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Springtime in Life...Manners and other Matters...

A little hand feeling spring for the first time...
This post is not so much about manners but spring...its influences and inspirations.  While I have written about spring and its impact on me previously, somehow this year the burgeoning rose buds, and flourishing new wisteria plumes have meant so much more.  

Spring for me has always had a huge influence...the change in the light as the dawn calls me at 5.30 for a walk along the river with my dog...somehow the energy of the light infuses me with enthusiasm. 

Ruby and I revel in the dawn light...

And this year I have become  a grandmother for the first time; it is an extraordinary experience and can give, if one accepts it, a new view of the life which remains to be lived. The opportunities which are offered are more shiny somehow...the difficulties which were part of the last two or three decades somehow feel now like necessary experiences...

I live a modern life.  My grandchild lives on the other side of my vast continent, but via aircraft, FaceTime and Skype we engage with each other regularly...new manners are emerging I realise.  To see my grandson's face gently falling into recognition when he views me through a screen is to me almost  as remarkable as his birth. 

Sydney now feels like my other home...

I speak regularly to young Australians about "modern manners"... and before I meet them I often wonder if they inwardly groan at the thought of speaking with an "etiquette consultant". However, once I have engaged with them on subjects such as appropriate dating, social media, and table etiquette I realise that the young 15 and 16 year olds are increasingly, naturally  reverting to the respect and consideration of manners to which my generation were forced to adhere. These young people are so aware of the pitfalls of social media that they are developing their own codes of manners.  The Springtime of the new etiquette I wonder?...not taught in a rigid sense but valued as common sense.

And so again to spring...my grandson is feeling the sand...

.

...the Moore River is emptying its winter fill into the Indian Ocean...


...and I am looking forward to shared, quiet nights at sunset...


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Comments

  1. Heather RobinsonOctober 20, 2014 at 5:15 PM

    This is a lovely post, Louise and a tender subject to write about! Before meeting Remi, my companion, I dated quite a bit online. I was living in NYC at the time and was far too shy for the bar scene. My experiences, following the etiquette that you mention (talking first on the phone was key to me as someone's voice is really telling), ended up being really positive. While I didn't end up finding lasting romance, I met many wonderful men - something that I really needed after living so many years in Manhattan where it is a challenge to remain open.
    Sending you Good Thoughts for your Springtime...

    ReplyDelete
  2. LouiseOctober 20, 2014 at 5:25 PM

    Thank you Heather for your lovely comments...but Blogger has just deleted my post!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. LouiseOctober 20, 2014 at 6:37 PM

    This is the new version!

    ReplyDelete
  4. ✿France✿ October 30, 2014 at 1:59 PM

    BOnjour je repasserai regarder tes photos dans la journée bonne journée Louise

    ReplyDelete
  5. LouiseOctober 30, 2014 at 2:20 PM

    Bonjour madam...et merci pour votre visite...je vous souhaite une bonne journée...Louise

    ReplyDelete
  6. LindaNovember 26, 2014 at 9:13 AM

    Lovely photos.

    ReplyDelete
  7. LouiseNovember 26, 2014 at 9:40 AM

    Welcome Linda...thanks for your comments...I am glad you enjoyed them...

    ReplyDelete

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