Here Is My Heart

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Restless...

I was feeling quite restless earlier this evening, I dont know why, I guess I expect more out of life than I am getting even though I invest so much of myself into making it more satisfying...I dont ask for much, but still I am not content.

I put so much of myself into friendships and relationships and I foolishly expect others to be the same and then when they arent I feel disappointed and let down...
I shouldnt expect so much.

I decided to go for a walk as that always makes me feel better and expends some of the extra physical and mental energy I need to dissipate.
We had a violent electrical storm here last night which was rather exciting, it always fascinates me when the sky puts on its spectacular light show accompanied by the cracking, thunderous noise... all of this preceded some very heavy rain which is always welcomed.

Autumn here is a lovely season, I really enjoyed my walk even though it was dark...just before nighfall there were many crickets and frogs singing, such a comforting sound. The temperature here tonight is a pleasant 22c /71F; there is a balmy breeze blowing, just sofly enough to rustle the leaves on the trees.
The sky is a beautiful dark blue, not many stars visible as it is cloudy and the moon is partially obscured, it seems to be sitting up there on a dark, puffy cloud, waiting to emerge from its rest. No shooting stars to wish on tonight either; you can feel the moisture in the air so I think we will be getting some more rain.
Something very soothing about falling asleep to the sound of rain and that lovely fresh fragrance.

There were lots of sweet fragrances as I walked along, the distinct smell of gardenia blossoms mixed with other flowers which were no doubt from many other blossoms both wild and exotic and the low hanging brances of eucalyptus leaves... as I brushed them out of my way...leaving their fresh oil on my hands.
Most of the illumination came from the white light of the street lighting as I passed underneath, so many moths hovering around drawn to the light.

I always have many thoughts when I am walking along, I problem solve, sometimes think of a poem, its a good way to clear away the cobwebs. I was thinking how fortunate I am to live in an area where I able to walk around at night without any fear of being shot by a gun, sure there is plenty of crime here but not to the same extent of some areas.
The only thing I have to be watchful for are creepy guys and I'm sure there are some around but they wouldnt want to take me on for I have one mean karate kick... but I am careful.

Well I am back home now feeling much more relaxed and rested and tomorrow is another day, who knows what that will bring...lets hope its a good one. ♥

Sunday, April 12, 2009

How Green is my Valley...More Photos

Just one more photo

Starting to get a little darker now

Sun starting to disappear behind tree line on top of ridge

Sun shining behind Angophora Costata also known as a 'wishing tree'

From this rocky outcrop of sandstone ledges the valley drops away, then plateaus for a distance then drops away even further; it is over 1000 feet to the valley floor where there is a creek and here I am hanging off ledges to get these photos :/

Another rock ledge...it is very decepetive this drops away for more than 200feet

Some wattles along the way

The view from my rock ledge, its a long way down

Another track to explore

Another view of my rock ledge vantage point...no high heels here...just sensible trainers...this is higher than it looks

Rock ledges with native flora where I was standing to take the photographs

Another rocky outcrop...I climbed out onto this one as well...reminds me of a crocodile

Looking back up the Track

The Beginning of the track, just before this I went down quite a slope, have to watch your balance here. :-)

View of Valley from street, weeds and all, some people have no respect and dump weeds anywhere.

I wasn't feeling particularly energetic today but I decided to go back and take some more photos...more...try about forty :-) ... I was disappointed with my efforts yesterday so I borrowed my sons camera, its a Canon EOS 350D, much better than my cell phone camera.

Instead of walking I hopped in my car and drove to the spot, you see these pics are taken from the road across the valley from where I live so you are looking in the direction of where my house is over on that far ridge.

If you want a better view please click on the image for a larger photo, I'm not forcing these on you like someone with their holiday pics, so you can either look at them or ignore them.

Please take into account that the photographer, that is me, went to a great deal of effort to get these for you, scrambling over rocks and climbing out onto ledges, dodging large spiders and being ever alert for any snakes which might be still lurking about...but rest assured I had lots of fun spending time in this wonderful place.

Yes I live in the 'sticks' as it is called but I love it, I am only half an hours drive away from civilisation in any direction and that suits me just fine.

I do hope you enjoy these. ♥

How Green is my Valley...

The bigger picture of the valley obscured by some trees which are survivors of previous bush fires.

A wattle which is common to this area.

I went for a walk yesterday as it had been raining earlier in the day and by late afternoon it was still overcast with clouds and much cooler. I was seeking a little peace and solitude, some time to reflect on recent events in my life and this is a place where you will find the space you need.

I didn't venture too far into the bush as just beyond here is a very steep drop to the bottom, you have to be very careful, there are some paths that wind down but it is not any easy walk, not one to do alone.

There were some lovely vistas of the valley from where I stood, the beautiful palette of so many greens and various shapes of trees and vegetation,the creams and yellows of the blossoms on the flowering trees, a gray sky and some mist still lingering just above the valley floor.
Oh and the fragrance was wonderful, the cool fresh scent of the the recent rain mixed with that of the leaves on the forest floor, the ferns and mosses, the many trees and wildflowers; you would have to be here to experience how beautiful it was.

I took quite a few photos but unfortunately only these two were worth posting, I was going to return today and try and capture some more images but it seems I don't have the energy...however I will go back soon.
I do hope you like these photos, just think of them as a preview of more to come.

♥

Friday, April 10, 2009

Speaking of Puppies...and Easter

Yes we were speaking of puppies and dogs over at Diane's Addled Ramblings a couple of days ago, the 7th of April actually . Diane was asking for our help and suggestions on what to do about a new neighbours little dog which was obviously being neglected, she was helping in any way that she could but wanted to ask about a more permanent solution to this little dog's plight and what we thought was the right thing to do.

There were plenty of suggestion of help, I was particularly moved by Boneman's rescue of some dogs from cruelty, we all know what a kind person he is; he has taken many dogs into his care and given them a loving home. I'm sure he still pines for that boxer that came to stay for a while then left, leaving Boneman heartbroken with worry as to where it had gone and wondering was it safe.
I have done the same as I cannot condone cruelty to any living thing, whether it be a Mother in danger, an abused child or animals...they dont have a voice so we have to watch out for them and help in any way we can.

My dear friend David from 'A New Start' sent me the following story in an e-mail yesterday and I would like to share it with you, I think there is a lesson to be learned from these words.

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of little boy

'Mister,' he said, 'I want to buy one of your puppies.'

'Well,' said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, 'These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.'

The boy dropped his head for a moment.
Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change
and held it up to the farmer.

'I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?'

'Sure,' said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle.
'Here, Dolly!' he called.

Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran
Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.

The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence.. His eyes danced with delight.

As the dogs made their way to the fence,

the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse

Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up....

'I want that one,' the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, 'Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.'

With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers.

In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.

Looking back up at the farmer, he said,
'You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.'

With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup.

Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.

'How much?' asked the little boy.

'No charge,' answered the farmer, 'There's no charge for love.'

The world is full of people who need someone who understands

I hope you all have a lovely Easter, a time of new life and new beginnings, celebrating this religious holiday with loved ones, family and friends.

Take care and be kind to each other. ♥

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

LONGING ...

Behind closed eyes
if you only knew
I avert my gaze
so close to you
For if you saw
you would surely know
My quickening pulse
a blush that shows
My flights of fantasy
On wings
Straight to you
My secret longing
all for you
Deep in my heart
out of view
Heartache breaks
my hopes of you
I wait and hope
for a sign from you
And sadness pools
and blurs my view
Waiting and wanting
my dreams of you
Eyes wide open
I look at you
My searching eyes
so close and true
Does my secret show?
I wish I knew
Should I tell you?
If you only knew
Should I tell you?
If I only knew...

Poem by Dianne

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

MODIGLIANI

Nude Seated

Nude

Jeanne Hebuterne

Cypress Trees and Houses

Landscape at Cagnes

Reclining Nude

Nude with Blue Cushion

Nude 1

Some diverse paintings from Italian expressionist painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani.

Amedeo Modigliani doesn't get a mention in the National Gallery's recently opened Rebels and Martyrs Show - but, in terms of proving a point, he could have had a whole room to himself. For the Italian-born artist was the paradigm of the romantic bohemian, the outsider painter who pursued his own vision amid a swirl of drugs, alcohol and dissolution in the Paris of the early 20th century.

He died in penury and squalor in January 1920 at the age of 35, discovered by a neighbour in the final throes of tubercular meningitis, his bed strewn with bottles of alcohol and cans of sardines, his mistress Jeanne Hébuterne nursing him. She hadn't thought to call a doctor, but her devotion to her lover was so great that, two days after his death, she threw herself backwards from a fifth-floor window. She was nine months pregnant with their second child.

Amedeo Modigliani 1884 - 1920