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.
I often get some of my best ideas out in the garden, when I feel as if I’m not thinking about anything at all. And then, SUDDENLY… a brilliant idea. Or at least a creative one.
Today is the first day of spring. Flowers are in bloom, the sun is shinning, and walking past this little patch of flowers, not far from my front door, feels fab.
Being out in nature is a great way to guard against lockdown blues. Have you had your fix of nature today?
Like to see what Michele writes, or what she does with her creative ideas? Here you go.
Text and image © Michele Gierck
We all need to find our special spaces. The places where we can just be. Perhaps even soak up the peace and calm in natural settings. (And sometimes we just need to imagine them!)
Or even spending time by the local billabong — listening, watching, and just being. That’s where I was this morning.
Text and pics copyright Michele Gierck
Michele’s website http://www.michelegierck.com.au
Life has certainly changed over the last few weeks, but the calm and peace of the garden is comforting. Nature continues to spring to life: seedlings growing, flowers blooming and bees buzzing.
Picture and text copyright Michele Gierck
http://www.michelegierck.com.au
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
Gardens are great, but it’s hard to beat a hike in the bush. There’s something about those tall tress and even the xanthorrhoeas. They are magical. Tramping through this bush is wonderful. Everything else, from city living, just seems to fade away.
This photo was taken at MtFrankland, in Western Australia.
Michele’s website: http://www.michelegierck.com.au
Text and image copyright Michele Gierck
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
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
What natural beauty. How calming for the soul, in these torrid times, to be out in nature — even if it’s in my own garden!
Time for some collective calmness, particularly between countries.
Michele’s website: http://www.michelegierck.com.au