Author Archives: fayegschmidt

It is easy to think of power and authority as having the same meaning. I have recently been thinking a lot about this matter as I hear people in various walks of life referring to how they have been given ‘power’ to do something or whether they have the ‘authority’ to act. A reminder toContinue reading “Power or Authority”

This is a painting by Francisco Goya of Madrid between 1820 – 1823. It has been given the title “Saturn devouring his son”. It is thought therefore to be based on the Roman myth (originally from the Greek with Cronus as the subject) whereby Terra foretold that Saturn would be overthrown by one of his sons, justContinue reading “Not mine! One painting I would not wish to own.”

I started writing this post prior to Christmas – but then other things took over. I found Christmas 2023 difficult. With all the meetings and discussions I was participating in relating to finding a pathway for women to be ordained in the Lutheran Church of Australia, I struggled to let go the tension, and pressure of theContinue reading “It’s Christmas”

When I look at this painting, it takes me on a journey where I meet again three women who played a major role in my life. I will start with the first woman, the actual artist of the painting – Dawn. Dawn was a housewife to Eric and had two late primary school children whenContinue reading “Three Women”

It is the year 1999 and I’m working on a project for what is now known as Kinhll Brown & Root (KBR).  Brown & Root is an American company based out of Texas that is own by Halliburton.   In light of issues expected to impact computer systems as a result of the calendar turning overContinue reading “A Patch of Blue”

Over the years I have collected many pieces of art, both within Australia and overseas. Just as my books evoke memories, so too do the paintings and other art pieces that surround me. They take me to a place, a memory, a person ….. I have three paintings by the South Australian artist, Sylvia Preston.Continue reading “A voyage with my paintings”

I have mentioned before that I love to read – always have. I think that in my youth it was a means of escaping to other lives and places because where I lived and the place I was in was not always safe or happy. I was also thirsty for knowledge. In my early daysContinue reading “The Bookshop”

I have never considered myself a numbers person. I relate to words – the narrative, literature, story. I do crosswords, anagrams, Wordle and Qwordle. I cannot do Sudoko to save my life. However, I have come to realise of late that I am absolutely ruled by numbers. When I wake up in the morning, myContinue reading “It’s all about the numbers!”

When I sit now at my computer, working from a laptop that is linked to a large screen, keyboard and colour printer (that also scans), I can’t help but think back to the environment in which I worked in my first job as a Junior Secretary at the legal firm of Slater and Gordon.  ThisContinue reading “My first paid job – Slater and Gordon, Melbourne”

I will be the first to admit that I am not always consistent.   There will be discrepancies between what I say I will do and what I actually do.  There will be the differences between what I am actually thinking and what I am prepared to say out loud.  These can often be reconciled byContinue reading “Who has the right to life?”