The prunus always gives us the first sign of spring in the garden, and its here now with its delicate blossoms in the cold damp air. The rising energy that the new season brings. It feels warmer and sunnier already! Its the hope of new life… “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds… Continue reading The Hope of Spring
Category: Environment
In the field of opportunity…
its planting time again! – (HT to Neil Young). Since we started in 2002 the “Friends of Buckley Road Reserve” with the help of the WCC, we have planted more than 6,000 trees into the reserve that runs the length of Houghton Valley. Trees are the earth’s endless effort to speak to the listening heaven.… Continue reading In the field of opportunity…
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Broken
On my way to Hanmer Springs for the weekend I had my first visit to Christchurch since the Earthquake four years ago. It is truly sobering. Where there was once a vibrant city it was eerily cleared and filled with bare spaces like a wasteland of emptiness. With hardly anyone around it had such a depressing… Continue reading Broken
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We’re all in this together!
I’m feeling a lot more hopeful for our dear planet in the wake of Pope Francis’ plea for the Earth and a review of rampant capitalism. It’s great to see some moral leadership being taken by him and the Dalai Lama to show the world another way….given that really we have no choice, we’re all… Continue reading We’re all in this together!
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Buying Time
Update: It’s buying time at New Chums Beach. The development plans have been withdrawn! For now there’s a breathing space before a new plan emerges. Maybe it’s time for a giant “crowd source” to buy it for everyone….. sometimes we just need these wild untamed places. See the news article update here. Together we can… Continue reading Buying Time
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Dreams come True!
its always been a dream of mine to visit Yosemite… And here I am! It is truly awesome. I have a peculiar sense of Deja Vu, to be here for the first time, given that it is so familiar to me. From the first introduction many years ago through the incredible photographs of Ansell Adams and… Continue reading Dreams come True!
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Looking after our mother
In a strenuous but joyful gesture of renewal over the Easter break, we got there in the end and planted the 239 trees provided by the ‘Trees for Travel’ scheme. It is now raining steadily, as requested, to give them the best possible start in their new life! A return trip to San Francisco from… Continue reading Looking after our mother
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Giving back
We’re back at Hou Ngahere for a week of tree planting….. Our Diamond Approach retreat group, the IRG, has committed to plant trees to offset the carbon emissions used in attending the two retreats in California each year. Called “Trees for Travel“, the scheme really has something tangible to show for it now with the… Continue reading Giving back
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When you’re ready….
Its always good to reconnect with my paintings theyre so much a part of me. Even if they’re looking a little sad! I’ve just had this painting sent back to me by its owner in Christchurch. It was damaged in the earthquakes down there. Fortunately the damage was relatively minor and limited to around the… Continue reading When you’re ready….
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Heart to heart
I found this from Amanda Palmer on Brain Pickings (really is worth checking it out) and it got me thinking….. Throughout my 37 years of calling myself an artist this has been a constantly burning question, why do I paint? What is the urge that makes me do this? When I’m out there, usually by myself, and… Continue reading Heart to heart
Life and Light 