Chit-Chat Wednesday and Making Lemonade

Hello,
It has been rather a bumpy old start to the year for me. More crumbly old things happening than good but that's okay I do believe when life gives you lemons - make lemonade.
On the crumbly side first, Alfie died and I lost my part-time job which had supported my writing admirably for the last fourteen years. I had began working for a large department store in Sydney when I was at art school. I started as Counter Manager for an Australian aromatherapy counter and then progressed onto a well-known French brand of cosmetics and skin care. I still have no idea of why exactly I lost the job - it was one of those situations where nobody communicates anything to you.
I turned up for my regular shift to find another person in my place. How rude! But not unexpected as sadly this type of treatment is typical in retail. I am more shocked by the fact I was employed there for as long as I was. Consultants are blamed for any drop in sales no matter what outside conditions are. In my best Scarlett O' Hara impersonation, I shake my fist to the sky and vow 'As god and fellow Bloggers are my witness,I swear I'll never work in retail again!'
On the sunny side, I have been watching Midsomer Murders which is a series I came to late. My parents had watched and enjoyed it for years. Being the mad Agatha fan I am, I didn't think it would be my cup of tea but I've come to love and appreciate life in Midsomer. Love the surreal blend of the gruesome and cozy. John Nettles is perfect casting! Of course the true stars of Midsomer are those divine cottages and gardens.
I've been working hard on my mystery, Poets Cottage. I'm very close to sending the entire book to my agent and so fingers crossed it will be sold. With no income at all, publication is even more desirable than usual. I've been loving Poets and enjoying spending time in 1930's Tasmania. The image of the white cottage above was taken when I was on holiday in in Stanley, Tasmania, where I formed the idea for Poets. Two houses in Stanley inspired the two houses in Poets Cottage. If you squint you can make out yours truly, holding up Daisy.
Speaking of lovely houses, I've fallen in love with the blog Posy which a lot of you will be familar with already. During the Easter break, I read a lot of Posy's archives and love the way Jane is so frank about her life, her family and of course her floral, pretty decorating style. Just a lovely reminder of how many great Blogs and people are out there.
Because I no longer have to stand in a department store all weekend (hip, hip, hurray!) I've been loving spending time with my family on the weekends, doing family excursions and bird-watching trips which I shall post about later.
It's a glorious time of year in Sydney with the balmy Autumn weather. So I'm as broke as a church mouse but my soul is now my own and I no longer have to answer to dysfunctional managers. It is time for a new direction for me. I've had far too long doing odd jobs to pay my way with writing and I really have to start to think seriously about retraining in some new field.
But for a short time, I want to enjoy my freedom. Hope all is well with you and if life is giving you lemons, you know what to do with them! Just watch for the pips.xx
Midsomers Image source