Ode to George
George died today.
We first met George 25 years ago. A refugee who came to live with our family when our neighbours who separated, could no longer provide the home where George had lived.
We opened our home and our hearts to George and our children and grandchildren came to love George deeply even though to George children were the cause of some concern and irritation.
Over the last 25 years there were times of the day and in Georges daily routine that could not be ignored without protest.
1 – At dawn George would demand that the radio be tuned to the local radio station 96fm in order that George could dance. Music from 1960 and 70 preferred.
George liked it LOUD and with a beat to dance to!
2 – Anyone visiting was required to say hello.
3 – At 3pm everyday George would demand salt and vinegar flavoured chips and an assortment of flavoured biscuits for afternoon tea.
George was indeed demanding and if ignored would make it known broadly without concern to anyone in hearing range.
We didn’t know of Georges early life. It may have been filled with love or with hard times.
We did know that George had been through times of great stress as George had inflicted several scares before coming to live with us and was very wary of our motives in those early years.
On December 27th we found George lying almost lifeless on the floor but managed with revive our dear friend.
The whole family mobilized to revive George and over the last few weeks make George as comfortable and happy as we could.
On January 11th George died.
I dug George a grave in our garden and alongside buried the radio George so loved to dance to everyday.
We will miss you George – everyday.
Goodbye our friend; in our hearts forever.
George was a short-billed Corella of unknown age.
Rest now George.
Transported into history
1 - It was a night to remember forever!
2 - Moving within elite circles.
3 - Melanie was transported to ‘Un jour à Versailles’
4 - James will never believe this!
5 - James called back, but Melanie was away in France!
6 - “Happy anniversary my love - See you tonight”
7 - They woke in each other’s arms
8 - “Would you marry me 230 years ago James?”
9 - The French Court setting designs.
10 - Immersed in history
11 - Planning a trip for one day in May
12 - Auction Day to come somewhere in time May 7th 1819
13 - A breakfast fit for a King
14 - Hello Lord Wemsys - May 7th 1819
15 - Now we can return to see Marie.
16 - James and Melanie will marry in Versailles tomorrow.
17 - The wedding June 7th 1789.
18 - The letter was stained by Melanie’s tears.
19 - To visit Versailles once more
20- The flight to Geneva with Merie by her side
21 - The saving of Marie’s Jewels
22 - I fear to be the Last Queen of France. Write our story!
23 - Holding you forever my sister. Time still exists!
24 - A lock of hair
25 - Slavery – the absence of Choice to Choose.
26 - James will you still love me in another 200 years?
27 - Our bond will never break, even in a thousand years.
28 - A hole in the heart of history. A story of slavery.
29 - Our love will go on wherever you are.
30 - ‘The Slavery of Marie Antoinette’
32 - The Power of the pendant. "Nous avons aimé dans le temps."
33 - “Viva La Vida Melanie.” {“Live life Melanie.”}
34 - Time alone gives Marie love.
35 - Marie-Thérèse did live.
36 - Time heals.
37 - Escape from Tuileries Palace.
38 - The endless dawns of time.
40 - Where is it? Where is it!!?
41 - Tears from the Temple Tower
42 - Where are you now?
43 - Marie-Thérèse’s letter to her mother.
45 - The Postman never arrived.
46 - Sometimes not knowing is the answer.
49 - Change the world one wish at a time
50 - Be the Change you wish to see.
51 - Let me share my vision with you Marie.
53 - Snow on the ground
54 - Come with me Marie
56 - Over the sea to Skye
57 - Another night to remember
59 - Escape from Perth to Edinburgh; the Queen is safe.
60 - A horse a horse; my kingdom for a horse!
61 - Setting out to Edinburgh Castle
62 - Dreaming
66 - The Battle of Killiecrankie
68 - Ask the mountains
69 - Echoes of the past
70 - Where are you Marie?
4 4 71 - James heard the call.
73 - Life’s a continuum.
74 - The soothing light of White
75 - The Autumn winds of my heart.
76 - Lost in thoughts and lost in time.
77 - I wish you were here Marie!
78 - Brothers in Arms
79 - Lay me down
80 - Share Christmas with me Melanie.
81 - The Leaving
82 - Louis - last visit.
83 - My days are done.
84 - An artist’s grief
85 - An Artist’s heart
86 - All things pass
87 - The Queen’s commission 1755
88 - Morning mist
89 - Single perfect bloom
90 - Forever; life.
91 - Back to China
92 - Journeys
93 - An Artist’s legacy
94 - The journey from Canton to New York
96 - Play for James
97 - The days passed by
98 - Before birth.
99 - Serenity to chaos
100 - Moist morning dew – tears in the ocean.
101 - Wisdom of the waves.
102 - The passing of wisdom
103 - Lessons lost in time
104 - Unknown life
105 - Tears of understanding
106 - Enlightenment
107 - Eternal Love
108 - The final gift of beauty.
Ching Dynasty Collection
We are the custodians of some of the most exquisite examples of hand carved artistry from 200 years ago,. These were commissioned by King George III of Great Britain & Ireland for Queen Charlotte in 1780.
