Glee

Glee

Blue Monday: Softly Sought Memories

Blue Monday: Softly Sought Memories

Softly Sought Memories

Recall to me these
Softly sought memories
Of hazy spring meadows
Thick with flowers,
Alive with the buzz
Of bees, the gentle
Flutter of gossamer wings,
Bright pretty things
To delight the mind
Of an innocent child,
Of the forgetful youth,
Of the hasty adolescent,
Of this wishful woman.
Recall to me those
Lazy, gentle days,
That I may become
Lost in them.

The image is of the forget-me-nots in our front gardens, which inspired my poem on reminiscence. They always remind me of Spring as a child growing up in the countryside.

Part of Blue Monday, hosted by Jeanne at Backyard Neighbor, and Ailsa’s Travel Theme: Poetry

Wordless Wednesday: Smile Of Light

Wordless Wednesday: Smile Of Light

Blue Monday: Fun Days

Blue Monday: Fun Days

I love these fun photos I took of Zach running about and enjoying the sun at Hall Place and Gardens in Bexley 🙂

Wordless Wednesday: Golden Days

Wordless Wednesday: Golden Days

Weekly Photo Challenge: Adventure

Weekly Photo Challenge: Adventure

The greatest adventure of all is awaiting young Matthew – life! Childhood itself is a mini-adventure within the overall story of our lives and Matthew, his brother Callum and their cousins are enjoying every moment of it together. Watching them all playing together at Matthew’s First Birthday party was a joy. Matthew is certain to be taking his first unaided steps any day now and once he’s off there’ll be no stopping him! I’ve added in some captions on Matthew behalf for these galleries 😉

They all had fun playing outside in garden together. They tried to rope me in to playing “It”, but my running-round-the-garden-screaming days are, sadly, a bit behind me now!

I love the way small children can turn just about anything into the greatest toy EVER!

Blue Monday: Eliza Blue Eyes

Blue Monday: Eliza Blue Eyes

Eliza was one of several children keeping us on our toes and entertained at a friends barbecue on Saturday. You can see in those big blue eyes that she’s full of mischief! Life is such an adventure when you’ve just found your feet 🙂

Monochrome Madness: Best Friends

Monochrome Madness: Best Friends

This is Mylie with their family dog, Samui. Taking this photograph transported me to my childhood, reminding me of the relationship my siblings and I had with our first family pet, William. I thought it would be a great entry for Monochrome Madness.

Monochrome Madness is a weekly challenge set up by blogging friends, Leanne Cole and Laura Macky. I love both of their blogs! Lots of inspiration, advice and wonderful images.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Threshold

Weekly Photo Challenge: Threshold

Threshold: the starting point of an experience, event, or venture

Krista Stevens set the challenge this week and she shares her thoughts on the theme “A threshold is a point of entering; that point just before a new beginning — that split-second moment in time, full of anticipation. All the hard work is over; relief is palpable.”

Five month old Bert, the Bengal Eagle Owl, is on the threshold of his career with Xtreme Falconry as he performed his first public flight this weekend at RHS Wisley Gardens!

He was rather distracted by the sight and sounds of all the people and the garden birds. Not surprising for such a young owl! Bert certainly made us laugh with his antics of procrastination! He really took his time but with some persuasion from Martin, he finally spread those glorious wings. I’m so glad that we stayed to watch this magic moment despite the chill weather.

Seeing this Bengal (or Indian) Eagle Owl brought back some special childhood memories of my first close encounters with birds of prey. I’ve found some old slides, taken by my dad, of fellow artist, photographer and falconer, David, myself and a fluffy Bengal owlet called Sammy 🙂

Bert’s fabulous flight has also inspired a new poem. Watching or flying birds of prey is a truly wonderful experience! The supreme speed of the falcons, the soaring long-wings, hovering kestrels, pack-hunting hawks and the silence of the owls.

Hunter

Perfectly poised
On the very brink
The threshold of flight
Feathered sails soar
On unseen air currents
Slicing swift and silent
Ghosting a path
Through the fading light
The shadow of a scimitar
Haunting the skies
Searching, seeking out
Where your mark lies
Unaware, unable to detect
The soundless spectre
This noble hunter
Resolute in purpose
Your objective set
Great golden orbs
Aglow with intelligence
Tubular eyes fixed
Firmly upon the quarry
The very sustenance
Upon which your grace
And power depends
The target is locked
Armament deployed
Scything spurs extend
The axe falls

Taste Of Autumn: Horse Chestnut

I’m including today’s post in the Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside

The Horse Chestnut‘s seed is actually toxic and not to be eaten! It’s thought that some animals, including deer, have developed a way to break down this toxicity. They are extremely dangerous to horses!

Here in the UK, children have collected these shiny, brown beauties for over 150 years for the great, autumnal game of Conkers, often played on village greens and in school playgrounds.

Haiku: Inside

Hiding inside a
Green and browning shell, child’s dream,
Champion conker