Discovering the legend of The Plant Guy

 Yesterday evening I had the privilege of meeting Adelaide resident and well respected ‘plant guy’ Markus Hamence (https://markushamence.com/). Markus appeared on my radar after he held a number of workshops at other libraries in and around the city of Adelaide. Prior to meeting this wonderful man I had seen a few things online but nothing prepares me for the real deal.

Markus is larger than life, the personification of friendliness and professionalism. He had our local crowd engaged (and in stitches) within moments of him beginning his presentation. A wealth of knowledge regarding indoor plants, indoor design, in fact I highly doubt that there is anything indoor related the man does not have a brilliant idea about. He comes across as zany, creative and energetic but his wisdom shines through all of this just like peering through the internal jungle of his two bedroom flat to discover the man that is hidden amongst the foliage.

Markus was the perfect presenter for a community so garden focused but he would be just as capable and comfortable in any scenario. Keenly we look forward to him returning regularly to the Murray Bridge Library, annually updating us on the latest trends. Thank you Markus Hamence for your visit, it was a true pleasure.

Thank You

 It has been a while since I have shared my thoughts to this blog but Anzac Day is one time where my thoughts come together in something I want to share. It is not much, but it is an opportunity to say thank you.

Today is the day we celebrate in New Zealand and Australia, a day for remembering the coming together of the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corp) forces, their sacrifice in World War One and all of the many campaigns that have come after.

In memory of such courage, such sacrifice and such loss I wish to share a poem I have titled Thank You.

Thank You

For all the sacrifice of family and friends

We offer thanks

For Christmases, birthdays and occasions missed

We offer thanks

To those who left and never came back

Lest we forget the ultimate sacrifice

For all those who returned but were never the same

To those brave souls who left a piece of themselves behind

We cannot know, we cannot say that we understand

All we have is a moment, a candle and that haunting sound

The Last Post plays and the words are spoken

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them