Lily Wren

Merry Christmas Everybody

2011-12-21T17:10:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas Everybody, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Sleeping at the reigns?

2011-12-05T05:46:00.001-08:00

Sleeping at the reigns?, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Thinking of dinner

2011-12-03T06:54:00.001-08:00

Thinking of dinner, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Ollie is now 13 weeks old and just getting bigger by the day. He also seems to love having his picture taken - great for me but not for people who may tire of kitten and cat photographs in the future!

Autumn Dog

2011-12-01T23:47:00.001-08:00

Autumn Dog, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

He was at a distance, stopped for a minute and turned. I had to snap quickly so the quality is the best! But I couldn't resist, I wish he had been my dog as I would have had so much fun spending time trying to get some photographs of him amongst the Autumn leaves ~ he blended in so well!

Westie in the woods.

2011-11-25T23:43:00.001-08:00

Westie in the woods., originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Once upon a time...

2011-11-24T11:15:00.001-08:00

Once upon a time..., originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Cheeky? Me?

2011-11-23T11:52:00.001-08:00

Cheeky? Me?, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

late night

2011-11-13T08:08:00.001-08:00

late night, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Daylight illumination

2011-11-10T02:50:00.001-08:00

Daylight illumination, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

The jumble of cables & lights look extremely different to night-time illuminations. The 'Big One' ride in the background adds to the clutter of lights, cables, lines and cars.

It's a very cluttered photograph which, for me, sums up Blackpool in early November.

A walk down memory lane

2011-11-06T10:18:00.001-08:00

A walk down memory lane, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Introducing Ollie...

2011-10-30T03:01:00.001-07:00

Introducing Ollie..., originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

My new kitten ♥

It's been over 3 months now since Lucy sadly disappeared. I have searched and searched and put flyers around and done all I can do to find her but no luck so far. A very much missed best friend. My other cat Rosie has been very lonely and is such a playful pud and needed some cat company! Plus it takes the heat off me!

Ollie's mum was a British Shorthair and he, his siblings and mum were taken there after mothers milk dried up at 3 weeks. Apparently mum was used as a bit of a breeding machine :( Possibly the owner couldn't cope with hand rearing lots of kittens. Anyway, their loss is my gain :D

Late night leftovers and legs

2011-10-15T07:11:00.001-07:00

Late night leftovers and legs, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Following a gig at Mello Mello, Liverpool....

Fish n Chips

2011-10-02T04:50:00.001-07:00

Fish n Chips, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Fancy some??

The High Street

2011-10-02T03:46:00.001-07:00

The High Street, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Just watching the world go by on the busy high street, quick, quick, hurry!
Must buy must buy as the solitary pigeon ambles along waiting for you to drop crumbs as you eat your pasty.

I wondered lonely as a cloud

2011-09-18T04:59:00.001-07:00

I wondered lonely as a cloud, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Taken early one morning this is Ullswater in the Lake District, Cumbria. It's said to be where William Wordsworth got his inspiration for 'The Daffodils' poem. Not surprising really, it is such an inspiring place to be.

"I wandered lonely as a Cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and Hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden Daffodils;
Beside the Lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:-
A Poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company:
I gazed---and gazed---but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude,
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the Daffodils."

Sunday Morning

2011-09-18T02:16:00.001-07:00

Sunday Morning, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

"Sunday morning, praise the dawning
It's just a restless feeling by my side
Early dawning, sunday morning
It's just the wasted years so close behind

Watch out, the world's behind you
There's always someone around you who will call
It's nothing at all"

Sunday Morning ~ Velvet Underground
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cWzxJvgWc8

I had to be really quick to get this capture and time it just as the guy was walking between the posts. I was quite a bit away and also walking in the opposite direction so it was one of those 'turn around, see the guy, hurry up, press button quick' moments!

I quite like the lines of the posts contrasting with the horizontal lines of the bench, roof and ground.

A photograph that probably doesn't say much but one I quite like all the same!

The Spider & The Fly

2011-09-03T01:06:00.001-07:00

The Spider & The Fly, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

'I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?' said the Spider to the Fly.
'There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin;
And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!'
'Oh no, no,' said the little Fly, 'for I've often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!'

Taken from 'The Spider and the Fly" by Mary Howitt.

Oh dear, poor Felix the fly. This spider is camped out on my window outside. The web, like the spider, is massive but the light and position means I am having to think carefully on how to capture the full web, and do it justice. Poor flies stand no chance against Horace...

#8 ~ Web in 111 pictures in 2011

Blade

2011-08-24T11:33:00.001-07:00

Blade, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Tracks

2011-08-23T10:22:00.001-07:00

Tracks, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Clogworks

2011-08-23T10:21:00.001-07:00

Clogworks, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Try stealing this one....

2011-08-22T09:21:00.001-07:00

Try stealing this one...., originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Stark Reality

2011-05-14T05:03:00.001-07:00

Stark Reality, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

."Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." - Lao Tzu

This was taken on the road as we were passing Lake Mille Lacs in MN. The whole Lake was frozen so the 'water' you see in the background is in fact ice. The whole area had an 'otherworldy' feel. Miles and miles of ice where there should be lake and then this solitary tree at the lakeside.

My battery was going, the car was flying by and my chap has an adverse reaction to stopping the car once it is in motion. So the quality is as it is, however, given the surreal land/ice scape, I thought it was quite fitting!

I have converted to B & W and give it the high contrast treatment I like so much. No where near a perfect photograph but that is not the effect that I wanted.

# 55 - Minimal in the 111 pictures in 2011

every drop

2011-05-07T04:02:00.003-07:00

every drop, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Handsome? Moi?

2011-05-07T04:02:00.001-07:00

Handsome? Moi?, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

The Watcher

2011-04-30T04:36:00.001-07:00

The Watcher, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Review....

2010-12-28T07:52:00.001-08:00

Doors by Plum Flower Embroidery

The newest offering from PFE sees a return to the experimental and somewhat dark mood of his earlier music. Doors presents a rather eerie, atmospheric trip providing the listener with an ever present sense of claustrophobia. It seems to offer the contradictions between the ambient and gentle and the dark and foreboding that PFE does so well. Once again, PFE brings forward a CD that is not for the folks that prefer music of the more accessible and 'quick-fix' kind. It demands the listener to actually pay attention, listen (preferably with headphones) and give it the full attention it deserves to be able to appreciate the fine nuances and atmosphere.

Doors starts off spooky enough with the title track Doors. As soon as you press play and start to hear the track you will get an idea of what the CD will offer – a dark, eerie trip ahead! I particularly like the percussion and vocals on Doors which add a haunting element and an unexpected groove. Bookseller follows and lightens the load left by Doors. There is a wonderful blues piano groove going on with some great guitars and vocals and is possibly my favourite track on the CD (although Fathom and Saving the Preacher also provide stiff competition for this title).

Fluorescent Cannibals holds up really well and is a track that improves with more listening! Another bluesy track, although more of an 'experimental' blues I would suggest. It reminds me a little of Serious Zero, one of PFE's earlier tracks, they are obviously very different from each other but there is something about the delivery of the vocals that is reminiscent of Serious Zero (which is a great track by the way).

After the comparatively 'jaunty tracks' we return back to the dark eerie undercurrent withEels Egg! A very ambient, trippy, dark 'Eno-esque' number with a wonderful layering of percussion, keyboards and vocal elements along with the odd 'star wars gun sound' laser thing here and there (I'm not very good with recognising instruments as you may have noticed!). If Darth Vader hasn't got you yet...he soon will.

Fell Foot Wood continues the dark and eerie trip. There are backwards vocals here which are always guaranteed to sound threatening and scary and with the added loops and effects it feels like I have now entered a scary dark wood, always looking behind for the owner of the voices! A kind of musical Blair Witch Project encounter!

There is a brief respite from the trippy, claustrophobia when we come to Fathom. A great vocal track that I have always loved, and one that, surprisingly, fits well with the darker tracks on Doors. I think the haunting guitar effect ensures it blends well with the other tracks offering the contrast of light and dark PFE often brings to his music. Listening to it follow on from Eels and Fell Foot seems to be a perfect place for Fathom to rest.

Saving the Preacher is a great ambient track that, once again, has that distinctly Plum sound. What is it that makes the tracks sound distinctly Plum? The use of the piano here is just lovely and reminds me of an old style piano offering a musical box sound. Personally I love the blend of old (piano) with the newer electronic sounds. I do like that in music. The use of electric and acoustic in a creative way. The Preacher is just a lovely ambient track where the piano just eases along beautifully.

He Did Again flows on nicely after Saving the Preacher bringing another eerie experimental track. Experimental, that is the word for this CD. It is a very experimental CD and I like that a lot. It fits perfectly into the experimental genre and in listening to He Did Again I am left thinking that if this was performed by a 'well-known' artists (Eno or such like) people would be praising it to the rafters.

V99 once again brings in the haunting piano sound and blends it with more 'futuristic' sounds akin to the Preacher track. And that is something PFE does so well, almost unknowingly. Blending light with dark, old style with new and is something that is wonderfully demonstrated with V99.

Book 13 brings about a melodic end. It does initially stand out amongst the others and at first listen seems to stand out as very different from the rest of the CD. It is lighter and brighter than the rest. However on second listen I do like the way it seems to say 'this is me, still here at the end of all the darkness'. Once again light and shade.

So, after all my spiel, Doors holds up wonderfully well. All the tracks seem to flow and blend together. It is quite an eerie, haunting piece of work that blends old with new and yes, does have, I feel, an Eno feel to it. I only wish I knew someone in 'power' who would listen to PFE once in a while and say 'Wow we love it' and offer the guy loads of money for the extensive library he has produced over the years.

Just as you awake...

2010-10-24T11:35:00.001-07:00

Just as you awake..., originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

This was taken whilst on the road travelling through Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

Taken early one morning as the sun was rising. I just loved the silhouettes of the street lights and signs and the contrasts of lines with these and the traffic lights.

I had to be quick though as we were driving and had no time to stop!

The Jetty at Dawn

2010-10-24T11:08:00.001-07:00

The Jetty at Dawn, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Another photograph of a beautiful sunrise taken on a recent trip to Minnesota.

First Light

2010-10-11T23:37:00.001-07:00

First Light, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

The same morning as the previous shot, however, this was a few moments earlier. The photograph and colours are practically 'as was' and had to be seen to be believed! The Autumn Minnesota sunrise is just so stunning.

Unfortunately my lens isn't big enough to get a closer shot of the single Loon bobbing along on the water. I love these birds, so much so, I bought a really tacky cuddly toy that makes the haunting Loon call - never thought I would become such a 'tourist'!!

Sunrise

2010-10-08T23:44:00.001-07:00

Sunrise, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Beautiful sunrise captured over Jack-the-Horse Lake, Minnesota. One of my favourite photographs taken over the last couple of weeks....

The Orange Girl by Jostein Gaarder

2010-09-04T13:12:00.000-07:00

The Orange Girl by Jostein Gaarder
Publisher: Pheonix
Date: 7th July 2005 (New edition)
ISBN:0753819929

Well, it has been many years since I read a book, cover to cover, over the course of a day or two. The Orange Girl has restored my faith in my ability to do just this. I have found that every book I have read of Gaarder's has held me captivated and I love the way in which not one word is wasted nor is it skimmed over (on my part!). This book is no exception.

The Orange Girl's main focus is on Georg, his deceased father and his father's love and obsession with the 'Orange Girl'. Georg's father died when he was nearly 4 and 11 years later he his handed a large, unopened envelope from his grandmother. The envelope holds his father's story of the Orange Girl. Written just before his death, Georg's father writes to the 'older' Georg about the girl and the events leading up to them meeting. On receiving the envelope, Georg hides himself away for an evening to read the story.

Gaarder brings his wonderful use of a 'story within story' in to play. We are with Georg all the way as he reads his father's tale and we also witness Georg's feelings and views throughout the book. We are, in effect, seeing Georg growing up in the course of a few hours. We are able to see him getting to know a father who died long before he was old enough to get to know him in life.

It was within the early part of the book I felt I had discovered the 'mystery', however, this did not make the book any less enchanting. In fact it made the story all the more bittersweet, poignant and touching. I found the Orange Girl to be a wonderful book about love, loss, life and making the most of what you have before it has gone.

Often with Gaarder's books I find that I stop myself for a few minutes, remove myself from the daily drudgery of work, bed, work, and see life for what it is! Precious, short and not to be spent being too serious about things for any length of time! The Orange Girl made me do this once again, even if for a short time, before the world of work, stress and earning money beckons!

Psychedelic Renegades: With Photographs of Syd Barrett by Mick Rock

2010-06-15T11:20:00.000-07:00

Psychedelic Renegades: With Photographs of Syd Barrett by Mick Rock
Plexus Publishing Ltd
Date: Oct 2007
ISBN: 0859654176

A beautiful book and a must have for Syd Barrett fans and those interested in photography alike, fortunately of which I am both.

Rock presents as insightful a book as any I have seen about Barrett documenting his time through the late 60's/early 70's. I have read several biographies relating to Barrett and have found Rock's photography, prose and interview the most poignant. At the beginning of the book Rock writes, briefly, about his time with Syd in the late 60's, creating a wonderful atmosphere and context within which the photographs and further prose follows.

Rock also offers insights into his early photography experience in how certain photographs were shot. A definite plus for those interested in photography. Interestingly, the early shots of Syd were among the first he took as a professional photographer and he is able to provide us with glimpses and flashes of a mad cap in the making.

The later shots of Syd, in his mother's garden in the early 70's, are amongst the most beautiful and striking photographs. They show a fragile person yet, at times, give us glimpses of hope and smiles. In between photograph's, Rock provides us with information about the times he knew Syd and also the time spent that day in Syd's mother's garden.

A wonderful book and a must have for any fan of Barrett, Rock and photography.

A Good Ole Rant!

2010-05-15T04:03:00.001-07:00

I have to get this off my (rather ample I have to say..) chest! I may sound like a grumpy old woman but, so be it. No-one may be reading but, again, so be it. I just have to rant at something, someone..anywhere!! I shall try and not swear, I promise, but it will be hard.

LITTER.

Again I shall even shout it out...

LITTER!!!!!!!!!!!

Phew, that feels better.. Warning, there may be a few more exclamation marks, it is a RANT after all.

Now I know in the grand scheme of things it isn't important. Wars, distruction, poverty, illness and a rather strange Government in place but still, I am fed up with it. I have, in the words of my dear boss, 'reached the end of my lollipop'. I have (almost) reached the point to where I will, with big bloody bin bags in hand and pink marigolds on, go all around the streets where I live and pick up every frikken piece of bloomin, sodding, soon to be rat infested, smelly, careless strewn litter there is. It may take some time.

Granted, where I live is not a 'posh' area, in fact it is quite deprived, but does that give people an excuse to make it look even more like a second rubbish dump??? What is it with people who just carelessly toss that KFC box, Maccy Ds bag, crisp packet out of their car window?? Is their car such a precious item that they cannot KEEP HOLD of these items and get rid of them once home? Or, if yer like me, have a few bags full of rubbish in the car that I keep forgetting to put in my bin *blush* But, at least it is in my car, and not tossed along the street or road.

I was walking in town the other day, I just happened to glance a person just finished their crisps and throw the bag in the road. It wasn't like an accidental drop, or even a PRETEND accidental drop (of which when I am younger I am sure I did *blush again*), it was a throw. Driving along I was behind someone who just threw a carton out of the window.... I saw a bloke blow his nose and throw a tissue into the road..it goes on and on and on. And my blood pressure rises and rises. 'Calm down dear, it's just a bit of litter' I hear Michael Winner tell me! But it just builds up!

Why do people just seem to toss aside an empty drinks can, a crisps packet or fag packet on the street and then walk a few metres up their path into their bloody house? Do they have no bin inside? Do they not have one of those godforsaken wheelie bins??

My theory was that the bins of such careless minded folks must be completely empty... but then this theory was blown out of the water after Fridays rubbish collection day. Even the bloody bin collectors are at it. The street gets even worse after they have emptied the wheelie bins. WHY?? Surely the rubbish is supposed to go in the truck??

*deep breaths*

Sorry, sad aren't I? Or am I? Does this litter throwing community represent something more? Something to do with beliefs, values, apathy, ignorance? I don't know. But what I do know is..

IT GETS ON MY BLOODY WICK!!!

*sighs*

Right I shall go now and promise next time to be lighter and free from litter stress. I intend to do something I haven't done before... attend the next meeting for this area at the council, it may help my sanity then again people may just look at me and think 'blimey what with all that is going on in the world she moans about this??'

I shall leave it for you to decide... Incidently I went out to take photographs in the street and back street where I live. When I was in the backstreet someone actually passed in their car, reversed and asked WHY I was taking photographs as they lived round there, I felt like saying I am taking photographs of the bloody litter. But I just said I lived round there too...unfortunately.

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

2010-04-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

I run a monthly reading group where I work and at the last meeting we discussed our latest book - The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga.

The book was greeted with mixed reviews. Myself and another member loved the book whilst other members found it hard to get into and did not really enjoy the book at all.One thing we did all agree on was Adiga's ability to describe India, the Caste system and the division of rich and poor in such a vivid way that we were able to gain some understanding of the system within which Balram (the White Tiger) lived and worked within. The sewage filled streets in parts of Dehli and the servants who appeared to have their own pecking order, at which Balram was at the bottom for most of the time, to name just a couple of examples.

The book follows the life of 'The White Tiger'. A man who worked his way up from the 'lowly' servant status to that of a self claimed 'social entrepreneur'. The Premier of China is due to visit India and Balram decides to write emails over 7 nights to the Premier describing India in his eyes and, in particular, his own experiences and life to date. He does not paint a pretty picture.

From the offset we know that Balram has committed a crime, that of murder, yet we only find out how this was committed towards the end of his letters. Balram illustrates a palpable hatred towards the system in India which has created such poverty and distinction between the rich and the poor. The masters and servants. He writes in such a way that brings humour to often traumatic circumstances. However, the hatred he holds towards the system and its' masters is often meted out and clear for all too see.

Balram was brought up in 'The Darkness', another word for the villages and outsider, poor areas. He rises to become a driver for a wealthy coal merchant, although is at pains to tell us a driver is not just a driver but also performs whatever duties a servant would need to perform. Eventually, however, it is his deepest wish to go to Delhi and drive for his master that turns into his undoing.

Whilst the book raised mixed reviews from the group, it did have a very bittersweet feel to it. Balram conjures up a myriad of feelings in us ranging from sympathy, anger, humour and hate. As a character it is hard to know whether to hate him, like him, feel sorry for him or even begin to understand him. The things he does and the conclusions he comes to could be as a result of his harsh experiences and one feels sympathy for these, however, not for the actions he takes as a consequence.

Overall, I feel Adiga has written a book that provides us with a wonderfully vivid and stark image of India and its' underbelly. So much so, you can almost smell the open sewers and envisage the servants paan stained teeth!

He has also created a character who is so deep and complex that by the end of the book I am still unsure as to what to make of him!Balram, is indeed an illusive White Tiger both in the telling of his story and in our understanding and grasp of him.

Gregory Crewdson : A photographer on a mammoth scale.

2010-04-02T04:15:00.001-07:00

Plate 19

I stumbled upon Crewdson just by chance, in fact it was probably looking for photography books on Amazon! The images I saw just drew me in and I just had to get one of his books to see more.

Crewdson may not be viewed as a photographer in the traditional sense and not be to everyone's taste but that's the beauty of photography, it moves around, changes and evolves and, as I have read many times now, does not necessarily mean one lone person travelling the country and globe to capture the shot. I enjoy many different styles of photography and Crewdson's is one of my favourites...so far!

Crewdson is different in that he uses the skills of an elaborate production team. His work is on a large scale, setting up scenes in, more often than not, small town America. Scenes that are dreamlike, unusual and that make the usual seem out of place.

Take the 'Twilight' photography series. This was the first book I bought by Crewdson and it will not be the last. The book includes 40 untitled photographs (plates) which are all seemingly shot at 'Twilight' which he says is an evocative time for the 'movement of transition between before and after' which is what the shots are about ( see more in The Guardian Article here ). The photographs all include people in everyday situations but with that added extra or a missing component.

Plate 18

I find them very striking in that all the people in them appear dislocated from their current surroundings with almost blank features and stiff, motionless bodies they appear, to me, like the walking dead. Probably not a great comparison but that is what strikes me as I gaze through the photographs.

On the more subtle ones (if subtle is a word to be used here!), a first quick glance and you would almost not notice anything out of place. But something starts to make you feel uneasy, it's un-nerving and you find you have to look for longer, taking in all the surreal dreamlike and, often, haunting visions. You just have to question what is going on here? What came before and is coming after so, in effect, the purpose of showing the transition of before and after has, for me, been achieved.

Plate 6

One of the most striking images for me is Plate 6, that of a woman dressed in her nightie and underwear, kneeling in her kitchen/dining room on a bed of flowers. Dirt covers her legs, and her expression is vacant, her neck is covered with sweat. Amazing streams of light come in through the windows shining into the room. The kitchen itself seems to have been transformed into some kind of greenhouse, it looks hot, plants and flowers are growing in abundance yet there is a woman sat in the middle of frame, in the pile of flowers. I keep looking at this and wonder, was she just gardening and has stopped in mid-thought!? Is she angry and has been beating it out of the flowers? Why the heck are there a load of flowers in the kitchen/dining room?? What is the metaphorical meaning if any?

Plate 19 though is my favourite from the whole series (see above). This is also used as the cover for the book and with good reason. A woman lies face up on a floor, of what seems to be water, in the living room. She is motionless, yet, I find something quite alive about her. The image is quite haunting, as with all the photographs here, and quite disturbing too. But, for me, the beauty and depth shines through. The reflections are wonderful and, once again, the lighting is just so perfect.

That's what I love about this photography, the ability to make me look at it for ages and contemplate what has happened? What is happening? and what is about to happen? A small part of me, maybe the working class, northern 'neigh lass what d'yer want to look at stuff like that fer'

wants to fight against it and questions whether it is a little pretentious, but that is a very small, minuscule part of me and one which, for many years in the quest of my creativity, I have had to strongly fight against (another blog on that I think beckons).

Plate 7 Plate 27

But for now I can just sit back and enjoy, reflect and contemplate the photographs of Crewdson and look deeper into the photographs to find my own meaning of such images. I shall be looking for more work from Crewdson and I think 'Beneath the Roses' will be my next purchase!

Till next time!

Why Photography?

2010-03-01T01:35:00.000-08:00

Leaving Bokeh Behind

Such a question I ask myself, now and again, as I look at the countless number of photographs I have on computer. I had to transfer many to disc the other day as I think my computer was complaining about the number! Over 3,000 went on disc to be stored away to probably never be looked at again!

I have to admit, I am guilty of the crime ‘photograph hording’. No matter how I try I can never get rid of them. I come back from one of my sojourns, check my photographs and delete but a few blurry ones. I select a few for editing and the rest just get left (and put on disc at a later date) for me to never look at again! But, try as I might I can never press ‘delete’. Is this common theme for photograph-olics?

Anyway, back to the question I ask. Why photography? It is something I touched upon on my previous blog but I still come back to it and feel I need to explore some more! As I look at the photographs I display on Flickr I do ask why do I do it? I do enjoy taking photographs and it also means I get off the sofa and go out walking. I also enjoy editing and presenting the photos for others to see. But still some thing niggles at me and I ask why?

I enjoy receiving comments but it never fails to surprise me to see how one photograph I thought was ‘just OK’ receives a lot of positive comments whilst another I love doesn’t! Photography, so subjective! And again, still something niggles and I ask why?

I love and appreciate other people photographs and learn so much from them. But, just as I learn and enjoy seeing others works I can get disheartened as I see so many wonderful pieces of art and just know my work is what it is….raw, unfinished and, quite rightly so at this stage, amateurish. That said, that is how I like most things!!

Anyway, back to the question I still ask. Why do we do it? Why do you do it? I know for me it isn’t the money (I would never make any from this game!) or the fame (ditto!). Once I have completed a photograph and posted for others to see it is kind of ‘right, next one!’

It is strange, I shouldn’t really ask why? And just take it as art, a way of being creative and a way of showing part of myself that very often lies hidden. At work people are surprised when they see my photographs, possibly catching a glimpse of a person they never see. My family also appear surprised, maybe for the same reason. I am often surprised! I just see it as me pressing a button and ‘Hey Presto’. But I realise it is more about what we are seeing at that time and how we view the world differently from others, in other words, producing our unique art.

But once again, the whole process puzzles me and I am still left wondering why photography? What is it that captures mine, yours and others imagination? What is it that makes me look a photograph for ages ‘feeling’ the environment and the images? What is it that spurs us all on to take more shots? Stand knee deep in snow? Wriggle in the mud? Squat in a field? Just to get the shot?

Anyway..ideas on a postcard please!!

Ramblings of a newly devoted photography addict..

2010-02-08T22:03:00.000-08:00

The Edge of the World

My foray into the world of photoblography (can this be a new word?) starts with my bewilderment of this pointy, clicking thing and an addiction that has ensued.

During the extremely winter weather period, I found myself in the local park, knee-deep in snow and braving windy, practically blizzard, conditions. I hardly noticed my hands turn red then blue as I began to shoot anything in sight. I wasn’t aware of how long I had been out there as I continued to click. Snow covered my lens, I was wet and insane but it didn’t matter! The addiction had taken hold. My partner had stayed at home and just shook his head as, what appeared to be a rather cold, wet snowman, entered the house with a look of glee and the uttering of “I got some GREAT shots” as I pushed him off the computer and hurriedly put the little card in it’s slot to check them out.

This is just one example of how much photography has grabbed me by the neck and wrenched me out to places during some of the most inclement weather. Without a camera I would in no way venture to such places and in no way leave the warmth and comfort of my bed. Other people must wonder 'What the heck is she doing??' as I amble down the street taking pictures of abandoned crisp packets and plastic cartons or lurch gracelessly around a field covered with knee-deep snow.

I find I want bigger and better with the camera as well. I run before I can walk! Last year I graduated from a small compact Samsung camera to a larger Fuji Finepix bridge camera. After only a few months I have moved on to a Sony Cybershot. I haven’t even picked this up yet but I find myself reading copious numbers of magazines, looking at fantastic works of photographic art that get me salivating over fancy SLR camera's, fancy lenses and words I have yet to understand. I wouldn’t know how to turn an SLR on yet ne’er mind use it but I WANT ONE!!

What is it that drives me on? Why this avid interest in setting up a shot and clicking? Why does it drive me to such places in such weather? I read an article the other week by Jane Brown the Observer Photographer (amongst many other photographic works). She was being interviewed when she showed the journalist to a room where some of her finest shots of famous people were and just said ‘But what is it all for?’ That is something I felt and asked myself on several occasions.

Sinead O'Connor by Jane Brown

Why have I got countless numbers of photographs on my computer (many that I won’t look at again!)? Why this continual quest? I know I won’t get fame from this art – it’s a very competitive business and some of the work out there is ASTOUNDING! I know I won’t get money. As much as I would like both! I know I am not up to standard but it is something I strive for. But why? To what end?

I look at the magazines and photographs on here and sometimes become inspired and other times disillusioned. How can I create such beauty like they have? How on earth can I get to that stage? Why do I want to!? Well, for now, I have decided it is just something I just enjoy. I have found something I am ‘in to’. I feel a sense of achievement when I take a photograph I, and if I am lucky,other people, enjoy.

I always wanted to be a creative person, to paint and draw, write poetry and do something as a form of creative expression. Circumstances and my rather working class upbringing always told me that I wasn’t good enough or an ‘arty’ person - 'Yer won't get neywhere paintin them there pitchures' or, as one technical drawing teacher said about my effort 'Ee lass, it looks like a spider drew them lines....'

An Illusion in Water

Times change and I now think photography allows me to become that person! To show what I enjoy and want to display creatively. I feel that a photograph says much about the photographer as the subject being captured and I like that idea. I love the feeling of capturing a moment in time, of knowing your photographs will be very different to mine. Or looking at a photograph and just ‘feeling’ it (I can’t think of any better way to describe it!). I suppose that’s the answer to my own question ‘what’s it all for?’ How about you!?

Glastonbury Blessings!

Lily-Wren

Waiting for Summer

2010-01-28T03:14:00.001-08:00

Poppies, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Poppies

I took this last summer. Too much grey, snow and cold around at the moment has me anticipating spring with much excitement. That is if we get spring in these parts

Blessings
:)

self

2010-01-27T11:05:00.001-08:00

self, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Self portrait with a few tweeks and punches...

An illusion in water

2010-01-25T13:38:00.001-08:00

An illusion in water, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

One of my recent photographs. Practically taken 'as is' - it was very foggy, atmospheric and eerie!

Photography and me..

2010-01-22T22:23:00.000-08:00

First apologies for anything Blogger does to the settings when I actually publish this blog. It still drives me mad and after all this time I would have thought Blogger could become more intuitive. Anyway, enough ranting. Onto my blog!

Yep, I have caught the bug! I am now officially mad about taking photographs. Well, I have been for sometime but it waxed and waned. But something happened when the snow came down, I became a demon with a camera. Out in snow storms, snow capped lenses, wet boots and a snowy nose!

It has just caught my imagination, sucked me in and now I am at the stage where I am buying a couple of Camera magazines a week. What is it about those magazines though?? I love reading them and getting tips and so forth, but now and again, I am left with of feeling of disillusionment, quite often because there are so many wonderful photographers and a feeling I could never match that, but also a feeling of 'Why?'..'What for?' and 'What on earth is it all about?' Why do I get so much enjoyment in getting my camera out, heading somewhere for a morning and snapping?

I read an interview with Jane Brown, a renowned photographer, in one of said magazines. She was showing the interviewer around her home and came to a room where a lot of her famous photographs were on the wall. She sighed and just turned to the interviewer and said she wondered what is was all about though. At that moment I knew what she meant!

Anyway, that aside, I do enjoy taking photographs and looking at them. I could gaze at snaps on Flickr for hours on end, and often do! Very often, photographs will stir emotions in me, an sometimes (call me insane?) I actually think I can taste, smell or feel what the photographs are conveying. I also feel that a photograph says so much more about the photographer than the subject being photographed.

It is a very creative force, much like art, writing, music and poetry. Each picture revealing something of the person who captured it. I suppose in saying this I have answered my own question! I think that is what I get out of it. I have always wanted to be 'creative' but felt I have never quite managed it. With photography I suppose I am working towards that way of showing myself through creativity. Possibly.

That said, I do wonder what some of the photographs I have taken say about me!! No, don't tell me!!

Next venture is a new camera! I currently use a Fuji Finepix s8000fd. Not quite an SLR yet (money won't allow) and the next camera I am getting is a Sony Cybershot F828 so I am hoping this has a super duper function that can help create better than ever photographs!!

Blessings!

The Intertwined Minds

2009-07-13T05:57:00.000-07:00

Here is a poem I wrote a good couple of years ago now. It speaks of soul mates and how I felt when I met mine :)

The Intertwined Minds

Think as one,
they seek and find,
the greater sum.

Of all parts known,
and all that's created,
a psychic connection,
a love that is sated.

The distance,
the space,
the time,
and a place.

Both came together,
In one long embrace.

The Intertwined Minds,
joined old moons ago,
and from that time forward,
have always been so.

The softest of touches.
The lightest of breaths.
The barest of whipers.
The gentlest caress.

The intertwined minds,
need not to feel these,
no physical senses,
the minds need to please.

The minds they do know,
they already see,
they already sense,
what is meant to be.

The intertwined minds,
need not to speak out,
just transfer a thought,
that removes any doubt.

The joining of minds,
and linking of souls,
the sensing of thought,
A connection that grows.

The intertwined minds,
are thinking as one,
seeking and finding,
the greater sum.

~~~~~~~~~~

Lily-Wren 2007

Falsehood of Fools

2009-06-21T03:51:00.000-07:00

Orion

So more ramblings and waffles with honey on top to come soon about my travels to MN! I am just working on the next one about this numpty's observations!

Till then, here is a poem I composed in May last year (sometimes I do get the urge to write some of that poetry malarkey). It is one of my favourite ones and was even used for lyrics on one of Plum Flower Embroidery tracks of the same title. I was rather proud of that and felt that the way the track turned out conjured up some atmosphere for the lyrics (even if Mr Ticharu flamin well did alter a couple of words. Ah well, Artistic licence I suppose!!).

I was mainly pleased with the way it turned out because as I was writing it the idea did start to develop of what I was trying to say. Usually I chuck a few words together, hope they work and don't really think too deeply about what I am trying to say and hope something gets across! But this was different.

I chose a few random words out of my mums angel book (Raphael being one) and began to write. As I wrote I discovered that Raphael, the name, means 'it is god who heels' or 'God please heal'. It was interesting as my poem started to develop on these lines. However, being more of the Pagan ilk, 'God' for me in this instance developed more as meaning the collectiveness of the universe. In addition to this, I started to link in with the Maxists theory of 'False Consciousness' (Ooo ark at her!! Theology, philosphy and idelogy all in one poem eh???). In my poem, Raphael is the collective unconscious trying to tap into us lot and say 'come on, wake up!! Realise what's going on in the world..etc'. PFE changed it slightly and saw Raphael on a more individual level, a person rather than the great unknown. This works too! Anyway I go on more than is necessary and have no doubt analysed WAY too much!

Here's me gubbins....

Falsehood of Fools

Raphael considers Orion,

and lets out a fertile breath.

The pride of humanity expires,

a consensus reality is all that is left.

~~~

The Falsehood of Fools

and charisma of thieves,

envelop chaste skulls,

cursed and revealed.

~~~

Tormented, Raphael fills a chalice,

an offering of intuition enfolds,

and fills a cauldron of emerald green,

a blue print to heal old souls.

~~~

A fecund gift of enlightenment,

he awakens from the unknown.

The veil of false consciousness lifts,

as the falsehood of fools are shown.

~~~

The falsehood of fools,

and charisma of thieves,

released from chaste skulls,

sated and healed.

~~~

Raphael sits and looks up,

and considers Orion in muse.

Raphael lets out a fertile breath,

as the consensus reality diffused.

~~~~

Melanie

May 2008

The song - 'The Falsehood of Fools' by PLum Flower Embroidery

Blessing for now!!

Ta ra!!

xxx

The Gentle Folks of Minnesota....Refined, Poised and Eccentric

2009-06-14T04:08:00.001-07:00

For my fellow Brits (or other nationalities) who may be thinking 'where the heck is Minnesowwta anyway??'

Following on from my recent visit to Minnesota a few observations occurred to me and I thought I would just share them. Not sure why, or if anyone would be interested in me ramblings but, well, you're getting them anyway!

Those of you that know me, will know I have had the wonderful opportunity of visiting the State 4 times now. Very lucky at that I am too! There is so much to say about the place and so many observations that I decided to do little episodic blogs rather than one immense book-like one that I am often want to write! Overall I love the place and the people but today I would just like to share some observations about the gentle kind folks of MN (or at least parts of it!).

* Disclaimer!!* The following are, naturally, generalisations. I hate 'generalisations' but, not having met ALL the good folks of a State practically the size of England, it is hard to do otherwise! Maybe that is something to aim for! These are also MY observations as a tourist English numpty so be warned! No Offence Meant!!!!Also, having never visited any other State (although I did see Wisconsin from afar....hmm Ticharu...) I can't say if these are a common to just the State or are national issues!

Conversation and language...

When I first visited MN, I didn't really expect much difference in conversation, language and body language. 'Heck' I thought, we all speak a similar language, watch the same films and have had 'Maccy D's' and Burger King take over. In my ignorance I even thought the culture was broadly similar although I was worried about the stereotypes we Brits are subjected to in films and the media. You know, the load, brash and in yer face types! But no, this was not to be!!Quietly poised, quietly spoken and blimey, I would even say reserved people with a nice touch of eccentricity to boot.

The first thing I noticed was the pace and format of a conversation. It is slow....plenty of gaps to be left for pauses and reflective thought. Uncomfortable for those that don't like silence, but not meant to be so! When I first visited I thought it was just me, but as I visit more often, I have noticed it more. You just have to wait, wait and wait for a response. But it will come eventually. I have decided people (not all naturally!) from MN are somethin akin to Zen Buddhist. An example;

MN version

- 'How are you Mike, its been ages...'

- 'Ya...fer sure' *nods head*

- 5 minute silence...and serene looks

- 'I'm fine Frank, I won the lottery the other week donchya-no...'

- 'Oh right...Ooftah' *calm nod of head*

- 10 minutes of calm silence and serene reflected poise...

- 'So, how's the family Mike'

- 'Fine'

- A few more minutes silence

- 'Well it's been nice chatting with you, we'll have to catch up again soon'

Both amble off to calmly and quietly carry on their own way...

UK Version (obviously not ALL conversations go thus like...)

- 'Hey! Mike me ole mukker, how are yer? Bloody hell it's been ages...'

- straight in conversation mode

- F**k me Frank, where yer been??? Ain't seen you down the boozer for a while!'

- Nah, stopped going since the smoking ban came in didn't I??

- Well, yer'll have to come back t'pub. They got a heated patio for smokers now and dead fit bar maid...'

- *eyes widen* 'Blimey, I'm in mate....and F**k me, If I ain't gone and won the lottery last week. I'm minted!'

- F**K** ell!!!!!!! Yer definitely in there mate. Let's go for a pint!

- *run off to the nearest pub with patio heater*

etc etc etc...

A bit extreme I know but, it IS something I noticed. The whole stereotype of loud, brash and in your face American folks was smashed as I considered the fact that the reserved, quiet and refined stereotypeBrits may have might be more fitting to the folks of MN!

Excitability and Humour....

Following on from that, I found, as can be seen above, excitability isn't about bouncing up and down or dancing round like a cat on heat for some folks. It is a quiet, restrained nod of the head and maybe, just maybe, a smile!! This is another thing to get used and not be offended by if someone doesn't laugh in buckets at the amazing joke or comment you have just made! Tell a joke that IS funny but don't expect raucouslaughter! You may be greeted with a smile, or a slight turn up of the lips and a comment like '..funny'. It isn't being sarcastic...it can be translated as 'that is bloody hilarious!!!!'

That said, there are exceptions to the rule! I remember my first visit to MN. It was also my first encounter in a shop. A futon shop. Never have I seen someone so excited (well Minnesota excited) about futons than the woman working there! Wide eyed as she discussed all the possiblilities of a futon and the variety mattresses available. That said, she was a sales person and a wide eyed, chatty one at that!

Eccentricity...

I LOVE eccentricity and is possibly one of the reasons why I have developed such a fondness for MN and its' people. For me, MN is an eccentric place to visit anyway. But the folks there are, I find, so wonderfully eccentric. Maybe that's just because I come from a very different world, or maybe it is just the case but, whatever, I love it. Examples include:

The wide eyed woman selling Futons

The cabin owner who said he liked to have his nipples bitten (duly noted in my first blog on MN),

Plum Flower Embroidery

Leo

Terry Gilliam

The massive cherry and spoon statue

The massive Paul Bunyan and Blue Ox statue

A sandpaper museum....

There are many more to mention and another blog to follow on my observations on this matter will follow! More blogs to follow will include...

* Interstates and roads

* Public restroom/toilets (them doors..or lack of!!!)

* Flora and Fauna

* Shops and shopping

To mention but a few!!

Again *disclaimer* These are my observations and as a consequence come from a numpty!!!

See yer soon!

Blessings

Hundertwasser

2009-04-29T03:23:00.000-07:00

Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928-200)

First off...apologise for the presentation of this post! For some reason blogger previews everything just right and then when I post and view blog words and pictures are all over the place. It drives me mad. I would normally go back and figure it out and present it better but today I just cannot be messin! Anyway...

Something prompted me recently to pick up my books about Hundertwasser which in turn prompted me to write about one of my favourite artists whom some may never have heard. For all old, and young, hippies everywhere, Hundertwasser is a man who, I feel, is a true inspiration. I mean, how can you not be interested in an artist cum envrionmentalist cum eco-warrior cum architect cum nude protester promoting hummus toilet dude???

An Artist....

Isle of Lost Wishes (1975)

Friedereich Hundertwasser was born in Vienna in 1928 and throughout his career caused a stir amongst the higher ups in society and politics. He created such interesting and thought provoking paintings, often using natural materials of vegetable dye and brick dust of course! But he wasn't just about painting, he was far more than an artist and his beliefs and views could be seen evident in his rantings (namely manifestos!), campaigning and architecture.

An Architect and Campaigner...

The most interesting thing for me about Hundertwasser, are his ideas about architecture and the modern world. He eschewed straight lines, sterility and the clinical presentation of modern buildings. He preferred to create architecture that blended in with its' landscape and surroundings and attempted to create architecture as art and buildings where people actually wanted to live and work. Trees, dirt and mould were all part of the natural world and should be embraced and not cleaned away.

He planted trees on top of buildings and, amongst several of his 'manifestos' in 1972 he wrote 'Your Window Right - Your Duty' planning to make it obligatory to plant trees in the urban environment.

Hundertwasser was very much of the view that a persons home expresses his or her individuality and, as such, he or she should be able to create the environment they live in in a way which they feel fits;

" A resident must have the right to lean out of his window and design everything his arm can reach on the wall outside just as it suits him. It will thus be visible from afar to everyone in the street that someone lives there" Your Window Right - Your Duty, 1958

He even wrote 'The Mould Manifesto against

rationalism in architecture' which encouraged freedom of expression in architecture and never more so emphasised his hatred for the uniformity of buildings stating;

"Today we live in a chaos of straight lines, in a jungle of straight lines. If you do not believe this, take the trouble to count the straight lines which surround you. Then you will understand, for you will never finish counting."

The Hunderwasserhaus in Vienna can be said to sum up all his work and belief's in one magnificent show of the blending of architecture, art and one mans' dreams. It is something of a creation, one I would love to see first hand (and LIVE IN!) and one which shows his love of the unusual, creating such a visually stunning, as well as practical home!

Hundertwasserhaus, Vienna

A Philosopher...

Hundertwasser was renowned for presenting many of his thoughts, ideals and beliefs into manifesto's and letters as well as them being evident in his paintings and architecture. He was strongly opposed to humankind interfering with nature which embodied the way in which he created his environment. One of the most striking 'manifesto's' I feel he wrote is 'There are no evils in nature'. He states;

"A community should not consider it an honour how much spontaneous vegetation it destroys; it should rather be a point of honour for every community to protect as much of its natural landscape as possible."

On a simplistic level, Hundertwasser embraced life and nature and its' natural beauty and hated to see the devastation that 'man's' desire for waste, development and sterility had on the natural world. There are so many areas of Hundertwassers' beliefs, values, creative work and ethics that I could cover. I fear I may be rambling far to much! All I can say is, if you haven't heard of the man and are interested in more, the links above lead to a rather interesting site "Hundertwasser". Enjoy and remember, in the words of the man himself;

The straight line leads to the downfall of humanity!!

Blessings

Lily-Wren

xxx

Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

2009-03-13T23:42:00.000-07:00

Christina Rossetti

I have recently been reading the poems of Christina Rossetti and have to say I have been carried along by her wonderful use of words. I have always admired her brothers work (from the Pre-Raphelite brotherhood) Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and had heard of Christina along the way. But, other than Goblin Market, I had never read any of her other poems. Until now that is.

Currently working my way through 'Goblin Market and other poems' I just had to comment on her work. If only I could use words to conjure up such emotions and feelings as she has for me, I would indeed be a very happy person! Anyway I just wanted to share this poem with you. I found it moving and sad. But for me, these are often they are the greatest poems...

Christina Rossetti as depicted by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

AT HOME
by: Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

WHEN I was dead, my spirit turned
To seek the much-frequented house:
I passed the door, and saw my friends
Feasting beneath green orange boughs;
From hand to hand they pushed the wine,
They sucked the pulp of plum and peach;
They sang, they jested, and they laughed,
For each was loved of each.

I listened to their honest chat:
Said one: 'To-morrow we shall be
Plod plod along the featureless sands
And coasting miles and miles of sea.'
Said one: 'Before the turn of tide
We will achieve the eyrie-seat.'
Said one: 'To-morrow shall be like
To-day, but much more sweet.'

'To-morrow,' said they, strong with hope,
And dwelt upon the pleasant way:
'To-morrow,' cried they one and all,
While no one spoke of yesterday.
Their life stood full at blessed noon;
I, only I, had passed away:
'To-morrow and to-day,' they cried;
I was of yesterday.

I shivered comfortless, but cast
No chill across the tablecloth;
I all-forgotten shivered, sad
To stay and yet to part how loth:
I passed from the familiar room,
I who from love had passed away,
Like the remembrance of a guest
That tarrieth but a day.

Further information on Christina Rossetti ~ http://www.poetseers.org/the_great_poets/british_poets/rossetti/

A collection of my favourite photos..

2009-03-02T11:30:00.000-08:00

As taken by me!

I swear they are flukes! Although I do enjoy taking photo's! Yep, I am all out of words at the moment. Maybe I should be like PFE/Ticharu and offer my services..but rather than for £15 I am going free! Yes, I am cheap!

Hope you like my piccies :) They may go bigger if you click on them! I haven't tried it though!

Entwistle Reservoir, Bolton..
A local nature site..The first two photographs were taken 'as is' no filters, photoshop or anything. They just turned out like this and I love the colour and light that was captured at that particular moment. And the third I like because of its' solitary nature and, again, the colours that transpired.

Heysham Estuary, Morecombe.

The pin prick in the first one is a person, unknown, walking his/her dog. This is probably my favourite photograph. At first glance it almost looks as if the person is walking on ice. Again, another solitary pic. I must go for lonely figures in the distance!

Trees...

I have a 'thing' for trees. Not interesting to most, but, for some reason I ALWAYS end up taking pics of trees. My Photo collection is reet rivetting!! And...I have lots more you know!!!

I do love the bottom one though, the 'hand tree' as it looks to me!

And finally ....

a few pics from close by, about 5 minutes walk from my house, in the middle of an industrial town such as this! I just love the bike! Do you think I should go back and get it? If I was being all philosphical about it I would say such a picture illustrates the throw away society we live in today! That said the bike looks like it was made in 1903! Oh, and I admit it, I didn't take the second pic here..but I was there at the time and I love the pic!

Hopefully next blog I will be inspired to write!
Ta ra for now!
Blessings,

Lily-Wren
:)

2009-02-22T00:50:00.000-08:00

My Runes as made by me....

So the 'runic rambles' blog finished as soon as it started!

The intentions are there it is just finding the time! Anyway I shall try and make more of an effort with this even if it is just for me. I intended on having a blog for runes and one for general waffle but I am not sure this is working! I think it might work out better if me runic ramblings went in Lily-Wren!! Plus it is hard to keep 2 blogs. I have trouble with just the one...

It is difficult, I try to be disciplined in my efforts with the runes however, the runes call to me. I can't force them. It is hard to explain, I know I should learn more avidly but it isn't until the thought comes to me that I feel able to pick up my little pouch and cast!

Today I intend on doing a full reading that will consist of using all the runes and casting them on
the ground. There. I have said it now, and to all the world, so MUST do this. And MUST report back once I have discerned the meanings! But for now, I shall leave you with the rune I drew this morning.

Eihwaz.....
This rune always gladdens my heart when I see it. It has been there for me through some difficult times and I always see this rune as one of 'mine'. Runes are like friends and strangers. There are a core 5 in my set of runes that turn up time and again. Some I have never 'met' yet. But these 5, well, I have become familiar with them. They are old friends I know well.

Eihwaz is such a rune. I feel a comfortable sigh of relief when I see it, a kind of homecoming and a sure sign that I need to keep on track and not give up. Eihwaz helped guide me through a very hard time a year or so ago and visits again to remind me these times pass.

There are several ways to pronounce the rune but I seem to gravitate to "Ay Waz". It is the thirteenth rune of the alphabet and its' symbol is that of the Yew tree. This alone is significant as the Yew represents Yggdrasil, the world tree. Odin, in his quest for knowledge, is believed to have hung upside down for 9 days on Yggdrasil where he discovered the Runes and their meanings (a bit of a simplistic explanation I know, but that's for another blog I feel).

The yew tree itself represents wisdom, strength and protection. As such Eihwaz teaches us to draw from these elements.

When used in divination it brings out aspects that can be linked to the Yew tree, a tree that has withstood the test of time and thrashing of all the elements:

* Survival

* Strength
* Reliability

* Dependability
* Trustworthiness
* Regeneration
* Enlightenment
* Endurance
* Defense
* Protection
* Secret

* Sacred knowledge

On a more personal level, I see Eihwaz as offering hope through even the hardest of times. Hope and protection. Obstacles may stand in our way and, at times, seem immovable. Hope has gone and we may feel like throwing in the towel. Eihwaz is sent to remind us that, like the Yew tree, we can withstand anything given the strength and endurance to see things through. It speaks of new beginnings and learning from the hard times we go through which enables us to grow and develop, enduring these hard times and knowing that they are for a reason.

Life is full of ups and downs. From the highest happiest high to the absolute depths of despair. Eihwaz reaches out to me in these depths, grabs hold of me neck and says 'Come on, it's OK to feel like you do but it shall pass. I promise. You have the strength to get through this, learn, grow and regenerate' A bit like Dr Who...

Blessed be
:)

Masquerading

2009-02-18T12:37:00.000-08:00

The masquerading mirror,
sinks slowly towards the dying edges of separation.
And we walk towards a puritan winter,
with the voice of an innocent scripture grasping,
pawing at the heavy door,
as bravery dies.

The winter of illusion,
fades into the summer of truth and the dying edges of unison.
And the media jury looks for one that can attone,
one breathing flames of red, gold, amber..gasping,
clinging to the heavy door,
as bravery dies.

~~~~~~~~~

New Year Reflections

2009-01-01T02:25:00.001-08:00

So, it is 2009 and Happy New Year to you all!

I have wanted to blog for a while now but either not had the time or, when I have, I have been too knackered to write anything! I am sure you know how it goes....So 2009 and, for me, New Year's Day brings back the memories of the last year (and indeed year's since gone) and brings forward thoughts of the New Year to come. This year my New Years Eve was quietly lovely. And, whilst I went to bed at 10.30 last night, I was safe in the knowledge that I would be woken at midnight. Fireworks, singing and all kinds of drunken revellery abound round our way!

So I was able to welcome in the New Year at the appropriate time! *Bangs* *Whooshes* *Weeeeee's* were aplenty up my end and I am not taking dirty here people so put away those sewer like minds and thoughts!

That said, and 'drunken firework setting alight hair on fire celebrations' aside, once I was awake I found it hard to get back to sleep. I spent a couple of sad hours fretting about what has gone by and what is to come. It is often one of my 'things'. It can be the New Year or same old night. Lying awake in the wee hours worrying, sometimes crying, rarely laughing and a kind of 'long dark tea-time of the soul' wee hours feeling we all may have had.!

But have no worries for lickle me! It doesn't happen too often and tis but the night hours and the moon calling that brings such a thoughtful yet disproportionately sad repose. By the time the sun peeps over the hill, I am feeling much enlivened and more able to switch on my invisible cloak which protects from such thoughts! (Shortly before they come and take me away..... *wobble wobble ramble ramble bleaurgh....*)

Anyway, where was I?? Waffling in the New Year I think! Yes, I just wanted to recap on a year that started on 25th December 2007 with a rune reading which I did, in fact, blog about.
2007 and 2008 have been years of such tremendous changes, upheavals, sadness, happiness, confusion and clarity. All lumped together with a dash of uncertainty, a pinch of guilt and a cupful of determination and resolve. The end of 2007 found myself 'celebrating' Christmas and New Year alone, uncertain of the future and, probably, a stone lighter in weight (one positive there I think!)

So, twas on Christmas 2007 I did the rune reading which can be seen here Rune Reading So, what was the significance? If Any? Well, as I say in that blog, there was a great upheaval for all concerned, secrets had come to light but, as Ing the final rune cast said a time for looking forward to a new beginning. This has happened and, completing a circle of a year from then to now, the beginning has started. However, I feel that I am only at the VERY beginning of that wheel and uncertainty and the overcoming of many obstacles, for me anyway, still prevails.

I suppose that is what life is about.

We can never be sure what is around the corner, what is waiting to jump out at us, waiting to hurt or heal us, waiting to make us smile and laugh or cry and scream.

What will make us dance in 2009?
What will make us withdraw?
Who or what willl come into our lives tomorrow? Next week? Next month?
Who or what will make us sit up, take notice and move along a path never previously noticed? Who or what will leave our lives in a blaze of glory, sadness, regret or need? And all the while making us look back ..experiences, lessons learnt, wounds made and then healed loves lost and gained?

The only certainty is that such things are certain. They are essential parts of life and the cycle of life. They help us move onward, forward and develop.

If anything comes your way in 2009 and it makes you sit up, take notice and think 'I wonder..' this is usually because we are meant to 'wonder'. Do exactly that 'take notice' and move forward.

On a final note (and speaking of moving forward!) has ANYONE read The Idiot by Dostoevsky? If so, did they actually finish it? And if they did finish it, were they still alive by the end of it?! I am reading it and, to a degree, enjoying it, but blimey I think 2009 will be beset by this book!!

Anyway peace, love, blessings and hot banana's to you all!
XXXX

Stripey Socks & the Toad

2008-11-08T23:06:00.000-08:00

Illustration by Jen Oaks at http://www.jenoaks.com/

Wallow, follow the empty look.
List what you cannot see,
hear what you cannot touch,
and smell what you cannot love.

Follow the empty look.

Slept fitfully and still in a dream,
her stripey pink socks and ever so red boots,
make for an interesting sight as she
rummages through her pockets.

Stood at the side of a gloom filled road,
she looks for a toad,
destined to become a Prince.
She drumes her feet,

pitter, patter
on the gloom filled street.

It's after dark.
The stripey socked princess is looking for her toad,
buried beneath a pile of rubble,
at the side of the gloom filled road.

No luck, no joy she cannot see,
but when she turns round,
he is there 'look at me!'.
Fully formed and wide eyed,
a toad, now a man.

No longer the empty look
when she once waited for sun

Juniper and Lemons

2008-10-10T03:13:00.000-07:00

Clouds of smoke lift on, upwards, bellowing out of the large man's body.... He lifts a wrinkled arm to wave at the pink cloud as she walks on by. The aromor of juniper and lemons fills the room as the cloud wafts on up and up to fill a haze drenched ceiling.

The juniper makes love to the lemon and creates a fire of citirus and a glow of amber as the large man looks on in awe....

Treacle falls down and lands at his feet.
His wrinkled arm reaches out as a nicoteine stained finger finds the treacle and lifts to his mouth to taste. Instantly, he is transformed.... His limbs become young and his mind returns to what it once was.

Agile...free...happy...

The man loosens his tie and rises up, onwards, higher to join the candy floss cloud and juniper and lemon scent.

He returns to love and joy....

Old ground new interest!

2008-10-06T07:44:00.000-07:00

View from the top of Rivington

So, with Richard visiting the UK for the first time I have found myself visiting well trodden paths with new eyes. It is interesting looking at such familiar sights through the eyes of one from the US. I mean I have now come to the conclusion that Yes, we do drive way to fast and pack way too many cars in tiny streets.

Goodness knows how many of those streets I have driven up this last week! And yes, at least where I live, there is way too much crap and litter chucked about! But also, yes, we have some really lovely places...even up 'ere in the north west!!! It's been a whistle stop tour of the north west and we have yet to do Manchester, Liverpool and the Lakes before I go back to work next week!

York....

So York was extremely interesting and I got to meet Mark Cottrell in the flesh (at last!!!) It's quite weird knowing that Richard met Mark before I did in the bloomin states and Mark being here in this country! And having chatted to Mark via email and phone and IM's over the last year or 2 it was nice to actually meet the sweet feller!
Mark and Richard in the Evil Eye

Ah well we meet at last and what a lovely meeting that was! Sat in the Evil Eye taking pics as Neutral Sons meet in the flesh for only the second time! Then a boozy evening spent at Mark's place with Richard and Mark making some kind of sounds and a lovely meal cooked by Mark and his lovely wife Ali. Breakfast was a treat, Mark (resplendent in dressing gown and lovely knees) cooking a lovely Cheese on Toast (the gourmet version no less...) before moves had to be made back home to a Lucy cat awaiting breakfast...
and

Rain rain rain.... lots of rain interspersed with the odd spot of sun....

Hebden bridge....

But Sunday was literally 'Sun' day and we headed out to one of my favourite places, Hebden Bridge, and Richard got to meet a friend of mine and her cute dog Poppy! ..

Walking through Hebden it was lovely, the sun and the people and the vibes and stopping off for a cuppa coffee by the river and walking along the canal in the afternoon sun... A lovely place to dream of living...

Rivington.....

And so to Rivington, a local beauty spot complete with reservoirs, follies and walks a plenty! I have visited here many times before but it was interesting showing Richard around and reaching to the top of the hill with Richard.
Tired though!
So, all packed into just over a week! Not sure how much more I can fit in before work next week! It's certainly been action packed so far....!

Till next time!
Blessings
xxx

Blue Star

2008-09-30T20:42:00.000-07:00

"More streams of consciousness from the vault of a bag ladies' meddled mind!"

Blue star set in a pale purple stone,
open to possibilities and making its' way
back to the home.
A land of infinite possibilities,
where black laboured sighs are eroded.

The blue star carries onward,
reaching up to the plane of celestial dreams
and cathartic nightmares.

He will break through the boundaries and
open up horizons of unknown possibilities
awaiting untamed potentials,
patiently waiting for the harvest to yield.

Blue star, with cherry blossom scent and
orange glows abound,
tells the tales of the unconscious mind
and release the ties that surround.

I saw the blue star in my dreams,
and now feel the star in my waking thoughts.
The blue star will light up the floor, the hearth and
my heart...

Fear Away...

2008-09-21T22:14:00.000-07:00

More streams of gubbins are flowing as I decided to separate my rambles of consciousness from my runic ramblings into different blogs....

Fear Away

I still continue, surprisingly. The pen still glides effortlessly over the paper, on the lines. It is only fear that closes down the mind, closes down the channel through which creativity can flow. Fear of writing, fear of going outside the box, fear of 'what if it's crap?' 'What if it's like pink blancmange and babycham?'
Fear begone so the pen lingers on. Stroke after stroke of words upon words.

Words within a world of blue and orange and spiders who ride the camels back without looking back. No more fear, the pen moves ever forward and I move on. Forward to a life of love, adoration and kisses, hugs and warmth. Fear distinguished and love envelops. Love for my love who's embrace knows no fear. Only warmth and softness with just a hint of a whip and ever so slight grip.

Fear be gone, love I am home....

The Troll and Mannaz...

2008-09-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.antiqueletters.com/RcSet1_Mannaz.JPG

So, I am doing quite well in my ruminations of the Runes I think...not sure what you are thinking, or whether you think I should be carted off to the nearest hospital for a time of 'recouperation'. If you are not yet convinced of this then my next stream may have you wondering otherwise......

The Little Troll..

Standing in a lift, the music dances off the walls, screaming 'lounge'. We step inside and move up to the 12th floor as the lift screams to a halt and a little troll gets in on the 6th floor.
Wearing a gown of blue and silver shoes he does a little dance between us and he starts to incant ' You will not get to the 12th floor, no you wont, no you wont!' As the dance gets more frenetic he starts to climb the walls of the elevator, his silver feet somehow finding grip on the silver walls.

'No you wont get there!' he sings as his green eyes dance and shine.

The lift reaches the 12th floor. In a haze of ire and angst the little troll slides back down the wall, shuffles off out of the doors and wrinkles his whiskers at us in defeat. We walk out onto the 12th floor amidst a cloud of candyfloss and pearlescent rain.

~~~~~~~~~

Haha poor troll, so definate in his rant and it to end in such an anti-climax!
Bare in mind that is what was in my subconscious at the time, waiting to be poured out... funny what goes on inside the mind isn't it? But it is interesting as looking at this I CAN find an inner meaning (believe it or not....!) as with the others! It does also help me to tap into some creativity I never thought was there! Plus, it is, as I have said before, a great exercise to do before meditating on me runes.....

The Rune of the Day....

Mannaz ; 20th Rune My Waffles....
" A rune of cooperation, humanity and interdependence. 'No man is an island' or so the saying goes! And Mannaz offers us this saying. Work together and we can move mountains. Love, live and laugh in cooperation.
Alone we stand divided, isolated and left to 'fight' whatever it is, alone. If we multiply 1 by 2 and get 2, then 2 by 2 and so forth and see all these numbers as people joining together for the common good for ALL then we can succeed as humanity. Hippy dippy, all you need is love stuff, maybe, but I sure do dig Mannaz!"

The Official Waffles....
So I was kind of surprised when I checked on the 'official' meaning denoted by Mannaz in that I was quite accurate in my waffles! So, far this exercise has shown me how close I am to understanding the general meaning of a rune which is, I am sure, the beginning! So here we go;
Mannaz holds the elements and concepts of;

Humanity as a whole

Companionship

Assistance from others

Intelligence

People

Cooperation

Organisation

Empathy

Tolerance

Compassion
The Divine in the human

So I am quite enamoured of Mannaz. I mean I do like my isolation at times, and have always hated crowds, but I think the idea of love, companionship, empathy and helping your fellow human is vital! I am often of the utopic mind of peace, love, and tolerance conquers all and the ole phrase 'why can't we just be nice to one another' seems such an easy thing to say but seems very difficult in todays society....
Anyway I shant go on with me idealistic ramblings! Till next time....

Put a little Mannaz in yer soul!
Blessings
xx

P.s Can anyone tell me why blogger is so insistant on changing my spaces when I go to preview? Even when I have saved before hand! It sets it out nothing like I have and when I come to post the bloomin thing I am left with gaps all oo-er the place and spaces I never included...phew...now I have to reset it all....!

Uruz

2008-09-17T09:43:00.000-07:00

http://www.antiqueletters.com/SW38RunesPt2.html

The stream of consciousness..
So another stream of consciousness and i continue each day to do this. Again I wrote just anything that came to mind before focusing on the runes and, the other day, this is what ...er..came to mind!

A girl and her dog: Emily Slapin at http://emilyslapinart.blogspot.com

Away, Away the black fly in the morning,
itchy nose, itchy feet full of yawning.
Chasms and cracks, hear the black quack.
Does he breath, does he scream and shout, does he cry?
Lost in the woods, a young girl cries.
Cries for her dog who has run off and cries as she hears no barking.
Where did he go? The little Russell.
Someone must have found him, curled up sleeping in
a hollowed out tree. Found him, picked him up and took him home
for tea.

So, do the flies buzz around and look for food underground?
Yes, and they climb up higher and higher,
Looking for Rover and the little girl and a spider.
Maybe they are all curled up, asleep in the warmth of a
hollowed out Oak tree trunk,
waiting for the light to come and give Joy....

Hmm there you go! So come on, analyse me! Blimey...

The Rune of the day....
So, onto more 'serious' business. The rune I went on to choose that day and my ramblings thus..

URUZ the second Rune.
My ramblings....
Well, a rune of great power is Uruz, a rune that charges forth like wild oxen. Imagine the strength and vitality of a herd of wild buffalo racing across the open Savannah. Imagine the unseen energy and force behind such power. Driving on and on, reaching its' destiny. That may be Uruz. Imagine a creative, untamed force. The strength to force forward, a creative burst of imagination that carries us on. One that inspires and carries the artist. Imagine R sat with his guitar, playing instinctively, the creative, untamed force flowing through, bringing forth music from an unknown source. That is Uruz, I thinks!

So, now the 'official' meaning...
A rune of health and vitality that holds untamed forces. The elements it holds and inspires including;

* Strength
* Healing
* Courage
* Tenacity
* Strong emotions
* Untamed potential
* Create and make things happen
* Overcoming obstacles
* Natural forces
* Allow changes and go with the flow of Uruz!

So with that in mind I am moving on to try and tap into Uruz and get some of this untamed potential! Find wherefore art it lurks!
Blessings
:)

A Rune a day...

2008-09-13T08:02:00.000-07:00

www.antiqueletters.com/SW40RunesPt4.html

Keeps the bad vibes away! Well, that's what I try and think!
So, here goes, my first post of many I hope. I did want to keep it as a 'Rune Only' blog but, knowing me and knowing how hard I find it to stay on track, I think this will not be adhered to!

Anyway, with that in mind I blog on, starting of on the right foot, trying to get back into me Runes, trying to stir a bit of creativity in this melting pot of a brain of mine and ultimately trying to find some focus and generate a little bit of fun along the way! Yes, Runes should be taken seriously and yes, there is a responsibility when interpreting the Runes and how they can give you clarity, focus and a deep sense of meaning. BUT I am also not one for getting all 'Ah, this is the way you should do it otherwise you aren't truly a Rune master' - I have always been one that hated exclusivity, everyone should feel welcomed, everyone who is interested in Runes (or anything for that matter!) should feel inspired and feel that they DO have the ability to tap into this power. I mean if I, a common garden fairy, who wears odd socks and woolly hats, from the cultural wastelands of the North West can do this and ENJOY it, so can you!

A stream of Consciousness...
So, I am trying to learn my OWN interpretations of the Runes and to kick start this I made a promise to myself to start the day with writing a stream of consciousness - the first thing that comes to mind without actually thinking about it. Note easy for me, unless it has a structure or framework I sometimes have great difficulty! But I tried! And it worked, straight after doing this I did my Rune a Day and then wrote a 'stream of consciousness' about this BEFORE reading the 'official ' meaning.. So here goes, I bare my soul (and terrible writings) to you all (or maybe to you both reading..or none of you!)... My stream of consciousness before rune related tinkerings..

Self reflective, reflexive clear water,
Cat on the mat, green eyes clear,
Spoon fed salmon and peas, wanting more,
But not the rabbit...

Winter's coat comes and goes,

Waxes wanes and spreads to seed.

The cold night, dark light,

Bells that tinkle and an earthy sight.

Hmmm so there yer go, have a go yourself and see what you come up with. The only rule is...don't think about what you are writing, just write, even if you think it's nonsense something may come out of it!

The Rune of The Day...An alternative approach and meaning..

So, with that in mind I delved in and chose a Rune for the day after my er, creative exercise. The rune I chose was...
Eihwaz (pronounced Eyewaz) The 13th Rune.

Now as tempting as it was to check my books and see what the 'experts' say, I decided, time had gone on long enough and I had done enough now to try and decide for myself, see what I remembered and what I thought the Rune meant to me. So, with my stream of consciousness mind still in full flow (scary I know!) I just went with it. The waffle I came out with was thus.....

" A rune to overcome odds, to find a warrior within, to defend bad vibes and survive attacks. To defeat those bloody gremlins that nip at your ankles until your feet fall off, a rune of hope and protection of strength to overcome these things and more. A rune that says 'Fuck it!*, I am going to trample over these bloody barriers, knock them out of the way and climb that bloody hill covered in ice, get to the top and say "There yer go yer bastard* , I, we did it!!' Thanks Eiwaz."
* Sorry for the language, that's just how I wrote it at the time..I must have forgotten to take of the 'rant mode' when the stream began to flow....

So, for those those that know the 'true' meaning of Eiwaz and are rolling your eyes at me (and I don't blame you!), please bare in mind this was a stream of consciousness. For those not aware, meanings giving to the Rune include;

The Yew Tree (Yggdrasil - The World Tree)
The Divine
Magic
Protection from attack
Defense (Representative of The Archer and the bow)
Foresight
Perseverance
Endurance
Achievable goals

So with that in mind, and my little stream of ranting, I suppose I wasn't that far away. And if anything to come out of this, I have at least now started to remember and recognise the Rune more effectively when casting! So I do think I shall try and do this exercise each day, think for myself before actually consulting the books and see what turns up!
Until next time may you be blessed with Eiwaz and it's powers!!!!

Blessings!
Lilly-Wren...