Systematically working through a pile of recommendations for appointment, I found a Professional Organisation I hadn't come across before - The John Loewenthal Club. Being the obsessional - I thought I should check it out. After all it would be embarrassing if the Vice Chancellor asked I didn't know.
What an amazing man John Loewenthal was. A surgeon who headed up key health promotion organisations like the National Heart Foundation. A gardener and a military man. Survivor of some of the most difficult battles in World War 2. Internationally acclaimed and farewelled from Rose Bay.
"In the words of Professor Alexander Boyd, he was 'a really good, safe and dependable clinician; a neat and careful operator who [paid] great attention to technique'." What an amazing person. Who collapsed at an event given in his honour and never recovered. After living a very full life. Someone I would have liked to have known I think.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Celebration of light
And in a wonderful counterpoint Christine is hosting a new style of event: the photo party. She writes:
This is a new experiment and sort of a twist on the regular Poetry Parties. Instead of my selecting a theme and image and inviting you to respond with words, I will select a theme and poem and invite you to respond with images.
Since you can’t post images directly in the comments section here, I invite you to add them to the Flickr Group I have created. Please do leave a comment below to let us know you have joined the party and feel free to link back to your own blog and post your image there too. If possible I’d love to have them all in the Flickr group as well (joining Flickr is free)! Share as many as five of your images in response to the theme. Feel free to take your image(s) in any direction and then if you have a blog, please post the invitation and encourage others to come join the party!
On the Solstice – Sunday, June 21st –I will draw a name at random from those who participate and send the winner a copy of Illuminating Mystery: Creativity as Spiritual Practice.
**********
Photo Party Theme: Summer Solstice — Embracing the Light
As sun scatters dark
She asks me to awaken
To the light in me.
-Christine Valters Paintner
The Summer Solstice is this coming Sunday, June 21st.
Those of us in the northern hemisphere are experiencing longer and longer days.
** Let the first Photo Party be a Celebration of Light! **
So here are some 'light' photographs from the past few months
Solstice wonder
As the cold closes in and it's dark outside before the afternoon is over it was a joy to read Cheryls Solstice Taster
Life is a Verb
Friday rolls around again and this week Jan posts some intriguing questions in the Friday Five
Digh, Patti. Life is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful,
and Live Intentionally. Guilford, CT: Skirt!, 2008.
1. What awakens you to the present moment?
All senses - it may be a view, or a sound, or the feeling of wind or rain. The strong smell of tobacco as I stand blankly waiting for the pedestrian crossing light to change. A warm greeting from a friend or colleague in the midst of a hectic day.
2. What are 5 things you see out your window right now?
Well the blinds are down and we are snuggled in for the night so I see nothing out the window right now.
3. Which verbs describe your experience of God?
Love
4. From the book on p. 197:
Who were you when you were 13? Where did that kid go?
At 13 I was a chubby kid in my second year at High School somewhat bewildered by what went on around me. Diligently doing my work but never really experiencing that 'aha' moment. Conscientious and committed to living a Christian life, teaching kids not much younger than myself at Sunday School, wanting so much to be confirmed and accepting of my minister's view that I was not yet mature enough.
That kid is still there ~ but now has a strong alter ego that will stand up for her, that gently and without rancour told the aforementioned minister that his decision had been wrong when he raised the matter some 30 years later, who is perhaps a little more astute about the dynamics and politics of situations and who has 'aha' moments all the time.
5. From the book on p. 88:
If your work were the answer to a question, what would the question be?
How do we make sure we do it right?
Digh, Patti. Life is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful,and Live Intentionally. Guilford, CT: Skirt!, 2008.
Jan writes that Jennifer recommended this book which covers these these topics concerning life as a verb:
- Say yes.
- Be generous.
- Speak up.
- Love more.
- Trust yourself.
- Slow down.
1. What awakens you to the present moment?
All senses - it may be a view, or a sound, or the feeling of wind or rain. The strong smell of tobacco as I stand blankly waiting for the pedestrian crossing light to change. A warm greeting from a friend or colleague in the midst of a hectic day.
2. What are 5 things you see out your window right now?
Well the blinds are down and we are snuggled in for the night so I see nothing out the window right now.
3. Which verbs describe your experience of God?
Love
4. From the book on p. 197:
Who were you when you were 13? Where did that kid go?
At 13 I was a chubby kid in my second year at High School somewhat bewildered by what went on around me. Diligently doing my work but never really experiencing that 'aha' moment. Conscientious and committed to living a Christian life, teaching kids not much younger than myself at Sunday School, wanting so much to be confirmed and accepting of my minister's view that I was not yet mature enough.
That kid is still there ~ but now has a strong alter ego that will stand up for her, that gently and without rancour told the aforementioned minister that his decision had been wrong when he raised the matter some 30 years later, who is perhaps a little more astute about the dynamics and politics of situations and who has 'aha' moments all the time.
5. From the book on p. 88:
If your work were the answer to a question, what would the question be?
How do we make sure we do it right?
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Food shopping
Food shopping was the topic of my second ever post and returns in this weeks Friday Five from Sophia who is delighted by the opening of a Trader Joe's store directly across the road from her apartment. Unknown to me (as yet) this outlet is apparrently "a quirky, well-stocked, well priced semi-gourmet store that attains near cult status among some ... So in honor of the new Trader Joe's, this week's Friday Five is all about food shopping."
1. Grocery shopping--love it or hate it?
I really don't like it and procrastinate like crazy. With two adult children now at home I'm more likely to hand over some cash and get them to do it.
I really don't like it and procrastinate like crazy. With two adult children now at home I'm more likely to hand over some cash and get them to do it.
2. Who is the primary food shopper in your household?
The adult children probably. And my dearly beloved. And me for things they don't think of like vegetables and flour and toilet paper.3. Do you have a beloved store like TJ's which is unique to your location or family?
Not for desserts but I do love a visit to the tea shop and the David Jones food hall is a delight when I can afford a visit,4. How about a farmer's market, or CSA share, as we move into summer? Or do you grow your own fruits/veggies/herbs?
The vege garden will be getting some attention today, neighbours tree is dropping mandarins on our drive and their oranges are almost beginning to ripen. Our kumquats are getting close to harvest as well. And I do enjoy the markets - in winter as well as summer.
The vege garden will be getting some attention today, neighbours tree is dropping mandarins on our drive and their oranges are almost beginning to ripen. Our kumquats are getting close to harvest as well. And I do enjoy the markets - in winter as well as summer.
5. What's the favorite thing you buy at the grocery store?
Now this is a hard one for a shopper of necessity. Probably the deli items - olives, sundried tomatoes, feta, figs etc. And I do enjoy browsing the cheese aisle for new varieties.
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