Category: Stories From Life

More Treasure!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Books, Stories From Life

Last Friday, my Wife and I went to her parent’s property, South-East of Goulburn, NSW. On the way out, we stopped at one of our favourite places in Goulburn, The Argyle Emporium. We have visited there quite a few times before and I have written about it a few times on this blog.

It is located in an old police station/courthouse opposite the railway line, just up from the main park in Goulburn CBD. It has 25 rooms and approximately 500,000 books, plus records (LPs) and other items as well.

I suggested that we drop in here as my Wife is currently reading a 5-book sci-fi series called, ‘Dune.’ She received book one for Christmas and has book 5 but is missing the other three books. She was able to find book three so just has to get the other two now.

Of course, the chances of me entering a second-hand bookstore and not buying anything are extremely slim. I am happy to report that I did, in fact, buy five books. I added three to my poetry collection, there was one art-related book, and one writing-related book.

The cost of the five books together was only $23.00 AUD.

If you are just passing through Goulburn and you love books and records, I highly recommend a visit to the Argyle Emporium.

Happy reading!

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

4 January 2026

https://www.facebook.com/argyleemporium

A Trip To The City

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Stories From Life

In the last days before New Year, my Wife and I went into the City as we had booked a Show at the Sydney Opera House that night. We thought we would make a day of it, and so booked the 6 Head waterfront restaurant at The Rocks.

We drove in and parked at The Sydney Opera House ($40.00 all-day parking), which is a pretty good rate and then set off to The Rocks to have breakfast and then wander around the shops and galleries before arriving at the restaurant.

After the restaurant, and after stopping for a quick photo opportunity outside, when caught the train and headed South, back down the City to spend some gift vouchers we received as Christmas presents.

I went to Eckersleys Art & Craft store and Susan went across the rock to the Yarn shop.

At Eckersley’s I purchased an Arches Travel Sketchbook & a set of Kuretake Gansai Tambi Art Nouveau Watercolours.

From there it was off to Dymocks bookstore where I purchased a book, and it’s companion volume. These days, when looking for Art-related books, I really want something different. I don’t want to buy books that replicate in some way, information that I already have. So far, I am very impressed with my purchase.

From there, we went over to The Sydney Opera House to view the Show, ‘Now You See Me’ – The Four Horseman which have been inspired by the movies about four Illusionists/Magicians.

The Show was very entertaining and under the direction of the performers the ausdience en masse got perform their own magic trick.

It was a wonderful day out and as you can see from the photos, we were well blessed with the weather.

Till next time!

Written & Photographed by David Johnson

3 January 2026

Benefits of Being a Member of Toastmasters, Continues…

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Public Speaking, Stories From Life

It’s been a while since I wrote about public speaking or Toastmasters.

Being an active member of Toastmasters continues to provide benefits to my Life. Two recent examples come to mind.

  • In my BNI (Business Network International) Energy chapter.

BNI is the world’s largest Referral organisation. It has hundreds of thousands of members around the world in approximately 11,000 chapters.

48 weeks a year, each member has an opportunity to stand up. They deliver their Elevator Pitch for 60 seconds. This helps to further educate their fellow members. It also indicates what type of referral they are looking for that week.

Last Wednesday-week, I was fortunate enough to win the Golden Microphone. It was for the Best Referral Request.

Naturally, because we meet so regularly at BNI too, we get a lot of consistent public speaking practice as well. We do the weekly Referral Request, and occasionally get to speak in Education Spot. Depending on the size of the chapter, we have the opportunity to do a 10-minute presentation every 6 months as well.

Consistent practice both with Toastmasters and BNI combines to assist me in growing my confidence and presentation skills.

  • EmCee/MC at Weddings

Several years ago, one of my Nieces asked me an important question. She wanted to know if I would like the honour of being the MC at her wedding reception. The event was at The Royal Golf Club in Canberra.

Although nervous, I accepted. I wanted to help my Niece out. I remembered a valuable piece of advice from an experienced Toastmaster member. They once said, ‘if you ever get offered to do a public speaking engagement, accept it.’

The only way to grow in confidence and skills is to keep doing it. Of course they are important mental skills as well but, mental practice alone will not do it.

I’ve just completed my fourth wedding as an MC. The last three, including the one I did last weekend, were for three of my Godsons.

All four receptions were at quite different venues. Sometimes, as I have learned, one must be flexible and adaptable. Quite often, the Bride and Groom will change the running sheet ‘on-the-fly.’

Before joining Toastmasters, I would have dismissed the idea of presenting weekly at a business group. If someone suggested I would be an MC at weddings, I would have thought they were mad.

It just goes to show how being an active member of Toastmasters can have a positive impact on one’s Life. As of the 1 October 2024, I have been a member of Toastmasters for 16 years, 7 months. Looking forward to continuing the journey!

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

Sunday, 6 October 2024

Another Inspiring Day at Red Point Artists!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting, Stories From Life

Yesterday was my third time having a stall at Red Point Artists, ‘Art & Craft on the Grass’ event in Port Kembla.

It was a quieter day, people-wise yesterday, as their was a Maker’s Market on at Wollongong University. Usually at a Wollongong Maker’s Market there could be anything from 50 – 100 Art & Craft stalls.

Still, we had a fun time. In between talking to the people who did visit, I worked on my Watercolour Sketch a Day project, and on another larger Watercolour that I have been working on over the last couple of weeks.

I also had some inspiring conversations with both visitors to Red Point Artists, and some of the Artists themselves. Susan enjoyed conversing with others and also did some Crochet.

After packing up, we attended an exhibition by three Red Point Members, Linda Simpson, Heidi Uhlig and Alan Blake, which is being held in Gallery Eight within the Red Point Art precinct. The exhibition features Mixed Media, Watercolour and Carvings. The exhibition is on until 17 April 2024 at 100 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla.

On the way home we stopped into one of my favourite Art Stores, Levers, which is a long established, family run, Picture framing & Fine Art materials store, or as I like to call it, ‘Art Heaven.’

If you are in the Wollongong area, pop in our check it out.

Looking forward to the second Saturday in May, when I will be back at Red Point for the Art, the craft and the conversation!

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

14 April 2024

Bucket List Item Ticked Off!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting, Stories From Life

Yesterday, for the first time, I put my Artistic efforts on a table for sale to the general public. I did this at Red Point Artist’s, ‘Art & Craft On The Grass’ at Port Kembla, NSW, Australia. Port Kembla is approx. one hour’s drive from where we live.

I have been a member of Red Point Artists for just over three years, and this was my fifth attemp at having a sale table down there. The previous attempts, well, life got in the way as it sometimes can. Yesterday, I just took my Watercolour and Line & Wash images down.

Normally, the Artist’s tables would be out on the grassed area however, due to rain appearing when we were due to set up, most of us were inside the gallery.

So, did I sell anything? Not this time.

Was the day still a success? Yes, definitely due to the following:

  • Firstly, it finally happened
  • I was grateful to received quite a few compliments about my Art
  • Picked up a couple of followers on Instagram
  • Some people said they would check out this Blog
  • I encouraged a lady who had recently taken up sketching to come along to the next Urban Sketchers Wollongong Sketch-meet
  • I learned a lot yesterday about how I am going to present my Art at Red Point Artists next month, ‘Artists In Action’ at Camden Civic Centre next Sunday and other places

It is so satisfying to have finally achieved the above and am very grateful to Red Point Artists for the opportunity and the support of the members. 🙂

The images below are of the Art precinct of Red Point and some of the other Artists presenting their Art.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

11 February 2024

8 Minutes Away…

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Stories From Life

It’s been approximately 2 weeks since I last posted. It has been rather a frantic time of late. Packing up the house and moving day(s) always are, and particularly when we we moving in a range of temperatures from 35C to 43C (95F to 109F).

We have moved about 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) West of where we used to live in Camden, which was about 60 kilometres (37 miles) South-West of Sydney, Australia, and are living in an area that is classed as semi-rural.

One of, if not the major highlight out is Lake Burragorang (pictured below) which is part of the Warragamba Dam (Sydney’s largest) Catchment Area, and is part of the Blue Mountains National Park. Best of all it’s only 8 minutes drive away. 🙂

We have visited it a number of times over the years. To have it so close is wonderful. I look forward to sketching and painting up there.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

14 December 2023

A Real Beauty!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Stories From Life

Almost a year ago, a fellow Cacti & Succulent lover gave me a cutting of the plant below and it has just flowered for the first time.

Like some of my other Cacti flowers, it is a nocturnal-opening flower and it was such a joy to be greeted by this flower when I walked around the corner of the house a few days ago.

When I saw it initially, I thought it had opened fully however, much to my surprise and enjoyment, it opened up even further during the day.

To identify it, I posted a some photos and a question in the Members Only Facebook Group of the Cacti & Succulent Association of Australia. It has been identified as a ‘Peniocereus serpentinus.’

I am so looking forward to seeing the plant’s next flower bloom.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

30 November 2023

Millthorpe Garden Ramble

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Stories From Life

Last weekend, my Wife, Susan and I attend stayed up at Millthorpe, near Bathurst, NSW, Australia and, over two days, had the pleasure of experiencing ten beautiful gardens at the 19th Millthorpe Garden Ramble.

Even though we have been going up to Millthorpe (as a couple) since 1995, this was the first time we had attended this event. We have nearly always been to Millthorpe in the Autumn (Fall)/Winter-time.

Our host’s, Diane and David Dixon, went to school with my Wife and Diane herself has been nurturing a Cottage Garden on their 7 1/2 acres for just on 30 years. Diane has entered her garden in the event once before but wasn’t an entrant this time around. I’ll be doing a separate post on Diane’s garden this month.

The gardens range from small residential backyards to properties with many acres.

I’ve included some images below that depict the type of gardens that we saw. I’ve also taken a lot of reference photos for sketches and paintings.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

12 November 2023

Only 100 of these trees exist. Wollomi Pine

Cultural Fusion

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Stories From Life

Last night, my Wife, Susan and I decided to attend ‘Cultural Fusion’ which is an event put on by the local Council. It features Art and Craft stalls, Art for sale and local musicians.

Visitor numbers seemed a bit down however, this could have been caused by the fact it was the Thursday before the Long Weekend here in New South Wales. I’m sure visitor numbers will pick up closer to Christmas.

We found it delightful and had fun catching up with some of the Artists I know personally and it was great to make new connections.

It is on every month for the next five months and there is a chance for me to have a table or put some of my Art up for sale so I’ll certainly be investigating those. 🙂

Below are a few images from the event.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

29 September 2023

Sketching Fun!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting, Stories From Life

Yesterday, my Wife, Susan and I attended an Urban Sketch-meet that was organised by Urban Sketchers Blue Mountains. They were invited to sketch in the Gardens of the Norman Lindsay Gallery.

Norman Lindsay was a famous, prolific, controversial and award-winning Australian Watercolour and Oil Painter, Etcher, award-winning Novelist and a Sculptor. His creativity is on display at the abovementioned gallery which is situated at his former home on 49 acres in Faulconbridge, in the Blue Mountains West of Sydney Australia.

The Urban Sketchers Blue Mountains invited members of Urban Sketchers Sydney up for the morning for approximately 2 hours of sketching.

There were about 30 in attendance and it was a delightful Winter’s day. We were bathed in sunshine and blue skies and it was about 19C/66F. Quite warm for Winter in the Blue Mountains.

It was a wonderful morning of sketching and relaxing. I even took a poetry book with me and spent a short time after sketching just sitting in the Sun reading. It was such a peaceful location.

After the sketch-meet was over, we decided to go on the property tour and were blessed to see the actual studios where Norman Lindsay painted and etched. We then viewed the gallery, which also featured art by Norman’s Brother, Lionel who was also quite talented as well.

On the way home we stopped at The Bunker (cafe/restaurant/bar) in Springwood and also visited the ColourArt Australia Art & Craft store across the road. One cannot pass up an opportunity to venture to an Art store that you haven’t been into before… 🙂 Picked up a couple of things there.

All-in-all it was a beautiful relaxing day in picturesque surroundings.

I have just found out today that the next Urban Sketcher Sydney sketch-meet is early in September at the Sydney Opera House, which is celbrating it’s 50th anniversary this year.

Looking forward to that one.

Till next time, happy sketching and painting!

Written by David Johnson

20 August 2023

For more inforamtion:

https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/norman-lindsay-gallery/

https://halloffame.melbournepressclub.com/article/norman-lindsay