BON VOYAGE

Well, time is really moving along now, to think that this time tomorrow I'll be at Sydney airport on the way to LA and then on the NEW ORLEANS! So much still to pack & organise. So, I'll be away from my new little blog for awhile but I'll return with travel snaps aplenty, news and souvenirs. The house-sitters have just arrived but unfortunately they won't be looking after this here blog, just the house & all the trimmings. Miss Stella isn't too sure about it... nor is Hawk Canary, but I'm sure they're in good hands. Substitute yoga teachers have also been organised for all my classes - so, now all I have to organise is myself & my Peter's wardrobe.

In the meantime, here are some photos from my last trip to NO's, back in 2004. I'll be revisiting the Cafe du Monde first up.

Cheerio (for now).

New Orleans - here we come!

Only three more sleeps until we head off to New Orleans!

"The Tao person
Lives fully in every moment."
(Tao 14)

Which is precisely what we intend to do!

Looking forward to hearing all the music - there's so much on the programme & so many old friends to catch up with and new ones to meet. I'm planning my shopping list already - coffee & spices... and souvenier t-shirts. I'm eyeing off the camisole top covered with red prawns.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying the Easter break - getting together with family and friends and cooking up an Easter treat or two. Going out for long breakfasts and unwrapping chocolate eggs & rabbits.

Defeat all round...

One Magpie, the cause of our defeat!

Unfortunately the Magpies thrashed the Hawks by 35 points. It was a sad day, saved only at the end of the match by sitting on the sidewalk, on the corner of Collins & Spencer, having a restorative latte and chatting about anything but football.

Those who know they do not know
Gain wisdom.
Those who pretend they know
Remain ignorant.

Those who acknowledge their weakness
Become strong.
Those who flaunt their power
Will lose it.

(Tao 71)

May the Coaches of my two favourite teams (Swans & Hawks) realise this by next weekend!

Autumn is here

Stella in a rare moment, curled up, looking sweet.

As darkness falls,
swollen with stormy winds
it spits the moon:
the looming peak of autumn
pines chill the crest.

Shinkei
Tr. Esperanza Ramirez-Christensen

This reminds me of last Thursday's weather... Stella's coat is getting thicker & Winter woollies are coming out! The heater is on and we're sitting around the heater drinking the last of the New Orleans coffee and enjoying slices of homemade Bakewell Tart with apricot jam in place of raspberry.

Off to the Football this afternoon ....to Telestra Dome to see the Hawks play the Magpies. Of course hope Hawthorn wins but my heart is up in Sydney hoping the Swans thrash Port Adelaide. I love the excitement, the hope, the feeling of elation when your team wins and even the despair, the emotions when they lose (how could they have missed that easy goal!). Of course not many fans would agree with me there.

Broken clouds

Staying Overnight at Xiaosha Stream

Trees, laced in mountain mist,
patch broken clouds;
the wind scatters a rainstorm of fragrant petals.
The green willows, it is said, are without feeling-
why then do they try so hard to touch the traveller
with their catkins?

Yang Wanli
Tr. Jonathan Chaves

I'm finding these zen poems quite soothing and peaceful, but I don't know what the hell they mean.

But sometimes it seems quite appropriate just to sit and read them.

They make a pleasant diversion inbetween painting commissons and stitching little owl pinnies for gracia & louise

Go SWANIES!

Well, it's another Saturday and I'm off to the footy. Off to see the Mighty Swans at the Telstra Dome - they're playing against Essendon. Hope they win! I'm looking forward to a pie & sauce already. I'm going to wear my lucky red & white socks and my favourite beanie.

Above you can see a small icon I created last year for an exhibition at the Fitzroy Gallery - an angel playing footy. Most appropriate for today. Except for the guernsey colours.

GO SWANS!