MOTHERS ... It's my mum's birthday this week. 81 - wow! Having a loving mum, being a loving mum seems so easy but it's really hard. From the moment you 'have' to get the breastfeeding right, to taking your children to the 'right' swimming school, to wearing a 'cool' outfit to their graduation. It makes me exhausted just thinking about it and the silly thing is that it's only after all those expectations are behind you that you realise how unimportant they are. Oh if I'd only been a little bit truer to my own thoughts, but hey that's 20/20 parenting for you. At my last big '0' birthday one of my sons gave a speech. He thanked me for "always being there when he and his brothers needed help, and when they didn't." I took that as a compliment. And I guess that's what I can say about Joan, my own mum - she has always been there for me when I needed it. And when I didn't. Happy Birthday mum. x

It's that time of year along the east coast of Australia when the mighty Humpbacks travel north to breed, before returning down the coast in a few months time. One of the most memorable things I've ever done was to go whale watching (Port MacQuarie, NSW). With tears in my eyes I couldn't decide whether to snap away with the camera or just silently watch these majestic creatures as they swam under our boat, surfacing within touching distance. Unbelieveable. Save the whales NOW.

A visit to the 'old town' (Melbourne) for my niece's wedding. How would I feel - would I have an overwhelming desire to return despite the cold, would I sit on a tram and think 'OMG What have I done moving to Queensland', or would I think 'It's OK, I'm happy with the move. I'm glad we're trying something different'. As it turns out it was the latter. Yes, I miss my boys. Yes, I miss the city (despite having moved from the Mornington Peninsula)and its buildings and its culture and Fed Square. But, hey, it's only a flight away. Relocation is interesting. I have been asked to put pen to paper re my thoughts on this (Sorry Gillian, I am getting to it) and now feel I can do so with a bit of experience. Stay tuned.

I SAW THIS QUOTE TODAY AND HAD TO SHARE IT:
'For every blade of grass there is an angel looking after it, bending over whispering "Grow Grow .."

If you're down Noosa Marina way (Tewantin, Sunshine Coast), then call into a couple of the restaurants on the marina there to view my photographs. Thank you to the following for including my images: Nicole at Cafe Vin Cino for hanging 'Change of Focus' and its verse plus two 1 metre photos on canvas, 'Red Dinghy I & II' (see pic). Thanks also to Julia at Trios for using our pegframes all along one wall and including my images. Good on you mates!

OK, so here's the thing. Apparently shoes slung up onto wires has some kind of 'drug' message. (It took a lovely young couple buying my cards at South Bank market to inform me of this). Checking with my 3 sons to confirm said connection, I am told it is so. BUT.. I like my pic and it's staying. No drug connection intended. Take it as you see it.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Don't get hung up about the small stuff - just do it!
(Image taken at Noosa Marina).

TRAVEL ... It's a funny old world. Who would have thought that when we travelled OS this time last year that our images of our wonderful travels would be in demand! I get such a BUZZ when someone I don't know stops to read my words, look at my images and purchase something. Whether it's a greeting card or a canvas I love it when people 'get it'.
We figured we needed another vehicle to bring the world to Australia so we have launched our 'Jewellery by Croucher' range ... so exciting! Will bring you pics soon, but in the meantime let me explain. Imagine a winding Paris street, maybe around Montmartre, black & white; or a section of colorful Murano glass, or even a little section of Venetian canal. We have used these, and more, in sterling silverplate rings and pendants and (unashamedly) they look brilliant. Thanks to all our South Bank market visitors who think so too.
On another note, re the recent Bangkok uprisings, our love and good wishes to the beautiful staff at The Eugenie Hotel. I hope you are safe and that the stunning hotel is still in one piece (see pic). Julie

TO MARKET, TO MARKET ...
Hearts and Minds Art is moving to a different market and will not be at the Noosa Marina market for a while. As of this week visit us at Brisbane's South Bank Lifestyle markets - Fridays 5-10pm, Saturdays 10am-5pm, Sundays 9am-5pm.
We love the markets - the other stallholders, the visitors, the coffee aromas, those who can't make up their minds and those that instantly 'get it' and buy something. Love those! A card may only be $4 to me but to have a young boy clutch a Mothers Day card, a woman choose an image for a lifelong friend, to have someone read my words and say "that's beautiful" - makes it all worthwhile. Thank you to those who 'get it'.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Look beyond the surface. See what treasures lie beneath. This image is of a beautiful frangipani branch, but take the time to focus behind it and who knows what you'll find.
I have just come across a really interesting blog: www.getinthehotspot.com. Its writer, Annabel Candy, spreads its message of living positively and in it she has a neat idea - How to Make a Wish
1.Come up with some wishes of your own or at least one of them.
2.Write your wish down. Committing your wish to paper which will help you commit to it in every way.
3.Now work out what’s standing between you and your wish. Is it fear? Anxiety? Doubt? Laziness? Time Constraints?
4.Whatever it is bury it for good. Lay those mind sets to rest and make your wish come true.
Mmm .. what is your wish. I'm sure we are all tempted to say such things as world peace, end to animal cruelty, no more famine or child pornography etc. They would certainly be on my lofty list and I work towards supporting their end in different ways. But on a purely selfish, now/today level what would it be. For me, to have another book published. I have started (which is good), but I have several on the go (which is bad) so I have to pick a favourite and get it out there (which is daunting). But now it's committed here so I WILL DO IT. Keep you posted, and please keep me posted on your wishes. (In the meantime sign every 'Save the Whale' petition you can find!).

WELCOME TO THE WORLD LITTLE HAMISH ERIC ARTHUR CLARK !

ANGEL BABY:

You smile and a spell is cast.

It dazzles the moon, outsparkles the stars

It makes the wind breathless,

the birds full of song.

It beckons the angels to take a quick peek

then settle in forever.

As you skip through your days, from time to time

You'll hear a soft whisper from somewhere behind,

feel a sweet breeze gently pass your cheek.

And you'll know angel wings are waiting, unfurled

To catch a sad thought or soften a fall.

Because one day you smiled, and a spell was cast.

(c. Julie Holland)