joined in the buzz created by the Balmoral Braves, a group of icebergers who swim all year round and reward themselves after the swim with coffee and camaraderie.

We are going out to dinner tonight to 'celebrate' at one of our local French Vietnamese restaurants which I'm told has lots of lovely little tasty courses. I spent the rest of the day catching up with blogging since writing a book is a demanding task.

So it's been a good day with phone calls from friends and family -

I'm going to end my session by starting a new book. A wonderful new friend (another strategy) says, "You must always have a painting on the go, or a book etc, because you can't die until you finish it."

Clara

Sunday, June 3, 2012

My cake was always perfect

Monte Carlo

Taking its name from the famous European city, Monte Carlo is one of Arnott’s most famous cream biscuits. Created in 1926, it features two home-style honey and coconut biscuits and a layer of rich raspberry flavoured cream filling. A great everyday treat

In response to my Mothers' Day thoughts and reflections, a special friend, Jane, wrote, "When I was a child we just gave Mum breakfast in bed with flowers on her breakfast tray and tried not to burn the toast. I would sometimes make a chocolate cake which was quite a messy process for Mum to deal with but she only offered praise at my childish attempts.
According to Mum my cake was always perfect. That's all that mattered to me. "

Clara
So much of our pleasing is to do with simple nuturing ways - which children pick up and then attempt to transfer the same loving gestures. One memory I have, is the Mothers' Day of the burnt Popcorn, when this was considered the ultimate treat for Mum in bed. It took great restraint to stay in bed, with the fumes drifting upstairs to the bedroom. And yet another, was a very creative rendition of Monte Carlos which were a favourite of mine. I think that every conceivable sweet ingredient in the pantry was combined to produce this unusual offering. (Kitchen was a treat as well!) But I loved it. Thanks xx

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For the good of the nation

To babyboomers

Before I was a mom

My friend R from Milwaukee wrote...My mom was my best friend and is always on my mind, especially on Mother's Day. The one memory that stays with me vividly is that she was always there everyday, waiting for us to get home from school. On the rare day that I got home to find her gone, I can remember sitting in the window of our living room watching for her to come around the corner. She did not drive, so she would walk "downtown" to shop. I can still see her walking back home to us.

Clara - Mine too - How fortunate we were to have those nuturing memories. Not as easy for young mums to achieve that today, much as they would like to.
And of course at that time, women's identity was centred on family responsibilities; marriage and motherhood were advocated as being women's main career path - to look after men, populate the country and be optimistic in the face of misery, when men were the courageous soldiers and women were self sacrificing supporters - for the good of the nation. From the 'Australian Women's Weekly' - 1940s fiction and the construction of the female identity.

view or add comment, click on 0 comments at bottom of page - you can comment as 'anonomous' on the dropdown menu; or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au or visit my website at www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Monday, April 9, 2012

Were there Easter Bunnies when we were children?

Mary Pickford the silent film star taken in 1923; she is painting eggs.

Hi Babyboomers

Hope you are having a lovely Easter and that the Easter bunny has visited you. The weather here in Sydney has been perfect Autumn - my favourite time of the year.

Passing on an Easter blog from Richard, a friend of ours who hosted a Good Friday BBQ where the Easter egg question was raised.
Sweetly Clara
ps G and I have polished off one medium sized egg between us today - but it was dark chocolate which I read is not really too bad for you. More about that soon.

Were there Easter Bunnies when we were children?

Well there were certainly Easter eggs; but in our household these tended to be chicken eggs that we had either hard boiled or sucked (to make hollow shells ) that were boiled wrapped in onion skins and/or painted.

Confectionary eggs were those hollow hard sugar ones (the best) or chocolate (preferably with a filled centre) that my father had bought in the city. I also remember hollow sugar rabbits.

By the time I had my own children it was full-on chocolate. Emily was into delayed gratification and often still had a stash of last year’s eggs in the fridge a year later. All the kids were more into the mythology; and the Easter egg hunt; than the actual chocolate. It was like the reindeer on the roof and Santa at Christmas. As Emily can attest, one Easter night the Bunny broke our fence when he hopped into the back garden carrying his giant sack of eggs for every child in Sydney. Julia continued to provide a wonderful audience-participant for the hunt; even when the older ones were past it.

When I was really little in England (up to two and a half) rationing was still in place; so that I had not seen commercial sweets. When passing through New York on our way to Australia I was taken to a candy store and told I could have anything I wanted. I had no idea what they were; and (famously in family lore) chose a packet of chewing gum.

As both my parents are dead I can’t ask them what they had before the war; but Easter Rabbits and eggs certainly existed, as can be seen by the picture above.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Anti-ageing foods to keep adding to your sparkle!

Hi there
While the experts are not saying that there are super foods which make you live longer, they are agreeing that foods rich in anti-oxidants may help you to be healthier as you age and reduce the likelihood of age-related diseases.

So here are some recommended
Love them all! What is Quinoa you ask - watch this space.
Clara

Onions: Helps strengthen damaged cells and raise "good" cholesterol levels.
Garlic: Promotes the growth of white blood cells, the body's natural germ fighters; and lowers harmful LDL cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Broccoli: Rich in magnesium and vitamin C, it's one of the most powerful immunity boosters available.
Quinoa: This grain-like seed is a complete protein food, which means it contains all the essential amino acids your body needs to build muscle and repair itself.
Salmon: A great source of omega-3 fats – the ultimate anti-ageing nutrient – plus loads of vitamin D and selenium for healthy hair, skin, nails and bones.
Nuts: Contain healthy oils, fibre, vitamins, minerals, potent phytochemcials and the amino acid arginine.
Spinach: Bursting with health benefits, it contains many phytonutrients and antioxidants, including vitamins K, C and E, folate, iron and carotenoids.
Sardines: High in omega-3 fatty acids, they contain almost no mercury and are loaded with minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc.
Eggs: They contain high-quality proteins, essential minerals and every vitamin except C.

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Saturday, March 17, 2012

Tribute to Margaret Whitlam

Hi there friends who remember this era

Photo - ABC News

Margaret Whitlam passed away at 92 and I believe she wouldn't have wanted us to be saddened by her passing; rather to celebrate her life and achievements of which there are many.
Being married to a strong politican can't be easy - yet she appeared to achieve this with grace. Personally, I went through the Whitlam regime - at the time not being very politically minded either way. So when I look back at the reforms and social changes during this era, I somehow know there had to be a good strong woman behind the man.

"Though all of the papers and all of the biographies describe her as the former prime minister's wife, it's the wrong description. She was Margaret Whitlam, leader of women and leader in women's rights and achievements."

Joan Kirner

Visit my website
"Memoirs of a Babyboomer" then go to 1970's, where a personal, non-political endorsement of some of the achievements of this era are covered and why I feel gratitude towards the important changes to Women's Rights during this period.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the age and stage.

Goodbye Margaret and thanks x

Clara

To view or add comment, click on 0 comments at bottom of page or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au or visit my website at www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Later Life website help with decision making

Hi there
I thought this was a good article to pass on - always good to have a few plans in place for this age and stage.
Cheers Clara

New website to help you plan for later life

The NSW Government has launched a new website providing up-to-date information and resources about wills, powers of attorney, enduring guardianship and advance care planning.

The Planning Ahead Tools website has been specifically designed for community members, service providers, legal professionals and health professionals. It contains advice, resources, videos and interactive tools to help you make decisions about health, welfare, finances and medical treatment.

Our ageing population and the increase in people living with cognitive impairments has made planning ahead an important topic in the community. Encouraging individuals to plan ahead is an important way to promote positive ageing, prevent legal problems and empower people to manage their own futures.

The Planning Ahead Tools website was jointly launched by the Minister for Ageing Andrew Constance and NSW Attorney General Greg Smith SC at Parliament House on 14 February 2012. The site is an initiative of the Planning for Later Life forum, and has been jointly sponsored by Ageing, Disability and Home Care and NSW Trustee and Guardian.

For more information, visit www.planningaheadtools.com.au.

To view or add comment, click on 0 comments at bottom of page or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au or visit my website at www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Friday, March 2, 2012

Beets rich in anti-ageing anti-oxidants

Hi Babyboomers
While the experts are not saying that there are super foods which make you live longer, they are agreeing that foods rich in anti-oxidants may help you to be healthier as you age and reduce the likelihood of age-related diseases. For my favourite beetroot recipes, visit http://fitinyourjeanscuisine.blogspot.com
Clara

The humble beetroot is rich in health-boosting nutrients.

Called a superfood, this common root vegetable is packed with health-promoting antioxidants and nutrients such as beta-carotene, folate, potassium, vitamin C and iron. It is also an excellent source of soluble fibre. The purple pigment contains antioxidants that help protect cells from free-radical damage, prevent the risk of heart disease and certain cancers, as well as protecting brain health.

Beets are particularly nutritious when grated raw - toss with coriander, mint, lemon or orange juice and served with Greek yoghurt. The attractive leaves are also nutritious and are great in salads, dressed with a lemon juice and olive oil dressing.

Beetroot contains some carbohydrate but is still considered a low GI choice. If you are short on time, canned beets are convenient and even though they usually contain additional concentrations of sodium and other preservatives, they are still beneficial to your health. I like the the whole baby beets which when cut into quarters, are great in salads.

Fresh beetroot is fabulous and cooking it is relatively easy Heat the oven to 180°C/ Cut the tops and stringy rootsoff, leaving a crown of stalk left on the root in order not to break the membrane. and stringy root. Reserve small, young leaves to use as part of a salad).

Wrap each beetroot individually in foil with a tablespoon of water, place it in a roasting pan and bake in the oven for 40-50 minutes (20-30 minutes for baby beetroot). Pierce one with a skewer to test if it is soft. When roasted the skin will wrinkle - cool, covered, for 10 minutes before removing the foil, as this will help the skin loosen. Cut a cross at the top and gently push off the flesh with your fingers but if you don’t plan to use them straight away, leave the skin on.

Balsamic vinaigrette works well as a dressing.
Makes about ½ cup (125ml)
1½ tbsp balsamic
1tsp Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, crushed
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Whisk together all the ingredients, season then drizzle over the salad.

I like to make more than I need as it keeps well - transfer into a lidded container and pour over dressing.
Beetroots tend to bleed when cut so wear disposable gloves and protect your chopping board with baking paper.

To view or add comment, click on 0 comments at bottom of page or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au or visit my website at www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Going grey gracefully?

R's fabulous new hair colour

As if?

Hi Babyboomers

An article by Shonagh Walker in the Sunday Telegraph was headed 'Going grey gracefully'.
She suggests that "In the past when a silver strand appeared, we raced to the colourist immediately. Keeping up the colour on rapidly greying hair (I prefer 'silvering') is time consuming and expensive. The natural solution is to let it be, well, natural."
At least she is somewhat conditional and sensitive to those of us who are "just not ready to go there." (and I'm wondering how old you are, Shonagh?)
So then a few guys such as Emiliano Vitale from Sydney's E Salon, get up and say,"There is a swing towards embracing grey. It can be polished and flattering."
And then we get the list of the 'brave folks' who have taken the gigantic step - Dames Helen Mirren and Judi Dench. Even younger celebs, including Pink, Kate Moss and Lady Gaga, are having silver threaded through their locks.

The article then becomes practical and had some good suggestions as to how you can overcome transition periods, regrowth by 'reverse highlights to blend' etc

Will talk more on this subject. In the meantime I seem to have some sort of scalp condition which appears like scaley cradle cap, so I am very threatened that I may have to eventually face this decision!

Clara

To view or add comment, click on 0 comments at bottom of page or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au or visit my website at www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Scarves for Shelter give hope and warmth

Hi Babyboomers
Loved the article about my friend in USA. I thought I would post the details so others could read about this 'feel good in every way' project. I almost wish it was cold enough here so I could wear one of them. Clara

1. Scarves for Shelter

The piece shown here is one of many, all designed in my studio in limited editions or as one of a kind. They are part of nextdoor's community project, Scarves for Shelter. A portion of the proceeds go toward the production of the shelter scarves. This year we will be knitting 500 scarves for Hope Center in Waukesha. Thanks for your support and helping us stick to our knitting.

This year our goal is to deliver 500 scarves by the end of the year. For more ways to contribute, check out our Community Events page and follow us on facebook.

Renotta Thompson Project Knitway

Thank You 30 West!
Read the full article on 'Thank You 30 West!' http://projectknitway.blogspot.com/2011/12/blogblog-blog.html

To view or add comment, click on 0 comments at bottom of page or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au or visit my website at www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Sunday, January 22, 2012

To dye or not ?? That is the babyboomer question

Hi Babyboomers
I have been dying to talk about hair, mainly about issues to do with dyeing it or not - and my friend from www.shopatnextdoor.com
has provided me with the perfect opportunity.

I have cut out articles from magazines etc, have observed brave friends who have taken the au - naturale road (No no no! Not me! Don't be silly!), so feel I am quite expert at the subject; and I am totally with her. Why not be a perfectly natural red head? I think she looks like a movie star! More to come on this strand but in the meantime, I am asking her how it has changed her life. I will keep you in touch.
Clara of blonde tresses

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Red, Set Go...
self portrait taken with my iPhone and photo shopped just a tiny bit

Have you ever just wanted a change? You know something to brighten your day, set your world on fire? Well that was me yesterday at the hair salon. Why not go red? After all I was born a red head.My father's nick name was Red. I have fair skin and freckles, perfect for red hair. So I pulled the plug (on the bottle)and unleashed the real me. Reddy, set, go. What do you think?
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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

'Not for ourselves alone' school reunion

Hi Babyboomers and in particular my former high school mates

School reunions are fun / confronting / interesting / but most of all, they make one realise how much time has passed. I'm not going to mention it publicly as I am in denial, even though if you go to www.babyboomerconnections.com.au and read the 'Memoirs of a Babyboomer', you will get a fair idea.

No-one mentioned the piano accordian
I was required to play at school functions.
Best forgotten perhaps!
What is the definition of a great accordian player?
Answer - One who is a great player of the accordian
but doesn't.

Enough time has passed to mould our lives into a rich and complex tapestry, with more than two generations adding the colourful threads of their lives. The two lunch tables of lovely women exchanged details and empathy re those years, mainly about relationships, past work and present day retirement.

I didn't count, but there seemed to be many of us who pursued the teaching path,(which by the way, has held me in good stead in rocky times and involves me still in the joy of relating to children). My theory as to why I became a teacher, is because of the expectations of the girls' school we attended. In those days, you were encouraged to be a teacher / nurse / secretary - going to University wasn't explored in depth. If ever you strayed towards being less than compliant, the threat was that you wouldn't be eligible for a Teachers College Scholarship. The teachers were good role models and at a time when the social fibre for women was changing, we were encouraged to achieve our best potential, even though it seemed to be limited at that stage.

I took Home Economics as a subject, and I'm really thankful for the practical background it gave me. To this day, I am an avid cook, was a competent dressmaker, and still use many of the basic principles I learnt then. These are skills which are meaningful, useful, and fulfilling and I believe they are neglected today.

One of my memories, is of being late and having to go to the headmistress (can't remember her name but she was scary) who said to me, " Your hair is a very strange colour." Which was unfortunate because it was actually my natural blonde colour! I add here that, I made my own school uniform and had adjusted the design slightly to make it more alluring.
Another, was of Miss ....., Help - with severely dyed black hair, cut in a dramatic bob with short fringe - English teacher who acted out so many of our texts. One in particular, was "We of the Never Never", where she acted out the scene where cup handles were threaded on her fingers as the character adjusted to colonial life.

I must have been going through a time where how I looked was important (possibly nothing has changed), when I was distracted from class by looking at my nails. She said, "My nails, my nails, by beautiful nails, my interest in you never fails, I dream about you day and night and sometimes even take a bite."

They were good times and there was a good sound background. We were lucky and to this day, I would recommend a single sex school.

I have been actively working on what makes for a successful retirement through the blog, which documents day by day events and ideas. What I have come up with beyond the need to keep active etc is fairly simple - mainly that we need to work on this period of life and not just let it happen; to be interested and engaged in something which makes you want to get up in the morning; and social interaction beyond just the family.

I would be interested in your thoughts.

I have posted the photos - a bit fuzzy for some reason, probably the lighting - but that's OK. I quite like 'fuzzy' these days!

Thanks for the memories

Cheers Clara

To view or add comment, click on comments at bottom of page - it's easy to scroll down and choose 'anonomous' in the "comment as' box - or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au or visit my website at www.babyboomerconnections.com.au