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Truth Matters

Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you.

I dislike political games and the lies or half-truths that go with them. There is a long history of politicians and vested interests, saying whatever they like about their opponents. It seems to me that without proper checks and balances, a blatant disregard for truth can lead to malignancy, hate and ruin.

Lies create long shadows. A country’s potential is diminished when its citizens are divided and incited to violence, and trust in its leaders and institutions is lacking. Honesty can be a unifying force in building shared purpose. Rebuilding trust is an almighty task. I don’t envy the new US President.

Certain Australian politicians would do well to heed this lesson, although, as yet, there has been no official public admonishment of recent spurious claims and actions.

I think Billy Joel has the right idea, the right song for the times – A Matter Of Trust.

Stay in your corner, everyone.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

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Safe Journey

Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you.

What a week it has been for everyone, particularly for my readers in America. Sometimes I am just awed by how extraordinary ordinary people are when they can agree to disagree but still work together for love of this world. For love.

Here’s a song made famous by Gladys Knight and The Pips. It is Midnight Train to Georgia. I’ve chosen a cover by some ordinary people and extraordinary musicians from Arizona, Outside The Line, to sing it for you. Have a dance, sing along, hold a hand.

Safe journey, everyone.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

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Up Close And Personal

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – It’s A Small World and Ragtag Daily Prompt – Assignment.

Guest host of this week’s Lens-Artists challenge, Anne Sandler, has invited photographers to focus on the small things and she has provided a number of useful tips for macro/micro and close-up photography. Thanks, Anne. Unfortunately, I got carried away and so I might not have stuck strictly to the brief, preferring once more to go with arty-farty rather than teeny weeny. Thankfully my True Love had something up his … oh, never mind!

I have redeemed myself though with some wee poetry – haiku, of course – and some vulgar photography humour. My friend has asked me to keep writing and who am I to refuse?

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The C Bird – Crested Pigeon

Bird Weekly Challenge – Birds That Start With ‘C’

Gee, my post title is a bit punny, don’t you think? I amuse myself. This week I am dropping in a quick contribution to Lisa’s Bird Weekly Challenge. I’m too busy on my hols at the moment to sort through photos, so I will limit my contribution to just one bird, the Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) or crestie for short. It is an easy one for me since the cresties are regular visitors to my garden.

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Personal Favourites?

I have no particular favourite photos of 2020. They are all my favourites. Each month I choose a selection of photos that represent the main themes of my month and, as is often the case, many favourite-ish photos don’t make the cut. For the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Favorite Images of 2020, I’ve chosen a couple of those that didn’t fit my monthly narrative and two I published earlier this year. I wouldn’t exactly call them favourites but for personal reasons, they are ones I really like.

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Drum Roll Please

Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you. It is also New Years day, so I thought this start of this new decade, which follows a very shitty year for many of us, needed a big number to ring it in. Still, I am ambivalent. because I love the tune I have selected but its history is complicated and it has been exploited in rather inappropriate and insensitive ways. At least in my opinion. I could write an essay about it but I won’t go into the details. Perhaps I’m overthinking this.

My choice to ring in the 2021 new year is Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s adaptation of Aaron Copeland’s Fanfare for the Common Man. It seems appropriate that it is performed in an empty stadium. I dedicate my choice to all those who endured 2020 and survived and to all those who weren’t so lucky. I guess that’s everyone.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

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The Changing Seasons – December 2020

December in Canberra (Australia) – So many babies; so much grass; a lot of cutting, over-committed and Christmas.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am so very tired this month. I bet you know the feeling. It has been a long year and December has been super busy. Apart from the usual mundane activities, furniture shopping and mosaic production, I did get out a couple of times into my local area for relaxation. I was surprised by how many babies I saw. Tis the season I guess. Let’s look at some.

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The Spirit Of The Dance

Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you. It also happens to be Christmas Day today and if you celebrate Christmas, or even if you don’t, I wish you peace and good health on this day and every day. I would also like to share with you a photo that represents my Christmas in Australia.

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Imagination Goes Mad

A few personal thoughts on the Sydney coronavirus outbreak. I’m not an expert. I don’t debate facts or fiction. Best go elsewhere if debate is what you are after.

Sars-Cov-2 has made a break for it again in Sydney, Australia, and we’re all pretty nervous. I bet the 83 people infected over the last week aren’t happy either. This new community outbreak has left many people’s Christmas plans in disarray. On the one hand, I am impressed by the amazing job the New South Wales (NSW) contract tracers have done to identify the chain(s) of infection in Sydney. Thank you, contract tracers! On the other hand, I know further outbreaks are inevitable but I am deeply unimpressed by the circumstances that apparently led to the outbreak in the first place.

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