Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: memories

  • Spirit of the Garden

    Spirit of the Garden

    Heraclites said ‘Nature loves to hide itself’ and never a truer word was spoken or written when it comes to the natural world. Writer and photographer Trisha Dixon, through the lens of her camera, takes a journey into gardens and natural landscape that captures the hidden joys to be discovered when time is taken to sit, look and absorb the landscape.

    From the first a page to the last Spirit of the Garden transports into another world which is unexpected, but upon consideration perfectly appropriate as not just the incredible images, but the poignancy of the words, reaches deep into the emotions we as humans walking this earth, have in many cases shoved off to one side; forgetting that we are the guardians of all that is around us, constructed as beautiful gardens created by what often appears to be the random hands of Mother Nature.

    As Trisha Dixon says the language of gardening starts early in us, especially if we are fortunate enough to be someplace that gardens are prolific, or the world of nature is close to where we live or wander. So many Australians have grown up with the stereotype gardens of suburbia, based around the legacies of the English settlers in Australia. It is only over the past few decades, as the climate has begun to change in a very definitive manner, the landscape of nature has been discovered and is being incorporated to a large degree in landscapes far and wide, as is the art of container gardening for smaller urban space.

    As climate is changing it is becoming more important than ever to understand the emotional impact of gardens and their magic on the psyche, as well as the massive importance of taking care of our environment which is the main impetus behind this immersive book.

    The photography is magnificent, the wording simple but powerful with the very Spirit of the Garden carefully defined. Those who have travelled widely or those who have walked around their neighbourhood enjoy the visions to be discovered that showcase the very epitome of Spirit as they bring joy to the heart and life, filling very soul with something simple called pleasure.

    Immerse yourself in this sumptuous journey of gardens and landscapes, filled with enticing quotes from seriously wise people, who discovered that taking time to sit and discover the hidden beauty within nature creates unforgettable memories that last a life time.

  • The Memory Pool: Australian stories of summer, sun and swimming

    The Memory Pool: Australian stories of summer, sun and swimming

    Maybe it’s in your DNA, or a learned behaviour, or a Star Sign, but there is definitely a group of people who just love the water and being in it. For those people, The Memory Pool is a dynamic collection of short stories that is so Australian, and so exciting to read, one cannot put it down. The stories evoke all the senses so much that you cannot help but reflect on your own encounters as a kid in a pool when you were growing up.

    Reading the stories of many personal experiences with swimming pools, the reader sees similarities in the storytellers’ recollections. The wonderful sense of the water enveloping the body, and the solitary peace while under the water is remembered. All of the stories are told as the recollections of a child. I’m sure if you asked for similar thoughts of a picnic or show day, the sensory and contented experiences would not be so clearly remembered.

    One story tells of swimming in a pool in Darwin during a rain storm and how the rain looked from under the water. Another tells of the challenges the children set themselves each visit to the pool. The stories never mention bullying, but tell about healthy competition and creativity in coming up with new games.

    The first jump into the cool waters, and how that felt on your skin was a common feeling. The swimming lessons held in the pool had some less than caring teachers. One teacher had a broom handle and if you came to the edge of the pool for a rest, he would push you off. Freedom to play and be solitary or one of a crowd seemed to be most important to all the children.

    Therese Spruhan has divided the sections very cleverly. She has stories from Suburban Pools, Bay Pools, Sea Pools, and Building Pools. These stories cover all states in Australia, and that strong love for the water and the personal peace it brings is common to all. The familiarity for the body in being almost weightless in water is not forgotten. Also, the fitness and skills that were almost accidentally built up as the kids played, were put to good account as many of them took part in competition swimming.

    The heat, the pool turnstile, the blue of the water, the shock of the cold on your hot body, the peace and serenity under the water…Ahhhh! Yes, these are indeed sensation to remember forever.

  • Time Not Forgotten

    Time Not Forgotten

    Dancing across the keyboards the delicately constructed song Dancing Through My Memories introduces the latest Album from solo pianist Rhonda Mackert, Time Not Forgotten; the name in itself a gentle hint to the delightful journey to be undertaken.

    A gentle light feeling follows on with Walking Among Giants, a piece in which it is very easy to imagine walking through tall timbers, lost in the moment, in awe of nature and the perfection created in the seeming disarray of nature. A gloriously peaceful song to simply be enjoyed.

    With Time Not Forgotten the work changes tempo to be a more definitive composition, slightly sharper, deeper, perhaps a little more poignant in the emotion imbedded in the creation.

    A very real change of pace is Monsoon introduced with sharp, single notes before building to a crescendo, strong bass notes clearly painting a picture of these majestically destructive storms as they begin with a small breeze, building to raging tempests before calming, moving on as once again a gentle breeze; a metaphor for so many aspects of life.

    Chasing Fireflies is a happy, effervescent song, dancing across the keyboard bringing with it joy and happiness, perfectly depicting the fun to be had when wildly chasing the uncatchable fireflies; such fun to be had.

    Sedona, that magical land of wide-open spaces, incredibly immense scenery and a special form of magic, is paid homage too in Dreaming of Sedona, a lovely, melodic, peaceful composition, with shades of light and dark, peace and relaxation woven throughout.

    Drawing an enchanting album to a close is the softly entrancing piece Floating Free, which is evocative of so many perfect moments in time, that first glimpse of a new dawn, the delight of floating on the breezes, the soft glory of a perfect sunset, or just allowing the mind to float free of the everyday, to simply be in the moment.

    Rhonda Mackerts’ work is captivating, enjoyable, relaxing; painting a picture in the mind of times remembered, and the very real beauty to be found in the moment with nature and life itself.

  • Australia Remember This Too!

    Australia Remember This Too!

    For people of a certain age, this visual feast of memories brings a smile to the face. Beginning with the front cover and the colour print of fairy bread, which graced many of our birthday parties, the familiar items keep appearing. This second book by Bob Byrne will be sure to get the eyes lighting up as memories and recognizable objects pop up.

    The intimate way in which the author tells the stories that are shown with photographs, has the reader nodding with recognition. While Bob discusses nursing in the ‘50s and ‘60s, he recalls how he was not able to hold his baby until she came home from hospital. Also, he recalls that nurses were strictly supervised by Matron, and had to be in the nurses’ quarters by 10pm. Their uniforms had many starched pieces and were strictly regulated as well.

    Later in the book, there are photos and stories about household appliances such as the Simpson wringer, washing machine, popular in many homes, and a huge help to women who had previously had to boil a copper and handle the heavy sheets into rinsing troughs. At the end of the day when most work was done, Mother would collect her wooden mushroom and begin to darn socks while listening to the radio.

    Along with the fairy bread, there were honey or chocolate crackles to eat and coconut ice made for the school fete. There were also the small ice cream tubs that children ate called Dandies, and of course, no household would be without Vegemite or Golden Syrup. Many families had chooks, and so eggs were always readily available.

    The section on entertainment brings a smile as well. Dave Allen was an entertainer who sat on a stool and drank…something, and smoked continuously as he told rather risqué stories. He was charming and mesmerised most of the viewers with his melodic Irish accent. The Seekers were a very popular music group and fans went wild when the Bay City Rollers came to town.

    This book would make a splendid gift for someone older, who would recognise many of the articles. The written word as well as the photos make for excellent reading. You will be forgiven for laughing out loud, especially when looking at the demonstration of hand signals one had to use out of the car window. As a coffee table book, this will amuse both younger and older members of the family.

  • Encounters of the Beautiful Kind

    Encounters of the Beautiful Kind

    Falling in love inspired creation in Rachel Lafond, who up to that time in her life was a performer and teacher of piano. Never suspecting her great talent for composition, her dreaming of the man she was to later marry unlocked a rich and powerful talent, once again presented in her new solo piano album, Encounters of the Beautiful Kind.

    Travelling the world as a young married couple her music embraced the special moments encountered before she and he husband choose New Zealand as their new home. Settling in to a new country, and a new culture, has proven to be the inspiration for this enjoyable work introduced by Luminous, a piece that is a little hesitant to begin with, before building to a confident finish.

    Those who have moved countries will resonate with this work, as Lafond has captured, through the medium of music, the gentle, hesitant beginnings, the moment when memories of home, other times and places come flooding back in Heart Full of Memories. Followed by Tears for Catalunya she pays tribute to those who lost their lives in the terror attacks at Las Rambas and Cambrils in 2017.

    Your Beauty Calls Me is a piece full of love and joy for her new piano, a piano she had to forgo for the two years of her travels but now settled she can once again, fall in love all over again with this glorious new addition to the home.

    Sometimes  when living an ex-pat life, there is the question that arrives, The Question Your Heart Asks, a question often without answer at that time, as the decisions made to begin in a new country are complex, which has been well presented in a piece that simply flows, rising and falling with emotion.

    A soft and delicate moment is offered in Don’t Cry, Calvin, where comfort and love is offered freely in time of need.

    Living in New Zealand can often cause a pause to consider where the sun may have gone, or when its warming rays will be noticed once again, which has been captured perfectly in Shout To The Sun, a powerful and rich song.

    A quirky title to the finishing track is A Knight’s Journey, a strong and yet almost languid piece, allows the mind to drift to and fro, creating whatever visions chosen in the moment. It also offers a settling, that comes with the acceptance and enjoyment of a new life, a journeys end, at least for now!

    With Encounters of the Most Beautiful Kind, Rachel Lafond has simply underpinned her immense talent in the world of neo-classical solo piano music.

  • Seashells in My Pocket

    Seashells in My Pocket

    The title of this solo piano album is reminiscent of picking up little bits and pieces as one wanders down that pathway, or along a stretch of beach, then placing them in a holder of some sort or other upon return; there to be taken out and memories of that time, place and space enjoyed once again.

    Measured and peaceful, this debut album from classically trained pianist Pam Asberry has been inspired by some of the many places she has travelled and enjoyed throughout her life. Heartfelt and poignant, simple melody is used to present minutes in time, such as in the piece Wishing Stones, where one of the local traditions in Aruba is to build a small cairn of stones on the beach and make a wish. Of course hoping it will come true.

    As a classical pianist, Asberry was more than familiar with following a set score; branching out was not a consideration until one early morning during a walk, a melody arrived refusing to leave until it was written down. That melody is Monterey Morning and became the first of the many compositions to follow.

    Each of the pieces is melodic and graceful, lending themselves to an easy listening style that encourages reflection of the many simple pleasures stored away, reminding one of  some of those many little items, treasures of special of times enjoyed, delicate moments never to be repeated, the beauty of nature there for enjoyment by all.

    Dunn’s River Falls changes the tempo completely with a dramatic introduction, then showcases Asberry’s talent more so than any of the other pieces, as it encourages visions of water pounding over the waterfall, rushing steadily to the bottom to crash in a turbulent manner before flowing into a peaceful stream.

    Wrapping up a delightful album is Sailing Home, a gentle, melodic and absolutely peaceful composition, reminiscent of sailing into harbour after a tiring, but enjoyable day on the water, a peaceful walk along the beach at sunset, the joy of looking over hills and mountains at the end of a day when all is done and peace begins to descend in a timeless and beautiful manner.

    Pam Asberry in her debut album has created music that will be enjoyed for a long time to come.

  • Keepsakes in the Attic

    Keepsakes in the Attic

    As the title suggests this is an album of piano that will tug at the memory and heartstrings as the traditional sounds take you back to a time when life was less complex, when piano was played in many houses as entertainment; a time when stories were told around the fire during the winter months, a time when memories were made.

    Bjorck uses the metaphor of ‘spending the afternoon in the attic,’ rummaging through the various keepsakes stored in the boxes, finding nothing but treasures of times long gone and the precious memories they evoke as each piece is slowly unwrapped and rediscovered.

    The memorabilia we all know well, such as your Mothers music box, Grandad’s old rocking chair, the gowns and jewellery of times gone by and worn when out on that special event, the pictures, cards and occasionally wrapping paper considered precious enough to keep, all add up to a host of memories, that occasionally need to see the light of day.

    The tracks composed for this album are based in various memories of something special in Bjorck’s, families’ lives and his time growing up a small child playing catch with his Father. Each piece is brushed with a poignancy that is as subtle as a breath of fresh air, a remembered laugh, the hint of an old fashioned tune hauntingly finding its way into the notes.

    Dainty and beautiful the rich, slightly ‘olde worlde’ melodic structures touch the heart, brings a smile to the face and most of all encourages you to take a look at the ‘keepsakes in the attic’ of your mind, your home or your Grandparents and in doing so, rediscover your family, who they were and the items precious enough to keep tucked safely away.

    Poignant and touching this is a very special selection of music which does exactly as it sets out to do, bring a gentle peace, a touch of joy and a haunting whiff of memories, as each of the notes is played with immense skill and love, and like the memories they invoke will remain with you in the ‘attic of your mind.’

    Beautiful.

  • Apple Blossom Pie : Memories of an Australian Country Kitchen

    Apple Blossom Pie : Memories of an Australian Country Kitchen

    You can smell the cinnamon, a roast cooking and the joy of preparing a feast or meal for the family as you turn the pages of this more than just a cookery book.

    The sub-title ‘Memories of an Australian Country Kitchen’ is understated as the undoubted store house full of scrumptious recipes would grace the tables of any seriously good restaurant anywhere, let alone the family dining table.

    Growing up in country Victoria Kate McGhie learned the art of preparing fresh food well from the soil to the table from her mother and grandmother. As the family depended on the ‘vegie garden’ for much of the fresh produce used, she grew up eating fresh fruit and vegetables from the garden, as everyone did and still does, if they have a ’vegie patch’. She also learning from the experts, her n mother and grandmother, the best way to prepare and cook what was in plentiful supply.

    Each of the chapters commences with memories of her childhood relative to the chapter, wonderful tips on how best to cook simple things like roast vegies to get the best flavour, colour and taste. There is a wonderful story about foraging for mushrooms, a story which holds much more than just gathering fungi for the table, which looks back at the simple everyday life of foraging and gathering nature’s bounty.

    Along with the memories are many, many tried and true traditional recipes covering just about any style of dish for all seasons. Beef and Stout Stew with Parsley Dumplings comes with a lovely introduction as to how the stews were served at the family table, along with an endnote in relation to stout verses beer and what happens if you decide to make the Dumplings.

    Nectarine and Smoked Trout Salad with Celery leaves, a seasonal dish if ever there was one, is also one that would grace any table anywhere and is both quick and easy to prepare and serve.  Perhaps something different for Christmas this year!

    There is wonderful tale about ‘Aprons’ which is a definite ‘must read’ and as the year rapidly draws to a close, an Inspiring section on Christmas for those already feeling over or underwhelmed by the festive season.

    The No-Bake Deluxe Fruit Cake can double as the Christmas cake; Clootie Pudding takes a little longer but will add that something special to the festivities and is also full of tradition.

    If you are stuck for a main course check out the Rolled Lamb with Mint and Pea Filling or the Festive Pickled Pork which is a cheap, traditional alternative to the Christmas ham and well loved by many of the older generation.

    Want a little bit more upmarket well take a look at the ‘Crayfish on Tomato Jelly’ designed to impress or simply wander back over the pages to select some of the many traditional Australian Country recipes which will do you and your guests proud.

    This is a book for giving and receiving and regardless of whether you are a cook, a person who would like to be a cook or someone who enjoys a wonderful book and look back over the years, there is something for everyone in this beautifully presented and photographed walk down memory lane.

    P.S. Do make sure you check out the bit about ‘cake tins’ as this is truly something special and applied to many families world-wide during the First World War.