Notes from a small house Notes from a small house IV Preferred parents, imaginary fitness, posh cats, dragon chickens and hot-drink aficionados
Narrative nonfiction All sides of Waitarere The frustration of not finding something that surely must be there; the pure joy of discovering something delightful and unexpected
Notes from a small house Notes from a small house III Rabbits, a smashed face, old cows, a demotivational speaker, and rabbits
Exclusive Lay of the land “Watashi no ie ni ringo ga arimasu.” I have apples in my house, said an American girl with wavy red hair. Or was it a single apple? I was still coming to terms with how you might distinguish between singular and plural. “Watashi no ie ni imo ga arimasu.” I
Notes from a small house Notes from a small house II Reverse sibling psychology, photodynamic face-melting therapy, and artificial intelligence muttering to itself in the next room
Narrative nonfiction One dozen shuriken, plus a crossbow It’s impossible to truly know what you’re getting yourself into with a new job
Narrative nonfiction How you frame it Stubbornness, conviction and clarity – on finally getting reading glasses, after much resistance
Notes from a small house Notes from a small house I Inexact questions, kids being lawyers, an avalanche of artwork, and a forlorn-looking dog who can’t make up his mind
Exclusive Bible game show Evangelical churches, doomsday youth group, and a secret drama club – trying to understand the things your mum sent you to, as a kid
Exclusive Caution to the wind A quest for the correct balance between being too careful and not being careful enough
Narrative nonfiction Gormy and henchkid What chance does a little kid on a red BMX have against some primary school wolves?
Narrative nonfiction Lucky ducky The terribly irony of trying to do the right thing but making things much, much worse
Narrative nonfiction The Johns Making a name for yourself doesn’t always turn out the way you hope it will
Narrative nonfiction White horse Housesitters and visualisation – the ups and downs of judging someone based on first impressions
Narrative nonfiction When you’re in your little room Flatmates, rickety stairs and toiling in tiny spaces – a compendium of rooms and creative endeavours
Narrative nonfiction Ticket to Frazzleville Neutrinos, a haunting road trip and getting frazzled – a foray into the science (my version) of getting overwhelmed
Narrative nonfiction Your brother is not a towel Spiders, scissors and sibling rivalry – learning how to get along (safely, if possible) with your family
Narrative nonfiction Soul of Asolo Pride, fancy boots set to self-destruct, tramping with kids, and a DOC ranger who prioritises mangoes
Narrative nonfiction Museum misfit Animal impressions, chess addiction and meaningful work – trying to be an upstanding museum worker, with mixed results
Narrative nonfiction Star of the sky Photo by Pedro Lastra [https://unsplash.com/@peterlaster?utm_source=ghost&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit] / Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=ghost&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit] The audio for “Star of the sky” is featured in this episode ☝️ of the Without a hitch podcastA great deal
Narrative nonfiction CSI Whanganui Riding the zeitgeist and cleaning toilets – epiphanies while working the nightshift
Narrative nonfiction Never let them see you run Photo by Jesse Schoff [https://unsplash.com/@jesseschoff?utm_source=ghost&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit] / Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=ghost&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit] An audio version of “Never let them see you run” is featured in this episode ☝️ of the Without a hitch
Narrative nonfiction Evil little cacti Kiwifruit, Viagra and the gift of rain – on trying and failing to develop a work ethic
Narrative nonfiction Baby spin I remember our trip to the hospital to talk “options” when Vic was in the late stages of pregnancy – the end game – with our first child. We were asked if a final-year medical student could ask us some preconsultation questions and check the baby. His clothes were very new, as
