User Comments

judymac September 18, 2024

All hail the saggy, the baggy, the daggy, and the haggy. Don't forget the droopy and the loopy. I adore the ailing map of my life!  

judymac December 19, 2023

Oh Holly, what a poignant, visceral response to this conundrum. You have delicately immersed yourself in the positions of both mother and childless friend, providing perspectives from the wounded heart of life's inverse seasons. 


Hurt will surface regardless of tact or tender navigation purely because a lengthy relationship holds a bonded duration - time held memories. Your advice allows for their bond to loosen, not sever beyond future repair.  Counselling kudos Holly!

judymac November 6, 2023

Authenticity in a nutshell. The modern vernacular ascribes 'you be you' - a Mia trait gratefully received by your readership. 

judymac April 28, 2023

This article absolutely resonated with me.  After 40 years of road running, accompanied by many years playing 'change of direction sport', I succumbed to my first knee injury last year.  The orthopaedic surgeon graciously stated, "I can't work miracles. You have old knees."  Running days - gone forever!  I ran because I loved it, not because I was good at it - it was my mental health saviour, an endorphin fuelled ride of ecstasy, a spiritual bubble of life appreciation, my identity - this was who I am.  Gone!


Reinventing oneself in middle age or older is confronting.  Laura, I wish you every success in your new ventures. May you be surrounded by encouragement and embraced into a new community of like-minded people to help you thrive in other ways.    

judymac January 5, 2023

What a beautiful and raw insight into the Bronte sisters familial and competitive relationship.  Oppositional emotions and bonding moments must be excruciatingly difficult to navigate at times.  Kudos to you both for being supportive of one another despite the difficulties.  Cate and Bronte - the epitome of sisterly love.

judymac October 24, 2022

The dangle of a monetary fishing line from a company which sucks the lifeblood from traditional lands is not Netball Australia's saving grace- - look no further than the Australian Diamonds.  They stand for a united sporting sisterhood, their collective conscience speaking volumes.


I stand in support of Donnell Wallam for her courage in "truth telling" and acknowledgement of the negative connotations this company has for her First Nation's family.

I am disturbed that Gina Rinehart did not publicly denounce her father's historical  statements and sentiments.  Her lack of response is telling - an omission bathed in paternal agreement perhaps? 

judymac October 3, 2022

What a gift of a story Carolyn ..... the pain of life, loss, acceptance, adventure, love, culminating in the creation of new life, your Adam.   Thank you for sharing the pitfalls and peaks of your travels.  The wonder of wanderlust manifests in miraculous ways. 

judymac December 30, 2021

I would say "Brava" to Professor Marylouise McLaws for her epidemiological analysis and measured media responses to the Covid 19 viral infiltration into Australian society.   Her calmness, accompanied by scientific savvy, kept us informed and knowledgeably armed regarding the national virus escalation.   Thank you Professor McLaws.

judymac August 1, 2021

Best article ever!  Moved me to tears.  


Thank you to all of the medical and health professionals who, 24/7, care for others, especially in these Covid 19 riddled times.  

Remember to care for yourselves - without you, the general community would be lost and vulnerable.  

judymac February 25, 2021

The year was 1990 - I wore a pink satin wedding gown, (as pink was and is my favourite colour), our bridesmaids wore black and gold satin gowns with my dog bridal party colour co-ordinated.  The date was a week after the Carnival of Flowers festival in my hometown of Toowoomba, so the floral influences of the Spring season were evident in my choices.  My husband's reaction to my alternative bridal style, "Ewwwww - you wore pink!"    

judymac February 14, 2021

Your story deserves more than an "article" - an autobiography could be an extension of this beautiful, heartfelt, succinct rendition of your married life and beyond.   

judymac October 5, 2020

I hear you ..... I see you ..... I feel your pain.   Ignorant people have no understanding of a child with a frontal lobe neuro-transmitting disorder, which manifests primarily in behavioural symptoms.  An uninformed response is usually targeted with the 'poor parenting' analogy.  Most loving parents of ADHD children are incredibly informed, highly strategised in their approaches and focused on positive outcomes.  We are well researched and professionally guided by qualified medical / health professionals.   As my now ADHD adult son re-iterates - "The greatest  minds of our times usually have some mental condition."  Unlock the possibilities and they will thrive - their way.   You are their passage to achievement.  Let their "uniqueness" prevail and shine with your attentive, devoted counsel.

Judy McNelley February 18, 2015

Intimate - beautiful - natural - mothering - nurturing - love.