THE FRIDAY BLOG PAGE

THE FRIDAY BLOG PAGE

THE FRIDAY BLOG PAGE

THE BLACK BACKED GULLS

Darling Jasper and I mostly sit to have our morning coffee in the corner chair in the lounge. It gives me a wonderful view through the large windows of the apartment. This morning the sky was that amazing sky blue colour without a single cloud to be seen as I looked out through the kitchen window with it bright cheerful light catchers. The yellow sun and the bright multi coloured beaded heart that my daughter made for me some years ago. Sitting and gazing out I can see the tall Norfolk Pine that never seems to move very much in any kind of breeze and the two sturdy Pohutukawa trees with their many tree trunks and mass of dark green leaves sitting rather like lolly pops on the horizon. Below them is the roof of the Plunket Rooms. I love to watch the Black Backed Seagulls as they sun bathe on the gray flat roof after their morning exercise of amazing acrobatics games, soaring, swooping and gliding high and low, while at the same time, keeping a close eye on every thing that is going on beneath, and around them. They fly and of course, make it look so very easy, They fly with such ease. I always think they are so clever as they seem to live just for the moment. From my vantage point in the orange apartment I can follow their antics around a large area. I’m always fascinated by the couple of black backs who nest on the Probation office roof and have done for seven years that I have been living in this area. Towards the end of Spring I can see them taking turns in sitting on the eggs while the other bird goes off to hunt for food. I get really excited when I notice a change in their habits and then I eagerly wait to see the baby birds. How the little bundles of fluff sit close to the parent birds and grow stronger. More excitement when they very gingerly start walking on the roof. At this stage I never know how many little ones there may be as they often go for walks and then very short flying trips on their own. I always hope for two. Some times there are no babies but I still watch and hope. The big black backs love to sit on top of the lamp posts along the busy main street and they never seen to notice the noise or the busyness of the traffic. I’m sure that is because they can also make such a commotion and do so if any other gull wants to share the elevated viewing platform, there is nearly always some very harsh shouting and flapping of wings and loud squawking.

We also have a flat roof and occasionally they like to come across and practice their landings and taking off’s, again, they do this with a great deal of noise. The first few times, they frightened poor little Jasper and me a great deal. There are times when I’m sure that my roof is being used for practising their tap-dancing before the black backs take off on the next exciting flying adventure. They seen to have so much energy. Oh, the wonderful freedom of gliding through the air. With little or no care. Just enjoying the moments of being so free.

THE FRIDAY BLOG PAGE THE READING WOMEN AUGUST 2020

THE READING WOMEN

AUGUST 2020

It is winter here in New Zealand and as I turned the page over on the calendar, we have a delightful painting of a summer’s day at the coast. How lovely. There seems to be a great deal of dress in the painting but look at the fine detail of the sprigs of flowers dotted every where on it. I love the yellow hat with it’s large brim and what looks like a yellow flower, of is it a yellow bow? Gosh those large puffs on the shoulders and the long close fitting sleeves were a favourite late nineteen century fashion statement, and wonderful to stop one getting sun or wind burnt.

And I keep wondering how she managed to get to, and find a comfortable place to lean on for the painting. The painting is titled Summer Sunlight (Isles Of Shoals) Painted in1892 There is an expanse of haze, which is often part of being painted by the Impressionist. Do you think she took the umbrella in case the sun got a little brighter, of could rain have been on the weather forecast?. What would she be reading to pass the time, maybe a romance that would have her heart occasionally skipping a beat or a travel log taking her to unusual places. I love the shading on the rocks and I do you think that they were keeping a good eye on the tide in case they had to make a quick dash if the incoming tide stated to come closer.

Our Painter Frederick Childe Hassam (October 17, 1859 – August 27, 1935) was an American Impressionist painter, noted for his urban and coastal scenes. he was instrumental in promoting Impressionism to American collectors, dealers, and museums. He painted over 3,000 paintings, working in oils and watercolours also etchings, and lithographs through out his working life. It is worth taking a trip along Google Lane and have a look at his wonderful paintings of people, cities and my favourite “Rainy day paintings”.

Joyce Carol Oates wrote this months quote, which I love . She is an American writer born in 1938 She published her first book in 1963 and has since published 58 novels, as well as a number of plays and many volumes of short stories, poetry, and non fiction books.

“Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another’s skin, another’s voice, another’s soul.”