At last, things are almost back to normal after 3 weeks trying (fighting) to get my computer fixed, my phone fixed (it died) and a new printer (old one died). Yes, I didn't think it was possible that all 3 things could break down at the one time...
So let's start with this week's great event: RAIN! Yes, we've had about 9mm over 2 days. I know that will make some folks laugh, but I can't tell you how welcome that is after three DRY months. The correas and young plants on the mountain are either dying or under serious stress, and it's interesting how the bird population has migrated because of the dry.
To the bird report: Not a great number these last few weeks. Wrens more visible now (and so cute), thornbills bossing about, a mistletoe bird (!) - a first sighting here and I did try and take a photo...(note: "try"), yellow-tailed black cockatoos crunching banksia seed pods, golden whistlers and shrike thrushes doing duets (duelling whistlers?), spinebills, ravens, currawongs - and today I've finally SEEN some grey fantails on the fire track - in fact, one BUZZED me telling me to GET LOST! And some more amazing news: an RBF came into my bird-bath at home! WOW! It tseee'd in, had a drink, and tseee'd off. They are SO cute. The bursarias are just starting to flower - lovely!
Last Wednesday night, I joined other local environmental volunteers at a special evening held to recognise our efforts in the Mount Barker council area. With thanks to our Mayor, Anne Ferguson, and her excellent staff (thank you Emma and Gary) we had a terrific evening testing local food and wines and listening to several local speakers: Luke Booth speaking about bush tucker (amazing what you can do with acacia seed), Kevin Williams and Bob Snell talking about the birds at Laratinga (such fabulous photos) and Noleen and Bob Sharrad talking about the Friend's of Coppin's (Reserve) bush group. A fabulous night! The thing I'm now doing is updating my bird-list for the Summit, and hunting down a new bird book on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Did I mention school's finished for this year? Yep, a few weeks off to recharge and get stuck into writing.
On the writing front: Last Sunday I celebrated "the end" of 2012 with the Crime Writer's group at The Feathers Hotel. Another great meal, a fun time with all of us getting louder as the clock ticked on. This time, we left the curtains in place (that's another story). Thanks Chris for organising it all!
Over the break: I have some serious planning to do and two new outlines to write PLUS redraft an agent's letter. I sent off some online submissions some weeks ago - no news yet, but certainly one is a "no go." While that's going on, I'll be updating my Weebly site - so some long overdue changes will appear! And I'll be catching up with a few more friends this time - too many hours as a writing hermit is NOT good for the soul. Hoping to catch the James Bond movie and (about mid-January) The Hobbit (too crowded before that).
And I've nearly finished an excellent book on "the writer's platform." I'll review it after I've turned that last page.
This week, I must finish on a sombre note, with a sad farewell to an old friend earlier this week (thank you Les). And my thoughts and prayers for the victims in Newtown, CT, and for those who have lost loved ones. This is an incomprehensible horror.
Yours in writing
Bo
x
So let's start with this week's great event: RAIN! Yes, we've had about 9mm over 2 days. I know that will make some folks laugh, but I can't tell you how welcome that is after three DRY months. The correas and young plants on the mountain are either dying or under serious stress, and it's interesting how the bird population has migrated because of the dry.
To the bird report: Not a great number these last few weeks. Wrens more visible now (and so cute), thornbills bossing about, a mistletoe bird (!) - a first sighting here and I did try and take a photo...(note: "try"), yellow-tailed black cockatoos crunching banksia seed pods, golden whistlers and shrike thrushes doing duets (duelling whistlers?), spinebills, ravens, currawongs - and today I've finally SEEN some grey fantails on the fire track - in fact, one BUZZED me telling me to GET LOST! And some more amazing news: an RBF came into my bird-bath at home! WOW! It tseee'd in, had a drink, and tseee'd off. They are SO cute. The bursarias are just starting to flower - lovely!
Last Wednesday night, I joined other local environmental volunteers at a special evening held to recognise our efforts in the Mount Barker council area. With thanks to our Mayor, Anne Ferguson, and her excellent staff (thank you Emma and Gary) we had a terrific evening testing local food and wines and listening to several local speakers: Luke Booth speaking about bush tucker (amazing what you can do with acacia seed), Kevin Williams and Bob Snell talking about the birds at Laratinga (such fabulous photos) and Noleen and Bob Sharrad talking about the Friend's of Coppin's (Reserve) bush group. A fabulous night! The thing I'm now doing is updating my bird-list for the Summit, and hunting down a new bird book on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Did I mention school's finished for this year? Yep, a few weeks off to recharge and get stuck into writing.
On the writing front: Last Sunday I celebrated "the end" of 2012 with the Crime Writer's group at The Feathers Hotel. Another great meal, a fun time with all of us getting louder as the clock ticked on. This time, we left the curtains in place (that's another story). Thanks Chris for organising it all!
Over the break: I have some serious planning to do and two new outlines to write PLUS redraft an agent's letter. I sent off some online submissions some weeks ago - no news yet, but certainly one is a "no go." While that's going on, I'll be updating my Weebly site - so some long overdue changes will appear! And I'll be catching up with a few more friends this time - too many hours as a writing hermit is NOT good for the soul. Hoping to catch the James Bond movie and (about mid-January) The Hobbit (too crowded before that).
And I've nearly finished an excellent book on "the writer's platform." I'll review it after I've turned that last page.
This week, I must finish on a sombre note, with a sad farewell to an old friend earlier this week (thank you Les). And my thoughts and prayers for the victims in Newtown, CT, and for those who have lost loved ones. This is an incomprehensible horror.
Yours in writing
Bo
x
