The Changing Seasons, February 2021

/ Su Leslie

Image: Su Leslie 2021

“Try to represent … the notion of time without the processes by which we divide it, measure it, or express it … We cannot conceive of time except by distinguishing its different moments.” — Emile Durkheim, French sociologist

I quote Durkheim here because I’m struggling with the experience of time right now. In the seemingly relentless cycle of hot dry days and humid nights, time is hardly more than arbitrary changes in the calendar date on my phone, and a slowly increasing number of images in the folder labelled February.

Those images tell me that I’ve baked quite a lot, visited a couple of cemeteries to research Headstones and Hidden Histories posts, and enjoyed a couple of spectacular sunsets.

Coconut cookies. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Raw caramel slice. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Scottish oatcakes; recipe here. Image: Su Leslie 2021

After a bit of experimentation, I have an oatcake recipe I’m happy with. I’m posting it separately here, so if you do want to try it, you won’t have to wade through my ramblings first (one of my pet hates with online recipes).

I’ve been meaning to write about Ellen Melville for a while. She was one of the country’s first woman lawyers, a city councillor for many years and a powerful advocate for women’s participation in public life. I’m still doing research to add colour to her story, but will post it as a Hidden History when I’m done.

A story to be told. Image: Su Leslie 2021

The stories of Freda Stark and Thelma Trott could hardly be more different to that of Ellen Melville — but are totally fascinating. This post may take me longer, as there seems to be a resurgence of interest in Freda Stark, and I’m determined not to just re-hash old material.

As a clue to how interested I’ve become — T and I made a 200km round trip last Saturday to see a play called Freda Stark — The Musical.

I hate musicals.

And to be honest, I hated this one more than most — but that’s another story to be told.

A story to be told. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Freda Stark — The Musical may have been disappointing, but we had a really good lunch at Saigon Noon in Hamilton.

Ok, not as interesting as our food, but when it arrived I was too busy eating to take photos. Image; Su Leslie 2021

And a stop at Mercer on the way home offered a beautiful sunset.

Sunset, Waikato River at Mercer, NZ. Image: Su Leslie

The following evening, a walk on Auckland’s Tamaki Drive produced a similarly spectacular sunset.

Auckland CBD from Tamaki Drive, Orakei. Image: Su Leslie

And a little later … Auckland CBD from Tamaki Drive, Orakei. Image: Su Leslie

Sunset, from Okahu Bay Wharf. Image: Su Leslie

Sunset, Okahu Bay Wharf, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.

For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different.

Others focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.

But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.

There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement. (1)

Tags and ping-backs

Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

Create a ping-back to this post, so that I can update it with links to all of yours.

Update

Pauline at Living in Paradise

Tracy from Reflections of an Untidy Mind

Suzanne from Life at No 22

Natalie at Little Pieces of Me

Marilyn from Serendipity, Seeking Intelligent Life on Earth

XingfuMama

Ju-Lyn (who you’ll know from All Things Bright and Beautiful) has a new blog, and shares her month here, at Touring My Backyard

Tish from Writer on the Edge

Brian at Bushboy’s World

Sarah at Art Expedition

77 thoughts on “The Changing Seasons, February 2021”

  5. Things aren’t “better” yet, but I feel there is promise in the air, the promise that maybe change is in the air. I’ve brought you a COVID vaccination, bread, and birds. Nothing very exciting but maybe, just maybe the future is going to arrive. I hope that turns out to be a future we want!

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  7. Yes, we have had another hot summer. Those humid nights make sleeping hard and getting up early to snap a few sunrises even more challenging. Your food shots are always tantalising though you still haven’t motivated me enough to start baking might have something to do with the heat or C.B.B [can’t be bothered].

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  8. The raw caramel slice looks delicious and I’d love some good Vietnamese food, but thankfully I’m stuffed right now, so I’m not suffering hunger pangs from these photos at all. 🙂 Lovely sunsets and it sounds as if we have some interesting history to look forward to.

    janet

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  17. Your February was packed, and those sunsets are beautiful.I am sure you did justice to nature after sharing these Photographs cause they are inspiring.I admit I was drooling on that raw caramel slice….

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  19. Such lovely sunsets to enjoy Su, and I am most envious of the thought of a 200km round trip including going to a restaurant for a meal! Not going to happen here for another couple of months. I so hope we have a hot summer. Or even a warm spring. Been cooped up for far too long.

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    • Thanks Jude.
      I am conscious that we’ve been really fortunate in that life has largely carried on. The play we went to Hamilton for was the first theatre I’ve seen in a year and that’s something I’ve really missed. Though to be honest, the actual play was pants!
      I hope the UK has turned the corner and you can get out into the sunshine soon.

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  22. Your Durkheim quote is so appropo – I too, like many of us who are hunkered down in our homes, am having a tough time tracking time.

    So it is an occasion like The Changing Seasons that grounds and pulls my month together; a chance to look back at what I’ve been doing and to do some reflection.

    And of course, the joy of catching up with some of our BlogFriends in this space.

    Also, the delight of vicarously watching your stunning sunsets (my favourite one from this current series is the 1st from Okahu Bay Wharf – the light glinting off the building is enticing) and devouring your delectable food (am very taken by the idea of a raw caramel slice!).

    Thank you for finding me on this new blogsite. Attaching my contribution for Changing Seasons as I have made some changes since it posted yesterday:

    https://touringmybackyard.wordpress.com/2021/03/02/trying-somethings-different/

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    • I’m glad you liked the sunsets; I feel as though I’ve hardly been out to photograph the world at all lately.

      We’ve rather enjoyed the caramel slice too. Next time I make it I’ll pay more attention to the quantities, etc and post the recipe.

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      • I hear you – I wouldn’t be outdoors if not for my runs and our run outings.

        Did you create the caramel slice yourself? I’ve only had a Millionaire’s shortbread version (which is baked) but I like the idea of a raw slice – so I am looking forward to your recipe.

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  23. Beautiful post and photos! I feel like teleported in a more beautiful place instantly and can almost smell the sea – and the cookies! 😉
    I’ve had trouble with keeping track of time these past months and honestly have to actively think which day it is each morning – very weird. Also I tend to think about time in terms of meals now – like yay it’s time for breakfast/lunch/dinner/the occasional snack. 😉😂 They somehow turned into highlights over the pandemic.
    Looking forward to read your posts about Ellen Melville and Freda Stark!! That’s true dedication to suffer through a musical for your research!
    Going to post soon, still have to finish my calendar doodle. 😁

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