This and That

My World Tuesday; "Queenslanders";

2011-03-29T05:33:00.000+10:00

Contemporary and traditional homes in Queensland;

My World Tuesday; Mary Poppins;

2011-03-22T07:29:00.000+10:00

Maryborough, Queensland has a unique link to the world's most famous nanny that no other place in the world can claim.

It all started in a bedroom in the manager’s residence above a bank building in Maryborough in 1899, when the bank manager's wife gave birth to a baby girl named Helen Lyndon Goff.

After spending the first few years of her life here, her family moved to Brisbane then Ipswich, Allora, Bowral and then Sydney.
As a young woman in the 1920s she moved to London and took the name Pamela Travers for her writing. It was under that name that she wrote the successful Mary Poppins books that lead to fortune and fame - and one of the most successful movies of all times.

The first ‘Mary Poppins’ novel about the magical and exceedingly efficient nanny was an immediate success and the Mary Poppins series - there were eight books in total - went on to be translated into more than 20 languages.

Pamela Lyndon Travers OBE (born Helen Lyndon Goff) (9 August 1899 – 23 April 1996), was an Australian-born British novelist, actress and journalist, popularly remembered for her series of children's novels about the mystical and magical nanny Mary Poppins. Her popular series has been adapted many times, including in the 1964 film starring Julie Andrews, and in the new Broadway musical which originally was produced in London's West End.

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Macro Flowers Saturday; Gloriosa rothschildiana;

2011-03-19T12:26:00.004+10:00

I have been away up North for a few days. Walking along the beach I found this Gloriosa scrambling all over the place with many flowers. I think they show generally a more crimson colour than this orange red. It is a vine and grows from tubers. I have taken a few cuttings to try to grow it.
I hope you like the Gloriosa Lily as it is sometimes called.

Please do not forget to visit all the other beautiful Macro flowers; click here

Photo TS

Macroflowers 54

Macro Flowers Saturday; Geranium;

2011-03-12T06:51:00.000+10:00

Geranium; I like this pink/white concoction. They are ever popular plants and are never out of fashion. I grow mainly hanging ivy geraniums.They do well through spring, autumn and winter. they do not like my humid, hot summer.

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Edition 53/

My world Tuesday; I am thirsty;

2011-03-08T06:26:00.000+10:00

Zosterops lateralis; Silvereye
The Silvereye is a small bird with a conspicuous ring of white feathers around the eye, and belongs to a group of birds known as white-eyes. The Silvereye shows interesting plumage variations across its range.

Silvereyes are more common in the south-east of Australia, but their range extends from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, through the south and south-west to about Shark Bay, Western Australia. They are also found in Tasmania.

Silvereyes may occur in almost any wooded habitat, especially commercial orchards and urban parks and gardens.
Silvereyes move north each autumn, and move back south in late winter to breed.

Silvereyes feed on insect prey and large amounts of fruit and nectar, making them occasional pests of commercial orchards. Birds are seen alone, in pairs or small flocks during the breeding season, but form large flocks in the winter months.

Silvereye pairs actively defend a small territory. The nest is a small, neatly woven cup of grasses, hair, and other fine vegetation, bound with spider web. It is placed in a horizontal tree fork up to 5m above the ground. The nest is constructed by both sexes, who both also incubate the bluish-green eggs. If conditions are suitable two to three clutches will be raised in a season.

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My world Tuesday; Turtles;

2011-02-28T12:14:00.001+10:00

Turtle track;

Exhausted;

psst....

Lady Elliot Island is a breeding ground for Green- and Loggerhead turtles between November and May each year. Turtles come ashore at night to lay eggs and are easily disturbed by light, noise and movement. It is possible to have an incredible encounter and watch the females laying eggs and also the hatchlings emerge from the sand.

Please click here to visit

Macro Flowers Saturday; Allamanda

2011-02-26T14:48:00.000+10:00

This pretty climber winds its way up a native tree. It flowers nearly year round; very reliable but not invasive, it does not produce seed. It grows well from cuttings.

Allamanda, also known as Yellow Bell, Golden Trumpet or Buttercup Flower, is a genus of tropical shrubs or vines belonging to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae).
The genus Alamanda is native to South and Central America. Their year-round production of large, bright flowers have made the Allamanda popular ornamentals.

The genus name Allamanda derives from Dr. Frederich Allamanda (1735-1803), a Swiss botanist of the late 18th century.

Please visit Macro Flowers Saturday here

Photo TS from my garden.

That's My World Tuesday; The Pines;

2011-02-22T06:53:00.000+10:00

My shopping center, called The Pines. I call it the "Pine" in the neck! It is situated in Elanora about 8 km from my place. The short drive is pleasant as it follows the creek and the road is shaded by huge trees. Turning at the bridge I meet up with suburbia.The shopping center provides most of our needs. I would prefer markets and not such a sterile, urban shopping facility.

Please click here for visits

Macro Flowers Saturday; Hibiscus in the summer garden;

2011-02-19T11:09:00.000+10:00

Hibiscus "Cuba" flowers from early summer into the first winter month in my garden.

To visit Macro Flowers Saturday please click HERE

My World; bikes;

2011-02-15T05:23:00.001+10:00

Cycling has become a popular sport. Left is my daughter Jacqueline, she is an enthusiastic cycler.

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Macro Flowers Saturday; as simple as a Daisy;

2011-02-12T06:02:00.000+10:00

Daisy, Daisy give me your answer do.

I'm half crazy all for the love of you.

It won't be a stylish marriage,

I can't afford a carriage.

But you'll look sweet,

Upon the seat,

Of a bicycle made for two.

Michael, Micheal, here is your answer true.

I'm not crazy all for the love of you.

There won't be any marriage,

if you can't afford a carriage.

'Cause I'll be switched,

if I get hitched,

on a bicycle built for two!"

Please visit Macro flowers Saturday; click here

This is My World; Kookaburra;

2011-01-12T07:08:00.005+10:00

Kookaburra in the garden; Please click to enlarge;

Kookaburras (genus Dacelo) are large terrestrial kingfishers native to Australia and New Guinea. The name a loanword from Wiradjuri guuguubarra, which is onomatopoeic of its call.

Kookaburras are best known for their unmistakable call, which sounds uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter — good-natured, but rather hysterical, merriment in the case of the renowned Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae); and maniacal cackling in the case of the slightly smaller Blue-winged Kookaburra (D. leachii).

They are territorial, and often live with the partly grown chicks of the previous season.

They often sing as a chorus to mark their territory and can be found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, but also in suburban and residential areas near running water and where food can be searched for easily.

Please visit; This is My World here

Photo TS

My World Tuesday; Pioneer women;

2011-01-03T05:22:00.006+10:00

A tribute to Pioneer women, Longreach, Australia.

From the 1800s to the onset of World War I, pioneers making their homes in outback Australia were joined by their wives, many of whom had no idea of the difficulties and dangers ahead.

These brave and resourceful women encountered conditions which would test their resilience and resourcefulness to the utmost:

relentless heat, dust and isolation; and no doctors or pioneer women featured who faced the risk of dying from malaria, the scourge of tropical Australia.

Many women lived in wooden huts or tin sheds with concrete floors, cooked on wood-fired stoves, and lacked any of the domestic appliances we take for granted today.

Georgiana Molloy and the Brussell women tamed hectares of virgin bush with primitive implements. Myrtle White was trapped among sandhills, the fine grains invading her home and impeding her harrowing attempts to get her feverish baby son to the doctor before he died.

White's predicament was quoted by the Revd John Flynn while raising funds for his Flying Doctor service.

The outback was indeed 'no place for a lady'. Yet many women with no previous experience of hardship rose to the challenge of creating homes, nursing farming - and keeping journals, which provided a startling vivid picture of the life they faced - part of the outback legend.

(Great Pioneer Women of the Outback by Susanna De Vries)

'Great Pioneer Women of the Outback' features women pioneering in some of the harshest land in Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, the Northern Territory and New South Wales.

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The Hot, the Loud and the Proud; Hibiscus;

2010-12-31T06:54:00.006+10:00

This is my favourite red Hibiscus, its flowers are double and as big as a dessert plate. It is very hardy too.

I always liked this Cuban variety; its striking colours of yellow and red; easily propagated from cuttings.

Isobel Beard is a little diva, only shows off her gorgeous flowers when she wants to.

Hawaiian elephant ear grows to a tall bush; wonderful, big double flowers kissed with pink.

As it is the height of summer I thought I let some of my Hibiscus show of their hot, loud and proud flowers.

Please visit here Noel Morata; A Plant fanatic in Hawaii;

It does not look to good in the house of Parliament;

2010-12-19T06:50:00.004+10:00

The Supreme Court has ruled that there cannot be a

Nativity Scene in the Australian Capital this Christmas

season.

This isn't for any religious reason.

They simply have not been able to find Three Wise Men

in Canberra .

A search for a Virgin continues.

There was no problem, however, finding enough asses

to fill the stable.

SMILE!

My World Tuesday; from Rainbow beach to Surfers...

2010-12-14T06:31:00.008+10:00

Please click picture;

Soft sunset over Rainbow beach. On the horizon winks Surfers Paradise.

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Politics/ Weakileak;

2010-12-10T05:25:00.005+10:00

Hope for a better World

!"The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive." - Thomas Jefferson

Long live Wikileak; long live Julian Assange;

Wikileak is an organization which challenges the corrupt behavior of Governments. As governments are “democratically elected by the people, the people have the right to know what sort of games they are playing. Politicans are not above the law. It is our right to know.

We all know politics is a dirty, hidden game. A big, bad bruise.

Politics has always been the rotten part in people’s history. Its war cry has not changed, deceive, rob, lie and terrify.

Luckily we have today the Internet and Wikileak which the rotten bunch in high offices do not like because their evil doings are exposed.

There are a few, perhaps a handful of gracious, honest and candid Politicians in the world. The majority are a despicable bunch of …..

My World Tuesday; Gold Coast; Southport;

2010-11-30T11:05:00.010+10:00

A huge car park has been converted to a wonderful park; where people can take a picnic, swim safely and go for walks.

please click the pictures.

The Mercedes Benz enthusiasts came together for a chat and a picnic. I liked this number plate, the car belongs to a young Japanese fellow.

It was cloudy, but not to hot which was good. Quite windy, even the apartment buildings swayed!

Going home.

Please connect with My World Tuesday click here

Cooking is fun; beans ain't beans!

2010-11-26T05:20:00.009+10:00

Cannelini beans, not from a tin!

Recipe TS

Photos TS

The first step is to soak the beans the night before you want to cook them.

Here are all the ingredients you need.

Olive oil, I use cold pressed virgin olive oil.

Onions and garlic.

Tomato paste and fresh tomatoes, I use organic tomato paste and I use frozen tomatoes from my garden. Herbs from the garden, like basil, laurel leaves and thyme. A little curry and salt and pepper.

First you make a sofritto from 1 onion, a few garlic knobs and the herbs. Do not fry it, just gently

sautee or sweat until a little softened then add 1 teaspoon curry, let it sweat for an other minute or two.

Add fresh or frozen tomatoes, tomato paste and cannelini beans. Add 1 cup of water and

stir, let the beans simmer until the beans are nice and soft. (Add more water if necessary. It has to be nice and creamy.

The finished product is delicious, can be reheated or frozen. Enjoy!

My World Tuesday; Roads with no end;

2010-11-08T12:04:00.007+10:00

To visit My World Tuesday, please click here

Photo TS

A Challenge;

2010-10-24T14:32:00.012+10:00

A challenge is a general term referring to things that are imbued with a sense of difficulty and victory.

A demanding or stimulating situation;

From day one we human beings are challenged by life until our death. The word "challenge" is not a simple word but it is ambiguous in a certain sense.

Word History:

Middle English borrowed chalenge from Old French. French chalenge came from Latin calumnia "trickery, false accusation", a noun based on the verb calvi "to deceive". So a challenge was originally a false accusation.

The sense of confrontation carried on but the general meaning of this word moved from a negative to a positive sense somewhere along the way between Latin and English. http://www.alphadictionary.com/goodword/

This Impatient plant has found itself a challenge growing from a crevice where the seed has lodged itself. It battles other challenges like being eaten by voracious grasshopper who likes its tender green leaves

The goldfish in the pond face every day the challenge to escape being a meal to a silver gray heron. I have made them hide away places to give the challenged fish a chance to escape.

Are you facing any challenges at the moment?

My World Tuesday;Towns from a bird's eye view;

2010-10-19T05:56:00.009+10:00

Airport Charleville;

Qantas scheduled its first fare paying passenger service from Charleville to Cloncurry, via Longreach and Winton, back in 1922.

Charleville is in the heart of Queensland's 'mulga country'. It is the largest town in the south west of the Outback region and was gazetted in 1868 and later named by the Government surveyor of the day, Mr WA Tully, after a town in Ireland where he had lived.

In March 1888, rail transport reached Charleville. This railway gave Charleville a direct link with the state capital, Brisbane.

Cobb and Co, the famous coach company, based their largest coach making factory in Australia in the township of Charleville in 1890. The factory was moved to Charleville because the wood used in coaches made in factories closer to the coast would split and crack in the dry, dusty conditions of Western Queensland.

The mulga country of Queensland's outback is rich in history, flora and fauna. The stars almost touch the end of your nose at the Cosmos Centre and Observatory where clear nights and a low horizon combine to give visitors a great night time experience. Kangaroos, emus, birds of prey and a wondrous variety of Australian native wildlife can be seen whilst travelling this area.

Do you like to read more about Charleville please click here

I hope you enjoyed your visit to the outback town of Charleville. Please visit that's my world Here

My World; As far as the eye can see...

2010-10-12T05:43:00.005+10:00

Fields....

Please click the picture

Photo TS.

See our world and click here

Spring arrives in my garden;

2010-09-03T06:38:00.007+10:00

Wisteria in all its glory in my garden; please click pic;

Subtle changes are here overnight. The wisteria's branches are still bare but covered with fat buds wanting to burst into all their purple splendor.

Where ever I look they are all ganging up to make the best of spring. In the wild garden Hovea has put on a purple show with its small pea flowers. Birds are busy gathering dry sticks and grasses to build their temporary shelters to rear their young ones.

Tiny frogs well hidden in foliage are simultaneously calling and answering, " are you free"?

Spring in my area is short but very sweet.

Lines Written In Early Spring by William Wordsworth

I heard a thousand blended notes,
While in a grove I sate reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What man has made of man.

Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,
The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And 'tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.

The birds around me hopped and played,
Their thoughts I cannot measure:--
But the least motion which they made
It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

The budding twigs spread out their fan,
To catch the breezy air;
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there.

If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature's holy plan,
Have I not reason to lament
What man has made of man?

William Wordsworth 7.April 1770 - 23.4.1850 was a romantic at heart. He was born in spring and died in spring.

At Sunset Time;

2010-08-16T21:17:00.006+10:00

At Sunset Time; Paul Laurence Dunbar 1872 - 1904

A down the west a golden glow

Sinks burning in the sea,

And all the dreams of long ago

Come flooding back to me.

The past has writ a story strange

Upon my aching heart,

But time has wrought a subtle change,

My wounds have ceased to smart.

No more the quick delight of youth,

No more the sudden pain,

I look no more for trust or truth

Where greed may compass gain.

What, was it I who bared my heart

Through unrelenting years,

And knew the sting of misery's dart,

The tang of sorrow's tears?

'Tis better now, I do not weep,

I do not laugh nor care;

My soul and spirit half asleep

Drift aimless everywhere.

We float upon a sluggish stream,

We ride no rapids mad,

While life is all a tempered dream

And every joy half sad.

Photo TS

The Teacher...

2010-06-18T06:36:00.004+10:00

An elder Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life.

He said to them, "A fight is going on inside me...It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves.

One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, pride and superiority. The other wolf stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth and compassion.

This same fight is going on inside of you and every other person too."

They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" The old Cherokee simply replied..."The one I feed."

Have a nice day...

Silvery Moon;

2010-03-22T07:43:00.007+10:00

Please click the picture.

The Moon

The moon has a face like the clock on the wall

She shines on thieves on the garden wall,

On streets and fields and harbour quays,

And birdies asleep in the forks of the trees.

The squalling cat and the squeaking mouse,

The howling dog by the door of the house,

The bat that lies in bed at noon,

All love to be out by the light of the moon.

But all of the things that belong to the day

Cuddle to sleep to be out of her way;

And flowers and children close their eyes

Till up in the morning the sun shall arise.

Robert Louis Stevenson

The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite and the fifth largest satellite in the Solar System. The average centre-to-centre distance from the Earth to the Moon is 384,403 kilometres (238,857 mi), about thirty times the diameter of the Earth. The common centre of mass of the system (the barycentre) is located at about 1,700 kilometres (1,100 mi)—a quarter the Earth's radius—beneath the surface of the Earth. The Moon makes a complete orbit around the Earth every 27.3 days(the orbital period), and the periodic variations in the geometry of the Earth–Moon–Sun system are responsible for the phases of the Moon, which repeat every 29.5 days (the synodic period).
The Moon's diameter is 3,474 kilometres (2,159 mi), a little more than a quarter of Earth's. Thus, the Moon's surface area is less than a tenth of the Earth (about a quarter of Earth's land area), and its volume is about 2 percent that of Earth. The pull of gravity at its surface is about 17 percent of that at the Earth's surface.
The Moon is the only celestial body on which human beings have made a manned landing. While the Soviet Union's Luna programmewas the first to reach the Moon with unmanned spacecraft, the United States' NASA Apollo program achieved the only manned missions to date, beginning with the first manned lunar mission by Apollo 8 in 1968, and six manned lunar landings between 1969 and 1972–the first being Apollo 11 in 1969. Human exploration of the Moon temporarily ceased with the conclusion of the Apollo program, although a few robotic landers and orbiters have been sent to the Moon since that time.

The proper English name for Earth's natural satellite is, simply, the Moon. Moon is a Germanic word, related to the Latin mensis and Ancient Greek (menas) both meaning month, and (Mene) (alternate name for Selene in Ancient Greek) It is ultimately a derivative of the Proto-Indo-European root me-, also represented in measure(time), with reminders of its importance in measuring time in words derived from it like Monday, month and menstrual. The related adjective is lunar, as well as an adjectival prefix seleno- and suffix -selene the Ancient Greek word for the Moon). In English, the word moon exclusively meant "the Moon" until 1665, when it was extended to refer to the recently discovered natural satellites of other planets. Subsequently, these objects were given distinct names to avoid confusion. The Moon is occasionally referred to by its Latin name Luna.

Interested in facts about the moon? Please click here
some excerpts from Wikipedia

Photo original TS

Devochka....Diamonds are a girls best friend;

2010-03-16T07:42:00.007+10:00

Devotchka, (Little girl) the oldest diamond mine in Siberia.

1897 the Tsar ordered exploration of Siberia for precious metals. An estimated 40'000 people died looking for jewels in the ground that could be polished to fit into rings, tiaras, bracelets, jewellery boxes and glittering eggs for the "Nobility"!

In mineralogy, diamond is the allotrope of carbon where the carbon atoms are arranged in an isometric-hexoctahedral crystal lattice.

After graphite, diamond is the second most stable form of carbon. Its hardness and high dispersion of light make it useful for industrial applications and jewelry.

It is the hardest known naturally occurring mineral. It is possible to treat regular diamonds under a combination of high pressure and high temperature to produce diamonds that are harder than the diamonds used in hardness gauges.

Diamonds are specifically renowned as a material with superlative physical qualities; they make excellent abrasives because few substances can scratch them. As a result they hold a polish extremely well and retain their lustre. Approximately 130 million carats (26,000 kg (57,000 lb)) are mined annually, with a total value of nearly USD $9 billion, and about 100,000 kg (220,000 lb) are synthesized annually.

Diamonds have been treasured as gemstones since their use as religious icons in ancient India. Their usage in engraving tools also dates to early human history.

Popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century because of increased supply, improved cutting and polishing techniques, growth in the world economy, and innovative and successful advertising campaigns.

Diamonds are thought to have been first recognized and mined in India, where significant alluvial deposits of the stone could then be found many centuries ago along the rivers Penner, Krishna and Godavari. Diamonds have been known in India for at least 3000 years but most likely 6000 years

The name diamond is derived from the ancient Greek ἀδάμας (adámas), "unbreakable, untamed", from ἀ- (a-), "un-" + δαμάω (damáō), "I overpower, I tame" and is the real-world origin of myths about a superhard metal called adamant.

In 1813, Humphry Davy used a lens to concentrate the rays of the sun on a diamond in an atmosphere of oxygen, and showed that the only product of the combustion was carbon dioxide, proving that diamond is composed of carbon. Later, he showed that in an atmosphere devoid of oxygen, diamond is converted to graphite.

The most familiar usage of diamonds today is as gemstones used for adornment, a usage which dates back into antiquity.

The dispersion of white light into spectral colors, is the primary gemological characteristic of gem diamonds.

In the twentieth century, experts in the field of gemology have developed methods of grading diamonds and other gemstones based on the characteristics most important to their value as a gem.

Four characteristics, known informally as the four Cs, are now commonly used as the basic descriptors of diamonds: these are carat, cut, color, and clarity.

Some excerpts courtesy Wikipedia

Hope;

2010-02-20T19:48:00.019+10:00

Hope is this Thing with feathers;

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chilliest land
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
Emily Dickinson 1830-1886

Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless. Gilbert Keith Chesterton

Hope is like a new leaf;

Hope is a waking dream.

- Aristotle

Hope is a pink flower;

Hope ever tells us tomorrow will be better.

- Tibullus

Hope is like a sunrise;

Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.

Hope is like a mist in time;

Hope was personified in Greek mythology as Elpis. When Pandora opened Pandora's Box, she let out all the evils except one: hope. Apparently, the Greeks considered hope to be as dangerous as all the world's evils. But without hope to accompany all their troubles, humanity was filled with despair. It was a great relief when Pandora revisited her box and let out hope as well

There is more to the humble Mug...

2010-01-10T05:43:00.010+10:00

A mug is a sturdily built type of cup often used for drinking hot beverages, such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Mugs, by definition, have handles and often hold a larger amount of fluid than other types of cup. Usually a mug holds approximately 12 fluid ounces (350 ml) of liquid; double a tea cup. In formal settings a mug is usually not used for serving hot beverages, with a teacup or coffee cup being preferred.

Whereas ancient mugs were usually carved in wood or bone or shaped of clay, most modern ones are made of ceramic materials such as earthenware, bone china, porcelain or stoneware. Some are made from strengthened glass, such as Pyrex. Other materials, including plastic, steel and enameled metal are preferred where break resistance is at a premium. Techniques such as silk screen printing or decals are used to apply decorations; these are fired onto the mug to ensure permanence.

The oldest drinking vessels recovered by archaeologists were made of bones, they hardly had a handle and thus are not mugs.

The first mugs are related to the Neolithic Stone Age and pottery vessels which were found in China and Japan and date to about 10000 BCE.

The first pottery was shaped by hands and was later facilitated by invention of the potter's wheel (date unknown, between 6,500 and 3000 BCE).

It was relatively easy to add a handle to a cup in the process thus producing a mug. For example, a rather advanced, decorated clay mug from 4000–5000 BCE was found in Greece.

With the development of metalworking techniques, metal mugs were produced from bronze, silver, gold and even lead, starting from roughly 2000 BCE and were hard to use with hot drinks. Wooden mugs were produced probably from the oldest time, but most of them could not be preserved to the present time.

The invention of porcelain around 600 CE in China brought a new era of thin-walled mugs suitable both for cold and hot liquids, which we enjoy today.

Science

A continuousdeformation between a coffee mug and a donut illustrating that they are homeomorphic (topologically equivalent)

The mug serves as one of the most popular examples of homeomorphism in topology. Two objects are homeomorphic if one can be deformed into the other without cutting or gluing. Thus in topology, a mug is equivalent (homeomorphic) to a doughnut (torus) as it can be reshaped into a doughnut by a continuous deformation, without cutting, breaking, punching holes or gluing. Another topological example is a mug with two handles, which is equivalent to a double torus – an object resembling number 8. A mug without a handle, that is a bowl or a beaker, is topologically equivalent to a saucer, which is more evident as a raw clay bowl can be flattened on a potter's wheel.

Stylish, Narrow and tall espresso mugs are also available today.

Puzzle mugs

A puzzle mug called fuddling cups consists of three mugs connected through their walls and handles.

The inner holes in the mugs walls are designed in such a way that the mugs must be emptied in a unique sequence, or they will drain.

Another puzzle mug contains a small siphon hidden in a rod placed in the mug center. The cup holds liquid if filled below the height of the rod, but once filled above that level, it drains all liquid through the siphon to a hole in the its bottom.

The whistle mug or hubblebubble is not a puzzle but rather an amusement mug.

It has a hollow handle which can be blown through the mug like a whistle. With an empty mug, only one note was emitted whereas a filled mug produced melodious trills and warblings.

Mug derives from an English slang term for face, dating from the 18th century.

A mug shot, or booking photograph, is a photographic portrait taken after one is arrested. The purpose of the mug shot is to allow law enforcement to have a photographic record of the arrested individual to allow for identification by victims and investigators. Most mug shots are two-part, with one side-view photo, and one front-view.

mugging - assault upon a person with intent to rob, a threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm.

A person who is easily deceived or victimized:

Some exerpts courtesy Wikipedia.

The Great World Theater;

2009-12-19T06:06:00.005+10:00

The Fourth World War

Directed by Rick Rowley. With Suheir Hammad

4th World War - taken from a speech by Marcos calling the war against globalization the 4th World War - is a brief, documentary of radical resistance to global capitalism

Despite the titanic struggles of dispossessed peoples around the world, the wealth of nations continues to reside in fewer and fewer hands. The economies of poor countries collapse under vicious IMF policies, and capitalism's global 'clubs' thrive ever and ever upward. Meanwhile, people keep struggling, ultimately downward...

To read or see the video please click here

Photo TS

A Myth; chewing 27 times;

2009-11-29T12:45:00.008+10:00

Paella; plenty to chew;

A myth is an 'old wives' tale,' unsubstantiated, accepted beliefs.

Some studies proclaim to chew your food slowly and more then 27 times. True or false?

When people emerged from the shadows they hunted and gathered their food. There was never food in abundance. As faster they chewed and swallowed as more they could eat, because they did not know when their next food would be available. This means we have not been programmed by nature to eat slowly. We are programmed to gobble down our food. Civilisation has brought forward more refined table manners which means to eat slowly and savour the food we are eating.

Imagine the family sitting around the table eating dinner; everyone counts how many chews, no time for an interesting talk, or how was your day, no, everybody is busy chewing and counting; Who ever had this ridiculous idea?

After eating go for a walk; true or false?

Our ancestors would happily curl up, rest and sleep after their meal. Animals do not go for a walk after they have eaten; they rest.

It is programmed in us, once we have hunted, caught and eaten our food, we were tired and it was not necessary to go and hunt again, as our tummies were full.

Civilisation has changed our lifestyle, but after a good meal we still feel pleasantly tired to have a nap if possible.

Greed; Nepotism and laissez faire...A Satire;

2009-11-05T06:33:00.009+10:00

Happily they meet and smile; nothing happened to them. Congratulate each other, how well the sandman trick works.

The taxpayers money which could have been used to build schools, hospitals, public transport, repair roads and would also have provided many with work, was used to bail out the big shots. Rubbing their well manicured hands, adjusting their silk ties, looking suave in their SavilleRow suits and handmade shoes. They can expect a huge bonus pay out for their negligence.

The lili faced executives shake hands we have got away with it again.

Politicans smile like it were their children who have got away with a little

prank.

The Group of Eight (G8, and formerly the G6 or Group of Six) is a forum, created by France in 1975, for governments of eight nations of the northern hemisphere: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States; in addition, the European Union is represented within the G8, but cannot host or chair.[1] "G8" can refer to the member states or to the annual summit meeting of the G8 heads of government. The former term, G6, is now frequently applied to the six most populous countries within the European Union (see G6 (EU)). G8 ministers also meet throughout the year, such as the G7/8 finance ministers (who meet four times a year), G8 foreign ministers, or G8 environment ministers.

Each calendar year, the responsibility of hosting the G8 rotates through the member states in the following order: France, United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada. The holder of the presidency sets the agenda, hosts the summit for that year, and determines which ministerial meetings will take place. Lately, both France and the United Kingdom have expressed a desire to expand the group to include five developing countries, referred to as the Outreach Five (O5) or the Plus Five: Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa. These countries have participated as guests in previous meetings, which are sometimes called G8+5. Recently, France, Germany, and Italy are lobbying to include Egypt to the O5 and expand the G8 to G14.[2]

The more the merrier!

Politicians are thoroughly trained in "Sandmanship" to sprinkle enough sand into the citizens eyes to put them to sleep.

My World Tuesday;The sky of Australia;

2009-10-28T04:49:00.006+10:00

Airport in Bourke;

Fly around the world! Click here

Billy has been very sick;

2009-10-26T19:56:00.011+10:00

Hi Bozo; I have been very sick. I had a paralysing tick; I have been lucky and have recovered. We have to be very watchful and checking me every day.

Tick Paralysis

Tick paralysis in animals is caused by a salivary neurotoxin produced by certain species of ticks. Usually this is caused by the adult female tick during the period of rapid engorgement (days 5-7), although large numbers of larval or nymphal ticks may also cause paralysis.

Epidemiology

The most famous and dangerous tick in this respect is the Paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, of the Eastern coast of Australia, which attacks humans, dogs, cats, foxes and many livestock animals.

Pathogenesis

I. holocyclus causes reversible myocardial depression and diastolic failure, leading to cardiogenic pulmonary edema. In severe cases, increased PCV (packed cell volume) reflects a fluid shift from the circulation to the lungs. Progressive pulmonary dysfunction appears to be primarily due to edema, leading to hypoxia, hypercarbia, respiratory acidosis, and eventually death.

Removal of ticks does not immediately halt the progression of the disease, once clinical signs are apparent. Death from respiratory failure is likely to occur within 1-2 days of onset of clinical signs. Appropriate and prompt action saves ~95% of affected animals.

Treatment

In Australia, the disease commonly continues to progress after removal of ticks, and treatment is indicated for animals with motor or respiratory impairment. In cases in which an adult female Paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, has been removed, but nevertheless clinical symptoms develop within the next 24 hours, a canine tick hyperimmune serum, also called tick antiserum (TAS), is the specific treatment against the tick paralysis. TAS should be given as early in the disease as possible; subsequent “top up” doses are not very effective. For dogs, a minimal dosage of 0.5-1.0 ml/kg, warmed up to room temperature, is given slowly intravenously.

About 5% of animals are likely to die despite all treatment efforts, especially those with advanced paralysis and dyspnea. Older animals or those with pre-existing cardiopulmonary disease are at greatest risk. For animals that recover, owners should be advised to continue searching for ticks, use appropriate preventative methods to repel and kill ticks, and avoid stressing or strenuously exercising the animal over the next two months.

Human tick paralysis

In humans, tick paralysis is most likely to be seen in children. The symptoms in humans are similar to the clinical signs in dogs, including unsteady gait, increased weakness of the limbs, multiple rashes, headache, fever, flu-like symptoms, tenderness of lymph nodes, and partial facial paralysis. Despite the removal of the tick, the patient's condition typically will continue to deteriorate for a time and recovery is often slow.

I am feeling so much better again.

I wish you a very happy birthday Sam; you look pretty cool with your rawhide cigar!

Click here for wings and paws

Sting!

2009-09-02T14:19:00.008+10:00

East of Everything;

Drama on ABC 1.

ABC should announce if you want to watch a boring, badly produced drama watch ABC 1 on Saturday evening.

I have watched the past episodes , with little hope from the beginning, that it would get better.

This is such rubbish.

The production is bad and amateurish.

Who has written and produced such utter drivel.

I wonder who has made the decision to show this awfully boring story on ABC 1 on Saturdays.

Out of 10 I give it 1 and that is very generous.

There are such wonderful dramas or comedies produced and we are ending up with this cheap, stupid and shoddy production.

Pet Pride; Billy has a visitor;

2009-08-19T06:24:00.005+10:00

Come on Louie lets play....

Yes, its me ....
Where are you going

Hi Bozo, I had a good time...gosh how we chased each other, where is she now?

Here she goes home again!

Click here for wings and paws.

Pet Pride; The Angelinas;

2009-08-04T18:39:00.003+10:00

Hi Bozo; today I want you yo meet the "Angelinas". I am sure you would like to chase them. I have to tell you it is not allowed, I have tried a few times...they lay eggs and they are yummy! Have you got chickens at your home?

For wings and paws please click here

My World; Cairns, Australia;

2009-07-28T07:54:00.011+10:00

This picture was taken from the top floor at the Mercure Hotel in January which is the rainy season in the tropics. The mountains are hung with clouds, it rains every day and it is hot and steamy. The hotel was all right, but I would not choose it anymore as it is to far out of the city.

I like Cairns, it still has a bit of an old fashioned flair which gives this tropical city a wonderful ambiance. I think I could live there.

Click here for Cairns

Click here... and see many more places...

Pet Pride; Billy;

2009-07-21T16:00:00.004+10:00

Hi Bozo, do you want to play?

click here to visit wingsandpaws;

Pet Pride; Mrs. Benteli;

2009-07-07T05:52:00.008+10:00

Mrs. Benteli was born in our garden 14 years ago. Her name, Mrs. Benteli, derives from a little story.

Every Sunday morning an old lady went past our garden. Every Sunday she wore a black dress with tiny white dots, just like Tooki's plumage. Mrs Benteli comes when I call her. She talks all the time to herself.

She more or less tolerated Mitzi and Sophie,the dogs, sometimes there was a little skirmish but Mrs Benteli always stood her ground.

Now in her old age she has never accepted Billy, probably because he is also a Jack Russel when he joined our family more then two years ago.

We had a Rottweiler called Taj. He was a wonderful dog with a very sweet nature. He was her friend, she slept between his paws.

She lives now in the orchard with the chickens. I feed her twice a day away from the chickens so she can have her little treats. She still comes for walks with me in the orchard.

wings and paws click here

My World; Broadbeach;

2009-07-01T07:10:00.007+10:00

A small part of My World, Gold Coast city, is Broadbeach with its Highrises and Holiday lifestyle! This is a glance from the Monorail which connects the Jupiter's Casino with a shopping area called Oasis.

Please click here for showyourworld

Pet Pride; Our Billy;

2009-06-23T06:16:00.007+10:00

My name is Billy. I am a Jack Russell, born two and a half years ago. I am a very astute dog I do not take NO for an answer. My family insisted that I show some of my baby pictures, because they think I was so cute. OK lets get it over;

Here I am in all my puppy cuteness.

Please click here to go to wings and paws to participate and see many more friends of the family.

My World; Native Birds;

2009-06-09T06:16:00.011+10:00

The Galah; Eolophus rosaicapilla;

"shall we stay or go"?

"Try this, it is tasty"!

" OK then, you win"!

The Galahs love to come to eat the seed of the Tipuana Tipu tree.

The Galah ), Eolophus roseicapilla, also known as the Rose-breasted Cockatoo, Galah Cockatoo, Roseate Cockatoo or Pink and Grey, is one of the most common and widespread cockatoos, and it can be found in open country in almost all parts of mainland Australia.
It is endemic in Australia (including Tasmania), where its distinctive pink and grey plumage and its bold and loud behaviour make it a familiar sight in the bush and increasingly in urban areas.
The term galah is derived from gilaa, a word found in Yuwaalaraay and neighbouring Aboriginal languages.[1]

Source wikipedia

Galah is also a familiar Australian slang term for a foolish person.

Showyourworld click here

Photos TS

Henry Lawson 1867-1922; Poetry

2009-05-27T07:47:00.009+10:00

Reedy River;

Ten miles down Reedy River a pool of water lies,
And all the year it mirrors the changes in the skies,
And in that pool's broad bosom is room for all the stars;
Its bed of sand has drifted o'ver countless rocky bars.

Around the lower edges there waves a bed of reeds,
Where water rats are hidden and where the wild duck breeds;
And grassy slopes rise gently to ridges long and low,
Where groves of wattle flourish and native bluebells grow.

Beneath the granite ridges the eye may just discern
Where Rocky Creek emerges from deep green banks of fern;
And standing tall between them, the grassy she-oaks cool
The hard, blue-tinted waters before they reach the pool.

Ten miles down Reedy River one Sunday afternoon,
I rode with Mary Campbell to that broad, bright lagoon;
We left our horses grazing till shadows climbed the peak,
And strolled beneath the she-oaks on the banks of Rocky Creek.

Then home along the river that night we rode a race,
And the moonlight lent a glory to Mary Campbell's face;
And I pleaded for our future all through that moonlight ride,
Until our weary horses drew closer side by side

Ten miles from Ryan's Crossing and five miles below the peak,
I built a little homestead o the banks of Rocky Creek;
I cleared the land and fenced it and ploughed the rich, red loam,
And my first crop was golden when I brought my Mary home.

Now still down Reedy River the grassy she-oaks sigh,
And the water-holes still mirror the pictures in the sky;
And over all for ever Go sun and moon and stars,
While the golden sand is drifting Across the rocky bars.

But of the hut I builded there are no traces now.

And many rains have levelled the furrows of the plough;

And my bright days are olden, for the twisted branches wave

And the wattle blossoms golden on the hill by Mary's grave.

Henry Lawson

My world; A guest for lunch;

2009-05-25T19:50:00.007+10:00

On Sunday a yellow crested Cockatoo flew in, said hello and wanted lunch. This bird was tame. It followed the vegetable gardener around. He could give it a pat, but it did not like me.

It was hanging around for a few hours and then suddenly took off and flew away.

Photos TS.

To see the world click here

Deep fried Pastries; "Schenkeli"

2009-05-21T05:20:00.009+10:00

The autumn sky;

Generally this deep fried traditional pastry is strictly for Carnival times which occurs in Switzerland in February. Here are no Carnival celebrations and in any case February in the subtropics is not an ideal month to make deep fried pastries, as it is still very humid and hot. I can not help myself but once a year I have to make Schenkeli. The ideal time is late autumn or winter. As I usually can not wait until winter, I make them in autumn. They are easy and quick. the only time it takes, is to let the dough rest over night, possibly in the fridge.

The finished Schenkeli which means loosely translated, "small thighs". Somebody had already sticky fingers.

The recipe if you want to try your hand on these. They are yummy and moreish!

Schenkeli (small thighs)

makes around 30

Butter 50 g

Sugar 125 g mix well together

Eggs 2 add

pinch of salt beat well by hand or with a electric beater until light and frothy.

Kirsch or Brandy 1 Tblspoon

The grated peel of 1 lemon

250 g plain flour

add to mixture and quickly knead the dough. For best results leave it in the fridge over night.

Make longish rolls about a finger thick, cut those in 8 cm long sticks. Deep fry in Peanut oil. I let them rest on absorbent paper to soak up the oil. The oil should not be to hot until the Schenkeli have risen and split. Sieve plenty of icing sugar over them. Ready to eat with a cup of tea or coffee.

Enjoy!

My World; Pelicans; Pelecanus conspicillatus;

2009-05-19T06:34:00.009+10:00

The Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) is a large water bird, widespread on the inland and coastal waters of Australia and New Guinea, also in Fiji, parts of Indonesia and as a vagrant to New Zealand.
　
The Australian Pelican was first described by Dutch naturalist Coenraad Jacob Temminck in 1824. Its specific epithet is derived from the Latin verb conspicere 'to perceive', hence 'conspicuous'.
　
The Australian Pelican is medium-sized by pelican standards: 1.6 to 1.8 m (5.3-6 ft) long with a wingspan of 2.3 to 2.5 m (7.6–8.3 ft) and weighing 4 to 13 kg (9–29 lb).[1][2] It is predominantly white with black along the primaries of the wings. The pale, pinkish bill is enormous, even by pelican standards, and is the largest bill in the avian world. The record-sized bill was 49 cm (19.5 in) long.
　
Australian Pelicans prefer large expanses of open water without too much aquatic vegetation. The surrounding environment is unimportant: it can be forest, grassland, desert, estuarine mudflats, an ornamental city park, or industrial wasteland, provided only that there is open water able to support a sufficient supply of fish.
Australian Pelicans follow no particular schedule of regular movement, simply following the availability of food supplies. When the normally barren Lake Eyre filled during 1974 to 1976, for example, only a handful of pelicans remained around the coastal cities: when the great inland lakes dried again, the population dispersed once more, flocks of thousands being seen on the northern coasts and some individuals reaching Christmas Island, Palau and New Zealand.
　
The Australian Pelican begins breeding at two or three years of age. Breeding season varies, occurring in winter in tropical areas (north of 26oS) and late spring in parts of southern Australia. Any time after rainfall is usual in inland areas. The nest is a shallow depression in earth or sand, sometimes with some grass lining. Grassy platforms are constructed at Lake Alexandrina in South Australia. Nesting is communal, with colonies located on islands or sheltered areas in the vicinity of lakes or the sea. Breeding Australian pelicans will lay one or three chalky-white eggs measuring 93 x 57 mm, which are often scratched and dirty.[3] After they hatch, the larger one will be fed more, and the smaller one will eventually die of starvation. For the first two weeks the chicks will be fed regurgitated liquid, but for the remaining two months they will be fed fish such as goldfish or the introduced European carp, and some invertebrates. Widespread throughout its large range, the Australian Pelican is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Source Wikipedia

Photo TS.

Showyourworld click here

Mother's Day;

2009-05-16T07:06:00.007+10:00

The vegetable gardener, Poeta and Scientist, closed his eyes and handed over the finances.
Considering ( the little money I spend) I had quite a good shopping spree.

No, I did not buy this rose. Elina grows in my garden from a cutting, which was free from my daughter's garden.

I bought a new teapot. Botanic blue from Portmeirion.

I really "needed" a new shopping bag. Who could say no to this snazzy piece. (It is not leather, fine for me.)

Who would guess that this cute purse is woven from bamboo. It is from Ciannis.

My favourite, a new journal, spring green embossed with flowers, made in Italy.

I can not wait to use all these blank pages.

A little egghead...a tape measure (they always disappear) this one has a magnet and hopefully stays on the fridge door.

I had a few nice Mother's Days staying with my second daughter in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. The cottage has no electricity, outdoor toilet had a wonderful view in to the bush. Shower had piping hot water and in the evening the solar lights came on. In the morning a chorus of bird song was welcoming the new day.

My World; The Bush;

2009-05-12T07:10:00.006+10:00

In Australia, woodlands are called "the bush". The vegetation exudes a certain scent, warm and exotic, very alluring, sometimes similar to "la garrigue in the Provence".

I chased a lonely butterfly...that is all I came up with! I think it is a Monarch who has lost its realm!

The bush is also a busy building site.

Some build mansions...this ants nest is as hard as concrete.

Showyourworld click here

Changing Time;

2009-05-07T07:15:00.007+10:00

CHANGING TIME

THE cloud looked in at the window,

And said to the day, "Be dark!"

And the roguish rain tapped hard on the pane,

To stifle the song of the lark.

The wind sprang up in the tree tops

And shrieked with a voice of death,

But the rough-voiced breeze, that shook the trees,

Was touched with a violet's breath.

Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)

My World; Country Roads;

2009-05-05T10:12:00.013+10:00

Up and down....

...and straight ahead...

...through a town... or two

... around the bend....

Click here to travel on roads around the world.

Photos TS.

My World; The Phoenician; Broadbeach;

2009-04-28T11:37:00.006+10:00

I rather think of The Phoenician on Broadbeach as a building from One Thousand and One Nights. If you click the picture you will see Scheherezade waving from the balcony; (If you are lucky.)

BTW this is not her car.)

click here to fly on a carpet around the world.

Grandparents' Day;

2009-04-26T11:14:00.012+10:00

Invitation to Grandparents Day at Somerset International school;

It was my youngest grandchild's first Grandparents' day. It was also Easter, so she posed with the Easter bunny and painted for me a ....

....colourful Easter egg. We had lunch together and shared the goodies the nice, helping ladies have put together in a basket for the visitors.

Somerset College click here

Photos TS

My World Tuesday; Roots;

2009-04-21T19:24:00.007+10:00

In September, the cows who have spent all summer long up on the alps are coming down to the village into their winter quarters. It is like a folks festival . There are stalls where people can try the different cheeses made on the alps. A competition is held to determine on which alp the best cheese has been produced. There are many different cheeses to try and to judge. Unfortunately the weather gods did not play along with a blue sky and kept he mountains shrouded in gray.

My World Tuesday click here

Video TS.

Poetry; Alfred, Lord Tennyson 1809-1892

2009-04-16T11:17:00.011+10:00

Who has not been intrigued and captured by the great Ballad; The Lady of Shallot.
At the same time grumbled about learning the verses and not wanted to hear more about her.

Willows whiten, aspens quiver,
Little breezes dusk and shiver
Through the wave that runs forever
By the island in the river
Flowing down to Camelot.
Overlook a space of flowers.
And the silent isle imbowers
The Lady of Shalott.

The Lady of Shalott" is a Victorian poem or ballad by the English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892). Like his other early poems – "Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere" and "Galahad" – the poem recasts Arthurian subject matter loosely based on medieval sources.

Tennyson wrote two versions of the poem, one published in 1833, of twenty stanzas, the other in 1842 of nineteen stanzas. It was loosely based on the Arthurian legend of Elaine of Astolat, as recounted in a thirteenth-century Italian novella entitled Donna di Scalotta (No. lxxxi in the collection Cento Novelle Antiche), with the earlier version being closer to the source material than the later.[1] Tennyson focused on the Lady's "isolation in the tower and her decision to participate in the living world, two subjects not even mentioned in Donna di Scalotta."[2]

Source Wikipedia.

My World; Ecovillage;

2009-04-14T06:41:00.011+10:00

My view onto the pretty Ecovillage.

This village is build to standards friendly to the enviroment. If you would like to read and see more about it click here

Please click the pictures to enlarge.

Interesting and wonderful places around the world; click here

Photos TS.

My World; Stingers;

2009-04-07T09:49:00.012+10:00

Marine Stingers (Jellyfish)
There is an array of jellyfish (also called 'marine stingers') in Queensland's tropical waters.
Stingers are of particular concern in waters between November to May/June. In Tropical North Queensland, we call this period 'stinger season'

Ellis Beach North Queensland;

The most dangerous species that may be present in North Queensland waters during stinger season is one of the species of Box Jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri). It can cause fatalities.
There are also jellyfish commonly known as Irukandji Jellyfish. This name is used to encompass a group of jellyfish that can cause Irukandji Syndrome. Irukandji Syndrome is a painful reaction to a Irukandji sting and may require hospitalisation.

Vinegar station;

Many beaches have a bottle of household vinegar provided on the beach. If you are stung, pour vinegar on the sting and then seek medical attention.

Look for and observe warning signs. Don't swim when beaches are closed.
During stinger season many beaches in Tropical North Queensland have stinger-resistant enclosures (stinger nets) to help protect swimmers from jellyfish. Stinger nets afford a high degree of protection, however, they are stinger 'resistant' not stinger 'proof'. To avoid Irukandji stings check with the beach lifeguard / lifesaver.
Do not interfere with stinger nets or sit on floating pontoons. During stinger season it is advised to wear protective clothing (wet suit or lycra 'stinger suit') when swimming in the sea (beach and reef). Enter water slowly (Chironex Box Jellyfish will often swim away from people given the opportunity and time).

(The beaches in South East Queensland are free of stingers. )

Source : Health Queensland Gov.

Photos TS.

click her for pictures and stories around the world.

Poetry; Paul Laurence Dunbar;

2009-04-02T07:42:00.015+10:00

One of my favourite poets; Paul Laurence Dunbar; 1872-1906;

AS a quiet little seedling lay within its darksome bed,

to itself it fell a-talking, and this is what it said:

"I am not so very robust, but I'll do the best I can;"

And the seedling from that moment its work of life began.

So it pushed a little leaflet up into the light of day,

To examine the surroundings and show the rest the way.

The leaflet liked the prospect, so it called its brother, Stem;

Then two other leaflets heard it, and quickly followed them.

To be sure, the haste and hurry made the seedling sweat and pant;

But almost before it knew it, it found itself a plant.

The sunshine poured upon it and the clouds they gave a shower;

And the little plant kept growing, till it found itself a flower.

Little folks, be like the seedling, always do the best you can;

Every child must share life's labor just as well as every man.

And the sun and showers will help you through the lonesome, struggling hours,

Till you raise to light and beauty virtue's fair, unfading flowers.

Photos Flowers TS.

My World; Tuesday;

2009-03-30T18:16:00.007+10:00

Are silent rivers and huge colourful sand dunes. Please click the pictures.

Tiny rock pools with treasures in subtle colours.

Shells and pieces of coral...

Click here to see many more, My World Tuesday;

Blooming Friday; Dichorisandra thyrsiflora;

2009-03-27T13:13:00.020+10:00

Under an autumnal blue sky....

....is the time for Dichorisandra thyrisflora to bloom...

(click pictures for details.)

Blue Ginger, Dichorisandra thyrsiflora is not a true ginger, but it has ginger-like, arching stems and vibrant, purple/blue flowers in autumn. This exotic Brazilian perennial is the perfect plant for moist, shady spots in the garden and looks particularly good teamed with tree ferns and palms. It also makes a good pot plant.
Blue ginger grows around 2m (6') tall and 1m (3') wide. The 30cm (12") long leaves are narrow, glossy and dark green. Blue ginger is frost tender, and does best from Sydney to Perth and areas north.

This plant does very well in my subtropical Garden. It is also easy to propagate. Cut off a piece of stem and plant it in the warm time of the year.
Photos TS.

Be curious and click here you won't be dissapointed.

My World;

2009-03-23T20:18:00.008+10:00

Are beautiful National parks;

This area is full of butterflies and tiny birds flitting about and a constant chorus of bird voices.

... including 60 km of coastline.

Click here for many more My World pictures around the world.

Poor, dismissed dogs! you are a pain...

2009-03-19T06:00:00.014+10:00

Our Billy loved and cherished. Billy is now two years old; he joined us when he was a tiny pup, eight weeks old. He has learned our ways; and we have learned his ways!

I came upon this post randomly. The story was about children and their wee ways of talking and picking up words from adults.

The lady asked one small girl "have you still got your Jack Russel"? No, said the small person, he was a pain in the a...! No I do not think this is funny; it is rather ugly coming out of the mouth of a small child.

I feel sorry for every dog who has the misfortune to end up with a family who is a pain in the a...!

I do not like people who do not teach their children to have compassion towards animals.

Why do people have a dog in the first place? To satisfy the whims of their spoiled, stupid children? Once the craze of the puppy stage is gone and the dog is not behaving because the pain in the a..family has no clue how to train a dog, the poor dog is dismissed, sold or whatever. If he is lucky he will end up with a loving family who understands him and give him some training to fit into family life. Dogs are part of the family they are not just pets! A dog in a family is a friend for life!

My World; Australia;

2009-03-17T13:19:00.010+10:00

My world are Kangaroos. This mother and her joey live in the Yuraygir Nationalpark in Northern New South Wales. Please click the picture to see the joey.

click here My World Tuesday

Photos TS.

Mathematics in Nature; The Fibonacci spiral;

2009-03-15T20:16:00.012+10:00

The Fibonacci Spiral is a mathematical formula in which each interconnected area is the sum of the two preceding areas.

The golden ratio; the sum of two unequal quantities plus the larger of the two is the same as the

ratio between the larger and the smaller.

The Fibonacci numbers are a sequence of numbers named after Leonardo of Pisa, known as Fibonacci (a contraction of filius Bonaccio, "son of Bonaccio"). Fibonacci's 1202 book Liber Abaci introduced the sequence to Western European mathematics, although the sequence had been previously described in Indian mathematics.

The Fibonacci sequence was well known in ancient India, where it was applied to the metrical sciences (prosody), long before it was known in Europe. Developments have been attributed to Pingala (200 BC), Virahanka (6th century AD), Gopāla (c.1135 AD), and Hemachandra (c.1150 AD).[6]

Award for "thisandthat";

2009-03-11T07:47:00.006+10:00

I have received this cute "hearty" award.

Nina has a blog called shabby chic with eclectic, decorative ideas. Nina has stretched out her hands in friendship to me with this award.

I wish that my blogger friends come forward and extend their hands in friendship.

This award is waiting for YOU .

My World, Australia;

2009-03-10T07:51:00.007+10:00

My world embraces gently rolling hills and....

Please click pictures to enlarge.

the Pacific Ocean.

Click here to visit other places around the world.

My Global kitchen cupboard;

2009-03-07T12:31:00.021+10:00

My silver water jug is made by Whitehill, not in England but Indonesia.

Villeroy and Boch fine china is still made in Germany.

These cute Robert Gordon Pottery is still made in Australia;

The famous and very practical mixing bowls Rosti are originally from Denmark, but I think they are now made in Thailand.

The practical and sturdy Melamine tray from Villeroy and Boche is made in China.

I am not happy about Globalisation. Trade between countries has always existed and I agree with that. But not Globalisation. I do not mind buying from other countries, per example beautiful leather goods from Italy, designed and made in Italy not designed in Italy and made in China. Wedgwood china made in Indonesia; no thank you very much.

I hate to see all the skills abandoned, manufacturing moved to Asian countries for more profits. It is a completely wrong approach and our Governments we have elected and are paid by us should address that to keep work and manufacturing at home.

Globalisation curtails our rights, our traditions our language and our money. When a country forfeits its manufacturing of goods, its currency, it looses its Independence.

The people of Ireland voted to reject the Lisbon Treaty. But politicians across Europe are refusing to accept the result. They arrogantly insist that the Treaty must go ahead anyway. Despite the no vote, the UK Government is planning to carry on regardless, and ratify the Treaty in the House of Lords on Wednesday.This is part of an attempt to isolate and bully the people of Ireland.

Only Ireland is constitutionally obliged to hold a referendum. Thus, out of a European population of 620 million, only one country of four million will be given any say on the Treaty. Even this has caused nervousness within the European ruling elite.

King Gee, Bonds job cuts: Dark day for Illawarra textile workers

BY ALEX ARNOLD

Almost 300 Illawarra clothing manufacturing workers, many of them in tears, were told yesterday their jobs would be axed with the closure of the Bonds factory at Unanderra and the KingGee factory at Bellambi.
The announcement stunned the mostly female workforce, many of whom have worked for the iconic clothing brands for decades.
The decision by Pacific Brands to move its manufacturing operations offshore will result in a loss of 281 Illawarra jobs and 1850 jobs nationwide.
"The company decided it owed more allegiance to the stock exchange than it did to staff and union members."
Pacific Brands, which also manufactures Holeproof, Dunlop, Stussy, Mossimo, Berlei and Hard Yakka brands, is one of the country's largest clothing manufacturers.

Since the 2000-01 financial year Pacific Brands has received more than $72 million in government assistance.

Instead of enabling small businesses to produce products much cheaper, the government imports identical products to those produced locally. The importing of foreign imports from multinationals is destroying local producers.

Deregulation enables multinationals to get products much cheaper than small businesses, at the poor primary producers expense.

Multinationals suppress inventions and discoveries so that the world is forced to rely on their redundant, wasteful, costly and addictive products that bring them great profit.

Multinationals control the price of energy and essential products and services despite the fact that there are much more efficient but suppressed methods available.

International laws appear good, but are deceptively introduced to give the powerful more power.

If countries don't accept a condition, they are given sanctions or their leaders are brought down. Peace agreements and common ties between countries have some benefit, but give the world a false sense of security and tie countries together ready for a one world government.

The stock market is overvalued and rigged.

Banks create money from nothing and demand it back, together with unnecessarily high interest.They encourage waste of money so that they can profit from the interest. (Money was covered by gold, today it is only real estate.)

Government policies are advised by unelected bureaucrats, linked to and influenced by the powerful multinationals.

What do you think about Globalisation?

My World; Australia;

2009-03-03T06:44:00.008+10:00

In the tropics growth is exuberant;

Ferns are growing all over the trees in humid conditions;

click here for many different showyourworld pictures.

My World; Australia;

2009-02-23T19:58:00.019+10:00

Please enlarge pictures.

White faced Heron; Egretta novae hollandiae;

Fritz is a permanent live-in guest in our garden since many years. Her home is a very tall Hoop Pine. Up there she rears every spring one or two young ones. A few days ago, I heard her calling she was very upset. So I thought I better go and have a look. It was very dark, I took my strong flashlight and shone it up the tree. I saw her high up on her usual branch.

Further down Mrs. Benteli our tame guinea fowl, she lives with us since 1995, was roosting on her usual place. In between to big yellow eyes were looking down belonging to a black ringtail possum. It must have disturbed Fritz. After that commotion all was quiet, everybody went back to sleep except the possum.

This bird is completely wild and free.

My world is rainy, it is warm and steamy and the leaves don't stop growing!

showyourworld click here

Vanilla;

2009-02-21T15:29:00.019+10:00

Reading: Vanilla by Tim Ecott; Travels in search of the Luscious Substance.

Most people love Vanilla. Already the word Vanilla evokes an expectation of something beautifully scented and rare. It is used in all sorts of sweets and the taste is sublime when the real Vanilla bean is used. Artificial Vanilla is awful it is to strong and leaves a bad aftertaste. Most manufactured sweets are flavoured with artificial Vanilla. Use in your own kitchen the real Vanilla only. Never ever use artificial Vanilla essence.

Vanilla is also used in perfumes.

I have planted Vanilla Orchids. I also have made cuttings which have taken.
Unfortunately I have not been diligent enough to look after them. When we had a very dry year I lost them all. I try again to find some plants and go from there.

Vanilla is a flavoring derived from orchids of the genus Vanilla native to Mexico. Etymologically, vanilla derives from the Spanish word "vainilla", little pod. [1]Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés is credited with introducing both the spice and chocolate to Europe in the 1520s.[2]

Attempts to cultivate the vanilla plant outside Mexico and Central America proved futile because of the symbiotic relationship between the tlilxochitl vine that produced the vanilla orchid and the local species of Melipona bee;

In 1841, a 12-year-old French-owned slave by the name of Edmond Albius, who lived on Île Bourbon, discovered the plant could be hand pollinated, allowing global cultivation of the plant.[4]
There are currently three major cultivars of vanilla grown globally.The majority of the world's vanilla that is produced is the V. planifolia variety, more commonly known as "Madagascar-Bourbon" vanilla, which is produced in a small region of the East African nation of Madagascar and in Indonesia.[7][8]
Vanilla is the second most expensive spice after saffron, due the extensive labor required to grow the seed pods used in its manufacture. Despite the expense, it is highly valued for its flavor which author Frederic Rosengarten, Jr. described in The Book of Spices as "pure, spicy, and delicate" and its complex floral aroma depicted as a "peculiar bouquet."[9] Regardless of its high cost, vanilla is widely used in both commercial and domestic baking, perfume manufacture and aroma therapy.[9]

History
The first to cultivate vanilla were the Totonac people, who inhabit the Mazantla Valley on the Gulf Coast of Mexico in the present-day state of Veracruz. According to Totonac mythology, the tropical orchid was born when Princess Xanat, forbidden by her father from marrying a mortal, fled to the forest with her lover. The lovers were captured and beheaded. Where their blood touched the ground, the vine of the tropical orchid grew.[3]

Madagascar (mostly the fertile region of Sava) accounts for half of the global production of vanilla. Mexico, once the leading producer of natural vanilla with an annual 500 tons, produced only 10 tons of vanilla in 2006. An estimated 95% of “vanilla” products actually contain artificial vanillin, produced from lignin.[12]

Lignin or lignen is a complex chemical compound most commonly derived from wood, and an integral part of the secondary cell walls of plants[1] and some algae/[2] The term was introduced in 1819 by de Candolle and is derived from the Latin word lignum,[3] meaning wood. It is one of the most abundant organic polymers on Earth, exceeded only by cellulose, employing 30% of non-fossil organic carbon[4] and constituting from a quarter to a third of the dry mass of wood. As a biopolymer, lignin is unusual because of its heterogeneity and lack of a defined primary structure. Its most commonly noted function is the support through strengthening of wood (xylem cells) in trees. [5] [6][7]

: Vanilla (orchid)
The main species harvested for vanillin is Vanilla planifolia. Vanilla grows as a vine , climbing up an existing tree (also called a tutor), pole, or other support. It can be grown in a wood (on trees), in a plantation (on trees or poles), or in a "shader", in increasing orders of productivity. Its growth environment is referred to as its terroir and includes not only the adjacent plants, but also the climate, geography and local geology. Left alone, it will grow as high as possible on the support, with few flowers. Every year, growers fold the higher parts of the plant downwards so that the plant stays at heights accessible by a standing human. This also greatly stimulates flowering.

Vanilla planifolia - flower.
The distinctively flavored compounds are found in the fruit, which results from the pollination of the flower. One flower produces one fruit. Vanilla planifolia flowers are hermaphroditic : they carry both male (anther ) and female (stigma ) organs; however, to avoid self-pollination , a membrane separates those organs. The flowers can only be naturally pollinated by a specific Melipone bee found in Mexico (abeja de monte or mountain bee). This bee provided Mexico with a 300 year long monopoly on Vanilla production, from the time it was first discovered by Europeans and the French first transplanted the vines to their overseas colonies, until a substitute was found for the bees. The vines would grow, but would not fruit outside of Mexico. Growers tried to bring this bee into other growing locales, to no avail. The only way to produce fruits without the bees is artificial pollination . And today, even in Mexico, hand pollination is used extensively.

The fruit (a seed capsule), if left on the plant, will ripen and open at the end; as it dries, the phenolic compounds crystallize giving the beans a diamond-dusted appearance which the French call givre (hoarfrost). It will then release the distinctive vanilla smell. The fruit contains tiny, flavorless seeds. In dishes prepared with whole natural vanilla, these seeds are recognizable as black specks.
Like other orchids' seeds, vanilla seed will not germinate without the presence of certain mycorrhizal fungi. Instead, growers reproduce the plant by cutting: they remove sections of the vine with six or more leaf nodes, a root opposite each leaf. The two lower leaves are removed, and this area is buried in loose soil at the base of a support. The remaining upper roots will cling to the support, and often grow down into the soil. Growth is rapid under good conditions.

Medicinal uses
In old medicinal literature, vanilla is described as an aphrodisiac and a remedy for fevers. It has been shown that vanilla does increase levels of catecholamines (including epinephrine, more commonly known as adrenaline), and as such can also be considered mildly addictive.[32][33]
In an in-vitro test vanilla was able to block quorum sensing in bacteria. This is medically interesting because in many bacteria quorum sensing signals function as a switch for virulence. The microbes only become virulent when the signals indicate that they have the numbers to resist the host immune system response.[34]
The essential oils of vanilla and vanillin are sometimes used in aromatherapy

Do you like to find out more about Vanilla click here Wikipedia

My World; Australia

2009-02-16T22:03:00.003+10:00

A drive in the country;

We were driving in style in a vintage saloon Mercedes Benz; all Mahogany and shiny fenders;

Comfortable, dark blue leather seats still in pristine condition....and the wind was in our
hair...

Which way?

Past farmland with waving Sugarcane...in the background Mount Warning...
also known as Wollumbin in the Bunjalung language.

More to read about Mount Warning

We arrived in a tiny township, Chillingham where the creek is called "hopping Dick" (there is a story behind this name). No, not everybody drives a Mercedes in Australia; This was an invitation to a barbecue from the Mercedes Club. Many Vintage cars turned up but also the latest super Models!

The sky was blue with a few billowing clouds....it was fairly hot!

As you know I am a country girl more interested in good soil than cars. This is "chocolate" soil, the best to grow anything. It is rumoured that one can stick a broom upside down into this soil and it will grow!

sans parole....

To travel to a different world click here

Photos TS

Blooming Friday;

2009-02-12T19:26:00.000+10:00

This subtle coloured Laelia Orchid is quietly flowering under...

this pink Frangipane (Plumeria) tree;

Please click here to enjoy more Blooming Friday pictures.

Photos T.S.

What is sweet and orange?

2009-02-12T07:37:00.000+10:00

No it's not an Orange ;

it is my original Swiss Carrot Torte.

Photo Carrots color line

Recipe
Ingredients for 24 cm round Tin (spring form)
80 g flour
1 tbl spoon of baking powder
250 g sugar
1 teaspoons cinnamon
1 pinch of clove powder
1 pinch of salt
250 g of carrots, finely grated
1 lemon
250 g ground almonds
5 egg yolk
5 egg white whipped until stiff
Preparation:
Whip egg yolks and sugar
Add Flour , sugar, cinnamon, clove powder and salt, mix well.
Add carrots, almonds, lemon juice and lemon zest mix well.

Fold in whipped egg whites.

Grease a round cake tin, ( Springform) line the bottom with baking paper
Bake for about 50 minutes at 180°C (355°F) in the pre-heated oven.

When the cake is cold spread the top with icing flavoured with lemon or bitter almond essence.
250 g Icing sugar
2-3 tbl.spoons lemon juice or water flavored with 1/8 teaspoon bitter almond essence.

Enjoy baking!

Photos T.S.

My World; Australia;

2009-02-10T07:36:00.000+10:00

Essential Trivia in my world;

Shopping Trolleys in Lismore;

Red and blue bins in Ballina;

Photos T.S.

To Show your World click here

My World, Australia;

2009-02-03T13:32:00.000+10:00

Flying home from Cairns to Brisbane; Fields of sugarcane; far North tropical Queensland.

For more pictures click here My World;

Click pictures for a better view.

Photos T.S.

Blooming Friday; Kathleen;

2009-01-30T13:40:00.000+10:00

This lovely cailin 'Kathleen' graces our entrance up to the driveway to our home.

Please click pictures to appreciate its silken beauty.

Tibouchina granulosa 'Kathleen'
This cultivar has pink flowers (The original species T. granulosa has purple flowers), and will grow into a tree if left unpruned.

In the literature, gardeners are generally advised to plant Tibouchinas in well drained, acidic soils and to supply plenty of water and fertiliser. However, Tibouchinas are seen all over Brisbane in situations where soils are probably less than ideal and where they're unlikely to be receiving any supplemental water or fertiliser after establishment. In this region, therefore, they can be considered relatively tough, trouble-free plants for average garden conditions.
Of course, they are more likely to perform at their best with a little attention. They are widely believed to like an acid soil so this should be kept in mind when considering fertilisers, potting mixes and soil amendments.
As with most shrubs, the best time for major pruning is immediately after flowering (the main flowering for Tibouchina being autumn).

Please visit Blooming Friday; click here

Photos T.S.

My World; Australia;

2009-01-27T07:27:00.000+10:00

Glimpses of the Ecovillage in the Currumbin Valley. It has won a world award for its Green approach. The Village is surrounded by a sanctuary for wildlife. Cats and dogs are not allowed, because of all the native animals which roam the village freely.

Do you want to see other places where people live around the world ?Click My World

Photos T.S.

Blooming Friday; Hibiscus

2009-01-23T11:06:00.000+10:00

Hibiscus flowering in my garden in summer.

To see more flowers on Blooming Friday click here

Photos T.S.