Category: A Pictorial Post

Hope


Hope, today, and the new plant in 2017.

Hope, Philodendron selloum (Balinese Dream), has been a member of my courtyard’s fernery area for 8 years, and as you can see, the plant has large, wavy-edged, elephant ear leaves. Today, the fern stands at five feet tall and is covering a large portion of the fernery, and it’s time for “Hope” to have a trim.





Ivor Steven (c) July 2025

Update: From Shangri La’s Courtyard Garden

Despite the terribly cold winter weather, my garden’s new additions are all doing well. Both Daniel (the Cushion Bush) and Francis (the Fuchsia) have developed new flower buds, and ‘Theo the Tomato Tree’ has grown some new leaves. The Amperlite shelters I built for them seem to be protecting their tender new growths …








Ivor Steven (c) June 2023

Winter Companions for ‘Theo’

I’ve been having computer problems lately, and I’m frustrated with Microsoft’s “Error” shutdowns.
So, I decided to spend the day in my courtyard garden. I had already purchased two plants to pot in my empty hanging baskets: a Fuchsia Hybrid (“Flash” with a magenta and red flower) and a Phlox Subulata (‘ McDaniels Cushion’ with a pink flower).
Firstly, I had to install a beam from which the baskets could hang! Anyhow, without going into too much detail, four hours later the task was completed.
The main purpose of my project is to provide ‘Theo’ with some colourful companions over his arduous winter journey.


‘Theo’, bottom, left of centre, looking up at the two hanging baskets.


This evening’s photos of the Fuchsia (“Francis”), Phlox Subulata (“Daniel”), and “Theo”





Ivor Steven (c) June 2025

Theo the Tomato Tree

Hi everyone, thank you for your lovely messages of encouragement and support for my winter surprise package, “Theo the Tomato Tree.” I’m pleased to report that Mother Nature has been very kind. With lots of nutritional overnight rain and a good night’s rest, Theo is looking extremely healthy this morning.


Theo the Tomato Tree





Ivor Steven (c) June 2025

MAY’D May Market

Creative Geelong had their annual “MAY’D May Market Festival” on the weekend. The weather was kind, and the event was a wonderful success for the stallholders and the enthusiastic crowd.


My poetry book stall.


Stallholders were also outside the Arcade, on Little Malop Street.


Live music and a coffee shop (next to my stall)


And various other forms of entertainment





Ivor Steven (c) June 2025

Van Gogh, A Moving Experience

Today, I accompanied my friend Barb to Melbourne’s wonderful Lume Gallery to see the spectacular exhibition of Vincent Van Gogh’s unique artistic creations. It was definitely an opportunity that I would not miss out on, and I hope my photo/story conveys our fantastic experience of being mesmerized by the colourful brilliance of Van Gogh’s paintings.


And I took many, many more photos, but by now, I am sure you understand how emotionally overwhelmed we were by Vincent’s ability to create such a volume of masterpieces, despite his sad and debilitating mental illness










Ivor Steven(c) May 2025