Almost April-----a contrary month I think----My painting for today-----TREES.

TREES.--- Watercolour on cotton paper  -16" x 12"

I always feel that April is a little contrary in its offerings.

I think that T.S. Eliot  is being a bit harsh when he calls it 

'the cruellest month', but certainly here in Malta we can be

 subjected to some harsh winds as well as glorious

spring-like days.  

Vividly I call to mind that beautiful April poem by Laurie Lee,

I remember reciting it once at a school Open Day.

It is such a gentle poem, yet so full of  colourful,

animated imagery, so resonant with the sense of

new Life and hope.

    APRIL  RISE. 

If ever I saw blessing in the air

I see it now in this still early day

                    Where lemon-green the vaporous morning drips

Wet sunlight on the powder of my eye.

        Blown bubble -film of blue, the sky wraps round

       Weeds of warm light whose every root and rod

     Splutters with soapy green, and all the world

                          Sweats with the bead of Summer in its bud. 

 If ever I heard blessing it is there

           Where birds in trees that shoals and shadows are

         Splash with their hidden wings and drops of sound

    Break on my ears their crests of throbbing air.

Pure in the haze the emerald sun dilates,

The lips of sparrows milk the mossy stones,

While white as water by the lake a girl

Swims her green hand among the gathered swans.

Now, as the almond burns its smoking wick,

Dropping small flames to light the candled grass;

Now as my low blood scales its second chance,

If ever world were blessed, now it is.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/

has copies of  a selection of  Laurie Lee's poems.

T

                

                                                                

Scenes along the way--- and Eva Cassidy's version-' Fields of Gold.'

 

Through the dancing poppies stole a breeze most softly lulling to my soul.'

                             John Keats.

How easy it is to take things for granted and

fail to notice  little glimpses of the simple and the lovely.

On our way to the studio yesterday, there on a patch of waste ground a

little  patch of poppies  swayed gently in the breeze.They

always move me with their brightness and fragility, their

power of evoking memories of  corn fields in England 

splashed with scarlet, their symbolic note on themes of war and peace.

So too these stirred memories and  brought to mind

 the same kind of gentle yet powerful imagery to be 

found for me in Sting's lovely lyrics and music---Fields of Gold.

I find Eva Cassidy's version of this beautiful, simple

and so moving. 

                                                                               

JUST DRINKING IN THE PEACE.

We've had some really glorious Spring days here in Malta recently.

and after a dreary winter this seems to 'galvanise' people into activity.

Spring cleaning starts vigorously with some, others move themselves

 into a fitness programme and more and more joggers appear

 in their trendy gear.Others decide that for them it's a day out

in the sun, just drinking in the peace.

Suddenly the rocks below lose their barren look and are dotted

with people:- people wandering, people laughing,

people just lying there dreaming,delighting in this

simple momentof sunlight. Things seems to come alive again

and for now all is well with the world.

Seeing this I'm reminded once again that deep down it is simplicity

that we yearn for; -a simplicity born of those natural gifts

offered as refreshment and renewal, bringing with them a sense of true freedom

and peace.

'The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unecessary so that

the necessary may speak.'

Hans Hofmann.----Introduction to the Bootstrap.1993

TODAY'S PAINTING-SUNFLOWERS-----and those great little seeds!

Sunflowers-Textured acrylic on boxed stretched canvas  -prints available.

http://www.maureenhughes.artspan.com/

'Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.It's what the sunflowers do.'-   Helen Keller.

I think that sunflowers are lovely in the right setting.

We once tried to grow them here on the terrace but

somehow they looked wrong,-too huge really! I feel they need to be grown

'en masse' in a large field where their beauty can really be

appreciated in all its glory.

On the other hand, sunflower seeds play a very prominent

part in our life and diet, and I love their chewy texture on

cereals, or added to nut loaves or cakes.

Coming from the sunflower and its love of the sun's energy

I feel sure that the 'health authorities' are right in acclaiming their

benifits,-some being:-

Excellent source of vitamin E.

Cholesterol balancing.

Immune system booster.

Calming for nerves and muscles.

Balance blood pressure.

Excellent detox.

I could go on and on, but a really good website for more info.is:-

http://www.whfoods.org/

Next thing we hope to try are some chia seeds.---If we can'get hold of them'!

Mo.

P.S. If anyone here in Malta knows of a source of good organic

fruit and veg.(Not Gaia.) but around the St. Paul's area,I'd

 love to hear.

Betrayal over genetically modified food in Brussels.----so unethical.

I was interested to see the  headline above  in yesterday's  paper,

The Times of Malta.:-

http://www.timesofmalta.com/

Written by our dentist Klaus Vella Bardon it is interesting and well- informed.

He deplores the fact that  the Maltese politician John Dalli-acting as European Commissioner has decided to approve the cultivation of

genetically-modified potatoes in Europe. Like

myself he is increasingly concerned about the ethical and

social repercussions of this decision.

 Klaus believes that the public in general is not aware of the

way in which agribusinesses have taken control of the food industry 

world wide and the way  they influence agricultural production, and they

rely on politicians to defend the common good.He feels too that such

politicians are consantly under pressure from 'non- democratic

 lobbying.'

With regard to Europe's Common Agricultural Policy

he has hoped that Mr Dalli would have the courage and

vision to influence it in the interest of both farmers and consumers;

an alternative approach to agriculture, one which is

'environmentally .economically, culturally and socially sustainable,

                   which will help reduce poverty and protect the environment.'

              He also hopes that he will reconsider  his decision in the light of

           public 'outcry.'

                   Klaus believes as I do that most of the European public wants

                     a policy that 'promotes bio-diversity and safeguards the regional

                   and traditional farming methods,' ----and that this implies

                   'small scale, organic, labour intensive farming that revives

                     rural economies''---

                   I am in complete agreement with Klaus.-----Recently we have had

                  great difficulty here in Malta finding fresh organically grown

                  fruit and veg. ---What a great pity!

 

                               Two books recommended by Klaus.----

                ' Eat Your Heart Out.'----Felicity Lawrence.

                        'PatentingLife,'Stop !---Fr.Sean MDonagh.                                           

                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                   

THE OASIS NEWSLETTER FOR SPRING 2010.

Sleepy morning at St. Paul's Bay.

Outside the Oasis Studio.

                                                                                  
                                            

The last several mornings have breathed out Spring, so, inspiring me to put together the Spring

 Oasis Newsletter.

Spring is a time of newness ,freshness, a deep connection with life and living, and infact this is

what the Oasis Vision is all about. Based on a long-standing spiritual experience, it offers a Way of Life

that in many ways is at odds with the main current of the materialistic world that we find ourselves in today.

Its programme is essentially a simple one,-but this doesn't mean an easy one. It requires a deep simple

belief in the power of Love and a dedicated commitment to a functional use of this each and every day

of our life with everyone we meet and think of- infact everyone in the world,-a world that needs love and peace.

The Oasis vision is bound to the simplicity of life. A realisation that a materialistic world is causing us much stress, confusion, anxiety and fear and so one needs to live with a sincere  desire not to ,make an acquisition of money and material

goods any kind of focus as a priority in life.   A psychological uncluttering

goes along with this simplification.

HEALING MOMENTS C. D.

Ofcourse this means giving space each day to try to still the mind and the body, and so make contact

with the soul- that part of us  where we really find ourself and the peace and enlightenment that we all need to  simplify, unclutter and become whole. I have recorded a few, simple C.D.'s to help with this

please feel free to be in touch about these if you have an interest. 

Nature is so bound to this vision, and natural things are are seen as fundamental. In a world where drug companies are so prevalent the Oasis believes in wholesome, natural foods, regular exercise and ofcourse a time for recreation and creativity to refresh and renew.                  

Most of all the Oasis Vision is about entering life fully,positively and happily in this holistic way, with a sense of animation , and joy; responding with our whole being to the natural beauty , and the Spirit of Life that source of life energy, always around us if we become truly aware of it, nurturing it and sharing it with others,and feeling free.

This year I am choosing the Oasis Studio as a  meeting place.

It's a peaceful place- a place for relaxing in for a while to enjoy

some easy conversation.I'm  happy to give an evening session here with

a more focused emphasis on the Oasis Way of Life or simply to offer a Relaxation-Meditation Session.

I am also happy to hear suggestions or thoughts

about this from anyone.- Just be in touch.

We make a definite point of being at the studio saturday mornings- 10-00 to 12-00.

 Drop by for a chat!

  Maureen.

                                                                         

Spring -----and a dilemma!

I love Spring time, here in Malta I find it the most beautiful season; the land is still green,

wild flowers are shooting up everywhere, birds are busy with their nests,down in the bay the boats are entering the scene,

people are opening doors and windows, drinking in the newness of it all. 

 

So yes, I love Spring!----but we do have several small problems!

1.----The terrace faces North  and is open on three sides.

During the winter the plants take a battering from what are often severe ,wild winds.

2.Spring here doesn't last for long before the intense heat arrives, and once again the terrace is

vulnerable,-this time to a relentless, burning sun.

3. Our budget for plant and shrub growing is limited.

So although I dream of a riot of colour, and a profusion of exotic flowers,

common sense takes over and we adapt!

This means that we try our best with sturdy plants that can also be useful as

natural remedies.

Alfalfa, prickly pear and aloe vera always do well and we use them regularly.

Our plants take their own, contrary time, and seem to be several weeks behind

those who live in sheltered gardens. But after a while they make it.

And ofcourse, there is the good old faithful geranium!

.

The pomegranate is beginning to shoot.----

A solitary daisy bloomed this morning.-----

And--- oh yes, for the last several, beautiful days,the butterfies are

there  fluttering happily around!---It must be Spring!

living the simple life----well,-trying to!

Last night a lovely western sky,Selmun Palace silhouetted in the distance,

and the promise that tomorrow will be a lovely Spring day.

So it is!--- Off  we go for our morning walk,all is still  dark;

Marius' cockerel is waking us really early now

so -why linger?

At the studio the  Palazzo Gates  stand majestic in  the moonlight  ,

the old, old palms are shrouded in darkness and  mystery.

Still dark on our return; and as we approach the flat

the sea by our side,  looming  out of the darkness-

the watchtower,-still, silent, old,playing on the senses with its

past life, -gently stirring the emotions.

                                                                   
                                       Once inside, enjoying breakfast,  the cockerel is still crowing
                                                          and daylight creeps  upon us quietly.

                                        Soon it has arrived, the day is with us, and outside, down below
                                         there is Cikko already out in his little boat, his net poised to
                                                                  catch the octopus.

                                            A simple start to the day,-but I'm growing to be thankful
                                                  more and more for these simple things, the things,
                                                          that are always there;
                                                  the things that in their essence offer true beauty,
                                           peace and joy,----the things that for me give life meaning.

                                                                      Mo.





                                        

TODAY'S PAINTING- LIGHT VIBRATIONS----and a simple energiser.

Iight  Vibrations---acrylic on canvas.See my website for more originals

and prints.---- http://www.maureenhughes.artspan.com/ 

As Spring moves in and  I grow more and more aware of  lightness

I find it easier to relate to the whole theme of light's healing power.

I believe , like so many, that the energy from light is pervading everyone

and everything  all the time, and that this light is the very source of life itself.

Infact that it is the Life- force, God's Spirit at work in the world, energising and healing if we allow it to.

A simple exercise that I try to use often,  and find  helpful,

 because it keeps me so aware of the importance

of free movement and exercise

especially in the open air, with some deep

breathing. So important!

. So if you are out walking

 by yourself or having a quiet moment

for a little free expression or dancing if you feel in the mood,

try this:-

Just  move in your own free way,and visualise the light and energy around

you as little particles of colour- very shiny and bright. Breathe them in deeply

as you move, and see this energy and colour  circulating

through your body very actively, sparkling and shining.

As you breathe out, see them vibrating, resonating and

extending into the atmosphere,giving  a really strengthened

supply to anyone around you absorbing them. Simply vibrant,positive

strengthening energy for yourself and everyone you meet.

Mo.

Night Taffic.

'From within or behind, a light shines through us upon all things and makes

us aware that we are nothing, but the light is all.

  Ralph Waldo Emerson.

                                                                            

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY ----and wishing you all many blessings!

They say that there's a little bit of Irish in all of us so

Happy St. Patrick's Day to us all.

I certainly have Irish connections,-my Gran and Grandad on my Mother's

side were Irish. Although they later moved to Scotland my Gran. never

moved away from her' Irishness.' 

She loved her big farmhouse kitchen

and was always happiest sitting there

shelling peas and humming to herself.

I well remember this little ditty:-

There's a dear little plant that grows on our isle

'Twas St Patrick himself sure that set it;

And the sun on his labour with pleasure did smile,

And the dew from his eye often wet it.

It thrives through the bog, through the brake and the mireland,

And they called it the dear little shamrock of Ireland.

Andrew Cherry.

It  was lovely to receive an Irish greeting card from Cathy and Ruben

and ofcourse we wish them a great St. Pat's. Day.

And the very same to everyone, everywhere!

St Patrick's Day is an enchanted time; a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic.

Adrienne Cook.

TODAY'S PAINTING---GIRL IN WHITE-----and some thoughts about colour healing.

Acrylic on stretched canvas---see my website for originals and prints.-

http://www.maureenhughes.artspan.com/

At the coffee shop the other day we were talking about natural remedies

when Joey with great emphasis said knowingly,-'You should wear white!'

At that moment I was wearing a red T shirt and black trousers! I know though

that although Joey isn't really aware of it he works often with an inherent intuition,

sometimes I think that he is a bit 'over the top,' but very often his words ring true.

Anyway, his words made sense to me because I really love the colour white.

For me the perfect dress -(ofcourse in the perfect weather!)

is light cheesecloth or linen, white, loose, and sleeveless.

No shoes,  simply bare feet and loose hair,- maybe just a touch of beads

in wood or coral, around  the neck, in the hair,- feeling

easy, light and carefree.

Ofcourse we don't have perfect weather,

so I have to adapt, and because I'm Aries,

red is often the colour I choose to feel more alive and energised,

-that or soothing green. It's the same with the room settings

in winter, more red,- in spring, summer more green;---but always white walls.

The alternative practice of Chromotherapy goes way back

to ancient times,when it was believed that  most  diseases could

be treated by using coloured light.'Colour Halls' were used

in ancient Egypt, China and India.

Many believe that white is the colour that has the highest charging 

field to bring peace, comfort and relieve pain.That it can

work on all levels physical,mental, emotional,

spiritual, and will allow enlightenment.

 

As G.K. Chesterton says-'White---is not a mere absence of colour; it

is a shining affirmative thing; as fierce as red, as definite as black,---

God paints in many colours, but he never

paints so gorgeously, I almost said gaudily, as when he paints in white.'

So my flower is the Daisy

 my birthstone is Diamond, 

and  although I'm of the Fire sign,

I believe that there is such a thing

as White Fire.

So I think Joey is right,

I should wear white!

Mo.

DON'T FORGET THE HONEY!

D

POOH BEAR AND THE HONEY TREE (Part 1)

I was scraping out the honey jar this morning,
thinking how much I enjoy the taste, and believing

 it to be one of the most wholesome nutritious foods,

 when I found myself thinking about Pooh Bear and

 his honey adventures.

How I love Pooh Bear. This goes way back to when

 I was given my Christopher Robin story book as a

class prize in Infant school. Once  again sitting in my

usual place in the garden, I delighted in the lovely pictures,

the verses, the characters and their adventures. No-one

dared to disturb me,- I  was in Heaven!

 So I thought that, this morning I would treat us to a video

of part of Pooh's honey adventure. An animated version, I like

the feel of the interpretation---just simple relaxation

With a little nostalgia.

Honey is a prolific food in Malta,and so it should

be  with it's translated name Melita.The difficulty

though is in trying to be sure that it is really pure

with no added sugar or from sugar- fed bees.

A well known expert bee-keeper is Arnold Grech

who lives in Attard and has won many awards in recognition

of his expertise.People believe in his honey to help

cure many ailments and it is truly delicious.

Recently we have discovered another source who will

deliver the honey, and offers a range of jar sizes.

http://www.maltesehoney.co.uk/

It's a family run apiary at Bahrija

the predominant flavours being  thyme,

clover and carob.His website is quite informative.

Meanwhile-'Long live honey!' It certainly adds

sweetness to the day's journey.

Bahrija---scene of the' honey area'-Anther Honey.