It defies logic really. In winter we have very little water in the lagoon, when we get our rain and in summer it is full, when rainfall is very scarce. I live on a lagoon that is used for irrigation in summer and in winter the water level drops, revealing the banks. It is part of an amazing wetland area on the Murray River and many birds fly in for a stop over. Some migrate from huge distances to nest here and others just seem to appear and disappear. In winter the lagoon takes on a much different appearance. Although there is lots of mud, I think it has a special kind of beauty.
A platypus hides in this bank (below). It is a very shy creature. You mostly just see it disappearing into the distance.
I woke up to more rain, just a lazy drizzle. Yesterday it poured. That was welcome relief from the worry that we desperately need rain for the latest crop to get growing. Today, it’s gloomy and depressing. I braved the miserable weather to have a look around. Nature was enjoying the weather.
Blossom on the almond tree at this time of the year? Is it my imagination or do trees do this? I’ve always thought it a little ironic that the blossom seems to emerge at the same time as the rain washes the flowers away. Won’t be long and it will be spring. I went back inside, much cheerier and up the stairs to see what was happening up there in the studio.
So it is easy to make a resolution to blog regularly, but it’s much harder to keep going. I’ll bet that’s been said before? The weather and the threat of the second wave of COVID isn’t helping. Cold, rain, border closures, lock downs, endless TV images. It sucked any creativity and get up and go right away. Nothing happening, nothing to say, no reason to get out of bed, not going anywhere soon. BUT…
I did manage to throw myself into cleaning and sorting. I wonder if it’s satisfying my need for order and control of my life. An orderly cupboard, lots of full ordered drawers, an empty drawer, lots of empty plastic tubs and an empty work space. It’s taken quite a lot more time than I thought but I did it. Well, to be honest I can say that I sorted the cotton pieces. There is still lots more of the more interesting pieces to sort. I quite enjoyed the ironing and folding, rediscovering lots of lovely fabric pieces that I have collected over many years. I even ‘sanded’ the work table, trying to remove the creative efforts of the grandchild, who had put more texta and paint on the table than on the many art pieces he has contributed.
Strange, how the trio perched on the railing behind me watched my efforts, with wry grins on their faces. Curious creatures… they’re my cross between a reindeer and a rabbit. They emerge to add to the decor in both seasons, Christmas and Easter. It might be a stretch, but holding a big Easter egg, they could pass for a rabbit.
So how long did the work table stay in its pristine condition? Well, lets just say that before the sanding has been effectively finished….the table has a new project. Funny how a clean work bench just seems to call out to me. Or was it the idle chattering of those three watching me? More on that soon.
I’ll always remember my brother-in-law, Richard’s words when he came to visit Australia many years ago. He was in awe of the space we have here to live in. He made me feel guilty that I had so much; acres of relatively unspoilt environment, when he’d travelled the rest of the world extensively and observed it to have way too many people struggling to survive with their lot. He was envious. I haven’t always seen it that way. The climate is harsh, dry in summer. Water is scarce, and nature seems to want to take back ownership, under its rule. It can be lonely. It can be threatening. It can be a struggle too in its own way. Having grown up in a city, I often yearned for what I missed. As the COVID crisis continues, I am acutely aware that I am so lucky to live where I live. It’s beauty is unique and the isolation is comforting. I’m enjoying sharing it here.
I’ve just returned home from travelling 6 hours south to the coast to visit family. It was the first opportunity to travel that I’ve had, since the COVID crisis. The country is so vast and sparsely populated, I saw very few people on the journey. On the way I passed these hay bales. Someone has gone to a great deal of effort. We celebrated Anzac Day, back in April. These represent the Australian soldiers lost in the war. Love their slouch hats made from corregated iron.
I went to Portland. It’s so different to where I live. Colder and damper. I visited the only mainland Gannet Colony at Point Danger. The misty rain added to the beauty.
The gannets huddled together on a lonely spot near the water’s edge. Gannets look like really big seagulls.
In Australia, the general advice is to prune roses in June or July, after they have finished flowering. It is now July the first, so the time is right. Right? It always worries me, too early, too late, what do I do? The danger is frost. Frost can damage the canes of recently pruned roses. See my last post! We had frost! The weather here is so unpredictable. I’m hoping that the weather people have got it right when they said the frosts should ease of in our area for the next few weeks. The poor old plants were looking very sad. I don’t need gloom in my garden, there’s enough in the world around me. So, they can just take their chances. Off with their heads and other plant body parts.
A few late bloomers protested by looking beautiful, on their way to Rose Heaven. Sorry, I’m not saving you lot. You’ve caused me enough pain with all those thorns. You must be incinerated along with all your friends. You had a nasty case of black spot. We’ll blame the weather for that too. I’m not altogether heartless. I did save a few of your more attractive friends for one last vase. I have to say, I’m a little embarrassed to post their picture. I hope you can all do better in spring time. I’m looking forward to another wonderful and long lasting display. That is if you survive till then. At least you’re not in danger from COVID. Be happy with your lot in life.
Life just got more complicated. I changed my theme, and have been working on sorting out how the new one is so different. This new theme displays post excerpts on the home page as well as on the blog page. I’m excited to see what will happen. Here goes.
Driving home tonight I was fascinated by the colours and shapes of the clouds, changing as the sun set.
It’s all happening. I have two time consuming projects on the go. One is learning to blog and the other is the BIG CLEANUP. Now that the grandkids are back at school and I’ve stopped home schooling, I have no excuse.
My blogging skills are developing. Today I changed my template to allow me to show my posts on the home page. Yes, I know, they’re not there yet, but look again tomorrow!!! It does mean messing things around a bit, so stay with me. I made a few brief new posts to play with. I learnt to reorder posts, so I have more control.
I have a follower!!! I’d love some more (hint, hint). The FOLLOW button is now displayed more prominently. My new challenge is to find a quicker way to get to get my photos from my phone to here. I’ll work on it. Back to today’s post.
My attic studio has, I admit, been neglected for years. Fabric piled up in heaps wherever it landed. As a doll maker I have stored everything useful from fabric, doll hair, eyes, eyelashes, buttons, cottons etc. I save everything. Some may say compulsive. There was some vague order, but…..
Sorting and Storing the Stash
I’ve decided to start the clean up by sorting my fabric stash. After some experimentation and lots of mess I have a new system. Firstly I’ve sorted fabric by type, chiffon, velvet, cotton, fur etc into groups. Then the fun started. I’d all but put my iron and ironing board into moth balls years ago. I dragged it all upstairs and started to iron maniacally. But I was disappointed after trying to put it back into the cupboard drawers. It still ended up being a crumpled mess. Now, I think I’ve found a solution. I’ve started with the cottons. I sorted it into sizes as I ironed. I bought office filing cards in two sizes and wound the strips, fat quarters, and other lengths around the different cards. It stays firm and I can see all the different colours more easily.
I could take another studio photo… but I I’ve only made a miniscule difference so far.
Look I actually created a blog and put up a post. I’m slow. It took me a very long time. I watched a useful free Udemy hour long course, Learn WordPress basics in One Hour. (Progress. I added a hyperlink!! Ok I got carried away and added two)
Now, look at my tomato. Nothing special, except it’s winter and it’s on this blog, in my second post. This morning I posted it as my first Instagram post! I’m want to link between FB, Instagram and this blog, but I’ve discovered it isn’t simple.
After I made this blog, I learnt that there is a big difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. Apparently .com is an easier starter option, because it’s hosted by WordPress. It says it’s free. The very basic features are. However, I can see that it’s also very limited. I’m happy with what I’ve got so far. If I want to add fancy plug-ins, (look at my vocabulary expanding!) I can do it on either, but might be better off financially on .org. It also offers lots more flexibility in design choices.
I started with .com. I don’t know about changing over to .org. Can anyone help???
This morning when I logged in I noticed a WordPress annual bill for $60, waiting in my cart! Seems to still work though. But it’s great COVID entertainment at that price, $5 per month. The coffee shop’s closed anyhow.
AT PATHO 