Ode to Nature

As I walk along this delightful path with the light above me, I can feel the warm sunshine on my skin and a slight breeze mussing with my hair. My lungs fill with air that smells fresh, not city stale.

As the trail continues the light changes to a speckled dance along the path. A rustling in the undergrowth delivers my very first sighting of a wild creature. Something I would have missed if I hadn’t been using my ears as well as my eyes.

As I venture further I can feel the leaves brushing my arms and the subtle change in temperature as I move between patches of sunlight.

As I emerge from the trees I am confronted by open fields surrounded by a sea of golden grass. The sun is strong and I can feel perspiration forming on my back.

I feel calm and full of life as I soak up the beauty of nature, in all its forms and am thankful that I have five senses with which to experience such a wonderful place.

I penned this after my encounter with nature. Sometimes it is wonderful to walk alone, not with a destination in mind, but just to see where the path leads.

I am reading a very insightful book called "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron given to me by my good friend Stoneweaver. Amongst other things Julia encourages her readers to have an 'artist date' each week by ourselves to nurture our creative consciousness.

Well I had a wonderful 'artist date' and the plan is to have another one next week to feed my artist child!

Stanwell Park, a coastal village near Wollongong, NSW, Australia - October 2010

"In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful".
~~ Alice Walker (American writer, b.1944)

Dream It, List It, Do It!

I have been so fortunate to cross off 3 items on my bucket list this year.

Two bloggers helped give my dreams wings and shared in the adventure/experience.

First item crossed off the list was swimming with dolphins in March at Kaikoura in the South Island of New Zealand with my blogging, now real life friend, Stoneweaver. What a mind blowing experience that was!!!

Next when I was in Texas, USA in July staying with another blogging, now real life friend, Annemarie we danced in the rain with her son. That was a wonderful, joyous occasion.

The third item was climbing a tall tree. Once again Stoneweaver put her hand up and when she visited me in Australia with her husband in September we drove down to Balmoral Beach in Sydney and after much huffing and puffing managed to climb an ancient Banyan tree.

My next dream is to set up a Foundation to help Not-for-profit organisations run their programs.

So Universe.....how about it!!!!!!

"The reason why the universe is eternal is that it does not live for itself; it gives life to others as it transforms."
~~ Lao Tzu Chinese taoist Philosopher, founder of Taoism, 600 BC-531 BC

Update Bulletin - 24th October 2010

My Foundation is now up and running! I have called it "Bella Jules" meaning beautiful and youthful. I will be handing out my first donation next week which is a very exciting moment in time. Thank you Universe!!!


That is me in an amazing, ancient banyan tree in Balmoral, Sydney in September 2010




Here is the Banyan tree in all it's glory!

Fable of the Porcupine

Received this message via email today.

This story is great, a real eye opener, if only we can just remember it!

"It was the coldest winter ever - many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions even though they gave off heat to each other.

After awhile they decided to distance themselves from each other and they began to die, alone and frozen.

So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth.

Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. This way they learned to live with the little wounds that were caused by the close relationship with their companion, but the most important part of it, was the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive."

Moral of the story:
The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities.

Quick-Witted Child

At my supermarket I noticed a woman with four boys and a baby.

Her patience was wearing thin as the boys called out "Mummy! Mummy! while she tried to shop.

Finally she blurted out, "I don't want to hear the word Mummy for at least ten minutes!"

The boys fell silent for a few seconds.

Then one tugged on his mother's dress and said softly,

"Excuse me, miss!"

I smiled all day remembering that conversation.

Hope something or someone made you smile today and vice versa.

"You've got to get up every morning with a smile on your face, And show the world all the love in your heart, Then people gonna treat you better, You're gonna find, yes you will, That you're beautiful as you feel".
~~ Carole King


Here is another quick-witted child that keeps me on my toes! Joseph in our favourite park in Cromer, Sydney, September 2010

Great Mysteries

The Bermuda Triangle. The Mary Celeste. The Loch Ness Monster. Crop Circles. Atlantis.....

These are some of the great mysteries of the world that have always fascinated me.

But really we don't need to look to exotic locales, alien life forms or the seabed for mystery - it lurks right at home, in our wardrobes and drawers!

So after years of research with archaeologists, UFO investigators and experts in the paranormal, I have assembled the ultimate list of the Great Clothing and Style Mysteries:

How do fine gold chains get knotted and tangled sitting in a box in a drawer?

How do earrings put away in pairs become solo?

Why do hems fall down and buttons drop off only when you are in a horrendous rush?

How do moths know which is your most expensive cashmere jumper?

Why do you always lose the expensive sunglasses, but seem able to keep the pair you bought in a service station for years?

How does the tissue manage to escape the pocket inspection you always do before the black wash?

How does the pair of new black undies hide away in the drum of the washing machine just before you put a white load on hot?

How do silk blouses attract salad dressing?

Why are so many leading designers of women's clothes men?

Why do people with naturally straight hair always want curls, and the reverse?

Ditto large/small bosoms? And sticky-out flat bottoms?

Why can you never find anything you like when you have some money put aside to spend on new clothes?

Why are the "special occasion" dresses, shoes and handbags we pay the most for the ones we wear the fewest times?

Why do we continue to judge female politicians on what they wear?

WHY OH WHY IS IT SO!!


"It is completely unimportant. That is why it is so interesting!"
~~ Agatha Christie(1890-1976)


Both photos below were taken in Gudvangen on the west coast of Norway near Flam when Annemarie and I were on our road trip through the most scenic country in the world in July 2010