© irene waters 2016
I have missed out on Trent’s Weekly smile for the last couple of weeks as I had been feeling as though there was not much to smile about in the world and even my own life seemed to be a bit on the flat side. Time I felt to take myself in hand. How could I be feeling low when every morning started with a walk along the river with scenery that can only fill the heart with joy and yes, cause a smile.
Then I found a story about a first grade teacher who each year had her class decorate material which she made into a dress that she wore on the last day of the school year. What a wonderful way to make those kids proud of themselves and their efforts and also a wonderful way to remember every student taught. You can see the dress here. Quilts could have the same effect but with limited exposure. This really made me smile.
And then I came across Jimmy Craig’s cartoons of animals can talk. and my smile grew and grew.
So yes, when you look, there certainly are lots of things to smile about.
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Funny the things that make us struggle and the ones that make us smile. Sometimes they are one and the same.
I can’t tell what is in the water – looks like two feet from a water ballerina. Or two ducks. ?
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True. I love that image of a ballerina being held high above her partner’s shoulders toes turned out in a perfect upside down 5th position. But no it is the end of the dead tree in the foreground which fell into the water probably two to three years ago now. With the king tide we had this day its end became a dancer.
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wonderful smile
creators 🙂
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Glad you are smiling. 🙂
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This is great Irene. 🙂
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Thanks Miriam.
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Sometimes we forget about the little things, like our daily walks. That is pretty. I think the teacher’s idea is great and the dress looks better than I expected. Something any first grade teacher should be proud to wear.
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A wonderful story Irene…thank you. We do have such amazing beauty around us…stop look and breathe it in. Loved the cartoons…
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Thanks Jan. I think you may have alerted me to the cartoonist (someone on FB did) and I just loved that one where the dogs were all over the man in bed’s head – just checking to make sure he was alive. That is our bedroom in the morning with Muffin the puppy checking Roger out. We used to think he was cleaning Roger’s ears, now we know he is just checking for signs of life. Luckily they have always been present, loudly.
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I’m sorry you’ve been feeling flat, Irene, but am pleased you found something to smile about. I was very impressed with the year one teacher’s dress. I want one! I wish I’d thought to do that when I was teaching. What fun it would have been. Thanks for sharing the animal cartoons. They were also good for a smile.
I hope things are improving and that your smile stays for a while. 🙂
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Thanks Norah. I thought you would like the teachers dress. I think it is a dress any Mum would also wear with pride. Yes I plan on keeping the smile. 🙂
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I agree about the dress. Mum’s would like it too. I’m glad you’re keeping the smile. Have a good week. 🙂
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You too Norah.
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