Sunday Selections #424

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 (I hope her hands have allowed her to participate this week).  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  Today I am staying at home.  Autumn is finally, blissfully here.

I am revelling in the tuberous begonias on our veranda.

I liked this dainty insect too - but my ignorant self is clueless about what it is called.

I am also, as always, loving the birds who visit.  The corellas are regulars and they bring their families which is an incredible privilege.  However, a young corella is very, very far from musical as the short video I attached will show.  A few years ago we saw an adult firmly rap a whinging youngster on the top of its head.  It was silenced and inside we (quietly) cheered. 

#Dignity Drive

My parents strove to set our feet on the 'right path' in life.  Some of it took, some of it didn't.

One of the 'stickiest' life lessons for me was that I have an ongoing obligation to contribute in a positive way to the community in which I live.

Late last month a real estate flyer landed in our letter box.  Luckily I looked at it before I tossed it in the recycling.

Our local real estate agency was identified as a collection point for an Australian initiative running this month called Share the Dignity (and the link to the website is here).

Simply put it says that 'No woman should suffer the indignity of choosing between eating or buying sanitary items.'  

We were asked to provide new and unopened sanitary items (pads, tampons, cups, reusable pads, incontinence products) for those in need.  It also reminded me that on any given night in my country 1 in 200 people are homeless and that most of them are women and children.  Family violence is the number one reason that people present to homeless services.

Regular readers will know that homelessness and family violence are causes dear to my heart.

So I contributed.  Of course.  And plan to do so again before the end of the month.

I know I said I would post more balloon photos this week.  I lied.  Next week.  I promise.  And here is a taste...

 

 

Sunday Selections #423

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 (I hope her hands have allowed her to participate this week).  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.   And this week those of you who know me will not be shocked and surprised to learn that it is balloons.  While I was having a break the Balloon Spectacular took place.  And of course the balloon 'tragics' in the family (myself and my youngest brother) were there.

And we were lucky.

I am only going to show the feature balloons in this post, but there will be another post later in the week.

The main feature balloon this year was a beagle.  A humungous beagle.  I read somewhere that the balloon canopy (without the basket and firing mechanism) weighs over 300 kilos (660 pounds).

Just starting to inflate - and you can see just how big it is.

 Taking off - you will notice that he has a gammy leg, which never properly inflated.  It didn't hinder the flight though.

In some of the flight shots I think it looked more like a cow than a beagle.  I did like it resting in the tree though.

And then to the Airforce's feature balloon.  Darth Vader look alike?

 
There was another feature balloon 'Nudie'.  I am not fond of it, and will probably just show a photo next week.


And a sadness.  Every year Black Magic (aka Golly) has featured at the festival.  This year our local government banned it, because it might cause offence.

I was sad about that, but there have been a couple of letters to the local paper from people who said they were demeaned and offended, so I accept the decision.  And no, I don't think it is political correctness gone mad.  While I would be very surprised to learn that the balloon's owners meant it as a racist gesture, no-one should feel demeaned by other people's fun.

Just the same I am going to show some photos of it from previous years.

Where are the Words For Wednesday

I am sorry, I should have put this up before my Enlighten Post (which is immediately before this).  In my absence from the blogosphere River and Delores did their usual stunning job of providing the prompts.
April 2019:  messymimi will be hosting on her blog. 

May 2019:  Margaret Adamson, and her friend Sue Fulcher (published here).
  
June 2019:  I will provide the prompts.
  
July 2019:   Wisewebwoman will be hosting on her blog.
 
August 2019:  River will be hosting on her blog. 

September 2019:  Delores will be hosting on her blog.  
 
October 2019:  Margaret Adamson, and her friend Sue Fulcher (published here). 

November 2019:  Me again.
 
 December 2019:  Cindi will round off the year for us on her blog.

We are being provided with prompts by people in both hemispheres so they may pop up in your reader as early as Tuesday or as late as Thursday.  

Enlighten 2019

The Enlighten festival (held in early March each year) has become a must see experience for us.  We are still taking the cheap option and only going to the free events - but don't feel short-changed at all.  The Parliamentary Triangle explodes with light, with colour, with music and with quirky fun. 
I shared some of the quirky fun in Sunday Selections but there was, as usual, lots more.
Please come with me - and settle in for a looooong ride with a lot of photos.  As always photos will embiggen when clicked upon.

This year we arrived a bit before dark, and wandered down to see what was happening.  Lots.

There are 110 flags in this display, representing 108 Missions that have a diplomatic presence here as well as flags for the European Union and the United Nations. 

I never tire of clouds - or sunsets.

Or the orb at the National Gallery.  I like the details in the ceiling above the Gallery entry too.

And the action starts...

The illumations at the National Gallery I AM VISIBLE by contemporary Australian artist Tony Albert.   They were designed to draw attention to the visibility of Aboriginal people and their voices in the national conversation. The NGA’s façade featured images of proud young Aboriginal men, each emblazoned with red targets on their chests, along with statements of love and respect for family and community. 

More illuminated trees and paths.

The images above were from the National Portrait Gallery.  We were invited to step into a photo booth and the images captured were featured on the back wall, often with alien ears added.

A fast moving dragon.

I liked the Giant Cat - but cannot remember what he represented.

Old Parliament house - known by some as the Museum of Democracy.  

Questacon - which has been more exciting in other years.

 

Finishing up at our National Library.  Not only are the buildings illuminated, they stay open much later than usual. Enlighten really is a heap of fun.  I was a very tired puppy at the end of the night, but glad we went.