Sunday Review of my Blogging Journey

Pic by Gemma Wiseman ~ My blogging world is by the sea, Dromana, Mornington Peninsula
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My reason for blogging
My first blog post on 4th July 2007 was called First Thoughts ~ The Internet for a Grey Nomad. The post began with a reason for blogging...
Fingers trembling, I wander into the caverns of the mysterious internet world. Just a few years ago, I fought passionately against ever feeling a need for a computer. And now??? Well...It's the most exciting research library...an armchair traveller. I love to explore new skills...trial and error style...

As you can see, the reason for blogging was a bit vague! But the reason seemed to take shape as I blogged. I found I was leaning on free verse but exploring quite a range of poetic forms. Poetry was a means of exploring alternative views of the world. So far, blogging seemed to be more for me, giving me confidence as a writer.
A year later, my first digital camera entered the equation. Poetry complemented my photos. It was then that I really found my voice, my blogging identity and my reason for blogging. I wanted to show quirky, cute, arty, weird, entertaining, informative, non-mainstream views of the world around me (mainly the Mornington Peninsula world in Victoria, Australia) plus a hint of spiritual insight. I wanted people to feel some kind of “uplift” after reading my blog. Now, in 2009, I find my main poetic voice is haiku. It takes a moment to read but the thought lingers. Haiku suits the haste of the 21st century but quietly taps into inner realms. Now I hope my haikus and photos refresh world weary minds and spirits.

The story behind my blog name
I chose the word Greyscale initially to symbolise a blog that explored beyond black and white worlds and ventured into those grey, limbo areas that challenge traditional norms. But I found a blogger in Egypt was already known as Greyscale, so I added the word Territory. As my blog evolved, I added my name and the title of Poetic Songlines to indicate it was a poetry based blog.

The best thing about being a blogger
I so love it when people say that they really enjoy a post and then search my blog for more. But the best thing would have to be when they say that they “feel good” or somehow my post/blog lightened their day! That is like a priceless, encouragement award! And if they keep coming back, that must be the ultimate gift for a “hungry” writer/photographer!

The most significant blog post I've ever read
So many! Here are just a few ranging from agony to ecstasy!
1. Beautiful photo of a child reaching for balloons from Sabine in Gozo’s post I had a Dream.
2. Beautiful poem by Sharon of Sweet Repose in Iowa called I Slip Away. Her words are like a mesmerising song on the summer wind of a dreamy Sunday afternoon.
3. Totomai’s Filippino blog called Distilling Thoughts presented a post called Three. His poem personifying a camera is enlightening and the remainder of his post presents 30 of his Top 30 photos over the last 3 years. Each photo seems to give a cameo insight into a soulful dimension! Amazing, unique works of art.
4. All posts in Selma’s heart-wrenching From Tehran With Love, sub-titled It’s all about a dystopia called Tehran. She is one of many women in Tehran who seek human contact on the internet:
And when you breathe
‎If you breathe
Life burns a hole into you
in her post Confirmed on June 30, 2009
5. And Amir’s Tehran 24, sub-titled Daily Photos from Tehran, was caught up in the protests after the Iran election. He disappeared from 17-29th June. His first post declaring his freedom stirred 136 comments of relief from around the world. But one commentator noted that he posted no photos nor said what happened.
No posting appeared again until 18th July.
Finally, a postscript said that his camera was freed 2 days prior.
Since then, "he?" has posted intermittently, beginning with a water display.

My most significant blog post
Out of 2 years’ daily postings, that is very hard to answer. So perhaps I will select 2 posts that were out of my comfort zone. They were topical, confronting and did not involve haikus.
One was called I wanna know why child soldiers and the other complemented this post with a nonet called I’ve never seen your child’s face.
In May 2008, I had just learned that about 300,000 children fight in about 30 conflicts.
Children as young as seven acted as human shields.
Some children joined the army to simply survive.
I had to write!
I simply had to write!
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To blog is to crave

To yearn to communicate

To love being whole

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And where would I be without some very faithful followers!

Michelle of Poefusion must be mentioned here!

The fact that she was first to comment reminded me that I should include her in this post.

Constantly she wishes me well and encourages me!

Thank you so much Michelle!

And then there is Leslie from Kaleidoscope.

She teaches in Canberra and has introduced her students to my haikus!

Thank you so much Leslie!

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NOTE:
In the first comment of my One Single Impression #71 ~ I could be the stranger on the shore post (5.07.09), David McMahon of authorblog asked me to do a Sunday Roast interview.
I was so thrilled because it was right after my Blogoversary.
It seemed a great way to celebrate the new blogging year.
That same day I published a post called Sailing on a high to begin my 3rd year of blogging
This was for the SOOC Sunday meme, but I expressed my excitement about David's request there, returned to his blog and left a "thank you" comment.
I also asked how he wanted my responses to be submitted.
(I could not find an email contact!)
I imagine he leads a very busy, demanding life and in the process has forgotten.
That's OK! I don't think I should hound him about his offer!
I just had prepared my answers already, and felt they may be moving toward being out of date.
So I am publishing them here ~ calling them Sunday Review and slightly altering the headings so I don't plagiarise his style!

Thank you David anyway!
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Saturday Quest

Saturday exhales the pollution of the week, gasping for clean air.

Friday Fall Out

Friday floats into delirious exhaustion like over active fall out.

Thursday Free Fall or Still Climbing

Thursday works and plays on a slope.
Sometimes its the last hurrah near the top of the mountain.
Sometimes its the free fall to base camp.

Wednesday Crossing

Wednesday is the zebra crossing from one kerb to the other.
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For an interesting interpretation of
9.09.09 (today)
see Crystalline Transmission
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Tuesday Limbo

Tuesday is the go-between, the hesitant move forward, the partial profile, the art of the week in progress.
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Monday Challenge

Monday is a good day to test your mettle
and enjoy the success of numbness when you break the pain barrier.
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Sunday Thought

Sunday is the time to let the quiet Sunday drive linger as the energy for Monday.
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NOTICE Re: Wordpress based blogs!

Pic by Gemma Wiseman ~ Red Hill bush track, Mornington Peninsula
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NOTICE RE: WORDPRESS BASED BLOGS!
For some strange reason, I cannot write comments on Wordpress based blogs!
I appear to be coming up as SPAM!
This occurrence has only been since my laptop went in for repairs and I am using an interim laptop!
In particular, I cannot post on the 3WW meme because it is Wordpress based!
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APOLOGIES! Perhaps it will all resolve when my laptop returns eventually!
But for now, I walk in a tangled wood with Wordpress!
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An Award!

I am simply so excited! The delightful Elaine (Ling to her friends) from Singapore of Napaboaniya APAD (A Photo A Day) and It's Not a Weekend; It's a Lifestyle has given me this award.

Her photo blog is pure magic. If you want unusual perspectives of the ordinary, great colours, great black and whites and creative composition, her pics are a must see. Best of all, the pics are LARGE! I am a regular viewer of her imaginative work! This blog is all about visuals! Stunning visuals! She claims not to be a professional photographer, but she should be!

And her personal blog is a blend of more great pics for memes and some fun comments.

NOW TO PASS ON THIS AWARD! First, for those who receive it, there’s some “reciprocal” rules that you should follow.

* The award may be displayed on a winner’s blog.
* Add a link to the person who you received the award from.
* Nominate up to seven other blogs.
* Then add their links to your blog.
* Add a message to each person that you have passed the award on to in the comments section of their blog.

Congratulations to the following fantastic bloggers!

Love visiting their worlds!
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* Jodie of Why Paisley who writes dynamic poetry!

* One Day in Hania ~ Kiwi now living in Hania, Crete who gives us a wonderful tour of this magic island.

* BABOOSHKA ~ of Ramsey Daily Photo who presents a fascinating range of creative pics from the Isle of Man
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My First Meme - Thank you Tammie Lee!

Pic by Gemma Wiseman ~ Balnarring, Mornington Peninsula
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A little light

In the leaves of darkness

Leaves a little light

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Tammie Lee has tagged me for a meme. Usually I write a poem a day. With my new digital camera, I am finding new inspiration! In fact, I was wondering if I could search out another poetry prompt when I found Tammie Lee's invitation! (I am a poetry addict, as if you couldn't tell!) But this makes a refreshing change. Here's hoping it sounds OK!

Rules:
The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
Each player answers the questions about himself or herself.
At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
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Ten years ago: May 1998
Ten years ago was a dark time for me. I was surrounded by the beauty of the island of Tasmania. I so loved the beauty of her mountains and villages. Every scene, in any season, was picture perfect. But I was living a tragic life, seeing all I had worked for slip away. I lived on a grand rural property of 50 acres in the heart of the Western Tiers. But I feared for my safety as my partner resorted more and more to gambling and drinking. Finally, I grabbed what I could bundle into my car and literally ran. But always, in even the darkest darknesss, there is light. Just under ten years ago was a turning point, when I finally left for Melbourne to start life again. It has been tough, but since then I have met and now live with a most loving man. We struggle! We both have tragic stories, but we love each other. And so, I believe we have riches far beyond any worldly wealth. I feel very fortunate.

Five things on today's "to do" list:
1. Begin and end the day with "I love you" to my partner. This never changes from day to day.
2. Eat sensibly to get through a hectic day of teaching.
3. Enjoy my students and their achievements. (This never changes either!)
4. Offer help somewhere to someone.
5. Write about anything that has nothing to do with schoolwork to keep me sane! (Well, just a little anyways!)

Things I'd do if I was a billionaire:
This would have to be an impossible dream! But if, by some miracle this would happen, I would only ask for a home for my partner and I and just enough to live out our lives in retirement. The rest I would like to share with other battlers! That would be perfect happiness!

Three bad habits:
1. Writing at all hours of the night and not getting enough sleep.
2. Worrying about too much, including students.
3. Writing poetry when I should be listening attentively to staff meetings or finding some excuse to give them a miss.

Five places I've lived:
1. Sydney, NSW - for most of my growing up years
2. Liffey, Tasmania - for 2.5 years
3. Liena, Tasmania - 6 months
4. Blackburn, Melbourne - 3.5 years
5. Mornington Peninsula - 5 years

Five jobs I've had:
1. Worked in the Sydney theatres to support university years
2. Worked in Sydney bookshops
3. English/History teacher in Sydney high schools
4. Tourist industry - tea room + chalets - Tasmania
5. English/History teacher Melbourne + part-time writer of English texts

Five people I'm tagging for this meme - Please note, this is completely optional!
O help this is so hard! I have never been involved in a meme before, so don't really know who may even have done this one! But here goes! Please leave me a comment on this post if you choose to do it!

Jeques at Jeques's Web Nook
Elizabeth at The House in Marrakesh
Tara Bradford - Paris Parfait
Selma - Selma in the City
Linda - Nickers and Ink

Mystic mists at Arthurs Seat

Pic on Flickr by Gemma Wiseman ~ Misty Arthurs Seat 1

Yesterday, there was a beautiful sense of mystery in the air. It was a day when any sane photographer would simply despair at finding any rhyme or reason. Shapes seemed to ooze out of nowhere and all known sensibilities seemed forgotten. Believe it or not, that is usually a busy road just in front of that little crossing. But on this day, I had no problem taking a pic from this point.


Just near the open parkland at the summit are many walking tracks leading into the Arthurs Seat National Park. This is one of the many walkways dreaming its way into the scents and wonders of the Australian bush.

This pic (below) is of Bunurong Track, just below the Arthurs Seat summit. It is a winding road, generally used by the locals to short-cut from Arthurs Seat to the bustling village of Rosebud on Port Phillip Bay. Here, the summit purls away into white space.

This pic wanders into the magic of Australian bushland. The ochrey textures of bark soften in the palest blues of mists. In many ways, this scene reminds me of paintings done by the colonial painters of the Heidelburg School.

I felt there was something haunting here, like a dream waiting for dreaming.

National Poetry Month sighs to a close

Pic on Flickr by halo_prints ~ Dusseldorf by the river
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And so ends the month of pushing a poem a day. I wrote about 70 odd poems and posted, I think, 69 of them.

Meanwhile my son is leaving Dusseldorf and heads for Brussels before finally returning to Australia via maybe Amsterdam and maybe Paris. (So he says!) But he has less than a week to do all that, so we'll see!

I have no idea about tomorrow. I was thinking about writing a poem about a horse I see every morning. He is always sleeping by his favourite tree when I pass. But the new bigger and better highway is getting closer and closer to him. Soon, he will be right in the way.

This morning, I saw him having a quiet nuzzle with a another horse near his fence line. All I could think of was poetry; a poem about horses sharing secrets.

Hmmmmmm Possibly it is good National Poetry Month is over after all.

Borrowed Wisdom, Coloured Insights

Pic from Nature Artists ~ Judy Scotchford, Brisbane, Australia ~ represents the San people of Namibia.

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Nominated by UN as the best Poem of 2006 -

Written by an African kid (writer's verbatim retained)

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When I born, I black

When I grow up, I black

When I go in Sun, I black

When I scared, I black

When I sick, I black

And when I die, I still black

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And you white fellow

When you born, you pink

When you grow up, you white

When you go in sun, you red

When you cold, you blue

When you scared, you yellow

When you sick, you green

And when you die, you grey

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And you calling me coloured??

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RESPONSE: Our "white" rainbow is rusty

It needs a good spit and polish

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Poetry and Teenage Boys

This is the newly established Australian Poetry Centre at St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria. It was launched June 7, 2007. The building is Glenfern, a property belonging to the National Trust of Australia.

While I admire that now Australian poetry has a tangible heartland, I wonder if it will reach beyond academic realms?

The fledgling website claims:

The APC will develop and provide products and services, such as:
a national journal of high quality poetry, articles and reviews
a comprehensive library of Australian poetry
workshops and seminars
poetry competition activities
comprehensive website information and services
educational and promotional materials
support for reading tours by Australian and overseas poets
support for small-press publishers, including co-operative marketing and distribution

Certainly, the vision is grand. But is it too grand? Maybe grandiose? Will it merely perpetuate the academic art of poetry, or will it reach out for new poetic worlds?

I am a high school teacher on a quest to get Year 9 boys interested in writing. I know. Sometimes that is quite a challenge. But I am finding poetry, believe it or not, is a key.

Currently, we are considering war. We are looking at the conditions of war rather than purely the history. I have given them glimpses of children involved in war plus a range of personal war stories. From this study, boys are churning out sensitive, impassioned poetry unlike anything they have written before. They are asking questions and seeking answers in their poetry. Many unconsciously step into the mature realms of psychology and philosophy. Prose writing never seems to spark the same intense reactions.

The boys enthusastically share their poems. And want to write more.

This brings me to my own questions. Where is there an outlet for the small poets? The poets beginning their journeys with some stunning thoughts just slip away into a nonentity Google ranking?

There are so many alternative poets out there who don't glow with academic prestige. Blogland reveals so many struggling to be known through writing prompts. And those who read their poetry are generally other struggling poets. (Yes, I count myself as one of these poets!)

If only there could be an internet heartland for poets. If only a search for Australian poet bloggers revealed a list of Australian poet bloggers. I have tried to find poet bloggers from other countries too. The only one revealing a central website, would you believe, is Africa.

If only there could be an internet heartland for student poets.

What a great encouragement this would be to enrich and polish student writing.

Surely, this is worth a thought. We wail about the widespread illiteracy in this world. Why not use the internet world to do something about it!

Australian Poetry Centre? Back to you!

The Boardwalk ~ for Jane's Inspirations

Pic by Swinster94@Photobucket

4 Word Prompt: avail chaotic eschew frantic

Living at The Boardwalk the beach truely is your backyard. Here you can walk directly from your back door to the one kilometre long surf beach along the hardwood boardwalk that winds through the coastal dunes. This is coastal living at its purest. ~ The Boardwalk ~ Sunshine Coast Queeensland

(Warning: SURREAL ADVERTISEMENT ONLY! Elements of truth are here somewhere!)
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ALTERNATIVE LIVING ~ ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BOARDWALK
So you thought a boardwalk was just some lonely string of wooden planks stretching out into some chilly stretch of water?
So you thought a boardwalk was just for life escapees and the odd crazy fisherman?
Think again!
Queensland's Sunshine Coast has a boardwalk made just for you!
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*Live a dream by sunny tropical seas with stunning views of Mount Coolum nearby!
*Let chaotic living be just an unfortunate memory!
*Avail yourself of one of the home and land packages ~ strictly for dreamers with a sizeable bank account.
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*The Pavillion is set low to sea level to capture every lovely sea breeze throughout the entire house. You may be lucky to wake to water by your bedside in the high tide season! But only if you're very lucky!
*The latest land release, The Waves, offers a mere 5 minute walk through coastal dunes to Marcoola Beach. There are no frantic roads. In fact, there are no roads at all near the sea! So sturdy shoes are strongly advised. Or you may prefer to go upmarket with a bike and extend your adventure on the biking trails to Coolum.

(Aside: *This is Green Living at its best, in spite of the fact you must eschew the hefty price tag to enjoy Green Freedom.)
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**And a special feature of The Boardwalk are our exclusive outdoor showers, augmented by the rain when it feels so inclined.
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P.S. Marketing is a wondrous but frantic thing. It can sell you a dream; make you pay the price for something that should really cost nothing except time and energy. It stirs a sense of urgency and "must have" with cost as a silent, devious partner.
So for now, I will accept the dream and nonchalently brush the price tag aside.
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I will avail myself of my local Dromana Pier and walk the old wooden planks into the sea of Never Never Land. It is the best way I know to let sea breezes untangle chaotic thoughts. I eschew it will cost me nothing (except petrol) to drive down the mountainside to the beach. It's just a 5 minute drive with picturesque, well-kept softly-winding roads all the way!

A Thought for Peace

IMAGINE PEACE TOWER is surrounded by a Wishing Well Wall on which the words "IMAGINE PEACE" are engraved in 24 languages. ~ Pic from Elding
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Now is a good time to perhaps remember that it was only October 9, 2007, on the small Iceland island of Videy, that Yoko Ono unveiled John Lennon's dream ~ on his birthday.
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Ono explained that the tower came to Reykjavík partly because she did not want it powered by fossil fuels and also because, “Iceland is in the north, and in mythology the north is where the power and wisdom comes from and we can spread the power downwards.” ....The light will shine every year from Lennon’s birthday (October 9) until the anniversary of his assassination (December 8), as well as on New Year’s Eve, the first week of spring and other carefully selected dates. ~ Iceland Review
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Videy occupies a historical place in Icelandic history, being the location of the nation's first stone building and the site of its first church and a monastery.
"I have chosen Iceland for the Imagine Peace Tower because it is a unique eco-friendly country," Yoko Ono, 73, commented at a special conference.
"Eighty per cent of Iceland's energy is provided by water, not oil. Because of this, the air, earth and water are surprisingly pure and clean.
"Geo-thermal energy has made Iceland independent, and I think that Iceland is now more independent than any other country. ~ The Age
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Perhaps, until the Olympics are complete, the Imagine Peace light could be turned on. After all, this is a special occasion for both One World, One Dream AND One World, Many Dreams.
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P.S. INTERESTING FACTS: Iceland has one of the highest literacy rates in the world and one of the lowest crime rates in the world. For more interesting Iceland facts (check out bananas and Coca Cola) see Iceland Tourist Board.

Reflective Easter

All pics are from Deviant Art. The building is by Good Friday, the clouds (Easter Bunny) are photographed by AwakenendByDreams, and the crosses (Forgiven) are by M~S~H. The pic of the Three Sisters is by shadowfaerie217.

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For me, Easter is a strange time in some ways. The children have grown, so Easter egg hunts are just a smiling memory. I am not closely affiliated with a particular church, yet, especially on Good Friday, there is some impulse to indulge in random, (even an extended metaphor of), special spiritual moments. (Perhaps my Baptist upbringing still lingers deep down.)

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I love how Easter falls in Autumn in the southern worlds. Somehow, falling colours are like falling tears for some lost spiritual opportunity; even some lost spiritual beauty. And yet, Easter is also a celebration of inner sanctuaries, giving them time to energise. So, Easter for me is both a fall and a resurrection of the soul.

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When I lived in Sydney, NSW, I would journey to a special place in the Blue Mountains on Good Friday. This place was the Three Sisters, named in honour of an ancient Aboriginal legend. I would be here high in the mountains in time to watch the sunrise through the mists. If you seek some soulful energy, this is the time and the place. I felt almost enshrined, even entombed with new strengths, standing here alone at dawn, watching Nature thrill me with an awakening.

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Now I live in Victoria, I have yet to find that special somewhere. But I have promised myself, this year I wiil try to feel the whispers within. I live on a mountain, so perhaps, it is time to go to Balnarring Beach on Westernport Bay and watch the horses train on the sands at dawn. It is not far away. The idea is becoming magical. Hold that thought!

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I have 4 more days to decide.

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Postscript: There are at least two stories describing the circumstances of the sisters' entombment in stone. Both involve their father who uses magic to protect them and turns them into stone. Through tragic circumstances he is unable to return and release them. One version tells how their father Tyawan transforms himself into a Lyrebird to escape capture but drops his magic bone in his terror. He is unable to do his magic without it and to this day searches the forest floor while his daughters look on from above the Jamison Valley.The rock formation is particularly eye catching at night when they are floodlit until 10.30. They are best viewed from Queen Elizabeth lookout and have access from the giant stairway below. ~ Blue Mountains Online

Mascots for the 2008 Beijing Olympics filled with natural spirit

The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 8-24, has the most amazing, beautiful "child-friendly" mascots. They are known as the Fuwa, meaning "The Friendlies".

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They represent China's most popular animals ~ the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow + and the Olympic Flame. When you put their names together ~ Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni ~ they say "Welcome to Beijing." They symbolise the 5 elements of Nature ~ the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky and the 5 Olympic rings.

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In China's traditional culture and art, the fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. The lotus designs in Jingjing's headdress are inspired by the porcelain paintings of the Song Dynasty (A.D.960-1234). Yingying's flying pose captures the essence of a species unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the first animals put under protection in China. Nini represents the Beijing love of flying kites. Huanhuan stands in the centre of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit. The fiery designs of his head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals ~ with just a touch of China's traditional lucky designs.

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Already the Fuwa are being sold in Olympic souvenir shops. Ever since "Waldi," the first mascot in Olympic history, was unveiled at the Munich 1972 Olympic Games, mascots have become a main element of the Olympic image.

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The Olympic flame will be lit in Olympia, Greece on 24th March, 2008. The red and silver aluminium torch represents an ancient Chinese scroll and features a "lucky cloud". The torch relay is expected to last 130 days and covers a distance of 137,000 kilometres. It will pass through the five continents and visiting some of the principal points of the ancient Silk Road. Its theme is “Journey of Harmony”, and its slogan is “Light the Passion, Share the Dream”.

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The Games in Beijing will play host to the 28 summer sports currently on the Olympic programme. Approximately 10,500 athletes are expected to participate.

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But I believe it will be the Fuwa that linger. There is a smiling, relaxed "cuteness" in their imagery that appeals to the child in all of us.

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Postscript:

1. But there is a shadow in Olympic paradise. The Tibetan Olympics is close to realising its dream of "One World Two Olympics". Its torch relay, which started on January 30, 2008, from the Indian Capital New Delhi, reached its first destination – Sydney on Sunday. Themed “One World Many Dreams”, (countering the perceived Chinese Communist ideology of One World One Dream) the Tibetan Olympics seeks to celebrate Tibetan sporting spirit under the pride of their National Flag after being denied participation at the 2008 Beijing Games.The sporting event will take place in Dharamsala in India from 15 to 25 May, 2008, much ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing in August. ~ Phayul.com Monday February 18, 2008

The official schedule of the Torch Relay: Delhi: 30 January → Sydney: 17 February → Taipei: 24 February → McLeod Ganj: 10 March → Tokyo: 16 March → Maui, Hawaii : 23 March → San Francisco: 30 March → New York City: 6 April → Sucre, Bolivia: 13 April → London: 20 April → Capetown: 27 April → Jerusalem: 4 May → McLeod Ganj: 25 May

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2. Meanwhile, there is more to Tibet than political turmoil. There is the "big chill". Yak Attack's blog details the chaos and suffering in Tibet. I just don't get it.... why is there so much media coverage for the political problems between Tibet and China (I am NOT a political person), when there is no coverage at all for the snows that have devastated thousands upon thousands of Tibetans? The snows actually started first! At this point, blizzards have covered eastern Tibet, southern Qinghai, and northwest Sichuan provinces, and in some areas lasting for 37 days! Only one article has appeared, www.chinaview.cn 2008-03-02. The article said, “Severe snow disasters have left 1.65
million people snow blind and frostbitten, 500,000 livestock and 
wildlife dead and 3.1 million others on verge of starvation in
Tibetan prefectures of northwestern Qinghai Province. 

Since October last year, consecutive low temperature had gripped the
 province.

One Photo Could Be My Life ~ Prompt from Mind Bump

suggested by Testube

"If you had to select only one photograph from your photo albums to represent your life, which photograph would you choose?"

Winging my way home to the early dawn of an Australian spring, (from a whirlwind Autumn in Saskatchewan, Canada), and as I approached the last airwaves before landing in Melbourne, I took a photo of the Victorian Alps, huddled in the northeast landscapes of Victoria.

The raining colour I had left behind in Canada still resonated in my wistful spirit. So, seeing far below a blue, misted world quilted with fancy, melting snowy icing was quite a shock for the flying soul. Taking the photo helped make the culture shock tangible. But I had to wrestle to get a clear image. You see, I was seated near a window, but halfway down the plane. That meant all scenic views were crossed with a single, silver-plated, gleaming wing of the aircraft.

If I struggled for too long to get the perfect shot, I knew the beauty would be gone in just a moment. So the wing had to be there, somehow. Thinking quickly, maybe desperately, I turned the camera slightly so that the wing of the plane angled diametrically, symmetrically; beauty cleanly divided into two self-contained parts with a sliver of silver.

The final photo could be so symbolic of all that I am. Imagine pearling white clouds, patches of pale blue sky meeting the blues of earth; cloudy pockets of snow deftly icing random peaks. And then a wing, like a silver lining struggling for a place in this world of magical mystery, struggling to fly in it, through it and over it; maybe carrying a little memory to the heady bustle of urban Melbourne.

That is me! A kind of Jonathan Livingston Seagull tweeked with just a hint of airbrushing; maybe limping a little on one wing at times, but always flying above the clouds; seeing worlds beyond the routine of traffic lights and time frames. After all, in the space of one flight, I had travelled from Autumn to Spring!

Anything is possible when you fly!