March 2010

Hi Kids,

I’m very slow about writing these diary entries because I always think that there isn’t enough news to tell. My life is not nearly as exciting as Selby’s or Emily Eyefinger’s. But since I wrote my last diary entry a number of things have happened that are worth telling you about.

First of all I read from my kids’ poetry book My Sister Has a Big Black Beard at the Bookfeast, a literary lunch for schools kids from around Sydney organised by the wonderful librarian at Haberfield Public School in Sydney, Michael Fraser. While I was reading, the illustrator of the book, Kerry Millard was madly drawing pictures on two whiteboards. Of course I thought the kids were laughing at my funny poems until I saw what Kerry was drawing.

I get lots of emails from kids, some of them from overseas, and they occasionally have photographs attached. One of the nicest ones I received in the past year was from Natsumi, a Selby fan in Japan. She has a copies of Selby Speaks in both Japanese and English.

I love taking photographs. I have a pocket-size digital camera that takes wonderful photos. My favourite subjects are: plants, animals, food and clouds. And, of course, people. Recently I brought some flowers into the house and, while I was taking a picture of them I discovered a tiny praying mantis. The praying mantis was patient enough to wait for me to get a good photo.

I do like food and there are a number of Lebanese pastry shops in Sydney which sell the most delicious sweets. Recently I brought some home and took a picture of them. This time I was the one who had to be patient while I set up my photograph because I was soooooooooooo (as Selby would say) hungry.

Last year a school in South Australia, Golden Grove Primary School, put on a production of my play, “The Perils of Prince Percy of Pomegranate”, I didn’t get to see it but they sent me some pictures and it looked fabulous! Great costumes, a terrific set and I heard that the kids acted wonderfully. Well done, kids!

My wife and I do a bit of bushwalking and recently, while we were walking in a park in Sydney, we came across an Eastern Water Dragon.

We also did some walking in New Zealand where we have a number of good friends. Our hike up Mount Arthur was through some of the most beautiful scenery we’ve ever seen. We love New Zealand and go there as often as we can.

I have three grandson who live in Tasmania. Recently two of them, Ethan and Lemuel, came to Sydney where they swam and swam and then swam some more. One time Ethan swam down through some seaweed and came up looking like a sea monster.

I then went back to Tasmania with them where we did some walking in Hartz Mountains National Park, another beautiful part of Australia.

I just bumped into Cairo Jim who was on tour in Sydney. He was being chased by a crowd of reporters who caught up to him at the State Library of New South Wales. If you’ve read any of the Cairo Jim adventure books you’ll know he’s such a popular character. The books are written by my good friend Geoffrey McSkimming, who wishes his life was half as exciting as Cairo Jim’s.

I was interested to learn that our prime minister, Kevin Rudd, also has a cat named Jasper. My cat Jasper keeps me company while I’m working and I wondered if his does the same. My Jasper sits on my desk, pretending to sleep. Recently I couldn’t but then I noticed two little eyes peeking out of my filing cabinet.

The summer heat has been good for going to the beach but the cooler months of Autumn are about to start and this is my favourite time of year. I hope you’re having a great 2010.

Happy reading!

Duncan Ball

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