Happy New Year!

I'd like to wish everyone a happy, and healthy New Year! May we enjoy a year filled with peace and good will towards our fellow man! Love, Petra

The Christmas Spirit Award

What do I find under my blog tree today?! The Christmas Spirit Award!
Thank you so very much, A. !


One of the rules is to describe five things I love about Christmas:

1) Being with those I love!
2) Sharing the Christmas spirit of love and peace!
3) The spirit created by all loving beings!
4) Christmas movies and carols!
5) Christmas joy!

I'd love to place this award under each of your trees, even if it remains wrapped until next year! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Peace!

Thank you again, A.! :))


http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com

Eartha Mae Kitt (January 17, 1927-December 25, 2008)

The Blog Love Award

Bloggers never cease to amaze me in their generosity of spirit and passion! My heartfelt thank you to Mama Zen of The Zen of Motherhood for this lovely award!

I'd like to pass the Blog Love Award along to all who stop by. Thank you again, MZ! :))

THE NORTH POLE ADVENTURE

THE NORTH POLE ADVENTURE

To all hard working elves in Bloggyland, here's some music to help while hard at work!


A few facts about our favorites:

OLDEST SONGS are "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "Winter Wonderland"
(both 1934).

SONGS INTRODUCED IN MOTION PICTURES are "White Christmas" in Holiday Inn (1942); "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" in Meet Me In St. Louis (1944); and "Silver Bells" in The Lemon Drop Kid (1950).

WRITER WITH MOST TOP SONGS is Johnny Marks with three: "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," and "A Holly Jolly Christmas."

MOST RECORDED SONG is "White Christmas" with well over 500 versions in dozens of languages.

ENJOY!

1. White Christmas - Bing Crosby




2. The Christmas Song-Nat King Cole




3. Silent Night-Stevie Nicks




4. Here Comes Santa Claus-Elvis Presley






5. Winter Wonderland-Kenny & Dolly




6. Jingle Bell Rock-Bobby Helms




7. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree-Brenda Lee




8. All I Want For Christmas Is You-Mariah Carey




9. Oh Holy Night-Celine Dion




10. We Wish You A Merry Christmas-Enya




11. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas-Judy Garland




12. Jingle Bells-Diana Krall




13. Little Drummer Boy-Frank Sinatra




14. The First Noel-Celtic Woman




15. Carol of Bells






http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

A North Pole Adventure

Linda of Life's A Calling,Who is This? has invited all in Bloggyland to take a trip with her and her family to The North Pole. Dates are from December 22 through to Midnight, Christmas Eve.

Am sure Linda's elves will be very busy preparing a wonderful adventure! Hope to see you there!

Pop over to Linda's for more details!

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

Christmas in Bloggyland Tour

MERRY CHRISTMAS IN BLOGGYLAND!

Take a special Christmas Tour in Bloggyland with Cynthia of Muse Swings and her elves. Travel from blog to blog to see what wonderful things our fellow bloggers have done to celebrate the Holidays.

Below is a fest of Holiday films for your enjoyment. Whether between festivities or at the end of the day, I hope you enjoy some all-around favorites!

LAUREL & HARDY

in Babes in Toyland



"Christmas in July?"

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.

THE BISHOP'S WIFE

Dudley, the mischievous angel.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

"God bless us everyone."

THE GRINCH

"I'll be fashionably late."

JUDY GARLAND

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

THE FAMILY STONE

"You have a freak flag. You just don't fly it.'

LOVE ACTUALLY

Christmas is all around us!

THE HOLIDAY (Italian)

"It's the Santa Anna winds. Anything can happen!"

THE HOLIDAY

"Good night." "Sweet dreams."

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

A Christmas in Bloggyland Tour

A lovely affair is being held on December 15, 2008; an all-day, pre-Christmas feast to celebrate with friends online. A beautiful experience in sharing anything Christmas right in our neighborhood -- bloggyland! All are invited! To add yourself to the guest list or to get more specific details, please don't hesitate to visit Cynthia at Muse Swings , a most gracious hostess!

I truly cannot wait to deck the halls with more than just holly! ;)

The Proximidade Award

Thank you Janeen for this wonderful award!

To quote Janeen, "the Proximidade focuses not on the glory and fanfare of blogging but in the proximity to one another through this online world."

"Blogs who receive this award are exceedingly charming, say its authors. They aren't interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement but to propogate friendships."

Deliver this award to 8 bloggers who then choose 8 more.

This has always been the hardest for me as I see all on my bloglist in this way.

1) Sandy at I Beati - A Meeting Place to Share Our Blessings and Laugh A Little !!

2) Tipper at The Blind Pig and the Acorn

3) Mary Lou at Buttercream Cottage

4) Rowena at Rubber Slippers in Italy

5) Mama Zen at The Zen of Motherhood

6) Enzie at World Market Portraits

7) Chandini at Reading, Writing, and More

8) Poetikat at Poetikat's Invisible Keepsakes

A few more, I promise!

9) Tammy at A Little Girl Talk

10) PV at Finding Me

11) LarryG at Yesterday, Today, and Forever

12) Borut at The Hoo of Haiku

13) Bulletholes at Bulletholes in the Mailbox

14) Beatrice at Poetry for a Night Owl

15) White Rose at White Rose's Garden

16) Peter of Detectives Beyond Borders

I could go on and on!

Thank you again, Janeen!

A Reader's Meme

Peter of Detectives Beyond Borders has recently tagged me to list authors I have read for the first time in 2008. I'm more than happy to participate. Where would we be without our authors. Those who have warmed us, thrilled us, frightened us. Some have changed perceptions of ourselves and the world.

Some I've read are:

John McFedtridge (still reading)
Declan Burke (still reading)
Thich Nhat Hanh
The Dalai Lama
D.T. Suzuki
Isabelle Allende
Gustav Flaubert
Daphne duMaurier
Anton Chekhov
James Redfield

Those I'm tagging are:

Archie at Archies Archive
Joyce at Following the Little God
Chandini at Reading, writing and more
Poetikat at Poetikat's Invisible Keepsakes

There are a few rules:

1) List the authors that were new to you this year, regardless of year of publication.
2) Boldface those which were debuts (first novel published in 2008).
3) Tag as few or as many others as you'd like.

Thank you all! Am looking forward to reading your lists. Petra :))

The Octamom Award - Oh so delicious!

Thank you Blogstalker for this most delicious award!

And, in turn, I am awarding The Octamom Award to all lovers of chocolate who read this post for having perfectly timed their visit and to all on my bloglist. I believe in sharing! ;)

Before I post the rules, grab your chocolates! There are just a few, as you'll see, made palatable by their very nature.

1) You must eat a piece of chocolate in honor of accepting The Octamom Award.

2) You must eat yet another piece of chocolate when you put the award on your blog.

3) Visit Debi B who designed the award by clicking here .

And to quote Blogstalker, if you're reading this post and need a little chocolate in your life, please accept The Octamom Award with my blessing!

Bon appetit! Petra :))

SUNDAY IS FOR POETRY: Hope

Cruel is pain

Is it ever kind?

Nor wanes

whilst fuels the mind.

Minds.

Full of anger, remiss.

Remind the harbored fury,

amiss.

Attack.

Show no mercy

for the slack,

for the controversy.

Love's rays, held in abeyance,

bedecked in tears,

eventually penetrate,

displace fears.

So hark, take heart.

Capture love's rays.

There's hope.

**written by petra michelle**

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

SUNDAY IS FOR POETRY: Second

Motionless, I run to you.

Alone, I lie in your arms.

Frightened, your music calms me.

Hungry, your love sates me.

Ready to give up, your words stead me.

Being second isn't easy,

But I continue to dream.




**written by petra michelle**

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

GIVING THANKS by Joanne Shenandoah

In respect to our home the earth,

We say thank you to the earth

For everything that she gives to us;

Nourishing us everyday.

We give thanks to all the water in the world,

Everything within that water.

We give thanks to all the grass that lives on the land.

We give thanks to all the berries, the fruits, the medicines.

We give thanks to the animals that keep the forests clean.

We give thanks to all the trees for their different uses

that they give to us,

For shelters, for fires that we make

In the winter time keeping us warm.

We give thanks to the birds who sing their beautiful songs.

We give thanks to the four winds.

We give thanks to the grandfathers;

The ones that bring the rain.

We give thanks to our oldest brother, the sun,

Who shines his light everyday.

We give thanks to our oldest grandmother, the moon,

For she is the one that has been charged with the duty

To make sure that light has a continuance.

She is the one that watches over all the movements

Of the water and also the water within us.

We give thanks to the stars, her helper.

And we give a special thanksgiving to the four

sacred beings that watch over the human family.

Sometimes we notice them when we are traveling

in dangerous places.

They are the ones that come to our minds

And say go around, don't go any further.

So that's why they are there.

To protect us and steer us away from danger.

So that's what we do. We start right from the earth

and we climb the ladder right to the special place

beyond the heavens.

Where there's a special spirit that lives there.

The spirit that made it possible for us to be here

And everything that we have mentioned.

And so with the collectiveness of our minds and hearts,

We send a special thanksgiving and greeting

To the great spirit of us all.

Joanne Shenandoah

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

SUNDAY IS FOR POETRY: My Soul Is Healed

You split me

And tore my heart open,

You filled me with love.

You poured your spirit over mine,

I knew you

As I know myself.

My eyes are radiant with your light,

My ears delight in your music,

My nostrils are filled with your fragrance,

And my face is covered with your dew.

You have made me see all things shining,

You have made me see all things new,

You have granted me perfect ease

And I have become like Paradise.

And having become like Paradise,

My soul is healed.

Anonymous

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

For anyone interested in participating, post and pass along. Be aware and healthy, Sistas! Petra :))

For the Grape Escape

FREDERICO FELLINI

One of film's greatest writers, directors, producers is Frederico Fellini. He had the imagination of a genius, attitude of a child, and words of a sage -- to live spherically; not from one point of view, but with an open mind.

Love this quote: "A different language is a different vision of life."

My favorite: "There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the passion of life."

Buona giornata!
Petra

SUNDAY IS FOR POETRY: Vanity

Allow a smile so natural

to be suppressed,

Exaggerates the vanity

so obviously expressed.

**written by petra michelle**

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

HONORING ALL WHO SERVED

Cynthia's Grape Escape

Cynthia of Muse Swings and Lavinia of Birdbath Chronicles have invited anyone interested to take a trip to Italy on November 17, 2008. No detail has been overlooked in preparing for this lush event. Pasta, vino, film - in other words -anything Italian will be on the menu. Bring what you'd like. If you're interested, just copy the invitation to your blog and leave a comment on Cynthia's blog Muse Swings . To quote Poetikat , it's going be "una festa meravigliosa!" Petra

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

The "I've Fallen for Your Blog" Award

I would like to thank a very gracious lady, Mary Lou at Hello Mary Lou , for passing this beautiful Award to me, which in turn I pass along to all on my blog list for I've fallen for theirs. Thank you again, ML's. Petra

SUNDAY IS FOR POETRY: Life

Minimal possessions.

Splashes of rainforests

Panoramic heavens

Oceans of desert

Stampeding animals

Trees of music

All of creation.

Life.

**written by petra michelle*

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

The Brilliante Weblog Award

It must be in the air! Thank you so very much LarryG for your award. There is no feeling like it when another scribe appreciates your work. Thank you again, Larry! :))

This is a sampling of Tipper's art at Blind Pig and The Acorn . Her works have been made in the Appalachian tradition. As I have purchased one of her paintings, I can attest to its ethereal feel and execution. If interested in anything displayed, contact her and she will be more than happy to accommodate you in any way she can. More are showcased on her website.

I've also received and sent, to the recipients' delight, her hand-made cards. Am looking forward to her Holiday cards which, again, are created in the Appalachian tradition. If you have any questions or are interested in anything you see, please don't hesitate to contact Tipper . Petra

The Superior Scribbler Award

I want to thank Poetikat for awarding me with The Superior Scribbler Award. I am most honored and thankful, Kat. For anyone who writes, it's truly a special feeling to receive it. Thanks are also in order to the originator, The Scholastic Scribe .

There are rules! Honestly, I cringe at rules! I live life using poetic license whenever I can. But back to the rules.

1. Each recipient passes the award on to 5 most deserving blog friends. This is nearly impossible for me as I consider everyone on my blog list deserving. But here goes!

For her humor, reflections, and love of all living creatures I Beati-a meeting place to share our blessings and laugh a little!!

Tipper at Blind Pig and The Acorn creates an Appalachian gem, reflecting her true love of the arts and her rich family heritage.

For her humor and outright honesty with the spirit of Zen, The Zen of Motherhood.

One will never leave unsatisfied at Rubber Slippers in Italy with Rowena's culinary feasts, exotic excursions, and other surprises - expressed to include the reader every step of the way.

For anything and everything vintage Mary Lou's creations have flair and magic at Hello Mary Lou .

I can't stop at 5! Just a few more, I promise!

Chandini's prose and poetry are mesmerizing at Reading, writing, and more . Always enjoy your stimulating observations, Chandini!

In addition to White Rose's Garden's breathtaking poetry and blog is Poetry for a Night Owl's captivating poems.

Since I'm a screenwriter, you all must know by now that anything film makes me salivate. Here's a blog I was introduced to not only for her love of Johnny Depp, but for her imaginative writing at The Depp Effect.

And two of the most irreverent, lovable, and creative writers who bring out the devil in me The Inner Minx , a published authoress, and Bullet Holes in the Mailbox , whose imagination can rival the best of them.

For those I haven't mentioned-you know who you are-please forgive me. It is so difficult to be on this end!

So, back to the rules!

2. Each recipient must link to the author and the name from whom he/she has received the Award.

3. Each recipient must display the Award on his/her blog.

4. Each blogger who wins the Superior Scribbler's Award must visit The Scholastic Scribe and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky list. That way, everyone is kept up-to-date on who receives the Award.

5. Each recipient must post these rules on his/her blog.

*laughing* Enough with the rules! But thank you again Poetikat for this wonderful Award! And thanks to everyone for making blogging and life that much more interesting and fun! Petra

SUNDAY IS FOR POETRY: Penumbra

External implosion.
Internal explosion.

Dancing in a ballet of ionic mime!
Feeling with infinite intensity!
Running in cosmic direction!
Moving in colors uncharted!
Magnetic pulls play between cerebral spheres!

Looking out at the eclipse of myself.
Looking in at the freedom of me.

**written by petra michelle**

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

SUNDAY IS FOR POETRY: War

from this moment on is stricken from...

my vocabulary

my dictionary

my consciousness

my subconsciousness

my eyes

my mouth

my tongue

my being.

peace.

**written by petra michelle**

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

The New York City Waterfalls

Recently, I had the privilege of viewing the New York City Waterfalls created by artist Olafur Eliasson a week before their dismantling on 10/13. The man-made waterfalls in the New York Harbor were situated along the shorelines of Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Governor's Island. Hope you enjoy! All photos taken by David Buck, Engineer at WNYC Radio Station in Manhattan.


They ranged from 90 to 120-feet tall.

And were on display from June 26 through October 13, 2008.

What was profound to me is our ability to continuously create such beauty, rather than destroy. Petra

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

SUNDAY IS FOR POETRY: A Mystery

Tis elementary.

A mystery envelops a sensory liaison

of emotion and reason.

Clues abound,

Rally round,

Two lovers found guilty of passional frenzy.

**written by petra michelle**

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

Etreenity

"Happy Birthday, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, dear."

"How old are you today?"

"Lie down and I will tell you."

Below her sunkissed limbs, her shade blanketed me.

"Listen." Her rustling stirred me.

"Touch." I clutched her roots.

"Inhale." I breathed her earth.

Euphoric, I soared and playfully danced with her leaves, then floated down with many to the ground.

"Close your eyes."

A leaf tickled my right foot.

"The past." I held my breath.

Several fell to my legs.

"The present." I sensed their gentle power.

More rested on my chest.

"The future." I caressed them.

One glided over each eye.

"Eternity." I opened my eyes.

"I am," she said.

And I understood.

**written by petra michelle**

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

p.s. to Darfur Fundraising

Enzie's painting is on its way to the United Kingdom, home to the highest bidder.

I say "here here" to Enzie http://world-market-portraits.blogspot.com/ for her love and generosity in helping raise awareness and in raising funds for the people of Darfur. Congratulations, Enzie!

SUNDAY IS FOR POETRY: I Believed You

Jealousy, you wily stalker

disappearing, reappearing

Imposing yourself upon my soul.

Uninvited, unwanted

You preyed upon my averse desire,

my perverse appetite

for your cunning bounty.

You spoke of truths that were untrue.

I believed you, your quarry

I'm sorry, darling.

**written by petra michelle**

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

Hello Mary Lou

If you're looking for anything or everything vintage, I would like to introduce you to Mary Lou at http://hellomarylouc.blogspot.com . Her blog is a feast for the senses! Enjoy! Petra

SUNDAY IS FOR POETRY: Dim the Lights

Don't expose the pain.

Broken dreams take flight

In search of new domain.

Through settling smoke

Shadows loom,

Dancing, gloating

Mocking our doom.

Passionate golden rings

Snuffed by scarred frightened fingers

Promised a lifetime of desire

To two wanton strangers.

**written by petra michelle**

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

Darfur Fundraising Has Started through 10/09/08

Enzie's painting is being auctioned on E-Bay beginning today through 10/09/08.

100% of auction proceeds will benefit UNHCR for the people of Darfur. If you have any questions, please contact Enzie at http://world-market-portraits.blogspot.com/ .

Thank you, Petra.

You'll Be Missed

SUNDAY IS FOR POETRY: Chimes

My love,

Can you hear the chimes of my rhymes?
All I have most times.

I wonder.

Will you partake
or shun
My chimes.




**written by petra michelle**

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

SUNDAY IS FOR POETRY: The Writer's Milieu

Can a writer be so blind
That not a word of herself is understood
Afraid and paralyzed to see further than her pen?

Strewn papers of genius
Lay around for years
Unseen only by dust collected
And deep frown marks
Rejecting words and sentences
That run on, trying to escape
The hand in a catcher's mitt.

**written by petra michelle*

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/

SUNDAY IS FOR POETRY: Maria

Jealousy is a silent, secret wish

To change what I am not

To what I never will be.

Long gone is my curly, black hair

And dark brown eyes

That could not see

My wish to be,

Maria.

**written by petra michelle**

http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/