A Fun Blog!

I've just discovered a fun blog called Toemail, which features toes of all sorts..some beautiful, and some that are a little messy like these feet of mine!
.

Everyone can use a smile, especially if it's a grey, rainy Monday where you are, as it is here in Vancouver.

.

.

You might want to check it out....

.

http://toemailers.blogspot.com/

The World Needs More Shakespeare!

I have never understood why the world in general does not love Shakespeare as dearly as I do!
.
William Shakespeare was a man of the people…he spoke for us all, and did so simply and eloquently. In his plays can be found the whole world, with all it beauty and all its horror. In truth, Shakespeare was the precursor to today’s soap operas and action flicks...so much storytelling began with him.

There is not an emotion
experienced that Shakespeare did not explore...from

bawdy humour to heartrending pathos, he illuminated them all with his mighty pen. In our everday speech, we often quote him unwittingly ; so many of his thoughts have worked into our lexicon that we spit them out as cliches.
.

I am personally fond of his insults. The f-word so generously peppered in today's conversations is not only boorish, it is so overused as to completely ineffectual!

.

If you want to mutter under your breath at someone, try, "Thy puny unchin-snouted hugger mugger!", or

.
"Hence, horrible villain, or I'll spurn thine eyes like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head, Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd'in brine, smarting in lingering pickle!"

.

Doesn't that feel good to say aloud! And the puzzled looks such mutterings engender, are always a joy to behold...
.
Last night, I had the pleasure of seeing "Henry V" performed in Vancouver, in a tent on the seashore. It was a brilliant production, beautifully acted and bursting with a lush combination of brotherhood, loyalty, treachery and romance. For a magical space in time, I was rendered breathless with excitement and anticipation.
.

This morning, I remain transported by it. To have glimpsed such raw emotion, to have experienced, even briefly, the depth and range of what makes us uniquely human is both humbling and inspiring. The world seems a much bigger and more beautiful place to me today.

.

If you have not already seen Kenneth Branagh's version of 'Henry V', do consider renting it. Branagh is a remarkable actor, (and a fellow Belfast native!), who

could make you fall in love with Shakespeare, too.
.

I am shamelessly preparing to indoctrinate
a new generation. I have many children's versions of his plays ready to read aloud to my future grandchildren, should I be lucky enough to have them. I picture us making our own costumes, gathering up props and performing wonderful, witty versions of Shakespeare. I can hardly wait...

.

I remain convinced that the world really does need more Shakespeare. I can think of no better way to remind us just how special and unique each one of us really is.

.

The Giant's Causeway

I had visited the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim during my childhood in Northern Ireland. I clearly remember being enthralled by its strange and magical shapes, so on a return trip almost fifty years later, it became first on my list of things to revisit.

The Causeway
is renowned for its polygonal columns of
layered basalt, the result of a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago. Lava welling up through fissures in the chalk bed and quickly cooling formed the famous amphitheatres of hexagonal columns in the Causeway.

Today, the Giant’s Causeway is UNESCO’s only World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland and it is managed by the National Trust. A very special memory for me: my sister on one side, my husband on the other, and the North Atlantic crashing loudly into the rocks around us! This is a moment in time I will hold in my heart forever.

(Photo by Troy Bell)

Of course, this is Ireland we’re talking about, and science is not the only possible explanation for this curious landscape! Legend has it that the giant Finn McCool lived on these shores many years ago, and repeatedly tossed insults across the sea with another giant called Benendonner. One day Finn decided to go to Scotland and destroy the foul-mouthed Scot once and for all. He tossed huge columns of stone into the water to build a Causeway, (which also appears on the coast of Scotland). In this way, Finn approached his opponent quietly…and then just as quietly, turned and rushed home once he saw that the other giant was so much bigger than him.

Finn MacCool

Benandonner noticed the Causeway and, in turn, decided to go to Ireland to take care of his haughty opponent. When Finn saw him approaching he was terrified, but his wife Oonagh had a brilliant idea. She dressed Finn as a baby and put him down as if to sleep. When Benandonner arrived and declared his intentions, Oonagh asked him to wait around until Finn returned from a supposed hunting trip. In the meantime she asked him to help her feed “the baby”. When Benandonner saw the size of “the baby” he was terrified as he wondered how big the father would be. He therefore excused himself and in horror hurried back to Scotland tearing up the Causeway on the way to ensure his safety. Henceforth the two giants lived happily ever after in their respective lands and never again hurled abuse at each other.

.
Believe whichever story you wish, but should you get to Northern Ireland, I guarantee you too, will fall under the enchantment of the Giant's Causeway!

I'm linking this post to Watery Wednesday! For more photos that are damp, doused and drenched check out the link

below.

http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

Another Shadow Shot Sunday

Oops! If you've landed here on September 3rd, it's because I entered the wrong link for SSS. Please follow this link for today's shadows...:)

Sorry for the confusion!

.

http://imaginationlane.blogspot.com/2010/09/leafy-shadows.html

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

For this week’s Shadow Shot Sunday, I challenged myself to go no farther than my own backyard in search of interesting shadows. As projects often do, this one started out one way and ended up another.

.

What began as a search for shadows, turned into a study in texture and line as I prowled through our admittedly less-than-pristine garden.

.

I’ve always been drawn to things shabby and worn. To me, rusted-out fences have a quiet beauty of their own, and weathered wood glows with a charm I do not find in things brand new.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.................Even a forgotten pair of secateurs found in long-neglected grass cast a pleasing

shadow when propped against the nubby stucco walls of our house.

The resulting pictures are a curious mix of shapes and colours that resemble abstract paintings.
.
I must deem my challenge a success. I found my shadows…found my pruning shears, (though they’re no longer fit for use!), and my little dog had a wonderful day poking through our neglected yard with me.

.

For a brief…a very brief…moment, I contemplated telling my husband that we really should forgo the long Sunday drives we take in search of abandoned buildings to photograph, and small treasures to round up…that we should instead stay home and do yard work all weekend. That notion passed quickly, however; I could too easily see his small, cheeky grin and hear him

drawl, “Yeah, right!!”

.

.


I’ll be sure to share with you the mischief we get into in place of gardening….:)

.

Many thanks to 'Hey, Harriet' for hosting this Sunday event! To see more, do drop by her page at...

http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/

Framed in Photohunt

I have just discovered a photography meme called Photohunt. The site host suggests a new theme each week and asks photographers to submit pictures that represent this theme. When I heard that today’s prompt was ‘Framed’, I knew just which pics would be my choice.

My husband and I are repeatedly drawn to
buildings that have been emptied of their
people and their things. The resulting spaces

revert to silent, moody shrines that resonate
with memories of days past.

When we came across this small house on a sunny day, I was fascinated by the way

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

its many windows framed the overgrown yard outside.

Against its pale empty walls, each window seemed to turn into a kind of art piece.
.

Bereft of people and trashed by passers-by, the house still managed to hang on to a

quiet dignitiy and a unique kind of beauty that soothed me, and made me grateful for stopping by to visit...

.

To view more 'Framed' photos, do visit Photohunt at the link below..you're sure to enjoy the visit. My great thanks to out host!

.

http://tnchick.com/

A Water Haiku

.

Like the waters of

a stream, your love rubs smooth the

edges of my life...

.

I'm linking this post to the Thursday Think Tank Prompt at Poets United. For more poetry, please check out their link...

.

http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/2010/08/thursday-think-tank-prompt-12.html

.

Sedona Skies

I am in love with Sedona,



where endless skies stretch on forever to form the perfect backdrop for peaks so brilliantly tinged with red that they take one's breath away.

.

The skies are mercurial..from minute to minute they dazzle and change with the brilliance of every hue one can possibly imagine.
.

.

.

Unlikely athough it seems, the photos on this page were taken over the course of a single overnight stay. To say one night was not enough is an understatement. Sedona's hills, her whisper-soft air and brilliant skies seem to me what heaven must be like.
.

We are heading back to the
Southwest for an autumn trip...its lure

remains irresistable

to me.

My camera and I can hardly wait...
there are many more pictures to take!

.

.

.

.

I am linking this post to Looking At The Sky on Friday, graciously hosted by CrAzY Working Mom at the link below. Do stop by for skies that inspire!

.

http://www.crazyworkingmom.com/

.

Watery Wednesday

On a recent summer's afternoon, we wound our way to the seashore for a walk.

It was pleasantly cool for August, and not a cloud broke up the blue perfection of the sky. As usual, I had my camera at the ready.

It was surprising to find that the normally raucous and energetic seagulls were uncommonly sedate. They uttered not a sound, and stood facing quietly out to sea as the sun slowly began its descent to the horizon.
.
Even the prescence of curious onlookers seemed of little concern to the placid birds. I was able to move up quietly until I was close enough to see how clearly their shadows were reflected in the water. The resulting pics were perfect mirror images, each of which can be turned upside down and look much the same.

.
Give it a try...you'll see what I mean!

I'm linking this post to Watery Wednesday! For more photos that are damp, doused and drenched check out the link below!
.
http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/
.

My first Shadow Sunday

I am endlessly fascinated by the play of light and shadow..so when I recently

discovered Shadow Shot Sunday, I knew I'd found a home!

My husband and I are drawn in by the forbidden.

When we came across this abandoned barn warning of 'No Entry', we were inside the second we found an opening.

I have posted a few shots from this series previously, but thought these new pics were perfect for my first Shadow Sunday.

My camera and I were in heaven that day as we explored the golden light that forced its way in through murky windows and the battered remains of doors.

The air was perfectly still, the silence palpable.


Our footsteps were quietly muffled by the sawdust floor, and a wonderful feeling of timelessness engulfed us.

It is this sense of serenity we love about empty buildings.

Whatever their history..however chaotic their past, when abandoned by humans, rooms return to a place of peace.
.
.
.

.

I can promise you these will not be the last pictures of abandoned builings you see from me....


.

.


Many thanks to 'Hey, Harriet' for hosting this Sunday event! To see more, do drop by her page at...
http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/
.

Haiku For The Jade Buddha

Gentle Jade Buddha,

.

born of our hope that we might

.

put an end to war...

.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Jade Buddha for Universal Peace is carved from a solid block of perfect jade. The Buddha is on tour throughout major world cities before settling into a permanent home in The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, Australia.

At a monastery just outside Vancouver, BC, I was fortunate enough to sit before him in a moment of contemplation.

.

.

The Jade Buddha asks us to reflect upon peace, irrespective of our religion…peace for our friends, for our families and workmates…and peace in our own hearts and minds.

.

.

In this manner, joy can win out over anger, and we may at last find our way to peace in the world.

Namaste...

I am linking this post to The Thursday Think Tank at Poets United. My thanks to Robert for wonderful words and much inspiration...

.

http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/2010/08/thursday-think-tank-prompt-11.html

.

Second Star To The Right

.

.

.

.

.

.

Deep in the woods where fairies play, there's magic to be found,

.

Come take a peek...but be quite still,

and utter not a sound.

Behind this gate and down the

winding path we’ll make our way,
.

And there we will see wonders that

see not the light of day.

On moonlit nights while we’re abed,

the forest does not rest
.

For midnight is the special time

that pixies like the best.



At first, there’s stillness all around,

and then there comes a light.

.
And if we’re quiet and careful, we may see amazing sights.
.

The air will come to life with thrumming sounds of tiny wings,
.

Then wonderment will steal our breath, and show us many things.

.
.

The creatures of the night come out to celebrate their joys,
.

And share delights of friendship, seldom seen by girls and boys

The Frog Prince offers tea, the

Cheshire Cat grins ear to ear.

.
The trill of fairy voices is a joyous

sound to hear.
.

.

All through the hours of darkest night, the magic weaves its spell,
And we’ll see secret things that we won’t ever get to tell.
.
For who would dare believe such things as fairies might be seen,
Though we’ll hold in our heart of hearts the wondrous place we’ve been.



.

We'll want to laugh, it's all such

fun,

but silence we must keep,

.

Until the morning light across the

treetops starts to creep.

.

With tired yawns, the little ones curl up their baby wings,
And seek their woodland beds, wrapped up in thoughts of splendid things.

We’ll steal away ourselves, amazed

at all that we have seen,

.

And in the glaring light of day,

it might seem like a dream.

.

But wait…hold out your hand, could that be fairy dust I see?

Hush…not a word…you know the secret will be safe with me.

Another night, we’ll once more make

our

way down to the gate,

As moonlight casts its

silver glow,

and evening hours grow late.
.

But sleep now, close your tired eyes, lay down your toused head,


.
Let wonder be your blanket, and the world's love be your bed...
.

.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I am linking this to Fawndear's 'Second Star To The Right' party. A resounding thank you to Fawndear for hosting this delightful event! To visit her sweet site or check out more partygoers, please click on the link below...
.

http://fawndear.blogspot.com/

.