THAT SUNSET MOMENT---

A  leisurely evening stroll  by the sea, The day has been hot again and tiring. 
An empty seat   and we relax in the shade of a palm tree,breathing freely.
Before us the sun sinks,-dramatic , simple, beautiful.A moment of silence, -a moment of peace.----That sunset moment.

SMOKIE--LAY BACK IN THE ARMS OF SOMEONE

This seventies song is specially for dear friends Ingrid and and Joe, with much love.

Shadow Bird.

The heatwave continues, and we are all melting.Even the tourists who usually long for the sun are finding it hard.

Here is someone who found the best place to be----under the church roof!

'Do what we can, summer will have its flies.'

Ralph Waldo Emerson.

IT'S HEATWAVE TIME.

Early  morning and a mist hangs over Mellieha Heights, -----looks like it is going to be another heatwave day!

Across the bay boats lie sleepily in the haze.

Thank goodness we live near the sea. An early morning swim or even a dip manages to cool down my body for a few hours at least.

Then everyone prays for a refreshing breeze to stir the languid air as we move into the peak heat time.

I can't use an air conditioner, and although we are near the roof and our small apartment is fairly cool, how I welcome any breath of that cooling air as it wafts through our open plan rooms.

Concentration is difficult, work that is mildly energetic becomes problematic,

and a short siesta seems inviting until the flies arrive!----A stroll in the cool of the evening seems the most promising hope.

I look through the window, and there is the answer at last.----Up up and away,

flying higher and higher into that wide open clear,cool blue,----into space!

Maureen.

   
                                                  

IF YOU'RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT-----

We had some good news this morning, so I am happy, even if it IS monday! And we are all young at heart anyway----so----

                                      
                        

A MOMENT OF TRANQUILITY

Sunday morning and a moment of peace. St Paul's Island in the distance, a blue sky,  blue sea, white sails.Hardly a ripple as the boat glides by.
Simple, beautiful, silent, tranquil,------a perfect start to the day.
                       Maureen.

OASIS NEWS----SUMMER 2012----- A WAY OF LIFE.

                                             View from our window.-----St. Paul's Bay.

Almost unbelievably Summer is here,and in Malta that means that temperatures soar! Our small apartment is simple light and uncluttered, and we keep it as cool as possible.
I continue with The Oasis News for those of you who take an interest in this beautiful, prophetic vision of hope.As you know it is also very practical, laying out guidelines for a simple, holistic life-style that is able to help now and in the future.

Simplicity is the key note, but that doesn't mean not to live fully. Life should be entered into with dynamism, zest and full enjoyment,  appreciating nature in all its abundance and gifts, using one's own gifts creatively and imaginatively, balancing everything between a pattern of stillness and activity.

The spiritual dimension ofcourse is the core of the vision, concentrating on that point of stillness and balance from where the energy for life and living is centred, can be drawn upon, and is then able to move out into a sphere of action and activity.It is the real source of our energy.

This picture above is the view we have over the chapel roof, a perfect spot for early morning and late evening meditation.

The basic domesticity that Mary advocates, without making a fetish of it, is not a problem here. It is a clean sweep through,-- balcony, sitting area, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. That's it and it suits us fine!

Wholesome nutrition,well that's more difficult in terms of a self sufficiency. Fortunately we can use the roof above us to grow a simple variety of herbs and salad leaves. We also had a very good crop of delicious strawberries,---they seemed to go on and on. It is good too to be able to use the nearby organic farm, as they keep us supplied with eggs , fruit and veg. in season. Herbs and wholefoods are important as  a basic part of the diet.We find that Indigo Herbs is  an excellent supplier:-
http://www.indigo-herbs.co.uk/
.Then ofcourse there is Lina's bread! We can always guarantee wholesome nutrition here, and to this, add that  Italian flair that is quite unique.

Keeping in line with The Oasis Way is not difficult in terms of exercise. Two 45 minutes walk,dancing,-a regular daily regime  for me,,(thank goodness we are not overlooked!)and hopefully this year a little swimming.

Recreation time is simple and often merges with the other spheres.Joe likes his music, I enjoy painting and we both enjoy reading and growing herbs etc. It"s lovely to share a meal or drinks with friends, but really this is central to The Oasis way of Life, -this community - style relationship of "loving and living,----caring and sharing.'

It's a simple philosophy, this 'loving and living.' But simple doesn't necessarily mean easy!Sometimes  it seems that it is the hardest thing. It's fine if everything in Life is going smoothly, people around are pleasant and generous, and good spirits and positive benevolent attitudes prevail. The problem arises when people are not so pleasant, infact   seem downright selfish , mean and arrogant;  the positive atmosphere begins to diminish and good spirits fly out the window so to speak! This is where we need extra help!

Work for me  has to integrate with The Oasis philosophy,and so involves  the odd painting commission, and sessions of Relaxation/Meditation therapy for individuals or groups.The C.D.s offer a follow up programme or can be used alone.

Then ofcourse there is the Centre. That building shown to me  over twenty years ago as an integral part of The Oasis vision.By coincidence, or not by coincidence, our apartment now is next door to it.Sadly, it has fallen into a very neglected state, and the once simple, beautiful, productive garden lies overgrown and desolate. -----Looking at it now, it is as if it is waiting------.

This is the simple life style that we continue to try to live, in line with the vision. Ofcourse it is a prophetic vision too,and I wait hopefully for  its promise of a beautiful protective development where a small community of people live together peacefully  happily and freely.---It will happen at the right time, when God is ready, and the right people are ready.
                                                        Maureen.

JOE, THE COFFEE SHOP---- AND CAKES.

It is a beautiful early morning.The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the sky and sea are a sapphire blue,and all seems well with the world. We stroll along the coast as a few early fishermen gather on the pier, and  make our way to our favourite coffee shop.

Joe is ready for us, happy to greet us and hear our weekly news. He has been working in the trade since he was eight years old, when he was trained by his father.He is in his mid-sixties now but still loves  to give his best to his customers.

He is an early riser, and is to be  found then down below in the kitchen where he does his baking.His cakes are his speciality. He is a bit of an artist at heart, and spends time lovingly creating different designs.

Sunday is a special day for him, and the afternoon sees the promenaders flocking in ready to sample the latest selection. 

We order our cappuccino and make our way to our table.Should we or shouldn't we? We glance again at the tempting display.Which should we choose? Well maybe just a very small slice of that mouthwatering Black Forest gateau, ----it is Sunday after all.  

                                              

OH YES-----IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY!

How we need the uncluttered simplicity of songs like this to bring little bursts of happiness in a complicated world.
I think so anyway.
          
 
 

SUDDENLY IT'S SUMMER----and what a difference!

What a difference in just a few days! Last week when I looked out along the way, the rocky beach was empty,and there were few cars to be seen. Today sunbathers lie there, soaking up the summer sun. 

The change comes almost imperceptibly, and it's the same way every year.

This month there will still be a tranquil atmosphere, july and august will be rather more hectic.

And it's not just people,- boats too! For the next few months the little bay across from us will become a mini marina.

There is always someone who can find a quiet spot!

Ernest is all set for his morning fishing,-----but oh dear, I think he may have spotted a JELLY FISH !

And so we move into the summer months in St Paul's Bay. Sunshine, blue sky and sea:holiday makers and locals savouring the simple pleasures of outdoor living after a long winter. School will soon be fnished for three months here, and the youngsters are gearing up! Cafes and restaurants are offering tempting menus,day trips are being organised,evening promenades are more frequent,  band marches and festas are at the ready,and we move into this summer scene, determined this year to appreciate fully its simple joie de vivre. 

 Cheers, Maureen

Sunlight-----and a bowl of cherries.---Oganic ofcourse!

'Life is just a bowl of cherries'------so the song goes.
We returned from the farm last week with a huge bagful of these and along with mulberries we have enjoyed them each morning with the breakfast muesli.
 -Really delicious!

Our friends have an organic farm and we are so lucky to be able to enjoy their produce.I find it difficult to enjoy a supermarket egg now after tasting theirs, and those golden yellow yolks are amazing.

For some strange reason Malta seems slow in embracing the organic theme, and infact the farm has met  quite a bit of opposition.Education too seems slow.--- What a pity, when pesticides and chemicals are so much linked with ill health.We thank goodness for the farm and its dedicated approach, and we support it gratefully.

 

So, now, I will sit for a while in the evening light,uncluttering my mind,easing out the tension, and enjoying that refreshing bowl of cherries.-----and thinking that the song is probably right.          
                      

              

I PAINT AND I DREAM FOR A WHILE.-----

'Dreaming'----Acrylic and oil pastel on stretched canvas

.

How can I look out every morning to see the sailing boats gliding serenely by, and not wish to paint them? Ocourse I have to!

 This painting  is a few years old now, residing in the home of the daughter of a friend. When I send a painting away I always hope that it will bring peace and joy to its new owner. I suppose as I paint, I push  in those good vibrations so that they become integrated into the art work and belong there naturally.

I suppose too a part of my soul goes with the painting. The child in the picture is really me, with the sense of openness,innocence,  trust and wonder that I wish to preserve.The day dreaming in the child's vision is his reality, lifting him into a beautiful world that he  makes his own.

Anyone can be that child. His dreams become their dreams,  his world becomes their world, and for that moment they become one.

Maureen.

'Every artist dips his brush into his soul and paints his own nature into his picture.'

Henry Ward Beecher.