The Roaming Stevens

Only the other day on fb I posted a very special TED TALK video featuring Celeste Headlee - 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation.  I cannot get this woman out of my head.  Celeste made a huge impression.  This video should be made available in schools, high schools, universities, corporations, PRIVATE HOMES!  Ha!  It is such a simple message.  Celeste delivers it eloquently and she has this voice that commands attention; she has an inviting, calm, reassuring, and welcoming voice.  Then, of course, I discovered that she is in radio - national radio.  Am I the only person whom has not heard of this down to earth, brilliant human being before?  Doesn't matter.  When you get the time or the chance, NO, better yet, make the time to listen to Celeste.  I posted on fb I wanted her as my friend and/or my neighbor.  What a treat that would be.  I dream.  I dream a lot.  So, while listening and watching, Celeste threw m...

Happy Birthday to a Marvelous Woman! It has been my genuine pleasure to know this human being for the past 18 years. I have watched Matilda grow enormously in spirit and fortitude and am hugely proud to call her my other daughter. One of the best things (to me) about Matilda is that she is always questioning 'Why?' Simply because something has always been done one way does not necessarily mean it should remain so.  A fierce advocate for women's issues and the underdog, Matilda will stand her ground, fight for what is right and push hard for equal rights for women.   When I was a younger woman I thought the good and valid fight would have been won by now.  It is a no brainier to me.  Any person performing the same work should be receiving the same rate of pay.  EASY to begin here and make things right for every woman.   Matilda cares deeply about others and their well-being.  She is a staunch fighter against domestic abuse and any ...

A Gift of Words To My Most Beloved Granddaughter on her 17th Birthday Dearest Summer Daye, May you always have hope. May you always have the will to do the BEST in any task you endeavour to undertake. Be kind to others in a harsh world. Help out when you can. Engage in many FIRSTS.  Try your first Brussels sprout.  Ha!  You MAY be surprised OR you mig ht prefer skydiving to a sprout! Write an honest note to yourself on this special day of your birth describing who YOU think you are NOW.  Be kind to yourself and save for future reference.  You may be shocked or entertained when you reread this letter at age 30. It is important to write down your goals for the future. It is important to think about and write down the world issues that mean the most to you. It is important to write about the people whom have made your life a brighter and better place. It is always and forever important to let the people you especially admire or like or lov...

Crazy, hectic week and when I pace I cannot write.   Even though writing gives me great satisfaction and makes me happy, when my mind is overwhelmed I simply cannot SIT to write; (haven't tried standing - suppose I should.) This week I begin a new adventure ~ a new job which is such a dream come true for me that I don't think I can look at it as a job.  Why is it a dream come true?  WHY am I so excited?  Well, if you know me at all you know that I have loved and supported artists for about as long as I've been able to admire and understand art. South Australia, particularly the Barossa Valley is an enticing place due to the vast amount of vineyards readily able to view, the landscape itself, the fine wines housed in some of the most spectacular and stunning wineries you will ever see and sumptuous food in abundance.  Sprinkled in amongst the enormous 'Big Boy' wineries you will discover some of the best and most quaint family owned bout...

HOW MANY times have you been asked, 'Did you hear me?'  And, then...the older you get you understand completely the difference between hearing and actually listening.  I made a vow when Tinto and I returned to our Australian home that I would truly listen because I did just that on our overseas trip ~ our adventure!  Every spoken word felt meaningful... why?   WHY?   Was it simply because we wore both over excited at the wonderment of what was ahead of us...the sheer anticipation of what was to be?  I don't have any idea, but it did seem  that we hung on to each other's words and those words held importance.  Tinto and I are like other couples as we fall into a daily routine which can be tedious at times, but crucial if you want to manage a home properly.   When he enters the house I stop - to listen.  Hell, we can't hear properly anyway, so perhaps I'm stopping in order to WATCH HIS LIPS, too = helpful when trying to comprehend the...

Each and everyone of us has difficult days.  The bleak days help us to appreciate the joyful and positive ones even more. The last post regarding my sister, Constance Gordon-Johnson, and her legacy...threw me for a loop. Still, I have not quite recovered.  Private messages and tributes came rolling in and I feel honoured that many people took the time to write me about Constance and share how she impacted their lives.  Thank You.  I was overwhelmed with appreciation. Life goes on.  Life is for the living.  How many times have we heard that?  And, as true as it may be...it hurts when you find out a good mate or an overseas relative or a work colleague from the past is struggling with a difficult diagnosis.  There is never a right time for anyone you care about to die.  But, I am glad that countries and some individual states throughout the world are coming to terms with the fact that WE should be able to have a say in our own i...