May 2008

just want to let everyone know that I stop in almost daily for a very brief visit, but am taking a sort of temporary absence from writing etc. It is summertime [maybe the first one in a few years that I can enjoy to its fullest] and I am taking advantage]. I am keeping all of you in my heart and I WILL be back [there is no doubt]

much love to all my friends,

you know whom and where you are,

xoxoxoxoxo

reenie

the ribbon has become a support symbol for many causes [depending on the colour]. At this present time [even though all other causes are of equal importance], I would like to pretend it is yellow. Therewith I am sending my support to every man and woman that is currently fighting a war, as well as to all of their family members left behind here. They are soldiers in their own right. May every single one [regardless of where they are] remain safe and be re-united with their loved ones as soon as possible. My wholehearted support of these courageous families however does NOT make me a supporter of the war as well, it is merely a thank you to everyone who is out there doing what they have been told to do. I admire their courage...they are the stuff that heroes are made of. They do not have to fall in battle to become a hero in my eyes-they have already achieved that simply by the status of being a soldier. Thank you,

Namaste,

reenie

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Welcome to my page, as well as to a little corner of my real world. I call it one of my "Zen spots". It houses many more plants and also my birds and lizard [whose pictures you can see when scrolling down some]

speak to me softly, in the language of your heart and soul about whatever lives deep within there. Fancy words are not necessary, as long as I am somehow touched and or influenced by being able to "feel" your words to me that is an excellent poem. Anything close to our hearts is worth putting into words [it really does not matter what it is-as we all are individuals and different tunes play the song of US......................never put down your own work because someone else might have critiqued it harshly. Poetry is subjective and they only looked at it from their perspective with words like "this sucks" . There are a lot of great artists on this site, just be aware of those that believe themselves to be experts and please do not ever let anyone like that keep you from pursuing your need to write. It is a need [or we would not be doing it]

it is but upon true reflection that we should see ourselves more flawed than we are willing to admit. Even the most perfect of roses is not quite as perfect as it appears at first glance. Maybe we should divorce our egos.........

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This is a picture of a castle in the country that I was born and raised in [ Grand Duchy of Luxembourg] My daughter attended two years of school on the grounds right below the castle, when we returned there to familarise my children with a bit of "mom's" background history and my son was able to attend Kindergarten and first grade in the same schoolbuilding that I did. As a matter of fact, one of my best friends from my growing up years was his teacher. What a treat that was .

By the time students graduate HS, most are able to speak four languages [our native patois, French, German and English.

 Luxembourg is an enchanted country with legends about and beautiful fresh water river and streams [mermaids live there as well]. Maybe that is why I still like to believe in fairytales and all things magic . It keeps me young at heart.

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we are our own music, for it lives within us. Hear it-your own accompanied by that of everyone else. What a concerto we all can put on "together". It is UNIVERSAL and should officially be declared a language. Everyone understands it , from the primitive drums in the jungles to the sophisticated symphony performances

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I arise facing East,

I am asking towards the light

I am asking that my day

Shall be beautiful with light.

I am asking that the place

Where my feet tread shall be light,

That as far as I can see

I shall follow it aright.

I am asking for the courage

To walk forward through the shadow,

I am asking towards the light.

                                      by:  Mary Austin 

Some of my favorite quotes:

a man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another's

Jean Paul Richter

1763-1825

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Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you wouldn't take any money.

Anonymous

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The reason a dog has so many friends is because he wags his tail instead of his tongue.

author unknown to me [if you know, please im me-I will gladly give credit]

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The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience,but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Martin Luther King

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Forgiveness is like the violet sending forth its pure fragrance on the heel of the boot that crushed it.

author unknown again

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"and what is as important as knowledge"? asked  the mind-

caring and seeing with the heart," replied the soul-

author unknown

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welcome to my scribblings. I hope some of them can be considered "poetry" by someone that might read one or two. Personally I am not sure, but to me a lot of them are the music of my heart and soul [I guess that is as close to poetry as I can get].

Occasionally I try my hand at "form poetry" just to challenge it. But for the most part I write free-form-style. I do however enjoy haiku, but sometimes get frustrated as so many seem to have a different opinion as to what haiku really is. I tried to channel Basho [unfortunately he kept mum] So all I am asking is that if you do critique one of my haikus , please do it in a curteous way and in such that I might walk away with a bit more knowledge and insight. Please do not come across as the "one and only expert".

Most of my writes are born from feelings, experiences, observations , fantasy or dreams ,and or personal beliefs or convictions.  there are however much greater writers than myself on this site, and some have published a book or two. At this time that is not something I aspire to do....but I admire all of those that have done so.

I am trying to compile a list of those authors that I am familiar with right here, with a link to their book. If you happen across this and would like your book noted on my page, please send me the info. Please understand that I will only mention the ones by authors that I am personally familiar with and whom have touched me in one way or another during my time on this site:

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Lyrical Soul -Robin Maples [softly she speaks always] The title of her book is: "Into The Light " and she does know the way into it. Her writings attest to that.  

www.lulu.com/content205962

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kaibab [always a breath of fresh air to read this author], a collaboration of his and hers poetry by Rich [kaibab] and Hannah [No Deliverance] Book title : "Paint Me Beautiful"

http://www.amazon.com/Paint-Me-Beautiful-collection-poetry/dp/1424162106/ref=sr_1_1/002-8116614-2083254?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173122908&sr=1-1

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Night Hope -[Wanda Lea Brayton]  The title of her Book is: "Swanee Sighs"
www.publishamerica.com

www.publishamerica.com/shopping/shopreviewlist.asp?id=13874

                                              

                                  the following link is provided in case you are in the mood to share what I think is one of the prettiest things I have run across on the net. Relax and enjoy.

www.cryofthespirit.com/birdsing.html

Please also meet some very important members of our family. They have chosen me as their slave and I oblige with pleasure [for I probably need them more than they do me]

Lizzie, aka Elizabeth, my Bearded Dragon. She is missing her left foot [apparently it was bitten off by one of her mates at her previous owner's house]but she does not let that little handicap interfere with her joy of life. Oh , do not go urghhhhhhhhhh....I have found out that even lizzards need love and return it as well.

PS: Unfortunately Lizzie dies in her sleep this past Sunday [Feb 3rd 2008]. Fortunately I have witnesses or no one would believe what happened Saturday evening....she came to the end of her cage and lifted her foot as to wave good-bye. Mind you, I had never seen her do that before. Sunday morning she had expired. I am sure it was a sheer coincidence....but then again , do we really ever know for sure?

Max is my spoiled rotten blue and gold Macaw. He has been with me for about 5 years now. He is 17 years old and the life expectancy of a healthy Macaw can be anywhere from 60 to 90 years old. He just might outlive me. Max has had one or two previous homes from what I was told. It seems as if one owner was allergic to his dander and in the other case it is assumed that he might have been abused and neglected. It took me shedding a few pints of blood inflicted by that lethal beak of his -----until he learned to trust me 100%. Please know that these bites were not due to his visciousness........he was scared. Anyway, right now the relationship between him and myself is that of trust and a bond of heart and soul that surpasses anything I have ever experienced. He has taught me so much....about "unconditional everything" and has declared me to be his "main chick". He has even developed a great friendship with hubby [especially when I am not around]. If I am , he tries not to make me jeaulous;), I make him believe that I would be.

In this picture he helped me decorate for autumn in 2004. He took on the role of a scarecrow in disguise.

Sam[my Timneh African Grey] Sam is also a previously owned and at one time neglected bird. He has a damaged wing that prevents him from really flying [but he sort of flutters around]As you see he feels quite comfortable here now and loves strolling around on my bed. African Greys are super intelligent and his vocabulary consists of many single words , as well as a lot of complete sentences....for example "Sam needs fresh water"-" How about a bath"? " -"Be careful, see ya later"- and everytime I drop an object within hearing range of him , he will say "oh-oh"  . He has aked me not to tell some of the other words he knows.{he did not learn them from me]                     

the artist credit goes to mel Gama. The picture reminded me of dancing like a puppet on a string to my animal's tune. They want-I jump, I do [but the thank you and returned love is priceless]

this picture was created for me by B. Chandler [a great poetesse, artist as well as a wonderful soul]. Thank you sweetie, I love it!

I remember daisies and love letters. The daisies have wilted and the love letter's parchment has turned brittle. But their meaning has not changed. With age they have become even more precious. For now they are memories to be looked back upon-[memories of the heart], and the heart does not forget.

I'd like to to catch a shooting star-scientists told me they were merely particles of dust. I want science to prove it to me.

BTW, unicorns do not believe in you either until you start believing in them. I do !

and you have to click your heels together now and then in order to reach Oz. Kansas is nice [but everyone needs an escape]

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the dedication below was written for me by one of my most cherished friends here on the site [as well as a great poetesse] If you get a chance, please stop by her pages and beblessed by what she offers. I know that I am

http://allpoetry.com/maa

                       

 the poem below was written by a friend . It so much says what friendship is all about...it is indeed a mutual touch, sharing.............. no more , no less, it is like a seed planted into cold ground to be nurtured and nourished with warmth to bloom.

thank you my friend

you came softly
as a scent, a quiet thought
  an arid breeze rising
asking of me one thing
a mutual touch, sharing

thank you JohnnyD [a great friend and confidante]  

~ Reenie ~

 

If spring were Reenie-
She’d be cherry blossoms' smile-
And soft Warbler’s voice-

Author notes

dedicated to Reenie, the only woman on Earth I do not mind giving me the bird.