Coloured inks and hues

Coloured inks 

Pretty pinks 

Bright purples

Azure blues

Jungle greens 

Memories; dreams 

Now in sepia tones

Like old movie reels 

Clicking by...

Silently...

Fluttering pages

Of my life 

Fanned by gentle breezes

Hither and yon 

They skip anon

Times by-gone

Fondness recalled

Distorted images

Crystalline teardrops

Upon my lashes

Reflecting sunshine

Rainbow prisms

Hurting deep inside

My heart's my prison

Sadness overwhelming 

Glorious setting sun

We watched the glorious setting sun
Slowly sink lower down; down; down
As the reeds whispered back and forth
A slight breeze came in from the north
We walked uphill a little while; smiled
Fresh air from the lakes and river blew
Together we walked; indeed we knew
Life is a feeling at its very best; be sure
To live life as if you are truly blessed
Remember; appreciate each moment given
For none know the day when time stands still
We only know that one day; come it will
The end approaches; death ever encroaches
See time draws nearer and nearer
Are you ready to meet your maker?

20 July 2016
Point Malcolm, Lake Alexandrina

Dreaming of Martha

I was with you in my dream
Last night...
Sat beside you; talked a while
Just like we used to do
Just like when we were young
Martha; my sister; my friend dear
How I wish you lived nearer
Wish I could hold you close
Touch your cheek
Wipe away your tears...
Your family was around you
Faces of people I did not know
You were saddened....
By the passing of your mother-in-law
I felt your exhaustion
Heard your tired breathing 
As we sat side by side...
Went outside; i followed you
Quickly you sat down
Upon the ground
Got your hands dirty
Right there in that soil
Planting your precious flowers
There; enjoying your toil
I saw you were relaxed at last
I watched as you breathe
Simply pass you by...

Today it is your birthday
So I sent my love dear sister
I wish you all good things
I hope you can relax a while
Feel the love around you
Maybe sit; chill out a while
Stay strong for your family
This sadness too shall pass
Another new day is dawning 
As you go about your mourning 
It does get easier my darling 
Just give it a little while...

Love you and your precious family
God bless you and keep you safe

20th July 2017

The Thimble

I used mum's old thimble 

To mend a pair of jeans
Take up the hem a bit 
Made use of her shears
Felt good to think about her
As I worked upon my chore
My heart beating quietly
As my thoughts took a tour
Down memory lane; I wandered
As I remembered; reminisced; recalled
All those clothes mum had made
Her pleasure as she laboured
To produce some work of art
Though not quite as colourful
As my grandmother's embroidery
Still; to me; her works of heart
A pleasure to behold; truth to tell
I remember them very well...
The hot pink dress I wore
To my first high school social
Yes; that's what it was called
Dresses; skirts; blouses too
These she lovingly made for me
Costumes for school concerts too
Ah; these wonderful memories unfold
Simply because I held
Mum's treasured thimble
Right here within my hand...

Whales at Basham's Beach

Whales at Basham's Beach today
Watched them from far away
Baby calves; their mothers too
Breaching; loafing; I'm telling you
It was a pleasure to watch them play
Though my photographs hardly say
Just how wonderful it was for me
To be walking; there beside the sea
Breathing in that freshest breeze
Feeling the wind; blowing free
In glorious nature; sand and sea
Crashing waves; booming near
A few surfers braving the deep
Many seabirds flying high and free
Thank you Lord for enlightening me!
for allowing me to see
Glorious creatures in nature
Living free...

Apple berry crumble

Ingredients:

Serves 4
4 Granny smith apples, peeled, cored 
(about 800 g total)
2 cups frozen mixed berries
1/3 cup caster sugar
Cream, custard or ice cream to serve

Crumble topping

1 cup plain flour
120 g butter chilled, chopped)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 tsp cinnamon

Method
Step 1

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C
Cut apples into 2 cm cubes
Put in small roasting pan or slice tin
Add berries, sugar & toss to combine
Cover with foil
Put pan in larger oven tray to catch any juices
Bake for 20 minutes

Step 2

Meanwhile make crumble topping 
Put flour into a large bowl
Add butter, rubbing until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs
Add remaining topping ingredients and rub together

Step 3

Remove pan from oven
Discard foil
Spread topping evenly over fruit to cover
Bake for a further 35 minutes 

Step 4

Allow to cool for 5 minutes
Serve with cream, custard or ice cream



Healthier Apple Berry Crumble

Crumble topping 

2/3 cup Quinoa flakes
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flaked almonds
1/4 cup coconut chips
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Honey
Yoghurt

Step 1 

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C

Cut apples into 2 cm cubes
Put in small roasting pan or slice tin
Add berries and honey
Toss to combine
Bake 20 minutes

Step 2 

Crumble topping 

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl

Step 3

Spoon hot fruit into 4 3/4 cup capacity oven proof bowls
Scatter crumble topping over fruit mixture
Bake for 20 minutes 
Or until crumble topping is golden and fruit is bubbling

Serve with yoghurt

Recipe in Better homes and Gardens Puzzle magazine 2017

Don't follow me

Please don't follow me

I; myself; am so very lost
Please don't ask of me
Any conversation...
For in this heartfelt misery
I am drowning...
Too much pain
Commiseration...
Just let me struggle on
I will be just fine
All I really need
Is quietness; time...

Coloured inks

Coloured inks 

Pretty pinks 

Remind me of you 

Miss your laughter

Miss your smiles

My grand daughter  

I love you all the while 

Dreaming again

You were in my dream last night 

Again; I saw your face 

Your arms around me 

Soft upon my shoulder 

Wish I had been bolder

Wish I had said 

So many things 

To you...

But you are gone now 

Far away from me 

What am I to do?

We no longer speak

Too much pain; anguish

Like dark clouds 

Between us 

Distorted reflections

Reflections 

Distorted

Upon 

Rippling waters 

Unrecognisable 

Can't see 

My distant daughter

Only in my dreams 

Do we communicate 

Often; I do wonder

Has it gone too far?

Is it too late? 

To share more laughter...

Black swans

Black Swans 

Gently swimming 

My heart 

Softly beating 

Water droplets 

Crystalline; sparkling 

Upon feathered backs 

My tears overflowing 

Slowly dropping

Memories overwhelming 

Sadness; pain

Their voices 

Softly calling 

Beaks seeking 

For some food 

I have nothing 

To give you 

But my sorrow 

This I show you 

Within this teardrop

All my pain

Gently slipping 

From wet lashes 

As memories 

Come back again

How could a mother 

Ever explain

How much she misses

Their gentle kisses 

Soft as summer rain

Dreaming of you again

You were so close to me

Ah can't you see

I'm hurting 

Don't you know 

Aren't you certain

I miss you 

Saw you in my dreams 

We were talking 

Our words jumbled

Some mumbled 

Misunderstanding 

Between us 

Wish I could see us 

Loving each other again 

But this pain 

Returns 

I was dreaming 

Cathy's blanket

Home at last the blanket sighs
I have found my place
I'll keep you snug and warm
Just let me give my embrace...

Papillon mariposa butterfly

Papillon, Mariposa, butterfly
You flutter; you flit; you fly
Flowers await your delicate feet
As you taste of their nectar sweet
Once cocooned; now you're free
To glide above the land; the sea
Colourful; delicate; graceful too
Wish I could drift about like you

Black dog

He tries to shut it out
With consistent distraction
Exhausted every night 
Floundering inaction
The black dog remains
Perched; waiting...
At the end of his bed
Persistent; deliberating...
He drifts into sleep
Only with those sounds
Echoing around him
Sounds playing quietly 
Right there in his head
He prays to find peace
Right there in his bed
But dreams; visions 
Interfere; intrude...
No matter how hard he tries
The face he sees; eyes wide; gaping
"Yes! I know he's dead
Leave me alone; get out of my head!"

She cries; silently; by herself
Desperate for sleep
Wondering; replaying 
The same day just keeps
Replaying; betraying
Her memories...
Her peace; shattered
The phone call; she missed
Her father; she kissed
So very long ago
He is gone; never to return
She cannot stop those thoughts
In this web; like a fly; she is caught 
Wings beating; ever more slowly...
The black dog never leaves her
Though she tries; desperately to free her
Her mind; from this sadness; pain
She lost her grandma
6 short/long months ago
Like her Nana; 7 years ago this July
Though her mind keeps asking; "why?"
Lord she needs help to ease her mind...

Deconstruction

Bought a lovely old wardrobe
Second hand; from Gumtree
We picked it up; took it home
Thought we had it made...
From a lovely couple down the road
Hubby was a "Ten Pound Pom"
Parents brought it over from the UK
Just right; sturdy; well made...
Problem was...
Only a small room to be had
Thought we'd got it made...
Measured up the last cupboard
It was way too big; not right 
Wouldn't fit; space too tight
Had to toss it out...
This one was much smaller
But though we tried and tried
Just could not make the grade...
After much struggling; cursing too
We just couldn't get it through...
Thought of sawing it in half...
Chopping it up with a massive axe...
Until we opened up the door
Wondering if we could
Deconstruct it...
What a blessed revelation!
After feeling so absolutely dismayed
I had simply prayed and prayed...
Inside the top; and at the bottom too
Brass locking mechanisms...
A flat-head screwdriver
All that we would need...
The top was then removed
Screws all along the back
Then those we unscrewed
All those bits and pieces
Laying across the lounge room floor
Finally; we'd be able; to get it in that door!
Back and forth we carried
Deconstruction...
Then reconstruction our chore...
Then at last; we were finally able
To put it back together again
After 5 hours of struggle
That wardrobe was complete
Once more!!!!

Found a little treasure
An old English coin
20 Pence from 1983
Sitting in one of the drawers...

Works of heart

Found a jumper my mum had started
Sometime; a while a go
A new gift for a family member
Full of her love; you know
Her hands weren't strong enough
To make her works of art
No longer could she do her best
Knitting jumpers; knitting vests...
To another they were practical
But to me, her daughter; yes
To me they were most definitely
"Works of heart"

White carnations

White carnations 

Placed upon your grave 

Oh mum I miss you 

You were so very brave 

Tears flowed my darling 

As I placed them there...

How I truly wish my darling 

That I could touch your hair...

Wish I could see your smile 

Wish I could hear your voice 

Wish I could hold you close 

Wish that we'd had a choice...

But it was time to let you go...

Time now to let you know 

I love you mum

Miss you so...

How I truly wish

You didn't have to go...

Sabbath Sunshine

Sitting in the winter sun

Trying to have fun

So much pain within me 

I must thank God; for he

Has given me a blessed day

Of rest; to ease my way

Thank you for the sunshine bright 

Thank you for making all right 

Without your love I could not smile

Without your blessings I could not shine 

I have felt so very sad; lost

I have felt; tempest tossed

These hurts inside my heart; soul

Made me feel so desperately cold

Deserted; abandoned; without hope 

Some days; wondered; how will I cope?

Lost my mum just 6 months ago...

The pain within me continues to grow

Just as surely as does the morning sun arise

Here inside; I've get despised

Lost my home; my grandchildren; gone

Overseas; none left to sit upon my knees

I long for their cuddles; laughter too

I miss their sweetness; I'm telling you 
Can't believe this inner turmoil 

Can't understand why life's like this...

But along with all this pain and loss

Is the strength within me that I find?

The love sent for me; warm; kind

A new beginning; positive; true

Like a Phoenix I will arise

From these ashes; from this pain 

There is so very much wisdom too

I must learn to trust again...

Accept that what's past is past

Look forward to a life renewed...

For all of this

My dear Lord; I thank you!

1 July 2017

Against the wind

Try sailing in 

Against the wind 

Let go of everything 

Free up your troubled mind 

Allow the Lord His control

Trust all to Him

Allow Angels in; to stroll

Give in to nature's every whim

You cannot fly 

Against the wind...