Hello there, this chilly Sunday in South-East Queensland, where the frost may well be on the ground tomorrow. Snow fell today, about three hours south of here, over the border in Northern New South Wales.
Stanthorpe, in Southern Queensland, is hoping for snow tomorrow, and long lines of cars have been driving south to have a look at today's light and pretty dusting of the white stuff.
The Westerley Winds have been blowing.
Goody - I like a change...
Undeterred, we took my 94.5 years old Dad up to the Mountain to look at the views and have his usual coffee and toasted ham sandwich.
He liked looking out to sea over the Gold Coast..
and westwards to more mountains..
We brought along our son, and my father was happy to know it was his grandson. In fact, we had to tell him several times, but then he got to enjoy it, several times...
Our grandson, Little Aussie has been here all week (school holidays), and having a great time.
On the other hand, I have done very little of substance, but we have all enjoyed ourselves. Aussie's singing voice has matured very well since he started school, and he has a considerable range and excellent pitch.
I am thinking of giving him piano lessons - as soon as I buy a teaching book.
Sad news - the passing of Omar Sharif, star of one of my all-time favourite movies, Dr. Zhivago.
Here he is with Julie Christie...
and Geraldine Chaplin..
Loved him again in Funny Girl with Barbra Streisand..
and roaming the desert in Lawrence of Arabia..
Vale, Omar.
 |
| Bharti Kher, India, 'The Skin Speaks a Language Not Its Own' 2006. |
A lifesize, fibre glass sculpture of an elephant, by Bharti Kher, currently on display at QAG, is covered in white bindi.
The bindi in India is traditionally a mark of pigment applied to the forehead, and is associated with the Hindu symbol of the 'third eye'.
This dying elephant is covered in white bindi.
Elephants are revered across Asia as a symbol of dignity, intelligence and strength. They were used to carry kings and princes, and thus are associated with royalty. Elephants feature in processions and ceremonies.
Kher uses the symbolism of a dying elephant to contemplate the potentially destructive effects of popular culture and consumerism on the culture of India.
This work is powerful and evocative, as you contemplate its beautiful form, slumped on the floor, a magnificent beast unable to rise again.
It always makes me sad.
I know, I am a week late with this, but I loved Kate's ivory outfit for the Christening of Princess Charlotte:
Same colour as last time - you don't mess with Perfection.
Ivory sets off that beautiful Christening gown wonderfully.
And doesn't Her Majesty look a treat in pretty pink?
Stay warm
And have a lovely week
XXXX
I smiled when reading about lines of cars driving south to catch a glimpse of snow. We have been in the middle of a three week long heat wave here. The hottest day at our cottage was last Sunday. It got up to 38 C.
ReplyDeleteHow nice that your grandson seems to like music! I'm sure he would love piano lessons. Three of my children played piano, and listening to them practice was a delight, especially my second oldest son Kellen.
Kate looked beautiful, and the christening gown was amazing, but I was most impressed with the Queen. She looks so happy in that picture. I have the greatest admiration for her.
Today there were TV reports showing people posing in the light snowfalls, and tiny little snowmen, less than knee high! There were interviews with people who had never before seen snow. Meanwhile, 38 C is much too high - I object strongly when it happens here...
DeleteSo nice you had 3 children playing piano, and always delightful to listen. We love listening to our grandson sing - so much joy to hear him.
Imagine snow in Australia - I hope that the people travelling to see it arrived before it melted.
ReplyDeleteA red bindi spot was placed on us between our eyes on several occasions whilst travelling in India and I assumed that it was a welcoming gesture. I asked more about it and learnt that the area between the eyebrows is the seat of 'concealed learning' the placing of bindi is said to help retain concentration, energy and strength, and as you mentioned too it represents the third eye.
The is snow in Australia, Rosemary, but the snow fields are a long way south of here, near Canberra and in Victoria, where there are ski resorts. The excited revellers did catch the light snow yesterday and a bit more is predicted. The tiny little snowmen they made amused me.
DeleteThe bindi is interesting, and how nice it must be to have it placed on your face in welcome. I know they are usually red - I think the white ones on the elephant signify death.
It was always much colder over in Queensland .. snow on the high moutains.. The Bindi I would presume, is the third eye of wisdom. Not enough is being done to save these magnificent creatures.. It is sad.
ReplyDeleteI cried when i heard the news that Omar sharif had died.. he was so much part of our lives, when I was married. We were all in love with him.
Kate looked stunning Patricia. She chose well. I think she dresses well.. I also think, that she gets on well with the Queen.
A lovely post .. most interesting.
val xxxx
Yes, it did snow a bit in Queensland today Val - first time in three years, and a few lucky children were able to build little snowmen. There could be more in the next two days.
DeleteSo sad re Omar - he was part of our young lives, wasn't he - quite the matinee idol :)
Have a nice week, and I hope you get some cooler weather too! xxx
Patricia,
ReplyDeleteLittle Aussie is growing up. He is looking tall!
Love the story of you taking your son to see his 94.5 year old grandfather. May your father live to be 100.
And I thought the elephant was real and wondered about him before learning it is a statue. It would be interesting to walk around it.
Hi Debra, You know, we are beginning to think Dad might make it to 100. When he was young he used to think he would pass on in his fifties, because that is what his father and older brother did. Thank goodness for modern medical science, he is still going quite well. He made a few little jokes, not bad for his age, and despite the fact he doesn't remember our names any more.
DeleteThe elephant is very realistic, and always displayed so you can walk around it to get the full impact of what is happening. People really like this sculpture.
Hey, snow is AUS!!!!! Quite an event for everyone I imagine! Wow!!! Glad you had a good time with your Dad and that he kept on being happy. You take the moments and the joy when you can don't you. The elephant is amazing, I could not make out what it was made of to start with. You must love working there and getting to see such amazing and moving things. Glad you had a good time with little Aussie, piano lessons sounds like fun! xx
ReplyDeleteYes, snow spread all across the south-east of AUS! Even a tiny bit in tropical Queensland, Amy. Lots of photos on the news, as you can imagine.
DeleteThe elephant is a great piece of art, and is very popular. I do love working there and sharing the art with the public.
Have a great week! xx
Lovely post Patricia. It's funny but we don't associate snow with Australia for some reason but I bet it went down well for all those traffic queues. So glad your dad enjoyed his day up in the mountains with little Aussie. Such a special time for them to be together. The views were stunning. Thanks so much for your comment on my recent post. P x
ReplyDeleteThank you P, and so nice you are blogging again. Snow so far north in Australia is quite rare, but there are now lots of snow resorts in the Snowy Mountains which form part of the border between New South Wales and Victoria. They have had great falls of snow over the weekend. Meantime, Queenslanders are driving to see the light sprinkle in the area around Stanthorpe, about 3 hours south/west of Brisbane. Good old Dad enjoys his drives up the mountain so much, he is quite easy to please, and very grateful. xx
DeleteI've seen the news reports, Val - and you were out there driving in it! Exciting! Such a novelty! Saw some shots of Orange where there was lots of snow. Look forward to your photos, which I am sure will be magical.
ReplyDeleteYou might be onto something re Kate - after all, if you are going to be Queen some day, you might as well learn from the expert :)
Always so lovely to visit your world my dear! I enjoy seeing your life and learning a bit along the way! Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tamera, invigorating cold winds from the south are hitting us today - what fun! It is so rare to get out our gloves, warm scarves and socks, and light a fire. We are cosy and warm indoors..
DeletePatricia, I love Kate's ivory outfit that she's wearing, so elegant, and the baby's gown, oh my! Omar Sharif was a wonderful actor, wasn't he? And I love Barbara Streisand. I bet you're having lots of fun with little Aussie during the school holiday. He looks cute there on the scooter. My son loved skateboards, and his favorite present ever was a skateboard that we bought him one year. Your dad sounds so dear, and I'm glad you took him to the mountains to enjoy the fresh air. How blessed you are to still have your dad, Patricia.
ReplyDeleteThis was a delightful post, my friend.
love, ~Sheri
Yes, isn't the Christening gown beautiful Sheri - it is a replica of one which dates from Queen Victoria's time. Yes, our boys had skateboards too, and they were real favourites, used for years and years. I never thought my Dad would live so long, and neither did he. It is a bonus for us all. xxx
DeleteHow lovely that your dad still enjoys life. At his age, I expect he does forget who is who :) I cannot imagine why anyone would want to see snow...haha. I have hated it my whole life and loved that I only saw it once in the twenty years I lived in SA! Lovely photos as always Patricia, and sorry to hear about Omar Sharif. He was such a star!
ReplyDeleteYes, living with snow is quite another story, isn't it? We only like it because we don't have it, and we admire the beauty of a snowy vista. We did spend two weeks in a Canadian winter back in 2010, walking in the streets daily with metres of snow all around. While it looked nice, it was Very Hard on our bodies and we won't be doing it again. Good old Omar - only 83. What a pity he couldn't have another ten+ years like my Dad :)
DeleteIt sounds like you had a nice outing with your family and the views are terrific.
ReplyDeleteThe elephant art took my breath away. So life like, so poignant. It must be even more so in person.
Hope you get a peek at the snow but not have to deal with it in your own yard.
Darla
I'm sure you would enjoy the elephant sculpture in situ, Darla. It really draws people in, and is such an unusual thing to do a dying pose. There won't be any snow where we live, which is probably just as well as our house is not built for it. The snowy town is in the high country about 3 hours south west of Brisbane. I have been saving a few media photos of it.
DeleteIt's almost Adelaide weather over here at the moment - the coldest I have known Newcastle to be since I have lived here - about 12 years. Your father sounds delightful - his underlying personality must have been very pleasant, and you are doing all the right things to stir positive emotions in him- very important. Nice to see the third generation is doing well too.
ReplyDeleteAnd I remember most of those movies!
Take care...
Wow, must be cold in Newcastle, Sarah Liz. You are right - Dad had an attractive personality, and it still appears sometimes. The staff seem to be very fond of him, which is nice. Poor Omar - his best movies came at the beginning, and he himself said he retired because he was only getting rubbish roles. Dr Zhivago was so popular - I even made myself a fur-trimmed coat inspired by it :)
DeleteCheck out my post when you get a chance. I think you'll like it.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely Sunday, Patricia.
~Sheri
Thank you Sheri, loved your post. So many lovely blogs to check out, and thank you so much for including me! xx
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