Heavenly Beverley : The Simple Things...

The last day of September. Busy day, with lots of guests through the East End Gallery. I've barely had time to think. And when I have tried to engage the little grey cells, I haven't been terribly successful navigating the load of bollocks that is buzzing around my head, masquerading as Deep Thoughts.

The trouble is, the years seem to be accelerating faster and faster as I become older. Back in the time of the dinosaurs, there was at least some variation. For example, school terms passed far more slowly than the holidays. I would count down the weeks and days until all the breaks, but particularly the summer holidays, which began with a sense of infinity stretching out before me. Then, the days would annoyingly speed up, meaning that we would all be confined inside four walls again before we were ready, supposedly learning stuff that would set us up for the rest of our lives.

This has all changed with mature age (not necessarily mature behaviour). I feel that I have less time to do more and more. So, my chances of catching up are similar odds to Buckley's. To quote Charlie Brown..."AAUGH" comes to mind at moments like this.

Which really is only a stopgap. What I like practising, hopefully before I become overwhelmed by day-to-day reality, is to stop. Even if only for five minutes. Sniff the intoxicating aroma of our jasmine creeper. Turn my face into the breeze. Watch the deciduous trees bursting with new growth. Listen to the birds as they busily make nests and lay their eggs and have babies.

Yesterday evening, we discovered a baby bird that had fallen out of the nest. High anxiety gave way to relief and then wonder as the mother called her infant chick and persuaded it to follow her back to their home. The baby was just capable of flight, which had landed it, literally, in its predicament. Mum coaxed bub back and we assume they both safely found their way home.

We have a small lizard resident in the Gallery, usefully chomping on fly carcasses. Plus we came upon two besotted bobtails, doing what besotted bobtails do. The Lady and the Tramp posed for photos before Lady shot off into a corner of Michael's workshop and Tramp retired behind Michael's significant metal collection.

Saturday began with a celebration of the re-opening of Kerryanne's beauty salon, U Beauty Country, in Shop 1 of our Forbes Building. Lindsey and Kerryanne have poured their hearts, souls, labour and money into crafting Kerryanne's own salon. We are thrilled that they chose us to start their dream of opening Kerryanne's business.

Saturday night's Sundowner only attracted a smallish gathering. We didn't care. The combination of musos Lawrence Jones, Jan George, Nick Childs and Guy Slingerland was just fabulous. How lucky are we to know such gifted performers who willingly give their time to us. For free. The Christmas Sundowner, on Saturday 14 December, will feature both "our" musicians and the talented and grooviest eighty-year-old named Brian Aylward who will be conducting a pastels demonstration. Again for nothing. All we offer is a decent glass of vino for his trouble. We couldn't possibly give Brian the cheap and nasty plonk for his services...

I love spring in Heavenly Beverley. Not quite warm enough to swim, but full of mostly pleasant days and nights. The heater is being used less, the fans more. Our courtyards are full of colour. The house is bright and airy with doors and windows flung open after the cold of winter.

And today felt like a Joe Cocker sort-of-day. When I was quite young, I used to sit in my brother David's turquoise blue room and listen to his collection of hits of the Beach Boys, Herman and the Hermits and of course, Mister Joe Cocker.

Joe's voice has always captivated me. Gravelly, sensual, full-throttled and tender, Joe is still a favourite. So, I played him. So many great songs. But probably, I have always loved "The Simple Things" more than any of his songs.

"The Simple Things" remind us to breathe, to appreciate, to savour, to grab the present with both hands. A great song to remember how to stop. Even if only for five minutes...

Somewhere Along The Way

I Got Caught Up In The Race
I Kept Spinning And Turning
Lost Myself My Hope My Faith

We're Always Wanting More Than What We Have
And What I've Learned Is All I Really Need Are...

The Simple Things
That Come Without A Price
The Simple Things
Like Happiness Joy And Love In My Life
I've Seen It All From So Many Sides
And I Hope You Would Agree
The Best Things In Life
Are The Simple Things

Hey Everybody Don't Get Me Wrong
You Got To Understand
Ambition And Knowledge
Are The Seeds Of Every Woman And Man

It's Good To Work... Work Hard And Prosper
As Long As You Take Time To Find...

The Simple Things
That Come Without A Price
The Simple Things
Like Happiness Joy And Love In My Life
I've Seen It All From So Many Sides
And I Hope You Would Agree
That The Best Things In Life
Are The Simple Things

This World Moves So Fast
Sometimes You Got To Slow Down, Down, Down
To Find Out What Its All About

Solo

We're Always Wanting More Than What We Have
What I've Learned, Is What I Really Need Are..