Dear Reader

​

My latest book read

I don’t think I’ve ever filled my newsletter with a book review. But I’ve just finished reading an amazing book and I just can’t wait to share it with you. It’s The Bookshop Woman, by Nanako Hanada, translated from the Japanese by Cat Anderson. I enjoyed Nanako’s writing style, her self reflections, and think the translation is spot on. There were no awkward phrasings as sometimes occurs in translations.

There’s so much to love about this book. I originally thought it was a novel and was pleasantly surprised to find it’s a Memoir, one of my favourite genres. Somehow, her story touched me more because it was based on her life.

Nanako’s marriage has troubles and she and her husband have decided to take a break for a year or so. During this time she seeks to know herself better. She decides to join a dating site and here she invents herself as someone who will meet for the allotted 30 minutes and recommend books. Over the course of the year she finds herself recommending books to over 70 people. Many titles of these books are appended to the book.

I’m impressed that Nanako has given not only a brief overview of each book, but tells her recommendees why she chose them for each person. Bit by bit, her confidence grows and she becomes genuinely interested in the person she’s recommending for. At first she wants to be sure they’d read the book, and give her feedback. But then she realises that she really wants them to feel good about themselves and she wants her recommendations to reinforce the good she sees in them. She writes of her process like this:

“And so I’d begun to introduce books in a different way. First, I’d tell my match about all the good qualities I saw in them. Then I’d draw a connection between those things and the book I had chosen. And then I’d explain how the book could help them:

” ‘From what you’ve said, I feel like you’re someone who tries to make other people happy through your work. You really think about what’s best for your colleagues and customers, and you power through life, always giving your absolute best. So here’s the book I want to suggest to you. When you’re worrying about your work, and when things seem difficult, I think this book will speak to you and be a support to you.’

“With this approach, I thought whoever was receiving the recommendation could consider their as-yet-unread book as a sort of a talisman, quietly waiting for its moment. It was okay if they didn’t buy the book – but if they did, and if they even just laid eyes upon it now and again, that was enough.

“If, in some corner of their mind, they retained the thought that when things got tough, they could read this book and it would help bring them back to being the wonderful person they were – if they could do that, it would be like I was there beside them, talking to them again, and the value of what I had done would finally manifest itself.”

Her own self development is a highlight of the book. Each person she connects with gives her an insight into her own psyche and approach to the world. She develops lasting friendships, learns she enjoys social activities, and acts on her own instincts to make life changes for herself. She even re-creates her career in the book world.

Nanako’s book grew out of social media posts she shared with a growing readership.

I borrowed the book from my library, but think it’s one I want to have on my bookshelf. It’ll be my talisman, reminding me of the warmth and self worth I felt as I read it this month.

If you are also drawn to read it, I’d love to know if you liked it too.

My Spring/Summer writing view

This is the view from my desk where I spend most of my writing time – when I’m not drawn to the inspiration and warmth of the fire in winter, that is.

It’s equally inspirational. The weeping maple tree with its Spring flowering is particularly beautiful right now.

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That’s enough from me. As always, my WIP beckons!

Till next time, may you be well and full of joy.

​
Love
Stephanie

​

My thoughts for Living Life in 2024 and beyond:

“Write it on my heart that every day is
the best day of the year”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Remember that sometimes not getting
what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck”
​​
Dalai Lama

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

Read past Newsletters and, if you enjoy them,

please share with your friends and encourage them to subscribe
through my website:

http://www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com

Join my Reader’s Group on Facebook.​

FOLLOW ME Like, post and comment at any of
the links below.

​​​​

​

Dear Reader

​

A Peak in at my Writing Process

Sometimes I’m at my computer writing – at my desk in the office or on the couch in front of the fire. When open Scrivener and scroll to my next chapter, I know there’ll soon be an addition to my word count – I aim for between 500-750 words per session. Hopefully, if it’s my next memoir, I’m telling my story in a way that is interesting to you (the reader), has a theme you can identify with, and gives you a glimpse into the elements of my life that have made me the person I am today. And if it’s a work of fiction, the plot is coming together and you will be engaged in what I hope will be a page turner.

Sometimes’ instead of writing at my computer, I’m doing the day’s Wordle, or other puzzles like Sudoku. I might be walking along the river bank. I might be at the gym or at the cafe. I’m likely to be in the garden or at Waiwhakaruru in the rock garden there. At these times, I’m still ‘working at the writing’ – no words get added to the count, but the plot gets fleshed out, the characters come to life, and the location becomes more real. I’m always grateful that the subconscious mind is working at the current work in progress (WIP).

I realised the other night that it’s not only when I’m awake that my new WIP beckons. In the early hours of the morning, I was woken by one of my characters, Aunty Babs, who works in Mandees, the cafe that is the central location for lots of the action in my new Cosy Mystery. Aunty Babs was happily kneading dough and singing along to one of her favourite Country songs at the top of her voice. I lay there for quite a while, watching the scene and learning more of her personality and what she does when she thinks she’s alone. Nice voice! And I love the smell of her baking! I must get her to share a recipe or two!

Any questions about my writing process? I’m happy to answer them. I want to share what you want to know, and not bore you with what I love to talk about. I could go on for hours – same with the next topic!

How do you Choose What to Read?

Are you like me and have a To Be Read (TBR) list or pile a mile high – or, as in my case, several bookshelves full?

I’d love to know: How do you choose your next book?

Do you choose a book by its cover? Or its author? Or because it’s next in a series you enjoy? Or on recommendation of a friend or the friendly helper at your local library? Or is it on the list of reading for your book club?

What’s your favourite genre? Do you always choose the same? Are you adventurous in your reading?

And do you prefer a physical book or an e-book?

I’ve taken to reading my kindle in preference to a book mainly because I can read it in bed. Or on the couch. Or outside on the porch. Or while I wait for my coffee at the local cafe. Or on the bus. Or while we’re driving long distances (I’m the passenger, I promise!)

Sometimes though there’s nothing like holding a book in my hands and smelling the pages. I have to admit I also love the book because I can flick back to a place I’ve read before, or forward to see who the author has listed in their Acknowledgements.

I love to read authors from my own part of the world.
Last year, as an author, I attended Ages of Pages Book Fair held here in Hamilton. It was inspiring to be with 70+ authors and illustrators all working in a variety of genres, They’ve opened me to a host of new books! Next year it will be held again, in April. Whether you can go or not, it’s worth joining the FaceBook group. The blurb on it’s About page states that the Ages of Pages Book Fair is:

A book event where readers can meet over 70 authors, buy books, and have them signed in person. Multiple genres, from NZ and Australian authors. All ages welcome. Free entry. The official Ages of Pages table supports the Duffy Books in Homes charity.

Some authors are already posting on the page about their books that will be available and those that are able to be preordered.

I’ve always loved to read, and I still have a few authors and titles in my favourite genres I want to read this year.

Here’s some:

Crime ​
Peter James – The Roy Grace series – can’t wait to see Grace on TV here in NZ!
Ann Cleeves – The Vera Stanhope books and TV series, Vera, set in Northumberland, UK. Number 11 in the series is just released.
Ann Cleves – The Shetland series – with Jimmy Perez in the Scotland Shetland Islands. Also on TV, but I’ve not seen it here in NZ yet.

Cosy mysteries
Richard Osman – Two series: The Thursday Murder Club (four books in the series so far and soon to be a TV series) and his new series: We Solve Murders. Both series have a fun but serious trio of investigative sleuths who delight in getting to the result before their police helpers.

SciFi​
I fell in love with Isaac Asimov from my younger days and have dipped my toe into the genre on and off ever since.
​
Thanks to Lucas for introducing our book club to the Three Body Problem – by Liu Cixin, a sci fi novel deeply rooted in theoretical possibilities based on actual science – exciting! If it sounds too heavy, check out the Netflix series of the same name. We loved it. You might too!

I haven’t even started my list, truly! I’ll stop here. I realise I could write a thesis length list of the authors I love and want to read more of in just these three genres. I think this is enough to let you know I love reading!

What books are on your TBR list?

Hit reply and let me know. Do you like these genres? Or others I haven’t mentioned yet? Let’s see if we’ve got any common interests – or if you can spark an interest in your favourite author or genre.

Or you might like to try a new author. For example, my daughter Phoebe Wilby’s first novel Storms was released on the 16th of this month. It’s available on Amazon and a great read – a fictionalised glimpse of our family trip around Australia in a caravan. Great mixture of fun and other stuff you can imagine a family of seven will experience!

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That’s enough from me. My WIP beckons!

Till next time, may you be well and full of joy.

​
Love
Stephanie

​

My thoughts for Living Life in 2024 and beyond:

“Write it on my heart that every day is
the best day of the year”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Remember that sometimes not getting
what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck”
​​
Dalai Lama

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

Read past Newsletters and, if you enjoy them,

please share with your friends and encourage them to subscribe
through my website:

http://www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com

Join my Reader’s Group on Facebook.​

FOLLOW ME Like, post and comment at any of
the links below.

​​​​

​

Dear Reader

Age – is it really “just a number”?

And what does that even mean? I have to admit, that until now I would have agreed. I would say that I am not defined by how many years I’ve lived. I’m told I’m in relatively good health “for my age”.

But now as I approach another birthday, I’m wondering about this quote. I have to admit the older I get:

• the more ideas and plans I generate. I currently have about 5 writing projects on the go – and so many more that keep popping into my head.
• the more I challenge myself to learn or do something new. Currently, I want to learn how to use new computer programmes.
• the more I seek to refine my physical well-being. At this stage in life my Mum was experiencing vascular dementia. I wanted to see if that is in my future and I’ve had tests that show that I’m healthy in this regard. For which I’m thankful.
• I keep active and enjoy meeting up with family and friends.
• And the older I get, the more comfortable I am being ‘ME’. I even like me – most of the time.
• The more I realise age is irrelevant. Some of the wisest people I know are really young chronologically. And some of the strongest and most agile of people are older.

In spite of what I just wrote, at this point in my life, I have to say that it actually does feel ALL about numbers. I particularly like this one:

Seventy-Seven

It rolls off the tongue so beautifully. I say it over and over and it delights me like a mouthful of mango sorbet on a hot day!

Seventy-Seven

It thrills me to the core to say. What do you think? I love it – like I loved becoming a teen at 13, and turning 40, the age when life begins! It’s exciting to think of turning 77!

Yes, this year at least, for me, age IS all about the numbers! I’m excited to think about what will this year bring into my life – and into your lives too! I’m optimistic about our future.

Sharing Time

You know how proud I am of all my family. We’re a family of few extroverts. Mostly we are introverts with a passion. Get us to talk about our passion, or catch us involved in what makes us shine inside and you see us come alive.

Today I want to share some little things about two amazing women, one a daughter, the other a granddaughter.

A Podcast to Listen To

First, my youngest daughter, Suraya – remember I told you about her pitching to a Business Booster programme in Sydney that won her a grant to progress her new business – My Flow Riders?

I’m proud of Suraya for many things and it thrills me to see that others are celebrating her as well. She was interviewed on a podcast this week by Maria Adlam on Episode 35 of her Soul full Mamas podcast. The description of Maria’s podcast alone is inspiring to me, a mother of 7 who struggled to imbue a sense of soul in my and my kids’ lives.

“Soul full Mamas is a place where women come together to share their voices, stories, challenges and their wins. It is a place where we can each feel heard, seen and supported.”

AND Maria’s introductory description of her interview with Suraya is well worth reading, especially if you don’t have time for the podcast. Maria encapsulates Suraya’s commitment to her amazing life purpose in a way that warms my heart. I know the truth of Suraya’s commitment and the power of her soul as she’s travelled through life so far. I know her struggles to fulfil her dreams. Suraya is inspirational.

I invite you to get to know Suraya a little more and check out the episode here on Spotify​

A Photo Shoot

I’ve long known my current profile photo is outdated. But I love the way I see the real me in it. I know this is because my sister took this photo and I felt 100% comfortable with her. I’m not particularly photogenic. When I worked at the university I had to have my portrait taken to hang on the department wall – the university photographer took two rolls of film and only one was worth keeping – his opinion, so it’s a fact! One day I’ll find that photo and share it with you. But today, I want to tell you about my photoshoot with Ana…

…the second person I want to mention today is my granddaughter Anastasia. Ana is a busy mum of three and the most amazing portrait photographer. Understandably, she’s not doing a lot of photography work at the moment. Looking after her little brood is quite time consuming. And when I asked, I was grateful she agreed to take some photos for my profile picture.

I started off being a little bit nervous, but not for long. We chatted and she snapped with a little direction of where to sit, stand, face etc as photographers do. And soon we were sitting on the floor playing with her youngest, Hailey, and the photoshoot was over, painless and full of joy! I’m thrilled with the results.

I’ve shared one of these photos on Facebook and soon I’ll be changing my profile photo ‘everywhere’.

Please also check out Ana’s Instagram page, (and is it OK for me to ask you to follow her?)

A gentle reminder

In my last newsletter, I mentioned Phoebe, has turned her memoir into a young adult novel, Storms, about her family’s travels around Australia in 1974. Paperback and Kindle versions will be available from 16 September this year (Phoebe’s birthday!) It’s currently available in Kindle format for the pre-release price of $USD3.99.

On a personal note, I finished the last proof-read and can highly recommend this, her first novel. Based on her memoir Always One Step Ahead of the Storm, her novel is a fictionalised account of that year of travels. She has always impressed with her story telling skills and this does not disappoint.

Check out Storms at your local Amazon store (this is the link to Amazon Australia).

A sneak peek at the next issue

I’ve been thinking about how I decide what to write about, and how I prioritise which project to work on. I thought you might enjoy reading about my process! It might spark an interest in writing your own stories, if you’re not yet a writer.

Did you see what I did there? Not YET a writer … I firmly believe that old saying that “everyone’s got a story to tell” is true. And I for one want to hear your story! No pressure – just implanting a thought that I trust will grow.

And if you are a writer – well, I enjoy knowing your processes, so I’m sure you’ll be pleased to see a bit more of mine. And maybe I’ll tidy up my office so you can see where I spend most of my writing time. Maybe a before and after pic?

Till next time, may you be well and full of joy.
Love
Stephanie

​

My thoughts for Living Life in 2024 and beyond:

“Write it on my heart that every day is
the best day of the year”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Remember that sometimes not getting
what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck”
​​
Dalai Lama

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

Read past Newsletters and, if you enjoy them,

please share with your friends and encourage them to subscribe
through my website:

http://www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com

Join my Reader’s Group on Facebook.​

FOLLOW ME Like, post and comment at any of
the links below.

​​​​

​

Dear Reader

Should I buy ice-cream …

Or is it still too cold to savor the frozen, creamy treat? At the supermarket today I stood for a few seconds in front of the freezer and decided “No. Not yet!”

And my mind slipped back to 60 years or so – was it really that long ago? Seems like yesterday that I could hear those sounds we loved! The clip clop clip clop of the horse’s hoofs and the cling clang of the bell that heralded the ice cream man on his weekly visit!

Thanks to my cousin Daphne for sourcing this photo for me. He must have kept the ice cream frozen with ice – certainly there was no generator on board! And I wonder how many times he’d have to go back to the factory to replenish supplies – or did it take him all afternoon to off load his wares to us and all the other very appreciative ice cream lovers?

I don’t remember if we had to beg to be allowed an ice cream. I suspect there were times when we didn’t get one. But those times are not at all in my memories. I see us still – all us kids from Weetwood Street, friends and cousins, running into the street, excitedly waiting our turn to be served.

Have-a-Hearts – the chocolate coated vanilla ice cream shaped like a heart on a stick – were a favourite with me. As were the Two-in-Ones – same vanilla ice cream, this time frozen on two sticks and dipped in chocolate coating. Heaven to me as I broke them apart, creating two ice creams for the price of one! These treats are the ones I remember the most.

As I look at this horse drawn cart all those memories come flooding back and I can almost feel how good that first bite tasted! It was the highlight of the weekend for us.

How simple those times were, and what a slower pace our lives had then. I try to recapture that pace now – slowing my breathing down and quietening my thoughts when I feel the pressure of deadlines and the urgency of things that have to be done. I’m amazed that I’m actually caught up in the busyness of modern life because I’m retired from full time work and those sorts of pressures! There are no young children at home. No schedules to keep track of except my own self imposed ones. No places I have to be at, except those I choose.

And if I can still feel the pressure of this busyness, how much more pressures do others whose lives are more complicated feel? Today, as our modern “Mr Whippy” type ice cream van drives around our suburban streets with ice cream treats for the neighbour children, I hope these families are able to take a moment in time to slow their busy lives down and share an ice-cream break with each other.

Whatever are your life demands, I hope you can also take time to breathe, relax, and slow the pace of life a little to create a memory that in a few decades time will bring back a time when life was good. Then we’ll be reminiscing about the memories of that far away time which is ‘today’ and claiming how doubly good those days were. Just as I’m doing now!

Ice cream is rarely on my menu these days, but remembering will always be a treat!

What memories do you reminisce about?

I’d love to know if this post has triggered some nostalgic moments for you. Hit reply and let me know. I’d love to hear from you.

​

Phoebe Wilby’s Novel – Storms

I’m excited to share that my daughter, Phoebe, has turned her memoir into a novel about our travels around Australia in 1974 from the perspective of an 8 year-old. It’s available for pre-order in Kindle format, and will be available from 16 September this year (Phoebe’s birthday!)
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The blurb on Amazon for Storms includes:

Eight-year-old Annie Ryan and her siblings are promised a trampoline for Christmas, but receive a Kingswood, a caravan, and a trip around Australia instead.

Leaving their home in Brisbane, Australia, at the height of the 1974 floods during intense cyclonic weather, the Ryans set off on their epic journey, traveling ahead of the storms everywhere they go.
​
But storms of the heart are more difficult to navigate, and Annie faces more tragedy and heartache in this one year than a young girl should in a lifetime.

Award-winning author, Phoebe Wilby, was raised in Australia. She has lived in several countries and considers herself a ‘citizen of the world’.
​
Storms is her debut novel, following two short story collections and a memoir.

Check out her book on any Amazon site.

​This is the Amazon site I use

Till next time, may you be well and your life full of the joy of reading.

​
Love
Stephanie

​

My thoughts for Living Life in 2024 and beyond:

“Write it on my heart that every day is
the best day of the year”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Remember that sometimes not getting
what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck”
​​
Dalai Lama

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

Read past Newsletters and, if you enjoy them,

please share with your friends and encourage them to subscribe
through my website:

http://www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com

Join my Reader’s Group on Facebook.​

FOLLOW ME Like, post and comment at any of
the links below.

​​​​

​

Dear Reader

Winter Chills turning into Spring

I think I’m almost better and recovered from weeks of this “Devil Cold” that’s been plaguing what seems to be the majority of us this winter. I do hope none of you are down with it too. And those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, enjoy your summer and get plenty of immunity stored in your body to help you bypass what might be aimimg for you next winter.

As much as it’s been a frustrating time, not being able to get moving and out in the garden and fresh air – or to the gym! – for so long, I’ve been able to read and research my new books. I’ve also revamped the look of the newsletter, and planning the same for my social media profiles. This time has certainly made me realise how valuable planning time is, and how little I’ve been able to prioritise it.

I’ve realised my profile photo, as much as I love it, is out of date. Is it because I’m worn out, or just facing the fact that I’m older than when it was taken? It is a lovely photo of a younger me. You won’t recognise me in person from the photo, I’m sure. So, I’ve asked my granddaughter Ana to schedule me in for a professional photo. She takes the most delightful photos, gets the light perfect and catches the essence of her subjects. I’m sure I’ll love what she will do with me.

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Although it isn’t quite spring – not due till September – the daffodils are well on their way to provide their glorious golden glow and our tulips are pushing up towards the sun now. I can’t wait to share photos of them with you.

In the meantime, here’s a snap of me, caught at Waitakaruru Sculpture Park last Saturday, taking a rest and enjoying the most glorious display of orchids. Neil took this photo.

I’m grateful to be well and realise I do have to take life at a more leisurely pace – so I’m streamlining my diary! Hopefully I’ll still be productive – Active and Productive used to be my motto. At least going forward, I hope to still be productive!

Till next time, may you be well and full of joy.

​
Love
Stephanie

​

My thoughts for Living Life in 2024 and beyond:

“Write it on my heart that every day is
the best day of the year”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Remember that sometimes not getting
what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck”
​​
Dalai Lama

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

Read past Newsletters and, if you enjoy them,

please share with your friends and encourage them to subscribe
through my website:

http://www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com

Join my Reader’s Group on Facebook.​

FOLLOW ME Like, post and comment at any of
the links below.

​​​​

​

Dear Reader

Waking Thoughts

I woke up this morning with thoughts running through my mind that I am burning to share with you.

I left school at 15 but I didn’t leave my love of learning behind. When we moved to New Zealand in 1978, the opportunity was there for me to attend university. I’ll be forever grateful for the New Start programme (as it was called then). The programme invited those who left school before qualifying to enter university to undertake a short course to see if the study life was for them. After a successful first year of full time study, participants were then able to continue to complete their degree.

I took to the course and university study like the proverbial duck to water, enrolling in full time study in 1980 and finally completing my Masters Degree in Geography and Politics in 1989. Now that’s a memoir begging to be written! But that’s not the point of sharing this today.

At university I was exposed to a range of experiences that highlighted incongruencies in what I thought about the world I was raised in. In my first year course on history, I learned that before initiating apartheid, the South African government went to my home state of Queensland to see how they administered the pass laws for Aboriginal people. This was a lightening bolt revelation for me, destroying the core of what I’d been taught about the benevolence of governmental management of Aboriginal People.

In my second year during a Maori studies course, I attended a hui – a meeting or conference – where a woman stood in the middle of the room and pointed at every white face and angrily said “Go home!”

Perhaps it was the context, or my own thoughts at the time, but I didn’t take offence at her words. Instead I started visualising myself “going home” to Australia where I was born. Where there would be another with more rights to be there than I who would offer the same directive. And where would I go then? Where eventually was home? Was it in Ireland, or northern England, or Norway? I had to face it. There was nowhere I belonged. No “home” to return to. My body was filled with a mixture of at least six ethnicities.

When I was little, we lived behind a piece of bush. I would scramble through the fence, climb a tree as high as I dared, and call out as loud as I could “I want to go home!” So the concept this woman levelled at me wasn’t knew to me. Inside, I knew I never belonged.

New Zealand has been a healing place for me. It’s green, and the environment softens my spirit. But it’s the culture and the comparative acceptance of differences that have been most healing.

Here there is one word that rolls off the tongue and fills my soul: Tūrangawaewae translated as “a place to stand”. In the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, Tūrangawaewae are the places where we feel especially empowered and connected. They are our foundation, our place in the world, our home.

So that little girl, high in the tree, crying out for home, was seeking to find her place in the world. But more than a physical place, she was seeking the foundation of who she is.

Who would have known that such a longing would take me away from the place of my birth to find where my physical and spiritual Tūrangawaewae lie.

When Ancestry.com finetuned my DNA results to include a percentage of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples I was confused and excited. Confused because I’d never picked up the signals that there was an indigenous heritage. Excited because here was an opportunity to explore whether this new knowledge was a link to finding home.

Last year, with daughter Amy and my 3rd cousins Anne and Annette, I visited Goorangoola, the place where my great-great grandmother Mary Ann lived. It was a magical experience, being able to see the area, visit the sites mentioned in the documents about her life, and hearing the stories of the Wonnarua people of the Singleton area. The picture is of the church yard where we felt Mary Ann’s presence the most. None of the names on the headstones were familiar to us, but the energy was unmistakable.

I came away from that trip with a greater sense of where home, my Tūrangawaewae, is. I know what my little girl heart cried out for. I know why I often felt “Trees and water. Without them I die”. I know who I am in a way that is profoundly deep and personal and nothing to do with my physical self.

Now, having found my Tūrangawaewae, the place where I feel especially empowered and connected, I stand strong and secure in my foundation, in knowing my home, my place in the world. Through this knowing, I gained a new perspective that helped me sit down and, over two days, finish the memoir An Addict in the Family which I hadn’t been able to write one word more for a year.

Tūrangawaewae is such a powerful concept. It has given me the resolve to scope and write the books that are burning inside waiting to see the light of day. And it’s given me an understanding that I have a lot to be grateful for. My experiences in life have given me a lot to share. Especially am I grateful to be able to share my journey with others who are struggling to make sense of the addiction that has hit their loved ones. My little Memoir is the beginning of that sharing.

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An Update on Suraya’s Journey

Suraya features on this week’s issue of IdeaLog – New Zealand’s voice of creative business, representing a community of innovators and entrepreneurs who are using the transformative power of creativity to affect change. It’s worth checking out the site for inspiration, as well as reading the article about Suraya’s success.

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Till next time, may your lives and hearts also be full of joy.
Love
Stephanie

​

My thoughts for Living Life in 2024 and beyond:

“Write it on my heart that every day is
the best day of the year”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Remember that sometimes not getting
what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck”
​​
Dalai Lama

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

Read past Newsletters and, if you enjoy them,

please share with your friends and encourage them to subscribe
through my website:

http://www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com

Join my Reader’s Group on Facebook.​

FOLLOW ME Like, post and comment at any of
the links below.

​​​

​

Dear Reader

An Amazing Journey

I am just about recovering my thoughts after a whirlwind trip to Aussie with Suraya. I gave a shout out to her in the June 11 Newsletter. This week I want to share that her pitch was chosen and she was awarded a grant of $50,000 to progress her business idea!

Before I share what it was like for me to be there as she presented her pitch to the judges, I’d like to seek your help in helping her achieve the next step: to win the People’s Choice award. This award is granted to the finalist who gets the most ‘likes’ on her social media posts about her participation in the Business Booster. Here are the 5 links to her social media posts. Like them all or one. It’ll all help towards the final count. Thank you!

​LinkedIn Facebook1 Facebook2 Instagram TicToc

My heart burst when it was announced that she had won the grant. It was such a privilege for me to be there as her “plus 1” at the event. It was humbling as well. Each of the 10 finalists showed passion and commitment for their projects. All are winners in my eyes.

Even more exciting to me was the passion of the Uber and Rare Birds folk who were there. Uber founders recognise many of their drivers do that work to give them time to follow their passion and develop it into a business, just like they did. Their generosity is beyond belief. If every company did this for their employees there would be a lot more avenues for our collective creativity to shine.

It was a whirlwind of a trip. We flew into Sydney on 30th June, stayed two nights just 20 minutes from the Uber headquarters, and flew to Brisbane where we spent two nights with my other daughter Amy and caught up with my sister, niece, aunt, nephew and his family – so many we didn’t have time to visit this time, so precious to visit with the ones we did.

I haven’t been to Sydney for a long time. Apologies to family and friends there as the focus of our trip was the event, and preparing for it, so there was no time to catch up with you all.

My oldest granddaughter, Emma, drove up from Melbourne to visit for a short time with us. It was a dream come true to see her. She’s the grandma of that beautiful wee baby that is Octavius, my great-great grandson. (He’ll be one-year-old in August – time flies!)

One of the things we needed was a long walk to ground us before getting ready. I was so impressed. My love of urban environments took me into my career as a town planner and Sydney was a delight to my senses. Beautifully designed modern buildings alongside, and in some way complementing, the historic buildings of an early Sydney. It’s hard to take photos of this beauty. Here’s the AMP building that blew my mind with it’s angles. Imagine the views from each level. Originally built in the 1970s, the modern skyscraper tower was built on top of the older tower, modernising it by incorporating elements of the new form.

We walked through the parks and botanical gardens and at one point we saw this very happy and peaceful kookaburra.

Our walk took us to the opera house. We promised ourselves we’ll come back and see a show here. We were satisfied for now with viewing this grandest of buildings from a distance and up close. We loved the crazy paving and the steps. And a brief preview inside confirmed its grandeur inside as well as out.

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A Final Thought

Suraya’s journey is not over. There’s a long way to go to production and a lot of steps. I’ll give you updates along the way, especially the outcome of the people’s choice award. Your encouragement over this process has been much appreciated.

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Till next time, may your lives and hearts be full of joy.
Love
Stephanie

​

My thoughts for Living Life in 2024 and beyond:

“Write it on my heart that every day is
the best day of the year”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Remember that sometimes not getting
what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck”
​​
Dalai Lama

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

Read past Newsletters and, if you enjoy them,

please share with your friends and encourage them to subscribe
through my website:

http://www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com

Join my Reader’s Group on Facebook.​

FOLLOW ME Like, post and comment at any of
the links below.

​​​

​

Dear Reader

A Different Look

I have heard from a few of you that there is something amiss with the graphics in the newsletters. So I’ve taken out the variation of colour and hope that this plain background colour will prove sufficient to give a softer viewing experience, and keep the text in view! If you’ve had problems in the past, it might be because you are using Outlook – it seems to be a common factor.

Let’s see how this new format works for everyone.

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An Update for Suraya’s Project

I gave a shout out last newsletter to my daughter Suraya. The buzz is heating up for her presentation in Sydney next week.

She is shortlisted as a top 10 finalist for the 2024 Uber x Rare Birds Business Booster program. I’m particularly impressed that there were over 4000 applicants for the program and she made it into the selection of 100 to now be one of the top 10.

Feel her excitement in her post about the program on Facebook ​

Remember there will be a people’s choice prize awarded to the applicant who receives the most likes for a special video to be posted on her social media channels around mid July. If you follow her on Facebook, she will let you know when she posts this second video and you can decide then whether to support her further by clicking the like button. (Hope you do)

Kindness

Random acts of kindness – remember that phrase? It still echoes in my heart at times. Like lately. I’ve been revisiting some special times where people were kind to me.

I still feel a quiver of joy when I remember a chance meeting back in 2003. I was visiting the USA to attend a conference in Portland, Oregon. To get to Portland, I took the Amtrak train from Los Angeles.

The man seated next to me for the most of the journey was Cloy, an 80 year old man who was travelling from San Antonio, Texas, to visit his cousin in Bend, Oregon. Cloy generously shared his story and soon we were chatting like old friends. I learned from him how possible it is to have a passion for adventure all the days of our lives. (I’m getting close to his age and still feeling adventurous!) When his journey came to an end at Bend, we were reluctant to say goodbye. But – we had exchanged contact details.

Subsequently, with his daughter and son-in-law, Cloy came to visit me in Auckland and when I went to live in the US, I visited him in San Antonio. Precious memories of a chance meeting. And I often think of his kindness to a stranger from another country.

But what came into my mind as I’m reflecting of meeting Cloy is the conversation I had with the Conductor as I left the train.

He asked if he’d chosen my travel companion well. Was I happy with being seated next to Cloy. And I realised that kindness isn’t always in the interactions right in front of my eyes, but that it can come from an unseen, and unacknowledged, place, an event perhaps started a long time ago in that conductor’s training, or childhood, or a life experience he’d had himself.

And wherever it comes from, I’m aware now to be grateful not just for the Cloys of the world, but for all those people who work behind the scenes to make my life the joy it is.

Quotes

I came across a collection of quotes I’d gathered over the years and thought you might enjoy seeing what takes my fancy! And what thoughts inspire me to live a better version of myself.

Birth, ancestry, and that which you yourself have not achieved can hardly be called your own. – Greek proverb.

This one reminds me that, although I have a ‘goodly heritage’, that does not mean I am not able to extend myself and add to that heritage for those who come after me.

Take care, and whatever your means of self care, enjoy the process!

Till next time,
Love
Stephanie

​

My thoughts for Living Life in 2024 and beyond:

“Write it on my heart that every day is
the best day of the year”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Remember that sometimes not getting
what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck”
​​
Dalai Lama

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

Read past Newsletters and, if you enjoy them,

please share with your friends and encourage them to subscribe
through my website:

http://www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com

Join my Reader’s Group on Facebook.​

FOLLOW ME Like, post and comment at any of
the links below.

​​​

​

Dear Reader

Congratulations!

I am humbled and cheered by the evidence I see all around me of the resilience and strength people display during the struggles facing us all as we navigate our way through life.

Sometimes, though, I look at someone’s success and cheerfulness in their triumph and forget that there’s no such thing as an “overnight success”. Success comes through nver giving up, through facing each seemingly insurmountable challenge head on, through putting on a brave face even though the knees are trembling and the voice feels constricted.

Today I want to honour three such people who are breaking through the barriers and are on the edges of a spotlight shining on their success.

The first is my friend Suraya Dewing, Creator & Founder of Stylefit and The Story Mint. Suraya and I were at University together. We were pregnant at the same time; her son Leif was born a week before my daughter, named Suraya by her siblings. A few years later we were housemates. And our friendship has strengthened through the years.

Suraya has developed a program to help and encourage young folk to write creatively. And every year Stylefit has a writing competition for students. To see details of the competition for 2024, click on the following The Great Kiwi Write Off.

Suraya says her “goal at Stylefit® is to inspire discovery and improvement – understanding the impact of words and how they change the tone and style of how we communicate throughout our lives.” A worthy goal and I’ve certainly enjoyed seeing how my own writing can be improved through StyleFit. And when you have a look at the competition page, I’m sure you’ll agree there’s a lot of fun to be had with the learning. Maybe you have someone who might like to enter the competition?

The second person I’m sending my congratulations to is fellow writer Pat Backley, who I’ve mentioned before and reviewed her latest book a few weeks back. Pat is generous, cheerful and helpful.

The first book I read was born out of her experience of being abandoned by her husband for a ‘younger model’ – aptly titled The Abandoned Wives Handbook. I found her honesty and compassion helpful in putting my own experience of being ‘abandoned’ by my first husband through his untimely death.

I am forever grateful for those who write of their own experiences through loss and grief as they help us all to heal from our own losses, regardless of the similarity of the event.

Pat turned her adversity into a passion for writing. She has published eight books and contributed to an anthology. Go to her website to read more

And my third and final congratulation shout out (for now) goes to my daughter Suraya. One day I hope she will share her story about her life. From the time she was born she has been her own person, defining her story and working out how to live it. She’s had her challenges along the way too. And like others, the challenges have given her growth opportunities.

One of her many skills is design and recently she’s created thong underwear designed to manage heavy period flow.

Suraya is participating in a business booster program and has been chosen to pitch her business idea in Sydney next month.

Have a look at her post here on Facebook where she talks more about what she’s been doing and shares the product pitch that won her the opportunity to present her ideas in person in Sydney. If you think her idea has merit, you can follow her to get updates.

Suraya deserves every opportunity to progress the Flow Riders thong to production. And my hope is that you agree too, and will help her get there.

There will be a people’s choice prize awarded to the applicant who receives the most likes for another video she will post around mid July. If you follow her on Facebook, she will let you know when she posts this second video and you can decide then whether to support her further by clicking the like button.

Is it Winter or is it Spring?

I planted a whole lot of daffodil bulbs, in anticipation of a spring showing. However, one gorgeous flower emerged on 1st, the first day of winter! I know some of the bulbs are ‘early’ varieties, but is this a bit too early? Or do we have a microclimate in our garden? Regardless, I’m thrilled to have this happy face smiling up at me!

Colds – another C Word!

Hubby and I’ve both been enjoying colds. It’s an opportunity to reflect on what self care means to us. Neil has been feeling like working in the garden and being busy. I’m reclining on the couch in the sun, reading or doing the wordle. We’re both recovering nicely, I’m sure!

Take care, and whatever your means of self care, enjoy the process!

Till next time,
Love
Stephanie

​

My thoughts for Living Life in 2024 and beyond:

“Write it on my heart that every day is
the best day of the year”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Remember that sometimes not getting
what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck”
​​
Dalai Lama

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

Read past Newsletters and, if you enjoy them,

please share with your friends and encourage them to subscribe
through my website:

http://www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com

Join my Reader’s Group on Facebook.​

FOLLOW ME Like, post and comment at any of
the links below.

​​​

​

Dear Reader

A Reader’s Story

I love to hear your stories! And I was thrilled to be given permission to share this grandmother’s story shared by a fellow creative at our Book Club last Thursday. Below is a photo of her grandmother.

Grandma Gillin was a pioneer of the Women’s Institute in Bruntwood, Ontario, Canada. In November 1964, she was due to give her ‘motto’ for a long life. Unfortunately she was taken ill and was in hospital where she wrote her thoughts which became a treasured legacy of the Institute.

In hearing her words, I couldn’t help wondering what it would have been like for me to hear my grandmother’s advice for a well lived life.

I’m sure my friend won’t mind if I claim her grandmother’s words for my motto for a good life. Certainly there’s a lot in here that I’d like my grandchildren to think on. For instance:

“Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old only by deserting their ideals. Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm is to wrinkle the soul. Worry, doubt, self-distrust, fear and despair, these are the long years that bow the head and turn the growing spirit back to dust.

Whether 70 or 16, there is in everybody’s being’s heart, the love of wonder; the sweet amazement at the stars and the star-like things and thoughts; the undaunted challenge of events; and the joy at the game of life.

You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt, as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear, as young as your hope, as old as your despair!

Grandma Gillen lived her faith. This is obvious in her final advice, knowing surely that her time was ending. I would love to have known her. Her sense of humour and her love for people is still an inspiration 60 years later:

Lord, thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older. Keep me from getting talkative, and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from the craving to try to straigthen out everybody’s affairs. I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of others’ pains. Help me to endure them with patience, but seal my lips on my own aches – they are increasing and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible for me to be wrong.

Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a saint – some of them are so hard to live with! But a sour old woman is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Make me thoughtful, but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all. But thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

I do hope you enjoy Grandma Gillen’s words, too. She’s certainly given me food for thought.

Comment on Last Week’s Conversation

Another friend enjoyed the snippets from Emily Perkins and shared that she went to school with Emily. It’s wonderful to know that author’s we love and respect are human too! It was obvious to Emily’s classmate that she spoke the truth about herself in the article quoted from last week.

Works in Progress

I’m enjoying simultaneously writing those two pieces I mentioned last newsletter. The process seems slow – and a lot of it happens when I’m walking or doing chores, and when I’m sleeping – and when I’m at the gym, and later at the cafe.

Memoir update

I thought I would be drawing on my own life experiences to illustrate the similarities in my family generations. But it seems I’m starting with a fictionalised story of my 3rd great grandmother’s life. Fictionalised because I don’t even know her name. And I’m having fun researching the place and times she must have lived. It’ll be a challenge, and fun, to then move to illustrating the early life of her daughter, my 2nd great grandmother. I’m excited about this project and hope those who have gone before me have left enough of their imprint on my mind and in my veins so that I can do their stories justice.

Book Review

Dear Psychosis – A story of hope and love through a family’s journey of mental health by Sarah Martin

I also loved this book and gave it 5 stars on Amazon. Addiction is a symptom of mental ill health and although Sarah’s book focuses on the expression of drug induced psychosis, her journey to Turkey to rescue her daughter has many parallels with my own journey with the consequences of my son’s addiction to methamphetamine.

Amazon includes this in the description of Sarah’s book: To some, it may be a warning, to others a story of hope. Most of all, it shows how the love and care given by strangers and family alike paved the way for their daughter’s recovery and inspired the family to break the silence around mental illness.

Click here to read my review of Dear Psychosis. Enjoy!

Till next time,
Love
Stephanie

​

My thoughts for Living Life in 2024 and beyond:

“Write it on my heart that every day is
the best day of the year”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Remember that sometimes not getting
what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck”
​​
Dalai Lama

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

Read past Newsletters and, if you enjoy them,

please share with your friends and encourage them to subscribe
through my website:

http://www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com

Join my Reader’s Group on Facebook.​

FOLLOW ME Like, post and comment at any of
the links below.

​​​

​