Walk Around the Garden

I walked around the garden, and took some snapshots, late this afternoon.  It is looking green at least, we have been in a drought or so they tell us, for the last four years. 

Living on the Murray River, in an irrigated area - we rely on the river for our lives.  We have a citrus and vine property - and we still are growing our crops. But over the last two years, because of drought our allocations have been reduced.  This year is the third - but at least we have 48% this year, last year it was 21%.

In that time we have had to let the garden go, but we did manage to hold onto the roses and a few plants. This year at least we have green lawn, and have had flowers on the roses.

So come with Luigi and I around the garden.

Come on Luigi is waiting, he has already come around to the side of the house.

This is the view looking onto the road from the front porch. I do enjoy sitting here, contemplating the view and having my coffee with this wonderful view everyday.

Even though it is a little tough at the moment because of an oversupply of grapes, the drought and having to buy water - we still have a wonderful place to live - I am so grateful.

We are all in the same situation here, and are all feeling the effects around us.

The human spirit is great and we persurvere on....

And see what the season will bring.

Poppy

Calm Morning

Good Morning All,

We have had some really hot weather here in the Riverland since last Thursday, and not being able to sleep I was up at 4.00am to see my son off to work.  He is working in a packing shed, and they all started early to escape the afternoon heat.

I wandered the house doing some chores, then took my coffee outside to watching the rising sun.  Sitting on the verandah, listening and watching nature waking up.  Stillness and peace, greeting the day.

We should savour such beautiful sights and view them as blessing bestored to us - look around us and view with gratitude.

I got to wondering what others might be doing on such a morning - I am blessed - even with all that is going on around us.

Blessings to All,

Poppy 

THE GREAT BLESSING OF WATER: MEGAS AGIASMOS

Epiphany, one of the oldest Feast days of the Orthodox Church, which commemorates the manifestation of the Holy Trinity which took place at the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River.

While Christ entered into the Jordan to be baptized, two things were happening: He identified himself with the people He had come to save; and, he was identified himself with the whole of Creation which was represented by water.

The Great Blessing of Water is held on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany and on the day itself, following the Divine Liturgy. The Blessing not only remembers the event of Our Lord's baptism and the revelation of the Holy Trinity but also expresses Orthodoxy's belief that creation is sanctified through Christ.

The Blessing affirms that humanity and the created world, of which we are a part, were created to be filled with the sanctifying presence of God.

After the blessing, the Holy Water is distributed to the faithful and is used to bless homes during the Epiphany season. When the faithful drink the "Epiphany Water," we are reminded of our own baptism. When the Church blesses an individual, or object, or event with the water, we are affirming that those baptized, their surroundings, and their responsibilities are sanctified through Christ and brought into the Kingdom of the Father through the Spirit.

In addition to the Great Blessing of Water, there is a Lesser Blessing of Water service which can take place at anytime. Usually, it is celebrated when a home is blessed, on the first day of the month, the beginning of the school year, and beginning of new responsibilities.

Today, the twelve-day Christian celebrations for Christmas is concluded with the Epiphany. The Epiphany is an ancient celebration, commemorating the revelation of the Holy Trinity.

• Today's celebration has a particularly symbolic character - the white dove bearing an olive branch, the symbol of peace - emphasizes the need for more light; more love; and in particular more peace and a quality of living for all inhabitants on earth.

We only have one wish and prayer today, on this special Epiphany celebration: May the white dove of the Epiphany, bring forth its message of love to all corners of the earth, so that the light of peace may reach the remotest of countries. May the people of this earth enjoy what they rightfully deserve. A harmonious coexistence, good health and health care, education, justice and security. Let us all serve this purpose and achieve this target methodically, with optimism and determination.

Blessings to you all!

Poppy

New Year

Well, Christmas is over, we have had an engagement, have seen the new year in and a new baby has been welcomed into our family.

I hope you all a blessed christmas full of good cheer with family and friends. I wish you all health, wealth, happiness and love and may the christmas spirit stay with you all year.

We had a wonderful day......

Christmas in Mount Gambier with the family. Shopping, for gifts and food. All helping in the preparation of the Christmas feast. Good company, cheer and the thoughtfullness of Christmas. Being with family.

We then came back to the engagement of my niece Eleni to Peter, again a wonderful night with family and the new sebetheri (that is Peter's family), they were most welcoming. I wish both Eleni and Peter, all the wonderful gifts life has to offer as they make this step into a new life togethers.

Then, it was New Years Eve - do you remember the moon on the night how beautiful it looked - la luna bella. A party and what a joyful time it was, we saw the new year in and the old out and partied till three in the morning.

2010 is here, and already the 5th day… Remember Life is short, break the rules, Forgive quickly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile.

And then the greatest of all a new baby in the family - to my beautiful sister Jenny and her husband Andrew their second son, Gerrmanos (Gerry) was born on the 4th. Welcome little one!!

All blessings in life.

Poppy

Different Approach

I thought I would take a different approach to my journal...

Summer is here, it has been so warm

we had a day of 39 degrees celsius

to hot for the month of November and it is still

only the 10th...

I wonder what the summer is going to bring.

Birthday Weekend

What a wonderful weekend I have had this weekend.

It actually started on Friday, when I received 3 wonderful floral arrangements at work. Two from family being Mum & Dad, Liza, Tony, Jenny and their families with gifts attached. Even though they were not here, they were in my heart and here in spirit.

On Friday evening we went out for a birthday tea for Aliki as she also celebrated a birthday this weekend. Happy Birthday Aliki.

On Saturday, we attended a birthday lunch for our dear Koumbara Leanne as it was her 50th Birthday also (on Friday). Happy Birthday to you Leanne. I had a lovely time sitting and talking with friends and koumbari.

At 4.30 it was time to leave and go home to get ready to go out to my birthday tea - we went to Sorrelle's a Italian Restuarant here in Renmark.

Family and Koumbari helped my celebrate a 5oth Birthday. I had a great time.

On reflection I visited my five last decades of my life, from the first to the fifth.

Time passes so quickly.

The first decade,

I remember my childhood - such a great time, of days passing and enjoying the whole day and being in the moment. Playing for endless hours, enjoying the company of my siblings and school day friends. Of starting school and orienteering the passage of school, school friends, and childhood relationships. Learning and forming. Being in a loving family, feeling loved, protected and safe.

The second decade,

Working my way through teenagehood - not quite an adult, but being so sure of what I wanted to do and what the world was like. School years coming to and end and the start of earning a living or wage. Of helping my family in their business - we learnt so much as we were given the responsibilities of the business.

The third decade,

A trip to Greece, being introduced to my families homeland getting to know my extended family on both sides and visiting the birth place of my parents. Off feeling connected to another part of my self. Loving the place my parents had been born in and touching the linage in our blood.

Returning to Australia, meeting my future husband Jack - marriage. Moving away from my family home to create my own home with my husband. Bringing two beautiful children into the world who are from us but not us. The most precious aspect of my life - being a mother, nuturing and guiding my children. My children who have become their own person.

The fourth decade,

Raising my children, being with my husband and having our own home. Life goes on.

People come and people go out of ones life, but the nucleus stays the same and the love grows strong for the family around one as experiences and events unfold in ones life, our experiences and those of our families - always learning and growing - no matter what age.

The love and strength of the family is the most important.

Thankyou all from the depth of my heart.

I am so greatful to have all these wonderful souls around me.

One has to learn to understand all experiences.

Take the time to listen and be still with all.

The fifth decade,

The children are growing and coming of age and coming into themselves and their experience of the world. Ones relationships grow - on their journey and one becomes stronger and fuller in lifes experience.

Again I say thankyou with gratitude for all that comes my way.

For the learnings and experiences.

For all the wonderful people who have come into my life.

I have learned from all - some people I have known for a few moments - and others for varying periods of time, - but most important are those who have been with me for the longest.

My love and blessings to all and thankyou.

Enjoyable Weekend

I have just spents a wonderful weekend by the sea. I do love the sea, the water, the waves, the colours and most of all the sound of the sea.

We had a wonderful house - called Baileys Beach House right on the beach. It was great to wake up in the morning to see what the ocean had brought for the day. I loved sitting watching the sea while having my coffee in the morning - so relaxing.

Another, great sight was watching the whales and Seaford Bay. We drove out there on Sunday afternoon, the tide was coming in late in the afternoon and there was a swell. The afternoon light filtering through the clouds and spreading a veil of softness on the surroundings. Just of the bay were five whales it looked like 3 adults and 2 younger ones - what a majestic sight. The calm of the end of the day and the presence of others all sharing the sight was so wonderful.

The reason we went was that my daughter and nephew participated in the country soccer championships - they both did very well.

It was great being there, supporting and cheering on the children - teenagers. The atmosphere at these events are great - with parents, grandparents, sibblings all there supporting their children. One must not forget to mention the comamandrie of all the team members as they compete against other teams. Unfortunatley, this time has come to an end after some 12 years - as both children partook in these events.

All blessings in ones life.

Poppy