weekly poetry

as freedom is a breakfastfood

as freedom is a breakfastfood

or truth can live with right and wrong

or molehills are from mountains made

—long enough and just so long

will being pay the rent of seem

and genius please the talentgang

and water most encourage flame

as hatracks into peachtrees grow

or hopes dance best on bald men’s hair

and every finger is a toe

and any courage is a fear

—long enough and just so long

will the impure think all things pure

and hornets wail by children stung

or as the seeing are the blind

and robins never welcome spring

nor flatfolk prove their world is round

nor dingsters die at break of dong

and common’s rare and millstones float

—long enough and just so long

tomorrow will not be too late

worms are the words but joy’s the voice

down shall go which and up come who

breasts will be breasts thighs will be thighs

deeds cannot dream what dreams can do

—time is a tree(this life one leaf)

but love is the sky and i am for you

just so long and long enough

-e.e. cummings

leaving the beach

On our way back to Daylesford, we stopped at a historic homestead called Coolart. It was spectacular. An ornate house surrounded by preserved wetlands, expansive gardens, lush lawns, and all open and welcome to enquiring minds. It was a real inspiration for me personally, as someday far, far down the road I'd like to settle in a similar situation. An older home, lots of land, just close enough to the beach and civilization, but still remote enough to feel completely natural and peaceful. Loved every second of our brief visit there.
After that, it was on to Arthur's Seat to a place called the Enchanted Adventure Garden. And it really lived up to its name. Gorgeous landscaping, plenty of mazes, obstacles courses, and other activities for the kids. And the real reason we came- tree-top surfing. A series of zip-lining courses high in the trees on which the kids climbed, leaped, swang, and flew from. Brought back happy memories of years ago in Panama when I hiked up a mountain in the lush rainforest only to fly back down it on lofty lines in the canopy. Amazing. A wonderful reminder of all the adventures I've already had, and all those yet to come.
We've only been home a few days now, and taking off again tomorrow for a little road trip. Sarah has hired a 12 seater bus, and our family, along with two others, will be doing a little tour of some natural wonders, chief among them the "penguin parade" at Phillip Island. Can't wait! We're definitely packing as much fun as we can into these school breaks, it'll be a tough transition back to a regular schedule!

Specimens on display at Coolart

I was meant to be a lady of (relative) leisure

Love the dahlia's leaves, and that lovely bee doing his work

A delicious smelling maze of Douglas Fir

With hidden Buddhas and even a large scale zen garden

We adults found a bridge (in the middle of a maze) to sit on, sipping coffee and watching the kids

Then we stopped and had a picnic on the beach before the final stretch of the drive home

Benson and Darius doing some lovely synchronized sand-throwing

And just for fun, a throwback to Panama. An amazing day and experience.

Ready...

Set...

GO!

glenlyon sports day

Whoops! This post got pushed to the recesses of my mind with all the excitement surrounding our departure to the seaside. On new year's day, we all piled into the van and drove out to Glenlyon to watch the spectacle of competitive wood chopping, mineral water drinking (world records are set here for chugging the murky water, the height of country excitement), sausage eating, pony races and more. It was a grim, rainy day, but with a little determination and not a few huge umbrellas, we had a picnic under the trees before wandering around to check everything out. Pasca had a particular fascination with all the dogs in attendance, so there's some good documentation of them in here among the rest. Overall it was a mellow, quirky, lovely way to spend a hungover January first.

Champions of the mineral water drinking competition. Benson's teacher from last term was the big winner!

So. Many. Axes.

You could even place bets on the events if you were feeling lucky

Of course the drums and pipes were there

Pasca and Louis had an intense ninja fight with the free thundersticks that were given out