Here are the questions:

When you feel negative, what techniques do you use to bring yourself up to feeling positive?

When I was young I used to use music either playing records or singing songs. I’d start with a really sad song and move on to something a bit happier and eventually to something really uplifting. I don’t really do that now though. I just try to visualise something pleasant or keep myself occupied till the bad feelings pass off.

What is a smell that made you smile when you woke up today?

I have a head cold so I didn’t smell anything this morning. I remember how when I was growing up I loved to smell mum cooking eggs and bacon on a Sunday morning.

An owl is known for its wisdom, what are you known for?

I have been told that I’m practical, so maybe that.

Do you know any good recipes? If so, can you share one? (If you don’t cook, tell me your favorite food recipe that someone else makes for you.)

My favourite recipes are things I have been making for years and are very easy because I’m too lazy to make complicated recipes. This is a really reliable fruit cake recipe, never fails me. I found the recipe on allrecipes.com.au. It is the closest I could find to the one that mum used to make. I often make it just with sultanas because Naomi likes it that way but you can used mixed fruit or even currants and raisins would probably work although I think I’d use more currants if I were doing that. I usually leave the nuts out but if you wanted them you could use almonds, walnuts or even pecans.

Tea Fruit Loaf:

Ingredients:

• 380g mixed fruit
• 130g brown sugar
• 1 cup hot black tea
• 1 egg, beaten
• 250g sifted self raising flour
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp chopped nuts (optional)

Method:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 190C, grease and flour a loaf tin (or use baking paper it really doesn’t matter.)

Step 2: Combine the fruit and sugar in a large bowl . Make a cup of black tea and pour it over the mixture. Have one yourself while you wait for it to cool.

Step 3: Stir in the beaten egg, flour, spice and nuts if you are using them.

Step 4: Pour the mixture into the loaf tin and bake for 45 minutes or as long as you need for a skewer to come out clean. I generally leave mine for 50 minutes or more but of course it varies by individual oven.

How do you console the people around you? (Online or in-person)

Whether IRL or online I just try to show some empathy for what they are going through.