Vox’s posts tagged dee muzzi

Nature's Finery

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:33:19 +0000

Pretty cool - isn't it? - nature's finery! All dressed up, as if having plans for a night at the opera perhaps? All that's missing is the string of pearls or diamond bracelet! The beauty in nature - a class act!

Nature's Diamonds

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Organ Pipes National Park

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 13:35:00 +0000

Native Flora

Click here for enlarged view of Maribyrnong Valley

Organ Pipes National Park is certainly a worthwhile destination for a lovely leisurely picnic in the park and day of exploration. Dropped in this time though with only 20mins up my sleeve before the gates were about to close (at 4:30), so I stayed well and truly within the higher lying level of the park. Rather more like a short and sweet pit stop, a place to stretch the legs, and grab a couple more snaps, in between the long hours of driving.

Just a tip - if ever thinking of visiting for the first time:

Allow plenty of time, there is much to cover and explore
Do not load yourself down with unnecessary baggage - as you need to be pretty fit to manage both the descent down to the picnic area, and even fitter (yet more added strength and stamina) to get back up and out again!

Even though I'm still quite fit now, I was probably at my most fittest in my life back when I visited the first time (about 5 years ago) and found the trek and strain completely unexpected.

Luckily, for me, I do have some satisfying shots of the basalt columns "Organ Pipes" and "Rosetta stone" from that previous visit (paper copies) which I hope (eventually) to scan and add here later.

clipped from www.about-australia.com

Organ Pipes National Park

A set of basalt columns as straight and regular as organ pipes is the central feature of this 121 ha park in a deep gorge in the bare Keilor plains. There are other rock phenomena and the park is worth visiting for its native vegetation and variety of birds.

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River Reeds

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:38:43 +0000

River Reeds

"Reeds in the river ! reeds in the river !
O deep in my heart like the reeds in the river,
My thoughts grow in darkness, far down out of sight,
And over my life passes shadow and light,
Like sunshine and cloud on the breast of the stream
But I sit by the banks of my river and dream,
For day after day, they grow silent and strong, --
The reeds of my Syrinx, the reeds of my song !"

clipped from www.personal.usyd.edu.au

Kingsford [née Bonus], Anna [Annie] (1846-1888), physician, author, vegetarian, women's activist and mystic was born at 5pm on 16 September 1846 at Maryland Point, Stratford, Essex, England. Her father, John Bonus (1795-1865) was a wealthy shipbroker of Italian descent. Annie had seven brothers and one sister.

As a child Anna had the run of her father's library, and often created plays for her dolls from the stories she read. She was a precocious child. Her novel Beatrice: a Tale of the Early Christians (1863) was written when she was thirteen. Some of her poems were published in River Reeds (1866).

Her father died in 1865, leaving his considerable fortune to his family. To avoid the wealthy suitors her family pressed upon her, Anna eloped Algernon Godfrey Kingsford, son of the Rev. Godfrey Kingsford (1819-1852) chaplain of Gibraltar. On the last day of 1867 she married Algernon on the condition that she be free to follow her own career. Known in London and introduced to a variety of like-minded progressive women. Florence Miller wrote she was 'the most faultlessly beautiful woman I ever beheld; her hair is like the sunlight, her features are exquisite, and her complexion--I can use no other term but faultless --not a spot, not a flaw, not a shade!' Anna became renowned not only for her beauty, but for her intelligence, and was called 'that clever woman.'

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Lake Rupertswood

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:22:19 +0000

Lake Rupertswood

These two geese must have been 'identical twins' if thats at all possible, they were so in 'sync' with each other, it was eerie. Every movement made was perfectly duplicated by the other, or on the odd occasion - the mirror-image instead, it was simply remarkable and completely engaging to watch.

Geese mates

..well, what's good for the goose is good for the gander (as they say)!

See more photos tagged Lake Rupertswood

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Dear Diary - TGIF! (Thank God its Friday)!

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:18:49 +0000

Everything Vol.1

Friday August 15th, 2008

TGIF hey!!! Had a beautiful surprise tonight - My daughter and her boyfriend took me out for dinner. No particular occasion, mainly just because she's got a kind, loving and thoughtful heart.
Had a hard week (wont go into details), and my daughter just wanted to surprise me. She said she thought I needed it and deserved it!
How beautiful is that!

Lifts the spirits that's for sure, that daughter of mine, just like a beautiful flower, and this one (which I snapped at lunch break today) is for her.

As you can see I've also found a fun and interesting site called "Dumpr" where you can play with certain effects to your hearts content. Love the 'museum/art gallery' option, and definitely intend to play with more, but also quite impressed by the 'lomography' effect, which I found really interesting.

Lomography deals with photoshooting using LOMO cameras. These are russian cameras which use color-intensive and blurry lenses. Nowadays, lomography is art and you are welcome to participate!

A Flower for my daughter

Hoping you're all having a wonderful Friday, and a great weekend.

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Cocky want a cracker?

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:08:21 +0000

Cocky (Sulfur-crested cockatoo)

Perhaps best if you read below post first. Can't say I was a big fan of Steve Irwin (see also 'controversies" and/or criticism mentioned at Wiki link just below), but he certainly has brought (mostly) good attention to Australia and wildlife conservatism. Cocky Want a Cracker is a song sung by Captain Feathersword, Steve Irwin, a singing cock-a-too named Cocky, and of course The Wiggles (who also are big out here).

clipped from en.wikipedia.org

Stephen Robert Irwin (February 22, 1962 – September 4, 2006), known simply as Steve Irwin and nicknamed "The Crocodile Hunter", was an iconic Australian television personality, wildlife expert, and conservationist. He achieved world-wide fame from the television program The Crocodile Hunter, an internationally broadcast wildlife documentary series co-hosted with his wife Terri Irwin. Together, they also co-owned and operated Australia Zoo, founded by his parents in Beerwah, Queensland. He died in 2006 after his chest was fatally pierced by a stingray barb whilst filming in Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
The park was a family run business, until it was turned over to Steve. He took over the running of the park, now called Australia Zoo (renaming it in 1992). Also that year, he appeared in a one-off reptile and wildlife special for television. In 1991, he met Terri Raines at the park, whilst performing a demonstration. The two married in June 1992, in Terri's hometown of Eugene, Oregon. The footage, shot by John Stainton, of their crocodile-trapping honeymoon became the first episode of The Crocodile Hunter. The series debuted on Australian TV screens in 1996, and by the following year had made its way onto North American television. The Crocodile Hunter became successful in the United States and also, after repackaging by Partridge Films for ITV, in the UK. In 1998, he continued, working with producer and director Mark Strickson, to present The Ten Deadliest Snakes in the World.
In 2002, the Irwins appeared in the Wiggles video/DVD release Wiggly Safari, which was set in Irwin's Australia Zoo. It featured Irwin-themed songs written and performed by the Wiggles such as "Crocodile Hunter", "Australia Zoo", "Snakes (You can look but you better not touch)" and "We're The Crocodile Band". Irwin was featured prominently on the cover and throughout the movie.
The Wiggles are a children's musical group formed in Sydney, Australia in 1991.

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Abbotsford Convent

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:30:43 +0000

Abbotsford Convent

See all posts/images tagged Abbotsford Convent Community.

clipped from www.abbotsfordconvent.com.au

Who’s at the Convent? Stroll through the grounds (or this website link above) and you’ll discover the studios of individual artists, craftspeople, writers, healers, health practitioners and more. Then there are the small to not-quite-as-small arts and sustainable lifestyle related organisations and practitioners. Plus, there’s the bakery, restaurant, bar, community radio station, glass-blowing studio and lots of inspirational spaces waiting for just the right people…. potters, sculptors, chocolate makers, quilters, book binders…. and more!

A community rich in diversity and opportunity

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Country Life for City Folk

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:46:46 +0000

Meet Daisy.....

Daisy the Cow

Well, if you check the link here, her name may very well be Patsy or Maggie, or perhaps Betty the calf all grown up now, or just simply another from the herd. But while trying to snap this pic, a young child who was hanging onto the wooden railing under mum's supervision was calling out "Daisy, Daisy.. come here", and I kinda like that name far better.

So for all intents and purposes of this story, this is Daisy.... and this.... (below) is Daisy's best friend:

Friends

This little buddy wanted to follow Daisy everywhere... and did. Daisy simply didn't bat an eyelid, obviously quite blase and accustomed to having the little friend tag along. It was gorgeous to watch how no matter where Daisy moved, grazed or roamed, the little fella just kept following. Have another six or so more shots, (tho not about to post another half dozen of the cow's behind).. but yup, there was the little feathered friend in each and every one of them.

The country walk and scenic trail that meanders from the farm, onto passing via the back of the Convent's grounds then following the sides of the Yarra river is a one of the nicest 'Great Escapes' from city life that you could imagine. It's so incredibly hard to believe you are only 10mins away from Melbourne's CBD. See here for map details.

The Farm Cafe a welcoming stop for the quick 'tree change for jaded city slickers' and if still feeling the nip in the air on a brisk sunny winter's day, there are numerous warm and cosy blankets on-hand to rug up with while enjoying the home made delights and warming soup or cuppa.

clipped from www.farm.org.au

Only 5km from the centre of Melbourne, nestled on a bend of the Yarra River lies seven hectares of paddocks, gardens, orchards, rustic buildings and shady trees.
Established in 1979 the Collingwood Children's Farm is a not-for-profit community resource providing country experiences for city people.
Open every day of the year. Visitors can milk the cow at 10am and 4pm, bottle feed young lambs (seasonal), wander around, feed the animals, help with farm chores, go into the paddocks with the sheep and goats, cuddle a guinea pig, waddle with the ducks, feed the chooks, look for eggs or just sit and unwind under a shady tree or on the banks of the Yarra River.
Collingwood Children's Farm (see also link for Postcards Great Escapes here...)
In 1979, a community committee, with support from the former Collingwood City Council, leased a small area of the convent for a Children's Farm. The Committee hoped children living in an urban environment, often without backyards, could learn to care for animals and nature and also have fun outdoors. Local schools and other groups helped with fencing, gardening and animal care. Members of the Greek Elderly Citizens and the Turkish Welfare Group helped clear weeds and carve out the community plots.
Since the 1980s, state and local governments have funded some of the Farm's costs. State and Federal Labour governments supported our successful bid for a much larger area of land. Now the Collingwood Children's Farm Committee of Management manages this Crown land site. Service clubs and philanthropic trusts help us, but always the largest part of our operational costs comes from entry fees, donations and through the work of volunteers.

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One Magpie has sorrowful eyes...

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 23:43:47 +0000

One magpie

clipped from english-rose-lee.deviantart.com

The Magpie poem by ~english-rose-lee

One magpie has sorrowful eyes
Blaring into my own
Two have hearts full of joy
And melt all hearts of stone
Three magpies for a girl
The girl I am deep down
Four for the boy I love so much
With eyes of mysterious brown
Five is a silvery moon
Encased by glittering stars
Six is for a golden sun
As you pass by venus and mars

Seven is a secret I must never tell
The one that covers up my smile
The one that makes my life hell

The seventh magpie chases away
My stars and silvery moon
Darkens the hearts of the joyful pair

And shatters their lullaby tune

He chases away five other magpies
And stands in my garden alone
Alongside the one with sorrowful eyes

Blaring into my own

Two magpies that do not sing
Tunes with meriment and joy
They're the ones that keep away
My dark, mysterious boy

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Blah!

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:51:30 +0000

How I feel today:

Blah

Eerie

Stifled

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The Land of Linderwall? - The Enchanted Forest Chronicles

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:36:18 +0000

"Linderwall was a large kingdom, just east of the Mountains of Morning...."

"Using one of the enchanted windows that Herman has in his house, Cimorene and Mendanbar discover that Kazul is being held captive by wizards in the Enchanted Forest."

See more photos tagged: "Enchanted Forest". Please note: the photos I have tagged in this series are not to depict the story or characters from these books, but simply because I love those two words "Enchanted Forest"!... :)

(Below) an excerpt from the Enchanted Forest Chronicles...

clipped from chibirhm.deviantart.com

"Linderwall was a large kingdom, just east of the Mountains of Morning, where philosophers were highly respected and the number five was fashionable. The climate was unremarkable. The knights kept their armor brightly polished mainly for show - it had been centuries since a dragon had come east. There were the usual problems with royal children and uninvited fairy godmothers, but they were always the sort of thing that could be cleared up by finding the proper prince or princess to marry the unfortunate child a few years later. All in all, Linderwall was a very prosperous and pleasant place.

Cimorene hated it."

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Deena Muzzi - My Laptop is back complete with New look!

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 00:38:43 +0000

Everything Vol.1

Sunday 3rd, August 2008

My laptop is back! Yay!

Complete with extra storage space for my photos, new keyboard (I wore out the old one), a clean, debugging and new snapshot taken ready for the next time.

I love it - pity the casing doesn't have the option for a change of colour/look at the click of a button too. I'll just have to do with changing my background pic to match the new streamlined feel, and my new hairdo!

Oh, did I mention I have changed my hairstyle?
Two weeks ago I went to the hairdressers (appointment long overdue, and those major social commitments just recently) and the hairdresser shook his head and literally begged me to allow him free reign. *nervous giggle* Anyway, long story short, I went from long blonde hair to a new brown (well....) "bob" essentially.

Took me a while to get used to it - who is that woman in the mirror?!!. Had major fun at work with it though - there were few who recognised me, seriously, the affect and confusion was absolutley hair-lirious!

No.. I'm not about to post some photos, either the before or after, but after all these years of being blonde, I'm kinda enjoying the change to something a little darker and mature looking. I know I don't have the body length plait, but when out and dressing the part - I feel just like Lara Croft in Tomb Raider.. ha hah *cough splutter LOL*.
Ahh well *big smiles* they say "Change is as good as a holiday"....and...."Girls just want to have fun"!

PSP Tomb Raider Legend

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Kyneton, Victoria

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:31:32 +0000

Kyneton Botanical Gardens Funky Postcard

Kyneton - a lovely little town! Full of character, and a multitude of escapist places to explore.

The botanical gardens was gratifyingly a real jewel. The grassland, trees and moss covered trail leading to the river - absolutely magical! Most definitely the secret home of the fairies! I felt for sure I was about to stumble across one or more at any given time, dancing and holding hands - if only I could turn my head quick enough before they jumped back behind cover, knowing that they were hiding once again and giggling at my ineptitude to move as fast as they. (See also screensaver version, here, if interested).
Kyneton also has an historical railway station to check out. I didn't chose the most obvious view/angle to photograph, though, as they appear to be slap dab in the middle of its restoration, complete with various workmen, cords and tools of trade scattered about, presently making a hurried shot hardly worth-the-while.
The Colonial Cafe is most definitely a place after my own heart. I was not long ago fantasising out loud of a place that 'if it doesnt already, then should, exist somewhere' - a warm cafe/eatery combination art gallery that caters for more than just the one reason why its worth your while to get out of the house during those freezing hybernating winter months and allow you to comfortably frequent artistic surrounds. This cafe/art gallery seems to have covered all I imagined. Lunches, espressos, reading material, along with part of the galleries exhibit, stretch the length of an adjoining room. The more formal section of the fully licensed restaurant/gallery spans the length of another. The venue adequately provides the perfect backdrop for poetry or book reading groups, also having a small and intimate stage often catering for impromptu musical jamming, or the occasional jazz performance. The ambience of the night coming alive, according to the owner, against the backdrop of the restaurants mood lighting and artwork.
And lastly, Kaddy's cafe in Mollison Street certainly gets my vote for service, food, ambience, and that all-round country town replenishment stop. I'm pretty fussy about my coffee I have to say, and very few places will serve a long black the way I like it (even if I am up front with all the specifics - strong, decent amount, but not too watery), and this was just the perfect cuppa. Even the (hand-made) sausage roll (from what I could see) was beautifully presented, the egg & lettuce sandwich - certainly looked fresh. Chicken veggie pie (which I ordered) was delicious, and apple cake with fondue icing (the larger size of course ha ha). Yummy!

clipped from www.visitvictoria.com

Quick facts

83 kilometres north-west of Melbourne

Prior to European settlement the area was occupied by the Thagungwurung Aborigines.

Activities and attractions

Wander through the town’s nineteenth century granite streets lined with bluestone architecture. The historic Piper Street precinct presents a streetscape of historical significance

Explore the town’s wide array of antique shops and galleries, as well as its museum

Dine on fine food and wine

Meet the winemaker and taste at the cellar door of a number of nearby wineries

Fill a drinking flask from the pump at the Kyneton Mineral Springs

Pick up a picnic hamper from one of Kyneton's delicatessens and relax in the attractive nineteenth century local botanical gardens

Watch artists produce award-winning fine bone china figurines, porcelain and resin ceramics at Kyneton Fine China and Wattle Ceramics

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