There is a story about a wise woman who once told her daughter, “Two wolves live inside me. One is full of self loathing, regrets, worry, apathy and denial of pleasure. The other is full of the joy of life, and compassion for others and self, and a great love for the world. All the time, these wolves are fighting inside me.” “But,” asked the daughter “Which wolf will win?” The mother answered, “The one I feed.” adapted from a Navajo folktale
I'm away for a week but thought I'd leave you with this little gem from Story People. Story People's Brian Andres' latest book, Peculiar Times, can be downloaded free here.
It’s nice to bring a little something back from holidays, a souvenir, a tangible reminder of the destination visited. It brings back memories and, if it’s a gift, shows the receiver that, we may have been away but we did think of them. We’ve all received them haven’t we - those gifts that bear no relevance to the usual good taste of the giver. On holidays maybe we’re more likely to purchase kitsch souvenirs simply because they aren’t serious; they echo the whimsical holiday mood. Souvenir tea towels and tablecloths of the 1950s and 60s were sometimes kitsch, but the quality of the fabric ensured that, in the days before dishwashers and placemats, they could at least be useful. And those that didn’t get used until threadbare can be reborn today through the cleverness of crafty people like these.
Holidays can be a mixed bag, some good, some not so. And we can be left wondering...
Should we have stayed at home and thought of here? Where should we be today? Is it right to be watching strangers in a play in this strangest of theatres? What childishness is it that while there's a breath of life in our bodies, we are determined to rush to see the sun the other way around? The tiniest green hummingbird in the world? To stare at some inexplicable old stonework, inexplicable and impenetrable, at any view, instantly seen and always, always delightful? Oh, must we dream our dreams and have them, too?
Some interesting signs seen at hotels on overseas trips -
1. We take your bags and send them in all direction. 2. In case of fire, do your utmost to alarm the hotel porter. 3. Customers are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11 am daily. 4. The elevator is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable. Do not enter the elevator backwards, and only when lit up. To move the cabin, push button for wishing floor. 5. Is forbidden to steal hotel towels please. If you are not person to do such thing please not to read notice. 6. Please to bathe inside the tub. 7. You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid. 8. Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose. 9. In the bar - Special cocktails: For the ladies with nuts. 10. Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar. 11. Our wines leave you nothing to hope for. 12. In the hotel shops - for your convenience, we recommend courteous, efficient self-service. 13. Order your summer suit. Because is big rush we will execute customers in strict rotation. 14. Doctor specialist in women and other diseases. 15. Dentist teeth extracted by the latest methodists. 16. In the grounds - Stop. Drive sideways. 17. Please do not feed the animals. If you have any suitable food, please give it to the guard on duty. 18. A new swimming pool is rapidly taking shape since the contractors have thrown in the bulk of their workers. 19. Ladies, please leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time. 20. Would you like to ride on your own ass?
and a favorite that I brought home from Vietnam with me -
21. Please do not bring guns with prostitutes into the hotel room.
Apparently humans sang before they used language as we know it. And even as language developed singing continued to play a major role in day to day life.
Not so long ago most people sang daily, individually and in groups, in homes, in churches, in pubs, in nature. Singing is sacred and everyday, ritualistic and spontaneous.
For the first nine months of our lives all the billions of us on the planet sang by relying on manipulation of our voice's pitch to meet our basic and fundamental needs.
Joy House for Melange 'Fun' Challenge. Click here to see more.
A singing teacher told me that there’s no such thing as not being able to sing.
Vintage Porto Baradio Mini Bar Radio (the perfect singing accompaniment!) from Catalin Radio
It’s just a matter of deprogramming ourselves from the voices that have said ‘You can’t sing’ or, in my case, ‘Muuuuum you CAN'T sing!’!
Go on now, it's your turn....I'm listenin....you know you're good...
I like looking at fashion photographs. As much, and often more so, for the photography as for the clothes. And props, well, as long as they don't overpower the clothes, they can turn a photo into an artwork, a visual story. Sometimes, yes, nature is the only prop needed. But today, in this post, are some frocks with props that I like. Yes I know the one above is an accessories pattern not a frock but everything in the photo is gorgeous, including the white bundle. Even though the love that I have for my own departed bundle hits me in my solar plexus when I look at it - or maybe because of it.
I wonder why we don't use sun umbrellas more, particularly here in Australia in summer. Such an underrated fashion accessory. And rain umbrellas, well, you get to be in your own protected little space under the low clouds, in the softer light, and with sounds more acute, resonating - that's if it's soft down rain, or tropical rain that comes down like a heavy sheet hard and straight. If it's sweeping rain you just need to forfeit the umbrella, stop struggling, and get swept along.
Speaking of water, who'd have thought of combining a dress with a hose. But oh wow doesn't it look great. The punch is in the surprise I think.
A nice big pair of wings paired with this unconventional dress makes an arresting pic. I think this prop is made with Photoshop. It's a magical tool - but sometimes it's better not to know how magic works. Okay I'm lying. I want it.
I have a weakness for photos of washing hanging on a clothes line. Whether in a back garden or strung from a balcony in a little back street, these scenes sing to me of sunshine, breezes, freshness and home.
Stuffing! The perfect prop for a maternity dress if you can't have the real thing. Looking at this pic reminds me of being pregnant with my son, so thin and with such a small 'basketball' bump. I remember a friend asking if I was having a 'bird' - the bird was a healthy 6lb 11oz/3033g. If I put my hand on my stomach I can still remember how his little foot felt beneath my hand, beneath my skin.
We all have them. In the photo trunk. Little memory strips. Funny faces and big innocent eyes.
Pianos can be memory catchers too. I love to play my Dad's grand piano - even stumbled efforts seem beautiful - but I enjoy listening to him play even more. Not for him the sheets of music needing to be referred to, just the internal hum of memory.
Last but not least from the Darling Drew the ultimate prop, a pool. Who else could look so good fully submerged. Not that I'd want to go swimming in a dress. Swimming with no clothes is the ideal, but here I have to settle for a swimsuit. Still enjoy it tho - particularly at night time under the stars, floating on my back, gazing up.
(When you head over to Elle to check out Drew's story, check out an editor's recent diy video showing you how to make the 'latest' shoulder pad fashion...sewing three, yes three shoulder pads together to slip inside a lovely blouse and make it look supposedly 'worth thousands' but to me...um...well...just gross!)
I know I haven't said anything about the clothes. I like them all. I'd wear them all. No, maybe not the maternity one. I'd give it as a gift to someone I love who's expecting. Maybe not the manifesto one either. I'd hang it on the wall as a work of art. I could get some wings to put behind it...
Marionette Box by Ostrich Girl 
Slumbering Love Shadow Lamp by Creative Pal 
The Courtyard Original Painting by My Good Babushka 
Two Faced Tree Man Pot by Just Puff 
Two Victorian Ladies Have Tea by Matou en Peluche
What’s the Time Mr Wolf Original Watercolour and Gouache Painting by Caitlin Shearer of Pepperminte 
Marie Antoinette Dangerous Liasons Choker by Boudoir Queen
Desert Fox Marionette by BisMar 
And They Sang All Day Photo by 
