Tag: fotd

Flower of the Day

My return home was fraught.  While waiting for a storm cell to pass in Perth, the plane sat on the tarmac longer than the flight.  I didn’t get home until after 9 pm.  I did not eat on the plane as I longed for a hot meal but could not heat my frozen meal when I got home.  The electricity had shorted.  I had no perishables in the fridge.  I went to bed hungry.

At midnight I heard an almighty crash with glass smashing.  I was on my feet in a flash.  I had left the side gate unlocked for workmen while I was away and immediately felt vulnerable.  In the silence that followed I heard water pouring, I stepped into the corridor and straight onto glass in my bare feet.  With my phone having only a little charge left, I dared not use it to light up the corridor.  When my eyes adjusted I stepped around debris to find my laundry was flooded from ceiling damage and the overheard light fixture gone.  So I did what humans do.  I sat on the sofa and cried with frustration.

Once the distress subsided, I caught a few hours sleep and first thing in the morning called the insurance folks.  To my amazement, they responded immediately and gave me approval to have the damaged fixed and send in the invoices without having to do the usual three quotes.  My handyman responded immediately too and lined up roofers and an electrician and came around later in the day to check on everything else.  Mid morning I went into my back garden and nearly cried again.  One of the two big trees has fallen over, a tree the rainbow lorikeets love to visit and a tree that gives me the first hint of spring with beautiful white flowers.  It is also a privacy screen from my neighbour over the fence.  I’m glad I won’t be home when A brings out the chain saw and removes it.

I’ve been extra busy this month with a lot of travel and writing.  I was looking forward to five days at home before another busy month looms in March.  The plan was to get the house ready for the painter and decluttering.  Instead I spent yesterday replacing appliances that were water logged in the laundry and kitchen.  The day was not done when I circled a shopping centre car park looking for a bay closer to the door for convenience in inclement weather.  I finally found one and turned in, nudging the car next to me!  I went to Security and the Concierge to report it.  They were so kind and the lady stroked my arm as she sensed I was upset.  Her touch was the random act of kindness I needed on the day.

I returned home to a decimated garden and as I walked to the front door, a pale pink bud caught my eye.  Even though I often have roses in my garden, this time, I stopped to take a picture.  There was something special in this rose that spoke to me, all is well.thumb_IMG_1237_1024
It was my flower of the day.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird

 

 

In response to Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

The first glimpse of …

It was the first trip of the year and little time for anything except work.  My plans of walking around town with camera, taking pictures of the magnificent heritage architecture in the Goldfields region, were scrapped.  The small mining town felt like it was bursting at the seams with people.  An atmosphere reminiscent of the wild, wild, West.  I just didn’t feel comfortable walking around on my own.  I drove to the sister town of Boulder and it was the same, so I returned to the hotel without taking a single picture.

The next day at lunchtime, as is my habit, I went to the park for a quick lunch and hoped for a longer time with camera photographing the gum flowers and birds.  It was nearly 40 degrees C and no shade.  I had to return to the office, dejected, without a single photograph of my trip!

As I approached the entrance to the building, it caught my eye.  I had seen it the previous day in the garden.  It looked like it was some kind of plastic toy wedged against another plant.  The next day when I returned from lunch, it was still there.  I decided to walk closer to inspect it.thumb_IMG_0983_1024
Echeveria ‘Domingo’

It took my breath away!  In the harshest sun in harsher country, this bloomed with such delicacy.  I have a desk plaque on a table in my foyer, a reminder to self, each time I enter my home or leave it – “Bloom where God plants you”.  When away from home, I needed this to touch base.

I showed the picture to the office staff.  They loved it.  “Where did you find this?” they asked, thinking it was from one of my travels.  “Outside, in the garden, by the front door”.  They looked confused and surprised.  One staff member’s window opened to this and she never noticed it before!  I had no idea succulents are so beautiful.  I learnt something new that day.  It will definitely have a presence in my new garden.

On my return home, the flight was full.  I was seated at the back.  Never a good seat on a Friday night when miners are going home and have had too much down time at the bar.  I averted my body, away from the odour of stale beer, and towards a succulent sky.thumb_IMG_0986_1024My trip, fraught as it was with work, taught me to look beyond the desk and when plans don’t work out, respond to curiosity and look beyond.

I brought the vision home, to share with you.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird

In response to Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

In response to A Photo a Week Challenge – Work

 

 

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas …

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1732.jpgChristmas Lily, Esperance, Western Australia

Around this time of year, the Christmas lily blooms in the garden of the hotel where I stay in Esperance.  I love the colours and perfection of the flower.  It reminds me to hang in there, the year is coming to an end.

As we prepare for Christmas, Thanksgiving is on the horizon for my family, friends and blogger friends in the Northern Hemisphere.

May you enjoy your celebrations on a day of togetherness and gratitude.

As always

a dawn bird

In response to Cee’s FOTD Photo Challenge –

Milkmaids

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Milkmaids (Burchardia umbellata), Manea Park, Bunbury, Western Australia

As the Northern Hemisphere moves into autumn, we in the Southern Hemisphere embrace the warmth of spring.

Nothing speaks more of spring to me than these beautiful milkmaids that grow wild in the bush.  They float on tall stalks among grass and scrub, delicate and inviting.

Enjoy!

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird

In response to Cee’s FOTD photography challenge – 29th September 2019

Cee’s Flower of the day challenge – 27 April, 2019 – Wild Orchid

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Western Australia is renowned for its wild flowers, with many species not found elsewhere.  Among the thousands of species of wildflowers there are several hundred species of orchids.  Often found growing among leaf debris in the bush, the wild orchid is a thing of beauty.

a dawn bird

In response to Cee’s Flower of the Day – FOTD – Challenge