Sunshine and tube surfing...

morning light of hyde park

walking with ravens and squirrels and oodles of dogs

autumn light is my favourite

moments of my life is like in the movies i cherish. this bench a memorial to a couple whom i think i would have like to spend time with.
A very modest war hero - not just modest but very. He must have been courageous and acted with bravery and then not shared his accomplishments.
To light up a room with a smile.... i like people like this, happy, kind, welcoming....
I like telling myself stories about the things i notice....
The Yeoman at the London Tower said "History is not the past" it is the stories told by the victors. History is a version of the past not in its truth or totality. Often history is told by people who were not even there. The very modest war heroes don't tell grand stories. Those who can only imagine grand stories tell them.

I like stories about historical people and some of their antics. The women are particularly interesting to me. I wonder what my daughter thinks of these women and their smiles.She was most engaged with the Yeoman's stories at the Tower of London and he spoke to her directly as a future queen or feminist history maker. Loved that impact.

Courage under these restless skies... and off with their heads....

a glass pillow sits where many peoples lives were cut short because of what they did or didn't do.
courage is always required when daring greatly

off to Buckingham Palace so musings are short this morning....

London fair city...

Arrived in London. Sun is shining. Train is fast. Sitting in the appartment in Paddington, the children sleep, the traffic bussels by 3 floors below and I stare out the window at the scrolls of stone on the building acrosss the road. The hospital maybe as old as the buildings in my fair town.
I am told penicillin was discovered there. Wow. It's old and tall and probably no one but me has noticed how lovely the old ordinary London architecture is.
It's ugly and pretty all at once.
Beer and cider at the pub. It's 3am back home. Sleep is knocking on my eyelids. Family greet us and the relief is sweet, like good chocolate. A treat to be met, welcomed and guided. Strangers become dear ones in a smile.
We entered Heathrow like in Love Actually. A smiling familiar face and I was in the movie of my life. It's real I'm here, London, once more. This time with my family, not my cousin, 2 girls 1st time travellers or 2kindy friends ready for a party and adventure. This time to sight see and explore with childlike wonder. Places of kings and princesses, old and classic.

We are headed back to Europe. I'm excited.



First London



then Paris

We say goodbye to this gorgeous one...





We are heading over the rainbow. Leaving behind rain, flooding rivers and grey skies.
Adventures await us in the Northern Hemisphere.

And away we go......

*sparkle&twirl xx

everything changes, while it all stays the same.....

Do you know what I mean?

 

 

 

I don't spend much time here anymore.

Its strange because it was such an important part of my life, when I was exploring my identity and who I  was becoming after having the little ones. Many roles, much uncertainty.

Mother, wife, friend, small business owner, entrepreneur, unemployed, artist, lunch lady, wrier, student, traveller and then worker.

The past 2years in full-time work has not left much time to play on the computer. Spending the better part of 8hrs on one at work, coming home to a screen was not high on the joy list.

I miss the bloggers whose lives I got to know. Artists who inspired me.

Reading others' posts is like catching up with an old friend. Absence makes one say, "Gee haven't you grown?"

To look at my own page, all I see is absence. I write reports and assessments and training packages, emails and newsletters and because of this my inner writing has been pushed aside. I miss the creative writing, making up stories or sharing life's adventures.
it's okay to miss things. I know that things change, even though they stay the same.

 

I did a painting class and got my mojo back.

 

so 2015 my word is INVENTING

scary and not certain if I will have the courage to invent what's needed

will focus on my animal totem of the EAGLE, and remember not only to fly but to soar....

painting, creating and inventing in equal measure is the goal.

 

 

lets fly*

2014....

Hi.

How was your 2013? 

Mine was busy. i was growing.

I cannot believe a year has passed without any posts from my sparkling & twirling self.

I achieved most of the things on my list for 2013. However my creative pursuits (writing & painting) were on the back burner as i started full time work, finished my studies, commenced and completed the renovations on the kitchen and living space in our home within 3months, acquired a new (2nd hand) car and received a purple bike for my birthday with matching "nutcase" helmet. 

After the depression of being in an identity void for a few months with no one wanting to employ me, i bounced back to my sparky self once the call came and someone wanted me to work for them. 

I was over the moon. Once i landed, i tackled the role with enthusiasm and  creativity. Often not leaving any energy or spark for the other parts of my life. However i knew this was just an adjusting phase and eventually i would put my focus on my love of art. Most of this year has been about developing my professional abilities and reputation, exploring and championing using art in a non-traditional art industry. I managed a project which brought people and artists together and then altogether we developed and painted a mural on the external wall of the office building where i work. cool. 

Many if the events i created, i chose venues and spaces which were creative and inspired. Even if no one else liked them i LOVED them, most did. I have flourished in my capacities in bringing my "sparkle & twirl" view of the world into a rigid and regimented work place. 

2014 in a work sense, i hope to develop more of a creative focus in a role not known for its creativity. Other significant goals and wished for the next 12 months are:

1. healthfull* focus. 

my word for the year is HEALTH. 

Every level, particularly my physical self requires a commitment and attention to detail to enable me to live with vitality and energy to keep up with my own desires.

2. play more. 

including riding my bike, swimming, skating, dancing and laughing.

3. challenge myself 

This is to dare to do that which i am uncertain about,

maybe find a new job in the direction my art takes me.

4. i would like to teach or be taught some more.

take an art class, yoga class, do tai chi regularly and find a writing group.

5. go to France for Christmas

or Perth instead

6. be a better friend by communicating clearly, with kindness and regularity

7. show my love, speak my love, love love, move with love and kiss more

8. my card for the year was FORTUNE, 

i chose to embrace all the blessing coming my way, not resist out of fear

practicing gratitude and sharing abundance

9. cooking in my new kitchen & oven all the time....YUM

10. splashing paint around. Just for me.

I hope i'll be around hear more. 

I hope you are all well and look forward to catching up with your latest posts soon. 

remember to sparkle & twirl*

Australia Day….

The koala who resides in our backyard. 

She has been here all summer.

She sleeps a lot and climbs up to eat the fresh green leaves high up. 

She licks the bark during the rain.

Surprisingly agile and has amazing balance.

In big winds she nestles in the bigger, lower branches.

When a male comes to call there is always  lots of growling and screeching.

She tends to spend more time in the smaller, higher branches, 

as he is too big and heavy to get to her up there.

We have had an education into the life of a koala.

This Australia day may you find peace where you live.

Our family is relaxing and celebrating that we live in a place with no war,

we can afford our home and share food with friends on a gloriously sunny day.

When i pay attention to the simple things of life, i smile.

The koala in the tree has no worries, neither do i. 

sparkle & twirl*

Rodin inspiration…

I too am a thinker.

 While in Paris we went for a walk and found the Rodin Museum.

I can only liken my visit to going to church.

Now i am not being disrespectful of church or religion.

I believe that spirit can be moved in amazing places. 

I was deeply affected here.

Maybe it was the serenity mixed with art and history.

Or the spirit in the garden and the majesty in the sculptures.

 Strolling through the gardens was like stepping back in time. 

Even though the gardens were not manicured and neat in Mr R's day.

The place was just as gorgeous but in a magical, adventurous spirit kind of way. 

Clearly tending  garden was not his thing. Apparently he loved it but it was overgrown.

I imagine like the closed garden in the story "Secret Garden".

 He was an artist. He worked. A lot.

 The house is the museum.

The gardens with large brass replicas scattered about.

 Posed, frozen in time and position.

Having seen children's movies, where the statues come alive after the park closes, many of these would have cricks in their necks and need a stretch.

 These lovely lounge chairs would be a great place to relax on.

This brings me to the point of this post.

During 2012 and our family adventure in France i relaxed, became more of myself, more or the time. 

I was on holidays, no serious schedules, no commitments, no old patterns and every opportunity to take risks and challenge myself.

Coming home is always wonderful. Yet the home i feel in myself is harder to sustain. I am pulled in many directions. I fall into familiar old patterns, take things, people for granted and forget about the relaxedness of just being. 

Instead of focusing on the obvious how does one remain attentive to the big picture?

I love this cheap shot. Thats my kind of quirky humour. Sorry…. 

 I over think, over feel and can be sponge for the energies around me.

I end up being like this sculpture.

Enough.

2013 is to rejoice.

Yay that i am thoughtful & empathic, sensitive and considerate.

Clear boundaries can make the dilemmas more manageable.

 To simplify, and this picture of my little girl helps.

Simplicity= a girl and a juicy fruit.

Thats all there is.

Moment to moment.

 Some how i think Rodins day was simpler.

But probably not.

I would like to be like this lady, serene and meditative.

I would like to have lots of these moments with my beloved.

This is me rejoicing all year long, as i get a handle on the list of changes and new beginnings coming our way in 2013.

 I feel more contorted like this lady (left) presently...

1. get a new job

2. finish training course

3. settle kids in new school

4. buy new (2nd hand?) car

5. renovate kitchen

6. remodel family rooms

7. paint, create and rejoice

8. find a writing group

9. develop art class & find place to teach it

10. support and be attentive to the hearts and needs of my family

11. plan and create more adventures for us to go on

12. do physical activity ie yoga, tai chi, pilates, gym…

13. document my ordinary and amazing trip around the world this year in words and pictures

No wonder my husband looks more like the man in the photo above.

 I want to go back to the feeling in this place.

Complete.

Magical & mystical.

 Awe inspiring.

Detailed. 

Reflective. 

 All embracing. Vulnerable, yet brave.

Old yet creative. 

 In the presence of masters.

Open with the ability to be guided.

As we left i felt i knew this place.

I carry it with me now.

I can create this feeling in my home.

I can remember, just by looking at the  photos.

This is why this is like church to me.

Thought provoking and inspired.

Do you have a place that does that for you?

 Looking back one more time, the detail captures my imagination.

Mrs R opened this window. Called her husband to come in from the cold.

He looks up at her smiles, slowly moves from the roses and enters the house and sits near the open fire.

….maybe….

I love this sculpture with out head, feet or hands. 

Perhaps this is the reminder i need.

There is no need to run anywhere,

there is no need to do many things at once, 

or to over think everything.

If it is possible i too can relax into my life, like in her pose, and rejoice in my clarity and commitment to me and my life for 2013.

sparkle & twirl

*