Its been a couple of days now since we had the hail-pocalypse. A ten-minute storm cell that swept through Canberra just after lunchtime on Monday. Throwing down an angry blunderbuss of icy shot that shredded trees, smashed solar panels, killed hundreds of birds and bats and seriously smooshed-up cars. Lots of cars. In the thick of it, wind gusts of up to 116km/h were recorded … Continue reading Hail-pocalypse!
It is raining here now. Not just a drizzle but a big wet ground soaking sustained dollop.Hallelujah and yip my yah!Been so long I had almost forgotten what it felt like. What is smelt like. Rung in with a rolling clap of thunder that sent Juno scurrying under the coffee table to bury his head in his favourite stuffed toy. Then a big dump. Then … Continue reading It’s raining in Australia!
Fire for our belly Smoke for our breath Ash for our heart Great burning subtraction Wild loss combustion machine Coming Coming Eating it up And finally in sordid stillness in abject silence gifting us this collodion-black negative of all we had. — Ian Miller Featured image: @ryno_thecaptain Continue reading burning lesson
Flying a flag upside down is a symbol that has been used by many countries to signify conditions of dire distress or extreme danger to life or property. At the risk of cultural appropriation, the symbolism of an upside-down aboriginal flag reflecting the smoke red/orange sky and blackened ground seen throughout much of Australia right now seems to be a deeply fitting expression of the … Continue reading Aboriginal flag reflects distress of Australia.
The impact on our wildlife and ecosystems from the current bushfires is going to be catastrophic. It will be some time yet before the full extent emerges, but it will undoubtedly forever change the fragile ecology of our country. Professor Andrew Beattie from Macquarie University near Sydney told AFP he believes the death toll of animals nationwide could be in the billions, “if you think of mammals, … Continue reading Video: Koala rescued during bushfires.
The 2018 California fires burnt 2 million acres. The 2019 Amazon fires 2.2 million; and the 2019 Siberian fires 6.7 million. So far Australia’s 2019/20 fires have burnt 12 million acres. Now, I am not one to often talk of politics in this space but during this time of crisis, we have seen a total leadership failure from our Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Including complete … Continue reading A grim perspective.
It’s going to be a very tough couple of days for many people here in Australia (and for many other sentient beings as well). May you all be safe. I beg you my dear sibling – please act – don’t stay silent and indifferent any more, to the agonies of Nature, because the agonies of Nature are getting worse and they’ll destroy the very elements … Continue reading A tough 48 hours in Australia.
