Welcome back to sunny England lovely Mel…haven’t been able to say that often lately but it’s 17c today, in February! I know you’ll appreciate it on your arrival.
Your post this week speaks to me on a lot of different levels and you’ve given me much to ponder on goodbyes, the longing for family & the gift of calling more than one place home, thank you.
Love the pic of you & the grand babies, only another fee months & they’ll be in your arms again ❤️
Haven’t see the sun yet, dearest Rae, but I am ever hopeful! ☀️ Thank you for welcoming me back to THIS home.🏡 I’ll be awake for the second straight day in plenty of time to witness the sunrise, which is one of the perks of jet lag. 🤣🌅
I love that you are a deep thinker. And I miss your writing.
Thanks for your never failing encouragement; a huge and precious gift in my life. 😘
Yes jet lag can be a trip down the rabbit hole into a wonderland of unknown and a bit of unfelt. Amazing how western travel doesn't seem to trigger it but going easterly it always raises its head and tooth and tentacles ;o))
howzabout one of my fave airplane songs from a bunch of good old Bay Area boys that doesn't involve any jet lag. I'm sure Marvin liked this one and one of the great guitar intros with Barry "The Fish" Melton
I added a couple more photos to that link I sent you. Nothing spectacular but you can only imagine what these things become when they get to five feet or so that I have seen up in Homer Alaska. The ocean used to be teeming with them around and about San Francisco. So it goes
During the gold Rush they called them Ray ;o)))))) ha ha ha .... they are Ling Cod and can be bigger than Mel as those in the photo are of smaller average size for nowadaze but when they get to be over five feet long their heads get massive. One of the grandest meals on earth is a fine fish head soup that you can make from them. It is a second cousin to ambrosia, or at least after I get through throwing one in a pot :O))
Since we are talking of fish and .....
many things:
Of shoes — and ships — and sealing-wax —
Of cabbages — and kings —
And why the sea is boiling hot —
And whether pigs have wings.'
here is a song you will recognize from the same folk as before so conveniently and poignantly named ..... Country Joe and The Fish ;o)) they were locals on the scene when Mel was a bit wanton and whimsical and wild and would wear long bleached platinum wigs and seduce young boys thinking they were men and hold them near and then leave them in the next heartbeat. Please Rae don't get me started as I have talked of rabbit holes but Mel took my hand once and stepped through a looking glass into a world that since that day has had me looking through it from both sides now (it would be a great time for a Joni Mitchell song but I shan't stray) and then and forever, it seems ;o))
So I'm sure you have even seen and heard this song in the theaters in another world famous version ..... spoiler, Joni even wrote a song about it that topped the charts.
Joe and Janis Joplin were a pair for a bit but knowing what I know now, Mel probably got in the middle of that after dumping me like old fish bones in the trash. ;o))
It has been voted on by all fish fans that you should start writing again. Start slow, short and simple and never look back as Mel is fine inspiration and such a joy in people's lives. If only one person enjoys your writing what more can you ask for as that will be doubled since then of course you will be enjoying it too.
The most iconic Vietnam War protest song ever! Didn’t know Joe and Janis were an item.
Poor Rae is probably so confused by this tale of old Tomás! (Rae: Tom & I slow-danced together at our 8th grade graduation party - we were such innocents at age 13. I was wearing a long platinum blond wig! It was a tender moment for us both but nothing ever came of it because Tom became a wild, socially-conscious hippie while I was still a straight-laced, uniform-wearing Catholic schoolgirl! I hit my stride eventually but Tomás had left me in the dust. We were both shaped profoundly and irreversibly by the counter-culture of San Francisco in the ‘70s that we came of age in. Tom’s version is waaaaavy-gravy more fun than mine!)
Tomás: Rae is the brilliant, long-time blogger who first inspired me to start blogging. I have long admired her writing, along with all her other followers. She’s taking a temporary (I hope) break to pursue a counseling career, which she will also be brilliant at.
Rae, don’t you love how Tom signed off? I am with him: ☮️ and ❤️ for you and all you hold dear.
Ah Tim, I knew we were kindred spirits. Do you listen to Poetry Unbound? Awake at 3:30am with jet lag, I’ve just been listening to his episode on WS Merwin, another of my favorite poets.
Aren’t we all blessed with this gift called life that also includes so much suffering? It’s unfathomable. I’m glad you’re here with me.
Go girl go ;o)) The color of your photos are again glorious and I love your old log cabin, and but of course, you. ;o))
Straddle on baby, straddle.
I know what you mean about being cold as it has not been over 80F/27C here in the morning at sunrise so of course the sliding glass doors stay shut so I can keep the place at my desired 82. Feb 22 was declared the first day of summer based on Thai meteorological readings. The weather is trying to keep them from being liars but still is a bit laggard as days approach 90 and nothing more.
For your flights, be them in a plane, or even on the ground.
Whew, that song, Tomás. As one commenter said, “Marvin could turn pain into a symphony.” So much beauty and sadness rolled up together. You always bring the soundtrack, my beloved friend.💔 xoxoxo 😘
Welcome back to sunny England lovely Mel…haven’t been able to say that often lately but it’s 17c today, in February! I know you’ll appreciate it on your arrival.
Your post this week speaks to me on a lot of different levels and you’ve given me much to ponder on goodbyes, the longing for family & the gift of calling more than one place home, thank you.
Love the pic of you & the grand babies, only another fee months & they’ll be in your arms again ❤️
Haven’t see the sun yet, dearest Rae, but I am ever hopeful! ☀️ Thank you for welcoming me back to THIS home.🏡 I’ll be awake for the second straight day in plenty of time to witness the sunrise, which is one of the perks of jet lag. 🤣🌅
I love that you are a deep thinker. And I miss your writing.
Thanks for your never failing encouragement; a huge and precious gift in my life. 😘
No thanks ever necessary, your writing lifts me up ❤️ hope you enjoyed the sunrise 🌅
I miss writing too…one day I shall return to it
Rae of Sunshine, you are always the sweetest.😘 ☀️
How is your counseling course coming along?
It’s going very well thank you, I passed my level 2 🥳 and i’m half way through my level 3, it’s hard work but I’m really enjoying it.
Yes jet lag can be a trip down the rabbit hole into a wonderland of unknown and a bit of unfelt. Amazing how western travel doesn't seem to trigger it but going easterly it always raises its head and tooth and tentacles ;o))
howzabout one of my fave airplane songs from a bunch of good old Bay Area boys that doesn't involve any jet lag. I'm sure Marvin liked this one and one of the great guitar intros with Barry "The Fish" Melton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtfXPFRg2gw
all the way
hey hey have ya heard this one Rae?
ooxoxox
Okay I was just about to send this and was going to address Rae as Ms Cod and it brought up thoughts of these Pacific Ocean San Francisco treats
https://photos.app.goo.gl/mzkcMLjanmo6Xqw66
I hadn’t heard that Country Joe song either and it’s a fun one, Tom!
Did you catch those monsters??
Janet's son. my nephew Ryan, caught them. I did the cooking ;o))
I haven’t heard that one but I like it! 🎶 Thanks Tom.
That is one humongous fish, what is it?! 🎣
I added a couple more photos to that link I sent you. Nothing spectacular but you can only imagine what these things become when they get to five feet or so that I have seen up in Homer Alaska. The ocean used to be teeming with them around and about San Francisco. So it goes
During the gold Rush they called them Ray ;o)))))) ha ha ha .... they are Ling Cod and can be bigger than Mel as those in the photo are of smaller average size for nowadaze but when they get to be over five feet long their heads get massive. One of the grandest meals on earth is a fine fish head soup that you can make from them. It is a second cousin to ambrosia, or at least after I get through throwing one in a pot :O))
Since we are talking of fish and .....
many things:
Of shoes — and ships — and sealing-wax —
Of cabbages — and kings —
And why the sea is boiling hot —
And whether pigs have wings.'
here is a song you will recognize from the same folk as before so conveniently and poignantly named ..... Country Joe and The Fish ;o)) they were locals on the scene when Mel was a bit wanton and whimsical and wild and would wear long bleached platinum wigs and seduce young boys thinking they were men and hold them near and then leave them in the next heartbeat. Please Rae don't get me started as I have talked of rabbit holes but Mel took my hand once and stepped through a looking glass into a world that since that day has had me looking through it from both sides now (it would be a great time for a Joni Mitchell song but I shan't stray) and then and forever, it seems ;o))
So I'm sure you have even seen and heard this song in the theaters in another world famous version ..... spoiler, Joni even wrote a song about it that topped the charts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws0DLWApHko
Joe and Janis Joplin were a pair for a bit but knowing what I know now, Mel probably got in the middle of that after dumping me like old fish bones in the trash. ;o))
It has been voted on by all fish fans that you should start writing again. Start slow, short and simple and never look back as Mel is fine inspiration and such a joy in people's lives. If only one person enjoys your writing what more can you ask for as that will be doubled since then of course you will be enjoying it too.
For you and all you hold dear, I send
peace and love
The most iconic Vietnam War protest song ever! Didn’t know Joe and Janis were an item.
Poor Rae is probably so confused by this tale of old Tomás! (Rae: Tom & I slow-danced together at our 8th grade graduation party - we were such innocents at age 13. I was wearing a long platinum blond wig! It was a tender moment for us both but nothing ever came of it because Tom became a wild, socially-conscious hippie while I was still a straight-laced, uniform-wearing Catholic schoolgirl! I hit my stride eventually but Tomás had left me in the dust. We were both shaped profoundly and irreversibly by the counter-culture of San Francisco in the ‘70s that we came of age in. Tom’s version is waaaaavy-gravy more fun than mine!)
Tomás: Rae is the brilliant, long-time blogger who first inspired me to start blogging. I have long admired her writing, along with all her other followers. She’s taking a temporary (I hope) break to pursue a counseling career, which she will also be brilliant at.
Rae, don’t you love how Tom signed off? I am with him: ☮️ and ❤️ for you and all you hold dear.
And right back to you, my dear Tomás. xoxo
Lovely YOU!
Lovely YOU, dear Cheryl! Thanks for subscribing! I’m so glad you’re here, both on Substack and on this earth at this time, and in my life. 😘
Love Pádraig Ó Tuama, Mel. You are blessed!
Ah Tim, I knew we were kindred spirits. Do you listen to Poetry Unbound? Awake at 3:30am with jet lag, I’ve just been listening to his episode on WS Merwin, another of my favorite poets.
Aren’t we all blessed with this gift called life that also includes so much suffering? It’s unfathomable. I’m glad you’re here with me.
Go girl go ;o)) The color of your photos are again glorious and I love your old log cabin, and but of course, you. ;o))
Straddle on baby, straddle.
I know what you mean about being cold as it has not been over 80F/27C here in the morning at sunrise so of course the sliding glass doors stay shut so I can keep the place at my desired 82. Feb 22 was declared the first day of summer based on Thai meteorological readings. The weather is trying to keep them from being liars but still is a bit laggard as days approach 90 and nothing more.
For your flights, be them in a plane, or even on the ground.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piHWpH5cyrQ
Sang it Marvin ooxxoxox
Whew, that song, Tomás. As one commenter said, “Marvin could turn pain into a symphony.” So much beauty and sadness rolled up together. You always bring the soundtrack, my beloved friend.💔 xoxoxo 😘