Just wanted to say a big thank you to our small band of dedicated volunteers who have been pitching in over the last 18 months to help a small green space be its true self. You make a difference.
If only there were less red tape and more green ribbons, but that is an interesting understory for another time. Time for a photo.
I’m so glad I work for love now. Box gum grassy woodlands with a healthy understory are critically endangered but not yet extinct in our suburbs.
Our big community park day event is over. Our team worked so hard on the event. I didn’t take a single photo. We had quite a few kids show up. They really got into fishing out the water bugs, insect hunting and planting (plants, not insects). I gave a little speech. I have a phobia about public speaking so consequently I remember nothing of what I said. I think I may have said something about birds or plants …. Who doesn’t love wildflowers?
No need for further Saturday house inspections. My son has found a small house and will be moving in shortly. Apparently the seller preferred to sell to a first-home buyer rather than an investor. There are still some kind people in this world. We are so excited for our son. The house is lovely. I think he will be very happy there. It is within walking distance so there are plans for the dogs to visit regularly and perhaps stay over for a few days at a time …. My son remained super calm through the whole stressful process.
Announcement to Shoppers. I went to the local hardware store. There was a public announcement in store asking shoppers not to be rude or aggressive to staff. It seems rudeness and aggression is a thing now. People are mostly kind to our park volunteers but not all. Those unkind people must be so miserable.
Strange Weather. It rained for a few days so we didn’t get to see the Southern Aurora. We are still waiting for the first frost of the year.
I am so proud of everyone who made our park day such a success. I am so proud of our park. I am so proud of my son – his kindness and calmness. He was an exemplary buyer. Kindness makes the world a better place. The sun has returned. We may get a frost soon.
Canberra, Australia – Turns out we have our fair share of tools.
I downed gardening tools the other day to go for a short walk with my love. I’ve spent a lot of time looking down lately at the garden so it was a nice change to look up.
March got a little merry when I met up with Mary. Hairy Mary, aka Anthela varia, mistook me for a tree. It crawled up the inside of my trouser leg. It was a good photo opportunity. No nudity involved. Check it out.
Many of my readers know that I have been focussing on some landcare activities at my local park over the last year. I have met some wonderful people doing that, but every now and then, such as when people continue to illegally dump their garden and other household waste in the park, or when they pull out our plants, or they ignore our greetings, it is dispiriting. I am actually shocked by the mean and petty behaviour we have encountered. I would be really embarrassed if I have behaved like that. Anyway, if I have few words to say here on this space, that is the reason why.
So my sanity saving strategy is just to plug away, pick up their rubbish, plant our government-approved plants and complete the government-approved weeding. And hope like hell that the culprits’ dicks rot off. One can only hope.
Now, where was I? The small woodland birds have returned from their summer homes in the hills. Their migration through our woodland is proving unexpectedly challenging due to the increased presence of larger predators attracted by the increase in insect numbers. [L-R Grey Fantail chick, Spotted Pardalote]
I have learnt that there is a subtlety to an Australian autumn. How have I not appreciated this quite so much before?
Boisduval’s Autumn Moth waited for the cold front to arrive before she emerged.
Reflections of An Untidy Mind 