Ducks a Dreaming.

The weather has been wet for the past few days,---but that doesn't seem to worry the ducks. At the first blink of sunshine there they are on the rocks below us sunbathing and dreaming before they go off together for a swim, paddle or glide along the sea.

This little colony has been around for quite a few years now and they have really made themselves comfortable. They are so friendly, enjoy attention, and seem to appreciate the bread and cakes thrown to them by the locals. M y own thoughts on this though are that they are just being polite, and really they much prefer the algae and insects that they busily discover for themselves!---Much healthier too! Sadly though there was an exception;--- a white duck who besides being very beautiful was also very greedy. She enjoyed much more than her fair share of bread, and grew fatter and fatter day by day,.Then to our horror, at Christmas time she suddenly disappeared!! One of our friends, who was guilty of much bread throwing was utterly devastated, and nobody dared to suggest what might have happened!!

On to happier things! Whenever I see the ducks, a poem that I learned years ago at scool, comes to mind. I still remember bits and pieces, and I'm sure many do.It comes from the magical book 'Wind in the Willows 'by Kenneth Grahame.

A little extract from'Ducks' Ditty'---

All along the backwater'

Through the rushes tall,

Ducks are a dabbling,

Up tails all.

Ducks' tails, drakes' tails,

Yellow feet a-quiver,

Yellow bills all out of sight

Busy in the river!------

Bright colourful paintings and collage to inspire and uplift .Maureen Hughes

Bright colourful paintings and collage to inspire and uplift .Maureen Hughes

Click on title to view slideshow.

I've been a bit adventurous putting up my website slideshow here,----I have to admit it I'm not very bright when it comes to computer technology. Any advanced techniques throw me into a jittery state of confusion, and earlier this year my attempt to put up the one Bunty did for me on You Tube, put me in deep trouble! I'll try again though , ---it has music! Anyway, I'm learning!! ----And honestly, I wouldn't be comfortable being too much of a computer expert, I'm not rational enough for that!

When my daughter was about seven yars old she asked me one day what I did at work. I told her I worked at college-that my job was to teach people how to draw; she stared at me incredulous, and said,-'You mean they forget?'

Howard Ikomoto.

TODAY'S PAINTING----THIS YEAR'S OLIVES.

This Year's Olives.---textured acrylic on canvas.---€100

I know it's nothing to shout about, but our two little olive trees in tubs deserve a bit of praise;---I think so anyway!---The terrace is open to the elements on three sides, and the plants have endured last winter's buffeting especially the Gregal ,with a really positive approach;---they have managed to produce more than fifty olives,---round , fat, juicy ones at that!

So how could I not try to capture this in a little painting? Ofcourse I wouldn't dream of trying to reflect their animation and lively spirit.----and now----on to the bottling and preserving programme,----I hope so anyway, ---they deserve that too!! Mini scale ofcourse!

A great book you might enjoy is 'Extra Virgin' by Annie Hawes. It's the adventure of two sisters who set up home among the Ligurian olive groves;---a funny, magical read.

When one of my plants dies I die a little inside.

Linda Solegato.

Only when the last tree has died and the last river poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realise we can't eat money.

Cree Indian Proverb.

TODAY'S WEATHER!!

Still Summer-time!

To satisfy Bunty and to ease my conscience I have to admit that there wasn't the tiniest glimpse of the approach of autumn/winter today. Infact it was a sweltering south wind day with hardly a breath of that wind! Beautiful for swimming though ,with the sea lake-like, almost glassy this morning. ----I still intend to prepare myself though.Mind you I say this every year but I am always caught out!

Weather forecast for tonight--Dark.

George Carlin.

SUNFLOWERS.

Sunflowers----textured acrylic on stretched canvas 16x16 inches--€150

Why do I find myself painting sunflowers at this time of year?--- This week the evenings have been growing cooler and this morning we were almost caught in a torrential downpour.--- I have to admit it, I'm a 'Summer being' at heart. I love to feel the warmth of early sunshine seeping into me, and the thought of wild winds and the waves crashing on the rocks below us is a difficult one---(apologies to my windsurfing pals!)---

However I'm taking the positive approach ofcourse!--- I'm seeking out my winter woollies, hat and scarf included; I've found my trainers and a sturdy pair of boots that will be just fine,and we can look forward to enjoying a cosy evening watching some really good D.V.D.s ---and dare I whisper it, where's my hot water bottle? ---In Malta?! ---Yes, DEFINITELY in Malta.!!---Nobody can tell me that I don't try!---Meanwhile I'll carry on painting,---probably daisies next!

P.S.----How could I forget Christmas?---I love it!!

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love wih Spring.

George Santayana.

THREATENING STORMS.

Storm clouds have been gathering and yesterday there were bursts of torrential rain here in St Paul's Bay. Today the scene is bleak and windy. The boats are leaving, so are the 'summer people',--school uniforms are being organised, and the beach below is looking a bit desolate.-----The end of Summer!!

The best thing one can do when it's raining is let it rain.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Don't knock the weather; nine tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while.

Kim Hubbard.

AURIC PICTURE.

Auric Picture.

Years ago when living in England, friends sent me the above picture drawn by a very gifted man living near the shrine of the visionary Julian of Norwich. Accompanying the picture was a detailed explanation of the vision this person had experienced while drawing. He knew nothing about me, ---my friends had sent him a simple snapshot--myself wearing a yellow anorak. Although I did not understand too much of the accompanying notes at the time, ---over the years they have become so clear and are obviously of a very inspired prophetic nature.---This man was really able to look deeply into my soul suspending time.---- How wonderful if we could each look deeply into the soul of ourself and each other and know each other in a true way!

One may have a blazing hearth in one's soul and yet no one ever comes to sit by it. Passers- by see only a wisp of smoke from the chimney and continue on the way.

Vincent Van Gogh.

I simply believe that some part of the human Self or soul is not subject to the laws of space and time.

Carl Jung.

Souls wouldn't wear suits and ties, they'd wear blue jeans and sit cross legged with a glass of wine.

Carrie Latet

THE OASIS NEWS----AUTUMN 2009

The Oasis Studio now has a sign, and so I feel has more of an identity and personality. Of course I see it as a facet of the Oasis vision in that it offers an ambience of calm and peace and makes a positive statement through the paintings about the beauty and colour of creation, ---and a celebration of the Spirit of Life as the source of the animation.

All the facets of the Oasis vision are based on this simple acknowledgement of God's life -giving power, so it points to a way of life that follows this acknowledgement with a faith, dedication, simplicity,positive attitude and most of all love.---a love that reaches out at every moment to everyone and everything.

This way of life is the central theme of the Oasis vision, that foresees a final enlightened sphere where the enlightened people living this way will work in total harmony with the Spirit of Life to uplift the world into a New World of love and peace. The Oasis vision will then have actualised as a final and completeReality.

Maureen.