Kate from Sydney

Hi, Kate. Do you like my new rose picture? I took the photo with my phone because I wanted to send a picture to Jenni. How are you going? I haven't seen you on here for a couple of days now. Have you been at Bar Point?

Hi Kate. I have been to Newcastle to visit Jenni and Trent. Got home this afternoon. Good drive -raining on the coast when I left but clear blue skies here. Did you go to Bar Point for the weekend?

Hi Kate - I just stopped in to say, "hi!" I took a look at your pictures and that was fun! You have a very handsome son! I hope you have a great day! Cheers!

for dropping by. And yes, sand mandalas are made to be destroyed. I don't think our western art concepts can handle that one. Imagine paying millions for something that will be destroyed!
Life itself is fragile and impermanent, so take the best of it, change what you can and let the rest go!

Hello Kate - Thank you for stopping by! I enjoyed your visit. No appologies needed here! You are entitled to "sound-off" when you need to. I sure enjoy your pictures! Thanks for sharing.

We have snow in the forecast here! (1-3 inches) I hope it melts quickly!!!! We have a retirement party for a friend this afternoon and our SIL has a birthday tomorrow. Last night we went to see our youngest daughter, Jenny, compete in a singing contest. She didn't win, but it was fun to see everyone perform. (They were competeing for a certificate to the bookstore.) Jenny is in her second year of college.

I hope rest of your week-end is pleasant! Cheers

Hi Kate! We all need a good rant once in awhile! Good for the soul As far as repeats of your photos go, the quality of your pics are so outstanding they could be repeated time and time again and I would be happy. Double the pleasure. I just looked through your gallery and it took my breath away. What a talent you have! Thank you for sharing it with us.

Hi again! Thank you for all your nice comments on my Peru photos. It was a great trip, but oh, that climbing!!! Took massive amounts of ibuprofen! The good news was we didn't have a problem with the altitude. The trick was to drink plenty of water and take it easy, something several of the much younger people on the tour didn't do, and suffered for it. With age comes wisdom

Thanks for looking at my photographs!
The one where you asked if it was smog:
No, It is just summer haze. It was over 90F (33C) that day and very humid as well.
Now I will look at your gallery.

Your Mona Country Manor House photo of an arched garden doorway on today's (27 Nov) 'tough' page was exquisite! Well done! (...would love to paint it!)

Hi, Kate! Thank you so much for the birthday greetings. I am enjoying the second day of my 2-day Sudoku birthday celebration, although today, Thanksgiving, is the actual day. Thanks for the kind greeting and warm thoughts. Have a great day, both today and tomorrow!

Hi there Kate,

Yes. Though I haven't bee there at that time I think that is the water mark of last years wet.
We went hunting in those lily pods for the lotus seed- Miwulngin - very tasty but you need to peel it.

Have been looking at your wonderful pictures of teh HAwksbury. What a haven.

I love your photos - and enjoyed meeting your christmas light eating cocky - BAh Humbug!!!

Hi Kate, I have been meaning to tell you for some time now how much I admire your photography. In particular, your macros of flowers are exquisite photos and you go to a lot of trouble to ensure they are named correctly. I think you are now the Number One photographer on the Sudoku pages (with apologies to Sue who is also a great photographer) (and all the others who contribute great photos to the Sudoku pages).

Kate, I'm so glad you dropped by and visited my photo gallery -- how fun to hear from you! Looks like lots on here to look around at -- think I'll drop anchor for a few!

WOW KAte! Loved Gurrumul! He wowed the pollies today too. Thanks so much -for the treat of listening to him and for promoting some of the talent of Indigenous Australians. Those Yunupingu's are a talented mob. His Aunt Yalmai is a fantastic teacher. She was on NT stateline on Frieday night vowing to continue teaching children in their first language at Yirrikala. Also on Stateline was the launch of a Picture book called Tom Tom by Rosemary Sullivan. Tom Tom is a yuoung Aboriginal lad. Pictures are by Dee Huxley. It's a real treat that book... if yuou are looking for a present for a young child.

Kate, thanks for the nice comments you made on my photos.

Hi, Kate,
Thank you for your kind comments on my pictures. I took a look at your and you have some nice ones too. I particularly liked the ones of Avebury, Eng. I was surprised to find out that it's older than Stonehenge. Thanks again.

I responded to your comment on the Parent's Page.

Hi Kate,

Just noticed my atrocious spelling/ typing in the last message I sent you. It shows that I really should go to bed rather than sending late night messages. I had to be up the next morning at 5.30am to catch a flight so I don't know what I was doing!!

I got back in (to Darwin) from the Tiwis last night after a few days back at my old school... totally exhausted as I always am after a week of travel. This week it was only 3 days. Yes I'm a teacher very priviliged to travel btween several communities.

I guess that was you in your crocs doing it tough on TOUGH today cleaning your dam. I've included a link to someone who is doing it tougher.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=2XNx_z2il-g

Re your comments - yes I'm always very careful to protect the identity of any children ... anyone really, whose pictures I put on the site.
It means that some of my favourite pictures of dark eyed darlings just stay in my private collections.... and go back to schools for their collections and for use in personalised books. Thanks for your comments.

Kate -thanks for stopping by. The photo of the bridge was taken about a block from the Church I attend from a small road-side rest and boat launch area.

On the other side of the bridge is the inter-state freeway (I-5) built in the late 50's that runs from the Mexican Border (San Diego) to the Canadian Border (north of Seattle - south of Vancouver). It goes through Los Angeles, over the mountains and up the San Juaquin Valley (the major Agricultural area of Calif. - about 300 miles long between the costal range and Sierra Mountains) then over another couple of Mountain Ranges (Mt. Shasta & the Siskiyou Mountains on the Calif/OR border) a little further north it takes a slight jog along the Rogue River (where this pic was taken) then over more mountains and up the Willamete Valley (major growing region of OR, through Portland, across the Columbia to Washington State, over some more mountains and on to Seattle then to Canada).

The Bridge in the photo is a new bridge (not part of the freeway but by the offramp. It replaced the old one about two years ago. It took well over two years to build and in a day moved into place. All the while the old bridge was used to cross the river. It was amazing to see the move (they expected to take 3 days to move the bridge into its new home). It was built right next to the old bridge. The old bridge was removed (the day before the move) to allow this bridge to be slid into place.

The freeway crosses the Rogue River a couple of miles east/south of this bridge. There is a very large Rest Area and Camp Ground along the river accessed from the freeway at that overpass.

I hope you got to watch the video of the "Aurora Borealis" photos on full screen. Would love to see them some day - but I don't know if I could take the cold.

Thank you Kate for your birthday wishes it has made my day so much more special.

Kate, thank you for the wonderful compliments to my artwork. I can feel the warmth in them! Kay

Thank you for your best wishes. I have been in the same boat neglecting my cyber friends. enjoy your river trips sound a great way to lay back and let your troubles float away. we will be heading for Sandy Cape between Christmas and New Year. a spot of fishing [cray,abalone and scale fishing] quad riding up and down the coast. beach combing and some walking and of course I will have my camera.
I bought a camera for our grandson for Christmas,he is only five but i think he will be able to handle the auto setting.
So to you Kate, Have a great Christmas and a safe and an enjoyable New Year.

Thanks, Kate, for the Christmas wishes. I like your aboriginal singer. I haven't heard him before. See you on Friday.

Kate - what an absolute joy to find your holiday wishes on my page...you sound like you have a very busy - and fun - 3 weeks ahead. I look forward to your return and some new picture submissions from all your travels.
Safe journey and blessed holidays to you and yours!

Kate, thanks so much for stopping by with Christmas wishes! Sounds like you are going to be constantly on the go to up the river, or back down the river. Have a marvelous time, sweetie! Merry Christmas and

Dear Kate - Thank you for stopping by and the nice wishes! Here is wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year also. May your and your family have safe travels and lots of fun!

Thanks Kate for the comment on my chicken collage.

Oh heck, Kate, you couldn't manage to squeeze me in the suitcase, couldja? Hey, if you punch out two holes for my feet, I could even walk the suitcase for you!
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Years!!!

Hi Kate,
Thanks so much for the visit and looking at my pictures - I was overwhelmed by the number of messages in my inbox this morning.
Have a lovely Christmas and see you next year!
and

Hi Kate, thank you ever so much for your Christmas and New Year greetings. It sounds like you will have a very busy Christmas too. Please give our best regards to Maureen and her family when you visit.
We will be at Bronte with all our kids this Christmas - and that will probably be the last time we are all together for the next couple of years as Rob starts at Cambridge University next year. It should be fun, though.
Anne and I would like to wish you and your family a happy Christmas and a bright New Year. Safe travelling.

Hi Kate. Thank you for your message. It is lovely to hear from you. I haven't been around for a while so it is nice to see a familiar face. I hope all is well. Have a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Take care and travel safely xxx

Hi Kate!
Just stooping by to wish you and yours a

And, as you will be traveling

Stay safe!

Hi Kate, love the Christmas stockings - clever girl.
I am heading to Adelaide tomorrow for Christmas, down to Victor Harbour for a week from Boxing Day. Driving back along the Great Ocean Road to spend a few days at the farm before heading back to Melb. to get ready to go to NY and Dubai end Jan. I'm buzzing around like you.
Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and safe New Year, will talk to you in 2009.

Hello Kate, and my very best wishes for a wonderful Xmas and holiday season!! Sounds as if you will be busy, and on the move. We are having a 'stay at home' Xmas this year. Our daughter, Bethany arrived down from Cairns last evening, and will be here until Boxing Day, so it will be the first Xmas with all of them for a while.
Fond festive felicitations to you and yours, and will catch you next year!!

Kate, Thanks for the visit and wishes ...May I now take a minute to extend my holiday wishes to you and yours.....I have also taken this opportunity to visit your wonderful gallery and have enjoyed the years gone by..great photos, BTW.
May health, peace, joy and love be yours in the new year.... Love the Christmas stockings.....You are one talented lady...

Merry Christmas to you, too, Kate! May this holiday be a time of joy and blessing for you and your loved ones. It's such a pleasure to know you.

Hi Kate - I hope I haven't missed you. Just wanted to wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas an a happy and successful New Year.

I think that's every Christmas smiley I have!! Emjoy!

Kate, by the time you read this, I hope you had a very and a Happy New Year! Kay

Wishing you all the very best for the Festive Season

Wishing you & yours