Tales from the Coffee Lab

I’m going to write about something I don’t know. At least, something I don’t do. I know a bit about it because I witness it every morning (and sometimes afternoon or evening), but I don’t participate, as such. I am an educated bystander....

Animal Stories

It’s a special year here in New Zealand. Hairy Maclary, beloved pooch of literary fame, is thirty years old! Can you believe it? That includes, therefore, Schnitzel Von Krumm, Hercules Morse and Muffin McLay. Not to mention, Scarface Claw, the toughest Tom in...

Random Acts of Literacy

I really love the word neighbourhood.  We moved here from the city and I’ve always wanted to live in a small, right-knit community where you knew everyone around you and shared food, conversation, child-in-the-lane watching duties, whatever was needed. It seemed...

Race Day

Last weekend we went on a little adventure. The kids, the hubby, the visiting in-laws and I pretzelled ourselves into the car (I thought, at one point, one of us might have to be strapped to a roof rack – it was like clowns in a mini). We buckled in and headed...