Well hello again!

Greetings my gorgeous ones.

I find I have had an 18 month hiatus from the good ol’ blog, even though I really didn’t mean to.

So fingers crossed I can start a new streak with this one.

The problem when you’ve had such a long break is there is so much to catch up on. But I think we’ll just try to jump on in and summarise the most important changes.

The things that come to mind, are our kids’ study activities.

Last year Miles managed to complete a Diploma in Engineering at our local Tech Collage. So he now has a qualification under his belt. But he enjoyed himself so much and had so many questions they couldn’t or wouldn’t answer, he has now taken himself off to Uni to do a double degree Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and Physics. Which means he no longer lives at home, and he has to do his own cooking and cleaning! He is mostly loving his new life.

This year Aiden has chosen to follow in Miles’ footsteps and is currently studying at our Tech College for a Cert 3 in Laboratory Skills. He has had some difficulties with being around others due to his OCD, but has persevered and passed all his subjects last semester. So now he only has Chemistry to go!

We are so pleased with our homeschooled boys. They are both resourceful and brave, and still love learning. They are finding a lot of their fellow students are more jaded, which we put down to homeschooling.

So never let people tell you you won’t get into University if you have to remove yourself from the school system for whatever reason. We are evidence that it is possible, even if you have to find creative ways to get there. 

This is how my gorgeous boys look now, and for those who have followed for a long time, we were at our property Heartwoods.

I will leave it there for now and let these couple of lines start me off again.

And ‘til next time,

Keep on creating!

Love,

Jazzy Jack

2022

 Greetings everyone!

Happy 2022!!

I thought I’d pop in and actually talk to you, instead of writing poetry. Although I have received a couple of nice comments about them. Thanks!

I did enjoy doing the A to Z challenge as it gave me a focus and a topic nudge. I struggle to know what to say, here in blogland and in life.

We had a delicious New Year’s celebration with fireworks for the first time in two years. They were absent due to the fires in 2019, and then due to the ubiquitous pest in 2020. It really felt like life returning to some semblance of normality having them back. Although it was interesting to note the change in philosophy. In the old days they moved them from the lake to the city centre so they could create a vibe and crowd all the people together in one place. This year they moved back to the lake and had three matching shows along the lake to spread people apart. I have to say it was stunning, and they will be much missed if they move it back again. Fireworks and water just go so well together!

Around the fireworks we had a picnic and played cards around the lake and in our campervan Brumhilda.

Following that we went home for some more snacks, The Blues Brothers movie, and the Sydney fireworks on TV. Along with some incidental fireworks from a house in the distance.

We had no issues with our dog Winter, despite our misgivings. She seemed pretty chill, until we were woken early the next morning with a fire alarm. As I’ve mentioned to a couple of friends, we do pay for our view. We seem to have an inordinate number of fire alarms which never end up being anything except some smoking in the car park etc. I try to be grateful for the protection of this system, but it becomes more difficult to manage when woken in the middle of the night!

That said, we are still having a blast living in our high kingdom in the clouds (as it feels to me). We are on the 12th floor, so not tooo high.

Currently the boys are having fun exploring the world with their new motorbikes. Yes, I have two kids on their Learner’s at the same time. Aren’t I a brave Mum? For Christmas we gave them motorbike accessories so they could go motocamping, which they have done once already. I think the fact they were both in a two person tent was a little tricky, but they made it work and are planning more outings.

I am often asked how I cope as a Mum with kids on motorbikes, or why I allowed my kids to have motorbikes. My answer is always that I want my kids to run their own lives and live the lives they are passionate about. I couldn’t squash their obvious desire just because I had some fears. As long as we’ve spoken about the dangers and we can see them addressing them, then I have to let go and support them, no matter what. It is their life after all. Especially at this late teen/early adult age.

However I feel unschooling has taught me a lot in this realm as that is the foundation pretty much for unschooling. Working together, and listening to each other, rather than a top down power approach which can turn kids off parents, and vice versa. We all need to be listened to, and kids are no different.

I am currently typing this sitting in Brumhilda after a rain storm, including hail, has battered me a bit. I was a little worried about the integrity of this ageing fibreglass roof to withstand the ‘giant hailstones’ that were heading our way, but I must have been lucky, because the hail wasn’t even a centimetre across.

Brumhilda has been a wonderful asset to us as a way to escape the apartment without having to sit out in the elements on a rug. With a table we can use it as a work space as well.

I also enjoy doing hand sewing while listening to podcasts. Currently I am piecing together some eco dyed bits and bobs to make a skirt. They were too good to abandon.

My mornings are mostly taken up with exercise at the moment. Recently I had a diagnosis of osteoporosis, so I have started treatment along with some weights exercises from my Physio, while still trying to continue with my yoga and walks in the mornings with Cris. It is a lot to take on, but hopefully it will make me buff! Ha! I’m certainly starting to see a change in my body. The goal is to eventually be able to start running. Yay!

This year we continued our tradition of videoing a time capsule to leave for ourselves next year this time. We watch last year’s video about our hopes and dreams and what has been happening that year, and then film a reaction to it along with what happened this year and what we hope to achieve in the next. It’s a nice little memory to have and look back on in the years to come, and helps us take a moment to reflect on where we’ve been and where we would like to go.

There is a part of me after reading that last paragraph, that wants to tell myself, ‘but what about the present’? I am making time to study people like Byron Katie and Eckhart Tolle who speak about not living in the past and the future, but living mostly in the now. I love this philosophy and find it very helpful. Hopefully I’m not upsetting the apple cart with our time capsule tradition!

Well, I might head home now the storm has passed and finish this back at the apartment.

Hello again! It’s a couple of days later and I’m sitting at home waiting for the effects of my booster shot to fade. I am feeling very privileged to live in a well developed country that, despite all its ups and downs, still manages to pull items out of its hat. I choose to focus on the blessing of my health being augmented.

Well, for someone who professed to not know what to say, I’ve rabbited on for ages!

I also want to apologise to all the blogs I follow. If anyone is reading this, know that I have tried multiple times on multiple devices to leave comments, but somehow the system won’t let me. It accepts them all and then they just disappear into thin air. Maybe some blogger in another universe is getting some nice random comments I like to imagine. Ha!

PS You can’t see it here, but I cut all my hair off again. I needed a break from the floofiness. But it was a fun experiment. I haven’t missed it one bit! Here is a photo if you want to see it

https://naturalmedley.blogspot.com/2021/12/a-to-z-poetry-challenge-2021-s.html

although it’s grown an amazing amount in one month. Almost as if it’s thanking me for taking all the weight off.

Alright, we’ll leave it there for now.

Til next time,

Keep on creating!

Love,

Jazzy Jack

Saying Goodbye to Leeway

Greetings my friends!

Well, this week saw the end of an era in our household. We said goodbye to our beach cabin “Leeway” which we have owned for four wonderful years.

This was sad and also perfect timing.

So this last week saw us popping down to the beach for one last goodbye to all our favourite haunts and emptying out the cabin. (Not that we can’t visit the haunts again one day.)

Since then I have been trying to find space in our already small apartment for all the duplicate pantry and toiletry items brought back. I’ve become a ninja squirreller!

Every time I empty out a bag or box onto the kitchen counter I despair of ever finding homes for them all. And when the bench is cleared I do a happy dance and feel like a superhero!

Such are the joys of my life right now. I have to find joy this way as my September Space month has been somewhat invaded by this slightly unexpected early selling of our cabin. Seems there is more of a demand than we realised for portable cabins.

We are really happy she is going to Mogo not far away to a family that was burnt out in the fires. How cool is that? And Mogo is a super sweet little town. 

Looking back we have been reflecting on all we have achieved since owning Leeway. The reason for buying her was to give Aiden a place to feel safe (due to his OCD) and to be able to explore the world. It required superhuman courage for him to do the car journey at first. But each successful trip built on the one before, and now he and Miles are doing their own road trip together in their own car and loving it!

Here is a link to a YouTube video I made when we first bought Leeway. To give you an idea of how we felt about it!

https://youtu.be/XKqbG-RmB1c

I was moved to write a poem about the beach on the last day, but surprisingly it was about a first.

climbing the sand dune to the sea

on the first day of holidays

is a magical moment

that first glimpse

that breath catch moment

on reaching the top

and spying the blue

stretched out

like a glistening tablecloth

before me

24/9/20

And here is the last glimpse through the fence.

May she have many more happy years with her new family.

Stay tuned for more adventures focussing on Heartwoods our bush getaway which was burnt out in the fires. We have plans...

Til next time,

Keep on creating!

Love,

Jazzy Jack

A to Z Writing Challenge - S for Schooling

Schooling

It's a funny thing

My kids have learnt things

I never expected

In this time of quaratine

I call it

Pandemic learning

For example

Before corona virus

I could never instill

Judicious use

Of toilet paper

And we would use

One roll in two days

-- I despaired --

But now

Threatened with shortage

We have made a pack

Last two months!

Nothing quite like

Panic schooling

And what have I learned?

I sure have upped

My handwashing game

And I've discovered

I can trust

My kids will be provided

With just the lessons

They need

For them to really understand

Deep learning

Is my favourite

23/4/20

Christmas treats

Thankyou my dear friends
for being so kind and sensitive to my last post. 

Here I have a video of my boys doing some Geocaching and Aiden playing with his drone.

I also have a fun little musical treat for those who listen to the end.

We have had/are having a super Christmas with many fun family times, lots of good food, and days of lying around doing not much except sleep and read. The best kind of holiday in my opinion.
Mind you we are in the middle of a heat wave with most days over 35 deg C this week, so lying around is just about all we can do!
I really feel Summer here is like Winter in the northern hemisphere with all the hibernation involved.
We did manage a trip to the lake and a sunset picnic when the temps dropped under 30. We plan to do many more.

Our Christmas also contained the inaugural riding of Miles' custom built bike (self built vintage quirky design).

And Aiden's new folding bike which needed a few tweaks, but is now running beautifully thanks to the budding bike mechanics in our family. It is now sporting brand new lights for after sun adventures (when it is cool!)

Closed

Open

Winter scored a new bed this year after having eviscerated her last one.

Which Smart-Blue was never seen near or in...never! Why would I want to do such a gauche thing as that?

Hoping your Christmas or celebrations were just as fabulous.

Much love,

Jazzy Jack

Ebb and Flow

Greetings my fellow sojourners!

I have been exploring the concept of ebb and flow which I heard about in a blog somewhere. It has really piqued my interest. The idea is that you naturally have fluctuations in energy levels during the days and weeks. And you need to match your jobs to your natural energy level, rather than banging your head against a brick wall trying to do something when you are not able to, or wasting time on a routine task when your energy levels are high.
So they advise writing two lists so you have ideas ready to go for both these states.  I did this, but have yet to use them. But the concept is constantly in my mind.

The other method I am using is a week on/week off method. 
One of my absolute worst things to do is to have appointments. Things like the dentist, the electrician or the Dr all fall into this category. I felt I was drowning in appointments, so decided to give myself every second week off from them. I have just finished my first week off and although I was not as relaxed on the week off as I would like, it was refreshing to feel myself ready to tackle the appointment week once again.
It's also nice to be at the beginning of an appointment free week (as I am right now). It feels like a mini holiday!
It took me a while to realise that I do not have to have my foot on the accelerator 24/7. The appointments will take place, just at a slower pace. And although my natural state is push, push, push, my body doesn't like it. And this new system is waaaay better! I think I just need a little more stimulation with fun outings in the week off to help me relax. Still tweaking, but looking good.

On the topic of ebb and flow, I unearthed this poem again. I posted it a while back, but it fit so well I'm sure you won't mind reading it again.

As I walk the line

Along the shore

I wonder about permanence

And impermanence

Wash and backwash

Hearing the splash of waves

In one ear

And crunch of rock

In the other

I wonder that

The same waves that erode

Also build the beach

I ponder

The crab, shell fish, even seaweed

Have much to teach

About living with grace

in tumultuous times

Here where life provides abundance

And then lack

And so I tiptoe shore footed

Among my musings

Keeping a fine balance

Avoiding the blue bottles.

27/11/2016.

Something else I've been working on is I've decided to write down my life, or at least the bits I remember. It feels a little grand to be calling it my "memoirs", but it will be a place the kids can go to read about my interesting life.

Here is a snippet:
We had a lot of problems with security in our time in Mt Hagen. Our windows were covered with  "boi wire" which was basically squares of reinforcing wire. And eventually we had a home made alarm system installed. Little crocodile clips fastened on to pieces of wire protruding from the bottoms of the windows. ALL of the clips had to be attached when we turned on the alarm or a great noise ensued! It was our job to check all the windows to make sure before we flipped the switch. It was sooo tedious, and it was inevitable that someone had knocked one off when pulling a curtain or opening a window. All these precautions were moot the day we came home and found someone had cut through the wall under our dining room window and squeezed between the framing. They must have sent in a child!
We were broken into a couple of times. They usually stole food and men's clothing. I remember when Dad had to borrow a belt to get to work. He was rather a different size than our neighbour! The most memorable break in was when afterwards we discovered a plate of pineapple missing from the fridge. We could just imagine them running down the road balancing it.

I have just put together another of my videos from recent family happenings. This one is accompanied by me on the piano. I hope you enjoy this peaceful perambulate through our lives.

Til next time,

keep on creating!

Love Jazzy Jack

Building and testing a raft

Dear friends
Here is a video I put together of our family adventures with Miles' raft building. 
He has had so much fun thinking of new ideas and testing them out. 
This is unschooling at it's finest!
Enjoy a relaxing view.

Til next time,

Keep on creating!

Love,

Jazzy Jack 

Why not have another video!

Greetings my beauties!
Here is another video to catch up with what we've been doing.
Thanks so much to all who wrote such lovely comments answering my questionnaire before the break.
I feel the need to change things up a little and trying to see what people respond to.
However for now all I have the energy for is doing videos and Instagram posts. Yes, I'm back on Instagram, trying it out again. Maybe it will stick, who knows. Or maybe I just need a change.

I've been exploring a lot of topics like flow, and autism and giftedness to see if I can get rid of my constant headaches and body tension. Yesterday I just stayed in bed apart from exercising, and cutting Miles' hair. It seemed to help and although seems obvious, is never that obvious to me! I always feel the need to do something to fix my tension. Crazy I know!

Anyway, here is the video, and I'll talk to you soon hopefully.

Til next time,

keep on creating!

Love,

Jazzy Jack 

It's been a minute

Greetings gorgeous friends!

Life has taken me away to thrash me around a bit. We have had too much fun since the beginning of the year, with birthdays and travel and performance.
I am only now (maybe) groping my way through.
I can't really decide where to start, but here is my latest video to update you a bit.
Love you!
Jazzy Jack

Photographing Hall Cemetery

Greetings one and all.

The other day Aiden and I took a small photography trip to Hall Cemetery. A little cemetery for the historic village that is located one suburb away from our house.

It was a beautiful sunny Winter's day to explore the gravestones.

I was pleasantly surprised to see all the natural designs. So I've taken a few photos to share here.

They have a rare orchid that grows here amongst other rare grassland plants, and they've even gone to the lengths of asking people who have reserved plots where the orchids have taken up residence, to volunteer to move. Tricky. I don't think they are asking the current occupants of graves to get up and move!

Aiden went around straightening up the fallen vases and putting things to rights.

Afterwards we took a trip to the end of the road and had a picnic in the turnoff where gravel is dumped. Such a gorgeous view over the mountains.

Also on this road is an amazing monastery with silver roofs. The Free Serbian Orthodox Monastery.

Stunning! It seems very glamorous to be sitting there all alone amongst farmland.

Speaking of glamorous...my fashion model son.

Til next time,

keep on creating!

Love

Jazzy Jack

PS Just as walking is controlled falling,

living is controlled dying.

What do you think of that?

Creativity, Unschooling and a Poem

Greetings friends!

 

Recently I made a YouTube video about our trip up the Moruya River on our tinnie

(small fishing boat). Here it is:

 

 

Although this was not a perfect video by any means, I released it anyway, as a snapshot in time. Showing our fun on the day, and my beginner skills with the camera.(Videoing from a moving boat requires rather a lot of skill!)

My theory is that we need to recognise and relish in our beginner mind.

 

I have too strong a tendency to judge myself and my work, and sometimes that is appropriate.

However over time I've found it is more useful for skill development, to allow the mistakes to occur, and sometimes in public! To make room for more understanding and ability.

 

Creative pursuits are rife with difficulties in this area, because we can so easily judge our poor attempts at painting or playing an instrument etc., and give up. How sad that is, if it is due to criticism, as opposed to a lack of desire.
 

 'feel the beauty

of the origin of an idea.'

 

If we truly want to continue studying and growing in that area, we need to allow the mistakes, and the beginner mind to have its moment.

This can be challenging to our egos, especially when you are a person who usually performs at a high standard.

But there is a place there in the vulnerability and humbleness that can be a highly creative space.

We can allow more room for our ideas to flourish and our new thought patterns to develop, if we hold off on the judgement for a while.

 

Of course there is always a time to sit and reflect if we want to allow others to see this work.

But in this instance, after editing this video three times, and cutting it back by half (!), I decided to let you see the wobbles and wind gusts. To let you hear my silly singing, and include my son's beginner guitar playing, because we celebrate the attempt at creativity as much as the finished product.

I released this work so you can feel encouraged at my beginnings, and maybe have a go yourself.

 

We need to rejoice in our vulnerable starting points, and feel the beauty of the origin of an idea.  

 

 

 

I think this mindset is why I love Unschooling so much. It is a space where we allow beginnings and endings. It is a place to explore our interests and desires. It makes room

for imperfections and creativity, and gives time to expand into ourselves.

 

I am finding as a parent who is Unschooling my mind is becoming more relaxed about "the way things should be". It is an expansion where we need to gently guide, be aware, but leave our hands off until absolutely needed or wanted. I am more able to trust that things will work out in time if we let them. My need for control of every little educational moment is releasing and I'm gaining such wonder of the naturally perfect learning my kids are creating in and around themselves.

 

We are creative people underneath, and if we can silence or ignore our critic long enough and open up to love and trust and play, we can find wells of new ideas just waiting to rise.

 

So do yourself a favour, and give it a go.

 

 

 

Open your hearts

to your simplicity

your beginnings

your humbleness

Celebrate the imperfect

the feebleness

the wobbly lines

the hesitancies

Smile anew

at the sweet joys

of vulnerability

of trembling tries

Let yourself laugh

at your playful

and inconsistent

ability

 

(I hope you like my playful creative examples above)

 

Til next time,

keep on creating!

 

Love,

Jazzy Jack