30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 7

Home Thoughts
by Carl Sandburg

THE SEA rocks have a green moss.
The pine rocks have red berries.
I have memories of you.

Speak to me of how you miss me.
Tell me the hours go long and slow.

Speak to me of the drag on your heart,
The iron drag of the long days.

I know hours empty as a beggar’s tin cup on a rainy day, empty as a soldier’s sleeve with an arm lost.

Speak to me …

What are you thankful for today?

I am grateful for my two homes, the Philippines where I was born and bred and Germany, where I am happily living with Him Indoors.

The shore that call us home
Was the title of the poem
By Samuel Hazo in 1949
Makes me think about my life
Every time I go home and meet my
Family, friends and relatives again
After some time when I’m here
And they are there living differently
Yet parallel to each other, there’s this
Nostalgic feeling, of being home again
This land or these islands I miss so much
It doesn’t matter where I am now, and
I’m building a home with my family here
But over there where I used to call home
Full of childhood memories, of school,
Of college, of my first experience at work
First love, first kiss, first of everything
These experiences made me and taught me
They gave me a solid foundation of how
It is to be me, all the trials and errors
They gave me the confidence to try and
Explore different things and I have proved
That I can do it no matter where
So even when I’m happy here
I’d still be a girl with a fringe
I’d always go back to the shore
That calls me home, the Philippines

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

yacht

lavender

tortoises

home is happy
home is cosy
home is warm
home doesn’t regret
home doesn’t mind sharing
home grows with love

it doesn’t matter
where or what is home
home is with Him Indoors
and HRH the son
our three tortoises
our flowers in the grden
things we share
experience and memories
I love our home!

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: 30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 7. Also for: NaNoPoblano Day 7

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 4

My young son asks me… by Bertolt Brecht

My young son asks me: Must I learn mathematics?
What is the use, I feel like saying. That two pieces
Of bread are more than one’s about all you’ll end up with.
My young son asks me: Must I learn French?
What is the use, I feel like saying. This State’s collapsing.
And if you just rub your belly with your hand and
Groan, you’ll be understood with little trouble.
My young son asks me: Must I learn history?
What is the use, I feel like saying. Learn to stick
Your head in the earth, and maybe you’ll still survive.

Yes, learn mathematics, I tell him.
Learn your French, learn your history!

What are you thankful for today?
I am grateful for HRH the son and his beautiful bride for being such loving children.

For: 30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 4, Thankful Thursday: Autumn

Ten Things of Thankful 172 (Magic) #10Thankful

Hello everyone! There’s magic in the air and I’m loving it! Hope you are all fine. As I’ve said last Thursday, got lots of little things to be thankful about.

I’m smiling because the weather here in Bavaria is lovely, our Indian summer! We have just been swimming this morning and it was brilliant. I’ve hanged clothes outside to dry and the tortoises are happy in the garden. We’re also happy sitting in the garden, drinking our fizzy drinks and admiring the flowers. I have taken lots of photo, as usual, of the flowers, of the leaves changing colours, of the falling leaves, of shadows and other stuff. This morning I’ve video-called my mother. She’s getting better in using the tablet and she rang me herself, how cool is that! In social media, I’ve greeted my cousin, who celebrated their 25 years wedding anniversary and they have renewed their vows in the same church where they were married. It was nice to see them, together with their 6 children and they were all lovely in their white dresses and suits. My friend from Iran is now back from her holidays and we agreed to see each other next week. And tomorrow, Him Indoors and I are going out for a Chinese, the one where we used to eat when we first arrived here. We’ll be cycling there tomorrow evening. So that’s my smile this week. Cheers everyone!

P.S. the sky tonight’s so heavenly!

What else? I’m thankful that we have a long-weekend having Monday off as it’s Germany’s reunification day. Him Indoors is out buying food until Monday (shops are closed tomorrow and Monday, so panic buying for everyone!).

Grateful that HRH the son and his beautiful bride have found a flat in their new place where they will have the next phase of their lives. She’s doing her PhD and he’s hoping to find a job, having just finished his Masters. “White rabbits” to them!

Happy that I spoke to my mother and she’s fine and in good spirit. We talked about her 80th birthday celebration for next year, planning for a big party, of course, with all of her children and grandchildren all over the world coming to the Philippines to celebrate with her.

Grateful that school term in the language school starts next week. Looking forward to seeing my new students. I’ve just ordered some new books, too.

That’s it from me. Keep the magic in you! Take care everyone x

For: Ten Things of Thankful 172 (Magic) #10Thankful, SEASONS – BEGIN OCTOBER FEASTS

52 Weeks Photo Challenge: week 7- Time

our house

The time really goes so fast
We can still remember all the years
His first words that gave us cheers
The first time he crawls and walks
The first time he rode his bicycle
His first day of school with a big bag
Karate, music, choir, kung-fu, guitar
When we reminisce them they bring tears

From primary years to senior years
He was showing some independence
Lots of friends, loves Maths and Science
Learns to drive, happy to have his license
Friends stayed overnight and had fun
Activities in school, soon time to leave
To another country to have his degree
We surely miss him but we had to let him go

Happy we all are
When the son rang and said
She said yes and soon they be wed
Gave her a charming sapphire ring
Lovely in her hands so they go-ahead
Two lovely weddings- UK and India
They’re both finished with their Masters
Wishing them well for their bright future

We are happy, Him Indoor and I
We can feel the son is so happy
We are happy he found his Sweetie
She’s very lovely, we all agree
They can plan their future, all coolly
We’re happy to share with you all
Something positive and exciting
The world is wonderful and brightly

For: 52 Weeks Photo Challenge: week 7- Time

Sunday Photo Fiction – Boys!

“die, you ###, die!”

“quick, here, before they start again!”

“bang, strike, ouch, smack!”

The noise from the living room was full of screaming boys, fighting like crazy with their toy soldiers, power rangers, ninja turtles, avengers. Or they fought among themselves. They’ve gone through a lot of heroes and villains. And when they were not there, they were outside playing football or just throwing balls around. The energy was immense, and of course, good old Mum has to give them never ending snacks and drinks. And taxiing to their games, football, rugby, karate, kung-fu, swimming, guitar and piano lessons, overnight stay with friends. Sometimes, friends came over for barbeque and stayed the night, too. Life was full of activities then. Now, they’re all gone, having their own lives somewhere. I miss them.

For: Sunday Photo Fiction

Photo Challenge #128 – Painting the Moon

With this brush, I paint the moon for you
Crossing out the storms and bad weather
Having the sky the right greyish hue
Giving some parts a mysterious blur

Entering some stars that sparkle at night
With this post, I count my blessings
You’ve always been my knight
Never hurting my feelings

That you’re here by my side
And we’re both free
Both enjoying the ride
And watching the prix

That our only son with his bride
Are making their marks in the world
Of course, with our support and guide
And a kaleidoscope of images whirled

Turning every chance into challenges
Therefore, I’ve got nothing left to wish for
As we climb mountains and cross bridges
Waiting for more things to explore

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

Source: Unknown

For: Photo Challenge #128, Wordle 263 Aug 28 by Brenda Warren

Haiku Hub Floating Challenge #1 – Heritage

Ritu from But I Smile Anyway is our first host for Haiku Hub and the prompt is “heritage.”

Two weeks before the son’s wedding, Him Indoors took his great granddad’s watch from the drawer and looked at it one last time. He wore it on his wedding, a pocket silver watch from 1909, with a silver chain and a silver medal at the end. The medal was won by his great granddad from rugby and it still has the encryption of his name and the year. Ah, great heritage! HRH the son was delighted when we presented it to him. He’s always been proud of his heritage, being half Filipino and half British. It was nice to see him happy.

An old silver watch
Passed on by his great granddad
The son wore it, too

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: Haiku Hub Floating Challenge #1 – Heritage

Heeding Haiku With Chèvrefeuille August 17th 2016 … a summer tale

They met at the university. They were doing the same course. Two different people with different upbringing, culture, tradition and religion. They didn’t hinder them to fall in love with each other. And so after they finished their course and Masters, he proposed to her and she accepted. We all gave our blessings and weddings were planned, one in each country of origin. And we were all pleased to be part of these celebrations. May they spend many years of love and happiness together!

their first dance
they looked at each other’s eyes
loving each moment

to have and to hold
with Thaali, garlands and love
till death do they part

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

 

For: Heeding Haiku With Chèvrefeuille August 17th 2016 … a summer tale

#AwakeAugust – small stones 08/16/16

unpacking, laundry, shopping
back from 2 weeks holiday
from India where the son wed
his beautiful bride and we’re glad
three cheers to both of them
many years of happiness together!

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

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During the month of August, I will be joining Satya and Kaspa for their Awake August 2016 and write small stones throughout the month. If you’d like to join us, simply write small stones during the month on your blog and/or post them on their Facebook page. Use the hashtag #AwakeAugust in your title to share with others on Facebook and Twitter. If you are unfamiliar with what small stones are, you can find out here. I do hope you will join in. It is a beautiful mindfulness tool.

 

Carpe Diem #1021 love the moment

[…] “Love the moment and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries.” […] Corita Kent

to have and to hold
with Thaali, garlands and love
till death do they part

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: Carpe Diem #1021