Sunday Selections #287

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  We have had a lot of grey days recently.   Some of them have brought welcome rain, and some have just been grey.  Very grey.  So when the sun appeared towards the end of the week we headed off on a very common mini outing.   We weren't the only ones revelling in the sun.   

There were lots and lots and lots of kangaroos.  And most of them were lying down.

I included this shot because I don't think I have ever captured a roo with all its feet and its tail off the ground before.

The swans were out in force too.  Despite having a whole lake at its disposal the swan in the last shots preferred to swim in a puddle beside the road.

And the lake itself sparkled in the sunshine.

We enjoyed our outing so much we went out again the next day.  A bigger outing.  Just as well - the grey days are back.

Words For Wednesday

The lovely Delores at Under the Porch Light had been running this meme for a considerable period of time, week after week.   Computer issues led her to bow out for a while and I took over.  When Delores' absence looked like being more permanent I begged and cajoled for other volunteers to share providing the prompts, and Words for Wednesday became a movable feast.  Sadly Delores has (temporarily I hope) discontinued her blog, though we have been told that she will be back in the fullness of time.

Essentially the aim is to encourage us to write.  Each week we are given a choice of prompts: which can be words, phrases, music or an image.   What we do with those prompts is up to us:  a short story, prose, a song, a poem, or treating them with ignore...  We can use some or all of the prompts.

Some of us put our creation in comments on the post, and others post on their own blog.  I would really like it if as many people as possible joined into this fun meme.  If you are posting on your own blog - let me know so that I, and other participants, can come along and applaud.

This month the prompts will be published here.

First the second image that Olga Godim sent.  This one is called The Tortoise Trainer and is by Osman Hamdi Bey (1842-1910).  I am so very grateful to Olga for these thought provoking (and challenging) prompts.

Not an easy job I suspect.

Then to some random words.

1. Someone;
2. Hopscotch;
3. Days;
4. Hotter;
5. Hoaxer; and
6. Lonely

And a phrase;

'I was just wondering if you could solve a little argument?'

I am really looking forward to seeing the myriad directions these prompts will take people.

Next month the prompts will be provided by Hannah and can be found here.

 

Sunday Selections #286

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme. This week I am taking you back to the chilly day featured in last week's Sunday Selections.

Each year, our National Arboretum, has an exhibit called 'Warm Trees'.  Selected trees are given winter woollies to combat the cold - and entice more visitors to the arboretum.  The woollies are knitted by volunteers.

So, in a howling gale, we headed off for a look see.  

 The trees needed some warmth.  I felt sorry for this one with its dappling of snow...

Most, but not all of the dragon trees are finally able to peek out of their enclosures.

This year for the first time some of the trees featured/tortured in the bonsai display were also given winter woollies.

A couple of the bonsais were in bloom too.  

And there was a maple leaf shivering on a hillside too.

  I do love the arboretum.

Words for Wednesday

The lovely Delores at Under the Porch Light had been running this meme for a considerable period of time, week after week.   Computer issues led her to bow out for a while and I took over.  When Delores' absence looked like being more permanent I begged and cajoled for other volunteers to share providing the prompts, and Words for Wednesday became a movable feast.  Sadly Delores has (temporarily I hope) discontinued her blog, though we have been told that she will be back in the fullness of time.

Essentially the aim is to encourage us to write.  Each week we are given a choice of prompts: which can be words, phrases, music or an image.   What we do with those prompts is up to us:  a short story, prose, a song, a poem, or treating them with ignore...  We can use some or all of the prompts.

Some of us put our creation in comments on the post, and others post on their own blog.  I would really like it if as many people as possible joined into this fun meme.  If you are posting on your own blog - let me know so that I, and other participants, can come along and applaud.

This month the prompts will be published here.

Months ago Olga Godim sent me some amazing photographs of paintings saying that they would make great prompts.  She is right.

I am going to spread them out.  One today, and one next week. 

This first one was painted by Alfred Stevens (1823-1906).  

Intriguing isn't it?

Then to some words:

1. exhibition;
2. feelings;
3. bewitching;
4. captive;
5. gushing; and
6. candle

And a phrase, from a poem by Carl Sandburg:

'The fog comes on little cat feet.....'.

I am really looking forward to seeing what you make from one or more of these prompts.

  

Sunday Selections #285

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  It is winter here.  And one day this week the weather reminded us.  Forcibly.  The wind howled all night (bringing down trees and powerlines across the city).  Snow was forecast.  And when I got up the next morning it had arrived.  So I headed out just after first light.  Those of you in the Northern Hemisphere will probably snicker at our relatively insignficant fall, but it was more than we have had in the city for years.  The snow melted relatively quickly but the wind continued all day and we didn't reach double digit temperatures.  The wind chill factor meant that it never felt above 5C/41F.

It was pretty though.  I was (for a change) grateful for MS which means that I rarely get cold, and himself and the cats were very grateful that our heater (which had been non-functional) had been fixed the day before.

Later that day we headed off the arboretum to see the annual Warm Tree exhibition.  Photos to follow later.

Words for Wednesday

The lovely Delores at Under the Porch Light had been running this meme for a considerable period of time, week after week.   Computer issues led her to bow out for a while and I took over.  When Delores' absence looked like being more permanent I begged and cajoled for other volunteers to share providing the prompts, and Words for Wednesday became a movable feast.  Sadly Delores has (temporarily I hope) discontinued her blog, though we have been told that she will be back in the fullness of time.

Essentially the aim is to encourage us to write.  Each week we are given a choice of prompts: which can be words, phrases, music or an image.   What we do with those prompts is up to us:  a short story, prose, a song, a poem, or treating them with ignore...  We can use some or all of the prompts.

Some of us put our creation in comments on the post, and others post on their own blog.  I would really like it if as many people as possible joined into this fun meme.  If you are posting on your own blog - let me know so that I, and other participants, can come along and applaud.

This month the prompts will be published here.

The first list:

1. broad
2. bewildered
3. draconian
4. tie
5. impress
6. helpless

The second list:   

1. clip
2. tie
3. previous
4. greet
5. attack
6. serve

The virus is still limiting access to my files so compiling this has been a challenge shall we say.  I am likely to be largely absent today, but hope you will have fun without me.  For obviously reasons you will not get the promised pictures this week.  Fingers crossed next week will be ok.

Burnt

Today our computer was infected with Crypt0L0cker Virus.  And so far it has cost me over $700 (despite them quoting $640) to hopefully get our documents and photos back.  At the moment we cannot access any photos or documents. 

Clever.  Dishonest.  And no doubt thoroughly profitable.

I was expecting a parcel.  This morning I received an email which looked like it came from Australia Post saying a parcel couldn't be delivered, and giving a link to check where I could pick it up.  I did.  BIG BIG MISTAKE.

Hopefully the dishonest so and so's are honest enough to release our files on receipt of the ransom.  

Be careful.  Be very very careful.

Sunday Selections #284

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  This week?  We had a grey week.  Lots of clouds.  Some rain.  Towards the end of last week we heard that water had been released from the spillway of our biggest dam - the Cotter.  So we headed off for a look see.

I said it was grey didn't I?

Last time we headed off to the Cotter Dam we had problems finding access to a spot where we could see the spillway.  We did this time too.  And parked the car and walked along a 'no access' road hoping to get a view.  Trespassing essentially.

We spotted some kangaroos happily bounding around, and a glimpse of the full dam.

The kangaroo in this second picture is well camouflaged isn't it?

So we headed back the way we came.  And finally found the spillway.  Only a little water running down it, but impressive just the same.

I really liked this weather and water worn piece of wood.

A grevillea blooming beside the pathway.

Despite the grey day and the intermittent misty rain we had a lovely wander along the river bank, and count it as a successful outing.