To come here to Palm Cove. A three and a half hour plane trip up North. Leaving 8 deg C this morning arriving in 28 deg C this afternoon. We are away for 10 ten days. (Phoning my penguins each day to check on them).
Possibly won’t get to that ‘back story’ to Down By the River for a wee while…
The mountain is the view from our front door. The sail covered pool in the grounds at the back.
A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in. ~Robert Orben
Days
the one we left, the one we’re in, the one after tomorrow
vanished held in memory, hearts still beat, lives forge on
the year quietly disappears ~ a new year emerges amid the
flash of midnight
Changes
perhaps, resolutions? Kept for a special day when in honesty
should be at any time, we grow older, they say wiser, are we?
ready for new challenges to face, new paths to explore
along this highway
Knowing
life alters, awaiting the changes that nature may bestow
~ the unknowing, the underlying, what will come to us
shall we cry in grief, be tormented, understand
this is life
Friendships
that we held, flutter in the breeze, a dove not wanting to be held
learning who are true and who are not, new ~ giving strength
we cling, can we truly forget the pain of others lost
we are human
Writers
met along the way, virtual, not knowing of their lives, the inner
sanctum of themselves, words, lines, offerings and I wonder
as they may who we really are, what makes them tick
curious and curiouser
Humans
what brings them joy and makes them who they are
perhaps too deep but my thoughts, my thoughts alone
shall the new year bring more insight into who you
are ~ your lives
Time
that ticks, more quickly as the years pass by
once young with thoughts of many years ahead
now the time is cut by half or more and so we dread
the path ahead
Melancholy
a wine, a distant thought, those we have lost
those left behind and we still remain ~ the time unknown
grasping for those we loved not by our side
tears we weep
Breathe
take in the new year joy, the changes it will bring
hide the fears of what may come, for they may live
~I may live and tell myself be strong what ever
comes my way
Thanks
to those I’ve met this year for love, support and more
encouragement and bonding in this virtual world
I never would have guessed – no I never would
so I thank you
©jmtacken December 2013
Remember:
Roses are Red
Wine is too
Poetry is damn hard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
and the moment you have all been waiting for…or not
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 26,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 10 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Click here to see the complete report.
In saying the above, yes the New Year brings many thoughts, visions of perhaps events I do not want to know, but I want to say thank you to all my readers who have read my ramblings over the last year. Also thank you for your kindness and words in my new ‘career’ – all of you have been with me along this journey. My life that I share about me, my ‘penguins’ my happiness my woes…and well I’m just grateful.
If you weren’t here ~ I simply would have given this away long ago.
It is NEW YEAR’S EVE here in Australia ~ and I wish each and everyone of you a healthy, happy, love filled, peaceful and beautiful 2014 and I hope that we get to know each other even more in the coming new year.
🙂 and xxx from the Mums
Best singing voices everyone – to be sung to Away in A Manger…but not the words in brackets..
Christmas in Australia (Down Under)
is just round the bend (tee hee tomorrow)
I have prepped and stressed out (no I haven’t this year it’s at Sister -in-laws)
and now hope this will end
~~~~
We shall have our nibbilies
when they first walk in the door (no her door)
then we’ll offer them a drink
one or two or maybe more
~~~
We shall sit at the table and crack
our bon-bons plastic toys and
paper hats and will look
like proper nongs ( Aussie for idiot)
~~~
I’ll stress ’bout the turkey and also the pork (not this year)
is it cooked properly through
is it done right? Yes I query
please test with your fork
~~~
I’ll consume too much alcohol (a given)
I know this to be true
and I’ll get all melancholy
just gazing at you (bleary eyed)
~~~
the entree will come first
do not know what they’ll bring (I’m bringing 3kgs of prawns with home made Sate sauce & lots of garlic)
I’m sure it’ll be delightful
and we’ll gladly tuck in
~~~
the spuds will be crunchy
the pumpkin cooked just right
the mushy peas and salads
tasty morsels every bite
~~~
Then we have our pudding
lashings of custard if you please
then there’s trifle laced with alcohol ( a given again)
oh our belts will surely squeeze
~~~
The wine will flow freely
the laughs will get loud
there’ll be memories of
past years and how we imbibed
~~~
The presents will we open we
will goo and we will will gaa
we shall say oh you shouldn’t have (eyes rolling)
you really went too far
~~~
BUT secretly we are happy
for the presents that they gave
we’re delighted and thankful
and ‘each one’ is our fave
~~~
The Carols will be playing
in the background soft and sweet
we shall eat drink and be merry
and later fall asleep (some quicker than others)
~~~
Yes, this day is for families
and ones that you love
if I start to get teary
I will blame the egg-nog (have to blame something)
~~~
The festivities will be finished
the kitchen is a mess (well hers will be)
the dishes piled up high
but at least no more stress
~~~
Then Christmas day is over and
our tummies will be full and we
daren’t go and weigh ourselves
no that would be cruel
~~~
So enjoy your celebrations
whatever you may do have
and cry or laugh hysterically
for you’re entitled too
©jmtacken 2013
I cheated – this is what I wrote last year..it’s a bit…hmmm…unless of course you sang (okay it’s still hmmm) and I added a few bits as I am not holding Christmas this year (PHEW) but as I have another Service to write ~ well I’m taking the easy way out.
Seriously though ~ how do I thank you? All of you, for your kind words, your critique, your encouragement, your care, your support. I have been on WP since July last year, last December I had posted 69 posts..up to this one 712… yes ~ that is why I called my site Ramblings.
Again seriously, this Mums from ‘Down Under’ is grateful that I have met you and developed friendships. We lost another fellow WP in October and she will be sorely missed. I will miss her, those who knew her will miss her. Everyone (no matter how corny or trite you may think this sounds) is part of a family on here. We share, we cry, we give, we take, we laugh, encourage, we are humble, we boast…sounds like a family to me.
So from me to you all, I wish each and every one of you a beautiful Christmas. Mine of course is tomorrow, so I shall have a full stomach before you even start on yours. Ours will be in 31 deg heat…yours…hmm not so much.
May you all continue to write, continue to support each other and be there for one another ~ the good – the bad and the ugly.
and like ‘Arnie’…. “I’ll be back”
Love ya’ faces
xxx
Take Care everyone, stay safe and may your Christmas Day be filled with wonderment, joy and mostly love.
Last night I did not write (I know how very dare I) but there was a reason, for yesterday early evening, I lifted the dog we are minding – a dashund that’s a tad heavy without bending at the knees please! The result… spasms in my mid back up to my shoulder blades.
Today was horse riding day with a girlfriend, so last night I was lying down & stretching to get said back right and bed by 9.
Woke up this morning and felt a slight twinge, but no pain, so it was onward & upward. Now in Australia we are in Summer, someone did NOT tell the weather gods that though.
We arrived at the ‘ranch’ and it started drizzling – decked ourselves out in helmets (extremely attractive) and drizabones (what are they you ask?)
These are them 
oil skin ankle length coats, that are rainproof and warm! (Think Man from Snowy River) We looked a treat.
On we went, rained continuing but not too heavy, the path slushy and muddy and puddles, beneath their feet, well trained and accustomed to the track, single file, head to bum all the way. We had the occasional trot, which my back coped with and first stop a Winery — YAY! Now I use to ride quite a bit in my younger years, the last time was 2 years ago. Because I was trying to be careful of my back when I dismounted, I didn’t judge the distance to the ground right, and yep straight out of the cowboy movies, yours truly landed fair square on her coccyx! Looking up at the tree tops in embarrassment!
More ginger stretches before going into the winery to sample 11 different wines from the region (we are talking 2 teaspoons full per glass here people) but it was enough to dull the pain. Then the heavens opened heavier and we were given the option of staying in and have lunch there or move on to the next winery. What MORE wine! I’m in! Off we went, the occasional trot (when I was just wanting to break out into a gallop) but we were advised too slippery underfoot. 😦
More tasting, then back to the stables. 3 hours in total, 22 tastings in total, 1 sore bottom.
The sun did peek for 4 minutes – thankfully!!
Normally this little adventure for two people is $320.00 – this cost $100 (on special) but I would have so liked to gallop or at least get a canter in – so that and landing on my backside the 2 disappointments of the day. Home now to relax 🙂
and me being shoved out the way by my horse Dusty- helmet hair and all 🙂
Above are parts of the two Testimonials I received.
I am smiling.
Below is the link to view, if you wish 🙂
http://www.jennyfuneralcelebrant.com.au
PS: I would like to thank Shaun from http://prayingforoneday.wordpress.com who helped me sort out this post from the original website – so thank you Shaun 🙂
PPS: Yes the photo does look familiar doesn’t it.
Gossamer circles hang on limb
broken by the gust of wind
stirred from skies and plunges deep
skies of black and restless sleep
Brumbies stir and gallop hills
steep their climb, strong of will
light from stars bathe the ground
grass is dark for miles around
Lightning breaks the darkness still
zig zagged lights across the hill
thunder rumbles, high in these skies
wild horses warn danger’s nigh
Leader heads them up the hills
others follow at their will
strength in bodies, they carry on
out of the darkness, from the storm
Strength of legs and hooves on earth
in this land that gave them birth
frightened with ears back, they forge
over rocks and over gorge
Elements faced in open land
together they run no time to stand
thunder roars its frightening noise
brumbies tense, calmness destroyed
Shelter as the lighting cracks
rain falls they group in their plight
herd of brumbies with stallion black
black as this night as they take flight
Storm it passes all is still
brumbies rest shake off the chill
regroup they stand with nostrils flared
none were harmed, each one was spared
For Mind Love Misery Prompt # 30 Colour
As I had been busy writing the Service for this morning – my brain is a little weary, but I was enchanted by mindlovemisery’s prompt Colour. This is a very ‘rhyming’ piece that I wrote and posted December 2012. My style has changed quite a lot since ‘those days’. Brumbies are Australian wild horses.Hope this is acceptable for the prompt. Apologies for those that may have already read this.
The prompt is –
|
I asked Brian Miller from WaystationOne and also dVerse for some inspiration after writing and editing a Eulogy.
His words were – go sit on the porch with a cuppa…close your eyes and listen…when you think you have heard it—listen some more then write it…smiles
So I went outside and closed my eyes and listened..and listened and sat for hmmm 3 minutes and wrote this…probably should have stayed longer (but I was cold)
Soft wind meanders through trees
at my back gate and birds cluck
~ similar to ducks
but not
joined with the odd crow or dove
a dog in the distance barks
for the homecoming of his master
‘Boing’ a basketball next door
bounces ‘cross the pavement
Six birds I hear, different shapes
different sizes
competing with the clunk of tin
from neighbours in their yard
bees~ and there are bees murmuring
amongst the chipped wood
seeking flowers on the branches
and a fly ~
wouldn’t be Australia ~ without a fly
Thanks Brian 😉 my 666th post.
touch the Spring in Australia
warmth in wind beckons leaves to dance
birds to sing and nest
though the ladder in my shed
not the ideal place
step on pavements in front of neighbours
flowers blossom, coloured rainbows
against backdrops of green hues
inspiring Spring, perfumes not in bottles
unlike colder Seasons, treading outside gusts of
cold bitter winds hit skin, tis pleasant to walk
within ~ the gardens of my land
take note that your change comes, as my change does
change in fauna, changes in moods and love
that may spiral to a darker place
when winter darkness fills your space
your thoughts grow dim
whilst mine blossoms ~ light, carefree
no star shaped colours rustling under foot
no snow or cold to chill the bones
no heat that expires and draws your breath
I have a skip in my step in Spring
forget the crunch, the heat, the thunder
dare I say it ~ yes I will
there’s no other place like ‘Down Under’
© JMTacken Oct 16 2013
The bird pictured is a Magpie http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Magpie
This is for DVerse dVerse– Hosted by Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Read some amazing Poets – join in the fun if you wish. The drinks are on the house 🙂
For Poetics dVerse brought to us by Manicddaily, a/k/a, Karin Gustafson – The prompt for the day: some variation of “I remember”.
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LIPTEMBER MONTH OF SEPTEMBER – Shaun from http://prayingforoneday.wordpress.com has kindly and generously written a blog for Liptember to help Kayla raise funds for the fight against Mental Illness. He has donated recently, as have a few of my readers. Please read and if you can donate (for those that haven’t already) we would be most grateful. Thank You!
We are in the process of getting a Pay Pal address for those who have had difficulty donating.
Ramblings From A Mum 