Calm before the storm

I headed out into the countryside today to visit a friend, and en route home saw this 'calm before the storm' view of sheep in the sunshine, with dark clouds that looked so threatening looming above the Ruahines. 

And at my friend's house, I enjoyed becoming acquainted with her baby, plus a whole array of farmyard animals. Here is one of her chooks, and I am looking forward to eating the free range eggs she gave me!

Blogging inspiration

I have had a bit of a blogging break recently. With my arm and much of my hand encased in plaster, I couldn't take any photos for weeks, and typing wasn't exactly easy either. But I did keep reading blogs, and in this post will share just a few of my favourites. Call it a bit of springtime inspiration if you live in the right part of the world- or autumn consolation otherwise I guess!

We'll start locally with Pohangina Pete who takes exquisite photos, some shared from his overseas travels, and some taken somewhere quite nearby, little things I might have noticed myself if I had looked- like this apple in winter or this detail on a building down Main St.

And next we'll jump across the Tasman, where I know a whole bunch of bloggers who often have me wishing I could take a quick jet trip to explore that wee island out west of us. One of them is Simon, who loves to head out into the local National Parks whenever he can find the time. Here is one of his latest forays, to Penrith Lakes, man-made; and here is a record of what he saw at Goulburn River National Park, shortly after he returned home from a trip to England that had been slightly extended by a certain volcanic eruption.

Now I will jump continents to a newly discovered blog by George. You can see some of the reflections he has captured here on the waters of the Inner Harbour of Baltimore, and also see some of the visions he has recorded of the modern buildings. Art and beauty and inspiration. And while we are in the US of A, I have been a regular reader of Kelle Hampton's blog, Enjoying the Small Things, for months.  She shares many beautiful photos of her two young girls, and here is just a random sample. She leaves me wanting to notice and enjoy the 'small things' every day in my own life.

I can't quite leave the other side of the world without paying a visit to Robert, the Solitary Walker, (who in fact led me to Blogger George.) Robert has been walking the South West Coast Path in England in recent days, and writes so persuasively, and adds such photographs that you wish you were walking with him, even if it is raining.... Then there's ornithologist Maalie, who spends a bit of his retirement having 'well-earned holidays' bird-watching in odd places all over Europe; but who has recently bought a kayak to explore a bit closer to home.

I guess I do tend to dabble more in blogs with photos, but there are more text based blogs that inspire me as well. (Can you spot the 'lapsed Catholic' peaking out from the next two?) Recently Paul Brian Campbell SJ, who often shares little tidbits of inspiration, shared a bit from a poem by Mary Oliver that I love:

"this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice can speak."

And Becky Eldredge, in her blog "Everything is Holy Now" recently quoted something about the very concrete-ness of being Catholic, that almost made me wish I still was one....

" Catholics are a sacramental people. We see signs of the presence of God around us in every moment of our lives. We know, of course, that God is greater than we can imagine and beyond all that we can touch, but we are also convinced that creation, from the most ordinary--water, oil, bread--to the most unlikely--the stranger, the enemy, the cross--can reveal divine love. "

Anyhow, that is enough for now..... more another day perhaps.

Down by the Riverside

After more than a week- was it even as much as two weeks- of stormy, windy, wet, cold, crap days... finally a sunny calm afternoon. 

 Yippeeeee! So after physio I went a wandering down by the riverside.

And as you can see, the river is flowing quite full of muddy sediment after all our recent rain.

Sunshine on his sign...

I'd vote for this man if I could. He must be glad to finally get a sunny, calm day to show off his election sign...... Chris Teo-Sherrell .....

PS Did you notice the driver eating a banana at the wheel?

Normal Life Resumes...

Today dawned bright and sunny- a treat after the heavy rain we had on Monday. I had a physio appointment, so left home by foot in plenty of time, with my camera in my backpack to take some photos as I walked. It was just such a sunny morning that I had taken my camera out some two months ago, and ended up with a broken arm... I was keen not to repeat that part of the experience...

 

Not far from home, I noticed the shadow pattern made by the wrought iron gate that is part of the War Memorial Gate on Ruahine St, at Terrace End School. I loved the way the shadows and the moss sat together.

Right near the physio's clinic, there was a blossom tree, and the flowers looked magnificent against the blue of the sky- a great announcement that spring has definitely sprung. And there was more good cheer at my appointment: I really do have some useful fine motor movement now- quite a change from twelve days ago, and truly a credit to the skill and dedication of a wonderful physiotherapist.

After physio I continued walking to town, and saw two more of the 'interesting drain cover' series, and hereby present them for the edification of fellow members of aducpas- the non existent 'Australasian drain and utility cover, and plumbing appreciation society'. 

The breeze was blowing in the Square, filling the flags...

 

I had a hot chocolate, pretending I was in France, then walked on home again. About 6-7kms or so. Training for the next Camino maybe!!?

Addendum: I can now drive, as of yesterday afternoon. Short flat distances. If I use my splint. But had wee adventure with my splint this evening- searched to find it for an hour. Thought my new-found freedom was a 'goner'. Eventually found it. Velcro on splint had attached itself to velcro on raincoat, and both were hanging neatly together in the cupboard...

Welcome to Spring!

Welcome to Spring! Today was a lovely warm sunny day for us all to breathe in the start of the new season .....though tomorrow much rain is forecast!

On Friday I had my cast removed, something I was very happy about. Saturday I had a bit of a 'melt-down' as my hand felt so 'useless'. But this week I have met an angel of a physiotherapist who has given me hope that 'ordinary life' is not too many weeks away....