Colorful Birds in a South African Garden, International Bird Day

We are lucky each winter to spot so many colorful birds in our garden, to have it turn into a theater of feathers and folklore. There are brilliant flashes of color, bold intruders strutting like conquerors, and quite a few picturesque personalities.

I am so happy to share with you not simply a list of birds, but a procession. And each one arrives with a story. Find more African birds and their legends here.

01/03/202601/03/2026

Why Red and White Became the Colors of Mărțișor on March 1st

Red and white color my thoughts well ahead of 1st of March. In the Romanian tradition, on the first day of spring (in the Northern hemisphere), twined together, threads of red and white spring forward on Mărțișor day, quiet yet insistent. Unassumingly simple. Deceptively small. A charm no heavier than Spring’s first breath.

But red and white are never accidental. They’ve followed humanity across centuries and continents like faithful companions.

So why do red and white spell Spring?

31/05/202531/05/2025

Poppies Pressed in Parting, a Short Story

German pointer dog in a field of poppies at sunset

Pressed Poppies is a short story told through two voices, echoing across the quiet space where hearts once met. It is a story of parting. A parting that is wordless, weighted, and irreversible. Where affection shrinks under the burden of duty or pain; where all that was left is unsaid. What remains is remembrance: delicate, haunting and full of questions. And red, as the poppies once shared.

Out on Spillwords Press today!

29/10/202414/04/2025

Kindred Threads in Embroidery, Old Turkish Attire and Calligraphy

Recently I discovered kindred threads between Greek and Romanian embroidery, Romanian blouse IA and a red and black Greek needlework

Recently I discovered kindred threads between Greek and Romanian embroidery and marveled at old Turkish attire and Arabic calligraphy. My daughter invited me to attend the Threads of Tradition: Turks, Turbans and Artistic Innovation exhibition curated by Professor Raita Steyn from the University of Pretoria, with a live calligraphy demonstration by Master Refik Carikci.

06/07/202401/08/2024

Birds from a South African Garden and Their Beautiful Legends

Thrush Bird checking expecting an answer

Birdwatching is a serene escape into the natural world, offering wonder through observing avian plumage, songs, and behaviors, not to mention discovering unique legends. Birdwatching fosters patience and mindfulness, reminding us of nature’s beauty in the Anthropocene era.

Discover the following garden birds making their nests in our back yard in Gauteng, South Africa: Cape Sparrow or Mossie, Southern Masked Weaver, Cape Glossy Starling, Cape-Turtle Dove, Laughing Dove, Karoo Thrush Bird, Tiptol Bird or Dark-Capped Bulbul, Crested Barbet, and Red-Head Barbet today.

Coming soon: Dark-capped bulbul, Grey Go-Away Bird (Lourie), Southern Boubou, Common Myna (Indian Myna), Hadeda Ibis, African Hoopoe, Red Billed Wood Hoopoe, Cape White-Eye, Thick-Billed Weaver, and more, as soon as they visit our garden.