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
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
Today I installed an ‘Amperlite’ roof/covering above ‘Theo the Tomato Tree’
A healthy Theo, under his fashionable frost-free “Amperlite” roof
Ivor Steven (c) June 2025
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
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
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
This morning’s walkies photos …
Oh, and Frankie, of course …
Ivor Steven (c) April 2025
The Corellas usually fly too high for me to capture good, in-focus photos on my iPhone, but luckily for me, today the birds flew over quite closely.
Ivor Steven (c) April 2025
It’s Market Day this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.! There will be stalls of unique, locally crafted art, plants, vintage goods, open studios, @hbtcollectables@yesterdayvintageaus, and the last day to see FRANKENSTEIN at @untethergallery.
All at, Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
From 11 am to 3 pm
And I’ll be there with my “New Bookstall Set-up”
Ivor Steven (c) April 2025
Yesterday evening I attended the opening of a unique Costume Exhibition, curated by Andrew Delaney, at the ‘Untether Gallery’ in Geelong. The transcripts about the show are attached below to help you understand what the “Frankenstein, Life, Death, Life” exhibition was about.
In 1825 a play based on Mary Shelley’s infamous novel Frankenstein was staged in the Theatre Royale in Drury Lane. It was banned after only three performances and the costumes stored away …
The images below, are mine and were all taken at the event with the kind permission of Andrew Delaney.
Ivor Steven (c) April 2025
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 