Grief is pain.

Grief is pain. Trying to take away the pain can swallow up a person. I have found writing about the pain helps. But each to his own. There is no right and wrong way to grieve. We have to find our own remembrances. I see flashes of my departed mum and dad in my words, mistakes, avoidances and passions. We go on. Thank you to Nikki for processing her pain; it is a privilege to be able to share.

Weight of the World

Women are their own worst enemies. Quick to cut each other and themselves down. (Looking beyond the bodies we live in). Heartfelt assurances of being beautiful on the inside, never- the- less are defensive statements on weight. The real focus on weight of either sex should be on health. Very skinny people can still be in poor health. Focus on being healthy and nothing else matters. My health plan is in disarray following a chocolate (Haighs) binge, but that is another story! Thanks Susie O'Brien for debating the weight of the world.

Cover girls on show - why it's okay to be you

I am staggered by the bravery of Turia Pitt as cover girl. (July 2014) After last month writing to critisize the over the top make up of Nicole Kidman on the cover shot. I now do a complete U Turn and praise the Weekly for celebrating being honest and natural. You are leading the way.

How will we look back on these times?

Loved the graphics on your Youth cover. Congratulations to Daniel Purvis and all the entrants. Always good to hear how people are finding new ways to explore their creativity, and make it pay. I noted social justice as a driver for many. Sad then that as a country we seem to be going backward in terms of draconian persecution of those seeking asylum. How will we look back on these times?

Festival Theatre - Historic Treasure

Festival Theatre On my first visit to Adelaide on an Aussie Pass bus tour around the highways and byways of Australia I wandered along North Terrace and found my way to the Festival Theatre. I never plan my journeys, they just happen. There was a craft fair on around the exterior (1981) in summer. I subsequently did a tour of the interior, getting a big glossy brochure in the process. I wish I had kept this brochure! The centre captivated me then, not knowing I would one day live here in Adelaide. Since that day I have returned many, many times. Performances, Something on Saturday with the little people, art shows and prizes, theatre and Peter Combe. They all sit in my memory bank. Happily I have passed this love onto my children, who regularly attend the State Theatre productions and other shows. The Festival Centre is acoustically the best venue I have ever been in. Have loved its many levels, drinks bars, art installations and occasionally the food. I must lament the state of the Plaza area which has been left to decay – hope this nomination makes the cut, if nothing else to press for a makeover or at least a paint job for this plaza and its geometric squares and chimney. The Festival Centre is indeed out historic treasure and an asset to future generations.

Paid parental leave is not a luxury

Paid parental leave is not a luxury, it is valuing parents and children and the importance of this relationship. Giving a parental leave benefit that provides paid time off to care for a child is long overdue. Susie O’Brien is buying into the redneck brigade by skewing the facts. To qualify for paid parental leave you need to have worked a certain number of hours. You do not get the benefit without qualifying. The opinion piece exaggerated the issue to make out any mother is given a free handout, not so. Australia is very much lagging behind the developed world in this matter. Perversely I think the Abbott government is actually doing something right!

This is my song

I value stories about vibrant creative people. Leave the whinging soapbox pieces on the shelf. Petula Clark at 81 is still out there singing her heart out. What drives her on? Reading on her recent exploits (Heading downtown), I am still unsure what her motivation is. But more power to her for her songs, energy and memories.