Sunday Selections #465

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.

Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image.
  
The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life.  Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle.
 
The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 
 
I usually run with a theme.  My theme this week is gifts.  I had a birthday recently.  Himself is mostly supremely talented in the gift giving arena (though the year he gave me an iron was a big fail).  This year his gifts were thoughtful, appreciated, and very generous.

His first gift was a Bee and Insect House which I have wedged into the trunks of our white banksia rose.  I do hope the pollinators find it, and will watch with interest.

 The second was a nice sturdy bird bath.  I have put a rock into it so the smallest birds can also perch and drink safely.  So far only the pigeons have found it (while I have been watching) but I hope that a lot of birds benefit from it.

And, in an embarrassment of riches, he also gave me some books and a garden trowel.

Later that day we headed out to the National Art Gallery to see the Matisse Picasso exhibition - which didn't disappoint.  I took over two hundred photos and a post about it will appear in the fullness of time.

In common with many exhibitions these days the only exit is through the gift shop.  I weakened (of course).  The following selection are gifts I am happy to share, with anyone who would like one.  First in best dressed I am afraid.  If you would like any of the next items let me know in the comments and I will happily post them (world wide).

 The first bookmark depicts a Picasso painting 'La Lecture'.  I believe it depicts one of his many mistresses (who he didn't flatter with his art work). 

 The circular image is a depiction of Matisse's Still Life with Oranges.   I 'thought' it was a magnet.  My mistake.  It is actually a small hand mirror. 

The second bookmark is taken from a Matisse painting 'The Seated Odalisque'.

Then some cards I bought.

The first card is Picasso of course.  It is 'L'Arlesienne:  Lee Miller'  Do you see what I meant when I said that his art doesn't flatter his subjects?

The second card is by Henri Matisse and is a reproduction of 'Plate 1 from Pasiphae, Song of Minos (The Cretans).  I really like its simplicity.

This one is also Matisse 'The Reclining Odalisque'

The final card (also Matisse) is titled 'Blouse romaine (Romanian blouse) and was drawn in charcoal.

Of the two artists I much prefer Henri Matisse but there were some Picasso works in the exhibition which also surprised and delighted me.

On the way home we stopped by the lake and I was given another gift.

Our white ibises are unkindly also called bin chickens.  I was lucky to catch this quick shot of a flock of them taking to the sky.

It really was a lovely day and I am happy to share the bounty.  If I don't yet have your address please send me an email.

Some of you have asked whether I was affected in our most recent (and spectacular) hail storm.  We were on its fringes and got a little hail and no damage.  Three family members will have to replace cracked windscreens and have cosmetic damage to their cars but all in all were were lucky and dodged that particular bullet.  Lifeline (the organisation I volunteer with) was less fortunate.  One of their vans had both front and rear windscreens shattered, the upholstery drenched and shredded and every panel looks as if someone has attacked it with a hammer.  It will have to be replaced.

The damage was incredible.  As well as the cars (which may because of the number damaged have to wait up to year to be repaired), many buildings were also damaged.  Solar panels were a frequent casualty and the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) lost years and years of irreplaceable work when its greenhouses were hit in the storm. 

And fires still burn.

Here's to a week with no climatic extremes.