
I wasn’t the only one enjoying the strawberry trees in the library garden. The birds, bees and butterflies were hanging out with me.

While painting this, I could hear a group of young kids delightedly catching lizards. I was torn between ‘free range parent’ and ‘state park docent’ as I wondered if I should fondly recall the joys of childhood or admonish them not to hurt or take the animals. I said nothing, but I had all the feels.

Five years ago, we planted a Norfolk pine on the downslope below the lemonade berry, with the goal that it would block the view of the neighbour’s flagpole from our living room. It’s now about 3.5 metres tall and doing its job with pride and gusto. These trees will always remind me of Kiama, where I happily spent my childhood summers.