Carnivale inspired by Cirque du Soleil

February 26, 2013February 26, 2013 / Robert / 7 Comments

This picture was inspired by the Cirque du Soleil characters on the 2012 Christmas tree combined with the imagined moss greens of a northern European forest and the eerie light at dusk. For some reason the song Gypsys,Tramps and Thieves popped into my head:

Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” was the first single from Cher’s 1971 eponymous album Cher. The album was subsequently renamed and re-released as Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves after the success of the single. The song was written by songwriter Bob Stone as a story-song called “Gypsys, Tramps and White Trash”. Producer Snuff Garrett advised that the title be changed and Stone then changed it to “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves”

Songwriters: STONE, BOB
I was born in the wagon of a travellin’ show
My mama used to dance for the money they’d throw
Papa would do whatever he could
Preach a little gospel, sell a couple bottles of Doctor Good

CHORUS
Gypsys, tramps, and thieves
We’d hear it from the people of the town
They’d call us Gypsies, tramps, and thieves
But every night all the men would come around
And lay their money down

Picked up a boy just south of Mobile
Gave him a ride, filled him with a hot meal
I was sixteen, he was twenty-one
Rode with us to Memphis
And papa woulda shot him if he knew what he’d done

CHORUS

I never had schoolin’ but he taught me well
With his smooth southern style
Three months later I’m a gal in trouble
And I haven’t seen him for a while, uh-huh
I haven’t seen him for a while, uh-huh

She was born in the wagon of a travellin’ show
Her mama had to dance for the money they’d throw
Grandpa’d do whatever he could
Preach a little gospel, sell a couple bottles of Doctor Good

CHORUS CHORUS FADES

Rainbow Spiral

February 12, 2013February 10, 2021 / Robert / 15 Comments

When I write, draw and paint I become completely absorbed in the task, as if a creative power has taken over my mind and body. Those that follow this blog, know that I’m an introvert with something to say using a quiet voice. I speak to those who want to listen, rather than competing with those who talk over me.

I created the Rainbow Spiral picture above in an unconscious moment, while trying out a stylus for iPad, my dear friend Matt gave to me. The spirals reflect the interconnection between people on their paths to enlightenment. The movement and colours are inspired by this time of year when Sydney celebrates Mardi Gras.

The first gay and lesbian Mardi Gras Parade was held in 1978 to lobby politicians for equal rights. One of the reasons my partner and I moved to Australia in 1998 was that the land down under appeared to be more progressive in the equality arena. How times have changed, same sex marriage has passed the House of Commons in the UK. My partner and I celebrate 20 years together this year, yet we do not have the same rights as married couples.

I believe that equality is one of the prerequisites for peace. This is still a far off dream here.

Man meets nature

February 9, 2013February 9, 2013 / Robert / 8 Comments

Timber power poles are commonplace in Sydney. I like the weather worn appearance of this one near our home. The uneven surface of the wood contrasts with the smooth, metal street light support, cables and ceramic insulators.

A native Bottlebrush tree flourishes next to the pole. It attracts brightly coloured native lorikeets who have to compete for space with territorial Indian Myna birds. A member of the Starling family, the Indian Myna bird was introduced by man to Australia in the 1860’s to keep the insect population at bay.

Inspirational Birds of Paradise Flowers

February 8, 2013March 26, 2016 / Robert / 11 Comments

Before venturing to the Southern Hemisphere, a dear friend gave me painted, wooden, Balinese, Bird of Paradise flowers, they have fascinated me ever since.

I took the above last weekend while visiting Newcastle, the second largest city in New South Wales after Sydney. I particularly like the combination of secondary colours and the shades of green, orange and purple.

After experiencing limited Internet access for the past week, the following have inspired me to get my act together:
“Allow yourself to step away from the madness and frenzy of life and step into balance and awareness”. My Awakening Life

Monthly art celebrating the goddess conceived by, Adventures and Musings of a Hedgewitch

Peace Practice: Everyday Gurus

I’m finding it difficult to accept that my ramblings here deserve to be nominated for the following awards. Thank you to my nominators, followers and likers for expressing the contrary.

Day Dreamer Award by Mental Mystic

Liebster Award by Blog It or Lose It

Very Inspiring Blogger Award by Tuttacronaca

Rubbish Dump to Park

January 18, 2013 / Robert / 3 Comments

Brick works in the 19th century, rubbish dump in the 20th, thank fully the last 22 years have seen the City of Sydney transform this mistreated landscape into 44 hectares of parkland to be enjoyed in the 21st century.

path

Sydney Park’s 12km (about 19 miles) of paths are enjoyed by walkers, joggers and cyclists. Being an off leash parks, dogs are free to run while children play in a safety.

There is space to picnic and also to enjoy the native shrubs and trees.

As the park matures ducks are attracted to the wetlands.

If you are lucky you can enjoy the sight of black swans regally, gliding by.

Grevillea flower

January 15, 2013January 16, 2013 / Robert / 1 Comment

I am constantly amazed by the native Australian flora and fauna. Delicate feather likes leaves and the arrayed tendrils of the flowers combine to make Grevillea one of my favourite plants.

Lilly Pilly Flowers

January 14, 2013January 16, 2013 / Robert / 3 Comments

When we moved into the house around 1.5 years ago the Australian native Lilly Pilly hedge was in a sorry state, suffering from a severe case of scale.

A couple of feeds with fertiliser pellets and white oil treatment has encouraged a few flowers to appear this year.

Resolute Spirit of the Tree

January 13, 2013September 1, 2013 / Robert / 13 Comments

Green moss adorned onlooker of the World,
Home to insects, animals, birds and snakes,
Lashed by rain, lightening scarred, while the sun bakes;
Stalwart sentinel, twisting branches, knurled,
Reaching to clouds on high with leaves unfurled,
Seasons run their course; sudden peace breaks
As man cuts down life for the wood he takes
Screeching saw, “Timber!” strip, chop, trim and hurled.

Fearsome visage masks gentle inner force,
Resolute guardian, woodland watcher stands,
Spirit strong among the trees’ earth bound roots;
The forest needs to stand free from man’s hands,
The cycle of life, a natural resource,
Relieve harm to Gaia as man pollutes.

I was inspired to write this poem when I saw what appeared to be a face, spine and pelvis in the mirrored image of moss growing on a tree trunk in Sydney Park.

Celebrating the elementals at Yuletide/Litha

December 24, 2012December 24, 2012 / Robert / 1 Comment

Being mid-Summer in Australia we are celebrating Litha, the Summer solstice while the northern hemisphere celebrates Yuletide. Over the last few days the water temperature in the pool has been a comfortable 28-30oC.

Afternoons spent frolicking with the undines of the pool flow perfectly into evenings on the deck surrounded by the gnomes of the Earth while celebrating the salamanders by candlelight and honouring the sylphs of the air with sandalwood incense.