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I’ve written on this topic a few times in the past, but I hope you can stand a little more. I’ve written half a dozen draft posts over recent months, and haven’t published a single one. It’s very hard to write with perspective about things that are ongoing. This has been a challenging year for many of us, not least of which is the frog that has taken up residence in our plumbing. He/she is only the size of my thumb and when I can catch him I put him outside again, but as I write he is ‘chirruping’ loudly from the bathroom sink drain. We had a shower together yesterday, he singing to me from the protection of the drain, and me wondering if he/she is raising a noisy family!
What is equally true is the world is very very beautiful–in many ways we fail to see or allow to touch us.

In my life the little things that have saved me almost as much as the love…small moments, tiny events, simple actions. It’s one of the reasons my day feels lacking if I can’t start it with a walk at sunrise. Yes, it helps that I’m a morning person, but this year with serious sleep deprivation even though I am awake early…sometimes very, VERY early, it has been challenging. I’ve been doing it for so long, decades now, that my body almost goes through the preparations without me having to think about it. It knows that those bird sightings and the melodious carol of the Pied Butcherbird, the beautiful skies, and the movement that relaxes my muscles and bones set me up for the day. But sleep deprivation has intervened and some recalibrations (and naps) have been required.
This year has been a series of physical/medical challenges for me. Nothing life threatening, but requiring attention, time and energy to respond to. Some years are like that, have you noticed? One of the tactics I used, but didn’t realise until afterward is something the experts call ‘attention deployment’. This is when you engage in something that takes your mind away from whatever it is you want to momentarily forget. They say it is different than ignoring a thing, it is only a breather from it. It gives a little break, though it isn’t clear to me if tiny frogs are meant to be included. Earlier in the year I was cleaning out and renovating the house, while also renovating my body. Lately I’ve turned to reading, painting and experimenting with flavours in the kitchen as well as brewing my own cleaning fluid.
Nothing is too lame. What does it matter if something sounds strange? If it interests you and diverts one’s attention enough to be helpful, relaxing even–do it.
Citrus season has just finished here in Central Australia but continues for a little longer in the southern regions. Our lemon tree has been bountiful. My neighbours had to be away for five weeks or so and left the fate of the fruit on their six orange trees to ME! I water their plants and check on the house regularly and pick the fruit up off the ground so it doesn’t draw pests. With the oranges, I make orange and almond cake, that deliciously sweet and moist gluten free cake that I normally save for special outings to cafes. When I’m just eating the oranges for breakfast or snacks, I save the peels and add them to a jar that has white vinegar in it. Once the jar is filled I put a note on top of it that has the date two weeks hence when the brew will be done. The vinegar draws out the orange oil (also works with lemons) and at maturity you strain out the fruit peelings and put them in your compost, and bottle the liquid for cleaning. I have read you dilute it with water, which I have done with the lemon brew, 1/4C lemon vinegar to 1C hot water for cleaning windows. Use it with a lint free microfibre cloth and it does a brilliant job. The orange one I use 1C diluted with 1/2C water as a kitchen and sink cleaner. It works with whatever cloth you use, and the smell is delicious and it is nontoxic. Today I cleaned out our smelly letter box in which a poor little gekko had died and begun to decompose. All smells lovely again now.




Distractions? Let’s not forget a good craft or art practice. Recently our daughter attended a Cowboys-and-Cowgirls-Christmas-in-July party for her office. She sent me a photo of bedazzling her costume and told me it is ‘surprisingly relaxing’. I’m slightly trepidatious that she may be covered head to toe in sequins and rhinestones the next time I see her!
Life has always been hard. During the last Pandemic it was so much worse than now. If you want to read a novel that starts there and comes into the present, Isabel Allende’s new novel ‘Violeta’ is an interesting distraction, not a difficult read and describes lives in other times and places over a period of 100 years.
My little garden is another distraction that produces things which I can harvest from time to time. This is the third year since I built it and I now have surprise seeds that sprout like gifts from the earth and present me with chilies, lettuces and basil. The early spring/late winter dandelion leaves also add some zip to the occasional salad at the moment. I’ve left the broccoli and some of the lettuce and rocket (arugula) go to seed so the poor bees have something to eat until other things start to flower again. We’ve had the coldest Winter we can remember here in Alice, so things will take a little while to recover from frost bite. But a couple of weeks ago we had a glorious 16mm of rain which have helped bring on Spring. Meanwhile the bees enjoy the yellow flowers as well as the blue flowers of the four rosemary bushes in our garden. And little by little I’m potting up starts from winter cuttings and freshening soil and planting more natives for the bees and birds and us to enjoy.




And then there are the tiny pleasures, so easy to miss. The way the light illuminates my kitchen in the evening at the end of Winter. The little wallaby that peers at me as I eat my breakfast. The ever changing skies morning and evening.
I’m inclined to agree with Rilke.
In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer
Rilke




The writings, plantings, cleaning agents, bakery goods, artwork and more . . . such wonderful creations of a truly talented and gifted young lady. That’s you, Ardys!
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That’s so generous of you Maralah, thank you. I just kind of follow my interests and it mostly seems to work. I hope you are keeping well. x
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There’s so much beauty in this post, Ardys. That opening photo of the clouds is just stunning. And your painting of the sunrise mists is beautiful. The orange almond cake looks amazing — any chance you’d share the recipe with us at some point?
I could go on making comments about every photo in this post…you’ve captured everyday items in such interesting ways and lovely light. It looks like you’ve got a good arsenal of “attention deployment” techniques to get you through the difficult times. I enjoyed this very much, thanks.
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Thank you SO much Kim. And thank you for asking for the recipe, I didn’t even think to add it…out of practice, I think! I’ve added a link to the post and here is one just for you too. Navel oranges are best, and it doesn’t actually matter how sweet or juicy they are in my experience, except that if they are very juicy, you might need to extend the baking time 10 mins or so or the cake will be very moist in the middle. Let me know how you go. recipe: https://www.monpetitfour.com/orange-almond-flourless-cake-3/
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Wonderful, thanks!
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I enjoy these glimpses of your day-to-day and the solidarity of someone else celebrating small things… matters not that we who do so are numerous… we are quite the tribe, minutiae lessen our distance, recurrence is reassuring, and your sharing of it is really very generous with beautiful photographs, details and words crafted with a warmth that evokes a sense of connection. So much to love… the parsley… I can only wish mine looked that good, ditto for the kalanchoe. But my oh my, your work and progress with the pastels is really evident in the results.
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Thank you Dale, I too enjoy our traded glimpses back and forth in each other’s posts! The parsley is out of control and now going to seed so needs to come out so I can plant some to get started before the weather is too hot…she says on a 35C day with 72km/h gusts at the moment 😳 Crikey! Enjoy all those delicious greens in your garden!
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What a lovely post, Ardys, and certainly I can relate to much of what you express about the last year. Things are beginning to level out a bit since Forrest’s accident, and I find myself in an odd place – somewhere I haven’t had the time in the past to explore. I have let go of much of my “busy” life activities and simply stepped back to enjoy what presents itself in the many moments of the day. Sometimes it will be cooking and baking, and other times I delight in watching wildlife from the front porch, or working in the chicken barn and yard finding laughter in chicken antics or perhaps simply reading a good book. It’s so much as you described in this post. There is so much to dabble in in a day, and if it brings great joy, it’s icing on the cake. If we can manage it, there is something to be grateful for even when things can be aggravating… like that frog!
It’s a real blessing to find that you’ve posted. You’re inspiring, Ardys.
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Hi Lori, apologies for the slow response. I’ve not had much computer time the last couple of days. I’m so glad you have been able to step back and make room for things as they unfold. Your chickens sound like my crested pigeons as far as entertainment value is concerned 🙂 And yes…THAT frog! We caught him and released him outside again and within a day he was back in the bathroom sink drain, singing to us. 🤷🏻♀️ You are in my thoughts often. Be well.xx
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Ardys, I really enjoyed the blog and especially the beautiful pictures! Some of them would make an excellent canvas for beautiful paintings. Thank you!
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And anything either of you create would be beautiful.
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So glad to hear from you Keith. I’m glad you enjoyed the post and the images. I take them to remind me daily what an inspiring place this is to live! I hope you are well.
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