Happy December, Matey!

I've not been here in a month - time to catch up!  Cruising is sensational...meaning great and also wonderful for the senses.  I loved our trip to Central America...cruising the Caribbean, went with relatives.  What can I say to describe the feeling of traveling south, gradually entering warmer and warmer tropical weather, night by night?  There's no way to describe that mystery of a big moon and stars viewed from a stateroom balcony, with a scent of fresh hot sea breeze, warm as a hairdryer but humid and sweet with an inexplainable pure fragrance.  It's like time is non-existent and I was an explorer on a ship in Columbus' era, going to new lands.

Ship activities kept us so busy when we wanted to take in some action - and really enjoyable cool things to do everywhere - from the tribute acts by singers and dancers in the theatre, to the cool retro British group in our fave lounge where the female lead singer with her amazing voice sang Beatles and other songs while her talented male bandmates all had their fave songs to rock out to with their amazing voices - tributes to Stevie Ray, Elvis, and others...and passengers danced everywhere - in the lounges, in the atrium.  Every area onboard had its own musical vibe.

That was life on the ship - but the ports and excursions were so much fun and lovely!  We saw much culture and a lot of jungle.  Luckily I asked someone I was following because I took a wrong direction, left our party on a winding trail.  Corrected my error speedily - wouldn't want to be wandering in the jungle all night lol!

We shopped in picturesque seaside villages, beached (always a fave) sat by various pools on the ship as well, especially our favorite pool - and nothing seemed crowded ever, even the buffets where the legendary food lives up to the legend!

We didn't gain weight, that's a cruising myth in my opinion - too much to do!  Some nights we'ed just flop into our beds and fall asleep watching a movie.  Meaning "we" I shared a stateroom with Mom, twin beds.  She was a real trooper - kept up and had an awesome time.  This trip made us closer...after all the tragedy last year we needed this journey.  Sister, we thought of  you.

Here's a photo from our ship's stateroom balcony as we headed for Roatan, Honduras, and another photo below the first pic in Roatan near Sandy Bay where we watched a cultural native dance.

Aye Matey!  Have you ever been to sea?  It's in my blood.  I see another cruise in my future!  Thanks to all the powers of ocean, air, heat and earth!

I feel the voodoo

I know the jungle beat

I need your essence

Like jaguars when we meet

Cruising along

Hey all, I've been at the computer a lot recently but not at this site.  Mainly I've been trying to sell a book - yes, the same teen romance as I mentioned back in 2011 and so far some progress has been made which is encouraging!  I don't want to say too much here as my moniker is different, a new pen name for that book because too many people know MsMerlina - I want a fresh start with this manuscript.

I will be on a cruise coming up soon - going with Mom to the Caribbean - I don't want to reveal the dates except to say it is soon!

I'm feeling great, stayed with my decision to not go back to my old boyfriend - it's all for the best and maybe he'll quit the substances for his own well being and good health, in which case I'd say congrats and fare thee well.

Happy Samhain!

I'm back, sorry for my absence

Hey all you lovers of music, nature and life...I was away from the computer most of July and all of August except for checking my emails maybe a few minutes each day during that time.  Sorry if I worried anyone but I didn't purposely drop off the face of the Earth.

I met, once again, with a person who has been in my life off and on since 1974.  Yes, we we always sought each other, crossed paths, met up, separated, met up, went apart...a few times during those years.  We were again intensely together this summer...almost 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week...that's how it is with us.

We again encountered the problem of not being in the same dimension, or same space...although we really care for each other.  He's a brilliant and beautiful man, but whereas I met my demons, battled through and recovered, he is still battling addiction.  I can't do it, but the best thing was to refuse to do it all over again, and to let him know I still love him, and to let him go.

That's all.

Thank you, thank you very much, Elvis!

Last Saturday I was glad to attend the inaugural Elvis festival up in a secluded mountain campground resort area a few miles from my place.  I went with a few friends and we had a great time!  Onstage, one Elvis tribute artist described us as a "boutique crowd" - a truly fitting description.

A beautiful venue...and the weather held nicely without a drop of rain.  This event was held for charity and organizers did a fantastic job - in fact it may have been a blessing the crowd was intimate as many people were able to spend time talking with several tribute artists and the casual atmosphere was like....once in a bluemoon...which was actually the name of this festival!

The nine Elvis artists were amazing! Each one performed his tribute in a unique way.  I have many of the King's cds, movies, biographical books and framed prints in my collection as I've loved his artistry since I went to the first drive-in movie with my parents.  My sister and I, little kids at the time, sat in the back seat in our pajamas and I can still remember some parts of "Kid Galahad".  Wow, what an impression he made on me.

Also, my father, who passed away several years ago, resembled Elvis in facial features and body build - many people remarked on this especially in my Dad's 20's to 40's...but then who knows how Elvis Presley would have looked in his 50's and 60's.  I was lucky my father was with us at least until that age...

Thanks to all tribute artists and event organizers & attendants for making this event a wonderful time.  I wish I could have been there for the gospel music on Sunday as Bret Elvis suggested.  Here are a couple of pics to show June mountain scenery and lovely people who I was so fortunate to meet up in the hills!

Blue moon

I saw you standing alone

Without a dream in your heart

Without a love of your own

Candle in the Breeze

Memorial Day in the U.S.A. and I'm thinking of my southern neighbors - best wishes and hope you had a memorable & enjoyable long weekend.

Marilyn Monroe's birthday is June 1st.  The video below is accompanied by a last interview given by Marilyn.  She's beautiful because she's intelligent... or is she intelligent because she's beautiful.  She's a Gemini twin mirror...as I continue to reflect upon the mirror imagery (posted in my last entry about the glittering movie Gatsby).  The interview is lengthy and very revealing.  If you want to learn about how she perceived fame, her life - please watch the vid.  Marilyn is practical and imaginative - not so messed up as people think...and she has a way of relating her experiences in a positive light.  Happy Birthday, dear Norma Jean.

Last summer I wrote a poem at the beach, without any corrections, line after line in a stream as waves came to shore at the lake.  Not saying the poem is intelligent or fantastic...but it's my spontaneous art.  The title reminds me of the Elton John song "Candle in the Wind" written by Elton back in the 1970's and performed during that time.  Later he rewrote the song for Lady Diana's funeral.  Coincidentally, my anniversary - although I'm not married anymore, was Marilyn's birthday, June 1st.  Here's to my dream lover...

Candle in the Breeze

Save me.  I’m hot.

This sun today

Finds all of me –

I’ve nowhere to hide

Spotlighted in heat waves beside

A gold green dragonfly.

I rise and wade along the shore

Seeing you in cool darkness

Of my memory – You

Facing me, fair and well.

“Farewell, my love” you say

And miles and days between us

Reminding me of crime scenes

Where the first 24 hours are crucial.

A month and more has passed –

Traces of your voice.  I find evidence –

A little black balloon deflated and floating,

Happy Birthday and stars written in white.

I come back to shore and let it dry

Before adding it to my collection

In my beach bag.

A coral opaque pen, dots of moisture within –

I pick it up, wipe the damp sand

Surprised to see pink red ink

Like the color of watermelon

When I write on white paper.

Is this you trying to tell me

You think of me,

Gifts like jewels strewn about

By my hovering concerned angels

Who know I need something, anything

To raise my spirits?

I’m thankful for these pink and black surprises

But I’m only learning to see

And I wish for signs easier to read –

Something certain in a life haunted

With uncertainty, a time of insecurity.

I dream of that balloon, full and aloft

Tied with a long pink ribbon to an outdoor patio

Where you sit on a big warm cushioned wicker chair

With me lounging on your lap

My tan arms around your strong shoulders,

A breeze stirring silver wind chimes

And one coral candle flickering

On a ruffle white icing cake

Upon the wicker table –

A dancing candle flame

And you and me

Not needing to make a wish.  

Gatsby, Games & Fans

I've been reflecting upon The Great Gatsby since I saw the movie in 3D on Tuesday...reflection is a multi-purpose word when talking about this latest and extremely noteworthy cinematic adaptation.  It's not my intent to write a review here - just a few thoughts blogged.  I went with my Mom, cousin and a friend expecting a lot from Gatsby and I got even more than I expected - truly the book is like a poem, beautifully written, deep and high...and the movie was like this poem brought to life.  Everything shone, reflected...surfaces glittered - even more than in the actual 1920's because literally I don't think they had the type of polish we have now for those fantastic cars, like mirrors.  Absolutely beautiful, dreamy, totally art.  The parties, dancing, costumes, scenery... 3D heaven.

Acting was mysterious & absorbing chemistry by Leo, Tobey, Carey, and Joel and all supporting cast.   We loved the movie except I couldn't stop thinking about the ending all the next day and thinking "why?".  I know Leo stated in the press he wanted to honor the book.  Why oh why at the end did Jay Gatsby's father not attend the funeral as Fitzgerald had written in the book?!  This ending is integral to the story. It's part of the theme - Jay helped his father - bought a house for him (not the mansion, a different house), Jay Gatsby wanted to better himself... understood & gratefully acknowledged by the father.  A father's approval is important...this is part of the Great Gatsby love story.  Hence, to me, this perfect poem of a book is brought to life like a beautiful dance where someone stumbles at the end.  The ending mood of the movie is totally a different one from the book.  I'll never know why they chose to leave out a few crucial minutes to explain the father's role.  Anyway maybe there were father/son issues with people involved in writing screenplay or directing or whatever.  I can't dwell on it - the movie was brilliant all & all.

Turning now to sports "old sport" like Gatsby would say, I have one thing to say.  It's hard to be a fan.  Someone mentioned this to me a few days ago.  I agree.  Everyone is a fan of someone or some team...all the way up to their own god.  Watching hockey for years,  I like to express myself instantly watching different exciting moments.  Wherever we get our inspiration is good - we can be superfans, fly the flag, wear the jersey, phone or text each other at intermissions and talk about specifics, then put down the phone and watch the next period.  We can yell, we can scream - we can walk around zombie-like in disbelief and dejection when our team the Canucks are eliminated in a 4 game sweep, then revisit that emotion like deja vu when another Canadian team, the Habs, are eliminated , then revisit the emotion briefly when Toronto Maple Leafs blow a 3 goal lead in the last period.  I know of famous musicians (and others) who go through super elated highs and severe lows with their team.  They want to be inspired.  To those famous ones I ask...please understand your fans.  If they express themselves with too much passion, forgive them...for to them you are a symbol of hope and joy.. If they persist too vividly and intrusively, show them a moment of kindness, please, then move on.  I say this in response to a news article I read - I won't mention names.  It's hard to be famous, but it's hard to be a fan, too.  Love is all.

To complete my blog I include two flower pics - the first one is May 15th.  The irises were in full bloom on the 12th and I don't have a closeup - I was too mesmerized by their beauty that day - Mother's Day.  My sister gave a small clump of tubers to plant several years ago - they create a bigger area and bloom more & more each year...and she was a mother, too.  My dear departed sister's irises...scented sweetly with memories.

And here is my one Queen of Night below, a purple black tulip - the only one to bloom this year in a patch of 6 bulbs.  Symbolic to be the only one...still, I transplanted the other bulbs to rootless soil.  This blossom opened on May 5th and tonight this Queen is more beautiful and dark, aloft on a tall stem, supported by a slender twig and guarded by a delicate spider.

To my flower ladies, fold soft dark petals across your hearts against black night, and open again to live with me in tomorrow's light.

Happy Victoria Day weekend!  Go Ottawa Sens...?...!!

May Days Muse

Today was a patio lounging day in the afternoon while I enjoyed a frozen fruit homemade slushie and read "The Great Gatsby" paperback obtained from a used book store around the block and down the street.  I remember reading the book back in 1974 and seeing the movie starring Robert Redford & Mia Farrow around that same time.  The new movie coming out next week will be great to see!

Only really good books interest me - I've tried the phase of reading best sellers women in book clubs rave about but I can't get past a few chapters before being bored or getting sleepy.  Also I feel a bit disheartened when some books in today's publishing market get so much attention and they are not imaginative or well written, the authors are popular because they get a lot of support from big publishing conglomerates, and my book can't find a space in this market so far because it's different.  I'll keep trying to find an agent who sees what I'm doing.

I'm watching Canucks vrs Sharks NHL playoffs.  It's nice to have this new HD tv as a gift from my uncle a few weeks ago. My old tv was over 20 years here but it was still good - so rarely is it on, sometimes 2 weeks go by in hockey off-season without the set turned on except for movies.  When Uncle was here for his cataract surgery, staying at my house, he talked me into getting this new flatscreen, and that was very kind of him to offer to buy it for me - 24 inch screen is all I want and it's very clear - I'm liking watching hockey even more now!

 I can't say how the Canucks will do. We'll see.  The great 1994 season - so thrilling that post season was!  How they got to the Cup finals, how they got to Game 7, how they lost...it was so close.   Teamwork was everything that Cup run, and we had a superstar to inspire all.  Here's Pavel Bure's top 10, some of the best goals were as a Canuck.

 Even 2011 was not the same, thrillwise, as '94.  Yes, they got to the finals in 2011 but somehow the writing was on the wall all the way, even though fans desperately hoped.  We just couldn't get past the incredible Boston goaltender that year, except for a few goals.  Again, close but no cigar as they say.

I watch...as a lifer fan we can wish and dream.