9/06/2013

 

To help save some money I've started buying clothes and books from second hand stores. This has lead me to begin a Readers Digest collection of condensed stories. These books were first published in the 50s and to this day are still going strong. I just adore the look of old hard cover books; the illustrations, the wallpaper pattern covers, the fonts, the boarders.... honestly I could ramble on and on about how much I love these books!

The story I'm reading at the moment is The Honey Flow by Australian author Kylie Tennant. Our protagonist Malee Herrick succumbs to the adventure and charm of becoming a migratory bee keeper, traveling through the rich eucalyptus forests in search of the perfect "strick" - a honey-yielding area of blossom.

In our front yard a large tree was dangerously over grown and had to be taken down, however, the root was never removed. It's now beginning to sprout leaf covered branches, slithering out of the ground like a snack trying to catch the warm sun.

Flowers and twigs with berry like buds that I really want to turn into head wreaths.

Bobby in front of her favourite mirror.

my new haven

There is a nature reserve not too far from where I live that has become my new favourite get away. Last year I posted some photos taken from an adventure Jarryd and I had exploring parks that ran along our neighbour hood, well this place connects to it.

Wandering around this area it reminds me of far off places; the forest's Marie Antoinette's carriage passed through, weeping willows for sleepy nymphs to rest under, the gum trees straight out of Picnic at Hanging Rock.

This place has become my new source of inspiration. There's endless foot paths to explore and I just want to shoot all my photographs here until I get tired and fall asleep in the afternoon sun!

 

 

Bobby Part 2

[Bobby's story, Part 2]

 My little Bobby is a feisty creature. Once she becomes familiar with you it doesn't take long for her to warm up and greet you with gentle kisses, but on her first meeting with everyone she bites. Not hard enough that it'll draw blood but hard enough to hurt.

The first time I met her in that large aviary that's exactly what she did. This tiny warm bundle of blue fluff, she didn't make a sound except for some irritated grunts as she tried to wriggle out from my cupped hands. Not old enough to fly but quick enough to run away.

I remember how excited I was to show my family the photos my friend had taken of Bobby and I. It wouldn't be long before Bobby began sprouting enough wing and tail feathers to take flight and I could finally bring her home with me.

The days to follow would be difficult. Bobby was quiet and shy the first few months, she'd sit in her cage and just stare. It was understandable - moving to a new strange place with people you don't know. I was a little naïve in thinking Bobby would warm up to me as quickly as I'd warmed to her.

In the afternoon I'd spend hours trying to train Bobby to stay on my finger and not bite but nothing seemed to work. After a long day of coaxing Bobby out of her cage only to have her fly away from me I broke down in front of her. In-between the tears and tantrum I asked her why she didn't like me, how I wanted us to be friends and for her to stop biting my finger. She stared at me from the on top a shelf as we both sat in silence for a while.

After that I started being more patient with her. It was a long process but sometimes you don't build an instant connection with an animal like in the stories. You have to gain their trust and give it time.

The more time I gave us the less she ran away, the longer she'd stay perched on my finger, and the more she began to whistle and be active.

Bobby's a permanent part of our family now. She can talk, enjoys mimicking whistle sounds we make, and still hates being cupped in a person's hand (unless you're our mum, then she enjoys the occasional cuddle).

Recently though Bobby has developed a lipoma on her chest. It's been there for a few years but through a change of diet we've managed to minimise its growth. I'm not sure though if it's something that will ever completely go away. A budgie's life span is averaged to be 15 years; our little one has been around for six which is longer than what I could have ever imagined. She's happy and loves us and I couldn't be luckier to have a bird like her in my life.

 

 



Bobby

Dear Blog,

 I don't think I've properly introduced you to my budgie Bobby. She’s a six year old blue beauty who was given to me by a breeder.

 

 I’ve wanted to write up a proper post about how Bobby came to be a part of our family, but I didn’t want to briefly summon it up so I’ll be splitting the story into two parts. Here’s the first:

 

[Bobby's story, Part 1]

 

I’d never had a proper pet before because my parents didn’t want the upkeep of a dog or cat. From the age of five I spent days caring for my Kelpie plush and constructing card board box puppies, dreaming of the day my parents would cave in and finally allow me to have a pet dog. Dogs were my favourite animal and I was literally obsessed. I’d borrow out books from our school library on how to care for a dog, how to teach them tricks, different breeds....

 After a while when I realised the folks weren’t going to budge I began looking into other types of pets.

 

Once I came close to owning a guinea pig after a friend decided to try breeding them which ended in a large outbreak. However my mum is very particular about odors (guinea pigs have that funny furry animal smell) and I’m not sure anyone in my family would enjoy the squeaking.

 I began getting desperate, so much so that I even gave starting a sea monkey farm a try. Sea monkeys just weren’t for me; they’re neither cute nor cuddle. End of story

 

 I still clung to the idea of perhaps one day caring for an animal, but I was running out of options. It seemed I’d have to postpone that dream till I was old enough to move out of home.

 

 During high school I made friends with girl named Heidi. We were in the same hospitality class at the time; I’m not exactly sure how the topic came about but we began discussing her different pets (she owned a cat and a few rabbits, again I was offered one but sadly had to refuse). I began telling her how I longed for an animal to care for. Heidi invited me over to her house to hang out - the same day her mum had a day off from work.

 Heidi had to run an errand so I was left chatting with her mum, and again, the topic of pets was brought up and I related to her my woes.

 

“Have you ever considered getting a bird?” she asked.

 

 This thought had occurred to me, my mum loves birds. However there was also the matter of cost involved. I didn’t have enough money to buy a bird from a pet store, but overall it seemed like a pretty low maintenance animal that the rest of my family wouldn’t mind welcoming into our home.

 

Heidi’s mum proceeded to tell me about a family friend of theirs who breed budgies and sometimes gave them away to close friends and loving homes. It seemed so perfect! I was ecstatic and couldn’t wait to tell my family about the possibility of getting a bird. The events to follow all happened so quickly and without any problems that it almost seemed like the work of faith.

 Heidi’s mum got in contact with her friend and a few days later I was at the woman’s house itching to see the little hatchling she’d set aside specially for me.

 

 The first time I saw Bobby. The first time I got to hold Bobby. I remember the nervous feeling in my gut mimicked the loud flutters of  a dozen budgerigars flapping about inside the aviary I was being led towards. I began stressing on whether she'd like me or not. I smile to myself because when I think of the bird I met then and know today, personality wise she hasn’t changed a bit.

 

meeting Bobby for the first time, 2007

 

  

March, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vicky and gif lovin'

Vicky is like a second sister to me. We both share a deep love for art, vintage clothes and Charlie (her dog).

These were taken a while ago but I'm hoping to do another photo shoot with her again soon, perhaps incorporating a bit of her own art work.

I also tried my hand at making gifs. What are your thoughts? It took a while to edit and set up but I really like them.
xox