Three is now four!

 Yesterday another little boy came into the family.   Welcome little one and congratulations to my lovely middle son and his partner on adding this bundle to our brood.

It has been such a long time since I have put thoughts in print and I am still not quite settled enough to put my energy into things, especially pottery, but that will come..............next year!  I have more important things to do with my hands - they have to hold this precious little baby grandson.

Today is one of those big ones age wise.....

Thought I would quickly go down to my favourite place today and take some photos to add to the morning pictures of family and gifts for my big 60!    We have had some blustery weather and many trees toppling under the onslaught.   The little stand of beach paperbarks are slowly secumbing to the pounding waves despite their huge lateral roots clinging to the sand.  There was safety in numbers and the entertwining root systems held them together but last year's huge tides and rough weather broke this combined force and they are slowly falling prey to the ocean's fury.   We are all part of this ever changing world - how lucky am I to have had 60 years of living and a great family to share it with.

Sunset and beach grasses

I am sure everyone knows how much I love the beach sunsets.   I struggle to turn away and walk up the little hill until the light completely fades and if by chance I do I spend more time turning and pausing thinking 'should I take another photo'.  I missed today - rumblings again may mean another storm tonight - we need it as it hasn't rained for 3 days and that is almost a drought in the wet!

Pucker Gallery's Randy Johnston Exhibition touched a chord.   The beach grasses are beautiful so I am drawn to his wonderful free strokes on his work.   I marvel at the variety of grass cover in my little beach environment and the change in dominant vegetation as the wet moves through its cycle.   The dry sees all this rich growth disappear and what remains is often ravaged by fire.

Have I touched clay.  Surprises of surprises the hands actually were dirty for a few days - how I miss that passionate embrace on the spinning wheel.  A new year begins!