Comments on life's free treats: Reflections on Where I am From..

You've done it again Meggie. That was so beautiful...

2008-02-24T03:12:00.000+11:00

You've done it again Meggie. That was so beautiful.

Apropos of nothing, when I look at your first phot...

2008-02-17T18:54:00.000+11:00

Apropos of nothing, when I look at your first photo I see a crocodile in the clouds.

You're such a fascinating person, a state which is intensified by the keenness of your observations.

I've come across several of these "Where I am from...

2008-02-17T10:30:00.000+11:00

I've come across several of these "Where I am from" posts at various blogs - all prompted by yours. And I am so enjoying the glimpse they provide into each blogger's life and experiences. They are truly lovely.

I really enjoyed reading yours.

what a lovely story and a beautiful touching descr...

2008-02-15T11:47:00.000+11:00

what a lovely story and a beautiful touching description of NZ. I work with a Maory and he sure has a great sense of humour.
For the rest he is westernised.
I was a clumsy one as well and also sent to ballet were I was used as an example as how not to move. A lefthander ah .....a rightbrainer creative

Meggie, this is lovely. Thank you for sharing some...

2008-02-15T08:44:00.000+11:00

Meggie, this is lovely. Thank you for sharing some of yourself.

You hail from a place that I would very much like to visit someday.

The nor'wester wasn't in full swing but there was ...

2008-02-14T09:52:00.000+11:00

The nor'wester wasn't in full swing but there was a bit of a nudge behind it! We are lucky to have a pool cos the kids get home from school and just go poolside until it cools down enough for them to sleep!! And its hard to keep the wine chilled on those days too.

Absolutely beautiful, Meggie. And I can just sense...

2008-02-14T09:03:00.000+11:00

Absolutely beautiful, Meggie. And I can just sense the love you have for New Zealand in your soul.

Fascinating post, you have such an interesting fam...

2008-02-14T07:30:00.000+11:00

Fascinating post, you have such an interesting family. The family members special to us in our childhood stay with us forever. I feel that way about my Granny. As for being labelled "different" as a child, that's not a bad thing!

This is beautiful and beautifully written as well ...

2008-02-14T02:18:00.000+11:00

This is beautiful and beautifully written as well as being very interesting to those who know little to nothing about the land of your birth.

Again, your writing has brought tears to my eyes...Have you thought about your book lately?

Lovely Meggie, I ike it how we piece together more...

2008-02-14T00:01:00.000+11:00

Lovely Meggie, I ike it how we piece together more and more about each other from the things we read.

Often having done something like this, it's the things left unsaid, the people little mentioned, which brings us to a new understanding of their importance.

I'll look at the template... perhaps.

Dear Meggie,Thank you. I loved reading every word,...

2008-02-13T13:15:00.000+11:00

Dear Meggie,
Thank you. I loved reading every word, I want more! I want to know everything! I enjoy the way you tell stories and the story of you is the most beautiful! I am charmed with the Maori. I know nothing about them. I want to learn about their customs and their ways.
This was magical for me. Your childhood and growing up years would be a fabulous novel. What a great movie. I "saw" you as I read. Your Grandmother seems to be the most perfect of Grandmothers. Your Mother worked hard. I bet she was tired.
Thank you very much. Ahhh...
You are lovely.
Sherry

Very interesting post, Meggie. Hmm. The standard i...

2008-02-13T09:36:00.000+11:00

Very interesting post, Meggie. Hmm. The standard is rather high. Maybe I'll do mine tomorrow...

Meggie, we have so much in common, it's amazing. ...

2008-02-13T01:49:00.000+11:00

Meggie, we have so much in common, it's amazing. You could be writing my story. I was two when my father came home from WW2, he left before I was born. He and my mother married in haste, I'm sure, much to the dismay of my grandparents. My ancestors are also English Scottish and Irish! Your mother and my mother sound very much alike. However, I was born almost smack dab in the middle of the US! Amazing is the commonality between folks.

One of my first experiences with the Maori people was through the pages of books, loaned to me by a friend who brought them home from England. This was when I was 11 years old.

Pat

that is a lovely post. I like theAoteoroaaustralia...

2008-02-12T21:42:00.000+11:00

that is a lovely post. I like theAoteoroaaustralia white cloud...the one that drifted all the way across the sea, just for you.

What a wonderful glimpse into your world.

I have written one at molly's urging too. Felt churlish not to, but thoughts drifted in all day.

I think our mothers often do thankless tasks and i...

2008-02-12T20:26:00.000+11:00

I think our mothers often do thankless tasks and it can be east to think of them in the shadows. I'm so glad you can hold onto the knowledge your mum was 'quietly loving' - it's a wonderful thing to say about a mother who went through a lot. I think much the same about mine (though she's not neat!).

Meggie , Your memories of growing up are slightl...

2008-02-12T20:11:00.000+11:00

Meggie , Your memories of growing up are slightly different to mine , and since you are older , should be -- many are the same though -- especially with regard to childhood in NZ .To my regret I can not really remember our father when I was a child as I was too young and when I met him again a lot later in life our time together was too short . I too still love to be with our family " in the bosum" as it were.Actually we have many left handed cousins on that side of the family and I always felt our lefthandedness to be a wonderful thing and no handicap at all! You are right about our Grandmother and her love for us all -- My memories of Mary are a little different to you , perhaps ,as well as her sadness , I can remember her fierce defence of us and her unreserved love too , I also remember her robust and wonderful sense of humour & many happy times .Good memories , Thank you .

You had me hanging on every word Meggie - wonderfu...

2008-02-12T19:17:00.000+11:00

You had me hanging on every word Meggie - wonderful post. I am bookmarking it for future reference.

This is lovely! I have always wanted to see New Z...

2008-02-12T19:02:00.000+11:00

This is lovely! I have always wanted to see New Zealand, and your shared recollections have made that dream more real and urgent.

You have told so much with so few words and so much love. (And I'm a Cancer the Crab, too, btw.)

Meggie,Thank you for sharing your lovely story- My...

2008-02-12T17:07:00.001+11:00

Meggie,
Thank you for sharing your lovely story- My gran was a very significant person in my life- Like you, she loved me unconditionally and I was fortunate to have her for 47 years of my life. When she was suddenly taken from us in an accident 4 years ago - my heart was broken. I still miss her laughter and her love. Relationships in life can be very complicated - you have written a very caring story.
Regards from a Western canadian quilter,
Anna

Meggie,Thank you for sharing your lovely story- My...

2008-02-12T17:07:00.000+11:00

Just lovely Meggie! You always amaze me with your...

2008-02-12T09:05:00.000+11:00

Just lovely Meggie! You always amaze me with your ability to recall the details of so long ago! I love this challenge -- it's by far my favorite of all the meme's out there!

Meggie - back to say I took the challenge and that...

2008-02-12T07:05:00.000+11:00

Meggie - back to say I took the challenge and that writing was indeed one of life's free treats.

thank you!

Your posts are always moving Meggie. I want to wri...

2008-02-12T06:28:00.000+11:00

Your posts are always moving Meggie. I want to write about my childhood, but it is hard to sum everything up when it is all so complex. I was hoping that things would fall into place and I would understand more as I am now too old to claim not to have grown up yet! I am still waiting...

This was lovely Meggie. It reads like a story that...

2008-02-12T02:54:00.000+11:00

This was lovely Meggie.
It reads like a story that you curl up with by the fire.
I get a sense of family and love, and happiness, and just enough sadness that the good times are appreciated. I'd like to do mine but I would have to give it lots of thought. I don't think this is an easy project, and you've managed it beautifully.
hugs
xx

I'm a war baby also, and I think my mother was mes...

2008-02-12T02:36:00.000+11:00

I'm a war baby also, and I think my mother was messing around while 'dad' was overseas. But I'm okay with that, it gave me better genes and I've outlived my sisters.

In my youth I lived basic and often in the country, way out in the country. I loved that that life of living in a sheep wagon, tents, little shacks granddad built.

I'm back to basic again and loving it. And have a great view of the mountains from my place. And I go to them often.