Living on two continents ought to be the best of both worlds. After all, I spend the North American winter in Australia, where it is summer and the cold unheated Melbourne winter in Door County Wi, where cool breezes off Lake Michigan moderate the temperature. For three years my Australian partner and I have made … Continue reading Living on Two Continents
Nature
Losing Native Trees
Everyone says to plant trees. Part of our city council promotes biodiversity. But the people in charge of street trees cut down mature native trees that provide food for beautiful Australian birds. They plant exotic trees that won’t bother the overhead lines or maybe disrupt the sidewalk. I can walk down one street and hear … Continue reading Losing Native Trees
Working Bee
January Working Bee at Wilson’s Reserve in East Ivanhoe, Victoria, Australia. Rehabilitation sites in Wilson Reserve Wilson’s Reserve was pasture on the Yarra river flood plain. For years the Friends of Wilson’s Reserve has been working to restore the bush to provide habitat for native birds and wildlife. Slowly, slowly we are succeeding. People come … Continue reading Working Bee
Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Australia
I just spent a wonderful day at an excellent Australian zoo. It was a warm day in the Melbourne summer, around 85F. We arrived around 11:15, and we didn’t want to miss the Birds or prey and parrot presentation at noon, so we walked past the wetlands. We knew we had some time so we … Continue reading Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Australia
Flying Foxes
Yarra Bend Park, Melbourne, Victoria Better than the museums, better than the gallery or even the zoo. Just as exciting as the fairy penguins is seeing the flying foxes take off in the evening. They were close to the Yarra Bend Bellbird picnic site, but they have moved further down the Yarra River, Perhaps to … Continue reading Flying Foxes
Portland Japanese Garden in the Fall.
We thought since is was Wednesday it wouldn’t be crowded. But it was a special day, after all the sun was out in Portland. It was a long drive through the city to get there, but the trees glowed all along the side of the road. We were lucky someone was pulling out near the … Continue reading Portland Japanese Garden in the Fall.
Homesick
I’ve stayed too long in the USA. My ticket is not until November. I’m missing Australia, especially the trees and the birds. As the trees here lose their leaves I imagine the spring flowers now unfolding in Australia. How can I be homesick for what was my mother’s home? Is a longing to go back … Continue reading Homesick
Out of Texas to northern great lakes visitor center
In Duluth, we turned east crossing the long bridge from Duluth to Superior Wisconsin. It was raining and we have a long way to go. We stopped for a rest and ended up at the northern Great Lakes interpretive center. It was a fantastic stop. A mural of the people The center is located 2 … Continue reading Out of Texas to northern great lakes visitor center
Out of Texas to the UP
THE U.P. Is the upper peninsula of Michigan. People who live there are called Yoopers. I’m lucky I have a cousin who is a Yooper. We came to this cool peninsula to visit her. We got to help take care of her donkeys Zack and Pearl. They loved to get out of their pen to … Continue reading Out of Texas to the UP
Out of Texas Day 3 Springfield MO
We found a gem in Springfield, MO. If you ever go there check out the MO Museum of Natural Science part of the Missouri Institute of Natural Science. It is free, and fascinating. Not big, but wonderful. There are even glow-in-the-dark rocks in the bathroom. They were very nice and let us bring in the … Continue reading Out of Texas Day 3 Springfield MO
Visions from Two Continents. 