by Juliet Batten | 29, Jun, 2011 | Uncategorized
In the deep midwinter, a woman is writing . . . and a new book is emerging.In the deep midwinter, a woman is reading . . . researching the subject of ageing, with the help of inspiring elders. In the deep midwinter, a woman is planting . . . garlic for the... 
by Juliet Batten | 28, Jun, 2011 | Uncategorized
One of the joys of winter is gathering with friends around a warm fire, and sharing hearty food and good company. The first gathering was with my family, who once again joined with a friends’ family for a winter dinner. My contribution, as it has been every... 
by Juliet Batten | 21, Jun, 2011 | Uncategorized
The sun is about to return (on June 22), bringing with it not so much warmth (for the coldest time is yet to come) as light, and that is welcome.These images are from the altar set up for my Winter Solstice Retreat. These are the symbols for fire in the north.And here... 
by Juliet Batten | 16, Jun, 2011 | Uncategorized
St Heliers beach is usually bustling with walkers. But not on this wintry day. The emptiness spoke to me of the emptying out that takes place in winter, and the seat seems to be offering an invitation to sit and be still.In the other direction, it was the immensity of... 
by Juliet Batten | 15, Jun, 2011 | Uncategorized
Winter pares away details, and renders things simple and clear, like a Japanese wood cut. This is the melia tree, that I watched shedding its leaves. Now only these little gold berries are left.And here’s the jade plant, a mass of flowers, but simple in its... 
by Juliet Batten | 12, Jun, 2011 | Uncategorized
I’ve been wanting to find one ever since I first saw it in a book on native trees – that was about 40 years ago. I even planted a tree, but it never fruited, maybe because it needed to be a female. It’s a titoki berry. And today I found my first... 
by Juliet Batten | 11, Jun, 2011 | Uncategorized
I’m enjoying the special quality of the winter light. It paints the water with a special shimmer.It’s cool and silvery, especially as the sun is going down. And it brings with it a feeling of peace.. . . only in the winter, in the country, can... 
by Juliet Batten | 8, Jun, 2011 | Uncategorized
A splash of colour is so welcome at this time of the year, as the days grow grey and cool. I was so happy to find this lassiandra flowering when I took my walk.It was a flower that my mother loved. She had one growing outside the dining room, where she could see it... 
by Juliet Batten | 7, Jun, 2011 | Uncategorized
It’s been the warmest May on record this year, so it’s not surprising that the exotic trees are slow to shed their leaves. This magnificent oak tree stands in Awhitu Regional Park, on the site of the first European settler’s house. It’s been... 
by Juliet Batten | 6, Jun, 2011 | Uncategorized
This morning, after three days lying low & feeling unwell, I ventured down to the jetty. Through the mist I saw what looked like a shag and maybe a very large duck, sitting patiently, waiting for fog clearance perhaps.Me too, I thought, still feeling foggy in my... 
by Juliet Batten | 1, Jun, 2011 | Uncategorized
I saw this strange ‘flower’ on the branches of a bare fruit tree as I walked around the land at Earthtalk. What could it be? It reminded me of kauri gum.When I inquired later, I discovered that this is a Golden Queen peach tree, and it seems that the tree... 