It's raining

Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.
- Roger Miller

Dusty corners

I would have rummaged, ransacked at the word;
Those old odd corners of an empty heart:
For remnants of dim love the long disused,
And dusty crumbling of romance!

-Robert Browning

Waiting

As Kylie Johnson once wrote

♥

...easing into the year bit by bit..

as i looked upon a corner of my home this morning
i thought this little still life
is kind of how i feel at the moment...

still inspired,
but just sitting quietly,
letting the light of the day cast over me
waiting for the craziness to begin again,

but being still for now.

♥

Postage

Sending a part of me across the sea.

Mamma's Birthday

Happy Birthday Bella.

Dreaming

I want to know if you

still dare to dream

and what desires

your dreams ingite.

A message

Thanks Jessica for arranging a signed copy of Kylie Johnson's second book of poetry "A once courageous heart". The message is timely and poignant.

Ron Mueck

Melbourne artist Ron Mueck's solo exhibition at the NGV is inspiring and unforgettable.

His art sculptures are breath taking... poetic, sensitive and voyeuristic.

Stand by me

Marco has sent me an email with the link to a video clip from "Playing for Peace".

Listening to the music and lyrics and the inspiring images has made me smile and sent "brevi" down my spine.

Some things are too beautiful not to share.

Mutual feelings

Every time I leave Florence it rains.

Yesterday as we drove through the Tuscan countryside towards Castgelioncello on the coast; the landscape was a vivid green and the meadows were sun kissed with yellow flowers and sunlight. Then this morning whilst we were seated eating warmed chocolate croissants and cafe latte, it started raining and it hasn't ceased.

I think that Florence is crying because I'm leaving - and the feeling is mutual.

Driving through Tuscany

Every time I cycle or drive through Tuscany my heart sings - literally. It must have something to with the poetic landscape, the colours of the folliage and the rolling hills, the scents and the daylight. No matter what the season, the time of day or how I'm feeling I smile, because the Tuscan landscape with Il Duomo and Florence in the distance triggers memories of the aspirations I had when I arrived in February 2007.

Driving back to Florence from Castinglioncello.

Buon voyage dinner

Martina, Sandra, Sabine and Njelka came over for dinner tonight.

We ate, talked and laughed endlessly over tuscan food and wine. It was a delightful and relaxing evening.

Spirited, courageous, beautiful and inspiring women.

Mi mancharai.

Florence at Night

Porta Romana

Dinner at Osteria, Porta Romana with Macro.

Ontario Art and Design School, Florence

'Two masks' by Kristy Gordon

'Surrender' by Kristy Gordon Oil on Canvas

'Anoxia' by Kevin Columbus Oil and Acrylic on Canvas

English Cemetry

The Swiss-owned Evangelical Cemetery of Florence called the "English Cemetery" is situated in Piazzale Donatello. Marco and I often circle the cemetery when we pass through town on the moto and this afternoon I finally managed to visit this artistic and poetic landmark in the heart of Firenze.

The following is an extract by Susan and Joanna Horner, from Walks in Florence, Chapter XXV.
Near this piazza lies the old Protestant Cemetery of Florence, once beyond the Porta Pinti, and under the shelter of the ivy-covered walls, both of which have been included in the recent demolitions. The greater number of the tall old cypresses which crowned the summit of the mound have been cut down, and the picturesque beauty, as well as seclusion of the spot, which were so congenial to the feelings of mourning friends, no longer exist. It is now protected by a neat iron railing, within which have been planted cypresses and various shrubs, which it is to be hoped will, in time, restore some of its former beauty. The mountains of Vallombrosa and Fiesole are not quite shut out by the row of houses rising on all sides, and the order and care... leave no room for complaints. The white marble monuments, to each of which is attached a little garden of roses or other flowers, give a peculiar loveliness to this cemetery, far removed from gloom, and in the spring-time, the remains of the departed seem to repose under a shower of sweet blossoms. Among the monuments raised to those whose names are known to the world, may be mentioned Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Arnold Savage Landor, Mrs. Trollope and her accomplished daughter-in-law, the poet Arthur Hugh Clough, and the American divine Theodore Parker.

Ugo Foscolo's 'Sepolcri'

But cypresses and cedars
the zephyrs impregnate by pure fragrances,
perennial green leaning over the urns
for eternal memory, and precious
vases to collect the votive tears.

Ma cipressi e cedri
di puri effluvi i zefiri impregnando
perenne verde protendean su l'urne
per memoria perenne, e preziosi
vasi accogliean le lagrime votive.

Marco's Birthday

Celebrating Marco's Birthday at Osteria in Porta Romana, Firenze

Taormina