Fragile

@Abner I am also saddened that people are losing/have lost their connection to nature.

For me it is off paramount importance. It houses us, feeds us, protects us and nurtures us and can heal us. We are only custodians of the lands on which we live. I try to get into nature everyday and I am grateful for the wildlife that traverses my yard as I enjoy the sounds of the birds and enjoy watching the butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles and mammals as they go about their lives. To smell the aromas of the bush, to hear and feel the wind on my skin, the rain on my face. What's not to value

Absolutely @Till23 we respond so deeply to nature because it's at the fundament of our instincts. We're animals, and we've only been living in city-scapes at the most for the last 3000 of the 4,000,000 year history of oyr species.

@Till23 @Abner

Just in from my garden, after cooking and cleaning.

For me, Nature has been fundamental, whether it be sentimental, harsh, practical, aesthetic, or scientific. I have done them all.

pretty sure my thread friends agree @tyme @outlander @Shaz51 @Dimity and all

@Abner I think some people are more connected to nature because of their culture and also their ancestors.

Indigenous peoples are very much connected to nature.

If your parents or grandparents were interested in nature or that was their employment then you are more likely to have a closer connection, I’m including farming in that.

That’s very interesting @Appleblossom, did you start the singing group.

I hope your mood has shifted in a positive direction.

I would love to learn to sing. I have sung with a community choir a couple of times where I now live, but I’m not good.

What instrument(s) (including voice) have you used in performances?

I played the recorder when I was young, just a descant. We played in the combined schools choir for the Queen at the opening of the Sydney Opera House. That is the height of my musical achievement.

I’m now learning the ukulele though, again not good.

I have done a few things in my garden this afternoon, after sport training, including carting and stacking some wood and breaking up branches and putting an axe through a couple of logs for my winter fires, to the sounds of the magpies and kookaburras. The lorikeets will be along later.
I hope you have a good recorder session

proud of you for standing up for yourself!! although making those difficult decisions sound exhausting, i hope it brings you longer-term peace @Appleblossom

Nature sustains me in every sense of the word @Appleblossom @Till23 @Abner .

I follow nature and environment groups on Facebook and advocate at all levels of government. I've tried to interest the owners' corporation but it's a lost cause, with others over the years removing my plantings.

The other day I was looking at some of my recorder music, long untouched. I set up the music stand as a preliminary to action.

I agree @Dimity and I know I’m so lucky with the place I live. It definitely sustains me.

Did you start recorder at school?

Nice that your thinking of doing some music

@Dimity it is why I felt close to you as a friend. Your care for nature. Pity we can't persuade everyone.

I hope you receive sustenance from musik making when you do it. I like F instruments as beautiful and mellow; ie., alto and bass and became accustomed to them, but lately I am enjoying my good descant/soprano $900! I spoilt myself. Working on improving tone.

@Till23 your place and living style sounds beautifully close to the earth ... plus a bit of hard work. My garden is very small but I spilled out into my court and verges. It is all established now. Been here over 20 years, but I am still a city girl. Only did wood fires back in the 1970s.

I play piano and different sizes of recorder, sing a bit, but not solo and play djembe sometimes. The recorder has really grown for me as it is great for ensembles and helped me reconnect with people. Somehow all the years singing in big choirs didn't do that.

My little group began in a bigger project with a concert and recording. A few wanted to continue after the shebang and I said come and gather in my place and it is approaching 2 years. So I do feel some responsibility.

The most important thing with music is do your best and be kind to yourself whatever your standard.

Thanks @rav3n

I had a lovely day; with a brand new and older musical friend. These were experienced musos. I felt privileged.

@Abner

I have various happy memories of music groups @Appleblossom but my U3A experience didn't work out. I'm very rusty now.

Interesting re djembe. I have quite a few cds of West African music, mostly Mali, pre-dating recent troubles.

Yes @Till23 I guess I started recorder while at primary school but was basically self taught after my mother cancelled piano and violin, so it was second or rather third best. My examiners always noted I was musical but somehow I never got very far. Part of my dysfunctional childhood. The boys were supported in their interests, the girls not.

Musicking as social ritual was part of my grandmother's legacy. And she played the church harmonium for years.