September 7th, 2008 -- Posted in family |
Months ago, I expressed my desire to get a couple of big, solid bookcases to store my ever-expanding library. Currently, said library exists in numerous locations - mostly boxed up, but also on my bedside table, floor, the top of my wardrobe…
My Dad’s response was “don’t buy bookcases, I’ll make you some”. Now, many months of labour later - in the times he could spare it - the project is nearing completion! Nick, Dad and I spent the morning gluing together the second of my lovely bookcases.
My wonderful father has spent much time, money, and brainpower to design a magnificent set of two bookcases that will go a long way in housing my library. All there is to do on my next visit to my folk’s place is stain the wood, then secure the backing… and they will be done!
It was satisfying to spend the morning being constructive, and contributing a little to this project. The most satisfying thing of all, though, is that in 50 years time - chance willing I live that long - I will still be able to meander over to my hand-made bookcases, and know that the hands that made them were those of my wonderful and generous father.
So, thank you Dad, for all you’ve done for me - I am a very lucky woman to have such a father.
July 9th, 2008 -- Posted in charity, economy, family, frugal living |
I just wanted to let you all know of a fantastic organisation I just Stumbled-Upon.
I mentioned Kiva.org a few weeks back - where you could loan money to third-world entrepreneurs. Today’s organisation is a charity also - but they focus on ‘changing the present’ - as in changing what we give people as presents.
From the website: “Our gifts are a great alternative to that bath set or novelty sweater you were planning to wrap up this holiday season — just choose “Create A Card” from the shopping cart to send a personalized greeting card announcing each gift you donate in a friend’s name”.
I have seen similar organisations before - this one is great because they actually represent a whole lot of different charities and organisations. If you have a gift you need to give someone - please have a look today. Mum - I think I know where you’re birthday present is coming from this year! 
(P.S. to mum - In fact - go check it out, and tell me which one you want me to donate to on your behalf Yes everyone - my mother does read this blog… she really should come out and say hello in the comments some time (hint.. hint…)
June 30th, 2008 -- Posted in Musings, family |
I was lucky enough to do most of my growing up in the country. Now, by country I don’t mean way out there - but we always had a good couple of acres for me to scarper about on. One thing that tends to happen if you have property like ours, which has a lot of wattle trees, is that you end up with a few dead trees around the place. Now, my parents have a fireplace, and they use a lot of the wood to warm their home in winter - but there is always too much, plus a lot of scraggly bits lying around.
So, once in a while we would have a bonfire. Over time, they’ve occurred more regularly, and we tend to have at least one each winter now. I was visiting my parent’s last night, and as Dad and I finished working on my slowly-coming-together bookshelves for the afternoon (well, mostly Dad working and me turning the garage vacuum on and off as he sawed wood with his circular saw… not to mention the escapade with the radius - I know that makes absolutely no sense - now where was I? Oh yes As Dad finished working on my bookshelves, we noticed a noise, and a light. Mum had started a bonfire up the back.
So, we ambled up to enjoy the fire. After a minute, I ran down to the house to grab my camera. As you may have guessed by now, I’m a bit fond of photography, and you’ll no doubt see much more of it in future. This was a scene not to be missed, as the fire burned in the quickly dimming evening. But, as they say, a picture tells a thousand words…
Fire truly is an amazing thing. Its discovery propelled us out of the realms of mere animals, and harnessing its power has enriched and supported our lives for millennia. I think everyone should take the time, once in a while, to just sit staring into a fire - it’s certainly a good tool for meditation, and for realising the transitory and transformational nature of everything. What was solid becomes dust and vapour, and both go to play their next role in the symphony of nature.
A lovely example of the First Law of Thermodynamics - ‘Energy is never created or destroyed, just transformed to another state’.
