Looking back at November
It feels like just a few days ago when I was preparing for The Changing Seasons for October; suddenly, it’s time for November’s wrap-up. How did that happen? Nevertheless, Brian at Bushboys World & I hope you will join us in recapping the month past.
The world keeps spinning, the seasons continue turning, with apparent disregard of what else is going on. I was reminded of this each time I ran past the Swiss Granite Fountain this month.
The ball component took Swiss sculptor Ueli Fausch three months to sculpt by hand. It weighs 700 kg and fits perfectly into a 3-tonne basal block and is kept afloat by strong water pressure directed through the block.
Singapore Botanic Gardens, donated by the Swiss community in Singapore, 1991
This landmark was a favourite of our children’s when they were little; they derived great kicks trying to change the direction of the spinning granite ball.
Thinking about spinning, turning, rolling inevitably brings me to Tina Turner.
And since Life will persist and Things continue to happen, I choose to follow this piece of advice from 1 Thessalonions 5:21
Christmas decorations outside Tangs
What good things are you holding on to?
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In the kitchen this month:
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About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different. Some focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tags and ping-backs
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
Create a ping-back to Brian at Bushboys World or this post, so that we can update it with links to all of yours.
Roundup
- Marilyn at Serendipity Seeking Intelligent Life on Earth
- Brian at Bushboys World
- Natalie at Little Pieces of Me
- Tracy at Reflections of an Untidy Mind
- Suzanne at Life at No.22
- Tish at Writer on the Edge
- Donna at Wind Kisses
- Natalie at Natalie the Explorer
- Pauline at Living in Paradise
- Julie at Eat, Play, Live
- Marsha at Always Write
- Gill Morris at Talking Thailand
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This post is my contribution to
- Photographing Public Art Challenge hosted by Cee’s Photo Challenges & Marsha at Always Write
- Water Water Everywhere hosted by Photos by Jez
Touring My Backyard 
What good am I holding on to? Kindness to others (and, when I remember, myself). Faith, courage and generosity. And a reminder that the Fruits of the Spirit help me remember what the “right thing” is. I’m so glad you asked.
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I’ve made the Everything Cookie last year for a cookie exchange. I love salty and sweet stuff! Here they’re called other things like kitchen sink cookies and compost cookies. Also I love looking at your flourless chocolate cake. It looks really good!
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We actually followed Christina Tosi’s Compost Cookie recipe – just changed up the add-ins, with mostly savoury things (Ruffles, pretzels, sesame seeds) as we found the previous batch a little too sweet for our tastes. The flourless chocolate cake recipe is from King Arthur Baking – too dark for me … all for Loving Husband!
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Love that sculpture and, as usual, your food pics make my mouth water. I’ve had a busy month and had almost 1500 photos to sort before I could do my post. I haven’t put them all in, but it is quite a long post this month https://retiredfromgypsylife.wordpress.com/2021/12/04/changing-seasons-november-2021/.
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I have been looking forward to hearing all about your trip – I am very glad that it all went well.
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Wonderful images and video clip, Ju-Lyn. The sculpture looks beautiful and interesting. I’d try to change the direction of the spinning ball, too. Tina Turner is one of those rare and incredible performers who can make a huge crowd go wild. What you had in the kitchen all look so good.
Here’s my contribution: https://natalietheexplorer.home.blog/2021/12/03/the-first-snowfall/
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So happy to have you in The Changing Seasons space, Natalie!
I do love Tina Turner – she is a classic!
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Wonderful post, Ju-Lyn 👏 The floating ball sculpture is amazing 😃
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Thanks so much for the encouragement, Jez!
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A very foodie month, and those nopales are something I have never cooked. I would imagine they would take on other added food flavours as they would be bland?
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You are absolutely right, Suzanne! They lend a texture more than a strong taste. It was also my first time working with nopales so it was interesting – but it is not an item I would rush out to buy again.
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That is an impressively perfect round ball. Three months?! Wow. Devotion.
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Indeed! And so heavy too!
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Yikes. I’ll bet.
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Another stunning sculpture, Ju-Lyn, And your November repast looks so delicious, I can imagine that December will be a big month.
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It will certainly be a big month in the kitchen (which is where I seem to spend a lot of my time amusing myself).
Wishing you a celebratory December, Tracy. It will be quiet for us again, but we we feel safe this way.
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My favorite Tina song!!! And I love the thought of holding on to all the good things ❤ The sculpture is lovely and I could see how your children would delight in the interaction with it.
On to December:
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On on! to December.
May it hold all manner of good things for you, Natalie! Wishing you good health, exciting adventures & a good celebration in the month to come!
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The pingbacks don’t seem to be working. It’s been very on and off for the past month. I expect them to work, so I usually don’t know they haven’t worked until I go back and check — and nope, no pingback. I notice they aren’t calling them pingbacks anymore, either. Now they are regular old “trackbacks.”
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Goodness! That is disturbing! Thank you for sending a link so I can find you …
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Oh what a beautiful art piece for this week. Love it 😀
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Thanks Cee – am glad to share my delight with you!
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I love the fountain. It’s beautiful and intriguing. What a cool thing!
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Appreciate your delighting in it with me!
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Wow I love the sculpture. I am finally able to get mine out
https://bushboy.blog/2021/12/01/this-is-november-2021/
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Woohoo!
Thank you for enjoying the sculpture with me, Brian!
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Ju-Lyn, I can well understand your children’s fascination with the spinning granite rock; it looks equally beguiling and extraordinary! Was there ever any chance of turning it? Lovely thoughts for the end of the month, delicious food photos and a terrific fun video. The beginning of it is hypnotising!
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I’m glad you persevered through the beginning of the video … I wondered if the prelude was way too long, but I’m glad I kept to this version of the song – I find it very fascinating & hypnotic too … she is the Queen of Building Tension!
Yes! The ball can be turned if one is patient. After many many many attempts, we found that if enough hands are placed in the correct places, the ball will stop spinning, and then a little force will change the direction of the spin.
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The granite rock that stands on water is amazing — and beautiful. I was delighted to see bagels among the many wonderful foods you have made. November vanished even faster than October. I think by the time I realized it really WAS November, it was half gone. it has been crazy time for the past few years. Maybe oh please maybe we will get just a wee bit of “normal” again. Soon, please.
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I hear you and I echo your plea for a semblance of normality & peace of mind. I wonder if December will zip by as well …
How do you like to eat your bagels, Marilyn?
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Fabulous fountain! Gosh oh gosh. Really, really like “Proud Mary” and Tina Turner. Yes, hold on to the good. For us, our home’s warmth and coziness during this cold, dark month.
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So glad to have your delight in the fountain with me – it is actually very mesmerising … the spinning globe, the sound of water ….
Thank you for sharing what you are holding on to – I am imagining your cheery & festive decorations, fire crackling, all toasty warm.
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I completely agree. Where did November go.
Your ‘in the kitchen’ shots are especially amazing!
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Appreciate so much your encouragement, Donna! From your kitchen to mine, and mine to yours – love this exchange!
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