A Christmas Letter for 2011

https://members.tip.net.au/~lindafrd/Christmas2011web.pdf

This is set up for printing an A5 page. So pages 4 and 1 are followed by pages 2 and 3. 

Two Sermons

http://www.jeanettewinterson.com/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=606

The Manchester Sermon 2010
The Temptation of Jesus
Jeanette Winterson

and

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/books/review/the-book-of-books-what-literature-owes-the-bible.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&smid=fb-share

The Book of Books: What Literature Owes the Bible
By MARILYNNE ROBINSON
Published: December 22, 2011

both very profound and wonderful!

worth pondering.

MS Employment report links

From:
http://www.msra.org.au/plans-prevention-and-cure-ms-promise-reduction-national-budget

to view a copy of the report:
http://www.msra.org.au/files/msra/docs/Economic%20Impact%20of%20MS%20in%202010%20Full%20Report.pdf

Media Coverage

• ABC Rural - 2/11/2011  - [click for link]http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201111/s3354049.htm?site=canberra&section=news
• The Hon Jenny Macklin MP media release - 2/11/2011 - [click for link] http://www.jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/mediareleases/2011/Pages/eco_impact_ms_021111.aspx
  
• Medical Search - 3/11/2011 - [click for link]   http://www.medicalsearch.com.au/News/MS-prevention-plan-promises-reduction-to-national-budget-55741
  
• Invest in Australia - 2/11/2011 [click for link] http://www.investinaustralia.com/news/new-report-highlights-economic-impact-multiple-sclerosis-34c5
  

two links

http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201111/s3354049.htm?site=canberra&section=news
and
http://freilich.anu.edu.au/events/herbert-valmae-freilich-foundation-annual-lecture-bigotry-and-intolerance-2011

I was interviewed on ABC local radio last week (3rd November 2011). An interesting experience! While there were questions about my employment history, the rural reporter was more interested in the effect that living in the country had on my access to health services. I have been thinking about it ever since! While I did not see a GP very much at all in my thirties, I might have done if I had been in town and not just hiding away in depression and in the country!

on the other hand, even now, I think the main effect of being out here in Burra is an unwillingness to travel into town to go to a gym or other exercise.

ALSO

last week I finally got to a Freilich Foundation annual lecture. Raimond Gaita was talking about Gay marriage. He had ideas that made me think much more than ever before. I do need to read the transcript (if it becomes available) to be more careful of the wording.

enjoy both of these links!   

Jimmy Carter interview

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/11/president-jimmy-carter-interview

This Guardian interview is well worth a look. My first memory of Jimmy Carter was his quoting of Micah 6:8 What does the Lord require of you? to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your god. ... my first introduction to that verse.

sharing Anna's blog

I really must start to blog again!

In the meantime:
http://annast-odyssey.blogspot.com/
will keep you entranced.

Do check out the Faroes and other earlier posts there. Plus there is news of Tika, Anna's second guide dog. Yes, the photos here are taken so that Anna can also see what she is looking at. But they are amazing. This odyssean blog really should be published for a wider audience.

enjoy! 

L

Andrew Peacock at the Library

It is time I wrote something up here! My apologies. A comment berating me might be in order!

I want to share news about one of our National Treasures: The National Library. I occasionally visit and now must certainly do so, even if it is only to drink coffee! See this news article in The Canberra Times: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/early-bird-gets-the-bookworm/2072075.aspx

a larger photo of Andrew is at http://static.lifeislocal.com.au/multimedia/images/full/1108215.jpg

Animals have a way of humanising a space. Sitting in the gardens behind the National Gallery last year I almost had thornbills on my feet looking for crumbs. The bush in the sculpture garden there has attracted birds of the bush.

As I write we are visited by Blue Wrens for their last treat for the day. Earlier there were pigeons (including the one surviving youngster whom we watched in the nest until the two of them fledged and just took off); and Crimson Rosellas getting their last almonds of the day and also picking up fennel seeds that aren't yet mature. Magpies in there as well of course. Today was supposedly the day without treats from the hoomins. but now we are at home.