I don't suppose there is anyone who reads this blog who would be interested in a forum on the Three Rivers Race, which is one of my great interests but just in case, the link is here

http://www.threeriversrace.org.uk/index.php5?title=Forum

Poems in my heart

Crossing the bar

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.

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,    
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep 
Turns again home!

Twilight and evening bell,    
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,    
When I embark;

For though from out our bourn of Time and Place    
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face 
When I have crost the bar.

Alfred Lord Tennyson

This poem is immediately evocative for me
of one of my oldest friends who
unexpectedly died in 2009.
This poem was read at his funeral
and will always remind me of him
and how lucky I was, after almost
25 years,to meet him again
before he died.


He wishes for the Cloths of Heaven

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

W B Yeats

I have a special place in my heart for this poem.  The last two
lines were quoted on a written note left on my son's grave by
a young girl who had a fledgling relationship with him,
maybe unrequited I don't know, just before he was tragically
killed aged 17.  She carried him in her heart for many years and
obviously grieved for what might have been. I hope she has
gone on to find love.

"but February made me shiver"

February has always been the worst month of the year for me but not for the same reasons as Don MacLean! In my mind, it is always grey, cold and damp and this year has been no exception. I am sitting here looking out of the window at 10.00 am on a Monday morning at greyness, which is reflecting my current mood – and watching the postman’s van disappearing up the road without even delivering anything to me.

Whether it is the weather or the impending birthday in March, signifying yet another year has passed, I don’t know (have just noticed another wrinkle which I’m sure wasn’t there yesterday!).

It could be that I haven’t been able to get out with the camera for a while. I did snap some lovely crocuses in the garden and even resorted to photographing a shell which had been decorating a plant pot but I crave the open spaces and tranquillity of the Broads where there is always something new to attract my attention.

I do know that I shall probably feel better when February has gone and although I try and ignore the month every year, it somehow always catches up with me.

Faces

I read this http://timbobig.blogspot.com/2011/02/sweet-dreams.html followed by a spooky feeling, as I also had a weird experience recently.

I was told by someone who shall be nameless that I am a Witch and this is my profile:

"A witch is the ultimate friend. Given their powers to save and protect those who deserve their help. Witches are usually the first being to settle down and start a family. Surrounding them with friends and family. A witch can shock you with their patience and views. They have the ability to cast spells and create the most powerful potions. Many witches would die for those who they love and consider family."

I was then looking at a photo I took of an owl and saw myself in the background. If you look closely you can see me .........