Reaching for the Sky

A recent stay in Lavey-les-Bains for three days in a Spa Hotel

I was able to get wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.

These were taken just as the first rays of sun were touching the tips of the mountains

in the early morning.

These lovely shots were all taken from the balcony in my hotel room

It was certainly very beautiful watching the rising sun illuminate the mountains

There was still a little snow, but most was melted.

I know that these two tips which are part of a mountain called

La Dent de Morcles

As the sky lightens, the green trees become visible

Fluffy clouds are always somewhere to be seen

This one almost looks like a volcano

A daytime shot from the park adjoining the hotel

Such a beautiful place to walk and the grass was dotted with buttercups.

The early evening sky brings in a red hue across the mountains

A charming crescent moon becomes visible

and for a few minutes, the sky takes on a shade of royal blue

Back to the moon again through the side window of my room

As night descends, it's time to put away my camera until those first rays

of sunshine illuminate the mountains again the next morning.

***

This thermal spa is at the foot of the Alps.

It is fed by the hottest springs in Switzerland.

Temperatures vary between 32°C - 36°C, depending on the season.

It is indeed a beautiful place to stay for a few days.

The mountain views are spectacular.

There is also a lovely park with many trees that runs along

the Rhone River nearby.

The fast flowing water can be heard from the hotel rooms.

I would love to go back there for a short stay in the autumn again!

A Milestone Birthday

May seems to be a busy month this year.

Celebrating my birthday on May 15th seemed  like a good time

to look back on those years when I was growing up.

This first photo dates back to when I was about three years' old.

It was certainly taken in a studio and the photo coloured afterwards.

My father liked to ride,

as soon as he thought I was big enough, he sat me on a pony.

Here I am, aged five, sitting on quite a highly-strung little pony

called "Mousie". I remember her well and how she liked to have her own way, 

which wasn't always the same way as her rider!

By the age of twelve, I was a fun-loving schoolgirl.

I still loved riding and had my own pony. A grey called Miss Muffet.

Then came the teenage years.

I was seventeen in this photo and quite dreamy and idealistic

and a tad romantic too.

I loved to read and went to the library a lot.

I kept a diary in my teen years, but kept none of these writings.

I wonder what I would think of them now?

I remember always wanting to see the best in people.

I think I was always striving to becoming someone better,

more compassionate, more understanding, more forgiving.

It became apparent to me, quite early on, that I was simply a work in progress

and that my life, in whatever form it took, would form the person

that I would become.

It isn't only life, and what happens to us, which forms us,

but how we react, digest and rise above it all which counts.

So besides all things philosophical,

there is the reality of how we live each moment,

with or without sunshine,

alone or in good company.

My birthday was not sunny and it was cold with heavy rain showers, 

but I spent it in good company with a breakfast out in a traditional, old-style

tea-room in the town of Lausanne.

Here is the little tea-room

We had a delicious Birchermuesli (they do the best in town)

and an Apple Turnover with coffee.

Look what caught our eye before we left the tea-room!

A Chocolate Truffle Cake

as light as a feather!

This little beauty came home with us for tea.

I was thinking about the important things in life and decided to make a collage

to give my children and grandson.

BE

Be amazed

Be joyful

Be playful

Be kind

Be thoughtful

Be loving

Be content

and most of all...

Be yourself!

Here is the last slice of birthday cake, so good with fresh raspberries.

The lovely peonies I received and three of my beautiful cards. 

The others stand in honour on my sideboard where I admire them every day!

I received very thoughtful and generous gifts from both my children

and a wonderfully detailed drawing from my grandson.

Today, the sun returned.

It feels so wonderfully joyful.

This is the scene that greeted me in my kitchen this morning.

Sunshine and blue skies

Sweet early morning birdsong

To nourish my soul.

All these simple things are so good for the morale, don't you think?

Where Are the Stories?

She looked out through the confines of where she was hiding.

She knew the world was waiting for her to make the effort, to take the first step.

There were other human beings out there, living life.

Was she living hers? 

She wasn't sure anymore.

She sometimes felt like a little mouse in a cage,

going round in circles, but not exactly getting anywhere.

How had that happened?

Was she doing anything to change that?

She tried looking at things from another point of view.

She felt an inner smile bubbling up from deep within her

and she felt her confidence grow.

"What strange creatures we are", she said, almost out loud.

"We allow ourselves to be influenced by mere thoughts that we have created."

She felt her face becoming relaxed and her breath came slower and calmer.

She could feel the sparkle coming back into her eyes!

There was even a feeling of lightness about her again.

She smiled and knew exactly what she had to do

and felt a tingling of excitement at the sheer thought of it...

This is a fictional story.

***

I did my first self-portrait course five years' ago when I turned a big birthday.

It was quite a challenge, but I so enjoyed the story-telling

and the role-playing we did.

That course was called "Now You".

This year, I decided to do another self-portrait class, to celebrate another birthday!

They do seem to come round rather quickly, don't they!

This time it's with Vivienne McMaster.

She's so encouraging and full of fun.

You can see her website here

***

Today is Sunday

and it's a perfect day for relaxing in the sunshine.

First of all, I just need to show you this gorgeous blossom in my neighbourhood!

After an early morning walk,

I had breakfast on my balcony and then read for a while

enjoying the spring flowers in my window boxes and pots.

Campanula or Bell flowers, just beginning to bloom.

I came across this advertisement for a film I would like to see.

I read the book, which was really good, sometime ago.

I've been having fun with double exposures, so here is one with my grandson!

He gave me permission to use this photo of us both.

See you all soon!