Is it just me?

Or does anyone else find this a bit funny...

Chinese state tv starts 24 hour Arabic channel.

According to the Associated Press..

BEIJING — Chinese state television has begun broadcasting an Arabic-language channel for the Middle East and Africa as part of efforts to expand the Communist government’s media influence abroad.

hmmm.....

to be young...

My youngest niece, Tara, is six..going on sixty..She calmly informs me that she wishes she was older, of course I informed her that she is getting older every day..but that didn't seem to satisfy her. Sitting across from me, while the sun sets behind us we just had a serious conversation about death, marriage and why I don't have babies! I had to promise her that I wasn't about to die too soon, our dog had just died after a very long and happy life- 12years. But I had to inform her that it wasn't written in a book, no one really knows when they will die..she seemed to accept that..She has just informed me that she doesn't want to get married. I said that's alright, not everyone has to get married, then she informs me, why...you know she says in a whisper, squishing her face into a frown, people kiss on the LIPS when they get married..yuck!...of course I had to smile..and I said to her she might just like that when she gets older...sigh..at that moment she was precious!! My brother and other niece intruded before she could continue.. She also informed me in a no nonsense voice that we had to talk, and she meant to intrude on my private time tomorrow...hmm, I wonder what else she is going to ask me about...something tells me I will have to be on my toes!

Keyif...

No matter where I am in this world, sunset is my favorite time of day...the sky turns a burnt orangish red..,little fishing boats on the water...a soft breeze, and mountains in shadow..what more could I want..silence and a peace of mind...maintentant la vie est belle...avec la bierre froide..Mindful of the little things...I've come to appreciate them more and more..

(thank you for the correction)

a whimsical note..

My eyes burn from the sea,

what a delight it would be-

if I could only see,

what I was meant to be.

Heat...

My mind lingers on the memory of snow! Not just any snow, but crisp, fresh, firmly packed snow. The kind that squeeks under your feet as you walk through an enchanted forest of white! Alas...

Sweat runs down my back dripping between my ass, to slowly find its way down my legs, it has company, as a race is on its way, as sweat also drips down my breasts, between my legs to meet up together somewhere between my knees. Nearly naked but for a thin covering of a dress, the fan has become my dearest friend, my bed mate, yet it is not enough...37C heat, with no wind..the slightest breeze becomes a luxury. The sea glistens in the sunlight, jumping in,nieces and all, the salt stings as you open your eyes-a momentary respite from the heat..too hot to move, to think, to sleep...

Yet..between 8 am and 9am, the weather is fresh, the water is crisp, and solitude is mine, a quiet cove on the beach, with noone in sight, a slight ripple of waves and water so clear you can see the bottom, I slowly do a back stroke, mindless but for the coolness of the waves, my body recovers from its sleepness night, the water strokes my skin, as it calms my mind...savoring the memory now as I savor the memory of the snow..

Dinner with an old friend

Newly married, Onur prepares chicken..

While Ilgen and I enjoy some raki -sunset..lots of little "meze's" (turkish appetizers)..


Moon rising...and still drinking..

one day in my brother's lens..

buying (tavla)backgammon in an old Han(caravan saray), drinking tea while some nap away the afternoon heat.

my mother and I walking up one of the many hills..

mother and uncle's wife two generations of friends, and me of course talking.

the truth..trying to wake up..

breakfast on the balcony with mom..