Although it is now the 24th of January here and technically it is not OUR (Australia’s) National Handwriting Day, I could not resist such a fun post. So, as requested by Kim, here is a sample of my handwriting taken from my Bible reading journal from the 23rd.
A snippet from my journal.
And a happy National Handwriting Day to all!
Kim said I should have a go at a 15 word poem thing people are doing on Thursdays.
Here’s my first attempt, inspired by this picture:
Mettle
with silver lining her heart shines
wrought by tears and melded steel
of her resolve
Join us. You too can play.
Let me know if you play!
I’d love to read yours.
…to get me to blog again! I can always tell by the amount of memes she [Kim] tags me for because I’m sure she doesn’t really want to know what kind of pans I like but here we go.. For Kim ’cause I love her!!!!
1. What is your favorite OUTDOOR memory, before Kindergarten?
EASY. My Grandfather – aka Gargi, who died when I was 6 – used to spoil me rotten! To him I was his Dresden plate. He loved me & I knew it!!!!! My first outdoor memory is of me waiting on the steps outside for my Nan and my Gargi to arrive. I remember sitting in the warm sun on the concrete steps playing with leaves and any insects that happened to wander by when my Nan and Gargi arrived, walked up the stairs, promptly smothered me with kisses and handed me the BIGGEST punnet of fresh strawberries I had ever seen! My Gargi stooped down and handed me the punnet saying, “Stay out here and eat these, Katie. But DON’T share them with your dad!” With wide eyes and tingling taste buds I felt like Eve being tempted in the Garden of Eden with the forbidden fruit and wondered if it could possibly be true: Did Gargi really say I was to sit here alone and selfishly eat all of the strawberries? Knowing how much my dad loved strawberries too, I wrestled with guilt but as the temptation was more than I could bear and I sat quietly on the steps so that noone would find me and I ate every single strawberry in the punnet. Without sharing. When the punnet was empty, serpent like I slinked into the kitchen where my family sat and I confessed to my grand deception, gluttony and selfishness. To my surprise my family laughed, scooped me up with cuddles and told me it was fine, the strawberries were all for me because I loved them the most. I felt like I would explode with love and I knew my Gargi loved me much. So much!
2. Do you find history fascinating and if so, which historical period are you most likely to explore?
History. Hmmm. Yep, it fascinates me how people can study it and love it. I would love to love it and have tried to many times but there are so many details that need to be remembered when you study history and I feel like they clutter all my ideas and bury me somewhere in a pile of dust long, long ago.The only way into history for me is through an object: an art work, a novel or an artifact. I love to learn about things and the period they came from but history for history’s sake is as dry as King Tutankhamon’s tomb. As to the period, any time as long as it is relevant to something tangible. I love studying Irish History through literature.
3. What period of art do you prefer and who is your favorite artist?
One period of art? Sheeeesh! One favourite artist? Sigh.
Ummmm… I love art! Just one? Okay, I love the expressionists for their use of bold colours and their attempt to capture the way objects and experiences make them feel! The heightened colour and emotion appeal to me because I feel things strongly. However, I don’t like abstractions. I like the subject to look as it actually would but to be tinged and heightened by the artist’s response. Chagall would have to be my all time favourite painter. His works are passionate, emotive and religious. Oh, and beautiful and ethereal… I could go on…
4. What kind of vacuum cleaner to you own and would you recommend it to someone who is looking for a vacuum cleaner that is strong enough to pick up little red Vizsla hairs without locking itself to the expensive oriental rugs in the process. (not that I know anyone looking for a new vacuum cleaner solution. . .)
Rainbow. A so, so old version of this. Yes, perfect. A great vacuum cleaner.
5. Tell me about your favorite pan, if you have one. Speaking of pans, have you ever made crepes? If so, what is your favorite filling?
Scanpan Classic Sauté Pan with Lid 32cms.
I cook everything in this pan! I love it!!!!! It’s beautiful to cook in, washes well, looks good. But only buy it if it is on sale because it is too darn expensive for a pan, in my opinion.
I have not made crepes myself but my favourite filling is chicken and mushrooms in white sauce, with asparagus on the side. Yummo.
I owe Kim a restaurant meme. The 5 best restaurants in my local area – Sydney, Australia – are debatably:
Mash Café, Glenbrook
This Café has the best breakfasts and I love their ‘Winter Warmer’ Organic hot chocolate with chili, cardamom [& marshmallows, if you like] . It’s great to sit in the warmth of Mash, just at the foot of the Blue Mountains, and eat the most delicious food in the company of good friends. This is one of those cafés that you could retreat to for hours and just keep ordering the occasional warm drink, that is if you can resist the delicious food on their menu. This is a café with a conscience that delivers quality food with great ethical values. They are fair trade and all tips go to the sponsorship of three World Vision children. Oooh, and they’re friendly to our children too! The kids menu is also great and children are given pencils and paper to colour in while they wait…not that you have to wait very long ’cause the service is great too. Oh, I wish you were all nearby so we could run off for a while to Mash. What would you order?
Tasman’s in the City
This restaurant has just closed down I’ve heard which is a terrible shame because the food there was delicious!!! Now I’m too cranky to talk up their food, not that it needed talking up. I can’t believe they’re shut! Grrrr!
Bottom of the Harbour Seafoods, Balmoral Beach
This is one of those Cafés in which the waitresses don’t make a single note about your order but manage to get it perfectly right every time! I am always impressed when that happens and know that the food is going to be awesome. And it is. I went here the other day with a friend and I casually asked if they had any Berry Frappes. The lady taking our order said they don’t usually make fruit frappes but she could whip one up for me if I liked. “Sure,” I replied wondering what strange version of a Frappe I’d receive. I was not disappointed. I had the best frappe I have ever tasted. Yummo! It so should be on their menu! My friend ordered calamari which was also the best calamari in the world. Amazing! If you’re ever in Balmoral – go!
Hayashi Teppanyaki Restaurant, Castle Hill
Because sometimes you should be allowed to throw food at each other.
I am a fussy restaurant eater so that’s all I can think of right now if this is to be a list of the best! Sad, I know, but I am going out for dinner tonight so perhaps I’ll find another restaurant to add to my list then. For now, my number 5 will be:
The Book Haven– one of my favourite bookshops because it contains a delectable assortment of literary treats and treasures that I just cannot wait to sink my teeth into. With books stacked up in piles all over the floor as there is no room left on the shelves it is also a complete mess – not unlike my house after a dinner party – which makes it exciting when you actually find something you want! AND the shop owner can get me any book from anywhere in the world in about 2 weeks! I love it. Food for the soul! Yum!
Books are food, right?
Oh, now the tagging:
I would like it if Ish played – even if he plays in the comments section here – because he is from Tasmania and I soooooo miss Tassie food! I’d love to hear about his favourite eats in Tassie. He may even like to write a poem about them! That would be awesome!
I would like to hear about the 5 best places to eat in Africa from dekker when he returns.
I would also like to know where one4jc eats when she’s out and about on her motorbike! Congrats on getting your license!!!
Ellen is a bit of a traveller, so I’d like to see which places she chooses from anywhere.
And finally, because I made Island Sparrow hungry in my last post, I’d like to read about her favourite places to eat on PE Island.
If I haven’t tagged you and you’d like to play, please do!!!
I have been gone too long. Sorry. I didn’t mean to cause alarm. Just busy. You know how it goes. Oh, and yeah, we’ve had a bit of a virus going around but it’s not fun to speak of such things. In fact I couldn’t have spoken of such things had I wanted to: I lost my voice for about a week and somehow felt like the loss of my audible voice affected my written voice too, so, strangely, I couldn’t post in that time either. I think I just enjoyed the enforced silence. It was nice to be quiet. Oh, and my internet connection went down – well my wireless network anyway – for about a week. Thus the longer silence.
But, it’s back now and so am I, as briefly as it may be. Exams need marking, reports are to be written, assessments to be set, about 14 novels to read – I have two classes doing book boxes at the moment so I have sooooo many novels to read – and I have a little sick boy waking up at all hours. Last week was a shocker. A complete shocker for so many reasons. There were glimpses of gold in amidst the rubble though and I’d prefer to post about these. So, with that said, I’m abandoning this update on the doom and gloom and will be back shortly with news of a happier kind.
How have you all been in my absence?
I know, I’ve been away for a while. Kim is very sneakily trying to flush me out with a meme – she’s a sly one! – and I must say, it worked. So, here you go Kim:
Seven Random Things About Me – as requested.
Here’s how it works: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. You need to tag others and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged .
Yes, I put the rules last. That’s so those of you who want to play know the rules. Tell me if you’re playing. I want to read your answers.
The beautiful Islandsparrow tagged me for this meme some time ago so finally I have some answers for her. Now I couldn’t find anywhere that said these characters had to be out of novels so some of mine are out of epic poems because I love and hate the characters in those poems! And one of my characters is out of a short story. See what you think…
1. Three characters you wish were real so you could meet them.
Tom Bombadil from The Lord of the Rings.
Aslan from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The Selfish Giant when he is not selfish anymore from Oscar Wilde’s short story by the same title.
Oh! Why must I only choose three? I also want to meet Selima, the cat, in the poem Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat Drowned in a Tub of Gold Fishes by Gray, but it was a real cat so I’m not sure that counts…?
2. Three characters you would like to be.
Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prarie. I soooo wanted to be her when I was little!
Emma from Jane Austen’s novel because I love matchmaking!
Abdeil in Paradise Lost because he stands alone against Satan and his rebellious horde fiercely and remains loyal to God in a mighty battle. He is awesome!
“…the Seraph Abdiel faithful found,
Among the faithless, faithful only he;
Among innumerable false, unmoved,
Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified,
His loyalty kept, his love, his zeal;
Nor number, nor example with him wrought
To swerve him from the truth, or change his constant mind
Though single.”
3. Three characters who scare you.
Grendel in Beowulf
Poseidon in The Odyssey
(Actually any characters in Beowulf or The Odyssey. Even the good guys are scary!)
The Vicomte de Valmont in Les Liaisons dangeruses. Sinister!
Now I need to tag three more people so, Radagast, Beck and Paul – if you haven’t done this you’re up. I would tag John and Andrew but you two still owe me some interview questions! Bah! If anyone else wants to play, join in. Let me know in the comments.
Enjoy!
…and we thought it would never get here. 
arrived yesterday: 17 April 2007
Woooooohooooooooh!
Thank you!
That’s right, Bookworm Bookmarks have made it Down Under! There are some great new designs – go and have a look. You too could be as happy as me!
Thanks, Kim!
Mwah!
These are for you.
And because everything is coming up Irish this month, I’m thinking that should apply to your birthday too. If I lived in Ireland I would have picked you a bouquet of these Irish wildflowers. As I don’t, what I can give you are some Irish birthday toasts just for you: (they must be read with a certain amount of Irish humour)
We drink to your coffin. May it be built from the wood of a hundred year old oak tree that I shall plant tomorrow.
May God grant you many years to live, for sure he must be knowing, the earth has angels all too few and heaven is overflowing…
May the doctor never earn a pound out of you.
May the good Lord take a liking to you…
But not too soon!And some of my favourites…
May the frost never afflict your spuds.
May the leaves of your cabbage always be free from worms.
May the crows never pick your haystack.
If you inherit a donkey, may she be in foal.May the rains sweep gentle across your fields,
May the sun warm the land,
May every good seed you have planted bear fruit,
And late summer find you standing in fields of plenty.and finally, because you can never have too many Irish blessings:
An Irish Prayer
May God give you…
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.
Breithlá sona duit!
regainingparadise 