Ding Dong Merrily on High

This is the week before Christmas

when the frenzy in the air is very tangible.

Sometimes, it's just good to find a quiet place to sit

and take the time to breathe...

maybe light a candle

a red one is so festive.

The presents are wrapped and the bows tied

I'm so glad I did everything early.

What about my new hand and arm cast?

Red for Christmas. What else?

Just to be a little silly, I'm going to wear a tinsel bracelet

on Christmas Day!

Since there won't be a Christmas tree this year,

I've bought some cheerful fairy lights to create

several luminous and festive corners around my home.

A sparkling butterfly in memory of a sweet loved-one

departed much too early.

A bowl of Christmas baubles on a small table

This glass container, containing tinsel and shiny baubles

will have added fairy lights in red and white 

to be the centre-piece on my Christmas table

I love my living room at night

all lit up

as pretty as any Christmas tree!

The Christmas elves are already in place in the entrance.

They have been a tradition for more than twenty years.

The homemade truffles will have to wait for the New Year

before I make them again.

I was just able to finish crocheting the front door wreath

on the last day of November.

That was lucky!

I am unable to make my usual Christmas crochet gifts and decorations this year,

but fortunately I have some snowflakes left over from previous years.

As soon as the afternoon light starts to fade

those little lights come on.

Scintillating evenings just for me and a good book!

Those little bells again, just because they're so joyful!

and the sweet sound of children's voices.

Please click below on the name of the Christmas Carol:

Ding Dong Merrily on High

It just goes to show that we can still create a festive feeling with very little

and with just a bit of imagination!

I wish you all a very heartwarming and beautiful time with your families.

Sometimes, not all members of a family can get together, but we can phone and

exchange emails and have special thoughts for all those who have

other obligations or cannot be with us.

In the meantime, whatever you do, and whoever you're with, 

may you have a joyful heart to share!

I'll be taking a blog break over the holiday period until sometime in January.

Be well

Be happy

Remember to smile

to someone who may need it!

How Can We Define Impermanence?

Everything changes constantly.

Just going for a walk, I notice how the things around me change from day to day.

This lovely crinkly leaf was not against the railings when I passed this way

the day before.

The life cycle of a leaf is an example of impermanence.

Melting ice

illustrates how fast things can change in a matter of moments.

Not resisting change

Life is comparable to a river, or flowing water.

It is a progressive movement, a successive series of different moments,

joining together to give the impression of one continuous flow.

Going with the way things are rather than fighting the natural flow

and wanting things to be something else.

Non-resistance helps us to adapt to constant change and to accept it.

The impermanence of the seasons.

As one season celebrates its plenitude, another lies dormant,

waiting for the moment of rebirth.

Like crumpled tan gloves dropped on the earth, these fallen leaves

seem completely connected to the first snow fall

and in acceptance of their condition.

The fleetingness of shadows

and how their impermanent nature can charm and enthrall us

Their brief and changing presence makes me stop awhile

and enjoy them so much more!

Trusting change

Change can occur in different ways.

Sometimes we seek it out and other times it comes upon us unawares.

There are many crossroads throughout our lives

and important choices to make.

We ask ourselves: "Which ways shall I go? Should I turn left or right or

continue on the beaten track for fear of the unknown?

Whatever changes comes upon us without warning, as much as those

we specifically choose,

putting our trust in the long-term outcome

gives us newfound strength and the confidence to carry on,

come what may.

Slowing down and shifting priorities

Because of recent unexpected events. I have been forced to slow down considerably.

I have always enjoyed reading, but because of other much-loved creative activities,

and of dealing with the practicalities of life, 

I often put off reading-time till very late in the day

when I'm almost ready for bed.

These days, with a plaster cast on my right hand and arm,

I have had to review my priorities.

This has given me the opportunity to incorporate my reading times 

into new and different moments of the day.

I have created new spaces in my daily routine

which reminds me to continue to do this even when my right hand

is free again in five weeks' time.

***

Although I am not a Buddhist, I feel very much aligned to a great deal

of their philosophy.

"In Buddhism, the term 'annica' refers to the doctrine of impermanence

which asserts that all of conditioned existence, without exception,

is transient, evanescent, inconstant."

(Taken from Wikipedia)

Early Buddhism dealt with the question of impermanence

in a very rational manner.

According to 'annica', impermanence is an undeniable and inescapable fact

of human existence from which nothing that belongs to this earth is ever free.

So, however we feel about the impermanent nature of all things,

seizing the moment as it comes to us

to live it fully

just the way it is

seems like the very best thing we can do for ourselves and for others.

***

I know this blog entry is much wordier than a simple entry

on photography, but I'm currently following a workshop called:

"Celebrate Impermanence"

which has opened the door to new ways of observing life as it is

which is in a state of perpetual change

made up of

a multitude of moments.

If you are interested to read more about the workshop above.

You can find a link

HERE

Quite Unexpectedly

Just as autumn's colours were gracefully coming to an end

and the golden and tanned leaves

had nearly all fallen...

some gorgeous red berries reminded me

that I could start thinking creatively about Christmas preparations.

I just love everything about that.

Preparing homemade decorations and presents.

Crochet for the long winter evenings.

Mincemeat to make for the traditional mince pies.

Cards to make

and cookies to bake

and imagining how to creatively use my new Christmas lights.

BUT

then it happened in a flash.

A very slippery floor and an unseen plastic bag

and down I went

and my right wrist is fractured,

So 

everything is on hold for about six weeks.

Can you imagine that I got to choose the colour of my cast?

I could have had purple or neon green, but chose French navy instead!

My morale is excellent despite some frustrations in everyday living.

I can do much less and everything takes much longer.

I know you will understand if I leave less comments on your blogs,

but will be coming in to visit you all.

***

"life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans"

November's Jewels Still Shine

One beautiful and very big leaf

balances in the opening on a bench

We say hello to each other!

The golden larch graces the limpid pale blue sky

and the greens take on a hint of yellow

Soft dappled skies and furry edged leaves make us think it's spring again

November's jewels still shine

and blue skies appear in-between the grey days.

Beech nuts are falling from the trees

I collect some to put into a glass bowl at home.

The map of life contained in a single leaf

A rustling can be heard as the leaves start to float to the ground

and rejoice us with their luminous quality and varied colours

as well as their amazing textures.

Spring slumbers

In each tightly furled bud, spring slumbers, even though the cold winds

of November blow and snowflakes hover way on high.

A lone leaf on the branch

will soon join its sisters on the soft earth.

I'm grateful for the four seasons 

which bring me joy at every step.

***

Soon, our activities will be often inside.

There's always plenty to do

books to read

crafts to enjoy

crochet to make

and mandalas to create.

Not forgetting photography!

Winter months are humming with creativity.

Do you find exciting and uplifting things to do in the winter months?

Revisiting Abstract Photography. Part Two

Light and shadows

A flash of blue

We know what we see

or think we do!

Polka dot shadows

Shafts of light

What can it be?

It doesn't matter at all

Just enjoy the sight!

Dancing light forms

move across my line of vision

creating happiness

and put a smile on my face!

However dark things seem

Look up!

There is always the light shining in the darkness.

A world of make believe

A bold statement

in these reflections

where patterns and colours and shapes

can make us hold our breath.

A beautiful connection

Throw away the labels and just enjoy

the shapes, the colours and the strength emanating from these wonders of  nature.

Beautiful harmonies sing to my heart

Shapes and colours

light and shade

Unexpected and fascinating

Nature teases our senses

Impressionist atmospheres

created with a dancing camera

The north wind doth blow..

and my camera sways to nature's beat

Sleek and streamlined

Aqua Melody

which sings in perfect harmony

Estuary

The flowing and harmonious lines lead me forward

to my destination

just as the river flows towards the sea.

These colours and movements resonate with me on an emotional level

creating a flowing inner energy.

The lines show me purpose of movement.

The message from this and other abstract captures,

reminds me that nothing ever stands still.

it is forever moving forward 

carrying me where I need to go.

Abstracts tell me stories

They take me places where I'd never dreamed I'd go

It's an awakening of all my senses

and I feel more vibrant and alive.

***

I've just been part of a wonderfully gifted and imaginative group

of other photographers interpreting abstracts.

This workshop was facilitated by the contemplative photographer

Kim Manley Ort.

Here is the link to her class:

Going Abstract