A few Wednesdays ago I woke up in a terrible mood. I can’t remember the specific reason why, but I do remember feeling overall a dull shade of grey. My usual things that bring me happiness just weren’t sparking as they would do normally so my mother – being heaven sent – decided to take me on a drive. We didn’t reach a destination but just drove through some streets branching off Bribie Island road I’d not been down before. At the beginning of the drive, I didn’t even have the energy to look at mum when she spoke or look around at the beautiful scenery.
I just stared blankly out the window looking at whatever fell into my direct view. Joyful eh? Anyway by the time we reached home again I was feeling a tad lighter and seeing all the properties and their gardens made me want to spend time with my plants nurturing them. I have a collection of tropical and indoor plants which usually have big leaves. The leaves catch dirt, fluff and sometimes pests so I thought I’d spent the next little while cleaning each individual leaf with water and a Chux and applying white oil for protection and sheen. I put on some calming nature music and away I went.
As each hour went by I could feel my spirit lifting once again. The slow process of paying close attention to the leaves steadied my thoughts and the beauty of plants and their unique markings filled my soul with colour. Three hours went by and the process was complete. Not only were my babies looking healthy and clean but I felt back to normal and happy again! I’ve always loved plants and gardening but that little moment made me appreciate them just that little bit more.
I suppose my dear Islanders, I’m realizing that pursuing peace doesn’t have to be some mega mission. It’s in the simple cost-free things that peace can be found in plenty. Moreover, and maybe not so liked, it can be found in discipline. Repetitious, focused, diligent discipline. There is a necessary place where happiness can be found in fun. But it is in the everyday healthy hardworking simple habits of life that steady joy rests in.
When we put our lives into balance (and we all know our areas we need to work on) then peace arrives into our hearts. Our breathing is steady and deep, thoughts align, eyes closed with relief and a gentle smile emerges. Until next time Islanders, Remember to eat your citrus during these cooler months, breathe in the salty sea air and get some sunshine onto your skin. Xo Nikita
One of the problems which hold the region back is a large number of small wineries in the area without proper representation at the retail level and who survive by promoting their products at cellar door and mail order, which was a similar case in Western Australia some forty years ago, until the larger wineries became popular and then tourism took off, the rest they say is history and Margaret River now boasts some of the finest wineries in Australia and is responsible for over 30% of Australia’s premium wine production whilst accounting for only around 10% of the country’s total wine production.
La Petit Mort is a part of The Bent Road Wine Family in Ballandean and specialises in producing small batch experimental wines with minimal winemaking intervention and is bottled without filtering or fining as was the case in the distant past, allowing Scott’s winemaking talents to shine through. Due to the difficulties of the growing conditions around the country this year the grape crush in January is expected to be around 5% down which is quite significant given that the annual crush is around $4.4 billion dollars, Ballandean Estate is expecting a reduction of 30% but the quality looks like it could be amazing, however decisions will have to be made where the wines are going to go.
That is until his mother, played by Chrissy Metz, arrived and prayed over her son. To the astonishment of John’s entire medical team, a faint heartbeat was detected. That, though, is not where the story ends.
“Women and cars are the same if you treat them well. It all depends on how compatible you are with each individual one of them. One woman will come alive with one guy and be quite dowdy with another. Some women can definitely bring out the best in a man. And so can some cars.” I know Mossie and I will be friends, but nothing more. So just in case, he might consider me a possibility as the “some women,” from above, I let him know immediately that I not only have a boyfriend but a young baby as well. And for our whole weekend, Mossie is the perfect gentleman.
FIRST MURAL UNVEILED
In 2005, to mark the Centenary of Rotary International, I proposed the installation of a Bronze replacement plaque. I arranged to have a new plaque made and organised an unveiling ceremony attended by a large crowd including the Mayor and Councillor, and many Bribie old-timers who had known Ian Fairweather personally. This was my first real exposure to Bribie History because before that I certainly had no knowledge or interest. At that time there was little documented information about local history, but I was amazed to discover how Bribie Island had played such an important role in the development of Australia and Queensland.
He was one of the first leaders to recognise the value of Australian table wines and their future rather than sweet fortified wines. He also championed the pleasure of drinking wine with food and co-authored a book with the famous cook Graham Kerr with whom they became known as The Galloping Gourmets a nickname they got from a 35-day worldwide trek visiting some of the finest restaurants around the world.