Sunday, September 27, 2009

From One Keeper to the Next...

Most of us at some time or another have received e-mails which are like a chain letter or a prophecy of something good happening but only if we pass the message on to many others within a certain amount of time, these I ignore but every now and then you get one which has a nice message and it makes you stop and think.
A friend who cares for me sent me this e-mail and it did make me think, made me think about many things and though I won't be forwarding it on to everyone in my e-mail address book, I wanted to share it with you here...I have made some comments at the end which to me are relevant and important so I hope you will read them...

" I grew up with practical parents who had been frightened by the Great Depression.

A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it.

She was the original recycle queen, before they had a name for it.

A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused.
Their best friends lived barely a wave away.

It was the time for fixing things - a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress.

Things we keep.

It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy.

All that repairing, eating, reusing, I wanted just once to be wasteful.

Waste meant affluence.

Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.

But then my mother died, and on that clear summer 's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.

Sometimes, what we care about most, gets all used up and goes away...never to return.

So, while we have it.... it's best we love it... And care for it... And fix it when it's broken...

And heal it when it's sick.

This is true.... For marriage..... And old cars..... And children with bad report cards......

And dogs and cats with bad hips ... And aging parents... And grandparents... And friends...

We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep.

There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special.... And so, keep them close!

I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper,' so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way...

Now it's your turn to send this to those people who are 'keepers' in your life.

Good friends are like stars... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

Keep them close."

Yes my parents did grow up during the Great Depression and were very much aware of the value of things that some of us now have so readily but take for granted...a time when food was short, no work and a struggle just to survive.


I must say that my dear Mother would never re-use foil for cooking but I was always amazed how she managed to cook such wonderful meals for us with the little she had, there was definitely no waste and she cooked everything with love and a willingness to share our food with those who were less fortunate...there was always happiness and sharing at our table.

My dear Dad was a generous soul as well, he could fix just about anything that needed mending, he built our home and helped family, neighbours and friends with his skills...many things were fixed to see another day, not thrown away.

My parents have both passed now, they had a great marriage, they were two good people who were both generous with their time, their love and friendship.
They always taught me that most things can be fixed, you can at least try its only when its completely impractical that you throw something away and replace it.
I never took anything for granted, I was grateful for two wonderful parents and the things they did for me to make my life better.

It was a clear Summer's night when my dear Mum passed away, actually it had been a very hot November day, I had spent the day with her at the nursing home, she was very ill but mostly lucid and I was feeding her a thickened fruit liquid with a spoon that they give to patients when they can no longer tolerate solid food...
She told me how much she loved me and what a loving daughter I had been, I told her how much I loved her and what a wonderful Mum she was; there were long silences as she drifted in and out of sleep, but always holding my hand and waking to make sure I was still there. I would wipe her face with cool water to make sure she was comfortable, and stroke her forehead softly for reassurance as one would do for a child who was ill.
This was not the way it was supposed to be, I had cared for Mum myself for many years but there came a time when even for me it was too much and with her dementia and medical problems it was necessary for her to become a resident of a nursing home.
As I have said I spent the day with her until early in the evening, I knew the end was near, I asked the staff could I stay the night with her but they said no, she was in a room with other residents and it would be too disruptive for them, I protested and said surely there was a room where we could be alone...they said there was none.
So I stayed as long as I could, cuddled her, kissed her goodnight, told her I loved her and said I would be back in the morning and then very reluctantly left.
It was only a matter of a few hours when I got the call to say my Mum had passed away, I quickly and safely drove back there to be with her, for my final goodbye, she had taken that last breath of life all alone, I know she would have been frightened and I wasn't there to comfort her or hold her hand at that moment and there was nothing I could do to change that or' fix' that and I knew there would never be 'any more'.
They let me stay with Mum after she had passed, I sat there in tears for hours and thought why would you not let me stay before, now it was too late, she was gone.

So there are many important messages in this e-mail, appreciate what we have now, don't take people or things for granted, they might not always be there.
If you have broken relationships or friendships do try to fix or mend them even at the risk of seeming foolish for trying which has been my experience; for while we have them we should love them, care for them... it's rare to get second chances. Don't let bitterness into your heart for if you can fix or mend what's broken it will be worth it... if after you try your efforts fail take comfort in knowing that at least you tried because sometimes there just isn't 'any more'... ♥

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Wildwood Flower



I watched the movie 'Walk the Line' late last night as I have always been a fan of Johnny Cash for as long as I can remember, heard many of his songs as a young girl being played on records by my older cousins and of course on the radio.
June Carter Cash had such a sweet voice too, it was great when they sang duets, they were really good together...together in music and what a great love story...love happy endings.
I like many kinds of music, classical, classical guitar, alternative, new world, rock but I'm also a little bit Country and a little bit Bluegrass.
Joaquin Phoenix did a wonderful impersonation of Johnny Cash's voice in the movie and so too did Reese Witherspoon with her renditions of June Carter's songs...really good movie.
I was looking up some of the songs from the movie on YouTube and found this sweet little song which has apparently been around for a long time and I just loved it...I think this version by Reese is lovely...hope you like it... ♥

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Strange Weather or Life on Mars?








I awoke this morning at 5.30am to this sky of glowing red , very strange looking, quite eerie actually with lots of choking dust and high winds... apparently the dust storm had blown in overnight from North Western New South Wales. The visibility was limited so aeroplanes were being diverted from Sydney to Melbourne airport, ferry services on the harbour were cancelled and some public transport services. By 6.30am a lot of the redness had gone, just replaced by thick dust in the air giving everything a strange yellow glow. I am sitting here typing this text now and looking out of my window, the wind has picked up again and is gusting around the house, the prediction is for wind speeds of 100 km/ph...getting close to that now I would say, I hope I don't lose any trees or my roof...fingers crossed!
In the video it was business as usual, some of the magpies had arrived for breakfast though not all, others were probably taking shelter somewhere in the undergrowth and trees. (The sound quality is not great, I had to reduce the video from 130mb to 5mb). The noises you can hear apart from the magpies warbling song and other birds is that of the wind, an aeroplane being diverted from its normal flight path and in the background if you look closely you can see an Australian raven. The wind should help blow away all of the dust and hopefully clear the atmosphere, there is a strange ionic smell and taste of iron in the air as Australian desert dust contains large amounts of iron, that is what has made the atmosphere so rusty and red coloured.
I saw the news this morning, I feel for the people of Georgia in the USA, so much damage, lives and property lost...I hope all of my friends there are safe.... ♥

Monday, September 21, 2009

My Garden Friends

Lunchtime

Another juvenile magpie friend, what a cute face!

The sulphur crested cockatoos seem to like playing soccer

Great company and warbling songs

Sorry everyone, I tried to add something more to this post and ended up having all kinds of problems and lost all of the text...I will try again.
These are some of the Australian Magpies and Sulphur Crested Cockatoos who visit my garden each day, they are very friendly and are quite tame...some will take food right out of my hand.
Many native birds visit my garden each day and if you can't see them you can hear their song in the bushland close by.
I will have quite a few nesting pairs of Magpies in the next few weeks so the parents will be busy building nests...soon there will be little fluffy downy chicks and after their first fledge they will lose their fluffy baby feathers and will be left with their mottled juvenile plumage until their adult feathers grow. They have a special call which the parents recognise and Mum and Dad watch them carefully as they all feed together in large groups. To me they are very cute and sound beautiful when they start up their chorus of warbling songs.
I was trying to add an MP3 of their song for you, that's where I got into strife but I have managed to find a website which has pictures and bird calls of some of the native birds who visit my garden, this will give you some idea of how lovely it all sounds here at sunrise and during the day... ♥

Saturday, September 19, 2009

END of TRANSMISSION



Sorry, I didn't mean to bring my personal life back to the blogging world again for all to see, I have tried e-mail and been ignored...I'm sorry you feel this way Berry.
I'm sorry if the comments and arguments in the previous post have offended anyone, if so I apologise, I was just trying to put forward my side of the events and defend myself.
I realise this is not what blogging is all about but sometimes we have no choice in the matter and things have to be said wherever they can be when there is no alternative.
I have already lost one follower, well two, I'm sorry dear /t. that you have taken your support away from me, you would be one of the last people I would want to offend but I do understand, thank you for all the support you have given me in the past... ♥

Friday, September 18, 2009

Night Sky, Clouds and Lights




please click for larger image

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

How Cute is This ?


This cute little bird is an Australian Magpie, I don't know whether it is a female or a male.
It is a juvenile and has lost all of its fluffy baby feathers and now has it mottled juvenile feathers, they serve as a kind of camouflage so that it can blend in with the native landscape and protect it from eagles, raptors, snakes and other predators.
This little one joins me outside for lunch when I'm at home, it sits on the seat right next to me which I think is rather special... it seems to enjoy the wholegrain bread I use for my sandwich though I have since bought some native bird seed for this one and the others that join me and of course there are plenty of natural things in my garden for them to eat.
I really enjoy its company, it taps on my back door with its beak to let me know when it is there along with its Mum, Dad, brothers and sisters and of course the rest of the flock of magpies.
They all sound so beautiful when they sing their warbling song together...it is such a pleasant sound.
I will post some more photos of my backyard visitors in the future but right now I have run out of time so I've gotta go... ♥

Please click on image for full size.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Which Path to Take ...


I will cross the bridge alone
For alone is what I am
And choose a smoother path beyond
I have hurt for too long
Look for days of sunshine
And clear skies once again
Leave the past behind
Hope for happiness instead
Brush away dark clouds
Of sadness I am done...

Or...

I will cross the bridge alone
For alone is what I am
And choose a smoother path beyond
I have tried for too long
I struggle to understand
Here in the darkness
Leave the past behind me
Where it belongs
Never open up my heart to love
Or want again
Never let the fire of passion
Burn within my soul again
Never hope to be wanted
Where I don't belong
Nor open up my heart
To words that bring me undone
Brush away dark clouds
Of sadness I am done
Never let my heart falter
And trust again
For show me any man
who is worthy of my trust
One who doesn't doubt me
Takes me for who I am
Someone who will see my truth
And love me for who I am
I fear there is not one...

Dianne

Monday, September 7, 2009

Your Melody Calls Me


I hear your sweet melody

It touches the core of my soul

It inspires me to spread my wings

And soar to the Heavens so high

Soft wisps of clouds brush past me

Like the soft wings of Angels

As I float so high


I drift on the chords of your melody

So beautiful, it takes my breath away

I hear the voices of Angels

Their song is the sound of restoration

Of being whole and complete

But still your melody which has brought me here

Tugs at me and calls me back...

Then slowly I fall to the water like raindrops

To the surface of the sparkling water

The bubbles and spray caress my face

A place where so many tears have fallen

When I have fallen from grace

Then I swim as if I am a mermaid

Feel the water, liquid and soft

Like the touch of silk against my naked skin

I go with the flow of the river

Like so many fallen leaves

So liberating to feel this free

Cast off the clothes of convention

Hear the soft ripples

As their song soothes my soul

And your melody sets me free

And I return to the womb of the ocean

To the welcoming song of the sea

To the place in the distant past

Where my life once began...

Prose by Dianne ♥