History closing over on you.

My favourite book of the year along with Stasiland, was 'All that I Am' which I read for the first time. Thank you Anna for a year of literary riches. Found many things I wanted to come back to in the book, but all by markers fell out at the last moment, NO! Will have to read it again sometime, no doubt different things will come to me.

From the review in the Spectator-: 'It is a novel about confronting grievous loss, and the horror of realising, as history closes over you, that you will never be understood.' This is what resonated to me and I highlighted in my journal. We will all be consigned to history's vault, who will ever really know how much small objects and words and letters meant to us? It is so poignantly put as Ruth departs from this story.

One of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life was finalise moving all the items out of my parents home after my dad needed to go into high care. It was like trying to dismantle someones life. What to keep and what to send on. So heartbreaking, someones life laid out. But what I thought was meaningless was precious to dad.

History's Vault

I forced myself to actually walk down to the Willunga Farmers market this morning.

The weather was perfectly balanced, fine, not windy and not too hot.

So I set off with the husband, dog and hand trolley.

A few minuets in and husband decides he can't cope(!)

He persuades the dog to return with him.

I have already gone too far to back out, so continue on down the hill.

I find my usual milk, sour dough bread and apples.

Then my other regular, when I can get to the market in time, is the Big issue. (no. 389)

Sold by Daniel, who has been selling here for a long time.

Thanks for putting up with us Daniel(!)

I grab a latte on the way home as a reward at 3 monkey's cafe.

Note to readers - excellent coffee fix if you get to Willunga.

But we are spoilt for choice here.

I flick through the issue and discover all my favourites and a journal of life as a census collector.

These unseen foot soldiers, well maybe that is coating it a bit thick, but they

did get around to us all, even if my only communication with one was via notes.

Australia is a tolerant country, we try to please.

But unfortunately I won't be around to open up the personal info after 99 odd years.

We will all surely be safely forgotten in history's vault.

Title - write what excites, confuses, attracts, amuses, annoys, translates, absorbs, confronts and is therapeutic for you and/or the reader.

The tree of life.

A title for a movie - (which was so disjointed, a play on the genesis theme, but too obscure in the application.)

But also, of course, in the book of Genesis as The Tree of Life.

Focus of worship this morning.

Am now down to be worship leader in 2 weeks, so we will see where that leads.

I recently heard a writer talk about how she decides what to write about.

She said if you could talk on the topic for 30 minutes it was a good sign.

ie write what you know about, what appeals, confuses, excites etc.

Spirituality?

Horticulture?

Literature?

Relationships ie motherhood?

Therapeutic communities?

Horticultural, spiritual, environmental, social communities?!

Going to the Willunga Chamber Orchestra spring concert.

Census collectors and Willunga Farmers Market

I forced myself to actually walk down to the Willunga Farmers market this morning.

The weather was perfectly balanced, fine, not windy and not too hot.

So I set off with the husband, dog and hand trolley.

A few minuets in and husband decides he can't cope(!)

He persuades the dog to return with him.

I have already gone too far to back out, so continue on down the hill.

I find my usual milk, sour dough bread and apples.

Then my other regular, when I can get to the market in time, is the Big issue. (no. 389)

Sold by Daniel, who has been selling here for a long time.

Thanks for putting up with us Daniel(!)

I grab a latte on the way home as a reward at 3 monkey's cafe.

Note to readers - excellent coffee fix if you get to Willunga.

But we are spoilt for choice here.

I flick through the issue and discover all my favourites and a journal of life as a census collector.

These unseen foot soldiers, well maybe that is coating it a bit thick, but they

did get around to us all, even if my only communication with one was via notes.

Australia is a tolerant country, we try to please.

But unfortunately I won't be around to open up the personal info after 99 odd years.

We will all surely be safely forgotten in history's vault.

Computer glitches and St Martin's by the Sea

Hi again,

Tried to send off some info earlier in the day and the computer went psycho just before it sent.

Ended up taking a slide picture of the screen as it wouldn't let me send, copy or save.

Arrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

So I have done a hand copy to my sometime journal, and finally retyping.

Computers do have a lot to answer for. Hope your day was fine and you had a chance to look around.

It is something I have been doing more of.

Walks along the Shiraz trail and wanders around Willunga.

Have been meaning to write about my recent experience at a silent retreat, run by Roy's retreat.

This was a one day retreat held at St Martin's by the Sea.

Sounds so English, doesn't it.

As a coincidence I have just read a book that had the place St Martin's in it - in Guernsey, off the coast of England & France.

The book was the Guernsey Potatoe Peel Pie Literary Society.

Which I have a copy of, it's a bit old worlde, another time, just after world war two.

But I am digressing(!)

Going to the retreat I was in a rush as usual, looking for the right street in Port Noarlunga, found the place and wrangled a park.

By the way Google maps is way off on the distance on this one.

Busied myself to register and eventually looked around to the most stunning view across the sea.

It was a striking sight as it was such a bright day reflecting off the water.

Felt like we were on a ledge way up high.

The day focused on the mystic Charles de Foucauld, who was a French man of noble birth.

I cannot work out the correct pronunciation of his name. Never the less he had a life that is still being talked about today.

A virtual hermit, he lived in the desert of Morocco in very primitive conditions.

He literary wore his heart on his sleeve as he had it printed on his clothing, with the symbol of the cross.

Mystics are said to be in a love relationship with God and aware of God being in a mutual love relationship

with them i.e. they experience God being present in all things at all times.

Also described as being in union with God or in oneness.

There was time during the day for silent reflection and communing with God.

Being silent, I'll admit is not something that comes naturally to me(!)

But I relish the time to stop for awhile.

There is a wonderful atmosphere of peace there.

I am experimenting with having my own little space of reflection in my house.

A candle, photos and special memento's collected from all over.

I know God is all around in the hub-bub of domestic chaos. But sometimes we are too busy to realise this.

A found definition of a retreat from Stephanie Dowrick.

A "retreat" literally means retreating from our usual concerns and the usual ways we approach and think about them. Reading can also provide a version of retreat,

especially when it takes us to what Rilke called "the deepest things". The crucial thing is making time, also for the reflections & inspirations that always arise.

Changes the way we then interact with our multiple social environments. Journal writing also part of this for many: discovering what you need to know, as you write.

Where are we headed?

Many thanks for the mental health feature - Where are we headed? - September ANJ - 2011.

Mental health is a field that seems to work reactively as does the majority of the health system.

When there is an issue, there is some intervention, and then a lull before the next health crisis.

The huge shift needed is to work proactively, to build strengths and health.

Not merely be the person always picking up the pieces.

I know this is a primary health care mantra, but the message is very slow to get through.

Mental health is something everyone needs to care for.

The drive for mental health workers is ongoing, but the working conditions are often not optimal.

Having worked in community mental health for 10 years I have seen the level of responsibility far outweighs the renumeration.

I applaud the inroads made into general practice and early intervention i.e. Headspace.

But the reality on the ground is that workers are exposed to a high level of stress and aggression.

Recognition of safe working conditions would go a long way to keeping mental health nurses in this field.

art is childhood, after all

'Art is childhood, after all,' wrote Rilke in 1898, when his own physical childhood was still fresh.

'Art means to be oblivious to the fact that the world already exists and to create one.......'

Goes on to talk about God and how his creation could have gone further, which is a futile comment.

Does not creation have its own perfection?

Contemplations with the mystics, Australian of the year and time by the sea.

Thursday morning Prayer breakfast-:
Prayer Breakfast 2011 Review
The special guest speaker was Simon McKeon, Australian of the year 2011. Simon is a prominent investment banker, Chairman of CSIRO, and world record breaking yachtsman, but it’s his efforts to support multiple Australian and international charities which has earned him great admiration. As a leading social entrepreneur, and committed Christian, Simon demonstrates how business and philanthropy go hand in hand, giving tremendously of his time and energy to many organisations.
Simon was a wonderfully fluent speaker who told a very personal story of tragedy in his own life. Plus the need to seize the moment, as one never knows what will happen from day to day. The prayer breakfast was compered by Brenton Ragless, weather presenter from channel nine, who spoke of the value of volunteering in his own life and career path.
A memorable morning despite the early, early start.
Thursday after breakfast - Royal Show day. Did the yellow brick road trail which gets you around the show. But we did spend a long time in the Goyder pavillion and surrounds looking for the promised Latvian food stand. Much anticipation, only to find it was actually only a display. Only a display! False advertizing. I should let them know.
Jani attended for the first time in over 20 years.
Saturday quarry market sausage sizzle stall and hello to the cake stall - bought a yummy organe cake - Message to self, make some today.
Also did my usualy farmers market and today there was an extra activity as the Cancer council fundraiser -'Shear for mates' was on the corner. Sheep being sheared non stop.
Tango turtle to negotiate painting sales - ongoing for Jasmine. Good news response has been good for her works.
Sunday 'Land' service.
Our Land worship time included some great sharing, planting and this iconic poem.
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror
The wide brown land for me!
After this I hightailed it into the Multifaith day.
2011 Interfaith Symposium. 11th of September.
It was a busy kind of Sunday and I was unsure if I had the time to devote to the multi-faith gathering. But having a curious nature I had to go and explore(!) The symposium was held at the Hawke Centre in North Terrace, Uni SA. It has fantastic views over North Terrace and across the river.
The morning had had keynote speaker Stephanie Dowrick and discussion groups. When I arrived it was time for lunch and also a chance to meet the key note speaker. Then it was on to a variety of music presentations, singers and dancers from the hindu faith, the African catholic choir and another choir. I then got to listen to a few locals i.e. Nick Randall and Father Tom. Plus many familiar faces from Sunday sessions.
For those who couldn’t make it to see Stephanie Dowrick she will be back in Adelaide for another conference entitled ‘Finding balance’ – Go to her website for further details.
Evening time was Sunday sessions-:
“Is God a Vegetarian ?”
The presentation was a variety of short videos which emphasised Scriptural, Biological, and Environmental evidence that not only does God want us to be vegetarian, but our future survival depends on it. It presented some Scriptural agreement from different Religions, and also shows the agreement between modern Science and Religion, regarding the truth about human diet and the powerful impact our meat-eating is having on individual and global health. The compilation was a moving and sometimes amusing look at a very serious misunderstanding, and what we can do about it. It was presented by Darryl Braund.
Following this I made a long brewing decision to become a vegitarian. Have been most disturbed by the live export footage and the realities of eating meat.
So far, 5 days............. not to much of a struggle.
Am also trying to get in shape for the 12 km city to bay walk, so all round I could be fitter and healthier.
Monday reast day, felt blah.
Tuesday to Adelaide - art day with friend. The Doug Moran portrait prize. This venue is on the first floor of the State library building and always feels like it is a bit shambolic ie not presented as well as it could be. Partitions and old desks around the perimeters, needs a clean up. The art itself was worth viewing and a water colour session was presented by an artist with a model. The model was a young teenage girl with beautiful black glossy hair.
Went to the opening of the Hub learning centre at Adelaide Uni. The architecture looks like a giant kindergarden, but I did get a sugar fix with blue fairy floss.
Wlaked my legs off getting my city to bay numbers in Kent Town, Then singlets for the No Secret campaign from Synod office in Pirie Street. Blisters appeard cos I was wearing my Docs, not the right shoes for long walks, apparently.
Wednesday - St Martins by the Sea, Port Noarlunga - Retreat with the mystics.
Focusing on Charles de Foucauld. Classified as a hermit.
A man who devoted his life to God in one of the most desolate places on earth, in Morocco and the Sahara desert.
St Martins by the sea has the most breath taking views across the sea.
Thursday - really early start to get to repat for partners knee arthroscopy. Reading in McDonalds, what else is open at 7am? Burnside for my favourite pretzel rolls.
The Trak for the film Mozart's Sister - not struck by this tale, seemd strangely stilted, despite the settings and costumes. I later read that Margaret from The Movie Show also felt this way and only gave it one star, but David gave it 4 - David what were you thinking?
This is the first time I have blogged for ages. Computer speed at home is an issue.
Glorious spring sunshine, wisteria, blossoms and fresh grass.
Swinging by a few op shops and a coffeee stop now.