Hello! I was just reading your newsletter and had to laugh. My sister visited the UK a few years back, including Fair Isle and Orkney. She brought me back a ceramic puffin handmade there. I named it Ann from Orkney in your honour. So apt after reading the newsletter. 🤣❤️

I apologise for the "no USA, see regulations" on my Etsy store. I did want to include "see what happens when you re-elect an orange idiot" but felt it lacked the level of professionalism I aspire to on Etsy. Hence we putting it here instead. 🤪

I've critiqued a scammer on Insty, but did it as a warning to others. As in, went along with them in DMs for a bit, then shared the conversation as a post, pointing out how it was a scam, how to tell, etc. Saved a fellow artist from same scam. Sometimes you just need to reply to dumb scams. 🤣

Want me to stop #BIGFISHGAMES? Don't victim blame, attempt to shut me up with a bribe, then go back to ignoring me. You offended me, belittled my #chronicallyill condition, and threatened me. I don't repond well to bullies. APOLOGISE! Then we can discuss how you can make things right again 3/3

I've reported your discriminating behavior, #BIGFISHGAMES , to the #ACCC and to eConsumer.gov. And I will continue leaving negative reviews regarding your shocking attitude towards the #disabled and #chronicallyill . 2/3

I replied to one recently with "yeah, I'll take a gander mate" and never felt olde Aussie in my life. 🤣

Decent education SHOULD be cheap, but then that'd mean governments would need to spend more on educating the masses and less on lining their own pockets. And that is NEVER going to happen. Sad but true. 9/9

And, yes, it is so sad to see that a type of schooling that started by helping the poor, "mentally deficient" kids still get an education has become a pricey privelage... but education is not cheap. Nor should it be. 8/9

So, yes, early learning at a Montessori taught my kids some great skills. And I stand by Montessori being best education starting place. But each Montessori school sets its own interpretation of the "Montessori method", so choose your Montessori wisely. And BUDGET for their very high fees. 7/9

Sadly, this lack of effort and support at that level of schooling started a pattern we still face now he's in high school. Chuck a tantrum (not an ASD meltdown) to avoid school. It's a constant fight, but a pattern he learnt at a Montessori pre-school that we still can't break. 6/9

My youngest, the most severely Autistic of my 3 kids, learnt in preschool there that, once the morning free play was done and "learning play" started, if he chucked a tantrum, they'd send him home. His school fees alone were over a grand a term, for half an hour a day's "learning". 😳 5/9

Even now, in their late teens, early 20s their hand writing it basic and terrible. My youngest, who learnt to write at a "state school" can have the neatest writing of the 3. But he had different issues with that Montessori school. 4/9

Their Montessori school, from reception up, had learning "to do" lists set for the week. My older 2 would finish them by Monday lunchtime. Then basically play for rest of the week. Due to this "learning pace" they sped through stuff, didn't take time to perfect basic skills, like handwriting. 3/9

Basically, I have smart kids. I hate the "gifted and talented" label, but they have it. And the "learn at your own pace" Montessori mindset failed them on so many levels, due to how that school interpreted the Montessori method. 2/9

And, yes, he did lose an old feather during a "people preening" session... and yes I DID gently put it in his crest feathers and sang the theme to "Jaws". I mean, what is life without some whimsy? 2/2

#birdsofbluesky