Dreaming

… of palaces and waterways,

… gondolas and bridges;

--- the bells of St Mark’s

… and the view from the Rialto …

… of beauty and decay -

… dreaming … of Venice.

I Have Not Forgotten You

I just wanted to let those of you that require word verification to know that I am having issues when commenting. Sometimes the comment just won't go through even though I type in the correct word verification 2 or 3 times. I hope I am able to get to the bottom of the problem soon but I just wanted to let you know that I am still reading your posts.

Tidbits

The weather here is changing fast – the days are pleasantly warm and the nights are still cool enough to ensure that the fiery heat of the day is kept at bay for a little while longer. We have not seen rain in over 2 and  a half weeks and probably will not see grey clouds on our horizon for another 3 months or so. All the wild plants that, up to a few weeks ago delighted us with their vibrant and pretty flowers, are turning golden and brown and will soon wither and die.

The poppies are still around though, nodding their sleepy heads on their slim stalks at the slightest breeze. But soon, they too will succumb to the unrelenting heat. Such is the cycle of nature …

With family visiting, we are spending most of our days planning outings and BBQs, visiting the little nooks and crannies on this little island that are off the beaten track, having fun and making memories along the way.

Meanwhile the sea’s call is getting louder and I am yearning for my first swim …

P.S. I am taking a break from Friday’s Fun Finds for this week.

Fabulous Fridays: Wacky Birds

My in-laws will be visiting from the US next week and I have been rather busy cleaning and de-cluttering the house. So I did not have much time to snoop and browse around on the Internet to find something fun to share with you. I decided I would cheat a little this week and talk about something that I came across a couple of years ago. We were on holiday in Tuscany and  happened to visit the beautiful, medieval town of  Lucca on the very weekend that they were having an antiques fair. It was a joy wandering around and looking at the pretty items for sale. I remember there were several things that I would gladly have brought back with me (except that low-cost airlines are very stingy with their baggage allowance). So I only bought a few pieces of jewellery (that’s always better than nothing). But I still bemoan the fact that I left these little cuties in Lucca. I would have loved to bring them home with me.

What do you think? Aren’t they just wacky wearing those chunky boots? I am not sure whether they were antiques or not but I don’t really care. I have tried to find something similar both in the stores here and on the internet but with no luck. Sigh. Next time, if there will ever be a next time, I will definitely figure a way of getting them home.

I just wanted to let you all know that my posts and visits in the next 3 weeks may be rather erratic since I will be busy with family. But I will be back as usual in the beginning of June.

Sea Fever

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

‘Sea Fever’

by John Masefield

This poem by John Masefield has been one of my favourites since I was a child. The words just speak to that part of my soul that is held forever in thrall by the sea.  Because although it is ever-changing, yet it is also always constant – a blue ribbon on all my horizons.

Is it just my imagination or does the sea look more blue in spring than in summer?

Fabulous Fridays: Dragonfly Pendant

I am sure that the National Geographic website Novica needs no introduction to any of you. If unique gifts created by talented artisans from around the world is what you’re after, then Novica is the best place to start your search. I love to browse all their items but their jewellery section contains items which are so unique and wonderfully made that I keep going back again and again. The beautiful thing about the items on this site is that a lot of the artisans are inspired by nature and this is reflected in their creations. This dragonfly pendant by Wayan Asmana from Bali is simple yet stunning. The artist has managed to capture the intricate beauty of a real dragonfly perfectly through his skillful manipulation of filigree strands.

I just love the delicate, feminine look of this beautiful pendant and it has been on my wish-list for quite some time now. Perhaps it’s not everyone’s cup of tea to walk around with an insect hanging around their neck but I have always found dragonflies to be so fascinating, so delicate and colourful, so whimsical and pretty that this pendent would be perfect for me and definitely a piece of jewellery that I would treasure forever.

The White Chest Of Drawers

I remember it clearly – a rickety, white chest of drawers which my mum kept in the room right at the top of our house. The room that led directly to our roof. It is the room where the laundry gets washed and families store their odds and ends. And their memories. I suppose it’s the closest thing we have to an attic. Which brings me back to the old chest of drawers. It was just an old piece of furniture that nobody needed anymore; full of clothes from the 60s and early 70s. But to a little girl, it was a treasure trove.

Image Source: Chic  Furniture

During July and August, when the heat was almost tangible, my parents would take a well-deserved siesta. But I could never sleep. Instead I would make my way up to our room on the roof. I cannot even begin to describe how hot it would be up there in the early afternoon – a harsh, scorching heat. But all I cared about was the white chest of drawers and the plethora of clothes which I could dress up in. I remember the colourful shirts, the frills, the flounces, the long, long dresses, the flared pants. I could be anything I wanted to be – a princess, a gypsy or a clown and  I spent many summer afternoons up there surrounded by clothes that nobody wanted anymore. It was a time of make-believe, of fantasy and fairy-tales and of complete childhood innocence.

Over the years the clothes were thrown out  but I can still remember some of them as clearly as if I had worn them yesterday. Seeing the current fad with all things 70s I sometimes wonder how many of those vintage items would have found their way into my wardrobe.