The Brighton Jotter

"Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it." – Mary Oliver

12 on the 12th: Thursday 12/3/2026

Continuing a little blog series – 12 photos taken on the 12th of the month. I try to take a photo every hour, but inevitably fail at some stage during the day and have to take a clump of photos to make up for it.

Waking up naturally just after 7 am.
Long run, towards Black Rock. It was a wild and windy day.
Still running, but on my way home now
Riley was happy I was home. He’s using his puffin as a chin pillow.
Time to do some practice so I’m ready for this afternoon’s run-through with the band. I’m using E’s midi keyboard on the kitchen bench, but soon K will drop off her proper keyboard for us to look after because they don’t have room in their place.
Work time
Lunch was a rushed affair of scrambled eggs on avocado toast because I was trying to get some excel templates finished for work.
I also took some time mid-afternoon to get some rice cooking in the steam oven. I wanted it cooked and cooled, ready to make into fried rice when I got home from music practice at church this evening.
G dropped my books at the library while he was out this morning and picked up my holds.
A bit of a break in the photo taking before this one, taken when I was walking back from church at 6:15 pm.
Riley looking very cute. Sleeping while we watch TV.
Reading one of my library books. Yes, it’s a kids’ book, but it’s all about the seven Bunurong seasons and I borrowed it to learn a bit more about Bunurong culture. At the moment we are in Monomeeth (good autumn), which covers March and April. March is my favourite month for weather in Melbourne.

Comments

8 responses to “12 on the 12th: Thursday 12/3/2026”

  1. Nicole MacPherson Avatar
    Nicole MacPherson

    Riley! He’s so cute. Great photos! What’s a steam oven? Is it different from a regular oven?

    1. Melissa Avatar
      Melissa

      A Steam oven allows you to cook with steam, ours is a combi so it goes from 100% steam to 0%. 100% is like using a steamer, O% like a normal oven and in between is good for cooking things that might dry out (example roast chicken). You can also reheat (not as quickly as a microwave but a lot better result)

  2. Catrina Avatar
    Catrina

    That looks like a very fulfilling day! A mix of exercise, music, cooking, work and church activities. Do you read while watching TV? Or do you have a dedicated reading time?

    I imagine taking a photo every hour requires some kind of alarm system.
    The other day I planned to take a photo at EXACTLY every 5km point during my run because I wanted to force myself to take new photos instead of always the same views.
    Of course, I missed the 5km-mark every time (daydreaming) and I ended up taking the same photos as usual…

    1. Melissa Avatar
      Melissa

      I never read while watching TV. I usually read a bit in the morning and then after we turn off the TV at night.

  3. Lisa’s Yarns Avatar
    Lisa’s Yarns

    I love children’s books! It’s a great way to be introduced to a topic! I learn a lot when reading to my kids!

    The views on your run were gorgeous! I am envious of your access to that kind of running path. It’s nice that it’s not cement! That is much easier on our joints!

    1. Melissa Avatar
      Melissa

      The gravel/sand path starts about 4.5 km from our house and continues for about 6 km before switching back to concrete, so I often go down that way, although there are a few small sets of stairs to run up and down and a sandy section. It’s also usually more sheltered once you get into the trees.

  4. Daria Avatar
    Daria

    Melissa, I love how uncluttered your space is. I checked every photo and the counters and surfaces are clutter-free. It’s amazing. And so calming! I know your kids are grown so maybe when my kids are out of the house I can have a house like yours? ;))

    1. Melissa Avatar
      Melissa

      I don’t like visual clutter, and it is definitely easier to keep tidy now it’s just G and I, but I also get the right angles on my photos to avoid the worst hot spots.