Your accent a use of down under river names freely run as the water falls. Humans so slowly are beginning to let nature heal, blow up dams for fish and wildlife to be free. Take less humans tamper with nature the more Beauty is seen.
Haha, thanks Richard. We have a lot of great Aboriginal place names :)
You're right, there's a trend to blow up the dams, although it seems to move at a snail's pace down here. A local minister proposed expanding one here a few years back. Happily, it went nowhere (yet). I hope humans care enough to tamper less and seek its beauty.
I so empathised with this one. I see these changes in my forest walking, the dog and I baffled my the huge differences both subtle and dramatic to the landscape. Either no water or gushing overflows. Crazy world. Thanks Alia. Except as always
Thank you for asking about us. We’ve both been very ill in recent weeks. Bonnie Jean has had a stubborn sinus infection that started in January and she’s had three courses of antibiotics and it’s still hanging around. That’s on top of her arthritis and mobility issues. I’m having a prolonged flare of my AS and fibromyalgia. I’m in a lot of pain just doing the simplest things and it’s not helping that I literally haven’t had a full night’s sleep in over thirty years. Lack of sleep is really catching up with me now. I have brain fog a lot these days—had a writing project and a musical instrument in the works and they’re both on hold until I feel better. Bonnie Jean has been a tremendous help in spite of being wheelchair bound. The good news is that we love and need each other more than ever. We’re just hanging around and watching a lot of YouTube videos about the crises in the British Royal Family. News of Trump’s war is sparse and questionable, so we’re not paying attention to it. We hope you and your family are doing well and that your writing project is going great. Thanks again and stay safe and well! ❤️!
I’m sorry to hear you’ve both been unwell. I hope Bonnie Jean’s sinus infection clears as the weather warms. I get lingering sinus problems each winter, too, so I understand how terrible they can be.
I hope you find some relief from your pain, Rafael. I can’t even imagine what it must feel like, but I have a sense of what a lack of sleep brings and I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.
My writing project has barely progressed this year for a number of other reasons that must take priority. Week after week, I find it hard to believe that so many conflicts of time arise, but young children, sick family and finances will always take priority, so I can only be patient.
My wife and I listened to this together and just loved it. And we’re even more glad that you’ve been finally getting some rain. Hoping the drought is truly over and that you, your family and friends are safe from the wildfires. Thanks for sharing this unique experience and have a great fall and winter down under—your friend, Rafaelito. ❤️!
I just tried to reply to your comment but I’m not sure if you’re getting it because the Substack says I’m not subscribed to your Mind Flexing. Please just let me know if you got it some time. ❤️!
Lovely images on this riverine journey Alia. I loved the striking: the river was running in reverse. Much to think about, and very relatable to my own home, where we have a tremendous hydrological power scheme, and many of our great waterways plugged with ‘taps’. We’ve lost the beautiful white sand beach of Lake Pedder under a mass of water and dead trees. So much of what we see today is not as it once was, it is troubling to imagine what things our children will consider normal. Will our Rivers ever be free. Kate :)
Thank you, Kate. Yes, it's amazing, isn't it, that places so remote like Pedder were ever dammed. We really do meddle. I hope to see its white sand beach one day 🙏
Poignantly written, and as always, beautifully read.
This is a subject that occupies my mind, and my writing, a great deal. How we have subordinated, subjugated and subverted nature, particularly in our use of water, that most precious resource.
I’m sitting by a river as I write this: the Huon at Franklin. These days it begins at the Scotts Peak Dam on Lake Pedder. The bank that I’m sitting on is reclaimed land. It’s a beautiful scene, but by no means natural.
I’ll be spending the next two weeks on board a wooden crayboat in the Southwest Wilderness, on a voyage to Port Davey and back. Pretty much the wildest part of Australia’s coast; I wonder how many traces of human impact I’ll see there?
Thank you, Steve. Back in Tassie, how lovely! Lake Pedder, now there's an example! I've followed the campaign to restore Lake Pedder over the years. It would be wonderful if it happens. Still a long way to go, though.
Enjoy the Southwest. That is a wild place. I suspect you'll encounter true nature there. Enjoy it!
Your accent a use of down under river names freely run as the water falls. Humans so slowly are beginning to let nature heal, blow up dams for fish and wildlife to be free. Take less humans tamper with nature the more Beauty is seen.
Haha, thanks Richard. We have a lot of great Aboriginal place names :)
You're right, there's a trend to blow up the dams, although it seems to move at a snail's pace down here. A local minister proposed expanding one here a few years back. Happily, it went nowhere (yet). I hope humans care enough to tamper less and seek its beauty.
I so empathised with this one. I see these changes in my forest walking, the dog and I baffled my the huge differences both subtle and dramatic to the landscape. Either no water or gushing overflows. Crazy world. Thanks Alia. Except as always
It's special to spend years in a place so that you know it so intimately. Your forest seems magical, Jonathan.
Thank you for asking about us. We’ve both been very ill in recent weeks. Bonnie Jean has had a stubborn sinus infection that started in January and she’s had three courses of antibiotics and it’s still hanging around. That’s on top of her arthritis and mobility issues. I’m having a prolonged flare of my AS and fibromyalgia. I’m in a lot of pain just doing the simplest things and it’s not helping that I literally haven’t had a full night’s sleep in over thirty years. Lack of sleep is really catching up with me now. I have brain fog a lot these days—had a writing project and a musical instrument in the works and they’re both on hold until I feel better. Bonnie Jean has been a tremendous help in spite of being wheelchair bound. The good news is that we love and need each other more than ever. We’re just hanging around and watching a lot of YouTube videos about the crises in the British Royal Family. News of Trump’s war is sparse and questionable, so we’re not paying attention to it. We hope you and your family are doing well and that your writing project is going great. Thanks again and stay safe and well! ❤️!
I’m sorry to hear you’ve both been unwell. I hope Bonnie Jean’s sinus infection clears as the weather warms. I get lingering sinus problems each winter, too, so I understand how terrible they can be.
I hope you find some relief from your pain, Rafael. I can’t even imagine what it must feel like, but I have a sense of what a lack of sleep brings and I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.
My writing project has barely progressed this year for a number of other reasons that must take priority. Week after week, I find it hard to believe that so many conflicts of time arise, but young children, sick family and finances will always take priority, so I can only be patient.
❤️ !
My wife and I listened to this together and just loved it. And we’re even more glad that you’ve been finally getting some rain. Hoping the drought is truly over and that you, your family and friends are safe from the wildfires. Thanks for sharing this unique experience and have a great fall and winter down under—your friend, Rafaelito. ❤️!
Thank you, Rafaelito! How are you both doing?
I just tried to reply to your comment but I’m not sure if you’re getting it because the Substack says I’m not subscribed to your Mind Flexing. Please just let me know if you got it some time. ❤️!
Strange. Substack must be glitching. But I’m sure I got it. Will comment back on it now.
Thank you for acknowledging those of us with loved ones who are (hopefully) surviving the bombs 💔
As this insanity spreads, more and more of us are personally affected. I hope all your loved ones stay well Sonbol.
Lovely images on this riverine journey Alia. I loved the striking: the river was running in reverse. Much to think about, and very relatable to my own home, where we have a tremendous hydrological power scheme, and many of our great waterways plugged with ‘taps’. We’ve lost the beautiful white sand beach of Lake Pedder under a mass of water and dead trees. So much of what we see today is not as it once was, it is troubling to imagine what things our children will consider normal. Will our Rivers ever be free. Kate :)
Thank you, Kate. Yes, it's amazing, isn't it, that places so remote like Pedder were ever dammed. We really do meddle. I hope to see its white sand beach one day 🙏
Poignantly written, and as always, beautifully read.
This is a subject that occupies my mind, and my writing, a great deal. How we have subordinated, subjugated and subverted nature, particularly in our use of water, that most precious resource.
I’m sitting by a river as I write this: the Huon at Franklin. These days it begins at the Scotts Peak Dam on Lake Pedder. The bank that I’m sitting on is reclaimed land. It’s a beautiful scene, but by no means natural.
I’ll be spending the next two weeks on board a wooden crayboat in the Southwest Wilderness, on a voyage to Port Davey and back. Pretty much the wildest part of Australia’s coast; I wonder how many traces of human impact I’ll see there?
Thank you, Steve. Back in Tassie, how lovely! Lake Pedder, now there's an example! I've followed the campaign to restore Lake Pedder over the years. It would be wonderful if it happens. Still a long way to go, though.
Enjoy the Southwest. That is a wild place. I suspect you'll encounter true nature there. Enjoy it!
💙