My Dad instilled in me an appreciation for, and a love of, Literature & the Fine Arts which I still hold close in my heart today.
I recall classical music filling our home and Dad "conducting" away furiously to his favourite pieces, sometimes we would just sit and watch him listening to the pieces, and sometimes we would join in "conducting"
which would always bring a smile to his face.
I used to love having him read to me at bedtime - he was a wonderful storyteller and narrator.
Now that I read to my own children, I know he must have enjoyed reading to me the stories of his childhood, and making up stories that would hold us enthralled
as much as I enjoyed listening to them.
When I read to my children it's like I am greeting "old friends" when I myself revisit some of the stories that
he read to me as a child.
I get such enjoyment from reading a story and seeing the wonder and excitement on my children's faces just as I imagine showed on mine as a child.
My Dad was an artist in his spare time and I loved seeing
his finished art works and his various creative projects of wood and clay sculptures.
I was so proud of him and his talent and wished I could be as talented as he was.
The only trouble was that he was a perfectionist, and no matter how hard I tried, there was always something not quite right with my feeble attempts at creativity.
He was quite right of course in his observations - the perspective was "off" or the light not right etc. but even though I would like to be artistic in the "hands on" sense
I have not been able to access what I feel must be locked inside there somewhere.
I decided instead to write poetry and have used this
a form of therapy during the difficult periods of my life, but also a way of expressing joy and my "way of seeing"
in this world.
I also have written some short stories for children and love doing this especially when my children sit enthralled at a story I have written.
Sometimes I must admit my hand still wants to reach for an easel and paintbrush or the pastels and an art block. *smile*
Who knows? Maybe one day I will.
Do check out my other pages that list some of my favourite artists, poetry and books.
You will find them in Who is Maya? pg 6,
Australia, Australian Aboriginal, Faeries, Angels
& Favourite Card Sites.
On the next page you will find some beautiful links to some of the old Classics in Children's Literature, Poetry sites and Art sites that feature some of my favourite artists.
Enjoy your stay.
Just click on Enter and Share the Joy.
Some of my Favourite Quotations:
The best and most beautiful things in the world can not be seen, or even touched. They must be felt within the heart.
Helen Keller
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the
appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson |
