December 31

With the heat 
comes an unusual stillness 
and the constant hum 
of the neighbour's air conditioner 

December 30

stewed apricots 


orange bubbles in the saucepan 
sweetness wafts around the kitchen 

December 29

Composing small stones 


I reflect upon what I didn't notice before
and wonder what I am still to notice 

December 28

Underneath the washing line 
Tiny black dots scamper 
One tickles over my feet 
then suddenly I feel 
short sharp pain 

December 27

The feet 
of the walking frame 
barely skimmed the ground 

December 26

A flurry of activity 
on a 'nothing to do' day 

December 25

Apple cucumbers 


Having always known about them 
I didn't even think 
other people may not 

December 24

Expectation of busy? 


Cars at the side of the car park 
Usually empty 
Spaces in the middle 
usually full 

December 23

red and white 


I stand in the garden 
The exact spot I have stood so many times before 
I look in a different direction 
and notice the tiles on the neighbour's roof 

December 22

green 


two tone 
growing tomatoes 
shine in the sun 

December 21

grainy sand between my toes 
and circles sparkle 
as water flows back and forth 

December 20

Food court 


Empty tables 
A lull in the pre-Christmas rush 

December 19

Ant
holding a crumb
half its size
Reverses, circles
then continues on its way

December 18

A shadow 
followed by its spider 
weaves around 
stars on a white ceiling 

December 17

Raindrops race each other
down the window

December 16

Bursts of bright orange 
in a front garden 
Bees are busy 

December 15

sunscreen 


A day later 
slight stinging reminds me 
the spots I missed 

December 14

I look up when I hear the scoop of wind. 
I see black and white flapping through the sky. 

December 13

From out of the leaves above 
a fan of green feathers zips past 

December 12

brightness shines through 
cracks in the fluff filled sky

December 11

mouse 


A hook shaped jump 
then a scurry 
tail swishing behind 

December 10

Blackened playground tower 
surrounded by coloured tape 
An overflowing car park 
Balloons, banners and portable chairs 
Families gather and children play 

December 9

Single white cockatoo 
just visible 
with the cloudy backdrop 

December 8

Warmth 


Leaves curl at the edges 
Mugginess lingers 
I hear the circles of a bird's call 

December 7

Oral presentation 


A microphone was passed along the line of students 
and back again  
A few shakes of the head in between 

December 6

Chirps of sweetness 
hum of cars 
quiet listening 

December 5

bright colours of christmas decorations 
muted shadows on the wall 

December 4

The few moments between sleep and wakefulness
I don't know if it is morning or afternoon

December 3

Late 


On the curb 
Out the front of my house 
Two bins 
The only ones on the whole street 

December 2

blue 


shines and shimmers
ripples and sparkles 

December 1

Calm anticipation  


A small pocket of time 
between school drop off 
and shops opening time 
I notice most the quiet 

November 30

A regular beat of squeaks 
From tree to tree 
Two birds fly back and forth 

November 29

When writing is hard 


Nothing to say 
or too much? 

November 28

Shiny leaves like plastic 
ready to unfold 

November 27

A shadow of dots
dances across
sunlit petals

November 26

Another year, another pageant 


Babies 
not even born one year ago 
wave from the floats 
like they've always known how 

November 25

I wish I had my camera 


the pink and grey of galahs 
on twisted branches 
and a backdrop of gloomy clouds 

November 24

Voice filled air
Multi-importance 
together unique 

November 23

Beach 


Watching and listening to the waves 
I notice the brightly coloured paint spray bottle 
and then a rat climbs out from under the flowers 
twitches its nose and gently nods its head 
We watch each other for a while  
then it trots across the pavement towards the road 

November 22

Loops and curls 
Writing left 
for a stranger to find 

November 21

A ragged stem 
Bright, sparkling strawberry gone! 
Breakfast for a bird? 

November 20

Almost ready 


Strawberry red 
sparkles in the sunlight 

November 19

Where the zucchini seedling was yesterday 
A tiny dark green circle 
level with the ground 
and surrounded by silver trails 

November 18

ladybird 


The black-spotted orange dot 
crawls across the curly green leaves 

November 17

So many shades of green 
The leaves 
darken with age 

November 16

Brilliant orange fan 
One flower 
on the plant 

November 15

Broad beans 


I pop beans out 
from cushioned pods 
A pleasure akin 
to the bursting 
of bubble-wrap bubbles 

November 14

A rustle in the dryness 
and the lines of grey 
twice the slater size I am used to 
crawl over the crunchy leaves 

November 13

Thunder and gloom 
minus shadows
Water spots 
and then the sun 
bathes all in playful light 

November 12

"Maths Friendly. Reading Friendly." 
A fitting sign for a school. 

November 11

Organized chaos of twigs and fluff
Bird's nest
Lays empty on the ground

November 10

clothes strewn across the yard 
the only sign 
of last night's heavy winds 

November 9

The twisted bare tree branches 
highlighted 
by the gloomy sky 

November 8

I walk across the back lawn 
careful not to crunch any snails 


In the garden patch 
the new zucchini plants are GONE! 

November 7

Passionfruit on the right
Bananas on the left 
The alleyway near home 

November 6

Separate from the others 
The seagull hobbles 
begging for food

November 5

ladybird 


a bright splash of red 
on the dark green parsley 

November 4

An expanse of flat blue water 
Dogs bound along the sand 
Strangers smile at each other 

November 3

Personal truth spoken 
True beauty 

November 2

Strawberry leaves 
bright and strong 
like the sun today 

November 1

A whirlwind being
my daughter's friend 
runs past  


"A pinch and a punch 
for the first day of the month" 


Ah yes, It's November already 

October 31

A jacket 
once comforting 
is now just heavy 
and too hot 

October 30

Sunlight and shadows, plus 
leaves and colours, plus 
a camera, plus 
some time to myself, equals 
magic 

October 29

After the rain 
Snails 
Everywhere
Just where did they all come from? 

October 28

Bright red 
the tiny creature 
scurries across the white table 

October 27

After an unintentionally long break 
from my words 
It's easier to see 
what I actually wrote

October 26

a haze of light 
shines 
on the window screen 

October 25

new roses 


deep burgundy 
tightly closed buds 
waiting 

October 24

Sand patterns 
In the empty bath 
It's nearly summer 

October 23

The tree is full of buzz 
A lone bee walks across the cement 

October 22

Birds chuckle in the trees 
Warm weather 

October 21

After the rain 
The tomato plants are growing well 
So are the weeds 

October 20

Burst of warm weather 
Concern of conversations 
The quality of sleep

October 19

In the middle of the road 
A once loved Barbie doll 
lays rejected 

October 18

sure footed 


The workman next door 
stands on the tiled roof 
as though it is the ground 

October 17

One hour alone at the beach 
and I feel refreshed 

October 16

A rummage through my bag 
fails to uncover the house keys 
My plans for the next hour 
suddenly change  

October 15

On the street parallel to ours 
Vibrant colours light up 
a front yard garden 


(and yesterday was the first time this year that I forgot to post a small stone! The only other day not posted was because Blogger was down) 

October 14

Thick lines of water 
fuzzy blobs cover the ground 
then 
tiny balls of ice bounce 

October 13

"Thank you so much for your support"
A few words pop out
from the noise blur

October 12

Wind powered twirl
Shadow lines dance across
the circle of leaves

October 11

Sifting through clutter 
piece by piece 
objects 
papers  
and I am full of memories 

October 10

I begin wanting to photograph the flowers 
then I notice the bees 
bright orange on their legs 
I wait 
patiently 
for one to pose 

October 9

Clumps of dusty pink 
nestled amongst the leaves 

October 8

Gentle clatter 
breaks the stillness 
of a house asleep 

October 7

Curves and bumps 
tiny black dots 
scamper in all directions 

October 6

A speckled pattern on the cement 
Slowly darkens 

October 5

The smell of pending rain 
lingers in the air 
a cloud of comfort 

October 4

Lining the sides of the streets 
Big trees 
wearing velvet red coats 

October 3

Facebook chat 


In the same room 
they type to each other 
while verbally they discuss 
how to make emoticons 

October 2

light and shadows play 
on the huge leaves 
I wash another plate 

October 1

Tiny purple flowers 
circle in the wind 
welcome home 

September 30

thin white sparkling curve 
the moon is a smile 
without eyes 

September 29

Frozen pizza 


I take the box at the front 
Four more tumble to the floor 
Like dominoes 

September 28

lost keys 


From busy calm to panic 
in a matter of seconds 

September 27

Squashed grass 
reveals 
the path of most walking 

September 26

Bursts of colour 
trees are transformed 
this morning 

September 25

Spider web 


Pinks and purples shimmer 
along thin threads 
A lifeless fly 
bobs up and down 

September 24

Peas, zucchini...oh and some beans 


A girl, aged about seven 
knowingly chatters to herself 
A tantrum slowly builds 
when told she can't buy 
all that she wants 

September 23

laughter breaks the tension 
tiny sparks tumble 
through the air 

September 22

people I don't know
the same time every day 
routines intersect 

September 21

guinea pig 


Up and down 
Up and down 
through the apple 
her little teeth 

September 20

A lone seagull stands 
on the corner of the building 
A few feathers dance with the wind 

September 19

Gloomy darkness on my drive home 
It feels later than it is 
Safe and warm inside 
I listen to the roar of the rain 

September 18

warm sun  
songs and chatter from birds 
Bunnings car park full 

September 17

Shapes of light 
sparkle and jump 
through the leaves 

September 16

Noticing


Were the trees so colourful 
before I wrote small stones? 

September 15

Happy meal 


One small blue coloured toy 
and I remember excitement 
stops at the service station 
adding to my smurf collection 
and many hours of play 

September 14

Festival of music choir 


magical voices 
colour filled stage 
nervous, excitement filled air 
audience members scan the sea of faces 
to locate their special one 

September 13

darkest black 
shining feathers 
the crow peruses the driveway 

September 12

Radio in the car 
I smile 
as I drive to work 

September 11

Trees
vibrant reds and yellows
Me
coughs and sneezes

September 10

green, furry buds 
imaginings 
of summer taste and colour 

September 9

Parsley and silverbeet 
covered in white sprinkles 
peach blossom confetti 

September 8

In the middle of the road
eating a doughnut 
the magpie stays 
until the last possible moment 

September 7

Thick, chunky leaves 
The seedlings have doubled in size 
overnight 

September 6

The rain stops 
almost as quickly as it started 
The sun is shining again 

September 5

Orange-yellow leaves are shimmering 
in the dimming light 
The tree leans slightly to the right 

September 4

High in the trees
one bird clicks
another clicks back

September 3

silky white blossom
against white sky
magic in the air

September 2

I am reminded 
To ask for help 
is a good thing 

September 1

Suddenly 
there are light green leaves 
as well as blossom 
they sparkle in the sunlight 

August 31

strong fan of green blades 
layered softness droops forward 
curls of cellophane 
closed buds never to open 
tired floral arrangement 

August 30

colour sprinkled 
on the tops of trees 
brightening the day 

August 29

new


new faces 
new names
new spaces 
at the end of the day 
so tired 

August 28

Following a search for shadows, 
I am left with 
muddy shoelaces, 
damp bottom of jean legs 
and beautiful photographs. 


(photos can be seen here)

August 27

spotty silver trails 
the evidence 
of last night's snail adventures 

August 26

sweet soundtrack 
from the trees above 
shadow dances across bitumen

August 25

My garden today 
A little tangled in parts 
Many plants grow strong 
Elsewhere are the bare patches 
life is about to begin 

August 24

Resignation letter done 
Thank you card 
Much more fun! 

August 23

Shadows jiggle 
Pegs lay broken 
Underneath the washing line 

August 22

poking through damp soil 
new growth 

August 21

darkness flies down 
claws scrape on fence 
heavy head twitches  
this sudden show 
a question mark 

August 20

call for attention 


sharp 
shrill 
loud 
that bird is a whistle 

August 19

Tendrils twist around
Bottlebrush peers between
Parallel poles of fence

August 18

So many small stones 
today I can't separate them 
can't polish one a little more than others 
Too many and yet none 

August 17

Time for sleep 


In the semi darkness 
The pink flowers 
make a front yard pillow 

August 16

Birds 
arranged on the wires 
like music 

August 15

soothing soundtrack 
drops bounce on leaves 

August 14

small objects scattered near 
like tiny smiles 
holding memories 
of previous days 

August 13

On Saturday 

A car park overflows 

happy noise drifts from the playground 

and colour floats in the air 

August 12

Rubbish collection day 


Bare feet on cold cement  
A line of bins wait 
the last soon in place 

August 11

Beautiful lullaby ends 
School siren sounds 

August 10

Diagonal from my front door 
regardless of background colour 
the tree with the twisted branches 
pulls my attention 
every day 

August 9

Census night 
online form 


failed login 
seek assistance  


A '2' which wasn't a '2' at all 
but a 'z' 


Login success 
Census form complete 

August 8

With the blend of sunshine and rain 
Leaves are glittering 
this morning 

August 7

Plastic spoon scraping icy cordial 


A bird laughing? 
Someone brushing their teeth? 
I couldn't work out 
what the noise was. 

August 6

Looking out the train window 
Blue 
and more blue 

August 5

Through the screen 
I watch shadowy branches 
dancing in time 
to meditation music 

August 4

Four wheel drive 
bottom right corner 
"Remember to breathe" 
strategically placed 

August 3

Crunch 
crunch 
I hear the cat eating 
two rooms away 

August 2

Diagnosis: Kylie 


Birthday celebration 
My mum talks of her pregnancy 
We laugh together 

August 1

Tangles of branches
Bright orange background
Simply beautiful

July 31

Colours on the flyscreen 


A precise blend
sunlight and my viewpoint 
a recipe for beauty 

July 30

Over the back fence 
the tree is dressed 
in tiny white clouds 

July 29

A chirping of yellow flutters
past the kitchen window

July 28

One hour later 


the muted tones of early morning 
replaced by brightness and shadow

July 27

Birds 
sing in circles 
as the light dances 

July 26

A return to the familiar 
Everything is the same 
yet slightly different 

July 25

Post dental visit 
My jaw aches 
Bird and car noise blurs together 

July 24

I drive past a house
like many, many times before 


I notice the patterns on the curtains 
for the first time 

July 23

In the small gap between curtain and wall 
I watch 
long, thin leaves being blown around 

July 22

A man walks through the shopping centre 
dressed as a hotdog 
It looks like he is trying not to laugh 

July 21

Some mornings I awake to sweet chatter 
Today - one bird 
sharp shouts 

July 20

Opportunity shopping 


Browsing the bookshelves 
Triggers so many childhood memories 

July 19

A rare afternoon nap 


Tension 
in my shoulders and neck 
builds 
until I can ignore it no more 

July 18

Today my daughter turns fifteen 
I needed to sign and date a form 
I started to write the wrong year 
corrected myself just in time 

July 17

Above me 
birds talk to each other 
very loudly 

July 16

Open-beaked and wide-eyed
the birds yell 
then bounce from wire to wire 

July 15

Wood oven pizza 


Warmth radiates towards me 
Cheese bubbles within seconds 
Flavours blend together perfectly 

July 14

Constant hum of cars 
Sudden loud chatter of birds 

July 13

Moon plays hide and seek 
behind rust coloured clouds 

July 12

Three hours later 
The numbers on the clock 
astound me 
I was closing my eyes for just a few more minutes  

July 11

Choice 


Old patterns return 
bring reminders of the past 
Despair at their return 
or gratitude that they are regular no more? 

July 10

Daffodils in the neighbour's front yard 
Such a bright yellow 
Like a giant smile 
as I reverse the car each day 

July 9

As I drive around the corner 
Bright yellow bells 
jangle in front of my eyes 
One tree standing out from the rest 
"Look at me! Look at me!" 

July 8

10 year old trying on new clothes 

The 'jog on the spot' test 

a necessary inclusion 

July 7

200 posts 


200 small stones 
nearly 200 days into the year 
My first daily small stone written just before January 

July 6

The toddler heads straight to the puddle 
splash, splash, splash 
rubber boots on 
she came prepared 

July 5

Outdoor performance 


The audience comes and goes 
just like the rain 

July 4

Waiting in the bank 
I watch the body language of another 
and I am transported to my former self 

July 3

The front door opens and shuts 
by itself 
We look at each other 
astonishment and a tinge of fear 
I investigate 
see the back of our cat 
as he casually walks away 

July 2

The road is dark with water 
The lavender shivers 
A Saturday to stay inside 

July 1

Bubbling of emotion 
Builds to explosion 

June 30

Each morning 
the same people walking 
in the same place 
We never used to see them 
"New to the area", I suggest 
"or their car isn't working", my daughter offers. 

June 29

painted jetty 
remnants of fishing stories 

June 28

circles of pink 
smile in the sunlight 

June 27

Cold morning 
I rub my hands together 
It doesn't help 

June 26

Birds flutter around 
continuing in circles 
small moments expand 

June 25

small white stars 
congregate in bunches 
on the greenery 

June 24

Table and two chairs
Neatly arranged out the front
Does anyone ever sit there?

June 23

Raindrops and porchlight 
paint a mottled picture 

June 22

Gentle chatter 
I can't make out the words 
but it sounds happy 

June 21

Trees line up 
down the middle of the road 
with their arms up 
shouting "Hooray!"

June 20

The mood is dull and flat 
THe grumpiness of the wind 
suddenly builds 

June 19

I notice the noise first 
then the colour 


The brightly coloured parrot 
Too heavy for the branch 
Sways like a huge pendulum 

June 18

Tree wears a stunning necklace 
Bright orange beads 
Sparkle in the sunlight 

June 17

A few red and yellow spheres  
bobbing on the tree 

June 16

Sarcasm 


One mean remark 
now stuck on me 

June 15

soursobs
stand tall 
heads down 

June 14

I notice 
the dog is still barking 
when the car noise fades 

June 13

rushing  
in an effort to arrive on time 
I notice so many small stones 
waving from the side of the road 


I don't have time to slow down now 

June 12

Elusive piece of clothing 


Check the line outside 
Peruse hanging clothes inside 
Rummage through drawers and basket 
Finally find it 
Wet 
Tangled in the washing machine 

June 11

Morning walk conversation 


"Can you set the rooster for a certain time?"

June 10

Straight from the water 
the play sand is dry 
Repeated again and again 
just to check 

June 9

Ladybird 


tiny dot of red 
on an expanse of green 
lonely or free? 

June 8

sudden rain
disperses everyone 
it is quiet outside 
except for loud water 
streaming down 

June 7

After the rain 


the one puddle 
seems magnetised 
attracting toddlers 

June 6

I hear singing 
sweet sounds 
twirl their way inside  


That tree is her happy place 


I remember 
I had a tree like that   

June 5

Not until the quiet after 
do we recognise our loud 

June 4

Good morning Saturday 


A silent and still cat on my lap 
A symphony of cars and birds outside 

June 3

In the car park 


bird bobs along 
amongst the cars 

June 2

On the wires 
Statue birds 

June 1

First day of winter 
cold toes again 
like yesterday 

May 31

Click click click
A small bird flies off

May 30

Only a few metres apart 
Yet the spaces feel so different 

May 29

Being ten 


Happiness is 
to sit in a tree 

May 28

Saturday afternoon 


constant growl 
of the washing machine 
splodges of laughter 
from the teenager's room 

May 27

The ceiling is full of holes 
I imagine a game of dots-and-boxes 

May 26

Upturned flower 


While the birds chatter 
X marks the spot 
in beautiful pink 

May 25

Optometrist appointment 


"Any questions?" 
"Where can I get a pair of those funky glasses?"


Laughter eases the tension in the room 

May 24

A light sprinkling 
Heads bowed 
Bodies hunched  
Umbrellas not necessary