I am besotted with my rural lifestyle.
Real ‘pinch me to believe it’ besottedness. Which my friends find soooooo hard to pin on me, being an ex-New Yorker and ex-BIG CITY, high profile, business gal.
But. Life has many twists and turns.
And after escaping the city lights of Sydney in 1992 for the rural life west of the Blue Mountains, I’m no longer a bright lights gal.
More a country gal who’s found her niche.
I live on a beautiful, remote property in the picturesque hills of the Central Tablelands of NSW.
At times ravaged by drought. When it looks like I’m living in the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert.
At times kissed by the shamrock. When so much rain falls we could be living on the Emerald Isle.
Regardless of the prevailing weather conditions, I am totally entranced by the wildlife on my rural property.
And every morning at sunrise, I hang my Panasonic Lumix DMC FTZ150 camera around my neck and take off into my Wild Blue Yonder.
To photograph what I see.
So I can post a photo online to share with my friends all over the world.
So they know I can still chew gum and walk and talk at the same time.
In March of 2012, I was befriended on my morning outings by a young fox cub I called ‘Foxy Lady’.
She and I were companions for many weeks during that autumn. Throwing sticks. Waiting for me at the farm gate so she could walk me back to my farmhouse. Taking so many photos of her, I made them into a slideshow, complete with music, which I uploaded to YouTube.
I so loved that friendship, I missed it when it ended.
Foxy Lady is a mature fox now and although we nod to each other in the paddocks, she’s no longer a playful cub.
But a truly beautiful ‘Dudette’, as my friend, John, who lives across the ocean, dubbed her when he saw this photo of her last week.
Foxy Lady only has eyes for me. Peter Rabbit is ever so grateful. She was not at all interested in any the rabbits in the paddocks. Obviously a full tummy!
Taking photos on Wednesday, I see a little face with perky ears peek at me through the tussocks of grass in the paddock.
Then boldly walk ever closer.
It takes me a nanosecond to realise Foxy Lady has a Little Foxette!
She’s half the size of Foxy Lady. With a much darker saddle and haunches. And almost pure black legs.
But just as cheeky.
And so much bolder.
She gets so close at times, I have to back away to capture her in the frame of my camera.
Little Foxette walks brazenly up to the tips of my gumboots. Then scoots away, darting all around me.
Comes back.
And the game starts all over again
Walking ever closer. Picking up a stick. Darting away. Running around me in zig zag circles. Putting her stick down. To walk ever closer.
I am enchanted by her.
And this simple slideshow is just some of the photos I take of Little Foxette.
This is a simple slide show. Click on the photo below and a pop up window greets you with slides of Little Foxette. Then click on the arrow to advance the slides at your convenience. Nothing fancy here!
Me and Little Foxette are going to have a grand time together. For however long it lasts.
This Ironing Diva loves sharing her stories of her rural life with you.
Join me next time?
Tell me what you think.
Your comments are always welcome.
Your stories, thoughts, experiences add to the fabric of the conversation.
And I acknowledge your comment with a reply.
All the best,
Carol
Photos are courtesy of Ironing Diva and taken on her rural property.
My story and video of ‘One Very Foxy Lady’ is here. Click.
The slideshow is a WP Plugin called Easy Gallery Pro, paid version.
My beautiful rural property is in the picturesque hills of the Central Tablelands of NSW Australia.
This is the hook I hang my heart on.
When I’m not out in the paddocks in the morning photographing my beautiful Wild Blue Yonder, I’m the purveyor of the one of the world’s finest ironing board covers, The Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover.
And 5 other beautifully designed textile products of excellence.
This is the hook I hang my business hat on.
Since 1994, my partner, Victor Pleshev, an architect and de facto product designer, and I have worked tirelessly to make sure each product is a joy to use. Every time you use it.
My website, InterfaceAustralia. The home of Simple Solutions For Difficult Problems! does all the heavy lifting. You can read about all my products in great detail just by clicking the link above.
When you own one of my products, you also make a huge contribution to the surrounding rural community because they are made with love and care in rural Australia by men and women who have a disability. They put their heart and soul into everything they do. And it shows.
You will look long and hard to find comparable products that are as well thought out for their design and usability. And of such high class, that we, Victor and Carol, the designers and makers, are proud to use them too!
Go peek. Every product truly is a joy to use. I guarantee it.
Visit me on Pinterest too. My whole story is there in one glance.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Carol,
So glad you have found another foxy companion, now that Foxy Lady has settled down to all her chores.
Young Foxette is just as adorable, and it’s a privilege to be let in on your pleasure. Thankyou indeed. This is such a rare event for so many of us. Something we would not even imagine happening. It tells mountains about your love for the wild, your consideration for your customers, and your lovely congenial personality.
Foxette is truly tri-colour! I’m sure she would win a champion’s blue ribbon prize!. But I’m grateful there’s no such thing! I didn’t know foxes came in anything but browns! Maybe you have seen her dad?
She looks soooo alert with those piercing focused eyes and cocked ears, you would instinctively know you are meeting up with intelligence. But it takes one to know one. No wonder you get along!
I must close now. As its Australia Day, I am to visit my son soon for dinner at his place. I shall tell him about your little true blue Foxette.
Cheers for now,
Beverley.
Afternoon Beverley,
I knew you’d love the story.
Little Foxette is unusual in her colouring for foxes in my rural patch. We have seen her father. He visits Margarita. Jumps over the fence. Cools off under the sprinklers that water her garden. Stretches out on her lawn to dry off.
He’s very dark. Same dark haunches and saddle. And very handsome.
Foxes are an acquired taste. If you have a hen house, you wouldn’t take to them at all!
But we made the decision shortly after we came here that we wouldn’t create an environment within our rural patch where we would turn against the wildlife.
Am happy to share my fruit orchard with the birds. And not keep chickens, ducks or geese because of the foxes. And let the kangaroos graze to their hearts content on our paddock grass without any concern for them competing with food for livestock.
Foxes are sooooo intelligent. And the expressive look on Little Foxette’s face is so endearing.
This friendship won’t last long. Once she’s mature, she won’t be playful. But I’ll love it while it lasts.
Love sharing my rural life with you. And am always delighted when you tell me how much you enjoy reading about it.
Happy rest of Australia Day.
Best wishes always,
Carol❤❤❤