Had a wonderful day yesterday with Mr. Chip. We had Maccas for breakfast, which he informs me "is the second time I have had breakfast at McDonald's IN MY LIFE!" He didn't recall when the 1st time was, but assures me it was at Diamond Creek. Later in the day we went into the Treasury Gardens to the indigenous get-together. It was great fun listening to the music, loitering with some intent at the stalls and eventually getting Mr Chip a didgeridoo. After one brief lesson from the guy who sold it to us Mr Chip became an expert. The guy was amazed he picked it up so quickly. A very haunting sound!! On the way home we stopped off for a game of pool (as you do) and finished off a great and memorable day. Bliss!!
 

Took photos of past premiers statues and some dolls in Fitzroy too. Lovely!!



 

Wintry Melbourne, grey skies, rain. Beautiful. Lucky are we, in warm houses.

Recently I have taken a number of photos around Melbourne which show its beauty even in the midst of winter.

Had an interesting experience the other day. I was able to see behind the scenes at a business that has existed in the inner city since 1853. The street facade is old in appearance, but does nothing to hint at the almost Dickensian appearance behind the scenes.

I wonder at how may such gems are hiddden away in our city..... places which would make wonderful film sets.

I suppose so much in life that is interesting is also hidden .....

Yesterday I posted a photo I took in Wisconsin USA just over 8 years ago. Was visiting with my sister, the famous children's book illustrator, while she did some lectures, visits, etc. on an exchange program. I made a very close friend while there and GB and I still regularly email. Life brings us many gifts..... 
Anyway, the sculpture was one of a number on display in the grounds of a Museum and the snow fall made it even more interesting. I have a framed print of this in my kitchen along with other travel photos.

This is another photo I love that I took overseas. In the centre of the business district of London sits the remains of St Dunstan's Church. It was bombed in the London Blitz. Rather than pull down the surviving walls, they have created a peaceful space inside the walls where people once sat in pews. It is a wonderful oasis for office workers to experience peace..... This photo was taken on Good Friday 1998 - for the historically minded you will recall it was the day the peace agreements were signed between England and Ireland ending the tragedy of the civil war between the IRA and the English Army.

Yesterday I went for a drive to blow the cobwebs out of my head ... and there are a lot of them!

Went north from home for about 40 minutes and drove into the Yan Yean reservoir reserve. As I drove in through the gates, slowly, I stopped while a group of kangaroos slowly and quietly hopped across in front of me ... I counted 12 of them and saw at least two with joeys. Didn't have the camera handy, but took in the image into my memory. A beautiful sight.

The reservoir is down at the moment and you can see from the bank how much water we are lacking. This is the reservoir that feeds straight into Melbourne's water from the north. In fact the underground pipes from it go past the end of our street.

Cold mornings .... and why are we surprised? Because these are the coldest May mornings in Melbourne for many decades.... I recall that this time last year the weather was quite warm ... even went without a woolly top outside!

The grey was lightened by some birthday flowers which are brightening the house...

Busy week. Six workshops of 3 hours each around Melbourne - public hospitals, aged care facilities, churches. And then my house-mate ends up in hospital for a few days. He'll be home tomorrow, but each night after work I've been visiting him - he feels lonely in hospital and I can't imagine what it would be like to be 90 years old and be there without anyone familiar coming in for a chat. No photos this time around - it's been too busy to stop and think until after dark :-)

I'm so lucky in my life with so much beauty around me.... the other day at work I took these inside and outside photos .....


             

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.




Very interesting ...... although not feeling like a High Priestess much at the moment :-)

Looking forward to a day off tomorrow, and then back to work on Sunday. Must admit that work does make me feel useful, I am fortunate to have a profession which leaves us all with the feeling of being able to assist others when they need support. I spent the afternoon listening to some brave men and women who are dealing with many difficulties .... came home tired but feeling immensely privileged to have been entrusted with their stories......

The good news is that Collingwood isn't playing this week so we can't lose! :-)  But I miss the time with Mr Chip who brings energy and enthusiasm into any space he enters.