Devon is divine. He loves to read books, wrap parcels, be shopkeeper, climb and play music. He LOVES to deliver things (being the parcel man). His mum took him to the orchestra in July, and ever since he has been setting up 'orchestras' (drums, keyboard, music stand, bells, xylaphone) and having performances just for us! He sure can keep a beat.

He alternates between these roles, playing each one with intent and delight. He's beginning to play on his own more, finding activities more enticing as his imagination expands. He enjoys school, and the Steiner education seems to be good for him too.

"Guess how much I love you?" he asks today. "How much?" we ask. "To the stars and back forty five million times!" he says, smiling. We love you too. How divine!

Devon and Dad looking out
the bathroom window, in the shade
of the avacado tree ripe with fruit.

I love this property. It's wonerful.

I am very grateful to the fruit-tree planter for the wonderful continual harvest of avacados! We're eating at least one a day and the tree is still filled with them. (August 06, 2007)

GARDENING PHOTO GALLERY
January to July 2007

This terrace is in the back, right-hand corner of our yard. When we first visited, we did not know the terrace was here, we thought it was a small path through the dirt to the back gate... but after a good weeding we found a two-tiered patio, perfect for our outdoor chairs and table.

Our friend Nisargam came to help us put in the back gate.

Devon, always enthusiastic, was the chief-helper.

See the back gate creation... Parkland Gate.

There are a few special heroes and I am very grateful for their support.

Not only for being wonderful beings, but because they came and supported me tremendously in creating a beautiful safe space for my family.

Naveena>> most beautiful beloved, thank you for your encouraging and light-hearted approach to even the most stubborn thicket.

The giant of a man, David Bennett.

For lifting the boulders without thought or effort and placing them so magnificanly in our garden.

And, thank you body, for making all this possible. I am very grateful.

NOTE (TO EVERYONE EXCEPT WORRIERS): The clearing of the side-yard essentially means that it is less-likely that the BIG Dugite Snake we saw a few times will stop by for another visit. The yard was so overgrown, it was a perfect slithering space for a snake, as you can see>>>

Now, it is open and clear with a 10 inch thick base of mulch (the trees are happy). We also closed several gaps in the fence-line, lifting over a tonne of green waste into good-ol Trevor the truck.

Busy Bee Photo Gallery
CLICK HERE

Australia day held the promise of two sets of fireworks. One, in the city of Perth, the other in Fremantle.

It was the first time Fremantle ever had fireworks, and we thought we might 'go down' and see.

However, we have two boys, whose bedtime is at firework-time.

So we decided to climb the ridge behind our house (the quarry ridge) and see if we could see them.

The sky got darker...
The thunder began...
Then lightening flashed across the sky...

We watched, from the ridge, as the storm approached us slowly from the North, looming over Fremantle.

A moment later, both lightening and firework lit the sky.

Bang, bang, bang, BOOM, rumblerumble rumblerumble rumble, BOOM, bang bang bang...rumble...

It was spectacular!

Another Australia Day delight. Photo's can be seen here.

Our new garden is filled with little nooks and crannies, garden areas, levels, etc... it also has a little work to do to get it really feeling comfortable.

The large tree, long since past, was ready to go. Borrowing my friend's chainsaw, I got to work.

I'd never used a chainsaw before, but they are quite easy to handle, with a good set of gloves and ear-muffs, of course.

After removing the branches, I began to carve the trunk into a totem pole.

(The chainsaw I borrowed was not big enough to make it through the thick trunk... thank goodness! I like this as a totem pole.)

I'd never used a chain saw before. They are quite amazing pieces of equipment. Heavy too.

It was apparent after a few minutes of carving that I would either need a lot of time or a bigger chain saw.

My friend Dipaunka has recently given me several dragonfruit trees (4 baby ones). These flowering cacti are triangular (from above) and spiky.

I'v also found out that they like to have a TREE to climb up... so all four are now planted at the base of the dragontree, as we now call it.

They are quite amazingly responsive plants. Within 24 hours, one of them had already bent itself almost 30 degrees towards the tree a mere six inches away.

We ate dragonfruit in Thailand, where they had a red and white variety. The ones I've planted are white... we will see how they like Western Australia!

My friend, Owen Timoney.

We have known eachother since the first grade, and became close friends in High School. Owen is an amazing being. He runs Madcap Theatre, a theatre company specialising in wit and mayhem, as well as excellent children's theatre workshops.

Owen, it was great having you visit. Thanks for coming.

It was interesting to watch my son talking, chatting, playing and bouncing on the trampoline with Owen Timoney. That's what I remember doing with him, but it doesn't feel like very long ago!

Before arriving, Owen visited New Zealand. We have managed to procure a copy of these from Owen's top-secret archive... Owen's Visit to NZ

I'm sure Owen was once a pirate. Despite his thespian pirating, I think the behaviour is innate. I've never seen someone so comfortable in a hammock in my life. He slept so soundly there, swinging in the sunshine, relaxing for hours on end... pirate for sure.

Devon enjoyed Owen's company very much. He still talks about Owen Timoney many months later. Trampoline