Gaia/nature reading challenge update, with the end of the year rapidly approaching this will be one of the last 2022 updates, but will continue into 2023 with the new Gaia/nature challenge. I recently read a delightful account of Scottish wildlife in the remote Ardnamurchan region and an absolutely brilliant eco novel that I expect may … Continue reading Wilderness reading
2023 Gaia/nature
I still have posts to update on this years Gaia/nature reading challenge but since the challenge is continuing into 2023 and rather than leaving everything to the last minute, I thought I would post an initial sign-up page now. To participate just leave a comment below. You don’t have to have a blog, but if … Continue reading 2023 Gaia/nature
A new experience for November
Hi everyone, G here and I have had first time experience I would like to share which is a little different to the general gist of this blog. To be a little different both B an I attended Supanova Brisbane 2022. What is Supanova you ask? "Supanova Comic Con & Gaming has been the welcoming home … Continue reading A new experience for November
More nature reads for younger readers
I am using this week to catch up on some Gaia/nature reads for younger readers, with Christmas rapidly approaching this seems timely. I last posted about Sami Bayly's excellent Illustrated Encyclopedia series: The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals and The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature. This time I want to … Continue reading More nature reads for younger readers
Sami Bayly Illustrated Encylopedia series.
Firstly want to share a link to BrizzyMay's last Gaia/nature challenge post, super impressed with May's achievements and not just the reading ones, but all the practical things to help the environment. All any of us can do is make those little improvements whenever and wherever the opportunity arises. I have been a bit slack … Continue reading Sami Bayly Illustrated Encylopedia series.
Gorgeous new editions of nature themed novels
Just wanted to alert my fellow nature lovers to a new series of gorgeous editions of nature-themed novels from Vintage. If you are looking for a nature-themed work of fiction, this is a great place to start; the covers are just magnificent. From the Penguin site: Vintage Earth Series Discover great writing on the most … Continue reading Gorgeous new editions of nature themed novels
The Gaia/nature reading challenge in 2023???
“Reading is like thinking, like praying, like talking to a friend, like expressing your ideas, like listening to other people’s ideas, like listening to music, like looking at the view, like taking a walk on the beach.” – Roberto Bolaño Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com The Gaia/nature reading challenge has been running for a couple … Continue reading The Gaia/nature reading challenge in 2023???
Toowoomba – Where ghosts walk
Upon that night, when fairies lightOn Cassilis Downans dance,Or owre the lays, in splendid blaze,On sprightly coursers prance;Or for Colean the route is ta'en,Beneath the moon's pale beams;There, up the cove, to stray and rove,Among the rocks and streamsTo sport that night... - from Halloween by Robert Burns Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com Here … Continue reading Toowoomba – Where ghosts walk
Walking Landlines
“Be not inhospitable to strangers lest they be angels in disguise.” A few years ago I came across a book on the Wainwright prize short list that I absolutely loved, I would like to say it was life changing, but to be honest I think it just reinforced values I already hold dear. It was … Continue reading Walking Landlines
Elif Shafak and the wisdom of trees
“When you are in trouble or at your lowest point, and have no one in whom to confide, a hawthorn would be the right choice. There is a reason why hawthorns are home to fairies and known to protect pots of treasure. For wisdom, try a beech; for intelligence, a pine; for bravery, a rowan; … Continue reading Elif Shafak and the wisdom of trees
Gaia/Nature challenge update And Platypus Matters
First up I want to share a link to Karen's excellent post on Pearl S Buck's classic The Good Earth it is one of those classics I have always meant to read. And Curlygeek has written a great post review on How to Give Up Plastic by Will McCallum both the above make good titles … Continue reading Gaia/Nature challenge update And Platypus Matters
Coastal calm
Northern Woodgate Beach Ever since covid our escape routine has been disrupted and we have had very few getaways but last week I took a much-needed week off and we retreated to the peace and quiet of Woodgate to relax and recharge. To the best of my knowledge, Woodgate is Gubbi Gubbi country and as … Continue reading Coastal calm
Things lost, amnesia and the Gaia challenge
A bit of a catch-up post on the Gaia/Nature challenge today and sharing some overdue links. Curlygeek at the excellent book blog The Book Stop has been reading for the Gaia challenge and like me, they also included Lisa See's excellent historical novel The Island of the Sea Women in reads for the challenge. And … Continue reading Things lost, amnesia and the Gaia challenge
Tolkien and trees
"If you really want to know what Middle-earth is based on, it's my wonder and delight in the earth as it is, particularly the natural earth". - JRR Tolkien ( https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/j-r-r-tolkien-quotes ) “When Summer lies upon the world, and in a noon of gold, Beneath the roof of sleeping leaves the dreams of trees unfold; … Continue reading Tolkien and trees
Trees and literature
Photo by Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com Just wanted to share some useful links, the ABC has been focusing on trees as part of science week and since this blog has a distinct nature theme, thought others might find these interesting if they have not already seen them: Five memorable trees in books we love, from … Continue reading Trees and literature
Rare Earth – the dilemma of green energy and digital technology
We live in an age faced with monumental challenge; climate change, environmental degradation, mass extinction, all change largely driven by human activity on this small blue planet. Clearly our insatiable consumption of fossil based energy, is the principle driver of climate instability, and directly or indirectly associated with environmental degradation and the extinction event we … Continue reading Rare Earth – the dilemma of green energy and digital technology
Catch up on Gaia/nature reading challenge posts
I have been really, really slack, need to be much better organised. Just wanted to catch up on sharing links to challenge posts I may have missed lately. Way back in April Karen at Living on the Downs wrote a great post on The Yield by Tara June Winch another great choice for the Gaia/nature … Continue reading Catch up on Gaia/nature reading challenge posts
Peace on the lake shore
I will arise and go now, for always night and dayI hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,I hear it in the deep heart’s core. - William Butler Yeats The rhythms and routines of life have become very disrupted of late. Covid … Continue reading Peace on the lake shore
Sunflowers on the Downs
There is something magical about sunflowers - it seems impossible not to experience delight at the sight of a field of tall, bold, radiant blooms. Beloved subject of artists and Instagramers, symbol of happiness, hope and resistance. A few weeks back we had a sunflower field adventure just outside of Toowoomba. Warraba sunflowers at Cambooya … Continue reading Sunflowers on the Downs
Clinging on and catching up!
"Deep green was the colour of belonging and she climbed towards it." - Sarah Pye I am very behind but slowly snatching time to catch up. June started with a fantastic new event in Toowoomba: Wordfest I cannot speak highly enough of this great literary festival in my home town. I only managed to attend … Continue reading Clinging on and catching up!
Building a better world
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”—Margaret Mead Missing in action yet again. 😏 Still here, still doing the Gaia nature challenge and updates are coming. Last weekend was supposed to be my re-set, catch up, weekend but that … Continue reading Building a better world
Wordfest Toowoomba this weekend
I have been slack of late, need to get myself organised. To be honest I have been reading a lot of Ukrainian history and have been a bit bogged down by the horror of the past and the present, but enough of that for now. Today I just wanted to share a link to Toowoomba's … Continue reading Wordfest Toowoomba this weekend
“…the homicidal sun.”
The other day at work I stumbled across a couple of titles I thought would make good reads for the Gaia/nature challenge, so far I have read one of those titles, and I have to say, what a fantastic, serendipitous find it was! So what was my happy find? Well, it is a title I … Continue reading “…the homicidal sun.”
Understanding Ukraine – reading and blogging event.
It is hard to ignore the horror that is the Ukraine, at the moment and on that unhappy subject, I thought I would share Brona's reading and blogging event: Understanding Ukraine. https://bronasbooks.com/2022/04/13/i-stand-for-peace-reading-event-may-sept-2022/ I must confess to watching the reporting of the war with horror and wanting to try to understand why this brutal invasion is … Continue reading Understanding Ukraine – reading and blogging event.
Women and the sea
On her third dive, her mind begins to relax. She tunes in to the thrum that connects her to the earth, to those she's lost, to love. The way the blood pounds in her head makes her feel alive. When she's in the sea, she's in the womb of the world. - Lisa See Island … Continue reading Women and the sea
Community: Street libraries and seed swaps
2022 has become my year of community. I am by nature an introvert who thrives on solitude, so becoming more involved in my local community is a bit of a challenge for me. One thing I have realised in light of government failures to deal with social issues , climate and environmental issues, is, that … Continue reading Community: Street libraries and seed swaps
Eco fiction podcast
Who uses podcasts when they travel, drive long distances or just while doing menial tasks? I have to admit I am a big fan of being able to kill boredom with access to never ending fantastic content, so I thought I would occasionally share a link to a great podcast. Recently I caught a Earth … Continue reading Eco fiction podcast
Queen Mary Falls.
It has been a while since S and I have visited Queen Mary Falls. One reason is that the falls is a national park so we cannot bring our dog Ada who travels with us most time. This time, B and her dog Cassie hosted Ada at home so we could have a couple of … Continue reading Queen Mary Falls.
A March catch up
I have been a bit missing in action again but just doing a quick catch up post on March reading and the Gaia challenge. Firstly May at Brizzy May's Books and Bruschetta post on another wonderful children's read for the challenge; The Adventures of Euca, May wrote about the great idea of giving books instead … Continue reading A March catch up
Do you ever wonder what the future will think of us and our actions today?
Do you ever wonder what the future will think of us and our actions today? G has been reading, American author K.B Wagers, action, sci-fi NeoG series, and was a bit surprised to read a reference to Australia's Black summer of 2019 -2020 in the second book, Hold Fast Through the Fire. He shared with … Continue reading Do you ever wonder what the future will think of us and our actions today?
Visit to Tin Can Bay
S and I had a week long break and decided to go somewhere different. Looking around we decided on the village of Tin Can Bay. We were lucky to not be affected by the recent floods and did set up in a dog friendly caravan park called Kingfisher Caravan Park. It is a nice little … Continue reading Visit to Tin Can Bay
Help Peggy and Molly.
Just a quick post to share the story and current plight of Peggy, Molly, Ruby and their human family. Peggy is a little staffy who formed an unlikely bond with an abandoned magpie chick who came to be called Molly, it turns out Molly is actually a male magpie but at the time that was … Continue reading Help Peggy and Molly.
Friendship and Devotion
Those of us who have barnacled ourselves to inhospitable places may be trying to avoid people not because we do not like people, but because we love the things that people destroyed. Wild things. Horizons. Trolls. - Catherine Raven, Fox and I: An Uncommon Friendship. Catherine Raven's reflective Fox and I: An Uncommon Friendship was … Continue reading Friendship and Devotion
The Lighthouse, kids, creativity and nature books.
The first two months of 2022 are gone, one-sixth of the year, history already. Time for an update on the Gaia/nature reading challenge and to properly introduce The Lighthouse a new literacy and creativity centre in Toowoomba. I promised to donate a nature-related book to The Lighthouse for every post on the Gaia challenge in … Continue reading The Lighthouse, kids, creativity and nature books.
Bin Chickens and nature reading
Firstly just want to share a link to Brizzy May's Gaia/nature read post on Black Summer the ABC book about the 2019-2020 fire season, another great post from May and a great book, one that is on my to read list. When I was a kid the Australian white ibis or sacred ibis, (really a … Continue reading Bin Chickens and nature reading
Aussie trees and Wanderlands
Just a quick update post on my reading for the Gaia/nature reading challenge. One Adult nature memoir Wanderlands: A search for the magic in the landscape by Jini Reddy and a younger reader, nature non-fiction; The Book of Australian Trees by Inga Simpson illustrated by Alicia Rogerson. Billed as a "love song to Australian trees", … Continue reading Aussie trees and Wanderlands
Sunday Drive with extras
S and I originally had planned to go camping last weekend, unfortunately, due to all our favourite campsites being booked out, this did not happen. Instead, we took a Sunday drive to visit a nursery to buy some fruit trees. As we were driving into Gatton, passing Lake Apex, we happened onto the Heritage Village … Continue reading Sunday Drive with extras
January reading challenge summary
“I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority.”― E. B. White, Letters of E. B. White Just a quick post to update on the Gaia/nature reading challenge now the first month of the … Continue reading January reading challenge summary
Slow living with wombats
Another update for the Gaia/nature challenge. Check out Brizzy May's post on Kailas Wild's account of the wildlife rescue operation on Kangaroo Island after the fires; The 99th Koala This week I also read Jackie French's delightful A year in the Valley: seasons of content which is another great nature-themed read about Jackie's life in … Continue reading Slow living with wombats
“The surest sign of wisdom is constant cheerfulness.”
“The first was that if one did not master one’s circumstances, one was bound to be mastered by them; and the second was Montaigne’s maxim that the surest sign of wisdom is constant cheerfulness.”― Amor Towles, A Gentleman in Moscow. Just a bit of a quick update. Wanted to give a shout out to those who are … Continue reading “The surest sign of wisdom is constant cheerfulness.”
Wombats and wonder
I thought this year I might try and do a regular post on nature writing for younger readers and celebrate younger authors as well, as part of the Gaia/nature challenge. I have long been a fan of wonderful picture books and firmly believe some of the best writing around is for children. Picture books make … Continue reading Wombats and wonder
Rebel!
"I wish everyone who said they believed in angels would actually believe in insects. - Jay Griffiths Sometimes a small book can have more impact than the weightiest tome and that is the case with Jay Griffiths eloquent call to action Why Rebel. This slim volume of essays celebrates the wonder of the natural world, … Continue reading Rebel!
Quolls and Questions
By accident rather than design, I started my reading year with two short but remarkable nature and activism themed reads. The first was Harry Saddler's reflection on the moral dilemma facing the current generation; in a world facing the horror of mass extinction and climate change; should we be bringing children into this world? Saddler's … Continue reading Quolls and Questions
New year reflection
image source pixabay This time of year is always a moment to pause for reflection before the hectic pace again resumes. I entered the 2021 Christmas period with a sense of exhaustion in every sense, not because the year had been especially intense for me, it had not. I know people for whom the year, … Continue reading New year reflection
Best nature reads of 2021
The last day of 2021, this will be a brief post. I promise myself I will not fall so far behind next year! In brief, my best read of 2021 was David Quammen's Spillover: Emerging Diseases, Animal Hosts, and the Future of Human Health this extraordinary book examines in detail the emergence in recent years … Continue reading Best nature reads of 2021
2022 Gaia/nature reading book bingo
Getting the 2022 Gaia/nature reading challenge off to a flying start. Like last year, there is a short fun book bingo for anyone who would like to use it as a guide. You do not have to use the bingo to participate, just choosing to read any nature, environment or climate-themed book either non-fiction or … Continue reading 2022 Gaia/nature reading book bingo
2022 Nature Reading Challenge Sign up
https://gumtreesandgalaxies.com/ Decided to continue the Gum trees and Galaxies tradition of hosting the Gaia/Nature reading challenge. Afraid I have been a bit slack over the last few months falling into a bit of a slump. Back on track again. To participate just leave a comment below. You don't have to have a blog, but if … Continue reading 2022 Nature Reading Challenge Sign up
Nature reading and Gaia book bingo
Ok really got to catch up on reading posts! The end of the year has been surprisingly busy. I am just hanging out for the brief reprieve of Christmas and a chance to catch up, do a re-start and hopefully get back on track. I have neglected the Gaia reading challenge, although reading nature-themed books … Continue reading Nature reading and Gaia book bingo
Place of flowers
Managed to escape for a couple of quiet days in Giraween national park a couple of weeks ago. The most amazing granite country, sentinel boulders and eucalypt forest. It was lovely to see the park greening up and the creek enthusiastically running after the wet spring/ now summer. Wildflowers still blooming, although the peak of … Continue reading Place of flowers
“I must break away…”
I'm losing the precious days. I am degenerating into a machine for making money. I am learning nothing in this trivial world of men. I must break away and get out into the mountains to learn the news.- John Muir quoted by Samuel Hall Young in Alaska Days with John Muir (1915), chapter 4, pg. 216. Walking … Continue reading “I must break away…”
Gum trees and Galaxies 