My childhood in cats

The first cat I remember was a cheeky tabby. I called her Bobby after my grandfather, even though she was a girl. "Oh well," said mum "It can be short for Roberta."

The second cat I remember was a fine looking tortoiseshell called Kate. Kate was Bobby's sister. They fought like cats and...er...well like cats I suppose.

The third cat I remember was an aggressive, smoky coloured cat called, quite originally, Smoky. Smoky often sat on the top of the TV with her tail hanging down over the picture. If anyone tried to move her she was extraordinarily defensive.

The fourth cat, Tymmy, was my very own pet. I had to pay for his cat food out of my pocket money. He was slim and ginger haired and miawoed like a simese. He choked to death in a house fire on Christmas Eve. I was eleven years old. It was devastating.

My fifth cat was Tyger, a stripey tortoiseshell. But I had a Tymmy shaped hole in my heart and could not love Tyger as much as I wanted to. So Tyger ran away.

Now please give a big round of applause to my parents for allowing me the opportunity of living with cats.

2 Poems on the Same Subject

Hi Everyone

This week I've written two poems which both start with the same subject each stanza. Please let me know which is the best one. They are both called "Some beliefs on mine." Ok here it goes

Poem 1

An idea is

a car

rushing at speed

towards its destination.

Clouds are

the unwept tears

of Nature.

Dawn is like

Ayers Rock

glowing on angel's wings.

The heart is

a locked drawer

where I keep my secrets.

Frear is

the cramping of

the calf muscles

of style.

Fish live

in a water wonderland

made of rainbows.

Bitterness is

the mould on top

of our past hurts.

Only truth

can unshackle

the rocky burdens

of my prejudices.

Poem 2

An idea is

a dream

where you

never wake up.

Clouds are

the angels

who watch over the bush.

Dawn is a

chameleon

changing colours.

The heart is

a robber

stealing our

pure intentions

Fear is

the knifing

of the soul.

Fish live

in castles

made of pretty things.

Bitterness is

the newest challenge

to overcome.

Only truth

will set you free

from the bars

of disallusionment.

END

PS Tell me what you think.

5 minute fiction

This is the start of a little story I wrote in 5 minutes at my creative writing class. Let me know if you like it.

"Let's just take a moment to think this through," she said
He nodded.
"We really have no other option,"she said.
He nodded again.

She walked to the bedroom and got out her imitation leather suitcase. Slowly, oh so slowly, she picked up pieces of clothing, touching them tenderly. Some went in the suitcase. Others she folded neatly and placed on the bed they shared.

She stopped momentarily and wiped a small tear from her eye. She sighed deeply. It was going to be harder than she had imagined. Much, much harder.

She wanted to burn her wedding dress in the fire.

Why I will still vote Labor

For those in other countries Australia has just sworn in our first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard (pictured).

She has filled the post after the former Prime Minister (Kevin Rudd - see 2 posts ago) was flagging in the polls.

Gillard is less conservative than Rudd and is not a Christian so I think many of my fellow Australian Christians will go for the more conservative, Christian Tony Abbott. I will not.

This is for two reasons. The first is there is no benefit to me personally by voting liberal as they will no doubt cut social security (which I depend on for a living) and also cut education and health. I study and use the health system a lot for my mental illness. I can not vote for anyone who would decrease my quality of life to that extent, whether he believes in God or not.

The second reason is that, as a woman, Julia Gillard may be more open to some of the more intense issues effecting women such as domestic violence, rape and child abuse. I am not a conventional feminist but I do not believe women and children should put up with the light penalties for these crimes and the lack of education and shame surrounding them.

Also, in her words: "I will delight you. I will disappoint you. But always I will be working hard for you."

No doubt other people will have different views. I am not representing anyone else. These are just my views. I only ask if you have other views to please be respectful.

God Bless

Amber

My True Friend

MY TRUE FRIEND

I love

the slick crunchiness

of the asphalt

after the dripping rain.

I love

the frenzied screams

of the wind

over the lapping sea.

I love

the curvaceous descent

of the rainbow

over the colouring sky.

BUT, most of all, I love

the light in the eyes

of my true friend

as she halts

in a jolt of recognition.

Why I will vote Labor

Yes I do agree that Kevin Rudd has made some mistakes. I recently signed a petition to get him to give more funding etc to mental health - an issue I have very strong opinions on but...what are the other options?

On Monday I visited St John's Presbyterian church to view a web cast of Kevin Rudd (Australian Prime Minister) and Tony Abbott (Opposition Leader) speaking to Christians of prominent denominations.

Right from the start Kevin Rudd was clear, had well thought out policies and was able to relate well to the audience.

Abbott, in contrast, had vaguely expressed policies and also said things I disagree with about Aboriginal issues (Aboriginal people must learn to take responsibility...) and the economy (we want to cut spending without decreasing services - I don't know how you could do that and he didn't explain...)

Rudd, in contrast, had concrete plans for addressing health (taking on 60% of the funding), homelessness (building more temporary and permanent places to live), welfare reform in the NT to make sure essentials such as food were being bought and the environment (emissions trading and reductions, renewable energy).

Both men have a religious faith and it is certainly not on that basis that I criticize Abbott. I just feel that leaders should have a clear vision for our country and he seems to lack this vision.

Of course I would welcome respectful discussion on these matters.

My love to you all

Amber

Where Has Amber Been???

Hi Everyone

Sorry it's been so long since I last wrote - I hope at least some of you remember me. I do plan to do fairly regular blogging again now so tune in.

The bad news, for me, is that I have have spent 6 months in hospital over the last year with psychosis and depression. Fortunately I had a wonderful psychiatrist who I am now seeing as an outpatient as well.

I also had a lot of support from my church, my friends and my family and I feel I am so lucky for that. So many mentally ill people seem to go it alone. Personally I don't know how they manage.

In hospital I also started doing two hour quiet times with God using journals, prayer books, bible studies etc. This has helped me immensely. Even though I don't know why He allows me to suffer so much I do feel He is there with me.

My big achievement, so far, is giving up smoking. So far it's been two and a half weeks. I am using patches and chewing gum together as I was such a heavy smoker and it's working. Sometimes I crave a cigarette but it usually doesn't last long which is fantastic! Please pray that I keep up the good work!

I have also moved house into a housing commission flat. I am very happy here. I have more room to move and my landlord (the state government) basically leaves me alone. I am close to services and the rent is cheap too. Jessie (my beautiful cat) is also much happier.

I am starting up my writing again. I attended a poetry workshop on Sunday which was great and am going to go to classes starting this Thursday. I have been keeping a journal too and may share some of my entries with you - I hope you like them!

Last, but not least, I am continuing in my studies at the Polytechnic. If all goes well I should finish at the end of the year. After that I intend enrolling in an online Postgraduate Diploma in Christian creative writing.

Anyway, that's all from me.

Amber