Satu in 2025.

To start this story, I would like to tell you where it all started, my interest in poems and pictures.

Many years ago in my younger days, I was practising Hatha Yoga every week. It improved my health and strength. The teacher taught out of her home's double garage, delightfully and beautifully decorated. Carpet on the floor, colourful floor pillows, beautiful pictures on the walls, it didn't seem like a garage. The ambience was devine, and was the best teacher I have ever had in yoga.

So I stuck around for a long time, she was like a friend, and impulsive in a fun way. There was usually between 6 to 12 ladies there each week, and we became friends. We would turn up in our yoga outfits, towel, yoga mat, water bottle and our teacher was always ready for us.

Sometimes she would be impulsive and be at the door waiting for us, and tell us to throw our things inside and wait on the footpath. Our fun loving, energetic teacher then would say we are going on a power walk around the huge block she lived on. At first we thought "Oh Dear, what now?", and we power walked, laughed, while she yelled happily, "Keep Up Ladies". Surprisingly, it was a lot of fun. We would then get back and start our yoga.

On special occasions, she would treat us, like Easter Eggs and buns at Easter, Christmas treats, and so on. Everyone always looked forward to those afternoons. At the end of each session, we would meditate, and teacher would put soothing music on and tell us a meditation. As we finished, we sat up and we would talk about how we felt. Other times she would read us poetry and show us the pictures related to the poem.

I was really interested and immersed in the readings. Most were by a poet called Patience Strong, we loved her beautiful words and pictures. One book was called Golden Hours, and it was imprinted in my mind forever. I started searching for more of her colourful picture poetry books. I do have a few now nicely placed in my bookshelf. They are feel good poems, with beautiful pictures to match the poem.

Those afternoons were were special, I really loved those days. I would go back to those times in a flash, as everyone was included and made to feel super welcome. When it was time to go home, it was with a with a Namaste, head bowed on top of hands held together upon leaving. A sign of respect to all.

I have always been a visual person who loved to draw and paint, so about 4 years ago I joined an art group when I moved far away. So began my own little personal art gallery, in the sunroon of an old house in the country. I had to do something with all the small paintings I was making.

I started making cards for birthdays, for friends and relatives. They had my own poems with my own paintings or drawings. I must say they were very well recieved, with lots of compliments. Suggestions were made that I should make some for sale. Still working on that idea.

I was looking on my computer one day, just radomly searching for ideas, when this site called Vocal turned up. Well that got me intrigued, had a look through it and joined up. My motivation was turned on. Thoughts of having my pictures with my words through poetry and stories put up for the world to see was exhilarating. And hopefully make some money too, was exciting.

I got right into it, trying to win the challenges. But had a pause on it as life happens, family issues, moving house, friends passing, losing hope. But now back with new hope with a new year, I made a new year's resolution to start writing more poems and stories. And create pictures to match them. Eventually make my own poem picture books to put on my bookshelf, right next to Patience Strong's books, the one who inspired me all those years ago.

I feel positive that I will be found on the Vocal media site one day. My goal, especially in this year of 2025, is to find inspiration and motivation. To get it on a snowball run and pick up speed in writing and painting. I also like photography and drawing. Vocal media is definately a great place to start. My word for this year is Create.

Planting seeds in young minds do happen, even if it takes years for it to manifest. So all those years ago, all the ideas put in my mind, are manifesting now.

I might still have a long way to go, but it is intriguing to see where I will end up.

I am self taught in writing, and in art. I like to invent my own style. I just keep going, and trying, motivating and inspiring myself by looking around. In the art group that I was painting with in the Queensland bush area, we would meet up every Saturday for hours. We would bring a plate to share with coffee or tea. Very easy going, friendly and fun, while creating art, in various forms.

About once or twice a year, we would all help in organising an art show in our local area. We would hang our art works of all sorts through the room, and on shelves in an organised manner. Make the place look like a sophisticated art gallery. Flyers were made to put up around the countryside, and posted on social media, to invite everyone for a fabulous afternoon.

We would have homemade finger food, beverages and drinks. Raffles were organised to win on the night, lots of small donated and bought gifts. There was always a grand prize of a large beautiful proffessionally painted painting to win.

We invited local musicians to play on the night, the event was always a hit. All the locals, and travellers, had a great time. Browsing through the Art show, with some works for sale on the night. Grazing through the delicious food, relaxing with a drink, enjoyable conversations, soothing music, excitement by winners getting a prize. Something I would like to do in my life as I settle into retirement in the future.

But for now I will persevere with doing my best to achieve my goal this year in 2025, to write and create pictures. Aiming for picture poem books to be sold in book stores everywhere. With Vocal media on my side, there is great hope with success.