The blue sky, the sunny, seeping, creeping, warmth,
the spendour...
The idle comfort of the warmth upon your limbs,
As you lie back, upon the cushions of the lounger.
Think to yourself, this is the perfect life,
Perfect comfort.
The gentle waft of breeze, gentle upon the skin,
Warmly caressing, lulling, into peace, & wellbeing.
The wonderful warmth, creeping into your bones,
Your whole being, warming, cheering, ...solace.
The sudden, sharp, chill wind,
Slyly, sneaking around the corner, bringing chills,
Nipping ankles, the small exposures of skin.
Cheeks, suddenly chill, red, glowing from cold.
A shadow over the sun. Confusion.
What is reality?
That wonderful warmth, lying in the sunsoaked backyard?
The semi conscious reality of the perfusion of the warmth?
Another reality, with family, cares, worries.
Autumn Dreaming is such Bliss.
BFJ.This is for you.
Roy Orbison, Blue Bayou.
Showing posts with label BFJ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BFJ. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 20
Friday, November 30
The Woodsmokey Days, - & Nights!
I suppose it is because it is so hot here, I keep thinking about the wonderful days I spent with my BFJ, (Best Friend J,) when we first went to the Southern City to live, on the way to our 'further travels'.
As it happened our 'Further Travels ', did not really eventuate. I think we both fell under the spell of that Southern City, & I know, even though we both fell in love with our future husbands, that was not the magic involved in our initial love affair with the beautiful Southern City, that is Christchurch.
It was, in those early days, of the 60s, a beautiful city. It was the beginning of 'The Rest of Our Lives'.
We had completed a season Apple picking in the Orchards of Neslon, & the wider district. We had journeyed to Christchurch for an Easter Long weekend. We had loved what we initially saw of the city.
When our Apple adventures ended we journeyed, along with many other 'Seasonal Workers' to Christchurch, which was the mecca, in those days, for the seasonal workers, at the end of the fruit Season.
The scramble was on for jobs, accomodation, & mostly survival, in a winter that seemed to be particularly harsh, to those of us from Northern climes, & no doubt, even harsher to the Aussie population among us!
The city itself had a magic which had nothing to do with the laconic & mysterious young local men we met.
There was the breathtakingly beautiful river, which wound it's way through the center of the city. The majestic seeming Cathedral Square, with the huge Cathedral dominating, & all the scurry & hurry occurring beneath it's awesome presence.
We remained in touch with friends made during our Apple Picking era. We made new friends. We obtained jobs we felt no obligation to, & 'fooled' our way through those jobs, as we explored the wonders of the Southern City.
We found 'Hovel' accomodation, moved 'up', to slightly better living quarters. We met our future husbands. But that fact was unknown to us at first meetings. Gom hates this fact, but he called upon me every night for a week before I went out with him!
Still, the magic of the city enthralled us, BFJ & I, & we sampled some of the pubs, & the Inner city bars, filled with fakes & posers, as they were. We met true friends, we met our futures.
This is a view of the Alps from the Sign of the Takahe. A scene of some terror for my BFJ. She was taken there, one dark night, & told the story of the girls who had murdered the mother of one of the teenage girls!*She began to believe this might be her last night of life. Luckily, she was returned to safety.
A view of the Avon River, which is truly one of the beauties of this Southern City. The Autumn magic is hard to picture, but oh, the wonderful cold nights, filled with woodsmoke. I guess that is no more, but in our young days it was a part of it all.
The wonderful leaves that fell in great curdles in the Park. The wonderful amber colours, the crisp crunch of them, as we dashed, running madly though the great swatches of them, curling & crisp, though dying, but so wondrous to behold, & enjoy!!
Those wondrous avenues of golden colour. The lengthening shadows, as we raced & laughed among the fallen glory of Summer passed.
As it happened our 'Further Travels ', did not really eventuate. I think we both fell under the spell of that Southern City, & I know, even though we both fell in love with our future husbands, that was not the magic involved in our initial love affair with the beautiful Southern City, that is Christchurch.
It was, in those early days, of the 60s, a beautiful city. It was the beginning of 'The Rest of Our Lives'.
We had completed a season Apple picking in the Orchards of Neslon, & the wider district. We had journeyed to Christchurch for an Easter Long weekend. We had loved what we initially saw of the city.
When our Apple adventures ended we journeyed, along with many other 'Seasonal Workers' to Christchurch, which was the mecca, in those days, for the seasonal workers, at the end of the fruit Season.
The scramble was on for jobs, accomodation, & mostly survival, in a winter that seemed to be particularly harsh, to those of us from Northern climes, & no doubt, even harsher to the Aussie population among us!
The city itself had a magic which had nothing to do with the laconic & mysterious young local men we met.
There was the breathtakingly beautiful river, which wound it's way through the center of the city. The majestic seeming Cathedral Square, with the huge Cathedral dominating, & all the scurry & hurry occurring beneath it's awesome presence.
We remained in touch with friends made during our Apple Picking era. We made new friends. We obtained jobs we felt no obligation to, & 'fooled' our way through those jobs, as we explored the wonders of the Southern City.
We found 'Hovel' accomodation, moved 'up', to slightly better living quarters. We met our future husbands. But that fact was unknown to us at first meetings. Gom hates this fact, but he called upon me every night for a week before I went out with him!
Still, the magic of the city enthralled us, BFJ & I, & we sampled some of the pubs, & the Inner city bars, filled with fakes & posers, as they were. We met true friends, we met our futures.
This is a view of the Alps from the Sign of the Takahe. A scene of some terror for my BFJ. She was taken there, one dark night, & told the story of the girls who had murdered the mother of one of the teenage girls!*She began to believe this might be her last night of life. Luckily, she was returned to safety.
A view of the Avon River, which is truly one of the beauties of this Southern City. The Autumn magic is hard to picture, but oh, the wonderful cold nights, filled with woodsmoke. I guess that is no more, but in our young days it was a part of it all.
The wonderful leaves that fell in great curdles in the Park. The wonderful amber colours, the crisp crunch of them, as we dashed, running madly though the great swatches of them, curling & crisp, though dying, but so wondrous to behold, & enjoy!!
Those wondrous avenues of golden colour. The lengthening shadows, as we raced & laughed among the fallen glory of Summer passed.As the Winter descended, we experienced the bitterness of real cold. Icey frosts, of depths we had no previous knowledge of!! The grass of Lattimer Square, white like snow. As we ran, black-stocking clad, with many layers on the top, to our job in the city. Arriving with clattering teeth, & chilled legs, arms, faces aglow with frost!!
Coffee!! Coffee to kick start the days. Dressed Pies* for lunch! Warming laughter to tide us through the days, knowing the chill woodsmokey evenings awaited. Filled with erreverant laughter.
Joys to recall, in old age 'poverty'.
*That is a true story, & a movie was made of the book, but I have forgotten the title.
**Those Pies were covered with a blanket of mashed potato, with crushed peas, on top, then a layer of beetroot!! The first time we encountered them, we were horrified! But hunger got the better of us, in the end. We used to call them 'Stuffed Pies' - they were!! in the worst way.
Tony Orlando, Halfway To Paradise.
Sunday, March 18
Distant Drums
I remember a song by Roy Orbison, called Distant Drums. It haunted me in a shattered, broken hearted, phase of my life, when I felt I could never recover, or ever live some kind of 'normal' life again.
Most of Roy Orbison's music did that to me, with his haunting voice, & pretty melodies. And though his is the voice of the darkest hours of my life, he is also still a favourite. Perhaps a reminder to me, I am stronger than I ever knew, & I survived, in spite of that being the last thing I wanted. ***
I saw an interview with Bob Geldof- it was before he was Sir- & he described how he felt that his heart had literally been broken in two inside his body, when Paula left him, and how great that pain felt. I know that feeling, & I have felt the pain of it. It is a real, physical pain, crippling, clouding, & more painful than mere physicality. Perhaps it could be described as a trial by fire, I dont know how to describe it with words.
********
This lovely rock. I noticed it in the garden some months ago, & have been meaning to take a pic of it ever since. I love the different colours in the lichens.
And here is a picture which suggests a serenity to me. The person is a keen fisherman, & unlike his brother, who also loves to fish, this brother also loves to eat his catches. It was taken in a beautiful part of the world, north of where we live.
And this gorgeous little boy. He had just been for a dip, & looks for all the world like he is thinking "I will just have a nap here, I seem to be sooo tired"
Another lovely part of the world, again north of us. A beautiful place to vacation, right on the water, & great for fishing.
Most of Roy Orbison's music did that to me, with his haunting voice, & pretty melodies. And though his is the voice of the darkest hours of my life, he is also still a favourite. Perhaps a reminder to me, I am stronger than I ever knew, & I survived, in spite of that being the last thing I wanted. ***
I saw an interview with Bob Geldof- it was before he was Sir- & he described how he felt that his heart had literally been broken in two inside his body, when Paula left him, and how great that pain felt. I know that feeling, & I have felt the pain of it. It is a real, physical pain, crippling, clouding, & more painful than mere physicality. Perhaps it could be described as a trial by fire, I dont know how to describe it with words.
********
This lovely rock. I noticed it in the garden some months ago, & have been meaning to take a pic of it ever since. I love the different colours in the lichens.
And here is a picture which suggests a serenity to me. The person is a keen fisherman, & unlike his brother, who also loves to fish, this brother also loves to eat his catches. It was taken in a beautiful part of the world, north of where we live.
And this gorgeous little boy. He had just been for a dip, & looks for all the world like he is thinking "I will just have a nap here, I seem to be sooo tired"
Another lovely part of the world, again north of us. A beautiful place to vacation, right on the water, & great for fishing.This could be paradise! I love the colours in this shot taken at dusk. Mr Nice Neighbour enjoying the wonderful serenity.
It is raining lightly here today. People I love have left to go camping.
I hope they find happier weather for their 'tenting'.
The rain is so welcome for the gardens & everywhere, but of course it is not really what you need when camping.
******
I just wanted to add, if it hadn't been for the wonderful support & friendship of Best Friend J, I dont think I ever would have made it. I love you dearly as my friend BFJ!!
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