Sunday Selections #242

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. Spring has sprung here.  Each year in early Spring my city has a flower festival, Floriade.  It runs for a month in a park in the centre of town.  Glorious displays of colour and scent, and usually more than a little whimsy as well.

This year the organisers decided to go 'up market'.  There was much less quirkiness which was replaced by 'art installations'.  Several of which are for sale when Floriade finishes.

I assume this 'water lily' lights up at night, and would look very effective.

And yes, those are decorated garden gnomes behind her.  It is a long-standing Floriade tradition and schools and individuals enter a competition.

Not certain what this one is:  Stylised lobster?

 This one was called Duet, and could be yours for $13,500.

Beach Bomb would only cost $3760.

 

I quite like My Waratah - but wouldn't cough up the $4000 price tag (even if I had it).

The quirky chooks didn't appear to be for sale.  I thought they were fun though.

 There are a lot of shops at Floriade and these are some of the items for sale, along with chocolate, soap, curry sauces, pearls, clothing, garden implements and rather a lot more.

Is it just me, or does this look like a Dalek in camoflague?

 Local horticulture students made some fairly spectacular (but probably not wearable) dresses.

I really liked this archway of lights.  Even in daylight it looked amazing and when the individual flowers which made up the sprays of lights go on it would look incredible.

Lots of the flowers are not yet out, but I took many, many, many photos.  A full Floriade post will follow next week some time.

And because I can't do a post about Floriade without at least one flower shot.

And from our garden.

  

Sunday Selections #241

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.  After the Out of the Shadows walk last week there was a big breakfast scheduled.  However, I was all peopled out and couldn't face it.  I decided going home had more appeal.

There was a bus stop near the War Memorial and I headed down to it, thinking I could catch a bus into town, and get a transfer home.  It was still early and when I reached the stop I discoved I had a forty-five minute wait for the next bus.  Not a happening thing.  So I walked into town.

I loved the confetti of petals on the path.

Very ugly flats.

 Lots of our electricity junction boxes are painted.  I think they are fun.

Quite a posh hotel.  I suspect in its early life it was a very upmarket home.

Loved the lichen on the roof tiles.

Town houses.

An 'interesting' letterbox.  And the house was decidedly upmarket.

Newer bits of town.

Older bit of town - being rebuilt after a catasphrophic fire.  This is where I caught the first of my buses.

Another town centre, and the interchange where I swapped buses.

A fairly modern town centre, with lots of offices.

Inside the bus.

Home.

Out of the Shadows, Into the Light 2015

World Suicide Prevention Week started on Monday.  Today, September 10th, is World Sucide Prevention Day. 

Most of you know I do voluntary work with Lifeline Australia, a telephone crisis line.  Almost everyone who rings those lines with thoughts of suicide has at least a degree of ambivalence.  I, and all the other volunteers, will work on that ambivalence to keep the caller safe for the moment/the day and to help them see and consider other options.   Lifeline believes that suicide is often preventable and that the start of the journey to safety can be only a phone call away.  It is often a long and painful journey but should never ever be one that people feel condemned to walk alone.

Here in Australia suicide is still the leading cause of death for people aged under 44.  More people die from suicide each year than are killed on the roads.  Sadly the numbers of people we lose to suicide are rising again.  Which, given that I suspect suicide is under reported, is scary.

In 2011 Lifeline began  national suicide prevention walks - 'Out of the Shadows and into the Light'.  Symbolically, the walks begin before dawn and continue into the growing light.  It remembers those lost and those bereaved by suicide, with an addition focus on raising awareness.  Some centres walk later in the day to attract more participants, but I am glad that mine doesn't.  The symbolism of starting the walk in the dark and progressing into the light of a new day means a lot to me.

I don't think that all suicide is wrong.  However, it is such a final decision that I hope it is not the first option considered or tried.  And, as a solution to a temporary problem, I do think it is wrong.  It is always a tragedy.  A tragedy for the person who had, or believed they had, no other options and a tragedy for those they leave behind.  And the ripples from that tragedy encompass a lot of people.

I spend time in dark places myself.  I have, and probably will again, considered suicide, and have come very close to taking that final step.  It seemed at the time to not only be the logical way to stop my emotional and mental pain but that it would also be better (and a relief) for the people I loved if they no longer had to deal with/put up with me.  I have heard people dismiss suicide as a selfish act, but I think it is much more often an expression of intolerable physical, mental and/or emotional pain.  And an expression of the fatigue that the constant battle creates.  As an aside, many of the people making the selfish claim appear to be angry that something has been taken away from them.  Who is wearing the selfish hat now?

Neither do I think it a cowardly decision.  People chose to end their lives for a variety of reasons.  I suspect that depression and loneliness are common triggers.  Depression is an exhausting soul sucker and a powerful and convincing liar.  And in cahoots with so many other negatives to abolish hope.

I couldn't attend the first walk, but have gone on the subsequent walks. Which saw me heading off before dawn this morning.  The dread disease means that I am not walking easily or well at the moment - but I didn't care.  The issue is much more important than I am.    So I walked.  Slowly, at the back of the pack.  Stopping to take photos.

This year we again started from our National War Memorial and did a loop down Anzac Parade towards Lake Burley Griffin and back to the War Memorial.  Our Parliament House is directly opposite on the other side of the lake. 

There were brief speeches - drowned by the cacophony of a flock of sulphur crested cockatoos.  For the first time, some of the names of those lost were read out - which I found moving.  No longer nameless, but identified and missed...

Come walk with me, through the cool and cloudy dawn, into the light of a new day.

RU OK day is also celebrated on World Suicide Prevention Day.  A question we should be asking family, friends and colleagues every day.

Some numbers which may be useful for Australian readers include:

Lifeline 1311 14

Beyond Blue

Suicide Call Back Service