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"Pongáio" was the name my Aunt Mona gave to a long, green, cool room where we gathered at her home —
replete with comfy chairs, a rocker, sewing machine, sewing goods, beautiful beads, shelves, books, bibelots, photographs, odds'n'ends, mementos of a life, treasures —
a gathering of all the useful & 'useless' things that so make life a pleasure.



Sunday, December 30, 2007

"a moment in the heart is forever"

"During these last months, and during these many celebrations, I became aware of a refining of the energies, a revelation of who, among my own, would come along with me on the journey that begins now, and who would not. It was not a matter of who was the most temperamental or difficult, nor was it words or deeds that revealed their willingness -- it was simply a very clear signal that passed between us. I was surprised by some, saddened by others and comforted that the love we share will bridge the gaps of experience, that all paths lead to God/dess and that once we have welcomed another in, there is no escape -- a moment in the heart is forever."

"We are as prepared for all that's ahead as we have allowed ourselves to be -- and I think we will find it easier than we fear. In whatever way our holidays played out, we can recognize the hint of our blessings ahead and the last of our resistance -- tuck what's dear into your expanding heart, and as for the rest...take heed, rethink, forgive, let go. We've done all the "baggage handling" we need to do, now. There are creative opportunities ahead that can only be hindered by more of the same."
— Judith Gayle, Political Waves

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Christmas week

from Jonathan:
Your Week AheadHappy er.... Merry um... Well now, what exactly ARE we all supposed to be celebrating this week?
The baby Santa, born in a reindeer's stable at the time when the rising Sun changed direction along the horizon? The Jesus who turned over the moneylenders' tables so we could all run up credit card bills to celebrate his birthday? Is this Christmas? Xmas? Saturnalia? Or the Solstice?
Whatever it is, the planets suggest that, this year, more people may feel inclined to question convention than ever before. That's no bad thing.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Old Moon and Sister Stars


APOD - Astronomy Picture of the Day - 29.06.2006
Credit & Copyright: Vincent Jacques

Explanation: An old crescent Moon shares the eastern sky over Menton, France with the sister stars of the Pleiades cluster in this early morning skyscape recorded just last Friday, June 23rd. (Bright Venus was also near the eastern horizon, but is not pictured here.) Astronomical images of the well-known Pleiades often show the cluster's alluring blue reflection nebulae, but they are washed out here by the bright moonlight. Still, while the crescent Moon is overexposed, surface features can be seen on the dim lunar night side illuminated by earthshine - light from sunlit planet Earth. Of course, you can spot a young crescent Moon in the early evening sky tonight. Having left the Pleiades behind, a lovely lunar crescent now appears in the west, lining up with planets Mars, Saturn, and Mercury along the solar system's ecliptic plane.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

"POEMINHA. Curto, mas...profundo!"

From my cousin, by email:


Affonso Romano de Sant'Anna

A implosão da mentira


É um presidente que mente, mente
de corpo e alma, completamente.
E mente de maneira tão pungente
que a gente acha que ele mente sinceramente.
Mas que mente, sobretudo, impunemente...
E mente tão nacionalmente,
que acha que mentindo história afora
vai nos enganar eternamente.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Christmas time is near...

Alvin and the Chipmunks
Literaly, from the depth of Pongáio's ole trunks!!!



"The Alvin Show originally aired on CBS in 1961. This classic features the hit song that made the Chipmunks number 1!"

Linus and Lucy - Vince Guaraldi

Although a ... er... rather flamboyant personage, who even has a "tm" to his name, he's playing great rendition of a song I love, that brings back good childhood memories.


"Peter the Prince of Piano™ in concert on Elton John's RED PIANO. August 19, 2006 @ Greene Music. San Diego CA."

Happiness as Your Shadow

"We are what we think.
All that we are, arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world.


Speak or act with a pure mind
And happiness will follow you
As your shadow, unshakable.


How can a troubled mind understand the way?
Your worst enemy cannot harm you
as much as your own thoughts unguarded.


But once mastered,
No one can help you as much,
Not even your father or your mother."
— Buddha (from the Dhammapada, translated by Thomas Byron)

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

St. Cecilia, ... really?

I read someplace that Cecilia, Simon and Garfunkel's jolly tune, is based on Saint Cecilia... er... really?
?
Aaah... as in:
"The song does reference St. Cecilia and describes Simon's frustration with his muse leaving him and his jubilation upon her return"  
(had this quote written down in a notebook... have to try and see from where I got it)

I always loved this song so nice to know not just about a flighty girlfriend, but about the artist's muse. And it's rhythm also goes along perfectly well with the rhythm of opening a can with and old fashioned can-opener!

                             Cecilia 
                                        — Simon & Garfunkel

                             CHORUS:
                             Cecilia, you're breaking my heart,
                             You're shaking my confidence daily.
                             Oh Cecilia, I'm down on m my knees,
                             I'm begging you please to come home.
                             Come on home

                             CHORUS

                             Making love in the afternoon
                             with Cecilia up in my bedroom,
                             I got up to wash my face
                             When I come back to bed,
                             Someone's taken my place

                             CHORUS

                             Jubilation,
                             She loves me again,
                             I fall on the floor and I'm laughing
                             Jubilation,
                             She loves me again,
                             I fall on the floor and I'm laughing

Monday, December 03, 2007

Enxaqueca ("Migraine")


Enxada quebrando a cabeça.
Enxada quebrando a cabeça.
Enxada quebrando a cabeça.
Enxada quebrando a cabeça.
— © 2007 K. S. (that's me!)


Note: a "visual poem"; gets lost in translation, but the meaning is
"A hoe breaking open my head".
All who suffer from migraines can get the gist.