The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams points to the power of certain groups who controlled what was included or excluded in the compilation of the Oxford Dictionary. The book is a novel but is well researched. The focus on gender equality, or lack of it, is fascinating. Word usage changes with time. GenerationalContinue reading “Jean Stewart: That One Word”
Category Archives: Jean Stewart
Jean Stewart: Bush Telegraph
The other day a neighbour fronted me. ‘Do you know who the new family is in our street?’ ‘Haven’t a clue,’ I replied. ‘Members of the Moran family. Remember Melbourne’s gangland Underbelly killings?’ I vaguely recalled the incidents. My neighbour persevered. ‘Trish Moran has moved in with her sons and their kids. One is wearingContinue reading “Jean Stewart: Bush Telegraph”
Jean Stewart: Pie Face
My first experience of feeling shame was at the age of twelve. My friend Nina and I were cycling home, when a raucous group of boys rode in front of us, halting our trip. Nina was an emotionally and physically advanced girl, fascinated by the opposite sex. I was young for my age, enjoying theContinue reading “Jean Stewart: Pie Face”
Jean Stewart: Connecting
Adjusting to your partner’s children can be challenging. Is it easier to bond when they are young—say, three to ten—or when they are adolescents? Adults? What works for some, may not work for others. I have found young children trusting, more receptive. When I met my first partner’s daughter, she was almost four. She’d spendContinue reading “Jean Stewart: Connecting”
Jean Stewart: Of Mice and Women
We have looked after my sister’s Melbourne home many times while they have been overseas. A crucial part of this house-sitting has been Maddie the cat. Loved by all—nervy, contrary, needing much attention some of the time, not at all at others—Maddie was an innate hunter. Intermittently she would bring a mouse inside after herContinue reading “Jean Stewart: Of Mice and Women”
Jean Stewart: Double Trouble
He watched the group of tearaways move stealthily along the supermarket aisles. The retired policeman in him was sorely tempted to act. It was not hard for an experienced eye to spot their pilfering. Perhaps a creative outlet was needed for these kids. Surely some community program would be out there? Maybe he should becomeContinue reading “Jean Stewart: Double Trouble”
Jean Stewart: Tackies
People have been using footwear for over 30,000 years. Prior to this, humans walked and ran barefoot. Fashionable footwear that altered the foot’s shape developed over ten centuries ago. In China around that time for example, foot binding was common among women of status, stunting and deforming their feet. In medieval Europe, extremely narrow pointedContinue reading “Jean Stewart: Tackies”
Jean Stewart: Doing What Comes Naturally
Doing What Comes Naturally I turned into Gulf Parade, driving well below the stipulated 50kmh. I was used to keeping the speed down, as Saturdays were always frenetic around the oval and community barbeque area. A still, sunny day. Dogs on leads, wet and panting from their beach romp. Children sprinting across the oval, returningContinue reading “Jean Stewart: Doing What Comes Naturally”
Jean Stewart: A Search for Night Tranquility
Those fortunate enough to have nights of deep uninterrupted sleep are a select group I have envied for a long time. There was a time when I could be counted among such a group. My childhood and adolescent years brought nights of feather-quilt comfort and the security of knowing my parents and boxer dogs wouldContinue reading “Jean Stewart: A Search for Night Tranquility”
Jean Stewart: Monkey on Her Back
No-one could say she’d not tried to tame her struggle early. After that devastating evening when she’d lost $1,000 in an hour, and continued playing her favourite machine into the night, she knew something was wrong. Those nights after her husband’s death had been so excruciatingly lonely. Their much-loved pub was around the corner fromContinue reading “Jean Stewart: Monkey on Her Back”
Jean Stewart: Food Glorious Food
Good food, like deep sleep and unpolluted air, is one of life’s great pleasures. Yet many of us have such an ambivalent relationship with it. ‘There is nothing more delicious than hot buttered toast,’ my mother once said. Experimenting with what we’d put on top was even better: mashed banana with cinnamon sugar; peanut butterContinue reading “Jean Stewart: Food Glorious Food”
Jean Stewart: Stalked
He is leaning on someone’s letterbox when she opens her gate to walk past him. Cross-legged and smoking, his gaze penetrates. Her voice is breezy and carefree. ‘Just moved in? Welcome!’ His half-closed eyes survey her. With a strong Middle Eastern accent, he replies: ‘I’ve seen you already; your unit is in front of mine’.Continue reading “Jean Stewart: Stalked”
Jean Stewart: Ambition
‘Pull tighter while I hold my breath, Macy!’ The maid blushed as she strained the corset strings; this girl would surely faint. Cressida had sipped only a cup of morning tea and a bowl of soup at midday. It was the eve of the most important ball of her young life. In the spring ofContinue reading “Jean Stewart: Ambition”
Humble Pie: Jean Stewart
I hobbled to the pounding at the front door. ‘Elsa from the agency!’ A portly, pony-tailed woman breathed heavily. ‘I use all me own equipment and cleaning materials. Don’t worry showing me around. Bath and vac mainly is it?’ ‘Pardon? Oh, yes,’ I replied meekly. Already I was regretting this request for help.Continue reading “Humble Pie: Jean Stewart”
Jean Stewart: Luck of a Green-Eyed Cat
Who could be thoughtless enough to knock on her door at 7 am? The entire street knew she worked early shifts. Billy next door, holding a black cat with green eyes, glared. ‘Judy’s died and it’ll be put down if no-one takes it. You’re the only one in the street without any dogs or cats.’Continue reading “Jean Stewart: Luck of a Green-Eyed Cat”
Burnside Writers Group 