Barrie and Pam

Reading back through my posts, I realise that I haven't actually introduced Barrie and Pam.
Here they are...true comfy cardy friends!

Sisters??

The most often asked question of this visit has been directed to Pam and me wherever we have gone...
"Are you sisters?"
Everyone has asked it - in stores, restaurants, checkouts, school, social gatherings and so on. Very fun...
It's made us both smile often!

So, what do you think? (This is an older photo of us both - standing on Crofter's Hill above Loch Tay in Scotland. I'll upload a current one of us also - once I get it off the camera.)

Sisters?

Time!

I can't believe it! The time has flown by...and yet in many ways I feel I have been here for ages. It's funny how subjective time is. During the midst of my stay, it was feeling deliciously long...and now, as I'm coming to the end, my visit here suddenly feels such a short time. Like, my arrival is becoming increasingly clearer in my memory and yet everyday takes it further into the past. Weird!

My current time puzzle is a humdinger. Or at least I thought it was until Barrie and I sat and figured it all out. My brain is still feeling a bit stretched!

So, the thing that started all of this was the realisation that I leave here this coming Sunday 4th Sept (still in slight denial about this and readying hankies) and arrive in Perth, Australia on the 6th September - 2 days later...! I know I cross the dateline - and so my question was, "Where does the time I lose go?'
At this point, somewhat stupidly it has to be said, I was thinking that my flying time was approx 15 hours. This left me with about 12 hours unaccounted for...12 hours that everyone else would live but I wouldn't because of the whole dateline thing...Hence my deeply profound questions...where does my time go? Will I just age 15 hours whilst everyone else ages 27 hours?? And so on...good questions, as I'm sure you'll agree?

At this point, Barrie said this just proves that the manmade invention of time is flawed! I thought he made a good point and presented it well...! He throughly enjoyed my thinking he was right, commenting that this wouldn't happen in real life but only in Blogsville! I am SO misunderstood!!

But then, we looked at each other and said...hold on, this CAN'T be right. Actually, Barrie's mega-mathematical brain kicked into action and he looked at me like I was speaking nonsense (a common occurrence - that particular look, I mean!) as I spouted all my questions as above .

To make an already too long story short...and to reassure you all that I have not actually lost the plot...
I won't lose any time as it's going to take me every second of those 27 hours to get to Australia! 27 hours!! Oh, man! And there I was thinking 15 hours would just about do it. Doh!

Well, there you go. It all goes to prove that the world is a big place...and that Pippa should read her itinerary much more carefully!

Thanks, 'arrie!

Willow Creek - a journey across the carpark

I went to church on Wednesday night as they have a midweek service and it was really good to be there.
It was a beautiful evening and my camera was handy so I did a bit of extremely amateurish filming on the way so that those who haven't been here can visualise where I am.
Apologies for the shaking...was trying not to look like a total tool as I walked along, talking away quite the thing (apparently to myself!)...
Truly, I feel that I am beginning to settle into this whole 'look-like-a-complete-tourist' thing. It is actually quite liberating.

So, you ready?

Lights...action...

Enjoy the movies!

Rain...Ummmm...maybe not

So, the rain didn't come like I predicted...! Instead it was sunny and 95F...!
The USA is SO different from Scotland - and I love it. When it rains, it really rains and then it all goes away and the sun comes out and it's hot again.
Love it!
Much as I love Scotland (and I really do), I am not going to miss the weather!

Checked the temps a couple of days ago.

Edinburgh in the middle of summer 59F....Auckland in the middle of winter 61F...

I know!!

Front Porch Thoughts...

I don't have my lenses in yet so the world is looking pretty blurry this morning from the front porch. The wind is picking up and the trees across the street are waving at me.
I think it might rain today. I love the rain here - it doesn't hold back one smidgeon, pelting down with full force and glorious freedom. The sky grumbles and light flashes. I love it!

Came across this little movie today. For those who don't know, Wellington in NZ recently had its first snow in over 80 years.  I think I love this little movie because I see the child in these people peeking out in wonder...stopping to savour and just plain old enjoy. I love the smiles on the faces and the instant camaraderie that is shared.
Captivated in the moment.
Just like kids...seeing things freshly that to us adults have become stale and invisible. It makes me want to see with their eyes.
I think this video captures some moments when that 'seeing' is happening.
Of all the things that kids can teach us (and they can teach us loads), this is way up there!

Makes me think of this neat quote from G. K. Chesterton...

"Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we." 

I hope you have a day sprinkled with some unexpected moments of 'seeing'. 

Kiwi!

Love this!