FCT #22: canberra winter

 

It's taking me some time to warm up (haw haw) to the topic of the Canberra winter. It's quite simply NOT my Favourite Canberra Thing. And I've had a rough start to the season due to personal stuff that I'm determined not to jibba jabba on about here. I know, I know. I can barely believe my restraint either.

It's a challenge to find a positive focus for something so bone-bitingly cold... but many peeps manage it... or else they lie quite convincingly. There's talk of 'cozyness' and 'sunny winter days' and 'the opportunity to slow down'. I would prefer the opportunity to remain consistently warm. But I'm here and I have to make the most of it. (And yes, I do realise that we're not talking about Alaska or Siberia or Pluto.)

So how best to do that?

Clearly comfort food, Nana's bedsocks and some good quality teev are crucial. (AZ and I have been working our way through Game of Thrones, Archer, Episodes and Man Stroke Woman - all excellent.) However, as tempting as it is, bunkering down in bed with a season's supply of hot chocolate, hot chips and hotcakes isn't going to work as an ongoing survival strategy. Just imagine the crumbs between the sheets for a start. 

Broader options include...

--Time outside. Unlikely unless it's 8 degrees as a minimum, I'll admit, with at least a splash of sunshine.

--Time with friends. A challenge given that I still don't have many here but definitely something to aim for.

--Time escaping. I'm heading to Melbournio later this week and I CAN'T WAIT! There have been plenty of short escapes too. Day trips to Bungendore and Braidwood, a choir excursion to Wagga and Albury, and a few days at the coast the weekend before last. It all adds up to time somewhere slightly sunnier.

--Time creating. There's not a lot of creating going on. Let's be honest. But it does help when it happens.

--Time adequately attired. My winter wardrobe SUCKS! A couple of ratty jackets worn with 15 layers of t-shirts. Winter must be easier when one is clothed in a decent coat and a woolly jumper or two. Hopefully lazy-broke-me will get it together in time to test this theory next winter.

--Time with eyes open. Remembering that there is always something special out there to be noticed. Even if it's the long legs of frost on my windscreen in the morning.

Reviewing this list, I realise that it captures strategies to work on rather than strategies that are actually working well. It's good to have somewhere to start, right? Whaddaya reckon? Do you have any favourite winter warmers to share? What keeps you defrosted throughout the winter?

In other news: the king parrots came back to the bean tree this morning and put on a spectacular show. I wasn't fast enough with the camera to capture the 15+ of them, crimson bellies flashing and tails fanning. They reminded me that there is beauty everywhere - even in the grey - if we take the time to connect with it.

They reminded me that winter will be okay.

FCT #16: songs

I've been a vewy vewy naughty girl. I just can't help it. After all, what is a life without music? Especially a life in cold, composed Canberra?

I've had a bit of a binge on new stuff over the last month or two or three...

--Bill Callahan, Apocalypse

--Bon Iver, Bon Iver

--The Grates, Secret Rituals

--Kitty, Daisy and Lewis, Smoking In Heaven

--The Middle East, I Want That You Are Always Happy

--Mogwai, Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will

--Seeker Lover Keeper, Seeker Lover Keeper

All highly recommended! Get yourself some songs, brothers and sisters!

FCT #21: blossoms + blooms

Wowsers. It's been quite some time since words. Be kind.

It's a little odd to tell you about blossoms and blooms before officially introducing the Canberra winter (aka The Beast). Blossom seems an irrepressible sign of spring rather than this cold grey season that we are very firmly in. Perhaps that's why I can't stop myself from sharing their beauty, spotted en route to uni this week. They're so flamboyant and fragile and hopeful... all at the same time.

The Berra clearly loves its deciduous trees in autumn - with spectacular displays of red and yellow all around town. But the rewards of those exotic plantings are evident again in late winter and spring as the prunus sparks into bloom. It's a huge genus of about 430 species, incorporating stone fruit, almond, bird cherry and cherry laurel. (What did we do before Wikipedia?) Many are decorative rather than edible, and the example captured above will most likely go on to form small plum-like fruit that would not be fun to eat.

In a lovely show of synchronicity, a special delivery arrived the very afternoon of the prunus photography. Jane and Nikki sent me a birthday pressie of vintage buttons and a length of Japanese fabric from CIBI in, you guessed it, a blossom pattern.  

-------------------------- 

The rich world of tenugui

The Japanese textile form of the tenugui has a rich and textured history that weaves together art and commercial uses. Still handcrafted by artisans in Tokyo shitamachi (old downtown), its versatility and affordability ensure it continues to evolve in exciting new ways even today.

Everyday art - versatile and practical. Tenugui are used for a multitude of purposes, from hand towel to headwear, bandage to business card, place mat to wall hanging. As every tenugui is handmade, each is unique. Their individual appeal grows with repeated use and washing, as the cloth softens and the dyes take on a well-used patina - natural qualities that we love here at CIBI.

-------------------------- 

This beautiful surprise made me think of another example of birthday blossom. The tattoo design that Adi undertook for my 30th birthday. Five whole years ago. Eeeek. I never got up the guts for the inking, which is perhaps a blessing in disguise given the explosion of swallow designs into the design world in the years that followed. But I am still in love with welcome swallows, swallow symbolism and Adi's preliminary sketches.