Lunch Break

Yellow Tinged

2012-02-01T08:02:00.008-04:00

Good morning February. I always refer to February as my month; i was born on the eleventh day.
This month; month of love - of wine, roses and chocolates, when we celebrate Valentines day; month of nonconformity - some times 28 days sometimes 29; month of carnival, and the harnessing energies of the amethyst; all of this and much much more is my February

yellow tinged clouds
the morning rain still clinging
to leaves
--gillena cox

much love

Breezy Interlude

2012-01-31T15:05:00.001-04:00

Sips

2012-01-30T07:16:00.005-04:00

I watched in wonderment and awe this morning a double rainbow; the first one appeared dim, i thought i was looking at a waning bow but, it just started to zoom first brighter and brighter, then it became thicker strand,it loomed so, i felt if i reached out i could touch it; then it widened and spanned into a perfect arch, brightening still more, then the second one appeared a shy one, this one above the brighter bow; then the bolder faded along with the shy; both absorbed into an overcast; my viewing i'd say lasted about 7-8 minutes ending at about 6:57; Wow my morning's delight!!

sips of tea -
the rainbow
brightens
and widens
--gillena cox

Sunday Savvy 16

2012-01-29T08:59:00.009-04:00

image crop from
revisit Sunday Savvy15

Its The Season of Carnival, and our mas makers are busy at their camps, creating fantasies; those stories they will tell, in colour, and rhythm, when their masqueraders finally take to the streets, in our cultural expression that is carnival. This year, all of that exposition will happen from Sunday 19th to Tuesday February 21st.

Meanwhile, however, today at Lunch Break, the Sunday Savvy series invites you to read a 'Sunday' Brothers Grimm tale

...One Sunday morning about harvest time, just as the buckwheat was in bloom, the sun was shining brightly in heaven, the east wind was blowing warmly over the stubble-fields, the larks were singing in the air, the bees buzzing among the buckwheat, the people were all going in their Sunday clothes to church, and all creatures were happy, and the hedgehog was happy too.

The hedgehog, however, was standing by his door with his arms akimbo, enjoying the morning breezes, and slowly trilling a little song to himself, which was neither better nor worse than the songs which hedgehogs are in the habit of singing on a blessed Sunday morning...click to read the whole storyby Brothers Grimm

Sunday smiles to all

Sunday savvy
a furry of plumes at
the carnival band
showroom
--gillena cox

Why not share a little Sunday someting with me: COMMENT
or email me

a little reading
a cup of cinnamon tea
and the winter sun
--Adelaide

Renku Saturday 15

2012-01-28T10:14:00.001-04:00

it's a dewdrop world
surely it is...
yes... but...
--Issa, 1817

early morning
the leaves glisten with
an acute wetness
--gillena cox, 2008

To Buy

2012-01-26T13:18:00.003-04:00

Series - Picture Post Cards 22

2012-01-25T18:26:00.002-04:00

Bice Sky

2012-01-24T11:38:00.000-04:00

Tropical Mocking Bird

2012-01-23T11:26:00.000-04:00

Sunday Savvy 15

2012-01-22T08:33:00.010-04:00

Grenada golf course image from google

revisit Sunday Savvy 14

Sunday and the culture of reward: I remember myself as an adult going on vacation and spending time at an uncle's house in Grenada. While he was at work i busied myself with the natural spoils of Grand Anse beach; the beautiful white sands, the glass clear waters, the shade of the sea grape trees; since i'm not very daring, i stayed on the sand and watched the water skiers, and the small yacht like gliders; and since i'm one those, of the gift of garb, would gladly indulge in small talk with small walking vendors; and (in those days it was safe to talk to) 'limers' on the beach
And to, i would, go down town shopping, one of my favourite haunts of those days; was the market; where i would buy the most heavenly scented spices ground and sold in packages, or sold whole; cinnamon, cloves, mace - (a fragment kind of tissue which covered the nut of the nutmeg), black pepper, and such like; these i gave as gifts on my return home
Sometimes my uncle would take me out to dinner, our favourite resturant was The Nutmeg on the curve of the Carenage overlooking the waters of the harbour; He would either asked "do you want to go out to eat"; or sometimes he just took the initiative and said "lets go out to dinner"
But i never left Grenada without the weekday promise of "on Sunday we'll go for a drive"; this was always pre-offered, never suggested on the day we actually took that drive; with him pointing out some new construction development; or the already beautiful buildings of scenic Grenada; or a quick drop-in visit some 'pumkin vine' relative in the more distant country side
The point of this story, my uncle James looked on all his neices and nephews as children forever, and the Sunday promise was simply his way of spoiling and indulging us.
But it goes way past my uncle's whimsy; Caribbean people do carry within then a gene of 'Sunday best' so many things were set aside to indulge in on a Sunday which inherently we think would not incur the same kind of satisfaction if done on another day

Sunday savvy -
a golfer's tees nudges
the little white ball
--gillena cox

trying for the ring
three times on the carousel
because it's Sunday
--Adelaide

winter sunday
she wheels her mother
around the mall
--Bill

Why not share a little Sunday someting with me: COMMENT
or email me

Renku Saturday 14

2012-01-21T13:51:00.004-04:00

image from google

does my star too
sleep alone?
Milky Way
--Issa, 1822

one black bird singing
to the light of morning -
i too am alone-
--gillena cox 2012

revisit Renku Saturday 13

A Grackle

2012-01-19T12:39:00.002-04:00

Yellow Allamanda Hedge

2012-01-18T14:33:00.011-04:00

Lunch Break was started on January 18th 2006; today is the the sixth anniversary of this blog; i invite you to celebrate with me; e-mail me or comment a sharing; i'll edit during today and include;revisit last year's celebration Have an especially nice day

yellow allamanda hedge -
the sun
warming our faces
--gillena cox 2012

sixth years old -
letters merge into words
for the first time

school gate opens -
a snowball's trace
looks like a heart
--Cristina-Monica Moldoveanu

words images celebrate
sixth anniversary
joy in sun on yellow flowers

garden grows as Lunch Break
sends blessings to others
special lady strong faith
--Michelle

the sixth anniversary...
Trinidad and Tobago
in my heart
--Karol Rosiak

the luxury
Throat darker petals
yellow Allamanda

yellow Allamanda
Before dawn and after dusk
birds sing
--Tatjana Debeljacki

Poems remain copyright of the individual writers, Thanks for your kind regards; much love
gillena

Lattice

2012-01-17T09:49:00.006-04:00

i was travelling in a taxi yesterday, and it stopped a while in the traffic, the driver said to me; look at that roof, they are fast leaving us for the more modern ones.

lattice work
on an old building -
an urge to paint
--gillena cox

see also Haiku 985 at Haiku By Two

Night Lime

2012-01-16T13:02:00.003-04:00

'lime'- a trini slang
Kes - 2011

Renku Saturday 13

2012-01-14T10:09:00.007-04:00

--my renku partner today is Gheorghe Postelnicu of Romania; thank you for sharing your haiga

carnival season
caribbeanesque rhythms
of high energy
--gillena cox

revisit Renku Saturday 12

Patterned Flowers

2012-01-13T10:44:00.001-04:00

Pre Carnival

2012-01-12T10:07:00.003-04:00

One Egret

2012-01-10T09:55:00.002-04:00

Life

2012-01-09T07:23:00.008-04:00

...how easily, we pass into today, a season for which, we have hankered so much in all this time past; and yet, it seems as if the gulf of separation was but a mystical one; like those nights or days when we sleep and awake to the reality of green hills sitting sedately under bice skies, where at intervals chicken hawks, in their ever spread wing span choreography, dot the vast blue above, to the refrains of fellow feathered ones, who chant the song of kiskadee; today's reality is life, a gift a precious merit, today

Today's haibun is dedicated to my husband Anthony Cox

Sunday Savvy 14

2012-01-08T10:57:00.010-04:00

Thanksgiving; a pivot of human consciousness, a well revered center in everyone's quoditian space; whether you find yourself climbing the Everest slopes or flinging the rebounding boomerang way down under in Australia; be you shoeless beggarman at a street corner or king in a palace; it resides inherent in our human soul

Thanksgiving is not about Sundays, but Sundays can prove to be santuaries of the soul at this core point of existence; when every other day is bundled into a tight knot of reverence; Sunday can be our unfurling

Its already the second Sunday of 2012; on the eve of our first full moon

Revisit Sunday Savvy 13

quiet Sunday
packing up Christmas
until next year
--Adelaide

Why not share a little Sunday someting with me: COMMENT
or email me

Mid Morning

2012-01-07T09:32:00.001-04:00

Fishscale Moon

2012-01-06T09:19:00.002-04:00

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

2012-01-05T02:27:00.024-04:00

opening image a photo taken at Lopino 2008

Hope YOU had A MERRY CHRISTMAS and WISHES FOR A BRIGHT AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR; This has been the FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF
The 12 days of Christmas here at Lunch Break

The Anansy Story is an intrinsic icon in the oral tradition of Caribbean people and this year's celebration was done haibun style. All the prose (ie. story of) 'Anansi and The Twelve Days of Christmas' and also The Anansi image © gillena cox 2011

revisit The 2010/11 Celebration Finale here; Thank you for celebrating with me.

Many religious observers ascribe the 12 Drummers Drumming as symbolic for The twelve points of the Apostles' Creed; But now to end this story...

DAY TWELVE JANUARY 5RD 2012

Parang Parang Parang, Parang Parang Parang. that was what Anansi heard outside his window on awakening Christmas morning, that, and the sweet voice of his wife, Mrs Anansi down stairs singing; when he, Kwaku Anansi, opened his eyes, and yawned loudly, and stretched his spidery self. When he, Kwaku Anansi, jumped off his bed dancing wildly and shouting
"i'm at home, i'm at home";
and, when he, Kwaku Anansi paused for a while, to scratch his spidery head.
"But how could this be?
And there was the voice of Mrs Anansi fillng the Anansi home as
she sang the carol "on the twelfth day of Christmas, my love gave to meeee..twelve drummers drumming...eleven pipers piping...ten lords a-leaping...nine ladies dancing...eight maids a-milking...seven swans a-swimming...six geese a-laying... five gooold rings.........four colly birds...three french hens...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee"
Meanwhile all the way to church and back Anansi had driven carefully but his mind was full of thoughts;
"Was it really just a dream; but how could that be?"
And really i also do not know... may all your Christmases be special AND A BRIGHT AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

--Meanwhile in Australia as reported by Comrade harps

we drive home
veer from our direction
and meet her at the hospital

--And in Trinidad and Tobago as reported by Keith Simmonds

toasting with glasses
of ginger beer and sorrel...
joyful neighbours

steel pans
belting out carols...
peace to all mankind

--And in Germany as reported by Ralf Bröker

lunch time
a pan full of
Nürnberger

--And in Serbia as reported by Tatjana Debeljacki

Christmas tree
whole family sitting together
drinking reiki

in round cake
We turn around three times
God help

--And in the USA as reported by Dian Mayr

the new year
grandma gives baby a pot
and a wooden spoon

Poems and images remain the copyright of the individual writers

Thanks to: Adelaide Shaw, Alex Serban, Cristina-Monica Moldoveanu, Comrade Harps, Dian Mayr, Gheorghe Postelnicu, Juhani Tikkanen, Keith Simmonds, Konrad Kusmirak, Lorraine Renaud, Magyar, Ralf Bröker and Tatjana Debeljacki

Thanks to all who visited but did not leave a comment, Thanks to all who e mailed or indicated their appreciation at Facebook

much love
gillena

Thus ends, The Twelve Days of Christmas, Dec 25th 2011 to Jan 5th 2012; right here at Lunch Break

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

2012-01-04T03:41:00.014-04:00

reed pipes

The FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break'; continues, thanks for celebrating with me. All the prose (ie. story of) 'Anansi and The Twelve Days of Christmas' © gillena cox 2011

DAY ELEVEN JANUARY 4RD 2012

And Anansi,once again, found himself there in the rainforest; but somehow, he was back in Latin America; now his trek had taken him to Brazil, he sensed somehow he was near the coastline and he sighed from exhaustion; then suddenly he heard a wailing sound, as if someone was blowing a reed pipe; Anansi's strength surged, he dropped his back pack, and stood straight as a rod and listened, without daring one step which would be to much noise. He listened, the music seem to be approaching him, coming nearer and nearer until, there! ten wizened griots their pipes held at their lips and the saddest of strains left their instuments. Then he heard their voices, all ten griots speaking together at once
" Anansi! Kwaku Anansi! what nonsense is this, of going back to the African Continent? Man its Christmas; a time to be opening presents with your childen, a time to be eating ham and drinking sorrell with Mrs Anansi; a time for parang..." Anansi gulped, then he heard the sweet voice of Mrs Anansi singing
"on the eleventh day of Christmas, my love gave to meeee...eleven pipers piping...ten lords a-leaping...nine ladies dancing...eight maids a-milking...seven swans a-swimming...six geese a-laying... five gooold rings.........four colly birds...three french hens...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee"

--Meanwhile in Germany as reported by Ralf Bröker

on legs and hands
Daddy becomes
a donkey

--And in Trinidad and Tobago as reported by Keith Simmonds

groups of carolers
parading the streets
to spread the gospel

--And in Canada as reported by Lorraine Renaud

Wind throws him up
gently
to another patch

Many religious observers ascribe the 11 Pipers Piping as symbolic for The eleven faithful Apostles

more about The 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the song here

revisit The 2010/11 Celebration Finale here

Poems and images; remain the copyright of the individual contributors

To participate COMMENT or e-mail me

OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Instruments of the Renaissance

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

2012-01-03T07:07:00.012-04:00

--Lighted Up Christmas Tree by Turku Cathedral haiga -- from Juhani Tikkanen of Finland

The FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break'; continues, thanks for celebrating with me
All the prose (ie. story of) 'Anansi and The Twelve Days of Christmas' © gillena cox 2011

DAY TEN JANUARY 3RD 2012

Above Mrs Anansi singing, Anansi said
"we're here"
as he parked the car in the church yard; the children - boy and girl Anansi bounced out racing toward the church door,
"Wait! "
shouted Mrs Anansi, but they were already going with their friends to sit up front.
Mr and Mrs Anansi sat nearer the middle of the church.The inside of the church was so lovely, there was a Christmas tree and Christmas wreaths, and a creche, wherein, baby Jesus laid in the manger; and near the altar, the Christmas wreath with three purple candles, and one pink candle forming a circle with one white candle in the center of the circle. And they all settled in for the celebration. After church friends and realitives wished one another A Merry Christmas, as they left to return to their homes. As soon as Mrs Anansi settled in and buckled her seat belt, she continued signing her carol;
"on the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to meeee...ten lords a-leaping...nine ladies dancing...eight maids a-milking...seven swans a-swimming...six geese a-laying... five gooold rings.........four colly birds...three french hens...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee"

--Meanwhile from Keith Simmonds in Trinidad and Tobago

a jampacked church
worshippers belt out carols...
Christmas morning

--And in Germany as reported by Ralf Bröker

on ice
she finishes
in the middle of her turn

--And in the USA as reported by Adelaide Shaw

strong winds
holiday lights blinking
on and off

Many religious observers ascribe the ten Lords-a-Leaping as symbolic for The Ten Commandments

more about The 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the Carol here
revisit The 2010/11 Celebration Finale here

Poems and images; remain the copyright of the individual contributors

To participate COMMENT or e-mail me

OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Daisy Voisin - Alegria Alegria Listen

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

2012-01-02T06:50:00.019-04:00

Opening haiga © gillena cox

Welcome to the FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break' Thanks for celebrating with me

DAY NINE JANUARY 2ND 2012

Suddenly, as if by some sort of magic, Anansi found himself in the rainforest of Mexico, how he got there he had no idea, he remembered feeling so tired that he blinked his eyelids rapidly to keep from falling asleep while walking;
"but this is not Latin America"
he said,
"this is Mexico, i recognize this giant green shrubbery , the foliage of the legendary Poinsettia,"
he was talking aloud now , and he didn't even realise this,
"The beautiful beautiful Poinsettia"
he continued; and, as he said this, a mighty wind rippled through the rainforest, right there in Mexico, and Madam Poinsettia swayed in the wind and she blushed. First she turned a pale yellowish green, then a pale pink, then a little brighter pink until she was glowing a bright red, there in the Mexican rainforest.
"Ma dam Poin sett ia"
Anansi heard these two words leaving his lips.
"What this about Poinsettia dear?"
Mrs Anansi asked but Anansi only jumped looking startled as if a mouse had run across his feet, and said to Mrs Anansi
"its nothing dear just continue your sweet singing"
and so Mrs Anansi sang; "on the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to meeee...nine ladies dancing...eight maids a-milking...seven swans a-swimming...six geese a-laying... five gooold rings.........four colly birds...three french hens...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee"

--Meanwhile in Germany as reported by Ralf Bröker

watching football
my son knows
all the names

--And in Serbia as reported by Tatjana Debeljacki

A CAT BY THE CHRISTMAS TREE
GRANDMOTHER KNITTED THE GLOVES
AROMA OF THE FRESH BREAD

--And in the USA as reported by Dian Mayr

zumba class
the women step up the pace
after the new year

--And in Cape Cod as reported by magyar

a homeless man
feeds the stray dog
friends gift

--And in Canada as reported by Lorraine Renaud

My 3 cats
cold
comfort me

Many religious observers ascribe the Nine ladies dancing as symbolic for Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit

more aboutThe 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the song here
read a legend of the Poinsettia here

Poems remain the copyright of the individual writers

To participate COMMENT or e-mail me

OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Fireworks 2012 Happy New Year Trinidad

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

2012-01-01T01:10:00.012-04:00

Opening haiga by Gheorghe Postelnicu, Romania

HAPPY NEW YEAR and Welcome to the FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break' Thank you for celebrating with me

DAY EIGHT JANUARY 1ST 2012

The coastline seemed out of reach; all he heard, were birds twittering, frogs croaking, snakes hissing and monkeys chattering; it really didn't make any sense spinning webs here in the rainforest. Tired as he was, he continued walking.
"when he got to The African Continent, he would seek out the griots and have them declare to the world, that he Anansi, was no scondrel, no plain ole trickster; but he Anansi was a wise old one, coming out from the dark mysterious continent, full of wisdom, full of guile, and a gutsy old fellow"; he mumbled. A smile beamed on Anansi's face.
"Well now, asked Mrs Anansi what brings about this change of disposition? you are actually smiling, you look happy"
"Oh its only your beautiful singing Mrs Anansi" answered Anansi.
So she continued "on the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to meeee...eight maids a-milking...seven swans a-swimming...six geese a-laying... five gooold rings.........four colly birds...three french hens...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee"

--Meanwhile in Germany as reported by Ralf Bröker

to open a door
into a new year
sun

--and in the USA as reported by Dian Mayr

first comment...
to a friend I'll probably
never meet

Many religious observers ascribe the Eight maids a-milking as symbolic for The eight Beatitudes

more aboutThe 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the song here

Poems and images remain the copyright of the individual writers

To participate COMMENT or e-mail me

OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Baron - Felize Navidad

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

2011-12-31T00:22:00.005-04:00

Opening Anansi image © gillena cox 2011
MERRY CHRISTMAS and Welcome to the FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break' Thank you for celebrating with me

All the prose (ie. story of) 'Anansi and The Twelve Days of Christmas' © gillena cox 2011

DAY SEVEN DECEMBER 31ST 2011

...just about everyone knows, that Anansi was created on that day when wisdom was given to the animals.
I dont know if it was the first day, I dont know if it was the second day, I dont know if it was the third day, I dont know if it was the fourth day, I dont know if it was the fifth day, I dont know if it was the sixth day, I dont know if it was the seventh day; all i know is that Anansi, sometimes called 'Anansi the spider' was sometimes a man, and sometimes a spider; and as a spider he could spin webs; not the flimsy kind we know and call cobwebs. Oh no. Not he, he spun strong beautiful webs that were apprropriate to his needs in every situation.
"Anansi!" he heard is wife's voice as if in a far far distance; "you seem so preoccupied" Dont bother youself Mrs Anansi," he replied, " i'm alright, i'm just enjoying your beautiful singing." So she sang more loudly now "on the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to meeee...seven swans a-swimming...six geese a-laying... five gooold rings.........four colly birds...three french hens...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee"

--Meanwhile in Trinidad and Tobago as reported by Keith Simmonds

the scent of paint
blowing in the wind...
Christmas carols

--And in Germany as reported by Ralf

playing cards
the other ones
cheat

--And in Canada as reported by Lorraine Renaud

Back together
stretch lines
soften

Many religious observers ascribe the seven swans a-swimming as symbolic for Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

more aboutThe 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the song here

Poems remain the copyright of the individual writers

To participate COMMENT or e-mail me

OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Susan Macio - Trini Christmas Is The Best

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

2011-12-30T00:18:00.011-04:00

Opening image © gillena cox 2011
MERRY CHRISTMAS and Welcome to the FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break' Thank you for celebrating with me

All the prose (ie. story of) 'Anansi and The Twelve Days of Christmas' © gillena cox 2011

DAY SIX DECEMBER 30TH 2011

..."so tired, hungry, dont think i could go much further, i miss my wife, i miss my children so very much ;"
(for Anansi was what we Trinis call a 'family man'); Anansi loved his family dearly and could not bear to be away from them for very long. All around him was dense lush greenery, he heard the sounds of strange birds and animals, all for the very first time. And he thought to himself
"if i could only reach the coastline i could start webbing and swing across the Atlantic Ocean"
Meanwhile, Mrs Anansi in the family car,continued singing;
"on the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to meeee...six geese a-laying... five gooold rings.........four colly birds...three french hens...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee" .

Meanwhile in the USA as reported by Dian Mayr

migrating geese
honking through the carols
Christmas morning

--And in Romania as reported by Cristina-Monica Moldoveanu

Christmas frost -
a blue star stranded
in the fir tree

--And in Germany as reported by Ralf Bröker

the last bottle
of this pack
she hides his key

--And in Trinidad and Tobago as reported by Keith Simmonds

a smiling vagrant
retrieves a Santa Claus cap
from an old dustbin

calypso music
competes with Christmas carols...
carnival coming

Many religious observers ascribe the six geese a-laying as symbolic for The six days of Creation

more aboutThe 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the song here
revisit The 2010/11 Celebration Finale here

Poems and images; remain the copyright of the individual contributors

To participate COMMENT or e-mail me

OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Kids Track Santa On Google Earth
Relator - Christmas on Sesame Street

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

2011-12-29T00:51:00.005-04:00

Opening image © gillena cox 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS and Welcome to the FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break'

DAY FIVE DECEMBER 29TH 2011
all the prose (story of) 'Anansy and The Twelve Days of Christmas' - © gillena cox 2011

But it was all so real; the squaking of the macaws, the croaking of the green tree frogs. He Anansi; thirsty, tired, wanting to faint from the exhaustion of so much walking; he looked up to the sky with a pleading kind of stare, as if asking for something from someone
His train of thought was interrupted by the sweet voice of non other than Mrs Anansi. She had gotten to that part of the song; "on the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to meeee... five gooold rings.........four colly birds...three french hens...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee" .

--Meanwhile in Germany as reported by Ralf Bröker

out into the garden
a handfull
bird

--And in Trinidad and Tobago as reported by Keith Simmonds

a single mother
in frantic Christmas shopping
grabbing a toy gun

Many religious observers ascribe the five gold rings as symbolic for The Torah or Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament
more aboutThe 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the song here
revisit The 2010/11 Celebration Finale here

Poems and images; remain the copyright of the individual contributors

To participate COMMENT or e-mail me

OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Kids Track Santa On Google Earth
Marcia Miranda - Gimme Love Fuh Xmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

2011-12-28T06:13:00.009-04:00

image from Alex Serban, he says that in Romania, this is the Santa Flower - (Craciunita)

MERRY CHRISTMAS this is the FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break' Thank you for celebrating with me

All the prose (ie. story of) 'Anansi and The Twelve Days of Christmas' © gillena cox 2011

DAY FOUR DECEMBER 28TH 2011

Anansi showered, shaved, and got himself dressed for church; then went downstairs to meet Mrs Anansi and the children.They passed through the garden, to get to the garage. Anansi's eyes rested just for a split second on the vibrant red poinsettias and he sighed.
" What's wrong Anansi", his wife asked, and he replied "nothing, everything is alright; lets be on our way, to listen to the Word at church".
A few blackbirds were busy pecking on the pavement, and Mrs Anansi resumed her humming/singing "on the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to meeee...four colly birds...three french hens...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee" .

--Meanwhile in Romania as reported by Alex Serban

at my window
frost-work
and Santa flower

--Also in Romania as reported by Cristina-Monica Moldoveanu

Christmas tree -
the rest of the house
so empty...

--And in Germany as reported by Ralf

breakfast
the twins' parents
ask for white christmas

--And in Australia as reported by Comrade Harps

country town main street
cars pass towards the cemetery -
Christmas morning

And in the USA as reported by Dian Mayr

chur-r-rt chur-r-rt
the jollity of sparrows
in the winter sun

And in Canada as reported by Lorraine Renaud

Blackbird walks
next to snow
on dry grounds

Many religious observers ascribe the four calling (colly birds - blackbirds) as symbolic for The four Gospels

more about The 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the Carol here

Poems and images; remain the copyright of the individual contributors

To participate COMMENT or e-mail me

OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Listen to Lennox Grey - Around The Christmas Tree
revisit The 2010/11 Celebration Finale here

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

2011-12-27T02:01:00.017-04:00

Scarlet Macaw image from...
MERRY CHRISTMAS and Welcome to the FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break' Thank you for celebrating with me

All the prose (ie. story of) 'Anansi and The Twelve Days of Christmas' © gillena cox 2011

DAY THREE DECEMBER 27TH 2011

He jumped off his bed dancing wildly and shouting
"i'm at home, i'm at home";
then, he paused for a while, he scratched his spidery head,
"but how could this be? he said to himself ."
For the last thing Anansi remembered, he had packed his backpack and was headed back to Africa on a trek through the rainforests of Latin America, with the hope of webbing and swinging all the way across The Atlantic. Oh yes, Anansi the Spider man had decieded to follow his heart, fullfill his dream, reach for his star. Meanwhile downstairs the voice of Mrs Anansi loud and clear is filling the Anansi home
"On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to meeee...three french hens...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee" .

Meanwhile in Germany as reported by Ralf Bröker

lighting
each light
in every arm

--And in Tinidad and Tobago as reported by Keith Simmonds

strings of bright lights
all around the houses :
every heart throbbing

--And in Romania as reported by Cristina-Monica Moldoveanu

every Christmas
the old maid remembers
"The little match girl"

Meanwhile in Canada as reported by Lorraine Renaud

Silk
on my face
tickles

Many religious observers ascribe the Three French hens as symbolic for The three kings bearing gifts - Faith, Hope and Charity

more about The 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the Carol here
revisit The 2010/11 Celebration Finale here

Poems and images; remain the copyright of the individual contributors

To participate COMMENT or e-mail me

OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Kids Track Santa On Google Earth
Scarlet Macaw
Listen to Machel Montano - Soca Santa

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

2011-12-26T03:15:00.008-04:00

Opening image © gillena cox 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS and Welcome to the FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break'

DAY TWO DECEMBER 26TH 2011
all the prose (story of) 'Anansy and The Twelve Days of Christmas' - © gillena cox 2011

Anansi opened his eyes and yawned loudly and stretched his spidery self, the first thing he understood, now that he was fully awake, was the voice of his wife Mrs Anansi, humming downstairs
"On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to meeee ...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee"

--Meanwhile in Serbia as reported by Tatjana Debeljacki

morning smells –
rosemary, sweet basil,
incense

--And in Germany as reported by Ralf Bröker

after the meal
my dog pulls me
in a new direction

--And in the USA as reported by Adelaide Shaw

day after Christmas
returning at the mall
all the good will

--And in the Trinidad and Tobago as reported by Keith Simmonds

morning after...
the Christmas tree twinkling
brighter and brighter

Santa Claus
comes to the village ...
children screaming

Many religious observers ascribe the Two Turtle Doves as symbolic for The Old and New Testaments

more about The 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the Carol here
revisit The 2010/11 Celebration Finale here

Poems and images; remain the copyright of the individual contributors

To participate COMMENT or e-mail me

OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Kids Track Santa On Google Earth
Daisy Voisin - Alegria, Alegria

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

2011-12-25T00:09:00.028-04:00

--Opening haiga by Konrad Kusmirak, Poland

MERRY CHRISTMAS and Welcome to the FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break'

DAY ONE DECEMBER 25TH 2011
All the prose (ie. story of) 'Anansi and The Twelve Days of Christmas' © gillena cox 2011

It was at cockcrow, when, i started recording this story whispered to me by my muse. Come along with me. Lets explore 'Anansi and The Twelve Days of Christmas' haibun style (ie. prose and haiku verses)

"Wake up! wake up Anansi" said the Mrs Anansi.
"Our children are downstairs ripping open presents and they haven' t even been to church, nor as yet had their breakfast; Wake up! wake up Anansi " she shook him again and again.
Then, she left the room, singing softly to herself the Christmas carol "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to meeee ... a partridge in a pear treeeeee.

--Meanwhile in Germany as reported by Ralf Bröker

flickering candle
she only knows
this one song

--And in Serbia as reported by Tatjana Debeljacki

in the house of love
pleasantly and divine,
christmas eve

green Christmas tree
green blanket
and green eyes

--And in Romania as reported by Gheorghe Postelnicu

--And in the USA as reported by Adelaide Shaw

dusk coming on
on Christmas day
once more Silent Night

--And in Trinidad and Tobago as reported by Keith Simmonds

Christmas eve...
standing room only
in the cathedral

a massive turnout
at the midnight mass...
Yuletide solidarity

Many religious observers ascribe that the 'Partridge in a Pear Tree' gift is symbolic for Jesus

more about The 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the Carol here
revisit The 2010/11 Celebration Finale here

Poems and images; remain the copyright of the individual contributors

To participate COMMENT or e-mail me

OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Kids Track Santa On Google Earth
Listen to Lennox Grey - Around The Christmas Tree

Series - Picture Post Cards 21

2011-12-24T16:17:00.004-04:00

REMEMBER to stop by Lunch Break for 'Anansi and The Twelve days of Christmas' FOURTH year celebrating The 12 days of Christmas; starts tomorrow Dec 25 ends Jan 5th

revisit 2010/11 celebration finale here

Sunset

2011-12-22T15:51:00.002-04:00

In The Dawn

2011-12-20T04:53:00.002-04:00

Sunday Savvy 13

2011-12-18T11:56:00.014-04:00

Its the Sunday before Christmas Day, and for us Catholics, The Fourth Sunday of Advent; this means Christmas is just 'around the corner' and we will soon plunge into The 'Merry Christmas' Scene conscious of the expression of God's Love in our life; because we have learnt from the holy Scriptures, that God so loved the world He gave us His only begotten Son that we can be saved

The fourth candle of five candles, a purple candle has been lit

The creche at church has been placed but the baby Jesus is absent because its not yet Christmas day according to our religious empathy of this miraculous event

But The Jesse Tree is laden

And the church decorations are becoming more and more ornate; our Christmas tree is not there yet

Center stage still are the Advent Wreath and Jesse Tree

Sunday smiles to all

Revisit Sunday Savvy 12

Why not share a little Sunday someting with me: COMMENT
or
email me

Remember the celebration of the FOURTH year of The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break starts on Christmas Day
Please join in
revisit 2010/11 celebration finale

much love
gillena

Renku Saturday 12

2011-12-17T12:22:00.003-04:00

red poinsettia bracts
overwhelming alluring
--gillena cox 2011

Today's Sunshine

2011-12-15T15:38:00.000-04:00

A Blast

2011-12-14T13:59:00.000-04:00

Series - Picture Post Cards 20

2011-12-12T14:17:00.006-04:00

read about the game

Series - Picture Post Cards 19

2011-12-10T10:03:00.002-04:00

Dressed In White

2011-12-09T11:40:00.002-04:00

Book Pile

2011-12-08T17:00:00.004-04:00

A Moon

2011-12-06T19:06:00.001-04:00

Series - Picture Post Cards 18

2011-12-05T13:14:00.002-04:00

Series - Picture Post Cards 17

2011-11-30T12:03:00.004-04:00

Series - Picture Post Cards 16

2011-11-29T10:04:00.004-04:00

Sunday Savvy 12

2011-11-27T15:30:00.008-04:00

For many people, Sunday is still synonymous with church; i remember growing up i loved Sundays, why? it was a day for church - which meant, (and here's the good part) a day of dress up; that was, the icing on the cake, so to speak; and maybe out of that culture comes the phrase of 'Sunday best', sure you're familiar with it

Sunday smiles to all

revisit Sunday Savvy 11

--from QuoteGarden
Just around the corner in every woman's mind - is a lovely dress, a wonderful suit, or entire costume which will make an enchanting new creature of her. ~ Wilhela Cushman

Women usually love what they buy, yet hate two-thirds of what is in their closets. ~ Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

High heels were invented by a woman who had been kissed on the forehead. ~ Christopher Morley

Sunday
the 72 words of God
I read
Lorraine

Mass in the morning
love in the afternoon
keeping it holy
Bill

Why not share a little Sunday someting with me comment or email me

much love
gillena

Book Club

2011-11-25T16:23:00.004-04:00

Series - Picture Post Cards 15

2011-11-23T12:05:00.005-04:00

Series - Picture Post Cards 14

2011-11-22T13:26:00.001-04:00

Bright Sun

2011-11-21T07:37:00.002-04:00

Renku Saturday 10

2011-11-19T09:02:00.005-04:00

sunset sky your hues will morph
into nigh'ts cobalt stillness
--gillena cox

my renku partner for today is Gheorghe Postelnicu from Romania
Thank you Stops for your charming autumn haiga

revisit Renku Saturday 9

Series - Picture Post Cards 13

2011-11-18T13:40:00.004-04:00

Darkness Of

2011-11-17T08:07:00.002-04:00

Yellow Butterfly

2011-11-15T20:07:00.001-04:00

Ficus Covered

2011-11-14T08:45:00.003-04:00

ficus covered wall
backdrops
a white butterfly's flight
--gillena cox

Sunny

2011-11-11T14:13:00.002-04:00

Serendipity

2011-11-10T14:33:00.005-04:00

little red berry -
still a prominent presence
through the yet overgrown weeds
-- gillena cox

read about the Sedoka here

Series - Picture Post Cards 12

2011-11-07T09:57:00.001-04:00

Sunday Savvy 11

2011-11-06T13:58:00.006-04:00

This is Sunday 11 of the series Sunday Savvy

The Sunday newspaper, that glorious bit of unwillingly shared family reading; everyone wants a piece of it and they all want it at the same time; doesn't anybody do anything else on a Sunday? The attraction to this Sunday motif, prompts such a question.
Willingly you pay a little more and get so much more, including the family tossle up. That is, if bad doggie doesn't eat it up first. Sunday smiles

reading the fine print
an ant crawling across
the classified ads
--gillena cox

Says here The Observer is the world's first Sunday newspaper

revisit Sunday Savvy 10

sunday
the morning throngs
step by step on the stones
these stairways of their cathedrals
good faith
_m

Sunday breeze
special coupons
Fly
--Lorraine

Sunday sleep in
under a blanket of snow
still autumn
--Adelaide

Why not share a little Sunday someting with me comment or email me

much love
gillena

Series - Picture Post Cards 11

2011-11-04T20:41:00.002-04:00

Series - Picture Post Cards 10

2011-11-02T12:51:00.002-04:00

Sunday Savvy 10

2011-10-30T10:10:00.008-04:00

This is Sunday 10 of the series 'Sunday Savvy'

Thanks for your comments and emails in response to Sunday Savvy 9;
as requested here's a photo of my Sunday callalo just finished cooking a few minutes ago, took out the hot green pepper before blending then reintroduced it as a garnish, look closely you'll see the stem sticking out from the calalloo; Sunday smiles to each and every one of you

revisit Sunday Savvy 9

Why not share a little Sunday someting with me comment or email me

much love
gillena

Renku Saturday 9

2011-10-29T13:18:00.003-04:00

Inspiration for this haiku and image

without seeing
or hearing the wind -
pinwheel jasmines felled
--gillena cox 2011

From

Windy fall --
These are the scarlet flowers
She liked to pick.
--Issa (1763 -1827)

revisit Renku Saturday 8

Series - Picture Post Cards 9

2011-10-28T10:15:00.003-04:00

From

2011-10-27T13:00:00.002-04:00

Divali 2011

2011-10-26T12:10:00.005-04:00

version 2

version 1

Shubh Divali

Series - Picture Post Cards 8

2011-10-25T13:35:00.003-04:00

Series - Picture Post Cards 7

2011-10-24T12:11:00.003-04:00

Sunday Savvy 9

2011-10-23T11:16:00.014-04:00

Sunday lunch in Trinidad and Tobago is a cultural icon, a drama of extravagance, in the humblest of homes this means putting that little extra bit to table; if your weekday meal was one dish, then Sunday it had to be a two dish; and if a weekday two dish, then Sunday it must be three and if weekday it was no dish, then Sunday, some kind heart sent you a plate of food.

Of this Sunday icon a crucially essential motif was the Sunday Callaloo a greens soup which is most often served as a sauce or side. So that you pour it over your provision or rice or eat it aside as a soup.

Callaloo making is not without its little quirks; 'the callaloo bush' the ochroes, the pumpkin, the crab, the chives and other personal herb added. But the pepper has its tradition base and evolution story. In the good ole days, the Callaloo makers would take the finished product off the stove, remove the green pepper which was still whole and using a swizzle stick swizzle the callaloo to a fine smooth consistency; however as time passed Callaloo makers grew careless, forgetting to remove the much renowned green pepper, which incidentally was a hot pepper, and many mouths burned; (but they still uncomfortably ate their Sunday callaloo), even though Callaloo makers were now usinging blenders instead of swizzle sticks, but that was not so bad as burned mouths slurping uncomfortably the 'almost sacred Sunday callaloo.' Then some wise Callaloo makers contemplating the situation, came upon the idea - colour code - and alas, all was well again in the Callaloo making arena; so that yellow or red peppers (still hot) were now added to the Callaloo pot, and all such Callaloo makers could only but remember to take the peppers out before swizzling or blending the Callaloo to a to a fine smooth consistency with a nice pepper flavour. And all was well again, There are however some diligent Callaloo makers whose use the hot green peppers and remember to take it out of the pot at the right time, Sunday SMILES.

This is Sunday 9 of the series 'Sunday Savvy'

revisit Sunday Savvy 8

Why not share a little Sunday someting with me comment or email me

much love
gillena

Renku Saturday 8

2011-10-22T10:43:00.005-04:00

a 2010 photo used for this haiga

Inspiration for this haiku

supper time pinwheel jasmins
still dropping in the night breeze
-- gillena cox

From

I will return
to sweep the blossoms
under this tree
--Issa, 1791

revisit Renku Saturday 7

Series - Picture Post Cards 6

2011-10-21T12:50:00.002-04:00

Series - Picture Post Cards 5

2011-10-19T10:07:00.006-04:00

Series - Picture Post Cards 4

2011-10-18T11:00:00.004-04:00

Series - Picture Post Cards 3

2011-10-17T11:12:00.002-04:00

Sunday Savvy 8

2011-10-16T09:33:00.002-04:00

Though it rained and rained yesterday evening, i was able to take in the Noble Douglas Dance Company 2011 season at the Little Carib Theater; well done NDCC

This is Sunday 8 of the series 'Sunday Savvy'

revisit Sunday Savvy 7

Why not share a little Sunday someting with me comment or email me

much love
gillena

savouring the sunday coolness and red leaves
Lorraine

Renku Saturday 7

2011-10-15T08:32:00.003-04:00

a 2008 photo; haiku added today

inspiration for this haiku

mid morning the pilgrims
stop to have some breakfast
--gillena cox

from

incense smoke
on the Buddha in the field...
morning dew
--Issa, 1825

revisit Renku Saturday 6

Absent

2011-10-14T07:03:00.004-04:00

October full moon is The Hunter Moon read more here

Series - Picture Post Cards 2

2011-10-12T11:27:00.004-04:00

version 2

The Overcast

2011-10-10T16:30:00.001-04:00

Renku Saturday 6

2011-10-08T08:07:00.004-04:00

a 2007 photo, haiku added today

Inspiration for this haiku

October evenings
the Angelus bell shrouded
in early darkness
--© gillena cox, haiku and photo

From

Suzushisa ya
Kane o hanaruru
Kane no koe.

Coolness!
The sound of the bell
Leaving the bell.
--Buson (1716 - 1783)

revist renku Saturday 5

Series - Picture Post Cards 1

2011-10-07T18:39:00.002-04:00

Harmony

2011-10-06T07:11:00.006-04:00

a 2008 photo, haiku added today; i was inspired to do today's haiga after viewing 'Sand Dancer' a sand art video

visit also Sand Dancer

Windy

2011-10-05T11:40:00.002-04:00

New kettle

2011-10-04T15:56:00.002-04:00

Sunday Savvy 7

2011-10-02T06:56:00.005-04:00

This is Sunday 7 of the series 'Sunday Savvy'

revisit Sunday Savvy 6

Why not share a little Sunday someting with me comment or email me

much love
gillena

Sunday Savvy
my senses complete
with Gillena's Elegance
--Lorraine

Ah! time
potatoes and bacon
with eggs
--Sandy

adrift with clouds
trying to keep
eyes on the road
--Adelaide

sunday sunrise
slips through the shades
shore-birds songs
_m

Renku Saturday 5

2011-10-01T02:44:00.005-04:00

Inspiration for this haiku

yesterday's sunset vanished
a new skyscape morphed
--this haiku and 2003 haiga image © gillena cox

From

roughed lips
forgotten -
clear spring water
--Chiyo ni (1703-1775)

revist Renku Saturday 4

Reply?

2011-09-29T13:57:00.003-04:00

this is the edited version after comments and critiques; so the one below can be considered merely a first draft

a 2009 photo, haiku added today

Without

2011-09-27T09:18:00.003-04:00

a 2009 photo; haiku added today

(Version Two)

Age Old

2011-09-26T11:15:00.002-04:00

a 2005 photo, haiku added today

Sunday Savvy 6

2011-09-25T14:00:00.017-04:00

original image from the internet

...'sunday treat' was a something to look forward to as a child, when i was growing up in Chaguanas; and this, simply defined, was my father (deceased) making ice cream in an ice cream pail, on the back steps; it involved turning the handle of a 'tub looking' structure, applying ice and salt in (to my child's mind) a mysterious process

original image from the internet

that was generations ago, today in St James where i live, both the ice cream parlors and the street ice cream vendors are busy, seems the Sunday ice cream treat tradition is still alive.

This is Sunday 6 of the series 'Sunday Savvy'

revisit Sunday Savvy 5

Why not share a little Sunday someting with me comment or email me

much love
gillena

Sunday Savvy
Chicken or chuck roast dinners
Occasional pie for dessert
Drives to visit relatives
--Que

Renku Saturday 4

2011-09-24T05:04:00.006-04:00

Inspiration for this haiku and image

a wash of yellow
cloud form the canvas of
evening sky
--gillena cox (haiku and digital painting) © gillena cox

from

this autumn
as-for why grow old
cloud to bird
--Matsuo Basho (1644 – 1694)

revisit Renku Saturday 3

Unawares

2011-09-22T10:20:00.003-04:00

a 2009 photo, haiku added today

revisit

Returned

2011-09-20T11:18:00.001-04:00

a March 2011 photo; haiku added today

revisit

Mist Filled

2011-09-19T11:16:00.004-04:00

a 2006 photo, haiku added today

Renku Saturday 3

2011-09-17T09:00:00.013-04:00

Inspiration for this haiku and image

evening church bells
pink clouds merge
into sunset
--(haiku and digital painting) © gillena cox

From

evening cherry blossoms
to the prayer gong's beat
scatter
--Issa, 1813

revisit Renku Saturday 2