A shooting star

A friend of mine said her grandson, aged 6, absolutley adores my children's picture book featuring the unicorn called Crystal. He wont go to sleep without his mother reading it to him. To hear that feels like I've succeded already! A shooting star transformed into a wish come true :)

Ordinary People

When ordinary people without overt disabilities fail to understand and treasure differences then they are the one afflicted with a true disability. When my sister and me were in a class we were interested in learning, wanted to achieve, and knew some nuance about something scientific as I was able to answer some question (I don’t even remember the question). In combination with not wearing fashion clothes and being a twin (sitting in the same class), several university teachers labelled us as having Aspergers syndrome. They had come to the wrong conclusion, regardless, even if they had been correct it would have been nicer if they slowed down on the labelling and had enough wits to understand that normality is in difference. They tried very hard to crush us emotionally and academically however we are blooming - blessed with good family and a PhD graduation just around the corner. Difference is what makes people truly unique and special. We are all special and have personal strength and abilities just waiting to be found. I hope you feel special and comfortable just being you.

Dragonflies



Photo by Suresh Kumar - Butterfly Photography

Dragonflies eat mosquitoes. This is a fact that everyone should know. Incredibley fast and manuverable, the dragonfly is the eloquent carnivor of my choice. One researcher found a speed of 97 km/h, wow! They lay their eggs amoungst reeds and lillies in ponds and water holes. The eggs hatch into larvea that emerge from the water to begin the adult life as an insect hunter. No wonder I always saw dozens flying around early mornings and at dusk when the mosquitoes are on the lookout for some grub.

Season Greetings

Our Australian Snowman people are already lining up early for Christmas this year - I can even see them from my backyard! 

Happy Christmas and New Year to all!

Can you spot the three wise men?

 

Unicorns in Australia

Crystal's Gallant Adventures

The Mountain Pass Back to Valley Flats

Ursula A. Ciller

A fantastic childrens book available on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Crystal%27s+Gallant+Adventures

...and on eBay currently (listed for another 9 days):

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Crystals-Gallant-Adventures-Mountain-Pass-Back-Valley-Flats-/120830260962?pt=AU_Books_Childrens_New&hash=item1c220b76e2

This book is a major achievement for me. The product of a year's labour of love, the illustrations unfolded with the story of this noble spirited unicorn called Crystal. This tale combines the beauty of nature with rich fantasy and teaches children that kindness returns in often unexpected ways. For a backpage description please see my Children's Books page.

The coolest beetle add!

I scanned this add from a magazine years ago (c. late 1990s -early 2000s). Even though I much prefer the old fashioned VW bugs this is a great image!
I think they still made the old style beetle chassis in Mexico untill fairly recently. That must be the longest standing genuine chassis production of any make or model.

Beautiful Rabbits

It is presently raining which I really enjoy. Rain is soothing and refreshing providing you’re not working in the rain in the middle of winter. The air becomes buoyant prior to rain fall and the forest ground smells earthy when it drops.

A fantastic children’s story written by Stephen Cosgrove and illustrated by Robin James is Leo the Lop. A 1977 gem, this story lets kids know that individual differences are the beauty of being oneself and that conformity is not always a good idea if you deny yourself your personality and who you are. The pictures are absolutely breathtaking. I’ll have to check out other books written by this author.