Perth Zoo 4 - Reflections

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God's Artwork ~ Reflecting on my day at the Zoo

Watercolour...

Perspectives...


New directions...


Lively puddles!

Thank you for sharing with me, my day at Perth Zoo!

That's all, folks!

Perth Zoo 3 - Design in Nature

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Perth Zoo 2 - Australian Wetlands

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This exhibit is experienced by walking on a boardwalk through a huge free-flight aviary and lake complex. The water birds all appear very happy in their natural surroundings.

Black-necked Stork or Jabiru

(near-threatened species)

Australian Darter, Snake-bird

Brolga or Australian Crane

Pelicans

Perth Zoo 1 - Personalities

Somebody's gotta keep watch...

while the 'roos nap...

the orangutangs share secrets...

and Permai gives herself a straw bath...!

Try that again...

...

...and you won't know what hit you!!!

Willow has recovered - but is very wary. I hope in time she will return to being a playful, happy cat again.

Million Dollar Cat!

Poor Willow! She had us very worried when she disappeared for 15 hours overnight! One moment she was a carefree kitten pouncing around the sprinkler holes in the garden, batting the insects that hovered above, delighting in life, then she disappeared! After a night of periodic calling and looking for her, she finally crawled home in the morning.

After 2 days in the veterinary hospital, a drip, investigation under anaesthetic, X-rays, and medication for pain and swelling and antibiotics, she could go home to be nursed back to health. We don't know what trauma she suffered, but she had to be treated for shock, bruising and muscle tears around the belly, and two huge, painful swellings on her rump, and minor cuts on her toe and ankle. Thankfully, she had no broken bones.

It was another 5 days before she could walk properly, but she has responded to lots of TLC and is healing well. She has become fairly withdrawn and extremely jumpy to sound and her playfulness and sense of fun are yet to return.

Whatever she experienced, sadly I think she has grown up...

Happy holidays at the happy farm!

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I am still trying to come to terms with the fact I've taken precious annual leave from work to stay home, rather than going away. But I've been working too hard for months and decided to take time to get rid of clutter, give the house a good clean, and to follow creative pursuits without feeling guilty!

First some sleep-ins, appointments, and a little veging out...but today I rose with enthusiasm, ready to tackle the first of the c's...

0800 hrs: Up, showered, dressed! Cool enough to wear socks which I carry to the kitchen to put on while the kettle boils. Sat down; only one sock and I know I had two! Retraced steps, again and again...abandon odd sock and start again.

0900 hrs: Vacuum cleaner clogged - got new bag and filter pad and returned to bedroom to fit. Last month's dirt and cat fur have by-passed the empty bag completely, requiring a major clean-up job before fitting new filter.... What? I had it right here beside me, but now it's disappeared. Looked under bed, shook out bed cover, retraced steps, retraced steps again – and found the lost sock had reappeared in middle of floor where filter pad should have been (now where did I put the other sock?). Vacuumed without filter.

1000 hrs: Coffee break and book to read: Where are my glasses? Looked for glasses. Kept looking for glasses! Retraced steps to kettle, to sock drawer, to laundry cupboard - still no glasses. Checked ironing board in family room - still no glasses - but found missing vacuum filter pad on the floor behind ironing board! Go figure!!

1010 hrs: Cleaned teeth and found missing glasses.

Don't even ask! Let's just say their whereabouts became very obvious when I looked in the mirror!

'Coz I'm The Mum!

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Christopher's delicious roast pork with Kerrie's macadamia nut and maple syrup sauce, whole baked apples with cloves, and roast vegetables!

For reasons of which I am both aware and unaware, last year's Mother's Day began my seeing Mother's Day as being a celebration for me. Now it is Mother's Day 2008 that I fully embrace all that Motherhood is to me.

It is 12 years and 3 days since my own dear Mum's graduation to be with God, and I thank Him for all the wonderful years I had her unconditional love, her wisdom, her mothering during my growing-up years, then her 'sisterhood' as adult soulmates and friends. I celebrate the outrageous laughter we shared with just the raising of an eyebrow, the knowing wink of an eye or fleeting facial expression. There were no thoughts I could not share with her, knowing there would be no criticism, but only understanding and encouragement to take the wiser choices.

It is now the blessings of my own motherhood of 31 years of tears and joys are flowing richly to me and I do not take them for granted.

Two fine sons who have given me two beautiful daughters;
My first grandson's impulsive pressing his lips and face
against my cheek with his first kiss;
A lunch of small home-made quiches brought to my home to share;
An invitation to dinner as guest-of-honour to share the roast (pictured);
And thoughtful gifts.

Thank you Lord!
Now I embrace Mother's Day for me.

The NightOwl Hoots Again

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It has taken some self-discipline to hold back from posting and other computing pleasures whilst living out a very intense couple of months. It's been a time of many changes, a ridiculously huge workload, but has also held some of the most special moments in my life.

Some are for sharing, some are for holding close, but I am going to pick up on our trip last year to USA - Alaska, and the Cook Islands.

Thank you all for your patience - all 2 or 3 of you who might read this, and to my faithful encourager, Frances! I hope I haven't lost you all, having taken this break!