Monday, January 27, 2020

THE BLESSING OF RAIN

Hello
Yesterday was Australia Day.
We celebrate our beautiful country, and give thanks for recent rains in our little corner of Queensland.

While bush fires still burn in the South, we have been fortunate -
storms and showers have come over the past few weeks, and our grass has returned from brown to green.


I have never felt so relieved to see the roadsides flushed with bright green, something not seen for about a year...




The Red Cardinal Garden of Neglect is beginning to re-emerge, as is the view down to the Valley...



A few blooms on the hedge..







Every Australia Day, we have a communal barbeque in our cul-de-sac..
Mr Cardinal tends to the cooking..
That is the Red Cardinal nest in the background.
It is a great night, and a chance to catch up with all the news of the neighbourhood..


I bought this beautiful plate designed by artist Marini Ferlazzo.  A share of the profits goes to support animals affected by the Australian bushfires.  There are wonderful stories emerging of animals helping one another to escape the awful fires.  I think this design says it all, as the Koala enfolds all the other Native Australian birds and animals.


Clara Inkamala, Arrernte people, Australia [1954-]  Emu and chicks 2002. QAGoMA
This painting is currently on display in the Qld Art Gallery.  It shows the native Emu and chicks in the beautiful country around Hermannsburg in the Northern Territory of Australia.





Happy Australia Day!


XXXXX









29 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you've had rain. It's lovely to see all of the green. It looks like you had a wonderful Australia Day. Xx

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    Replies
    1. The rain is so precious - we have never appreciated it so much before! While more heat waves are expected, at least the green will protect us a bit, not so combustible as dry dead foliage. Australia Day is always good :)

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  2. I know you must have had a wonderful celebration of Australia Day dear Patricia. Love seeing your beautiful garden and pool area along with some colorful plants and flowers - it's all gorgeous and I'm thankful knowing you have not been impacted by the terrible fires etc. The design on the plate is beautiful in its sadness - so many animals lost, it has been heartbreaking watching them on the TV news.

    Wishing you continued good weather and praying for Australia.
    Hugs - Mary

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    Replies
    1. Hello Mary, It is such a relief to see the garden come back somewhat. Despite the tropical climate, I do love a cottage garden and persist with planting little flowers in the protected parts. Thank you for your kind thoughts for Australia. Hugs back to you :)

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  3. Happy belated Australian Day to you and Mr. Cardinal. It is such a joy to see a green Australia instead of all those awful images that have been transmitted around the world.
    I love the painting of the Northern Territory - it has an attractive naivety to it which I admire.
    The Cardinal's nest looks very inviting and welcoming with the fun of the communal barbeque taking place.

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    Replies
    1. We are so fortunate to have had some rain - we thought it might not happen this year. Sadly, the fires continue around Canberra and other parts of southern Australia. I love that painting too - Entata carries on some of the tradition of Namatjira in painting the area of the McDonnell ranges. Our nest sends greetings to your nest :)

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  4. Replies
    1. Yay indeed Salty Pumpkin! I will never complain of rain again - ever!! It is the best Australia Day gift.

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  5. So true Val! Wow, clever sheep dog and smart dingoes. I read about the wombat burrow, sheltering a big goanna, two wallabies, and the wombat himself - all emerged when the fire passed over.

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  6. What a treat for eyes your blog is today, Trish. Happy Australia Day! I keep intending to make homemade Golden Syrup (following the tutorials on YouTube, as it isn't for sale in the USA) so I can make the cookies you eat to celebrate the day … yet I never get around to actually doing it. I'm sure I'd have already made the cookies, if only I didn't have a job before getting to a job. :)

    You have made you nest very beautiful.

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    1. Thank you Debra, we love our house. Wow, I have never heard of homemade Golden Syrup! Are there any stores in NYC which sell Australian groceries? Maybe you could get it there, or buy the Anzac cookies.

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  7. Love to see your gardens, when we are in Winter here...
    Happy Australia Day...hope the fires are done...
    Thanks for visiting!!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. We are so happy to see a few flowers, after all those heat waves. Still about 4 months of Summer to go, so we can't be sure what will happen. There are some fires in the Canberra area, still quite serious. Meantime, enjoy the snow :)

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  8. Your Australia Day sounds wonderful, Patricia. How nice that the neighbors get together and have a barbecue on this special day. I think about you with the fires going on in Australia. I hope they are getting them under control, it's scary. Your plate is cute, and great that the profits are going to a good cause. Your blooms are so pretty from your garden.

    It's already February! I do hope you have many good February days, my dear Australia friend. : )

    ~Sheri

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    1. We always enjoy Australia Day! The fires continue in some areas, but not as big as a few weeks ago. I am happy to have the garden coming back into bloom. February already - usually a very hot month for us, but then we have hopes of Autumn, my favourite. Happy days!

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  9. I am so happy to hear you had the blessing of much needed rain darling!!

    Your backyard is gorgeous and oh so inviting! I so enjoy visiting here ... and seeing your world my dear! Happy February to you and yours! xox

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    1. Thank you dear Tamera. I think our worlds are quite different, but we have the heat in common! Happy February to you and your lovely family. xox

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  10. So glad your country is getting some fire relief. Having a community get together sounds like a lot of fun.

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    1. Hi Darla, it has been a strange Summer in Australia. While there are still heatwaves and large fires near Canberra, we have been having severe storms, and even flooding in some areas. The climate change seems to mean whatever happens, it is very intense! We love our annual street party!!

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  11. I'm so glad you've been getting rain. It's been a such a crazy and sad summer. Happy Australia Day!
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Thank you Amalia. The blessings have continued, and the past few days we have had a deluge, with local flooding. It has been years since I saw such rain! xo

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