I'm walking here

I'm joining in with a pic taken earlier in the year when my oldest grandaughter was out from the UK, visiting her Mum, my daughter, who lives in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney  and family.

At Katoomba, one of the well-known spots, with many walks in the area.

Also linked with Touristic... some lovely pics there!!!!

Chat at the Farmhouse

I'm going over to meet up with Patrice on the Farmhouse Porch., though the weather is a problem today.

Our thoughts and prayers with all those affected by the horrendous Sandie.  I got up this morning to a lovely fresh day after a very welcome heavy shower of rain during the night. 

This Week's Questions

1. How are you when there is a storm? My first memories of storms are watching them with grandparents from their front verandah... a good memory and storms don't bother me.
2. Are you doing anything special in November? No, just all the usual.
3. Do you wear glasses or contacts? Glasses, have never considered contacts.
4. Salty snacks or sweets? I still buy a packet of potato chips occasionally, against my better judgment.
5. Who would you bring to the farm with you for a chat, a tour, or perhaps a visit with Wendell? My husband would love a trip to a farm....  would be lovely to meet Wendell.  I occasionally rode bareback on the farm as a child, and the last time we went riding was at a  forest trail, many years ago.

Blessings.

Strings Attached

 

Lovely concert here yesterday afternoon.  Being a small town one always knows quite a few people when anything is on, and I attended with a close friend.  The director/pianist is in one of my exercise classes, and one of the singers is the nurse at the medical practice, all the vocal quartet work locally. Their harmony was beautiful.  All the Strings players teach at the Conservatorium in our regional city and I daresay such talent has not been heard in our town before.

Still noticing all the beautiful jacaranda trees blossoming round town.

Hugs and Blessings.



Dawn on the Clarence

 

Psalm 118:24   This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

 

Joining in at Weekend Reflections

 

Hugs and Blessings.

Follow Friday #85

Each week, Hilary lists four statements with a blank for us to fill in on our own blogs. 

This week’s statements:

1. My love of public speaking is my favorite feature.

2. Thinking about Tilda getting old makes me sad.

3. It’s been a long time since I travelled overseas.

4. I just don’t understand people who have to "keep up with the Joneses"

To join the 85th weekly Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun Blog Hop click here

Hugs and Blessings.

Another lesson learnt

Today was a lovely day for a bike ride, so we set off to visit friends, do a couple of messages and take a few photos on the way. It is lovely and flat here, and we often walk or cycle and only take the car when we have to get the grocery order.

The pic shows a native flora, Kangaroo Paw in one of the garden plots in the main street of our country town.

We only rode on for two blocks and I was well ahead. As I passed a motel entrance I was knocked down by a car coming out of the driveway. There was a high hedge and the vehicle was not visible, but it was my fault as I was riding on the footpath which stretched empty for blocks before me.

Fortunately the driver, an elderly gent, was able to stop immediately and apart from a ruined blouse, and a few bruises I am fine. The front wheel is very slightly buckled. God was watching over me. Barry was a bit annoyed as I had told him about having to stop suddenly as a car came out of a driveway a few weeks ago, and he felt I had not learned from that.

I don't know if I mentioned it, but I had a much worse spill a couple of months ago, when my front wheel ran into the groove between the concrete path and the grass, and I fell very heavily on the side of my chest and head that time and was very thankful for my helmet.

Children under 12 are allowed to ride on the footpath, but after my experience, any street there are concealed driveways should be off limits for cyclists.

I always wear my helmet and I will stay on the road in future!

I respect Guy Penrod and share this song:

Joining in with Rory at Coffee Chat. This is a long post, and the Linky is at the foot.

Hugs and Blessings

Hodge Podge

1. So, do you like beer?
*I have never tasted beer, and it got to the stage that I was quite pleased to be able to say that.

2. What's your least favorite repetitive task?
*Cleaning windows and the bistro blinds on the deck.... they all are in dire need of attention now.

3. When was the last time you rode a bus? Where was it headed?
*To Brisbane in QLD for the Craft and Quilt Fair.... a local group hires the bus, and it is a good day out with ladies I know, and I meet my sister there for the day.

4. What song from your childhood or from your own children's childhood could make a parent's nerves stand on end?
*My son played the Rolling Stones number "Roll Over lay Down etc"loudly every morning when he was at that obstreperous teen age. He still loves The Stones.

5. The US Presidential election cycle is drawing to a close (can I get an AMEN??), and the third and final debate was held last night...what was the last thing you 'debated about'?
*We have discussions these days, can't remember a debate, and it is often better to retire gracefully from the conversation..... change the subject, if the other person is getting upset that you aren't agreeing with their opinion.

6. Can a person make too much money? How much is too much?
* I thought of the use of money... it is good to see those who have done well in life giving back and giving a helping hand to those in need, in contrast to those who see the need to outdo each other in the lavish lifestyle.

7. Pop-soda-coke-something else...what's it called where you live?
* We drink as much water as we can.  I do see people buying coke, which I have never tasted, and soft drinks by the carton at the supermarket.

8. Insert your own random thought here.   Here's one from my file.... my mind is a blank at the moment....LOL

You to can join in Hodge Podge, just head on over to Joyce's for the questions and to link your post.

 

Hugs and Blessings

Learn to Swim

A topic in the news this week is one of the nation's leading swimming bodies calling for compulsory learn-to-swim programs at schools,  to halve the number of drowning deaths by 2020.

That reminded me of the spot where I learnt to swim. It was compulsory that students at Coffs Harbour High School swim  50 metres, in the gloomy creek upstream from here, before participating in any other summer sport.  I went by there last year and took these photos.   I can't imagine a learn-to-swim program taking place in a creek only about 200 yards from the ocean these days.

 

Joining Susan at Outdoor Wednesday

 

Hugs and Blessings,

Jan

My Simple Woman's Daybook

It is a while since I put my thoughts to a Daybook. 

Outside my window... Dark now. It was hot the last few days, very windy last night and cooler today.   Coming into Summer and over 100F last Saturday.

I am thinking... back to when I first heard about blogging, and followed a link to the Daybook from a contact on Multiply.

I am thankful...  Yes I am always thankful, for family, friends, our home and way of life.

In the kitchen... Barry is checking out our latest fermented vetetables. In our hot climate we only make up about 5-6 litres at a time. We are pleased how delicious they are.

I am wearing... just changed into nightwear

I am creating... working out a new banner for my friend Lynn.  I see I have already posted a pic of the last one I made for her. Here it is anyway.

I am reading... I'm beween fiction at the moment, but have a delightful little book 'The Celtic Heart - Reflections for Life's Journey' by Liz Babbs with a CD that I am dipping into again.  Wow Amazon has it for $167+ post, surely that is an error, and at a UK store GBP7.99

I am looking forward to... a couple of weeks away after Christmas, just phoned for details today.

Around the house... trying to keep tidy as usual.

A favorite quote for today...  from The Celtic Heart: "There are many ways of taking 'time out' to become still: silence, music, visual imagery, reading the Bible... or sitting in the garden or going for a walk. Your spiritual journey is precious and unique, so there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to be with God."

One of my favorite things... the obvious is my laptop, keeps me in touch with my family and allows me to entertain myself on here, or look up anything I require, such as when we hear in  a phone call that a relative has a particular condition.  My daughter was holidaying in UK and France the last few weeks and she put masses of pics on Facebook... and I have a Grand living in UK, and the others in Sydney area.... I would be out of it all without my laptop.  Here's my daughter posing as a statue at Avignon.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Just normal routine, concert in Lismore tomorrow, exercise class on Thursday. We were expecting visitors, and they were halfway here, had a call that Julie took ill and they have returned home to Sydney area.

A peek into my day... I stayed home all day... doesn't happn very often, cleaning and gardening this morning, cooked our main meal at lunchtime and relaxed this afternoon.  Actually Barry was out and I ate a packet of biscuits, which doesn't help my aspirations to weigh less by Christmas! 

This is pic of Jacarandas that I promised, that I saved from my son's Facebook.

Thanks to Peggy for her inspiration for the Simple Woman's Daybook.  Click here to join in.

Hugs and Blessings,
Jan

Our World Tuesday

At Montville,  QLD, a delightful place to visit, when In-Laws were out from UK. 
My header photo was taken on the same visit.

Linking with Our World Tuesday

Blessings,
Jan

Ruby Tuesday

A big welcome and thankyou to bloggers who have followed and added me to their reading list this week.

 

Looking through my photos, not many are red, many more feature blue and green, I love taking outdoor photos.  This is the floral arrangement which topped a basket of fruit, something I have only received a few times.

 

Linking with Gemma for Ruby Tuesday2

 

Hugs and Blessings!

 

JACARANDA TIME

We attended for a few days last year and the  78th Annual Jacaranda Festival is underway in Grafton now - October  20 to November 4.

I noticed quite a few jacarandas in full bloom around my home town on the weekend..... but didn't have my camera with me.

 

Linking with Smiling Sally for Blue Monday

 

Love and Blessings,

Jan

A SATURDAY AFTEROON IN OCTOBER

(Pic in my file from email etc).

Quite a productive day, and I'm not tired yet!!!!! And it is 100F+ outside, and a comfortable 84F in here.  Time to catch up with a few minutes online.  I've been trying to work out Google+ as no doubt have to move with the times. All the same,  I see most people I visit still have "Join this Site".

Started the day with an online conversation, then a trip to the grocery store followed by coffee with friends for an hour or so.

When we got back after midday we made a fresh batch of sauerkraut based on a beautiful red cabbage friends dropped in yesterday.  We chopped in a processor, so it did not take as long as last time, in fact I only prepared  the vegetables, the cabbage, 2 green apples, a red capsicum, two carrots, onion, celery and ginger and Barry did the rest.  Barry loves gadgets, I can't work most of them, in fact I had to get him to help me when I wanted to process the bread, onion and herbs -oregano, thyme and parsley from the garden,  for the stuffing for a free range roast chicken that I did after the veges.. 

Forecast

Today	37°C  = 99F
Tonight	18°C = 63F

Now

38.4°C =  just over 100F
Updated at 15:00 EDT

 

A Blessed weekend to all who pass by here!

Love, Jan

Follow Friday

Just came across a Meme at Hilarys.
Each week, Hilary plans on listing four statements with a blank for us to fill in on our own blogs.

This week’s statements:
1. If only ___ then ___
2. When I was little I ___
3. I think ___ is for ____
4. I feel happiest when_____

1. If only rain was more consistent then my garden would be happier.
2. When I was little I lived on a farm, and couldn't wait to leave, but I learnt a great work ethic.
3. I think life is for living, and I prefer a simple life! 
4. I feel happiest when family and friends are well and happy.

Love and Blessings,
Jan

GREAT MOMENTS

Couldn't be better, visiting family and playing music. 
D-I-L and Hubby.

 

Just picked up a beautiful little book from my shelf The Celtic Heart... must listen to the CD again. It has many quotes from the Bible, but this quote struck a chord with me.

 

The glory of God is a human being fully alive. It is in the awesome sunshine of God's presence that true joy abounds. ~ ~   St Irenaeus of Lyon.

 

 
 

Joining  Amy at Then Sings my Soul Saturday

Love and Blessings, Jan

This or That

 

 

So sad to read in the paper today that the renowned yacht designer, Mr Joe Adams, previously of NSW, was murdered at his home in the Philippines at the weekend.  He was well known throughout the yachting world, with racing winners, and ocean cruisers to his name.

Our Adams was a 36 foot 80hp motorsailer with two steering stations, three cabins and two heads and we lived aboard for about five years in the early 1990's.  

 

RIP Mr Adams.

 

Pic on Clarence River NSW

 

 

 

 

Joining in at This or That Thursday and Skywatch Friday

Having a go at Hodge Podge!

1. Noah Webster was born this week back in 1758....besides the online version, do you own a dictionary? Do you ever use the hardback copy or is your hunt for a definition strictly online these days?

I own several dicionaries, but they sit on the shelf while I quickly google if I have the need to check a word.

2. Should public schools ban Halloween celebrations? What about other holiday celebrations currently under fire?

Halloween is not a big deal in Australia I am glad to say.   Haven't heard of other holidays under fire, though occasionally I read about someone objecting to Chrismas Carols, but not around here.

3. What's your favorite 'dog' movie?

I haven't seen a movie for years, but I did love that dog in Flashdance. Anyone remember that movie?
4. When were you last somewhere you'd describe as 'too quiet'?

I love quiet!!!!!
5. Are you a neat cook or a messy cook? In other words do you clean as you go or make a big mess and then deal with it later?

I'm a meal in 15 minutes cook, or one pot dishes, though we eat a lot of raw foods.
6. Did you hear about Felix Baumgartner, the skydiver who broke the sound barrier via parachute? Was your first thought COOL! or was your first thought CRAZY! Are you adventurous?

Yes, thrilled that Felix completed his mission successfully. I have been adventurous, kayaking, archery, living on an ocean-going yacht for five years, but a bit past it now!

7. What's not a word but should be?

It'll come to me at 3am tomorrow morning!!
8. Insert your own random thought here.

I was impressed by Felix's quote:
"When I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble, you do not think about breaking records anymore, you do not think about gaining scientific data.
The only thing you want is to come back alive,'' he said after the jump.

See more Hodge Podge with Joyce here

Love and Blessings,
Jan

CATCHING UP

 

We've had some beautiful weather, still not hot, though we did have some warm and some windy days.  We've been blessed with a fall of rain, and everything is green again, need more regularly of course.

Attended the Texas (QLD) Country Music Roundup and while we are not fussed about the weekend concerts, we enjoyed the camping and meeting some delightful people, including two friends from the Sunshine Coast, and four couples who were friends and spent most of the time jamming (spontaneous singing and guitar).   We met up with three of them again on Sunday.

(Pics just after we arrived at Texas, late afternoon)

 

Back to normal now, and fortunately I had bought a calendar for next year, as getting calls to do concerts already.

 

This time of year, looking to the end of year performances.  Have to start practicing.  Our Christmas itself will be quiet as we aren't planning on our usual trip to Sydney and Blue Mountains to visit relatives.  However we are planning a trip to Queensland, and catching up with friends and relatives there, plus possibly a week with a Motorhome group.

 

Love to hear if you have anything special planned.

 

Love and Blessings,

Jan