Monday, 2 February 2009

Imbole & Poetry Day

2nd February - poetry day

Here's my own contribution:

Naughty chocolate
.
Forbidden chocolates.
Such melting, sweet delights
Are worth regrets!
.
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And here's a great poem by Mary Oliver:
Why I Wake early
Hello, sun in my face.
Hello , you who makethe morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the window of, even, the
miserable and the crotchety -
.
best preacher that ever was,
dear star, that just happens
to be where you are in the universe
to keep us from ever-darkness,
to ease us with warm touching,
to hold us in the great hands of light -
good morning, good morning, good morning.
.
Watch, now, how I start the day
in happiness, in happiness.
.
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Happy Imbolc to everyone.
.

Thursday, 29 January 2009

New Shoots & Buds



  • I thought today might be "the day" when I saw the first spring buds open into flowers - not so - they just need a few rays of encouragement from the sun. Today was grey, gloomy with a biting wind - nothing soft to tempt them there. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to celebrate the start of a new growing cycle along with the snowdrops & crocuses.

  • In a number of my tubs are dense masses of vibrant stocks that have developed from the undistinguished plantlets I planted out in late autumn. Through great temperature changes, heavy frost, winds & limited sunlight they have continued to grow. Yesterday I noticed that they were producing buds - how amazing is that. I just hope the peacocks don't get them - I found a full grown male, complete with long tail, sitting on my window box pecking at the pansys & the following day he was perched on our rather delicate bird table stealing the peanuts!

  • In the human world I see "new shoots" to - we have moved our hen-house to a new site, one friend has started a course in tarot another has her own radio show. I have restarted my own writing projects with fresh vigor & direction & I have experimented with dying & decorating eggs. Even in at this gloomy part of the year amid depressing world news confidence, optimism & defiance are thriving.

  • So if winter is giving you the blues tune into Boundary sound (Saturday 31st 10am-noon UK time) & listen to "Girls on Top". Watch "Lark Rise to Candleford" on the TV Sunday, bake a cake, go out looking for buds & flowers, then get warm & comfortable & read a good book!
  • .http://www.boundarysound.co.uk/shows/
  • http://www.bbc.co.uk/larkrise/
  • http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/saturday-carrot-cake,874,RC.html
  • http://www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/lda/MiracleAtSpeedy.aspx

Wednesday, 21 January 2009

Poetry Day 2nd Feb

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Invitation to The Fourth Annual Brigid in the Blogosphere Poetry Slam

Feel free to copy the following to your blog and spread the word. Let poetry bless the blogosphere once again!

WHAT: A Bloggers (Silent) Poetry Reading

WHEN: Anytime February 2, 2009

WHERE: Your blog

WHY: To celebrate the Feast of Brigid, aka Groundhog Day

HOW: Select a poem you like - by a favorite poet or one of your own - to post February 2nd.

RSVP: If you plan to publish, feel free to leave a comment and link on this post. Last year when the call went out there was more poetry in cyberspace than I could keep track of. So, link to whoever you hear about this from and a mighty web of poetry will be spun. Feel free to pass this invitation on to any and all bloggers.Thank you, Reya, for beginning what is now an annual event.
Posted by d. oak at 8:02 P

Sunday, 18 January 2009

The Seed Packet





I recently went to the local garden centre & found myself in the seed section. There was quite a cluster of people around the beautifully presented seed packets. All present had a serious air of deliberate selection and anticipation. There was no frivolity, nothing remotely light & fluffy about this cluster of gardeners, more of an earthy, deep focus, like growing roots.
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I bought 4 packets of seeds that instructed the gardener to plant them indoors in February. It's only a few weeks away but I am so impatient, impatient for the smell of damp soil hugging the dry sleeping seeds. Impatient to make those anxious, excited visits, many times a day to check the precious pots. Eager to feel the anticipation of those first probing shoots, then the unfurling soft leaves. To have the simple pleasure of reading & re-reading the the seed packets & envisaging the fully grown plants in glorious leaf & flower. With all this comes some anxiety, has all been done as instructed by the packet, and what should be done to avert mishaps or illness to the courageous protoplant on it's phenomenal journey from unremarkable seed to voluptuous bloom.
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Those unremarkable seeds are magical things sustaining gardeners through the cold winter chill that lies ahead after all the glitter of the mid-winter festivities have passed & been put away in boxes - their seed packets - ready to sprout & bloom next December.
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I wonder, are we - the planters -helping the seeds grow the way they grow, because we so strongly hold their final images in our heads. What a responsibility. Are we seed growers the 21st century's elementals - the fairies & gnomes so loved of fairy tales & myths. What happens when the wrong seeds are put in the wrong packet? Nature must have a back-up plan, after all a majority of seeds grow quite happily without an anxious garden present.
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Not long now til February. To curb my impatience I'll plant up a winter hanging basket & keep checking my outdoor bulbs.

Thursday, 1 January 2009

Impressions Around New Years Day

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* Walking the dog on New Year's Eve up to the towering redwood on the hill. Looking up at it's sparse branches through the swirling mist.

* Making Thank You cards whilst watching Father Ted & drinking the New Year in with a glass of WhiskyMac (a present).

* All day a heavy frost covering everything with a white rime. Makes the world look like a Christmas card. Still air, grey skies a muted, muffled day.

* The big dog infected by the sparkling air running round & round throwing pieces of frozen horse poo in the air!

* Problems with the gas supply (run out) - sitting under duvets with 2 pairs of trouser, two jumpers and a body warmer. Feet cold.

* Catching all 25 hens and dusting them with mite powder.

* Watching the hens taking a dust bath in their temporary home. Hearing their purr calls.

* Watching a flock of twittering long-tailed tits at the bird table. The robin chasing off all comers.

* Problems with gas (see above) so no proper cooking facilities. Having tinned soup, onion bajis & Christmas pudding for tea.

* Waking up on the 2nd January to SNOW

* Walking the horse out through the snow & noticing a hoof print in a hoof print! Great rejoicing - as "tracking-up" combined with high spirits yesterday equals a comfortable & sound horse. Hurrah maybe last years list of injuries is ALL OVER.

* Taking the dogs for a walk in the crisp sunshine to check out the hens' new home.

* Reading a seriously up-lifting story about a rescued horse - he made it & is living a happy, healthy & very useful life. Thank goodness for people who care & dont just "walk/drive by".

* Great rejoicing - our GAS delivery is coming tomorrow. It's going to be -5C tonight - getting up could be an event to be delayed for as long as possible!!

Happy New Year
ANSWERS TO QUIZZ NOW ADDED TO THE POST

Monday, 29 December 2008

Things to look forward to in January




The Longest Night has passed,
Santa has been & gone,
All seasonal sparkles are put away
So what's left to bring cheer,
In the gloomy months ahead?

Flowers of course!!!

So if you have not planted any - go out & buy a pot of Spring bulbs or Orchids or any lovely flowering plant to take your thoughts to easier days ahead.
(Pictures from Kew Gardens - one of my "favourite places")


Saturday, 27 December 2008



A seasonal something!

A Christmas Quiz
Clue: Chilean Christmas Tree? (3 words)

* The three wise men (MAGI)
* A brand of lift/elevator & the 1st name of a famous rhythm & blues singer (OTIS)
* The 1st name of an actress that had a child named “Sunday Rose” in July 2008 (NICOLE KIDMAN)
* A fruit brandy made from the double distillation of morellos (KIRSCH)
* Austin Healey’s kiwi dance partner (first name) (ERIN BOAG)
* A fermented dairy product (YOGHURT)
………
>>>>> (New word)

* The bull fighting dance (PASA DOBLE)
* An item made famous by a “Singing in the Rain” routine & by Rhianna singing “you can stand under my ………” (UMBRELLA)
* An American Heavy Rock Band noted for their beards & sunglasses & “Gimme All Your Lovin”
(ZZ TOP)
* Biblical character (a fisherman) & springy cartoon character (ZEBEDEE)
* The title of Sir Cliff’s first chart-topper (LIVING DOLL)
* The birthplace of D H Lawrence (EASTWOOD)
……..
>>>>> (new word)

* An excitable Strictly Come Dancing judge (surname) (BRUNO TONIOLI)
* A type of deer with a shiny nose & balletic name (REINBEER)
* An old-fashioned & now rude term to use for the Inuit peoples of Canada & Greenland (ESKIMO)
* The first name of the man who sang “Eye-to-Eye (Contact)” & “H.A.P.P.Y. Radio” - he has a seasonal surname! (EDWIN STARR)



Another clue if you are struggling!
The national tree of Chile - an evergreen pine!

MONKEY PUZZLE TREE

seasons greetings