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Archive for March, 2015

Lost Perth Sensational 70’s

Posted in COMMUNITY, Other blogs, Perth City, tagged LostPerthSensational70's, PerthCity, WhenWe's on March 21, 2015| 1 Comment »

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Actually taken by my family of our family in 1975. (Don’t know who ‘Andy Parry’ is at all?)

Last night, a new TV show hit Perth screens; Lost Perth Sensational 70’s debuted on Channel 9. And it all started with their Facebook Page!

And what a sensation it has been! So many loved being taken down memory lane, seeing shots of Perth from way back when… we’re all ‘when-we’s at heart, hey?

I was one of many thousands who sent in a photo now included on the site. Mine was taken when I first arrived here in 1975, playing mini-golf with some of my family in Scarborough.

Next week, (same time, same channel) the episode will be ‘Lost Perth Sensational 80’s’ and I can’t wait!

Here’s the link to view the program: http://www.9jumpin.com.au/show/lostperthsensational70s/episodes/season-1/episode-1/lost-perth-sensational-70s/#autoplay

@FrancesMForde #LostPerthSensational70’s #ScarboroughMiniGolf #PhotosWayBackWhen #WhenWe’s

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Posted in Writing on March 18, 2015| 1 Comment »

Take a moment to watch the video. It’s worth it.

The Verbal Spew Review

I had originally planned on sharing with you all an extensive Spew Guide to St. Paddy’s Day, but as I told Niall the other day, proceedings came to an abrupt halt following the “Knacker-Drinking on the Canal” segment. I had genuinely intended on completing it, but, well, I got kind of distracted.

So instead I will gift to you a charmingly precious recount of the Story of St. Patrick, as told by a schoolchild and recorded in a classroom in Dublin during the 1960s. These recordings were collected, remastered and animated by the Oscar-nominated Brown Bag Films, and would later become known as “Give Up Yer Aul Sins”. They would also prove that nobody tells a story quite like a Dub does.

Don’t forget that The Begorrathon, as part of Ireland Month, will be ongoing throughout March, and that The Great Irish Care Package will be up for…

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Beggorathon: Paddy’s Bridge

Posted in Begorrathon, COMMUNITY, Ireland on March 17, 2015| Leave a Comment »

St Patrick’s Bridge, Cork City, 17th March 2003.

An Irish Prayer

“May God give you…
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.”

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“Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you.”

Quoted.

@FrancesMForde #HappyPaddysDay #IrishBlessings #Begorrathon2015

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Begorrathon: McDaids

Posted in Begorrathon, Ireland, Music, tagged Begorrathon2015, FolkClubs, Ireland, McDaidsMidleton, MidletonCoCork, MidletonFolkClub, poems on March 15, 2015| 1 Comment »

(I’m a Folk music follower from way back and established the Wanneroo Folk Club in Perth’s northern suburbs in 1985. )

McDaid’s Pub, Midleton, Co Cork is very well known for it’s regular Folk performances. I lived there for 14 months and t’was lovely to discover a thriving Midleton Folk Club a short walk down the road.

This is a beautiful version of “Passage West” recorded at the club and performed by Caroline Fraher who can also be seen doing a duet with Josh Groban on her web page.

We enjoyed the informal, crowded, traditional music venue’s atmosphere. Having to sit on the floor didn’t faze us at all – I was soaking it all up, until this…

McDaid’s Folk Club

We carefully stepped through the seated crowd,

she smiled in surprised delight

and pulled you down

to whisper invitingly.

I watched the young guitarist finger-pick,

thought about her possessive

hand placed on your

willing arm and felt sick.

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #Begorrathon2015 #FolkClubs #McDaidsMidleton #MidletonFolkClub #Ireland #MidletonCoCork #Poems

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Begorrathon: Femoy

Posted in Begorrathon, Ireland on March 14, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Femoy, Ireland, 2003.

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #FemoyIreland #Ireland #Begorrathon2015

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BOOK: Remnants of Empire

Posted in Africa, Books, COMMUNITY, KINDLE Books, Music, Writers, Writing, tagged AfricanMemories, BOOK:RemantsOfEmpire, NorthernRhodesia, PamelaSchurmerSmith, WhiteDiaspora on March 12, 2015| Leave a Comment »

This should be an interesting read.

Although the paperback is available, I’ve just purchased the Kindle version of Remnants of Empire ~ Memory and Northern Rhodesia’s white diaspora by Pamela Shurmer-Smith.

The hard copy was published to coincide with the recent ’50 years of Independence’ celebrations but I have far too many books on my shelves, so this time, Kindle will do.

I absolutely agree about the metal Baobab tree design, as explained in Pamela’s cover notes.

There’s also an interesting music video by Pamela’s very talented musician son, which brought back many memories of my childhood.

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #BOOK:RemnantsOfEmpire #PamelaSchurmerSmith #NorthernRhodesia #WhiteDiaspora #AfricanMemories

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Begorrathon: Wordless Wednesday

Posted in Begorrathon, COMMUNITY, Ireland, tagged Begorrathon2015, Clonikilty, FordMotorCar, FordPub, Ireland, WestCork on March 11, 2015| 4 Comments »

Clonikilty, West Cork, Ireland. 2003.

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #Begorrathon2015 #Clonikilty #WestCork #Ireland #FordMotorCar #FordPub

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Begorrathon: Tempting Yeats

Posted in Begorrathon, Ireland, Poetry, Sketching In Ireland, Writers, tagged IrishPoems, SligoStatue, TheBegorrathon, WBYeats on March 10, 2015| 2 Comments »

Sligo, Ireland 2003.

Red Lipstick.

Standing in reverence of a mighty giant

his Nobel words remembered, this fan notes

exaggerated bat-like shoulders enhance his

thoughtful gaze – watching the Horseman?

Others have stepped up on Galway stone; held

those long, thin legs as they balance head bent

to leave a lipstick imprint of their awe for him

on the space his left hand nonchalantly indicates…

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #begorrathon2015 #WBYeats #IrishPoem #SligoStatue

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Begorrathon: Epitaph.

Posted in Begorrathon, Ireland, Poetry, Sketching In Ireland, tagged Begorrathon, Co Cork, Epitaph, FrancesMacaulayForde, GregO'Donoghue, Ireland, IrishPoems, MiddletonWritersGroup, MunsterLiteratureCentre on March 9, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Forde’s Pub, Cork, Ireland, 2003.

Whilst my man wooed me, I joined the original Middleton Writers group (now defunct) who welcomed me with open arms.

Also joined Munster Literature Centre and never missed a Wednesday workshop hosted by Cork/Irish literati.

The appropriately (for me) named Forde Pub, was our usual lunch break venue.

Epitaph for Gregory O’Donoghue

Seasoned, some will remember boozy lunches,

Tuna sandwiches peppered with slurred words

plated on sliced lettuce arranged ‘just so’…

Guinness frothed and creamy with subtext.

An Irish summer warm with purpose shared

eloquently with a visiting Australian at exclusive

Wednesday morning workshops obstinately

overseen each week, by a recalcitrant at MLC.

Since his silence, reverence is a poetry prize

keeping his name associated with his life love.

His canon forever in the library and his portrait,

eyeing the new wave with his silent critiques.

This writer will remember clever poetic reviews,

evaluating layers of old knowledge like a river

flowing effortlessly from the master to his student

and inspiration needing a break, at Forde’s Pub.

#FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #begorrathon2015 #MunsterLiteratureCentre #Co.Cork #IrishPoems #GregO’Donoghue #Epitaph #Begorrathon #IrishMonth #MiddletonWritersGroup