A CHRISTMAS BLESSING

May the feet of God walk with you, and his hand hold you tight.
May the eye of God rest on you, and his ear hear your cry.
May the smile of God be for you, and his breath give you life.
May the Child of God grow in you, and his love bring you home.

1983. Aub Podlich, friend from way back and Lutheran pastor in Queensland, sent me A Christmas Blessing together with a lot of other poems towards the end of 1982. It was a busy time, and it wasn't until January '83 that I sat down to put a tune to it. The words sang themselves — a two minute melody! Many people have obviously thought that the 8 lines don't say quite enough, and have added their own verses for weddings, funerals, anything! Though there may be occasions when some extra words seem desirable, Aub likes it as it is, and so do I (usually sung twice). Sometimes less equals more.

30.9.24

Back from a Break

During September, Dorothy and I travelled
to Norway and the UK.

After long flights
- Adelaide to Melbourne,
Melb to Dubai (14 hrs),
Dubai to Oslo (7 hrs) -
we did Norway in a nutshell
from Oslo to Bergen, then
the Hurtigruten Cruise
up the west coast of Norway
and back again.
Then an 8 day Trafalgar tour
and 4 days in London,
before taking the direct flight
(16 3/4 hrs)
from Heathrow to Perth.
We're a bit tired (!) but we'll still be a part
of the LWA convention and the
General Convention .

See some of you there.