Blueberries

I have just spent three whole days without any internet access. I felt lonely and isolated. I wondered what everyone had been doing. I wondered what interesting thoughts had been expressed. I wondered what creative items had been crafted. I wondered what beautiful photographs had been taken. I wondered what it must have been like in the dark ages! I even watched the television – completely unfulfilling – and read a long book – more fulfilling.

Now I have returned to see that I need to read one hundred posts on my bloglines and I have had lots of emails sent to me that require a response. The world feels like it is back in balance!

On a completely unrelated matter (and because I don’t like to write a photoless post)…

I had never noticed that beautiful flower shape on the bottom of blueberries until this week. Nature is amazing.

Can you tell I got a new lens for my camera? It rocks!

Quilt for France

I have made a quilt to for the family who have cared for Ashleigh while she has been in France this year. They have done so much for her, much more than was required of them.

It is a big quilt – two and a half metres square, so it can be used on as a bed quilt. I can’t say that I’m in love with the quilt. These are not fabrics I would choose for myself, but I have it on good authority that they will love these colours and that they are perfect for their home.

I do love the feathers on the blocks though.

I’m looking forward to the day, very soon, when I can give it to its intended owners in person because…

It is two weeks today until my Pete and I fly to France. We picked up all of our documents last week.

Ashleigh has a itinerary organised for us which will have let us see all that she has enjoyed for the past eight months. Paris, London, Lille and the area around Pithon – where she has been based. When Ashy organises something it is done comprehensively, so we won’t miss a thing!

We’ll spend two and a half weeks in Europe. Then, just three days after we get back to Townsville, Ashleigh will follow us home. The reasons for this are complex. The level of support that Ashleigh has required since the death of her friend is not available in France. Her return to France after the funeral has highlighted some systemic issues surrounding the exchange program. After much thought and quite a few tears we have decided that she needs the support of her family. This decision, once made, has brought calm to us all. We  know its the right thing to do.

We are all counting days…

Fourteen boys

Pip hosted a party for one of his friends who is leaving.

Fourteen boys aged fourteen came to my house.

Fourteen boys talked all at once – each trying to be louder than the others.

Fourteen boys played guitar hero in the lounge room.

Fourteen boys sang along – loudly – to the chorus of every song.

Fourteen boys ate pizza and chips and icecream and anything else they could find.

Fourteen boys played soccer in the backyard.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Two parents said it didn’t matter.

Two parents knew it was only an accident.

Two parents are calling the glazier…

Shopping with Boys

My Pete decided that Pip needed now shoes for his ever expanding feet.

My Pete: Do you like these ones?

Pip: No.

My Pete: How about these one?

Pip: No

My Pete: These?

Pip: No.

My Pete: Well, which ones do you like?

Pip: I don’t know. I’m a fourteen year old boy. Just tell me what to wear on my feet and I’ll do it.

My Pete (deadpan): OK, strawberry cheesecake.

Pip (deadpan): Except that.

It is NEVER like that when Ashy and I go shopping together…

Wildlife Photographer

SO…

I found a butterfly resting on the window sill outside. I went inside to grab my camera and take a few close up shots. Pip came out to watch me.

I snuck up and snapped away…

It was a very agreeable subject and remained still while I moved to a different angle… 

 

Then I decided to gently blow on it. Just to see if I could get it to open its wings.

AND…

I blew it right over!

Pip nearly fell over with laughter. I thought it must have been dead. Pip decided to pick it up to have a closer look, but as soon as he touched it, it fluttered away.

A very crafty butterfly.

Wonder if that ever happens to Steve Parish.

Gallery Showing

This past weekend we headed into town to the Perc Tucker Gallery.

They are currently showing the entries in the Townsville young artist awards.

The pony-tail wearing Pip entered a drawing. So we wanted to see it hanging.

He didn’t win a prize, but his drawing is fabulous.

It is called Man or Mouse. As with everything he does the humour in it is immediately evident. He’s a funny guy!

I think he has a future in comic book writing. Is there money in that…

Grammar Humour

Grammar nerds are funny people too.

That cracks me up people!

Cracks me up…

Image taken from the flair application on facebook.

Happiness…

is easy to find.

It’s right here…

in a chenille quilt with girly, swirly patterns.

It’s here in a song by some young Australian guys who MUST have listened to the beach boys in their childhoods…

And in a blog award from Kate…

Thanks Kate. How very kind of you. I need to pass on the joy.

I pass it to YOU! If you read this and you listened to my song… you were brilliante too!

Vietnam Veterans’ Day

On a cold Townsville day we stood at the waterfront to commemorate Vietnam Veterans’ Day.

We paused to remember on the date of the Battle of Long Tan.

Joseph was impressed by Grandad’s money.

“One, two, three, four, eight! Eight money!”

That’s a lot of money…

Lest we forget.

High School Birthday 7

Today is the beautiful Miss Chelsea’s seventh birthday.

Chelsea and Ashleigh share a secret love of High School Musical movies, concerts and songs. Neither of them will admit to it though. It is their secret shame.

Chelsea would not publically kiss cake Troy – even though we all know he is her idol.

“Too gross”, she cried in seven year old mock indignation.

Although she was horrified to watch him being sliced up for our consumption.

What became of the handsome, sensitive Troy?

He was consumed in one big bite by the hungry, hairy Philip.

He was handsome, sensitive and delicious!

We love you Ashy! (and we know that you would have happily kissed cake Troy)