October is the month of storms: so said my mother...
and right on cue, we have had our first Summer thunderstorms.
October also sees our annual display of purple Jacaranda trees, all over Brisbane. Our little tree, only a few years old, but now as high as the house, is getting in the spirit of things and the blooms are busting forth.
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| 'Under the Jacaranda', R. Godfrey Rivers, 1903. QAG |
This is the most popular painting in the Queensland Art Gallery, an impressionist painting of the first Jacaranda tree introduced into the Brisbane Botanical Gardens in the late 19th century from South America.
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As night follows day, the blue Agapanthus follow the Jacaranda. These are the first of a large display we have each year in our garden.
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Our annual Hippeastrum has arrived - always a treat..
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Lorikeets visit every day..
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Along with the storms, yesterday was our first scorching hot day, 33c.
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I do not have a photo, but a neighbour came to tell me a large Eastern Brown snake (they love the heat!) had been seen crossing the street and going into the hedge at the side of our house. Well, it is snake season, but I wish they would stay away. I am avoiding the garden area, and sending Mr. Cardinal outside with the garbage for a few days.
A couple of years ago, one of these snakes took up residence on the far side of our swimming pool, and was seen several times over a few weeks. Fingers crossed the latest visitor will go on his way and not move in.
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I have been getting all crafty lately, working on a Christmas stitchery, getting out a UFO (unfinished object), a Christmas quilt, and working on getting it finished.
And painting a few rustic watercolour Christmas cards...
Have you begun Christmas shopping?
I have not done a thing.
The pandemic, followed by our repressed Economy in Australia, is not conducive to spending. I am thinking a more pared down Christmas might be appropriate for 2022.
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Have a great weekend.
XXX
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Hai un giardino bellissimo,complimenti!Anche mio cugino abita in Australia.Buon pomeriggio.
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteDearest Patricia,
ReplyDeleteWOW and you omitted that said brown snake is highly venomous!
Let's hope it will not stay in your yard—not something to welcome any way.
Maybe post pandemic and worldwide recession will teach the people what Christmas really ought to be.
Both of us have so far refused to adapt to the commercial version and will not succumb to the pressure of the greedy people. It also causes an enormous waste for the environment.
The same is true for Halloween it is excessive garbage being produced in China and all about $$$
Oh, you live in HEAVEN with my favorite blooming tree the Jacaranda. We always enjoyed seeing it in South Africa, in Mexico and in Australia. We have tried several times to grow our own from its beans but always the frost got the young trees and killed them. So sad. But thanks for sharing it here—makes me so happy!
That painting at the Queensland Art Gallery is heavenly. That's how we enjoyed lunch in South Africa where Pieter lectured at the South African Mushroom Conference—outside on a patio under the jacarandas.
Fond memories brought back to life.
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette, We did go out today and buy some extra snake deterrents, solar powered. They seem to work, but the ones from last year have mostly disintegrated in all the rain. They emit a vibration through the ground but do not work through concrete so there are limitations. It is indeed heavenly with the thousands of Jacarandas blooming in Brisbane this month. We all love them :) Glad the painting brought memories for you. The couple in the painting are the artist and his wife, a self-portrait. He was the first Director of the Qld. Art Gallery.
Delete💞
DeletePrayers for no snakes
ReplyDeleteHappy Summer!
Yes indeed. I hope the nasty visitor has gone off to visit another hunting ground!
DeleteOh, Trish, adopt me for the next 6 months! I'm a total summer gal and rarely complain about the heat that sometimes accompanies the season. I love your flowers, and the painting is gorgeous. Terrified of even the mention of brown snakes although I'm not afraid of harmless snakes. I don't love them either! Would rather think about flowers and trees, or look at a beautiful painting. :) And, thank you for enlightening me about all things Brisbane.
ReplyDeleteAustralia is the place for you, Debra. Three months of Winter and the rest is basically Summer. I do not like any snakes at all, and almost none of ours are considered harmless. However, we have learnt to live safely knowing they are about. I am a demon for keeping doors and screens always shut!
DeleteWhat lovely photos! And please do watch out for snakes! I know we must respect all that is in nature but I can't help it, I am from the South and snakes are just scary to me. I like the sound of a pared down Christmas, makes us remember the important things more! Take care. xx
ReplyDeleteAlways watching for snakes, Kay. I walk with eyes on the ground, lol. All snakes are scary to me too, and I can jump backwards in a single bound. A basic Christmas seems more and more appealing. That is all we did as newly weds, and first time parents: Church, lunch with Grandma, and a small fabric doll for our baby girl. Memories :) xx
DeleteOh Trish - those trees are spectacular! I think of Australia as just the most colorful place. But you can keep the snakes. Lol That part I don't think I'd handle well. I have started some Christmas shopping - but agree that it will probably be a simpler holiday this year. I think many are thinking the same way.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carrie, we love our Jacarandas. It sure is colourful around here, particularly in Summer. It suits the harsh sunlight. I don't handle snakes well either, but have learnt to live with them in order to live in a pretty, rural edge of the city. I am trying to teach the grandchildren not to walk into a garden bed!
DeleteHow lovely your garden is just now. I do hope that nasty snake stays away. I'd be avoiding going outside, too. The jacaranda tree is such a glorious sight in full bloom. We enjoyed seeing them when we lived in Ecuador.
ReplyDeleteOur Christmases have been getting simpler over the years, and this year will be the same. Good work on painting your pretty cards.
Oh, I can imagine the Jacarandas in Ecuador, as that is where they come from. It is said that all the trees in Brisbane are descended from the one tree in the painting. Thank you re the cards - I used to paint Christmas cards as a kid, and enjoy getting back to it now. I will do a few more in the next couple of weeks.
DeleteEnjoy your early summer, dear Patricia. I'm so glad we're headed in the opposite direction :-)
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Dear Amalia, thank you and happy Autumn to you. Have a great weekend xo
DeleteAlways so lovely to see Brisbane through your eyes my dear! XOXO
ReplyDeleteThank you Tamera. Jacaranda says Hi back to you! xoxx
DeletePatricia, your Jacaranda tree is beautiful. I used to see them when I lived in So Cal, and they graced the streets. They really are a pretty color. Those vibrant pink flowers must add a pop of color to your garden. I'd love to see your Christmas quilt when you're finished with it. And those Lorikeets are one of the prettiest birds I've seen. I can only imagine seeing one in person. Looks like he's singing for you.
ReplyDeleteI hope your November days are wonderful, Patricia. Haven't done Christmas shopping either, but I better get something done soon. ; )
~Sheri
Those lorikeets do sing to me, Sheri. As soon as they see me in the kitchen in the morning, they call out until I put out seed to them. Then they settle down to quiet murmuring as they have breakfast :)
DeleteThe Jacaranda is such a pleasure - as are all the hundreds of others we saw today as we drove around the city.
What lovely signs of summer, Trish. Your blossom and flowers are beautiful, but I am with you about the snake. I'd rather avoid any encounters too. You are moving into the warmth as we are descending into the cold. It has been horrid here today.
ReplyDeleteSorry it us horrid there! I hope you get a crisp, nice Winter. Meanwhile, we have not seen the snake, so fingers crossed :)
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