A Sunflower song

Do you have sunflowers 

in the palm of your hand? 

That sounds a bit amiss, 

but in my hand they are field 

of tiny sunflowers with a sky

as blue as blue can be with 

radiant sun above, white puffs of clouds to ride the breeze. 

In this handful of nature is 

the life that sunflowers offer 

to the bees to the birds, 

surrounded by a frill of petals, 

as bright as the sun. 

So if you have sunflowers 

in the palm of your hand, life will 

be yours to share with me and thee.

“We’re all golden sunflowers inside.”

~ Allen Ginsberg

All in a Day's Work

There was no way to know 

what would happen in the day 

but I knew that whatever it was 

I would pick up that one thread;

weave it into morning, 

     then afternoon 

        until time for bed. 

That one thread begins with 

rubbing my eyes and stretching. 

All the to do things, in their patient way, 

wait quietly for me to engage brain with body.

On this day, no need to rush, except 

to put the kettle on for tea. 

The evening will end as quietly, 

the tea things put away, 

groceries set in cupboard and fridge,

the last piece of chocolate cake eaten, 

and my thoughts gathered in this poem.

“Don’t let the good days get to your head,

 and don’t let the bad days get to your heart.”

~ Caroline Ghosn, businesswoman

Movie Review: (1964) "Mary Poppins" directed by Robert Stevenson

Screen shot

Mary Poppins: as I was scrolling through my TV choices, that charming film showed that it would be playing in a few minutes. I had other writing projects to work on, but, after a moments hesitation, pushed them aside. I have seen this movies three and now four times. Although it is dated 1964, it never is old for me.  Magic (although Mary Poppins would not agree), singing, dancing, playing on roof tops with chimney sweeps, two children (Jane and Michael) are charmed and entertained by this quirky nanny who came to them from the sky. She carried an umbrella and a carpet bag. The head of the umbrella was a talking parrot. The carpet bag held a floor lamp, a great broad leafed plant, her clothes, a measuring tape and whatever else she needed. The measuring tape showed character not inches. Michael: ‘stubborn and suspicious’; his sister Jane: ‘rather inclined to giggle and doesn’t put things away’ and when the children asked about Mary Poppins: ‘Practically Perfect in Every Way’

I was charmed again, laughed out loud and certainly will watch this film again. Both Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyke are white headed now but still living life and working in film. 

“First of all, I would like to make one thing clear: I never explain anything.”

~ Mary Poppins

Directed by: Robert Stevenson

Based on: The “Mary Poppins” books

Screen play by : Bill Walsh and Don Da Gradi

Abbreviated Cast:

Julie Andrews: Mary Poppins

Dick Van Dyke: Bert/Mr. Dawes Senior

Karen Dotrice: Jane Banks

Matthew Garber: Michael Banks:

Glynis Johns: Mrs Banks:

David Tomlinson: Mr. Banks

Hermione Baddeley: Ellen - maid

Reta Shaw: Mrs. Brill - Cook

Elsa Lancaster: Katie Nanna

Arthur Treacher: The Constable

Reginald Owen: Admiral Boom

Ed Wynn: Uncle Albert

Jane Darwell: The Bird Woman

Arthur Malet: Mr. Dawes, Junior

Always Grateful

To end one year is 

the beginning of another

with family, friends and

life with meaning and purpose 

always grateful for 

what has been and what will be 

whether heartbreak, expansive joy or 

gentle daily living with nuggets of 

peace and contentment scattered throughout.

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes 

what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”

~ Voltaire

Supper Line

The clouds rippled ~

flung over the church 

like a gigantic table cloth. Pigeons, lined up on the church roof, 

awaited their evening meal, 

sitting politely unless 

another tried to push in, 

letting newcomers know 

they would not let 

just anyone in for supper.

“Charity is not like feeding pigeons in the square. 

It is a process that requires professional management.”

~ Roman Abramovich, businessman

Aftermath

When the dust of the party 

  settles and food is put away.

When the dishes are done, 

  and order has been restored 

When energy is 

  stunted, stilled and sluggish 

There is only one thing to do: 

  wrap up in a cup of tea, 

    with a blanket, a good book 

      and the glow of memory.

“To rest is not to withdraw from your life completely, 

but to participate in it fully, deeply, wildly.”

~ Emmie Rae, writer and poet

Lovely Whirlwinds

There were two of them ~ 

whirlwinds now spun away 

leaving in their wake

  toys,

   games, 

     flowers, 

       a birthday card, 

dishes swiped clean from chilli and stew

  dishes crumbed with chocolate cake and 

sweet memories of laughter, love and fun. 

and one cautious black kitty out of hiding.

“Children have one kind of silliness, as you know,

 and grownups have another kind.”

~ C.S. Lewis