Just heard that Michael Leunig died yesterday.
I thought I’d have a look through some of his books that I have.
I didn’t realise I had so many!
While I might have disagreed with some of his more recent thoughts, I have always loved the gentle whimsy of ducks and teapots, as well as some of his social comments.
The above books are ones I have collected over at least three decades.
I shall make a cup of tea tomorrow, and refresh my memories…
My roses are blooming again!
Yay! 😀
This is one from the back garden – it really took me by surprise. The big rosebush in the back garden had to be cut right back, and we’re still not sure if it will be ok. This one is from the smaller bush behind the big one.
Yes, that is a grasshopper peeking out.
Not sure if I need to do something about that…
More frangipanis!
The rain has obviously been good for my flowers.
It’s also been wonderful for the weeds.
I look out at them and think I should pull them out.
…and then I go and do something else 😆
At least the roses at the front are thriving.
And taller than the weeds.
❤
I’ve been doing some more lino block cutting today, so my fingers/hands are aching.
At least I feel like I’m pretty much up to date 🙂
We went to the shops yesterday, got some stuff we needed, then tried to get home ahead of the storm that was racing in. We didn’t get soaked, but got home to find the water had leaked into the back sunroom (again) – and the power was off.
I was looking forward to the air conditioner and a cup of coffee 😦
Thankfully it wasn’t too hot.
We got the candles sorted, then sat down to wait.
Had a lovely time with Biggest Boy, who decided to ask us trivia questions until the power came back. We thought it wouldn’t be too long, and it came on again for a bit, but then was off again.
We ended up asking/answering trivia questions for a few hours or so.
It was so much fun!
❤
We’re well on our way to Christmas Day.
There are presents under the tree. Food in the fridge.
I’ve even been listening to Christmas CDs.
I’ve also been reading the Gospel of Luke. There are 24 chapters, so you can read one chapter each day up until Christmas Eve, and you have the whole story.
I feel happy, and things seem to be up to date, more or less.
Looking at my garden, though, reminds me that there are things I still need to take time to tend to, and a new year to keep in mind and prepare for.
Bring it on!
😀
Another hot day, although the sort of heat that sneaks up on you by ramping up the humidity.
Got some pressies wrapped and under the tree, and it feels like I’m getting a handle on things!
I tried to take a photo of the tree lights shining on and through the ornaments…my hands aren’t as steady as they used to be.
There are a lot of colourful, but blurry photos.
Looks like a mess from that angle.
It’s still beautiful from the front, and further away.
Parts of this year have felt like a mess.
But I think they might look more beautiful from the right angle.
And maybe further away!
Christmas is coming, and I’m getting ready.
Still a good idea to stop and remember where my centre is.
🙂
My last post was a bit gloomy, I think…
Mostly because it was late, and I was tired, and everything looked a bit bigger than it should be – a feeling that nothing was quite right, and how could I fix it?
I knew it was likely to look better in the morning.
Some days, you just have to understand the “bleh” is temporary, and do the thing anyway.
So – that assessment is finished and submitted.
Yay! 😀
And for a dose of Christmas “cheer” –
Another “not my favourite but I like it when Home Free does it” song… 🙂
Don’t mind me.
I’m just procrastinating.
Again.
I realise, of course, that everything would be easier if I just jumped in and did it…
My assessment is due tomorrow, and my brain doesn’t want to formulate the sentences needed to complete it. Despite this, I still need to think up those sentences, put them in the document, and send them off.
Time is ticking away…
The prac work is done, although I can still look and see problems. The reality never really matches what I see in my head, and I have to stop myself overdoing it and making it all into a muddy mess.
The images are already uploaded to the assessment.
Therefore – they are done. 😆
Behold – a (final) pear.
I still like the pear.
And still couldn’t mix a bright enough purple for the background.
Here are bottles, mixed with light.
I’ll probably answer a few more questions.
Or watch a couple more YouTube videos.
The morning will be brighter!
🙂
Another day of rain.
Another day of painting.
In other words – a good day!
🙂
We didn’t have any problems with flooding (yay!) and everything was nice and cool. Makes it easier to cogitate about paint and its application…
I noticed my bedside lamp was having a bit of a holiday outside today.
At least, its reflection was.
And I spent a large chunk of the day in my art room.
My paintings are probably ok to submit.
I’m just not quite happy with them. I’ll look at them again tomorrow.
At this stage, I still think there’s a bit more to do, but I also need to know when to stop. Too heavy a hand can make everything look a bit muddy and drab.
I’ll get back to my colourful habitat tomorrow,
and look with fresh eyes.
😀
Petals.
Life.
Both, really.
It’s been a busy few days.
I’ve been trying to get Christmas stuff sorted, but the days have been hot, and the town has been bustling. Frustrating. Crowded.
Did I mention hot?
Despite this, I have been feeling pretty good 🙂
I even made it to an exhibition opening this afternoon.
I took some photos of random flowers.
I even got some Christmas stuff!
This is not my favourite Christmas song…
But this rendition of it is fun.
Although perhaps slightly worrying…
One, anyway…
I jumped in to the next stage of my pear-trait today. It went ok, although the background needs work.
I’ll have to wait for this to dry and then work on it a bit more.
I find I have to talk myself into starting each stage – it’s something I don’t really know how to do, even though I enjoy it when I actually start painting. A lot of my preliminary work is working out in my head how to do each bit.
As I’m not used to oil paint, I’m finding it hard to plan around drying times. I hadn’t realised that moisture in the air slows down the drying, and we’ve had a bit more rain recently than the canvas could cope with!
I think I’m getting the hang of it now 🙂
In the in-between times, I’ve been fitting in other things I need or want to do.
One of those things today was putting the Christmas tree up, and organising my other Christmas bits and pieces.
My gnomes have emerged for another Christmas.
Tree’s up.
Yay!
My beautiful angel 🙂
She has stood on top of my Christmas tree for 31 years now.
And will for many more.
❤
Been a bit wet today.
We braved the deluge to get our fruit and veg, and got soaked doing it.
Otherwise, it’s been a lovely day.
The rain is still pouring through the gaps in our guttering, and the resultant waterfall is digging out some sort of pipe in our yard.
No leaks inside the house, though – this type of rain isn’t driving enough.
But I’ve been keeping an eye on the flood cameras.
Although I’ve taken a lot of rain photos lately, they’re a bit boring.
Here are some rain songs!
Have you seen it?
Thirty years ago – maybe even twenty – I would have been dancing in the rain.
These days, I’m a bit less adventurous.
Whether dancing, or huddled under a tree –
I hope the rain is falling softly and gently on you.
❤
a bit of creativity, a bit of eco consciousness, a bit of inspiration.... hopefully not a lot of pompousness and blathering :D
i'm not entirely sure what's going on here... let's travel along and see...
1000 Fields of Roses 