The Communities Leap Of Faith. “Pako Festa”, Geelong

Over on Weekly Prompts, this weekend’s challenge is:  Leap. Please go and visit their fabulous site by clicking >>HERE

Yesterday (Saturday), I went to Geelong’s annual Pako Festa event, a gathering, celebrating the colourful multicultural societies that live in harmony within Geelong’s community. These people who have come from all around the world, have taken a giant leap of faith to resettle their lives here in Geelong. There were over 25 different nationalities represent in the glorious parade, and I’ll let my photos below do all the talking today….. I hope there’s not too many photos, but as you can imagine the parade took well over an hour to go pass me !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ivor Steven (c)  March 2020

 

 

 

 

 

My Bird Feeder

This week’s midweek challenge on ‘Weekly Prompts’ is: BIRD FEEDERS.  Please go and visit the fabulous “Weekly Prompts” site by clicking >> Here  

I don’t own a bird feeder as such, but I suppose my verandah roof acts as my permanent bird feeder.  Seeds from my neighbours trees seem to naturally end up landing on my verandah roof. The birds can be quite noisy feathered friends, as they clatter around on my verandah. … but while they are busily chomping seeds on my roof, the birds are forgetting to feast on my ripe ‘Rapunzel Cherry Tomatoe’ bush, and some of my readers, might remember what happens to those who steal from ‘Tomatoe Bush’, for a reminder, you can peruse at this link to that post >> https://ivors20.wordpress.com/2018/03/27/how-many-books-do-i-take-on-the-cruise/ …….”BEWARE”…….

Featured Image Above: My verandah roofer, the birds feeding area…!!

Below: My 9ft tall Rapunzel Cherry Tomatoe Bush, higher than the guttering.

 

Below Left: The cherry tomatoe crop              Right: Tomatoes in my Asian salad

 

 

Ivor Steven (c)  Feb 2020

 

 

Alex

 

Alex

 

My trusty guardian

Shamefully

I’ve taken him for granted

That happy old chap

Who faithfully

Protects me

 

A loyal family friend

He’s always been around

Like an inherited heirloom

His age remains a mystery

He’s stoic and quietly stern

And I dare not ask him

 

The eternal keeper

Of our ancestral tree

Holder of heavens keys

Guarding life’s comings a goings

Waiting there, under shady leaves

Forever our courtyard centurion

 

 

Ivor Steven (c)  Jan 2020

 

Smoke, And Happy Tears Today

Below, as per usual with my posts, I have an attached video/music for your enjoyment, however today this video is very special , and I would sincerely like to thank, Stephanie Stickel, for allowing me use this wonderful video, of her drawing, with the music of  Thomas Peter-Horas(Sarah), and played by Chen on piano .

Feature Image above: The photo I received today; my niece Kerri, and my grand-niece Kylie(My Philadelphia faeries), there smiles make me smile xx

Below Images: The smokey haze outside my front door today, 500 yards away at the end of my lane.

Smoke, And Happy Tears Today

 

Again, I’ve smokey tears in my eyes

But today they’re not, from those terrible fires

I’ve just received a photo, via magical digital wires

From the girl of my promised forever bond

And who lives on my soul’s golden pond

She’s knowingly smiling, at my heart’s open streams

Graciously enjoying all of life’s hard regimes

And handling her body’s constant extremes

Never does she falter, from her declared theme

“Don’t Let the World Bring You Down”

She’ll always be my jewel of renown

A ray of inspiring hope, in that distant sky

My dearest really real faery, flying so high

 

 

Ivor Steven (c)  Jan 2020

Odd Photos

This weekend’s Photo Challenge on Weekly Prompts is, Not The Norm! And over the last few weeks, I’ve taken some rather odd photos, that are “Not The Norm” , of every day life here in Geelong…. Click >>Here, to visit ‘The Weekly Prompts’ fabulous site

A hail-storm at the Box Office Cafe yesterday, and Chris and his dog Lily, looking worried

At the Box Office Cafe again, the two photos are of the framed pictures hanging up in the toilets. The next photo is of some wall art, in the back patio area….All unusual, to say the least

Geelong’s CBD, has numerous works of street art, down the back lane-ways

Another piece of street. And then I was visiting the Valhalla Bar (Yes the same place I go to for one my poetry recital nights) for refreshments, and I took this photo…. apparently his name is Westie, and he has a hole in the front of the bucket to have a drink… very odd….

On the way home I needed a bite to eat, and wow ! a Philadelphia Cheesesteak in the main street of Geelong…. Now I’m home, trying on my new shirt from Kuala Lumpur, a gift handed to me Thursday, by my dear pen-friend from Malaysia, a beautiful shirt, certainly “Not The Norm”, to be chatting to her, cheek to cheek, and truly a lovely day, we spent together ………..

Oddly, I’ve not yet posted this Leonard Cohen, song and video clip…. enjoy……

 

Ivor Steven (c)  Nov 2019

 

Feet and Excuses

Hello dear readers, I’ve written two Haiku’s recently, and I’m going to present them here as one piece, I have a feeling they might like to dance together…..

 

Feet

Truly nature’s treat

Standing amongst forest trees

Earth’s caressing feet

 

Excuses

Life’s, not excuses

The word, does not have uses

Let nature’s feet dance

 

Ivor Steven (c) October 2019

A Day At Eastern Beach

Hello dear readers, and dear Sue(Nan’s Farm-Inside Out)…. here I am on the beach, yeah !! yes a long 18 months since I’ve been able to feel the warm sand between my toes…. not hot enough for swim yet, but I could smell the fresh sea air…… In my excitement I took all of these photos (and More). The sun was shining and it was a pleasant 23’C.

Eastern Beach, on Corio Bay                             The Geelong Yacht Club

Ivor with the famous Bollards**                         More of the sculptured Bollards**

The enclosed beach area within the perimeter of the promenade

Some views as I was walking around the promenade

The salt-water pool, where Ivor learnt to swim (55 years ago)

Yachts on Corio Bay                                               Steps and fountain down to the beach

The children’s pool area

The lush lawn expanses at the beach                Looking back to the Geelong City centre

I hope you all enjoyed viewing these photos, as much as I enjoyed my outing to the beach on this a memorable day for me…….

 

**Jan Mitchell’s Waterfront Bollards

No visitor to Geelong’s magnificent waterfront precinct can miss the whimsical bollards that stretch from Rippleside to Limeburners Point. Painted by local artist Jan Mitchell, the bollards have become an icon of Geelong. Sadly Jan is no longer with us but she has left a lasting legacy which will put a smile on just about anyone who comes face to face with these unique and much loved pieces of public art.

 

https://youtu.be/m4gQTYGHfRg

 

Ivor Steven (c)  October 2019