January: Mitchell began high school (which, in Australia, starts with year 7). February: I quit Intel and retired in a state of severe burnout. It was nonetheless a busy year. Sydney World Pride Parade – Feb 23 Royal Easter Show – Apr 10 Japan – April Nezu Shrine Azaleas Japanese Food Osaka Castle Grounds Shopping… Continue reading 2023 Diary: January – June
Author: Deirdre Straughan
Family Stories: Uncle Louis
I’m doing some electronic file cleanup today, and ran across a piece of writing my dad must have sent me years ago but I have no recollection of reading. It’s an interesting window into the lives and attitudes of my grandparents and great aunt and uncle, all of whom I barely knew. . . .… Continue reading Family Stories: Uncle Louis
Memorabilia: Steiff Ibex
As part of my childhood love of animals (stuffed and real), I somehow became aware of Steiff, the German manufacturer of iconic stuffed toys and inventors of the original Teddy bear. They sold a huge range of animals of all sizes and species, most of them about as realistic-looking as it was possible for a… Continue reading Memorabilia: Steiff Ibex
Memorabilia: Flowers the Lion
Throughout my childhood, I cherished my collection of stuffed animals. In Bangkok, they slept with me every night, arranged along the side of my bed in a painstaking order that I was daily upset that our maid disarranged when she made the bed every morning. My animals all had names and personalities. They kept me… Continue reading Memorabilia: Flowers the Lion
My Lego Builds
I do buy and build Lego kits, but I most enjoy creating my own builds, which nowadays tend to be recreations of architecture that exists in the world. Here’s a gallery showing my work, along with inspiration photos (some builds are entirely out of my own head). These are in chronological order, and this gallery… Continue reading My Lego Builds