9/11 , We Remember

 
No photos, not many words.
We in New Zealand remember this day, all who died, those who lived, those who have lost, those who helped and assisted in so many ways.Last week I was sent an email with the story of planes that were diverted to other airports, and how small towns opened up their hearts, and homes  to look after the passengers for a few days until air traffic was allowed to resume.There must have been so many of these examples of the wonderful spirit of people all over. They helped in so many ways.

“ We do not remember days, we remember moments.

The richness of life lies in the memories we have forgotten”

From Cesare Pavese.

Greetings from Jean

The Open Flower and The Written Word

Clip Art Courtesy of the Internet.
Books, letters, schoolwork,studies, emails,eulogies , blog posts and  comments,newspapers, published editions,and articles  all involve the written word. They need careful thought, editing,  and spell checks are so easy  with our modern day laptops, iPads and more. Once written, or spoken, they cannot be taken back. There are so many   on line resources available today, options are there to choose words carefully,substitute, erase,look for another that might fit better,save as a draft, or delete.

A Proverb from an unknown author  states this so well

.“ The fastest horse and the swiftest arrow cannot overtake or recapture the  spoken word”

This proverb could so well apply to the written word as well .This week Brian King gave me a lovely comment on a photo in one of my posts.I had downloaded a photo of  “The Evening Star”, which  seemed to be a fitting tribute to my cousin Ann who passed away in Whangarei earlier in the week.BUT, I did not put in those necessary words “ Courtesy of the Internet” and have had to apologise for my lack of thought.I have been able to alter this, with my own comment and explanation.Serious thoughts for today's post.
The Dutch Iris is showing its colours, one petal has a small hole, no doubt wind damage last night or very early this morning. One tulip shows pink, a few more days to open fully.

Quotation of the day from Kahlil Gibran

“A friend who is far away is sometimes much

nearer than one who is at hand.

Is  not the mountain far more awe-inspiring and more clearly visible to one passing through the valley than to those who inhabit the  mountain?”

Greetings from Jean

New Friends all Over the World

A few words ( Laugh if you want to, my daughters say “ Mum you could never manage just a few words !!!) .This is to welcome all  members  to my blog, and another day ,or week , or so,  I will mention each of you by name with a proper introduction. I thank you, each one, for making my life so much richer  with  your friendship, comments, emails, and your own blogs which have opened up my life to a wonderful world .A few weeks ago I was talking to a friend and mentioned my proposed world trip, starting with Japan,Osaka then Tokyo,  then Sweden, Finland,  Norway, over to Alaska, down to Yukon, Colorado, Illinois, Florida, New York,Maine,Texas,Nova Scotia,Kentucky, Toronto,Nebraska,Amish County, California, Pennsylvania, in no particular order. My words must have sounded so sincere, he asked me when I was leaving, and was Hugh going with me??? I explained this was a dream, not reality.  We laughed. So how true can the spoken word appear to be?   And as well as  friends on my blog , I have new ones on a photography site, most in USA, some in Europe, a few in NZ,  so my life continues to be made richer,more exciting, more interesting and the horizon has  broadened  in so many ways.This morning I  phoned a friend, who is not well, and she said how much my phone calls  lighten her days .This friend has been here for me, and Hugh ,so much over the last few years,specially last November,  with words, spoken, written, visits and more.So I can thank her publicly,no names but YOU, my dear friend,  will know who I am writing about.
So to each one of my many friends, a huge thank you for coming into my blog, my photos and my life.The photo below is “courtesy of the Internet”  and I will print a copy to hang on the wall, look at it each day, and DREAM.

Quotation of the day from St.Augustine

“The world is a book and those who do not travel

read only one page”

Greetings from Jean

Yesterday, Today,Tomorrow

On Saturday Thelma and Trevor and their families were here to have wedding photos taken. I need to ask Thelma  and Trevor for their permission before I post  photos  of them . Grace, Thelma’s granddaughter,  was a delight,  she  tiptoed over the  damp lawn, very carefully. She stopped every so often to look at the daffodils and forget-me-nots. The weather smiled down all morning, just a gentle breeze, but sheltered spots were easy to find. Later on in the day rain fell, wind blew, and it was a  lot colder.


Poppy walked with me this afternoon, stepping carefully round the puddles. and accompanied me to the view from the bridge over the pond.Some of the flowers have been bruised with the rain, others survived very well.Reflections of the Chestnut tree in a puddle on our driveway.

The Protea fared well, very little damage, but the Camellia flowers are bruised and discoloured.

The day lilies have many leaves well up, no sign of flowers yet. The pink Camellia has that stunning deep colour, against the dark pittosporum leaves.I picked the flower and stuck it firmly in the bush.Lovely contrast with the  dark almost purple foliage.

Tomorrow or in a few days time the Dutch Iris will open .

Quotation of the day,  author unknown,

“ Garden fairies come at dawn, Bless the flowers then they’re gone”

Greetings from Jean

Two Minutes at Sunset and an Evening Star

Late this afternoon I looked out to the east, and there was this skein of pink colour.But by the time I had my camera round my neck,  and walked to the back garden, it had started to fade. Two minutes later I looked to the West, and the sky was so red.It was darker than this, but for such a short time.

This is taken from our front lawn, the tall trees are in our place, and  give good shelter from the North-west winds.Pine, Macrocarpa, Poplar,  Blue-gum and Tasmanian Blackwood. Two more minutes and all was faded to grey.

Quotation of the day, from Lord Alfred Tennyson,

dedicated to my cousin Ann,1938-2012

“ Sunset and evening star, and one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar,when I put out to sea”

Greetings from Jean

A Magical Sunrise

No time to get dressed, adjust settings or walk down the street to get a better photo without trees shadowing that wonderful colour. 2 photos, now, decision time,  will I walk  very quickly  and get better ones? YES, get dressed, look to the East, and the colour has faded to an insignificant grey. Nature delights us with these colours, stunning in their short  display,   and  tomorrow may show us the same all over again.

Quotation of the day,

“ Red sky at night, sailors’ delight; Red sky at morning, sailors’ warning “

Cheers from Jean.

A Blue Moon for my Dad

This September we have TWO full moons, and last night I waited to get the perfect photo, but was not outside  at the perfect moment. This was taken some time ago,with my older Canon, a 'something ' that  does resemble  a “  Blue Moon”.
With Father’s Day here, thoughts turn to all Fathers, those with us, those far away. and those who are gone, remembered always with love and many fond memories.A few photos from over the years,  some  black& white oldies.
Mum,Dad and me, my Grandma, Auntie Jean and Uncle Merv and cousin Ann, Christmas 1941

Building the new hay barn on the farm at TeHihi, in the 1950’s

Trout fishing at Lake Rerewhakaaitu.

Together at Lake Tarawera

My Dad, Eric Appleby on the left, Hugh’s dad Neil on the right, a very successful day on Lake Tarawera.

I cannot remember  all the lines, but this is part of one of my Dad’s favourite sayings, so today I leave  you these thoughts,

Quotation of the day from My Dad.

“ Sit on a log and think of me, if a log you cannot find,

well, just  jog alone and never mind”

Fond greetings to all from Jean