Dear You,
Today I made the acquaintance of a very charming and witty Australian poet, just so, in the foyer of the Bode-Museum - we talked for more than an hour - it was so interesting that time flew by. (And as a surplus I learned to pronounce "Melbourne" the right way).
"Count your blessings", I thought (because the start of the day hadn't been that fine, with a bad letter I got) - "just open your eyes: good things and people are everywhere!"
Might even change my blog-title to "Count Your Blessings", I thought - but then, after some thinking and coming from a Holbein-exhibition, I told myself: "Don't!"
I didn't like the word "count" - after a while of counting I might become like The Merchant Georg Gisze, painted by Hans Holbein in 1532 - the merchant's portrait you see above as a big poster at the museum's side.
I will keep the title "Dear You!" - but IF I want to change anything, I might better choose this one:
"Genius of Abundance" (by Edme Bouchardon (1698 - 1762).
(Though I'm pretty sure I won't).
Ozzie poets can be very witty. I had a book called Poetry my Arse. Maybe I still have it. And then there's Clive James of course. They have the gift of the gab. Maybe it comes from all that living upside down. I don't know how they manage to drink so much beer.
ReplyDeleteGwil, I had to look up "gab" to make sure I understood it right. Mmmh - I think that this Australian poet is really working with words, not blabbing. But I am with you that the few Australians I know all have mastery of connecting easily.
DeleteClive James is new to me - I will find out.
If I may be permitted to come in here, I would like to say please do look at Clive James, you will like him. He is a great writer, broadcaster, wit and critic. He is very ill with cancer and clinging on to life but has not lost his sense of humour I am pleased to say. You won't be disappointed in his writing.
DeleteI'm happy to see you here, Rachel, and thank you for the reference! I must have a look at his poems - saw only the notes on Wikipedia and think/hope that I know where to find a glimpse at his work. If I find it (and don't come into conflict with copyrights) I will post one of his poems in 'Happiness of the Day'.
DeleteHe is a great raconteur. And thank you for welcoming today.
DeleteI'm pleased you didn't rename your blog. Joy of Living is just perfect.
Delete1.) to Rachel: I found a lot of Clive James' poems on his webside - his books are often difficult to obtain, and some rare ones are really expensive. As I see it, he wasn't translated into German yet - interesting!
Delete2.) to Gwil: glad you like it, thank you.
I love the current title of your blog, but I also like "Count Your Blessings." Are you familiar with that song? (Part of it goes... "When you are troubled, and you can't sleep, try counting blessings instead of sheep, and you'll fall asleep counting your blessings." "When your bankroll is getting small, think of when you had none at all, and you'll fall asleep counting your blessings.") It's isn't unusual for me to sing that song while puttering around the house. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan - I did not know that song, and am not sure if I found the right one on youtube - a hymn sang by Guy Penrod (such a good-looking chap :-) The text differs from yours - but yours is lovely!
DeleteA day can turn on the smallest circumstance.
ReplyDeleteOr just give you a sweet little break, which is a lot too.
Delete"dear you, to count your blessings IS a joy of living!" it's already all there, Britta in your beautiful blog title! Greetings Maria x
ReplyDeleteHaha, Maria - all in one :-) But I found out that most people prefer posts to be short - so such a long title might be off-putting.
DeleteThe forerunner of this blog was "You are witty and pretty" - you see that on the little porcelain box in my header-photo (which I once found in an antique shop in Hastings) - and till today I ask myself why I changed it...
Definitely count your blessings is a good title. We should all spend more time paying attention to the good things in our lives. There are so many.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Emma - all the good things in one day, they are as you say, often overlooked or taken for granted. These days I enjoy listening to the chorus of early birds.
DeleteGenius of abundance is definitely tempting, and so appropriate to your joie de vivre. I'm curious about that pronouncing of Melbourne, too.
ReplyDeleteOh Sue - you always make me happy! I don't have phonetic script here - I only can say when I let the 'new' pronunciation nonchalantly in conversation with a friend, he said: "Häh?" (meaning: "Eh? Huh?") Sometimes being right makes you lonesome :-)
DeleteDear Brigitta, so glad to learn you are unlikely to change the title of your blog. But even if you do, I shall continue to address you as dear Brigitta.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Geo., I always appreciate that, and your address alone is a reason to keep the title. (I mean it, no irony).
DeleteBritta.. No change needed, but both new titles are quite nice. Sweet daughter gave me a little plaque that hangs beside my kitchen sink... "When I count my blessings, I count you twice!" Such a lovely thought and expresses my feelings about her, our son, and the lovely spouses in love they have brought to our family! Now, I am curious about that pronunciation, too? Will be counting my blessings instead of sheep tonight while humming that tune...thanks to Susan's comment above! Smiles...Susan
ReplyDeleteP.S. Have you noticed that Susan is a popular name among your blog friends? 😉
This present of your daughter is a wonderful idea - lifts spirits instantly! As to the pronunciation please look up what I said to Sue (oh yes, many lovely Susans here - in Germany you will find many Brigittes, even a popular journal is called so, but not often 'Brigitta' - that's why I always insist on the 'a' when an official writes it wrong)
DeleteIn this dismal world, where many unpleasant things can ruin our day, it's very important to remember "Just open your eyes: good things and people are everywhere".
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my two blogs, Brigitta!
Thank you, Jon - it was a pleasure! Some of the pictures of glamorous stars I still see in my mind.
DeleteIt's lovely meeting new people that you connect with, isn't it Britta ? A brilliant day all round !!!! XXXX
ReplyDeleteI was admiring the perfect stairs of the Bode-Museum, Jackie; and took a photo. That's why he spoke to me - he uses a 3D-camera and so we had a lot to talk about. XXXX
Delete