fragments treasures memory

December~Christmas~End of 2011

2011-12-29T13:35:00.024+08:00

saw this bird for the first time...

fun with Sidney at the beach...

Enjoyed all things Christmas...

Became a winner...

a Guardian Angel

made with love & skill HERE grrl+dog

Relaxed at home...

Finished another painting...

and now I intend to take it easy for a few more days and look forward to another year.

All the best wishes for a peaceful,

fun and love filled year ahead.

in my world...

2011-12-14T00:25:00.000+08:00

the Jacaranda trees are still in flower

Hibiscus can be spotted

Stickers to be found

Stickers to be placed

in Fremantle

also

spotted a sea monster

and

am enjoying endless days of beach

plus

endless days of play

I sold two paintings yesterday evening. It feels nice to be rewarded and to feel appreciated... but I do find it exhausting dealing with the people who want to buy my work. I'm far more comfortable being behind the scenes.
I find it a little difficult to talk about my paintings for any length of time as they are personal and I guess I'm kind of private.... I know that's a contradiction, but I'm sure some of you know exactly what I mean.

Christmas is also happening in my corner. Our home is decorated and filled with the excitement of a little boy waiting for Santa to arrive. I'm disorganised this year, more so than any other and I don't exactly know why. It will happen, but I fear it's going to be a bit of mad rush to the end.

Catch you soon
Merry Christmas

come dance with me...

2011-12-06T12:20:00.000+08:00

this will make your hips swing...

Happy again...

2011-12-05T14:30:00.000+08:00

Thank you for all your kind words on my previous post.

It's true I felt a little heart broken with the loss of my much loved hound Harry.

He had many attributes, he was truly remarkable and losing him left a big gap in our lives.

I decided we had to have another dog as life without one just didn't feel quite right for us.

I searched rescue haven's and everywhere I thought I might find a dog in need of a new home.

It was proving more difficult than I thought to find a suitable dog to have in the company of my young son.

I was almost going to give up and then I found this gorgeous boy.

introducing Sidney, the new member of my family...

He is a very sweet, gentle, playful and clever dog who is now living happily ever after with us.

a bit of broken heart

2011-11-25T11:55:00.000+08:00

I feel a little bit lost today.
A bit of a broken heart.
I'm grieving.
My much loved hound is no longer with me.
It hurts.
As of yesterday Harry is resting in peace. He was 18.
I miss him very much. I wish, I dream, I shed tears.
We all miss him.

He'll be greeted by other loved ones. They know how much I loved him.

nothing too serious...

2011-11-21T11:25:00.000+08:00

On the eve of my fiftieth birthday our computer received a virus that put it out of operation for what felt like a long while. Many dollars later we have our data back and the computer is in working order once again.
So I'm fifty now and that's a beautiful thing. On the night of my birthday I celebrated under a full moon around an open fire in good company. My life is sweet and I'm returning to excellent health. I feel happy with myself and life in general. I owe a lot to my dear friend Tracy and my loving partner Michael who have played starring roles in my recovery and general well being. I still have a big fat, fortunately benign, tumour and I'm hoping with the help of Chinese medicine my body will reabsorb it.

I'm really happy about returning to painting, though it can be frustrating at times. I'm currently painting under the banner of 'love stories'. I'm trying to paint everyday, but it's not always possible. We have a large shed in our backyard, a joy of suburban living, that's used as a studio. It's heaven, though at times I'd like to be in a shared space to have the company of other creative souls.

These images of recent paintings don't really show their true self. I haven't quite mastered the art of capturing them with a camera.
For the first time in a long while I'm painting for myself with little to no regard for what others may think. It creates a feeling of freedom, something that is very important to me. In other words I'm trying not to think too much and just do.

That's about all that's happening in my corner at the moment. Though thoughts for Christmas are slowly creeping in. I do like Christmas.

Wishing you a beautiful day and thank you for visiting with me.

Feel So Close...

2011-11-07T08:22:00.000+08:00

I'm bopping around to this...
as I slip towards my 50th birthday

Spiders On Drugs

2011-11-06T12:21:00.000+08:00

...a funny little video I recently came across in my travels,
made me laugh and I hope you enjoy it too....

Joy...

2011-10-25T10:58:00.003+08:00

Joy is the perfect word to describe how it all feels sometimes.

The school holidays have come to an end, but not before a hell of a lot of fun.

My painting angel has returned and I'm painting like a mad dog on a mission.

Painting is currently consuming my time as I work my way through a myriad of emotions that are stirred with the use of paint.

I haven't forgotten you.

See you again soon and I hope you find joy in your day.

best wishes...

out the window...

2011-10-05T10:42:00.000+08:00

Out the window, a stone's throw away we have all this to enjoy.

nothing is more beautiful than our natural world...

including ourselves

I love the mystery of it too.

Painting...

2011-09-28T19:07:00.001+08:00

Painting ~ I have often painted a lot at different times in my life, but not of late.

Today I painted for the first time in a while.

Today I started painting again.

I haven't shared paintings here,

except in my header from time to time.

I hope to share more as my new painting journey develops.

This is the first.

It's not quite finished,

but I wanted to give you a little peak at what I'm up to.

Thank you

love lives here ~ part two

2011-09-23T12:18:00.026+08:00

little adventures filled with love and fun...

part one here

Yallingup

Busselton

Margaret River

Bunker Bay

tragically a young surfer died

near here, the day of our visit

due to an encounter with a shark

very sad for everyone involved

our backyard

I like the reflection of the flowers from the tree in the puddle.

Swan Valley

Fremantle

jellyfish

Hillary's Harbour Aquarium

Dingo

very relaxed Kangaroos...

Thank you for visiting with me

and

may your day bring you peace,

tranquility and harmony.

love lives here ~ part one

2011-09-15T21:11:00.005+08:00

family

one lives with me and the other

visiting from new zealand

As you can see from the above

we have been enjoying bonding with family

and playing tourist too.

It's lovely to be able

to share it with you also.

up down and around... nothing but birds

2011-08-28T08:50:00.003+08:00

I've been having loads of fun with my, new to me, camera and I am very grateful to have you to share photos with. Thank you for all your kinds words and encouragement on my previous posts.

Recently I've been indulging in my passion for birds and snapping happily whenever I can, in and around where I live, as they are such willing subjects.

I have enjoyed catching up with some of you at your blogs and will endeavour to catch up on more in coming weeks.

I hope wherever you are in the world that you too are enjoying the change in seasons, as I am.

Thanks again for your support at my blog.

Thinking of you

best wishes

Spring sightings...

2011-08-18T09:16:00.005+08:00

I have had loads of fun capturing the above images, to share with you, on my new camera. A very dear childhood friend recently upgraded her camera and generously passed her old one onto me. Just call me lucky xx

PS... it's not officially Spring, I know, but if you were here with me now you could be forgiven for believing it so.

down south...

2011-08-13T08:45:00.001+08:00

We managed to get down south of Perth again earlier this year and we're hoping to get back there again very soon. There's nothing quite like spending time in a semi rural environment alongside the sea.

In recent months I've been busy with securing a new home.... which we have managed to do and we are very happy with it all. I've also been concentrating on improving my health, which is also going in a desirable direction.

I look forward to catching up with you in the coming weeks.

'til then... be well

best wishes

leaf litter...

2011-07-02T08:40:00.002+08:00

I love it, the smells shapes and sounds of leaf litter.
I feel a little joyous whenever I notice a particularly beautiful leaf amongst the crowd.
Recently I painted one hundred leaves. It surprised me how small a pile one hundred leaves is.

Leaves in the wild are like grains of sand, impossible to count, but you can try.

The idea to paint one hundred leaves was in part inspired by Tibetan prayer flags. My intentions were to nurture myself with a pleasurable task, of adding wishes from my heart, and to arrange the leaf litter on the street for it to be enjoyed by others.
So far I’ve attached a few to gifts, hidden a couple in items boxed for charity and for the post.

I'm going to scatter them soon.
There’s a building site that’s been stripped of its trees that might need a hundred of my leaves.

Now that I have completed one hundred leaves I am left with the feeling of wanting to do more.

There will be a next time, but it is going to be a little different.

2011-06-22T11:50:00.000+08:00

Life can be blue and a little crazy sometimes. It's all part of the surprise.

Mine is not as loud as the found image above, but it has been colourful at times.

I am busy with so many different things right now, which has taken me by surprise.

One of my surprises is that I'm soon to be in a new home and I'm sure you're aware of the work it takes to get there.

Another is the journey to return to excellent health.

see you again

with love

Seeker Lover Keeper

2011-06-20T14:38:00.002+08:00

listening dancing loving

2011-06-13T09:44:00.001+08:00

It Starts with Me...

2011-06-12T09:05:00.001+08:00

We are the ones that make the biggest differences in the world every single day.

The Daily Ocean blog

It Starts With Me blog

'Worry won't strip tomorrow of its troubles, but it will take away the fun of today'

don't worry... take action

Climate change?

2011-06-11T08:32:00.000+08:00

I came across this powerful video in my travels today and believe that it is worth sharing.

"Caution: It is vitally important not to make connections. When you see pictures of rubble like this week's shots from Joplin, Mo., you should not wonder: Is this somehow related to the tornado outbreak three weeks ago in Tuscaloosa, Ala., or the enormous outbreak a couple of weeks before that (which, together, comprised the most active April for tornadoes in U.S. history). No, that doesn't mean a thing.

It is far better to think of these as isolated, unpredictable, discrete events. It is not advisable to try to connect them in your mind with, say, the fires burning across Texas — fires that have burned more of America at this point this year than any wildfires have in previous years. Texas, and adjoining parts of Oklahoma and New Mexico, are drier than they've ever been — the drought is worse than that of the Dust Bowl. But do not wonder if they're somehow connected.

If you did wonder, you see, you would also have to wonder about whether this year's record snowfalls and rainfalls across the Midwest — resulting in record flooding along the Mississippi — could somehow be related. And then you might find your thoughts wandering to, oh, global warming, and to the fact that climatologists have been predicting for years that as we flood the atmosphere with carbon we will also start both drying and flooding the planet, since warm air holds more water vapor than cold air.

It's far smarter to repeat to yourself the comforting mantra that no single weather event can ever be directly tied to climate change. There have been tornadoes before, and floods — that's the important thing. Just be careful to make sure you don't let yourself wonder why all these record-breaking events are happening in such proximity — that is, why there have been unprecedented megafloods in Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan in the past year. Why it's just now that the Arctic has melted for the first time in thousands of years. No, better to focus on the immediate casualties, watch the videotape from the store cameras as the shelves are blown over. Look at the news anchorman standing in his waders in the rising river as the water approaches his chest.

Because if you asked yourself what it meant that the Amazon has just come through its second hundred-year drought in the past five years, or that the pine forests across the western part of this continent have been obliterated by a beetle in the past decade — well, you might have to ask other questions. Such as: Should President Obama really just have opened a huge swath of Wyoming to new coal mining? Should Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sign a permit this summer allowing a huge new pipeline to carry oil from the tar sands of Alberta? You might also have to ask yourself: Do we have a bigger problem than $4-a-gallon gasoline?

Better to join with the U.S. House of Representatives, which voted 240 to 184 this spring to defeat a resolution saying simply that "climate change is occurring, is caused largely by human activities, and poses significant risks for public health and welfare." Propose your own physics; ignore physics altogether. Just don't start asking yourself whether there might be some relation among last year's failed grain harvest from the Russian heat wave, and Queensland's failed grain harvest from its record flood, and France's and Germany's current drought-related crop failures, and the death of the winter wheat crop in Texas, and the inability of Midwestern farmers to get corn planted in their sodden fields. Surely the record food prices are just freak outliers, not signs of anything systemic.

It's very important to stay calm. If you got upset about any of this, you might forget how important it is not to disrupt the record profits of our fossil fuel companies. If worst ever did come to worst, it's reassuring to remember what the U.S. Chamber of Commerce told the Environmental Protection Agency in a recent filing: that there's no need to worry because "populations can acclimatize to warmer climates via a range of behavioral, physiological, and technological adaptations." I'm pretty sure that's what residents are telling themselves in Joplin today."

by...
Bill McKibben the founder of the global climate campaign 350.org and a distinguished scholar at Middlebury College in Vermont.

last week, yesterday & today...

2011-05-30T11:40:00.000+08:00

Knitting...

2011-05-27T13:40:00.000+08:00

There is a knitting project going on
over HERE in New Zealand, instigated by Knitty Graffity

I am contributing to it and you are welcome too.

feeling lucky...

2011-05-24T21:44:00.010+08:00

At the beach today

Seeing the majestic sea Eagle at the beach today made me feel very lucky.

Thank you for all your kind words on my previous posts.
I'm learning to care for myself more.

best wishes

Close Watch...

2011-05-21T09:50:00.001+08:00

Never win and never lose
There's nothing much to choose
Between the right and wrong
Nothing lost and nothing gained
Still things aren't quite the same
Between you and me

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine

I still hear your voice at night
When I turn out the light
And try to settle down
But there's nothing I can do
'Cause I can't live without you
Any way at all

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine

Oh I'm sure
No harm will come to you no more
'Cause I find myself in your hands
Don't you be so hard on yourself

Oh oh ooh ooh

"Close Watch" from Agnes Obel's first album : Philharmonics
Original Song By John Cale

I'm not here....

2011-04-29T09:14:00.000+08:00

because my time is being taken up by....

* an autoimmune (recently diagnosed) disease that has altered my days.

* one beautiful boy who is on school holidays.

* my extremely old hound who needs extra care and soon won't be here anymore.

* reading all the new books that I bought when I was holidaying in the southwest.

* thoughts of painting again.... something that I haven't done for a couple of years.

* enjoying the cooler weather after an extremely long hot summer.

* visits with health specialists.

* playing cards late into the night.

* dreaming of days that are far behind me.

* practising being in the moment.

You won't hear this on any mainstream news

2011-04-26T15:59:00.001+08:00

Helen Caldicott....

Get into the groove...

2011-04-21T09:15:00.000+08:00

Enjoy your holidays

Blue

2011-04-10T08:10:00.002+08:00

Fun was had here

for the above photos.

and if you are here reading this then I am on my new bike down here

enjoying glorious Autumn weather with my little family

and I'll see you again in a few weeks.

Midway...

2011-04-05T20:00:00.003+08:00

Crushed cars Tacoma 2004

Chris Jordan is the thought provoking visual artist who took the above and below photographs. His fascinating creative works display the effects of a consumer culture. A video of him talking on the topic can be viewed here, which includes several examples of his work

He is a cultural activist.

Depicts 32,000 Barbies,
equal to the number of elective
breast augmentation surgeries
performed monthly in the US in 2006

Currently he is part of a team that is the 'Midway Journey'
You can view the entire creative team here.

So what is Midway Journey you may ask....
here is a description from their website
Journey
"Midway Atoll, one of the most remote islands on earth, is a kaleidoscope of geography, culture, human history, and natural wonder. It also serves as a lens into one of the most profound and symbolic environmental tragedies of our time: the deaths by starvation of thousands of albatrosses who mistake floating plastic trash for food.
The images are iconic. The horror, absolute. Our goal, however, is to look beyond the grief and the tragedy. It is here, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that we have the opportunity to see our world in context. On Midway, we can not deny the impact we have on the planet. Yet at the same time, we are struck by beauty of the land and the sound scape of wildlife around us, and it is here that we can see the miracle that is life on this earth. So it is with the knowledge of our impact here that we must find a way forward."

Midway lies nearly halfway between Asia and North America.
Midway Atoll is a collection of three small islands in the North Pacific, and one of the most remote places on earth. It consists of a ring-shaped barrier reef and several sand islets. The two significant pieces of land, Sand Island and Eastern Island, are habitat for millions of seabirds.

In this video Chris Jordan explains the code of ethics and rules followed by him and his team when photographing albatross carcasses filled with plastic pollution on Midway Atoll

Below is the heartfelt trailer for the future film.

You can view the most recent video from Midway Journey here

When we buy something we need to consider it's future.
When we throw something away, we need to remind ourselves...
there is no 'away'.

there is no environment.....

2011-04-03T05:00:00.002+08:00

"There is no environment,

it's all a single system

You do something to the air,

you do it to yourself.

You do something to the water,

you're 60% water"

On a mobile phone?

Click the image to watch the video in H.264

The above two minute video is from

Green Heroes featuring David Suzuki

It may take a moment to play, but it is worth the wait.

Crystal Castle.... a celebration

2011-03-31T09:25:00.000+08:00

December last year found me on the other side of Australia, being the east coast,

in northern New South Wales with one of my dearest friends.

I was there to celebrate her birthday along with our friendship that has travelled with us from childhood.

On a glorious warm wet day,

we visited Crystal Castle..... a magical place to be.

I love you

fossils

coloured butter

Crystal Castle

just for fun....1961

2011-03-30T07:14:00.000+08:00

Videos randomly chosen from the year 1961....

when life began for me.

Things have changed a little since then.

Plastic Numbers...

2011-03-26T03:00:00.003+08:00

My intention is not to ear bash you on the topic of bottled water, but just answer a few questions that have been put to me and the following may also be of interest to you.

Below is a list of the numbers that you will find on most plastics, usually located on the base.
These numbers can assist you with the knowledge of what chemicals have gone into creating the plastic and the effects they can have on your health.

1—polyethylene tetephtalate (PET)
2—high density polyethylene (HDPE)
3—polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
4—low density polyethylene (LDPE)
5—polypropylene (PP)
6—polystyrene (PS)
7—other (polycarbonate, fiberglass, nylon, more)

Plastic #1 polyethylene terephtalate, also known as PETE or PET. #1 plastic, is usually clear. This plastic is considered generally safe. It is known to have a porous surface that allows bacteria to accumulate, so don't reuse these containers.

Plastic #2 high density polyethylene, or HDPE. This plastic is considered safe and has low risk of leaching.

Plastic #3 polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. There are phthalates in this material–softening chemicals that interfere with hormonal development. Avoid use of #3 plastic around food

Plastic #4 low density polyethylene (LDPE). It is used to make grocery bags, some food wraps, squeezable bottles, and bread bags. This plastic is considered safe, but is not often recycled.

Plastic #5 polypropylene. This plastic is considered safe.

Plastic #6 polystyrene, or Styrofoam. Evidence is suggesting this type of plastic leaches potentially toxic chemicals, especially when heated.
A good one to avoid

Plastic #7 A mixed bag, including the dreaded BPA. BPA is dangerous for your health.

#2, #4 and #5 are generally considered safe
Plastic #1 is considered safe also, but should not be re-used due to the risk of growing bacteria.
All other plastic should be used with caution, especially around food or drink.
For microwaving in particular, remember that microwave safe containers aren’t necessarily healthy. They just won’t melt. It’s better to avoid microwaving plastic entirely and stick to glass.

Please do your own research if this subject is of interest to you.... I definetly don't have all the answers.

best wishes

What are you eating?

2011-03-23T17:25:00.000+08:00

Most of us like to believe that we are choosing what we eat.

Unfortuantely this isn't the case.

We are unable to know all the facts about what we are eating if we are living in the USA or here in Australia due to poor labeling regulations. Our food labels do not list genetically modified ingredients. We deserve to know.....

Millions against Monsanto.....
Saturday 26th March in numerous areas accross the USA rallys/protests will begin.

more are planned for WORLD FOOD DAY
on the 16th October 2011 and I sincerely hope that Australia will be hitting the streets too.

If you would like to learn more please take the time to savour the artist
Sophie Munns..... post on the subject at her informative and beautiful
blog.... hommage to the seed - generator of life

If you are a facebook user and would like to share this topic then I suggest that you search
Millions Against Monsanto on facebook and take it from there.

The Idiot Cycle - what you aren't being told about cancer
the French-Canadian documentary, suggests six major chemical companies are responsible for decades of cancer causing chemicals and pollution, while also developing cancer treatments and drugs. It also argues these companies own the most patents on genetically modified crops that have never been tested for long term health impacts like cancer.

I have managed to locate part one of the documentary for those of you who may be interested.
The video is a little slow to commence playing, but please be patient.

be well
love

Water reflects us...

2011-03-22T00:55:00.015+08:00

We are born to a world that is already designed...

photo... Tabula Rasa, Borjana Ventzislavova, Miroslav Nicic & Mladen Penev

No matter the design there is a crucial common denominator... WATER.
We can't live without it. Industry uses enormous amounts of water to create products that supposedly enhance our lives, yet
one in six of us lives without clean drinking water

There is one simple small act that costs nothing and saves a lot.....

Stop Buying Bottled Water

It is on shelves because it is being bought.

It is an environmental nightmare advertising scam.

It is unhealthy.

Bottled water has its place, but not as an everyday commodity in a society which has access to filters and good clean drinking water on tap.

Water is precious
March 22nd is World Water Day and you can read more about this HERE

Masaru Emoto has an interesting view of water. He believes it contains hidden messages and is directly effected by the energy of us all.

a water crystal exposed to a cherry blossom

You can watch this short video below, a scene from the documentary
'What the Bleep Do We Know' to hear more of Emoto's fascinating concept.

Water reflects us...

Light & Fluffy...

2011-03-19T08:28:00.002+08:00

just to lighten the load of my previous post

Lovable and funny is how I would describe this first video,

the second entertaining, thought provoking & featuring

a fabulous crocheted motorbike with sidecar

Enjoy xx

Insight 2011 Campaign from MIKE PISCITELLI on Vimeo.

The Idiot Cycle - what you aren't being told about cancer

2011-03-12T11:25:00.001+08:00

Emmanuelle Schick Garcia is the director of the documentary film
The Idiot Cycle - what you aren't being told about cancer.

The first below video is the official trailer for the documentary.
I'm sure like me once you have viewed the trailer you will want to see more.
Below the original trailer are four more excerpts of video from the documentary.

To view the entire film you will either have to purchase a dvd or hope that it comes to a cinema near you. You can get all the details from the official website HERE

This is a topic close to my heart as I have known many people to die from cancer, including most of my family members. Probably all of us know someone who is dying from or living with cancer.

I feel that this documentary is informative and empowering. I believe that we can change things for the better.
I don't believe that preventable cancers should be the most popular passage out of life.
Education can be a ticket for freedom from such things.

The below video was created by Greenpeace and I feel that it gives a clear picture of the story of genetically modified food, especially for those who are hearing about it for the first time.

We need to educate ourselves about these matters to be able to take better control of our health and the wellbeing of the world around us.

We as consumers are in a position of great control

and we need to exercise it NOW.

"Let food be thy medicine, and let thy medicine be food." Hippocrates

Be well ... I'm trying & I hope you are too

under the weather...

2011-03-03T09:36:00.000+08:00

I am missing you.
I have no external wounds to show the world that you are not with me, but I feel the loss.
Since you’ve been gone I’ve been feeling uncomfortably lazy. I never dreamed of losing you.
If memory serves me right, this is our longest separation since my time began.

It’s been mentioned that you might never come back, but I don’t believe this to be true…. though I have seen you leave others.
I’ve been making plans for your return and performing rituals to encourage your arrival.

I miss taking you for granted.
I feel unprepared to adapt to a life without you.
I sincerely believe that we will be together again, as this separation is nothing too serious.

I miss you, my excellent health.

you are beautiful

2011-02-24T13:50:00.000+08:00

Live What You Love....

Lori at Lori times five, created a sticker featuring these inspiring words and sent it to me.

I felt a need to share them further.
I created a multitude of stickers and chalk scratchings wherever possible.
This is my kind of fun.

you are beautiful...

I don't know exactly why I googled the words 'you are beautiful', but it led me here, to a website devoted to sharing those exact words via stickers.

This inspired me to create my own and spread the good cheer.

On the subject of beauty.... I received a much loved surprise gift from the talented Karen Jasper who is well known to a lot of us as kj from

'Options For A Better World'.

KJ has written and published the book she sent to me titled 'The Light Stays On'.

The book arrived at a perfect time for me as I was needing to park my bum and rest a while. The book was the perfect excuse and it was time well spent.

It is a wonderful read. Within a couple of pages I found myself not wanting to put it down.

It's a very tangible love story, an easy read and one that I recommend.

It can be purchased via kj's blog.

Thank you kj. It was thoroughly enjoyed and I will treasure it.

more beauty arrived via post...
A prize of beautiful postcards from the artist and blogger Candice Herne.
I first became aware of Candice via another wonderful prolific artist and blogger Sophie Munns.
Candice was travelling around Australia and sharing beautiful inspiring images of her journey at that time.

I happened upon the postcards and other mail when out walking with my little boy and our hound. If it wasn't for us taking a different route on that day the mail may have been lost to us forever. It was found scattered on a lawn a reasonable distance from our home. A mystery.

Thank you Candy for sharing these beautiful postcards with me.

and last but not least...

Look at yourself after watching this ~ I came across this during my travels today.

I've been absent from your blogs (not commenting, but reading some) due to another little project that is currently occupying my time. I am working on a creative venture to nurture myself and give pleasure to others.

I'll catch up with you soon

best wishes

Last two...

2011-02-12T07:50:00.003+08:00

These are the last two videos that I am posting from my random selection for this week.
The first is a documentary trailer about Aboriginal people here in Australia...
Our Generation.

I'm the sum total of my ancestors
I carry their DNA
We are representatives of a long line of people
And we carried them around either with
This long line of people
That goes back to the beginning of time
And when we meet - they meet other lines of people
And we say bring together the lines of me.

-Maxi Jazz:
When I look back over the years
at the things that brought tears to my eyes
papa said we have to be wise
to live long lives
now i recognise
what my father said before he dies
vocalise things I've left unsaid
left my spirit unfed for too long
I'm coming home to my family
Where i can be strong
Be who I planned to be
Within me my ancestory
Givin'me continuity
Would it be remiss to continue in this way
would you rather I quit
come with the other shit
making people's hips sway
lip service I pay but i'm nervous
i pray for all the mothers who get no sleep
like a lifeline I light lines cause my compassion is deep
for the people who fashioned me my soul to keep
and this is who i happen to be
and if I don't see that I'm strong then I wont be

This is what my Daddy told me
I wished he would hold me
A little more
than he did
But he taught me my culture
And how to live positive
I never wanna shame
The blood in my veins and bring pain
to my sweet grandfathers face
in his resting place
I make haste to learn and not waste
everything my forefathers earned in tears
for my culture

- Robbie:
Fall back again
Crawl from the warm water
- Maxi Jazz:
for my culture
- Robbie:
water to air
you're on your feet again
your feet again.

Hello Dad, remember me?
I'm the man you thought I'd never be.
I'm the boy who you reduced to tears

Dad I'd been lonely for 27 years
Yeah, that's right my name's Bob
I'm the one who landed the popstars job
I'm the one who you told : look, don't touch?
and the kid who wouldn't amount to much.
I believe in the senses out of sound
I have always been too loud
wont you help me drown it out?
I'm what I feel
and what I'm feeling is surreal
I'm a massive spinnin' wheel s'always digging in my heels.
Now I got the faith to

Fall back again
Crawl from the warm water
water to air
you're on your feet again
your feet again.

- Maxi Jazz:
Hah, lace up your booty
Going back to the roots continue my interlude
Feed freaking for loot
And my spell's been to check what your future brings is now
and your forefathers further know How
but now what happened to the world without the hatred
Use your head if the needle is wise be the thread
And weave ancestral wisdom yours by best
spreading the lords word over this broad earth

-Robbie & Maxi jazz:
This is what my Daddy told me
I wished he would hold me
A little more
than he did
But he told me my culture
And how to live positive
I never wanna shame
The blood in my veins and bring pain
to my sweet grandfathers face
in his resting place
I make haste to learn and not waste
everything my forefathers earned in tears

-Maxi Jazz:
for my culture
- Robbie:
Fall back again
Crawl from the warm water
Water to air
You're on your feet again
Your feet again

- Maxi Jazz:
for my culture

Fall back again
Crawl from the warm water
Water to air
You're on your feet again
Your feet again

- Maxi Jazz:
For my culture.

Candy. Passenger. - videos 6

2011-02-11T09:45:00.000+08:00

Here are two videos from my random selection that I am posting each day for a week.
The videos are being randomly chosen from a selection that move my spirit, trigger memory and or entertain me.
I hope there will be something in them for you too.

It's a rainy afternoon
In 1990
The big city geez it's been 20 years-
Candy-you were so fine

Beautiful beautiful
Girl from the north
You burned my heart
With a flickering torch
I had a dream that no one else could see
You gave me love for free

candy, candy , Candy I can't let you go
All my life you're haunting me
I loved you so

Candy, candy , Candy I can't let you go
Life is crazy
Candy baby

Yeah, well it hurt me real bad when you left
I'm glad you got out
But I miss you
I've had a hole in my heart
For so long
I've learned to fake it and
Just smile along

Down on the street
Those men are all the same
I need a love
Not games
Not games

Candy, Candy, Candy I can't let you go
All my life you're haunting me
I loved you so
Candy, Candy , Candy I can't let you go
Life is crazy
I Know baby
Candy baby

UOU UOU UOU
Candy, Candy, Candy I can't let you go
All my life you're haunting me
I loved you so

CANDY CANDY CANDY
life is crazy
candy baby

candy baby,
candy, candy

I am the passenger
And I ride and I ride
I ride through the city's backsides
I see the stars come out of the sky
Yeah, they're bright in a hollow sky
You know it looks so good tonight
I am the passenger
I stay under glass
I look through my window so bright
I see the stars come out tonight
I see the bright and hollow sky
Over the city's a rip in the sky
And everything looks good tonight
Singin' la la la la lalalala...
Get into the car
We'll be the passenger
We'll ride through the city tonight
We'll See the city's ripped backsides
We'll see the bright and hollow sky
We'll see the stars that shine so bright
The sky was made for us tonight
Oh the passenger
How how he rides
Oh the passenger
He rides and he rides
He looks through his window
What does he see?
He sees the stars and hollow sky
He see the stars come out tonight
He sees the city's ripped backsides
He sees the winding ocean drive
And everything was made for you and me
All of it was made for you and me
'cause it just belongs to you and me
So let's take a ride and see what's mine
Singing... la la la la lalalala...
Oh, the passenger
He rides and he rides
He sees things from under glass
He looks through his window's eye
He sees the things he knows are his
He sees the bright and hollow sky
He sees the city asleep at night
He sees the stars are out tonight
And all of it is yours and mine
And all of it is yours and mine
So let's ride and ride and ride and ride...
Singing... la la la la lalalala...

Insomnia...video 5

2011-02-10T07:30:00.001+08:00

Here's video 5... from my random selection that I am posting each day for a week.
The videos are being randomly chosen from a selection that move my spirit, trigger memory and or entertain me.
I hope there will be something in them for you too.

Deep in the bosom of the gentle night
Is when I search for the light
Pick up my pen and start to write
I struggle, fight dark forces
In the clear moon light
Without fear... insomnia
I can't get no sleep

I used to worry, thought I was goin' mad in a hurry
Gettin' stress, makin' excess mess in darkness
No electricity, something's all over me, greasy
Insomnia please release me and let me dream of
Makin' mad love to my girl on the heath
Tearin' off tights with my teeth
But there's no release, no peace
I toss and turn without cease
Like a curse, open my eyes and rise like yeast
At least a couple of weeks
Since I last slept, kept takin' sleepers
But now I keep myself pepped
Deeper still, that night I write by candle light
I find insight, fundamental movement, uh
So when it's black this insomniac take an original tack
Keep the beast in my nature under ceaseless attack
I gets no sleep
I can't get no sleep

I can't get no sleep
I can't get no sleep
I need to sleep, although I get no sleep
I need to sleep, although I get no sleep

We Are All Made Of Stars...video 4

2011-02-09T09:45:00.001+08:00

This week I am posting a video each day...
and some days I might post two. (today i'm posting two)
The videos are being randomly chosen from a selection that move my spirit, trigger memory and or entertain me.
I hope there will be something in them for you too.
Here's video 4....

This one is simply a visual feast... a time long gone....

Growing in numbers
Growing in speed
Can't fight the future
Can't fight what I see

People they come together
People they fall apart
No one can stop us now
'Cause we are all made of stars

Efforts of lovers
Left in my mind
I sing in the reaches
We'll see what we find

People they come together
People they fall apart
No one can stop us now
'Cause we are all made of stars

People they come together
People they fall apart
No one can stop us now
'Cause we are all made of stars

Slow slow slow, come come
Someone come come come
Even love is goin' 'round
You can't ignore what is goin' 'round

Slowly rebuilding
I feel it in me
Growing in numbers
Growing in peace

People they come together
People they fall apart
No one can stop us now
'Cause we are all made of stars

People they come together
People they fall apart
No one can stop us now
'Cause we are all made of stars

People they come together
(People they come together)
People they fall apart
(People they fall apart)
No one can stop us now
(No one can stop us now)
'Cause we are all made of stars
(We are all made of stars)

We are all made of stars
People they come together
We are all made of stars
(People they fall apart)
We are all made of stars
(No one can stop us now)
'Cause we are all made of stars
(We are all made of stars)

you need to get off facebook...Video 3

2011-02-08T07:45:00.003+08:00

This week I am posting a video each day...
and some days I might post two.
The videos are being randomly chosen from a selection that move my spirit, trigger memory and or entertain me.

I hope there will be something in them for you too.

Here's video 3... this video touched my heart. I like the approach this young man has used to get his message across.

Beautiful...video 2

2011-02-07T11:08:00.002+08:00

This week I intend to post a video each day... or maybe even twice in one day.
The videos are going to be randomly chosen from a selection that move my spirit, trigger memory and entertain me.
I hope there will be something in them for you too.

Come on girl
Come on baby
Come on girl

I love you baby
I love you now
I love you baby
I love you now

Look at us, we're beautiful
All the people push and pull but
Let's just go out and ride
Talk about the things we've tried

Look at us, we're beautiful
All the people push and pull but
They'll never get inside
We've got too much to hide

Come on baby
Come on girl
Come on baby
Come on girl

I love you baby
I love you now
I love you baby
I love you now

Look at us, we're beautiful
All the people push and pull but
Let's just go out and ride
Talk about the things we tried

Look at us, we're beautiful
All the people push and pull but
They'll never get inside
We got too much to hide

Look at us, we're beautiful
All the people push and pull but
Let's just go out and ride
Talk about the things we try

Look at us, we're beautiful
All the people push and pull but
They'll never get inside
We've got too much to hide

Look at us we're beautiful

Forever Young... video 1

2011-02-06T17:15:00.002+08:00

From the child in me to the child in you...
I hope you are having a beautiful life.

"Let's dance in style, let's dance for a while
Heaven can wait we're only watching the skies
Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst
Are you gonna drop the bomb or not

Let us die young or let us live forever
We don't have the power, but we never say never
Sitting in a sand-pit, life is a short trip
The music's for the sad men.

Can you imagine when this race is run
Turn our golden faces into the sun
Praising our leaders, we're getting in tune
The music's played by the mad men

Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever, forever?
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever, forever?

Some are like water, some are like the heat
Some are a melody, some are the beat
Sooner or later they all be gone
Why don't they stay young?

It's so hard to get old without a cause
I don't want to perish like a fading horse
Youth is like diamonds in the sun
and diamonds are forever

So many adventures couldn't happen today
So many songs that we forgot to play
So many dreams swinging out of the blue
We let them come true

Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever, forever?
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever, forever?

Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever, forever?

Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever, forever?"

It can all change in a day..

2011-02-01T09:00:00.003+08:00

Everything is changing all the time yet we often become attached to the way we believe things should be and resist change.

People who achieve their goals are flexible in their thinking. They are focused on their goal, but allow themselves to make mistakes along the way and learn from them.

Pretty much I believe we create our lives in our minds. Our beliefs generate what happens. What we focus on is the key to everything.

(I'm not talking about children who are under the guidance of adults)

We have little to no control over the way we think if we are living on autopilot.

We can take stock and become conscious of how and why we are arriving at certain ideas that in turn create our behaviour and our concepts of our world.

Living consciously allows us to live with less resistance and more flexibility.

I realise living consciously is a huge subject that I'm just waffling about in a couple of sentences.

I guess what I'm trying to convey is we need to live and breathe consciously what we want our world to be. That we are powerful beings capable of great change.

I don't really know why I began to write this.

I browsed the pictures of the beach I've posted below this morning and it triggered me thinking along these lines.

The beach photos were taken at the same beaches

on different days.

It's never the end... just a new beginning.....

Why do we need eco design?

2011-01-29T13:09:00.002+08:00

The mentality featured in the above image is one that prevails today.

We live in a society that consistently sells the false message... New is better!

Rarely do we repair (as things aren't designed for that) and more often than not we are encouraged to replace.

below are a few images of items waiting for verge collection or should I say ready for landfill

New is rarely eco designed for sustainability.

The below video 'Life Psycle-ology - the secret life of a little mobile', was created by The Secret Life of Things

Where is your old mobile phone?

Mine is sitting in a drawer :-(

We need
Sustainable Designs

Why do we need eco design? The video looks at the social and environmental issues that are driving the need for products to be designed in a environmentally and socially responsible way. The video was created by Leyla Acaroglu from Eco Innovators (Helping People See Environmental Impacts Better) and set to music by Monkey Marc.

Cartoon by Dilbert

Demand eco design for new products...

We vote when we purchase...

Let's vote for life...

Let's solve our eco destruction problems.

'So many of us define ourselves by what we have, what we wear, what kind of car we drive... If you think of yourself as the woman in the Cartier watch and the Hermes scarf, a house fire will destroy not only your possessions, but yourself.'

Linda Henley

and now if you want to feel good

below is a real feel good 2 minute video of a dog who regularly swims with a dolphin.

Rubbish Hotels~Rome/Madrid

2011-01-22T11:00:00.000+08:00

SAVE THE BEACH...

this is the message the artist

HA Schult's

is conveying with the

'Beach Garbage Hotels',

sponsored by Corona and said to be constructed from 12 tons of debris collected on European beaches.

The first Corona Save the Beach Hotel was installed in Rome in 2010...

and now in 2011 another has been constructed and installed in Madrid...

Everything new today

will be landfill tomorrow
or

wash up on a beach near you

Let's change our ways today

Little things can make a big difference...

2011-01-20T09:55:00.006+08:00

For whatever reason Australia is experiencing extreme flooding, the largest in its known history. As a result of this much help is needed to restore safety and general well being for all the occupants of these regions.

Volunteers are working hard to assist on ground level.

Beach Vintage are assisting volunteers in Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, with food and beverage supplies.
Please visit Beach Vintage to read further about what they are doing and how you may be able to help too.

also
Bimbimbie is assisting volunteers who are rescuing and caring for our wildlife and they could do with some extra hands to make pouches for the rescued animals.

Please visit with Bimbimbie for further instructions of how you may be able to help.

and

As you can imagine, climate change and all that goes with it is a hot topic for debate here at the moment.

In my travels on the topic of climate change, global warming, ecosytem destroyers, I came across this very entertaining animation, via Greenpeace, which is designed to apply pressure to FACEBOOK to UNFRIEND COAL.

From Greenpeace.....
Facebook can control where it builds its infrastructure; the power purchasing agreements it enters into; and how it uses its brand's power to advocate for strong policies that promote clean energy. Given all of the control Facebook does have, it can make a commitment to phase out coal and show the rest of the IT sector that it can be done...

At current growth rates data centers and telecommunication networks, the two key components of the cloud Facebook depends on, will consume about 1,963 billion kilowatts hours of electricity in 2020. That's more than triple their current consumption and more than the current electricity consumption of France, Germany, Canada and Brazil combined.

Watch it

and if you are a facebook user I hope you will take time to vote for facebook to unfriend coal.

Thank you

Kick the PLASTIC STATE OF MIND...

2011-01-19T10:00:00.001+08:00

This video is a fun and clever parody

with an important message for us all.

LYRICS
Shoulda brought your own bag
Yeah but you forgot it though
You were busy dreamin of ice cream and
all that cookie dough

Your life is wrapped in plastic
Convenience is your motto
But plastic addiction’s worse
than they want you to know

BP’s oil spill
Almost like we did it -
We use one million grocery-bags
every single minute

Recycling them’s a joke yo
That baggie don’t go anywhere
It turns to little pieces
and then it spreads over everywhere

Into your food supply
Into your blood supply
Not to mention birds and fish and
Cuties you don’t wanna die

Just look at baby Sammy
Dioxins in its milky way,
cuz even her breast milk it’s got
PCB and BPA

OK now you get it
How you gonna stop it though
Banning Single Use Plastic Bags
is the way to go!

Join other states and cities
Kick the nasty habit
Tell your representatives
Ban single-use bags made from

Chorus:
Plastic
Fossil product all your crap’s made of
There’s one thing we can do
Ban bags made of plastic
Skip the bag, the cup and spork dude
Convenience will kill you
Ban single use plastic toxic bags

Bridge:
Sustainably we go forth and save our cities
Bringing your own bag and forks and bottles should be easy
But corporations selling toxins bought the government
Stand together for yourself, your kids, the planet sayin’

Yeah, yeah,
Ban single-use bags made of

Chorus:
PLASTIC
Fossil product all your crap’s made of
There’s one thing we can do
Ban bags made of plastic

Bring your own don’t you forget dude
And let your reps know too
Ban single use plastic toxic bags!

Clever and beautiful...

2011-01-18T08:25:00.000+08:00

MUSIC PAINTING - Glocal Sound - Matteo Negrin

A gentle approach to Global Warming.

We are Ecosystem Destroyers

and we need to change our ways.

Who are we?

2011-01-16T09:30:00.001+08:00

Rosaria has written a thought provoking post on her blog, sixtyfivewhatnow, titled Who are we?
The we she is referring to are people who blog and follow others.

I like it that you often say what others are thinking Rosaria and
I like the wisdom of your years too. I admire you.

I feel that we are living in a time of 'communication'.... and we just happen to blog while others are using other means.
Some use games in which they can communicate directly with other players from around the world (these games became extremely popular once people were able to make connections with others as opposed to playing alone).
There are endless ways for us to connect with others (who we consider strangers)... without that being the initial intention.

There are more vehicles for, almost instant, communication in the world now than at any other time.
We may have gone indoors, but we are talking more than ever.

The common thread with blogging is connection.... some people expect it and for others it is a surprise. No matter what the initial intentions for creating a blog, the connection you make with others will influence your experience.

We are all much more alike than we are different. No matter what our age or our culture we only exist because of another.
To be yourself is only to be like others.

I know that I have often clicked the follow button on a new blog to offer encouragement.
I will also follow blogs I know that I will not visit regularly, but they are of interest to me and I would like to return.
To follow is to connect and what people will do with that opportunity is wide and varied.
Like everything here in blogland... there are no strict rules except the ones that we create for ourselves. The boundary is our imagination.

Who are we?
We are people using an online vehicle for communication and are hoping to be heard.

Here I am & just like you I will appear different on any given day.

You might like to join the conversation that is occurring at sixtyfivewhatnow

Crisis on my mind...

2011-01-13T11:26:00.000+08:00

These are not photos taken by me.

I am on the other side of Australia, safe and dry.

You can't live in Australia and not have this current event on your mind.

I found the below recent video and writings on youtube today. It clearly depicts some of the devastation caused by these floods. Unfortunately the images are accompanied by unnecessary background music, but I feel that the maker of this video is desperate for us to know of the suffering.

Just a minutes viewing will give you a clear indication of this immense natural disaster in Queensland and Northern NSW, Australia.

(the scale is equivalent to the size of France & Germany combined)

the below writings accompanied the above video featured on youtube

"Pictures of the cities affected from our floods in janurary 2011, this is my city where i live and some of these pictures i have taken myself. If possible please help and support us. Thank you.

Aprreciation goes out to all those heros, ses workers, police, authorities, volunteers, and all those who are helping there nieghbours, freinds, families and even strangers, well done brizzy.

Our floods have affeted 75% of our country thats over 1million square meters 1/4 of hurricane catrina to give you an idea of how bad it is for us.

In these pictures people have lost thier possessions, homes, businesses, and also thier lives family members freinds and workmates, our current death toll is at 13 with 47 people still missing.

Our flood this year 2011 has come very close to our bigger flood in the year 1974 and close to our worst historic flood in 1890, if we did not have our Wivonhoe Dam our whole city would almost be under water.

Feel free to leave comments of support and rate this video.

R.I.P to all those who have lost thier lives, our thoughts and prayers are with you and may we all help one another as we rebuild our state.

to donate this is the official Government website below
http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html

Are you from Queensland? if you would like to Vounteer please registar here: http://www.communityservices.qld.gov....

or

http://www.emergency.qld.gov.au/volunteers/opportunities.htm...

to registar click this link: https://volunteers.emergency.qld.gov.au/whalecom82daa35de3d868dc7e1f08981ba945f3aaa3d1ed7f7efd936c1f/whalecom0/."

......................................................

(sadly the death toll has risen since this video was created and there are many more unaccounted for)

Below are links to other bloggers in Australia who I know have also posted about the floods.

They offer another perspective and information that you may like to view. They are all safe and well.

Baino's Banter (Sydney NSW)

Bimbimbie (Queensland)

Sophie Munns (Queensland)

Be well

Lennox Head

2011-01-11T09:20:00.001+08:00

I was exactly where I wanted to be.

I was in Lennox Head with a much loved friend of 40 years.

When I'm in her company I become more aware of every age I have ever been.

Lennox Head is a beautiful small seaside town that sits between Byron Bay and Ballina in northern New South Wales. I've read that it has a permanent population around 1900 and can reach up to 3000 during the peak tourist season.

This time around I wasn't there to be a tourist, but I did manage to take a few pictures to share with you.

Quite a few of my photos were taken from a moving car.... this is my excuse for their quality.

It's lush, green and undulating with a sub-tropical climate as opposed to where I had flown from, where it is mostly flat, very dry and less than green.

It is so dry in Perth at present we are living with water restrictions and are being asked to save 60 litres per day from our usual water consumption.

It's so lush..... even the money plants flower.

I knitted this pole before leaving town.

Sorry no picture of that.

A local artist beautifying the street.

I managed a brief walk along the glorious wide beach with squeaking sand, but not a swim.

The weather didn't allow for it. On this particular day heavy rain chased us away.

Thank you my much loved friend for all the fun we shared. I love you.

There's more to come.....we left Lennox for the farm.