Some places are so conducive to reflection that all you can do is stop and stare, taking it all in — the beauty, the quietness, and the sheer delight of being in nature, well away from crowds.

Text and image copyright Michele Gierck
A lockdown that lingers can’t stop beautiful blooms, the sight of which brighten the day, especially working from home!
So glad it’s springtime in the southern hemisphere.
Text and image © Michele Gierck
Michele is an author, educator and a speaker who loves nature, and is passionate about it — appreciating and protecting it.
In 2006, I wrote the following:
‘Writing was accompanied by slow walks in the park by the Yarra River: a dirty-looking waterway which meandered like a vagabond — constantly on the move, yet constantly the same. Or so it seemed. As children we loved that river. Pranced along its banks and splashed about in its waters on hot summer days. As an adult I rushed back to those riverbanks after each international journey: listening, absorbing, ‘shushing’ — bringing my being back home.’
These days, as I walk each morning by the river and the billabong (in the photo) I still have similar feelings — that being by the river is enlivening.
The quote is from my first book, 700 Days in El Salvador.
I’m happy to give away a couple of copies. Just let me know why you’d like to read 700 Days in El Salavdor.
(You can contact Michele via the contact page on her website. Or leave a comment.)
Michele’s website: http://www.michelegierck.com.au
Text and image copyright Michele Gierck
I’m just about to submit the first five chapters of my next non-fiction book. ALL I NEED IS A TITLE. IF YOU CAN THINK OF ONE I’d sure like to hear it. Just drop a line on the contact page of my website http://www.michelegierck.com.au
This book is a post-injury come-back story in which the bush, the ocean and a bloke (a fellow) all play their part.
Here’s the pitch.
When Michele, a broken down sojourner (kind of Liz Gilbertish), meets Mac, a dedicated river scientist (think a young David Attenborough), she is drawn into his orbit, the gravity of which propels her onto an uncharted trajectory.
If you’d like to know more about this book, like the title and publication details, just sign up to the newsletter on my website.
Michele’s website: http://www.michelegierck.com.au
This pic is the view of the front garden from my writing room.
Image and text copyright Michele Gierck
Springtime. Blossoms bloom and bees buzz. This scene reminds me that we are all looking for a little nectar of our own.
And the garden is the perfect place to take a break. Relax. Be absorbed in the moment. In each bloom.
Michele’s website: http://www.michelegierck.com.au
It was on a recent walk in the Grampians that we spotted these beautiful native orchids in flower. So delicate and so delightful. Sometimes it really does pay to slow down.
Michele’s website: http://www.michelegierck.com.au
Just like this blossom, we all have our time to bloom. It just has to be the right season.
Michele Gierck is an author who loves spending time in her garden.
Michele’s website: http://www.michelegierck.com.au
Blue sky, bright warm sunshine, and buzzing bees. The start of spring puts such a spring in our steps — at least this time of year in the southern hemisphere.
Michele’s website is http://www.michelegierck.com.au
images and text copyright Michele Gierck
Just like flowers in the garden, we can never be sure when we, or those around us, are going to bloom.
This flower, a grevillea, which for quite some time I thought was an evergreen, suddenly burst into flower seven years after I first noticed it!
Just shows that sometimes in life it’s worth the wait.
One of two places I love: the garden and the library.
Two things I love: stories and flowers.
Michele’s website http://www.michelegierck.com.au
Michele Gierck is an author and a freelance writer.
A little light sparkling through the autumn leaves of pinkish reds and yellowy-orange hues. A little natural inspiration in the middle of the day.
Michele’s website: http://www.michelegierck.com.au
Images and text copyright Michele Gierck