Ruth's Reflections

“Searching for Grace” by Carol Henderson & Heather Tovey

realruth — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:53:44 +0000

This finely crafted book tells a riveting true story. The memoir of an English childhood is tinged with the mystery of who Heather’s parents really were. As a sometime genealogist I felt empathy with the authors right from the beginning. This personal account is well written (by a mother and daughter) and lavishly published on thick paper with coloured illustrations throughout. The authors say they “always hoped that our book would encourage interest and debate about the need for children (and adults) to know where they truly belong.” They’ve done that, and proved again that truth can be stranger than fiction.

“We surely all have need to know
just how our antecedents go.”

Return to Routine

realruth — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:49:55 +0000

Back to work yesterday after five lazy weeks of doing just what I pleased with no responsibilities. The only trouble is that when I’m hard at work in the office I’m much less likely to have inspiration for creative blog writing, especially as I choose not to blog about work. Last year I managed to find something to write about every day (on average). Having earthquakes helped tremendously, and I do NOT want that kind of inspiration this year, thank you very much.

So, we’ll see whether I manage to find things to write about, and the time and energy to do it. Please stay tuned/subscribed.

“When back at work it’s harder to
find time for all I want to do.”

Heart and Home

realruth — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:53:43 +0000

Yesterday a new art installation appeared on our corner, next to the Book Fridge.

Heart is where the Home is

This painted sculpture, titled “Heart is where the home is”, is a blue spiral which comes with an invitation to walk inside, where a surprise awaits. The artist is Judy Rogers. If you’d like to see it, it will be displayed again in the Botanic Gardens, near the restaurant, on Sunday 19 February. It’s another event hosted by the wonderful Gap Filler people, who organise creative projects on vacant sites around the city.

“This sculpture which portrays the heart
is part of the Gap Filler art.”

Sorting the strands

realruth — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:56:33 +0000

My mother was keen on embroidery and crochet. When she died in 1995 I inherited a bag of stranded cottons, all mixed together haphazardly.

Tangled threads

On the odd occasion when I’ve wanted a particular coloured thread I’ve pulled it out of the mix, adding to the confusion. Until now I had no incentive to sort them properly. Next month I’m planning a project that needs various coloured cottons, so I sat down and sorted them out. Many still had the little paper labels with a colour number on them. I’m familiar with Semco stranded cottons, but these are mainly the old Clark’s Anchor cottons, with a few DMC as well. I suspect many of them are older than I am. I got most sorted out into a basket, with just a small pile of tangled threads left over to be discarded.

Sorted strands

I’ve thought of giving the cottons away to a craftperson, but keep hoping that maybe one day I might do some more embroidery. I wonder how many other women have similar collection of tangled craft cottons?

“Coloured cotton, many strands
could be transformed by crafty hands.”

Brighton Beach

realruth — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:39:48 +0000

On a hot day the beach is the best place to be. Brighton Pier has been an attraction for generations of Christchurch people. The new structure, completed in 1997, is the biggest ocean pier in Australasia, and has good facilities for fishers.

Fishing from the pier

The day was cloudy and from the pier I could see a distinctive nor-west arch.

Nor-west arch from Brighton Pier

The Pier gives an excellent view of surfers.

Surfing at New Brighton

The library by the pier has comfortable armchairs where you can sit and look out to sea. A notice at the entrance asks bathers to dry off before entering. I liked the sculpture of 87 hardback books, which had been created specifically as an installation outside the University of Canterbury Library. The earthquake must have caused this change of venue.

Book Sculpture by Gerar Toye

Sadly the New Brighton shopping centre looks shabby and uncared for. When I was a child this was the only place where shops were open on Saturday morning and it was a favourite destination. Now it’s run down in a way that’s surprising for a desirable seaside location. The contrast with Sumner is marked. Perhaps Brighton is less attractive because it’s flat and few houses have a sea view. I suspect some who live here may prefer it not to become more popular, but surely they’d appreciate a more vibrant shopping centre?

“The shops aren’t much, but they’re in reach
of sea, and surf, and sandy beach.”

“Where or When” by Anita Shreve

realruth — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:43:49 +0000

The suspense in this book took my breath away. It’s the story of two adolescents who fall in love, then are separated for thirty-one years. Through it all run familiar songs of the 1960′s. The author writes so well of emotions and inevitability, and the reader knows it must end sometime, but doesn’t know how. The suspense was maintained until the very end.

“Their love was innocent back then
but can it be revived again?”

Dampening the Dust

realruth — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:29:47 +0000

In Manchester Street, just north of the bridge, I’d noticed a gantry and wondered what it was for. This is where contractors’ large vehicles enter and leave the red zone, and this structure showers them with water on the way out.

Damping down the dust

Presumably this is to try and stop dust blowing into people’s homes as the trucks drive by. I’m not sure how long the effect would last, but good on CERA for doing it.

“They make an effort, as they must,
to try and minimise the dust.”

Loopy Lights

realruth — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:09:05 +0000

The early morning sound of concrete cutters sent me out to investigate what was happening on our corner. Workmen were repairing the traffic light loops, where cars run over a spot on the road and the controller can tell that cars are there waiting for the lights to change.

Repairing the traffic light loops

The earthquakes have damaged the loops all over Christchurch and that’s why the lights are often out of phase.

“Just one more things that mars our days
is when the lights are out of phase.”

Digital Disconnection

realruth — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:27:18 +0000

Last week I had four days with no computer contact – by choice. The wonders of WordPress technology meant that daily blog posts, written previously, were published automatically and readers would not have known I was away from home.

During my Christchurch staycation I’ve checked e-mails and played Wordscraper several times a day, but felt no need to do so while in Wellington. Friends knew I was out of town. If others needed me urgently they could phone home and speak to Stephen or use my cellphone.

It was good to be in a different place, spending time with a good friend, and able to think, dream, and write a hard copy journal, rather than continually using a keyboard.

Of course I was still making notes for future blog posts, the compulsion to express and record my thoughts and experiences never goes away. It was good to be doing this in a more meditative way, sitting in bed, watching the day dawn over the city through a window in my lofty bedroom.

“I love the contact through the ‘net
but seeing friends is better yet.”

Truly Travelling

realruth — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:19:24 +0000

My plan to travel home by ferry and train didn’t seem quite so attractive when I woke to forecasts of heavy rain and severe gales. I love trains and was pleased to have the time to travel this way, rather than fly. It was Friday the 13th, a date I’ve always considered positive because it’s sacred to the Goddess Freya, but I did start to have doubts. At checkin the board indicated sea conditions as light which was encouraging. When booking I’d asked whether my bag would be checked through to Christchurch and been told I’d need to claim it in Picton and re-check it on to the train. This proved to be incorrect. The booking confirmation I received by e-mail had a reference number but no other information. Not even the date of time of sailing and train trips. These are definitely areas KiwiRail needs to improve.

On board the Interislander Kaitaki I quickly found a comfortable seat with a view. The cloud started to clear, and the sun shone through as we moved quietly out of Wellington Harbour. My seat was in the family area and at 9.30am a magician set up to entertain the children.

Magician Nigel Kennedy entertaining the children

I’m impressed that this free entertainment is provided, but moved to the comparative quiet of the forward lounge where I could read and watch as we sailed into the Sounds, the windows occasionally obscured by a high wave.

Entering the Marlborough Sounds

In Cook Strait the ship rolled enough to let us know we were on the ocean, not enough to be uncomfortable for me, although I noticed a few people clutching motion sickness bags just in case. Once we were in the Sounds the sea was calm and smooth, then it started to rain, blurring the view. By the time we reached Picton the rain had stopped and I had an hour to stretch my legs and buy a sandwich.

Kaitaki berthed at Picton

The Coastal Pacific train has new carriages with air suspension that provide an incredibly smooth ride. Swivelling seats ensure that everyone can face forward. Apparently these are the first rail carriages to be entirely designed and built in New Zealand since 1941.

As requested I had a window seat on the coastal side. The woman next to me spied an empty window seat ahead and was quick to snaffle it, leaving me with a double seat to myself for the whole journey. I could sit back and enjoy the countryside and the 21 tunnels.

Wither Hills, near Blenheim

My only gripe was that I couldn’t make the headphones work to get the commentary on the scenery we were passing through. When a staff member came by I was told I needed to keep changing channels (on what I had thought was volume control) until I found the right one. We agreed that it would be useful if this was printed on the safety or menu card and he told me it would happen with the next printing.

Beach north of Parikawa

We arrived in Christchurch right on schedule, and I would thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone. Rail is definitely the best way to travel.

“I love to take a trip by train
and this one brought me home again.”