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]

me baby

2 IMG_0109 [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.

sleeping beauty 4

[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.

2 IMG_0116

[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!!

0 blue dress frame

[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.

8_BURANO

[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!].

india hicks home 1 india hicks home 9

india hicks home 3 india hicks home 5

[28.jpg]

[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.

491px-Sandro_Botticelli_049

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;

bb sing

[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]

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



21 comments:

mimi charmante said...

I actually found you through Cathy Penton's blog, but I too adore Simone! Lucky for me, I can call her one of my dearest friends - she truly is as lovely and sweet and wonderful as you can imagine!
I love your post - truly creative and now I can't wait to see where your search for a home takes you~
xo

Beach House Dreamer said...

What a wonderful post! And how brave of you to share your heart. May our dream of a cottage by the sea come true!!!

Unknown said...

Oh Julie, this was ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.....I love love love the way you wrote it....you are GOOD!!! How creative, you have a true talent. It made me smile, laugh out loud and brought a tear to my eye - as often the best writing does. Am so glad that I asked you!!
The strangest thing though.....my husband is a huge Beatles fan and "Blackbird" is his favourite song - he sings it to the children at bedtime sometimes - they know the words too! So funny that you should choose that song.
Simone :)
PS And thank you for the lovely things you said about me, that made me feel lovely :)

Unknown said...

PS I forgot to say that I love the photo of your mother, that's just lovely....

TracyZLesh @ Then I Got To Thinking said...

I love Simone's blog - she is amazing. I love the poem by ee cummings... she was one of my favorite poets to study while I was in college. All of your pictures are beautiful!

The House That A-M Built said...

What a wonderful expressive post Julie. I am so sorry that you lost your precious Mum. You will get your cottage. A-M xx

beachvintage.com said...

I love this photo of your mum, how wonderful.

Lee said...

Hi Julie - a beautiful, beautiful post that really showed your heart, and in a very clever way. Thank you for tagging me - I am honoured! I think I've had my heart shut away a bit lately (bad I know), so I'll give this some real thought and will post my 'heart' later this week. Have a wonderful week. Lee :)

Alicia said...

I adore your photo of your mum!! I call it a Life Magazine shot. I always thought that was a picture perfect image of life...and hers is. Her energy & happiness just bubble up & giggle from the center out to me.
I happily accept but doubt that I'll do it the justice you did.
Mine will take a bit of thinking though.

Maya said...

I thoroughly enjoyed this post and to learn more about you! Me too am curious how you go along "watering" that seed for a seaside cottage.

Millie said...

What a fabulous post Julie! You have such a gift for writing, I'm glad your blog has encouraged you & allowed all of us to benefit from it as well. You have certainly crammed lots into your life, with obviously much, much more to come. You have a really great outlook on life, you are your Mum's daughter well & truly.
Millie ^_^

Beach House Dreamer said...

After all..., I'm sharing just a tiny little bit of my heart too, and have a confession posted on my blog. I hope you forgive me!

cate said...

Julie this post is just SO perfect I just LOVE our Heart Thank you for tagging me I am so inspired by your journey so far..
:)Cate

Unknown said...

It was so great to hear a little more about the mysterious Miss Julie! I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your mum at such a young age.
I have a little teddy very similar to yours, that I absolutely adored. He is orange and his little nose is skewed to one side of his face from where I had him squashed against me while I slept.

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Thank you, thank you!!! It was quite scary for me to write 'from the heart', I really had a little panick before I pressed the publish button. So to receive sweet sweet comments from all my favourite blog gals was like a big warm hug. Just what I needed.

Maya said...

Yes, I'm having fun with my header images. I do love photography, was once a photographer, sort of (working as an assistant in my early twenties, then doing artistic stuff)..., and a question, would you be up for a link exchange with my site Completely Coastal too!? I'm going ahead and add yours to mine anyway...So long!

Anonymous said...

Dear Julie's Heart,

It was an absolute pleasure reading about your life experiences - that is, up to the Present Day.

I'm sorry to hear about your heartbreak at 15. Losing a parent is beyond terrible, beyond words. I know.

Travel is such a perfect way open our hearts, isn't it? A few years ago, I had an epiphany. I realized that one of Life's Great Certainties is that wherever you, there will be an Australian. It's true. A fact. You're an adventurous lot.

No doubt many new adventures and love and pretty dresses and fabulous home decor await you in your future. Keep up your heart's desires...you never know what just 'round the bend.

susanna said...

PS: Blackbird is my favourite Beatles song. Have you heard the remake in the Across The Universe soundtrack? Gorgeous!

Mélanie said...

Julie,
Thanks for your comment . Thanks to this post , I know more about you ! I like your blog and I will stop often to say " bonjour ".
Hvae a good week end

Heather Scott Partington said...

Beautiful! I also love that ee cummings poem AND Blackbird. Love your post. Thanks for sharing!

Heather Scott Partington said...

Thanks for creepin' over to my blog too! And the tag--I'm laughing because I just wrote "my heart" a few days ago. Here's the link:

http://www.alisgravenil.com/2009/06/sunny-side-up.html