My Word of the Year for 2023 is EXPLORE
As I’ve mentioned before, it’s all about exploring this year, so what better way to recap my month than in this monthly linkup with friends – Jo, Donna and Sue – where we look at what’s been on our calendars (WBOYC), what we’ve been doing, how our word of the year (WOTY) is going, if we have one, and what’s new.
And the good news is you’re welcome to share what you’ve been up to with us as well 🙂
If you write a similar type of post each month, think about joining in by using the link button at the bottom of my post and leaving your post’s URL. Between us all, we visit everyone who links up and you never know who you might meet. We four met through our various blogs and are now great friends despite living miles away from each other.
What does EXPLORE mean?
Explore can relate to creativity, food, ideas, travel, books, music, exercise, relationships, fun, fashion – it’s a word that exudes adventure and curiosity – and I love these words! I’ll definitely be exploring my options throughout the year.
To me, explore means to dig into something, to learn from it, to experience it, and to grow from it. It means to get out of my comfort zone and explore the world around me.
Exploring in March 2023
It seems like March has flown by and I know why! When I looked at my calendar to sort out what to write about this month, it was full to the brim of activities and trips away.
We’ve only got about 6 weeks until we start a new adventure – travelling to the UK for a few months to spend time with my eldest daughter, who is turning the big 4-0, and of course Dottie my 3yr old granddaughter. We’re all getting just a bit excited and of course I’ve got lots of planning to do!!
Exploring new places
I got out and explored a lot during the month – I spent a week in Brisbane with my youngest daughter and her family, helping out as she’d just started a new full time job. So that meant finding my way around, helping to get 3-year-old Patrick to daycare and appointments, managing the humidity as best I could and supporting the family. It was a lot of fun!
I also spent a week on the Sapphire Coast of NSW exploring towns like Jellat Jellat, Tathra, Bermagui, Tilba Tilba, Central Tilba, Bega, Pambula, Eden, Merimbula, while the Mathematician did a 5 day hike with some friends. Don’t you just love those names?
I thoroughly enjoyed my ‘alone’ time and getting out exploring new-to-me towns. Being at the coast was a lovely change and I made the most of it, despite the weather not being all that beachy! I also enjoyed exploring new cafes. You can see some of my photos in my post for Sunday Stills – A peek into a change of scenery
Note: I’ll just let you know those beanbags at the cafe (see photo above) were very comfy but could be a bit difficult for some people to get out of!
Exploring new fashion and a note in the mail
I love the personal notes included in the packages I get from Birdsnest online and even they seem to know my WOTY is explore 🙂 Did you notice the word ‘exploring’?
Exploring Books
My online bookclub met twice this month as we work our way through Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. We divided the book into three sections and have just the last third to go after our most recent meeting this week. At this stage I must say I’m not a huge fan of Pip, so unless he redeems himself in the last bit, he’s not looking too good in my eyes! It’s so interesting exploring a book this way and the discussion often covers issues I’d not even thought of.
Our chats always lift my spirits and this latest one was no exception. Donna snapped this photo of us all looking stunning!
My local bookclub is currently reading A Gentleman In Moscow which I’m quite enjoying. I know it has good reviews so I’m often worried these sort of books won’t live up to the hype. It’s slow going compared to some of my recent books but it’s good! Have you read it?
I’ll have a full list of what I’ve been reading, with my thoughts, in the next edition of What’s On Your Bookshelf on Friday 21 April.
Exploring Blogging
I celebrated 11 years of my blog during March and I’m still a happy little blogger!
During March I’ve written 11 posts including this one, so I’m not slacking off!! I often don’t prepare my posts in advance and have been known to knock out a post in record time if I’m in the right frame of mind, yet others take me ages to write!
While on the blogging front I had a bit of an issue this week and it really upset me. I had some of my posts copied and pasted onto another site without any credit or acknowledgement that I was the author. It apparently wasn’t done with any ‘malice intended’ but the simple thing is it’s plagiarism to use someone else’s work, words and photos, without crediting the author or gaining their permission. I wasn’t paid for the articles, they were all my work and as a hard working volunteer, I felt taken for granted and slighted.
So I talked to some people and decided to take it further, contacting the organisers and since then the site has been taken down until this issue, and other errors can be sorted.
I admit to getting confused about the difference between copyright and plagiarism but I know it’s a serious issue that affects everyone in the creative community, and unfortunately it’s something that we all need to be mindful of.
That being said, I don’t want this one negative experience to take away from all the amazing things that have happened this month as I’ve continued to explore new places and experiences. I consider myself lucky to have made it this far without something like this happening before.
Exploring Technology
As part of the Digital Mentor Training I mentioned last month, I join a weekly 30 minute Tech Tip Tuesday session on Zoom, (whenever I’m available), which has a variety of topics for anyone who is keen to learn new things, not just those of us who are digital mentors.
This week it was on passwords and I learnt some great strategies for setting new passwords and finding out how to check whether passwords are weak or have been compromised. It’s something we all need to be aware of given the number of breaches that seem to be happening. I can pass this information on to others now.
I also finished my 8 week photography course, missing the last session due to being away. I’m pleased with what I learnt and am now more confident using my proper camera, but I know there’s so much more to explore!
Other activities
I had my hair freshened up, spent time with mum, visited Enlighten in Canberra, helped out on some triobike rides with elderly passengers, flew a kite with my grandchildren, attended a weekend of Rotary training, exercised regularly and enjoyed catching up with friends on our social Saturday bike rides.
I also had lots of Facetime calls with my daughters and grandchildren. I love getting their calls, messages and videos, as they’re all a long way away, it helps ease the distance a little. Their happy excited faces when they see us on the screen is pure joy 🙂
What’s Been on Your Calendar plus Word of the Year
Our (not so new) monthly linkup for the year, is about What’s Been on Your Calendar #WBOYC and allows for #WOTY (Word of the Year) updates as well as anything else you’ve been up to during the month. The linkup goes live today (Friday 31 March 2023 Aus time) and is open for seven days, so we do hope you will join us.
This monthly linkup is hosted by Donna from Retirement Reflections, Jo from And Anyways…, Sue from Women Living Well After 50 and me, Deb from Deb’s World.
Our clocks go back this coming weekend (2 April) and it’s already starting to feel quite autumnal. We’ve had some heavy storms recently, with lots of rain, and yesterday afternoon the light was absolutely gorgeous. Here’s a photo from my phone.
So there you have it, another month explored – it was a big month!
Here’s to another great month ahead!
Let me know what you’ve been up to.
Happy Days 🙂
Deb xx
Latest Posts:
- A puzzle in cobalt blue #SundayStills
- Bonjour Noumea, it’s been a while!
- Autumn Colours in Tumbarumba
- Re-grouping as the years move on #SundayStills
- An Apple a Day and all that! #WOYP
You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.
Everyone has a story to tell!
Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. You can read more of Deb’s story here
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Deb's World 
Hi Deb, trying to follow you blog, but it won’t let me! I will keep trying! Have a good day, Mel
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Hope you can get to follow my blog Mel but no drama if you can’t. 🙂
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Yes, I think I am sorted now…
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Wow, Deb! What a busy and amazing month. I love the name “Sapphire Coast,” and your photos from the area are absolutely gorgeous. I had to laugh at your comment regarding the hype around a A Gentleman in Moscow, because I often find that my opinion differs from the mainstream, so I get it. The technology courses sound really interesting. As far as the plagiarism – wow! I just don’t understand some people. I’m glad you got them to take it down. And congrats on 11 years of blogging!
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Thanks for your visit and comment Michelle. It was a good month with lots going on. The Sapphire Coast was just delightful, even or maybe because of, the stormy weather.
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Oh wow Deb, I hadn’t realised you were going back to the UK again. It seems like you’ve just been there – but not to you I guess. How quickly this past year has gone.
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Yes we booked almost as soon as we got back last year as our daughter turns 40 in May and we wanted to be there to celebrate with her – and any excuse to see Dottie again!
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One of my friends suggested it’s a good idea to try something new. It is another version of exploring. And it more than a new dish or new book. Getting out of you comfort zone… which is by definition comfortable. In addition to alerting the police about the growing number of homeless people calling our property home, I have accepted an offer of casual employment to teach English to newcomers here which I have done before. I’m sure it will lead to a few interesting blogs.
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I agree, it’s a great way of exploring! Go you, well done on offering to teach English, it will be a very rewarding role I’m sure. I taught in a men’s prison for over 20 years and have wonderful memories and ‘interesting’ challenges from those years. Thanks for your visit and comment.
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Exploring – you did have many adventures! Congratulations on your blog anniversary – you are making the world a better place!
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Many thanks for your kind and encouraging comment 🙂
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Congrats on your blogaversary! I’m sorry you had to deal with someone stealing your work but good for you for complaining. I think some people are just clueless about intellectual property and plagiarism (and others know but don’t care).
Enjoy your trip!
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Thanks for the congrats Janet, blogging is a part of my life these days. Yes I agree, some people have no idea of the rules around other people’s work but i stood up for myself and I’m proud of that.
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You have had a busy month, Debbie! You’ve definitely been exploring in many ways. Thank you for sharing so many fun photos with us. And congratulations on 11 years of blogging. That is truly impressive. Here’s to many more!
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It was a full month that’s for sure Christie! I’m not planning on leaving my blog world anytime soon, I still love it and really appreciate my readers x
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I can see why your WOTY is explore! I would love to go off on my own for a week or so and just explore. The husband wouldn’t know what to do with himself! I’m not sure what happened to my self-confident engineer husband, but I wish he’d come back! The weather here in the US is trying to be springlike and failing! I hope you enjoy your time in the UK! How fun for you! And, I’ve not heard of someone stealing blog posts! Wow! I guess you could take it as a compliment, right? Thanks for the link party!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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Thanks Marsha, hopefully your spring weather will arrive soon for you. we’re heading into autumn so it’s quite pleasant at the moment. Yes people steal the work of others sometimes unknowingly but sometimes on purpose – I was told not to think of it as a compliment, as it’s unethical and wrong.
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You really made the best out of March, Debbie! Exploring the coast during the conference seemed up there with your favorites! March is like our September with warm temps and still things to explore. Good job!! I’m sure you are getting excited about your upcoming trip. Can’t wait to hear more about it. Have a great weekend!
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I did make the most of March Terri! We are counting down until our trip and the days are rushing by. I’m so glad your daughter’s wedding went well 🙂
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No wonder your March flew by! It sounds like you have been so very busy. Congrats on your 11 years of blogging but I am so sorry to hear that you had that issue with plagiarism– that’s crazy!
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It certainly was a busy time but lots of fun too! Plagiarism is not nice.
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I’m so sorry to hear about someone stealing your articles! Well done to get in touch and that’s very good that the site was taken down, I wouldn’t expect that they would take any action!
So cool about the Birdsnest note with your WOTY!
Exciting news about your trip to the UK and for a few months too. I’ve probably read about it before but had forgotten. You’ll be able to enjoy the warm months there, since I moved to Ireland (or possibly before that) it seems like the UK has an almost tropical climate in the summer. While we, a small island, still have the temperate unstable climate… not always bad though, I quite like having the even temperature throughout the year, especially when I see other countries in Northern Europe have heavy snowfalls.
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Thanks for your thoughts Susanne. It’s funny I sent the post to Birdsnest and they were thrilled to read it! The last time I was in England in May was for my daughter’s 30th birthday and they had the wettest coldest spring ever so I’m hoping I’ll be luckier this time. I’m prepared either way!
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What a very busy month! Congrats on 11 years of blogging, and sorry to hear about the plagiarism. In a way it’s also a compliment, although not one anyone would seek. Have a good weekend
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Thanks Gail, it was a good month apart from that one issue. I was told that plagiarism is never a compliment as it’s unethical and immoral to steal someone else’s work. Thankfully it’s been sorted for the moment and we can move on!!
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You certainly know how to pack a lot of things into one month – what fun you have had in March!
I’m pretty sure that getting out of those bean bags would be embarrassing to do, but hilarious to watch!
Hopefully we can get our weather to improve before your visit over here, you must be counting the days by now.
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Yes Deb, I know how to pack a lot into the month but couldn’t do it long term!! The beanbags were hilarious and I did enjoy them once I knew I could get back up without too much embarrassment 🙂 Yes as of today we’ve got 37 days to go until we leave for UK, but hey who’s counting??
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It was definitely a big month Deb – you packed in a LOT of living during the last few weeks. It all sounds great – stretching you, but not stressing you…..exactly the right balance. I also can’t believe that your next UK trip is looming already – it seems like only yesterday you were blogging about your carry-on luggage challenge. Sorry to hear you had content stolen – good on you for discovering it and dealing with it.
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Yes Leanne, I’m happy with having months like that every now and again but couldn’t keep up the pace for too long! Thanks for understanding my stolen work issue 🙂
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You sure picked the right word for this year and we are only 1/4 of the way through. I loved reading ALMOST all of this but the part about plagiarism/copying is so annoying…why, oh why are “some” people so rude to do this. I know I would share if someone wanted a part of my blog..but..hello, NOT lifting bits here and there. Grrr. I can sense your excitement about the months ahead and know that there will be even more to EXPLORE!! Thanks for the link up and catch up!!
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Thanks for understanding the plagiarism issue Denyse. Like you, I’m happy to have them share the links or parts of the posts but I need to be recognised as the author.
The excitement is mounting on both sides of the world!!
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You can see it in Mel’s posts on IG!!
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Hi Debs- gosh you certainly have packed a lot into March! Your trips away looked amazing, so much beautiful scenery. I’m so sorry your blog posts were plagiarised in that way. Unfortunately it seems to be a very common problem. How did you find out it had happened?
I’m looking forward to seeing your adventures in the UK. I hope the weather will be kind to you. Thanks for sharing your March.
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Thanks Janine, I was alerted to a new website and found my posts sitting there. I was happy for them to be shared but only as long as I was the recognised author.
I’m hoping the UK weather will be OK, when I was there for my daughter’s 30th birthday it was the coldest wettest spring ever!!
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Spring can be temperamental in the UK. Fingers crossed you will have a lovely heatwave!
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Gosh reading all that makes one wonder if you had time to sit down and smell the roses. Time enough for that when you get to catch up and cuddle young Dottie (who’s getting older by the minute). Hopefully her mum will allow you to post some photos so we can all get to see ‘her growth spurts’ plus her sweet little smile.
Thanks for the opportunity to reflect on the months just gone by- it’s a post I’ve not done publicly before and I’m enjoying thinking about, not necessarily where I/we went and what happened but more, how I felt.
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Yes Cathy I manage to sit still quite a lot and make sure I smell the roses! Yes I’m always allowed to share photos of Dottie so I will be doing so 🙂 She’s such a little star for so many people and with good reason. The WBOYC is a good way to look at all facets of the month, and depending on how I’m feeling I like looking at how I was feeling too. Thanks for your comment.
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What a full and fun month. Great images and I’m so looking forward to your trip to England…
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Thanks Jo, I’m starting to get excited now as we count down for the trip!
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Looks like you had a great month with so many interesting things going on. I also want to know if you are going to try travelling with a carry on only this time 🙂
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Thanks for reading Barbara! I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to try carry-on only, we’re going for 2 months this time and the weather may make it necessary to take heavier things. I’m still pondering what to do! Could I do it do you think?
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Might be tricky…depends if you think you will get bored wearing the same things. At least you will have access to laundry facilities which helps. Do let us know!
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I love that last photo — the colours are stunning! Super busy month for you with so much positive albeit with that one major negative. So glad you got some action on it. As to the upcoming trip it sounds lovely and I am so glad to follow along and see your sites again. You explore in depth so well. Your trip alone seems awesome and how great you took your bike. You looked so nice and relaxed at that cafe and I love your smile! Bernie
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Oh Bernie your comment is music to my ears! I never know if others enjoy these catchup posts as much as I enjoy writing them, but your comment just made me smile 🙂 I was very relaxed at the cafe and I’m glad that shines through in the photo – I asked the waitress to take my photo as being on my own makes it hard to capture the moment, selfies just don’t cut it sometimes!
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I hate selfies! Smart you to find someone else to take the picture.
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Hi, Debbie – What a great note from Birdnest Online. I wonder how they knew about your WOTY. Perhaps they read this blog? That would be very cool!
I absolutely adored A Gentleman in Moscow until the very ending. I look forward to hear what you think of it.
Your UK Adventure is getting closer and closer. Enjoy the countdown! ❤
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Who knows Donna, but I am tempted to send my post to Birdsnest now in case they don’t read my posts 🙂 I’ll take notice of your comment about the ending of the book. Yes we’re in countdown mode now and that’s all part of the anticipation and makes the trip actually longer than it is in real life, I’m sure you know that feeling! Thanks for your great comment and I loved your WBOYC post – you’re so clever!
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Awesome! I think that sending your post to Birdnest Online is a great idea!
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I love these WBOYC posts, Deb. Isn’t it a wonderful way to review our month and I’m sure like me you always find you have done way more than you thought. I bet you are on the countdown now for the UK and it will be lovely to spend time with Dottie again. I’m still upset I was sick when you were in Brissy but definitely next time. Glad you also had some ‘me time’ away at the Sapphire Coast which looks beautiful. Here’s to a happy April x
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I love them too Sue, although it does take some time to prepare them, it helps see just how much we’ve managed to do/explore and how we’ve spent our time. We’ll be up your way later in the year so will make sure no-one is sick this time! I had a great month and loved sharing my explorations, I’m also glad others enjoy reading them, so many thanks 🙂
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I will keep in cotton wool as long as it isn’t from 11 November to 2nd December as I will be away then. xx
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Are you traveling with one carryon this year? I’m fairly certain I can no longer get up from a beanbag under my own power! 😂 I’m sorry to hear that someone stole your work. That’s a dreadful feeling.
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Not sure about carry-on only this time Carol, as we’ll be gone for longer than before. The beanbags were comfy but I was worried if I’d manage to get up, thankfully I didn’t embarrass myself! Yes the copied posts really upset me then I got angry, all should be well in that corner now! Thanks for your visit today 🙂
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