May you all have the energy, time and tools to achieve your goals and plans. May you enjoy the journey while you are working towards these goals.
It takes courage to keep aiming towards any goal in the face of uncertainty and difficulties and our world has many difficulties. Perseverance, however, really does pay off. Often people around you begin to help when they can see you are actively aiming for a goal, even when there have been a few interruptions. Gratefully accept whatever help fits in with your goals.
So all you people with New Year's Resolutions, I say

"Go for it!"

I aim to do more woman art photography this year.

Exciting news!
Women's Centre for Health Matters Inc (WCHM) is hosting a silent auction of donated art from Calendar Girls. Calendar Girls was a promotional 2007 calendar for WCHM. 14 of the 150 entries were published in the calendar including one of my photos for January. Many of the participating artists have donated their work to WCHM for a silent auction. Money raised will go towards women's health programs at the centre.
Here is a chance to buy up to four of my photos at a discount price. You will be helping women's health.
Thursday 1 November 2007, 5:30pm in Barton, Canberra, ACT.
If you are interested in attending contact WCHM for venue on 6290 2166.
See an interview with the coordinator, Adrienne Rutherford on Channel vision.
http://www.channelvision.com.au/BusinessVision02.asp?StoryID=247

Last week in "The Canberra Times" there was an article about mothers refusing to give their daughters the Human Papillomavirus vaccine. The vaccine protects against Human Papillomavirus that causes cervical cancer. Approximately 20% of mothers believed that the vaccine would induce their daughters to become promiscuous. It is very sad that even in this age of high technology and scientific advances, 20% of the population confuses health with morals.
Surveys of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy rates done on young people who vowed abstinence interestingly show they have similar instances of sexually transmitted diseases as the control group who did not vow abstinence. The explanation was that teens vowing abstinence may have been practicing manual, oral or anal sex in order to remain technically virgin, but were not practicing safe sex. These other sexual activities can transmit sexual diseases.
Vaccinations are an insurance to protect against a bad event happening. To suggest that vaccines will induce bad behaviour is like saying that people who receive a Tetanus vaccine will go and hammer a rusty nail into their foot! NO. But if they accidently tread on a rusty nail, they are protected from Tetanus. It is a health issue.
It is also like seat belts in a car. Seat belts have been compulsory in Australia for decades. We wear them to protect ourselves in the event of an accident. People drive because they want to go somewhere. There is no evidence that people drive more often or become worse drivers in cars with seat belts. It is a safety issue.
Most people including teens participate in sexual activities because they are in a relationship. They do not think about their health status at the height of passion. Therefore any safe sex practices, including vaccinations, will reduce their exposure to harm. Vaccinations and safe sex practices are health issues.
Virginity pledges and abstinence promotion is a good thing and aims to empower teens to responsible sexual relationships. Problems arise when abstinence promotion comes without education on sexual health, disease protection and contraception. We all need sexual health because we all have sex organs.

What a wonderful weekend! The opening of Body Language exhibition, part of Escape ArtFest 2007, was attended by many of the participating artists along with friends and supporters. An exciting atmosphere developed as artists discussed their various works and interpretations of 'Body Language'.

The works were varied in size, media and style from the exquisite cuttlefish bone carvings of Kylie Douglass to a large bold collage by Thea Wooten. Faith traditions were represented including Julie Williams' reclining Buddah and Lindy Delain's blending of the human elements with symbols of the land. Emotions were shown by Marjo Jones' detailed figurines and Ken Ball's soft focus photographs.
The variety of styles was inspiring. Together they made a very powerful statement about the diversity of our bodies and how we give them meaning. Some of the works were confronting and bold in addressing difficult issues such as bondage and menstruation. All of the works were beautiful.
It was an honour to be a part of the celebrations. A big THANK YOU to our hosts Chris and Wanda Bridgland whose work preparing and promoting the exhibition was rewarded with a stunning opening.
The exhibition runs until October 6th 2007 at
Hibiscus Gallery, 16 Wallaroy Drive, Burrill Lake, NSW.

Today I cleaned out the email 'In box' on my computer. There was a lot of junk mail. Normally I just select them all and delete them. This time I paused a moment to ponder.......
A couple of weeks ago, 14/08/2007, I wrote about breast implants and how sad it is that some women feel they have to have surgery on their bodies in order to be beautiful.
This week I am looking at the male equivalent in all those junk emails. So many of them were telling me how to enlarge my penis!
Again it is sad and exploitative to prey on men's insecurities about their bodies. These junk emails extract money for medicines and procedures that are not always properly tested and regulated.
For men to risk surgery or other manipulations of their most delicate of organs is a tragedy and a huge risk. There must be cases where things go wrong, where infection sets in or there is scaring or other complications. It is sad that people of either sex would cut their bodies and risk injury, pain and complications, in order to meet imagined standards. A truly loving intimate relationship will learn the unique characteristics of each other's bodies. A truly loving relationship does not need surgery to enhance it.

Wow! What an amazing night! I just saw a total eclipse of the moon and the moon turned blood red!
I have used a red moon as a symbolic image for monthly periods. Tonight I saw a real blood moon. It was fantastic and the colours were much more subtle than my artistic moon. So there really is such a thing as a blood red moon.
It still reminds me of women's periods, the passing months and the cycling blood.
The earth's shadow passed across the face of the full moon. It was dark and the full moon changed from white to blood red. It was very exciting to watch. See my new photo on the gallery page.

Escape ArtFest 2007 is an exciting festival of events being hosted in the Ulludulla region of NSW south coast, Australia. For 16 days a celebration of artistic talent will flourish in this normally quiet region. There will be a range of events, workshops, music, film and video, literature, art walks, sculpture and exhibitions and even prizes! Check the Artfest calendar.
I am excited about entering an exhibition called "Body Language" being held at the Hibiscus Gallery, 15 Wallaroy Drive Burrill Lake, from 22 September to 6 October 2007, open daily 10am to 5pm. There many very talented artists participating in this exhibition. Their varied contributions will make "Body Language" an exciting event.
Currently I am preparing six photos for this exhibition. Five of these photos are new and have not been shown anywhere else. They are not posted on this site.
Three of my photos are the sub-theme of "country girl", a light-hearted view of women in country life. The other three photos are the sub-theme of "veil", a look at how a woman shows or hides her body and how that covering affects her identity.
I invite you all to come to the Hibiscus Gallery to see this exhibition and meet me at the opening. Spend the weekend, or a week or more, and enjoy the exciting events happening during ArtFest .

Today "The Canberra Times" warns its readers about loans for breast implants. Australians are servicing record debt yet more women want to add to their debt with cosmetic surgery. It is very sad to me that some women feel they have to place foreign substances inside their bodies in order to feel beautiful. Are these women succumbing to pressure from men? Many men make a big fuss about breasts. It is potentially tragic to put the family into debt for something that could scar and harm the woman or worse.
Surgery always carries risks. General anaesthesia involves risks. Placing any foreign objects into the body involves risk, and should be done with extreme caution and the best of medical care. Most breast implants are done for fashion or "body image" enhancement. Personally, I do not think fashion is something worth the risk of scaring or infection. There are cases of implants leaking, slipping, and moving within the body. These problems then require the woman to undergo further invasive surgery, endure considerable pain, sometimes with extended time off work and can result in large unsightly scars.
I would much prefer women to gain self esteem by the wonderful things they do, not by the way they look. I prefer my friends and colleagues to appreciate my good work and interesting personality and not judge me by the size of my breasts!!

Tonight I watched "Brat Camp" on ABC TV. It is about a bunch of wayward children from Britain being sent to "Turn About Ranch" in Utah in USA. "Turn About" ranch is a working cattle ranch. It is also a rehabilitation centre for teens who have had problems socialising, are on drugs or alcohol, are defiant or in trouble with crime. The teens do a lot of physical work and are given responsibilities as part of their rehabilitation. If they misbehave they are punished. If they do good work and get along with staff and peers, they are rewarded.

During tonight's episode, the cows needed to be checked for pregnancy. The girls needed to don a glove and push their arm up the vagina of a cow! They had mixed reactions but they did it anyway. The commentator however, did not mention the word "vagina". Instead the commentator spoke about the girls putting their arms up "the backside" of the cow!

Now a fully working ranch would need accurate information on the state of pregnancy of the cows. Placing an arm up the cow's backside will not give an accurate reading of pregnancy! There is an enormous difference between a backside and a vagina. One is used for expelling waste, the other is used for brining new life into the world.

I found it most surprising that the commentator seemed coy on this point. At other times during the program various expletives were used without any problem. Yet the commentator could not say "vagina", a plain, unemotional, biologically accurate term. Instead he said the biologically wrong "backside". Why is that? Was he embarrassed by a cow's vagina? Is it more acceptable to swear than to mention female genitals?

VAGINA VAGINA VAGINA VAGINA VAGINA VAGINA VAGINA

Did anything bad happen to you when you read the word vagina?

You may prefer the Sanskrit word "YONI" which means "divine passage" or "place of birth". It implies a respect and sacredness to the special female place. Vagina is a much more clinical word, meaning "sheath". I think vagina is fine for cows, I prefer yoni for women though. Read More...

In "The Canberra Times" today, page B5, Virginia Haussegger wrote an article about older women showing cleavages - or not. She makes the observation that older women do not usually show their cleavages. When they do, they are often criticised. It seems women over 40 are not supposed to be sexy!
Virginia Haussagger links women's display of sexual power as a measure of her confidence. That is until she becomes about 40. Why should society be afraid and affronted with female sexuality when that female is past her fertility? What is so threatening about older female sexual power?
Many older women seem to be happy to become immersed in their grandchildren or enjoying a quiet life on their own. However, there are also a significant number of older women (and men) who do not fit this mold and simply refuse to give up their sexuality simply because they are considered by others to be too old.
Take my mother for example. She fell in love at 70 and got married at 71! Yes married. A full wedding. Bride's maids, flower girl, minister, lots of guests and yummy food. The works. Their marriage is an obviously affectionate one and it has given both of them a whole new lease of life. They still hug and enjoy each other's company more than ten years on. I congratulate them.
My family is not the only example of older age sexuality. "The Canberra Times" today, on page B11 under "Adult services" there is an advertisement;
"GROANING GRANNY Sixty+." Then a mobile phone number and rates charged. I wonder what she talks about!!!! I'm glad that she is bold enough to be sexy in her sixties and even advertise the fact! Many older folk have good health and feel just like the rest of us inside. It is terrible loss that older sexuality is so ignored. Many aged care homes do not have double beds for example, or even double rooms. Yet human touch and contact, especially hugs are very soothing and healing. The comfort of a loved and special person can literally mean the difference between life and death when older people are suffering isolation and stress. I would like to encourage any loving relationship, no matter how old the participants are. Read More...

On a recent trip to New Zealand, I read the Dominion Post newspaper. 19 July, had a story on its front page about a sexist backlash. New Zealand has a woman Prime Minister and Chief Justice. This gives the impression that women are equal to men right up to the top levels of society. Unfortunately recent figures show that women's pay parity has lost ground in recent years. More desturbing is the figure that shows an increase in domestic violence and violence against women by men. Read More...

Over the weekend, I hired a DVD, "Howl's castle". It is a fun animated fantasy. I found the meeting between Sofi and Howl interesting. Read More...

This week a baby was abandoned in a Melbourne hospital in Australia. One of our newspapers criticised the mother and vilified her for giving up her baby. Jeff Kennett, from Beyond Blue, a depression help organisation, was totally outraged by these comments. See article in The Age. Read More...

"The Virgin Mother", by Damien Hirst.

I'm not sure why Damien Hirst called his sculpture, "The Virgin Mother". Women cannot become a mother when a virgin. Sunday 13th May was Mother's Day in Australia. Mother's Day is a time for remembering all the special things our mothers have done for us. It is a time of families getting together, Read More...

I have been busy photographing again. See the new photos posted on the gallery page. A special "Thank you" to the management and staff of Lake Jindabyne Hotel who gave me excellent Read More...

"Beaded Nude"
Introducing Tanya Menzies, a sculptor who grew up in country Australia. She has a degree in Graphic Arts from Charles Sturt University. She has worked in the photographic industry and edited and designed the newsletter for Wagga Wagga Art Society.
She has created shimmering sculptures out of wire mesh, decorated with beads that sparkle like jewels. She is inspired by the female form and ideas of motherhood.
Click here to see her work Read More...

Last night was the opening of the Phoenix Prize for Spiritual Art. There were 170 entries and the short listed ones are on exhibition at ANU School of Art Gallery from 5-28 April. It was my honour to photograph my friend, Pete Smith's entry. Gordon Bull, head ANU School of Art, announced last night that Pete Smith has won first prize!!

Pete Smith (left) with Gordon Bull (right) and "Transfiguration" Read More...

My model rung me to apologise for being late because she needed to shave her legs. She arrived and we did some interesting work. The incident reminded me of a book I have been reading, "Dirt, Undress and Difference - critical perspectives on the body's surface" Adeline Masquelier ed, Indiana University Press 2005.
There is a description of a strip dancer preparing for work. It goes into detail for three pages (96-98). This makes me think about the whole notion of what is dressed and what is undressed and which bits to show and which bits to hide. Certainly the dancer took great care in presenting her body in a particular way. She took longer than most people to get 'dressed' for work!
We all have the right to present our bodies the way we choose.

The entry I wrote yesterday was about a guest speaker that visited my church. The usual preaching at my church allows much more room for individual thought and for God to guide and direct. The sermons emphasise christian morality and integrity.......... Read More...

Yesterday at church a guest speaker described 'safe sex' as an encouragement for promiscuity!! This is an outrage!! Safe sex is a health issue. People can become very ill and die from lack of knowledge in this area. Lack of knowledge also leads to further transmission and even more people suffering. To have knowledge that can protect against deadly diseases and to withhold that knowledge is morally irresponsible. Read More...

New Scientist magazine, 9 December 2006, page 16, has a short article about males having a version of the menstrual cycle! How amazing is that! It talks about males having fluctuating fertility and sperm production. I wonder if further research will show that many species have these fluctuations. Certainly many species have a specific fertile 'season'. The range of sexual and reproductive strategies in the natural world amaze me.

Great news! The Canberra Times has a short note about a new Endometriosis Clinic opening in Canberra, Australia. This will improve the health and reduce suffering for many women. Women of all reproductive ages can have this debilitating and often painful condition. It can reduce fertility and certainly affects a woman's productivity. Now women can get treatment more easily in Canberra.
Story is written up in IBN news