The pain game

I hurt my back while gardening a couple of weeks ago.  It wasn't too bad so I just ignored it.  I'm like that, I don't bother getting very interested in my own pain.  I hate to feel like I have a weakness!  To an extent, I think pain is a mental game, it's attitude based.  If you get on with your day, no matter how you feel, you can usually behave yourself to feeling better.  I think, unless you cannot move, staying in bed makes you stay ill.  And apart from that, I simply haven't got time to be sick or in pain!  

I am incredibly blessed as I am never sick, and I have never had back pain before this in my life.

So today when I was out walking my back went 'ping' again, and now I'm in a whole lot of Ouch!  

There is no moral to this story however, as I am still pretty much ignoring it!  Apart from admitting it to you here.  

I have had to put Tara in the bath as she found some hand cream and rubbed it all into her hair!  The only day she would do this is the day I am hurting to bend over isn't it!

Oh well, life's good.

God Bless,

Shell xx

Piano

A poem by David Herbert Lawrence.

From an old book that I found in Jamie's extensive and eclectic library...  He is a complete, and proud book worm, so it will never be surprising what I find in there...  Anything from Tolkien, to Biggles, to biographies about cricketers; to poetry.  I enjoy the poetry.

This poem I liked because I can see what the writer sees.  And I probably can play it!  I hope my children have memories of me playing the piano and singing them songs...

Piano

Softly, in the dusk, a woman is singing to me;

Taking me back down the vista of years, till I see

A child sitting under the piano, in the bloom of the tingling strings

And pressing the small, poised feet of a mother who smiles

as she sings.

In spite of myself, the insidious mastery of song

Betrays me back, till the heart of me weeps to belong

To the old Sunday evening at home, with winter outside

And hymns in the cosy parlour, the tinkling piano our guide.

So now it is vain for the singer to burst into clamour

With the great black piano appassionato.  The glamour

Of childish days upon me, my manhood is cast

Down in the flood of remembrance, I weep like a child for

the past.

Shell xx

A couple more shots from the Japanese garden...

Shell xx

Japanese Garden

I spent the day today, with some of my favourite people.  

Many assorted Tullys travelled three hours inland to Cowra, to see the Japanese Garden, for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

My understanding of the history of the Japanese in Cowra is that there was a P.O.W. camp there during WWII.  There was a mass break for freedom, during which over two hundred Japanese prisoners of war were killed, as well as four Australian soldiers...

Shortly after WWII the local RSL members decided that the right thing to do would be to tend the Japanese war graves as well as the Australian.  The Japanese government were so impressed that they re-buried all their war dead in Australia, at Cowra.  The Japanese Garden is a mark of beauty and respect for peace.

We had a most enjoyable day, where we walked among the beautiful plants and streams.  And sat on the green grass together and had meaningful, and animated discussions about anything, and everything...

And this was my favourite tree!

Shell xx

A morning Sonnet

I have recently become quite fascinated by Shakespeare's Sonnets, from a historical and literary point of view...

Published in 1609, and with poetic themes like love, beauty, politics and mortality, I have been entranced reading through them!

I have also, for some time been interested in the idea of writing a song using words that I have not written myself.  Rather like Elton John taking the lyrics of Bernie Taupin and making a musical masterpiece.  

I had thought of amusing myself by taking words from the back of a cereal box or something similar, to show that emotion through music, needs no particular words; but then again, I hate cereal!  So late last night, (which is always the time when writers' inspired minds come out to play), I wrote a song to the words of the infamous dedication written at the beginning of Shakespeare's Sonnets.  The original inscription appears below...

I understand the interesting thing about this dedication, is it has always been a mystery as to who actually wrote it!  And to whom exactly, it is dedicated to.  It is speculated that 'T.T.' was Shakespeare's publisher Thomas Thorpe, however the reference to 'Mr. W.H' in the dedication is still a mystery to this day!  What a lovely mystery!

The capital letters, and the full stops after every word, it is believed, were intended to make the inscription look like an Ancient Roman printing.  To make the sonnets seem like they had been around for centuries...  Shakespeare is said to have always declared that the sonnets would outlast such earthly things as stone and monuments, and inscriptions.  So maybe, it is a nonsensical set of words, designed to confuse and delight his fans for ever more!  

Either way, I have found it very inspiring...

TO. THE. ONLY. BEGETTER. OF

THESE. ENSUING. SONNETS.

Mr. W.H. ALL. HAPPINESS.

AND. THAT. ETERNITY.

PROMISED.

BY.

THE. EVER - LIVING POET.

WISHETH.

THE. WELL - WISHING.

ADVENTURER. IN.

SETTING.

FORTH.

Shell xx

Some wise words...

...From Proverbs chapter 11

Give freely, and become more wealthy;

be stingy, and loose everything...

The generous will prosper;

those who refresh others,

will themselves be refreshed.

The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life;

A wise person wins friends.

Shell xx

Today's Proverbs

I am a huge fan of poetry.  I think that verse is a way to make words to sing.  Like music, which can bypass the serious, logical part of the mind and embed itself straight into the heart, creating an understanding in the spirit that cannot be explained...  And isn't it good!

Bearing with me on this (!) - I have been thinking about a great book of meaningful poetry I know - the Bible.  Especially the Proverbs.  I love the frank, honest style of writing.  It just wakes me up!  And always inspires me creatively.  I think this is what they call, the words of the wise...

A gentle answer deflects anger,

but harsh words make tempers flare.

The Lord is watching everywhere,

Keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.

Direct your children onto the right path,

and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Shell xx

An afternoon...

An afternoon.  

In full bloom,

Can only beg me, to go outside.

Look up at the sky,

To remember how small am I-

Yet, my Lord knows me,

Knows how many hairs upon my head,

And how many stems of lavender...

And is the inventor, of beauty,

Of afternoon shadows,

And children's adventures...

Shell xx

Back in the swing

So nice,

to be back in the swing of my life-

With husband home, a small chapter closed,

a new week to explore!

a morning walk,

a single tulip in the garden finally open!

Camellias begin, to open their eyes for the spring!

Makes you wonder what this new season will bring!

Shell xx

Power of music...

I have had the most wonderful day!  

The Tullys had the first of our end of year "holiday season" gigs last night, and we were in fine musical and entertaining form!  There are a lot of gigs booked for the end this year, and beginning of the next, and I always look forward to entertaining people, it's a great job.

Today I did Coffee & Chords, it was marvellous!  I had so many wonderful responses, which made me so happy.  I'm not even sure why I do it sometimes, as I don't get paid!  But I suppose the benefits for me have been that I can promote the band, and my name as a local singer/songwriter, also it has kept me "fit" as a musician and vocalist, and performer throughout the quieter, winter months.

But there is something more important than the above that drives me to perform solo at the coffee shop, I can hardly explain it, but I know I am supposed to do it.  I love to do it.  The smiles I get from passers by, the people that sometimes stand there and sing along, or just watch with delight, and the fans and friends I have made have been phenomenal.  I hope I am giving something back to my own community.  A gift that has worked it's way back to me, for I am so blessed to be able to communicate the power of music.

Thank you to all of you (so many!) who came today!

Shell xx

Just had to show you these!

My new peacock earrings!

The colours are just amazing, and to think they are from a bird!  I actually cannot think of anything better in this world than using feathers for earrings today!

Shell xx

Floriade Pt 2...

Oh how I love, pointy orange...

Perfect pink...

Ice cream afternoons...

Sleeping babies...

Shell xx

Floriade Pt 1

This afternoon, we took a trip to Floriade.  

It is a flower festival held every spring in Canberra from mid September to mid October.  It always is one of my favourite family excursions, not just because I adore all of the gorgeous spring bulbs in bloom, bringing the children out for a day of floral splendor!  But because every Floriade marks the true beginning of spring.  The colour, and the magic of this wonderful season, our gift of new life after a cold grey(ish) winter!

And I get a chance to take ridiculously picturesque photographs like these...

I thought this looked like two ladies in yellow bonnets chatting gaily in the afternoon sun!

And how can you not be in awe at the beauty of poppies?

...and of Sean?

And the best news I have saved for last.  My beautiful friend is home, as Lynn so kindly expressed, where he belongs...

*happy sigh*

Shell xx

Rose in a frame...

Mother's first perfect, yellow, rose-

Pulled from the vine,

By her first married son,

Given as a gift, to his newly wed bride-

Pressed, and kept, and cherished, and loved,

For many a year...

Put in a frame, today!

And this December, t'will be twelve happy years...

Shell xx

Australian Story...

I am very proudly, one quarter wog!

My mother's side of the family were from Lebanon and Syria.  My great, great grandfather came out to Australia in 1891.  He settled himself in Queanbeyan, which is actually on the outskirts of Canberra.  Worked as a hawker and shop keeper.  He later opened a general store in Taree, NSW.  This is an advertisement from that very store...

So when he had made enough money, my great great grandfather sent for his wife and daughters over in Syria (before Lebanon was formally recognised as a country in it's own right).  I cannot even begin to imagine their struggle, and of course their bravery to come to the other side of the world, risking everything, for a better life...

I have only recently began to inquire about the circumstances of my ancestors.  And I thank them often in my prayers for coming to this country, so that I can enjoy such a free and prosperous life.

So, without boring you too much to tears, I shall end by saying how proud I am to be partly Arab!

This is me when I was two, with my grandfather Abdoo!

Shell xx

Take a bow!

Well I hope my week of poetry has been well enjoyed.  I know I have certainly loved expressing my daily thoughts in poetic verse!  If only every day could be spent doing so!

I have added a new song to my little 'widget' which can be found at the left of your screen.  (If you're reading an RSS of this blog somewhere else then click here!)

I am also beginning work on a new album of songs.  I have been performing early renditions of them at Coffee & Chords recently, and people have been nodding and clapping, so either they're very polite, or they like them!  I plan to record some more demos soon, and share them with you here.

Today I have been shoveling in the garden...  Learning that a pile of cat litter, when left for several years in the yard, can be turned over with a shovel - and rich, dark, fertile soil can be found hiding underneath!  I am very excited to learn this as I am an absolute novice when it comes to gardening.  But I am determined to learn how.

The children and I have been spending a lot of quality time together while Jamie has been away, we have been watching old movies, and cleaning up the garden, the toy room, and enjoying this first taste of spring together.  He returns in a couple of days, so we're all starting to get excited.

I will leave you with a bow, and a word of sincerest thanks, for your visit to this blog!

Shell xx

Sunday's Church Poem...

Together are we,

To eat, and laugh, and sing, and play,

And learn to love each other-

More, and better, and with grace...

And watching all that we love,

Dancing like angels around the room,

All of our hopes for the future,

Singing, and praising,

Innocent, beautiful and free.

Such glory in raising,

Little people, to love the Lord.

Shell xx

Jamie's Poem

While you've been away-

We've been digging in the dirt,

Planting flowers for the spring,

Raking every blade of grass...

Making rocks into art formations,

Loving the land, the home, the life,

Loving you, who is home again soon.

Shell xx

Friday's Poem

There is something about your morning mist,

Makes me roll out from my covers,

Put on my coat,

Go out to see you...

Your crispness, your air, your birds singing,

Your ice melting...

You miraculous morning!

There really is something,

About the way you call me out to you,

And teach me what wonders the new day will bring-

Help me remember the small things,

Are often the big things,

And never to stop, taking you in...

Such mornings in spring...

Shell xx

Thursday's Poem

Some friends of mine lost their beloved cat today to cancer.  So I wrote them a verse from my heart...  I thought I would share it for Thursday's Poem...

When you arrive in heaven,

There will Draco be to greet you,

He will smile-

and show you around the paradise when he now lives!

And he will walk around your feet-

Smooth out his fur against your legs,

For eternity, you all will be together there.

Shell xx

Wednesday's Poem

If ever hurts, my heart,

You mend it for me,

Give me courage, to be courageous!

And never wish me to blend in,

Into corridors, where people shuffle blindly...

And take their medicine,

I take leave!

I take sunshine-

Take to the sky!

If ever longs, my heart,

You fill it, completely;

Remind me to sing, and show me how to dance.

And give me the courage, to be courageous!

Break me free from corridors-

Wake me up from blindness, sleep!

Feed me sunshine, feed me light,

I call out for 'awake-ness!'

I call out - and you answer, fulfilling every promise...

The sun is on it's way;

And so are you,

Thank God!  

But if no one else, you, know my heart!

Shell xx

Tuesday's Poem

I see the blooms of spring, as a promise,

Of life after a long winter,

Of sweet fruit, on summer days;

and blue skies, and warm nights...

I see the pink blooms of spring

symbolise hope, 

that always after storms, there again will be sun,

There again will be light;

And even after the petals fall upon the ground,

The promise still remains,

The seasons are constant, and never will fail,

Nor ever will His love... 

Shell xx

Monday's Poem

I do not begrudge the years gone by;

For I am all the better for having lived them,

Especially the hard ones...

I am all the more able, to feel this beautiful world,

Having overcome my childish thoughts and feelings.

So it seems to me,

As I reflect upon the years;

That when I gave away my life,

In you my Lord, I gained it.

Shell xx

How happy am I, to be me!

Saw my husband off early in the morning.  Sad smiles...

Took care of the babies.  Changed, fed, loved...

Put on a dress and went out to play my gig.  With love and thanks to Cam and Scott.

Forgot I was at a coffee shop, played like I was at the opera house!

Talked to beautiful friends and fans.  You are the reason I want to sing!

Met a new, new little baby boy.  Very happy smiles, and maybe a little tear of joy...

Came home, and made some tea.

How happy am I, to be me!

Shell xx

ps: Happy Fathers Day, to all the loving Fathers.  Especially mine, Maurice Tully, I love you, thank you for adopting me.