Got Spirit? by RCUBEs

Blog Name: Off the Beaten Trek
Date:May 26, 2009
Subject:Drugs/Spiritual

I didn’t see “self confidence”when the Highway Patrol Officer led this young man into the chair inside the Nurse’s Clinic at Intake [where arrestees first get searched and processed in prisons]. Bowing his head way low, his chin almost touching his upper chest, he wouldn’t dare look me in the eye. I saw some beads of tears fall as he constantly rubbed his eyes with the digits of his left hand.

Hello! I come across your blog thru Silver's blog. I am a single mother myself raising two children on my own. There was a time that my girls and I rode on a high rough sea in our life. It was a hard struggle juggling my responsibilities as a working mother, a provider, a guidance counsellor and all. If there is anything I can attribute our life it is to our Providence above. I admit, I could not do the enormity of my job without His help. I grounded my girls with God's teachings and being grateful for His mercy and provisions in spite our struggles. My eldest especially was involved with questionable characters at school but only as their pillar because she was a no nonsense kid. She was persecuted as being a goody-goody girl and in turned she blamed me for it. In the long run, she gained respect from them the moment they met me in person. She openly confessed to me that she did try the demons via her school friends just to get herself IN the crowd, literally speaking. Then again, she said, "the trouble Mum is the demons that I tried did not like me." If she did not exercise self-control and did not know how to say NO, and if she was not grounded with Fear of the Lord, I don't know what I was going to do. The Angel of the Lord protects her. I was glad that my children can come to me and talk even there were times they did not feel like talking. It is very important for parents to establish trust and friendship with their children to boost their confidence. I made it sure to my girls that it was paramount to me to know their friends and family. As a parent I did not judge her friends instead I showed them my motherly compassion. Their parents in turn are very caring towards my children. Hope we can give our troubled teenagers a GO with patience and love. Love is the factor there.

Insightful blog you have here.

Seasons by Rikkij

Blog Name:One Big Love
Subject: Seasons
Category: Poetry
Date: May 24, 2009

I admire those that are steady in the stream of times passage. It is so easy for some of us to know the joy of celebrations and mountains conquered only to fall into depression upon their completions and the turning of the page. I've listened to hard rock radio stations play "O Holy Night" on Christmas Day only to play Black Sabbath the next day, and I've cried at the fragility and falseness of joy based on calendars. I've walked happy, corn dog smelling fairgrounds packed with laughing children, only to pass by an empty litter filled field the next day. I'm learning to find a more genuine joy in more genuine places.

The rhythmic, the flow, the thought, the imagery, the sensation are all into one consolidating blend of ingenuity as well as your own genuine account of your own practical observations about the artificiality of life in your very own surrounding. How many people like you consider that? Thanks for providing a frank background of the sad twist of the Real World that people live today.

Subject:Death on the Horizon
Date:June 5, 2009

I’ve lived long enough now, that I’ve known my share that have passed on from this life. I find myself trying to understand those that have been given fair warning their time is close at hand.

Life .... what can I say about life besides it's a gift from God? He breathed into our nostrils soon as we were born. Then the doctor, nurse or a midwife slapped our back so we could catch the air and they let us cry, a sign for life.... We grow, we live, we endure, we persevere, we meet what we meet like accident, good luck, the President, a rich man, a queen, a pope, a pauper and who else do you know? We live with our family, our neighbours. We have friends, we make enemies or the enemies make enemies out of us. There is human nature to deal with, and cruel nature to put up with. We live alone, in a society, in a country, in a gutter, whereever... Really we cannot know what's going to happen to us whether we live healthily or we live filthily. We live piously or we live impiously. So many possibilities that equal impossibilities which sometimes outlived probabilities and improbabilities...Life...however well meaning we live by it.... the time span is not for us to calculate. Long before we are born, our expectancy is already calculated. Then we hear people say, "Live the most of it".

Ah Rikki... such an outlook, a contemplation ... just by looking at the fate of others. In them we see our own.. and it made us think, it made us think,,,, will I go next? Who knows? When? And where?

If I have my choice, I want it peacefully. No drama. Just go in peace. No trouble. No bother. No one to cry. No one to get broken-hearted. Just like one of those character in the Bible whose person just disappeared before the crowd. ...Going to the Point of No Return.... I don't know, it is two years more to go before I turn three score....and oftentimes, I am still feeling childlike. I laugh, I smile, I cry, I get depressed, I feel happy...I get angry, I get cross.... at the end of the day...I thank the Lord He still let me hold the Breath He pumped into my nostril on the day I was born... gee...what a reactant I could make myself of here. (am just catching up, am afraid,) Cheers!

Beauty Reminds Me of a Vast Space by Silver

Blog Name: REFLECTIONS

Description:"... See there's this place in me where your fingerprints still rest, your kisses still linger, and your whispers softly echo. It's the place where a part of you will forever be a part of me."

Subject: The Vast Space You Left Behind
Date: July 8, 2009

I live in a place surrounded by immense beauty. I do not mean in material but only defined by what I perceive with the eyes of my heart.

The most romantic note I have ever read on the blogosphere. A real love story beyond compare!

I always cherish reading the words emanating from your ever loving heart Silver. So expressive, so touching, so alive!

You make your readers dance with you in your dreams, emote them into your sorrow, embrace you to comfort into your melancholic wisdom.

Your ways and thoughts are compellingly charming. You made us love you in your wishes if only WE could bring back Ben to YOU, back to your life again and return those lost precious smiles in your beautiful face, and restore the vitality of your being.

If only ....

But you have the Strength, the Fortitude ... to continue the journey... because you may be physically alone, but Ben's Love Will Go On in your life. It is permanently etched and embedded in your heart.

Go on Silver!

Silvery Thoughts
Date: May 28, 2009
Subject: Let Me Live if I Cannot Die

The last thing I would want is to ruin his brilliant and invaluable contributions to the Industry he was in for the last two decades.

I was his strongest supporter and fan when he was alive. I just couldn’t risk being the one to discredit him for any mistakes I may make for my own even after he is gone. Not after all he has done for me. Especially not for a Company he has been proud to be allied with and one that has been good to us over the years.

These lines are powerful. Your proven IMPETUS that YOU can DO it. Gee! This part is too touching.

I had been there Silver. I had been there.

Guess what? My GP never prescribed me any Anti-Depressant. I asked him, "why?" He asked me back, "do you think and do you really feel you need it?" Such a rhetoric.

I felt he tested my knowledge of that area, I felt he measured my thoughts. Then he scribbled me an RX.

I went to the Pharmacy, they call here Chemist. When I went home, I looked over the bottle, I read the label, the contents.... hold it round and round and round and opened it. I took one pill.

Then I was awoken from a nightmare. Something shook me hard, painful tremor.

I put the pill back inside the bottle. Toss it again round and round and round and shot it to the basket as if I was playing a basketball.

I remember my angelic Clinical Pharmacy Professor's word: "One pill from one adverse effect to another."

I said to myself, "what's the point?"

Silver, you are being guided by an INNER FORCE. Yes, you cannot afford to mess up the name YOUR dear husband uphold.

With much affection from Down Under. BB or is it LCD?

**********

Subject: a grief writer, perhaps?

A friend asked me today why i have not updated my blogs for a while. I wasn't sure if he would want to hear the truth.. so i gave a safe answer. "Could be my new job.. could be that inspiration to write just isn't kicking.."

Dearest Silver,

For a matter of short duration of time, since I started reading your thoughts expressed out in the open via the channel of blogs, I can sincerely empathized over the loss you are enduring at the present time. Please don't feel ashamed of what you are going through now, don't feel guilty about the pain inflicted on you over the loss of your loved ones. It's YOU Silver, none other.

Yes, I agree, we need comfort, we need assurance, we need strengthening to fortify our inner anxieties. While Scriptural Inspirations help, please be reminded that the same Scriptural Source also tells us that There is a Season for Everything: A time to love, a time to hate, a time to be happy, a time to mourn, etc. And you know for certain where to find that specific scripture.

King David is One of God's anointed. He could be spared from all human emotional dilemma that you and I and everybody else experience. He too went through that stage. So don't be... You are Silver and you are you. Your emotional, spiritual, intellectual and physical psyche are all yours.

So please don't be afraid to CRY OUT if you must. When Moses died, his people mourned for how many days? When King David's first born died, he too mourned.

Mourning, personally to me is kind of cleansing. Getting rid of those traumatic negative emotions that cannot be eradicated overnight. It's not a tissue that once wet, it will be discarded to a waste basket. Sorry for being philosophical, but am right down practical.

Sometimes, isolation is necessary. You are an intelligent woman, however, you are very much a human being possessed with your own emotional frailness.

When all subsides, when hibernation ends, when winter is finished, it will be spring again and the sunshine will rise brightly on your East again. And blooms of hope will arise to a new dawn.

There is always something special in stored for you.

As Tanya said, "everyone grieves differently". Then grieve if you must no matter how long. The Lord will give you REST.

I lost my parents one year after the other. I lost my father to sickness and I lost my mother to a vehicular tragedy. I lost my marriage to greediness. I may not be able to really had had a chance to grieve like you do, but I did grieve within.

Thankfully, I have children to divert my energy from feeling down and low to feeling high up and running. My life was kind of "the show must go on." Mainly because there was no other option left for me. This story of endurance is summed up in my poem Sentimental Journey. Grieve if you must. If that is what your soul requires. God will not forsake and leave you. He will give you Strength and He will be the one to tell you, "well, Silver, time is up. That's enough grieving now. I want you to look up the sky and see the Rainbow I have created for you. Will you smile for Me?"

How's that sounds?

Love and hugs from down under

**********

Wednesday, December 3, 2008
*Have you ever felt like dying when you lost someone you loved?

All the things which at one time seemed important doesn’t matter anymore. You will feel like dying because the days ahead seemed like a long road that is simply too unfamiliar, intimidating and not something you believe you can manage alone for the rest of your own journey. If only a flight ticket is all it takes to find him in any corner of this world, there would have been something that which you could do!

"Death is like a thief in the night"...we cannot calculate or estimate when it is coming.

When it comes, it comes at a time when no one knows. At what circumstance. In what condition.

God bless your strength Silver. This makes my heart tight.

How many deaths in my family did I survive? Two tragic ones. My uncle and my dear mother (Mother); my father, our eldest brother, close relatives that I did not even get a chance to say farewell while they were still alive.

With my own, I had no time to mourn, to lament, to grieve...

I was kind of emotionally embalmed because I was the next decision-maker in the family. I had to make decisions of what to do to give my parents decent and dignified burials.

After that, I had to face life squarely and alone ... what to do with my two younger sisters who became my responsibilities.

I was hard on the outside, but crumbled in the inside.

At the death of my marriage, I still got no chance mourning over it because I have two children who were very little at that time, to look after.

Oh boy, I really did not how I did it! All I can say is "without my faith in God, maybe, maybe ... I don't know....

So I diverted my energy to this one Mother and Motherhood

I hope time and outlook help improve your situation now.

Your boys and my girls are God send so that you and I will continue to fulfill the purpose, the task given to us for as long as we live.

Praying for your strength Silver.

**********

Saturday, May 9, 2009
LETTERS

“..i want to live through to the ripe old age with you. Don’t really know what to do if I have to go through life without you. I would very much like to bring our 30 grand-children, 90 great-grandchildren, and 270 great-great grandchildren, together with the prettiest and cutest great-great grandmother to K.F.C. during every school holidays. I think 30 grandchildren is about the most we can handle, right ?

Pretty touching and a beautiful love story.

However hard, learn to LET GO. You will be helping yourself. His spirit was already taken back by the owner, our Maker. I believe in the Resurrection of the Dead when the literal second coming of Christ will come. He will Judge the living and the dead. Be hopeful that yours will be called again to live ETERNALLY with you.

Hope you will regain the strength and courage you once had with him. I love your dreams together. Sounds ideal to me.

Thanks for visiting my Random Thought blog. Much appreciated.

********

Sunday, May 3, 2009
The English Language

Anyway, fortunately for us, my dad had spent a short time in London back in the late 50s. That set the influence that had upon him. So even though it was unusual for a Chinese family to communicate in English back then where life was hard for new migrants, but we did converse in English at home which gave us a good base for the language.

You know, since I joined memes, I rarely read real blog like yours. This is so entertaining and I can personally relate to your personal story.

Yes, this is an internet. But I suppose, with mine, as to what I cannot find in the real world in terms of friends (not that I have none), in the real world, nobody really know the real me except for a handful.

As to what I write in my blog, I learned the hard way of adopting the "who cares" syndrome. For as long as there are no other destructive info I divulge like bank accounts or credit cards, I couldn't care less.

No, am not ashamed to reveal where I come from. My parents and I communicated in English. This doesn't mean that we didn't talk our language because we did.

Why past tense? Both my parents were long gone before I left my country.

My children who are both grown up now do not mind my pastime, blogging. You can see that I have too many.

What they are skeptical about is that I would be talking to strange MEN over the internet. They are both overprotective towards me. We are swapping roles now.

How can that be? Anyway, personally, I can't be bothered socializing. Too lazy to do that. But maybe one day, I will, who knows. But someone has to grab me out of my cave.

Anyway, your boys sound protective and very loving. It's good to have little detectives though.

At the end of the day, you still have boys to talk to. It's not the same with cats.

Cheers!

On the edge by Sharon

Blog Name: Sharon is sharing
Description: my favorite quotes, images and experiences
Meme: Scenic Sunday
Origin: Florida USA
Date: May 24, 2009

I don't think there is a better day
to appreciate the outdoors than Sunday.

These are awesome shots! I love that waterfall gushing from the top of a rocky mountain. Gunnar must be hyperactive and got lots of adrenalin to be a daredevil. Perhaps he lives in the world of "who dares win." Go for it Gunnar!

Adorable Balls of Yellow Fluff

Blog Name: Tranquility Cove
Description: A blog of Faith, Life & Nature with scenes from British Columbia and Washington State
Origin: Vancouver, Canada
Meme: Mellow Yellow Monday
Date: May 25, 2009

These 6 goslings are the newest arrivals at the duck pond.

And they are so adorable! Simply adorable. I have a softie spot for all creatures. And I used to have them at home. At the back of our little house was a little creek and I loved watching them swim. My father enlarged the space for them to have plenty of room to flock above the water. Nice shot and thanks for the visit.

Banksia by Drowsey Monkey of Mellow Yellow Monday

Meme: Mellow Yellow Monday
Description: Because life is better with a splash of yellow
Creator: Drowsey Monkey
Origin: Ontario, Canada

I love this photo, my cousin took it in Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia. The plant is called a Banksia.


Banksia is one of our native flora. It withstands and outlasts the aridity of the climate here and doesn't need much maintenance. You plant and forget and blooms are as copious as the stars in the night. Very generous blooming shrubs and trees they are.

Mellow Yellow Monday #20 by Bobbie

Blog Name: Almost There
Description:"Traveler, the path is nothing more than your footsteps; traveler, there is no path, a path is made as you go. You make the path as you go, and on looking back you see a trail that never can be walked again. Traveler, there is no path, only a wake in the sea." - Antonio Machado
Meme: Mellow Yellow Monday
Origin: Southern NJ USA
Date:May 24, 2009

Today it's two from the archives. Two places that I love.

I love the idyllic setting of the first picture. Below is an ultra-modern buildig that does look marvelous beyond visiting. Your blog has a peaceful ambience too! G'day!

I might feature you in my Almost There blog comment but I need a time to structure it. Please watch it out.

Santa Monica Beach by 2sweetnsaxy

Blog Name:Eyes, Mind, Heart
Meme: Scenic Sunday
Date: May 23, 2009
Subject: Santa Monica Beach

I thought these would be a great entry for Scenic Sunday. I took these last summer at the Santa Monica Pier here in Southern California.

"To me there is nothing more peaceful that standing on the beach listening to the waves and feeling the sea breeze in your face."

I did this when I was young in one of the hometown we lived. I love your description here.

Your pictures just remind me of my younger days. So using my imagination, I'm turning the clock back to reminisce those wonderful innocent days.

Ulrica Tanker Hogt, Sweden

Blog Name: Ulrica Tanker Hogt
Meme: Scenic Sunday
Date:May 23, 2009
Subject:Drottninggatan (near Stockholm)

I live in the countryside just outside of Stockholm and it´s beautiful. But I really, really love the city to. This is Drottninggatan in the middle of Stockholm.

Thank you for showing us Sweden. I had been a part of Sweden through the people I was in contact with in the past. Am not sure where they are now. I hope they are still alive. It's the Ganesjo's Family. I used to call them Mom and Dad (Conrad and Margarita). I would like to reconnect with them. Their daughter's name is Cristina. But Cristina did not know me. Am not sure is her parents showed her my picture. In that time, I was very young then.

Would you like to give this a peek?

Ulrica

A Whale in the Clouds

Blog Name: Shey_scenes
Meme: Skywatch Friday
Date: May 22, 2009
Subject: A Whale in the Clouds

I saw a whale in the clouds the other day. Do you see it too?

Yes, they do look like whales. That's what interest me about watching the sky: the formation of the clouds, their shapes can really create surprises as if someone is painting some delightful objects on the blue canvass. Don't you think so? Once I saw a face of Jesus Christ or even a throng of angels. I'm not sure if it has something to do with optic illusion.

Quote for this Week by Pamposh Dhar

Blog Name: Terataii Reiki and Counselling Centre
Meme: Quotable Thursday
Date: May 20, 2009

The only offering you can make to God
is your increasing awareness.

And the last desire is
to be God in human form.

Godly character does take some high mountains to travel on foot and high seas to swim amidst strong currents before it can be developed into near perfection.

Great one to ponder!

Pause for a Moment

Blog Name: Mind of the Explorer
Origin: Philippines
Date: April 21, 2009

Subject: Papaya and the Rain

Such a simplicity of life that we have pictured in our mind. Rain shower was a luxury in our time way back home and I agree with you as you described the relaxing moment under the rain. The rain flowing down the papaya tree looks like a cellophane protecting those green fruits. Perfectly captured!

Subject: Music as part of My Life
Date: April 16, 2009

Poor thing! Poor music! Past events are always beyond our liking. However, they are inevitable and sometimes, perhaps, they meant to be for the reason Unknown.

Anyway, at least you still have music embedded in you. I remember one Peruvian father who spoke to his wife, " you bent your frustrations to the children." This statement has a corollary to your heartache and music.

April 26, 2009 5:03 PM

My Hillbilly Family by Kimberley

Blog Name: Stuff could always be worse
Origin: Georgia USA
Date:May 17, 2009

I have a very "Hillbilly" family and I love it. I guess you could say they are unique when my sister has many pet chickens. They have a small rooster that rides in the car with them, sets on their hand, and visits her at work.


Your sister doesn't eat chicken? She reminds me of my late Father. We had free ranged chicken back home we raised. I was the butcher in the family, being the eldest and kitchen has been always my domain. Each time I asked permission from my Father if we could have chicken for dinner, he would always answer back, "No, it's pitiful to kill a chicken."

Night time came, guess what? "Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar" because while the family laid asleep in bed, we heard the chicken crooking....Someone out there crept to climb the trees to grab the chicken...we longed to fill our tummy. The robber did not pity the chicken. hahaha... Such a hilly billy life.

Yeah, stuff could be worse.

**********

Date: June 9, 2009
Subject: We want what we cannot have

"sometimes we want what we cannot do."

As for wanting what I cannot have Kim, I surrender my thought literally on that matter. Nothing seem to matter to me anymore now that I am alone.

As to your unbelief in regards to bloggers readership, that I was thinking too in the beginning.

Blogging is my only means of hide away. If behind the screen I can express myself, then so be it.

But it's a blessing to find some good and kind hearted soul to share what our heart is abundant of for in the mouth we speak so is with our mind.

Hopefully, for me, they are pleasant thought. Though I know I am subject to my own human limitations.

Just sing out Kim when you need the money. Next thing we arrange is how to send it without being spammed by. So, we'll find a way to get away from cyber frauds.

Take care Kim.

June 10, 2009 5:31 AM

November Class Project by Pat

Blog Name: Rubber Stampers-Visionary People
Origin: Arkansas
Date:November 9, 2008

Subject: Thanksgiving

Very interesting info about RSVP. It's really nice when you meet as a group to share common interest and not commercializing it or it will diminish the meaning of the purpose.

I love the artwork here. I have plenty of imagination. I just lack motivation. I collected lots of junk thinking one day they will be made useful.

Thanks for the visit in my Today's Flowers Easter Cactus entry.

Yes, it's other name is Christmas Cactus. They name it differently here in Australia.

Eucalyptus Bark

Blog Name: Happily Retired Gal
Description: Exploring WordPress as a Platform
Meme: My World
Date: May 12, 2009

Subject: Eucalyptus replaced native trees

Australia has thousands of them. Eucalyptus trees are high in alcohol. Hence every summer, one butt of live cigarette thrown into an even small pile of dried eucalyptus leaves can set the nation into conflagration especially aided with high, four strong winds.

The Purpose

Blog Name: Daily Living
Description: Everyday is a new beginning. Keep On Dreaming. Take time to reach out for others. God is good.
Memes: Mellow Yellow Monday; Today's Flower's
Origin: Philippines
Date: May 11, 2009

Subject: Philippine Santan Flower

Yes, Santan flowers. I have forgotten about it. I can't recall if Santan was included in my study of Pharmacognosy. But I'll sure give your helpful link a visit one time.

It's corolla has almost the same formation like that of the Sampaguita. Very interesting!

Thanks for the visit Regina.
********

Subject: 100th Day

Dear Regina,

I think we all are like you. We do not know anything that young people are so adept about when it comes to technology. Somehow, it seems life can be addictive somewhere where we can be positively contribute our own INPUT.

We do not even necessarily have to be an expert to be able to do thing. But the learning process is becoming pretty interesting and soon, we are up there.

We share the same sentiments about things in general. And it has no limit to age, race and creed.

Please find yourself here and let me know what is in store for you.

A Sunday Trip to Baden bei Wein

Blog Name: Let the good times roll
Meme: Scenic Sunday
Origin: Austria
Date: May 9, 2009

The hot springs of Baden near Vienna were already known to the Romans,
and Baden is a health resort still today.

Awesome, breathtaking, wholesome and interesting Maria!

You do know how to solve problems, Maria. I'm happy to see all these beautiful things around Austria.

Thank you!

Mellow Yellow Monday by Judy

Blog Name: through my lens
Meme: Mellow Yellow Monday
Date: May 10, 2009

Subject: These were growing on the side of the road in my neighborhood. I don't recall ever seeing these flowers before here. To me they look like wild sunflowers.

"God dresses places,
even the less travelled road,
with strange beautiful flowers; exuding their beauty freely
to appease a weary
traveller"~lcd 11th May 2009

breastmilk is still best but...by deandean

Source: Your Child's First

Subject: Breastmilk
Date:March 10, 2009

On every Philippine tv or radio commercial for milk products for babies , it always end with this statement:

"Breastmilk is still best for babies up to 2 years."

They do that here too to discourage too much commercialism of the milk product. It is conflicting in a sense. I think and I believe, like the cigarette commercial, it is now universally syndicated so Nursing Mothers will get back to the basics in feeding their infants. Breastfeeding has been my personal preference even at the time, I was not married yet. And I did breastfed them when I had have my two babies at a very late age. With God's blessings, my girls have had never been sickly and not once in their entire childhood life, they had been taken to hospital.

On the other hand, being there myself I know exactly what you mean by your statement above because of our economic condition where most mothers have to work to augment the family income which is a shame. On the other hand, the plus factor over there is that you can afford to have maids to mind your babies while you are at work. Whereas here, that means luxury to us.

My approach to nursing motherhood was eating the right food where my babies derived good nutrition from my own breastmilk. Happy Mothering.

Don't worry ...be happy by Pyzahn

Blog Name: Prattle... from the flatlands

Description: I sometimes amuse and frequently bore my friends with stories from my life. Finally someone said, "Why don't you write a blog." Yikes. Me? A dismally average, middle-aged woman from the flatlands with poor grammar and no technical savvy. What the heck. Here goes...
Meme: Mellow Yellow Monday
Origin:Mo, USA
Date: May 10, 2009

Illustration (above) by Mary Engelbreit, who I am proud to say lives here in the flatlands.

What a way to Mellow Yellow Monday!

Most of us are all obsessed with photoblogging vying the best shots the world lay in our feet, for our eyes to feast on everything beautiful Mother Nature provides; yet, we tend to put one small thing in hindsight, "humour".

This is so creatively thought of and it's wonderful to smile and laugh.

Like your profile and what you have said About yourself.

Pleasanton, CA by Linnea W

Blog Name: Photoblogista
Description: What we see depends mainly on what we look for...John Lubbock
Meme: Scenic Sunday
Date:May 10, 2009

A picturesque farm, blue skies, and fresh green grass:
Springtime Moments & Happy Mother's Day!

"Spring makes all things look fresh and new; a rebirth of what has been dead; a resurrection of what has been gone."~lcd,11th May 2009

This is the apparent theme of your post without question. A happy farm with a red-painted barn framed inside an idyllic setting.

Blog Name: Daily Photo of Colorado Springs
Meme: Scenic Sunday
May 9, 2009

This sunset was the perfect farewell to a perfect day. We got out our warmest blankets and sat out on the front porch and enjoyed this magnificent Colorado sunset together.

The parting of day is without sorrow though for a stunning mellowing colour of that scarf in your western sky.

Glad to be the first to visit your Scenic Sunday.

Our Local Dog Walk by Hillary

Blog Name: Brighton Day by Day
Description: I post a daily photo of Brighton, UK, exploring the people that live here, those that visit, the street life and of course the beach area. Brighton is quirky, lively and we love living here!
Meme: Scenic Sunday
Origin: Sussex, England
Date:May 9, 2009

This is a place in East Brighton where we walk regularly. It's on the edge of the South Downs with the English Channel in the distance.

This must be my maiden comment post to your blog.

Your picture is calm and pleasing. Your idyllic land is not like ours where they're mostly rocky, stony and unarable.

I love those wild flowers and the greens, the enviable greens.

If that is Georgie, I bet she is enjoying her doggy stroll.

Happy Mother's Day to you, if you are one. If not, maybe you can shout it to your Mom.


Cheers!

Scenic Sunday #29

Blog Name: A Walk Through Auckland
Description:A photo a day of Tamaki Makaurau in the beautiful Aotearoa - Land of the Long White Cloud - The country that sees the first sunrise!
Meme: Scenic Sunday
Origin: Auckland, New Zealand
Date: May 10, 2009

Walking at Duder Regional Park

Oh I love that the hills far away and the sheep are free to roam no need to have their shepherd's watchful eyes.

I would like to feature you in my new blog: My Blog Comment, favourite neighbour.

Thanks for your great postings. I always admire them because I can't wait to see Auckland. It's five more months to go!

More Photos from the Forest by Kitty

Blog Name: Into My Own
Description: "I should not be withheld but that some day Into their vastness I should steal away..."
Meme: Scenic Sunday
Origin: Northern Ireland
Date: May 9, 2009

Kitty of Into My Own took this shot Tollymore Forest, Northern Ireland. It is this week's Scenic Sunday post.

This setting reminds me of something as if a place like this is a habitat of the famous "northerly fairies" found in the story book.

I love the beautiful nature of Ireland. Their green scenery all year round is too enviable!

Lovely photo that spruce up my day. Happy Mother's Day to you Kitty.

Subject: Tollymore Forest

This is the very eastern edge of the forest - here we can stand on an old ruined cairn and look out from between the trees to the Mourne Mountains, covered in a heavy mist that's slowly sinking down the hillsides:

Magnificent work of arts by nature Kitty. A place ideal for meditation and relaxation away from stressful life. Like I said, their beauty is enviable. Very pretty indeed!

Obscured by Clouds by Neil Tasker

Blog Name: Light and Dark
Description: Sights and Sounds
Origin: Scotland
Date: May 8, 2009

Driving a colleague home tonight after work, I took a slightly different route home and was rewarded with this sight. I did actually stop the car to get this one!

Think I'm becoming obsessed by clouds......... Or was that a Pink Floyd album?

Obscured by Clouds

This is one beautiful spectacle that you would never want to miss. Obsession with clouds is much safer and more rewarding than obsessing with anything else.

And this one is beyond words for me to describe. The resolution of your camera is highly functional that gave way to an excellent result as these. Absolutely stunning!

By the way, I got your blog linked to mine: Morphing Words by poetry

You will find it in the right column where you'll see the About Me. Scroll down until you get to my collection of poems including yours. They are alphabetically arranged. The Passionate Shepherd to his Love is right under the picture of a shepherd boy.

Meme: Skywatch Friday
Subject: We're Cloudbusting Daddy
Date: May 7, 2009

I watched a really good documentary last Sunday night on BBC 4 called 'Cloudbusting'. It was presented by a guy with the unlikely name of Gavin Pretor-Pinney. Now I realise that this name may be familiar to some of you 'cloudy' types, but I just wanted to pay my own small tribute to the guy and his aims and perhaps point some of you who've never heard of his society in his direction.

In 2005 Pretor-Pinney decided to set up his own Society called the Cloud Appreciation Society, simply because he liked clouds and felt they were a tad under appreciated. This is the manifesto of the Society :

WE BELIEVE that clouds are unjustly maligned and that life would be immeasurably poorer without them.

We think that they are Nature’s poetry,
and the most egalitarian of her displays, since everyone can have a fantastic view of them.

We pledge to fight ‘blue-sky thinking’ wherever we find it. Life would be dull if we had to look up at cloudless monotony day after day.

We seek to remind people that clouds are expressions of the atmosphere’s moods, and can be read like those of a person’s countenance.

Clouds are so commonplace that their beauty is often overlooked. They are for dreamers and their contemplation benefits the soul. Indeed, all who consider the shapes they see in them will save on psychoanalysis bills.

And so we say to all who’ll listen:Look up, marvel at the ephemeral beauty, and live life with your head in the clouds.


It costs about five British Pounds to join and for that you get your own little piece of paper with your own personal membership number on it.

He's written a couple of books, so although I realise that many of you won't be able to watch the programme, you may be able to read the books.

So in homage to the guy for a bit of blue sky thinking, I've posted five of my favourite sky pics. Feel free to categorize, favouritise, criticise or just ignore. The choice is yours.

His point really made me realise that no matter where you may be on this planet, if you look down you have a pretty good chance of seeing some shit, look up and you have a pretty good chance of seeing some beauty. Seems like a simple choice to me.

I'd prefer to look up and see the beauty of the sky, not down below to see those trash you were talking about.

These pictures have so much to give. Looking at all of them, makes me think how blessed we on earth are and what are we doing with all the messes we are causing to mother nature?

Gavin Pretor-Pinney is right when he said, clouds are Nature's Poetry. I believe him so, probably because I love nature so much. But thanks to my dear late mother too who nurtured me to take interest of our surrounding, our creation even on small matters.

May I copy the manifesto? I always request to copy if I find it very interesting.

Wordless by Indrani

Blog Name: FROZEN MOMENTS
Meme: Wordless Wednesday
Origin: India
Date: May 5, 2009

Indrani, he looks so amiable I can give him a kiss. It's a pity Steve Irwin is gone. As catching crocs was his specialty.

I came across with a living croc in my life when I was young. It was fun being chased by one. I had to run for my life.

Such a brave close up. But I hope the lens and the zoom did the trick for you.

Apt title for this blog.

Pretty Picton Sky by Glennis

Blog Name: Glennis (Blog ....Welcome)
Description: Our wonderful life of semi-retirement in Picton, New Zealand
Meme: Skywatch Friday
Origin: Picton, New Zealand
Date: May 8, 2009

A pretty sunset sky, taken over the roof of my next door neighbours house, at Picton.

A joyful New Zealand sunset with a stunning beauty. I can't get enough to describe the awesome score of this great picture.

Sky Over Brussels Grand Place by Gattina

Blog Name: KEYHOLE PICTURES (photos only)
Meme: Skywatch Friday
Origin: Belgium
Date: May 8, 2009

Subject: Sky over Grand Place

The technic you use in this photography is pretty clever. As your blog suggests, your Belgique clouds can be seen through the keyhole (gap) of spaces of the Grand Place. Beautiful elegant architecture here. You're lucky except Napoleon. Poor fellow.

Please watch for my blog comment blog. It's new and I'm going to feature you. Just give me time, it will take a while.

Bouna note Gattino!

Guten nacht Gattina!

Cloudbusting #343 by Chrome3D

Blog Name: Cloudbusting
Description: Diary of clouds and random thoughts in
broken english. Inspired by Kate Bush song "Cloudbusting".
Meme: Skywatch Friday
Origin: Espoo, Finland
Date: May 8, 2009

Out early in the morning
the northern sky plays a little song
bright, playful, light and poppy
full of little hooks that will play in the head all day
It´s sweet and short and over before I know it
leaving me to want more

You sound jolly poetic today and the wisps of clouds cannot resist winking back at you. That is quite perfect for a 'Scandinavian' Finnish blue sky.

May 3, 2009: Four Seasons in Southern Finland
Spring, may and sunny new life ~yrsa

Give me a world of flowers and my life is most complete. Your part of that world is truly looking Springy with those bulbs and pansy!~lcd, May 9, 2009

Riverside Girl is Back to Point the Way by Sandy Carlson

Blog Name: Writing in Faith
Memes: My World Tuesday & Skywatch Friday
Origin: Connecticut, USA
Date: May 4 and 7, 2009

I had to add yet another picture of this monument this week. From this perspective, the stone on which she writes "he shall live" reflects the heavens on a warm spring day.

That's what makes arts intriguing, where we can draw our own interpretation base on how we perceived about the subject or object of interest. (My World Tuesday).

This is my favorite memorial statute at Riverside Cemetery in Waterbury, Connecticut. She is so vibrant, so sensual, so alive. So young. So sad. I love the way she unselfconsciously insists on life, is life.

It's interesting to find creative people with creative minds. You certainly posted something beyond skywatching.

Both subject and object did compliment with each other as what the story of this picture demonstrated. (Skywatch Friday)

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Subject: Weekend of a Snapshot: A Rose of a Day
Date: May 10, 2009

I took a break from the housework on Friday afternoon when I noticed the sunlight--a novel and welcome sight at the end of a rainy week--illuminating these rose petals. Sometimes the little things are celebrations all by themselves.

Happy Mother's Day to you Sandy.

Having a poetic mind, I am very much in accord to your apt description about the illuminated Yellow Rose above. Exquisite!

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Blog Name: Writing in Faith: Poems
Date: May 4, 2009
Poem: What's That Like?

Whenever I find an oyster shell
Soft as talcum and smooth as a bone....

I ponder the same too. Oysters do have mysterious life on their own. Their shells may actually look ugly, but inside lies the jewel of sea. So they cannot be judge by their cover, because the Pearl of wisdom is beneath their silken meat.

Poem: Slowly
Date:Thursday, May 14, 2009

Opening Line:

I would capture the leaves
As they fall
To save them the hard fate
Of touching a cold
Unwelcoming earth

I have a different view in understanding the poem besides the slow fall and death of the leaves unwelcomed by the earth.

There is more of social connotation beyond exploration of the metaphor closely similar to Amias ponderings. (Here, I will leave it at that).

My comment will serve as mental challenge to the readers.

Great brevity of your thought Sandy. One that stirs up intellectual minds.

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Blog Name: Writing in Faith:Thoughts and Memes
Subject: The Cracked Pot
Date: may 2, 2009

Intro:

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

What a sage your Dad has passed down on you! Yes, we often see the flaw unmindful that beneath the flaw, "beauty rests".

And I am not ashamed of my flaws for without them, nothing can be improved about myself.

"We need to look around what others say about life, for us to be able to see our own".~lcd, 13th May 2009

Subject: Carlson? Who's That?
Date: April 03, 2009

Thought to Ponder

So when I got married, I kept my name. For the same reason men keep their names, I kept mine. I didn't care who liked it or not. Still don't. I am who I am. When my daughter came, she took the name that reflected the people and the values I cherish. So it goes. I am my father's daughter. I love him. He loves me. I'd lay my life down for him. He taught me how to care, what to value, why to be honest.

I have admiration for your father Sandy and for you. I uphold my father's name. My father might not be a perfect man, but he passed down to me a legacy that has no monetary equity. His teachings were considered far more than as my Inheritance.

What I feel sorry for, though I really am not keen using the word SORRY, on behalf of my children is that, my children's father allowed himself to be obsessed of his own SELFISHNESS.

My daughters have no memory of him. He turned his back away from them. Not a sign of being a human father. It's a shameful story that one day, he will admit too late whether he likes it or not that he discredited himself for things he did that he will never be proud of.

I stripped off his name from my children, his children, our children. I did not do it on my own, but the school gave me the opportunity for my girls to take my NAME instead of his without going into the hullabaloo of litigation. We did not create a bitter drama about our life. It was good on the other hand, as he never caused us any further harm other than complete abandon, neglect and deprivation of our children.

Like you said, why else did your grandfather married your father's mother?

So my children keep my NAME as you do YOURS.

To the word of my ex - "everything happens for a reason".

P for Panorama, Netherlands

Blog Name: Reader Wil
Meme: ABC Wednesday
Origin:The Netherlands
Date: May 5, 2009

Why this Panorama?
This is what the painter says:

"A destructive process that has affected the Flower Bulb District since the nineteen - fifties has caused the disappearance of many farms, flower bulb sheds, buildings, houses, windmills, etc. that were characteristic to the district. Also large tracts of land formerly used for flower bulb cultivation have been sacrificed to the expansion of the towns and villages in the district.

A growing group of people, including myself, who are increasingly concerned as they witness this process unfold, strongly believe that one ought to treat one's cultural heritage with care and respect, and we should make a concerted effort to stop the process and conserve what is still there".

Growing bulbs is a very interesting job in the west of the Netherlands, because the soil is exceptionally suitable for it. As soon as the flowers are fully grown, they will be cut off without their stems. The flowers are beautiful but will be used for decorations. The bulbs are intended for export.

All these memes will all keep less busy people busy. But as we are getting older, we do need mental stimulation, least, we'll contract Alzheimer, dementia, amnesia and all other Mannasseh's (forgetfulness) syndrome that even a pen tucked behind our ears, we can't remember. lol.

Anyway, Ma'am, this is very interesting story you tell about Tulips in The Netherlands. I met a friend through Yahoo a very long time ago, and she sent me pictures of Tulips from your country. They are dainty and beautiful. I'm sure, Australia is one of the importers of tulips from your country.

I think all countries suffer the way yours do in the name of Prosperity. That adversely affected the balance of our ecology due to needless and ruthless killing of our natural resources that help protect our environment.

Meantime, I'd say, Thank you very much for visiting my Morphing Words by poetry.

I am truly touched by your words and encouragement as well. The story I wrote there was my ideal life of how should my marriage would be to last like yours. So I just keep my dreams burning in my soul through poetry.

Again, thank you for the honour of your visit.

Let me include a bit of yours in my new blog I have just created. This will take for awhile to complete though, my blog comments

Glyndebourne skies by bim

Blog Name: A Shot of England
Meme: Skywatch Friday
Origin: Glyndebourne, England
Date: May 7, 2009

This is the sky over Glyndebourne in May (and before the Opera season starts - hence all lawns are deserted). When I think of nice English spring weather then these genteel clouds spring to (my) mind first.

Picture perfect Bim! Absolute in its excellence! That is over the top comment I have made I think.

The green landscape to a well-manicured lawn, the immaculate white clouds look like angels watching over you; blue sky and the afternoon shadow to compliment the frame. This picture tells the mind of the artist who capture this so well! That's enough Me. Really, I mean it with all my heart. :)

Please check out my new blog. You'll come in a nice surprise. Just wait!

Skywatch: Sunrise on the beach by Titania

Blog Name: yesterday today and tomorrow
Description:Gardening without gloves! Ornamental, wild garden, vegetables and orchard, in a subtropical climate in the wonderful Currumbin Valley.
Meme: Skywatch Friday
Origin:Queensland, Australia
Date: May 7, 2009

Perfect coil of the waves. So pleasant! Sunrise by the Sea ...I wrote a poem when I had the opportunity to watch it right there on the beach just before it appeared in the sky! These ones are absolutely gorgeous!

A splendour of ancient times


Subject: Bamboo
Date: May 25, 2009

This is a fairly long post about bamboo. I have only scratched the surface for information. It will play an even bigger role in the future for a sustainable eco friendly material. Perhaps one day we drive in Bamboo cars powered by water!

I feel honoured as an expat Filipino of your mentioned of the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ. I saw it in real while we roamed places when I was there. At that time, it was undergoing renovation, so we could not request to listen to the music played from the said organ.

Bamboo indeed has many uses. Infact, at one stage of our life being nomad due to the nature of my father's job, we lived in a Bamboo house. Everything made of bamboo from the pillars to the roof. The window, the floors, the frame, the walls, the kitchen stove, the kitchen sink, all bamboos. The bed, the chair, the table ... to the point that even the food was from bamboo (shoots).

Pity in those days, we didn't have camera. And for some reason, I don't know where our family albums are now. Sorry state...indeed!

As ever, I am delighting to your very interesting write.

This Way Thurs-Way 7: Cylcle Rickshaw by Rosidah

Blog Name: Music of My Life
Description: I just need to hear the harmony
Origin: Indonesia
Date: May 7, 2009

Cycle Rickshaw

This is a photo of a cycle rickshaw or the so called becak here in Indonesia. I took it on purpose for This Way Thurs-way, but wanted to add another photo before publishing the post. Last week, I finally got my piece. The "No Becak" sign. Well, at least that's what I call it. Have a great day, everybody :)

Mind you Rosidah, I think my photographic hobby will pay off. I would have never a clue that I can put them into use and share with people all over the world.

When you come to Australia, I will show you around the place. Only one thing I cannot offer, a home for complete hospitality as I live alone in a small place.

I simply love the pictures from that part of our continent that you are posting here.

Like that of Cylcle Rickshaw. Nice to show to the world our culture and the way of life we live.

Thank you Rosidah, you sound a very genuine person. I have no doubt because once I had a workmate from your country. And one of my ex-boss was Indonesian too imported from The Netherlands.

Look at Rosidah's Cycle Rickshaw.

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Subject: Feeling Good (Michael Buble)
Meme: Music Monday
Date: May 11, 2009

My husband just bought the DVD "Hitman: David Foster and Friends (2008)" and we had a great time watching this concert last night. David Foster is one of my favorite musicians of all time. His music has touched my life in many ways. There were a lot of great performances on this DVD from Kenny G, Michael Johns, Brian McKnight, Katharine McPhee, Renee Olstead, Cheryl Lynn, Blake Shelton, Boz Scaggs, Eric Benet, Peter Cetera, Andrea Bocelli, William Joseph, Celine Dion, Babyface and Kevon Edmonds, Michael Buble, Charice to Josh Groban. I found this video of Michael Buble singing Feeling Good at You Tube. Hope all of you will be feeling good the whole week :)!

I have great respect for David Foster. I only started to get to know him better via the Oprah Show because of Charice.

Then I was in awe to find out that he is the big "little" man behind the success of famous good singers like Bocelli and Dion amongst others.

There's a lot to catch up in learning and navigating my way to new programs like memes networking such as this one Rosidah. I am honestly a slow learner and I'm taking my time to working on new things I learned through other people's creative mind.

You are one of those who inspire me and you have been such a great help for me to keep learning. Believe me, it's beyond being modest but the truth only.

Skywatch: Balloon Gathering in Oslo! by Valkyriens

Blog Name: VALKYRIENS FOTOBLOGG
Description: Billedlig Talt
Meme: Skywatch Friday
Origin: Oslo, Norway
Date: May 7, 2009

A couple of days ago; Three air ballons suddenly appeared on the sky over Oslo. Beautiful sight isn't it?

Muy fantastico!!!! Awesome!!!

In Cowra of Central West Tableland here, there is Air Balloon Festival like that. They are very exciting to watch.

It's oohhhs and ahhhs for me while looking at these beautiful sight your lens dutifully captured.

Hep hep to the Vikings!!!

May 8, 2009 - Remembering Childhood

By the look of this picture, that childhood memory is sure a happy one. That little cottage beside the wood without a rabbit standing by, is truly charming.

If I can go back to being a child again, I'd like to roll down the hillside and rake those beautiful flowers. Are they wild flowers?

I have a surprise for you: my blog comment

Skywatch 43 by Christina

Blog Name: Notes in a dog dish
Meme: Skywatch Friday
Origin: Oklahoma, USA
Date: May 7, 2009

After eleven days of rainy, gloomy weather, this was the view from my back yard in NE Oklahoma yesterday afternoon.

Another view of the beautiful sky this afternoon. Rain in the forecast for this evening, but currently another sunny, warm day in the mid eighties.

I love this time of year when daylight lasts longer into the evening. The moon is always a view to enjoy. This photo is from yesterday evening around 8 pm.

Beauty will always surface after the rain and your sky look refreshing clear after the gloom.

The moon is perfectly suspended in that angle like a bouncing soft white foam ball.

Simply gorgeous!

Spring in the Foothills by Janie

Blog Name: Janie and Steve's Utah Trails
Description: Exploring Paths Less Traveled
Meme: Skywatch Friday
Origin: Utah, USA
Date: May 7, 2009

Here's a view of Marsh Peak (12,200 feet, still snow-covered) from the summit of yesterday's ride to Little Mountain, 8500 feet. The trailhead is a 30 minute drive NE of our Roosevelt home. The temperature reached 70 degrees F but with the wind blowing at 20mph (hat-snatching speed), it still felt cool.

If you look for a spot marked by an arrow on the green plateau, you might see our trailer. The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) planted crested wheat grass there a few years ago to replace native grasses that had been overgrazed to extinction. The new planting has done well, and even supports a controlled cattle-grazing lease. Antelope and deer (not to mention our horses) enjoy the grass as well.

I feel like singing the Exodus, This land is mine! How blessed is your country indeed! I can survive being surrounded by those beautiful desert plants and flowers. I'm trying to familiarize their names incase I'll see some of those here. Am not very good with plants' names even some flowers sometimes.

Your gorgeous sky nestles on a limitless horizon. Just marvellous!

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Meme: My World Tuesday
Subject:Cranes and Wildflowers
Date:May 10, 2009

We saw these sandhill cranes feeding in Gull Lake.

The world, your world is so vast with so much interesting thing to learn. I am taking close to buttercups because I always hear about them and see if I can identify one here down under.

*****

Meme: Skywatch Friday
Date: June 11, 2009
Subject: Beating the Moody Blues

Story Line: Our only stops were for the wildflowers.

All seasons in one! And those wild flowers are amazing. As equally amazing to the life you live. What a great outdoor adventure Out in the open space...Non Stop?

Thanks for stopping by.

Australia:Quadrat in Focus

Also, if I may wish to copy those wild flowers for my compilation of flowers that are foreign to me, am I allowed? I'm just interested in their names for identification incase I will see them here. Am not very good with names.

I hope to hear from you. Thanks.

Skywatch Friday and True Colours Thursday

Blog Name: Gennasus
Description: Life in the North of Scotland with a bunch of dogs, a budgie, five hens, a disdainful cat and a long-suffering husband.
Meme: Skywatch Friday
Origin: Scotland
Date: April 30, 2009

I'm a bit late for True Colours, it's rainbow this week and I didn't think I had anything suitable to post but then I remembered this shot. It was taken a couple of summers ago when we camped at Shiel Bridge. We weren't alone, at least a million midges kept us company. As we stood admiring the view out over the Five Sisters of Kintail, we watched the rain cloud sweeping up the loch, bringing the rainbow(s) with it. And probably a million more midges.

We're now into May so it's quite fitting that this sunset was taken in that month, albeit a few years ago now. It's taken from our back garden, looking over the houses to a glimpse of the sea. I haven't altered the image, this is just how it looked.

Different places, different countries ...all are giving away beautiful and spectacular skies in their own time. The first picture above is more designed to show off a lovely woman's contour (mountains). And the sunset is marvellously pinky.