by Juliet Batten | 30, Sep, 2011 | Uncategorized
Just after I had the plaster cut off my arm, I walked down the street past a plant shop. This bright splash of colour – a polyanthus – caught my eye, and I thought, I must have that to celebrate!Then I saw the brick-red pansy with its large cheerful... 
by Juliet Batten | 28, Sep, 2011 | Uncategorized
The holiday park where we stayed in KeriKeri is surrounded by a mix of native bush and Australian gums.The gums are mature, and magnificent. Their bark has peeled long ago and the trunks are smooth and white, like new skin.In the morning, as we were eating our... 
by Juliet Batten | 27, Sep, 2011 | Uncategorized
Our family travelled north to KeriKeri over the weekend, to visit our ailing 95 year old elder. She always loved her garden, but since being in a Rest Home has no plants to tend. We stayed in a ‘tourist flat’ where the new owners are tending their huge... 
by Juliet Batten | 22, Sep, 2011 | Uncategorized
Here we are, between blossoming and leafing. As I wait for the leaves to appear on the trees all around me, my attention is drawn to the jade plant on my balcony. Its leaves are brightening, and the new growth is bright yellow, with red tips.I think of butterfly wings... 
by Juliet Batten | 21, Sep, 2011 | Uncategorized
Sometimes I forget that I’ve carefully planted some seeds – that is, until they brightly sprout. This morning I received this magazine in the post – the spring issue of Organic NZ.And inside was this article that I sent them many months earlier.... 
by Juliet Batten | 16, Sep, 2011 | Uncategorized
I live in a friendly neighbourhood. If someone has a surplus, they share it with others. My breakfast grapefruit is from a box- full that a neighbour up the road puts outside his house each year.Other people create gardens on the street. Here’s one, planted with... 
by Juliet Batten | 13, Sep, 2011 | Uncategorized
The sunsets last week were glorious. One night I saw the glow of evening making beautiful patterns on the agave plants. I had to be quick, but I managed to catch the magic before it faded.Sometimes we just need a piece of magic to remind us of the wonder of being... 
by Juliet Batten | 11, Sep, 2011 | Uncategorized
Just before the fireworks began downtown on Friday night, the spectacular Opening Ceremony of the Rugby World Cup took place at Eden Park.I’ve just watched it for the second time, on TV on demand. I feel so proud of NZ for putting on such a fabulous piece of... 
by Juliet Batten | 10, Sep, 2011 | Uncategorized
To my surprise and delight, I had a glimpse of the fireworks last night from my balcony. Sometimes, it was just a flash on the periphery.Others flared up beautifully, and lingered in the sky long enough to photograph.And then there were the moments when I received the... 
by Juliet Batten | 9, Sep, 2011 | Uncategorized
It’s been a beautiful day in Auckland today and the big party to open the Rugby World Cup began on the waterfront at 4 pm. Bunting is hanging everywhere along the streets. This man was hanging out his flags, and feeling proud of the display. He waved when I took... 
by Juliet Batten | 8, Sep, 2011 | Uncategorized
On my doorstep yesterday, I discovered a gift from a dear friend. She was thinking of our family, and the funeral that took place yesterday for my granddaughter’s boyfriend of 3 years, and she wanted me to have a fragrant plant that she knows I love: daphne.Not... 
by Juliet Batten | 6, Sep, 2011 | Uncategorized
Walking around Greenlane hospital this morning, I wondered what signs of regeneration there were to lift the spirits of sick and injured people. The trees are still bare, although the one on the left is showing a brightening of the twigs, which are turning yellow.But... 
by Juliet Batten | 4, Sep, 2011 | Uncategorized
Alongside the beauty and fragrance of spring, comes shock and grief.My granddaughter’s boyfriend of three years died last night from an accident. He was only 17.Sometimes the flowering of youth is blasted by tragedy.Nature is flowering.I am grieving. 
by Juliet Batten | 3, Sep, 2011 | Uncategorized
Flowers were blooming all along the way as I took my morning walk.A plethora of flowers.Do not lingerto gather flowersto keep them, but walk on,for flowers willkeep themselvesbloomingall your way.—Rabindranath Tagore 