Month: April 2023

Hosting My Philadelphia Cousins, Part 2

Wednesday :
We visited the historic Paper Mill tourist area in Fyansford, and then the adjacent scenic Barwon River Valley and Buckley Falls

L-R. In the foreground, the viaduct channel that powered the Paper Mill — Maureen in front of a Bluestone storage shed — A pair of Tawny Frogmouth Owls

L-R. The girls and Frankie — A signpost deplaying some local aboriginal township names — Frankie and the girls

The Weir on the Barwon River above Buckley Falls, which fed water into the old Paper Mill viaduct — Frankie and Maureen

Wednesday, Late Afternoon:
I took Terri home for a much need rest and Maureen and I continued on our way to Corio Quay and Rippleside Beach.

At Corio Quay, the ‘Spirit Of Tasmania’ , the Bass Strait ferry from Geelong to Tasmania

Rippleside Beach, which is at the end of Geelong’s unique “Bollard Trail Walk” around Corio Bay.
https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/bollards/article/item/8d250a1f01e3425.aspx

The promenade section of the trail that bridges a inlet … looking back to the waterfront area in front of the City of Geelong.

Below: a short video of our view across the Bay toward the City.


Wednesday, Laterer: At the Moorabool Valley Chocolate Cafe before we went home to arouse cousin Terri

Me and my ‘cheesecake’ — The model train/railway in front of the kitchen area.

At the end of the Cafe’s carpark there is a lookout over the Moorabool Valley

Thursday:
In the morning the girls had to pack ready for the next “cousin interchange”, cousin Dennise from Torquay at 2.30pm, and then we went down to the charming Pakington St.

The girls did some shopping and we returned to the ‘Box Office Cafe’ for Lunch.

The gorgeous West Park — the girls in my courtyard waiting to be picked up — goodbye to my dear cousins Maureen and Terri, for now, until next Thursday(27th) a group of us (6 cousins) are flying over to Tasmania for a 5-day tour.








Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’


AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com  




Ivor Steven (c) April 2023

Hosting My Philadelphia Cousins

Monday: I took the girls to the “National Wool Museum” which is here in Geelong, but firstly they came with me to ‘visit’ Carole at the Geelong West cemetery (flowers for Carole’s birthday) …

Happy birthday Carole … Wool Museum, the girls up on the historic Auctioneer’s podium.

The girls, Terri and Maureen, shopping in the Museum’s souvenir shop

Tuesday: We toured the Bellarine Peninsula

Queenscliff: … the fascinating old buildings, The Grand Hotel, The Post Office, and the Library

Queenscliff: The girls found the old style shops very interesting

Queenscliff: An intriguing shop courtyard.

Queenscliff: the waterfront

Point Lonsdale: The lighthouse at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay, called the “Rip”, the pier and bay beyond, and the infamous “Rip”.

Ocean Grove: From the promenade looking toward “The Bluff” at Barwon Heads… Frankie, Maureen, and Terri.

Ocean Grove: The surf beach, looking back toward Point Lonsdale … surf was up with lots of board riders.

Barwon Heads: From “The Bluff” lookout, L-R – overlooking the Victoria Park camping area, – looking across the Barwon River toward Ocean Grove, – looking down at the mouth of the Barwon River.

Time to head home … and at 7.30pm we enjoyed a wine and Barbeque dinner, relaxing under my courtyard Verandah…







Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’


AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com  




Ivor Steven (c) April 2023

The Other Side of Yesterday

The Other Side of Yesterday


 

“Have I come to the end of the road”

I asked the forest’s guardian toad

He quietly replied

“There is always another way

like there is always another day”

 

Here, is not where I need to stay

I would like to cross the river today

To redefine the other side of yesterday

When life’s narrow causeway

Lead me to her underground doorway









Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’


AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com  




Ivor Steven (c) April 2023

Perceptions, Photos From the Book Launch

The book launch day was a great success with a good attendance and many books were purchased and I gratefully signed them all. Thank you to Judy, Maureen, and Maja for sending me the photos.

I’m doing the introductory thank you’s with Frankie’s help …

A happy and appreciative audience

L-R: Cousin Terri(Philadelphia), Miffy(sister), cousin Nola(Geelong), me, cousin Maureen(Philadelphia)

R-Centre: Judy Rankin (editor/publisher) – Me and the books, Tullawalla & Perceptions

Kerri, the Cover Designer, there in spirit(Philadephia) – Maja, my guest reader

I think Frankie thought the show was all about him





Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’


AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com  




Ivor Steven (c) April 2023

Winding Down (a Haiku)

G’day dear readers, when you read my attached Haiku, it will be the Sunday of my “Book Launch for Perceptions” … I think I’m prepared and ready to handle the event, the weather is going to kind, and from what I’ve heard there is going to be a sizeable attendence …
Please Note, I’ll be hosting my Philadelphia cousins this week and my blogging during their stay will be very minimal …




Winding Down (a Haiku) 


 
 
My adrenaline 

Gradually settles down 

Sunset surrounds me 








Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’


AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com  




Ivor Steven (c) April 2023

A Butterfly Sits on the Mushroom (a Tanka)




A Butterfly Sits on the Mushroom (a Tanka)


Imagine the scene

A butterfly fluttering

Atop the mushroom

A subconscious fantasy

My Autumn afternoon dream









Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’


AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com  




Ivor Steven (c) April 2023

Throwback Friday, A Box of Old Crayons, by Ivor Steven

A poem I originally wrote in March 2021 and was Short-listed by Postive Words Magazine in their October 2022 Competition.


A Box of Old Crayons


Sometimes I stare at an empty table

And wonder if I would ever be able

To turn the fading power back on

I was unsure about another swansong

But each time I became lost and wrong

I found another box of old crayons


And from here and there, words did flow

Nurturing my dry mirages to regrow

Replenished by the thawing mountain snow

Nature’s river rejoined my ocean’s undertow

Again, colouring in my life of highs and lows










Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’


AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com  




Ivor Steven (c) April 2023

Life’s U-turns

Hi dear readers, despite being incredibly busy cleaning house for my Philadelphia cousins and also trying to format my agenda for my book launch on Sunday! … today’s poem was drafted at the ‘Box Office Cafe’ yesterday afternoon and I’ll be reciting it at “Lowercase Poetry’s” open Mic’ event tomorrow evening. The Theme/Prompt for the Poetry Night is “Slow Burn”


Life’s U-turns



The old body is almost awake

Sleep lingers in my eyes

My aching back needs exercise

And creaks like a rusty gate


My doggie looks at me quizzically

He is full of pizzazz and glee

“It’s breakfast time

Forget your memories and rhymes”


I cannot row the boat anymore

These chalky bones are too sore

From the crashes in life’s u-turns

Now, dry wicks for my candle’s slow burn


Don’t worry, today, is not my turn

To join her in the mantle-piece urn






Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’


AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com  




Ivor Steven (c) April 2023

Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk (a Haiku)

” When life gives you a reason to break down and cry, show life that you have a hundred reasons to smile and laugh.”



Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk (a Haiku)


Breakfast milk is spilt

A silky pool on the floor

The bottle didn’t break








Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’


AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com  




Ivor Steven (c) April 2023

Drizzly Drops, is in this week’s Coffee House Writers Magazine

Hello dear readers and followers, I now write for “Coffee House Writers” magazine on a fortnightly basis, and my poem “Cracks and Holes”, is in this week’s edition of Coffee House Writers Magazine. … please click on the link below to view my poem, at Coffee House Writers. >> https://coffeehousewriters.com/drizzly-drops/ 









Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’


AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com  




Ivor Steven (c) April 2023