Ritual Required

A woman died overseas last week.  I didn’t know her, but she was loved by a friend of mine who couldn’t get to the funeral.  This friend invited a small group of us to share her farewell to her friend.  First she talked about the woman, and times they’d shared.  After lighting a candle she invited each of us to light a candle and bring in the memory of our own beloved dead.  She then sang a song of farewell, and we all shared food and drink to bring us back to the everyday.

I was intrigued to note that there were seven of us, and that the seven candles symbolised the stars of Matariki, now in the sky, and traditionally the time for remembering the dead.

As we ate we talked about various ways of fare-welling the dead, and how these days many people are choosing funerals that are more natural and personalised.  Some of the group were unaware that embalming is not essential, or that it’s possible to organise whatever kind of funeral you want.

There are many ways in which people deal with death and saying farewell to loved ones.  I was honoured to be part of this ritual.

“Each person’s life must end some day.
Fare-welling helps us on the way.”

Referring to Rugby

How do I know when there’s an ‘important’ rugby game on?  I’m alerted by the fact that the “Press” comes with a coloured strip around its wrapper.

This morning’s “Press”- note black strip on left

Usually it’s a red and black strip, and I was momentarily surprised to find this morning’s edition had black only.  Then I realised!  Red and black is for the Crusaders.  Black only is (of course) for the All Blacks.  I actually knew the All Blacks were in town, because they were on last night’s news, throwing gumboots.

I confess I have zero interest in such games, but it’s kind of the “Press” to let me know they’re on.   We were once invited to a Crusaders’ game in Timaru, where we watched the horses perform beforehand, then left before the rugby started.

I hope all those sitting out in the cold tonight enjoy themselves.  I shall be snugly in front of the heater watching “New Tricks”.

“While it’s most surely not my game,
may they enjoy it, just the same.”

 

Digital Dilemma

There’s an e-book which I’d like to read, but I don’t have an e-reader, don’t want to buy the book until I’ve checked it out first, and don’t fancy reading it on my p.c. anyway.  The local library has e-books available and I’m beginning to consider the possibility of buying some form of e-reader.   It seems many of the library titles are available through ‘Overdrive’ which is not compatible with Kindles, so a Kindle is probably not an option.

I love paper books, and reading is one of my favourite forms of relaxation.  I’m sure I will continue to read paper books, but I don’t want to miss out on titles that are available only as e-books.  My feeling is that I’d use an e-reader mainly when travelling, and I don’t travel very much (although I am going to the U.K. later this year).

With an e-reader would I be able to read in bed in the wee small hours without disturbing my significant other?  That would definitely be a bonus!

Some friends read books on their Ipads and find that ideal.  Should I be extravagant and buy an Ipad or some other form of tablet?  While it might be handy to occasionally check e-mail or Facebook away from home I’m not sure I want to learn a whole new system.  Whatever I get must be simple to use.

Our library offers a free half hour with a librarian to discuss anything related to books or technology, and I’ve sent a request to ‘book a librarian’ to help me decide.

Do you read e-books?  On what device?  I’d love to hear about any pro’s and con’s.

“I wonder just how it would be
if I could read those new books – E.”

Public Poem

Here’s another from the Poetica series,  published on the corner of Colombo and Tuam Streets:

Kirsty Dunn’s poem

“Each poem writ upon a wall
can bring some pleasure there for all.”

“Leaving everything most loved” by Jacqueline Winspear

The latest in the Maisie Dobbs series has the usual characters and flavour with added spice.  These detective novels set in the the 1930′s are gentle and enjoyable. The death in London of a young Indian woman sets Maisie thinking about emigration and all its ramifications.   It seemed to me that this novel had more emphasis on Maisie herself rather than on the case she was investigating.  Not that I’m complaining!  It’s such a pleasure to read about an independent woman making her way in the changing world between the wars.

“What it might mean to leave your home
is crucial to this latest tome.”

Single Snowdrop

Our first snowdrop (snowflake) has finally appeared.

First snowdrop of 2013

Usually they flower in May, or even April, and I wonder why they’re so late this year?  Maybe it’s because we’ve had such a mild autumn.

A legend says when Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise it was during a heavy snowstorm, and it felt extremely cold.  A few snowflakes, while watching Eve becoming frozen, decided to turn into snowdrop flowers and end the long winter.  Since then the snowdrop is a flower of hope.

“It’s such a pretty little bloom
to see it must dispel all gloom.”

Perspicuous Perspective

I’m currently reading Juliet Batten’s book “Spirited Ageing” which  suggests that exercising the brain and learning new things can ignite your enthusiasm for life.  Today I’d like to thank Marlene from Miami for teaching me a new word.  Marlene complimented me on this post for my ‘perspicuous perspective’ and sent me scurrying to the dictionary.   I was unfamiliar with perspicuous and wondered whether she’d meant to say perspicacious, but no, perspicuous is a real word.  It means easily understood, clearly expressed (a similar meaning to perspicacious) and is now rare.  It might get more use now Marlene has ignited my enthusiasm for it.

“Learning a new thing every day
can keep my brain from sad decay.”