I needed this sentence from a blog post I read this morning:
“Just because you are following a different path doesn’t mean you are lost!”
http://aphotographicsage.blogspot.co.nz/
It reminded me how powerful some thought patterns can be and to release the impulse to judge and control.
It’s been very quiet here on the blog of late. My “blogging well” has felt dry as other life events have conspired to take my time, energy and attention away.
I spotted this Japanese maple leaf stuck on the arm of a very wet outdoor chair and it spoke to me of seasonal change, of flatness, of the effects of a dry spell. Its colourings are reminders that even in the natural cycles of ebb and flow, growth and decline there is a vibrancy that speaks of potential.
A new month and a welcome award gifted to me by Zahra
Part of the award involves sharing 7 things about me:
1. I like blogging
2. I believe that ordinary things can make a difference
3. I love the native birds in my country
4. I am learning lots about digital cameras and photography
5. I have a second blog here
6. I am a keen genealogist
7. Gardening s a passion for me
Please refer to my blogroll for some of my favourite blogs. Thanks again Zahra and go well with your blog.
I have two quotes about strength to offer to you today.
This one came from Karen in a comment she left on this blog. It spoke to me on many levels.
“Sometimes the bravery and strength is in how we deal with what is put before us, not in what we seek out”
The other quote about strength comes written on this piece of South Island granite or is it schist?
The quote was given to me by a friend some years ago and sits with me daily now on this piece of rock. “One of the greatest gifts I have is giving and receiving strength.”
The layers in this rock are testament to the forces that have been applied to it in nature but it remains; visible proof of endurance.
I hope you find strength today.
I’ve completed my annual bird survey today. The instructions were to record the largest number of each type of bird that was seen or heard at any one time – not the total number of each bird over the hour. That was a bit complicated but bird numbers were low in the garden today so it was not as arduous as I thought it might be.
The common sparrow headed the list, followed by wax eyes, blackbirds, chaffinches, starlings, and goldfinches. I could hear a Tui over the road feasting on the red flowering gum trees so that was included too.
Male chaffinch
I blogged about the 2011 bird survey here.
I received an email late this afternoon telling me that a new website is being set up so that I can record any observations relating to nature but it will also be where future annual bird survey results will be loaded. I’m really pleased about that as there are times when I see a new bird in the garden and wish I could tell someone “official” about it.
The other numbers I crunched today were on my blog. WordPress provides a raft of statistical data and I do check my stats regularly. This post will be number 308. My readers have posted 966 comments and I now have 70 blog followers.
Thank you to all my readers. It is very gratifying to know that you enjoy my postings and continue to turn the pages on my blog.
There is an interesting statistic amongst the people who regularly comment on my blog and that is that 4 of them have names beginning with the letter “J”.
I also have a regular group of “likers” and it is always a pleasure to find your “Like” appearing in my notifications.
11 of my blog posts have been “shared” and that seems an extra honour and potentially widens my audience.
Spam wins the day with 1,356 items that have been successfully thwarted at the cyber boundary of my blog and I am very grateful about that.
I began blogging with so much trepidation but now it is almost a habit and I miss the days when I don’t post something. I began writing to satisfy an inner voice but having gathered followers I feel spurred on to provide something that I hope will interest you in some way. My photography interest is proving to be very satisfying to me and that has been a surprise too.
Thank you again for reading, lurking, liking and commenting. You all enrich my days.
I see that I have not posted much on my blog this month so here is a quick summary of the last week plus another day or two:
Plenty of ordinary tasks around the house and garden, plus some budgeting and early last week I was practicing for a special singing occasion.
Tuesday last week saw me sing in a group of 100 others (all of us there because we love to sing- no auditions or qualifications required!) in a television recording. Our singing director was leading this group on behalf of the programme, “Praise Be.” We had had three previous rehearsals and then it took around two hours to get a “take” of 10 songs. Now I have to wait to see the finished result.
On the way to the recording we spotted eleven Royal Spoonbills on the edge of the Pauatahanui Inlet. It seems likely that numbers of this regal, white, member of the heron family are increasing and that is splendid news.
We have a family wedding at Xmas time this year and I needed an outfit. Last Wednesday a good friend, who has a keen eye for colour and style went with me on what was intended simply to be a “look”. However I found the perfect outfit and came home really delighted to have that ticked off the wedding “to do” list. It was made easy with such great support.
In order to have guests here at the time of the wedding I have been trying to do some decluttering and tidying each day to chip away at what is quite some task.
Meanwhile in the garden, nature has been moving ahead and our small kowhai tree is almost in flower now. There are plenty of flowers on it but they have yet to reach the point where the tuis and other birds can access the nectar. I am really hoping to see Tuis visit “my” tree in the next few days.
Saturday saw me hurt my knee and I have been hobbling about since then. I’m off to see the physiotherapist this afternoon for a second appointment. I am taking life at a very gentle pace right now and of course I am being reminded of how one part of our body not working fully requires a lot more time and attention being given to everyday activities. My cats are great at showing me that there is much to be said for relaxing, sleeping, staying supple (!) and spending time in good company.
Whether or not you write well, write bravely.
– Bill Stout
We have a Melia azedarach tree in our front garden and it has grown enormously since we first moved in over 22 years ago. We had it trimmed a few years back and the arborist told me he would refuse to cut it down because it was such a beautiful tree.
In the past year or two I have working hard on being more aware and noticing more and my attention on this tree has increased. Then in the last few months I have been reading Juliet Batten’s blog http://seasonalinspiration.blogspot.com and she too is watching Melia trees and we have shared our observations and findings.
I had, until recently known the tree as the Bead tree and I have just learnt why it is so named, thanks to Juliet. The green seeds that are visible on my tree right now, contain a hard, five sided kernel or bead and these beads are used to make rosary beads.
The word “azedarach” comes from a contraction of the Persian vernacular “azaddhirakt” or noble tree.
I have a new and deeper appreciation for my Melia and the small gifts it gives to spiritual seekers and for its ancient noble status.
Saturday 2nd July: Friday wrap-up, a day late.
So here are a few things that have happened today. It has been a good one.
I realized that the very cold weather we have had this week is just the thing to stimulate my newly planted garlic bulbs.
The coffee was good and hot at the café this morning
A friend and I had a discussion about resilience which is a topic we are both interested in
I walked around the lake near our shopping centre and enjoyed the winter light, the water, the birds and some stunning colours that surprised me in the depths of a steely, raw winter’s day
Hot soup was just the right food for lunch
I took some interesting photos on a walk near my home. I’ve included these two of a Melia tree near our local dairy. It looks so vastly different to the one in my garden. 
I completed my Garden Bird survey and was delighted by the number of chaffinchs in the count this year
I did a guided meditation as the light of the day faded
Everyone enjoyed their hot roast dinner
There was some humorous television to watch in the evening.
And I found a new blog which I will be following closely with great interest. I’d encourage you to have a look:-)
Interest had been high regarding two time capsules that were unearthed as a result of the February earthquake in Christchurch. The idea of a time capsule was one that others were exploring and so I decided to come up with my own time capsule.
For a start I would need a large container. In it I would put the following items:
Named and dated photos of me and my family,our pets, our house and our cars. I would also include a short biography of each person. A current newspaper both national and a local rag would go in as well as a dated local street and walkway map of our area. A copy of a television guide, a bank statement and city council rate demand would offer people in time to come some specific information about our lives.
A recipe book and a couple of menus from a cafe and restaurant would give an idea of the type of food that we ate and the ways in which we prepared and cooked the food. Likewise an illustrated knitting pattern and a packet of vegetable and flower seeds.
A selection of junk mail and marketing letters would detail fashion, consumer goods, fast foods, the prices of such items and the ways companies encouraged us to spend our money.
Some examples of money, a landline phone that does not require electricity to operate, an MP3 player, an internet banking gizmo, a plastic money card, a solar powered torch, a wind-up radio and a pair of running shoes could all provide for a fascinating opening in 100 years time. I would also include something funny….a joke or silly trick such as a whoopee cushion or a plastic flower that can squirt water……just to let them know we were not that serious all the time.
And of course a link to my blog……because the internet will still be there……won’t it??????????
What would you put in your time capsule?
ordinarygoodness 