It’s amazing how lockdown can bring a greater level of appreciation of the world around us. Being out in nature is so good for the soul.
A walk in the park (we are allowed out to exercise) reveals nature’s sights and sounds, none more enticing than the sulphur-crested cockatoos. They are a delight to listen to and watch.
I could spend hours watching their antics and the group dynamics. This one, on the hop, caught my eye.
Pic and text copyright Michele Gierck
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
What are you appreciating today? (Feel free to let me know.)
When times are tricky, it pays to really appreciate the little things in life: a phone call from a friend, a walk in nature, or even a bee buzzing around a blooming grevillea in the garden.
Image and text copyright Michele Gierck
http://www.michelegierck.com.au
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
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
