Thinking Allowed

The sweet scent of truth

Essential oils should be treated with the greatest respect, writes Liz Breslin.

No merit making spectacle

I always wanted to wear glasses, growing up. I felt it would mark me out as the intelligent being I would one day blossom into, writes Liz Breslin.

Festive feeling and a bit of a lift

The statue of Polish Romantic poet Adam Mickiewicz stands in the Main Market Square in the Old...

Festive feeling and a bit of a lift

This week I am tending towards the euphoric. I've been spending time in festivalland, a kid in the Festival of Colour lollyshop, writes Liz Breslin.

Untying patriarchy's knots

I'm tying myself up in inarticulable knots this week, thinking about how to write about International Women's Day, writes Liz Breslin.

A sign of the times

Eighty-nine years of bridge jumping and a sign is trying to stamp out decades of local history with no consultation or sense, writes Liz Brelin.

Once upon a time, I was at one of those meetings where people do that icebreaker chat that goes - Tell us a secret about yourself. This was my big reveal: I love watching Next Top Model, writes LIz Breslin.

Liz Breslin: Embracing wild

But for what it's honestly worth, I plan to read, write, make things on stages, go outside in...

Embracing wild

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

In the midst of a mitten

In the midst of a mitten

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, writes Liz Breslin. The fridge is stuffed, the house is full and the car parks in town are more crowded than the mitten in that Ukrainian folk tale.

Skating on creative uncertainty

Becky Plunkett, Jennie Salter and Gilly Pugh run through the script. Photos: Supplied

Skating on creative uncertainty

There are times when it 's very good to be able to overcome self-doubt. To dwell in a state of certainty, writes Liz Breslin.

A mighty power struggle

You can’t be good at all the things all the time, and nobody likes a show off, but I would like to be a little bit less distinctly average at growing things, says Liz Breslin.

Mashing up TV tires your brain

When there's nothing remotely interesting on TV, channelling your inner collage artist is not the answer, writes Liz Breslin.

The paradox of the elder

The paradox of the elder

They call it a weed in these parts. And yet I'm driving home with an eye out on the green beyond the roadside every day so I can catch it in its first bloom, writes Liz Breslin.

Finding balance a balancing act

Finding balance a balancing act

The garden wants a good weed. The pantry needs clearing. The fridge, a good cleaning. The car needs maintaining. The house interior needs painting. The house exterior needs painting, sighs Liz Breslin.

Singing a part in life's chorus

What would you sing though, if you had to take part? asks Liz Breslin.

What a difference a day makes

Today, I'm going to be drinking coffee. Of course, because it's a day with a "y'' in it. But today I can drink coffee with special purpose and meaning because it's International Coffee Day, writes Liz Breslin.

Liz Breslin: Getting that holiday buzz

Getting that holiday buzz

The Dali Lama has a lot of good stuff to say about mosquitoes, like how if you think you are too small to make a difference, you should try sleeping with one, writes Liz Breslin.