THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Am I the only person in this world without a tiny butterfly on my ankle, angel wings spread out across my back, a love-loop or barbed wire around my arm ... any kind of tattoo?

TRAVEL POST : In your own state.

Hi all: Queensland - beautiful one day perfect the next! Today was such a day so we took a drive down to the 'big smoke' of Brisbane. Southbank was stunning with lots of young families swimming at the 'beach', lying on the grass, licking icecreams or just taking a stroll along the river. Being the Anzac Day holiday the cobbled backstreets were quiet which actually showed up the history of the area. Take a look at this old corner building (circa 1885) and aerial cyclist - if he was real he might even be in competition with my beloved mime. Cheers.

www.redbubble.com/people/Julieholl : Check out my artwork and writing pieces here.

Hi everyone: As promised here is an image of the Hearts and Minds Art stall at Noosa Marina Market, Tewantin. You can take a gorgeous ferry ride up the Noosa River from Hastings Street and visit us every Sunday (8am-2pm). I love seeing my regulars and chatting to new faces about our wares, photography and words. I get very excited when customers buy my work as gifts as I am thrilled to be able to create something that someone else loves. Look forward to seeing you soon, Julie

PLACES: If you live on the Sunshine Coast (Queensland, Australia), particularly around Noosa as I do, you will know the Bush Turkey (pictured). We call it the Bush Chook. 'Locals' see it as a pest because it scratches up garden beds and spreads mulch from one end to another, but I find it rather amusing. They strut around the undergrowth, make a dash across Hastings Street like something out of Roadrunner and climb trees to bed down for the night. A bird with attitude!

Feeling sad today as I've just heard of the death of an acquaintance's son. As a mother of 3 boys I can't imagine the grief his family must be enduring. Too many accidents that take our children. Too many 'what ifs' and 'if onlys'. So so sad, and such a loss of a life to be lived. I'm not a religious person but the phrase God gave us love but those to love he only lent maybe gives a tiny piece of solace. My love and thoughts to James's family and may angels' wings gather around their boy.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Live like someone left the gate open ...

On the Sunshine Coast at the moment there are millions of butterflies, all sizes and colours. It's quite beautiful driving along the coastline with butterflies flitting in front of the bluest of seas in the background - hard to keep your eye on the road. Of course I hadn't listened to myself and didn't have my camera handy so missed the moment. But today I did have my camera at the ready when this beautiful little bird - a Magpie Lark? - sat beside me. He paused while I took the shot then just flew away.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: She said "I'll love you until the cows come home". I think I just heard a 'moo'." (Credit to the comedian on Spicks'n'Specks recently who sang a song with this tag about lost love).

This beautiful Frangipani is one of my many images you can access at www.redbubble.com/people/Julieholl. Let me know what you think of my art and writing!

TO MARKET TO MARKET ...

I love markets - flea markets, book markets, farmers produce markets, arts and crafts markets. When we relocated to the Sunshine Coast late last year my creative juices got flowing and with them the big decision to devote more time to photography and writing. But I had to share, so... every Sunday we have a Hearts and Minds Art marquee at Noosa Marina market , Tewantin (pic to follow soon) where I sell my photos, canvases, words, frames etc. Such fun and a wonderful way to meet new locals. Last Saturday we branched out, got up at 2.30am (yes 2.30am) and drove down to a new market south of Brisbane. Had a loooong fun day - we met a lovely couple and drank too much coffee and came home late. Come and visit us on a Sunday!!