Monday, October 31, 2011

Vinyl

Funny how old stuff gets rediscovered by the young, who then blithely rave about it as if they actually invented the thing.
Such is presently the case with vinyl, better known (at least to me and my peers) as records, albums, LPs, singles and even stacks of wax. All of a sudden, my collection of tattered, beer splattered, sad and dated old records (eyes left for my favourites) are in high demand from offspring and their partners and friends.


I am asked in wide eyed wonder, if I really, truly possess an original Pink Floyd or Janis Joplin or Lou Reed? And was I actually there (alive?) when the Beatles hit Adelaide, when Status Quo rocked the Thebby, when the Beachboys turned Memorial Drive into California and when Led Zeppelin made our ear drums bleed from shattering screams and electronic feedback? So I thought I'd have a rummage and take a walk down my musical memory lane....and I'll start with the first record I ever purchased with my own money....who? Another story for another time.....

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Books!



I love books, especially old books, the ones with pencilled notes in the margins, turned down page corners marked by previous readers, notes forgotten and left as bookmarks, hand written messages and dedications to people I will never meet, but with whom I share a book, a bond, a bit of one's life. I find myself entering the shadowy serenity of second hand book shops with the silence and deference usually reserved for churches and sacred places. And to me these are sacred places, repositories of thoughts, imaginings, creative manifestation, spiritual communion, scientific righteousness and all of humanity's best and worst endeavours. My heart warms at books that are tattered, coffee stained, sticky taped together, for I imagine they have been much loved. I feel truly sorry for the ones with still uncut pages, virginal and pure, but never experienced by another, never shared, their treasures yet to be uncovered.
I can't really say that all I know about life I have learned from books, but I can say with certainty that books have taught me not to judge a book (or anything else, for that matter) by its cover.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Earthquake


Mother Nature has a serene and totally dispassionate way of levelling all playing fields. Take last night....there I was, in the bosom of the Hills, the safest place in the safest state in the safest country in the world.
Or so it seemed. Then around 2.30am I was shaken awake by rattling windows, tinkling glassware and the sound of several trains vying to use my bedroom as a short cut. It only lasted half a dozen seconds and it only measured 3.3 on the Richter scale, but it was enough to set all the local dogs howling and enough to scare the fidgets out of me. After thanking whatever gods were batting in our favour, my thoughts turned to other earthquakes with less fortunate outcomes, like those in Japan and Christchurch.
Its so easy to get caught up in the daily grind, with its trivia, busy-ness and routines. But there's more to life than that, much more, and it took a little shaking for me to wake up and remember it.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Leaving Home


in my hands I hold my cup
that's up to me to fill
from dancing brooks and mellow streams
according to my will
and if perchance I wander lost
and sip the poisoned well
may grace prevail and save my soul
and guide me out of hell
for wherever my heart leads
and with all I fill my cup
sweet or bitter, bad or good
I poured it in......I'll drink it up

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Perfection


perfection is a flower
nature's work of art
creation wields the power
beauty holds the heart

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Hills Best


Living in the Hills, one is spoilt for choice when it comes to whimsical, original, unique and quality shopping. The shops I like most provide the best of their genre at competitive prices with excellent customer service, interesting and individual ambience in which to browse, a friendly chat if the customer is in the mood and time to walk around and explore without getting the evil eye from snooty counter staff.



The best shop in Bridgewater would have to be the Greengrocer, tucked in next to Coles and as far removed from that conglomerate as diamonds are from dust.



This little shop literally shimmers with energy, life and growing things, plump organic produce, home made treats and delicacies, lovingly crafted items supplied by locals, fragrant coffee, delicious lunches. Everywhere, on walls, stalls, benches and floor, there's an abundance of colour, pattern, rich aroma, creativity and a feast for all the senses.

Its worth checking out....tell them Marisa sent you!