Southern Cross Creations

An Australian Woman's Journal
about life in remote, rural
Far North Queensland

25 November 2003
Hot, hot, hot. High temperature edged up to 40 C (104F) and night temperature fell to 12 C (about 53F). Motivation sags, melts and evaporates by midday. A scant but welcome 6mm of rain (1/4") brought forth delicious aromas from lemon scented gums, lifting our spirits with promises of the coming Wet Season. This tidbit of rain is our first in three months.

While I take a break from fibrework, have a look at these textile creations by my friend Eunice who lives downriver. Her latest full sized quilt has an Egyptian theme.

She made the wall hanging of Eyptian geese to accompany the quilt.

And here is Eunice, at home. Besides her textile creations, she makes leaded glass windows, maintains a garden, publishes the Valley Vibes (a 12 page community newspaper) and has been elected Secretary for the Walsh River Community Centre for a number of years. Eunice has helped find and apply for grants that benefit our community centre. I appreciate her hard work, resourcefulness and creativity.

16 November 2003

Our very Dry Season dictates careful use of water plus preparations in case of bush fire.Yesterday a smother of smoke blew in, reminded us of scary possibilities before dissipating. We've been weeding and mowing, clearing around the buildings. Kneeling on the ground to reach weeds clustering under small trees. Kneeling encourages a certain humility and provides an opportunity to appreciate cool morning blessings.

Lemon scented gum trees shed their bark, discarded veils dropped to the ground. They lift bare limbs in extravagent dance, luminous, breathtaking. Cluster of figs, silver halos disappearing behind emerging leaves, cover the native fig trees. Blossoms erupt on the bare tips of frangipani branches. Rainbow lorikeets and other honeyeaters drink and flutter in the bird bath. A small centipede (about 5 cm or 2 inches) hesitates when revealed under an old flower pot. Irrepressible life in a challenging environment.

The warming sun curtails our maintenance work. We walk the dog before the day gets too hot, then head to the shade in the house for breakfast.