SYDNEY HARBOUR - NEW YEARS EVE 2008

Happy New Year my friends, I hope you all have a fun time!

An aerial view of Sydney Harbour, showing the bridge and Opera House. The Central Business District is to the left of the bridge and on the right, North Sydney. The foreshores are crowded with people already, gathering since last night as there will be a fireworks spectacular all over the harbour itself and on the bridge at midnight. Just a bit of trivia but see that cove on the bottom right hand side of the photo, well that's Careening Cove and I used to rent a flat there, right on the water about a bazillion years ago . It was great, I could just walk out of my door and dip my toes in the harbour. What a shame I couldn't afford to buy it.
Probably a better idea to donate all of that money spent on the celebration to a charitable or worthy cause instead...but I guess you have to welcome in the New Year , 2009 with a big bang!

I wish you all a very Happy New Year in 2009

Good Health, Happiness and Prosperity

May all of your Dreams come true...

...and all of your Wishes too

TIME TO GO

Thank you all for your words of friendship and encouragement. Everyone who I have meant something to has been here to wish me well...K9 is away and Pete is in retirement so I didn't expect them to call by. Too much sadness here for me at the moment and not a bright and sunny place for you to visit so I will just disappear into the ether for a while and hopefully I can find myself again.

GONE

For those of you who care for me, whom I now regard as friends and have been my faithful visitors and readers, I bid you Goodbye for a while. I am not deleting my Blog, I am a romantic not a drama queen, I dont like to leave people wondering what has happened and besides that it is my 'baby' and very much a part of me. Truth is I am having a few personal problems, I am very sad and finding it difficult to cope with everyday things and besides that I feel so empty I have at the moment nothing more to give you. So please accept my apology for this untimely departure and I hope to be back soon. I will still be looking in on all of you because you have become a part of my life, so until I return please enjoy the music of Coldplay. Bless you all.

THROWN AWAY

So why can't you understand
or even grasp the concept
that there are more kinds of love than one

I love you in a way that is profound
not sexual, not binding, not obligated
No strings attached

Just a loving friendship
from someone who admires you
and cares

The words we shared in the middle of the night
when both of us were sleepless
did they have no meaning for you

Our early morning messages
when I felt so close to you
were like sunshine in my life

Maybe my approach was clumsy
maybe you didn't notice
but this is all new to me

I wanted to know you better
I wanted to share my thoughts with you
my deepest feelings with you

To me that is more trusting,
loving and intimate
than any casual acquaintance would share

I wanted to walk with you
look at the sky with you
laugh with you

I was just trying to get to know you
and hoped you wanted to know me
but you kept putting up barriers,
making excuses,the truth I fear
you didn't want to let me in

Trampling all over my hopes and feelings
finally breaking what was left of my heart
And now you have thrown me away...
I dont understand why...

Prose by Dianne

LIFE IN TECHNICOLOR - COLDPLAY

Life in Technicolor - Coldplay- Versions I and II with lyrics- from their album Viva la Vida

There's a wild wind blowing,
Down the corner of my street
Every night there the headlights are glowing

There's a cold war coming,
On the radio I heard
Baby it's a violent world

Oh love don't let me go
Won't you take me where the streetlights glow
I could hear it coming
I could hear the sirens sound
Now my feet won't touch the ground

Time came a-creepin'
Oh and time's a loaded gun
Every road is a ray of light
It goes o-o-on
Time only can lead you on
Still it's such a beautiful night

Oh love don't let me go
Won't you take me where the streetlights glow
I could hear it coming
Like a serenade of sound
Now my feet won't touch the ground

Gravity release me,
And dont ever hold me down
Now my feet won't touch the ground.

Wishing you all A Joyous and Peaceful Christmas

My sincere wishes for a wonderful Christmas no matter how you celebrate this special day.
I hope none of you are alone, I hope that you all have someone, family, loved ones, a friend, a lover to spend this day with, to celebrate in the spirit of sharing and giving. And to those of you who have loved ones far away from home let them find happiness in knowing that they are in your thoughts and that you are sending them your love from your hearts.

May the Blessings and Joy of Christmas be with You

THE SEVEN REJOICES OF MARY

The first good joy that Mary had
It was the joy of one.
The first rejoice that Mary had
Was to see her new born son.

To see her new born son good man,
And blessed may he be.
Sing Father, Son And Holy Ghost,
To all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary Had,
It was the joy of two.
To see her son Jesus,
Make the lame to go.

The next rejoice that Mary had,
It was the joy of three.
To see her own son Jesus,
To make the blind to see.

To make the blind to see good man,
And blessed may he be.
Sing Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
To all eternity.

The next good joy Our Lady had,
It was the joy of four.
It was the rejoice of her dear son,
When he read the bible o'er.

The next good day that Mary had,
It was the joy of five.
To see her own son Jesus,
To make the dead alive.

To make the dead alive good man,
And blessed may he be.
Sing Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
To all eternity.

The next rejoice Our Lady had,
It was the rejoice of six.
To see her own son Jesus,
To bear the crucifix.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of seven.
To see her own son Jesus,
To wear the crown of Heaven.

To wear the crown of Heaven good man,
And blessed may he be.
Sing Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
To all eternity.

And glory may he be,
And blessed now be she.
And those who sing the seven long verses,
In honour of Our Lady.

The Seven Rejoices of Mary : Loreena McKennitt from the album "A Mid Winter Night's Dream" Music and Lyric: Traditional arranged by Loreena McKennitt

A THOUGHTFUL GIFT OF GOLDEN WISHES

MY GOLDEN CHRISTMAS - A BEAUTIFUL GIFT FROM K9, USA

SPARRINGK9

(sparringK9.blogspot.com/)

Un flambeau ,Jeanette, Isabelle!

Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabelle!

Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabelle
Bring a torch, come swiftly and run!
Christ is born, tell the folk of the village,
Jesus is sleeping in His cradle,
Ah! ah, beautiful is the Mother
Ah! ah, beautiful is her Son.

Hasten now, good folk of the village,
Hasten now, the Christ Child to see,
You will find Him asleep in a manger,
Quietly come and whisper softly,
Hush, hush, peacefully now He slumbers,
Hush, hush, peacefully now He sleeps.

English translation of original French lyrics.
Traditional carol: Instrumental /Music arranged by Loreena McKennitt

SEEDS OF LOVE

I sowed the seeds of love
I sowed them in the Spring
I gathered them up in the morning so soon
When the small birds so sweetly sing
When the small birds so sweetly sing

The gardener was standing by
I asked him to choose for me
He chose for me the violet, the lily and the pink
But those I refused all three
But those I refused all three

The violet I did not like
Because it bloomed so soon
The lily and the pink I really over-think
So I thought I would wait till June
So I thought I would wait till June

In June there was a red rose bud
That is the flower for me
I often time have plucked the red rose bud
Till I gained the willow tree
Till I gained the willow tree

The willow tree will twist
The willow tree will twine
Oftentimes I've wished I was in the young man's
arms
Who once had the heart of mine
Who once had the heart of mine

I sowed the seeds of love
I sowed them in the Spring
I gathered them up in the morning so soon
When the small birds so sweetly sing
When the small birds so sweetly sing

Music: Loreena McKennitt - from the new album 'A Midwinter Night's Dream'
Lyric : Traditional

JUST FOR FUN

The Lovers

Marc Chagall (1887 - 1985)

The song 'Bruises', as in love and other bruises...the things we sometimes have to do to get someone's attention...is it worth it? Well I'm still trying to figure that out...

I ENVY THE MOON

I envy the moon that lights your night sky
If I had wings...to your side I would fly
The golden sunrise that bathes you in light
The velvet beauty of your night

I miss your sweet words that brighten my heart
Oh to vanquish the distance that keeps us apart

I envy the moonlight that shines in your sky
For there beside you I would hope to lie
And wrapped in your arms I would feel your love
As we looked together at the stars above

To feel your heart beat close to mine
And in that moonlight hear my sighs
As you look more deeply into my searching eyes
For at last I am with you,and you are mine...

Poem by Dianne

JANE EYRE - BIG MY SECRET

Jane Eyre - Novel by Charlotte Brontë published 1847
Jane Eyre - BBC Costume Drama 4 part Mini-Series Production 2006
Big My Secret - Music composed and performed by Michael Nyman

Jane Eyre - Ruth Wilson
Mr Rochester - Toby Stephens

AND WINTER CAME

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings.
Your friendship means so much to me and I send you all of my love.

The warmth of this lovely Christmas scene and beautiful music should warm your
hearts and brighten your cold Winter days.
xoxoxox

And Winter Came - Enya

LAST TIME BY MOONLIGHT - ENYA

The winter sky above us
Was shining
In moonlight,
And everywhere around us
The silence
Of midnight.
And we had gathered snowflakes;
Remember
The soft light
Of starlight on snow.

Ooooh, remember this,
For no-one knows
The way love goes.
Ooooh, remember this,
For no-one knows
The way life goes.

We walked the road together
One last time
By moonlight,
As underneath the heavens
The slow chimes
At midnight,
But nothing is forever
Not even
The starlight
At midnight
Not even
The moonlight...

Ooooh, remember this,
For no-one knows
The way love goes.
Ooooh, remember this
For no-one knows
The way life goes.

Music and Vocals : Enya
Lyrics : Roma Ryan
Producer: Nicky Ryan

PLEASE COME BACK ANNA-LYS

Gosh girl where have you gone and why have you deleted your beautiful blog? You were just over here this morning commenting on my blog telling me how happy you were to be back over here after your absence.
You seemed to get very angry with me about a week ago for no apparent reason and your comment hurt me at first but I didn't take offense, nor did I say anything to you that was hurtful as I am not like that and I don't hold grudges. Surely this wasn't the reason.
You have so many adoring followers who will be very disappointed to see that you have gone...you were half way through your 'Light' show, so please come back. I don't know what has happened to you, maybe the aftermath of losing your beautiful friend Bigga, maybe you have Blog burnout or other problems...but still no reason to remove your beautiful creativity from the Blogosphere. Remember you always say that you are a lightweight, well you make a big impression... remember you are our Anna-Light. ♥

ORIENTAL IMAGES

Film Clip from 'Memoirs of a Geisha' - Music by Enya 'Tea House Moon'

Please enjoy these lavish images of the Orient below, with their sumptuous reds, opulent colours, extravagant concepts, art and beautiful fabrics and textures.

SLEEPSONG - Secret Garden

A soothing and beautiful song for you to listen to...to take away the cares of the day and our busy lifestyles and to remind us that there is so much beauty everywhere and kindness if we open our hearts to it and seek it...

OPIUM - Mysterious Fragrance of the Orient

Opium Perfume and EDT, by Yves Saint Laurent, product launched in 1977.

This is not an advertisement nor is it an endorsement of this product - though it is delightful and I have worn it on many occasions when I have been beautifully dressed and going somewhere special; but then again I have worn it whilst wearing my oriental red silk gown and nothing else...

It is purely here to enlighten two very sweet friends of mine who are having serious doubts about my lifestyle. Lol... ;-)

A soft feminine fragrance...a fruity aromatic opening...a floral voluptuous and spicy character...a rich oriental and spicy structure...profound and intense, which sublimates the sensuality of the fragrance...exotic, seductive and full of promise... ;-)

Enchanting oriental floral notes, Bergamot, Mandarin, Muguet, Vanilla, Coriander, Pepper, Plum, Cloves, Myrhh, Rose and Jasmine.

Gosh with all of that going for it you would think I would get lucky!?!... :-)

TRAINS AND WINTER RAINS - ENYA

'Trains and Winter Rains' from the new album "And Winter Came"
Vocals and Instruments : Enya
Lyrics : Roma Ryan
Producer: Nicki Ryan

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE !

MEMORY OF YOUTH

I once sought the shade of trees
beneath their leafy bowers
Some respite from the summer sun
to pass away the hours

For that was when I was young
a memory from the past
But seasons come and seasons go
and soon the years do pass

And now my soul seeks the warmth
of forsaken summer suns
Times of promise and life renewed
when I thought that youth would last

Some respite from the bitter cold
as my body now grows old
Standing here 'neath branches bare
where once were leaves of gold

No promise of the warmth I seek
as I look for skies of sun
I realise those days have gone
as I stand 'neath branches bare
And now I know that I am old
and at a sunless sky I stare...

Poem by Dianne
Inspired by some words from Boneman

WAITING FOR YOU

I wait and wait
but you're not here
With someone else?
that's what I fear

For to my messages
you don't reply
Never answer my questions
I don't know why

Have I come on too strong
by what I say
Have my words of love
scared you away?

Are those words you say
just for me
Or just a part
of your vocabulary?

Is there any sentiment
in what you say
or just words you use
to pass the day?

Do you whisper those words
to other ears
For deep in my heart
that's what I fear?

Don't play with my feelings
for that's not fair
When I offer my love
for you to share

My heart is breaking
cant take much more
Been down that lonely road
before

But I'll not trouble you
with my tears and woes
You don't belong to me
that's how it goes

For I know I'm not wanted
and where I don't belong
Though for your words
I will always long

Pushed my luck
once before
I'll not go back
and open that same door

One day you're hot
next day you're cold
The silence is deafening
don't shut me out in the cold

Maybe one day
I'll hear from you
but until then
I wont bother you...

Poem by Dianne

TIDE OF GREEN

Oh great tide of green
Your beauty drifts before me
like an ocean of grass

Rolling down the meadow
and up the other side
Off into the distance
to where you meet the sky

How I wish I were the wind
that rides your soft green crest
Moving you in waves of light and shade
until it lets you rest

Moistened by the chill of dawn
sparkling dewdrops crown your mantle
slowly melting in the sun
to release your meadow scent

I walk barefoot within your midst
the cool of the earth beneath me
Surrounded by your swirling green
your beauty repletes me

If I could dwell within your realm
and stay with you forever
Listening to your meadow song
as it whispers on the wind...

Prose by Dianne

This prose was inspired whilst driving down the south coast of Sydney. The road meanders through the tall trees and the lush green of rain forest in a national park, through small townships, sometimes right out onto the coast where there is a beautiful view of rocky outcrops and the deep blue ocean.First of all there is a steep descent then the road starts to climb once more, this is where it brings you to a landscape of vast meadows and rolling hills; here you are confronted and moved by the sheer beauty and majesty of a green landscape of many hues. It is wonderful to watch the grasses in the meadows and on the hillsides, their movement fluid as the wind transforms them into waves and swirls of light and shade.

REFLECTING

What is it about a birthday that makes us think about and reflect on the past?
I have been wandering back down that path since my birthday last Tuesday week, I have had a feeling of sadness and found myself thinking back to the events which led up to and just after my birthday last year. I am thinking another year has passed, another year older and I am still on my own.

I do realise I don't need a partner in my life to be complete, but it surely would be nice to have someone around to love and share with and to talk to; I have a family and friends who love me but on a personal level what I have just isn't enough...I need more.

Last Saturday I found myself looking at some lovely text messages and the final messages that my Celtic knight had sent me on my cell phone, not wise to keep them I know, but I cannot bring myself to delete them they are my only link to him and any reminder that he was ever in my life, some are like love letters, I'm not ready to burn that final bridge yet. Silly really, as reading them made me sad and brought tears to my eyes, a whole lot of memories came flooding back.

I have actually moved on, for now when I think about the whole situation with him it was never going to work, I spent too much of my time waiting to hear from him and as much as I wanted him it was never meant to be. I don't feel the same about him any more but there will always be a special place in my heart for him.
I guess I was feeling sorry for myself, the birthday seemed a little anti-climatic, I had thought for some time and hoped that my life would be a lot different by now. I have certainly tried to make it so; I have had a lot of sadness and disappointment in the last three years, things over which I have had no control. I am afraid sometimes that my life is living me, I am not living it myself, I just exist as an observer.

I am a good person, I am honest, loving, affectionate, I have morals (though some of my postings might make you think differently), I just don't have the courage to put myself out there in some of the situations where I could meet someone, bars, singles clubs etc. that is just not me; but I am not going to meet anyone sitting at home dreaming of better things so I either give up completely which I have just about done or maybe there is a way. I'm still deciding on that, for as much as I would like a relationship I don't think I am ready yet.

So what does the future hold for me, that I don't know, I will just have to stay on the roller coaster ride of emotional highs and lows and find out as it happens.
I will say that I am happier now than this time last year so please don't go worrying about me, I am more resilient than you may think and that happiness is due in some part to all of you for being so kind to me and welcoming me into your world. :-)

BREATHE ME - SIA

Sometimes we need...sometimes we want...sometimes we are lost...sometimes what we do have is just not enough...nor what we want...and most times there is no-one there to rescue us...and help us find our way...most of us just have to do that on our own...

FLOWERS of FRIENDSHIP

Well Tuesday, the 4th of November was a special day, the Presidential election in America, Melbourne Cup Race day here in Australia and on a lesser scale of importance, as some of you know already, it was MY BIRTHDAY. Thank you all for your kind wishes, it is always lovely to be remembered especially when it is unexpected. It is almost 1.15 am on Thursday morning here as I write this but I wanted to thank some sweet and thoughtful girls for these beautiful flowers I received yesterday, it was a lovely surprise. So thank you for your kindness my friends Nina (my adopted daughter from Viet Nam), Marina (my adopted daughter from Russia) , Dinah, Liz and Wendy. :)

CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA

BARACK OBAMA - YES WE CAN!

Congratulations on your new President elect, God bless him and keep him safe.

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

THE MUMMERS' DANCE - LOREENA McKENNITT

The Mummers' Dance - Loreena McKennitt

To celebrate Halloween, All Souls Day and Samhain.

When in the Springtime of the year
When the trees are crowned with leaves
When the ash and oak, and the birch and yew
Are dressed in ribbons fair

When owls call the breathless moon
In the blue veil of the night
The shadows of the trees appear
Amidst the lantern light

We've been rambling all the night
And some time of this day
Now returning back again
We bring a garland gay

Who will go down to those shady groves
And summon the shadows there
And tie a ribbon on those sheltering arms
In the Springtime of the year

The songs of birds seem to fill the wood
That when the fiddler plays
All their voices can be heard
Long past their woodland days

We've been rambling all the night
And some time of this day
Now returning back again
We bring a garland gay

And so they linked their hands and danced
Round in circles and in rows
And so the journey of the night descends
When all the shades are gone

"A garland gay we bring you here
And at your door we stand
Here's a sprout well budded out
The work of Our Lord's Hand"

We've been rambling all the night
And some time of this day
Now returning back again
We bring a garland gay

Words and lyrics - Loreena McKennitt

Mummers' plays also known as (mumming) are seasonal folk plays of medieval origins performed by troupes of actors known as 'mummers' or guisers ( or by local names such as rhymers, pace-eggers, soulers, tipteeters, galoshins, guysers and so on ), originally from the British Isles. They are sometimes performed in the street but more usually as house to house visits and in public houses.

Samhain: The term derives itself from the name of the month in the ancient Celtic calendar, in particular the first three nights of November, with the festival marking the end of the Summer season and the end of the harvest. The Gaelic festival became associated with the Catholic 'All Souls Day', and appears to have influenced the secular customs now connected with 'Halloween'. Samhain is also the name of a festival in various currents of neopaganism inspired by Gaelic tradition.
Samhain and an t-Samhain are also the Irish and Scottish Gaelic names of November, respectively.

Reference material : Wikipedia.

ALL GOOD THINGS (COME TO AN END)

All Good Things ( Come to an End) - Nelly Furtado

Honestly, what will become of me?
Dont like reality
It's way too clear to me
But really, life is dandy
We are what we must be
Missed everything daydreaming

Flames to dust
Lovers to friends
Why do all good things come to an end?
Flames to dust
Lovers to friends
Why do all good things come to an end?

Traveling, I only stop at exits
Wondering if I'll stay
Young and restless
Living this way I stress less
I want to pull away when the dream dies
The pain sets in and I dont cry
I only feel gravity and I wonder why

Flames to dust
Lovers to friends
Why do all good things come to an end?
Flames to dust
Lovers to friends
Why do all good things come to an end?

Come to an end, come to an...
Why do all good things come to an end?
Come to an end, come to an...
Why do all good things come to an end?

Well the dogs were whistling a new tune
Barking at the new moon
Hoping it would come soon
so that they could...
Dogs were whistling a new tune
Barking at the new moon
Hoping it would come soon
so that they could die...
Die...
Die...
Die...

Flames to dust
Lovers to friends
Why do all good things come to an end?
Flames to dust
Lovers to friends
Why do all good things come to an end?

Come to an end, come to an...
Why do all good things come to an end?
Come to an end, come to an...
Why do all good things come to an end?

Well the dogs were barking at the new moon
Whistling a new tune
Hoping it would come soon...
And the dogs were barking at the new moon
Whistling a new tune
Hoping it would come soon
so that they could die...