Tazzi November 2

On their second day in Tasmania (Devonport region) the crew visited a farm where much of the work done was done manually or with animal help, including the plowing. This was Pipers Utopia and she later wrote a thank you letter offering to join the farming family! Jasper was not well that day and had to take it easy in the farmhouse. This place was so welcoming and inclusive and would be so helpful for local school visits showing the old farming ways.

Tazzi November 1

While Peter and Gord went to the Menergy Men's gathering, Barb, Bec and the three grandkids flew to Tasmania to visit Madonna and John. The was plenty to do and many photos taken but it has taken up to this time to process some of them for a post. Hopefully we'll post some more soon because they had a pretty nice adventure down there. The pictures cover the first day there (i.e. Friday, November 1), a time for becoming acquainted with Madonnas furry pets. The kids loved it. Piper especially loved the baby bunny.

Upward Bound with Menergy

Menergy is the name of our Victorian Men's Wellbeing gathering. Providing a place of safety is one of the most dynamic things we can do and listening is one of the most valuable things we can do for another. These were key ingredients for the 48 men who came. The wounded healer was found there at the edge of things, still healing. Below are random and rare images from the event and below that a poem truly inspired by it.

Upward Bound - Leaving Menergy 2103

We have surfaced from going deep

Found gems we were destined to keep

In workshop windows we dived for this

Birthing riches in the abyss

As men we opened our hearts to bless

Holding each other up no less

Shaking floors and hearts enduring

Love affirmed and life assuring

We embraced each other a brotherly kiss

Our warrior bow is more than a wish

We’re unbound and free to see

The Power of the Divine Mystery

October Market

We were graced with perfect weather for our third monthly market in the new location, the Whittlesea Secondary College. The number of stalls increased as word of the market's good character and good community atmosphere got around. The townsfolk came, pets and all and the sausage sizzle stall was very busy. It was like earlier years said one man who had known the market story from its inception about 14 years ago.

Ian rolling those sausages

David on the fruit and veggie

Just one of the curly market trails

Ben Minarelli, singer/accoustic guitar for weddings parties functions, busking for a trip overseas. 

For a third time running, we were graced with yet another car club. It is a loose arrangement where we provide parking space and they rock up for a few hours. Each time we have awarded prizes to the three best cars. The black Ford Delux was one of the winners. 

This Holden EJ was also one of the winners.

Barb's Birthday in a Park

The days before last Saturday, Barb spent heaps of time in preparation and thought to make her party go the way she envisioned. The day turned out to be perfectly fine and warm enough for a park to become a reality. It was just what Barb had hoped for and we went there a few hours earlier so as to be completely ready by five when friends and family arrived. There was much to do if every bit of Barb's plan was going to happen, like hiding gifts for the kids and laying out a spare table for a collective craft project. Anyway, it all seemed to work out. Praise God for such grace on the day.

Great to see Simon

and Bec

Little league soccer in action

The salad the Funks brought. A work of art!

The public hotplates worked a treat for just the right length of time.

The party finished after dark but the park had plenty of lighting including a number of ground lights which amused the kids. Can you guess who each one is?

Funk Kid Overnighters

Last weekend we had the pleasure of our grandkids again. It involved the usual ritual of going to the nearby thrift shop Savers for another round of hopefully working toys. There were some good finds made at reasonable expense to us. An additional event this time was going to church with the three, involving Children's Chursh for Piper and Jasper... and Beginner's Church for Jet. Below is a pic of Jet making one of numerous crafty things with other kids his age in the Beginner's Church program. Peter hung about with him and snapped the odd picture of what happened. 

 The three are such good value, able to often take the initiative for what to play and more often are looking out for the other.

Bec and Gord were at a two day business conference. They returned very motivated from it to pick up their kids. Before they left, we all came together for the evening meal - shepherd's pie made by Gord.

Projected Creativity

The Sydney Opera House revealed its true colours last weekend to commemorate Australia's 100th year of having its own Navy. With the help of high end computers and very powerful projectors an amazing half hour of moving images adorned the shell surfaces of both sides of this iconic structure. A landmark moment for a landmark building.