Crust

Went walking with Reiner Rehwinkle and some colleagues in protected parklands close to home. As Reiner poured water on this tiny fragment of crustiose lichen, we watched it soften, expand and enliven in his hand and the eyes of the artists lit up. It was like a parable for good questions. Good questions poured upon a dry subject bring it to life and quickly inspire the imagination. I have lately been deeply unsettled by meetings with so many elderly volunteers in scientific, artistic and conservation circles. After a lifetime acquiring expertise in their field, they are obliged to haul their knowledge about until death do them part. Where are all the apprentices? Where are the younger bodies to carry on the work? What is happening to imagination and inspiration and even that good old fashioned sense of duty?

The waterfall

The steep and sweaty climb to the top of the Minnamurra walking track was worth it. 

Graffiti

Strolling through the Minnamurra rainforest, we came upon a great ball of water-weathered limestone- like a doleful eyeball in the gloom. The constant wooping of rowdy pedestrians and the scrawl of their brethren do not undermine the ancient presence in this place. A thousand tiny insights occurred and great lumbering notions and even a sunshower at the peak, which sent the children scrambling for the cover of huge flat leaf cover. In my best 'Yoda'- 'magic, it is...'

This being human is a guest house

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all

Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

he may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

Rumi (translation by Coleman Barks)

(The crowd of sorrows about which I dreamed overnight, and from which even in waking, I have not woken from, indeed cleared me out for the ever-so-beautiful delight of the budding malus.)

Double bow with intensity

If you are going to smile, then why not do it twice, with intensity, and for goodness sake, linger! (I have been encountering too many people who smile for social effect and drop it just as suddenly as a brick...)