“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…”
“Voices” Movement
"Democracy is not a spectator sport, it's a participatory event. If we don't participate in it, it ceases to be a democracy." - Michael Moore Have you heard of the voices of movement? Photo by Akil Mazumder from Pexels It is an inspiring, grassroots, political movement seeking to select, support and elect moderate independents in upcoming elections. Inspired … Continue reading “Voices” Movement
Something like an update
Just a random Cassie and Ada happy at Woodgate picture. And another month ends and I have failed to keep up with posts. Life seems to have slipped from my grip at the moment. Well, that has to change and the end of the year is a pretty good time to recalibrate and re-establish discipline. … Continue reading Something like an update
5 in 50 and 4 for Gaia/nature
I should have included my 5 reads for the 5 in 50 readathon in my post yesterday, oh well, it gives me something for a quick post today. I started with the Liane Moriarty novel What Alice Forgot, a friend at work lent me that one, so I wanted to get it read and back … Continue reading 5 in 50 and 4 for Gaia/nature
Books and Heroes
BrothersNBooks and the World's Coolest Readathon public domain pixabay Reading is a life saver, a life enricher, as essential as oxygen to some of us, which is why I thought I would share this really cool project, started by a currently serving army officer. The project is BrothersNBooks started by Captain Dylan Conway after he … Continue reading Books and Heroes
A joyous carnival of colour
Spring in Toowoomba is always a bit of a magical time, our parks simply glow with colour and the green haven that is Toowoomba is alive with outdoor activity. This year the parks seemed even more patronised than ever, nice to see so many families, so many people enjoying this magical space. I have to … Continue reading A joyous carnival of colour
Hibernating and Connecting
https://pixabay.com/photos/koala-marsupial-animal-cute-2010177/ Missing in action yet again. Do you ever need to just hibernate from humanity? We have been living through interesting times I guess and no matter how together you are and how minimally affected you are by the pandemic and everything else going on in the world you sometimes just need to retreat a … Continue reading Hibernating and Connecting
Environmental Reading and Environmental protection
A brief break in travel posts with a catch up on book posts, one book, in particular, I want to highlight and highly recommend, will get to that in a moment. I have not been doing regular updates on the nature reading challenge so thought it was high time I did something of an update … Continue reading Environmental Reading and Environmental protection
Hughenden and Richmond QLD’s dinosaur trail
I have been a bit slow with updating the blog of late, but slowly catching up. To be honest, life has been busy and I caught some bug which has left me feeling exhausted, thankfully not the dreaded virus which seems to be running rampant again. So since I am feeling so wiped out at … Continue reading Hughenden and Richmond QLD’s dinosaur trail
Lark Quarry and …
Travelling the QLD dinosaur trail with dogs As I write this my canine best friend is curled up beside me. That is the thing about dogs they love to be with you and they give a really special kind of companionship. It is a challenge though sometimes to meet their needs and yours when you … Continue reading Lark Quarry and …
Gum trees and Galaxies 