Mel A. Rowe's Blog: from MelAROWE.com, page 16

That Sweet Stormy Kiss

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Pre-Marriage Magic

Let’s start with traditions… In the Torres Straits, there’s a tiny island that contains a small hut called Honeymoon Island. Its where the Islanders delivered newlyweds in beautifully decorated boats after a fabulous feasting ceremony with a weeks’ worth of provisions. The couple remained as the families returned to the reception that ran for days. Aboriginals, dependent upon their skin, perform a ceremonial smoking for cleansing spirits as part of their marriage ceremony. Some have a traditional dance where the couple toss stones into rivers for their union to be a part of their country’s story. In Mexico, they create a doll with a replica of the bride’s gown to attach Read more

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Dieter’s Day of Dread.

Halloween isn’t celebrated in my region of Australia. It’s seen more as an American Holiday as a fun excuse to wear costumes and eat lollies. What I know of Halloween as a kid was what I saw was on the TV. Kids collecting candy from neighbourhoods where fake spiderwebs were uses to create haunted houses. With neighbors too far to walk to,  Halloween seemed to be all about the sugar. Lots and lots of sugar – thus making it a dieter’s day of dread. It’s almost like Easter with the chocolate on the other end of the calender year. So, is Halloween really all about candy? Or is it about ghosts, witches, the Supernatural Read more

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Bali Bridal Dreams

Who doesn’t love a wedding? The gown, the food, the romance and everyone coming together to celebrate. I’ve seen many weddings, from five-star rooftop restaurants where every man wore a suit and the bridal dress was worth a year’s salary. Then there’s the backyard-bush-block-bash. On such an occasion the groom bought a new set of volleys for himself and his mates to match. Of course, we’re all aware each wedding is different. Some release butterflies or doves. Others walk through bubble machines for that dramatic entrance, and some have champagne towers bubbling over to share in a toast. It’s these touches that make their day uniquely memorable for those witnessing Read more

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A Heroes Ride

We all have a tale to tell on who are the worst drivers in Australia. Queenslanders state it’s New South Welshmen. Northern Territorians claim its South Australians, and all grey nomads towing caravans. Tasmanian’s rarely get a mention because they don’t venture far from the island. Sandgropers (AKA Western Australians) understand how to cruise. And everyone complains about Victorians – even the Victorians! Yet, if those complaining drivers ever rode a scooter in Bali, they’d never whine about another fellow Aussie driver again. Bali traffic is chaotic and outright frightful, but amazing to watch from the sidelines. Families, friends, cats and dogs, even chickens are piled onto these tiny two-wheeled machines that Read more

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What is Adventure?

For some, it’s going to a shopping centre’s grand opening with its state-of-the-art gymnasium that’s classier than a five-star hotel. It could be a new recipe created in the comfort of your home while preparing to watch a new reality TV programme. Or, it’s lying on a beach reading a book in an exotic holiday destination, before jumping off a mountain on a motorbike wearing a parachute. Adventure can be as simple as stepping out the back door. Where you’re hit by a wall of sauna-styled heat, but still manage to step wider to not upset the snake stretched out against the cool air gap that spills from the house. Your Read more

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a what-if moment

Why not sit and have a cuppa for a moment and let me share some news with you….   With some not-so gentle persuasion from my writer friend who was teaching me how to use Facebook (Yes, I’ve only been on Facebook for about a year! Shocker.) I submitted a sweet story for Destination Romance. It was also the first time I worked to a brief.  I didn’t think I’d apply when there really wasn’t much time to beat the closing date. But, (yes, it’s an annoying ‘but‘ moment) as I’m a regular wanderer to various destinations, it didn’t take long until I had the…. What-if moment! (that’s where that seed of thought Read more

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that one phone call

You’re on the phone, someone’s talking and somehow you’re responding while your mind is in a whirl. You look around checking for hidden cameras in case this is a prank. Your expression of disbelief is matched by the cocked eyebrow and slight twist of the lips as you sniff for that hint of falsehood. But then the brain cogs’ click, rock, and shudder as your eyes widen with recognition. Yes – dammit – you WON! Won what? An author mentorship with Hachette Australia. Yes, I happy danced! I’m sure the neighbours heard all, where champagne bottles were corked as fast as a trigger-happy trainee gunman at a firing range. I Read more

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