tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.comments2023-06-30T23:05:13.115+12:00Missionary Anna - kiwi tales!Anna Dunfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12362143051124854821noreply@blogger.comBlogger358125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-16823376589579687452016-11-07T03:35:26.353+13:002016-11-07T03:35:26.353+13:00Love this one, and watching the spaces with great ...Love this one, and watching the spaces with great interest: I'm still at the point of trying to work out how to reduce the amount of Stuff in my flat while still keeping all the things I need to make books, knit, etc etc etc...MaryFisherrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17807974709279729658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-47122337949960268602016-10-29T18:15:41.292+13:002016-10-29T18:15:41.292+13:00The Friend comes in plastic??? Please tell me it i...The Friend comes in plastic??? Please tell me it is the compostable sort...<br /><br />I get our Aotearoa New Zealand Friends Newsletter (5 times a year) in hard copy rather than by email as I struggle to read things like that online, and if I want to look something up or re-read something I'd rather flick through the pages to find it. Mind you as I'm currently on the editorial team I read the whole lot through umpteen times on-screen before it gets printed I often don't even open it these days unless I need to go back to something! I'd much rather have something I can pick up and with a cuppa when having a break from the computer, which sadly means I seldom get around to reading Sesame even though I still get it.... but by email!Anna Dunfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12362143051124854821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-23971229725399948362016-10-29T06:34:55.001+13:002016-10-29T06:34:55.001+13:00Congratulations on taking another small step: that...Congratulations on taking another small step: that's all any of us can do really...good luck with working out what other tiny steps you can make: I can't begin to think how I might manage to avoid plastic film-even The Friend comes in plastic these days.... maybe the time has come to move to electronic copy for that....??MaryFisherrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17807974709279729658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-27351306988489188602016-10-28T01:57:34.238+13:002016-10-28T01:57:34.238+13:00Thank you for the Light! Sitting waiting for the ...Thank you for the Light! Sitting waiting for the Opening to develop, but also having to grapple with simple things like making sure food gets to the table when I need to eat/ making sure there's space in my living room for Es, Os & Clerk tomorrow night, and then for a friend to stay in my Spare Oom [aka creation room, junk store, yoga space, etc etc etc] the following night... so beginning to learn that I have to say 'no' to lots of things, and not just the ones I didn't want to do anyway: choices, and more choices, and accepting the consequences thereof!<br /><br />I'm sorry the clocks work against you: I didn't realise yours went the other way - but of course I guess that's logical if I stop and think about it... I do hope that they will work for you in the spring/ autumn! I suppose the lunchtime one is in the middle of your night, so only possible if you suffer from insomnia?<br /><br />I hope you enjoy the rest of the course - it certainly added to my understanding of '1652', and put yet more things in the melting pot that is my life and EfM at the moment! I'll write more, but think it's probably more suited to an email than this blog<br /><br />Huge hugs<br />MxxxMaryFisherrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17807974709279729658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-47063983786145101342016-10-25T09:19:16.203+13:002016-10-25T09:19:16.203+13:00It has been so lovely seeing your comments pop up ...It has been so lovely seeing your comments pop up along with those from others I know Mary. I've still not quite finished the course, hoping to do so today, then I can get back to doing other online stuff like blogging!<br /><br />Sadly due to clock changes the Wednesday Online Worship via Woodbrooke is now a bit too late at night for me (this week 9.30pm and then once your clocks go back 10.30pm! Our clocks went forwards a few weeks back). I'm really hoping it continues and will still be there when the clocks go back the other way. <br /><br />A new opening sounds exciting (and yes no doubt scary!), I'm sure way will open for you. How wonderful to have such support on hand from the start. Holding you in the Light :)<br />A xxxAnna Dunfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12362143051124854821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-61079038306229705102016-10-24T23:17:41.477+13:002016-10-24T23:17:41.477+13:00"No matter how good virtual connections are....."No matter how good virtual connections are..." speaks so strongly to me, too. I've just come back from Woodbrooke where 9 of this year's 21 Equipping for Ministry students got together to spend a weekend with no pre-set agenda but a desire to re-connect with each other, catch up on what we've been doing (or not) as regards our projects, the courses we've taken, and the books we've read and found helpful. <br /><br />I was expecting a great weekend: I didn't expect a major Opening which came to me when we were doing a group walking of the labyrinth: each of us separate but aware of the others' presence walking beside, towards, away from, or 'somewhere near': this joint walking being a concrete reminder of how it is on the course for each of us throughout the two years - we are all 'out there' - but so much better to be together in physical presence rather than at the other end of some sort of electronic device! Now I feel enfolded and supported by the others who listened and upheld me as I began to absorb the meaning of the Opeing, and who offered their help in the future - making the experience far less terrifying than it had been at first.<br /><br />Making time to continue to meet and re-connect isn't easy, given distances, cost, etc: but it's even more essential now than ever it was! Being physically together and sharing 'the things that are eternal' seem to me to be the most important things of all.MaryFisherrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17807974709279729658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-50120323382740959512016-10-24T23:07:04.903+13:002016-10-24T23:07:04.903+13:00Hi Anna
It was lovely to be sharing the course wit...Hi Anna<br />It was lovely to be sharing the course with you, and to come across some of your comments and replies to others' comments - they struck me as so wise and helpful. <br /><br />I found the course very interesting, not least because it underlined what a very short period of time encompassed the beginning moves in the dance: just a few weeks - and the fortunate/ god-given/ deliberately-chosen coinciding of a number of circumstances which conspired to produce an incredible effect on a huge number of people... wish I'd been so fortunate as to discover Quakers earlier in my life and/ or go on a 1652 country pilgrimage! <br /><br />I've been to Swarthmoor Hall a few times now, and was struck the very first time by how you walk through a door from the ordinary contemporary conference centre type accommodation, and find yourself in the 1652 hall beside the front door through which so many people have walked over the centuries, and then go into "the room in which it all happened" - even though one knows that the building has changed, the furniture isn't necessarily original, and, and, and... still there is an atmosphere in that room that reaches out and enfolds you in a special sort of silence...<br /><br />Looking forward to your next post! Hugs mxxxMaryFisherrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17807974709279729658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-62033591379665301682016-10-09T20:55:13.887+13:002016-10-09T20:55:13.887+13:00Thank you for voicing my thoughts, Anna! I get so...Thank you for voicing my thoughts, Anna! I get so frustrated with the letters page of The Friend for the same reason: so many people telling us we MUST become vegetarian, vegan, do this, don't do that: where is the lovingkindness that acknowledges that the way that seems right for me is not necessarily the way that is right for you...<br />I love the idea of sharing '5 small steps in decluttering' with supportive people: it's something I keep chipping away at but at times am so overwhelmed by the clutter that simply comes from Living And Doing A Lot that I despair of ever achieving the sort of physical and mental clarity and simplicity in which I want to live and move and have my being.<br />Thank you for your blog, your encouragement, and your example: and for being part of my life from the other side of the world: thank God for the blessing of the internet and the possibility of sharing on-line worship and taking part in the same on-line course: being connected to people all round the globe is a splendid and wondrous thing indeed.<br />Huge hugs<br />MaryxxxMaryFisherrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17807974709279729658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-62410426449195461742016-08-03T09:02:06.600+12:002016-08-03T09:02:06.600+12:00Better than the 'wrong trousers!' I was si...Better than the 'wrong trousers!' I was sitting in an upright chair rather than my usual evenings armchair, so my lap was all at the wrong angle and the arms of the chair were wooden, not nice and comfortable to use as a headrest, or for bracing ones feet against.<br />It was so funny watching Rosie try to round us up for MfW, I've never seen her do anything quite like that before other than getting people to open doors or feed her, and what was most amazing was she didn't just come for me, but each of us in turn. MfW is obviously important to her!Anna Dunfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12362143051124854821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-30262569728573414992016-08-03T06:16:36.878+12:002016-08-03T06:16:36.878+12:00It sounds a lovely care home, mum's one was li...It sounds a lovely care home, mum's one was like that with staff popping in to say "hello" and "goodbye" as they worked and lots of very caring staff. Like you I could never ever do that job. I'm so glad she was able to die knowing that her things were being dealt with in the best way possible by you. <br />dawn Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-18540442936677385892016-08-03T06:10:01.288+12:002016-08-03T06:10:01.288+12:00I love that you were in the "wrong" chai...I love that you were in the "wrong" chair.<br />dawn Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-80588798368922074832016-02-18T17:15:27.157+13:002016-02-18T17:15:27.157+13:00I've looked at various Tiny House plans, video...I've looked at various Tiny House plans, videos etc and thought that's all very nice but there's nowhere to use a sewing machine! Whilst I could happily live with a breakfast bar for eating at it just isn't going to work for sewing - how can you use a foot pedal when you're perched up on a stool with your feet off the ground?! I suppose I could use a box to put the pedal on etc, but I think I'd rather have a proper table. Sewing at the dining table is one thing, but at a worktop doubling as a kitchen bench just seems like accidents waiting to happen....<br /><br />Good luck with sorting yours and Joan's stuff out ready to move - that's quite a mission!Anna Dunfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12362143051124854821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-46577086629570537492016-02-18T02:32:50.503+13:002016-02-18T02:32:50.503+13:00When I looked at a house with nearly all wooden/li...When I looked at a house with nearly all wooden/lino type floors I did think "but how would I block my knitting"? Currently it gets pinned to a large clean towel and the pins go through that into the carpet and it works well - but that would have been an issue! <br /><br />The priorities that crafters have may be different to the rest of the world<br /><br />And I am so impressed with you for not only aiming to downsize, but also working through your UFOs. I'm about to go and tackle the spare room clutter which is mainly craft stuff plus a bit of stuff that came direct from mum's rather than into storage. <br />dawn Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-28429575611124890132016-02-12T10:34:12.413+13:002016-02-12T10:34:12.413+13:00Well done!
I must admit my bedroom is usually f...Well done! <br /><br />I must admit my bedroom is usually fairly tidy, but it is only my bedroom and not my living space as well. The desk in the living room is rarely tidy. Jess bought me (or rather Santa did) an organisational pad that also doubles as a mouse mat (and drinks mat come to that). There are 3 columns on it - Stuff to do, Stuff to buy, Urgent stuff. There's also space to doodle/scribble other notes etc. Must admit I usually use Stuff to buy to make notes of what I need to take with me, but it really is helping. <br />dawn Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-75705600744520632662015-12-08T02:06:37.803+13:002015-12-08T02:06:37.803+13:00I'm so sorry to hear about Annie - she was suc...I'm so sorry to hear about Annie - she was such a force of life!<br />You can email me at anne @ nydamprints.com.Anne E.G. Nydamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02406524149458743460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-66675523032319903842015-12-04T11:56:09.684+13:002015-12-04T11:56:09.684+13:00Thanks for your reply, Anna. And sad news about An...Thanks for your reply, Anna. And sad news about Annie, who is such a bring light (and so much fun) in my memory. <br />I'm excited and nervous about the travel to Peru (leaving three kids at home), but feel called to be with our world family at this moment in my life and work. I'm heartened to know that some of us from QYP '87 have supported Quaker youth and children as part of our work in the world. I'll keep an eye out for Kiwis in Peru, and remember you to them! <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15406266869998993853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-62614681507147692562015-12-04T10:43:47.862+13:002015-12-04T10:43:47.862+13:00It's so lovely to reconnect! I've tried se...It's so lovely to reconnect! I've tried searching Facebook for you and other QYP folk at various times but people who change their surnames are hard to track down! I've often wondered where you all are in life these days. A few I know the whereabouts of, but not many.<br /><br />Did you see this post yet? http://missionaryanna.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/connections.html So sad to lose Annie.<br /><br />But yes, I'd love to catch up properly rather than via here... :)Anna Dunfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12362143051124854821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-70316389803732395072015-12-04T09:08:47.775+13:002015-12-04T09:08:47.775+13:00Melinda! So lovely to hear from you! I've thou...Melinda! So lovely to hear from you! I've thought a lot about QYP '87 what with WGYF 2005 and the World Conference in Kenya 2012. I'd been hoping to catch up with more of you that way, but there kept just being me Rosie and Ute, and lovely as it always is to see them they are probably the two I've seen the most of over the years since in other places.<br /><br />Did you see this post about Annie? http://missionaryanna.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/connections.html So sad to lose her, even though we'd not seen each other in years there's something comforting in just knowing someone is there...<br /><br />The more folk I hear about going to Peru the more I'm wishing I'd applied for an Open Place, but I keep reminding myself that these things are about more than just catching up with old f/Friends and it really is someone else's turn. Look out for the Kiwis who are going, we all know each other and most of them I know well.Anna Dunfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12362143051124854821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-78601899551364173512015-12-04T05:51:40.069+13:002015-12-04T05:51:40.069+13:00Anna Dunford! How wonderful to find your blog, an...Anna Dunford! How wonderful to find your blog, and catch a glimpse of the Quaker work you're doing! (In case you're wondering who this crazy random commenter is, I was Anne Grundy when your family hosted me and we were on the Quaker Youth Pilgrimage together in 1987.) I've not been in touch with any QYPilgrims for a long time, but just a couple of weeks ago Melinda Wenner (now Melinda Wenner Bradley) visited my meeting. I didn't twig to it why she looked familiar until the next day, but when I sent her an e-mail, she replied directing me to your web site!<br />I probably shouldn't try to put too much in this comment, but if you want to catch up, please send me an e-mail, or whatever. It looks like "the Truth is prospering with thee."Anne E.G. Nydamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02406524149458743460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-82821417513181726422015-12-04T04:51:44.914+13:002015-12-04T04:51:44.914+13:00Hi Anna, I don't know if you will remember me,...Hi Anna, I don't know if you will remember me, but we were both on the Quaker Youth Pilgrimage in 1987. I'm preparing to attend the FWCC World Plenary in Peru next month, and the experience of QYP is often on my mind. In trying to find any history online about QYP 87, I came across your lovely blog post from 2005 reflecting on the experience. (And rather randomly, Anne Grundy, another QYP participant, and I met at a Friends meeting recently and later realized our connection!) I send greetings from New York, and hope this finds you well. <br />Peace and love to you, <br />Melinda Wenner Bradley Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15406266869998993853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-62188325473846686702015-06-17T08:46:22.263+12:002015-06-17T08:46:22.263+12:00Matty and Beth wedding
Matty and Beth wedding part...Matty and Beth wedding<br />Matty and Beth wedding part 2 (original date complete with ceilidh and lots of people) <br />Anna and Jason's wedding<br />Jo and Bernard's silver wedding <br /><br />All of which were/are not really that posh, but posher than my usual crappy trouser and teeshirt look! dawnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-57859465960466081082015-06-17T08:44:20.668+12:002015-06-17T08:44:20.668+12:00I could if I absolutely had to reduce my 1500+ boo...I could if I absolutely had to reduce my 1500+ books by a couple of hundred at the most, but books are so much part of my life it would be immensley hard. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-2089268146349064982015-06-16T11:24:04.164+12:002015-06-16T11:24:04.164+12:00Four posh dos in a year?! Wow, that's impressi...Four posh dos in a year?! Wow, that's impressive, I haven't had to look presentable in years! I do have smart clothes suitable for special occasions but if I got a job where I had to look presentable/no jeans day in day out that would require a major rethink! Mind you the chances of me applying for such a job are fairly slim =)Anna Dunfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12362143051124854821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-5942382019112905232015-06-16T11:06:34.146+12:002015-06-16T11:06:34.146+12:00You ask how to cope without lots of books? I'v...You ask how to cope without lots of books? I've no idea, I haven't managed that one! I have shrunk my book collection considerably at various points in time, but it just grows again... Currently half my Anne McCafferys are still with Audra in Edinburgh, and a lot of my books are out at Pukepoto. Fitting them all in here will definitely be a huge challenge, however there is about 10' of bookshelf space in my room full of someone else's books. I have commandeered the other 30' though so I can't really complain, and I do have other stuff on the shelves not just books, but that will probably have to change though before long! I've found myself buying paper copies of books I've read as ebooks and want to read again. Ebooks will do at a pinch (especially when travelling) but you can't beat the real thing. Anna Dunfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12362143051124854821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16620908.post-57320728127755872932015-06-16T05:59:35.983+12:002015-06-16T05:59:35.983+12:00I was thinking about this again the other day as I...I was thinking about this again the other day as I had to buy some new "presentablish" tops. I discovered that as I've been slowly moving them to the "will make a rag rug one day pile" I was left with 3 that had only minor mended holes in and 2 that were really good. I do have a good selection of band/festival and possibly even a Quaker teeshirt or two, but they're really not suitable for going out for lunch with mum! <br />But I resisted temptation (the shock of finding I'd lost over a stone of steroid weight and actually finding things I liked meant I could easily have bought half a dozen) and got the 4 that I really need to allow for washing machine schedule.<br /><br />Mum did buy me a new outfit for Anna & Jason's wedding partly because the original outfit didn't fit too well (see weight loss) and partly because I've got 4 posh dos this year. <br /><br />So thankyou! xx<br />dawnnoreply@blogger.com