Put the issue of finding time in this  ’frenetic stage of life I am in’ aside and contributing to this great challenge is getting easier. Did I hear you scoff? No it’s true. How could it not be easier with the inspiration provided by the slices of life I am reading.

Jama’s tribute to her Dad. Well the weather here in Bendigo, Victoria, was gardening perfect. Tomorrow I know I will pay the price for all the reaching, bending, pruning, wheelbarrowing and raking I did today. Just in the last few years I have had a tug to end a day in the garden with a beer (the only time I drink beer) and it is in salute to my Dad. While growing up,Sundays after church was spent in the garden. In recognition of a job well done, Dad would sit on the back step and have a beer.

Tara and Cathy both wrote about the pleasure of college children returning home, even for a moment in time (which is all a weekend is). I felt Cathy’s pain as she farewelled her daughter a few days later. It is like being one of the wild things in Maurice Sendak’s  Where the wild things are, You have to restrain yourself from crying out , “Please don’t go we love you so” It is a tough gig being a parent.

Alan’s slice about Boo, his dog. I wonder on the story behind the name. My son has just taken delivery of a 5 month old black kitten that needed re-homing, and as luck would have it Declan needed to be re-owned by a cat – his recently being victim to a passing car. The last two days has seen a myriad of names tried on for size. Not one deemed fitting for this noble beast. I know he will find the perfect name and it will be considered perfect by cat and boy.

So you see, inspiration to write is only as far away as someone’s slice of life!