aussierose53

My Christmas Blah

posted on 12/30/2008 7:46:20 PM in (0) Comments


Well Christmas is over and Alison and I enjoyed being stuck at home. Alison recovered on Christmas morning and we had a very relaxing two days. Sadly Becky didn't have such a good time as her 'friend' (more like fiend) Kenrick misbehaved badly due to alcoholism and after his bad behaviour Becky and the family want nothing more to do with him. Perhaps I will write a few lines about this when I get back next week.... just for now I am just too angry and frustrated with his errant behaviour! Becky has gone out of her way to help him and her health has suffered and she has come to the end of her patience with him! I hoped that things would work out with him, but it seems he has a bad problem with alcohol.
I couldn't sleep much at all last night.
December 31st 2008
I am back and I'm weary..... but still angry over the way Kenrick behaved. Poor Becky is devastated and has lost confidence in herself. She is moving back here in 2 weeks time..... she needs to get away from him. It is obvious that he is an alcoholic and abusive and that's not what Becky needs in her life!
So once more 'the big move' is on and the house will be a tense place to live. I love my daughters dearly.... but not the fights. We have moved Becky in or out at least 6 times in as many years and it's getting tiresome.
Alison and I went down to my 'inlaw's on the 27th and returned home yesterday. We had a nice time but the 'Becky-Kenrick' situation did destroy a lot of the Christmas joy! He was abusive and nasty with the family and showed no respect for anyone at all.
Becky worked on Christmas Eve until 9pm then started driving down to the farm at 10pm.... Kenrick wasn't going and so all seemed fine. However after 3 hours on the road and a short distance from Nowra, Kenrick phones her and begs her to return and take him down too. How I wish Becky had said "No!" She turned around and returned to West Ryde.... nearly 3 more hours of driving.... collected Kenrick then returned..... another 3 to 4 hour drive to the farm. She arrived about 6 am..... and without sleep or a rest! Kenrick drank beer the whole way down and just continued the rest of the day. His behaviour just went from bad to worse and Becky took him to the railway station and sent him home in disgrace.... all the time begging Becky to drive him all the way home .... and she'd not slept in over 24 hours!!!!! There was never any concern for her welfare.... he just cared for himself.... 'typically' alcoholic behaviour!
Becky has been utterly miserable since and it was a struggle for her to go back to the flat and stay safe. So far all is well and she is not listening to his pathetic excuses for his behaviour! It seems a good thing 2008 is at an end..... it hasn't been a good year at all.
Sorry for the moan.... I could go on and on..... but it gets to me.

Where I have Been.

posted on 12/2/2008 2:15:51 AM in (0) Comments

Well I really have let you down here, I just never expected 2008 to be as difficult as it has been. I haven't felt like writing much at all. I am just wondering if I'll ever feel like trying again. I feel so discouraged at this moment..... I simply feel as though I have nothing to share! I have never taken as much time away from the PC and I do miss it.... but I am so constantly distracted by my family and other worries and health-wise I haven't had the best of years. For the first part of 2008 I had a rotator cuff injury to my left shoulder and I was in constant pain from that. I was taking strong painkillers and feeling like I was going crazy. Then in June I went to sit on my chair and I missed and I sat on the floor..... heavily! I had to call an ambulance for assistance to get up. I was in great pain and I thought I bruised my tail-bone (coccyx) but 3 weeks later I discovered that my tail-bone was fractured!!!! I was in agony and having to sit caused me great pain. Thankfully my mother gave me some foam cushions which helped.... but it took 5 weeks to get over this and my shoulder injury was still there. I saw a rheumatologist in October and was given an injection into the injured muscle! Well the result was that my shoulder healed up nicely after a few short weeks.
In late October my younger daughter moved out yet again and I thought I'd have much more free time to write, but I lost confidence in my ability to write and I hid away. I have been so depressed and I doubt I'll be writing much for the rest of this year. Please forgive me!
I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas season and New Year. I hope 2009 is a great year for all.

Sorry Once again I went missing

posted on 4/21/2008 8:32:07 PM in (7) Comments

Once again.... I vanished.... but I am back and I am not vanishing for good. I have had a few more falls and my left shoulder has been so painful. Right now I am feeling very discouraged and a little sorry for myself.... I am struggling even more than usual and I am bruised and battered. I went to Taronga Zoo on Saturday with several of my Myrtle Cottage friends.... it was a fantastic day and I think we all enjoyed ourselves. The trouble is that I had fallen over in the Doctor's surgery on Friday and I was stiff and slow. Thankfully I had the full use of a wheelchair.... so I could watch the animals in comfort. Sadly we kept meeting up with huge crowds of tourists who simply hogged all the views.It really annoyed me as there were about 4 of us in wheelchairs and we had to wait! I don't mind people taking photos.... but surely they can do so and move on! We managed to see most of the animals and it was a great day. It was cool and it did try to rain... but it certainly didn't spoil my day.
I have also been very discouraged with some of my journal and blog sites (not New Blog) and I'm looking to find new friends to suit my age. I really don't have a problem with the under 30's... but it often seems that they have a problem with me! I kept trying to find friends at one site only to be continually ignored... apart from one smart alec type of woman who just loved 'toilet humor'. It was annoying and most un-funny. I decided then that 'enough was enough'. Now I have joined 'Multiply', 'Saga Zone', 'Boomj' and 'Rezoom' and I will see how they 'pan out'. I am happiest with Saga Zone as it's for the over 50's and it's based in the U.K.
I don't have a problem here at newblog... although I'm trying to create my own friend comments... so far without much luck. I will keep on trying... hopefully it will work itself out.



This is the banner I am trying to share. I am sorry that I have been absent again.

This is the picture I want.

posted on 4/2/2008 8:13:26 PM in (5) Comments

My Weekend

posted on 4/2/2008 8:06:25 PM in (2) Comments

I had a quiet weekend... at home, no outings, no real excitement. My daughter and I had a 'movie day'. we saw 'Becoming Jane' and 'No Reservations' and we had a wonderful day on Saturday. Sunday was quiet and this carried on to Monday. Today I have my cleaning service and visit from an Occupational therapist from a home modification service. I really need some new safety rails to make my life easier. I wasn't overly well yesterday, I woke up with back ache and stiffness, I just couldn't seem to do much at all. I feel much better today and I'm hoping to get a bit of writing done on my blogs. I got a survey form from the MS Society yesterday..... and it made me realize just how angry I am with them. I undetrstand the problems they have with funding but I only ever asked them for help once and they couldn't help me! They do provide support groups.... but they do not provide transport so I cannot attend. Life is hard when you can no longer drive and your husband works, you depend on services to come and get you. The government does provide the disabled with public transport concessions.... but that's good only if you can access them!
A few days have passed and I am STILL not able to change my user picture.... and when I tried to send an e-mail using the attached form on site.... I could do everything.... except send it! So I copied the address and posted my plea.... but 2 days later.... I am still not getting a response! I think I have tried to change it at least 60 times in 3 days.... but the dreaded picture remains! As much as I like the picture, I want to use others and it frustrates me that this problem exists! Well the new picture is coming through when I post comments.... just not on my page. So I am a bit happier about that.

Blessings

posted on 3/30/2008 11:28:55 PM in (2) Comments


Girly Comments & Graphics

Back Again Finally

posted on 3/28/2008 5:23:36 PM in (4) Comments





Well as you can see I have been absent a lot and I have neglected all my friends here.... I do feel rather ashamed at myself and I hope that you will all accept my apologies. This year has been a real nightmare and I just felt lost and unable to cope with all my blogs and journals. It all started with my Aunt's illness and the stress of it all on my entire family. I ended up with 3 Urinary Tract Infections (one after the other) and the flu which always hits me hard. My Aunt died on March 1st and even though it was a very sad time, it was a relief as she was suffering due to missing her home and her cats.... and no-one enjoys watching their loved ones suffering!
That's when the brain fog set in.





I had a few of my almost famous but not quite... falls and everyone started thinking that my MS was progressing. I had a lot of pain in my left shoulder which really limited my mobility... and I feared that it was 'MS related'! X-Rays didn't show any problem with my joint or bones... but the pain was intense. My appointment with my Neurologist was much more positive than at first hoped. My shoulder problem is a rotator cuff injury NOT MS related and there hasn't been much deterioration in the last 6 months. I was really quite happy to hear that. He was concerned about my level of Depression and my lack of sleep... but all things take time.
I have been going off to my diversional therapy programme each Wednesday.... but I haven't had one outing with the Wanderer's (my weekend group). Two I had to cancel as I was sick... but one was cancelled due to the co-ordinators being sick!!! Let me say that being stuck at home 24/7 is no fun at all and though I quite enjoy my quiet days.... I do like going out occasionally.
Overall it has been a tough old start to the year.... and I hope things soon improve. It's so good to be back here again.

Bad News

posted on 1/31/2008 12:20:36 AM in (2) Comments

Sadly my Aunt's condition is such that I don't feel that she will come home again.... her kidneys are failing and at 87 she is too frail to even consider dialysis. I knew that this was to be her final illness. The hospital have just contacted me and basically told me that they will not actively resuscitate her which is a relief to me..... she is tired and I think it's her time to say farewell. I just want her to be at peace and so I sit here, feeling powerless...... I will write here once I feel I can..... I feel rather stunned.

update

posted on 1/12/2008 1:22:33 AM in (1) Comments

Sadly I am still having trouble going online and it really is annoying me! We contacted our server on Thursday and they tell us it's our PC..... but I still think it's the external modem. I just hate all this and I will only relax once I can get to the end of this problem. I am not keen on spending my whole time playing Sim's 2 and mahjong.
Every so often it will come on..... but before I can do anything it goes down again. It's aggravating to an already aggravated soul.
My poor Aunt is still in hospital and has been since December 27th..... and every one here has been so worried about her..... my poor 90 year old mother has been a wreck! I went in to see my Aunt (Mary) on Wednesday and she was nearly hysterical.... one of the young Doctors had told her that both her heart and her kidneys were "NO GOOD!!!" My mother and brother had been lead to believe she was doing better. I spent a lot of time discussing Mary's fears with the nursing staff and they gave me a list of phone numbers of the Doctor's I could contact. I spent a good 90minutes comforting Mary, trying to convince her that 'throwing in the towel' was the last thing she should be doing. Mary was looking much better, in my view. So on Thursday I phoned the Doctor's. Well..... this was very nearly a disaster..... because all the numbers they gave me were.... the wrong team of Doctor's. It took me about 4 phone calls to the switchboard of the hospital before I could even discuss anything with the right Doctor. When I did get on, the Doctor was very reassuring and he promised he'd reassure Mary. Well two days later and Mary is improving and more like her usual self. My brother went in to see her last night and she was so much better he was stunned!
I am very pleased and relieved..... and just a little scared that this maybe the lull before the storm. It has been a nightmarish month so far.
As for me..... well I am doing fairly well...... although I had one of my infamous falls yesterday and hit my head on the cast iron base of my bed! You should see my black eye! I had a golf ball sized lump on my temple and I can thoroughly recommend ice packs..... the swelling went down fairly quickly...... but I was very shaken yesterday.... now I look like I've been fighting with Mike Tyson!
I will crosspost the above to all my journals.... I like to make each of my posts different, but there are occasions when I simply have no choice.

I.S.P

posted on 1/7/2008 8:29:11 AM in (2) Comments

Sadly my internet server has been playing up badly over the last few days.... it's really annoying me so much. I have just kept playing Sims 2 and now it's annoying me! I am sorry that I haven't been checking my friends' pages..... I just don't seem to have the energy. It has been a very warm few days.
I went out on Saturday, looking for CD's by Jethro Tull and Uriah Heap..... but I just came home empty handed. I did buy a few other CD's..... but I feel so discouraged. It's not easy when the music stores are too small and too crowded. It's the same with book shops!
My aunt is still in hospital..... she must be improving because she is feeling bored and frustrated. Hopefully by the end of the week...... she'll be home!

Happy New Year

posted on 1/2/2008 8:06:02 PM in (0) Comments

I am sorry about the long delay in writing..... our trip to my 'in-law's property ended up longer than initially planned. We actually drove home on New Year's Day. It's just too noisy at home and all of us were tired.... it has been a very difficult few weeks. Christmas Day was cool and enjoyable.... we had a family Christmas Party at Russell''s brother's place..... it was a wonderful day. I got 2 CD's, 'Songs of Love and Loss' by Tina Arena and 'Swing Sessions 2' by David Campbell, 'The Sims 2: Bon Voyage', a book on Australian True Crime, and a copy of Joan Lindsay's 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' and a new paper journal.
Sadly my 87 year old Aunt got sick just after Boxing Day and was sent to hospital with heart and kidney problems. Thankfully she is still in hospital getting the care that she needs. I was on the phone to my family every day I was away. Poor Mary just looks so tired and frail..... but she is improving at the moment. I'm not sure just how long she'll be with us.... but no doubt it's something that comes to all of us.
The internet has been going on and off for nearly a month.... so it may take a long while for me to get into sharing in all my journals. I am posting this in all my journals for now.... I am still very tired and the Summer is getting hotter and this just leaves me feeling ill myself.
I have missed all of my friends so much..... but I am still alive and kicking..... I hope.

Falls and Bad news

posted on 12/19/2007 6:10:19 AM in (0) Comments

I have been watching lots of DVD's of late and not doing very much on the PC..... not since my younger daughter discovered 'Facebook'. I had bad news on Monday my church friend's mother died after a bad fall that day. It shocked me because Russell and I were good friends with Kay's mother and father and we often played cards together and no-one expected Peggy to be gone just so close to Christmas. Yes.... she was 84 and frail..... but she had such a strong will..... She and her husband Reg had been married 65 years and were devoted. At this stage we have no idea what happened, whether the fall caused a massive injury or she had a stroke or a heart attack. The funeral will be on Friday..... I cannot quite take any of this in. Then Tuesday night, after going for a drive with Russell.... just to buy dinner, I struggled to get up my 6 front steps..... I got to the last one then lost my footing and fell down those steps. I honestly don't know how I didn't hurt myself..... but I only have a few scrapes and bruises.... but it has destroyed my confidence. It had been a fear of mine to fall down those steps and I know that I don't ever want to do that again!
Today would have been my Myrtle Cottage day, but the Cottage is on holidays until January 2nd. I am glad of the break, my aching body is grateful for the day off.
I have slept most of the day away, I guess that I needed to after last night! I had lots more to share, but I guess it will have to wait. I will repeat this in my other journals.... I will return to chat with you all, but it maybe after Christmas.... I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and I'm not forgetting any of you.

I'm back, bruised and battered but here!

posted on 12/5/2007 10:49:52 PM in (0) Comments



Well it has been a few days and I am still not myself.... I wonder if I'll recover after New Year? I am just so tired and I am not sure if I'll be able to do much writing this week!
My weekend was wonderful.... my mother and father-in-law celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in style. They got cards from the Queen, the Governor General, state and local Government and the family party we had on Saturday night went very well.
As much as I love my 'in-laws, usually it's a struggle for me due to my disability, but this time I really enjoyed myself and the weekend passed too quickly. We arrived home on Sunday evening. but I was just too tired to do much.
On Monday I worked on my Christmas collage (see above) and played Sims 2..... then I had the indignity to fall when I went over on my ankle. It took me nearly 30 minutes to get up and whilst I didn't injure myself.... I bruised my knee and I ache in places I didn't know I had! (LOL).
Yesterday I went to a Christmas Party and today I am recovering from that. I really love to see your comments and to visit your pages..... you are very special in my life! Does anyone know what happened to 'Rainbow'? She has disappeared and I'm rather scared I did something wrong! I still have the same number of friends as if she is still there.... but I cannot locate her! I'll chat again soon!

Away for the weekend

posted on 11/28/2007 5:53:24 PM in (2) Comments



Well I will be away from the PC for a few days.... as I will be away. My mother and father-in-law are celebrating their anniversary and a surprise get together is being planned. It's moments like this that I wish I had a laptop.... I feel sad at having to leave my PC.... even only for 3 days.
I haven't spent much time at all here and I feel remarkably guilty about that. I will not get much chance to send out many personal greetings.... and I really am sorry folks. Generally I prefer to be at home, but there is just no way that I can justify staying here for this weekend.
I haven't written very much in any of my journals... the dreaded brain fog has descended on me this week. I went out with my Myrtle Cottage group to 'The Brighton-le-sands' Fisherman's Club and it was a wonderful day. I had prawn cutlets and they were very tasty..... I really enjoyed it and we sat near the window overlooking the river. We watched aeroplanes on their landing approaches, pelicans doing their own fishing, ducks and people in their fishing boats.
Next Wednesday we're all going to the combined Myrtle Cottage service's Christmas Party.... it should be a great deal of fun. It has been a wonderful year at Myrtle Cottage for me.... I have just loved it.
One of the men in our group gave me a cute little Christmas card.... a funny snowman (see picture). I was incredibly touched to get that card.
I will hopefully send out greetings to all when I get home on Sunday... Just don't give up on me!

I love roses

posted on 11/24/2007 5:09:05 PM in (0) Comments


WwW.SparkleTags.Com

Collage

posted on 11/17/2007 3:17:28 AM in (1) Comments



One of my collages

"Hair"

posted on 11/17/2007 2:51:39 AM in (1) Comments

I was going to write yesterday, but no matter what I did.... I couldn't connect to new blog! Happily this morning it is working brilliantly.
I've been out to a live theatre performance of the musical 'Hair'.... full nudity and bad language..... but still an excellent show.... a strong anti-war message and so like a musical version of Shakespeare... especially 'Hamlet'. The group that did it were local to me.... and amateur..... but they did an excellent job! It really took me back hearing 'Aquarious', 'Let the Sunshine it', 'Goodmorning Starshine' and 'Hair'..... it was so well done. However when I heard... 'What piece of work is a man'..... it just seemed I was listening to Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'


What a piece of work is man
How noble in reason
How infinite in faculties
In form and moving
How express and admirable
In action how like an angel
In apprehension how like a god
The beauty of the world
The paragon of animals

I have of late
But wherefore I know not
Lost all my mirth
This goodly frame
The earth
Seems to me a sterile promontory
This most excellent canopy
The air-- look you!
This brave o'erhanging firmament
This majestical roof
Fretted with golden fire
Why it appears no other thing to me
Than a foul and pestilent congregation
Of vapors

What a piece of work is man
How noble in reason

How dare they try to end this beauty?
How dare they try to end this beauty?

Walking in space
We find the purpose of peace
The beauty of life
You can no longer hide

Our eyes are open
Our eyes are open
Our eyes are open
Our eyes are open
Wide wide wide!

Oh no!

posted on 11/12/2007 12:28:23 AM in (1) Comments

Man did I make a mistake..... I have lost two friends..... and now that you mention it.... yes Cindy is missing.... but there is another one missing! What a horrible friend I am!!!!!!

I'm still here!

posted on 11/11/2007 9:48:19 PM in (1) Comments




I am sorry that I have been missing in action.... I didn't have a particularly great week last week and as I can see... one of my new friends has removed me.... oh well.... I can understand and I am sad to say farewell.... but I cannot help it if I am busy.... or not feeling well. I felt I needed a break from things and so I played 'Sims 2' and lost myself a little in the experience. I do feel that it helped clear away the fog a little bit.
I have joined another two journal sites.... I think I am just addicted, but I am happy with what I found.... even though most of them are very quiet. There are times when I feel lonely.... but to be honest.... there are times when I just cannot bring myself to respond to all my friends. Being honest..... I am happy to have friends.... but I can be quite naughty when it comes to responding. I will have to try a bit harder here... as I love all your pages.... and the music. I love Lotus's page for it's gorgeous graphics and that mystical music..... and Flapper's music by Uriah Heap..... I've never heard their music before..... but I love that song! I love all the pages.... you have all so much you share and I hope to be a better friend.
I have just watched a D.V.D my husband bought me and I'm here to tell you.... that it was a lovely movie. It was 'Miss Potter' with Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor.... the story of Beatrix Potter and it was gorgeous..... I really feel they did a magical job with it. I read her stories when I was a child and they are still beautiful to read as an adult. To think an American actress could portray a very English character so well.... Renee did a wonderful job.... she is becoming a favourite actress with me!
It has been a long while since I have watched a movie on my own..... but it was beautiful and I could watch it over and over. I'm hoping to buy 'Becoming Jane' when the price of the movie goes down.
My mood is improving.... and so I will continue to watch one good movie a day for awhile.... it seems to help. Sending hugs to all of you.

Brain fog

posted on 11/3/2007 5:15:33 PM in (1) Comments



Well hello to you all and a big thank you for all the wonderful comments..... I went out with my wacky wanderer friends yesterday. we went down to Wollongong for a lovely club lunch at The Bulli (pronounced 'Bull eye') worker's club. If I didn't have this programme.... I'd be mostly housebound, so I need this type of outing fairly regularly. We all had a really good day..... but I was far too tired to do much writing yesterday.
I was so depressed on Wednesday.... I needed quite a bit of distraction......I had and still do have a fair bit of writer's block. Don't you just hate it when you want to write and share your life, yet it just feels as though your brain is full of fog! I am alive and I'm not quitting...... that is something.

fantasy picture

posted on 11/1/2007 8:01:00 AM in (0) Comments

Hello there

posted on 10/29/2007 6:01:46 PM in (0) Comments


Well I am finally understanding my new PC.... everything is working brilliantly and I have even played Sims 2 which I haven't been able to do in so long. Trouble is I get bored with that after such a short time.... and so I am back to reality if only for a short time.
I managed to work through most of my difficulties and I'm a lot more relaxed in myself. I haven't slept well in over a week..... but last night I finally got a few hours and I feel so much better.
I haven't felt able to do much writing and I am so glad that you are such patient friends..... I love all the journals here and I am thrilled with each new comment. I have a lot more things I want to do, but I can only do one thing at a time.

Pc up and running!

posted on 10/25/2007 10:03:34 AM in (2) Comments



Well the new PC is up and running.... but it has been a nightmare and I'm not sure when I'll be able to chat to you. Will explain more later.

Still waiting..... no modem CD

posted on 10/23/2007 2:13:27 AM in (2) Comments

I have now waited 11 days to use my brand new PC.... and STILL no modem CD! Tomorrow is day 11 and I am ready to scream...... it should only take 1 day for a CD to arrive and if sent on a Friday.... it should come on Monday.... Tuesday at the latest. My current PC is struggling and is even more slow than usual. I will be out all day tomorrow... it's my Myrtle Cottage day..... my recreation programme...... so if you don't hear from me you will know why!

Ten days after my birthday

posted on 10/22/2007 2:56:17 AM in (1) Comments





There is still no sign of the modem CD so I am hoping that it will be here tomorrow. It has been 10 days since my birthday and my new PC is sitting here idle! It's a good thing that I have kept myself busy and I have enjoyed myself finding this new blog called 'New Blog'. I decided to abandon several of my other blogs because I see no point when I cannot find a single friend there and I get no option to upload pictures or graphics.... unless I upgrade my account.
I didn't expect to find friends so fast here.... I almost feel giddy..... but it's a nice feeling and I love all the pages and I'm hoping to entice a few of my other friends here.
I love Lord Tennyson's epic poem ...'The Lady of Shalott' so I put it here and I'm happy with it. I wanted a blog where I could share the things I like and I am very happy I can here.

The Lady of Shalott

posted on 10/22/2007 2:20:26 AM in (0) Comments

The Lady of Shalott

On either side the river lie
Long fields of barley and of rye,
That clothe the wold and meet the sky;
And through the field the road run by
To many-tower'd Camelot;
And up and down the people go,
Gazing where the lilies blow
Round an island there below,
The island of Shalott.

Willows whiten, aspens quiver,
Little breezes dusk and shiver
Through the wave that runs for ever
By the island in the river
Flowing down to Camelot.
Four grey walls, and four grey towers,
Overlook a space of flowers,
And the silent isle imbowers
The Lady of Shalott.

By the margin, willow veil'd,
Slide the heavy barges trail'd
By slow horses; and unhail'd
The shallop flitteth silken-sail'd
Skimming down to Camelot:
But who hath seen her wave her hand?
Or at the casement seen her stand?
Or is she known in all the land,
The Lady of Shalott?

Only reapers, reaping early,
In among the bearded barley
Hear a song that echoes cheerly
From the river winding clearly;
Down to tower'd Camelot;
And by the moon the reaper weary,
Piling sheaves in uplands airy,
Listening, whispers, " 'Tis the fairy
The Lady of Shalott."

There she weaves by night and day
A magic web with colours gay.
She has heard a whisper say,
A curse is on her if she stay
To look down to Camelot.
She knows not what the curse may be,
And so she weaveth steadily,
And little other care hath she,
The Lady of Shalott.

And moving through a mirror clear
That hangs before her all the year,
Shadows of the world appear.
There she sees the highway near
Winding down to Camelot;
There the river eddy whirls,
And there the surly village churls,
And the red cloaks of market girls
Pass onward from Shalott.

Sometimes a troop of damsels glad,
An abbot on an ambling pad,
Sometimes a curly shepherd lad,
Or long-hair'd page in crimson clad
Goes by to tower'd Camelot;
And sometimes through the mirror blue
The knights come riding two and two.
She hath no loyal Knight and true,
The Lady of Shalott.

But in her web she still delights
To weave the mirror's magic sights,
For often through the silent nights
A funeral, with plumes and lights
And music, went to Camelot;
Or when the Moon was overhead,
Came two young lovers lately wed.
"I am half sick of shadows," said
The Lady of Shalott.

A bow-shot from her bower-eaves,
He rode between the barley sheaves,
The sun came dazzling thro' the leaves,
And flamed upon the brazen greaves
Of bold Sir Lancelot.
A red-cross knight for ever kneel'd
To a lady in his shield,
That sparkled on the yellow field,
Beside remote Shalott.

The gemmy bridle glitter'd free,
Like to some branch of stars we see
Hung in the golden Galaxy.
The bridle bells rang merrily
As he rode down to Camelot:
And from his blazon'd baldric slung
A mighty silver bugle hung,
And as he rode his armor rung
Beside remote Shalott.

All in the blue unclouded weather
Thick-jewell'd shone the saddle-leather,
The helmet and the helmet-feather
Burn'd like one burning flame together,
As he rode down to Camelot.
As often thro' the purple night,
Below the starry clusters bright,
Some bearded meteor, burning bright,
Moves over still Shalott.

His broad clear brow in sunlight glow'd;
On burnish'd hooves his war-horse trode;
From underneath his helmet flow'd
His coal-black curls as on he rode,
As he rode down to Camelot.
From the bank and from the river
He flashed into the crystal mirror,
"Tirra lirra," by the river
Sang Sir Lancelot.

She left the web, she left the loom,
She made three paces through the room,
She saw the water-lily bloom,
She saw the helmet and the plume,
She look'd down to Camelot.
Out flew the web and floated wide;
The mirror crack'd from side to side;
"The curse is come upon me," cried
The Lady of Shalott.

In the stormy east-wind straining,
The pale yellow woods were waning,
The broad stream in his banks complaining.
Heavily the low sky raining
Over tower'd Camelot;
Down she came and found a boat
Beneath a willow left afloat,
And around about the prow she wrote
The Lady of Shalott.

And down the river's dim expanse
Like some bold seer in a trance,
Seeing all his own mischance --
With a glassy countenance
Did she look to Camelot.
And at the closing of the day
She loosed the chain, and down she lay;
The broad stream bore her far away,
The Lady of Shalott.

Lying, robed in snowy white
That loosely flew to left and right --
The leaves upon her falling light --
Thro' the noises of the night,
She floated down to Camelot:
And as the boat-head wound along
The willowy hills and fields among,
They heard her singing her last song,
The Lady of Shalott.

Heard a carol, mournful, holy,
Chanted loudly, chanted lowly,
Till her blood was frozen slowly,
And her eyes were darkened wholly,
Turn'd to tower'd Camelot.
For ere she reach'd upon the tide
The first house by the water-side,
Singing in her song she died,
The Lady of Shalott.

Under tower and balcony,
By garden-wall and gallery,
A gleaming shape she floated by,
Dead-pale between the houses high,
Silent into Camelot.
Out upon the wharfs they came,
Knight and Burgher, Lord and Dame,
And around the prow they read her name,
The Lady of Shalott.

Who is this? And what is here?
And in the lighted palace near
Died the sound of royal cheer;
And they crossed themselves for fear,
All the Knights at Camelot;
But Lancelot mused a little space
He said, "She has a lovely face;
God in his mercy lend her grace,
The Lady of Shalott."

For all my new friends

posted on 10/21/2007 1:02:27 AM in (0) Comments

Men Doing Dresssage

posted on 10/21/2007 12:49:36 AM in (0) Comments

I love horses and British humour..... and I just love this... hope you enjoy it too!

what planet are you from ?

posted on 10/20/2007 11:32:08 PM in (0) Comments

You Are From Neptune

You are dreamy and mystical, with a natural psychic ability.
You love music, poetry, dance, and (most of all) the open sea.
Your soul is filled with possibilities, and your heart overflows with compassion.
You can be in a room full of friendly people and feel all alone.
If you don't get carried away with one idea, your spiritual nature will see you through anything.

Anniversary

posted on 10/20/2007 11:00:45 PM in (0) Comments

It was a lovely surprize to meet new friends so quickly here. I have quite a few blogs.... I think I'm addicted to them... but some are absent of friends! Some have been so quiet that I have left and when I joined up here..... I didn't expect such a warm welcome. I am not complaining.... I was just a little overwhelmed!
Sadly until my new PC is set up, my visits here may not be frequent, I was going to wait until it was up and running to join, but after 7 days..... I couldn't seem to wait!
Last night my husband Russell and I went out to celebrate our thirtieth wedding anniversary at a lovely restaurant called "The Barn". Our actual anniversary is tomorrow (22nd October) but as our daughters' are away for the weekend..... we decided on going out. We had a lovely evening..... we were never rushed and the old building (built in 1816) had a wonderful atmosphere.
I'm really sleepy today...... I always seem to have a sleepy day after a good day..... this comes with the MS..... I am afraid.
Believe me..... I have bad days with MS too...... my posts are not always super positive..... I do try, but I am only human.
Thank you all for warmly welcoming me! :)

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