The Eye of the Beholder

Gardenias in my courtyard, this afternoon, before the storm

Our eyes ‘see’ the world around us, but our brain moulds that image. It is our brain that determines what we make of the image our eyes collect: what we focus upon; what we include in our field of vision; whether we pay attention to the periphery, as well as to the centre.

Do we see in a range of colours, or in shades of grey? Do we see the disabled, or just the able-bodied? Do we include the aged in our vision, or filter then out completely? Are we aware enough to include the aged and the young in equal focus, looking to the past as much as to the future?

Sometimes it is said that a squeaky wheel gathers the most oil; that the customer is always right; that money buys happiness; that the grass is greener on the other side. Is our mindfulness mindlessly shaped by cliché , or are we able to assess each situation afresh?


Into our daily discourse strides a battlement mentality: we batten the hatches; we pull up the drawbridge; we protect our own, and see off the invader. An ‘us versus them’ mindset pervades, which divides society into three groups along socio-economic lines: the ‘haves’ who are increasing their stranglehold on global wealth; the ‘have-nots’ who are increasingly requiring/demanding social support; and, the burgeoning ‘aspirationals’, desperate to continue up the ladder, rather than down the slippery slope.

I am not a member of any political party: neither Liberal, nor Labor, nor Green. I do not understand ‘Occupy Wall Street’ let alone support it. I would like the world to make space for both India AND China. I do support education and informed mindfulness over and above ignorance, and bigotry. I wish for people to check their facts, prior to opening their mouth.

Flowering veggies

The other day I belled-the-cat on my illustrious past as a veggie gardener. Jim mentioned that he would like to see a Zucchini flower. Well, tongue-in-check or not, JimBar, your wish is my command.

The image above is a Zucchini variety known as 'Black Jack'. I am hoping it has silver splodges on its very large leaves, otherwise I have a bad mould infestation already. The image below is a Pumpkin variety known as 'Potted'. We are good with pumpkin names, we are. The old Queensland Blue is known now as a grey pumpkin.

Both these plants are gross feeders, and are in the same large black plastic bucket. Come Christmas, I am going to be inundated with fruit from each vine.

The Ruby Slipper

Tapping my way around through Five Ways, I pay heed to the uneven footpath and the shards of old building materials that litter the way. The path that I know so well during the day, presents challenges in the evening, for me and my walking cane. But the flower shop is not far down, just over a bit of a rise, and around a slight curve.

Paddington in bloom (1)

Alma Street

Is beauty in the eye of the beholder? Are these scenes beautiful to me, but not beautiful to others, even when their attention is drawn to them? I suspect so. I am on safe ground here, but was less so earlier today when walking in the city with my son.

Sutherland Avenue

After narrowly escaping from the grasping claws of the newest Westfield to be unleashed upon our citizenry, I suggested that we have a look at the David Jones' Christmas pantomine windows. He could not bring himself to even have a look because it represented a social system which he could not abide - religion.

I am not religious, and have similar opinions. However, the windows are beautiful. Apparently, this beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Alma Street, again

Sunday in my City - Splendour in the Grass

Flowers and grasses collected during the week from Centennial Park and North Bondi for you to savour at your leisure.

A member of the Sunday in my City community.

I am sampling the joys of Melbourne - including a day at the tennis. I will be back at my desk on Thursday 28th January.

Paradise found

Weigall Field, Neild Avenue, Rushcutters Bay

Australia is a very egalitarian society and, wherever even IMpossible, we come at things as would a common-Joe. To us this flower is a Bird of Paradise, even though in the deep recesses of our garden shed, the guide might hautily index Strelitzia Reginae.

With its orange petals and blue tongue, the genus was named in honour of a woman from Strelitz in Germany who married George III of England. The name was chosen by another common-joe, Sir Joseph Banks, who was the Director of the Kew Gardens at the time.

The Bird of Paradise, although native to South Africa, is common to parklands and road-side plantings around Sydney. It is large, colourful and requires little water. Perfect!