Angie’s Artefacts… it’s Springtime!

At Last! It’s Springtime in Australia and my long awaited holiday means once again, I have taken to the dusty trail of archaeological sites.

Hmmm… let’s see what I stumble across. I’m travelling lightly this time. Minimal equipment. Time is scarce. Care to join me? I do love company!

Ooh! Look! Such a spectacular vista… way out across the sunlit canyon! What’s this I spy, perched precariously near the cliff edge? It glimmers in the fading rays of the day. Not a fossil nor an artefact… but intriguing all the same.

It’s the heart wrenching, heart warming tale “I’ll Take You to the High Cliff by Lana V Lynx.

Immediately I am immersed in the breathing beauty of canyon hiking, accompanied by an image which transports me back to Yosemite National Park... a definite favourite of mine!

Today, I’m taking a group of 18 younglings who are about to turn 18 or just turned 18, to a canyon with a zip line and excellent hiking trails of intermediate to high difficulty. I marketed it on my social media as “18 for 18.” Only two of the 18 knew each other.

I wish there was some psychological test or a contract for the people to sign before they go on a group hike. Or perhaps a pledge, like "I promise not to try to end my life during the group hike."

Certainly not Fool’s Gold but, like I said… intriguing and worth a closer look!

As I continue my wandering, something different snags my attention… a rare find indeed!

Kill Them with Kindness by Grz Colm is not your average piece… it’s brimming with a conglomeration of humour and wisdom.

Pet their dog, make a joke,

laugh at theirs!

Make a batch of muffins [no poison please]

Kill them with kindness!

How refreshing on a long, arduous hike!

I press on, tools now at the ready, keen to see what else I might unearth! Before I have a chance to use them, I see something resting in the shade of a nearby shrubby bush. It reminds me of my beloved Labrador Hudson, patiently longing for my return home.

Shirley Belk’s For Duke is a cleverly wrought poem using Poppy’s Prompts. A poignant piece, especially for dog lovers like me!

With aging hands, the old woman worked painstakingly with each fold.

Along with her patience, came a flood of memories for her to hold.

She hadn't always had patience with him as a pup, though, she'd admit.

He was big, boisterous, unruly, clumsy, and didn't like the cage one bit.

Wiping a stray tear from my eye, I continue on my way, heading back down the trail now, towards my tent, pitched above a burbling stream. Being sharp eyed, naturally I notice something unusual protruding at the path’s edge. Whipping out a handy tool, a gemstone is soon freed from it’s tomb.

Misery Central by Rachel Deeming gives me a much needed boost to energise my tent-ward steps. It had me at the first few words and held me captive the entire quick read! It sure rang true!

"Hello! Misery Central! How can I help?" Deirdre's trial for the call operator job was on and she desperately wanted to make a good impression. Adopting a cheerful phone voice, she hoped it would show that she was the best person for the job.

"No! No! NO!! You never answer the phone like that! Never! Hang up! Hang up now!"

Wow! What a productive day I’ve had! Contentedly, I continue to amble on downwards… thoughts of a quick dinner and relaxing night around the campfire warming me. As I reach my tent, I’m bemused to spot an unfamiliar book resting up against the front flap. What an unexpected treat!

I am a little traumatised by it’s title… The Lost Art of Reading by B.R. Shenoy!

What a miserable world to exist in… a world bereft of reading and books!

“The reading of all good books is like conversation with the finest (people) of the past centuries.” — Descartes

I kept my young readers engaged to the point where they only wanted mommy to read to them. They did not enjoy being read to by anyone — not even the librarian.

I recall reading aloud to them once at our local library when I noticed that a small audience of young children had gathered to listen to me!

Well, I’d better hustle and whip up something quickly for dinner… the light is fast fading and I need to light the campfire. Thanks for coming along with me today. I’m set for a perfect night… a good book and twinkling stars sprinkled in the unpolluted night sky stretched high above.

***

Sorry, I don’t recall if you were with me on this previous archaeological excavation!