Happy Sunday and Happy February everyone..
Did you know tomorrow, February 6, is a special occasion for Her Majesty?
It is sixty-five years since she became Queen, the Sapphire Anniversary..
The Queen has many sets of sapphire jewellery - I wonder if she will wear sapphires for this occasion?
It has been a busy week -
went to choir practice at two new choirs, trying to decide which to join.
I really miss my old choir which finished before Christmas.
It is difficult to sing and learn new work in a torrid heat wave.
I came home exhausted and dehydrated.
Might put it off until the weather cools a bit, although even the experts have no idea when that may be.
Thinking cool thoughts of the forests at Mt Lindsey..
listening to the bellbirds..
Here is a recording I found on U-tube - it is ages since I actually heard them.
Until about five years ago there was a bellbird colony quite close to our home, but sadly construction of a road chased them away.
They are very shy creatures, and their song is really sweet, like a tiny crystal bell.
I had a wonderful day with the Sewing Sisters at V's new apartment, with a lovely view over the river and the city.
Our topic of the day? Downsizing..
We all have to do it ... eventually....
 |
| Dale Frank, Australia, 'He always seemed short, short on socks, short of breath, short on circumstance, short of reasons, short on shame, but was it any wonder' 2009 |
I went back to work at the gallery, after a break while DD was here from Canada..
This large, shiny, luscious painting by Dale Frank fascinates me.
He pours varnishes and coloured dyes over a borizontal canvas and then tilts the corners slowly over the months it takes to cure. The resulting forms are deep and surreal - to me they look like strange underwater creatures.
The colour is sublime....
The carpet cleaner is coming tomorrow, so we have been moving things around to clear the way for him.
It's all non-stop excitement in the cardinal nest...
Have a great week
XXXXX
Aren't the Queen's sapphires gorgeous! Sapphire is my birthstone and I received my mother's sapphire ring at her bequest. The little bell bird does sound like a clear tinkling bell! So sweet. I'm already in a small bungalow and hope I don't have to downsize much further than that. I have a while to go yet before this becomes an issue. Enjoy your weekend and stay cool!
ReplyDeleteWendy
Hello Wendy, lucky you to receive that sapphire ring, a perfect gift. A small bungalow sounds about perfect - no need to downsize for you.
DeleteI'm in a ski chalet north of Toronto listening to the wind howl all around me, the snow is blowing by and I hope it's not too cold for my rascals who are up in the hills attacking slopes, they just love to ski those kids. Our climates couldn't be more different, I could barely do my long walk today for the cold wind and biting snow.
ReplyDeleteI do love sapphires and the Queen is such a steady comfort in our mad world. Love her.
Those bellbirds sound lovely. Yesterday I spotted the fattest blue jay I've ever seen in my life, it quite shocked me it was nearly the size of a chicken! xx
Oh you children are very typical Canadians, aren't they? They are seem to thrive on those cold sports. My daughter's inlaws used to have season passes for the ski slopes. So funny re the blue jay, can't imagine it so fat, although I must say the one on my Christmas tree was larger than all the little red birds!
DeleteHope you enjoy finding a new choir and enjoy singing with them when you do. Stay cool in the meantime and enjoy your sewing!
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Amy - we must find the things we love to do, and do them!
DeleteSapphires are such a pretty shade of blue and I do think the Queen looks lovely in blue. She has devoted herself to her country and done it with such grace and elegance...
ReplyDeleteSinging must be terribly demanding in the intense heat...be careful that you don't get too tired...I once fainted singing in the school choir in a hot and stuffy auditorium.
Totally agree, the Queen looks lovely in blue, I think it's her best colour. What an amazing life she has lived and continues to do so beautifully - in her 90's!
DeleteGood warning about the choir, as I had a few dizzy spells in my rehearsal last week. Need to watch that, don't I.
You may have noticed how much I love sapphires, Trish. They always have a way of popping up on my blog. Such a pretty color of blue! The Queen looks fabulous in it! Happy Annivarsity to her Majesty!
DeleteStay cool!
Sapphire blue is so pretty, totally agree. If you love sapphires, you probably look great in that colour too :)
DeleteYou can hear bellbirds on the Mount Glorious road, they are so loud you can hear them over the sound of the car engine. Such a lovely sound and a really lovely drive if you don't mind hairpin bends and steep drops!!!
ReplyDeleteAh, that is where they went! I was referring to the colony which used to be on the Gap Creek Road, where, like the Mt Lindsay one, you can definitely hear them when driving past. Thank you for letting me know.
DeleteYou know more about the Queen than I do Patricia I had no idea that she was celebrating her 65th Anniversary today - perhaps it will be mentioned on our news.
ReplyDeleteLove sapphires and have two rings which I am very fond of.
I know that bird on the calender as I have seen it on a blog recently - I believe it is a Northern Flicker.
sorry calendar
DeleteAh, I saw it on the news Rosemary - probably only because we are half a day ahead of you. There was a new pictures released of the Queen in blue, wearing the sapphires given by her father as a wedding gift.
DeleteI too have a sapphire ring - they are very lovely, and popular it seems.
I wondered what the bird was - a Northern Flicker, I will have to write it on the page. Thank you for letting me know.
That shade of blue quite suits the Queen. She is such an incredible woman. Good luck choosing the right choir to join. Maybe you could give them each another try before committing to one or the other.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kristie, the two choirs I attended were at night, and yes, will give them another try. The previous one met in the day, which I prefer. A lovely official portrait of the Queen has been released, wearing that gorgeous blue!
DeleteDear Patricia
ReplyDelete65 years shows incredible committment - the Queen is the amazing 'constant' in our lives.
Do you have Netflix and have you watched "The Crown"? I know you will love it as I did. Series one has ten episodes and for me each one was riveting viewing!
It's a shame your choir has folded, we like the old familiar at our age. But in this age it seems change is inevitable.
I'm trying to clear out cupboards and drawers to make room here too - it's a slow process!
Hugs to you both
Shane xx
So jealous you have seen The Crown. Everyone enjoys it so much, including our daughter in Canada! Unfortunately we are unable to access Netflix here - something technical about our forgotten corner of Brisbane not having high-speed internet, blah blah :(
DeleteOh you know how we like the old familiar - I am feeling quite the cry-baby wanting my old choir back.
Decluttering - it is our life now ...
Patricia, the Sapphire earrings are so lovely. I used to love to see the jewelry that Diana wore back in the day. I didn't know you were in the choir, how wonderful! The Bell Birds call is sweet. I've never heard of these birds before. You don't see them around here.
ReplyDeleteI always learn something when I come over and visit with you, my friend. Have a wonderful week, and enjoy your new clean carpets.
love, ~Sheri
Yes, the royal sapphires continued on with Diana, and now Duchess Kate, who wears her sapphire engagement ring. I love choral singing, and have done it on and off all my life, since early primary school. There are many community choirs in Brisbane.
DeleteSo good to have clean carpets again, after all that Christmas action!
I really like the liquid feel and look of the painting. And doesn't sapphire suit Her Majesty. Yes, the weather is too hot to be rushing around trying new choirs - settle back into the Art Gallery first!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoy the painting - liquid is an excellent description, and I always talk about floating, or being underwater. I have to be careful not to take a selfie, it is so glossy. And you are perfectly right: I have decided to postpone the choral action until the weather is cooler, whenever that may be.
DeleteWe are so proud of our Queen celebrating her Sapphire anniversary. She does look beautiful in blue doesn't she. I belonged to a choir many years ago but sadly the lady running it passed away. I could never adapt to another choir again, I just don't like change. Must be debilitating singing in those temperatures too. A bit chilly here in the UK at the moment and can't wait for some warm sunshine. Many thanks for your recent comments on my blog. P x
ReplyDeleteHi Pat, that is really interesting about the choir. I might have a bit of the same problem, finding that the new choirs do not immediately give the same joy as the old choir. Yes, definitely debilitating trying to sing, or do anything much, in the high temps. And thanks for dropping by, I loved meeting you, and always think of you when I see anything from Liberty :) x
DeleteGod Save Our Queen! A woman like no other.
ReplyDeleteLike you I am longing to watch 'The Queen' - hope it will eventually be available on DVD as we don't have streaming Netflix.
I'm watching 'Victoria' right now and that's a great show too. GB certainly has had great queens! Perhaps the kings could learn from them!
Yes, that is the Northern flicker of the woodpecker family, and we have several in our garden - big, beautiful birds who usually are ground feeders but come to our suet feeders in the colder months.
Mary -
Welcome to my blog, Mary. I too am hoping for 'The Queen' to become a DVD - must happen eventually.
DeleteAh, the Northern flicker belongs to the woodpecker family; he certainly does have the pose there. Thank you for letting me know - I like to learn all the birds wherever I go. Last time we were in Canada I saw my first woodpecker - what an excitement that was :)
Sapphires are probably my favourite precious stone, although I do like opal too. I had never heard bellbird songs, what a pity the construction got rid of them in your neighbourhood.
ReplyDeleteAustralian opals are very pretty, did you know?
DeleteBellbird colonies are few and far between as they like dense bush in isolated areas. I loved having them nearby as well as being only 10km from the City.
Personally, I think clean carpets are something to sing about - especially when someone else is doing the cleaning! :) Sapphires are my favorite stone of all. My engagement and wedding rings both contain sapphires and it's especially fitting because both of my children were born in September. I couldn't have know that my rings would be even more special when I chose them. :)
ReplyDeleteHa, yes, great to see the guy with the big machine doing those carpets. How special is the sapphire in your life, and you get to wear them all the time. You must look lovely dressed in blue with your engagement and wedding rings to match!
Deletevery interesting post,congrats for queen for completing such long journey!
ReplyDeletehope you find yourself a better choir .
Thank you, glad you enjoyed.
DeleteI'm sure that the queen's jewelry box already covers every possible anniversary :-) 65 years! Amazing.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
So true - the Queen does have a super collection of jewels, mostly passed down through the generations. I read that the 70 anniversary is platinum - wonder if she will reach that milestone?
DeleteOh downsizing is so important. I am currently deciding on what makes me happy when I look at it and what doesn't.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my blog. Glad you are also on the downsizing bandwagon - sometimes it is hard to make that decision, though, I find.
Delete