Books and Articles

"There are books so alive that you're always afraid that while you weren't reading, the book has gone and changed, has shifted like a river; while you went on living, it went on living too, and like a river moved on and moved away. No one has stepped twice into the same river. But did anyone ever step twice into the same book?"
- Marina Ivanova Tsvetaeva

I’m a reader. Books are my comfort and my challenge, my indulgence and my inspiration. Favourite books are read over and over again, with notes and highlights and every re-read bringing new learning.

I’m a writer too. All writers are readers, it’s where we learn our craft. I write books and blogs and columns for magazines - observations of life that are frequently based on stories I hear in conversations every day.

On this page you’ll find my books and also articles I’ve written for Seasons Magazine. Occasionally I’ll also post links to my favourite authors as I think they will inspire you too.

A Bold Life: How Baby Boomer Women are Reinventing Life Beyond Fifty

Solo travelling the world, Jenny met many women who changed direction after 50. In A Bold Life she writes compellingly of nine women, who made positive moves in quests for lives they are proud of. From reinventing a career to making a fresh start, each made concious choices to re-shape their direction.

Within these stories you’ll find inspiration and learn the steps that will help you to create your own Bold Life.

Price: $30 + postage

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Who Else Can You Be? How You Can Make a Positive Difference Before It’s Too Late!

*PUBLICATION DATE AUGUST 2019* Pre-order now!

What do you want to be remembered for? Is there a difference that you have always wanted to make? In this new book of inspiring stories, Jenny talks with women who are deliberately choosing the positive impact they want to have in their world. Captured by passion, their stories range from fighting injustice, to creating something beautiful. With great humility, each woman speaks of a deep need to leave the world a better place. Some are acting in response to unexpected circumstances, with others finally uncovering passions that have been masked by years of family and work obligations. If A Bold Life gave you energy to make changes, then Who Else Can You Be? will have you thinking again about the legacy you leave.

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Seasons Magazine

Circuses, Monkeys and Teflon Raincoats

February 2019

Summer holidays are made for slow, deep conversations, with time to ponder where life is going and what got us here. One night, over dinner, the question of who influences us, struck a chord.

Building a Cathedral

December 2018

One year ago, the bank and I took on the stewardship of a very special home and garden.

Experience is Everything

November 2018

In celebration of a recent milestone birthday, my daughters asked what I would like as a gift. Clothing? Jewellery? Something for the house?

Thinking for Ourselves

October 2018

My friend, Jane, made her famous lasagne for dinner last week. It's rich and delicious, with the layers of fresh pasta, beef simmered with tomatoes and oregano and a bechamel sauce to die for.

On the Shoulders of Giants

September 2018

Living too far from friends for much social activity, my growing years were spent riding my reluctant old horse, Goldie, round the farm in search of bird nests or with my head in books.

Reading the Labels

August 2018

What is it with perceptions of age? Everywhere I look there seems to be another headline exclaiming over an ‘elderly’ person in their sixties – or even, heaven forbid, fifties.

Encore!

July 2018

Last week I had a glorious conversation with Elsa, an energetic woman in her early 70s, who is coming out of retirement.

It's Alright for You

June 2018

I do it regularly and it always ends badly. I look at others’ success and think it must be easy for them, because it’s difficult for me.

No Laughing Matter

May 2018

Life can be far too serious, we agreed - which is ridiculous, given that none of us is getting out of it alive. Last week a group of women told me of a distinct lack of joy in their lives, and we decided that it was no laughing matter. Quite literally so.

Settling Down

April 2018

Tom and I moved house just before Christmas. It was time to be a homeowner again, to put down roots and to belong.

A Darned Good Listening

March 2018

Walking the Taitua Arboretum, off the Raglan road, just outside of Hamilton, is one of my favourite places at any time of the year, and particularly when avoiding the summer sun.

Sharing the Load

February 2018

‘This is not where I expected to be,’ she said. ‘I’m fit, healthy, active and engaged and now this?’
Cancer does that, hitting us without warning when life is going along just fine. Taking the wind out of our sails, when we thought we were in the clear.

Here Comes Summer

December 2017

‘Goodness, is it really December already?’ She asked. ‘I don’t know where the year has gone. Do you remember how long the years felt when we were kids? And how summer seemed to go on forever?’

What Kind of Person Are You?

November 2017

My friend is a birdwatcher. She can spend hours glued to her binoculars watching birds glide over sand and sea, over mountain and meadow.

In My Humble Opinion

October 2017

This seems to be a sillier season than most for expressing opinions, although by the time you read this article, the shouting will largely be over and we’ll be settling for another three year cycle.

Springing Into Action

September 2017

'What a beautiful morning to be out!' she called as she ran by. In sunshine and melting frost, with breath muffled by a woolly scarf, I agreed. As she passed, I thanked her for the beam of sunshine she brought into my day.

Lemon Delicious or Boiled Cabbage?

August 2017

“When I retire I’m going to…” and off she went, reciting a long list of all the exciting adventures she’s anticipating When The Time Is Right.

Contributing or Consuming

July 2017

Those of us aged 50 -70 years are the generation born on the heels of World War II, to parents who were full of optimism for a peaceful and prosperous world. After the rations and restrictions of the war years, they were determined that we should have none, and so our generation, the Boomers, grew up as the most indulged group yet.

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