Gems of Joy

Goddess Leonie has had a week of weird… and not in a good way.

So if you’d care to, head over there and tell her what brings you solace and joy.

In the mean time, here’s my list for today:

• Julie & Julia.  We just got back from the movies, and I LOVED this.  Look what happens when women follow their passions… oh, and just imagine all that wine and butter!
• Calling home.  My mum, my aunts, my sisters, my dad… even my little brother.  Speaking to each of them helps in a different way.
• Sharing books.  I think everybody who has visited me lately, has gone home with one.  I think books, like good food and good stories, are best shared.
• Listening to the rain.  I think I’ve mentioned this once or twice.  I haven’t figured out how it can be so soothing and energising at the same time.
• Afternoon naps.  Especially while listening to the rain.

I hope you’ve found joyful things to do with your Saturday.

Follow the leader

I’m so glad Chris posted about being an influential follower.  I’ve had a post percolating for a couple weeks about why I hate bush bashing, and it seems like a good time to share it.

Two weeks ago on an over-night hike near Kiandra, we were picking our way down a really steep slope.  Mary was in the lead, navigating by dead reckoning and the help of a compass.  I was wondering how she managed to watch her feet and the direction at the same time, when I snagged my boot lace on a stick and nearly went splat.  I was very happy there was no-one behind to watch.   

So I’d like to share my list of reasons to follow someone else:

1. The leader walks into all the spider webs, and scares away most of the snakes.  Usually by accident.
2. Navigating is a thankless task.  Everyone second guesses you, and when you get it wrong there’s always words.
3. It’s really nice to be able to watch your feet and the scenery instead of the bearing you’re on.
4. If you stay a few metres behind the leader, you can watch how they climb over and around obstacles and maybe spy out a better path.
5. A few metres further back again, and you don’t have to hike so far up the hill when they realise you’re in the wrong gully.
6. There’s no-one behind you to watch you go splat.

I’m sure there’s a lot of satisfaction in leading a hike, and more in being the first to the top of the hill.  But I still got there, minutes behind, and enjoyed the same pleasure in the view.

More love February

The multi-cultural festival has begun!  This is a great time to be loving and learning other cultures.  Last night, I went with a friend to the Arabic poetry reading event.  It was beautiful – not everything was in English, but even when you can’t understand the language you hear the rhythm and the power and the emotion.

Afterwards, my friend came home and we ate lots of icecream.  Icecream is an easy sort of love to give.

  It’s still really hot,here in Canberra.  Or as one poet called it “the capital of serenity and meditation”. Tee hee!  Is that just a more polite way to say there’s nothing to do here?