Thomas Macleod

Yesterday my local historical society commemorated the unveiling of a plaque to mark the 100th anniversary of Thomas Macleod's pioneering biplane glider flights. Macleod was one of Australia's pioneering aviators. He flew the first heavier-than-air biplane glider constructed in Queensland from the slopes near where this monument now stands. He then went on to have an illustrious career involving aviation and other pursuits. The project to honour Macleod was driven by our society president and another member of the society. It took many years to get to this point, involving extensive research into Macleod's life and raising the funds to get the plaque which was unveiled by our Lord Mayor. We are pleased to finally give Macleod the recognition he deserves.

Sporting Wheelies Gym

For the last couple of months I've been going to the Sporting Wheelies Gym. One of the staff did an assessment of my situation and wrote a program to suit me. I've enjoyed going there and doing the weight training. I need to improve my upper body strength and I do feel I'm getting stronger. I'm also doing exercises with my legs to try and improve those muscles. The staff and students at this gym are so helpful and friendly. The gym has a really good atmosphere. I like that I am doing something positive to help myself be as strong and "able" as I can be and that will improve as I get stronger each week. The cause of my spinal cord damage is unknown leaving me an "incomplete paraplegic", which means that some messages are getting through (I can wiggle my right big toe). I can stand with help and "walk" holding on to a wheelie-walker, swinging one leg after the other. I can't lift my knees. Spinal Awareness Week begins tomorrow and summer is the most dangerous time for getting a spinal cord injury as people are dumped into the sand at the beach. Please recognise that this danger exists and don't take unnecessary risks with your body. For many who will get a spinal cord injury this summer, their life will change forever.

U3A Oral History Presentation

I was very pleased to be invited to give a presentation on oral history to a local U3A group last week. There were about 17 older people who came along and I received some very positive and encouraging feedback. We had some initial technical problems, which always seem to happen, but it didn't spoil the morning. I was able to tell the group about oral history and how most oral historians now use digital recording equipment. This has been the major development in oral history in recent years as it has made it so much more accessible. The stories can be accessed on the internet. For example, the slave narratives, held in the Library of Congress can be listened to. I played a few of the excerpts from interviews that are on my Oral History Blog and the group enjoyed them. I then did a couple of "mini-interviews" with two elderly gentlemen, aged 91 and 93, to demonstrate a little of the procedure.

"Hats" Exhibition

Late last week I went to the Hats Exhibition at the Art Gallery in Brisbane. It featured hats from different eras, dating back to the 19th century. They are works of art. Some famous hats were also featured including one worn by Camilla Parker-Bowles for her wedding to Prince Charles. There were also old movies shown of hats worn in the 1940s and 1950s. The movies also showed how the hats were made. Once upon a time a woman wouldn't leave the house without wearing a hat. They really "topped off" an outfit and were very stylish. Nowadays they are rarely seen outside the racecourse. At the exit to the exhibition there was a Hat Salon with a number of hats and books for sale. I enjoyed watching women trying on different hats. Their prices were reduced as the Exhibition closes today. Also, this was my first outing "on my own". I went around the exhibition and then had lunch in the Gallery's cafe. It was a very enjoyable day out.

My husband is a Grandad

I am now married to a grandfather. Terry's son's wife gave birth to a beautiful boy yesterday. Mother and baby are doing well and baby's father is exhausted. They went to hospital at about 3.30 am and baby was delivered a couple of hours later so mother had a good quick birth. We are all very excited about it and so good to go to hospital for something positive.

My brother turned 50

My little brother turned 50 last week - incredible! He lives in Canberra and being very considerate of his Brisbane relatives and to escape the cold himself had his birthday bash here. His family and friends came and we had a great time with a terrific party on Saturday night at a venue close to where my Mum and sister live. My brother enjoyed his stay up here, taking advantage of the lovely sunny days to play golf.

Mother's Day Picnic

Yesterday for Mother's Day we had a lovely picnic at Somerset Dam. Our journey there was frustrated by roadworks on the Ipswich Motorway, which made an hour trip two hours - traffic was completely stopped for a long time then moved only slowly till we were clear of the work. We were late but my sister and husband had found a good spot close to the water and in the shade. My Mum was also there, so we were three mothers together. There was a lot of water skiing on the lake and was interesting to watch. Two of my nieces also came along with their cute little dog. It was such a gorgeous day weather-wise so we had a terrific time.

"Cakes" wins Honour

I was thrilled to win an Honour for my photograph "Cakes" at my camera club, QCG, meeting last night. The subject was "Food for a Recipe Book". The judge said before he began that as he judged the photos he asked the questions - do I want to eat the food? and - does it look elegant? He said my photo fit those criteria well and he liked the "geometric" layout. He also commented on the small blue "hundred and thousand" which lay on the table near the plate. That was pleasing as I'd left it there deliberately. You can see other entries at the Gallery. I suppose one of the best things about it all was that after a visit from my peer support officer from the Spinal Injuries Association a few weeks ago, I was motivated to do some cooking. I baked the cakes myself with the only help having Terry get a couple of things for me that were out of reach. I then iced them and set up the photoshoot. So I'm feeling pretty good about it all!!

Barbecue picnic at Wivenhoe Dam

Earlier this week, Terry and I went to Wivenhoe Dam for a barbecue picnic. After the record rainfalls for March the dam is almost full and it was beautiful to see it like that. It was a lovely sunny day, fairly quiet. In the camping areas there were a lot of people as it is school holidays. It is so good to get out to a beautiful spot like this and we're lucky to have it relatively close. Once you get off the busy Ipswich Road, it is a pleasant drive. Our barbecue was delicious - of course. Terry is the best barbecuer!!

Landscape-ing

I was very pleased to receive a Merit for my first camera club competition for the year. The subject was "Scapes" and I took this photo at my local landscaping business. The judge said it worked on two levels, though wasn't sharp enough. I'll have to work on that. Otherwise all going well with my new different life. I'm still going to book clubs, camera club, historical society and oral history meetings, so having as "normal" a life as possible with the support of my family and friends.