Narelle Hunter RURAL LIFESTYLE

2015 - I started the day cooking our youngest daughter a hot breakfast. This doesn't happen on many school mornings. I guess we could call it bribery, as she is having trouble getting up and catching the early school bus this week. The smell of bacon, eggs and hash browns helped! It was a very cold winters morning, only 4 degrees, as the children climbed the big steps into the bus. There was excitement in the air, with only a week to go until holidays. On returning to the kitchen I washed the dishes and decided to give the floor a quick sweep. I joked and asked Howard where 'his' broom was. His reaction was a surprise, 'Its not my broom, its your broom!' he stated. It left me wondering at what stage during our 23 yrs of marriage did the broom become mine! The fantastic book 'Lean In' by Sheryl Sandberg is probably what triggered the discussion over broom ownership! I have thoroughly enjoyed Sheryls very well written and powerful book for women who would

There are many people who must feel like they are on the outside of  society and thats really not OK. Last night on Q & A I was impressed with Noel Pearson, Chairman of Cape York Partnership. Noel spoke of the aboriginal people being a minority and not having a voice. It must be very challenging to feel like that in todays Australian society. A young man also stood up on Q & A and spoke about his experience as a child who arrived in Australia via boat. This boy was given a number as a name at the detention centre. This must have been one of the many challenges for him at the time. He must have felt very isolated from basic human needs. The debate about Gay marriage in Australia is another situation where a minority are having to fight for their voice and equal rights. It must be very challenging at times to be Gay, even if you are the kindest, most giving and successful person around. You are perceived to be different and therefore so many people lay judgement unfairly but

Hello my friends, how are you going? I have been busy having a lovely time setting up my new web site and Meditation Coaching business in Sydney with plans to offer mindfulness workshops both in the city and the country. (and audio downloads online - more info to come soon) Sowing is all done on the farm. Howard is very pleased with the rain that arrived just after shearing. Ideal! I see my life in chapters these days and all of a sudden this stage involves lots of extra time in Sydney. The idea of chapters is probably more to do with mothering than anything else. You have the 'baby chapter' and that can be a time of sleeplessness, wonderful conversations with cute little beings who don't like supermarkets, bedtime, bath time, new foods or any lack of entertainment. Suddenly when you don't really feel ready...they are all at school and you have homework, assembly, reading tasks and helping your child feel good with friendship groups, sporting achievements, school