eclectique

Exit Stage Left....

2011-11-14T10:48:00.001+11:00

White Heron visiting yesterday afternoon

Exit Stage Left

Noun: An orderly and uneventful departure,

timed so as not to detract or distract.

Verb: To exit or disappear in a quiet, non-dramatic fashion,

making way for more interesting events.

Etymology: From the direction in theatrical scripts:

"Exit stage left", thus marking the

disappearance of a character from the stage

in the normal manner.

I've enjoyed my three years of blogging but times change, people change and I'm enjoying reading and studying more than the time-consuming creative process (I'll still have to keep my hand in with my husband's website, though!). Following Michael's recent health scare and surgery, we'll be making the effort to spend more time outdoors and exercising; we spend too much time sitting at our computers!

Thank you to those who have stayed along the way; I've made some wonderful blog friends, will still be reading your lovely posts and, if you ever want a chat, I'd be so happy to hear from you via email. Wishing you all much happiness.

Love,

My Morning...

2011-11-11T14:52:00.001+11:00

Inspired by Delwyn's "Silence"

and Wanda's "Deep Into Fall"

yesterday morning, I wandered around my garden

in my 'jammies' capturing nature at the best part of the day.

And, as sun broke through the mist,

revealing the perfect azure sky,

Kookaburra wasn't fazed by my presence

and Charlie, our favourite Cockatoo

was keeping a beady eye on me,

following my every move!

Remembrance Day 11.11.11

2011-11-11T08:47:00.001+11:00

Lest We Forget

I've got a touch of Stendhal syndrome!

2011-11-09T07:10:00.000+11:00

View of Florence at sunset

What is it with me that whenever I watch a documentary of Italy, I weep? We have visited twice and have been to a handful of the large cities, including Florence above, and, when there, I'm almost always on the verge of tears!

I read about "Stendhal syndrome" a few years back, an illness given this name back in 1979 and named after French author Henri-Marie Beyle. Stendhal was one of his many pseudonyms.

Bridges over the Arno River, Florence

The following from Wikipedia:

"Stendhal syndrome, Stendhal's syndrome, hyperkulturemia, or Florence syndrome is a psychosomatic illness that causes rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, confusion and even hallucinations when an individual is exposed to art, usually when the art is particularly beautiful or a large amount of art is in a single place. The term can also be used to describe a similar reaction to a surfeit of choice in other circumstances, e.g. when confronted with immense beauty in the natural world.

The illness is named after the famous 19th-century French author Stendhal, (pseudonym of Henri-Marie Beyle), who described his experience with the phenomenon during his 1817 visit to Florence in his book Naples and Florence: A Journey from Milan to Reggio.

Although there are many descriptions of people becoming dizzy and fainting while taking in Florentine art, especially at the Uffizi, dating from the early 19th century on, the syndrome was only named in 1979, when it was described by Italian psychiatrist Graziella Magherini, who observed and described more than 100 similar cases among tourists and visitors in Florence."

Head of a Capri Girl

John Singer Sargent, 1878

Italian Summer

The rose stood out

Red against the golden wall

The sun comes up through the silken drapes

The room begins to glow

All in cream-colored ivories and soft yellows

You say hello

Put down that guitar and handed me a rose

At the end of the Italian Summer

It rains fast and it rains hard

The wind blows through you

It tears you apart

Ooh it's so romantic

Hey it's so soulful

The rain falls down

And the thunder rolls

The sun fades out

And the mountains grow tall

The mists rush in and they take it all

From the islands you see Li Galli and Capri

I remember it all

Love was everywhere

You just had to fall

Stevie Nicks

View of Capri, 1845

Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky

Li Galli - The Roosters

Li Galli is an archipelago of islands off the Amalfi Coast,

the three main ones being Gallo Lungo, La Castellucia and La Rotonda.

In the late 1960s Rudolph Nureyev bought Gallo Lungo for 3 billion Italian lira and resided in the villa built in the 1930s by Russian choreographer and dancer Leonide Massine. Nureyev lived there for 26 years until his death.

We love Italy and are planning another trip in 2012, ending with a train trip to Paris, where I'll probably experience Paris syndrome, apparently the French equivalent of Stendhal syndrome!

"Something happens in Italy:

people cross into

new emotional fields."

Lisa St Aubin de Téran

The Partner?

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

Partner or Chic?

Long, white neck and black feathers

The white-faced grey

taking off when I spooked it

A New Visitor...

2011-11-05T09:13:00.000+11:00

White-faced Heron - Egretta novaehollandiae

We heard a constant knocking and found this huge bird on the windowsill but spooked it before we could grab the camera. Over the last few days it's got gamer, coming closer and closer, until this morning it came right up to the back door and knocked! Then it jumped up onto the table, had a walk around and propped!

We think it likes this place and has probably built a nest with its partner. It's said that when breeding the birds have long feathers (nuptial plumes) on the head, neck and back, which this one has.

More information: Birds in Backyards

Melbourne Cup Fashions...

2011-11-02T15:22:00.001+11:00

The Melbourne Cup (thoroughbred horse race) has been a major event in Victoria since 1861. The winner of yesterday's main race for the Cup was Dunaden, a French horse.

Fashions on the Field has been an event open to anybody since 1962 and has been sponsored by one of our large department stores, Myer, for many years.

The Judges

Darling Audrey; style, class personified!

Love this hat; beautiful girl, really sells it!

Gorgeous!

And the winner was

a girl from Geelong in Victoria,

currently living in Paris -

she certainly brought

some French chic

to the contest.

What's with that hemline, though?

Pics: heraldsun.com.au

Bedraggled....

2011-10-29T11:02:00.001+11:00

Ma, what is this stuff that sticks all my feathers together?

Galah chick on left

Crest feathers will turn white later on

Cockatoos and Corellas

enjoying some much-needed rain

Fox on the run...

2011-10-22T07:31:00.001+11:00

I've just found these shots on my camera, taken back in July.

A fox coming so close to the house at 9am in the morning;

it must have been hungry

and knew there'd be left-over doggy bones on the grass.

In great condition

but, on closer inspection,

it had a badly damaged and bleeding front paw.

Seconds later it was gone.

The Indomitable Soul...

2011-10-16T07:26:00.000+11:00

Although long lives the tortoise wise,

In the end he cannot but die.

The dragon in the mist may rise

But in the dust he too shall lie.

Although the stabled steed is old,

He dreams to run a thousand li.

In life's December heroes bold

Indomitable still will be.

It is not up to Heaven alone

To lengthen or shorten our days.

Let's cultivate our minds and live on

Through long years, if we know the ways.

How happy I feel at this thought!

I croon this poem as I ought.

Cao Cao

Spillway gates open after 15 years.....

2011-10-13T15:40:00.000+11:00

Image: Allan, LakeEildon.com

Yesterday the spillway gates at Lake Eildon opened for the first time in 15 years. The gates operating system has been upgraded since they were last used in 1996 and were being tested with the lake capacity at 99.21%.

Image: Allan, LakeEildon.com

A Goulburn-Murray Water spokesman said that 150 megalitres were released, or about the equivalent of 60 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Image: Allan, LakeEildon.com

They opened each one of the gates separately to about 600 millimetres and then closed them. It takes about two minutes to open a gate and two minutes to close again.

Top of Spillway, Pondages in distance

Image: Alaine

The water will stay in the holding pondages and will not affect the Goulburn River below Eildon or the communities downstream, which is comforting to know as we live 2 kilometres downstream in the valley!

Pondages - Image: Alaine

View from Mt. Pininger - Image: Alaine

The lake has not been this high for 15 years; shortly after 1996 we went into drought for 13 years and at one time the lake level dropped to 8%, uncovering a lot of the old farms and delivering up treasures lost when the valley was flooded in the 1950s to create the weir for irrigation and recreational activities. Even at 8%, there was enough water for the houseboats, boating, skiing and fishing.

From Mt. Pininger - Image: Alaine, this afternoon

The lake being at this capacity augurs well for the coming summer months; a boost to tourism and a welcome change for many businesses that have found it tough during the dry times. True to the old adage; "Just add water"!

This horrified me!

2011-10-05T15:43:00.000+11:00

This month's edition of RoyalAuto (Royal Automobile Club of Victoria's magazine) referred back to this piece in their 'The Radiator' magazine of 1936.

"There has been some controversy whether owners of large dogs are humane when they subject them to risks by carrying them on running boards. If the dogs are tethered, they may be thrown off by a sudden swerve and strangled. If they are untethered, they may be dashed on to the roadway, thus suffering injury or constituting a danger to other drivers.

"The illustration herewith from Popular Mechanics (Chicago) shows a simple device. A sack made of canvas is clamped to the running board. A hole is made large enough for the dog's head to protrude. The hooks should be covered with a rubber to prevent damage to the enamel."

"Bird-dog's Palace" - Ha!

This fella thinks the step-plate is a doggy seat!

At the end of the journey

some exercise on the treadmill!

Or a quiet game of chess!

"When Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil"

2011-09-29T08:48:00.001+10:00

The first rose - Gold Bunny

Freesias

Camellia

The inseparable pigeon pair

Meyer lemon

making Lemon Drizzle Cake

a treat for hubby

only one slice a day!!

Orange Blossom

More Azaleas

Delicate Hellebore

Post title quote: Bishop Reginald Heber 1783-1826

Enjoy some Chopin while you browse...

2011-09-25T13:59:00.000+10:00

Chopin is my saviour...

Taj's beach visit; Hubby recovering....

2011-09-19T11:56:00.002+10:00

Tajma Hall

Husband Michael has been in hospital the past two weeks and had his bypass last Thursday - a quintuple!! The hospital is 2 1/2 hours from our home in the country and the turn-around trip is quite exhausting. Our friends, Rick and Mani, kindly invited Taj and I to stay over. While I visited Mike, Rick and the little girls, Amber, Lauren and Bianca took Taj for a walk to the beach and the park.

He loved the waves!

Yawn! I'm pooped!!

I'm happy to say that Mike is doing well; he told me that "the dreaded Physio" was coming this morning to get him on his feet. It will be a long haul but I'm sure he will feel great down the track and get back into his flyfishing.

Beautifully dressed or tarty?

2011-09-15T17:37:00.001+10:00

Got your attention? Nothing to do with clothes. One blogger described my humour as 'droll'; well, probably.

I haven't bought Mayonnaise since last summer. I found this recipe online but I'm afraid I've forgotten where, so my apologies to the person who thought it up and thank you!

Ingredients
2 egg yolks
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground mustard
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 cup canola or vegetable oil
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, or lime

Method
Place the first 5 ingredients into blender and blend on low speed for 2 minutes.

Still on low speed, gradually drizzle in half a cup of oil, add lemon juice and slowly add the remainder of the oil.

Notes
Depending on the vinegar used, you can get a different taste. I'm currently using White Balsamic Vinegar and love the taste.

I once made it up, did the taste test at the end and it was really tarty. I realised that I had left the salt out! That tiny bit of salt really takes the edge off.

I make a very tasty Coleslaw by adding a few dollops of this and a few sloshes of Caesar.

Beautiful, creamy Mayo!

Tartare Sauce

Make the basic recipe above and add 1 tbsp chopped capers and 2 tbsp chopped gherkins. Optional extras are 1 tbsp flat leaf parsley and 2 tsp grated lemon rind.

The end result is a delicious tartare sauce to have plate-side with fish or spread on wafers under tomato and spring onion for lunch.

The Warm Breezes of Spring...

2011-09-01T13:28:00.000+10:00

"A girl without a friend is like the spring without roses." ~ French Proverb

"In springtime, love is carried on the breeze.

Watch out for flying passion or kisses

whizzing by your head." ~ Emma Racine de Fleur

"Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!' ~ Robin Williams

"Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear

that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments,

not the composer" ~ Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

"Spring has returned. The Earth is

like a child that knows poems." ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

"There is no winter without snow,

no spring without sunshine,

and no happiness without companions." ~ Korean Proverb

American Author visits Ballarat in 1891

2011-08-20T19:53:00.000+10:00

In 1891 Mark Twain stepped onto the platform of Ballarat's grand

railway station where he penned

his timeless prose about Ballarat

and its newfound wealth.

"Forty-five years ago the site now occupied by the

City of Ballarat was a sylvan solitude as quiet as

Eden and as lovely. Nobody had ever heard of it.

On the 25th of August, 1851, the first great gold-

strike made in Australia was made here. The

wandering prospectors who made it scraped up two pounds and a half of gold the first day - worth £600. A few days later the place was a hive-a town. The news of the strike spread everywhere in a sort of instantaneous way - spread like a flash to the very ends of the earth. A celebrity so prompt and so universal has hardly been paralleled in history, perhaps. It was as if the name BALLARAT had suddenly been written on the sky, where all the world could read it at once."

From 'Following the Equator'

by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)

The fact that, during the 19th century, one of the world's most influential writers and one of its best-known singers, Dame Nellie Melba, were both drawn to Ballarat, is testament to the town's cultural heritage.

Dame Nellie Melba

With its wide boulevard planted with elm trees and lines with grand statues, you'll see evidence everywhere of Ballarat's spectacular rise from humble mining settlement to wealthy city.

Explore Ballarat today and you'll discover that history isn't confined to dusty old books and stuffy museums. In Ballarat, there is a living and breathing history. A history immersed in stories of romance and mystery. A history steeped in legendary tales of tragedy and triumph. A history you can be part of every day.

Ballarat's Avenue of Honour

I'll be like a kid in a lolly shop when we move to Ballarat!

Source: BALLARAT, Victoria's Goldfields, Official Visitor Guide

P.S. "Ballarat" came from "Balla" and "Arat", derived from Aboriginal words meaning elbow or reclining on the elbow (resting or camping) and place.

The Last Month of Winter

2011-08-07T07:47:00.001+10:00

Yesterday morning, through the window

(I haven't washed the outside yet!)

Well, we're gradually getting there; still have some more sifting, sorting and tossing 'treasures' accumulated and sitting idle in the shed and barn. The house is sparkling; I've been filling, sanding, undercoating and painting, particularly in the laundry where a little puppy chewed his way up the architrave and made a real mess of the door eight years ago! I should have taken before photos!

Afternoon

It's rather wet and chilly again today, so I'll have to wait for a couple of nice days to paint the doorsteps. Only 25 more days of Winter and then we'll put the house on the market. Very soon we're spending a few days at BALLARAT, to have a look around. Of course, we can't go house hunting until we have a buyer here.

The Manchurian Pears are 'popping'

The past month has flown; mainly because I've been busy but three weeks of that was taken up with watching Le Tour de France and the fantastic end result, our very own Cadel Evans winning it!! It's the first time we've watched it in entirety and we now know so much more about road cycling events; the terminology, the tactics and, of course, we've seen so much of that extraordinarily beautiful country and the commentators came across with the history of each town, chateau and église. It will be something to look forward to from now on.

Another result I'm really thrilled about is that 14yo Jack Vidgen won Australia's Got Talent last week!! I wrote about Jack here. The first prize was $A250,000 and he has a contract with Sony but, this is not America, he only has his Mum and his invalid Father, so I hope that the industry gets behind him. Personally, I also hope that he furthers his studies!!

"♪And a Cocky in a Desert Ash♫"

Thank you, everyone, for dropping in and leaving a comment and I apologise if I haven't replied. I most probably won't post for another month. Actually, as much as I love blogging, I'm feeling quite liberated and might stick to this precept!

Not a care in the World!

2011-07-03T17:08:00.000+10:00

Taj and 'Charlie' this afternoon

just hanging around!

Well, they don't have to prepare a house for sale!

I'll be taking a break for a while; most of the de-cluttering has been done but the garden awaits! Not much needs to be done out there; a few weeds pulled and mulching, we've done all the hard work with the pruning. But, then there's the barn and the huge shed....

We love you too....

2011-06-21T20:39:00.000+10:00

Come the light of day...

2011-06-18T19:19:00.000+10:00

When in the fresh mornings I go into

my garden before anyone is awake,

I go for the time being into perfect happiness.

~ Cecilia Thaxter

You can only come to the morning through the shadows

~ J.R.R. Tolkien

I'll tell you how the sun rose a ribbon at a time

~ Emily Dickinson

Through the blackest night,

morning gently tiptoes,

feeling its way to dawn

~ Robert Brault

The sun is but a morning star

~ Henry David Thoreau

Whether I retire to bed early or late,

I rise with the sun

~ Thomas Jefferson

The day shall not be up so soon as I,

to try the fair adventure of tomorrow

~ William Shakespeare

Lose an hour in the morning

and you will be all day hunting for it

~ Richard Whately

Next to temperance, a quiet conscience, a cheerful mind and active habits,

I place early rising as a means of health and happiness

~ Flint

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege

it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love

~ Marcus Aurelius

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you -

Don't go back to sleep...

~ Rumi

Old gold and facades....

2011-06-10T20:21:00.000+10:00

'Gold Diggings' Ararat - Edward Roper 1858

When on holiday in April we visited the old gold rush city of Ararat in south-western Victoria. I loved the feel of the place and took several photos of the old buildings. Our friends with us that day also loved it and are presently negotiating to buy an old mansion built in 1903.

Gold was discovered at Ararat in 1857, turning it into a gold rush boomtown. It was officially declared a city in 1950 but the population has steadily declined. Ararat got its name after Mount Ararat, 10km south-west, which was named by Horatio Wills in 1841. Wills, a pastoralist and politician, was one of Ararat's first settlers.

Barkly Street looking towards The Grampians

Image: John O'Neill

Upper Barkly Street in 1894

The Fire Brigade tower, since demolished, is the tall building in the distance,

The E.S.&A. (English, Scottish and Australian) Bank

and the drapery store are on the right.

Former Town Hall, now the Regional Ararat Art Gallery

and Ararat Performing Arts Centre

Deliverance...

2011-06-04T08:53:00.000+10:00

"When I am attacked by gloomy thoughts, nothing helps me so much as running to my books. They quickly absorb me and banish the clouds from my mind."

Michel de Montaigne (Les Essais)

One White Tree....

2011-06-01T10:43:00.000+10:00

One White Tree

Tall ships and tall kings

Three times three.

What brought they from the foundered land

Over the flowing sea?

Seven stars and seven stones

And one white tree.

J.R.R. Tolkien

Image: Me

Melody Gardot - I love this voice....

2011-05-27T21:23:00.000+10:00

Three days ago Mike and I were sitting

in a seafood restaurant in Launceston Tasmania,

the sun beaming through the windows onto our corner table

facing the water, boats drifting slowly by,

two flies fighting on the window pane,

the background music not at all imposing,

until I heard this voice,

which made the ambiance even more magic.

I asked the waitress who it was singing

and she kindly sourced it for me.

Do you likee?

A few days away...

2011-05-22T07:47:00.000+10:00

"The Balconies" Grampians National Park

Image: Grampians Tourism

Last month we hit the road for a ten day holiday at Lake Fyans in the beautiful Grampians National Park, in the western district of Victoria. Unfortunately we didn't get to see The Balconies or any of the lookouts, waterfalls and touristy places as the area suffered major landslip in January after a huge storm swept through, causing damage to walking tracks and roads. Boulders as tall as a house smashed through roads. However, we did visit Hall's Gap and got as far as Lake Bellfield by road.

The Grampians feature a striking series of sandstone mountain ranges. The ranges were named in 1836 by Surveyor General of New South Wales Sir Thomas Mitchell after the Grampian Mountains in his native Scotland, but are also known by the name Gariwerd, from one of the local Australian Aboriginal languages, either the Jardwadjali or Djab Wurrung language. Wikipedia

Our friends' touring home

with boat up ahead

The little 2-bedroom cabin we stayed in

View from cabin

Grampians in distance

Mike in his pontoon boat

Flower on the foreshore
haven't found what it is

Hall's Gap shops

- all were flooded 3 months earlier

and the picnic area washed away

View from Lake Bellfield wall

Still fishing...

Tomorrow we're heading off 'overseas' again; actually it's a bit of a joke here in Australia, we say 'OS' when flying to Tasmania, which is a little less than an hour away over Bass Strait. We'll only be away four days; hope the weather is kind, it's a lot colder over there. I'll bring home photos.

A Dream for Winter....

2011-05-18T20:42:00.000+10:00

In the winter, we shall travel in a little pink railway carriage

With blue cushions.

We shall be comfortable. A nest of mad kisses lies in wait

In each soft corner.

You will close your eyes, so as not to see, through the glass,

The evening shadows pulling faces.

Those snarling monsters, a population

Of black devils and black wolves.

Then you'll feel your cheek scratched...

A little kiss, like a crazy spider,

Will run round your neck...

And you'll say to me: "Find it!" bending your head

- And we'll take a long time to find that creature

- Which travels a lot...

Arthur Rimbaud

In a railway carriage, October 7th 1870

As translated by Oliver Bernard:

Arthur Rimbaud, Collected Poems (1962)

Jack's got it!!

2011-05-16T11:04:00.000+10:00

This young fellow is going places; he appeared on Australia's Got Talent two weeks ago, receiving a standing ovation. Since then his life has been one constant round of TV and radio interviews. It's worth a look.

Planets align over Australian skies....

2011-05-14T09:54:00.000+10:00

Planets align in the North Eastern skies

looking from Sydney's Western suburbs

Pic: Bill Hearne

The alignment of the four planets, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter, happens only once every 50-100 years and very rarely on Friday 13th. The visual treat was visible just above the horizon around sunrise.

Professor Fred Watson, astronomer-in-charge of the Anglo-Australian Observatory in NSW, said, "Venus is the brightest of all the planets and stunningly bright at the moment. Jupiter (will be) right next to it Friday morning, about half a degree away. Then the other planets, Mercury and Mars, are sort of in accompaniment - Mercury's nearer than Mars is and Mars is the one that is nearest to the horizon at the moment. That's four of the five naked-eye planets all in a fairly close-knit community in the early morning sky. What's special about this one is that they've come together in such a tight grouping."

Astrologer Douglas Parker believes the alignment has the power to influence behaviour and emotions down on Earth. He says his horoscope chart shows the four planets are actually very close to each other for about a week. "Jupiter and Venus together indicates people born around this time will have film-star mannerisms, be extremely popular and have considerable artistic ability," he said.

And, he says, it gets better. "Venus and Mars together in the sky indicates people born around this time will have a strong sexual magnetism and a strongly sensual nature," he said.

But Professor Watson says the alignment of the planets has no impact on human behaviour. "The whole science community, not just astronomy, tells us that the planets have no direct influence on anything that goes on here on Earth," he said. "The gravitational attraction of the planets, which is the only thing that could make any difference, is far too small to have any effect, unlike the moon which is a small object relatively nearby that does have an effect - it raises tides.

"The ancient tradition of trying to say that planets influence people will take great notice of the alignment of the planets, but from an astronomical and scientific point of view, and might I say from a reasonable point of view, they have no impact whatsoever."

I'm more inclined to believe Professor Watson.

Source: ABC News and The Daily Telegraph

'Somewhere' was here this afternoon....

2011-05-11T19:51:00.000+10:00

4:30pm this afternoon

from the office window

it has been a bitterly cold day;

I should wear the camera

around my neck

as I missed the wind squall

which sent coloured leaves flying

~ from the kitchen window ~

it is the coldest start to May for 10 years

another rainbow at 5pm

we might have snow in the morning

'troubles melt like lemon drops'
when you stand and take this in

Auroras....

2011-05-09T08:03:00.000+10:00

Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis

Prophet

When snow falls thick

among bare aspens,

I will wade down into

this vale and begin

to make my soul.

When midnight dawns

frozen with no moon

to silver the night,

I will begin with words

made visible, frozen

words rising on no

wind among the black

blind eyes of bare aspen,

rising into midnight

sky with none to hear

except sleeping ravens,

and the world will grow

rife with strange green fire.

Derick Burleson

Southern Lights - Aurora Australis

Borealis can be seen in Alaska, Canada and Scandinavia; Australis in Antactica, the southern tip of South America and Australia.

My son and his wife are currently on a boat somewhere visiting China, South Korea, Russia, Alaska and Canada, flying home via New Zealand at the end of the month. It made me think of the Northern Lights and my hope that he experiences the display whilst there.

Happy Mother's Day!!

2011-05-08T18:25:00.000+10:00

To hear your voice

To watch you smile

To sit with you

and talk awhile

To stroll with you

among your trees

To pick a flower

or pull some weeds

To laugh with you

To hear your ideas

To hold your hand

and calm my fears

All the moments

we have shared together

will live in my heart

forever and ever.

Author unknown

Myrtle Mary Broussard c.1934

Myrtle Mary Hewish (nee Broussard) 1975

20/1/1909 - 29/11/1987

Love you, miss you so much.

Art: 1. Bouquet of Flowers

Jan van Huysum 1724

2. Henry Alexander Bowler

Italian-style Chicken Stew...Take Two...

2011-05-07T13:38:00.001+10:00

There has been a chill in the air today, so I thought a hearty chicken stew would warm the cockles tonight. I posted this recipe back in June 2009. So, for those in the Southern Hemisphere, here it is again.

For those in the Northern climes, very soon I'll post a fantastic Mayonnaise recipe...I found it online, can't remember where now but it is super; I make it weekly and I'm sure we'll be using it all year around.

*****

We had this the other night. The above photo is a bit yucky-looking (before it went into the oven) but it was so yum. We had steamed cauliflower and zucchini with it, which gave a bit of crunch.

I know, a Winter dish and most of you are into Summer but make a note - highly recommended for a cold day.

ITALIAN-STYLE CHICKEN STEW WITH TOMATOES AND OLIVES
2.5kg chicken, cut into 12 pieces
3 tbsp plain flour
2 tsp sea salt (I only sprinkled S & P)
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 onions
6 garlic cloves, peeled but left whole
4 sprigs fresh rosemary, bruised
1 cup dry white wine
400g can chopped tomatoes
1 1/2 cup chicken stock
6 anchovy fillets, chopped
3/4 cup pitted black olives
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1. Preheat oven to 200C (180C fan-forced). Place chicken in bowl. Add flour, salt and pepper and toss well to coat chicken.
2. Heat oil in flameproof casserole on stove and fry half the chicken pieces for 5 to 6 minutes until browned. Remove from pan with slotted spoon. Repeat with remaining chicken pieces.
3. Add onion, garlic and rosemary to casserole and fry for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. Return chicken to pan, add wine and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Add tomatoes, stock, anchovies and olives and bring to boil. Cover with tight fitting lid and transfer to oven. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove lid and cook for further 15 minutes until chicken is cooked and sauce thickened. Scatter over parsley and serve with grilled cheesy polenta triangles.

I haven't made the Polenta triangles yet but will do them one day soon. DMJ bought home a Slow Cooker last night. Have yet to read the book and might give it a go tomorrow.

Blogged out...

2011-05-01T06:59:00.000+10:00

Besides the noble art of getting things done,

there is a nobler art of leaving things undone.

The wisdom of life consists in

the elimination of nonessentials.

Lin Yutang

only for a wee while.....

Kiss me Kate...

2011-04-29T23:46:00.000+10:00

Photos: Melbourne Herald Sun

More Bush Creatures....

2011-04-28T19:35:00.000+10:00

an Echidna started burrowing in

when it heard the car

wild Emus

Emu and Kangaroos

can you see the Quail?

so cleverly camouflaged

Roos grazing

all in the Grampians National Park

Western District, Victoria

Hello Possums!

2011-04-26T06:29:00.000+10:00

I heard Dame Edna Everage's catch-phrase many times - "Hello Possums!"

A couple of weeks ago we spent ten days in the Western district of Victoria, at Lake Fyans, in the Grampians National Park. The first night we were there, we were sitting on the cabin verandah when suddenly, down scampered a little possum. It ran along the railing and sniffed at our table. I didn't have an apple but ran in and brought out a few slices of grain bread. It immediately latched on to my hand and started nibbling and I snapped it with my other hand!

The Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula, from the Greek for "furry tailed"

and the Latin for "little fox", also known as Phalangista vulpina),

is a nocturnal, semi-arboreal marsupial of the family Phalangeridae;

it is native to Australia and the largest of the possums.

Source: Wikipedia

The next night we had a barbecue at our friends' camp

and were delighted with the company of two more mates.

And, so it went on every night we were there!

They rummaged in our Esky, trying to open the bag of dirty plates!

After a tummy full of scraps and apple, they retired for the night

and we were left alone

to enjoy our portable camp fire.

Dame Edna Everage

Grampians National Park

For the Fallen - Our Anzacs...

2011-04-25T17:53:00.001+10:00

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

On this day, Anzac Day, we remember the soldiers of Australia and New Zealand, who fought for their country in WW1. The fourth stanza of Laurence Binyon's poem, "For the Fallen", above, is read at 6pm every night in our Returned and Services Leagues clubs, followed by a minute's silence.

We will remember them.

Further reading here.

Happy Easter...

2011-04-22T08:18:00.000+10:00

Happy Easter!

Hope the Easter Bunny

makes it to your house!

(It's already tomorrow in Australia!)

Another view from the treadmill...a bit of trivia...

2011-04-20T09:44:00.000+10:00

To Celia...

2011-04-16T20:19:00.000+10:00

When I came across the above image, I immediately thought of the song, "Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes", then found that it was a poem by Ben Jonson, "Song: To Celia" set to an existing tune of the time and later, in 1790, a composition by J.W. Callcott, the tune we know today.

To Celia
A romance poem rendered in English by Ben Jonson
From a Love Letter by Philostratus of Athens or Philostratus of Lemnos
Jonson published the poem in 1616

Drink to me only with thine eyes,

And I will pledge with mine;

Or leave a kiss within the cup,

And I'll not ask for wine.

The thirst that from the soul doth rise,

Doth crave a drink divine,

But might I of Jove's nectar sup,

I would not change for thine.

I sent thee late a rosy wreath,

Not so much honoring thee

As giving it a hope that there

It could not withered be;

But thou thereon didst only breathe

And sent'st back to me,

Since when it grows and smells, I swear,

Not of itself, but thee.

"To Celia" is one of the most frequently quoted poems in English literature. Undoubtedly, most literate persons are familiar with the opening line, "Drink to me only with thine eyes." Indeed, many people think of that line as the title of the poem. Ben Jonson (1572-1637), a celebrated playwright and poet of the Shakespearean age, often receives full credit for composing those words, as well as the lines in the rest of the poem; instead, he should receive credit for translating or paraphrasing them. It was a Greek named Philostratus who originated the words in his own language. But which Philostratus? Scholars identify two writers of this name as candidates for authorship. The first was Lucius Flavius Philostratus (170 to 245-8? AD), a Greek writer sometimes called Philostratus the Athenian. He long received credit for penning the lines in his love letters until some scholars credited his relative, Philostratus of Lemnos (born 190AD), as the likely author. The authorship question has not been resolved.

Source: cummings study guides
Further reading here

Art: George W. Joy 1844-1925

This Morning...

2011-04-03T20:38:00.000+10:00

The morning sun

Surrounds us

With its cosmic

Embrace

The morning light

Feeds our hearts

And guides our lives

At the morning dawn

I hear the gentle whisper

Of my blessingful

inner guide

Poetry by Sri Chinmoy

Our beautiful Brumbies....

2011-03-26T20:09:00.000+11:00

Brumbies

The Australian wild horse is called a Brumby. Read more here.

The great Australian film, "The Man from Snowy River", was made in 1982, based on the famous poem of the same name by A.B. 'Banjo' Paterson, first published in 1890. Kirk Douglas was lured to Australia to play the part of twins, "Harrison", the owner of a large cattle station and "Spur", a prospector.

Following are the opening lines of the poem and then a clip from the movie, famously called "The Descent" and you'll see why. The movie was filmed at Merrijig in the High Country, less than an hour (as the crow flies), from where we live and will give you an insight into the spectacular countryside around here. The main character, played by Tom Burlinson, is seen throughout and at the end of the clip cracking the whip. Tom is also a singer and sounds very much like Frank Sinatra. I hope the clip works for you; it's a bit furry but worth watching to the end and in full screen.

There was movement at the station

for the word had passed around

That the colt from Old Regret had got away,

And had joined the wild bush horses...he was worth a thousand pound,

So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.

Farewell and thank you, Elizabeth....

2011-03-24T20:12:00.000+11:00

You were totally captivating!

Rimini, Italy - the "Miami of Europe"...

2011-03-20T20:45:00.003+11:00

The day after our drenching in Venice, we boarded an early train for Rimini to meet our friends, Fabrizio and Nadia. The morning was sunny and stayed that way for most of the day, except for a little shower here and there.

Rimini is the capital city of the Rimini Province on Italy's Adriatic coast. It was founded by the Romans as a colony of Latin Law in 268BC and is situated in the Emilia-Romagna region. It is one of the most famous seaside resorts in Europe and is sometimes referred to as the "Miami of Europe". We were there in the quiet time.

Ponte di Tiberio

Tiberius Bridge - the Roman bridge across the River Marecchia. The bridge, started under Caesar Augustus in 14AD and completed by Tiberius in 21AD. Our friend, Fabrizio said, "We Italians are crazy; we still use ancient bridges instead of treating them tenderly." There was a constant flow of cars crossing; mainly, I'd say, locals going about their day.

Fishermen's Village near the bridge

Castel Sismondo

Castel Sismondo (also called Malatesta Castle and built between 1437-1446 or 1454, depending upon the historian). The fortified residence of Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, Rimini's ruler from 1432 to 1468. After passing into the hands of the Papal State, from the 17th century onwards, the castle was altered several times. The outer walls were demolished, the moat was filled in and the furnishings were removed. It was used as a prison from the 19th century until 1967 but in the 1970s work started on a complex restoration project. The castle is mainly devoid of furnishings and is used for exhibitions.

Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta

called the "Wolf of Rimini"

by Piero della Francesca c.1450 Louvre

More views of Malatesta Castle

It was market day when we were there and Castel Sismondo wasn't open. The open market is held twice a week and stretches from the castle to Piazza Cavour. After a short walk around the market, we walked back to the apartment, where Nadia had prepared an exquisite 5-course lunch and we sampled some very good Italian wines, with Fabrizio's amazing stereo system quietly playing in the background. Then we had to find our feet to do some more walking and exploring.

Piazza Cavour

Cavour Square is the historic centre and the place to go to experience the every day life of Rimini. It is a social hub in the evenings for a leisurely stroll and apperitivi in one of the many bars.

The Fish Market in Piazza Cavour

The fish market, with its grand entrance and long slabs of marble was constructed in the square in 1743. Now it is used for antique and craft markets. Below are more shots of the market with the fountain for washing the fish and, up top near the roof, a fresco by an unknown artist.

Teatro Amintore Galli

On the other side of the square, Teatro Amintore Galli is the most modern of the buildings. Started in the 1840s, the building has been largely reconstructed after significant bomb damage during WW11 (Rimini was on the front lines when the Allies attempted to break through the Gothic line and was bombed heavily).

Moving on to Piazza Tre Martiri

Piazza Tre Martiri

This was the forum area for the Roman colony of Ariminum in 268BC and, according to Riminians, it was here that Julius Caesar is said to have addressed his troops on 10th January 49BC, after crossing the Rubicon.

Belltower on left

and on the right in the distance is

the Arco D'Augosto

Built in honour of Roman emperor Augustus in 27BC

Arco d'Augosto - Photo Wikipedia

On the left, the 16th century belltower, or Torre dell'Orologio, has undergone several reconstructions, the last being in the 1930s. The clock face includes a solar/lunar calendar and dates from 1750.

On the right, the Tempio Malatestiano, is the cathedral church of Rimini. Officially named for St. Francis, it takes the popular name for Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, who commissioned its reconstruction by the famous Renaissance theorist and architect, Leon Battista Alberti around 1450. There is also a fresco by Piero della Francesca portraying Malatesta kneeling before the saint (1451).

Fresco by Piero della Francesca, 1451

This paving was about 2m down from the Piazza floor and the following was on the sign next to it.

"Part of the paving of the Forum from the Imperial Roman period. The blocks of San Marino limestone are laid with great precision, following the same directions as the city's two main streets. The brickwork structure is a remnant of one of the many monuments erected to embellish this public square and is part of a large base once faced with marble, on which statues and other celebrative figures could be placed. In the Forum there were four other platforms similar to this one. In the paving stones there are several cavities used to fix other decorative architectural elements."

"The archaeological remains from the Roman period seen here show a section of the "Cardus Maximus", the main road leading from the city to the harbour and part of a building that was used again as a foundation in the Middle Ages.

In the first century AD a large building was erected facing onto the Roman forum, built entirely with yellow bricks. At the same time the pavement ("crepidine") was laid with red-veined marble blocks. In later periods the area was levelled several times with earth and rubble, until the original level of the street was raised, as can be seen from the squared blocks of stone that were reutilised.

In the early Middle Ages the remains of the previous Roman building were used as a foundation for the construction of the Sant'Innocenza Church. Traces of this can be seen in the large blocks of limestone inserted to fill a gap in the Roman wall."

We were slowly making our way back when something hilarious happened; outside a bar that Fabrizio frequents in the Piazza Ferrari, he jumped on a bicycle and hot-footed it back to his apartment to get his car! He was gone before we could open the camera! There were a few bikes in the rack and apparently the locals just take one when needed and return it later on. Ten minutes later he returned in his car and took us to the station for our return trip to Bologna.

The only disappointment of the day was that the Surgeon's House, Domus del Chirurgo, was not opening until 5pm and we were leaving at 4pm but we were able to walk around it, while waiting for Fabrizio, and look in the windows. The house was discovered in 1989 and opened to the public in 2007, after 18 years of excavation. Unearthed were Greek vases, coins, surgical instruments, mosaic floors and tombs. The house was abandoned after a fire around 260AD. The above image is from the website. It's well worth a look and here is a clip - wait for a little pause in the beginning.

Dawn at "Sedgemere"...

2011-03-13T16:32:00.000+11:00

Night's darkness is a bag that bursts

with the gold of the dawn

Rabindranath Tagore

Photography: Me

Words are not enough...

2011-03-12T20:27:00.000+11:00

My deepest sympathy

to the people of Japan

for their grief and suffering

Art: Woodblock by Kono Bairei

Fresh.....Good Morning!

2011-03-09T20:14:00.000+11:00

Picked just for you!

Autumn has arrived....

2011-03-01T19:22:00.000+11:00

Autumn Day - Isaac Ilyich Levitan

falling leaves

hide the path

so quietly

John Bailey

I'm still mowing through the leaves

scattering them into an autumn carpet

In a few more weeks

I'll bring you some beautiful colour

Having a break...

2011-02-25T16:29:00.000+11:00

Did you know that when you see snails climbing up a wall it's a sign of rain?

It works for us!

I'm going to be busy outside for a while;

M has left for England, Norway and Sweden

for three weeks

but I decided to have a little longer

break from running at airports and train stations.

There's a lot of work to be done

so I'll be outside with the snails

and other creepy crawlies.

I'll have to work on that week in Paris too!!

Under One Small Star

2011-02-24T20:10:00.002+11:00

The Apology by Mark Ryden

Under One Small Star

My apologies to chance for calling it necessity.

My apologies to necessity if I'm mistaken, after all.

Please, don't be angry, happiness, that I take you as my due.

May my dead be patient with the way my memories fade.

My apologies to time for all the world I overlook each second.

My apologies to past loves for thinking that the latest is the first.

Forgive me, open wounds, for pricking my finger.

I apologize for my record of minutes to those who cry from the depths.

I apologize to those who wait in railway stations for being asleep today at five a.m.

Pardon me, hounded hope, for laughing from time to time.

Pardon me, deserts, that I don't rush to you bearing a spoonful of water.

And you, falcon, unchanging year after year, always in the same cage,

your gaze always fixed on the same point in space,

forgive me, even if it turns out you were stuffed.

My apologies to the felled tree for the table's four legs.

My apologies to great questions for small answers.

Truth, please don't pay me much attention.

Dignity, please be magnanimous.

Bear with me, O mystery of existence, as I pluck the occasional thread from your train.

Soul, don't take offense that I've only got you now and then.

My apologies to everything that I can't be everywhere at once.

My apologies to everyone that I can't be each woman and each man.

I know I won't be justified as long as I live,

since I myself stand in my own way.

Don't bear me ill will, speech, that I borrow weighty words,

then labour heavily so that they may seem light.

Wislawa Szymborska

Nobel Prize in Literature 1996

Hewish Family - Who are you?

2011-02-23T20:28:00.000+11:00

The Wedding Day of

John Henry Hewish and May Crouch

14th October 1908

My Paternal Grandparents

I'd really love to make contact with the person who downloaded photos (on 19th February) from my post, 'A Visit from Brother', June 24th 2009. You have an Optus ISP, Win XP and a location of Box Hill, a stone's throw from the Australian family origins in Doncaster, Victoria. Perhaps you're a distant cousin? I may cheekily ask, "Who do you think you are?" Please contact me via my profile page; I'm very willing to fill in any gaps in your family tree.

The Lake, Smoked Trout and Yabbies...

2011-02-18T20:32:00.000+11:00

View to the town of Eildon and Pondages

from Mt. Pininger
We live another 2km down the valley
to the left of the picture

We were on our way to dinner, just 2km away,

when we decided to take a detour

to show you our lake

Another glimpse of the town

Lake Eildon

the fullest it's been since 1996

Now at 80% capacity;

one year taken down as low as 8%

Power lines rocketed to the other side

There are 800 houseboats on the lake

It has a 515km shoreline

and is seven times bigger than Sydney Harbour

We back-tracked to our destination

- here's the 21st C wheelbarrow

with its 19th C wheel

- our friend can turn his hand to anything!

And to a delectable dinner

of salads, smoked trout

and yabbies

My Summer Garden...just add water!

2011-02-09T07:08:00.000+11:00

you might just see

Cocky sitting atop

the weeping cherry

the 'Grappa Grotto'

magnificent this year

there is a table and chairs under there

large pics are over the top, I know

but you won't have to click to enlarge

little Galahs in the grass

we're mowing today

Robinia mop tops

the 'listening tree'

we sit under here

and listen to the breezes whisper

a storm was brewing

three days ago

it was a hot, thundery day

taking off

and that's where I'll leave you for awhile

there's a lot to do around here

Unrequited Love...

2011-02-06T20:00:00.000+11:00

'Clytie' by Lord Frederic Leighton

Ovid's Metamorphoses - Clytie and Apollo

Put simply, Clytie loved Apollo but was rejected by him. Apollo loved Daphne but she didn't love him and prayed to the river god, Peneus or Gaia and was transformed into a laurel, which greatly pleased Clytie but Apollo had lost the love of his life.

Apollo abandoned Clytie and she sat, naked on rocks for nine days without food or water, staring at the sun (Apollo), after which the Gods transformed her into a beautiful 'turnsole', which is Old English for a rock plant that turns its head to the sun (heliotrope).

'So-called' bust of Clytie, created in 40 or 50AD

From the Towneley Marbles Collection

So-called because the provenance of the bust has an ambiguous history, some referring to her as Agrippina and it has been contended that it is an 18th Century work. But a later conclusion is that it is an ancient Antonia Minor, or a Roman Ariadne. Towneley himself named her 'Isis in a lotus flower' but the common belief is that she is in fact, Clytie. During his grand tour of Italy in 1771-74, Towneley acquired the bust from the Neapolitan Laurenzano family, who insisted that it had been found locally. The bust was widely preproduced; it is said that Goethe, alone, had two casts of it.

Towneley in his Park Street house with three fellow connoisseurs

An imaginery painting by Johann Zoffany, 1733-1810

The Clytie bust is sitting on a small writing table

Towneley (he changed the spelling to Townley)

had a purpose-built house constructed for

his marble collection at Park Street in London's West End,

where he died in 1805.

Left: Clytie bust by George Frederick Watts showing her metamorphosing into a flower.

Right: Clytie bust by Hiram Powers

Clytie grieving

Peter Paul Rubens, 1636

Footnote: I've never been a scholar of Greek mythology, nor pretended to understand it; I went looking for the story of Clytie after seeing a reproduction of Towneley's bust on 'Antiques Roadshow'. I'm happy to be corrected by anyone with higher knowledge....Alaine.

Wood Ducks...quite at home

2011-02-02T05:50:00.000+11:00

Australian Wood Duck

Left: Female Right: Male

The Australian Wood Duck, Maned Duck or Maned Goose, Chenonetta jubata, is a dabbling duck found throughout much of Australia. It is the only living species in the genus, Chenonetta. Traditionally placed in the Anatinae (dabbling duck) subfamily, it might actually belong to the Tadominae (shellduck) subfamily and possibly the Ringed Teal is its closest living relative. Source: Wikipedia

they're always here at 'Sedgemere'

we call them 'our chooks'

they love the freshly mown grass

two days ago I was running

from room to room

trying not to spook them

taking shots through dusty windows

they always look happy...

after their walk, they'll sit quietly in the shade

and luxuriate!

Somewhere Deep in the Quarter...

2011-01-30T19:44:00.008+11:00

Somewhere deep in the Quarter

the secret of a city lives.

A spot of Spirit,

A treasure buried, emanating

an inexplicable cadence,

One spot from which all weird life stems.

Shot through with music,

shot through with brilliant blue,

An utterance from ancient languages,

A crystal stream flowing out
in six directions.

Ever-flowing, ever-abundant

ever-nurturing,

Destroying as it builds and rebuilds.

Residing in the primordial ooze

bubbling from the street,

Bubbling up through the language,

the notes, the laughter, the pain,

The tears, an ecstatic brew.

Tearing apart the rhymes, resonance, logic,

A gift of a Spirit universal.

'Somewhere Deep in the Quarter' - New Orleans Poetry

Richard Bienvenu
January 2010

Yesterday, after watching Anthony Bourdain's 'No Reservations' episode about New Orleans, filmed two years after hurricane Katrina (August 2005), I was so moved, as nothing much had changed in that time. I then related that disaster to our very own recent misfortune here in Australia; extensive flooding to 75% of Queensland, flowing over the border into New South Wales.

Days later parts of my state of Victoria experienced the worst floods in 100 years and border towns are still sandbagging against the peak of the flow creeping towards them. Expected bumper crops, looking good with a little rain after 13 years of drought, have been destroyed with the flood and thus, has sent many farmers under for good.

I wanted to know how New Orleans was faring 5 1/2 years after that tragedy and happened upon the site of Richard Bienvenu. It is with his kind permission that the above poem is shared. Human spirit is indeed universal! Thank you, Richard.

Art: 'French Quarter' Lidia Dynner

Venice; pity about the weather...

2011-01-27T20:25:00.001+11:00

Souvenir of Venice

The first night in Bologna we took a cab to our friend Alberto's delightful villa where we enjoyed a typical Italian four-course meal prepared by him. His wife, Federica and two children were in new York, where Federica was running in the New York City Marathon, so we didn't get to meet her until the Grand Gala Dinner in Sansepolcro.

The next morning the heavens opened up. As we'd earmarked this day for Venice, we thought, 'so it's raining' and walked across to the station with high hopes that the day would clear; no such luck!

Well, Venezia's streets were awash and the water was creeping into the shops. Paths of planks had been constructed in some of the streets for those who didn't wish to wade. We bought umbrellas and ponchos and strolled along, oblivious to the water; we just couldn't believe we were in Venice.

We asked a shopkeeper the directions to St. Mark's Square and were told, 'an hour's walk that way'! If it had been a fine day we would have walked but we headed back the way we came and thought about taking a water bus but changed our minds when we saw the sea of black umbrellas waiting to board. So we walked over the first bridge and sloshed around the little streets, eventually taking refuge in a tiny little café for lunch.

After nearly 3 hours we decided to leave and I'm now very sorry that we didn't wait in line for that Vaporetto, as I know we'll probably never pass that way again!

Many shops like this

The mask is in pride of place

in my music room

along with Beethoven and Bach

I must get a bust of Verdi...

Cuttlefish Salad...

2011-01-25T06:52:00.000+11:00

Salad of Cuttlefish, Tomato & Sweet Sour Onions

1 cup capers, rinsed and dried

500g (17 1/2 oz) Cuttlefish, cleaned

2 large ripe tomatoes, cored and roughly diced

1/2 cup basil leaves, torn

Salt and Black Pepper, to taste

4 slices toasted ciabatta

Sweet Sour Onions

150ml (5oz) Red Wine Vinegar

1 1/2 tsp salt flakes

1 1/2 tsp castor sugar

2 small red onions, halved and sliced finely

Sweet Sour Onions: Mix vinegar, salt and sugar in a small bowl, add onions and leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Salad: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in small pan over high heat. Add capers and gently shake pan until they have opened and begun to crisp. Remove and drain on paper towel.

Score inside of Cuttlefish hood with angled cuts, turn and repeat so that the cuts form a crosshatched pattern. Boil water in saucepan, add Cuttlefish in batches and cook for 1-2 minutes until opaque. Slice into 1cm pieces and place in a large bowl.

Add tomatoes, basil, capers, salt, pepper and remaining olive oil to the bowl. Drain onions well, discarding marinade, add to salad and toss gently to combine. Serve with ciabatta. Serves 4

Note: This dish can be prepared up to 2 hours in advance but is best brought back to room temperature before serving. Alternative species: Baby Octopus (omit scoring, cut into quarters), Prawns, Squid, Calamari.

I haven't made this yet but as soon as I can get near a fish market, it's on the menu!

Source: www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au

Lost in a pile of leaves...

2011-01-22T06:05:00.001+11:00

We spend most of our time and energy in a kind of horizontal thinking. We move along the surface of things but there are times when we stop. We sit still. We lose ourselves in a pile of leaves or its memory. We listen and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper.

James Carroll

Art: "An Oleander" 1882 Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema

Snakes...too close for comfort!!

2011-01-20T11:28:00.000+11:00

Tiger Snake

Two weeks prior to Christmas, I was home alone, walked in to the kitchen to give the dog his dinner and stopped, in shock. There, slithering away from the door, was a fat, black snake! A friend down the road came up with his rifle and a mate, armed with a shovel but couldn't find it.

After that incident, we've been very protective of our little dog and accompany him outside. On Christmas Eve, in the morning, Michael was outside with him and watching him as he chewed on some couch grass in the garden. All of a sudden he twisted his head to the left, which Michael saw and told him to get inside. He grabbed the shovel at the door and proceeded to hack away at the garden, then lifted a tiger snake out, threw it on the lawn and whacked it. It was a very tense few moments; he said that the snake was hissing and having a go at the shovel.

Snake was just behind the lady
(I was standing at the kitchen door)

Michael raced Tajie to the vet and they held him there for four hours, testing his urine three times. Because the garden is quite thick there, the snake probably had a problem aiming or had just knocked him on the face. So we didn't have to pay the $2000 for the anti-venom, only $130 for the tests!

Just last week, Michael was outside at the BBQ cooking our steaks, when he looked over at the garden and saw the Japanese Windflower move....there was no wind. The next thing I know he's hacking at the garden again! This time he pulled out a red-bellied black from exactly the same spot the tiger was in!

Red-bellied Black

We've had a lot of rain lately and we think that the snakes have been flushed out of the 16 acres of ponds next door and are seeking higher ground. In the eleven years we've been here, we've only seen 3 snakes, until now. Added to these three lately, Michael came across a dead Brown Snake with no head down near our front fence. He thinks he may have chopped it with the mower the day before.

Tajie keeping an eye on a little Skink;

he didn't even bother getting up,

just watched it slither over the carpet!

My dear Lady Asquith...

2011-01-14T20:25:00.000+11:00

D H Lawrence (1906) Age 21

Garsington Manor, Oxford

Tuesday (1915)

To Lady Cynthia Asquith.

When I drive across this country, with autumn falling and rustling to pieces, I am so sad, for my country, for this great wave of civilisation, 2,000 years, which is now collapsing, that it is hard to live. So much beauty and pathos of old things passing away and no new things coming; this house --- it is England --- my God, it breaks my soul --- their England, these shafted windows, the elm-trees, the blue distance --- the past, the great past, crumbling down, breaking down, not under the force of the coming birds, but under the weight of many exhausted lovely yellow leaves, that drift over the lawn, and over the pond, like the soldiers, passing away, into winter and the darkness of winter --- no, I can't bear it. For the winter stretches ahead, where all vision is lost and all memory dies out.

It has been 2,000 years, the spring and summer of our era. What, then, will the winter be? No, I can't bear it, I can't let it go. Yet who can stop the autumn from falling to pieces, when November has come in? It is almost better to be dead, than to see this awful process finally strangling us to oblivion, like the leaves off the trees.

I want to go to America, to Florida, as soon as I can: as soon as I have enough money to cross with Frieda. My life is ended here. I must go as a seed that falls into new ground. But this, this England, these elm-trees, the grey wind with yellow leaves --- it is so awful, the being gone from it altogether, one must be blind henceforth. But better leave a quick of hope in the soul, than all the beauty that fills the eyes.

It sounds very rhapsodic: it is this old house, the beautiful shafted windows, the grey gate-pillars under the elm-trees: really I can't bear it: the past, the past, the falling, perishing, crumbling past, so great, so magnificent.

Come and see us when you are in town. I don't think we shall be here very much longer. My life now is one repeated, tortured, Vale! Vale! Vale!

D. H. Lawrence

Garsington Manor, Oxfordshire

Photo: Martin Beek

Garsington manor is a Tudor building, best known historically for its ownership by Lady Ottoline Morrell. Ottoline and her husband Philip Morrell bought the house in 1914 and restored the run down property, also creating a series of Italian style gardens which survive today. Through World War One and in the 1920s many of Britain's leading artistic and intellectual figures came here. During the war the Morrells offered sanctuary to conscientious objectors such as Clive Bell and other members of the Bloomsbury Group. They worked on the property's farm as a way of escaping prosecution. The Morrell's many other visitors included D. H. Lawrence, Seigfried Sassoon, Aldous Huxley, T. S. Eliot and Bertrand Russell, who became Ottoline's lover. Source: www.infobritain.co.uk

Letter from 'D H Lawrence - Stories, Essays & Poems' Everyman's Library

Queensland Floods: Cheers for our Kangaroo rescuer...

2011-01-13T07:09:00.000+11:00

Click on photo to read the full story

Patience is passion tamed ...

2011-01-11T19:56:00.000+11:00

AAAAND.....

SCRUFF'S COME HOME!!

Quote: Lyman Abbott

A Resolution...

2011-01-09T15:21:00.000+11:00

He who every morning plans the transaction of the day

and follows out that plan,

carries a thread that will guide him through

the maze of the most busy life.

But where no plan is laid,

where the disposal of time is surrendered

merely to the chance of incidence,

chaos will soon reign.

Victor Hugo

Bologna ...

2011-01-05T11:38:00.000+11:00

Gateway (one of twelve) built in the Middle Ages

We left Norway, flew back to Milan and stayed the night near the airport, as in the morning we were to take the fast train to Bologna. We arrived there early afternoon and walked across to our hotel directly opposite the station. This location was perfect for our planned trips to Venice and Rimini in the next two days.

As we only had two afternoons to spend exploring Bologna, we missed out on so much, as I found when putting this post together. We walked up and down Via de Indepenza for about three hours and the following is what we saw.

Ancient Roman ramparts and the modern

Parco della Montagnola entrance

Bologna is famous for its arcades (or porticos) and has 38km of them, built to shelter people from rain, snow and sun. Our friend, Alberto, advised that when walking around Italy to look up, as we will miss a lot if we don't.

Look up!

Piazza del Nettuno

Bronze fountain by Giambologna (1565)
Palazzo Re Enzo on the right

Biblioteca Sala Borsa (Library)

I wish I'd known what this building was all about; I would have gone inside! I magnified the photo when I arrived home (hubby was the photographer this day), read the sign over the door and went looking. The photo below was taken by Gabriele which I found on her flickr photo page.

The floor is a giant showcase

featuring Roman and Etruscan relics

Bologna also has the oldest university in the world, founded in 1088.
Photo: Wikipedia

Palazzo Re Enzo (1245)

Look up!
Tower del'Arengo (1259)
A belltower used to call
the people in emergencies
Possibly 180 towers were built in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Bronze statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi
by Arnaldo Zocchi (1862-1940)

Pity we didn't take a photo of his best side!

Giuseppe Garibaldi
Italian national hero
Click to read about his life - a great read!

I do wish we'd had more time there. The next morning we walked across the road and caught a train to Venice; I can tell you that will be a short story as it was bucketing down!