Watch the Garden Grow

As the moon rose over the hills that shelter Riversleigh, I made my way down the path, past the grove of silver birches, towards the glasshouses where dream seeds had laid waiting for residents willing to believe that all you have to do is lovingly plant your dreams and they will grow.

The rising full moon shone brightly, filling the glass house with soft, filtered light and I could see that many, trusting people had been here.

As I stopped to look at the tables I could see traces of potting mix everywhere. I smiled, thinking that the gruffy head gardener might not be pleased in the morning. When I checked the wooden box from which seed envelopes had been taken and saw what had been done with them, jade teardrop seeds welled in my eyes.

I took a jade teardrop seed and gently held it in my fingers, caressing it, talking to it of the joy of nourishing creativity. Carefully I dug a hole with my forefinger and placed the seed in to the rich black soil, aware that this precious droplet of joy would thrive at Riversleigh. Within moments healthy young shoots appeared and began to sing in chorus

le Enchateur's been a planting
le Enchanteur's got green fingers

watch her garden grow

A smile crept across my face as the cheeky plants sang and danced so happily. "This has to be bliss!" I thought.

Holding the dream that I had not vocalised close to my heart, I wrapped my cloak back around me and walked back towards the manor, sure that my dream seeds were going to fill not only my dreams, but the hopes and dreams of many others.

The door to my room

Since the door to my room seems to be quite unusual.
I thought I would share it with you.
the Unicorn seems to speak to me not in words but she
seems to know what I need, and I can here her wisper
conforting thoughts to me.

the door is a piece of leather , I used sharpies to draw the lines. The unicorn is hand drawn using gel pens , I use an ink pad to color the hallway

Butterfly Wishes

I went to the greenhouse tonight to collect my packet of seeds.
It is already dark out. but the path is lite
I walked slowly , enjoying the night.
There are so many sounds surounding me.
Some I know, but many are new to me.
I feel safe, proteceted from all that could harm me.
I soon arrive at the green house,
Inside there are many unusual plants and flowers.
I see the box of blank seed packets , setting on a table.
I choose my seeds, wondering what might be inside.
Being very carefull to steer clear of a plant that appears to be inching closer and closer to my hand I move to the other side of the table.
Watching to make sure that I am not near anything else that might want a taste of me.
I slowly open the package and find 5 seeds shaped like butterflies.
They are gold in color. I have Butterfly Wishes, a very special seed.
These seeds must be planted in the same pot so watching where I am reaching I find a large square shape pot decortated with butterflies. This will be perfect for my seeds.
I gather up some of the special soil from the bag beside the table .
As I carefully plant each seed I must make a wish,
I wished for Joy, Peace, love, hope, and creativity.
I added some water and being careful to avoid the plant that seems to think I would make a tasty lunch . I head back to my room.
I place it on my desk. so that I can see it everyday.
It will need much love and attention to grow throughout the next year.

Planting my seeds at Riversleigh

My attic is a perfect perch to look out over Riversleigh and its grounds. Papered with flower sprigged wallpaper and yellow curtains at the window, it is a sunny, airy room with plenty of floor space. There's a sofa under the window where I can sit and dream and read, and a bowl of russet apples nearby.
I have unpacked a few precious things that I brought with me - the photo album of our children growing up, a handmade little dream box and a lovely plant pot, (Christmas presents from my daughters), an old wooden flute and of course, my travelling art bag with supplies for drawing, painting and collage.
I went down to the greenhouse to collect my seed packet. Inside I found three tiny brown seeds, so small they looked like specks of earth in my hand. I filled the beautiful pot with good rich soil and planted my tiny seeds of hope. I have so many hopes and dreams to feed it with - hopes for a peaceful world for my grandchildren to grow up in, dreams of the art I will create this year with my paints and words.
I placed the pot under the sunny attic window and gave the tiny seeds their first nourishment with my gratitude for this haven that I have come to.

Seeds of the Future

The Dandelion is an unremarkable weed with one of the most beautiful seeds that I know. I remember the thrill of watching a little child holding the 'clock' in their hand, blowing and watching the seeds go flying off into the air.



My seed packet carries some seeds such as the dandelion seed. My wish is that they fly off where they need to go, (wherever the wind shall blo') embedding themselves firmly in my pysche, giving growth to the untapped gifts within.
I shall water them with love and care for myself, and the manure......dedication and enthusiasm for the journey to The Magic Faraway Tree and my other creative pursuits.

I have never liked New Year Resolutions or been dedicated to thinking about them. However, I love this idea of planting seeds. Thanks to L'Enchanteur, her inspiration continues to energize me.

Flight Plant seeds

According to the packet, if kept in the sunlight and fed daily

with a good story, this plant will be fully mature in less than two

weeks. The small pink flowers can be made into a tea, and the

drinker of the tea will have the gift of flight for 24 hours.

This plant is a perennial, and the flowers may be dried and stored in

a tin for later use, as well. These may come in handy in a pinch.

Pedalling My Way to Riversleigh

Well, I have arrived. I had wondered if I’d make it, but I did, so here I am. Moonbeam, my favorite donkey, was off helping someone else, and the camels had all gone home to the desert. I didn’t know what to do, so after some thought, I got out my old bicycle, cleaned it, and oiled it up. It would be my transportation to Riversleigh Manor.

I was excited as I started off with my pannier bags packed and my handlebar bell polished and tinkling as sweet a tune as I’d heard in a while. It wasn’t long though before my legs, unused as they were to pedaling long distances, began to complain. It helped to alternate; walk awhile, pushing my two wheeled chariot, and then to ride awhile, until my leg muscles screamed and begged for pity. Let me tell you, I took a lot of rest stops along the way.

My first view of Riversleigh Manor delighted me with its old world opulence, a picture postcard that I could walk into and experience for myself. And I was going to stay here for a while. What could be better?

#

I was surprised, when I entered and checked in to learn that a room had been reserved for me, and just as I had requested, it had a bay window and right outside, a venerable old oak tree. My dream had come true in that I could step from my room, through the window and onto a sturdy branch. From there, if I wanted to, I could hide in the foliage, and be alone with my thoughts. I tried it and yes, it was an easy step from the window and into the branches. From there, I could see for miles and watch the comings and goings. For as long as I stayed here, this would be my writing nook. It would be from here that the ideas would spring. Down below, leaning against the trunk was my old bicycle, ready to take me away when I was ready. I don’t know when that would be though, because this was to be my Shangri La.

I unpacked my bags and settled in, and right away my Muse tuned in to my wavelength. This was going to be an eventful soujourne.

Elusive Lover
The breeze touches my face and ruffles my hair.
Like the gentle caress of a lover
she soothes and excites.
I reach for her hand,
but shy, she dances away.
Back again, she touches and teases,
playing games with my heart.

I climb back into my room. It’s time to meet my fellow travelers … it’s time to seek the faraway tree.

Vi

My New Year Seed

Oh my! What a seed awaited me in the packet I selected. I've never seen one this huge! I hope the pot I put it in is big enough.

The seed I received is perfect for me. It looks like a little clay ball. I have been enjoying playing with clay recently, so this seed will likely be the beginning of further clay adventures.

Being as large at is it, there's so much more it will hold for me in the coming year. Some of which I hope will include:
• Increased time for creativity and indulging my imagination
• A year filled with enough joy and laughter to balance out any pain or sorrow that is inevitable
• Career challenges that excite me rather than stress me out
• Find an in-person community to inspire me and befriend me as well as my online communities do
• More time, and motivation, to get outside and enjoy nature...ever with my camera with me to capture the beauty
• Find a balance between work time, home time, family time, partner time, me time

This is a lot for this seed to accomplish, but I have faith in it. It's a strong seed. I only hope it will sprout. Here in the shade of my treehouse where gentle breezes blow, I'm not sure if the conditions are condusive to sprouting. I'll tend to it carefully every day and adjust its location for the greatest amount of sunshine, warmth, and rain. Maybe under my watchful care, the seed will know it is in a loving home and will easily open up for me bearing goodness, joy, and miracles.

Shirt Pocket Seeds

Packet Dream Seeds

My Quarters

As there are only 25 rooms in this rambling estate and more than 25 guests, I found my perfect home just outside the Manor. Wandering through the woods, drawn there by the glorious elms Imogen pointed out to me, I found the home of my dreams. Here I can live right among nature. My windows look out upon the birds, squirrels, and other great and wonderful creatures I'm sure live in this forest.

The tree house image I found at http://www.casafree.com/modules/xcgal/displayimage.php?pid=1151
The sunset photo is one I took.

Under The Pepper Tree

I have been wandering around this wonderful old mansion. It has so many nooks and crannies and everyone seems to be settling in very comfortably.

I have been down to the kitchen and experienced the ghostly presence of all those truly comforting women who had controlled the household over the years. They cooked, worked and gossiped their way through the long days, keeping the members of the houshold well fed and nurtured. It looks to me as though Faucon is going to look after us now with his delectable specialities.

Wandering through the gardens, I found my favourite place - a space to sit and ponder.

The Pepper Tree

Memories came flooding back

-The Pepper Tree-

Years long past

The scrunchy feel of the pink paper casings

The fragrance of the pepper corns

The feathery leaves

And weeping branches touching the ground

It was a safe and private space

Where a little girl could play

For anyone who wants to take a rest, to get away and have some space, wander on down and I can promise you it is worth a visit.

Planting Seeds

Now before heading off on any adventures up the Faraway Tree there are some chores to be done.

I want you to slip down to the Greenhouse, near the barn where the Gypsies are encamped. Choose a blank seed packet from the box on the table.

Free Printable Seed Packet

Have a reflective moment and consider what you hope will blossom from your work at Riversleigh. Design the seed packet, label it and plant one of Enchanteur's dream seeds into a pot filled with some of the composted soil they have down in the greenhouse.

Go out and buy a small pot and plant some seeds. Put this in a sunny spot and ake care of it over the coming months. Keep a record of the seed's journey. At the same time look for signs that the seed you planted in the pot at Riversleigh is flourishing as well.

P.S. This would be a perfect side activity for your Science class Rhonda. They could also plant some of Enchanteur's dream seeds.

A Challenge

Here is a thought inspired my Monica's drawing,
and in tune with my ceiling 'fake' window on a
sloped ceiling at Sakin'el.

It would make an incredible children's book to allow
them to look at the world through the garret dormer
of the Riversleigh Manor. This could be a collaborate
effort of many here, with me [being the only guy ;-)],
assembling and publishing the book.
The purpose would be to encourage kids
to look at the world from a 'different view',
and to write about it.

Imagine a large format, spiral bound book.
Each set of facing pages would be framed
by a six(6) pane dormer window . The left scene
would be a real or imagined view of the world --
some of Monica's tree photos perhaps or one
of Aletta's fantasy scenes of dragons. On the right
page, three of the panes would be filled in with a
variety of items -- quote of the day, a cookie recipe,
a little poem, etc. The other three panes would be
left open for reader entry of 'thought of the day',
last night's dream', a crayon drawing inspired by the
'window' scene. I figure about 180 sets would be ideal,
allowing for an entry every other day -- a living
journal of sorts.

I could use help in collecting thoughts, craft ideas, sayings, etc.
to put on the pages -- hopefully inspired by our days
here at the Manor. It would have to be in B&W, though
the cover can be Color. Hopefully, everyone here could
contribute something -- possible proceeds going to
Soul Food, of course.

Possible title:

"Gable Eyes of Riversleigh"

faucon

Sample Cooking

Here is the menu from a little supper
we prepared for a small party last fall:

I will prepare six portions -- bring your own wine



Sakin'el by Twilight

Dinner Menu: [hosted by Papa faucon and Auntie Em]

Appetizer
Goddess Wish
Delicate white fish and green moon pearls
in a scrumptious, piquant white sauce.
An old Spanish recipe with a touch of alchemy
so that there are no carbs, no fat and only 60 calories.
hot fresh-baked bread

Entrée
Solstice Salad
This and That and Wizard Dressing too
Chicken Sakin'el
Boneless breast braised in Secret Salsa
Tegsh Taters
A whisper of herbs tells of Her presence
Veggies Vlad
Fresh from the garden and flame
with Transylvanian sausage

Desert (choice)
Papa Cake
The simple made cheery --
sure, ala mode'
Emmie's Triple Chocolate Terror
More calories that the rest of the dinner

Assorted beverages

We are Here

Doors and Rooms that move.
Windows that Talk.
Trees that Listen and share
the wisdom of ages.
We are in a magical place
A good place.
All of our needs are met here.
Our rooms seem to change to suite our needs.
and our Emotions.
When we need a calm place to Collect our thoughts
we find it there.
When we need creative ideas and inspiration we find it.
Riversleigh Manor is a good place to be
A safe haven for all of us to grow and learn from each other.
It is our home and we are all family.
Carolyn H

The Holy Grail

I'm sitting in the loungeroom with my family. Some of them I have met for the first time this week. But I feel like I have known them forever. It is a good feeling and I am inspired to be creative.

When I was a small child I used to daydream a lot. Still do. There's nothing the matter with it, just that sometimes I miss important bits of conversations. I need to daydream, the same as I need to breathe.

The Magic Faraway Tree collection was my favourite. I wanted to be there with the youngsters, I wanted to meet Dame Wash-a-Lot and hear her chatter as I climbed the tree to another world. For this world is worthy of escaping...sometimes.

I muse upon the tree, the lands which lie above, the Golden Grove and those who will be travelling up the tree with me.

I know now that I can write.

Thankyou Heather.

Been to the Gypsy Camp with my sketch book

I have just come back to the house after having spent a couple of hours at the Gypsy Camp sketching. I couldn't wait to show Shiloh that a caravan is camped alongside the White Birch Lady and that a raven perched itself on her boughs while I sat sketching.

Now I think I will slip into the kitchen and see what faucon has brewing. At the very least I expect to be able to make myself a sandwich and sit with a cup of tea in the library. The library is filled with all those lovely old wooden shelves and has ladders that slide along tracks. From what I have seen the collection is just perfect. Lots of mythology and fairy stories to keep me occupied for hours.

Strange Magic - Windows that Talk

This is the oddest, most eloquent

dormer window I have ever encountered

since childhood tales! This one sings, talks, and

tells stories. It even made me get

out my very dusty coloured

chalk pastels and insisted I draw it's

image for everyone!?!?

(Hmmm...not sure

about the art but it sure looks cosy! Must be

something in the water around these parts... ;-} )

copyright Monika Roleff 2005.

My little corner of the world

Ah, the warm sun feels good on my face after all that gray, cold weather back in Kansas. This looks like just the spot to sit and sort myself out with a hot cup of tea. I will rest a bit before unpacking my art supplies--I've a feeling I will be using them a bit more this journey, and a little less work on the old keyboard...any of you are welcome to stop by for a cuppa and the view, just knock--but if I don't answer, you'll know I'm hard at work or taking a nap on the lovely overstuffed lounger next to the water garden!

Pan

Sitting in this room of my dreams at Riversleigh, I meditate on what is, now. Before I go on any journey I must read and I am aware my mind is partly obscured by the crags of superstition. I look outside at green boughs, swaying innocently in the slight breeze, and doing nothing at all but being what they are, shelter for humans and animals, shade from the sun for the earth and its inhabitants. Generous boughs like loving arms, just doing what they do, because that is wise. The boughs bend in the breeze, and only break when they obey the natural cycle. No more, no less. I saw some old despatches pinned to the bark of one tree, "This tree means death! This tree is cursed! This tree must go! This tree is a nuisance! This tree drops leaves! This tree hides the robbers of the wood!" These were ancient signs, on faded paper and animal skin. The ink had faded and run into rivulets, so disappeared just as I read the words. There was no more.
http://www.loggia.com/myth/pan.html

(click for Pan Mythology.)

Pan, the ancient God of eternal youth, the green bough, the song of nature, the bounty of the woods for man and creature. Yet he became the horned one, for reasons that are no longer important in this time and space. All eras have their confusions and oddities. To some Pan might have been a shape shifter, a menace, a conjurer to those who misunderstood the purpose and magic of the God. Green meant "uninitiated, foolish, immature, artless" to those who couldn't sense the meaning. And it's no wonder, when the gap between the sense of life was cleaved, division became the way, not the means. All or nothing, extremes, labels, like those on the tree through the ages, branded it, made it into something it wasn't. Yet the truth was always lying in wait, for those who sought it. And it matters not, just that it be known. Pan is green, piping through the wood audaciously, to those who would see him. To others he is a menace, seen through superstitious, fearful eyes. So much "truth" is just perception. I must ask the right questions and be careful of how I perceive this journey.

copyright Monika Roleff 2005.

Not The GreenMan

You may see me wandering about beneath the trees,
my restless spirit escaping from the swing or kitchen nook;
but also by habit -- for I would serve to protect all
the maids within the house -- and my staff is more
than just for teasing flowers...

so, I don't wish to be mistaken for the 'greenman',
of which some refer or seek or dream --
and so that you may not be confused,
I offer this from another blog last spring.
.......................

Consider a leaf …
a spring gifted green leaf,
one of jillions that grab and tease
the eye and mem'ried soul.
It is difficult not to see green …
but do you understand it?

You do not see the leaf at all,
but the reflection of light energy
gifted by the sun.
The plant absorbs the rest
called magenta in color compliment,
and transforms it into stored energy
for later life and contemplation.
Thus the essence of a plant
is un-green in truth;
a color shadow of what you see.

In the splendor of fall's death
the green seems to disappear,
but it is only changed in nature
such that it is absorbed by the leaf
and the magenta reflects its soul to us
in gold and rust and amber hues.
By this rebirth cycle we can believe
and ever know of the soul hidden
in the blinding light of day.

Now consider Divinity
and soul, mind and spirit!
Need I go on?
The next time you see stranger
do not be blinded by the reflection
of form and angle and pigmentation;
but imagine the soul you cannot see
but know is truly there by inference.

Here too we are blinded by the Light of God
made manifest in thee and me and all,
while only our soul can perceive
the color shadows of infinity.
Imagine with me a vibration in attention
where all you see is this real soul self,
and the mysterious physical being
is hidden and can only be perceived
by becoming human …

and you ask why you are here.

Green Man ATC

Reading the myth about the Green Man reminded me of an ATC that I made a couple of weeks ago.
The image is from the web.

Lovely painting in my room...

Now that there is daylight I see that there is a lovely painting in my room. I would like to share it with you all. It brings a smile to my face every time I look at it.


John William Waterhouse
Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, 1909

Riversleigh Manor - Elm Views

The window here affords this

view, a sight to be seen, an

old memory or two --

l'enchanteur says she

will take me to the swing --

I knew in distant memory.

What fun it is to suppose,

and no-one knows what

will be...a lovely place,

a place of imagination and

magic, lands and wonders...

the Manor is green

and full of promise...

copyright Monika Roleff 2005.

Riversleigh Guest Book

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Settling into Riversleigh Manor

Riversleigh Manor is a rambling old house with twenty five private quarters. This house was once the house of Lord and Lady someone or other and was later acquired by the Abbess and belongs to the Lemurian Abbey. Paths lead through the Grove Seed Grove to the Gypsy Camp, the Hermitage and the Lemurian Abbey.

Riversleigh Manor is the base home of those who have decided to come and find the Magic Faraway Tree, which is said to be within the Enchanted Golden Seed Grove. Everyone will find Enid Blyton's triology in their quarters and should spend a few days reading.

It feels like we have all arrived in the land of goodies because everyone is choosing idyllic apartments to live in during 2006. A year long project! I am just so excited that Heather is making my fantasy possible.