winds of change

The wind is still   blowing today
somewhere between a gush and a howl
its been summoned to bring clouds
pushing them from one side of my window to the other...in a rush
where do they all come from and where are they going?
This drastic means of change is new to me
I am used to the sound of a cicada , complaing about the heat of midday
and laughing at the forktailed drongo perched on a tree above,unable to spot the noisy little bugger

shopping in Assisi

in search of "my chicory"

Today we asked Marina,s mother , Adria,what her secret was to her young
and beautifil complexion
she took us outside, armed with an old knife and wooden basket,
in the garden she dug up,
(which seemed to us ,unwanted worthless weeds)
chicory
"natures,s kitchen, clean air and feeling free,
thats what ,makes me, me"



Drini took up the chalenge of preparing a meal with the "weeds"
adding some potato and garlic,she cooked a lovely dinner...


Adria picking chicory

distance

woke up this morning feeling disconnected

distance between me and my daily routine

tranquility of Mount Subassio

adrenaline rush subsided
from loved ones departed

how we can fill our lives with insignificant deeds

                      
today we are all working in the studio ,looking at the artist,s work,I realized that intense planning went into this and I am looking forward with excitement and anticipating...the end products are going to be stunning...
wonderful weather up hear in the mountain
went for a long and steep walk yesterday and we all made it to the top,where whe had an awesome view over the valley.
on our way we went past a cementary.....amazing that every grave had a small light mounted at one end...a symbol of everlasting life
we then met a farmer,his wife and mother....and could not help but to get an overwhelming feeling of wonder and admiration for these Italian people,this is a hard life , hard work has taken its toll on the faces and hands,
yet they manage to make the most wonderful wine
Marina,s mother baked a typical "Umbrian breakfast cake" for us this morning, along with homemade jams and yogurts....manifique! .The warmth and hospitality of this family  almost makes one emotional...in a good way...its great to be back at Ginestelle

happy days

Ginestrelle, Mount Subassio......Assisi
Finally, we have arrived..all safe and sound, Even though tired, there was a buzz at dinner table , the air was filled with excitement and anticipation.
Just when I thought my fellow travellers had no enrgy left, Ginestrelle Arte Studio embraced them with so much warmth and  compassion , the laughter filled the room...they all embraced this little spot at the foot of Mnt Subassio as their sanctuary for thr next few days.

Travel Tips

1. Thank the Lord for the  opportunity

2.Trust Him for His protection

3. Praise Him for His Power and Presence

4. travel light

6 SA Artists to take part in an International Exhibition in Assisi!!



 

It's almost time for Assisi...again

quite some time since I last wrote on my blog! Well, in a months time I am going back to Ginistrelle and this time a will be accompanied by 5 artists from my province in South Africa:Mpumalanga (were the sun rises) Sarie Eksteen, Tanah van Schalkwyk, Elanie van der Merwe,Kato Neveling and Drini Jacob We will spend some time at the Art residency Ginistrelle in Assisi and our work will be part of an International Exhibition in Assisi...so there will be a lot to talk about. Had an exhibition in Wite River with the theme Chai Chadash : Hebrew for "new life" and I will post a few pictures

 

Bones being used in analogies to convey the essence of a man (his soul)

 

Many cultures only associate   bones with death,  others  used it  to ward off bad spirits or bad luck and to attract good spirits or to have good luck

 

The word ‘bone’ is often mentioned in various contexts in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word for ‘bone’ is “ètsem.” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible #6106 states that bones mean “essence, substance.”

The bones of a man or skeletal system symbolically represent the invisible soul because bones remain long after the flesh rots away. The long lasting nature of bones proves that the soul is the immortal part of humans that will continue to exist after physical death

 Manly Hall in his book The Secret Teaching of All Ages states

“Since the bones are the frame work that sustains the corporeal structure [physical body], they may be regarded as a fitting emblem of the spirit—that divine foundation

 

There are other instances in the scriptures where ‘bones’ are mentioned.

Prophesy of life in the bones found in Ezekiel

Eze 37:12  Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

Joseph asked his brothers not to leave his bones in Egypt when they returned to the promised land (Gn. 50:25). Also Ezekiel had a vision of dry bones in a valley (Ezk. 37:1-11). In both of these circumstances bones have a deeper meaning than just physical bones. In this context ‘bones’ spiritually mean the soul.

So, when Moses and Israel took Joseph’s bones out of Egypt (Ex. 13:19), this typified the resurrection of a man’s soul. Likewise, the valley of dry bones symbolically represented Israel. Ezekiel spoke to these bones, they rose on their feet, Spirit entered into them, and they became alive. These bones represented the resurrected souls (Ezk. 37:11-4), which the Messiah fulfilled at His death, burial, and resurrection (Mt. 27:51-52).

As the  skeletal system in the natural body is a reflection or shadow of both the mental and spiritual support systems. On a psychological level, our world view or belief system, although very limited and biased, is our initial framework to our environment and people. Eventually, we have to transcend our beliefs which limit and constrain us.

A scroll may represent the Old Testament, or the gift of writing