My Place In The World

“What a strange thing!
to be alive
beneath cherry blossoms.” 
― Kobayashi Issa, Poems

I’m a nature lover, I can’t live without a (preferably cottage) garden. That and books. 

I like to be in the city no doubt. Especially when I want to be alone but not lonely, then I want to be amongst people I have nothing to do with. Strangers who don’t want something from me. I can happily be lost in anonymity while surrounded by life itself. I thrive on that.

But nothing can compare the joy and peace nature brings to my daily existence. I love to see things grow, watch the progress, observe the changing of seasons and admire the beauty of everything, the sunshine on the water, moon’s reflection on a lake, the turbulent sea and the buzz of insects.

I love to wake up in the morning with the birds singing outside my window, love to watch them do their things, I love to paint the different species of flowers and photograph their life cycle. I love to bath in the rain and chase rainbows, jump from the top of the waterfalls, hike mountains and walk; walk the beaten paths and road less traveled. I’m not only a nomad and a gypsy but a country girl at heart.

My place in the world? Definitely in nature.

Unlikely

This week’s challenge is to share a photo of something unlikely. An object or person in an unlikely place, an unpredictable experience, a serendipitous accident: we want the expected.

Here’s my take on the challenge: Two unlikely works of art in an unlikely place; a public park.

Lines

Count the lines.

Prolific

At this time of the year, there are some plants that bloom prolifically as if there is no tomorrow. And rightly so because their days are numbered. They have to put on a show as best as they can for their beauties are transient, ephemeral. Their glory is momentary, their claim to fame is short and sudden. Luckily, they will have another chance to do it again though they have to wait long for it. But what’s another year?        

Awakening

“April’s air stirs in 
Willow-leaves…a butterfly
Floats and balances” 

― Matsuo Bashō, Japanese Haiku

Smile

For this week’s challenge, point your camera at something or someone that puts a smile on our face (or just show a smiling face).

Spring. And everything that signals it has finally arrived. 

Rise/Set

“I think, well, I’ve had a shit of a life, all things considered. It wasn’t fair. Everyone I’ve ever loved is dead, and my leg hurts all the bloody time… But I think, any God that can do sunsets like that, a different one every night… ‘Strewth, well, you’ve got to respect the old bastard, haven’t you?”

Favorite Place

This week, share an image of your happy place, a secret spot you love, or a faraway location you return to again and again.

There is a garden I never failed to visit each year. It is called The Gardens Of Appeltern in The Netherlands. With over 200 show gardens in 200 acres of grounds, it is difficult not to find something to inspire anyone no matter what one’s personal taste might be. The place is teeming with ideas! There is even an island with room for children to play. It gives them something to escape and explore. And for us adults, gardeners or not, there is something new and different to experience and discover around every corner. But what I like the most is the peacefulness, the serenity that the place gives me. It is possible here to be alone amidst other visitors because there is always some quiet corner you can retreat to if you need to be on your own for a while. I love the place. I love their motto. 

“A garden should be one of the pleasures that make life more comfortable, a place where you can relax, work, play, be together with others and enjoy all the good and healthy things in life. A garden is one of the prime necessities of life, a place where you will be happy to spend your time.”

I’d Rather Be…

If given the choice, what would you rather be doing, right now?

Something like this…

Story

Here is where our story ends… There is no escape.

Out of This World

Last Autumn I was passing by the neighborhood park during one of my daily walks and I was pleasantly surprised to see that they decorated the place with multicolored lights and otherworldly works of art. It had given the place an eerie atmosphere which is far from its usual subdued state. I was amused. 

A Face in the Crowd

We sometimes encounter people, even perfect strangers, who begin to interest us at first sight, somehow suddenly, all at once, before a word has been spoken…

Tour Guide

I live somewhere in Europe and as you know the continent is full of beautiful places, historical buildings, breathtaking landscapes and awe-inspiring nature. I could have chosen any of those but I thought which of those you have never seen before? And after a time landmarks tend to either look like or blend with each other or become so familiar people just scroll down when they see them. 

So, today I have chosen a unique piece of art I bet most of you didn’t behold yet.

It was a chance encounter. Not even in my wildest dream, I thought I will find it where it is__ in the middle of nowhere. While hiking I saw it from a distance and I thought: “What is that???” It appears and disappears from view. When you see it you’ll understand what I mean. You see… it looks like this:

The way it was constructed fascinates me endlessly. I’ve never seen something quite like it before.

When you look up it looks like this:

Amazing isn’t it?   

They call it Reading Between The Lines Church and located in the city of Borgloon in the province of Limburg.