Scene of the Blog Featuring Sue of Whispering Gums!

How did I discover today's guest book blogger? It was a case of one excellent Aussie blog leading me to another. When I saw the blog name "Whispering Gums" I had to smile because it reminded me of the Gum Bark Trail at Boyce-Thompson Arboretum east of Phoenix. Towering gum trees line the trail, providing much needed shade in the desert heat, and I've been known to sit on a bench to rest and watch butterflies. (In other words, I found Sue's blog name to be very evocative.)

When I visited, I found lots of wonderful content from an Australian perspective. I discovered that she and I share an opinion of books that have been turned into movies, and I always learn something on Mondays when Sue muses on various Australian lit topics like The gum tree in the Australian imagination or a New Zealand-born Australian author named Ruth Park. (I'm tracking down Park's books to read!)

If you haven't stopped by Sue's blog, Whispering Gums, I hope you take a moment to do so-- and please don't forget to say hello! While I'm at it, just one more thing before Sue graciously shows us her blogging space: don't forget that you can click on each photo to view it full size.

First, thanks Cathy for inviting me to participate. What an honour.

Here is my favourite spot in our house – in the family room, on my cheery sofa, with my lapdesk and MacPro laptop. It’s where I spend much of my time since I took early retirement 3 years ago – blogging, emailing, cataloguing our digital photos, working on contracts and, oh, watching a bit of TV in between. (I find it impossible to do nothing while watching TV.) On the table is a recent acquisition – a basket woven by indigenous Australians from Martumili Artists in the Pilbara. In it are various cables – for my iPod, my camera, my Kindle – and a CueCat for cataloguing my books into LibraryThing. On the wall above me is a favourite painting – it’s by Slovakian naïve painter, Martin Jonas, and is titled The Conversation. I love the implied irony in the fact that they have their backs to each other, which brings me to …

My favourite writer, Jane Austen. Here are my shelves devoted to her – though not everything is there as I always have a few JA related books scattered around the house for dipping into. I love her wit and irony, and read her again and again for her wicked but knowing insights into human nature. On the lower shelf, among some old family photos, are two photos from the rather inaccurate-but-I-love-it-anyway Laurence Olivier-Greer Garson adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

 

My books are scattered throughout the house. These shelves are from our bedroom bookcase, which contains my women authors, feminist books, plus various other bits and pieces. Male writers are relegated to the guestroom bookcase! These shelves, like many in the house, are double stacked. (The dots on the spines mean I’ve put them into LibraryThing).

Given my blog name, I had to include a gum tree. Most houses I have lived in (except when I’ve lived overseas of course!) have had at least one gum tree, and this house is no exception. This is a Snow Gum (Eucalyptus Pauciflora) and is in the front near our garage. It has an appealing weeping habit. The photo was taken in October last year, so you can also see some Spring colour around. After all, this blogger happens to live downunder and so is now looking forward to a lovely (hopefully long) summer.

I know what you mean when you say that you can't just sit and watch television, you must be doing something. I'm the same way, although I've learned that-- unless it's something like televised sports-- I find TV to be too distracting when I try to do anything on my netbook. On the other hand, I've been doing a lot of needlepoint because... if I do sit and watch television, in no time at all I'm sitting there snoozing away!

I like your cheery sofa, the painting on the wall and the basket, and I certainly enjoyed taking a look at some of your bookshelves (even though the gentlemen have been banished to the guest room). I usually find that how a booklover has his or her shelves organized is just as interesting as the titles of the books themselves. With your photos and other bits and bobs on the shelves, your bookcases are truly a glimpse into your personality.

Thank you so much, Sue, for allowing this glimpse into your home, your library and your blogging space. We really appreciate it!

Who will be the guest on Scene of the Blog next Wednesday? Stop by to find out. See you then!