Shades of pink, gold and blue

 

The poppies took a battering these last few days, wind and rain quickly put paid to those delicate petals. This one barely managed to stay in one piece. The dark background is the goldfish pond, out of focus as it is meant to be.This one stem  curved out from the ground, and hovered like a fishing rod, over the water.

 

The night sky never fails to throw colours from nature’s palette. Tonight was no exception, brilliant orange/golden wafts of cloud, with blue that  turned darker as I stood outside in the cold wind. These were taken 3 minutes apart.

 

Quotation of the day, from William Blake,     “ The Tiger”

Tiger , tiger, burning bright ,

In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

 

Greetings from Jean

Some words, courage, smiles, and tears

Yesterday we drove to Carterton, to attend the funeral service for our dearest friend Janet. The chapel was packed, a wonderful tribute to a  much loved lady.

Her brother Colin began the eulogies, and  among  his words, was  “ If there was a silence that lasted longer than 3 seconds, Janet filled it with words”, so true. She sailed, played the piano, owned her own car at an early age,loved gardening, travel, an intrepid adventurer.

Family spoke,… her three grand-daughters stood at the front and one read the most beautiful poem,  written by them “ Grandma”,… her son-in-law  said Janet came to them wearing 3 hats, and with each one gave according to which it was. Then it was my turn. Hugh stood with me, and was such a support as I struggled amid tears to  speak . My final words were from Kahlil Gibran.

“ When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight”

 

While I was sitting in the chapel, I thought of all your comforting words, thoughts, prayers and hugs, and these were so in my heart and  mind the whole time. Thank you, again.

Quotation of the day, by Marcel  Proust

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy;

they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

Greetings from Jean

Like a Candle In The Wind

 

 

The colours in the sky leave us as evening draws near, and late Wednesday afternoon,  our dearest friend Janet left us.

Bright, full of fun and laughter, such a wonderful friend, for 2 short years.

On  Tuesday we talked , smiled and laughed  at shared memories, I held your hand .

With your family holding you, Peace came.

Quotation of the day, from John Steinbeck

‘It's so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if it had never shone.”

Greetings from Jean

Night sky colours to comfort my heart

  

Life has been extra busy, lawns need mowing, plants need planting, seedlings need watering, and quilting blocks are waiting.

A very dear friend of ours is extremely ill, we drove down for  a visit yesterday, and now we wait for a phone call.

The night sky called to me tonight, to fill my heart with something other than sadness.

The colour gradually faded from  orange and gold, to pink, and mauve. In five minutes, the darkness was almost covering any remnants left.

 

 

 

Quotation of the day by,  Marcus Tullius Cicero

Friendship improves happiness and abates misery,

by the doubling of our joy

and the dividing of our grief.

Greetings to all, Jean

Remembrance Day, 11th November 2013

 

Some Red Poppies for all my dear friends in Canada, US,  or elsewhere, who have family members who served in the war.

11th November, 2013

Here in NZ, we celebrate our day on 25th April, called Anzac Day, to commemorate all  died while serving overseas , and to honour  returned servicemen and women. Sacrifices made by so many.

Remember those who are no longer here, honour those who are, and extend friendship, love, and family togetherness, specially on your day.

Quotation of the day, from George  Farquhar,

Courage, an independent spark

from heaven's bright throne,

By which the soul stands raised,

triumphant, high, alone.

Greetings from Jean

 

 

1 – 3 of 3

Carol Mattingly said...

It was a beautiful day to remember all those veterans. Greetings, Jean. carol

13 November 2013 02:05

TexWisGirl said...

very nice, nancy. it was veteran's day in the US yesterday, too.

13 November 2013 03:41

Nancy J said...

Hi, I looked on Google, and it mentioned Canada and England, so I will edit the title to include US too. There would have been many events all over, tears, memories, and thoughts of those who served,suffered or were lost. Greetings, Jean,.

Words that are Priceless

 

 

This link was in the Photography Forum “ Ugly Hedgehog”.

=======================================================

It's the final months of school and the Year 11 students are preparing for life beyond Thornhill.

English teacher Mr Burton is one of a kind. He's an Assistant Head at just 30 years old, and music, fancy-dress and jumping on tables are all part of his teacher's toolkit. This year, he has his most challenging C/D borderline class so far, and two of his students pose very different challenges.

Musharaf has a severe stammer, and anxiety about leaving Thornhill seems to have made it worse. As Musharaf prepares for his GCSE English oral exam, Mr Burton is prepared to try any tactic, no matter how unusual, to help improve his fluency

http://www.upworthy.com/watch-a-teenager-bring-his-class-to-tears-just-by-saying-a-few-wo...

=================================================

I opened the link to make sure it was correct, and one time, just once, it did not work and took me to another totally different site. Apologies if this happens!!!

Today was almost cloudless, brilliant sunshine, and flowers and grass dazzled.Shade under the English Elm  Tree beckoned,the seat was waiting, providing a quiet place to  ponder over many things.

 

 

 

Quotation of the day… from Martin Luther

For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider,

every green tree is far more glorious

than if it were made of gold and silver. 

Greetings from Jean

Did you hear me say “ Another New Modem”???

 

Yes, another new modem, the replacement one worked intermittently, then stopped,  a phone call or two, Harvey Norman have been so helpful, and a replacement one was  arranged  immediately. The new one is not Belkin ( after 2 faulty ones), this time they gave me a Netgear. setting it up was a breeze, and it is  working like a dream!!! Yes, service given so readily, and professionally, deserves to be thanked, not only to the staff members, but in public!! So here it is, a big

“ THANKYOU”, Harvey Norman, and  Vodafone,

for all the phone calls and time spent trying to fix the problem.

Here in New Zealand there is a saying about the Cabbage Tree or ti  kouka,

“ When the Cabbage Tree flowers early, it will be a long hot  summer”.

These trees are on our eastern boundary at the edge of the lawn. Taken today in the late afternoon sun .

 

Now for a little bit of fun in post-processing. this bearded Iris is stunning all by itself, but  some adjustments to the original  brings out that translucent effect.

Quotation of the day by Gerard De Nerval,

“ Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature”

Greetings from Jean