The bestest friend I ever had...



Photo: Auckland 1991



HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL MUM

Today is all about you ♥

Summer Solstice, Blood Moon and my beautiful mother…

My beautiful mother ♥

Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year which bears the most sunshine hours.  It is also my mother’s anniversary of twelve years and if this day isn’t special enough it also ***coincides with a 'Blood Moon' aptly titled because of its blood-red hue from a lunar eclipse. 






Photo: Midnight rambler...



The feminine and masculine aspects of the summer solstice represent a time of newness, sustenance, a move from dark to light, rebirth and healing.  It’s also a time for finding the inner balance between our dark and light sides including the global forces around us. 

The summer solstice is a time of great change where we can celebrate and begin to build a bridge between the spiritual and earthly realm by burning incense, use herbs for medicinal purposes, mediate with crystals, bring colour into our world and eat nourishing foods.

'Spirit orbs surrounding the moon'
Photo: Midnight rambler...

So it seems natural to me to celebrate my mother’s life and the summer solstice by eating nourishing seasonal fruits and veges (something my mother loved) dress in bright coloured clothing, tend to the land in some way: gardening, picking or pruning flowers, and enjoying the world around us.  Enjoy the smells, the flowers, the colours, animals and birdlife.  Walk by the ocean, or barefoot in a forest but most of all be present in the simple joy of sharing a moment, a meal, or a conversation with those we love ♥

Midnight rambler remembering her best friend ♥♥♥♥

*** The 'Blood Moon' rose on the eve of my mothers anniversary.

RETREAT NEWS...

Finally the retreat news is up...click here

Am currently working on getting some writing and travel related pictures up.  Watch this space...

Birthdays and bits and bobs...

I haven't forgotten to post an update on Writers on the Edge annual retreat - I just seriously haven't had time to get it up and running.  The joys of starting a new job and being back in training. 

Before I head off to my night/twilight shift or whatever you want to call it, I want to take time to remember my beautiful girl's birthday.  Crysta would have been twelve today! 

Miss you gorgeous gal ♥

Click here for slideshow

Retreat news soon....

Midnight rambler is contemplating...

My muse

 "A muse is anything that has influence on another, giving focus and inspiration for that person's creative work."

My muse is Magicka

It has been four years today since I lost my 'muse' - my beautiful boy, Magicka, who never leaves my side even in spirit. 

I love and miss you, dear magick man. ♥

Click here for slideshow

Midnight rambler giving thanks to a special soul ♥

Beautiful Crystabel

"Between computer and internet issues this post is two days late!"

Our beautiful angel is missed and loved every day but on Saturday we took special time out to honour her beautiful memory.

We drove to Maleny and Montville, a drive she would've loved.  Crysta adored long car rides then stretching her legs in new environments.  She was stimulated by the world around her and could spend hours sitting, walking and observing.

We miss you sweet girl.  I've put a mini film of still shots together in her memory.  It can be found here...

I made a video...

Well after being so disappointed at not being able to find the song Shine online anywhere I decided to make a film and add it from my own CD collection.  I made it from old stills scanned and of not the greatest quality but the thought was there. Now I feel much happier...

I would've liked more recent photos but they're all still in boxes somewhere or they're too heavy to pull down from high places - so I went through the photos I had in albums and this is what I came up with.

This is my little tribute to my mum and my debut in film making :-)

Contemplation, Celebration & some of life's footprints...

Left: Crysta Right: Magicka

Listening to: Like Drawing Blood - Goyte

It feels like the rapid descent to the end of December which means the end of this awesome trip!! Lots of things to think about upon our return - priorities in life etc and how to go about making subtle or not so subtle changes to move into a more authentic life :)

Missing Mum, (no pix of Mum on me) Magicka & Crysta like crazy.

It must have something to do with being away (our first real OS holiday in ten years) and stopping. Having time to think, reflect, feel. How much of our life is lived on automatic pilot that we don't stop and find the stillness to just sit with thought - not necessarily grieve, but more remember and rejoice in their lives whether they are still with us or departed?

It's coming up to Mum's 10th anniversary on the 22nd of this month. It's been a surreal time for me as my subconcious has been playing tricks on me by giving me thought patterns about Mum in the present tense eg: Must tell Mum that when I get home, or Mum will laugh so hard when I tell her this... then the reality hits me. The crazy thing is I am all too well aware that she's not here doh, but for a nanosecond or two my mind tricks me into thinking it so - and the same goes for Magicka & Crysta. Has anyone else experienced this? Of course I miss Mitzi but in a different way as I know from regular reports from home that she is well and happy.

I'm glad we're spending Mum's anniversary and Xmas in Egypt - it's actually nice to be immersed in a completely different culture who don't celerbrate Christmas as we do. No jolly fat men in red suits,no Xmas trees or lights or decorations, no crazy last minute shopping to where you can't breathe from the suffocating crowds. It makes for a nice change :)

Seventeen years ago I spent Xmas in Israel which was amazing to experience the complete absence of it. This year will be in Egypt and besides some festivities from the Christian community, it will be very low key - a nice quiet reflective moment. As Mum was never fond of Xmas either, being in this part of the world at this time somehow brings my link to her even closer.

While I feel sad and contemplative, Iwill be rejoicing and celebrating the memory of Mum, and my kidz life in a magical setting. The Sinai. A rugged land of dry desert mountains that shifts and changes in colour by the rays of the morning and evening sun. A land known throughout history for its prophets and nomads. It is this I relate. It is this I know my mother relates which is possibly why I'm missing her so much. If I stop and listen hard enough I think I'll find I don't need to miss her as she's already here :)

Midnight rambler wishing you all Salaam alukum (peace be upon you)...

Celebrations and sadness...

Listening to: Bongos playing in the bazaar

We're celebrating Eid at the moment. All very festive and it may be about as festive we get here in Dahab which suits us just fine :) The place is booked out with locals from all over Egypt celebrating their Muslim holiday and feast - festival of sacrifice. While it's not something that appeals to me as a vegetarian the purpose and belief behind the practise is one of sharing, love and community. So this is a good thing and the spirit here is delightful.

We made a decision and cancelled Thailand. We have plans to explore the Sinai further and visit Petra in Jordan and perhaps revisit Israel. So Xmas it is, in the Middle East - we are looking forward to it being very low key and laid back. Just loving the pace of life here and my head spins thinking about the chaos of Xmas back home :)

Dave had a wonderful time out with the Bedouins but he says he won't be trading in Mickey (his horse) for a camel anytime soon as he had rather a sore bum and thighs LOL. He enjoyed the Oasis, the three pools and the hospitality of the Bedouins. He's been loving the snorkelling right next door to where we are staying at Eel garden and further afield the islands . I lie in the sun and relax. Snorkelling sounds like hard work LOL. He said the coral shelf is amazing with some fantastic fish, not to mention Moray eels, puffer fish, sea urchins which kinda freaked him out a little. Once he got past the coral shelf the whole thing drops away into the depths of the ocean opening up to live coral of all brilliant and spectacular colour with fishies and other things (all beings uncertain) hiding beneath the coral and ocean floor. Each time he goes out he returns with a huge grin on his face so he's loving it. Me...I'm still trying to get it but then I'm not a water baby.

I'm feeling sad today for we found out that 'Foxy lady' died three days ago. We were wondering where she was and I feared that something awful had happened. It indeed had. She was poisoned and by the time the Vet came it was too late. Apparently, this is the governments way of keeping the street dog numbers down except they don't bother to inform anyone so the pets end up being a target also. Apparently, quite a few dogs/pets died in the town also. It's just sooooo' sad. Foxy Lady (real name Nancy - well no, her name is the Arabic version of Nancy which I can't remember) was a gorgeous, lovely girl. She left behind several young pups who are being hand-reared by the Bedouin boys from Sheikh Salem House.

We have more to plan for the rest of our Middle Eastern trip so had better go and do some research.

Midnight rambler signing off - ma' salaama...