the last waltz...

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...this is my 100 year old Dad dancing at his birthday bash yesterday - 10th January.. The residential care where he lives threw him a party to mark his BIG, BIG birthday... The organizers went to a lot of trouble to make it a memorable one for him... One of the surprises they had  was to have a couple come in from a local dance school to do a demonstration. Dad had taught, competed and danced in exhibition ballroom dancing in his very early days so this was really special for him...At the end of their demonstration the young woman approached Dad if he would join in her in the last dance - a waltz... After an initial hesitation he managed a few steps... For a nanosecond it was as if his younger self 'stepped in' and his old body remembered its younger days...It was quite stirring watching him as he moved with her across the floor...And as you can hear in the background there was lots of encouraging clapping and cheering...  A wonderful afternoon was had by all but I think a very overwhelmed and tired 100 year man wouldn't have been too long out of bed last evening...

Here is a shot of my Dad and Mum dancing... Mum would have been about 18 or 19 and Dad would have been about 22 or 23... I don't believe they were married at this stage...

This was a glamour publicity shot... Little did these two young people know what was ahead of them as they stared off  into the distance....

Until later, take care

Sharon  x x

...and welcome to you too..

My apologies to anyone who may be still swinging past this blog - I have been very neglectful... 2011 was a year which I am glad to see disappearing into the distance - but in saying that - it is one I won't forget in a hurry... But now it is time to move on and get on with the business of life in 2012...

One thing that I managed to maintain throughout the chaos of 2011 was my reading - I was pleasantly surprised to see that I have read 35 books in total... Not a huge amount for some people but quite a few for me. I tend to have two books on the go most of the time... My bus book which is self explanatory and a bedside book, again self explanatory... Usually one is a kid's or young adult novel and the other is what ever else takes my fancy... At the moment I have so many new books calling my name it is a wonder I am not deafened by the noise...

This year I will try to do a bit more of a review on the ones that stand out... You will notice in my side bar under READ 2011 there is an asterisk against the ones that really made an impact on me one way or another... But again only my personal opinion...

One of my very favorites and one not mentioned in my sidebar was a kid's picture book called Flotsam by David Wiesner. I discovered Flotsam while I was shelving some books in the book shop where I work. I was immediately captivated by the illustrations and the largely no text format... It was one of those books that the more you look at it the more you see... Of course I just had to add it to my pile... I keep it in my sewing room and look at it often... Flotsam continually offers me inspiration so much so I hope to utilize it as as starting point when I come to make one of my crazy quilt blocks for the Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012 - the block - needless to say - will have an underwater theme.  If you happen to come across Flotsam do your self a favor and take the time to have a look at it- you won't be disappointed... Meanwhile, watch the youtube sweetener...

Until later, take care

Sharon x x

Welcome 2012

Life, I believe is like a river - it takes you on a journey... There are bends, twists and rapids that keep us alert and vigilant from sloth and complacency...It has calm and peaceful moments which offers us the stillness in which to rest, reflect and dream ... 
Life, like a river - has  forever changing scenery - are we constantly straining forward to see what's ahead not stopping to appreciate what is before us... Life, like a river gives us opportunities to explore, discover and grow both in strength and mind... 


Where ever your 'river' takes you in 2012 may it be a journey, that it be abundant and prosperous and joyful...

Happy New Year!!