let it shine

remember that scene in the film 'Love Actually' in which Hugh Grant's character is door-knocking in search of his beloved

and some small precocious children demand that he sings Christmas carols? remember the look on his face as his minder joins in with a deep and lovely rich fruitcake voice?

i had such a moment today, attending the funeral of an old family friend. the congregation rose for the singing of the 23rd psalm and suddenly the most wonderful tones emanated from the gentleman next to me, a deep and glorious tenor with the velvety texture of dark chocolate that has been gently warmed by an open fire.

and it was generously loud.

so i joyfully sang harmonies, reflected on the great pleasure that singing with others can give and thanked our departed friend for having this other friend

who brought such delight on an otherwise sad day

be sure to wear a flower in your hair

i still cherish the memory of running long-haired and barefoot in the park on Russian Hill [in San Francisco] at seventeen; accompanied by a borrowed dog. the white cheesecloth top i lived in back then is now worn by my eldest daughter and somewhat threadbare ...the flowered skirt still exists as testament to my much-missed waist. reader, i was sylph-like in those days. 

now some 33 years later i wear shoes and carry a batfone - but the ringtone is Jimi Hendrix "purple haze" and the alarm call is Janis Joplin singing "summertime" [in duet with Jimi]

so you can imagine my delight when i spotted this glorious chariot in the carpark of the public house at a nearby village.

it's good to know someone is still wearing flowers in their hair... 

this version was recorded in Stockholm but it's no less a pleasant trip back in time...and here's that purple haze....

roadtripping

today was a teaching day. this meant leaving home shortly after sunrise on this Sunday morning - the farm ute loaded like a tinker's cart with assorted pots and pans. i put my trust in the universe and decided to see what the roadsides would bear in terms of suitable material for dye-making (oh, alright, I did take a bag full of onionskins, just in case)

i was rewarded with Solidago canadensis (golden rod), Acacia baileyiana (Cootamundra Wattle), the mistletoe that grows on that wattle (which I think is Amyema linophylla ssp. orientale), the bark of a dead Acacia melanoxylon, several eucalypt sticks, acorns from Quercus species, Eucalyptus sideroxylon leaves and flowers, Eucalyptus cinerea leaves, Eucalyptus globulus leaves, Amyema miraculosa, Prunus blireiana and Acer rubrum (in all its autumn glory).

not a bad haul at all. it was a good day, made even better by finding a small box labelled 'mumsie's luncheon' placed in the holdall by the Youngest of the Three.

and then to cap it all, it was Jam night at our local Public House and after much fantastic blues work a small group sang Amazing Grace, acapella in full voice. bliss.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,That saved a wretch like me -I once was lost but now am found,Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught -my heart to fear.And Grace, my fears relieved.How precious did that Grace appear -the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares -we have already come.T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far -and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me -His word my hope secures.He will my shield and portion be -as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years -bright shining as the sun.We've no less days to sing God's praise -then when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,That saved a wretch like me -I once was lost but now am found,Was blind, but now, I see.

i don't subscribe to any particular religious code (having cut out the middle-man in my communication with the Great Mother years ago) but this spiritual always slices straight to the heart