Annie's Blog

Discovered this fantastic sunset blazing away out there when I stepped out the front door for some reason! A storm approaches Another wonderful sunset Did anyone get a photo of, or even hear of a green comet...said to have been visible in our northern sky between 3am and 4am the other morning (Australia). I am so cross with myself for not getting up to see it! They say it wouldn't be visible again for some many (millions) of more years ! For more skywatch skies please click on the skywatch icon in the sidebar.

This post and the one below, are some very imperfect images that come from the televised National Day of Mourning on Sunday in Melbourne. It was held to remember the 210 people who lost their lives in the tragic bush fires in the last few weeks in Victoria. Please keep their families and friends in your prayers, especially as the weather heats up again this week. I was very heartened that a little bird came and sat on the seat outside for the beginning of the service...nice to have moral support, and perhaps it also came to remind me of all the wildlife that has been lost too! Along with the Prime Minister, clergy of all faiths and denominations were there to pass messages of love and consolation. Thank you for coming to share a part of MY WORLD this week. There are a few more images in the next post as well! If you would like to see other contributors from around the world, please click HERE There was a new fire last afternoon evening that threatened new areas of Melbourne. An area th...

I give you some images (very imperfect) from the televised National Day of Mourning held yesterday for the 210 people who lost their lives in the fires in Victoria in the last weeks. Sadly the weather has warmed up and wind picked up , and more towns are now under threat, even as I write this on Monday night in Australia . Tonight (Monday in Australia) my daughter in law's mother has been evacuated from her home in the path of a new fire on the outer suburbs of Melbourne. An aboriginal man played the digeridoo The Governor General Quentin Bryce and Princess Anne brought messages of sympathy and hope and admiration of the courage of those who survived the fires. the whole world heard the story of the koala that a firefighter stopped to give water to. These are the last of the images I have for you tonight from the televised National Day of Mourning which was held in the Tennis centre yesterday, which only a month ago was the site of the Australian Open. Many other services were h...

A cactus flower at a friend's place the other day...very striking!! My strelitzia was looking good down the back this morning... Unfortunately I don't know the names of all the flowers..I wish I did! The frangipani was looking pretty good in the early morning sun... and apparently this white flower above, (along with a purple pink version) is called a vinca...I have seen this flower all my life. It is very common and grows almost like a weed...they come up all around my pool in amongst the paving bricks. And I have never known what it is called up until last night! More pretty white flowers...and I know not their names also! If you would like to see more flowers from contributors all around the world, then click on TODAY'S FLOWERS ICON over in the sidebar...

Hey..look at us Grandma...we are out and about in New York City... without our beanies !! Hooray! SPRING IS COMING do you think? (my first swing out in the park)! Signs of Spring ...the grass appeared from under the snow...!! Inwood New York. Inwood, New York. I have it from a reliable local source that the trees have "knobbly bits" on them! And just for a contrast ...this photo of my orchids was from last Spring in Australia when I got home from NY. The Brenda Photo Challenge is being hosted by JOY at SHUTTERSHY To see other challenge participants in this week's Signs of Spring , please go to the Brenda Photo challenge words over in the sidebar...

We have had some nice rain here during the week. As distinct from the huge amount of rain and floods that other parts of the state, as well as parts of NSW, have received. And still no rain yet for the fires in Victoria, although they are predicting some showers there tomorrow...here is hoping! a couple of wonderful sunsets during the week too! and some fine blue skies as well! I went to Toowoomba (up the range) for a day or so, and there were very noisy bats in the trees at the gardens! On the way home I took a detour to have a look at this lovely church. Had another storm this afternoon. I took the photo above on a trip across town this afternoon. The above near the church, and below in Toowoomba..a lovely silver lined cloud! To see more skies from people around the world this week, please click on the skywatch icon over in the sidebar...

The frangipani are doing a good job of cheering the place up around here. These are just some of the blooms I picked up off the ground! The buckinghamia or ivory curl, at the front gate has also been a picture, but won't last much longer! and there was a lovely crepe myrtle, or pride of India flowering away at church this morning...it looked quite a picture beside the wattle leaves! For more flowers from around the world, please click on the Today's Flowers icon over in the sidebar...