Author: Rainee

“Nature’s Geometry: Succulents” by Russel Ray

/ Rainee / 1 Comment

Just wanted to share this post by Russel Ray – I have purchased the book and love it 🙂

Russel Ray Photos

"Nature's Geometry: Succulents" front cover

Several people told me that they would like to have a copy of my book but postage from the U.S. to their countries was too expensive. So………..

I have been trying to make a “Nature’s Geometry: Succulents” flip book but no luck. They either cannot make a good flipbook from a PDF, or they want thousands of dollars and several months to re-format my book to fit their requirements. Nope.

I do have a very nice PDF that works on Windows, iPad, and Mac, now in my Etsy shop with my printed book. Print book is $35 with free shipping to U.S. locations, and the PDF is $15 as an instant download. Both will make great Christmas gifts!

Here’s the link to my Etsy shop:

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RusselRayPhotos

Nature's Geometry: Succulents back cover

"Nature's Geometry: Succulents" review

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Stoicism

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“Some things are in my control and others are not” – I have known this concept for what feels like forever through the Serenity Prayer.

For the first time I have paid more attention to the “things I can change” aspect rather than the things I cannot. I think it is because I heard it in different words (Stoic philosopher, Epictetus), as above: “Some things are in my control and others are not” that opened my eyes. My focus up to now has mostly been on acceptance of the things out of my control. I still think that is valid and useful.

Now I can see more clearly that I have the ability and the right to be assertive around the issues where I do have control. If my motives are virtuous then I need not worry about the opinions of others. By virtuous I mean wise. The main difference in my thinking is not being concerned what others think. A liberating thought!

A Memory Triggered

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I was on the treadmill at the gym this morning. They have a screen where you can choose to watch TV or have different outdoor scenes etc. I chose Channel 54 on TV. They featured different holiday destinations in Australia. I was surprised to see Echuca, Victoria and the Murray River as I used to live and work there. A paddle steamer was chugging down the river.

I remember I had a job managing a ‘corner store’ that sold just about any convenience foods and takeaway lunches. I worked from 5am to about 10pm at night six days a week. I have never worked so hard in my life! I was twenty at the time and we were living in a tent (true story for another day) in the caravan park adjacent to the store. The owners wanted to take a couple of months holidays and offered us the job with the house behind the business.

Echuca, Victoria

On Sundays I would take a ride on the paddle steamer and just stretch out on the bench seat and relax! I had a precious few hours off and I really soaked up that leisure time. When I saw the paddle steamer on the screen this morning, that was what immediately came to mind.

PS No, that is not me on the treadmill 🙂

What or where is home?

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This topic is a recurring theme in my thoughts recently. I wonder if it is because COVID restrictions mean I cannot visit my extended family and the place where I grew up (about 3500km away)? I don’t know.

I lived in Western Australia for 38 years and only lived in my home state of Victoria for 28 years. Even though WA is enormous, I have lived in many regions and many towns whereas my knowledge of Victoria is limited to Melbourne and the country area of my youth. However, I could go back ‘home’ tomorrow and see people in the street who would say ‘hello’ like I have never been away (it IS a small town).

So is ‘home’ more of a state of mind? For now I think I will count my blessings for my current situation and think about it another day!

Click HERE to visit my childhood home or click HERE for where I live today!

So what are your thoughts?

All about Music

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My husband has a new interest since Covid began. He is learning to play the keyboard, music theory and composition. He composed this piece of music which I find to be light and refreshing. I hope you enjoy his first piece 🙂

A Good Day to be like the Stoics

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The Daily Stoic, written by Ryan Holiday, includes a wise quote for each day of the year and then a modern day interpretation of the quote. Today’s quote is from Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius. I thought it to be relevant to today amidst the politics of COVID19.

That’s probably enough stamps …

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Continuing my theme of taking close-up photos of stamps – I am learning more about where the camera focus lands so that is good!

Here is the last sample. Please let me know if you see some rare or valuable stamps! I would be most appreciative :). If you click on each stamp you will be able to see the whole image

Stamp Collecting!

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I am trying to improve my photography skills and today I tried taking close up photos from my stamp collection. It is a group of five albums given to me about 30 years ago. There is a wide variety of stamps from countries around the world. I will do a few posts on them so as I can give you a fair sample of what I’ve got. Here are some to start with: