Meditating on an orchid

The meditation process can be achieved in a wide variety of ways from the most conventional to the most unusual. Recently I discovered that the process of drawing plants and then using watercolour pencils to add colour puts me into a very focused yet calm state of mind, and isn't that what meditation is all about. Today I spent a couple of hours drawing a spike of orchids (Cymbidium caniculatum) growing on a clump located outside our kitchen window. These orchids are native to our part of outback Queensland.

There are 44 buds on this one spike, all in different stages of unfurling -- from fully open to small tight buds. I know I've chosen a difficult subject but I want to record the intricate beauty before me, and as I focus I feel myself going deep into the heart of the orchid itself and there I drift in the calm -- -- --. Tiny black ants are scurrying up and down the flower spikes, harvesting nectar. Their frantic activity is in sharp contrast to how I feel after drawing the orchid on which they're feeding.

My children's book TSUNAMI is now FREE!

This remarkable story is guaranteed to appeal to young readers. Noah's world is shattered when a tsunami sweeps his home away and he and his grandmother escape in a small boat. While lost at sea they rescue three animals, finally landing in a deserted cove surrounded by mountains. Months later Noah meets an ancient man and is given clues to help them return home. But then the old man dies. Noah's grandmother becomes ill and their rescue depends on Noah alone. Will he be able to follow the clues and find help? Will Noah and his grandmother ever return to their island home?

Simply go to: http://www.smashwords.com and type Tsunami in the search box. I hope enjoy reading the story.

Coffee at the Mitchell Cafe

Coffee at the Mitchell Cafe is always a pleasant social event, especially when we take our two German shepherds and sit outside in the shade of an umbrella, with two life-size concrete kangaroos lounging between the tables and the Warrego Highway. This morning, a 4 year-old girl dressed in pink and white sat astride the larger of the two 'roos, her face wide with smiles as she hung on to its large erect ears.

A steady stream of people coming in and out of the cafe ensures plenty of friendly greetings, while inside, Janelle serves everyone as if in her own home. With a warm sunny personality she is everyone's friend and confidante, and well-known by travellers who stop off in Mitchell to enjoy good coffee and one of her home-made pies with salad.

Bright red callistemons in Mitchell

Native to this part of outback Queensland and now in full bloom, red-flowering callistemons (Callistemon viminalis) are bringing lots of friar birds and other nectar-loving birds and butterflies to Mitchell.

When the Warrego Highway (that runs through the heart of Mitchell) had its facelift last year they planted these callistemons up the median strip. In terms of size, colour and ability to survive in this climate, this was a wise choice of plant. The noisy chatter of friar birds feeding in the callistemons in our garden brings me joy. The joy of spring.

Historic hut at Morven in Outback Queensland

An historic hut made from flattened kerosene tins -- located in the small outback town of Morven -- is a grim reminder of the harsh living conditions of the Great Depression. During the summer months, with temperatures in the 40s C, the heat must have been hard to bear. There was no air-conditioning, fans or insulation back then. At least during winter a campfire could be kept burning for warmth. To see a hut like this makes me feel incredibly grateful for the living conditions of today.

Open Garden Day with ballroom dancing

Where else but in outback Queensland would you have an Open Garden Day with 12 children from the local school giving a ballroom dancing performance (Pride of Erin, Canadian Three-step, and Gypsy Tap) on a tennis court, with a backdrop of a huge dam gliding with swans, egrets and ducks? The colourful garden, spread over the top of a hill, is the creation of Dulcie Nielsen, a sprightly woman in her 80s. Bananas, mangoes, avocados, mulberries, citrus and passionfruit thrive at 'Brunell' because of its frost-free hilltop location.

While visitors ate their lunch beneath the shade of a bank of trees, two talented musicians entertained everyone with popular songs accompanied by guitar and mouth organ. With a warm friendly personality Dulcie is the perfect hostess, and also the volunteer who teaches ballroom dancing at Morven State School. Every type of flowering plant seems to be in her garden, and flowering, a reflection of the warmth and vitality of its creator.

Mitchell's talented hairdresser known by her nickname

Only today, as she cut my hair, did I learn that Tina's real name is Bettina. Always pleasant in manner and immaculately groomed, Tina has a salon in the main street of Mitchell and caters for the hair needs of most people in this small outback town.

As the only hairdresser in Mitchell she's busy, especially prior to events such as weddings, parties and balls. With years of experience behind her, natural talent and skill, Tina is a huge but possibly unrecognized asset to Mitchell.