When it comes from within

I've been thinking about this post for a week. I've written it several times in my head. It will possibly come out on the screen nothing like I planned in my head...but that's ok. Maybe this is the right telling.

Last week someone called me the M-word. In itself I guess that's no biggie. I mean, it happens. I get annoyed, I move on.

But this one came from within the "disability club" and it was deliberate. This person knew my name - my actual name. This person looked me in the eye as I did something kind and said, "Thank you little midget....oh, I mean, Leisa."

I arked right up. I didn't yell, or scream or get obnoxious, but I felt the hackles rise and I told him that there was no way I was going to stand for it. It was rude, mean and the same as calling someone the n-word. He said it was a slip of the tongue. I told him it wasn't. He knew what he was saying.

After the incident I pondered for a while. Would people have thought I should've been a little more lenient because of the type of disability the name-caller had?

My answer is no. I respect my new friend as a person, a fellow human being. I expect the same courtesies from him as I do the rest of the human race. Just because my friend has a particular disability doesn't give him an excuse to be rude because, "He might not know what he's saying." He knew exactly what he was saying and he needs to know it's not on in the same way everyone else needs to know it's not on.

I don't believe in rules for us and rules for them.

I have to admit that I was hurt. I thought they would have known better. He too would have been subject to obnoxious words used to describe his condition over the years. Back in my day people with his condition were called all sorts of things that were "acceptable" back then but are totally inappropriate now.

Back in the day the M-word was once the moniker they assigned to people like me. Not anymore. I won't take it from anyone.

These are a few (one) of my favorite things

Make way for the swans!
Image source

When I drive in to work my favorite part of the drive is around Lakeside Drive in Albert Park. Drivers have to be alert when making their way around that lake as there is a large population of Black Swans, as well as many other water birds.

(It's one of the big reasons I am so anti-Grand Prix!)

The speed limit around the lake is 50kmph and I'm pleased to report that most Melburnians seem to keep to that limit - and for good reason too. The swans get right of way in traffic - and by the way they stroll across the road you have every reason to believe that they know they own the place. They take their sweet time just waddling across, stopping to check out the scenery or perhaps wondering if they really do want to cross the road after all. Meanwhile, traffic banks up as they make up their minds and make their way across.

For some reason, I don't mind just sitting there and waiting for the swans. I don't even care if I'm terribly late for work. The swans are a bright spot in my day and serve to remind me that there are more important things to care about in this fast world.

Knitwise, Cookwise

Hi people,

Winter has settled in here well and truly. With apologies to my friends in the Northern Hemisphere who I know experience a much colder winter than we do down here, it has been cold. Average daily temperatures seem to be around 12c (53.6F) which I know isn't really cold but when you're used to summers of over 100F it IS cold!

I have been spending a lot of time knitting. I've found an easy beanie pattern and just set those knitting needles a clackin'! The good thing is that people have seen my creations and want to buy them! I have orders!

These are the beanies I am sending off to people in the post today.

Rainbow, Koorie Flag and purple flecks. 

Knitting has been so therapeutic. There's just something about the rhythmic movement that is so soothing. Knowing that I am making things for people I know and love is even better. A whole lotta love goes into what I create and I hope those who receive my creations feel it too.

I'm making a little bit of money on the side too. Just a little. Actually......only enough to pay for more wool. I don't charge for my time. I'd make a terrible entrepreneur! I look at lovely quilts and knits at markets and see how expensive they are and know darn well that they are worth every cent! I know a lot of money and time and effort goes into hand making something, but to put those prices on my items....I just can't do it!

Maybe I need to just say to people, "Pay what you can afford" like they do at Lentil as Anything.

I have also been trying new recipes and made this the other evening.

Rice and Bean Stuffed Capsicums.

I got the recipe from Sammie over at The Annoyed Thyroid, Recipe can be found HERE. It really was delicious.....actually this recipe made me enough meals for four nights so I'm set for dinners for a while! I may even add in a little chilli powder next time....and yes, there will be a next time!

Go over and give Sammie some love. She's a pretty awesome lady who loves running and Disneyland - just like me!

Speaking of running (how was that segue?!), thanks to tax time bonuses and end of financial year sales I bought myself some new running shoes on the weekend!

Bit brighter than I'm used to!

I hadn't changed my running shoes for.....oh goodness.....over two years. This is a no-no apparently when you're a runner. My other ASICS were really in need of replacing - even sporting holes where my big toes are. I could feel that they weren't cushioning or supporting my feet as I was running so it was well and truly time for new ones. I took these out for the first time yesterday morning and they felt terrific.

I'm once again on the look out for another place to live. Although I completely LOVE where I am living and feel sad about moving I have decided I need to find a place closer to family and work. The two hour plus commute four days a week is exhausting - not to mention the extra travel I have to do for dance rehearsals on the weekend. Having said all that though, I am in no great rush and have decided that I will employ the "keep turning over rocks till you find the treasure" approach to house hunting. In other words, I will look for and apply for places, however if I am unsuccessful then that place wasn't meant for me and I'll just stay put and keep on looking until the one that's meant for me comes. No point getting anxious about it! I looked through a really LOVELY little place on Saturday that I would dearly love but when I turned up I was one amongst a crowd of maybe thirty other people wanting to find a rental in the areas as well. Rental properties in the area I'm looking in are in great demand.

At least I have a place to hang my hat now. I realise how blessed I am every day when I commute to the city and see the homeless people near the train station. I cannot comprehend not having anywhere to go.