Au Re-voir

Eric was a remarkable man. I don't have to tell you that. But in this last post, I will tell you a little about what you don't know.

If his words touched your heart, his presence far surpassed them. Anyone who met Eric, felt the strength of the man he was, his fiercely intelligent eyes, listening, grasping, quickly understanding. Gently reflecting and internalizing a trust.

How sensitive Eric was, reading emotions and body movements sometimes better than one could their own. We dare not watch a movie without a shared box of kleenex. And chocolate. He loved dark chocolate, as did I. Our fridge always had at least 5 pounds of chocolate in it. Yes, pounds.

Eric never finished school. At the age of 17, he left home because of an abusive stepfather. Where did he learn to write so well? He taught himself. The poetry came out of nowhere in his later years. When writing, nothing could distract him. He was so focused. I could scream FIRE and he would simply look around and then go back to typing, the words easily flowing despite any interruption. A singular gift.

Blogging encouraged Eric to write more, the feedback from fellow bloggers uplifting even more. He had the highest respect and love for you. He would call me into the computer room and show me what 'she/he' wrote and I could see the tears in his eyes. By leaving a comment, you helped him more than you know. Thank you.

I was fortunate to have spent the last 8 years with this beautiful man. I have not one regret. Just that I miss him so.

Elizabeth

I didn't post a photo of our group as I have yet to ask them for permission.....

Willow Park

Today I went to Willow Park to scatter Eric's ashes with 3 wonderful women.....I will try and post the photos. Elizabeth

Tribute from Mahendran

I cannot write the final post yet. I know you understand.

Mahendran has written the most beautiful poem for Eric...

http://nityajeevi.blogspot.ca/

Sorry....I couldn't figure out how to do the link properly....

Sugar Moon

A couple of nights ago we had a wonderful view of the 'Sugar moon' I had never heard of that name before, all the same it was nice to see. Here are a couple of shots.. :) {click thumbnails.}





C'ya

Reflections

Have you ever taken a look back at the road you’ve traveled through life, right from when you could first remember pertinent events? Then squinting at the state of the road you are on today, wondering how the hell you got there! Depending on how old you are that could encompass a lot of territory and events. I much preferred the world before, when it was more the size of a football, unlike now, that it has been reduced to the size of a gnat.

I can remember the days of World War II and just having radio as a medium because TV had not yet been discovered; there were movie theatres and live shows but you didn’t have a car, no! You either hoofed it or rode a bus to wherever you had to go. Of course we did have bicycles in those days so it wasn’t all bad. It was only later that TV came along and gradually other small subtle changes taking place that almost went unnoticed at times; such as diminishing numbers of live shows, movie theatres changing over to the ever popular bingo ‘Golden Scoop!’ and an increasing appetite for junk-food!

One would tend to think that with technology and progress over time, this would lead to better education, better jobs and a world where no one would want. Oh what a disappointment! All of these technological advancements were supposed to make many things so much better for all concerned; so tell me, what went wrong?

In my opinion the world has become a much smaller place, perhaps too much so. We have communications now that are almost unbelievable with the advent of the internet, gadgets and all that it has brought into people’s lives. What happened to an end to world hunger and the differences between the haves and have not?

Instead what we have is near the opposite; lots of ‘toys’ to be sure, but greedy businesses and politicians who promise every cookie in the bag to get your votes, dictators and terrorists. Major changes to the environment leading to so many natural disasters in the world, too many people dying of starvation still, and yet the almighty dollar rules supreme in someone’s pocket, it’s not fussy whose wearing the pants it seems! Please tell us there will be a new tomorrow at some point!

C'ya

Life's Carousel

The mind is an amazing mechanism, mysterious yet with unfathomable depths. It will lead and guide you through life, but the choice of paths is all yours. At times it can be a maze of bewilderment and oft times; toss you around like a rudderless ship at sea on a sleepless night. On occasions like these I think too much.

I am afraid of dying. Maybe not so much the actual moment but what occurs after. How will she live on alone in her new world? All of us are born alone and each of us ‘Die alone’. Life, death, sounds so cheap in just mere words. When I sleep and dream, I think that this is the closest thing there is to death. I hope it is because dreams can be truly amazing; at times frightening. I fall asleep with hope of ‘Technicolor adventure’, often dreaming of past family members, my brain obviously not acknowledging their deaths while I sleep. Yet, my mind brings my past into the present and beyond, making its own surreal movies.

Then I wake, sleep wet, and fighting for the present, or to get back into that wonderful dream life.

When I first met her, it was the oddest thing, our first night together. You fall asleep, in complete trust, into different worlds. I woke up early and looked at her, lost in a story I could never know.

Thank you for trusting me. I will do my best to take care of you. I will try not to die before you.

C'ya

Spring Fashion

With spring hiding in the wings right now I think it only fitting to see what we can look forward to in the very near future, enjoy :)

Winter snow

This post is for cyclpos7 he hasn't seen snow in his part of the world, these pics are from a couple of years ago. ~ so welcome to a different world my friend! :))










C'ya

The good, sometimes bad, and the snugly

Don’t you just love these two and three day winters? These are the kind where the temperatures drop one day, you get snow next day , and by day three it’s all melting, for the temperature went right back up through the roof! Meanwhile the birds keep packing and unpacking their wings for a trip they haven’t made yet! Even spring flowers don’t know what the hell is going on anymore. At this rate the groundhog is going to be unemployed this year and soon!

At least it’s nice to know that some disappointments can bring a measure of relief to others. I don’t know about you but I am not keen on winter these days; sure it was a lot of fun when we were younger but now the years have caught up to us it gets harder to manage.

These are the days when my favorite TV program is the weather channel, even before the sports, and that’s on a good day when for a change they get it right! They talk about El Nino and La Nino, but to me it comes down to Me cringe-o when you see all the snow you have to clear off the car/truck!
This week has been a typical example and tonight, guess what, yep! Snow again. Things could be worse I reckon, but at least we are still alive and progressing, which makes us luckier than some other countries I might add. So here is to spring and all that it may bring, meanwhile I’m going to make a cup of tea! ~ Where’s my blankie!

C’ya

Foggy nite

Dec 30th the weather here was weird to say the least, warm then cool and of course lots of fog.. These pictures taken from our balcony are a result of the scene..... Turned out not too bad.. ~~
click to enlarge ~~

C'ya

Year End

As another year draws to a close I am thankful for all the support and good wishes from many friends and blogger's during my struggles. This was not an easy time, for there has been much to think about.

I am happy to report that I made it to this point, despite all the so called evidence from the medical fraternity to the contrary ~ Which just goes to show that nobody really knows what their left or right hand is doing sometimes.

I have no desire to appear brash, Dear God no! But we just have to keep hoping and working hard to retain the level of health I do so enjoy at this time. I kid myself not that everything is perfect, but I will take what I have and look forward to an improving new year.

So to each and everyone out there who stumbles upon this humble abode I wish you and your families, good health, happiness and a very Happy New Year!!

Breathe easy my friends.

C'ya

Christmas ~ Economically

It gets harder each year to keep Christmas
Ask the homeless or a family in need
Then there are those who would remove it forever
Political has-beens who don’t have a creed

There were times when Christmas was nicer
A time when people shared what they had
And they gave for the goodness of giving
For children whether good or they bad

You know the Spirit of Christmas is priceless
Doesn’t cost very much can’t you see
The joys it all brings when carolers sing
And you greet everyone ~ all for free!

So don’t be so sad or downhearted
Especially at this time of the year
With a smile remember its Christmas
And look forward to a better New Year!

Eric Valentine Dec 06/11 ©

Merry Christmas everyone! :)

C'ya

Remembrance day

This is the time of year when we most remember and honor the veterans who gave so much, that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today ~ Thank you.

Muffled Drums

Down through the ages
The drum’s played its part.
Roll the drums softly.

For ‘twas the call of the drum
That said war was to start.
Roll the drums softly.

Drums would sound them to battle,
Drums would march into fray,
‘T was the drums that were heard,
As dead were carried away.

So keep this in mind,
Heed history my friend.
And Roll the drums softly.

History’s shown, in any conflict,
There’s never a Winner, just losers.
So roll the drums softly.

Eric Valentine Sept 8/02 ©

C'ya

Ole Reliable

Sometimes I feel I am like the sun,
I rise up every day on this earth.
~ Somewhere ~

I may not always be seen in person,
But each day I am always there.
~ For you ~

Eric Valentine Sept 27/11 ©

C'ya

YOUR SOUL

When you died,
for several days the very depth of my eyes
was haunted by a dove,
white, restless, easily frightened.
No sooner did I catch a glimpse of it,
than it took wing, fluttered away,
and disappeared into the grayish twilight.
But my heart knew: It's you. Your soul.

And it was good, that sad yet radiant knowledge.
Autumn can be at times like that:
the quiet light, transformed to wisdom,
holds up to earth a sky wide open,
just like a mirror. And you can see the most minute
bud of emotion, quivering in your soul.
All is so clear it hurts:
the sky, the earth
and you yourself, lost in between,
yes, even death.

What you were I know and never shall forget:
A dove. White, easily frightened.

Jurgis Blekaitis

(1917 � 1997) ©

C'ya

My Better Half

I want to compliment my wife
Whose kindnesses, have charmed my life
And though her patience I have tried
Yet, much on her, I have relied.

Many is the time when I needed talk
We two would wander, for a walk
And as I opened my heart to her
She'd disagree, perhaps concur.

Argument’s, our bond did strengthen
And now, as shadows start to lengthen
I think I must, bespeak my love
And laud thee as, my treasure trove.

In silence I, my wife have cherished
And failing her, could well have perished
She's been my sustenance, my pride
A golden girl there by my side.

So darling, speak I now at last
In tribute to our precious past
I know we have a future too
For without you, what would I do.

Eric Valentine Feb ©

C'ya

A Good Man

This last week in Canada, we lost an incredible statesman and politician, Jack Layton. It is a great loss of a man at the pinnacle of his career, certainly prime minister material and who knows, I guess we never will. He died from his second bout with cancer. He will most certainly be missed as he is already. Rest in peace Jack.

These are a few words from the end of a letter he wrote to Canadians before he died.

“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic.

And we'll change the world”




C'ya

Cancer & Chaos

Britain’s shopkeepers
Traditional bastions of time.
Disappearing in the smoke of night,
Pillaged by thugs and
Gorged by flames,
Violence, and senseless petrol bombs~
What has this world come to?

Eric Valentine August 8/11 ©



C'ya

Whodunit

I can’t remember the last time I took the opportunity to sit down and read a book. I haven’t been a reader since my younger days and then it was Mickey Spillane detective stuff. Yeah I know; pretty ancient material at best. With the advent of the computer, you couldn’t tear me away from the screen, and so, has been the story of my life.

Many things happen to dictate the roads in life you will take. Health has been one of them for me and the challenge of survival. Picking up a book was not high on my list of priorities. Of course all that changed a short while ago, when my computer died an unnatural death! At first I thought it was the end of my world, for try as I may, I came up short in the fix it dep’t. Weeks turned into months and I could not accept that my baby was beyond repair, no matter what they told me. Eventually I was proved right, but that’s another story.

Over the winter months we have watched a lot of movies on DVD/blue ray. We get them from our library. One was a “Kurt Wallander” mystery video. It was taken from several novels written by Swedish writer Henning Mankell. What proved interesting about that was a second disc which covered an interview with the author. After listening to him and being so enthralled with the movie, I just had to read one of his books. That was it! He has written twelve books in the ‘Kurt Wallender series’. Since then I have read six of them and am part way through number seven! I can’t ever remember being so consumed by a book the way I have with this series. The books are about 400 to 500 pages long but I just seem to devour them. It’s been a long time since I had books that you just cannot put down. I recently went through a two week period where I could not get another book until more came in to the library. Can you believe I went through Wallander withdrawal symptoms!

If you like intrigue that you just sink into and become one of the characters, then this is a read for you.

C'ya