Category: Friendship

Gabriola Island

From the delightful township of Nanaimo we went by ferry over to the picturesque Gabriola Island, where I had arranged to meet up with my fellow WordPress pen-friend, Louise Gallagher. We had previously met via Ali Grimshaw’s, ‘Writing Circle’ Zoom meetings. Meeting Louise in person was very exciting for both of us. Our shared love of words and nature made Gabriola the perfect backdrop for a memorable meeting, now captured in the images that follow.

Cousin Penny and Louise. Louse’s lovely sunflowers

Louise and Ivor together with Bau, David, and Penny on the sundeck

The view from Louise’s sundeck

On the beach in front of Louise’s house

Louise: https://dareboldly.com/ and, https://sundayswithbeaumont.com/

Ali Grimshaw: https://flashlightbatteries.blog/

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Gabriola Island

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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025

Join Some Of The Poets From Natures Discovered!

“On April 30th, we had the opportunity to get together to talk to each other, some for the first time! I enjoyed seeing, meeting, and talking to the people of Natures Discovered!
Go team! 😊 Enjoy the video, everyone!” … Susi Bocks, editor.
Whoops, I joined a few minutes late! … it was 3.00 am Thursday in Geelong!




Here are the two pieces that I read …


Finality

after we have consumed
the leftover wine
and desecrated the sundial’s shadow
the dark-side of the moon
will finally recede from view


Co-existence

Beneath the trees and bushes
Lives an underground network
Prospering on giving and receiving







Ivor Steven (c) May 2025

My “Cool” Christmas Haircut (written by Frankie)






My “Cool” Christmas Haircut, (written by Frankie)

Summer has arrived
My winter coat is too warm
And I’m looking quite shabby

So, I walked my Hooman pal
To the local groomer’s
For my “Cool” Christmas haircut











All Books. Now Available At:

Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm


Until Eyes Hear Sound

Lulu Books >>  Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)


Perceptions:

Amazon >>  Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >>  Perceptions (lulu.com)


Tullawalla:

Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books


OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com





Ivor Steven (c) December 2024

Day 4, Gina Comes to Geelong

After our early morning walkies, Frankie, Gina, and I went to the Box Office Cafe for a scrumptious breakfast.

My Bowl of Porridge, Fruit, and nuts … Frankie enjoyed his toast and coffee

Frankie and his friend Bella, eyeing off Gina’s scrambled eggs.

Then we drove to the nearby Geelong Waterfront for another enjoyable walkie …

1.00 pm was approaching and it was time to take Gina to the train station and say a fond goodbye to our gracious and generous guest … until the next time “Gina Comes to Geelong”






Ivor Steven (c) October 25th 2024

Day 3, Gina Comes to Geelong

After enjoying our morning walkies, Gina and I (without Frankie) travelled to Drysdale, where we enjoyed an excellent luncheon/dining experience on board The Q Train, a historic train that travels between Drysdale and Queenscliff.

Thursday evening we attended the Geelong Library’s special presentation of the famous Australian author, “Tim Winton, in conversation with Jock Serong, as they discussed Tim Winton’s new novel, JUICE. [This event was the main reason why Gina had come to Geelong]

Tim Winton signing Gina’s copy of “Juice”




Ivor Steven (c) October 2024

Day 2, Gina Comes to Geelong

Early morning walkies, followed by a visit to the historic Fyansford Paper Mills Precinct and a coffee break, then we drove down to Bancoora Beach to enjoy a walk in the warm sun, on the cool golden sand

We had lunch at the Moorabool Valley Chocolate Cafe and then we decided to travel over to the You Yangs National Park

By now it was late afternoon and it was time to go home and get ready for Dinner at the ‘Industrie’ Restaraunt with the Geelong Writers members



There will be more photos Tomorrow (Thursday) “Gina Comes to Geelong”





Ivor Steven (c) October 2024

Gina Comes to Geelong

Gina, my internet pen friend, from Kaula Lumpur, is here with me in Geelong, to see one of Australia’s best authors, Tim Winton present his new book, “Juice,” at the Geelong Library’s Dome Auditorium on Thursday evening, and we are so looking the event.
In the meantime during Gina’s four-day stay here in Geelong, me and Frankie are her tourist guides …

Box Office Cafe for Lunch and then to Buckley Falls

At The Australian Wool Museum

There will be more photos Tomorrow (Wednesday) “Gina Comes to Geelong”





Ivor Steven (c) October 2024

A Day of Celebrations

My Birthday today (73rd) was a day of celebrations.
* On our morning walkies, we were gifted a beautiful rainbow
* In the afternoon I had the pleasure of attending my Football Club’s (Bell Park) 40th anniversary/reunion of the club’s 1st Senior Premiership in 1984
* Being a close-knit club, everyone knew it was my birthday, so the reunion celebrations were double the fun for me.
* It was well after sunset when I finally arrived back home, and Frankie was happy to receive his dinner, albeit a few hours later than normal …

A morning rainbow for my Birthday (73) … Frankie giving me the stare because he has to stay home.

Me with Jimmy, my Under 18’s coach (1969) and the club President in 1984 when we won our First Senior Premiership. (He’ll be 90 in December)

The 1984 Committee (I was the Social Coordinator), and the 1984 Team Photos

This year’s coach addressed the reunion crowd, and me with some lifelong club friends




Ivor Steven (c) July 20th 2024

That’s What Friends Are For, my second poem in the Anthology, “Cadence”

Today I am presenting the 2nd poem to be selected in “Prolific Pulse’s” fantastic Anthology, “Cadence”, That’s What Friends Are For
Thank you to the editors, Lisa and Zanate for their kind consideration.
>> https://www.prolificpulse.com/

Cadence Anthology, Amazon Link >>  Cadence: Life’s Poetic Rhythms – Anthology of Poetry: Tomey-Zonneveld, Lisa, Johns, Zaneta Varnado, Johns, Zaneta Varnado: 9781962374903: Amazon.com: Books






That’s What Friends Are For (Cadence Anthology, by Ivor Steven)




“Help!” yelled Billy the Bee
Who was stuck, knee-deep
In the storm’s fallen debris
“I’ll be there as quickly as
my body can shuffle along”
Said Charlie, the concerned caterpillar

“My tiny toes are trapped
and I cannot fly free” Burbled Billy
Charlie sways and cleverly uses his snout
To nudge the broken branches aside
And in a jiffy
Billy was able to wriggle free

A relieved Billy
Blessedly buzzed over Charlie
“Thank you kindly
for your gracious help
my dear friend”
“That’s what friends are for”
Cheered Charlie the caterpillar







Ivor Steven (c) June 2024