Open Writing

…It goes without saying, if you are travelling alone and have to handle your own luggage you need to pack lightly. Nevertheless, even if you are travelling with another person, never take more than you need. Remember, the enjoyment of any holiday diminishes as the size of your baggage increases…

Eve-Marie Wilson offers sound and detailed advice to older travelers.

Print this column. File it away in a safe place. Then refer to it the next time you are thinking of taking a holiday.

And do go travelling!

Continue reading "Just Do It!" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 11:48 AM | Permalink

Eve-Marie Wilson tells a fine tale about literary ambition.

Continue reading "The Ten Best Reads" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 11:14 AM | Permalink

Eve-Marie Wilson deplores a new act which places restrictions on those wanting to stand for the New Zealand parliament.

"A candidate who is not currently a Member of Parliament is only allowed to spend NZ$20,000 seeking election over an entire year, whereas an existing MP has in addition to this NZ$20,000 limit, larger and more freely available taxpayer funding, thus making it even more difficult to defeat a sitting MP. No other democracy in the world has such severe restrictions.''

Continue reading "An Act Too Far" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 11:14 AM | Permalink

"Some people bemoan the fact that nothing in life stays the same. I agree it doesn’t, life just get better and better,'' says Eve-Marie Wilson as she contemplates the summers of her childhood and youth and summertime today.

For more of Eve-Marie's excellent columns please click on Tales From Tawa in the menu on this page.

Continue reading "Changes" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 11:26 AM | Permalink

Eve-Marie Wilson tells a story about the birth of a child - a story that could not be more appropriate amd satisfying on this day.

Continue reading "Christmas Wishes" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 12:20 AM | Permalink

...In my opinion taking names from a party list is clearly undemocratic as it has made it possible for a politician to lose his/her electorate seat, but still able to get into parliament as a list MP.

Nothing can convince me that having members of Parliament who have not been voted in by the people is democratic. An MP could be an out and out tyrant but as long as he/she is on a party list there is no way the country can be rid of him/her...

New Zealander Eve-Marie Wilson declares that a new voting system has resulted in her once-democratic homeland no longer being a democacy.

Continue reading "When A Democracy Is Not A Democracy" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 12:28 PM | Permalink

Eve Marie-Wilson tells of noisy times on a Roman holiday.

Continue reading "Getting It Right" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 11:22 AM | Permalink

Eve-Marie Wilson longs to live on Norfolk Island, and after reading her enticing words you will probably share her dream.

Continue reading "The Beguiling Isle" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 10:10 AM | Permalink

…He rubbed his chin, looked at me, smiled and said, “Well then, Robert, perhaps it’s time you did a man's work. I’m sending Charlie into Oamaru tomorrow, to look after some business for me; it would be a good opportunity for you to take his place on a trial basis. If you do a good job, you can be Charlie’s permanent partner.”

I was delighted. I could just see myself mounted on my horse, Squire, yelling instructions to Merry, my dog, as we herded animals into the water. I’d be a proper cowboy….

But young Robert’s first day of helping at the Waitaki ferry crossing almost ended in disaster.

Eve-Marie Wilson tells a tale from the pioneer days of New Zealand. This incident was recorded in the diary of the great-grandfather of Eve-Marie’s husband Brian.

Continue reading "A Tale Of The Waitaki" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 11:44 AM | Permalink

…Can you imagine being so tired every day of your life that it is an effort to think, move or breathe…

Eve-Marie Wilson tells of ME/CFS, an illness which leaves sufferers unable to hold down a job, or enjoy such simple pleasures as playing sport, gardening, going for a walk or spending a day in town.

Eve-Marie’s article could not be more timely. May 12th each year is International ME/CFS Awareness Day aimed at educating the public as to the true nature of the disorder, dispelling discrimination and lack of understanding towards sufferers and lobbying for more research in the hope one day a cure can be found

Continue reading "Tired All The Time" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 11:24 AM | Permalink

…Of the 8,556 New Zealand troops landed at Gallipoli, 7,573 were either killed or wounded. In a small country, whose population was just over one million at the time, few families were not affected by the casualty list. My own grandfather was wounded at the landing and spent the rest of his with a lung full of shrapnel as a result. My husband’s grandfather was killed by a sniper three months into the campaign, his remains lying there in an unmarked grave to this day…

Eve-Marie Wilson tells of a futile loss of lives in a World War One campaign – a loss still remembered every April in New Zealand and Australia on ANZAC Day.

Continue reading "ANZAC Day" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 10:22 AM | Permalink

…Like the operas from which their name is derived, a true soap opera must always maintain the essential ingredients of pathos, romance and fantasy….

Eve-Marie Wilson considers the essential ingredients in the TV programmes which command the biggest audiences world-wide.

For more of Eve-Marie’s entertaining columns please click on Tales From Tawa in the menu on this page.

Continue reading "Suds And Tears" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 10:10 AM | Permalink

The Polar Star set sail from Falmouth, England, on the 16th of August, 1854, bound for New Zealand. The voyage ended in mid-Atlantic when the ship caught fire. Eve-Marie Wilson, whose relatives were aboard the vessel, tells of a dramatic sea rescue.

Continue reading "The Polar Star" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 12:14 PM | Permalink

“It was a bitterly cold evening, the stillness of which suggested dawn would greet us with a frost. I’d rushed to the High Street on my way home from work to catch the shops before they closed. He was sitting on the pavement outside the supermarket. His thin denim jacket and ragged jeans doing little to protect him from the cold. His feet were shoeless and his toes had turned blue. He was holding a piece of cardboard on which he had written; Homeless, Cold and Hungry. Please help me…’’

Eve-Marie Wilson brings an inspirational and deeply moving account of a chance meeting which has changed her life.

Eve-Marie’s column confirms that happiness and contentment can be found in unexpected places.

Continue reading "Two Worlds" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 12:02 PM | Permalink

Eve-Marie Wilson wishes the happiest of birthdays to the organisation which brings her pleasure and delight - Tawa U3A. Tawa is the most northerly suburb of New Zealand's largest city, Wellington. Tawa U3A is a self-help organisation which brings joy and adds interest to the lives of hundreds of retired people.

Continue reading "Happy Birthday U3A Tawa" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 09:22 AM | Permalink

Eve-Marie Wilson, with a sprinkling of humour and a dash of drama, reveals the ingredient that ensures a marriage will bring happiness to both partners.

Continue reading "A Happy Marriage" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 09:42 AM | Permalink

Eve-Marie Wilson tells of the unprecedented outpouring of grief from both Maori and Pakeha (Europeans) at the recent death of the Maori Queen Dame Te Atairangikaahu, something that will be long remembered in the history of New Zealand.

Continue reading "The Maori Queen" »

Posted by Eve Marie-Wilson at 09:22 AM | Permalink

Eve-Marie Wilson tells of Malaysian holiday that had more than its share of discomforts and stresses – but which had a happy ending.

Continue reading "Asian Fiasco" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 11:12 AM | Permalink

...Once in his cabin he took me in his arms and kissed me. “Maghapas, Carol?” he crooned. “Saghapo para poli agapemou.”
“Dimitrios,” I said, “you’ll have to speak English if you want me to understand you.”
“I love you,” he whispered. “I want you, all of you. Stay in my cabin the whole night and let me take you to paradise.”...

Eve-Marie Wilson tells a steamy tale of a romantic encounter on a voyage to Australia.

Continue reading "Dimitrios's Divorce" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 10:22 AM | Permalink

Eve-Marie Wilson takes us exploring in Queensland’s Blackhall Ranges, where there are hectares of unspoiled rainforest, national parks, scenic countryside and picturesque mountain villages, all waiting to be discovered by adventurous tourists.

Continue reading "Roving Through The Blackhall Ranges" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 11:24 AM | Permalink

“Dad, I think you’d better come quickly, Jason’s unconscious!”…

Eve-Marie Wilson tells a cautionary tale which should be heeded by parents and teenagers alike.

Continue reading "Lesson Learned" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 09:22 AM | Permalink

Eve-Marie Wilson's dream place, apart from New Zealand, is Victoria on Vancouver Island, Canada. "Visit there once and I guarantee you will return again and again. I do.''

Continue reading "Viva Victoria!" »

Posted by Eve Marie-Wilson at 11:46 AM | Permalink

The young lad next door is having a party, entertaining under the stars. Eve-Marie Wilson and her husband choose pizza, Pavarotti and the quiet end of their house. But then the riot police arrive...

Continue reading "My Son's Having A Party" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 09:34 AM | Permalink

"Just when I thought my senses were about to go into overdrive, big white flakes of snow came swirling down to cover the gray street in a soft white carpet. Mike held my hand and whispered, 'Merry Christmas, darling'.....'' New Zealander Eve-Marie Wilson recalls a Christmas spent with the love of her life in wintery England.

Continue reading "A Northern Christmas" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 10:26 AM | Permalink

If you go cruising to Alaska be sure to wrap yourself up in warm clothing - particularly if it's the last voyage of the season. Despite low-lying cloud and wet weather, Eve-Marie Wilson enjoys the experience.

Continue reading "Cruising Alaska" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 10:24 AM | Permalink

Eve-Marie Wilson presents a brief history of women’s suffrage in New Zealand, a country in which women now hold the key positions of power.

Continue reading "What Women Want" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 09:02 AM | Permalink

Imagine a mother's concern when Graham moves in to live with her daughter. He demands good food, and never the same meal twice if you please. He does no work. He shares the daughter's bed... Eve-Marie Wilson tells a deliciously entertaining tale.

Continue reading "Graham" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 07:30 PM | Permalink

Eve-Marie Wilson takes us on a never-to-be-forgotten rail journey in New Zealand. (I can't wait to book my ticket. - Editor, Open Writing).

Continue reading "TranzAlpine Wonderland" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson (Tawa-Linden U3A, New Zealand) at 06:00 AM | Permalink

Eve-Marie Wilson fulfils a long-held desire to walk on the Great Wall of China.

Continue reading "The Great Wall" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson (Tawa-Linden U3A, New Zealand) at 08:46 AM | Permalink

Eve-Marie Wilson takes a long, well-reasoned and civilising look at the problems of crime and punishment.

Continue reading "Towards A Non-Retributive Theory Of Punishment" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson at 08:01 AM | Permalink

You think that old age is all about cataracts and arthritis, deafness, memory loss, walking sticks and false teeth? Then read about Flora and Victor, two delightful characters Eve-Marie Wilson met on a cruise - and be inspired!

Continue reading "Good Old Victor" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson (Tawa-Linden U3A, New Zealand) at 07:35 AM | Permalink

Our new columnist Eve-Marie Wilson goes cruising in luxury along the eastern coast of Australia. "From the moment my husband and I boarded the ship we were treated like royalty...''

Continue reading "Reef Daydreams" »

Posted by Eve-Marie Wilson (Tawa-Linden U3A, New Zealand) at 08:02 AM | Permalink