My Bright Field

Wishing you and your families a wonderful and blessed Christmas season. I am taking a short break and will be back in the New Year. Reflection: Luke 2:13-14 New International Version (NIV) Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Oh dear I really am dragging the bottom of the barrel when the only bird shot I have is a sea gull.  Spotted in the fountain at Darling Harbour a week or so ago.

Huntsman and Dogs by Henri Jacquemart When I was in the Rose Gardens at Sydney Botanic Gardens I was attracted to this lovely sculpture.  I was commenting on Grace's blog earlier in the week how I love people sculptures.  This one is even better with both man and animals.  This beautiful piece was restored in 2001.

At this time of year the purple jacarandas seem to grab most of the attention.  But another tree is worthy of note - the lovely yellow flowers of silky oaks which are an Australian native tree.  I spotted this one behind the church at Kandos. When I was walking in the Sydney botanic gardens later in the week I was surprised by this red flowered tree which the sign said was a red silky oak or tree waratah.  It seems quite different from the yellow one, not just a different coloured version of the same.

In keeping with my Wednesday book theme the chandeliers and web of lights in Pitt St mall had me thinking of Miss Haversham's banquet. A book I have read recently This week I took on Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. I remember going to the movie when I was as uni in the early 70s.  I didn't understand any of it.  My only recollection is of confusion and a mad man sitting up a tree. Since I am challenging myself to read books I might find difficult I gave it a go.  I was surprised to find it really amusing. But the circular logic of the various vignettes is so clever it requires quite a bit of concentration. I figured the story in the end would just circle back on itself in some ridiculous way so there was no point pushing on even though I was enjoying it. I decided to do 100 pages and call it quits. Problem is I haven’t reached the bit with the man in the tree so I might keep going.

Have your ever tried white cherries? They are the best cherries I have ever tasted.  Our neighbour at Kandos brought some from his garden across to us this week.  This is lovely because the tiny number of cherries from our tree (black cherries) were gobbled up by birds before they ripened. Other good news, we got back to Kandos in time to catch the plums just as they were ripening.  I picked four full buckets from the tree.  Plenty of cooking and freezing done. We are back in Kandos today and the apricots are ripening.  I picked three buckets today with plenty more still in the tree.   I am hoping we have beaten the fruit fly to most of them.  

Not daunted by they rain, we've been keeping up with our walking. Going up to the shops to pick up fresh bread from the bakery.  There is nothing quite like a country bakery. A poem for today Rain Poem by Robert Louis Stevenson.  It is so short here it is. The rain is raining all around, It falls on field and tree, It rains on the umbrellas here, And on the ships at sea.