TEXAS, AGEING, BELIEF, NEW ZEALAND and SERANDIPITY some topics I shall be looking at on this blog!

(green font for past - blue font for present)

So we are starting today's look into my past in Christchurch New Zealand. I had left the hotel that I had originally booked into and checked into a modest motel with cooking facilities. It was a really a confusing and vulnerable time, my plans cast to the wind, yet honestly I can still remember the absolute faith I had that things would work out. 

Looking back, I now find it really amazing that I could do that! That is what is so important for me to impart to you, it may seem incredible what people do, but when it happened to me, there was no question I wasn't going to do it. I mean, sell my home, give my things away, set off into the unknown at fifty five, but it was a done deal as far as I was concerned.

I think sometimes when we look at what other people have done, we can think, "I would never do that," and sometimes we wouldn't, but that doesn't mean to say that if an opportunity arises, or a belief in something you want to do arises, that it can't be done. 

People say listen to your gut, well your gut is your solar plexus, and this is the call centre to receive guidance from God and his universe, or from whatever you believe connects you to something other than another human being, other worldly...

I applied and received my visa, I could stay for a year, so I began looking for a place to rent. I responded to an advert and went for an interview and was thrilled when they told me it was mine! It was a downstairs flat, two bedrooms miniscule kitchen and lounge/diner, but it was within walking distance of Christchurch, which was fantastic.

So, before long I was ensconced in my new home, it had no central heating but did have a portable gas heater, the owners said I could refill the cannister at the garage at the top of the road, which was about a fifteen minute walk. So when it ran out I was presented with the task of getting the cannister to the garage, it would be too heavy for me to carry so what to do? 

When I walked onto the garage forecourt, and went to the pumps, I couldn't help giggling to myself imagining what the person at the checkout would be thinking I was doing. There I was, without a car, going to the pumps, pulling a suitcase! Yes, my brainwave had been to put the cannister in the suitcase to take it to the garage, and it worked out perfectly.

I decided that I needed to get out so decided to join a local gym, I am not an exercise fanatic but thought this would be a good thing for me to do. So one day I decided to go on the exercise machine where it looks like you are in a rowing boat, grabbing hold of the handles I began to heave on them pulling myself back and forth, the seat rattling around under me. 

I looked at the girl next to me, who was working as hard as I was, and said, "Are you Oxford or Cambridge" and laughed. To my astonishment she replied, with an English accent and said, "Cambridge of course." 

The boat race is a yearly time honoured tradition in England, the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford battle along the Thames, rowing their hearts out to be the champion.

"Oh your English," I spluttered.
"Yes, my name is Terry, pleased to meet you.:"

And so synchronicity kicked in once again, and I found a friend I still treasure today.

So back to present day. As you can see we are living in Texas, yeehah, just loving it. I may repeat myself, but...we adored our time in Lake Charles and when Alex was laid off in 2017 we were very sad to leave. 
We kept saying how we would love to return to Louisiana, but two years went by, and then a phone call asking Alex if he was interested in a position in Texas.

Needless to say he said yes and in a matter of weeks he was off to begin his new job. I had to wait, as being English I had to apply for a dependents visa, which meant going to the embassy in Calgary. When this was all done, Alex came home and we packed up a trailer and set off back down to Texas. Five days driving, and unfortunately in the most dreadful snow and ice conditions, I don't think my buttocks unclenched till we reached the Texas warmth 😅

I was so excited to be back and loved our apartment from the moment I stepped into it. 

So the first thing I did was to find a highly recommended hairdresser, I am not into shoes, or even clothes but MY HAIR oh boy that has to be right. So found a hairdresser, and... well I'll leave what happened till next time we talk.

Have a wonderful weekend lovelies, I know we will, my lovely husband is sleeping as I type, he has a very long day, and I am a night owl, chat soon, take care.

Bess

SCARLETINA NEWS... Perfect Children's books for Christmas, if you are looking for a fun stories full of adventure, but along with the adventure and fun reading you want to reach children in a powerful yet gentle way that brings up topics like bullying, self worth, repercussions, love, friendship, loyalty, trust and faith., these books are for you. 

These adventures capture the hearts and minds of the reader/listener, honestly I have sold them from the ages of 3-95 lol ... magic isn't just for the young it seems. More than anything I want children to know that all things merit respect, not deserve, but merit respect. All things can teach us something. All things have their own energies, which we don't understand, but we can respect. 

Your children will grow through reading these books, which are set in an English woodland, so lots of well researched flora and fauna for them to look at. The final book, the Sun Circle, is set in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where I spent two blissful years.  I decided that that last book of the trilogy, had to be set in the bayou's of Louisiana.  I will have given children from around the world an insight into the magical ecological world of England, and a glimpse into the unique life of the flora and fauna of the bayou....

You can get these amazing stories from all bookstores : 
SCARLETINA'S QUEST FOR FAIRY WINGS... THE EARTH CIRCLE ISBN 978-1-4602-5095-2
SCARKETINA'S QUEST FOR FAIRY WINGS... THE MOON CIRCLE  ISBN 978-1-5255-4415-6

My email is besssherret@gmail.com and if you want a signed and dedicated book/s I am more than happy to do that, however you will have to page postage., thank you.

LOVING TEXAS!
Further update from our new home in the USA. Life has turned full circle, as my last post was from Louisiana, 1st December 2015, and here we are in Texas and 12th November 2019, and I felt the call to begin writing again.
I am going to continue with my journey for you, interspersed with present happenings I think they might interest you 😊and I think I will differentiate between the two with colour! So the past I will write in bold green and the present in bold blue.

So I am going to begin my story, in New Zealand, where I went to, having left Tasmania as my visa limit had been reached. This decision had been somewhat forced on me, as during my visit to Christchurch I had been advised at the Australian airport that I would not be allowed back into Tasmania because my visa was finished! 

As you can imagine I was totally shocked by this news, I thought I had another three months, but this was not the case. On arriving in Christchurch I booked into the hotel and began calling friends in Tasmania to advise them that I would not be returning. Little did I know that this traumatic event would be the start of something unbelievable, God and the universe knew what they were doing.

Thankfully I had booked into the hotel for a week, so that gave me time to collect my thoughts and decide what to do, and I decided to stay in New Zealand, I wasn't ready to return to England, it just didn't feel it was the right thing to do. 

Looking back this was probably the best way it could have happened, it was a brutal but clean break, 

So, here I was in a new country, a new city to explore, friends to make, but it wasn't as easy as it sounds. Leaving Tasmania the way I did, left me feeling somewhat rudderless, I fought to remain positive and trust that God and his universe were still guiding me, but I have to admit sometimes I did plummet to the depths of...why was this happening?

My friends in Tasmania were amazing, cleaning my house, donating my furniture, finding homes for my cats, which unbelievably I knew would happen; but here again is the magic of God. One went back to a mutual friend, the other three were put back into a rescue centre. I was devastated for them, that is where they had come from. I had hoped to rehome them prior to my leaving, but...a couple of days after I arrived I phoned the rescue centre to tell them I would be sending a donation to them, and was told that much to everyone's amazement, as this had never happened before, all three cats had been rehomed together. Apparently this couple came in, read what had happened (this was posted on their cages) and said they couldn't separate them, they would take all three! 

It was then I remembered something,; I had been doing automatic writing for some time, connecting with my Guardian angel and just typing on my computer, what came through, sometimes it made sense other times I felt I was writing my own thoughts. In the March I had written that there would be many tears, but my cats would be okay.
This was now July, and I had forgotten about it, but on recall remembered how puzzled I had been, and had dismissed it as my own fears manifesting, but no, it was so right, I had shed many tears and my much loved cats were good.

So folks here I was in New Zealand, looking for accommodation, little did I know what amazing things were in store for me...

Okay so we are bold blue, present day...we are now living in Texas, my husband was offered a job here which we were thrilled to accept, yay... Once again getting used to people saying, "I just love your accent" lol, being British it does stand out 😆 loving the friendliness and approachability of everyone, never had so many hugs from strangers💖 

We feel so blessed to be here, to begin another chapter in our lives. This is another aspect I want to bring in to my blog, I am, next month, 73, my age doesn't' define me, my body does sometimes lol,  but my heart beats as strong as it did when I was eighteen. I have experienced how age is something to be honoured yet not curtailed by. Will write again soon, thank you for checking in...

Bess xoxoxox

FOR SOME REASON I NEVER POSTED THIS, IT WAS STILL IN THE DRAFT SECTION, SO AM GOING TO DO THAT TODAY, AS IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF MY TIME IN TASMANIA.

I am by nature quite a reserved person when it comes to personal details, however I realise that I wanted to share with you some of the fun times I had, whilst living in Tasmania. I lived for just over two years in Tasmania, and made treasured friends, two came to Canada last year.

Another friend sadly passed over whilst I was there, she had a huge impact on my life, an older lady, Nancy. They cut the mold with Nancy, 80+ spunky, defiant to the end, and I loved her.

We shared many many fun times together, she could be irascible, but oh she was never dull!

She would be so happy to see me now, with a man I love and who loves me, for who I am, warts and all!  She had experienced that kind of relationship, a special love to be treasured and appreciated.

I learnt so much from her, and I will always remember, with a smile on my lips, the precious times I shared with her. Despite our difference in age, we were mates, who laughed together, shared together and really enjoyed each other’s company. 

My friendship with Jackie, the psychic I had met, and her husband had blossomed.  Jackie and I had become bosom buddies, she was just the kind of female friend we ladies need, and we shared many an evening together, after her husband went to bed, sipping wine as the sun set.

Was there any 'love' interest for me?  Hm - well of course, lol.

Well when I say of course...let us get something straight...I had been married once and had only known one man, so we aren't talking super experienced lady here folks. I was happy living the solo life, discovering who I now was, and I believe, experiencing this, was one of the main reasons I was guided to Tasmania. 

Eventually I met Dudley, we were introduced through a mutual friend and sparks flew from our first meeting! Sparks of the sexual kind! We had a wonderfully fulfilling and fun time for a couple of months. An interlude for two people who had been alone for some time, it was full of frolics, champagne and the total abandonment of who I had been. But the sparks started to fizzle out, and we parted company; but I had so much to be thankful for, and I know we both benefited in so many ways from our time together.

I am only sharing this very personal part of my life with you because there are many bruised, scared and anxious folks who have been, or still are in the same situation I was in. Alone after a long relationship, perhaps who married young and have no other sexual experience except from your partner.

Suddenly you are having to look at yourself in a new light, and one that is often laden with criticism or self-doubt. It can be so easy to convince yourself that you are unattractive, that no-one could possibly be interested in you. I felt just like that, I had never believed I was attractive, so self-doubt was deeply embedded in my psyche.

So when this very attractive man came into my life, I had a choice, go for it, let go of who I had been, or thought I had been, and embrace, in more ways than one, the potential that life was offering me. I took that chance and it made such a huge difference to me.

Dudley made me feel attractive, beautiful, desired; we had such a good time together, but it wasn't meant to last. He was brought along to torpedo me out of the comfortable and safe zone I had cocooned myself in, and begin to live again, to shed the past like a snake sheds it skin.

I will always be so thankful that I said yes to this emotional challenge, to being vulnerable and yes to the step that began my journey to meeting the man who fills my life every day, with absolute love and joy. But way more to tell you before we get to that.

Life in Tasmania had its own routine, in the summer, on a sit on mower, it would take me two hours to cut the grass, praying that I wouldn’t run into any snakes!

I loved the open spaces that filled every view from my home, I got used to the nighttime visitors and noises. I even helped the owner of my house by driving a tractor in his organic vineyard; he needed to put the nets over the grapes to protect them from the birds. Mind you if I had known how long I would be doing it, and the effort needed to keep the clutch down,  I might not have been so keen to do it.

 

CHRISTMAS ON MY OWN IN TASMANIA, BUT LOTS OF FUN TO BE HAD!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you have a joyful time, filled with love, laughter, good food and fun, and may the coming year be filled with life's blessings and abundance for you.

I thought this might be a good time to share with you my first solo festive time in Tasmania.

Christmas in Tasmania! What was I going to do? The answer was simple, enjoy myself. Yes I would be on my own, therefore it was up to me to plan the festivities with as much fervour as I had always done when family and friends visited us.

I learnt whilst being on my own, to treat myself as well as I  treated others, and this especially applied at Christmas. My first Christmas I had volunteered at a dinner for a charity and had really enjoyed it, but felt this year I had to do something for myself.

I wanted to make it special for me, to make the effort to cook the food I loved and select the wine to go with it, and without it, after all it was Christmas :)

It can be easy to think it's just me, I won't bother, but I didn't want to go down that path.
I hit upon a wonderful idea, which for those of you who might be in the same situation this Yuletide, please feel free to do the same :)

I bought myself presents! I indulged myself and my fancies, oh it was such fun. Not everything had to be expensive, just those little things that normally I would not have bought.

These gifts were all wrapped, with gift tags from Bess to Bess and placed under the tree, along with those from family and friends.
It did seem odd to have a Christmas tree without the usual wintry weather, but it just added to the fun.

I planned the festive lunch with enthusiasm, and decided to try a Jamie Oliver chicken dish, happily I shopped for the wines, veggies, fruit, chocolates and of course the chicken, so by Christmas Eve all was ready.

I had decided to surprise my sister by videoing parts of the day, I thought it would be fun for her to see me in my new surrounding, at such a special time.

As usual I awoke early because I knew Santa had been, ever the excitable child :) collected my presents, a pot of tea and went back to my bed for the unwrapping.

Switching on the video camera I said,

"As you can see I have sorted my presents into two piles, one pile is from Bess (me), the other from family and friends. 
Yes it is obvious that Bess has bought me a lot of gifts, and she always gets such wonderful things, never a wrong present from her!"

I then shared the joys of unwrapping my gifts, and Bess did get it right every time :) when my sister eventually saw it, she said she couldn't stop laughing and was so happy that I had obviously enjoyed Christmas morning.

I then took the camera into the kitchen where I did a mini cooking show, well I was doing a Jamie Oliver dish! Actually it was really great to do the videoing, I felt I was sharing Christmas with my family.

Because of the 11 hour time difference between England and Tasmania, my day was beginning as theirs was ending. So after an emotional but happy phone call, I made some scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, and sipped on a glass of Bucks Fizz, (orange juice and champagne) whilst having another look at my gifts.

Later in the day the aroma of a sage and onion stuffed chicken began to waft through the house. I would only have  needed to smell a cigar and I would have been transported back to my childhood.
Chicken was a luxury which we only had at Christmas, and my dad only ever smoked a cigar at Christmas, it's funny how 'smell' plays such an important part in our memories, isn't it, especially ones that evoke happiness and joy.

I set the table with festive table mats, wine and water glasses, candles, it looked really beautiful, and before long I was seated and tucking into my delicious dinner.

Did I have some sad moments, of course I did, don't we all, whether alone or with loved ones, there are always memories of those who are no longer with us, but we share our memories and bring them to life again.

I missed that time of sharing, and I shed a few tears but quickly counted my many blessings. I smiled as I looked back on the year, and sent my gratitude to all of those who had supported me in my new adventure.
I know some had been fearful of my decision to launch myself out into the world at 55, but now were really happy and content for me and enjoying my amazing journey.

I also sent my thanks to God and my angels and guides for the never ending support and guidance that I felt blessed with.
The night was drawing in, the day was coming to an end, but I knew that the future was only just beginning.

                 ****************

Enjoy this time, give and receive with love, think of those less fortunate and count your blessings, and pray for peace in our world.

Oh and Scarletina is getting ready to assist me in writing the second part of the trilogy, The Moon Circle, lots more magic in this one! Or so she tells me!

Scarletina would love to end up in someone's Christmas stocking, and she has such a wonderful wisdom and world to share. Just go to any Amazon and order it from there, even if you don't she will be bringing you sprinkles of magical fairy dust to add sparkle to your Christmas.

Blessings
Bess and of course Scarletina xx

2015 A SUMMER OF CHALLENGES, FUN, MAJOR CHANGE AND LOSS.

I would like to bring you up to date with the past few months, which I hope will explain my tardiness in writing another blog!

This summer, life has given me many blessings and happy times, along with some very sad and stressed out moments too. Well when we are experiencing such times, it certainly doesn't feel like 'moments' does it!

My husband was laid off from work last September, along with many others due to the fall in oil prices and the cutting back on projects.
We decided to try and look at this as a blessing as we would be spending more time together, whilst accepting it would be a time of belt tightening and stress. We would be sensible, but with the optimism that all would turn out well.

Fast forward to July, Alex was still looking for work, he was constantly sending out applications but without any success. That month we were having a much loved friend Betty and her sister coming for a visit from Tasmania. Betty's husband had died in 2014, they had been married for many years and she had been struggling with her loss.
When we spoke she had said she would love to come and visit but financially it wasn't viable just yet, so we were both thrilled when she let me know her children were paying for their mum to come and see me and meet my beloved husband Alex.

We had the most amazing time with Betty and her sister sharing the beauty of Alberta, taking time to recall past memories and the extra joy of making new ones.
I had always cherished Betty as a friend, her family treated me as one of their own when I lived in Tasmania, I was so grateful to her children for making our reunion possible.
Sadly at this time, Alex's father had been suffering ill health, he was normally a robust 94 year old, but things weren't looking good for him. Thankfully he gained strength as the days passed, ever the fighter.

Then towards the end of August, another reunion with a dear friend, also from Tasmania! Carol and I met in Tasmania and our wonderful friendship formed quickly and has continued. When we lived in Kuwait she was planning a visit to the UK so suggested that we meet in Dubai. It would only be for one night but that didn't deter us! We had such fun. So when we returned to Canada, she said she would like to visit!
We had a fantastic time catching up, showing her around and found we had a shared love of squirrels, particularly the black ones found in Alberta!So lots of time sitting out on the deck watching them.

After Carol left we quickly went to see Alex's dad, who had improved somewhat and we had some very special times with him. We were able to share our exciting news that Alex had been offered an great job in Louisiana, dear Dad was thrilled that Alex's perseverance had paid off.
It is always hard leaving a beloved parent, especially when their health is so fragile, but we were blessed that what were to be our final memories of him, were ones of happiness and love

Hectic time followed, organising the move to Louisiana, getting our visa's etc.,  Alex left first, I had to wait nearly 6 weeks to join him as I had to get a different visa as I am still a British citizen.

Eventually I arrived on the 20th October, and sadly Alex's dad passed away the following day. So on the 23rd we were flying back to Canada to attend the funeral.

We will so miss this lovely man, his love, compassion and humour but know that he is happy being reunited with his loved ones and out of pain.

So hope this goes some way to explaining my absence, it's good to be back, and will now continue my journey whilst in Tasmania.

                ...............        

SCARY SOUNDS IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT!

I was still living in Hobart but had found a new home near Cygnet,I had some time to get ready for the move to my new home and God and the Universe stepped in to assist me.

I spread the word that I was looking for furniture and fortunately a friend’s mum was selling a double bed, a dining table and chairs, so I quickly paid her and so began to furnish my home.
I love going into charity shops, love a bargain, well who doesn't :)so I spent many a happy hour trawling them looking, and buying stuff to take with me.

By the time it came for me to leave, I had pots and pans, china, cutlery and some totally unnecessary knick knacks which I knew however, would begin to make the house my home.

A friend's husband offered to drive a rental van for me, yes I had acquired enough stuff to warrant one, no surprise there:)

Suddenly moving day arrived, I was sad to leave the friends I had made in Hobart, but with promises to call in when I visited, and invitations for them to come and see me, I closed another chapter of my life.

I felt so excited as we drove up the long drive to my home, there was about two acres of land with the house, and I had agreed that it would be my responsibility to keep it mowed, something I was looking forward to! Before long the furniture was unloaded and I was waving farewell to my very kind friends.

Taking a deep breath of anticipation, I pulled open the patio doors and stood looking out at the amazing scenery, I could see tall Eucalyptus trees, along with lots of other plants that I was unfamiliar with, but recognised the currant bushes, they reminded me of England!

I quickly began to unpack my precious purchases, and as usual made the bed first. Everything else could wait till tomorrow, but the bed had to be ready for me! I had bought some pale lemon cotton sheets and a blue throw, new bedding for me is a must! I usually wash them first but didn't have time, but hey, there was only me to worry about. 

This thought still had the power to make my stomach flip, especially as before leaving Hobart, I had signed the divorce papers which would now be back in the U.K. I paused and reflected on the multiple changes in my life. I had no regrets only sadness that our marriage hadn't worked out, but was cheered by the fact that we remained good friends, and still are to this day. We can't change the past, but we can learn from it, respect it and grow from our experiences.

I had bought a bottle of champagne and some oysters for my first celebratory dinner, no time like the present I thought, so quickly rinsing a wine glass, plate and a fork, I sat at my dining table and raised a glass toasting my new life and home.

I took a chair outside and sipping my champagne experienced the wonders of the Tasmanian sunset, wondered at the breathtaking colour.

When the sun set everywhere became an inky black except for the beautiful stars lighting up the sky in all their glory. It was then I realised that I couldn't see any lights from other houses, not even a faint glimmer pierced the darkness, I was isolated and alone!

Like many people I have an instinctive fear of the dark, so decided it was time to beat a retreat into the haven of my well lit house, when suddenly there came a blood curdling sound that seemed to echo around me, I couldn't get back into the house quick enough!
From the safety of my bedroom I peered out into the darkness trying to see what it might be. I had the window open, but the fly guard stopped me from getting a clear view when suddenly something moved in the bushes. With a pounding heart I tried to see what it was and then had a brainwave, I could put on the outside lights!

Could this be the howling banshee? I started giggling partly relief and partly pure pleasure, for there in my garden was .....

a Wallaby, well not just one, several of them hopping around, they looked so cute but were obviously startled by the bright light, so I quickly switched it off.

Clambering into bed I realised that life in my somewhat remote home was going to be very interesting, with all these new animals, I later found out that the screeching I heard was the Tasmanian Devil, a spunky

little guy whose voice belies his size! If you want to hear what he sounded like to to:

( go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3RjAh8PRTQ )

Whilst I am on scary moments, I must share with you another heart stopping moment, I saw this crawling over my curtains one morning, it's called the Huntsmen Spider, not harmful to us, but visually so scary ...

To my shame I panicked and hit it with a broom and killed it, and I have to say that was the last time I ever killed a spider, my mum used to say "if you want to live and thrive, let a spider run alive"!

This adage nearly caused me serious repercussions when I was living in New Zealand. The ground floor apartment I was renting had a small garden with bushes, and I had been getting quite a lot of spiders in the house, which I dutifully caught in a cloth and put outside.

A friend from Tasmania was visiting and we were sitting in the lounge chatting away when she said "Just keep still, don't move" taking off her shoe she hit something on the wall behind me, and proudly showed me a rather crushed and very dead spider!

I explained that I didn't kill them and had been rescuing them, her eyes widened and she exclaimed "you have been doing what! This is a white tailed spider, they can give you a nasty bite that doesn't always heal!"

I was given a valuable lesson in that size really has nothing to do with how harmful a spider is, does it :)

Over time I learned what to give a wide berth to and what to welcome, one of the latter was the blue tongue lizard who looked fearsome but really helped keep the garden clear of snails!

Over the next few weeks I added a couple of chairs, a television, coffee table and of course some more knick knacks, crystals that caught my eye and angels and fairy ornaments. I had no idea of how long I would be staying in Tasmania, but went along with my inner feelings that it was going to be for some time.

Well folks, this is where I am going to stop chatting to you, but I have lots more to tell!

                .................

UPDATE

We are in our new apartment, which is almost sorted out! Life is beginning to settle back into some kind of normal routine, Alex at work, and me? Well in the new year I am planning on writing the next part of the Scarletina trilogy, and publishing my book Divine Inspiration with Chocolate, will keep you all posted.

If you would like to buy a copy of Scarletina's Quest for Fairy Wings, the Earth Circle, and I would be thrilled if you did, to order your copy go to:

www.Amazon.com 
or 
www.friesenpress.com/bookstore  

This book would make the perfect gift, one that parents would be very happy for their child to read. 

It shares the delightful fairy world of Nightingale Wood, Scarletina's adventures with her friends and the wildlife, how consequences even happen to fairy Scarletina, and how her parents guide their impetuous, loving and inquisitive daughter.

Wildlife comes to life in this book! Children will learn about the woodland flower and fauna in a unique and insightful way, fairy wisdom gently guides them to look at our world with new eyes and caring thoughts. 

I wish you all a very merry, happy and contented Christmas, may 2016 be a year that is filled with life's blessings and abundance.

Thank you for stopping by,

Blessings

Bess

  

  

PSYCHIC REVELATIONS .... MAJOR DECISIONS.... THE HEALING CONTINUES.

SCARLETINA'S NEWS....

Much to my surprise I really enjoyed both of my recent book signings. I have to confess that the self-promotion aspect had really caused me some anxiety.

The fact that I performed for many years in the theatre, directed plays, ran drama workshops and also a drama club at a school prepared me in many ways for the joyful task of presenting readings from Scarletina's Quest for Fairy Wings.

I felt confident reading to the avid listeners who happily sat on the floor whilst I regaled them with snippets from the book, and was able to respond to any of the questions that the children asked!

Thank goodness for drama improvisation, something that I always enjoyed, it certainly helps you think on your feet.

I am so grateful for the experience of the drama classes that were held in our schools in the UK, and am very surprised and sad that it doesn't appear to be part of the curriculum here in Calgary.

Drama is so empowering, it teaches confidence and discipline, encourages team spirit, supports individuality, and encourages imagination and individual expression.

Theatre thrives in the UK, in schools, villages, towns and cities.

I personally have seen timid, shy and reserved children and adults blossom when involved in drama, and they surprise not only their family and friends at this new found confidence, but also surprise themselves.

It’s not only performing that is enriching for all students; it is also working with excellent plays that open up new worlds and experiences.

You CANNOT perform Shakespeare, Wilde, Miller, Albee, Ayckbourn, Chekhov, Pinter, Simon, Coward and Ionesco to name but a few, and NOT also have the opportunity to learn about yourself,life and the richness of the written and spoken word.  

Okay, I have just climbed down from my own special soapbox about theatre and drama, and the need for it in our lives! However, the prospect of talking to people about my book as me, seemed much more daunting than performing a character on stage, but you know, all those years of training came to my aid again, and I found that I was once again ‘performing’ but this time as myself, and it came a lot easier than I had imagined.

Here some children are carefully carrying their sprinkles of Magical Fairy Dust to blow away after making a wish. 

Then the Wish Fairy collects up all the wishes and takes them to WishLand where they are kept, to hopefully one day, be picked out to come true.

***************************************

        PSYCHIC REVELATIONS LEAD TO GOODBYES.

My new life in Hobart was continuing along its joyful path. My friendship with Betty and her family was growing stronger and at their request had started doing spiritual healing when I visited them.

I had studied spiritual healing when I took my Shamanic Healers course, and have always enjoyed working this way.

I remember reading about a wonderful Native American called Fools Crow who said you have to have hollow bones to be a good healer. I took the meaning of that statement to mean that we have to work on ourselves to cleanse our own emotional and spiritual blockages which helps provide a clear path for the energy to come through. 

I am so glad that I was shown this direction, and although the process of cleansing my inner emotional and spiritual blockages can be very painful and uncomfortable, it has helped me recognise how those negative blocks warped my perceptions and prevented me from moving forward.

I gladly acknowledge that people and books were brought along to help me, good old synchronicity working for me along with my spiritual guides and angels, encouraging me to release those aspects of my inner self that would allow me to open new doors which hitherto had been firmly closed.

One such book prompted me to email the writer, a lady in America, to say how much I had appreciated her writings. I told her about my journey thus far and was really happy when I received an email from her saying that she was originally from Tasmania and was giving me an email address of a friend of hers, who was a psychic, and lived just outside Hobart.

When I received this email I had to chuckle as I had been trying to find someone whom I could go to for a reading. 

I haven't had many consultations with mediums or psychics, I only went when I had the ‘feeling’ that it was time to go to one. I was always ‘led’ to the person I needed to see, so I confidently wrote to Jackie requesting an appointment with her.

I didn't receive a reply for ages, and had begun to wonder if I had misread the signs, which of course I can do :) when Jackie responded apologising for the delay, and explaining she had taken a break and suggesting a date for me to go to visit her. I quickly accepted and before long found myself sitting opposite this wonderful ball of energy!

Jackie was an amazing lady, who within moments of the reading had accurately told me many details about my past, and trust me when I say that though I am a believer in some peoples psychic abilities (along with, sadly some charlatans), I am very sceptical and grounded, and I do not give anything away!

I was therefore surprised when Jackie asked whether I was considering moving from where I was living and before I could answer, her husband who had just walked into the room (which was an open lounge/kitchen area, he had come in to feed the many cats Jackie and he had) said "Oh there is a house for rent advertised in the local," and proceeded to get the paper to show Jackie.

"Right you need to go and look at this house, come on I will drive you there!" Needless to say I was astounded at the suggestion as I hadn't contemplated moving, but I just went with my gut instinct and before long we had arrived at the outskirts of a small town called Cygnet. 

It was then Jackie realised she had left the paper at home so we didn't have the phone number, but she remembered the name of the road, so we drove along it and I quickly perceived that the houses were few and far between, certainly no close neighbours here!

Jackie decided to go to one of the houses along the road, she felt as there were so few properties along it someone would probably know which one was being advertised to rent. 
When she reappeared, she was grinning and happily waving at me saying "Well they (my spiritual guides and angels) must want you to have this as the guy who is renting it out, was in that house having a cuppa, how's that for synchronicity!" laughed Jackie.

We drove for a few minutes before she turned onto a driveway that seemed to go on forever. There were many bushes and trees on either side of the drive and lots of grass too, quite beautiful in a completely natural way. 
Then to the right of the drive I could see a bungalow and to the left a large shed. "The guy who is renting this out didn't have a key with him, but he said if you are interested he could meet you here so you can view it, but we can have a look through the windows, come on," said Jackie.

The bungalow was made of red brick, and there was a paved area with a barbeque and lots of trees, bushes and plants surrounding the house. 
We peered in through the windows and could see there appeared to be a large open plan lounge/dining room/kitchen. Jackie pointed out there was a wood burner in the lounge and the kitchen had a cooker. There also seemed to be two bedrooms and of course a bathroom, going by the frosted glass.

We walked around the property and I realised I couldn't see another house, anywhere! There appeared to be a lot of land with the house and I presumed it would be the occupier who would have to look after it. Jackie pointed out there was a large water tank as the house wouldn't be on mains water. “Well what do you think Bess, isn't it wonderful, don't you think you would love it here?” asked Jackie.

To my own astonishment I replied that I thought I would really enjoy living there, and strange as it seemed the house felt like home to me! 
Jackie immediately called the owner and handed the phone over to me, we made an appointment for me to look over the house the following day! 

As we drove back Jackie also told me she felt I was going to meet a man in August and be talking marriage by December! What! Now I was going into overload!

(But you know she was right folks! However this was to happen four years down the road, then I did meet someone in the August and we were planning a wedding by the December, but more about that in the future!)

Jackie dropped me off at the garage where I had left my car, as her husband had initially met me there, as the drive to their house was very difficult to describe, and many people got lost:) 
Jackie made me promise to let her know how I got on the following day and with a huge hug and a friendly wave left me with my thoughts!

I sat in the car and reality hit me! What was I thinking? I made myself take a few deep breaths and thought about the choices I had to take. 

I could stay where I was; I enjoyed living there but did miss my personal solitude and space which I had become used to since separating from my husband. 
At the bungalow I would be in total control of my life, have the place to myself, be able to wander about at whatever time I wanted to, no more worrying about being decently dressed!

I would still miss the people at the house in Hobart, because I had shared many happy hours with them all, and there I didn't have to worry about anything except paying my rent once a month. 
However at the bungalow I would probably have to look after the gardens, which would entail a lot of work, I would have to buy wood for the fire, get a phone, a car, furniture… the list started to grow, but as it grew so did the certainty that I had to go with my instincts and move to the literal back of beyond!

On my return to the house in Hobart, I told Mary and my fellow lodgers of my decision to relocate to Cygnet, they just stared at me, their expressions said it all! 
Funnily enough this made me even surer that I was doing the right thing, it was time for me to move on. 

I realised that in order to continue in my ‘growth’ it was essential for me to leave this safe, organised and unchallenging existence. 

This environment had definitely been the place for me to live when I had first arrived, and had given me such amazingly supportive people to help me find my feet.

Now I knew I was ready for the next step, excitement, trepidation, joy and that unique bubble of delight that fills your being when you step into the unknown filled my being. 
It was time to trust, believe and venture forth... 

                         

I wanted to add that I have just downloaded these pictures and it is 14 years since I took the path that led me to this house.
I now know that by taking that path, I am where I am today, I am who I am today, that isn't just a house you are looking at, it is the place I found ME, found ME again at 55 years of age! That house could be called Liberation House :)

Lots more to tell you next time, thanks for stopping by.....

Blessings

Bess x