My mother Sheila Buchanan Buell in a tree USA, 1955 Me living Mother's Dream, in a tree 2019, Australia The beginning of a weekly blog series comparing our lives and documenting the process of self-publishing my new book. Getting Beyond… My mother, Sheila Buchanan Buell was a victim. Born in Australia, but taken from her Australian … Continue reading My Mother, Myself
Nature
I work in ecological restoration in Wisconsin and Australia.
The Jab
I got the jab, 9 weeks ago in Australia. It was AstraZeneca, the only vaccine then available in Australia. I wanted to be vaccinated before I caught my flight to the USA. We stopped by the local Clinic, they said, “The vaccine will be available after Easter break.” We called after Easter, still no vaccine. Some friends … Continue reading The Jab
Bats and Sugar Gliders
One quarter of the mammals in Australia are microbats They are rarely seen. Small creatures about the size of one's thumb fly about in the night sky eating insects and not bothering people. Many of them roust in tree hollows which humans often cut down, not wanting a hollowed tree to fall on their heads. … Continue reading Bats and Sugar Gliders
Trad
I’m a gardener, and I love plants and houseplants, but not all are good. Any plant growing in the wrong place is a weed. Some plants are worse than weeds, invaders displace and kill all others. Some invasives are worse than others and need to be outlawed in places where their escape leads to the … Continue reading Trad
The Red Cedar Speaks
“Talk to me,“ Kathy asked the Cedar Tree I didn’t hear the answer right then. I was too engrossed in the visual presence of that majestic being. Her trunk surrounded by close neighbors of a variety of species caused her to reach straight up into the sky. Way up at the top I could see … Continue reading The Red Cedar Speaks
Leaving Magnetic, Walking Ross River Parkway – Townsville, Queensland
It was time. Time to leave this lovely island. After another wonderful lunch at Scallywags, my friend drove me to the ferry. We arrived early and had time to walk out on the pier and see the Rock Wallaby that lives there. So cute, and it was cool enough they were out during the day … Continue reading Leaving Magnetic, Walking Ross River Parkway – Townsville, Queensland
Last Day, Last Hike #5 Magnetic Island 2020
I caught the Sunbus at 8:45 deciding today would be my day to go on the hike from Horseshoe Bay to Radical Bay. There was a road from the Forts Walk, but I didn’t want a road, I wanted a walking track. To see The Forts walk go to my blog of April 22, 2018, … Continue reading Last Day, Last Hike #5 Magnetic Island 2020
Hike #4 Magnetic Island
I wanted a challenge today. A hike that would get my blood pumping. I found it hiking from Nelly Bay to Arcadia over the crest my airbub host Rhonda called it. It was 6.9 k of up and down but mostly up. I got in the Sunbus at 8:01. I was the only one on … Continue reading Hike #4 Magnetic Island
Boat Ride Magnetic Island
An Aquascene Ride Around Magnetic Island I was ready to get on a small boat again. I’d been avoiding them since my husband Bob died. I was back in Townsville, Australia where Bob and I had chartered a sailboat in 1999. I’m staying on an island just off the coast of Townsville called Magnetic … Continue reading Boat Ride Magnetic Island
Hike#3 Hidden Path to Rocky Beach
On my walk to Nelly Bay I saw a man descend this path. It hardly looked like a path at all. Large Rocks hid the footprints of anyone who had gone down it. I’d made a mental note to go this way another day. The path was a short walk from where I was staying … Continue reading Hike#3 Hidden Path to Rocky Beach
Visions from Two Continents 