There’s a rhino in my shoe
Before I bore you tell you about the incident with the rhino in my shoe, I have to give a big shout out to Sheila Hurst for her wonderful review of my novel The Everything Theory. We spend a lot of time and love on our stories and it’s awesome when others read them and love them too. Thank you, Sheila! 😀
…now back to the rhino in my shoe….
I was happily getting ready to do some gardening last week until I went to put my foot in my gardening shoe.
I haven’t seen one of these beauties in a long time.
WARNING: Big Beetle (don’t worry – they’re completely harmless)
I looked after the beast cute little fella for a couple of days because he looked like he had been in a fight with another male. The males try to throw each other out of the trees by using those enormous pincers on their heads. One day I might get a video of the battle. But in the meantime this guy needed a bit of TLC. I named him Lonely Luke, nursed him back to health and put him in a safe tree where he is still sitting. Hopefully, he will win his next battle and with it the heart of the lady rhino beetle whose honor he fought so valiantly to defend.
When I finally got into the garden after my beetle nursing responsibilities. I saw the bees on the sunflowers. I knew you’d want to see this awesome sight too, so I took a snap.
It’s full size here because it’s a little more attractive and easier on the eye than Lonely Luke.
Below are my two attempts for my ***Arty Bits*** this week.
The first one is called In The Deep
…and the second one is Sunflower (of course!)
I was intrigued when I zoomed in on the sunflower and saw it was full of miniature flowers with stamens. Click on the picture and take a better look if you have the time.
xxx Have a happy, sunshiny, singing, dancing week! xxx
Once again, your pictures are stunning! And how could the book review be anything but wonderful? The book was fantastic. 😀
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Thank you so much. I’m feeling very humbled and have a warm glowing feeling this week. It makes me so glad to know you love my work too xxxx
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I absolutely do!! Xxxx
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Thanks so much for the shout out! And thank you for entertaining me with your wonderful book. I keep thinking about it and wish I could have kept hanging out with the characters while they amazed me with all the wonders of the world.
I’m glad to see your creatures aren’t leaving you alone. They must want you to put them in your next book! Your first artsy bit makes me think of the ocean and cold winter days. xoxo
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When my mother read that book she said Luke stayed with her for a long time afterwards and she felt as if she wanted to talk to him. I thought that was absolutely beautiful 🙂 Apart from Cayo in The Eleventh Question, Luke is one of my favourite characters. I started to write a sequel, but lost it when my laptop broke (naughty me for not backing up). I had a bit of meltdown because I lost a lot of work and haven’t had the heart to start again. One day I’ll start writing again and bring them all back to life 🙂
Again, thank you so much Sheila xxxx
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That must have been awful to lose the sequel like that. I’m happy to hear there’s a chance of one someday though! I truly loved all the characters. Luke was my favorite, but everyone was interesting. I really liked Siera and Seymour too. I’ll look forward to hanging out with them again! In the meantime, I’ll have to read some more of your books.
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When the book went to the original publisher for proof, they told me to take all Seymour and references to Australia out. I couldn’t do that and that’s why I dropped them and ended up self-publishing. It’s good to listen to professional advice, but we really need to have faith in our stories and believe in them. If I took Seymour and all references to Australia out there wouldn’t be much left (plus, I love Seymour and I just couldn’t do it to him ) 😉
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That’s amazing that they would ever suggest that. Seymour was my favorite character after Luke. And I loved the parts that were set in Australia. I’m so glad you stayed with your vision and didn’t make those changes!
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Rhinoceros beetles are such amazing creatures. My daughter used to collect them when she was little. (She wouldn’t go near one now!)
I love that purple photo. Is it a flower in the water?
You are getting very clever with your arty photos Dianne.
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My kids used to play with them and collect them as well, Sylvia. They’re awesome (and very friendly to humans). And my daughter wouldn’t go near one now as well! lol
The purple photo is of some wild flowers. I fiddled around with the pic to make it look like they were in water. I think it worked! 😀
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I don’t know why I called you Sylvia! LOL – sorry, I was just reading another blog and I think that name got stuck in my head 😉
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No worries. It is so easy to do.
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Cool pics! I love them all but I’m especially fond of the beetle. I love the weird creatures sharing the planet with us. 🙂
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Some of them look like they belong in ‘deep space’ movies! I’m glad these beetles don’t grow to the size of real rhinos 😉
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Oh dear, I don’t think I’d last two hours living where you live. One step into a shoe hiding a giant-sized beetle and I’d be running for the city!
Great pics, as always. Sunflowers look so cool up close like that.
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You’d love it, Carrie! I always tap my shoes before I put them on. Even when I was living in the city and people would say ‘what are you doing, Dorothy?’ LOL. I guess it’s just a habit you get into from living in the country 😀
I’m so glad you like the pics. Thank you! xxx
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I love your laissez-faire attitude about it!
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Haaaa! I also tap my hat before I put it on as well, but don’t tell anyone 😉
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He’s certainly impressive! And the flowers are lovely; I especially love In the Deep.
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Thank you, Joy. That’s one of my favourites as well 😀
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And congratulations on the review! And I enjoyed the excerpts.
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Thank you again! It’s wonderful when people like reading your work and are left with an impression. The icing on the cake, as they say 😉
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Congratulations on Sheila’s great review. Well deserved indeed. The Rhino Beetle is very strange looking. I’m glad you were willing and able to assist him in his hour of need. 🙂 Your ‘Arty Bits’ are stunning as always. The mauve one really looks like coral, so you achieved what you set out to do. Magical close up of the sunflower too. Happy weekend to you too. xx
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Thank you so much for the congrats, Sylvia! I’m getting the name right this time because I just called another blogger who commented on this post ‘Sylvia’ by mistake ooops! I must have had you on my mind 😉
Have a great weekend xxxx
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Aw…..I’m so flattered. ❤
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That bug is impressive! And so are the pictures. Great work Dianne. 🙂 xxx
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He’s certainly is an impressive looking creature, Jackie! 😀
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Yikes! I know the beetle is harmless, Dianne, but he’s freaking me out!
I read Sheila review…EXCELLENT!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos…spectacular!
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That beetle freaked me out for a few seconds as my foot was heading towards my shoe, Jill! They also make a big noise that sounds like hissing squeaks, so he certainly let me know I was about to touch him! 😀
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Oh my word! I would freak out if I heard that, Dianne! 🙂
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I would never have thought to nurse a big ol’ beetle. You are amazing, Dianne!
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I love all creatures, Jacqui (except maybe rats – yick!) lol 😀
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I love the sunflower, especially the near-view. The beetle, well, he’s interesting, and enough to remind us all that you’re in Australia.
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I thought the sunflower was wonderful and then I looked up close – that near view really blew me away. They are such a beautiful plant. I was just reading this morning that people keep these beetles as pets! wowzers 😉
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They’re interesting to look at, but I expect a little more warm and fuzzy from a pet than I think one could get from a big bug.
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True indeed 😉
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The pictures are glorious Dianne. The sunflower was guaranteed to add happiness today as the sunshine offsets the rain here. Your friend the beetle looks fantastic, what a size. Good job he didn’t use his pincers on your toe.or he might have been Lambasted Luke.
xxx Sending Mammoth Hugs xxx
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It’s really wise to keep all fingers and toes away from those pincers, David! Ouch – I don’t think that would have been a pleasant experience at all 😉
I’m so glad you like the pictures. Those sunflowers do add that extra bit of sunshine 😀
xxx Sending Mammoth Hugs back xxx
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I love that you are having so much fun with your picture taking. And that rhino bug is awesome. I’ve only seen him dead in museums before.
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I stopped on the side of the road and took a photo of a little white calf yesterday, Char. I think I’m becoming obsessed with capturing the beautiful things I see 😀
And that beetle – wow, I haven’t seen one in ages so I’m glad they’re back. I always get a bit concerned when the smaller critters start disappearing and hope they’re not being taken by an introduced species (like our frogs were with the cane toads). It made my day seeing him 😀
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Gorgeous pics! And congrats on your book’s sterling review:-)
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Thank you so much, Cocoa! 😀
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That bottom pic is my pick of the week, Dianne. It’s gorgeous. Thanks for saving Lonely Luke’s life so he can live to woo another day!
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Lucky Lonely Luke! I hope he’s on his honeymoon now 😀
Thanks so much for making that bottom pic your pic of the week! YAY 😀
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I had no idea beetles could get so huge!!! Your country has the scariest creatures!
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I was watching a YouTube video yesterday about kids shows that had been banned for odd reasons. One of them was a cartoon about a little girl who made friends with a spider. It was banned in Australia because people were worried that it would encourage kids to go out and play with spiders and we have some of the most poisonous ones in the world! Oh dear 😉
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Oh dear, indeed! Probably wise to ban it. Yikes!
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As always, an interesting post, Dianne. I love seeing the critters who live in your part of the world otherwise I would never guess they existed. Thanks for bringing a bit of Australia to my doorstep.
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I love bringing a bit of Australia to your doorstep, Barb. But I promise I’ll never bring them inside 😀
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How kind of you to care for Lonely Luke. But is it possible that he was the one who won, and the other guy isn’t around to tell his tale because he met his demise instead of you? Beautiful photos!
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Oh, you do have a great mind, Allen. That had never occurred to me! Perhaps I was looking after the victor 😉
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That creature is huge! I would have promptly freaked out (I have a horror of large insects). But good on you for nursing him back to health.
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Yes – those large insects can be very scary, Janna. I’m just glad they don’t grow to the size of animals because we’d all be in trouble! 😉
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Awesome! What a sweet story about Lonely Luke, but…eww. Please make sure to have a warning in the blog title if you show the bug battle. I don’t think my city girl heart can handle it.
Those sunflowers rock!
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Big Bug Battle Warning (LOL) – I’ll make sure I do that, Britt! 😀
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Luke is so beautiful – his carapace is something to behold! How sweet of you to look after him. I bet he has a little crush on you now 😉
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Haaaa – he may or may not have a crush on me now and be back for more care after his next battle 😉 Someone mentioned the fact that he may have just won the battle and I didn’t see how the other guy ended up LOL. So cute 😀
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Of course, I didn’t think of that, he may be the victor! 🙂
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I guess we were overdue a scary bug picture 😦 but your fab compositions almost make amends 🙂 And I’m not surprised TET has a new rave review.
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Thanks, Roy. TET is still hanging in there 😉
I knew you were secretly missing the scary bug pictures LOL 😀
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i MUST know…how do you nurse an elephant beetle back to health? comforting tales of elephant beetle adventures that turn out well? Softly hummed garden songs….gentle readings from ‘Philosophy in the Garden’?
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All of the above plus a few cuddles, Lilith 😀 He just needed a hiding spot (hmm, my shoe) for a while. Someone commented that he may have actually been the victor and ‘you should have seen the other guy’ 😉
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You’re a kind soul for helping that beetle! Nice pictures.
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Thanks, Cynthia. I’m a sucker for any injured animal 😉
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Dear Dianne,
Congratulations on those fantastic reviews! I couldn’t believe the rhino beetle–I’ve only seen them in museums! Loved the photography–just beautiful! Wishing you all the best in the coming holiday season.
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Thanks so much for the congratulations, Naomi. It’s so nice when people like your work 😀
Have a wonderful holiday season. I love the pics you post of your beautiful family xxx
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your photos are gorgeous – nice artsy tidbits indeed – and love your humor – and that is some beetle ! whew
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Thank you. I’m so glad you like the photos… and the beetle. He was awesome! 😀
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such a fun post D!
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I’m glad to hear that boy is harmless, but I’d have a hard time remembering that if I nearly stepped on one!
I really enjoyed The Everything Theory, too, and I hope you don’t mind that I hope you’ll someday write a sequel to it. 🙂
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Thank you so much. I’m really glad you liked TET. I was writing a sequel, but lost it when my computer broke (no excuses, I didn’t back up info, naughty me). One day I might get back into it again 🙂
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Love that rhino beetle, no surprises there, I’m sure. I’ve never seen one in real life — he’s something else! I ask you, how do you know it’s a male??
Congrats on the sweet review from Sheila! And that sunflower is beautiful, very vibrant.
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I knew you’d like the beetle, Kate. I know it’s a male because of the big pincers on it’s head that are used for fighting – the females don’t have those (females are far more peaceful) 😉
Thanks so much for the congrats – I was wrapped when I saw the review 😀
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My best wishes to Lonely Luke, with the sincere hope he will find love at last.
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I’m sure Luke will be very happy with his new life, Frederick. I found another one in my shoe last night. This one isn’t injured, but I’m now wondering why they like my shoes so much 😀
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What a cool thing to do – providing TLC to a rhinoceros beetle, but of course it’s so you 🙂 Congrats on the great review… but not surprising.
We’ve had sunflowers from the markets 2 weeks running, so I just love your sunflower pics. I can’t wait to grow some in the garden. Fascinating that they follow the sun.
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I’ve planted a lot of seeds together in groups with round borders, Dale, so now they look like huge bunches of posies around the house. Everyone around here is commenting on how good they look. I use to plant them in rows and they were nice but not nearly as spectacular. You’ll be growing them in TA in now time! 😀
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What a kind soul you are! I did (have a happy week) but have just crash landed in the debacle that ought to be my Christmas preparations. I guess I oughtn’t to be here 😦
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Better get to it, Jo! 😀 Have a great Christmas xxx
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I haven’t seen a rhinoceros beetle for ages. Loved your photo of lonely Luke and so pleased he made a complete recovery. It has made me think I should shake out my disgustingly, dirty and degraded sneakers that I use around the farm at the moment, never know what might take up residence in them over night!!! Love your artsy bits, especially the detail in the sunflower.
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I thought you’d like the sunflower, Pauline 😀
Since finding Lonely Luke, three more male rhino beetles have turned up! He must have spread the news 😉
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You obviously treated him so well the word has spread…
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Bush telegraph 😉
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Always works….
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Gorgeous! The purple is gorgeous. Love your rhino. What a catching title! You caught me! 🙂
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Lol. I’m so glad, Marsha! It was the first thing I thought of when I saw it in my shoe, so I thought it was a fitting name for this post 😉
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Ummm, how do you ‘nurse’ a beetle back to health? I applaud you for loving all of God’s creatures. 🙂
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I just surrendered my shoe for a day and gave him some tree bark and water 😉 I think it’s more a matter of good luck, not good management on my part that he survived 😀
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Love Love Love your caring spirit.
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LOVE the sunflower pics sunflowers always make me feel GOOD Dianne. That beetle is amazing my kids would have looked after him too and put him safely back in the garden. My nature is an extraordinary thing. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
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Thanks so much, Kath. I hope you have a wonderful time with the family at Christmas xxx
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Oh, what wonderful sunflower photos! My favourite flower – so bright, happy and out there (completely my opposite 😁🌻)
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Oh, that can’t be your opposite! You remind me of a beautiful sunflower 😀
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What a huge fabulous rhino bug. Stunning pictures.
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