WELCOME TO FRIDAY, BOOKS AND THE LURE OF THE SEA

Welcome to Friday and my love of books, reading, writing and stories.

I promised a blog about books and reading and here it is.

I have always been a reader and a lover of stories ever since I can remember.

I recall my Grandfather sitting me on his knee while he told me stories of seagulls with tar on their wings, a horse delivering coal who had a bad cough and many more.  My father didn't make up stories for me but he was sure I was surrounded by books and he read to me often.  I can recall lots of reading together the work of Rudyard Kipling and many of the Classics.  He didn't favour cartoons and animation - I guess that's why I have difficulty watching and finding pleasure in animated films now.

We often read poetry - pieces such as The Highwayman, The Wraggle Taggle Gypsies, Keats and so many more.  We would often recite things together - he would start by reciting the first two lines and I would join in with the following two or more, until we got to the end or to the stage where we needed to look it up.  

I did this with him the night before he died - we recited "Sea Fever" by John Masefield. 

I have never lived more than two miles from the sea and it has always been part of my life and it held my Father's heart right to the end of his life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reuhRjgB6xg 

enjoy this song as you read:

"Sea-Fever"

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

By John Masefield (1878-1967).
(English Poet Laureate, 1930-1967.)

I have done some research about some books from my childhood and almost didn't know where to start or what to choose but I finally settled on three.

Orlando The Marmalade Cat which probably gave birth to my love of ginger cats. I loved this particular one where the farm horses would take off their shoes at night and polish the shoe nails.  Orlando had a wife named Grace and three "children" named Blanch, Pansy and Tinkle.  I think I wore the book out.

To these could be added many many more - Little Women, Jo's Boys, Anne of Green Gables, Famous Five, Secret Seven and lots of others.

I read to my children while they were still in utero and I also played music to them so it brings me no surprise that they too are readers and love music.  There is nothing sweeter than to take a child upon your knee and share a story.

Some of their favourites from early days are:

I loved reading this with them (although they now tell me it is too sad and made them cry).  I still have the book and often browse it's pages.

I find joy in reading, I love the texture of the pages, the smell of paper and ink, I love the feel of books in my hands, I carry them in my bag and share them with friends and family.  I buy books often, although we have an excellent Library - there is something in me that likes to own books.

I am grateful to the Scribes of long ago who painstakingly and laboriously wrote out books with pen and ink.  What a craft that would have been.  I am glad for the invention of the printing press and the advances made which allows me the privilege of having these books.  I haven't quite advanced to the stage where I have an electronic reader which will allow me to have access on line to many books and carry them all with me, but from speaking with friends I am informed that they are a wonderful invention.   Perhaps I should put that on my "wish list" - my wish list is a topic for another blog.

My gratitude for Friday is:

"I am grateful for my eye specialist and my glasses that allow me to read."

Books have been my companion particularly closely over the times that I have been ill.  My time in Flinders was made sweeter by the fact that Flinders has a little Library operated by Volunteers and when well enough I was a frequent visitor.  Some of the Nursing Staff would visit the Library for me when I was unable to and it was great.

It's Friday in Australia and the weekend is on it's way - lovely and very special.  Make plans to spend some special time nurturing and nourishing your soul.  Find a book and a special spot in the sun, or sheltered from the wind and take a journey with that book.  Enjoy. 

Travel safely, enjoy all that you do, have coffee with a friend LIVE your life and be happy.

Love and hugs,