I had the opportunity to present a talk as part of a celebration honouring 125 years since Kiwi women won the right to vote. There have been heaps of events, and our talk was months in the thinking about preparing. It was a terrific talk, tons of research with my workmate, but the funny thing about it was the minute or so of acting I did with another colleague, Mark, towards the end, that people commented on the most. The talk was focused on the many ways women over the years have used creativity in protests, whether it was anti-nuclear, anti-apartheid, equality, dress reform at the turn of the century, that kind of thing. So we covered things like making posters, poetry, cartoons and art, music, zines and even had a dance group of seniors perform a dance on breaking the glass ceiling at the end. All this was well planned, but at the last minute, ie the day before, we decided we should mention a well-known feminist playwright, Renee. So I found several of her plays and thought, why d

In Standard Four at primary school, I had the worst teacher ever She was just horrible, in the way that some teachers are when you're a kid. I may have actually hated her. I remember several things about Mrs Matthews. She was old. (Probably my age now, tbh) She smoked. I have a recollection of packets of Benson and Hedges, something gold, on her desk, in the larger packs. She had a smoker's voice so the smokes didn't kill her off early. She lived well beyond retirement age. She taught us our times tables. I really doubt anyone left that class at the end of the year not knowing at least up to the ten times. I know adults to this day who couldn't tell you off the top of their heads 9 x 8 or whatever. And she read the class, The Hendon Fungus. I have just re-read the book. I've read it a few other time since I left primary school and I love it. It is funny, it has great characters, it is science-fictiony. It is probably my most favourite kids book ever, and I re

I have had a massively busy time lately with work, writing talks, articles, all that kind of good stuff. I am working on a suffrage talk with a colleague, on protest and art, because here in NZ this month we celebrate 125 years since women won the right to vote. The research has been great fun, delving into the writings of the early feminists, although suffrage isn't the only topic. It covers anti-apartheid tours, anti-nuclear, gender equality, and even dress reform from the early 1900s. Check out this link from Heritage Images, of a fabulous photo of a dress reform wedding, and you'll see what I mean. https://bit.ly/2oJ55zB On to the romance... I have been struggling a bit with The Heart of Matthew McLeod , but am hoping - hope is such an odd thing, I've concluded - to have it out next month. I'm pretty pleased with it and even more so, to be back in Frazier Bay. Here's an excerpt. It is still a work in progress and may change but for now... Enjoy. CHAPTER