Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year!


Wishing you all a wonderful 2012 from me and my Weezie, Romeow and beloved Gizzy (in spirit)

Monday, December 12, 2011

Reminiscing...


My sweet, little baby boy, my big, BIG love... I will see you again in heaven! I am counting on that! RIP Gizzy! You left a big hole in my heart ... momma misses you so much!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Dominion


"And what is this God?" I asked the earth and it answered: "I am not he," and all the things that are on the earth confessed the same answer. I asked the sea and the deeps and the creeping things with living souls, and they replied, "We are not your God. Look above us." I asked the blowing breezes, and the universal air with all its inhabitants answered: "I am not God." I asked the heaven, the sun, the moon, the stars, and "No," they said, "we are not the God for whom you are looking." And I said to all those things which stand about the gates of my senses: "Tell me something about my God, you who are not He. Tell me something about Him." And they cried out in a loud voice: "He made us."

(Saint Augustine, The Confessions, X:9)


I just started reading the book called"Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy." I like it so much thus far that I feel compelled to share a passage from Chapter One "The Things That Are:"

And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creatures after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and it was so.
And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

(Genesis 1:24-26)


(Excerpt from Chapter One of 'Dominion' by Matthew Scully)

I am not, I confess, a particularly pious or devout person. But animals have always awakened something in me - their little joys and travails alike - that, try as I might, I find impossible to express except in the language of devotion. Maybe it is the Lord's way of getting through to the particularly slow and obstinate, but if you care about animals you must figure out why you care. From a certain angle it defies all logic, often involving, as in the case of pets or the strays who find our doors, all sorts of inconveniences and extra worries one could do without. And the only good reason I know to care for them is that they are my fellow creatures, sharing with you and me the breath of life, each in their own way bearing His unmistakable mark.

I know that they do not have reason comparable to ours. I know that their lives and place and purpose in the world are different from ours. I know that theirs is an often violent world, "nature red in tooth and claw" as Tennyson described it. But I also know that whatever their place and purpose among us might be, it is a mysterious one beyond any man's power to know. Whatever measure of happiness their Creator intended for them, it is not something to be taken lightly by us, not to be withdrawn from them wantonly or capriciously...

After having read just a few pages, I'm already addicted to this book... I think many of my readers/followers would like it too.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Computer Problems


I'm having some computer problems and will not be blogging on a regular basis because I have to go to the library to do it. I'll check back with you as soon as the problem is resolved.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Silly Heart

Many, many years ago, I purchased a Hallmark greeting card for which I finally got a frame, because I fell in love with the poem inside and always want to be able to look at it to cheer myself up:


I just love the photo of the happy, white-haired lady and hope that can be me some day!


I want to have a silly heart
when I grow old someday
a heart that still does somersaults
and runs outside to play

a heart that won't forget to dream
and can't remember facts
and thinks of birthday candles
as just sticks of wicks and wax

I want a heart that's been around
and knows a thing or two
but still can laugh
I want to have
a silly heart
don't you?


Thursday, March 24, 2011

Open Season

No, I will not fear you anymore
I'm through hiding in the house
I'm outside to do my gardening like a woman
Not run and squeal like a mouse

You sting my skin and make it itch
Ok, it's quite impressive
But I am tougher than a bug
And probably just as obsessive

So, bring it on!
Is that the best you can do?
I'll smack myself as hard as I can
just to be rid of you!

(by Doris Sturm)

 ...and that's how we do it down South! (bzzzzzzzzzz - whack!)

Yep, it's that time of year again....

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day!



The Dear Little Shamrock

by Andrew Cherry 
There's a dear little plant that grows in Ireland.
'Twas Saint Patrick himself sure that set it.
And the sun on his labor with pleasure did smile.
And a tear from his eyes oft-times wet it.
It grows thro' the bog, thro' the brake, and the mireland,
And it's called the dear little Shamrock of Ireland.
That dear little plant still grows in our land,
Fresh and fair as the daughters of Erin,
Whose smiles can bewitch, and whose eyes can command,
In each climate they ever appear in:
For they shine thro' the bog, thro' the brake, and the mireland,
Just like their own dear little Shamrock of Ireland.

That dear little plant that springs from our soil,
When its three little leaves are extended,
Denotes from the stalk we together should toil,
And ourselves by ourselves be befriended.
And still thro' the bog, thro' the brake, and the mireland,
From one root should branch, like the Shamrock of Ireland.


Thursday, March 10, 2011

Early Spring


I've been spending a lot of time outside lately, knowing that these pleasures won't last much longer for summer time in the South has become my dreaded season of heat, humidity and bugs...so I stay mainly indoors in the summer with the air conditioner humming day and night. Poor me - poor Gizzy!

I have always enjoyed walking for when I walk I often get my best ideas. It's a good time for day dreaming, pondering and musing. Seeing nature around me, observing wildlife and watching my own little Gizzy dog as he investigates every single blade of grass fills me with joy and gratitude for life and being alive. I can't help but wonder what happened to us - meaning man, in general - when did we become so superficial and self important? If that's progress, I don't want it.
I found this bitter-sweet poem very appropriate for the way I feel sometimes:
Lines Written in Early Spring
by William Wordsworth 

I heard a thousand blended notes,
While in a grove I sate reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

To her fair works did nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What man has made of man.

Through primrose tufts, in that sweet bower,
The periwinkle trailed its wreaths; 
And 'tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.


The birds around me hopped and played:
Their thoughts I cannot measure,
But the least motion which they made,
It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

The budding twigs spread out their fan,
To catch the breezy air;
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there. 

If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature's holy plan,
Have I not reason to lament
What man has made of man?





(Photo Credits: Google Image Search)

Monday, March 7, 2011

My friend and fellow hooker (crocheter) Pam of Bags and More by Pam, has reminded me of Haiku, a form of Japanese poetry that I want to share here today:

Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry.  Each poem consists of three lines with five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second line, and five syllables in the third line.   


This is what I came up with:


MY BEST FRIEND (by: Doris)

Short, fluffy and stout

walking, sniffing all about

Outside, he and I









Friday, February 25, 2011

Das Veilchen/The Violet

I have violets growing all around my apartment and I thought I'd share a poem by Johann W. Goethe, first in German and then in English along with some photos... enjoy!


Das Veilchen             By: Johann Wolfgang Goethe (1749-1832)


Ein Veilchen auf der Wiese stand,
gebückt in sich und unbekammt:
es war ein herzigs Veilchen

Da kam ein'junge Schäferin
mit leichten Schritt un
muntern Sinn daher,
die Wiese her un sang.

Ach! Denkt das Veilchen,
wär ich nur die schönste Blume der Natur,
ach, nur ein kleines Veilchen,
bis mich das Liebchen abgepflückt
und an dem Busen mattgedrückt,
ach nur, ach nur ein Viertel stündchen lang.

Ach, aber ach! Das Mädchen kam
un nicht in acht das Veilchen nahn,
ertrat das arme Veilchen.

Es sank un starb und freut'sich noch:
und sterb ich denn, so sterb ich doch durch sie,
auch sie, zu ihren Füßendoch.

Dar arme Veilchen!
Es war ein herzigs Veilchen
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Violet
A violet in the meadow grew,

blushing quietly, quite unknown;
a pretty little violet.


A young shepherdess drew near,
with tripping foot and merry heart,
she came alone,
singing through the meadow.

If only, the violet mused, I were
the finest flower in the world,
just for a little while,
until the dear girl picked me
and pressed me to her heart 'til I died,
if only, if only for a quarter of an hour!

Alas! The girl approached
and paid no heed to the violet;
she trod it underfoot.

It sank and died, yet it rejoiced:
if I must die, at least I die through her,
through her, here, 'neath her feet.

Poor violet! 
It was a pretty violet!
 


Violets from my "garden" and flower pots!


... and none of them are being trampled on!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Saturday, February 12, 2011

The Look



The Look
by Sara Teasdale

Strephon kissed me in the spring,
      Robin in the fall,
But Colin only looked at me
      And never kissed at all.

Strephon's kiss was lost in jest,
      Robin's lost in play,
But the kiss in Colin's eyes
      Haunts me night and day.


Monday, January 24, 2011

On Rain and Love

While researching "Native Indian Rain Dance Attire" I came across this poem that gave me a chuckle:



Ha, ha, ha... maybe that's what Elvis meant with his song "burning love!" LOL

Even  though I never got acid indigestion from being in love, I have to confess that I totally lose my appetite and find it difficult to eat. Needless to say I have not been "in love" for quite some time, but it does make for good song writing...I love Bonnie Raitt!


Saturday, January 1, 2011

Johann Strauss II - The Blue Danube Waltz - New Year's Concert



The Vienna Philharmonics are playing now on PBS and I'm watching their New Year's Day concert when they are playing Johann Strauss music. One of the songs included is always "An der schoenen, blauen Donau" (on the beautiful, blue Danube or Blue Danube for short.)  I love PBS for all kinds of reasons, but especially for their arts and entertainment during the holidays.

When I was growing up in Germany, my Oma and I were big Johann Strauss fans. She is gone now, but every time I hear his music, I get transported back in time and remember my Oma. I imagine the both of us watching one of his many Operettas on TV (we looked forward to those) or me pretend-ballet dancing around the house to one of his walzes... thanks for the memories, Oma!

Happy New Year!

Happy January 1st, 2011!