22 March 2014

Five random thoughts ...

  • This photo in, or near Bright, Victoria....it came up on my desktop a while ago, and I thought a sweet intro' to my very first, 5-random-thoughts post.  Archival photos such as this take me back to stop-overs in special places.. this one in, 2007.  I can picture myself being right there, about 780 kms. away, in an instant, collecting fallen Liquidamber leaves nearby.

  • I've come to realize that having eyes pressed hard  to the viewfinder in our camera, really does wonders for the soul.  I'm sure it takes us places, in our head-space, ironing out any complexities there; rather akin to de-fragging a computer I'm thinking!!  

  • My friends will vouch for the fact that I make few phone-calls!  I really can't explain, but I've never been one to pick up the phone as first choice.  Writing letters yes, writing emails yes, meeting for coffee, yes again...........but the phone-call will always come last in the queue.  

  • Catching up/coffee, chat..sometimes that means a two-hour trip by train to Sydney, and same again back.  It's not a chore; meeting with friends is a special event.  Very recently this journey had me meeting up with Laura and Don (Illinois, U.S.A.),  for the first time ever. Laura and I had started writing online some years ago, through our interaction then with Michael Strong's stamping/card-making group.  Laura's hubby had planned a busy tour about Australia, and while in Sydney, finally we could meet up.  We chatted over coffee, at the Museum of Contemporary Art, right by Sydney Harbour, at Circular Quay. That was only a couple weeks back now.  


  • This morning I commented on a blog post, about calligraphy, and zentangles. A few years back I was sent some wonderful books on Zentangles.  They came after a stressful period when losing my husband Des, from melanoma, after 43 years marriage; he was 65 then.  I tried my hand at penning fine lines, often into the early hours of the morning.  The thought process involved gave me a wonderful 'out' and I'm sure was somewhat meditative.  It is interesting to see how Zentangle-Inspired-Art (Z.I.A.) evolves in your own hand.  Something I had never expected I would do --- now that's another random thought really, and I've already done five now.

Sharing with Random Five Friday

15 comments:

Montanagirl said...

Nice post, Carole! I'm another one that rarely picks up a telephone, unless I see a number coming through that I recognize! My daughter is in Alaska, and we text a lot, plus Face Time, and sometimes Skype. She has two adorable little girls now, and I wish Husband and I had never moved back to Montana.

Sarah Huizenga said...

Completely agree about the phone calling. I prefer texting, email, FB anything but talking on the phone. Face to face is always the best.

Jan Castle said...

Like your random thoughts...helps to get to know you better Carole.....especially it is doubtful I will get to Australia.
Hugs,
Jan

Jeanne said...

Carole I just love your first ever 5 random thoughts. These are fun because you always learn something about the people who post them. That zentangles looks as if it would be very iinterest ing to do, and glad that you had the chance to do those in a time which was stressful for you. And then came blogging and photograpphy. What fun that you got to meet some illinoians..... Illinois is where I was originally born and raised. A great place in the heart of the midwest. so glad that you got to go meet these folks and llove the photo of the two of you. I think that actually meeting people for "catch up ' time is definitely better than the phone... however, it seems as if so many people rely on the phone, and not even n talking, but texting. hOpe that is not so big there as it really takes the "social" interaction out of life. Sending you a big hug, and so glad to see you here! Come again!

Nancy said...

I've been wanting to try the Zentangles. Thanks for sharing the examples and for joining in at R5F this week Carole!

Carole M. said...

a lovely response from my first 'random-5' post, thank-you!

Mona: I can understand how you would feel re the distance between you and your family members in Alaska. Thank heavens for this 'age' of modern technology when you have the ability to see them via Skype and F.T. I hadn't heard of F.T. before, I think it might be a connection to FB perhaps? I'll look it up. Imagine years ago, when families could only rely on a letter in the post for their only 'connection'. I did look up the distance between you and understand it's a good couple of days travel-time.

Jeanne: Yes, it is a very original 'meme', if it is considered that. It is a way to share little snippets - by the by, so to speak. Oh I'm sure mobile phone is way big here too, I witness that when I travel on the train, wait at the stations etc.

Nancy: Do try and find a moment to give Zentangles a try; you don't need hardly anything to do it! Look online for so many pattern ideas to get your creative juices flowing :).

Unknown said...

Your zentangles are amazing. I tried them but for now, prefer art journaling and making ATC (artist trading cards).

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i remember i was always the one who wanted to answer the phone calls as a kid - now that i am an adult ... i really don't like it ... i will sort of hide. i prefer the quiet time. love it up ... soak it in too. ( :

Unknown said...

I am with you on the phone calls Carole. I have never been one to chat for hours. Short and to the point is how I like it. It is an effort on my behalf to chat to a couple of sisters in law who think nothing of rambling on and on. I do try to send them regular texts so they don't feel the need to call me. This was a different and enjoyable post from you.

diane b said...

An interesting post. "Photos are the pilot light of memory".
It must have been fun catching up with cyber friends. I'm intrigued with Zentangle Art I've been reading your links. I have never heard of it before. It is the sort of thing I would love to do.

Deanna said...

I loved your random 5, learning more about you and your surroundings. It was lovely that you were able to meet up with an on=line friend, that is really a treat. And I am lovin' you zentangles, something I have never tried.

Anonymous said...

Your first Random 5! Glad you joined in the fun. #3 describes me, too. I think I spent too many years tied to a phone for work, now I want nothing to do with it. I was sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. Two lovely photos--the flowers in your header and the feature for this post. The latter reminds me of a place we went once every summer for a family reunion.

Waldameise Andrea said...

Hello Carole, I really enjoyed it again, immerse yourself in your world. I read and like to watch here. And I've got an appetite for a coffee. Here it is still early in the morning. I wish you a nice day with great encounters and beautiful photos for us.

Liebe Grüße von der Waldameise

Hetty said...

Hello Carole, so great to see you and Laura getting together. It is always wonderful when online friends meet. Hope you had a great time.
BTW your zentangles are great.

Maggie Jones said...

I am one of Laura's friends and I live in Lima, Ohio. I love your photographs and drawings. It is wonderful to be with Laura. We share a friend!
Blessings,
Maggie Jones