New Zealand
As I write it is the evening of January 06 here in New Zealand. This afternoon we've experienced an extraordinary thunderstorm that came upon us very suddenly with much drama - big lightning, crashing thunder, strong wind and driving rain from the east which is rare here. Water even seeped into the passage under the... Continue Reading →
In April 1875 a new stone building was opened as a new one-room school for children in St Bathans (the part of the ruins nearest the lupins). In 1895 an additional room was added for infants (the part with a chimney). The school was abandoned in 1943 after earthquake damage. Central Otago, New Zealand. Photos... Continue Reading →
Today's been a good day. Cut Above Tree Services arrived to cut some bigger trees on our property down to size. Our primary problem was an overgrown golden macrocarpa claiming too much space and dominating our frontage. Connor and Matt dealt decisively with this and other concerns and, bonus, they were relaxed about us taking... Continue Reading →
When the gold miners arrived in Central Otago in the 1860s they didn't bat an eyelid at radically and massively transforming the environment. The initial influx of individuals and small groups gave way to larger operations that harnessed the power of water to obliterate large parts of the landscape. They extracted relatively small amounts of... Continue Reading →
In need of spiritual and mental refreshment today I searched Bishop Jake's blog for "life is messy" knowing I'd get results to go with photos I'd already selected; the two photos below were taken at Dunedin Botanic Garden, New Zealand on 07 May 2022.
Five years ago today, on 23 May, I started my blog with a brief and plain post, then launched out into the WP blogger-sphere to see what it's all about. I didn't have a clue! In this first session I happened to meet an Irish poet then working as pattern-maker in Paris, Damien B. Donnelly.... Continue Reading →
"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." We're suffering a pile-on of problems at the moment - in New Zealand and in the world. The old ways of thinking aren't going to cut it anymore! I've read/heard several Americans recently, talking about the pandemic 'waning' in their... Continue Reading →
Vinca … Latin: vincire “to bind, fetter” ~from Wikipedia. Vinca‘s also called “periwinkle”, the blue flower colour is “periwinkle blue”. The origin “to bind, fetter” makes Vinca photos perfect for my share..
"..people are more than one thing. Everybody is a mixed bag. With that starting point, I can imagine a very different community from the harsh, conflict-laden one we’re presently creating for ourselves." ~Bishop Jake Owensby, 17-Sep-21/blog. Bp Jake is fourth Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Western Louisiana and published author of 5 books. A... Continue Reading →
I don't know how many of you have links with Louisiana but I hope and pray that the people and places in Hurricane Ida's path can weather the storm. Being a far distant observer I know little about what lies in her path but I've searched online and scanned for links on twitter, and I'll... Continue Reading →
This is my second Cover Story .. this time for Jake's latest book which bears the same name as his blog: Looking for God in Messy Places. I've previously featured Jake's writing on my blog but for those unfamiliar with his work, Jake Owensby is Bishop of Western Louisiana (USA/Episcopal). I remember when Jake first... Continue Reading →
23 Dec 2019 .. my notifications include a pingback from writer Jane Dougherty and I find she's included me in her Blogger Recognition Awards. I feel honoured and grateful. It was a lovely acknowledgement and I'd like to do the same for those whose friendship and blogs have meant so much to me since I... Continue Reading →
Exploring Colour 