Still in the Bunbury area, we took a second eco-walk, this time the Manea Park Walk Located in College Grove, the Manea Park Walk takes in a range of habitat types. Manea Park is Bunbury’s premier bush reserve and supports several threatened species including the forest red-tailed black cockatoo and...
Many years ago, Petra sent me this precious book about Gnomes. My interest in these unknown beings began there. So when I learned there was a place in Western Australia called Gnomesville, it was a must-see place to go! And off John and I went! Gnomesville is literally a place...
Kings Park was having a plant sale, and after a day at the Royal Show, it seemed like a nice, relaxing thing to do after church. And it was. So we bought some plants for our garden, and then we went for a stroll, around a different part of Kings...
When I return to the USA, I create a slide show that I present to everyone and we watch together on the TV. I’ve noticed that when they watch the section of the cakes from the Royal Show, it gets a lot of attention. Here are some of the cakes...
I tried before and couldn’t do it, so I know better this time: I can’t write just one blog about the Perth Royal Show, I must do it over a few blogs. I will start with just some random moments at the Show: One section of the show, they let...
Weekends are kind of like spin the wheel and see where we go this time. Dwellingup became our next destination. Dwellingup is an Aboriginal name said to mean “place of nearby water”. Which I will buy that, there was lovely water ‘nearby’ for sure.
Sunday, we still went hunting for orchids, but we stayed close to home. Going by a hint given in the orchid group on Facebook, we went to look for Beak Orchids, and did we ever find some, hundreds of them! These orchids produce large, fleshy, heart-shaped leaves commonly called ‘Elephants’ Ears’.
In Australia, Father’s day is in September. So is the Kings Park Wildflower Festival. Why not combine the two? That is what Naomi and I had decided.
On our trips to the country, north of Perth, we’ve often stopped a Bindoon. Usually it’s a quick trip into IGA for a drink or snacks, once a quick stop to the flower show. We’ve often seen a Bakery there, as busy as can be. After seeing this a few...
One day we had new friends over for dinner, this was the first time they had been to our house. One quick look at the front yard and Pauline said, “Hey John, you have your own private bush-land right here.” I was rather touched how she just noted and stated...
Unlike the computer that tried to die on us and we had to replace, we knew for a while now that we needed to replace John’s 1997 car. What we didn’t know was what a difficult decision it was going to be. Do we replace it with a new, small...
How wonderful it is to see these colorful and different birds to the Eastern U.S.! I count it a blessing and I enjoy them so much!
We’ve been awake awhile and it’s still not time for church, what to do? Go for a walk in Koondoola Bush. I think we enjoyed our time in God’s creation before Sunday worship.
So I arrive in Australia, ready to relax some, as the last 8 months have been grueling. I figure, I will play some on my game, work when it comes in, and enjoy restful weekends with John. That was not to be the plan, his computer started to have problems...
So I am back in Australia, again. As soon as the jet lag finishes, I suppose John and I will be out having adventures. For now, I am going through the transition of coming back down to earth after two days in the sky, and missing loved ones back in...
“… Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matthew 22:39 The news would have us believe we’re a nation divided. It’s true that there have been headlines – loud and ugly – fussing and fighting about different colors of skin, differences of languages, flags, sexual preferences, and likely the list...
I just love old black and white photos. The look in that era is hard to beat. But today I found these two photos of my dad…he could have been a male model in the 40’s… No doubt, I see Miquel’s face all over these two photos!
For her wedding anniversary, Miranda wanted photos of her and Enric, but she wanted to surprise him by wearing her wedding gown. He had no idea. After church, she sent him outside while he was still dressed up while she sneaked to get on her wedding dress. As it turns...
Mom was clearly ahead of her time. I was going through old photos again… From what I can make out, this is Mom, around 1940’s, taking a selfie! This looks to be at Grandmom’s house, I recognize the picket fence. So, before Facebook, social media, and cell phones, mom was...
The more I dig into the family history of the Buckwalters, the more it points to origins of Switzerland. Today I found this old photo. It’s marked on the back as Mary Buckwalter. This lady married a Buckwalter. Mary would have been my mother’s father’s mother, Mary Buzzard. (The Buzzard...
Ezra has not been in a hurry to walk. However this morning, with Rubí as my witness, he seemed to be ready to make a big effort. Later in the day, he took some steps to my arms. I have to say, I have had many happy days in my...
Right after Mom’s funeral, Miquel announced to us all that CVS would be honoring Mom with their contribution to Relay for Life. I was impressed and honored that they would do that. Thank you CVS for this opportunity.
As a little girl, I loved my long discussions with my mom. Often it was while she was preparing dinner, ironing, or doing the dishes. Many times she would listen to my philosophical questions and give me Biblical answers and follow up with examples. Other times she would pass on...
Rubí kinda decided for us we should go to Lake Waterford. I love a little lady who knows her own mind, and she definitely knows what she likes.
And no mom. All those years I stressed what to get her for mother’s day, and this year there was no flower shop or nursery to go to hoping to find something to light up her face. All those years the yellow cake and vanilla icing in three tiers cake...
Rubí turns 5 and wanted a skating party. Naturally since Pop Pop couldn’t be there, he asked me to make a movie! He didn’t have to ask me twice. 🙂 Back at home… Rubí seemed to LOVE her birthday party. I know I sure did!
If flowers grow in heaven, Lord, then pick a bunch for me. Then place them in my mother’s arms and tell her they’re from me. Tell her that I love and miss her and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile....
Me: Do you want to go outside with me? Rubí: Let me get my camera, it just got batteries put in. Where did that come from? Since when does she want to take pictures? Then my proud heart melted. Does she want to take photos like her Nana does? She...
I woke up to a rather grey and dismal morning to find out that there were snow flurries about the state of Maryland, an earthquake in Nepal, causing an avalanche on Mount Everest. It reminded me, this day of Mom’s birthday, that she told me more than once that...
Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. ~Genesis 2:15 Keep (Hebrew shamar) means “to exercise great care over.” In the context of Genesis 2:15, it expresses God’s wish that mankind, in the person of Adam, “take...
The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. In their country, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short. ~Homaro Cantu Every time I...
It’s not yet her birthday. It’s easy to remember, Miranda’s birthday is the same as Tax Day, April 15th. But today is her birthday party day. It was decided. The family then watches the Lego Movie.
We knew it was going to be a different kind of Easter. With Mom gone, the center of all holidays, we would have to cope with missing her and making new memories. Even though in some past Easters I have been in Australia, the internet and phone calls didn’t make...
Laura and I planned this walk to Kinder Park, and quickly it became a family event. Laura and I walked around the park rather quickly, and soon enough could stop to watch the children at play. So we walked through the farm…
