SIGNS OF SUMMER

 

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.

'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.

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.

Our annual Hippeastrum has arrived - always a treat..

Lorikeets visit every day..

Along with the storms, yesterday was our first scorching hot day, 33c. 

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.

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.

Have a great weekend.

XXX

SEASONAL NEWS

 

Hello

While I was not looking, Summer suddenly arrived:

up came our scarlet Hippeastrums, aka Amaryllis in some parts..

 the purple of the Jacarandas has spread across the city...

and the Agapanthus are flowering in the Red Cardinal garden.

The change of seasons also saw the Royal Family out and about.

Red is key this year:

I thought Camilla looked very smart at the opening of the Welsh Parliament.

I wish I knew her dressmaker - her clothes are beautifully tailored..

Catherine dazzled in red to give a keynote speech at Action on Addiction, one of her patronages.

A Ralph Lauren sweater was paired with a pleated skirt by Christopher Kane.

What a stunning combination...

How are you all?

I had a relatively common surgical operation, and am taking recuperation slowly, as suggested by my doctor..

Fatigue is the enemy...

Our State of Queensland has been blessedly, largely Covid free, since the Pandemic began.   This has been achieved by isolation, a management strategy which goes back into history.  I have read about methods to contain the spread of Bubonic Plague in the Middle Ages, and really, it was much the same then.

However, because Covid has been 'somewhere else', and vaccine supplies sparse for much of this year, many of us have not completed vaccination.  

Now it is catch-up time, as our Government will open the borders just before Christmas, and basically we will 'learn to live with Covid'.

At the moment our state is 56% fully vaccinated.  I will have my second shot next week.  The experts are pushing towards 80% vaccination before Christmas which will be difficult given our large State, and relatively small and decentralised population.  Fingers crossed everybody can get to a vaccination centre and get the jab.

And maybe, just maybe, we will eventually be able to see our daughter and grandchildren in Canada once more.

They are into hiking these days, and are out exploring in the fresh Autumn air..

Take care and be safe

XXXXX

GARDEN UPDATE, CEZANNE, WINE AND CONTEMPORARY SCULPTURE

Greetings from the Red Cardinal Garden of Neglect...

which has performed admirably during our long absence and a torrid heatwave, with the help of kind neighbours and Mr Mower Man...

When I studied Art History, an artist who really appealed to me was Paul Cezanne [1836-1906], Post-Impressionist and forerunner of Cubism.  

One of my lecturers was particularly fond of the breakthrough painting 'Still Life with Plaster Cast' 1895.  You can read about it here  http://www.artandarchitecture.org.uk/stories/cumming_cezanne/cumming_cezanne04.html    

Google Image 'Still Life with Plaster Cast', Paul Cezanne

Just north of the Old Town in Aix-en-Provence is his former home with upstairs studio, which remain much as Cezanne left them.   His coat hangs on the wall, along with his easel, an unfinished picture still in position, and simple objects that featured in his portraits: the ginger jar, fruit bowl, and of course the cupid.

Cezanne frequently walked a short distance up the hill to his vantage point for the spectacular views of Montagne Saint-Victoire, one of his favourite painting subjects.   

To keep us well-informed there were copies of the most famous of these paintings, which are held in Art Museums in many parts of the world.

Paul Cezanne 'Mont Sainte-Victoire'

Dear Reader, I was unbelievably thrilled by this particular Art Pilgrimage...

By way of an intermission, our agapanthus have begun to bloom...

In the countryside surrounding Aix-en-Provence we enjoyed a day at the Chateau La Coste winery.  This estate combines fine food and wine, contemporary art and architecture, and beautiful vineyards.

In addition to the vineyards, a central pavilion designed by architect Tadao Ando contains an Art Centre, restaurant, and bookshop, with adjacent vast infinity pool of water..

Alexander Calder: 'Small Crinkly' 1976

Louise Bourgeois 'Crouching Spider' 2003

Larry Neufeld 'Donegal' 2013

Tom Shannon 'Drop' 2009

Sean Scully 'Wall of Light Cubed' 2007

Lunch was a delicious and elegant affair..

The many sculptures were displayed among the vineyards, making a beautiful walking tour before lunch and wine tasting a must...
It was another of the major highlights of our tour in Provence..

In other news, Jacaranda season arrived while we were away, and our tree has finally gotten the message and begun to bloom...

Our Sunday treat this week was the Ron Howard documentary movie 'Pavarotti' about the legendary Italian tenor.
If you love opera, you will probably love it... as we did.  

One of the greatest tenor voices of the 20th century, he appears to have been a lovely, generous, hard-working and charismatic man.
Sadly, he passed away at the early age of 71.

It was wonderful to see and hear those magical arias once again...

XXXX