Sunday, 28 August 2022

CELEBRATE

 



CELEBRATE


’Tis not the basic facts 

That matter most to me

Nor the dates I find on papers

They are just another one, two, three..

Rather it’s the people 

That I’ve met along the way

It’s the friendships formed among them

That make the search more fun. 

Whether it’s a conference 

Or just a simple lunch

You can be sure there will be laughter 

From a very friendly bunch.

Advice is always welcome 

And we share all that we find

For family genealogists

Are known for being kind.

We love to share the stories 

Of families near and far

This is the way we celebrate 

Thank you all for who you are.


© Crissouli 28th Aug 2022 



Image courtesy of clipart-library.com


Saturday, 20 August 2022

MY FAMILY TREASURES

 


MY FAMILY TREASURES


Boxes of photos, 

and birthday cards too

letters from family, 

I have quite a few.

I kept all the envelopes, 

they give me a clue

as to where people were when 

and when they moved home

like so many others

they tended to roam.

I love the few treasures

from each I have known

it might be a trinket

or a plant they have grown..

it could be an address book

filled with names they did know

some searching is needed

to make the family tree grow.

I have a beautiful rug that 

my grandmother wove

kept in a great leather port

with which my grandfather did rove..

and even some trinkets 

in gold, silver… and mauve.

From one Aunt ..candle holders

a liqueur set from another

and an artists box filled

from their talented brother…

There are so many memories

 entrusted to me

as the keeper of treasures

of our extended family.


© Crissouli 19 Aug 2022 


Papauli's suitcase..
Crissouli©


Floral arrangement vintage-flowers


Friday, 12 August 2022

TRAVELLING

                                              


  TRAVELLING



       No tent or caravan, 

        nor fancy flat to rent..

        But still we packed for holidays

         With every thing to feel content.

             A single mattress for Mum and Dad

       Soft eiderdowns for kids

          Mum packed several saucepans

       Including all their lids.

         Of course there was a Primus

        And a teapot with a lid

                 With cups for Mum and Dad of course

           And a beaker for each kid.

          Clothes were in a suitcase

        Shoes were in a box

         Another held the ‘extras’

          Including all the socks.

          The pillows and the blankets

          Were piled up really neat

            As well as several hessian bags

        In case of dirty feet.

              We always took some books to read

             with a torch or two as well..

          But mostly read by candlelight 

           It somehow cast a spell.

           Cartons held some food of course

                And an ice chest had the drinks

               We had everything we’d ever want.

               As well as mozzie coils (and stinks!)

          Everything was nice and neat

         Canvas covered the whole lot       

        We felt so very happy

         As in our truck we got!


         Crissouli © 11 Aug 2022



Thursday, 4 August 2022

PAPAULI....





PAPAULI


I cannot help but smile when I hear his name

or come across a photo… 

He was my hero, my special person

He was the one who always had a smile, 

a hug, and a lap to snuggle on.

I can still smell his pipe 

and feel the softness of his cardigan..

and see the diamond pattern on the front.

He was very tall, and had strong shoulders

that gave me a favourite place to ride. 

“I’m nearly up to the stars, Papauli..”

“You are, mikroúli mou.. nearly there!”

He taught me how to drain honey from the combs

and to always wear gloves “just in case”.

He didn’t think it was at all strange 

when I named all the chooks .. 

and it was he who quietened my grandmother

when she was about to tell me 

which of my feathered friends was in the oven.

I was his shadow.. wherever he was, so was I. 

He helped us pick fruit and flowers ..

so long as they weren’t our grandmother’s special ones…

No one in need ever went away empty-handed 

and there were always a few logs to chop

for those who needed a meal but wanted to ‘earn’ it. 

His kindness and generosity was valued by all 

as was shown by the enormous procession 

(that I at first thought was a parade)

that wound it’s way through the town and out to the cemetery.

I was just five years old, 

with a heart that never completely healed.


Crissouli Aug 2022


‘Papauli’ is grandfather, ‘mikroúli mou’ is ‘little one’ in Greek.

RIP Theodore Haralambos Catsoulis

21 Jun 1878 - 19 May 1953

A true gentleman…much loved and still missed.