Today is the last day of February, which is officially the last month of summer. Even though the heat will continue in Heavenly Beverley until at least the end of March, I am already looking forward to the coolness that will arrive with the proper autumn. That will be the time my garden will spontaneously erupt into new growth, and I can stop worrying if I miss the current ritual of daily watering.
If your garden, or indeed yourself, is feeling a tad wilted, you may be cheered by Narelle Higson's 'Wildflowers' themed art pastels workshop tomorrow, Sunday 1 March. Narelle (who is the East End Gallery's first Residencies Artist) may have one spot (!) left in her workshop or you could just stand and admire the participants' efforts and dream of spring.
In view of hoping and wishing, the word 'dream' has become my default setting for 2026. Last year was so topsy-turvy and so stressful, particularly the second half, that I would really just would have liked to hit the 'delete' button at times. This year has also had its fair share of challenges but there is a difference - a wonderful difference - that has coloured our lives, our optimism, our self-esteem and our belief in random acts of kindness. Serendipity is currently shining over us and the East End Gallery.
(My little secret is that 'dream' is currently my primary word when I play Wordle. Make sure you don't tell anybody else...)
Our initial hit of serendipity was the arrival of the fantastic Mister Kim Brennan. Kim was looking for a place to park himself and his van so he could save some money from his pension in order to go prospecting in 2027. Previously in property maintenance, he had the skills and the get-up-and-go attitude to assist Michael in all the tasks and projects around the Forbes Building that my darling husband had put off, due to the sheer hard work required.
Michael was just emerging from his debilitating major depressive episode when Kim arrived in our lives. These two blokes, so alike in their attention to detail and willingness to tackle these jobs - just clicked. There is no 'boss' and no 'underling' - Kim and Michael work side by side and feed off each other's problem solving abilities and bloody tenacity. Kim has become a valued part of our family and I thank the universe for his role in restoring Michael's mental health.
What was going to be a quick 'spit and polish' approach to the renovation of the East End Gallery, the Communal Area and the Art Space was able to explode into much much more. Kim and Michael were able to restore the entire 150 square metres into two quite distinctive zones - the cool and clean lines of the East End Gallery inviting our guests to explore every interesting alcove, as opposed to the Communal Area and Art Space, which are brilliantly colourful and showered in natural light.
We have added a kitchenette with sink, cupboard, crockery and cutlery, glasses, bench space with the fridge, kettle toaster and microwave. A glorious new resident to Heavenly Beverley, Jenny Sandford has started supplying us with donated sweet treats every Friday. Last week was jam sponge and yesterday she dropped off a chocolate slice. Another advocate of random acts of kindness. Thus, we have tea, coffee, water, soft drinks, biscuits and cake available. Donations are very welcome!
Only ten days ago, I thought the world was going to cave in on us. A mountain of bills was staring me in the face, along with an appointment to my new cardiologist. We had precisely forty dollars in our bank account. Sitting outside in my beloved courtyard jungle, I should have been feeling peaceful. Instead I was gripped by desperation and panic. Feeling I had nothing to lose, I posted on Facebook, just asking for guests in the Gallery to buy an extra card, some jewellery, a piece of pottery or donate a coin for a cuppa...
What we then received was overwhelming. Serendipity struck again. Over the course of the next thirty-six hours, we received donations of both money and artworks, with no strings attached. We were blown away by the love and support shown to us. We could barely believe that we could be so lucky.
And the Gallery is just looking so beautiful and inviting.
I am finishing this post in the wee small hours of the morning. We have just finished a string of very hot days and I woke up, uncomfortable and thirsty. So, rather than disturb Michael, I have thrown open the house, popped on the ceiling fans and am quietly marvelling at our good fortune.
All is well in our world, right here in Heavenly Beverley.
Here is a snapshot of some who have been part of this serendipity -
Kim...
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Bronwyn...
And here are some snippets of the East End Gallery (just to tempt you!) -
And don't forget Magda!
