Friday, January 16, 2026

Senses working overtime #558

1 Wellington mini-break




Love a mini break with my best girl to suss out regular haunts and have tacos at Hot Like a Mexican!


2 Reading: Joan Didion - The White Album




One of my Unity Books' purchases. Finally found some of JD's books.


3 Watching: Swallows & Amazons (TV on demand)




A recent BBC version of a book I loved from my childhood. Lovely version.


4 Listening: WTWMC - Fresh finds




Two weeks done - so 30 songs in the playlist so far.


5 Reading: Truman




I'm really enjoying this biography (reading a few pages each morning at breakfast). Two hundred pages in. I like him and Bess a lot!


Overtime: Anne Baxter

I wasn't afraid to fail. Something good always comes out of failure.

Friday, January 9, 2026

Senses working overtime #557

1 Maple Grove: Wozza vs blackberry (round three)




Hiding in plain sight - that's blackberry's evil plan. This view from the east deck looks benign but on the other side of Asher's playhouse...blackberry gone wild!

My arms tell the tale - blackberry is ahead on points. Tbc.


2 Reading: Life's Too Short - Darius Rucker




The lead singer from Hootie & The Blowfish's memoir. A good fun run down on his life before, during and after Hootie.


3 Listening: WTWMC - Fresh finds




The three amigos make a playlist of artists that have yet to appear in our playlists (we've missed some biggies and some smallies).


4 Writing: Denene Taylor




Denene is a hero of mine - a wonderful writer, a great mum, and a caring human being who has always had a magical glow about her. 

She's also a friend. Like her husband and children - I'm a fan!

After I left Macleans College (waaaay back at the end of the nineteen eighties) she kept in touch with Wozza's World and I'm so glad she did.

Don't walk in front of me, 

    I may not follow.

Don't walk behind me,

    I may not lead.

Walk beside me and be 

    my friend

Albert Camus

 

5 Watching: Robin Hood (TV on demand)




I'm not quite sure why this story gets retold so many times. This latest TV version is okay, but Robin's a bit wet and his anger management/ impulsivity needs some help. Plus, the sex scenes between the Sheriff's daughter and the captain of the guard seem wildly OTT and out of place (gratuitous).


Overtime: Toni Morrison

If you want to fly, you have to give up the things that weigh you down.

Friday, January 2, 2026

Senses working overtime #556

1 Welcome: 2026




Yes, it's a world cup year! Wahoo!! New Zealand will be there this time.


2 Watching: English Premier League




Jade and Ivy visited last week. Ivy and I watched Liverpool play Leeds. Ivy was unimpressed with the football on offer, as Arsenal weren't playing.


3 Reading: Truman - David McCullough




I didn't make much progress with this book in 2025 (only 75 pages). It's not that it failed to capture my interest - it's well written (Truman won the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography); it's more about its daunting size. So my goal since January 1st has been to read at least a page every morning in 2026 as I'm having breakfast. 


4 Watched: Outlast (season 2) and Win the Wilderness




Great reality competitions on Netflix.


5 Listening: Introducing Dinah Lee (1964)




A mint copy for five dollars from Vinyl Countdown, New Plymouth.


Overtime: Dolly Parton

If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one.