Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Ode to Birds




Ode to Bird Watching
~ Pablo Neruda

Now
Let's look for birds!
The tall iron branches
in the forest,
The dense
fertility on the ground.
The world
is wet.
A dewdrop or raindrop
shines,
a diminutive star
among the leaves.
The morning time
mother earth
is cool.
The air
is like a river
which shakes
the silence.
It smells of rosemary,
of space
and roots.
Overhead,
a crazy song.
It's a bird.






A little while ago, we trekked off to the Jerrabomberra Wetlands to investigate the walks and bird-watching huts.  There's a bit of re-vitalisation work going on to remove willow from the waterways which is not so attractive, but there is also a charming bike path connecting the suburbs of Russell to Kingston which threads its way though prettier sections.  It turned into a scout's adventure.  We did spot a few birds but, alack and alas, we did not have our copy of John Gould's Birds of Australia and cannot recall what they were.  


I'm on a mission to take the children on similar exploratory ganders around Canberra especially now that the weather is warmer and the days longer.  Just an occasional short walk beyond our usual orbit to make us appreciate how much open space we have in the Bush Capital.   I'm inspired by Tim the Yowie Man who writes a highly informative column about local places roundabout these here parts in the Panorama magazine which falls out of the Saturday edition of The Canberra Times.  He also tweets.  Heh, like a bird (sorry).  We also admire his hat.  Check him out and get walking.

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Idleness


Against Idleness and Mischief
~ Isaac Watts (1674 - 1748)

How skilfully she builds her Cell!
How neat she spreads the Wax!
And labours hard to store it well
With the sweet Food she makes.

In Works of Labour or of Skill
I would be busy too:
For Satan finds some Mischief still
For idle Hands to do.

In Books, or Work, or healthful Play
Let my first Years be past,
That I may give for every Day
Some good Account at last.

***
Sweet Spring weather has arrived with its raw, green smells and increasingly crisper afternoon light. Soccer training has finished for the season so Wednesday afternoons can be re-claimed.  Right now, we are listening to The Railway Children being read on an audio-book from the library and lolling about waiting for finger bun dough to rise.  The children have settled on the couch in a row, school shirts pulled up, scratching each other's backs.  Too bad there's music practice and a bit of homework to break the idle spell.  But not just yet. 

Photo: By me. Molongolo Reach, Lake Burley Griffin. Mid-Winter 2011,

Wednesday, 7 September 2011

The Footballer's Affirmation



The meditation affirmation of Brett Kirk, Captain of the Sydney Swans AFL team (Captain Kirk).

"As a human being I’m honest, I’m passionate, I’m courageous, I’m disciplined, I have a concentrated mind, I’m compassionate, I’m aware, I’m a good listener, I’m patient, I’m tolerant, I’m fun, I’m adventurous, I’m loving and I’m affectionate, I’m kind, I’m responsible, I am love. I don’t get caught up in my thoughts, I don’t give control to my ego, I don’t dwell on the past, I don’t worry about the future, because the only moment we have is this moment right now."

I caught this thanks to Judith Lucy's Spiritual Journey program on the ABC (a comedic Aussie version of Eat, Pray, Love.  Sort of.)    I only saw a snippet of one episode but what a compelling one it was.  A highly evolved footy player!  Too good to be true.  In addition to this startling revelation which almost, but not quite, converted me to the sport, however, it was also a timely reminder of the need for some still, quiet moments in the day.  Because once the children get in the car, the noise and busy-ness begins and there's no let-up until bedtime. It takes vast amounts of psychic energy after a day's work to cajole and persuade children to do music practice, eat dinner without too much carry-on and put the dishes in the sink etc, so one needs to build up reserves of patience.  

Photo: Our walk along the base of Red Hill on the Deakin-side looking south-west.  By me. Walking it off is another recommended form of therapy.