Serenity

When city life seems drab

and noisy and grey

I take a bus or a train to contemplate

the beauties that are not far away at all.

although I live in the city

the mountains and the lake call out to me.

It is here that I come to resource myself

and it's best to choose a sunny day.

A little sailing boat glides over the calm water

and in the small port in the lakeside town of Vevey,

I love to stare at the reflections in the water.

Green and blue

the shapes change with the moving surface of the water.

A swan preens its feathers

and looks into the depth of the water

until a mate comes along.

a last look towards this end of  Lake Léman

and as I look at the sparkles on the water

I take home wonderful memories

of a sunny day by the lake

and find once again

my inner serenity. 

The town of Vevey is where I lived when I first came to Switzerland.

It is barely a 15-minute train journey from where I live now

in the city of Lausanne.

A journey into abstracts

Seeing abstracts is like turning off the switch of recognition

as we enter a world of impressions

Curves and straight lines and colour

and depth given by the space in-between.

We stop wanting to interpret

and let ourselves be amazed and touched by the unexpected.

The simplest of shapes and textures

become a lesson in visual harmony.

Shadows and solid objects intermingle and create flow.

Reflections create surreal scenes that tell us stories of the unknown.

For me,

abstracts create a journey scattered with mystery and delight

I love not knowing where they will take me next.

Photo-Heart Connection: January

The countryside is my favourite place to be.

I love the sweet smell, the open air

and being able to see the sky and the fields 

unhindered by city buildings.

Recently, when I was out walking in the country after rain,

I noticed how beautiful the puddles were with their mesmerizing reflections.

The wind was blowing gently and creating ripples on the surface of the water,

breaking up the reflections and creating abstract images.

I felt an immediate connection to these watery images

I could feel Nature's vibrations tingling with aliveness

and waking up every sense in my whole being.

Abstracts!

Who would have thought they could touch me so?

They possess an art form all of their own

and allow me to step into another dimension

like a breath of fresh air!

Joining up with others here:

Follow what moves you!

"Find a way

to express

what moves you."

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Let your passions guide you

and follow the path which opens before you.

Sandra

Once Upon a Midnight Blue

Little children gather round

Snuggle up without a sound

Look above at the sky so blue

Telling stories for me and you!

See the delicate silhouettes

and the branches

 drawing lines across the sky

waiting for the notes to play them.

The pine trees tingle in anticipation

and the atmosphere intensifies!

Hush!

The scene is set

Let the story begin!

"Once upon a midnight blue..."

Beyond the golden mist

As often as I can,

I leave the confines of the town

to get out into the country.

Yesterday, I was greeted by a golden  mist!

The surrounding fields and hills and mountains

were hidden from view.

Yet the sun, which was so close,

gave a lovely golden glow to everything.

The snow barriers are still up,

but so far this winter, they have just received sunshine and a little night frost!

A farm comes into view

and I like the pictures that the sun and mist are painting.

I enjoy them just as they are

without wanting to see beyond.

So it is in life,

I sometimes put up protective barriers

 for things that never happen.

I want to see clear pictures

of what lies ahead

I like to feel reassured.

Yet somehow,

the mist told me

All is well

and just as it should be

and I could tell that the hazy views

were filled with sunshine just waiting to come through.

Sometimes,

when we can't see clearly

it's good just to wait

and be with that moment

until the whole picture comes into view!

The Sound of Silence

A candle flickers

 soundlessly

 on my work table

A crochet hook

moves

in a silent, repetitious rhythm

and curtain shadows

dance on the walls

in rays of sun

The window handle

sits in a froth of  net curtains

There is stillness

and quiet contemplation.

No music, no television blaring, no one talking

Just listening to the sound of silence

and bathing in its velvety fullness

creating harmony and plenitude.

Crochet pattern here