The lost smile

It was such a disappointment
It was such a crying shame
That somewhere along my journey
I lost my precious smile...
Though I looked everywhere
Though I searched high and low
I just couldn't find it...
No matter how hard I tried!
Then one day it just resurfaced
It was in the last place I thought to look
Hidden beneath the tangled webs
Of a lost friendship...of a day of silliness
It exploded back into my life...
As I relaxed and let my troubles go
As I laughed out loud and giggled too
I found it on my face then: amazing!
I guess that's where I'd left it...
I guess that's where it should have been
Only sadness and circumstance
Had wiped it from my memory...

I found in Mannum with my friend Noelle!
Thanks honey for helping me find my smile!

Sunset at end of day

The world continues turning
It goes ever on and on
But just for a few moments
Every single beautiful day
There is a little window
Where the skies are on display
Here God declares His edict
Here The Lord still holds sway
It is at the very edges of these days
Yes at the edges of His Sabbath
The beginning and the ending
Of His precious restful day...
Each week I watch in amazement
As I contemplate and as I pray
The beauty and the grandeur
As He paints the sky in colours
As He decorates those rainbow skies
Thank you dearest Lord for another
Most precious and beautiful Sabbath day

The ultimate betrayal

I just cannot understand
How some people live
With the blackest heart?
With the darkest soul?
How can you treat?
Your precious child
Like they do not deserve
How can you live
With the guilt
Of your worst betrayal?
When God gives the gift
Of life for you to raise
Your precious little child
That trusting little heart
That simple little child
Beaten and abused
Misused and betrayed
How can anyone excuse
That behaviour, that cruelty
When you neglect and excuse
When you see but ignore
Those eyes that beg, implore
May God be your judge
May He bear that grudge
For I cannot ever understand
How some parents go about
Mistreating their own child
Without thought or guilt
Ah Karma you are indeed
A necessary part of life
To give back after many years
After so many trials and tears
The justice that they deserve
Yes...that they most assuredly deserve!

Please take us home

Sadness at leaving
Everything behind
Fear, loathing
People so unkind
Discrimination
Harsh voices
Exclusion, mistrust
Every single day
Many souls hurting
Hearts breaking
At the injustice
What happened
To cause all this
Hatred, abuse
Dear Lord forgive them
They know not what they do
Dear Lord forgive them
They know not what they say
Dear Lord forgive them
Is there no other way
Dear Lord please come soon
Please take us home I pray

The child within

Deep within this fortress
Deep wihin this soul
Hides a little child that's hurting
Hides a little child that cries
Does she ever come out of hiding?
Does she ever surface: is she ever seen?
Each and every one of us: yes
Each and every grown up
Has that hidden inner being
Has that precious child within
A few may giggle with laughter
A few may seem to be happy
But too many hide away from danger
Yes too many never want to be seen
What does your inner child show of you?
What does your precious one hide from?
What does your inner child remember?
Where does one even begin?

The hours

The hours drag by each day
The minutes disappear at will
Seconds tick and still I say
There's got to be a better way
Thoughts fly through my head
Though I'd rather get out of bed
Still sadness comes to roost
Like a vulture it sits and stares
Waiting for me to give in to it's glares
I could let sadness take control
But though the temptation pulls
I'd much rather fight that urge
Much rather be happy, damn the rest
I will not give in to nastiness
I'd rather fly the human coop
Than fall as low as them and stoop
To harsh words and anger: true
I will not give in to you
Satan; just piss off I will not be
Another one of your success stories
Though you tempt and though you try
I say "be gone: I will not allow you in"
My Lord has already saved me from sin
Already He has taken my burden unto Him
Jesus has granted me eternal life
Though I struggle still each day
There are times when sadness wins
But though I slip and though I fall
I will not surrender up my will
To evil surmisings if you will
For I know just what that viper says
As he whispers and he stirs the pot
I have already surrendered up my will to Him
Yes to Him who gave me everything
To Jesus my saviour: to Him I give
My allegiance...my hope...my love
He who came to earth to save us all
Yes to Him I surrender everything
 For already He is preparing
To come again to save us all
Yes my Lord is coming in the clouds
Soon He will be here on earth again
Soon my dearest Jesus will come again
Just as He always promised that He would!

Haters

You just cannot please everybody
You might as well give it up
No matter who or what's the matter
There will always be the haters
So this has always been my advice
Treat others the way you would like
To be treated yourself: no matter what
And remember that golden rule my friends
For if your are still sweet and lovely
If you bite your tongue and hold it back
If you are nice to those awful haters
Remember karma always does come back
So be nice...be sweet natured...be softly spoken
That very act causes them the aggravation
Causes them to suffer: as if they were attacked
In the Bible it describes it such: it's true
It is like heaping hot coals upon their head
So let them stew and steam and flounder
Let that bad behaviour rest upon their heads
While you are sleeping soundly: unaffected
They will be writhing madly
Wishing they didn't have those
Heaping hot coals upon their head!

Be happy

Sick of sadness
Sick of strife
Had more than enough
Of bad feelings
Of unhappiness
Most of my life
From now on
I want to be happy
I want to change
It's about time
I took the plunge
It's about time
I took charge
So from now on
I am allowing
I am enabling
That positive change
Lord I am thankful
Lord I am glad
For all the lessons
That my life has had
And now I am thankful
All over again
For my time is coming and
I'd rather be happy
Than feel sad!

Australia Day 2015

What better way to celebrate
Austraila Day than on the river at Mannum
Together with my friend...my mate
Yes we went to share the fun my chum
Breakfast was just the beginning
She had the snags and bacon mate
I had the eggs and tomato: vegetarian!
We listened as they talked a while
Of all things we celebrate: Australian
We sang along to our anthem
Advance Australia Fair the song
A few people dressed up for the day
Wearing our flag in celebration
A trip upon the river boat was next
It was like walking down memory lane
Yes it was upon the PS Marion
She is a paddle steamer of old
Just like they travelled way back when
A century or more ago I reckon
Tea and scones on the menu
With jam and cream to boot: you bewdy!
We wore our thongs upon our feet
We carried on and spoke the lingo
Talked of all things "you beaut"
And chin wagged in delirium
We had our tomato sauce upon our plates
Drank sweet orange juice too mate
Yes we had some fun
Down by the River Murray
In sunny South Australia today
To celebrate and grin a while
Hell we even went in style
In her old Ford Falcon!

Almond biscuits 2

Ingredients:
3 cups SR flour
1/4 lb margarine
1 cup sugar
3 egg yolks
I cup ground almonds
Small amount of milk
Vanilla essence

Method:
Use creaming method
(Rub marg into sugar)
Add egg yolks
Combine all ingredients
Cut into small shapes
Bake at 400 F for 10 minutes

Honey biscuits

Ingredients:
2 1/2 lbs plain flour
I lb brown sugar
1 tablespoon bi carb soda
I cup hot water
1 lb honey
2 tablespoons lard
I tablespoon ground cloves

Method:
Dissolve honey and sugar in hot water
Rub lard into flour and clove mixture
Make a well in the flour
Stir in the strained honey mixture
Add bi carb soda dissolved in hot water
Mix all together

Leave overnight
Covered in plastic wrap

Roll out and bake in a hot oven
200 degrees C about 10 minutes

Icing mixture:
2 egg whites
1/2 juiced lemon
Enough icing sugar to make a thick paste

Paint onto warm biscuits
Put back into oven to dry off
For a few minutes (sets the icing)

Mum made these many times
They were the best honey biscuits
I have ever tasted...to this day!

Peaches

The scent of peaches
On a warm summer's day
Permeating the breezes
Wafting over my way
It brought back memories
Of years now gone away
When my family was happy
Before sadness came to stay
I used to love to wander
Along those precious rows
Taking in the features
Of that beautiful array
Nectarines and peaches
Apricots and plums
All those beautiful fruit trees
Full of ripe and juicy fruits
One of my many pleasures
As a teenager growing up
In the Riverland those days

Crazy heart

I love you so very much...you know
It's crazy here within my heart
It's all filled up with you...you know
It's even more so here in my head
Yes: my heart hurts because of you
My heart has a life of it's very own
It jumps whenever you are near
It squeezes of it's own accord
Goes crazy...starts to galivant around 
At the very thought of you...yes
It begins to pound...For your heart too
My whole being is alive because of you

Every single day

I worry about you
When you are alone
I worry about you
When I cannot phone
I worry about you
When you're far away
I worry about you
Yes: every single day

I need to kiss you
When you are sad
I need to love you
When you are glad
I need to tickle you
When you are bad
I need to laugh with you
Whenever there is sunshine

As time reels in

As time reels in
As darkness wears thin
Soon the light shines
And though my heart pines
I must seek my rest
I have to leave you
Though I do not want to go
Knowing just how much
I love you and you love me
This time apart will easier be
For soon...yes very soon
Together we will be...

Until forever

Until forever
I adore you
Until forever
I love you
Until forever
We'll explore life
Until forever
You belong to me

Forever young

We'll be forever young
We'll be forever free
We'll be forever strong
We'll be together...you and me

Teenager

It used to be a silly joke
I used to think it sweet
That I still felt like a teenager
But just couldn't get one?
Do you understand the cheek?
But now I realise
It is a man I seek
One who can be a teenager
Act like a great big kid
But when it really matters
I want a man's man
One who truly understands
Just what it is
That a woman needs!

Honey bee

Be my honey bee
Buzzing all around me
Seeking that nectar
My sweetness
That flows my love
Only for you 

Lost in you

I am lost
Yes it's true
I am so lost
In you
My love
In you
I am lost for you
I am lost with you
Now I know
I will never be blue
For truly my love
I am lost in you

Make every moment count

I want to make every moment count
I want to make sure to shout it out
For who knows how long we are given?
Who knows the timing of our Lord?
Thus it is so very important
Every blessed moment to spend
Together...loving each other
Drawing closer to our Lord
Seeking God's perfection
Seeking that higher plane
For who knows what tomorrow brings?
Who knows how long a life exists?
Only God has that blessed assurance
No man can tell what the daylight brings!

Whisper

When two hearts are close together
When two souls forever unite
All they need to do is whisper
For that closeness in them abides
No need to yell to span the distance
No great chasm...no great divide
For in one heart they are united forever
There is no need to shout it out
For in one mind and soul forever
They will always come together
And all they need do is whisper
For all understanding god provides

Where do I begin?

It's getting ever later
Darkness descends anon
And still I am waiting
For you to call on the telephone
I want to tell you something
It's the same each and every night
I miss you so much honey
Can't go to sleep without you in sight
I wish you were here beside me
I wish you were always here
Just need to tell you honey
Just how much you mean to me
I look forward to spending forever
Yes: the rest of my life with you
May the dear Lord bless you
Keep you safe for me
For I miss you my darling
Never want to be without you
You are here in my heart my darling
Every waking moment you are with me
Just need to hear your voice dear
For you are such a major part of me
I cannot really tell dear
Where it is that you end
And where it is that I begin
For we are linked together
And I don't ever want to be
Separated from you my love...from you!

Sweet medicine

If loving you is an illness?
I don't want to get well
I need that sweet medicine
That only you give so well
So dose me up my sweet love
Save me from this unbearable hell
Save me from this madness that consumes me
This crazy sweet love sickness
That stirs up my heart as well

A woman's place

If a woman's place
Is to lead her man
To guide him close to his God
Then this I would do for you

If a woman's place
Is to care and nurture
Her family with love
Then this I do for you

If a woman's place
Is to bring peace, understanding
To her fellow man
Then lead me nearer unto you

If a woman's place 
Is to learn of God
And love unceasingly
Then Lord I do this for you too

You are my Father in heaven
You are my Saviour too
You are everything my Lord
Your love I aim to prove

I would honour my Father
You who gave me life eternal
Sent His Son's peace offering too
All these things and more

My Lord: I willingly do for 
My family...my love...for you!

Tei Fu

Tei Fu
The best
Cure for
That headache
From hell
That cooling
Blessed release
From pain
I'll tell
It was a wonder
It works a charm
Forcing that blood
To still
Forcing it
To calm

Together

Together...
We will cross any rivers
Together...
Mountains we will climb
Together...
Go to any lengths
Together...
To remain in sunshine

The reef

The sea was calm and peaceful
The sun was shining down
The warmth was a blessing
As I stepped into those waves
I swam out to the end of the pier
That massive long jetty in the sea
Sunlight was streaming through the water
Like search lights seeking peacefully
There were no fish to speak of
Until I finally reached the reef
Then I was amazed: stunned into belief
So many fish were swimming
All over those gigantic rocks
They swam about so peacefully
No predators to stalk them
No dangers for them obviously...
From tiny little fingerlings to huge fish too!
All colours and sizes...all shapes I saw
As I set about my swimming
As I sought to seek out and explore
I took my time exploring all the beauty
For this was the very first time
That I'd had the courage to swim so far
Ah the peace it was enchanting
The sea was moving gracefully
And I grabbed onto a rock and held on
Enjoying the blissful peace and company
As I swam back towards the sandy beach
I found more beauty to draw my eyes
A crab eating his meal of coral
A long nosed stingray hiding in the sand
Pretty pink and green coral beds
Huge gardens of sea grasses
Waving gently to and fro
I found myself in a special paradise
Right next to the massive manmade jetty

When love is calling

I want you

I need you

My heart is leaping

My soul is on fire

Just knowing you are near…

I cried out just now…

Stopped as soon as I heard

Love was calling

I cried out with joy

I cried out with love

I cried out with passion

For those feelings

You bring…

My heart is pounding

It never stops

This wanting you…

I look forward to feeling

Forever in love

Like this

There’d no escaping destiny

I love you so much it hurts

Yes it hurts to be in love!

Waiting patiently

Waiting patiently

For our time together

Waiting patiently

For the days to fly

Waiting patiently

Through this stormy weather

Waiting patiently

For you to be mine

Verbal diarrhoea

Too many words within my head

So much that needs to be said

It all comes gushing out…ah

Those words multiply and spread

They flow like a million raindrops

From a massive water spout

Rushing like a river to meet the sea

That onward impetus to be free…

Do you ever feel insane?

Wonder about your words

From whence they came?

We've all got to remember

To stick our brain "in gear"

Before we open up our mouth

And let out all that... 

Verbal diarrhoea...

The sprinkler

We turned on the sprinkler

To cool the humid air

Trying to survive the heat

It was oppressive everywhere

That tiny little sprinkler

Left a circle of moisture

That the dry grass was after

The children ran around it

They frolicked and had fun

For now it was a little cooler

As that scorching day was

Almost over, was almost done

Starting on the inside

I’m starting on the inside

This new ‘me’ is evolving

This dove within me

Wants to spread its wings

It seeks to find a way

To escape and yet to pervade

All of this human being

All of this human life

Sanity vs. Insanity

Am I insane?

Because I laugh a lot

Am I insane?

Because I lose the plot

Am I insane?

Because I love my God

Am I insane?

Because I worry a lot

Am I insane?

Because I cry for the world

Am I insane?

Because I care too much!

Out on a limb

Ever been there?

Out on a limb?

Done something crazy?

All on a whim

Have you ever felt the calling?

Have you ever felt the need?

To do that which you’ve

Never even thought to heed?

Does the excitement get you?

Is it the newness: the adventuring?

Are you scared of heights?

Did you climb too high?

Can you feel the danger?

Do you wonder how you tried?

What caused you to jump out?

What gave you the strength?

To dare to do the impossible

To step up to the very brink

Is it vertigo to look down?

Is it adrenalin to feel?

Your heart beating quickly

As your head bemoans your fate

Then as you reach that pinnacle

As you look down from lofty heights

Does the magnificence enthral you?

Does the view from far above?

Enable you to feel free

Enable you to finally see

That though the journey was amazing

Though the fears you conquered show

How much beauty is to be garnered

Just by getting up and letting go?

In trusting all to Jesus

In surrendering all your fears

Have you seen the possibility?

Of living life like Christ

When climbing Jacob’s ladder

You finally discover…

That blessed strength within!

My crazy family

I have a crazy family

I love them all you see

‘Cause they have a sense of humour

Just like their crazy mummy

Yes just like me!

We laugh at silly movies

We laugh at silly jokes

And as we laugh together

We share that sense of humour too

Monty Python cracks us up

We quote those silly words

We make our silly faces

And make each other laugh

Our faces ache from laughter

Our tears they trickle down

For when we get together

That’s when we never frown

There’s never a dull moment

We are not “normal” you see

For laughter is the anthem

Of this, my crazy family!

Love me tender

I’ve never felt like I do

With you

Honey be my hubby

Love me true

Don’t ever want to be

Away from you

Love me tender

Love me true
Love me

However you want to

But never stop!

Please…I’m begging you

Soon we’ll have

Both days and nights

To share love and care

Soon the time will slip away

And we’ll be left to wonder

Was it ever any other way?

Locked away

I keep your smile

Locked away inside

It stays with me all the while

In my imagination

Within my heart and soul

In my mind I see your eyes

I feel your breath tickling my face

Making me shiver

These delicious feelings

Make me quiver

Imagining you kiss me honey

Imagining you love me honey

Love…love me do

I’m yearning for you!

Laughing gruncle

Haven’t seen him laughing

For such a long, long time

Haven’t seen him smiling

Yes it’s been quite a while

The pain that wrecks his days

Intrudes into his every night

The Diabetes also tires him

And so we called him "gruncle"

Not just because he’s a “great uncle”

But for “Grumpy uncle” too

But today I saw him laughing

Yes today I saw him smile

It was good to see this

Even if it was only for a little while!

Laugh out loud

Laugh out loud

If you want to

I do

It feels great

To feel this happy

Let joy take flight

Illness

Mum has leukaemia

She is always tired

Though she battles on

It’s so easy to see

This other human being

This other, darker mum that hides

Though she smiles, tries

I see inside her: her eyes betray

That tiredness

That feeling: hopelessness

What? Complacent she is not!

She’s always been the strong one

Always had to be

Since we nearly lost dad

Way back in 1993

A brain aneurism

Almost stole him away

I understand her too

For that’s how I felt

When I had chronic anaemia

That worn out: lifelessness

That exhaustion…

Took its toll

Not enough red blood cells

No energy within

Nothing to call upon

Energy gone…

Even breathing was a chore

So as I look and see

She is feeling

Exactly as I was

Yes exactly like me!

I need you

I need you

Beside me…always

I need your

Hand in mine…always

I need to

See your smiling face…always

I know

You are here in my heart…always

We are never truly apart for

I love you so much

You are

Here in my heart…always

I know

 I know

Exactly what you’re saying

I know

Exactly how you feel

There’s no denying…

I’m so lost without you near

Without you here beside me

It’s like I’m missing

A central part of me

But just hearing your voice

Makes all the difference

Those days I do not hear you

Are the longest…the saddest!

But knowing you’ll soon be here

Soon we’ll be together

Makes it all worthwhile

Evaleah and the sprinkler

 It was cooler in the evening

Thank God we’d made it through

44 degrees was the forecast

It was the day from hell for sure

Finally we all clambered outside

Enjoying the cooler air

Evaleah had the best fun

Under heaven, under setting sun

She took control of that sprinkler

Made it submit to her will

Turning it here and there

Wherever it turned, she was thrilled

She enjoyed the water droplets

As they settled in her hair

Made that rainbow dance

As she mastered it with flair

It was such a precious treasure to see

Evaleah and that little sprinkler

The precious laughter in her eyes

As she chuckled, turned and danced there

Beneath our clear blue summer skies

Encircled

I want to feel…

Encircled by your arms

I want to feel…

Encircled…at peace…

Safe from harm…

Eighty years

Dad goes to bed early

He gets up early too

He never wants or needs

To stay up late

Unless there’s something good to do

He loves playing card games

Doing puzzles he loves best

But come 10 pm he’s cranky

So it’s off to bed to rest

The house was full this January

Every bed was being used

For the whole family gathered

Yes everyone was visiting you see

On Sunday it was dad’s birthday

He was 80 years young

We gathered all together

His precious life to celebrate

All the great grandchildren

Were gathered there that day

To say “we love you grandpa”

Please stay with us for life

‘Cause we love you dearly

We love you oh so much!

We’ll miss you when you’re gone

So get together today

Don’t waste any more time

You never know when God

Will call your loved ones home

You never know when it will come

That dreaded day when life is gone

And Jesus comes to take you home!

Dreaming of fire

I’m dreaming when I want

To wake up next to you

Yes that’s exactly

What I truly want to do

Feeling on fire for you

I would feel like this

For the rest of my days

I close my eyes and think of you

Let’s keep the love fire burning

Let’s never put out that flame

For this fire is so relaxing

Never over-taxing

A good slow burn for me and you!

Catch me if I fall

Will you catch me if I fall?

Will you guide me first of all?

Will you tend my bruised ego?

Will you suffer me to be a fool?

Will you lend your hand my darling?

Will you offer me your grasp?

For life can still be dangerous

Even though it is Jesus’ hand we grasp!

He will gently guide and offer

Along that rocky road to lead

But if we let go and falter?

If we forget to look up at Him

Then we may slip and slide down

Along that path we have begun

So hold on tight to Jesus

Never let His hand escape

For if we think we do not need Him

Surely Satan will enter in to take his place

So hold steadfastly to The Lord

Never let Him go…

Ever look forward, upward

Allow dear Jesus to be your guide

For He is quietly waiting

He is ready whenever you need

But first you must accept Him

First you must declare

“Come into this heart here

Come live inside my very soul

For dear Lord I slip without you

Dear Lord I need you most of all!”