Category: 1 - Writers Muse From Blog to Books.

Are YOU a Chicken or an Eagle? 01/04/2010

One day a chicken was pecking the ground when a shadow passed before him. Looking up he saw a huge eagle, flying majestically above. "Magnificent' he thought, as the eagle effortlessly glided through the air, surveying the world below him.

As he gazed at the eagle the other chickens began to notice his attention was elsewhere. 'What are you looking at?' They mocked. "See that eagle?' he said 'Isn't he wonderful. One day I want to ride the air like him'

"Haaaaah' One scolded. 'You're a chicken mate, nothing more. Why dont you just get back here with the rest of us and eat the kitchen scraps.'

"Yeah' said another 'Chicken is what chickens is and chickens aint no eagles' 'Why would you want to stare at the sky anyway? All the food is right here on the ground.'

'Just keep your head down' Said another 'Wishing for things you cant have, trying to be things you cant be.' 'You know you'll only cause trouble for the rest of us'

But the chicken couldn't rest. Everyday he stared at the sky, longing to soar like an eagle. Aching to feel the breeze in his wings. 'One day' he'd say 'One day I'll do it'

So here's a question for you -

Are you going to live the life of a chicken; head down, hen pecked and accepting the scraps thrown to you, or are you going to soar like an eagle?
Author unknown. If you knw the authou

Wollemi Pine. An inspiring survivor from the era of the dinosaur. 11/25/2009

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Described as a ‘living fossil’ The Wollemi Pine was first discovered in 1994, growing in a deep, narrow canyon of the rugged Wollemi National Park. We now call this rare tree, which dates back to the time of the dinosaurs, Wollemia nobilis or the Wollemi Pine.

The dramatic discovery of an evolutionary line thought to be long extinct is even more remarkable with these tall and striking trees growing only 150 km from Sydney, the largest city in Australia. They were found in the extremely rugged Wollemi National Park, a largely undisturbed wilderness area and their exact location is being kept as secret as it can be to protect this last natural stand of these trees.

Because it is rare and endangered, it is being commercially to ensure the survival of the species. It is available through selected nurseries.

While it is an enormous tree when allowed to grow to its full potential in nature, it’s growth will be controlled if it is grown in pots and it is available as a bonsai kit, also.

I am thinking ‘what an amazing truly Australian Christmas tree it would make and a very decorative courtyard or patio plant for the remainder of the year’.

I went to the Garden Express nursery in the Dandenong ranges, on Tuesday and I saw beautiful examples of Wollemi Pine being packed for shipment to buyers. The price was considerably more affordable than when these trees were originally released for sale just a couple of years ago. In this era when we learn of species, becoming extinct to find a new species and be a part of its survival is I think an inspirational life story.

My camera needs replacing; it chose, Tuesday to misbehave. The Garden Express nursery has some better illustrations of the Woolemi Pine and you are also able to mail order these trees, from them and by growing one, help ensure the survival of this rare species of tree.