Courtesy Peonia@morgueFile free photos

Australia is indeed a spacious land. A safe Haven mainly, where we can explore and wander and discover, if we are so inclined.

Courtesy pshubert@morgue file free photos

In the 1950′s Australia was billed as a Land of Milk and Honey to migrants. A land of untapped wealth and needing workers. So they came, to help build the infrastructure and to discover. In a way they were pioneers with sight, prepared to make a better life, learn and work hard in a strange land. They were from all walks of life and prepared to take any work.

Courtesy taliesin@morgueFile free photos

Look at a few of these examples. Migrant City folk who had to learn about the land, agriculture, livestock, farming, animal husbandry. Or farming folk, homesteaders in their own country having to adapt to an extremely different climate. Australia being a land of flood AND drought. A vast land. Then the labourers, brick layers, hardy men on their own hoping to bring family to this new country and working hard to save.

Old Photo courtesy BThomas

Old Photo courtesy BThomas

We were privileged because our family was befriended by kind and generous Australians who taught my parents about the new country. My mother was a city girl and my father knew or had learnt tool making. Both longed for a new safe place to call home, raise a family and were prepared to work for it. So thanks to the family of Mr Malthouse a hard working farmer near Bradbury, South Australia our family started their life in a new country. I feel sad though because as happens in life we lost contact, and this is my mother’s constant regret in her age where she has time to reflect.

I was a child in a strange land and it was only later as adults did we truly realise the blessings we had and have around us. The abundance, even when making do. We knew no different. There was freedom of space to discover and learn.

Courtesy stweedlie@morgueFile free photos

We also learnt that if it rained and we missed the bus to school we had to walk in the rain. There was no car! Instead, with raincoats and gum boots on we set off remembering to beware one particular bend on that narrow road near a Beech Forest in Stirling. A dip in the road where a monstrously long puddle formed next to the footpath. You see we had to strategically plan this stretch because if we didn’t take it at a run from one end to the next we were bound to get drenched. I know I got soaked at least once when I didn’t see a truck approaching the bends. A snaking road past ancient, dark and looming trees on a huge property. Huge and menacing to a child and it hasn’t really changed much now.

Courtesy gracey@ morgueFile free photos

So now a few generations on as my little grandson and I take a walk…

I have learnt how to go walking with toddlers
I have learnt how a grandmother can alleviate cabin fever
I have discovered exercise can be fun

…to be continued in Part 2

Joining in with Our World Tuesdays

Google. “What does Simple Living mean”

“”simple living
Web definitions
Simple living encompasses a number of different voluntary practices to simplify one’s lifestyle. These may include reducing one’s possessions or increasing self-sufficiency, for example. Simple living may be characterized by individuals being satisfied with what they need rather than want. …
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Living””

The above is the first hit that came up. The reason for this title is because I saw someone had recently searched on Google for Simple Living with children and arrived at my blog. Whether my thoughts helped their search or not it doesn’t matter, it gave me food for thought….rambling thoughts.

but first …

Monday in Sydney was grey, with low clouds and some heavy deluges which turned the roadway gutters into raging swollen racing torrents.

Once the deluge had passed the only sign of nature’s display is the occasional puddle, debris strewn across lawn or path where water followed the path of least resistance, some water still coming down the drain pipe and much cooler temperature and a still grey sky!

The type of day which makes my thoughts turn inwards as I stand and do some ironing. Ironing business shirts which soon won’t be needed as often as hubby’s retirement approaches…it can’t come quick enough for him though, too much pressure at work, but even so, thankful for employment….and a new adventure beckoning. Life on the Pension. Looking at life with new eyes and a right attitude. It’s all about our Attitude

Reflect on life; it’s happenings, past and present, for young and old and older in our families. From grand children, small to tall, grand mother and to Great grandmother. That I still feel young inside which is good but realise how fast the years do race by…scary!

Reminisce with so many memories that fly through the mind. The happy and sad, then and now. What is to come…..

So, returning to simple living. There are many examples of people living this way. The Amish for example and Gandhi, to name a few.

For everyday people living an ordinary life who just want to simplify, with or without children. How or what can they do if they can’t see the wood for the trees. Have a look again with different eyes OPEN.

So many ways…

Think-> Less is more…

Try this-> Make our lives uncomplicated…

How and when does it feel complicated for you?

For me,too much clutter round and I don’t know where to start.

So make it simple and keep it simple, but don’t stress too much if you slip up. It’s not worth the angst.

Make our children’s lives uncomplicated.

Create memories and not clutter.

Reduce all their “things” . Do it a little at a time. For example as they outgrow clothes don’t replace by the same amount…do they need 10 skirts and dresses? All their abundance overwhelms them….and you SAVE.

-> Make up stories and interact. Adventure is a FUN word and so easy. Have fun times with them. Find that snail or watch the Cockatoos after the rain. Find that unexpected piece of barbed wire that a bird must have lost on its way to building a nest. Only found when watching rain pouring down a drain pipe! Or let the little ones hold a bowl whilst you pick some fresh herbs from your own tiny patch to turn an ordinary left over salad into a gourmet one.

-> Reconnect with people and children and not “things”,
-> Reconnect with Nature
-> Give time to these and watch your stress levels go down

-> Don’t think ahead ALL the time….there are times when we need to plan things to make life run smoothly. BUT, we all need unstructured and spontaneous happenings time too!

There’s a Daily-ness in living, everyday living, but make it count.

I chose this Tuesday morning to smell the roses after rain. The neighbour’s Rose. From grey skies yesterday to freshly washed blue today. A new day with new happenings.

What do you choose?

Joining in with Essentially Jess for IBOT