Artist

Alexander Averin

Friday 22 August 2008

More Bits and Bobs


Dear Diary,

These are a couple of pics taken on our walk with Finn and Kitty, we were high up in the forest close to our cottage. The Forestry workers have cut down a lot of pine trees and opened up the fantastic views.







This next pic is by Klimt of course. My brother and sister in law are coming to stay with us this weekend after they have been to the Klimt exhibition at Tate Liverpool.





This poem is another of my favourites.


Villanelle For Our Time


From bitter searching of the heart,
Quickened with passion and with pain
We rise to play a greater part.
This is the faith from which we start:
Men shall know commonwealth again
From bitter searching of the heart.
We loved the easy and the smart,
But now, with keener hand and brain,
We rise to play a greater part.
The lesser loyalties depart,
And neither race nor creed remain
From bitter searching of the heart.
Not steering by the venal chart
That tricked the mass for private gain,
We rise to play a greater part.
Reshaping narrow law and art
Whose symbols are the millions slain,
From bitter searching of the heart
We rise to play a greater part.


Leonard Cohen

The man is a genius.


I haven't felt inspired to write from my own heart these last few days. I have been in a mulling mood rather than an expressive one, so to stay in touch I have just picked a few more bits and bobs that I hoped you may like looking at and listening to. Talking of which, listen to this, it is Sara Maclachlan singing Angel (live) accompanied on the guitar by Carlos Santana. Angel is one of my favourite songs, one that I just have to listen to from time to time. Sara sings like an angel too.






I hope you have a weekend full of wonder,

I hope the sun shines on you.

Enjoy each miracle,

Go mbeannai Dia duit,
Cait.

8 comments:

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Oh, you do live in an enchanted place. So beautiful.

Those pictures, and Leonard too! Perfect. He is indeed a genius. I was listening to "Closing Time" over and over again the other day. I know he's touring again and can only hope he comes my way.

Happy weekend!

Elizabethd said...

Nice bits and bobs, Cait. What incredible views you have nearby.

Frances said...

Cait, is it really true that you can see that view on a regular basis?

I am very envious. Just to experience that vast expanse of gorgeous landscape would be miracle for me.

Another Leonard Cohen fan also checks in here.

xo

Irene said...

Everything is a miracle and the fact that I can stand in awe of it is also a miracle. Why are we instantly filled with wonder and amazement at that baby in the hands of that man? Why do we stand in amazement at those wonderful views on your photographs? We have a built in receptor to react in wonder at these things. If you come from a flat country, and you see your first mountain, you feel like you are coming home and your heart is filled with joy. Why is that?

Pat Posner said...

Lovely pictures, Cait.
Like you, I count living with views as one of my blessings.

Pondside said...

Hello Cait - I do like your bits and bobs! First - I love Klimt. I've seen some needlepoint pillows inspired by a few of the paintings and think I'd love to make them up. Second - you've highlighted two of my favorite compatriots - Leonard and Sara. Angel is one of my favorite songs, but it will always have a bitter sweet meaning for me, as it was played at the funeral of a wonderfully talented but troubled young woman - the daughter of friends.

Pondside said...

BTW - meant to say that Sara is the spokeswoman for the SPCA over here, and that Angel is played with the SPCA clips.

CAMILLA said...

Dear Cait,

Such a wonderful post, and where you live is so lovely. Beautiful pictures and I too am a Leonard Cohen fan.

It is the one reason that we have thought twice about moving again, we have lovely views too, just wish I had that calming view of your river Cait.

xx