By Cassandra O'Leary
This month's blog theme is 'What touches my heart?' and it's a tricky one, because the answer is many things, many people, books, movies, music... There isn't only one answer. There isn't only one thing to feel or to love. This post is dedicated to all the little things that add up to something joyful and touching in our everyday lives.
A quiet sunset
My last little family getaway was to Lakes Entrance, a few hours away from where I live in Melbourne, Australia. One of the highlights of the trip was staying across the road from a lake with a pier, just right for fishing with the kids. Watching the sunset over the lake was so relaxing, it made me want to go for sunset walks more often.A funny movie
Is there anything better than snort-laughing along to a funny movie? I think not! This week I watched Pitch Perfect, a film about the exploits of competing Acapella singing groups at a university campus. It stars the wonderful Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson (Aussie and funny, yeah!) and is chock full of silliness and great songs. Yes, I was singing along to the Ladies of the 80s songs in the riff-off scene. If you haven't seen it yet, it's great fun.A great piece of music
I'm remembering the concert I went to last year, sitting in the front row at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. The great sax player and composer, Branford Marsalis, was on tour all the way from New Orleans. One of the songs he played was an original composition with multiple layers and a few classical bits and pieces thrown in...amazing! His quartet absolutely killed it too.This YouTube clip of In The Crease is an example of the type of tune, or more like an immersive experience. When you're right up close to musicians in this league, it's emotional and intense. This piece is not quite the same as the show I saw, but I hope you enjoy it.
My kids laughing
Honestly, sometimes my boys behave like little monsters, but other times they are completely adorable and hilarious. Is there anything cuter than kids laughing so hard, they're in hysterics with tears running down their faces? Lately I've been thrilled to see my kids reading funny books to themselves, and then just busting out laughing. Latest #kidlit recommendations are Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, anything by Tom Gates, and of course we're re-reading Harry Potter.A good book and time to think
The time after everyone else goes to sleep and I read a good book, just because I can and it gives me pleasure. Lately I've enjoyed reading these fabulously fun romantic comedies:99 Percent Mine by (Aussie) Sally Thorne
On The Same Page by (fellow Aussie) Penelope Janu
And a puppy?
Yes, my family have decided unanimously to become a dog family. We already have quite the menagerie, with a cat named Tom Sword, a parrot named Storm, many fish, and eight chickens of various sizes and stages of cluckiness.My kids adore animals and we thought...why not? It's good for kids to learn about looking after a pet, the responsibility it entails, but also having a new friend to love. This could be an absolutely manic and crazy choice. Will the dog attack the cat? Or vice versa? We shall see.
Please enjoy our first photo of our puppy, coming to live with us in a few more weeks. We're thinking of calling him Archie.
Another little piece of my heart...
All of these things are little pieces that make up a whole lot when added together. What makes your heart fuller, more capable of love, or reminds you to live life to the fullest?About Cassandra O'Leary
Cassandra O'Leary is a romance, romantic comedy and women's fiction author, communications specialist, avid reader, film and TV fangirl and admirer of pretty, shiny things.In 2015, Cassandra won the We Heart New Talent contest run by Avon Books/HarperCollins UK. Her debut novel, Girl on a Plane, was published in July 2016. Her indie published novella, Heart Note, was a top 50 bestseller in the Holiday Romance and Humor Fiction categories on Amazon.
Cassandra is a mother of two gorgeous, high-energy mini ninjas and wife to a spunky superhero. Living in Melbourne, Australia, she's also travelled the world. If you want to send her to Italy or Spain on any food or wine tasting 'research' trips, that would be splendiferous. You'll find Cassandra drinking coffee, buying shoes on the internet...and oh yes, writing.
Read more at: cassandraolearyauthor.com
8 comments:
Cassandra, great post. Love the picture of Archie but I can't tell exactly what size he'll be when he grows up. There are so many scenes in nature that touch my heart. When I can't sleep and am up when it's still dark, I can watch the sunrise. In a few months my yard will be full of colorful flowers and hummingbirds. But my dwarf larch with it's gnarly branches and crooked trunk casts amazing shadows across my back deck. And when the wind blows (which it has done a lot this winter) the shadows entertain me with their antics.
What a beautiful post, Cassandra! You are so right about all those little things ading up. I loved the Pitch Perfect movies, BTW. And thank you for sharing that amazing performance. What sort of dog is Archie? He looks kind of Golden Retriever or Golden Lab-ish. Or is he what my dad called a Canardly - you can 'ardly tell what he is?
Whatever he is, he already has wriggled his way into your hearts.
Thanks Judith. I love to walk along the beach...but not when it's too hot! It's great to get out in nature to recharge. As for puppy, Archie will be a mid sized dog when he grows up, hopefully not more enormous than my growing boys.
Thanks Sarah, I've been trying to be more mindful of all the good things around me. That concert last year was amazing - not sure if I'll ever score front row tickets like that again! And Archie is a golden retriever and poodle cross (Groodle). They are meant to be good with kids plus low allergenic. I'll probably post another pic in a couple of months!
I really enjoyed your blog post! Pictures are great, love Archie!
You mentioned so many things that also make me happy. I also loved the Pitch Perfect movies; and I am quite envious you go to see Branford Marsalis in person. He is quite the talent. I've only seen him on TV or YouTube.
And children laughing is the best, and so contagious! Thank you for a wonderful, uplifting post.
Thanks Diane. We're getting excited about puppy-time here!
Thank you, I can't see your name (Unknown). I've been feeling a bit down lately due to health issues so I'm trying to focus on the fun, everyday things. Branford really was exceptional live. I couldn't believe we got front row tickets but we booked as soon as the festival program released and BOOM!
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