Try as I might to bring the visual wonders of my trip in Australia to you,

 it is out of my hands.

Despite my devices (which are up to snuff) there are too many glitches and time

delays and connection bugger boos to work through.

I’ll be celebrating the written (so to speak) word for the duration

unless a miracle occurs. 

 the interpixies have turned to full blown goblins.

The streets of Melbourne are raucous tonight

in celebration of Labour Day

It’s odd to be experiencing the coming of autumn down here

when my New England genes feel

spring about to burst forth.

I have made it to Melbourne after 36 hours of slogging through terminals and checkpoints.

it is the 7th of March 6am.

Time is elusive and has been since departure from Boston.
It is far easier to just “be” where you are rather than trying
to figure where you’ve been.
Travelling teaches wisdom.

Contrary to TSA/Australian web info, my scissors,

which I brought for work while here,

were confiscated. They took a pair which were less than 4″ blades

and carefully stowed in my checked bags Thanks folks.

Laptop is not accepting any of my external devices.

can’t get wireless to work for the phone.
withdrawal symptoms setting in. eeeekkkk!

If I can’t find help at a computer shop will have to just go with the
flow and live the way it used to be before all this electronic stuff was created.

Melbourne is a breezy place, feels like September in the Northern Hemisphere. 
It’s very vibrant….stylish, current and friendly to this wayfarer.

Serendipity was bestowed yesterday.
Having time to get familiar with the surrounds
I stumbled on a bustling food market.

As I wandered the aisles buying some groceries,
there was the one and only person and dear bud
in all of Australia I know standing back to me perusing.

An unrehearsed meeting. As it should be.

The human element is working just fine and the adventure I really came for has begun.

scissors shmissors

shoving off in the morning in search of kangaroos

and to visit a special friend.
postings to come
meanwhile a long and quiet journey
across the big pond

It’s been a difficult and sad week for us. Jackie has passed away.
She had just turned 10 years old, appeared in good health but for unforseen circumstances took a turn for the worse rather quickly from Sunday to Monday. She had reduced her feed intake but still wanted grain until Tuesday morning. I called our vet but he was on an emergency call and couldn’t get to us in time. I reached another local vet who was able to eventually come but by then Jackie was down and she and I were only able to hang on to each other and say our goodbyes.

This was an act of nature. Old age and grace. For all of us.
 Unexpected. But then, what are the rules for dying? 

It was a wonderful 10 years.
In July of 2002 Jackie arrived (front left) as a lamb.
She had travelled across the country from Washington with Crystal (front right),
with a layover in Ohio where she joined with Memphis (rear).
These were my first CVM/Romeldales and I was so excited.
This was their first morning after we brought them home from Ohio.

From these first days I called her Jackie O. She was beautiful, mysterious and

very hard to get close to. I was bound to take that fear away.

She was a stunning ewe. Her sire was Dud. He has since passed but had

quite the reputation as a ladies man around the country. The earlier years

for CVM/Romeldales always had a Dud in the pedigree.
Oh,  for those genetics again. Her markings are classic CVM and for
every category from fleece to lambing to dispostion she met the mark
with high honors.

Here she is with her

newborn twins. Alert and attentive.

And her lambs loved her, always nearby.

She took the time to teach the ways of sheepdom.

Building happy lambs.

Always Jackie gifted us with funny faces.

Always she was a joy.

We were lucky to be in Jackie’s midst these past 10 years.

Her spirit soars high above the farm now

and despite the earthly grief this week

she has managed to wipe our

tears away.

Til we meet again dear Jackie O.

sun-kissed

crazy kiss

sweet kiss

friendly kiss

notes hit the breeze

and kiss me back

may you find a kiss on your path today

and blow it back

I am learning that sketching from close observation 

brings a new light to what I see in the everyday. 

Training the eye to hand helps to get to know

the design reference thoroughly.

How does the energy translate from hoof to pencil?

Paying close attention to the lines and details of a small subject 

enlarges my view and brings strength to my eye.

The smile of a sheep I see each day is transposed.

Drawing is relaxing while it furthers training. 

It teaches perspective. It brings energy to pen, paper and me.

Further sketches strengthen the hand

and bring a giggle.

Thank you to my inspirations in training; Beatrix Potter, Tasha Tudor, and Henry Moore