This is life.

 “A real work of art destroys, in the consciousness of the receiver, 
the separation between himself and the artist.” 

~ Leo Tolstoy

There is no better way to spend the morning after an amazing festival than to wallow in the tranquility and peace at Churchill Park.

Especially on a magnificent summer’s day.

Mornings just don’t come any better than that.

We sat and watched white eyes and blackbirds feed of the insects on the water lilies

Rosellas dropped casually onto the grass, then took of in haste when they realised they weren’t alone.

Even the Pukeko graced us with their presence.

Briefly.

I still find them the most comedic of birds to watch.

Their spindly legs and feet look so clumsy and yet they move so effortlessly.

Until they attempt to fly.

Take off is labored, awkward.

Crash landings are common.

Their voices run the whole gamut of expression.

From curiosity to scolding to interrogation.

We got the scolding. 

We were on THEIR turf.

This week also found us on the sandspit and mudflats of Tahuna Torea.

The bird reserve is a no-go area for hounds so we took ourselves onto the sandspit.

The tide was out so MUD became the new accessory.

There were no Kingfishers to be found so we stalked the Skua instead.

Skua are very vocal.  

And loud.

Reveling in the magic all around as they had their say is priceless.

Nothing can beat it.

All the mayhem and angst that accompanies life vanishes into the ether.

THIS is life and this is REAL.

These many miles that the hound and I ramble each day are cathartic.

They give back what the chaos takes away.

Surviving is an art form.

We’ve got it down pat.

“Go out and walk.  That is the glory of life.” 

~ Maira Kalman

ps.  I had thought I’d got this survival thingy down pat but today showed me that I haven’t always.  That trusty little mobile steed of mine that’s taken me miles and miles to markets and to visit the SO is in need of some TLC.  For too long we’ve patched it together with bandaid.  Tonight the bandaid didn’t work.  A tow-truck will be needed.  

Just DO it!

I’m thinking too much ... and that’s NEVER a good thing.  

We're up at the viewsite waiting for the sun to rise and she's
decided she wants her ball.

Roller-coaster rides.  I LOVE them and I always have.  I love the speed, I love being flung around corners and I love the stomach-wrenching descents!  I think LIFE resembles a roller-coaster ride.  All those marvelous ups and downs that take forever to climb and seconds to descend.  There’s a sense of euphoria as you crest a hill and see the track spiraling away below you. Without that speed, without those ups and downs it wouldn’t BE a roller-coaster ride.

.... but it's STUCK in the bag!  Indy can't understand WHAT she's trying to do.

Without difficulties in life, we wouldn’t really be living.  It’s those very difficulties that create the richness that IS our life and mould us into the WHO that we ARE.

That leads me to a dilemma.  

The WHO that I AM isn’t thinking STRAIGHT.

That WHO has allowed the oldest lemming to convince her that it would be a good idea to cycle 200kms over 2 days to raise funds for the Cancer Society. 

 It IS a good idea but 

.... I don’t even OWN a bike!

Headed out to Waiatarua with Carol and the Pukeko were EVERYWHERE.

This ‘The Ride to Conquer Cancer’ event is happening in Auckland in November.  It’s a 200km cycle ride over two days in which each participant has to raise $2 500 for the Cancer Society Auckland.  It’s a cause that’s close to the heart of many people. Cancer strikes unexpectedly and without discrimination and, in New Zealand alone ... which is a very small country .... over 51 people are diagnosed with cancer on a daily basis.  The statistics are scary.

Committing myself to this ride is scary.  I haven’t cycled in ages.  I’m reasonably fit with all the rambling that I do but cycling’s a very different form of exercise and the commitment I’d need to make is huge.  

HELP .... I have to make a decision before Wednesday next week!

Early mornings might have to become EVEN earlier in order to fit in a ride AND walk the hound.  The hound already thinks I’m a bit WHACKO .... committing myself to this ride will just confirm it.

Oh gosh - I’ve just realised

 .... I’ll be part of the lycra-clad looney brigade!

I said I was over-thinking it .... and I am.  I should just do it.

I should be like the hound and Sam.  They don’t over-think anything.  Throw the ball and they plunge in after it ... no hesitation, no second-guessing .... just complete commitment to the task in hand.  I guess it helps that they’re both addicted to their rugby balls.

In the words of Carrie Underwood, winner of American Idols in 2005 

“Throw caution to the wind and JUST DO IT!”

Phew!

A Labradoodle - the brown one (Cross Labrador with Poodle) and a
Boodle - the black one (Cross Border Collie with a Standard Poodle)
.... enuf now!

Note to self: Watching rugby before markets ISN'T a good idea.

The inspiration behind Chocolat and Co .... and doesn't she just know it .... the hound, that is!

Note to self .... do NOT watch early morning rugby on days you have a market, unless the match is at 3 in my morning.

Matches at 6 in the morning that only finish 7.30 or later, delay me ... and they delay the chauffeur too!

At least my Sharks won.  I’d have been miffed if they hadn’t.

Just to add further drama to the day, it was raining when we arrived at Coatesville!  My first thought was to not even bother unpacking and head home .... but then I remembered I’m not supposed to be scared of all that wet stuff .... so we stayed and got ourselves set up.

The hound joined us today too as, for the first time in a long time, there was NO-ONE home!  

Coatesville hums .... lots of stalls and lots of foot traffic and yet today has been quieter than usual according to my crafting buddies who're regular participants there.  As always at any new market I attend, I’ve had lots of positive feedback.  It’s SO necessary as it’s easy to loose faith in what you create.  

My friend Emma .... and she's NOT smiling!

“Global Warming” did it’s usual job in drawing potential customers in ... then it’s up to me to persuade them to buy something.  Not always the easiest of tasks.  It still amazes me that people think “Global Warming” is a painting and their jaws drop when I tell them it’s a photo.

They all want to know HOW I managed to convince 7 Pukeko to stand still on a tiny mound of grass in a wetland.  It’s MAGIC and proof that ANYTHING’S possible when you believe it enough!

Aha .... now she's smiling!

We even had our share of celebrities at Coatesville Market today!  Kim Dotcom was browsing ... he’s so much taller and larger than I expected.  I’ve seen him in photos and knew he was big but didn’t realise quite HOW big he was .... and he’s got the tiniest of wives.  For those unfamiliar with NZ’s rich and famous, Kim Dotcom is the founder of Megaupload, a file hosting service.  He’s facing criminal charges in the US for criminal copyright infringement in relation to his Megaupload website and is fighting extradition to the US.

He had his wife and children in tow today ... and numerous nannies ... but no visible security entourage.

Saturday's swim with the hound!

The hound loves the busyness of the market and all the extra attention she gets.  She lies under the table looking out at the passing parade.  Other humans with hounds don’t understand what’s happening when their hounds suddenly lurch towards our stall, but I do!  My leg’s suddenly whipped by a tail that’s wagging vigorously as nose touches nose!

I think she might enjoy the markets almost as much as I do.  

Molly, the Weimaraner, who swims along parallel to the beach ... up and down.