LUNA LOVEGOOD

LOVELY LUNA

The world of fiction is full of quirky characters, and while Dumbledore may be my favourite character from the ubiquitous Harry Potter series, Luna Lovegood has to come in at a close second. 

In many ways, the character of Luna reminds me of my younger self: a bit of a daydreamer; an oddball with many fancies, beliefs, ideas. Someone you would describe as 'off with the fairies.' 

More recently, I have been wanting to get back in touch with that younger self of mine. Luna inspires me, with her bare feet, her love for life, her belief in the unseen, and her acceptance of others. 

So here's to the Luna's of the world...

...and their rose-coloured spectre specs...

... and their belief in diadems, crumple-horned-snorkacks and nargles...
...and their weird habit of reading upside-down....

...and their radish earrings...

...and their bare feet.

DUMBLEDORE'S QUOTES

Much of my childhood was spent reading and re-reading the Harry Potter series. Such an impression was made upon my mind, by the words of J. K. Rowling, that even now I can trace back many of my thoughts and life lessons to those well worn pages. Of all the characters, I found Dumbledore to be the most inspiring. His wisdom was passed down to me, word for word, like a sage to an adherent. I pondered these words for many a year, and still I ponder them now...

“To the well organised mind, death is but the next great adventure.”

It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”

It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more. 

“Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love. ”

Perhaps Dumbledore's wisdom is made the greater by his innate sense of humour. A lover of knitting patterns, teller of tales about odd birthmarks, and contented recipient of Christmas socks, Dumbledore never seems to take himself too seriously.

“Alas! ear wax!”

WALK TO THE BEACH

Follow me down the sandy path, to the beach.

Jump over the stile...

... with it's worn-smooth hand hold

and pass by the gorse, all covered in flowers.

Smell the salt caught in the reeds and tussocks.

You can see the sand.

There it is...

The ocean.

Spend your time with feet embedded in the water and sand.

If you are still,

the rush and pull of the ocean and sand

will make you feel

like you are

traveling

backwards

Photos taken on the coast of Dunedin, NZ.