100 and more quotes by women

I'm constantly in search of quotes as on a page I'm part of our Saturdays posts are usually a quote; Inspirational, motivational, life, love & friendship. I've been to countless quote pages and its such a lovely thing to do, find positive quotes.

But - and its a big but - why is 80% of the quotes shown or listed in top 100 or so all made by men? Is there only 20% good quotes by women on life, inspiration, motivation, friendship etc?

Of course not but I have to say I've really had to search for them, look for them and its taken some time.

I still feel I've missed out on many good quotes by women (and not about women but about life) so I hope you will give me some new ones or the ones that I have missed in the comments below. Some of the women I know very well, others I have no idea who are. But I find the quote a good one. I will continue my search as goal is one quote pr day.

So far I've got 173 quotes, they are in alphabetical order by author.

• “I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.” Agatha Christie     
• “Good advice is always certain to be ignored, but that's no reason not to give it.”  Agatha Christie           
• “Don’t wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get you’ve got to make yourself.” Alice Walker         
• “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.” Alice Walker           
• “Life is all about evolution. What looks like a mistake to others has been a milestone in my life. Even if people have betrayed me, even if my heart was broken, even if people misunderstood or judged me, I have learned from these incidents. We are human and we make mistakes, but learning from them is what makes the difference.” Amisha Patel            
• “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” Anais Nin          
• “Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” Anais Nin
• “We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.” Anais Nin          
• “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Anais Nin  
• “A good compromise is one where everybody makes a contribution.”  Angela Merkel      
• “If you don’t get out of the box you’ve been raised in, you won’t understand how much bigger the world is.” Angelina Jolie       
• “If you think taking care of yourself is selfish, change your mind. If you don’t, you’re simply ducking your responsibilities.” Ann Richards 
• “The cause of freedom is not the cause of a race or a sect, a party or a class-it is the cause of human kind, the very birth right of humanity.” Anna Julia Cooper  
• “Everyone had inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!” Anne Frank  
• “Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.” Anne Frank   
• “Whoever is happy will make others happy too.” Anne Frank         
• “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank    
• “I must uphold my ideals, for perhaps the time will come when I shall be able to carry them out.” Anne Frank    
• “Don’t look at your feet to see if you are doing it right. Just dance.”  Anne Lamott
• “I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.”  Arianna Huffington     
• “When I dare to be powerful – to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”  Audre Lorde   
• “When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak.”  Audre Lorde          
• "People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone." Audrey Hepburn   
• “The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” Audrey Hepburn
• “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, “I’m possible!” Audrey Hepburn      
• “If you're feeling helpless, help someone.” Aung San Suu Kyi        
• “You should never let your fears prevent you from doing what you know is right. “Aung San Suu Kyi           
• “The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” Ayn Rand
• “You can imprison a man, but not an idea. You can exile a man, but not an idea. You can kill a man, but not an idea.”  Benazir Bhutto      
• "You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try." Beverly Sills
• “Defining myself, as opposed to being defined by others, is one of the most difficult challenges I face.” Carol Moseley-Braun  
• “Always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that’s the one that is going to require the most from you.”          Caroline Myss           
• “Opportunities are often things you haven't noticed the first time around.” Catherine Deneuve     
• “We need to start work with the idea that we’re going to learn every day. I learn, even at my position, every single day.” Chanda Kochhar  
• “If you can’t go straight ahead, you go around the corner.” Cher     
• “It takes humility to realize that we don’t know everything, not to rest on our laurels, and to know that we must keep learning and observing.” Cher Wang 
• “Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.” Coco Chanel      
• “Life is a succession of moments, to live each one is to succeed. “ Corita Kent      
• “No matter what you're going through, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and it may seem hard to get to it but you can do it and just keep working towards it and you'll find the positive side of things. “ Demi Lovato  
• “This journey has always been about reaching your own other shore no matter what it is, and that dream continues.”  Diana Nyad        
• “You are the one that possesses the keys to your being. You carry the passport to your own happiness.” Diane von Furstenberg   
• “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.”  Dolly Parton          
• “Delete the negative; accentuate the positive!” Donna Karan          
• “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” Edith Wharton           
• “When you feel that you have reached the end and that you cannot go one step further, when life seems to be drained of all purpose: What a wonderful opportunity to start all over again, to turn over a new page. Eileen Caddy        
• “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” Eleanor Roosevelt
• “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do. “ Eleanor Roosevelt
• “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”  Eleanor Roosevelt       
• “The most beautiful people I've known are those who have known trials, have known struggles, have known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.” Elisabeth Kübler-Ross 
• “But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful.” Elizabeth Edwards      
• “Stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be.”   Elizabeth Gilbert        
• “Yet what keeps me from dissolving right now into a complete fairy-tale shimmer is this solid truth, a truth which has veritably built my bones over the last few years--I was not rescued by a prince; I was the administrator of my own rescue.” Elizabeth Gilbert       
• “Give light and people will find the way.” Ella Baker          
• “Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong.” Ella Fitzgerald      
• “It isn’t where you come from; it’s where you’re going that counts.” Ella Fitzgerald         
• “Find out who you are and be that person. That's what your soul was put on this Earth to be. Find that truth, live that truth and everything else will come.” Ellen DeGeneres        
• “If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” Ellen Johnson Sirleaf 
• "Often we set out to make a difference in the lives of others only to discover we have made a difference in our own." Ellie Braun-Haley    
• “Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough.” Emily Dickinson     
• “It’s not the absence of fear, it’s overcoming it. Sometimes you’ve got to blast through and have faith.” Emma Watson
• “If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.” Erica Jong           
• “Guilt: the gift that keeps on giving.” Erma Bombeck         
• “We are all gifted. That is our inheritance.”   Ethel Waters  
• “There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.” George Sand        
• “Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.” George Sand    
• "If you think somebody cares about you and believes your life is worth saving, how can you give up?" Geraldine Ferraro
• "Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning." Gloria Steinem    
• “Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”  Golda Meir    
• “Don't be afraid your life will end. Be afraid that it will never begin.” Grace Hansen
• “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” Helen Keller       
• “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.“ Helen Keller   
• “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller 
• “I try to live in a little bit of my own joy and not let people steal it or take it.” Hoda Kotb
• "You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose." Indira Gandhi
• “There is nothing like a concrete life plan to weigh you down. Because if you always have one eye on some future goal, you stop paying attention the the job at hand, miss opportunities that might arise, and stay fixedly on one path, even when a better, newer course might have opened up. “  Indra Nooyi           
• “Your willingness to look at your darkness is what empowers you to change” Iyanla Vanzant      
• “Destiny is a name often given in retrospect to choices that had dramatic consequences.” J. K. Rowling         
• “It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends.” J. K. Rowling          
• “We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.” J.K. Rowling
• “When I’m tired, I rest. I say, ‘I can’t be a superwoman today.’” Jada Pinkett Smith         
• “The challenge is not to be perfect...it’s to be whole.” Jane Fonda  
• “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Jane Goodall  
• “Do not be stingy when sharing knowledge and wisdom.”   Janet Susan R. Nepale
• “Normal is not something to aspire to, it’s something to get away from.”    Jodie Foster    
• “All my life, I have maintained that the people of the world can learn to live together in peace if they are not brought up in prejudice.” Josephine Baker    
• “All men can live together, if they wish to.” Josephine Baker          
• “The things we truly love stay with us always, locked in our hearts as long as life remains.” Josephine Baker: 
• “Failures are opportunities to learn and simply another challenge to overcome.” Julieta Gabiola   
• “If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.” Katharine Hepburn           
• “Going by my past journey, I am not certain where life will take me, what turns and twists will happen; nobody knows where they will end up. As life changes direction, I'll flow with it. “ Katrina Kaif    
• “You can be the lead in your own life.” Kerry Washington 
• “It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. “ Laura Ingalls Wilder        
• “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.”   Lena Horne    
• “Delegate even if you know you can do the job better and more efficiently. “ Lenore RS Lim      
• “You can never leave footprints that last if you are always walking on tiptoe.” Leymah Gbowee 
• “I've learned that things change, people change, and it doesn't mean you forget the past or try to cover it up. It simply means that you move on and treasure the memories. Letting go doesn't mean giving up... it means accepting that some things weren't meant to be." Lisa Brooks
• “You are the designer of your destiny; you are the author of your story.” Lisa Nichols      
• “When you feel copied, remember that people can only go where you have already been, they have no idea where you are going next.” Liz Lange   
• “Never be afraid to sit awhile and think.” Lorraine Hansberry         
• "I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning to sail my ship." Louisa May Alcott
• “I choose to make the rest of my life the best of my life.” Louise Hay        
• “I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.” Lucille Ball 
• “If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it.” Lucy Larcom            
• “Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It's your place in the world; it's your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.”  Mae Jemison          
• “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” Malala Yousafzai   
• “Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world. “ Malala Yousafzai            
• “Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.” Margaret Mead        
• “No woman can call herself free who does not control her own body.” Margaret Sanger   
• “We need to emphasize our shared humanity while accommodating differences.”  Maria Africa Beebe           
• “No person has the right to rain on your dreams.” Marian Wright Edelman
• “You’re not obligated to win. You’re obligated to keep trying to do the best you can every day.” Marian Wright Edelman        
• “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” Marie Curie         
• “One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done.” Marie Curie
• “You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end, each of us must work for his own improvement and, at the same time, share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful. “ Marie Curie            
• “I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough.” Marissa Mayer    
• “Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve. “ Mary Kay Ash   
• "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."  Maya Angelou       
• “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” Maya Angelou           
• “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” Maya Angelou       
• “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”  Maya Angelou          
• “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”  Maya Angelou          
• “This is your time and it feels normal to you, but really, there is no normal. There's only change and resistance to it and then more change.” Meryl Streep
• "I want to feel my life while I'm in it." Meryl Streep
• "We need art as much as we need good works. You need it like food. You need it for inspiration, to keep going on the days that you're low. We need each other in that way." Meryl Streep
• “You will never be who you were meant to be, if you don’t follow your heart.” Michele Bumgarner           
• “You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world's problems at once but don't ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own. “ Michelle Obama            
• “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”  Mother Teresa 
• “The essential conditions of everything you do must be choice, love, passion. “ Nadia Boulanger
• “Even when bad things happen you have to try to use those bad things in a positive manner and really just take the positive out of it. “          Natalie du Toit           
• “Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to the error that counts.” Nikki Giovanni
• “Deal with yourself as an individual worthy of respect, and make everyone else deal with you the same way.”  Nikki Giovanni  
• “I really don't think life is about the I-could-have-beens. Life is only about the I-tried-to-do. I don't mind the failure but I can't imagine that I'd forgive myself if I didn't try.” Nikki Giovanni
• “Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” Nora Ephron         
• “Turn your wounds into wisdom.” Oprah Winfrey   
• “You've got to follow your passion. You've got to figure out what it is you love-who you really are. And have the courage to do that. I believe that the only courage anybody ever needs is the courage to follow your own dreams.” Oprah Winfrey    
• “Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.” Oprah Winfrey      
• ”Living in the moment means letting go of the past and not waiting for the future. It means living your life consciously, aware that each moment you breathe is a gift.” Oprah Winfrey    
• “Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present. Only you give it power.” Oprah Winfrey           
• “Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create.” Oprah Winfrey           
• “If you're not having a good time, find something else that gives you some joy in life.” Penny Marshall         
• “If you’re someone people count on, particularly in difficult moments, that’s a sign of a life lived honourably.” Rachel Maddow          
• "You have to imagine it possible before you can see something. You can have the evidence right in front of you, but if you can't imagine something that has never existed before, it's impossible." Rita Dove
• “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up; this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” Rosa Parks       
• “You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.” Rosalynn Carter 
• “Life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments. “ Rose Kennedy            
• “The kind of beauty I want most is the hard-to-get kind that comes from within - strength, courage, dignity.” Ruby Dee    
• “Do what is right especially when nobody is looking.” Ruth Uy Asmundson         
• “Life is short, and it’s up to you to make it sweet.”   Sadie Delany  
• “Don’t live life in the past lane.”  Samantha Ettus   
• “If somebody can do something 80 percent as good as you think you would have done it yourself, then you’ve got to let it go.”  Sara Blakely
• “One of the most courageous things you can do is identify yourself, know who you are, what you believe in and where you want to go.” Sheila Murray Bethel           
• “Done is better than perfect.” Sheryl Sandberg       
• “Do what you can in the time that you have in the place where you are.” Shirley S. Raguindin     
• “You can waste your lives drawing lines. Or you can live your life crossing them.” Shonda Rhimes           
• “I love my past, I love my present. I am not ashamed of what I have had, and I am not sad because I no longer have it.”  Sidonie Gabrielle Colette          
• “What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner.” Sidonie Gabrielle Colette      
• "One's life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion." Simone de Beauvoir
• “Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay.” Simone de Beauvoir           
• “Remember your roots but expand your worldview.” Soledad Muesco Manaay     
• “A surplus of effort could overcome a deficit of confidence.” Sonia Sotomayor     
• “Everyone shines, given the right lighting.”  Susan Cain     
• ‎”In every crisis there is a message. Crises are nature’s way of forcing change — breaking down old structures, shaking loose negative habits so that something new and better can take their place.” Susan L. Taylo          
• “Every endeavour requires an effort to always do better than the ordinary. Do not just set goals that are easily achieved.” Suzie Moya Benitez          
• “I need to listen well so that I hear what is not said.”  Thuli Madonsela      
• "Make a difference about something other than yourselves." Toni Morrison
• “Happiness is a choice. You can choose to be happy. There's going to be stress in life, but it's your choice whether you let it affect you or not. “ Valerie Bertinelli        
• “It’s the little things citizens do. That’s what will make the difference.” Wangari Maathai
• “When you are kind to someone in trouble, you hope they'll remember and be kind to someone else and it'll become like a wildfire.” Whoopi Goldberg:
• “Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.” Wilma Rudolph          
• “When the sun is shining I can do anything; no mountain is too high, no trouble too difficult to overcome.” Wilma Rudolph            
• “Do not work for awards. Do it honestly.” Yasmin Ahmad 
• “Smile in the mirror. Do that every morning and you'll start to see a big difference in your life.” Yoko Ono    
• “Grab the broom of anger and drive off the beast of fear. “   Zora Neale Hurston   

My 20 favorite quotes

Just to get things going again after some absent here is some quotes that each have helped or help me in one way or another. When young some of them hang on my wall, now they are the background photo's on my pc. I hope you find them ok to.

Wonder what End Trigeminal Neuralgia is? EndTN is an awareness page for trigeminal neuralgia, a facial pain affliction, You can have a look at the page. 

A confession of a gallbladder

I've been bad, I know it but I just could not help myself. A perfect victim to my little plot. 

It started years ago. In the beginning I gave subtle and gentle hints. Uneasiness when eating fries, blown up stomach when too much goodies, bad night's sleep when eating too late. Just once in awhile as a reminder.

On our gallbladder FB group I get comments from other gallbladders that usually the host is totally oblivious to what our little bladder can do. Strange explanations are common and even people that should know better, blame our dysfunction on loads of other stuff.

But my host seems to be one of the more stupid ones. So I've been playing with her for some time.

Usually when we throw in heavy blown up stomach, pain in ribs, pain in back, nausea etc the host does understand that something is off and a doctor becomes our best friend helping in how to treat us better.

It started with me being kind and over the last years giving her very clear signals that I'm not to happy. But has she taken them? NO! Even with a family history - nope no bells have been ringing.

So I've become more and more naughty. I've thrown in some fever spells where she's been laying in bed shaking with cold. So cold socks, extra pysjamas and blanket have been put on, still to clattering teeth. But still no lights on. Cold flashes and menopause she said.

I've then slowly made her stomach blow up, at the end so big that it looked like she was 9 months pregnant with twins. Did it help? No, again menopause she said. Body changes then.

Rib pain, back pain and cramps then. Now I should get some attention. You believe what she's said? It's just the regular off days due to the fibro. Really, really, really!!!

Ok so now it's a challenge, how far can I go before she uses that brain of her's. 

As it turned out very far.
Added nausea, a lot of wind and bad stomach. Still nobody's home. Fibro, allergy, menopause. Excuses - again stupid excuses.

A week before Christmas I started a full on attack. Everything at ones, day and night.

Any movement in the brain department? No! How is that possible?

So I decided to really disturb her night sleep that is not good in the first place. Any takers? Nope.

In the end I had to throw it all in at the same time, adding pain so bad that she had no sleep at all and did not want to eat anymore.

And then the coin dropped.

It just took me around 6 months of heavy campaigning before she (under pressure from husband) finally gave in and went to see a doctor.

I felt rather proud of myself when the guy doing the ultrasound burst out saying: OOh la la la, this is not good at all. And asked my host why she had not gone to a doctor about this before.

Result of my campaign: Enlarged gallbladder with heavy infection and at least one stone blocking the tubes. Infection in intestines too. Yes! I did it, total blockage!

Afterwords: 

Of course I did not think too far ahead. Now the fun is over and my days with my host will soon be over too. She is not letting me play anymore eating a no fat, no fiber, no dairy, no gluten and no spices diet. She's sticking to the "baby" food.

I still tell her I'm here, making it uncomfortable for her to sit. But that pleasure is short lived. In 2 weeks time I'll be gone.

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!


Photos/illustrations from Pixabay.com
https://pixabay.com/en/users/Passagere-1215412/
https://pixabay.com/en/users/kaboompics-1013994/
https://pixabay.com/en/users/nataliaaggiato-470329/

My love affair with music - 10 music moments that define me or my life

Music is like listening to waves. It calm my soul and mind. It opens up new doors and it lets me enter a world of magic. Music can make you forget and transport you far away. Music can make you aware and take a stance. Music can be a dream. Music can make you aware of reality. Music is life and life is music...

1. Griegs "Morning" from the play Peer Gynt

I just have to start with my former blog post: The paper plane. It was such an incredible moment when it happened and it has stayed with me for the 20-25 years since. When I started teaching the class I was told I would get nothing, that the class was not cultural and not very responsive. That 8 year old boy with his beautiful narration proved them so wrong. It made a beautiful memory for me but more than that it's been a constant reminder never to listen to the "no sayers", the "it's not possible sayers" , the "they are not interested sayers", the "generalisation sayers". It made me continue what I believed in, never give up caring, trying and that small actions can change the world. Enjoy!

2. Tchaikovsky - Sleeping Beauty Waltz

My parents had a lot of vinyl but this became special very early on. At the tender age between 1 and 2 I decided this was mine.  I danced around the living room totally in my own world. It was played again and again and again. At age 4 I did start taking ballet lessons and though I stopped at 10, ballet has always been very close to my heart. 

It introduced me to a magical world. The music is made for movement, elegant, gliding, dramatic. Close your eyes and let the music carry you away. Let your mind be filled with images and motion.

I will let this piece of fairytale music stand for my love for classical music. It started with Tchaikovsky and continued with Chopin to a large number of others. Some old, some modern.

3. Jussi Bjørling "O heliga natt"

As my mother introduced me to ballet and Chopin, my father introduced me to opera, jazz, rock. The greatest of them all was the swedish tenor Jussi Bjørling. Growing up I loved listening to this powerhouse of a singer where the emotions rushes out of the speakers and hits your body, soul and heart. Dramatic, melancholy, beautiful and unreal when hitting the high notes. Nothing can fill you body in quite the same way as opera can. I've been fortunate to see many operas in many different places. I can not wait to see more!

The clip is in swedish but his power, his voice and his charisma comes through. Probably the first opera record I heard as this has been played every christmas since I was born (and probaløy before that too) No christmas without it. It's no secret I too love opera, italian opera.  As the first clip is in swedish I'll leave you with a 2 clips, the not so unfamous "Nessun dorma" from Turandot by Puccini:

4. Piotr Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker - Ballet in two acts

Being fortunate enough to live in a city with a ballet and a mother who also loves it my introduction to ballet at the opera came young (4-5 years). I was absolutely mesmerized. The grace, the beauty, the movements, the music. A story told without words. Images I had floating in my mind when listening came to life on stage. Such an explosion of mind, soul, thoughts and dream.  It's been many ballets since, but this was the first to open the door to a new world. 

5. ABBA: Waterloo

And then came ABBA, 1974, Eurovision. I was 6 1/2, Waterloo, the first cassette I got for my 7th birthday with a cassette player. Instant love. I would drive my brother crazy with playing the songs over and over again, performing in front of the mirror with a brush. Again I would close my eyes and let myself be transported away. And those costumes. Perfect, just perfect. Since then its been many albums and many favorites but this one started the ball. A love affair lasting 40 years (so far). 

6. David Bowie: Life on Mars?

I don't remember what was my first Bowie song, but I'm rather sure I heard it on Radio Luxenbourg one night when I should have been sleeping. It could have been either of them Rebel, Rebel, Changes, Life on Mars, Heros or Starman I don't remember. There was something in his voice that spoke directly to me. Today I would say he has a sensual, strong, very recognizable voice that both surprises and captivates - I was definitely captivated by this strange but cool music. He still surprises and stretches the borders, creating new music.  Listening to him I always felt it's ok to be different, it's ok to be myself...

7. Edith Piaf - La vie en rose

At 14 I started with French in school. As a little girl I played with a french girl on the boat to Kiel (or was it Copenhagen). I right away fell in love with the language. So beautiful. I did not excel as a student or learn much then. But I did learn one thing. French songs. Oh how beautiful, its a language made for singing. so much passion, so much beauty, so much emotions. Again when the voice filled the room I was in awe. What a voice this little sparrow had. Edit Piaf became very prominent as around the same time there was a play about her life. What life, what sorrow but also what courage and lust for living. 

8. Hanne Boel - My kindred spirit

I've been to many concerts and seen many big and small stars. Amazing concerts like Bowie in Hamburg, Simple Minds in Drammen or Tina Turner in Oslo.  Still one concert stands out. In 87 or 88 in a small rock club in Aalborg, Denmark, a former backup singer was on her first tour. She had been told her voice was to dark to make it solo. She proved them wrong. Rock Nielsen was filled to the breaking point and everyone wanted more. Again, don't stop believing in yourself.

She has this dark, r&b sound, rough and delightful at the same time. I'm still a fan of this cool Danish lady many albums later.

9. Apartheid in South Africa - 2 songs in one post

The Specials - Nelson Mandela

I am not sure when I heard about Nelson Mandela and apartheid but it must have been in the 70s. From then followed his fight for freedom. This song reminds me and so many others of the long way he had to go. Many wrote letters and protested hoping for a change. I did not dare to hope for a change in my lifetime but it came. Never give up on HOPE!

Peter Gabriel - Biko

The story of Steven Biko is a strong one that we never should forget. A man practising non violence trying to change a horrid system, killed by his efforts. The core message so important still today.  If you haven't seen the movie Cry Freedom from 1987 its worth while. Strong story, strong performances and a reminder we should never forget. Its not us and them its WE.

10. Live Aid 1985 

Using music to raise awareness had been done before, but not on this scale. Watching MTV and seeing this outpour of solidarity, money and awareness was something I will never forget. Yes they said it's useless, its just a show, it does not matter. But it did make a difference in many people's lives. It became legitimate to care. The crises in parts of Africa came straight into our living rooms. From that moment on you could chose to care or not, but you could not use the excuse you did not know.

So many artists that day that stuck in my mind but I suppose the one performance that stood out was this: Queen.

As a teenager seeing this massive response of caring was enormous. I suppose I've always felt we should help each other on this planet and suddenly there is was. It made me stronger in my belief that one person can (and should) make a difference.

-----

I'm the MTV generation, music videos and Levis commercial. Music was not just on the radio or on vinyl, it was everywhere and using music as a tool to bring awareness got a new medium. Of course I'm a product of that time. There are so many others I could have mentioned, artists I listen to, who have followed me for years or new acquaintances.

Music is the past, the present and the future.  Music is forever.

Bette Midler the Rose

This song and its lyrics have followed me for almost 30 years now, in good and in bad times. 

It seems a fitting end to a post about music and me...

The paper plane

Many years ago I was so fortunate to be working as a teacher for some time, filling in for teachers that was sick. For 4 months I was the teacher of a class of 8 year olds.

As part of arts and craft I one day asked the children to put their heads down on their desks, close their eyes and just listen to the music letting their minds go free creating images.

28 children did as asked and the only sound in the classroom was Griegs "Morning" from Peer Gynt.

Slowly we returned to this world and I asked if anyone wanted to share what had played in their minds.

One of the boys put his hand up and this was his story:

"It was sunny and I was running on a huge open green field with the trees standing beautifully in the background. 

Above me a paper plane was flying. The sky very blue. 

The plane was slowly moving with the wind, gliding beautifully over the open green field. 

I was running to it, trying to reach it but it sailed just above my head.

I followed the plane as it slowly descended. The world was quiet. It was just me and the paper plane on the big field. 

Slowly slowly it circled. It was so beautiful.

Finally it glided just over the green grass before it gently landed in front of me. 

It was a perfect day." 

I was speechless and rather moved. So were the other children. Everyone was looking at him in awe finding his story a beautiful one. A lot of wow and I can see that. 28 children united by the beautiful narration of their classmate.

I have cherished this story in my heart for the 20 something years now.

I'm sharing it with you this week, after the Paris attacks (and the others) where I see so many comments about how dangerous muslims are, how barbaric they all are. All the harsh and ignorant comments flourishing.

This was a normal class except for one thing, all the 28 children came from immigrant families. This remarkable 8 year old boy telling this beautiful story was a muslim. The class listening to him was too. Don't judge what you don't know. Xenophobia is not a beautiful thing. This boy's mind was.

A beautiful soul in a beautiful mind!

We must enjoy the day - waiting for the rain

August is here, it might get cold soon... No not really...

We have to take advantage of the sunny warm weather and be outside. Coming from Norway enjoying a warm day and not spend it inside is rooted in me. When warmer than 15 degrees c and sunny you storm out and spend the whole day outside. You simply can not let such a beautiful day go by, who knows when you'll see another one. 

The problem is of course now I live in the south of France. For the past 7 months this has been the weather:  Sun, sunny, warm, sun, warm, sun, sunny, 2 drops of rain, sun, sunny, very warm, sun, sunny, warm... ok and some wind. You get the picture. The weather is rather nice down here.

Beautiful day in April

But my head still tells me you have to get out, if only to lay in the hammock in the garden. It's way to nice to be inside. The small project inside can wait for a rainy day.

It's the beginning of October and I've had on summer jeans 10 times or so in the last 7 months. The one item I've worn the most: A Sarong.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love it. These months are what makes all the difference. But my brain has not switched to Languedoc weather yet. I still get guilty if I stay inside and its lovely outside. It's just that is lovely a lot of the time here. More or less all the time from April to October. So these small projects they stay projects for now at least.

Never know how long the sun will last... October 1st

Several times it has been predicted rain, and it might rain in the next village but not with us. One day we had orange alert, that means very strong warning for flooding. And it was rather horrible other places but here it rained for 30 minutes. 2 days of heavy rain turned out to be drizzle for 4 hours.

So small projects wait for a rainy day - that so far has not come. Tomorrow they say it will rain and the temperature will drop to 10-15 degrees.

So we did take advantage of this lovely autumn weekend with temperatures up to 30 degrees Celsius. It's been spent outside. Waiting for the rain. that hopefully will come. And then we might start one the small projects.

We have to enjoy the day - October 10Th.

Unless it gets warm again. Then we have to go out and enjoy it. You never know how long it will last my brain tells me. Luxury problem I know. 

Update: It's now november 20th and we are still waiting. We've had 1 day of rain, proper rain. Then some windy days and some a little colder. Today it's still 21 degrees (c). It's rather amazing.

Mayronnes sculpture trail - a little wonder where the road ends

Nadine Trescartes: Le cri. Permanent exhibit. 

Aude is full of history, nature and nice surprises. Everywhere you turn something catches your eye. In a small valley in the Haut Corbieres, the Corbieres mountains, art and magnificent nature are blended together. At the end of the road lays a hamlet that is host to a spectacular art walk. Here are some of the sculptures.

Mosaic from the trail.

Mayronnes is the starting point of a walk up into the mountains. A special walk. A walk amongst sculptures. A beautiful tribute to art, life and nature. A walk I've wanted to take for some time but not been able to. But this year we did. Armed with hiking boots, walking sticks and taped up ankles the 5 kilometre trail was to be explored.

Charly: Tortues. Permanent exhibit.

What a path and what an experience. The sun was shining, it was hardly a breeze. Green, lush and beautiful the track goes up and up.

Raymond Galle :  L'arbre couché. Permanent exhibit. 

It's not made to walk fast, along the way different pieces of art are integrated in the scenery.

Jean  Lebeau: Couroucoucou. Permanent exhibit. 

Cleverly done.

Robert Cros:  Agrafes. Exhibit 2015.

Some of the artwork are here permanently.

Robert Cros: Un, deux, etc. Permanent exhibit. 

 Others are this years contributions.

Nadine Trescartes: Le cri. Permanent exhibit. 

Finally you reach the plateau and what a view.

Nadine Trescartes: Métronome 2. Exhibit 2015. For full sculpture see further down.

These are just some of the artworks. I will be back with more photos at a later date.

Raymond Galle : Les 3 pierres dressées des Corbières. Permanent exhibit. 

Walking back the track takes you into more forest areas and again beautiful views and interesting artwork.

Anne Sarda: Mes tissages. Exhibit 2015. 

Anne Sarda: Mes tissages. Exhibit 2015. 

An almost perfect walk in nature! *

David Vanorbeek: Élégance. Permanent exhibit. 

I will be back!

Nadine Trescartes: Métronome 2. Exhibit 2015.

* While the path for the most parts is ok to go there is one part towards the end that is absolutely horrifying.  It should come with a little warning for those having bad joints, heart problems or bad eyesight. It is not a walk any more but an "adventure" trail obstacle course. A very steep climb on a tiny rough trail where you have to drag yourself up after trees. I apologize to the artists as I had no appreciation for their interesting contributions.

When you are through the bush walk you reach a new plateau with some really cool artwork, more  on the way down to the parking again. I will have to go back (and up where you go down) another time to be able to appreciate them and take pictures.

There is a shorter version and of course you have the possibility to go for longer walks in this magnificent area.



Here is some more information on the walk in
English http://www.audetourisme.com/diffusio/en/activities/exhibitions/mayronnes/mayronnes-sculpture-path_TFOFMALAR011V504QD2.php

and French: Sentier Sculpturel de Mayronnes
http://www.sentiersculpturel.com/