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From Here To Timbuktu

Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you.

I’ve been very conscious that my Friday song choices are far from diverse. Unfortunately my musical education is very limited, both in time and in place. However, there is a much bigger world of music out there than I can ever hope to know. Music exists everywhere, even in countries and regions where there are those that would seek to stamp it out. A world without music is a world without hope. Take Mali, for example. In some regions, music is forbidden through violence and intimidation. Armed conflict and violent extremism continues in Mali. Government in Mali is also in disarray as evidenced by a military coup that took place just over a week ago, perhaps after the ruling party failed to meet the basic needs of citizens for food, water, shelter, health and safety, let alone those needs that would see Malians thrive into the future.

Aigachatou, a single mother and her children, standing in front of their makeshift tent after fleeing violence in Timbuktu. Credit: TOGO Moise/NRC

On that depressing note, shall we hear a lament to the ancient city of Timbukto (Mali) by renowned Malian singer, Fatoumata Diawara?

Stay safe, sane and kind, everyone.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

Header Image Description: The kora is played in Mali.
Photo Credit: KannanShanmugamstudio,Main Road,Kollam / CC BY-SA

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Everyday Mosaic Supplies

For Patti, who has always wanted to make a mosaic.

I always complain about not having enough space. The garage and my outdoor workspace are overflowing with stuff. My stuff. My mosaic stuff. Everything is covered with dust and cobwebs. I love it. It is a magical space full of wonder. Perhaps my affinity for tiles is instinctual, in my genes. My father was a builder in his youth. He loved concrete and his concreting skills were in high demand for major commercial builds. Funnily enough, my brother is now a tiler, a trade he came to later in life.

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Love You, Love You Not

Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you.

At this particular moment in time, I am indeed very fortunate. It has been over a month since a Covid-19 case was reported in Canberra, Australia’s national capital. This means that I am relatively free to go about my business provided I maintain social distancing, which for me is relatively easy. That being the case, I have been continuing my winter training, the purpose of which is to ensure that as many magpies as possible make my acquaintance before magpie swooping/breeding season kicks in.

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Creative Comforts

Do you like my title for this blog post? I like it, but I amuse myself. However that (thinking up pithy blog titles) is about the extent of my creativity in the time of Covid. Consequently, I’ve been thinking a lot about buying a new house – one with two bathrooms; one bathroom for the healthy people and one for the sick people. Not that we have any sick people yet, but you never know …. This (thinking about buying a new house) is what I do when I don’t spend time on my art projects. When I’m in the right frame of mind and the weather permits, fiddling with tiles is my passion. I’ve been inspired by a fellow blogger to be arty this month, so I’ve started the prep for a couple of mosaics.

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Take A Seat

It’s that time again — time for Su’s virtual afternoon tea. Once a month, Su at Zimmerbitch hosts afternoon tea in the blogosphere and we are all invited. You can bring something to share or just go along for a chat. I am also combining my visit to Su’s with my (early) Friday song day. My Friday song day happens each Friday (except when I post on Thursday night), and is where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you.

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Love Letter to Victoria

Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you.

The Australian state of Victoria, and its capital city, Melbourne, are doing it tough at the moment. Victorians are sheltering in their homes in a herculean bid to bring down the number of Covid-19 infections. There is everything to love about Victoria. I dedicate my song selection this week, Love Letter, to all Victorians. However, I’m leaving the writing and singing of this love letter to the experts, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.

You can do it, Victoria. I have faith in you.

Can’t wait to see you again.

All my love.
Tracy.

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When Am I Too Much For This Place?

This week’s theme for the Lens Artists Photo Challenge is Sanctuary.  I’m not sure what more can be said about this topic that I haven’t said already, so I’ve decided to re-post my earlier discussion/photos on this subject.  At that time, I said that I didn’t feel safe anywhere.  That is not quite true.  I do feel safe with my family.  Thank goodness for that because in these days of Covid and being confined to home (provided you are lucky enough to have one of those), there are many people fearful of the ones they should be able to trust the most.

WordPress (and now the Lens-Artists Challenge) has asked us to explore what it means to find your place in the world.  Where’s your safe space?  Where do you go when you need to feel inspired or cheered up?  Do you prefer the city over a small town?  I have to admit I find this an incredibly difficult challenge because I feel very ambivalent about my place in the world.  I don’t feel safe, or comforted, or any of the things that WordPress has asked us to explore.  I feel that I am possibly too much, that we are too much.  However, I am here.  I live in a wonderful place and I’m grateful for that.  The issue of whether I, and we, can live sustainably is a complex one.

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Free Will

Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you.

“You always have two choices: your commitment versus your fear.”
― Sammy Davis Jr.

Some people are never required to make these choices. Others are forced to choose every day.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

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The Changing Seasons – July 2020

July casts a long shadow – Winter in the national capital (Canberra, Australia).

Contrary to photographic evidence, I spend much of the month hiding in my home or in my head. The disaster that is Covid-19 grips the nation. Covid-free Australian states shut their borders against those states battling virus spot fires or a full-on raging inferno. I’m all for border closures. Virus afflicted states are going to need all the help they can get from other states to subdue this contagion. Hate, bigotry and ignorance also corrode the social fabric. This too we can overcome provided we have the will to work together.

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