Philip Larkin wrote:

"I am afraid the compulsion to write poems left me about seven years ago, since when I have written virtually nothing.  Naturally this is a disappointment, but I would sooner write no poems than bad poems."

English poet (1922 - 1985)

                Happy International Women's Day ~

My beautiful granddaughters.  We don't often post family photos; however, today my joy is two-fold. Pride and love on International Women's Day with the passionate desire for a "perfect" world for the next generation of women ~  and the return of my computer and precious photo files!

 

[Always back-up photo files. lbw]

 

 

We like to think that our small corner in the blog world is a quick visit to our bookshop.  We hope that folks feel welcome to stay a while and read a book. 
The following except from Winston Churchill* seems to strike a chord given the disturbing conflicts currently in our world.

February 9, 1941 Broadcasting

"The other day President Roosevelt gave his opponent in the late Presidential Election a letter of introduction to me, and in it he wrote out a verse, in his own handwriting, from Longfellow, which he said, 'applies to you people as it does to us.'

     Sail on, O Ship of State!
     Sail on, O Union, strong and great!
     Humanity with all its fears,
          With all the hopes of future years,
     Is hanging breathless on they fate!

What is the answer that I shall give, in your name, to this great man, the thrice-chosen head of a nation of 130 million?  Here is the answer which I will give to President Roosevelt:  Put your confidence in us.  Give us your faith, and your blessing, and under Providence, all will be well.
We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire.  Neither the sudden shock of battle, nor the long-drawn trials of vigilance and exertion will wear us down.  Give us the tools, and we will finish the job."


* Winston Churchill (Nov. 30, 1874 - Jan., 24, 1965)  Former Prime Minister of United Kingdom.

AFTERFLAKES
by Robert Frost

In the thick of a teeming snowfall
I saw my shadow on snow.
I turned and looked back up at the sky,
Where we still look to ask the why
Of everything below.

If I shed such a darkness,
If the reason was in me,
That shadow of mine should show in form
Against the shapeless shadow of storm,
How swarthy I must be.

I turned and looked back upward.
The whole sky was blue;
And the thick flakes floating at a pause
Were but frost knots on an airy gauze,
With the sun shining through.


American poet (March 26, 1874 - January 29, 1963)

6:30 a.m. A Devastating Fire remains out-of-control at Rosa Flora, Dunnville, Ontario.  Rosa Flora is the biggest grower of gerbera in North America as well as many other flowers.  Our thoughts are with our friends at Rosa Flora.

www.rosaflora.com   Find Rosa Flora on Facebook

"What a desolate place would be a world without flowers!  It would be a face without a smile, a feast without a welcome."

~ Clara L. Balfour

Serenity on The Grand ~

Grand River Cayuga Bridge
For Winter Watchers ~





Side-by-Side:  The Gleaming New vis-a-vis The Old Rust