#NaPhoPoMo Day One All Souls

With gratitude to the very wonderful Karen Walrond aka Chookooloonks
I am delighted to be participating in #NaPhoPoMo . Why not join in too?
As today is All Souls we remember all mothers who have passed, most
especially Betty and Ivy. xxx

Happy New Year!

I just want to wish each and everyone of you who finds your
way to our little blog dot on the globe a very Happy New Year
for 2013! It is always a pleasure to find you were here with us.
I felt that I had had a difficult time during 2012, as I am sure
many of you did also, but yesterday Chookooloonks gave me
a gift of perspective which completely altered my view and
made me realise just how wonderful 2012 really was!
If you took any photographs during 2012 then you too can
experience this by visiting her blog. It may bring a tear or two,
but I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
The very wonderful T also surprised me with a gift today,
a hand carved fish he made to bring a smile to the face of a
Piscean who sometimes swims too deep.
I leave you in the safe hands of Mr Paul Weller xxx            

Seasons Greetings to Everyone

Walk.

Back in June, I damaged my foot and, with the exception of the occasional bus ride to town to pay bills etc, I have stayed home. The foot was maintained in various states of elevation, therapy- both hot and cold,- a plaster cast, heated soft candle mixed with aloes and camphor massage, then wrapped in a black plastic bag for two days (courtesy of T's sister who has recently returned from vet school) nerve and bone tonic together with more than a few incantations, prayers and a tiny bag of 'protection', just to be on the safe side. I was really disappointed at my lack of stoicism and bravery and somewhat surprised by my overwhelming thoughts of gloom and doom! T, needless to say, rallied to the situation with endless enthusiasm and kindness, providing every need, much love, understanding and more besides. So, perhaps you can imagine my delight at being able to 'make the rounds' around Cornell yesterday! It is an easy walk, on the old estate road, that takes you up past Annandale Falls and, instead of continuing up to the dam and the forestry, you take a left by the big mango tree, just before Kool Nursery. Now the road climbs a little higher before you reach Cornell. Here, before hurricane Ivan, was full of nutmeg trees, a very cool and shady place with the foliage so dense that it was dark even on a sunny day. We were pleased to see a lot of replanting and new growth. The track levels out  now and then drops down through Mango and back into the village of Willis.

T has his breakfast as we take a five just after taking the left turn for Cornell. These stainless bowls are great by the way, they come with a plastic seal lid, from Bargain House in town, $20e.c. for a set of  5. I drink ice water and relish in the foliage and peace and quiet.

Cornell is more or less as I remember it but trees are being planted and the land nurtured.

......and I would like to stay here a while but

we continue on around the corner where we can see.....The Sea!

There is something missing from our walk, no Beres or Xena. We decided to leave them at home on this our first venture out together since The Foot, but it is strange being here without them. I think T thought he may have to carry me home, but all was well and he waited for me patiently as I foraged around with my nose in the bush that I have missed for so long.

On the way back down the hill to home, T told me all about La Diablesse

 

(This video is of the truly wonderful Richardo Keens-Douglas telling his La Diablesse story )

and how this is her toothbrush.

A frisson, a shiver of something as we walk past the plant and on down the hill and then, with a skip in my step and a happy, happy heart, home. Thank you to everyone who made me well again. I am so grateful.

Surprise!

 

I am not good in the mornings. I am not one of those bouncy,happy, chatty, jump out of bed and straight away carpe deum types. I surface slowly, dragged from a world that is as reluctant to let me go as I am to leave.Coffee helps, as does bird song and the dark before dawn and the stillness of a day not yet begun by anyone. I have written morning pages for years now. I have volumes of mostly illegible, subconscious scribbling interspersed with patterns and ideas and sketches. A soup of stuff that flows in these early hours unrestrained by 'the critic' or the dollar. The ritual done, I get out of bed, make it and wander downstairs to the kitchen, where T will be with more coffee and porridge.......and this particular morning...Angel Trumpets to start the day!

It's been a busy time for 'T', what with one thing and another.
Beres the Wonderdog, still believing that he can fly, cut his foot on a broken bottle requiring a visit to the GSPCA for stitches.








 That same week, we both enjoyed the view from the waiting area, outside the plaster room at the general hospital, having discovered that pulled ligaments do not heal themselves.






Both Beres and I are doing fine.
We love you . xxx

Full Moon

I see the moon
and the moon sees me
under the shade of
the breadfruit tree,
please let the light
that shines on me
shine on the ones
I love.

Happy Monday

We started the day in Corn Buck. It has been a long time since we went up together with lunch and a purpose. The weather was kind, no rain, and a cloud filtered sun . T had begun work up there already and invited me to join him 'just to see'.

I saw

and set to, freeing stones. There is something delightful about cutting this bush, there are no monetary rewards, no fanfares or applause but once free of vine and vegetation, the stones stand for something that I cannot explain other than to say it matters.

T took the opportunity to wash the dogs' bedding in the river, spreading them out to dry on warm river stones, which have totally different personalities from the ones in the bush.

Once home I did my share and washed the white things, a task
divided into manageable bites by frequent internet visits and refreshments  between rinses, combined with some lively music to maintain the momentum.

The Turning Point

Can it be true? Can a whole year and some have passed since I was last here? One thing I notice is this place, was it not a little dark?, Time to let the sunshine in me thinks, pull back the curtains, open all windows and let the breeze pass through. Hang on to your hats if you're ready for the ride, the arrival of a new computer is indeed a joyous thing and coincides with a joyful spirit flinging me headlong towards all positive things. Thank you thank you thank you.

The View From The Shed

T left early for Corn Buck this morning. The rain
met me just as I was about to make the fourth
and last river crossing. Taking cover in the dry
leaf mold below the old tree, I realised this was a
'whole day rain' and was just thinking of making
a dash for it when T arrived, in chivalrous fashion,
bearing a whole piece of old galvanise above his
head, in order to shelter and escort me across
the river and into the shed, where we drank hot,
sweet, strong coffee from the flask and shared our
riotously ambitious, rain inspired, dreams for the future .

When Current go.....

Kite bust
fall on line,
current go
just in time
for the news.







everybody vex,
like they
never did have
boy days.








hold on now,
it nice you know,
peace and quiet
when current go,
no boom boom
in me ears.






Oh, so,
me one then
that hears
them beasts bawl,
just for we,
and,
darlin',
candlelight
works good
for me.

Yippee, I won a Lemonade Stand

Allow me to introduce you to two of the coolest people that you are likely to meet, when visiting Annandale Falls. Chris and Don sell souvenirs, beautiful handmade craft, and heaven scented spice necklaces. For the longest while, I have admired them and their stand, so imagine my delight when I received this totally unexpected award from Blackgirl On Mars, a writer and a teacher, who speaks from her heart, with words that have been crafted by her beautiful soul.

(Whoa, 50cents lemonade)

The Lemonade Stand Award, is for attitude and/or gratitude , and I would like it to go to;

Zen and the Art of Peacekeeping
Pohanginapete
Beyond Words
Ruthibelle
Indigomar
William
YingYang
A Kite Rises
Colouring Outside the Lines
Merry go Round

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude and/or gratitude.
3. Link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Nominate your favorites, and link to this post.

SPLASH!

I got a nice surprise this morning when I went on one of my many virtual trips , to visit my good friend Guyana Gyal. Now if you haven't visited her blog before, then you are in for a treat. This gyal can tell stories like no other. She can turn what to you and me might be everyday stuff, into a magical fairytale. Not only are her words entertaining, they are full of humour and wisdom, some sadness and lots of love, and before you think that reading is too much effort, not so, when you visit GG it is as if she has sat you down in a warm, relaxing place and then you 'hear' her voice, as though she is right there with you. So, as I said, I dropped by for another tale this morning and was knee deep with her in the river, and the pool, and watching her turn into a " water-mooma" right before my eyes, when she SPLASHED me. She did. So I SPLASHED her right back, for meeting all of the categories for this award.

I am also SPLASHING ;

Slacker for being so alluring,

Stephen for amusing me with this
Samantha for bewitching me in a magical way
Laila who impresses me in the true sense of the word and beyond
and to Sabrina , for being so inspiring.

The Splash award is given to alluring, amusing, bewitching, impressive, and inspiring blogs.

When you receive this award, you get to:
1. Put the logo on your blog/post.
2. Nominate up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have been splashed by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your Splash award.

Slightly more than '25 Things About Me'

YingYang at Blah Bloh Blog, is responsible for this post, having 'called my name' in the '25 Things About Me' meme. Hers is a hard list to follow, for, somehow, she has compiled some heart wrenching, soul baring truths with rib tickling humour, acute observations and a delightfully spontaneous 'joie de vivre'. So here is my evasive response, ( see the quiz results below) but one that I hope everyone can have some fun with and , perhaps, glean a little about themselves that they did not know already. (Surprisingly accurate, yes, I have always aspired to be a tight rope walking astrologer although, surely, my hygiene is more than passable.)
In this spirit, I invite Guanaguanare , Guyana Gyal, Minerva and Deb to share their '25 things'.

Your Life Path Number is 5 Your purpose in life is to life freely and collect experiences. You love life - new adventures, new people, new ideas. You are very curious, and you crave novelty in all forms. You tend to make friends easily, and you enjoy the company of all types of people. In love, you are fun and even a bit intoxicating. But you won't stick around for long. You are impulsive and spontaneous - which sometimes leads you to do things you regret. Sometimes you can be overindulgent with food, sex, or drugs. You have many talents, so many that you are often scattered and unfocused. What Is Your Life Path Number?

You Are An INFP

The Idealist You are a creative person with a great imagination. You enjoy living in your own inner world. Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships. It takes a long time for people to get to know you. You are hesitant to let people get close to you. But once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop. In love, you tend to have high (and often unrealistic) standards. You are very sensitive. You tend to have intense feelings. At work, you need to do something that expresses your personal values. You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist. How you see yourself: Unselfish, empathetic, and spiritual When other people don't get you, they see you as: Unrealistic, naive, and weak

What's Your Personality Type?

Your Spiritual Number is Seven

You bring knowledge and wisdom into people's lives. You are an expert in many fields, and you give excellent advice. Right now, your life is about perfecting your skill set. You are almost a virtuoso at the thing you love best. With some practice, you'll get there. You are highly intelligent and intellectual. You have profound analytical skills. But you also have the soul of an artist. You long to create.

What's Your Spiritual Number?

You Are an Astrologer

You tend to be a fanciful, spiritual person with many interesting theories. You are always trying to figure out how all the pieces of the world are connected. You have a knack for predicting the future and reading people. In modern times, you would make a good self help guru or a director of a non profit.

What's Your Medieval Profession?

You Should Walk the Tightrope

Any subject you study, you aim to master. You enjoy being the best. When you're good at something, you like to show off your skills. You're the type of person who would practice years to walk the tightrope. And you'd love the glory you'd get from walking it in front of a crowd.

What Circus Act Should You Perform?

You Should Live in the Country

You are laid back, calm, and good at entertaining yourself. You don't need an expensive big city to keep you busy. You'll take the peaceful life over the stressful life any day of the week.

Where Should You Live?

Your Blogging Type Is Thoughtful and Considerate

You're a well liked, though underrated, blogger. You have a heart of gold and are likely to blog for a cause. You're a peaceful blogger - no drama for you! A good listener and friend, you tend to leave thoughtful comments for others.

What's Your Blogging Personality?

You Are a Dreaming Soul

Your vivid imagination takes you away from this world So much so that you tend to live in your head most of the time. You have great dreams and ambitions that could be the envy of all... But for you, following through with your dreams is a bit difficult. You are charming, endearing, and people tend to love you. Forgiving and tolerant, you see the world through rose colored glasses. Underneath it all, you are brimming with passion that you keep hidden. Always hopeful, you tend to expect positive outcomes in your life. Souls you are most compatible with: Newborn Soul, Prophet Soul, and Traveler Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Your Home Says That You Feel Settled and Calm

You come across as somewhat intellectual. You can be quite insightful at times. Your hygiene is passable, but you may be hiding some dirty secrets. You are a very domestic person. You enjoy decorating, cooking, and making things homey. You are a very nurturing person. You find meaning in taking care of others. You feel settled in your life. You have enough time to focus on little details. You are not a very self sufficient person. You depend on others more than you realize. Your friends see you as courageous, dynamic, and bright.

What Does Your Home Say About You?