A world gone crazy.

"Build pockets of stillness into your life."
~ Maria Popova

Our air waves this last week have been filled with differing opinions on the presidential candidate race in the US, 

on the referendum 

in the UK, 

on the sentences that should be handed down to baby Moko’s killers

 and the possibility, 

remote or otherwise,

  of Donald Trump 

and Boris Johnson 

presiding 

over their relevant

countries.  

Views over the Kaipara coastline

Everyone has an opinion.

Even the talk show hosts who’re meant to remain impartial.

The cows have the BEST view!

If my passport hadn’t of expired, I could have chosen to vote in the referendum.

But it has, so I couldn’t.

I’m not sure that it would have been right for me to vote in any event.

I don’t know enough about the pros and cons of remaining in the EU to make a rational decision.

My personal opinion is that Xenophobia has tainted the voting process somewhat.

Immigration is a such a hot topic.

But I’m open to correction.

The Winter Solstice full moon

As the dust settles on the EU referendum battleground, 

the world braces itself for the expected repercussions from the result.  

What happens next?

Of one thing I’m certain.

Change is inevitable.

As the seasons lurch dizzily from one quadrant of the year to the next, 

seasonal change is all around us.

The creek in Churchill Park is burstig it's banks

The unpredictable weather that Auckland’s been experiencing continues.

Autumn leaves still adorn the trees as the mildest of winters engulfs us.

It’s already almost the end of June.

July is calling and I’ve yet to see frost on any of our rambles.

It’s been cold but not freezing.

With no markets this weekend I headed out to the Kaipara Coast.

The rain chose to keep me company.

We’ve walked dogs.

Got caught in said rain.

Drank bubbles.

Sat in the spa.

Lily trying to drop her ball in the spa

We’ve talked politics

and fashion

and life.

And a myriad of things inbetween.

The most unusual tap and basin in the loos at the Plant Park.

We've found our pockets of stillness in an insane world.

And that's all good.

Liquorice Allsorts cows

Good vibrations

“What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us and, 

when you bring what is within out into the world,  

miracles happen.”

~ Henry David Thoreau

Love this view of the city!

I was recently told by a very dear friend that rising to challenges 

whilst still being able to kick off my shoes is my speciality.

I like that.

Especially the kicking off the shoes bit.

Early morning mist over the Sculpture Trail on the Kaipara Coast

I think the challenges of the last few years have allowed lots of practice.

.... and another one

There are some little things though that still stump me!

Leaving a warm comfy bed is one of them.

Contrary to popular opinion

I do NOT leap out of bed bright-eyed and bushy-tailed of a morning.

Especially at THIS time of the year.

"Cowtitude" .... a cow with attitude

Mornings are DARKER.

COLDER.

FAR less inviting.

Snuggling up under the duvet as the alarm reaches it’s crescendo 

is my way of trying to escape the chilly morning air.

Murawai Beach ... love it  on mornings like this

Whilst I try and ignore the alarm, the hound does anything but.

To her, it’s the signal to rise and shine

‘Shining’ being the furthest thing from my mind!

The warmth of that bed is SO tempting.

As I resignedly emerge from under the covers

she leaps off the bed with an enthusiasm I can’t even begin to muster.

My favourite spa buddy ... the Lady Kereru

Zombie-like, I move round the flat, chocolate brown shadow in tow.

There’s a furball to feed.

Curtains to open.

A bed to make.

The theory behind making the bed is that I can’t climb back in.

Well ... technically I could - but then I’d have to make it again.

Way too much effort.

Breakfast on the rocks

The upside for persevering with this early morning rising, even in winter,

are the sun rises I’m witness to at this time of year.

They’re breathtaking.

Ample reward indeed!

They feed my heart and soul in a manner that’s beyond quantifying.

I vibrate BACK the energy they give out.

That can ONLY be a good thing.

“The universe is not punishing you or blessing you.  

The universe is simply responding to the vibrational attitude you are emitting.”

~ anon

Fingerless gloves: an oxymoron of sorts.

Winter arrived on Monday.

With a vengeance!

We’ve all been enjoying our sunshine and summer so much

that we forgot about the cold toes and fingers that accompany wintery weather.

Bring on those fingerless gloves!

Yes I know.  An oxymoron of sorts.

Almost overnight summer has ended and winter begun.

My adopted city does it with so much panache.

This last week has been wonderful, even with the arrival of winter.

It’s been beyond busy but in a manner that boosts my bounce.

Proof that a semblance of sanity does still exist in my world.

Catching up with all and sundry on a Friday morning reinforces that.

Even the gloomy weather couldn’t derail the love and friendship on the beach.

So many hugs.

So many smiles.

It was a great way to start a weekend that was full to the brim with markets.

As the hound dug trenches to everywhere I engaged in conversation with passers-by.

Everyone LOVES to talk.

As do I.

We’ve discussed the weather.

The on-going repairs to the phartmobile.

The possible demise of the John Campbell show

The rugby

Village politics

The price of my favourite tipple.

It’s all so normal.

And necessary.

And adds order to a manic world.

Aunty Yvonne lent us her woofmobile yesterday so the hound and I headed to Churchill Park.  

She was on her best behaviour as she didn’t want to wet or muddy the woofmobile. 
 She’s quickly learnt that wearing a coat means you can’t swim.

Even when the temptation is huge!

There are cows to talk to though.

And other hounds.

And ducks.

And balls to drop into creeks.

It was a satisfied hound and human that returned home from our ramble.

We traversed the whole of Churchill Park.

Up hill, down dale.

Over creek.

Through gates too numerous to count.

Considering that Churchill Park is over 40 hectares in extent,

it’s understandable that the hound was soon conked out on the bed fast asleep.

Afternoons like this feed me.

I get lost in the magic and forget about time.

Life might not be exactly as I’d have it but that’s ok.

“Wholeness does not mean perfection: 

it means embracing brokenness as an integral part of life.” 

~ Parker Palmer