Narelle Hunter RURAL LIFESTYLE

Late last week Howard gathered a few extra men around to cart in the straw bales before the rain arrived. Together with tractors and trucks the race was on to beat the storm and bring all the bales from the paddocks to home. Then the golden wall of straw needed covering with a large tarp, while other bales squeezed into the hay shed. It is a sight to see the remaining part of the wheat crop windrowed (cut into rows) and baled over a few late evenings. Other years we have mulched this into the ground or earlier practices were to burn the stubble. These days creating wonderful bales of straw is a great option. Once again I was taking photos and especially love the late evening shot when Howard was still out at 9pm stacking with his tractor. I tipped the camera up to incorporate the moon. What is gorgeous about this shot is how it shows the vastness of the sky.  On a farm the nights are all about the stars the moon and the sounds of owls crickets and the wind whispering through the

I would define meditation as the practice of sitting comfortably and gently encouraging physical and mental stillness. We live in a wonderful world, full of stimulation, entertainment, responsibilities, possibilities and expectations. There is so much to see, do, learn about, work towards and enjoy. The only thing we cant buy is time and most people complain that there is 'not enough time', that 'time is flying' and that 'times have changed.' Well let me share with you a secret I have discovered.....meditation has changed my perception of time. Time opens up, slows down and reveals a whole new way of approaching each day. I don't want to sound airy fairy though, so lets have a practical look at how meditation can help us feel less rushed and more able to take in the beauty of each day. Meditation is practiced in a sitting position to prevent us from drifting off to sleep. The body feels very relaxed and peaceful, while the mind moves to a focused and con

I didn't plan on being a farmer... It just so happened I fell in love with this kind man who happened to work on his family farm. For almost 21 years now I have lived 4okm from town but my involvement  in the farm has been minimal. My priority has always been caring for our four daughters, the home and juggling my off farm income work but this year has a completely different feel. This year the farm is my 'creative project' focus, as I endeavour to learn more about how the farm is managed outside of the office. It is such a treat to be able to grab moments outdoors to take photos, practice yoga and really experience farming, dust and all. There are no lovely rivers running through the place nor the rolling sea I would dearly love to be closer to. There are no lush rain forests or towering mountains but there is beauty here. What I love is the wide open spaces, the sun rising and setting, the birds visiting the garden, the stars at night, the sweeping breeze and all the

The farm is awash with romance as the rams have a reprieve from their time in isolation and are allowed to join the ewes, literally. 28 happy rams have 8 weeks of mixing with 2000 ewes in Howard's carefully thought out breeding program. The twins and triplets will be born first, followed by the hundreds of bleating lambs, around 1700 in total, in July.   As you can see in the images, the farm is drying out and we have started hand feeding the stock, oats and hay. We are hoping to only have to do this for a month or so, until it rains again and we can sow the grazing crops. 'If we get an early break in March, the ground is still warm and the feed comes away very quickly in the pasture paddocks and the grazing crop areas.' Howard explains. We store our oats in large silo bags, that is the long white sausage I am leaning on to practice my morning meditation, while waiting for Howard to load the grain bin with the tractor. These shots were taken yesterday and I am soaking u

It is easy to enjoy beautiful things and happy times in life, but when we can see the beauty in the ordinary, a whole world opens up. There is a richness within the every day moments, a courage that we cannot know until challenged and a potent stillness within chaos that is available for everyone. There is value in embracing each small piece of each new day.  To spend our time waiting for only the highs, the amazing, the fabulous and the fun is to spend a lifetime watching from the sideline. It is a comfortable place to be though, very few mistakes can be made until the cracks start. All the things that are not ideal can start to make us grumpy, annoyed, discontent and jealous.  There is another way. When the intention is set to enjoy the whole ride, the whole ride reveals itself like a peacock opening its tail feathers. I can remember heading on a holiday with my brother Chris, who is one of my greatest mentors. We were about to embark on a 25 hr flight and I could

It actually takes courage sometimes to be great and feel great. It takes courage to let the heaviness go and be the best you can be. Imagine we are like a seed in the ground, waiting to grow. Our 'soil' can be similar to our beliefs, attitudes, emotions and words. To create a soft environment for the 'seed' to grow we may need new perspectives, so peace can arise within the stress and the seed can push through. Sometimes anything from feeling extremely busy to facing true life difficulties can really hold us back if we are holding tight to the belief, 'This is hard.' During my Dru Meditation teacher training course I began to understand we have options. Strong feelings are prana or energy. One technique is to gather that prana and imagine holding it in the palm of your hands. Now send this transformed energy to someone in need. If you are not into yoga or meditation, you can soften your soil with a walk outside, letting yourself have a 15 minute relax, breathi