Come away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
I started gathering pics for the weekly challenge but then realised it was the new Phoneography Challenge of Neighbourhood instead. So I got all confused and nearly didn’t post but it seems that Cheri doesn’t really mind if you use your phone camera or not. About half of mine are phone images and the rest my Canon. Don’t forget you can join in at http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/my-neighborhood/
My poem this week is my response to International Women’s Day tomorrow. Last year I published a short story https://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/a-post-for-international-womens-day/ you may have read it? If you can please go to http://song.unwomen.org/ and buy this wonderful song to celebrate women. Thanks to Jo http://jobryantnz.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/international-womens-day-2013/ for sharing it.
In Hope
Cast aside your veil
Turn your face to the sun
Gather round the hearth
Your work today is done
Your sisters draw near
Feet planted to earth
They no longer fear
The lone walk on the trail
Your children breathe free
The mountains clear air
Well nourished with plenty
And wind blown away care
Your abundance is here
Take love in your stride
Future perfect and clear
Go forward with pride
Cast aside your veil
And no longer hide
Someone had to be last! Julia’s prompt last Monday was this photo.
And this is my interpretation.
Turn Me
Turn me, pick me up and turn me.
I am the key to your dreams if you deserve me.
I am the beginning of your worst nightmare if you don’t,
Which will it be?
Turn me; find the lock to reveal the innermost secrets
in the casket of my heart
Or the pain I will feel
if you cause it to break.
Turn me, imprison, confine me in your, love?
Join me in the stale corner of your control
where the remnants of my self-worth lurk
waiting for a few crumbs of affection.
Turn me.
Pick me up and turn me.
. . . that’s how I felt when I saw this beautiful sign of spring.
What captivates you? you may find it here. http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/sunday-post-captivating/
Ailsa has chosen roads, not the easiest for me, whenever I see a really interesting road I’m always driving it! Here are a few from around Devon and some more exotic places.
Join in at http://wheresmybackpack.com/2013/03/01/travel-theme-roads/
I should have thought of this in the first place! The hospital where I work is pioneering new research into robotic surgery and yesterday a demo robot, complete with computer was on display so that visitors could have a go – but not on patients! When surgeons use robot assistance they sit at a computer guiding the procedure on a 3D screen and it is believed that the technology reduces stress for clinicians as well as promoting faster recovery after complex surgery and reduced blood loss. It was fascinating to watch a visitor try it and I would have loved to as well but my lunch break was nearly over. Of course I only had my mobile so the pics aren’t the best quality.
This week’s photo challenge is guest hosted by Christopher Martin.
Lost in the Details. This challenge is about getting lost in the details. Once you’ve found a subject you want to photograph, challenge yourself to work a little further into the scene.
I’m not totally sure I understand what we are being asked to do this week, but hey here goes anyway! These photos were taken at Chichester Cathedral in West Sussex and I find the detail fascinating, if you click on them you should be able to zoom in. Hope you enjoy.
Join in as usual at http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/weekly-photo-challenge-lost-in-the-details/
Flow of spring beside the tracks.
Bend of river’s shingle bank
occupied by Whooper’s elegant lounge.
Hip like curve sinks to moist valley
then rises to a belly mound hill.
Distant lace edged horizon
naked with late winter oaks
abundant in their twisting forms.
Dull copper bracken awaits
a few degrees swell to break green.
Neat fields sprinkled with new lambs
and a dark dusting of crows.
Sanctuary of Devon hedge banks
South West landscape I’m home.
South West landscape I’m home.
I went to Rosemoor on Friday and stopped somewhere new for refreshments along the way. Northcote Manor, built in 1716, is a luxury country hotel nestled in the Taw valley deep in north Devon, with stunning views at the top of a long private lane. It would be a lovely place to stay, they offer pamper weekends and award winning fine dining; I would love to spend a week there just relaxing but sadly it is way out of my reach!
My friend had coffee and I had hot chocolate, expecting a cup or mug I was amazed when a huge jug arrived, enough for four cups all for me, and freshly baked shortbread. Our stop off ending up being an hour and a half, it was so peaceful and the staff really welcoming. Most surprising of all was the price, a mere £7 for all that choccy, my friends cafetiere and biscuits for both of us. Needless to say it will be a regular stop.
I hope you like the photos, I only had a macro lens because I was snapping flowers at Rosemoor, but you get the feel. If you ‘re tempted to check it out http://www.northcotemanor.co.uk/
Lucid Gypsy 