Pen drawing of Sidney Nolan. By me, 2002.

Went to the Art Gallery today with Mum,

and saw some gorgeous pieces ~ especially a whole room of Sidney Nolan’s “Ned Kelly” series.

After we had finished looking at each, I took Mum to the centre of the room, and we turned, slowly,

seeing a whole panorama of colourful brilliance.

Sidney Nolan painting as hosted by NGA.

I’m quite tired, so won’t write much more ~ but will leave you all with this lil story I love:

“The Wise Woman’s Stone”

A wise woman who was traveling

in the mountains found a precious

stone in a stream. The next day she

met another traveler who was hungry,

and the wise woman opened her bag

to share her food. The hungry traveler saw

the precious stone and asked the woman to

give it to him. She did so without hesitation.

The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune.

He knew the stone was worth enough to give

him security for a lifetime. But a few days later

he came back to return the

stone to the wise woman.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said,

“I know how valuable the stone is,

but I give it back in the hope that you

can give me something even more precious.

Give me what you have within you that

enabled you to give me the stone.”

~ Author Unknown

Spread your joy with others less fortunate. Yes, there has been a great outpouring of support for charities, but we must try for a tsunami of love and compassion. Even if its small small small, it means big big big. Do it for what you believe in. We can change this world from our front step you know. I read this picture book today ~ Belonging by the amazing Jeannie Baker. And it showed how one person tending their city garden could change a whole street, a whole town.

May your New Year be wise and wonderful.

Love,

Leonie