Good Morning!

Well...
Still here; the blog, that is.
So, Good Morning!

I think I'll stay here at Blogger... although the domain doesn't appeal to me.
After all, blogSPOT sounds like something you have to remove quickly from the uphostelry before it sets in!

But it'll be fun to play with html code again in setting up a personalized template.
This one, Scribe, is already pretty nice — fantástico compared to the gawdawfull ones supplied at the other blog server.

... images

From what I understood, a giga for images, saved at someplace-Picasa...
Can that be right? All that for images? That is an improvement from the allowance before!

... formatting posts

Hmmmnnnnnn...
Basic formating for the posts easier:
text color easy...
fonts also — if of pre-chosen 7; these must be the "safe" ones...
sizes...  size size size size size
sizes... smallest size  small size normal size large size largest size
An Uh Oh!: no diference on the published page between smallest and small... something in the template?

... and other interesting stuff

... new tools *sigh*

Hmmmnnnnnnn... lots of new stuff here at Blogger, compared to the "old" days...
and my patience to learn oh-so-very-very-short…

Back to Blogging

Today I decided to put into action my desire to get back to blogging. This wish runs hot-cold, or rather, warm-cold...
I'd like a blog, but not anything that becomes another responsability! (or gives me any headches!)

I made the new blog at Weblogger, but...

I made this new blog here at Blogger also... at weblogger images aren't being uploaded!
I've always had some problems with weblogger, so I guess I'll just stay here.

Hideaway

"Hideaway"

Illustration Credit & Copyright: Inga Nielsen
from APOD 20 June 2006 - "Hideaway"

Update: Inga Nielson's site Gate to Nowhere

Tubby... ... ...

My sister gifted me with a little book, A. A. Milne's When We Were Very Young, of 1924, the 1961 edition — lovely!
The delicous illustrations, or "decorations" as is written on the cover, are by Ernest H. Shepard.

In it I found a poem with a very present day subject, even though nearly 100 years old, concerning a little bear who later on become famous as Winnie-the-Pooh.



Teddy Bear

A bear, however hard he tries,
Grows tubby without exercise.
Our Teddy Bear is short and fat
Which is not to be wondered at;
He gets what exercise he can
By falling off the ottoman,
But generaly seems to lack
The energy to clamber back.

Now tubbiness is just the thing
Which gets a fellow wondering;
And Teddy worried lots about
The fact that he was rather stout.
He thought: "If only I were thin!
But how does anyone begin?"
He thought: "It really isn't fair
To grudge me exercise and air."

For many weeks he pressed in vain
His nose agaisnt the window-pane.
And envied those who walked about
Reducing their unwanted stout.
None of the people he could see
"Is quite" (he said) "as fat as me!"
Then, with a still more moving sigh,
"I mean" (he said) "as fat as I!"

Now Teddy, as was only right,
Slept in the ottoman at night,
And with him crowded in as well
More animals than I can tell;
Not only these, but books and things,
Such as a kind relation brings—
Old tales of "Once upon a time,"
And history retold in rhyme.

One night it happened that he took
A peep at an old picture-book,
Wherein he came across by chance
The picture of the King of France
(A stoutish man) and, down below,
These words: "King Louis So and So,
Nicknamed 'The Handsome' " There he sat,
And (think of it!) the man was fat!

Our bear rejoiced like anything
To read about this famous King,
Nicknamed "The Handsome." There he sat,
And certainly the man was fat.
Nicknamed "The Handsome." Not a doubt
The man was definetly stout.
Why then, a bear (for all his tub)
Might yet be named "The Handsome Cub!"

"Might yet be named." Or did he mean
That years ago he "might have been"?
For now he felt a slight misgiving:
"Is Louis So and So still living?
Fashions in beauty have a way
Of altering from day to day.
Is 'Handsome Louis' with us yet?
Unfortunately I forget."

Next morning (nose to window-pane)
The doubt occured to him again.
One question hammered in his head:
"Is he alive or dead?"
Thus, nose to pane, he pondered; but
The lattice window, loosely shut,
Swung open. With one startled "Oh!"
Our Teddy disappeared below.

There happened to be passing by
A plump man with a twinkling eye,
Who, seeing Teddy in the street,
Raised him politely to his feet,
And murmured kindly in his ear
Soft words of comfort and of cheer:
"Well, well!" "Allow me!" "Not at all."
"Tut-tut!" "A very nasty fall."

Our Teddy answered not a word;
It's doubtful if he even heard.
Our bear could only look and look:
The stout man from the picture-book!
That "handsome" King—could this be he,
This man of adiposity?
"Impossible," he thought. "But still,
No harm in asking. Yes I will!"

"Are you, " he said, "by any chance
His majesty the King of France?"
The other answered, "I am that,"
Bowed stiffly, and removed his hat;
Then said, "Excuse me" with an air,
"But is it Mr. Eduard Bear?"
And Teddy, bending very low,
Replied politely, "Even so!"

They stood beaneath the window there,
The King and Mr. Edward Bear,
And, handsome, if a trifle fat,
Talked carelessly of this and that ...
Then said His Majesty, "Well, well,
I must get on," and rang the bell.
"Your bear, I think," he smiled. "Good-day!"
And turned, and went upon his way.

A bear, however hard he tries,
Grows tubby without exercise.
Our Teddy Bear is short and fat,
Which is not to be wondered at.
But do you think it worries him
To know that he is far from slim?
No, just the other way about—
He's proud of being short and stout.

Those Candles!

"You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake."
Bob Hope 1903 - 2003

Ate Eight

After all the trips in the recent months, including the one to the Tropic of Cancer with maletim, I gained eight kilos.
I write out eight, and in very small font, as more discreet than the numeral...

*sigh...*

A non-consolation: I'm in fashion in certain art circles — I'm a Botero!
      ( buaááááááá... )

© Fernando Botero

Wearing the Collar

                I live with a lady and four cats
                and some days we all get
                along.

                some days I have trouble with
                one of the
                cats.

                other days I have trouble with
                two of the
                cats.

                other days,
                three.

                some days I have trouble with
                all four of the
                cats

                and the
                lady:

                tens eyes looking at me
                as if I was a dog.

— Charles Bukowski, American, b.1920

25

Materially, my sweetie gave me these beautiful little flowers...
and I gave him a gravata*! ; ))))

Moro nas fronteiras

dos teus olhos

com meu coração

Ai, como é bom se a vida alcança

um rabisco na lembrança

que a infância prometeu

...

Viajante nas estrelas

Entrei na constelação

era uma roda ciranda

cantigas do meu bem querer

Ah! eu queria constelar só mais 'ocê

e esconder onde Mãe Lua

pousou com seu clarão

Só que só eu escondo não

Escondo só se for com 'ocê

Iô, iô para nós dois falá de amô

Oh! Iô, iô

Falar de constelação

***

...

Sorte de mim

que amarrei os meus cabelos

no tear que tens nos dedos

prá fazer tranças de amor

Tem nome de jardim

o lar que preparei

Tem o fogo dos teus olhos

o sol que me acordou

E mesmo assim sendo só

semente em flor

Replantei um pé de amor

no coração de 'ocê

...

***

Quando eu lembro de você

me sobe no corpo uma quentura

de quando contigo

feito um beijo de quem afina

viola menina em paixão

ritmando o meu coração

o meu coração

Quando eu lembro de você

te sinto no colo em canção

Viola quebrada é licão

A quem nunca amou prá valer...

Cirandinha *** Tear *** Viola Menina
Josino Medina, sung by Pereira da Viola 

[a tie, but also a choke-hold!!!  ; )))) ]

Guests and a Present

Besides all the travelling I've been doing recently, I received several sets of guest at my home.
Some peaceful, some not so....

In the very simpático gang was my small 6 yr-old niece, who made me this going-away present, a drawing for Auntie!

Oops!

A limerick for my cat-loving friends

from: Smithsoniam Magazine

The 25th

So that the upcoming 25th be of Silver...

É Necessário                                    Geraldo Espíndola       É necessário
       você
       preparar seu amor
       arrumar sua cama
       ascender sua chama

       para me receber essa noite
       para não pretender
       mais
       que sou
       para se proteger
       disso tudo seu pavor
       ninguém vai nos fazer mal

       Quando você cai dentro
       do meu coração
       É como se o sol e a lua
       se esparramassem pelo chão

       É importante
       você
       me saber acolher
       como eu colho em você
       esperanças de querer

       E deitar do seu lado de noite
       e deixar que a paixão
       me domine
       Num abraço pretender
       ser mais forte
       do que as leis
       que me prendem a você

The Small Daily Gross-outs Of Life

Dr. Derma's

Oriental

Calligraphy

I received these images by email...

a whole new meaning for birdwatching!

... nice kitty

Month of May

                          Mês de Maio
                 Almir Sater / Paulo Simões

Azul do céu brilhou
Mês de maio
Enfim chegou
Olhos vão se abrir
Pra tanta cor

É mês de maio
A vida tem seu esplendor

A luz do sol entrou
Pela janela
Me convidou pra tarde tão bela
E sem calor

É mês de maio
Saio e vou ver o sol se pôr

Horizonte de aquarela
Que ninguém jamais pintou
E enxame de estrelas
Diz que o dia terminou

Noite nem se firmou
E a lua cheia já clareou

Sombras podem ir
Façam o favor
É mês de maio
É tempo de ser sonhador

Quem não se enamorou
No mês de maio
Bem que tentou

E quem não tiver ainda amor
Dos solitários
O mês de maio é o protetor

Boa Terra velha esfera
Que nos leva aonde for
Pro futuro quem nos dera
Que te dessem mais valor

23 Things to Write on Your T-shirt

• Don't tick me off! I'm running out of places to hide the bodies.
  
• Guys have feelings too. But like... who cares?
  
• I don't believe in miracles. I rely on them.
  
• Next mood swing: 6 minutes.
  
• I hate everybody, and you're next.
  
• Please don't make me kill you.
  
• Your point being?
  
• I used to be schizophrenic, but we're ok now.
  
• I'm busy. You're ugly. Have a nice day.
  
• Warning: I have an attitude and I know how to use it.
  
• Of course I don't look busy... I did it right the first time.
  
• Why do people with closed minds always open their mouths?
  
• I'm multi-talented: I can talk and tick you off at the same time.
  
• Do NOT start with me. You will NOT win.
  
• You have the right to remain silent, so please SHUT UP.
  
• All stressed out and no one to choke.
  
• I'm one of those bad things that happen to good people.
  
• How can I miss you if you won't go away?
  
• Sorry if I looked interested. I'm not.
  
• Don't you have anything better to do than stare at my T-shirt?
  
• If you can read this, you are within punch range.
  
• I'm one of those persons your mother warned you about.
  
• Shut up and kiss me!

From this site, indicated by Mari:
http://members.chello.se/hansdotter/index_en.html

Friendship

Oath of Friendship

Shang ya!
I want to be your friend
For ever and ever without a break or decay.
When the hills are all flat
And the rivers run dry,
When it lightens and thunders in winter,
When it rains and snows in summer,
When Heaven and Earth mingle —
Not till then will I part from you.

— Anonymous, China, 1st century B.C.

Never too Late!

Carnaval 2003

Jornal do Brasil  05.03.2003