Some family pictures

Me and my brothers

Me

The kids

Agapanthus - African Lily

You may not be willing to notice me.

I have an awkward sense of myself.

My name can be hard on the tongue.

I do not grow easily in places

where the sun only fitfully appears.

I've come a long way northwards.

Gardens do not flatter my needs.

I am a shy sheltered plant - my leaves

first come above the earth slowly - 

serpenting about, tasting the air.

Then my stalks flex tentatively

skywards uncertain of grace - people

walk by me curiously, expecting dis-

appointment when my flowers deign

to curtsey boorishly into the light.

They ignore I'm Agape not Eros, 

my passion is a mute kind of longing - 

a fund of good-feeling - I blend

much more than possess (respect

distance) bestow, rather than demand.

My flowers voice outwards - trumpets

toned down to temper their height.

My scores are obliged to be gentle.

I use only circumspect colours.

Love is better for not being showy.

by Rg Gregory

Agapanthus © Jennifer Phillips

Dandelion fluff

Dandelion fluff © Jennifer Phillips

Quotes on growth

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.

by E.E. Cummings

Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.

by Andy Rooney

Stop beating yourself up.  You are a work in progress; which means you get there a little at a time, not all at once.

by Unknown

Fear, uncertainty, and discomfort are your compasses toward growth.

by Celestine Chua

When something bad happens you have three choices. You can let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.

by Unknown

Breathless

It's up in the morning and on the downs

Little white clouds like gambolling lambs

And I am breathless over you

And the red-breasted robin beats his wings

His throat it trembles when he sings

For he is helpless before you

The happy hooded bluebells bow

And bend their heads all a-down

Heavied by the early morning dew

At the whispering stream, at the bubbling brook

The fishes leap up to take a look

For they are breathless over you

Still your hands

And still your heart

For still your face comes shining through

And all the morning glows anew

Still your mind

Still your soul

For still, the fare of love is true

And I am breathless without you

The wind circles among the trees

And it bangs about the new-made leaves

For it is breathless without you

The fox chases the rabbit round

The rabbit hides beneath the ground

For he is defenceless without you

The sky of daytime dies away

And all the earthly things they stop to play

For we are all breathless without you

I listen to my juddering bones

The blood in my veins and the wind in my lungs

And I am breathless without you

Still your hands

And still your heart

For still your face comes shining through

And all the morning glows anew

Still your soul

Still your mind

Still, the fire of love is true

And I am breathless without you

by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Fitzroy Falls with double rainbow, N.S.W.

Fitzroy Falls NSW © Jennifer Phillips

Far, far away

Far, far away from those city lights

Might be shining on you tonight

Far, far away from you

On the dark side of the moon

I long to hold you in my arms and sway

Kiss and ride on the CTA

I need to see you tonight

And those bright lights

Oh, I know it's right

Deep in my heart

I'll know it's right

By the bed, by the light that you read by

By the time that I get home to say good night

I need to see you again

On the dark side my friend

On the dark side

by Wilco