MY HEART: an autobiography

The endearing Simone from ‘The Bottom Of The Ironing Basket’ has tagged me to play the ‘My Heart’ game. Simone is a relatively new blog friend and reminds me of a dear English friend I met whilst travelling in the USA many moons ago. Bubbly, clever, genuine … all these attributes shine through in her posts. Go and take a little peek at her blog and you will see what I mean.

Well, the brief for this assignment is;

"With as much creativity as you can muster, show your heart in: a picture, a poem, a song (or piece of music), a phrase (or quote), an item of clothing, a place, and (just for fun) a Disney princess. If you want to join in, tag 6 more blogs."

For the creative part I chose to write this as an autobiography written by ‘my heart’ .

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My Heart

an autobiography

AUTHOR’S FORWARD: Hi Everyone , let me introduce myself - I’m Julie’s heart. It’s a bit of a boring job these days, but every now and then she gives me something of interest to do. Like this post. I get to talk about myself and share with you things I have enjoyed during various phases of OUR life. It’s a bit of a rocky ride, so buckle up and let’s get started.

CHAPTER1: TEDDY

Well I first became active in Julie’s young life with the usual activities of food, drink, mummy. But then things a got a little busier for me when Teddy came along. Actually he was always there from the start, but I don’t think I was able to recognise his beauty until WE were about 1yr old. I Love Teddy, he’s still with US, but SHE keeps him in a cupboard now. [Teddy’s the one without the bonnet – she only let him out for the photo-shoot]

[source - beingRUBY]

I think the other people in the family noticed that I [heart] had a bit of thing for Teddy. They didn’t, or wouldn’t, see our love as unique and kept bringing in replacements. Still to this day, in they march, birthday after birthday with inferior substitutes, but Teddy was always my 1st love. [don’t tell Teddy but I sort of liked Flat Cat and 3-in-1 Red Riding Hood].

At this time, the Disney phase hadn’t yet morphed into princess dolls, but anyone who knows US, knows we like to sleep, so I suppose Sleeping Beauty would of felt right at home.

[source – google images]

CHAPTER2: MUM

As WE grew older, things got a little bit more complicated and I [heart] got badly crumpled. You know from age 0-10 Mum was everything to US. She always had open arms to hold us when WE were hurt, or funny jokes to make US smile. She had the innate ability to make everyone around her feel welcome, even new acquaintances. And of course, as Julie was the baby of the family, WE always felt special in her eyes. But WE had only just reached the age of becoming independent [13], when tragedy struck. Mum passed away. Mum will always have a special place in OUR heart.

‘I Carry Your Heart, In My Heart’ E E Cummings [# quote – line from poem]

This is a one of my favourite pictures of Mum. WE didn’t know her then of course, she was probably only in her teens, but she had a look of such joy and spontaneity here. Just as WE like to remember her.

[source – beingRUBY] - [# picture]

CHAPTER3: AMOUR, AMORE and the outfits to match

OK so this was hard work for me [heart]. Julie kept me very busy through her teens, twenties and even thirties going out and having fun and I was expected to cope with all this In Love, Out of Love, Maybe Love. The only upside was that WE got to dress up and fill OUR wardrobe with many beautiful things that WE loved. A girl’s got to have a good wardrobe to play the LOVE game. Some of my favourite items were OUR Lisa Ho dresses. And we had many, after all what else did WE have to spend our money on than Dresses, Shoes, Coats, bags and generally having fun. Food could wait. These were good times!

Unfortunately, in later years Julie partook in too much of the good life [at my urging i admit] and now those beautiful dresses no longer fit and have been given to another Heart and it’s owner. I pleaded with Julie to keep at least a few, but NO ... ‘who listens to their heart?’ WE could of done something like this!!

[source] [# clothing item]

HYACINTHS [# poem]

"If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft,
And from thy slender store
Two loaves alone to thee are left,
Sell one, and with the dole,
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul."

Musharish-Ud-Din Sadi

~ 13th Century Persian Poet

CHAPTER4: TRAVEL

So after the LOVE debacles we moved on to other pastimes to occupy our time.

This was my favourite task. Getting Julie to Love Travel! It took a bit of convincing on my part to get her to leave her comfort zone, but once she did WE had so much fun. WE travelled the world and saw things that made Julie’s eyes well with tears of joy, and my ventricles thump.

It would be really hard for US to pick a favourite. I [heart] had ensured Julie was obsessed with all things Italian. So of course we have spent many weeks travelling that beautiful land. Molte Bene!!! Bella Italia!!! I even convinced her to enrol in Italian Language class in Firenze. It was a great adventure and luckily Julie had the sense to convince me to spend some time in France, Turkey and the Greek Islands, among other destinations. The common thread being anywhere in the Mediterranean.

Here is one of OUR travel pics. WE have more over here if you’re interested.

[source – beingRUBY]

WE can clearly say ~ WE LOVE all Mediterranean countries [#place]

CHAPTER5: A HOME OF OUR OWN

Well they say Home is where the Heart is. But I can tell you from a 1st person [or heart] perspective that is not always true. Julie and I have lived together all our lives and not all our places of residence have been a ‘Home’. But now we have big plans. I am planting the seed for US to get our own home. Yes indeed, then WE can decorate, furnish and adorn in OUR own style till OUR heart’s content [finally it’s about me!].

[source – domino]

WE would really love a cottage, with a wraparound verandah and perhaps to dream, a cottage by the SEA [which is another of OUR great loves]

CHAPTER6: ART WITH HEART

When we get that beautiful home, we will be sure to adorn it with art.

Something that makes this HEART beat faster, is gazing upon glorious art. And what sort of art do WE love; anything to do with the sea, ships, sailboats, seascapes, and anything Vintage. WE also have a passion for religious art and Icons. It is hard to remember how this fascination started, but it was certainly influenced by travel. I encouraged Julie to start a regular post on Religious Artefacts. She did one at the beginning and then got lazy [see here]. That’s her style. WE will have to get OUR act together.

La nascita di Venere - Sandro Botticelli

[source]

CHAPTER7: BLACKBIRD

And here we are at the end of our little story about me [heart]. I am sure now there will be many more chapters to add. This blogging gig has been good for me [heart]. No longer am I stuffed in the back of the cupboard in a shoebox [although it was nice and safe in there with Teddy].

I [heart] would like to thank all you beautiful bloggers who keep coming back and leaving me comments, and welcome any new ones. I love your comments. They help me do this tricky job of keeping Julie motivated.

To sum up, WE will leave you with this little song. Written by Paul McCartney and sung by many;

[pic - unknown]

Blackbird [#song]

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and lean to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these sunken eyes and learn to see

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly

Blackbird fly

In to the light of the dark black night

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AND … BACK TO THE BUSINESS OF THE TAG

Again I am hesitant to nominate anyone who simply, may not have the time.

I am suppose to nominate 6. I will go with these lovely ladies below, and if you too feel inclined, let me know and I can include you on the list; [rules at top in BLUE]

• Cate from Ella and Baba
• Julie from Chic Little Shop
• Lee from Glimpse of Style
• Alicia from Delightful and Delovely
• [insert your name here]
• [insert your name here]

OH and ladies, take all the time you want, matters of the heart shouldn’t be rushed!