Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 18 Nov 14 - 09:59 AM

Good morning, ChanteyLass & Manuel, although for me it's a good afternoon. Ann is spending every waking minute making cards for Christmas. Our eldest Granddaughter has organised a 'card party' for tomorrow night, at which Ann can sell her wares. As for me, I'm wrestling with the final few bars of an octet for Violas. Paraphrasing the famous conductor, Sir Thomas Beecham (sp.?): "Start well...end well...the audience will have largely forgotten what happened in between!" He was certainly right about "end well".
          Much Love to You All,
                                           Nigel
                                           xxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,Manuel
Date: 18 Nov 14 - 07:49 AM

I'm glad, for the sake of gnu, that that scary picture was taken in the 90s and not on 15 Nov 2014!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 18 Nov 14 - 12:01 AM

Good morning! How are you all doing today?

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Nov 14 - 08:59 AM

Nigel, that postman was taken by a Canadian friend, & there were 3 pics in the series - postie in summer gear, mother in warmer clothes holding handy of toddler who looks like a mini-Michelin man & householder wearing a tracksuit (or similar) beside the heaped up snow!

sandra

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 15 Nov 14 - 04:34 AM

That pic was taken back in the 90s.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 15 Nov 14 - 04:05 AM

Sandra, that's exactly what I had in mind, except your 'grubby piles' are much larger than the ones from my childhood memories! Your Postman is made of tough stuff...shorts?!

Gnu, I think you & my Grandmother would have really hit it off, particularly on the 'be prepared/self sufficiency' stakes. Come to think of it, I think you would've enjoyed her company anyway. She used to annoy the hell out of my Mother by disclosing 'family secrets' which my Mother had gone to considerable lengths to conceal...I loved it!
      Clearly, your definition of 'dusting' & mine diverge somewhat...our front doorway was never THAT buried!
      From an overcast, damp, but snowless London,
                                  Much Love to You All,
                                                                   Nigel
                                                                   xxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 14 Nov 14 - 11:46 PM

Oh Jeez, gnu! And winter isn't here yet. That much snow would shut down my neck of the woods for 2 weeks! Hope the leaves are all off the trees to reduce breakage and power failures.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 14 Nov 14 - 11:31 PM

Sure looks like more than a dusting to me, gnu! Shovel safely!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 14 Nov 14 - 06:45 PM

looks like an awful lit of shovelling there, gnu !.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 14 Nov 14 - 02:10 PM

Nigel... a dusting of snow in Mum's driveway.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 14 Nov 14 - 02:07 PM

Snowin a banshee here for the last eight hours. Must be 2" on the roof. The wind is whipping it at just over straight down. But, I have enough in stock for just such a megastorm : two years of provisions for two people, gas to run the 6500w generator feeding Mum's emergency panel for a week, firewood for my house for a month, water for a month (not including snow), and, well, let's just say that I am a Boy Sprout... always prepared. And, if anarchy reigns during the ensuing chaos, I have the necessary quip to save harmless those that I love and hold dear.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 14 Nov 14 - 08:33 AM

Clumsy? No. I knew you were joking.

It's falling gently now. I don't expect much more than a few inches. It's pretty... when inside looking out. >;-)

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 14 Nov 14 - 08:11 AM

these strange, rather grubby piles?

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 14 Nov 14 - 06:21 AM

Sandra, your title: "Life Song" is the one I will use. Thank you very much. The more I see it within the context of the poem, the more I realise how appropriate it is. I'm still pondering whether to compose a SATB setting, along the lines Maeve suggested. Then again, the poem & a vocal setting could happily coexist...why not?

       Please forgive my 'snow joke', gnu. I was born several miles east of where I now live & by now, in the 40s/50s, there would have been a first covering of snow. A 'White Christmas' was practically guaranteed. We lived at the top of a hill, surrounded by gently sloping fields which were perfect for sledging. It was not uncommon for us to be snowed in...shovels & the resulting aching muscles were the order of the day. My Grandmother planned ahead, so the larder was well-stocked...she'd had plenty of practise in self-sufficiency throughout WW2. The snow often stayed until well into February, leaving those strange, rather grubby piles that simply refused to melt. All of which makes my: "What's Snow?" comment, unfunny & clumsy.
                         With Love,
                                          Nigel
                                          xxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Nov 14 - 05:16 PM

I saw snow once! it was very pretty & fun!

a friend moved to a town in the Snowy Mountains & the weekend I visited was the week before the start of the skiing season. I hada great time sliding on the snow on my leather-soled shoes & also made a snowball & threw it. Inner-city birds do not have proper snow clothes & I was glad to wear my friend's spare jacket. Kids had made a snow man, too.

As the weather was not obeying the holiday season schedule the snow blowers were out & that added to the fun.

It left me one of my perfect moon memories - full moon seen thru a leafless tree with a mountain peak behind.

sandra (who has seen many pics of the amount of snow gnu & other Canadians & northern Americans get)

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 13 Nov 14 - 01:33 PM

Few snowblowers, if any (?), have the option of setting the angle of the blower. That's why Honda blowers cost so much.

"what's 'snow'?" Pop over tomorrow and you can see for yourself.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 13 Nov 14 - 06:26 AM

Agreed, gnu, I think Sandra has nailed it, but I'll wait another day before I decide.

Is it just the Honda snowblower that needs to be in the raised position for an oil check? (-; or is this a characteristic of all snowblowers? My thirst for knowledge has got the better of me (-;....oh yeah...what's 'snow'?
                                                                Love to All,
                                                                                  Nigel
                                                                                  xxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 12 Nov 14 - 05:27 PM

I thought of a couple of titles but... Sandra nailed it.

BTW... a Honda snowblower should be in the raised position when you check the oil as doing so negates having to clean up spilled oil and add more. Jusss sayin eh?

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 12 Nov 14 - 01:02 PM

Sandra, I like "Life Song" very much. I'll wait a day or two more to allow for any more suggestions & then make a decision.

Maeve...that could be one of the best ideas I've been presented with in a long, long time. The piece on which I'm currently working is nearly finished, so an SATB quartet, perhaps accompanied by an instrumental quartet is a very tempting proposition. Much food for thought here.
                   Thank you all, so much,
                                                       With Love,
                                                                        Nigel
                                                                        xxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 12 Nov 14 - 10:05 AM

Nigel, I keep hearing your lovely poem as a being for a SATB quartet/chamber music sort of thing.
I like Sandra's suggested title.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 12 Nov 14 - 09:09 AM

Beautiful words Nigel

xxxxxx
Wendy

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 12 Nov 14 - 08:22 AM

Life song

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 12 Nov 14 - 06:09 AM

Thank you for your posts. I'm hoping you might be able to help...I couldn't come up with a title that I liked for the poem. Any suggestions?
                      With Love,
                                       Nigel
                                       xxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 11 Nov 14 - 08:25 PM

Thank you, Nigel.

Thank you, All.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 11 Nov 14 - 04:33 PM

Indeed, froggy, indeed. Thank you, Nigel

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: frogprince
Date: 11 Nov 14 - 04:03 PM

And all said "amen".

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 11 Nov 14 - 02:16 PM

so well written and expressed, nigel. bless you      pete.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 11 Nov 14 - 01:25 PM

After Jane died, her eldest son became a man in every sense of the word. The burden of responsibility he bore, so stoically, became, after months had passed, almost unbearable. There was nothing I could do that would change things in any meaningful way, so I wrote him these lines:

"And should a salt-tinged tear wash o'er thy cheek,

Think not it doth belie that thou art weak.

Rather, 'tis a sign of love & losing

one who was so close, their loss, confusing.

For We, bereft, our lives persist,

Enshrouded by a frightful mist

of anger, pain & masked emotion,

Forestalled love, defiled devotion.

Stumbling blind, we clutch the air,

With nought to do but Death forswear.

We search for answers, there are none

that comfort bring to anyone;

'tis time that will a healing bring,

'tis time dictates:" Life's Song to sing".

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 08 Nov 14 - 12:30 PM

Oh... that's weird... after I logged back in after the crash and was typing my last post, my post posted as I was typing. I was half way through the next sentence and it doesn't even appear. The 'Cat be scratchin!

PS... CBC Radio's The Debaters is almost over. Highly recommended.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 08 Nov 14 - 12:26 PM

I am still here and looking at this thread every time I go to Mudcat. I haven't had much to say and still don't, but I continue to send love to everyone.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 08 Nov 14 - 12:19 PM

Long post... PC crash... recap...

Tweak, eh? Noon... 0C. wind 40 - 60kph, WC (Wind Chill) -8C, 10mm of ice and snow on roof will not melt today.

Tis what I call a nipply day.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 08 Nov 14 - 06:56 AM

Gnu, really enjoying your local weather reports. They tweak my imagination & bring me closer to you.

Maeve, consider The Rainbow arisen! I trust that your 'surviving' is as broad-based as possible & if we're in "Light at the end of the Tunnel " mode, may the light be copious & ever brighter.

Sincere thanks to those Catters who have participated in my "In Flanders' Fields" project, raising funds for The Royal British Legion. (PM me for details).

                                  With Love to You All,
                                                                Nigel
                                                                xxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 07 Nov 14 - 12:09 PM

Glad to hear you are surviving, m.

As for snow... rain and about 10C here. Supposed to turn to wet snow over night but expect only 4 cm which will melt soon. I heard 25 - 40 cm again to my NW but I haven't checked to see if they are getting it.

Sail on!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 07 Nov 14 - 10:01 AM

Arise, Rainbow.

Maeve, surviving

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 03:49 PM

we are not far from London, and it has been grey and chilly here.
hope you don't get too much of that white stuff, too soon, gnu.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 11:58 AM

Typical November hear but 150 km to my NW, 45 cm of snow Saturday and 1000s without power. We got an inch Saturday night and it melted by noon.

Bless all.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,Manuel
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 08:08 AM

From what Nigel and billybob report above, I'd much rather be in London than in Frinton at this time!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 07:56 AM

Rainy day in Frinton, but nice to hear that the sun is not far away Nigel,

love to you and Ann
and to all on board

Wendy xxxxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 05 Nov 14 - 07:16 AM

Love & greetings from a sunny, autumn day in London. We are becalmed...but I'm hoping that signifies respite, healing & a lessening of Life's pressures.
                                 Always in my thoughts,
                                                                   With Love,
                                                                                    Nigel.
                                                                                    xxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 07:09 AM

Ditto, Nigel.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 06:40 AM

Beautiful, apposite lyrics, Janie. It doesn't matter...your words, someone else's. You took the time & trouble to search out that lovely song & let someone else speak for you. I say: "Why not?"
         I wrote earlier about "Thread Fatigue". When a thread has been running for as long as 'Jane's Rainbow', I think there is also the possibility of "Comment Fatigue" too. There have been many times I've struggled to find something 'from the heart' that was both fresh & comforting. Unlike Janie, I often simply didn't post. Janie, the words may be someone else's, but the feelings & emotions they express are yours.
                                    With Love,
                                                    Nigel
                                                    xxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 30 Oct 14 - 11:43 PM

Still not able to find my own voice.

ON A DAY LIKE TODAY
(Bob Dyer)

On a day like today, in the heat of this late summer weather,
There's a haze in the trees and the sound of the bees in the clover;
There's a hawk in the sky, there's a shine on the wide river's water,
And I feel deep inside something wanting to stay here forever.

CHORUS: But the seasons keep changing,
And the days just keep running away,
And forever's a gift you're forever giving away.

On a day like today, in the last golden days of October,
There's a chill in the air and a light haze of frost on the clover;
There's a fire in the trees, there's a sound in the breeze like a whisper,
And I feel deep inside something wanting to stay here forever.

On a day like today, in the heart of a long, bitter winter,
With the light from the moon making stars on the snow in the clover,
I sit down by the fire in the heat of its slow, dying embers,
And I feel deep inside something wanting to stay here forever.

It's a morning in spring, and the dew on the jewel weed still glistens,
And I almost can hear new life being born as I listen;
I walk down by the spring and I drink from its clear flowing water,
And I feel deep inside something wanting to stay here forever.


On A Day Like Today

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 30 Oct 14 - 09:19 PM

Aw, Nigel, I share your anger while I'm still hoping for the best possible outcomes for you, Ann, and Chris.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 30 Oct 14 - 05:05 AM

Some odd things lately. I know Max has taken the server down at times... perhaps a tweaking isn't taking?

Autumn you say? I got yer autumn right here...

Statements
4:50 AM ADT Thursday 30 October 2014
Special weather statement in effect for:

Moncton and Southeast New Brunswick
Snow possible on Sunday.

A significant low pressure system will pass south of Nova Scotia Saturday and Sunday. Precipitation is expected to start as rain on Saturday. As northerly winds develop Saturday night into Sunday bringing colder air, some parts of New Brunswick could see significant snowfall.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: frogprince
Date: 29 Oct 14 - 10:20 PM

Sigh...when I finally get it to submit, it does that...

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: frogprince
Date: 29 Oct 14 - 10:18 PM

Will try again with a post that I tried to submit about 6 times last evening...

Keeping you all in heart and mind each day. Days waiting for test results have to be some long old days. Prescription med damage...long term use of Arthrotec does bad things to kidneys; fortunately we had one doc retired and replaced with one who was aware, and I probably haven't lost enough to be in trouble.
We're both cruising along fine physically, and Judy continues to do remarkably well considering surviving a remarkably long time "flat-lined". We're nowhere near at the level of invalid care, but numerous little mental disconnects, and frequent difficulty in communicating, can be taxing, especially for the lady herself. Thanks be that she can still enjoy singing in the choir (so long as her friends help see that the stole goes over the robe, there is something about changes in clothing outside our own home...) and that we both can still enjoy morning exercise-followed-by-coffee-with- friends routines, travel, etc.    Keeping you all in heart and mind each day. Days waiting for test results have to be some long old days. Prescription med damage...long term use of Arthrotec does bad things to kidneys; fortunately we had one doc retired and replaced with one who was aware, and I probably haven't lost enough to be in trouble.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 29 Oct 14 - 05:14 PM

looks like some gentle light coming through them ol windows, Sandra.
to quote a stones song from exile on main street
" may the good Lord shine a light on you..."
blessings all    pete.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,Manuel
Date: 29 Oct 14 - 05:09 PM

I have just seen and savoured Nigel's posting of last Monday morning. He puts it well. Autumn, Keat's "season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" is in its full glory in England at this time. I and my true love were in London, and Kent, recently and enjoyed it all to the fullest.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 29 Oct 14 - 08:45 AM

Thoughts and prayers for all and another log on the fire.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 29 Oct 14 - 05:24 AM

I derive an enormous sense of peace & protection, simply reading your posts. It's like walking into a warm, cosy room, full of my closest, most loved, most trusted friends. There would have to be a log fire of course (-: I'm in that room right now.
          There is some news regarding Aunt Chris. She is due a further biopsy tomorrow & was told by her Oncologist that despite the difficulty of treating the form of cancer she has, once treated, the success rate is better than 95%. Ann & I are hoping for good outcomes, all-round. Ann continues to play the waiting game...test results & a referral to the surgeon who saved her life seven years ago when she was diagnosed with a metastatic malignant melanoma.
         Which brings me to me! I was told yesterday that some of the meds. I've been taking for over three years have been miss-prescribed. The side effects I've endured, coupled with the fact that they have caused life-long complications (which require additional treatment) renders me incandescent with anger & confusion. Someone once said: "If you're angry, take action. Don't become paralysed by the anger". I'm going to speak to my solicitor today with a view to sending a strongly worded letter to the CEO of the relevant health authority...a 'shot across the bow', not the first step towards litigation. Proving negligence is a notoriously difficult, expensive, long drawn-out process, which I can neither afford nor sustain constitutionally.
         Sending love & Life's rich blessings to you all. Could someone put another log on the fire, please?
                            Nigel
                            xxxx