tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67610902740767209752024-03-13T12:17:57.822+00:00The Streaming Now - everyday thingsEvery day happenings plucked from the Streaming NOW of my life - beautiful photos, quotes, garden, flowers, english village views, stories, poetry, art, everyday bits and pieces, capturing the beauty that is all around us. This is the personal blog of a female from england.Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-77280812761022389462012-12-10T18:54:00.001+00:002012-12-10T19:01:05.741+00:00A Visitor To My Window Ledge . . .<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"> <span class="yiv1754013303the-quote">"How do I integrate spirituality into my
everyday life? Throw out the concept of “spiritual life” and “everyday
life.” There is only life, undivided and whole."</span> - Adyashanti </span></span></div>
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There are those of you that may remember <span style="color: #e69138;"><b><a href="http://thestreamingnow.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/sammy-squirrel-and-sharing-my-story.html" target="_blank">Sammy's previous encounter with a squirrel visitor</a>.</b></span> (If you didn't see it at the time the pictures are well worth a visit.)<br />
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Well this week, the squirrel visitor to my garden found the bird table empty. . . </div>
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Sammy had him spotted!</div>
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And after finding no treats in the garden, the squirrel came to the window to let me know!</div>
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He was a lovely little fella!</div>
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...and totally unphased by me taking photos on the other side of the window. </div>
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(This was another time when my photos would have been better if my windows had been clean. :-)) <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;">“Paradise is not a place but a condition,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"> a simple being-alive, a drinking straight from the spring.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;">- Scott Russell Sanders</span></span><br />
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I went out and stocked up the bird table after he had gone. :-)</div>
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I hope you've all had a good week.</div>
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- Susannah x</div>
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Thought of the week<br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="yiv1754013303the-quote" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1355155615607_145">"Listen to the mustn’ts, child. </span><span class="yiv1754013303the-quote" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1355155615607_145">Listen to the
don’ts. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="yiv1754013303the-quote" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1355155615607_145">Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="yiv1754013303the-quote" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1355155615607_145">Listen to
the never haves, then listen close to me… </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="yiv1754013303the-quote" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1355155615607_145">Anything can happen, child.
Anything can be."</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- Shel Silverstein </span></span></div>
Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-34376906372375253782012-12-02T17:35:00.000+00:002012-12-02T19:06:51.773+00:00Winter Walking - and the thoughts it brings . . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span class="the-quote"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yesterday, we went for a walk around the village <span style="font-size: small;">and</span> I picked up my camera for the first time in ages.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>And<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>in the crisp cold air of a new December, I realised how much I had missed <span style="font-size: small;">sharing <span style="font-size: small;">things here. </span></span>So tentatively, slowly, I am venturing back into this space...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span class="the-quote"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="color: #783f04;">"Whatever it is that pulls the pin, that hurls you past the boundaries of your own life into a brief <span class="the-quote">and total beauty, even for a moment, it is enough."</span> - Jeanette Winterson</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope all is well in your world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Susannah x</span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thought of the week</span></span></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span class="the-quote">"A diamond was laying in the street covered with dirt. Many fools passed by. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span class="the-quote">Someone who knew diamonds picked it up."</span> - Kabir </span></span></span></div>
Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-71288587703047421722012-03-10T09:23:00.006+00:002023-08-16T06:37:03.433+01:00Sammy the superstar. . . what a treat!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it,<br />but because they didn’t stop to enjoy it." - William Feather<br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">O</span>ver the winter our outdoor table has been pushed up against the wall outside the kitchen window and one of our cats, (the intrepid Sammy) has taken to jumping up on it and staring in through the window at Joe when he is in the kitchen making a cup of tea.<br /><br />Now, Joe and Sammy share a special bond and Joe just can't resist him! and so, he began opening the window and feeding Sammy cat treats through it. . . Joe said it reminds him of a kid at the window of an ice cream van.<br /><br />Sammy learns really fast and this is now a regular occurance! In fact sometimes he will even ask to go outside, then run straight around to the window just to ask for a treat. :-)<br /><br />Earlier his week, Joe managed to capture a video of it happening. So without further ado - here is Sammy the <span>super</span>star! . . .<br /></div><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xBn9psTjLRg?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />Could you hear the jackdaws in the background?<br /><br />I hope you have had a good week and that all is well in your world.<br /><br />Susannah x<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Thought of the week</span><br />“If you want to find happiness, find gratitude.” - Steve Maraboli</span><br /></div></div>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-32578652187899599292012-03-03T19:52:00.010+00:002023-08-16T06:10:53.815+01:00Thomas Campbell - A Life Well Lived<div style="color: #660000; text-align: center;">"Every man has a piece of sky in his breast and in it flies a swallow.” - Fatos Arapi<br /></div><br />It seemed fitting that the grey skies had been banished and the sun should be shining as we drew up to the cemetary to say goodbye to my Uncle Tom.<br /><br />Instead of being in some building to say our farewells, we were outside in nature, the grass was soft and yielding underfoot and the big dome of the sky served as our ceiling. The weather was mild for a February morning as we gathered by the side of the grave and the celebrant began to speak.<br /><br />My eyes wandered over the assortment of people there to pay their respects, almost all of whom were strangers to me. Some stood way back, some in small groups, some alone. All united in their wish to say goodbye to Tom Campbell, who with his twinkly eyes and ready smile was always willing to give others a helping hand.<br /><br />Those who knew him, loved him, and it showed.<br /><br />Though I didn't see him that often, my Uncle Tom had been there for as long as I remember. When I was young, he would always have sweets and smiles for us eager children. And when, years later I bumped into him unexpectedly, his big beaming smile and twinkly eyes had me running into his arms to hug him.<br /><br />You never visited him without coming back with some delicious offering, freshly picked from his garden. On one of my last visits I returned home with armfulls of purple sprouting broccoli and two big containers that he had planted up for me with colourful summer bedding plants. He was a generous and giving man with a keen sense of fun.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">"Put seeds and cover them. Blades will sprout where you do your work." – Rumi</span><br /></div><br />His garage was a virtual treasure trove, and if there was anything anyone needed he almost certainly had it and it was freely offered. In fact when Joe was building our campervan, Uncle Tom supplied him with so much wood and metal, that he helped beyond measure.<br /><br />Inside his house, it was a veritable feast for the eyes, especially for a magpie like me. Much to his daughter (my cousin) Shelagh's chagrin, he 'collected' things.<br /><br />I loved to see all of the bits and bobs, the china birds, the bells, the brass, the eclectic mix of his treasures. They made me smile and want to give him another hug for just being him...which I invariably did.<br /><br />So now whenever I shall see the little items that once belonged to him, (that are now sitting in amongst my own treasures,) I shall think of him and picture his smiling eyes and send him a hug.<br /><br />He was a good man and he will be remembered with much love and affection.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thomas Campbell born January 16, 1921 - died February 11, 2012, aged 91.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Twinkling eyes</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">a ready smile</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">irish brogue</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">never lost</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">he touched</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">the earth</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">made things grow</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">food - flowers</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">he understood</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">the land</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">walked its soil</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">planted and harvested</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">- it is his turn now</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">his life sown - grown,</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">and blossomed</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">it has given forth its bounty</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">and its produce was good</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">may the great gardener</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">appreciate his crop</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">he will live on</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">in the hearts</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">of those who knew</span><br style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: trebuchet ms;">and loved him.</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">Thought of the week<br /><span style="color: #660000; font-weight: normal;">❝To know even one life has breathed easier because<br />you have lived, </span><span style="color: #660000; font-weight: normal;">this is to have succeeded."</span><span style="color: #660000; font-weight: normal;">- Emerson</span><br /><br /><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">Words and images - Susannah Bec.</span><br /></div></div>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-24977967896015635662012-02-11T12:30:00.019+00:002023-08-16T06:23:55.879+01:00And then the snow fell. . .<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dCeDjuj7X-U/TzZp4LDDJ4I/AAAAAAAAH1E/UtTtXHsIgQ0/s1600/5th%2Bfeb2012%2B020%2Bcopy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707865991497852802" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dCeDjuj7X-U/TzZp4LDDJ4I/AAAAAAAAH1E/UtTtXHsIgQ0/s400/5th%2Bfeb2012%2B020%2Bcopy.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gc8K2N5kQJY/TzZp4Rj58WI/AAAAAAAAH1Q/95Sy_eNRC8A/s1600/5th%2Bfeb2012%2B021%2B1copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707865993246273890" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gc8K2N5kQJY/TzZp4Rj58WI/AAAAAAAAH1Q/95Sy_eNRC8A/s400/5th%2Bfeb2012%2B021%2B1copy.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><span style="color: #660000;">"Snow, a soft white blanket covering over the stains of everyday life. </span><br /><span style="color: #660000;">All is clean, white, virginal, new. Winter branches bent under the weight</span><br /><span style="color: #660000;">of the decorators white sheet. Everything sparkling, untouched, unspoiled</span><br /><span style="color: #660000;">- awaiting tomorrows footsteps. . ."</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">This week has been one where my mood has been subdued, withdrawn, craving quiet and distance.<br />I think of it like weather, we humans have our cloudy days too. The sun can't always shine, and in the bigger scheme of things, I am sure that days like these are necessary too.<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">"I am wearing a dark cloak today, I feel its weight heavy on my shoulders. </span><br style="color: #660000;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">It falls around my feet in voluminous folds, a grey mountain range for me to cross."</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iK7A0ubZpBo/TzZp4mDzZNI/AAAAAAAAH1c/MVxMnKziNlU/s1600/5th%2Bfeb2012%2B019%2Bcopy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707865998748771538" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iK7A0ubZpBo/TzZp4mDzZNI/AAAAAAAAH1c/MVxMnKziNlU/s400/5th%2Bfeb2012%2B019%2Bcopy.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Snug indoors, Bina and I are content to let the snowy world outside continue without us .<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">"There are diamonds in the snow, I see them sparkling.<br />Tiny lights, brilliant and bewitching. Others walk on by.</span> <span style="color: #660000;">Can they not<br />see the treasure that is glistening there</span> <span style="color: #660000;">on the cold and holy ground? . . ."</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I hope all is well in your world. x<br /><br />I am sorry I haven't been around to visit you all lately, I promise I shall catch up again soon.<br />Until then, I want to thank you for sharing this space with me and wish you lots of love.<br />- Susannah x<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="color: #660000; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Thought of the week</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-style: italic;">“We are our own dragons as well as our own heroes,</span><br style="color: #660000; font-style: italic;" /><span style="color: #660000; font-style: italic;">and we have to rescue ourselves from ourselves.” -Tom Robbins</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Images and words - Susannah Bec<br /></span></div><br /></div>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-63297901254878370792012-01-14T19:32:00.027+00:002023-08-16T06:37:27.611+01:00Reflections and Realisations. . .<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"Do not be satisfied with the stories that come before you. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Unfold your own myth." - Rumi</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span>his week has been one of reflection and realisation. Now that the festivities have passed and there's a new year with a blank slate in front of me, the thoughts of what I want to bring into my life, arise. They float around the edge of my consciousness, half formed and shadowy. They wait for me to give them form, to understand what it is I need to do. Where it is that I need to direct my energy. . .<br /><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9WISdlDCevc/TxHhPmHxxUI/AAAAAAAAHfk/7lf73c2PewQ/s1600/11thjan12%2B026%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9WISdlDCevc/TxHhPmHxxUI/AAAAAAAAHfk/7lf73c2PewQ/s320/11thjan12%2B026%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697582661647844674" border="0" /></a> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ></span><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >When the words don't come</span><br face="trebuchet ms"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I look for them.</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I shine a torch into dark corners,</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >- dig down into the silt.</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Looking for letters that have fallen</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >from my mouth as I was speaking.</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >And there, half buried in the sludge</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I find them.</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Carefully I dig out each one.</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Only to discover that they</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >spell out one word</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >. . . </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >W R I T E</span><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >And I</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >understood</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> that that is exactly what I need to do. I have a book waiting, one that is finished but for the final polish. But there is procrastination involved, I can feel a sense of holding back - because saying 'it's done' will involve taking another step. I will be setting out on the next part of the journey and there will be decisions to make.</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></div><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">So, instead of writing I have been following my usual distractions - taking photos, changing my blog look etc. etc. In fact I spent a great deal of time putting together a some of my poems with some of my old digital art images. It is still a work in progress but you can find it here -</span> <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://seeingundermyskin.blogspot.com/">Under my Skin</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">But as I HAVE been taking photos, I thought I would share some of them here with you. :-)<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Above, I was so pleased to catch this bird just taking flight<br />and below, these house names caught my eye on a walk around the village</span><br /><br /></div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5w08N_ixcI8/TxG89aU7PII/AAAAAAAAHcU/S7JF8TGezzQ/s1600/11thjan12%2B017%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5w08N_ixcI8/TxG89aU7PII/AAAAAAAAHcU/S7JF8TGezzQ/s400/11thjan12%2B017%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697542766825520258" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uoHODiBQnHs/TxG89Wi8J1I/AAAAAAAAHcg/s2RCmjSKsbg/s1600/11thjan12%2B023%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uoHODiBQnHs/TxG89Wi8J1I/AAAAAAAAHcg/s2RCmjSKsbg/s400/11thjan12%2B023%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697542765810558802" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Down by the canal. . .</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I love the different surfaces, colours, and the lovely moss edging!</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7eFxHY_ungg/TxG94S7fr4I/AAAAAAAAHe0/4awcpLGycls/s1600/13thjan12%2B025%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7eFxHY_ungg/TxG94S7fr4I/AAAAAAAAHe0/4awcpLGycls/s400/13thjan12%2B025%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697543778452090754" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Such beautiful reflections in the canal. . .</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EaKmdr7dmcU/TxG9sm6kflI/AAAAAAAAHeA/T1D1zNdSLmI/s1600/13thjan12%2B021%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 344px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EaKmdr7dmcU/TxG9sm6kflI/AAAAAAAAHeA/T1D1zNdSLmI/s400/13thjan12%2B021%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697543577658490450" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">When everything had gone,<br /></div> <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: trebuchet ms;">I found I still had myself.</div> <div style="text-align: right; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: trebuchet ms;"><div style="text-align: center;">The grand continent of me,</div></div> <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: trebuchet ms;">still existed inside my skin.<br /></div><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:trebuchet ms;"><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: trebuchet ms;">I took freedom in exchange for possessions.<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: center;">I filled the space with trees.<br /></div></div></div><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div style="text-align: left; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div style="text-align: center;">I quickly discovered other truths.<br /></div></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The infinite possibilities of darkness,</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >that sunlight glinting has its own rewards,</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >and that things remain lost until they are found.</span><br face="trebuchet ms" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >- S B</span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVfjDkzi5mM/TxG9teeZMpI/AAAAAAAAHeo/_TsIGvzpQHk/s1600/13thjan12%2B024%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVfjDkzi5mM/TxG9teeZMpI/AAAAAAAAHeo/_TsIGvzpQHk/s400/13thjan12%2B024%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697543592572695186" border="0" /></a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The beauty of sunlight and shadows</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YlbufxOrVEo/TxG9QPU26tI/AAAAAAAAHdg/ag3B3BLOFlo/s1600/13thjan12%2B015%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YlbufxOrVEo/TxG9QPU26tI/AAAAAAAAHdg/ag3B3BLOFlo/s400/13thjan12%2B015%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697543090289961682" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjkToSEs1DU/TxG9QegGvLI/AAAAAAAAHds/k3CdSjbuc9s/s1600/13thjan12%2B016%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjkToSEs1DU/TxG9QegGvLI/AAAAAAAAHds/k3CdSjbuc9s/s400/13thjan12%2B016%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697543094363667634" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And back at the car. . .</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Joe and reflected trees</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ2OAb5dT-4/TxG94pVhEVI/AAAAAAAAHfI/07kIgcaKBpc/s1600/13thjan12%2B031%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ2OAb5dT-4/TxG94pVhEVI/AAAAAAAAHfI/07kIgcaKBpc/s400/13thjan12%2B031%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697543784466813266" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I hope your week has been a good one. x</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span>Thought of the week</span></span><br style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">"We each have a choice, and with each action we either feed<br />or starve our life force. "</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">- Debbie Ford</span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" class="status-body" ><span class="entry-content"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Words and Images - Susannah Bec.</span></div></div>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-77080734581033141682011-11-26T20:46:00.014+00:002023-08-16T06:38:03.190+01:00Seeing what is there. . .<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"You cannot find peace by avoiding life." - Virginia Woolf</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">W</span>hen I am lost in my writing, the time seems to pass so quickly. Before I know it, another week has passed and I am here again, sharing my observations with you.<br /><br />Writing has been easier this week and I am almost at my 50,000 word target. Though the story is far from complete I can begin to ease up a bit on my pace, though I am so engrossed I may not be able to!<br /><br />I still made time this week to take photographs. It helps to take a step away from what I am doing, it gives perspective. So, this is what stood out for me this week. . .<br /></div></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >HOME</span><br /><span>I</span>t is my space, the setting in which the majority of my life takes place. A house is made a home by the souls that live within it, and the stuff of everyday life. It is easy to take for granted the things we see daily, so it pays to keep a fresh eye and to make an effort to appreciate the things that surround us.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span>"It is the function of art to renew our perception.</span><br /><span>What we are familiar with we cease to see. " - Anais Nin</span><br /></div><br />This week I was made happy by the purr of sleepy cats, the touch of warm soft fur, the sight of tails held high with a slight flicker of the tip, and that gentle beep they make when they greet me in the morning.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OTmjKntlLYc/Ts9fE3T2tGI/AAAAAAAAGuQ/fIQE-Hs_iK8/s1600/24th%2Bnov11%2B015%2Bopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 365px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OTmjKntlLYc/Ts9fE3T2tGI/AAAAAAAAGuQ/fIQE-Hs_iK8/s400/24th%2Bnov11%2B015%2Bopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678862192308827234" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >(Sammy sleeping above and </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Bina and Mitz below)</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zr55aNLumZc/Ts9fEigEzhI/AAAAAAAAGuE/Xk_31NgtHP0/s1600/24th%2Bnov11%2B014%2Bopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zr55aNLumZc/Ts9fEigEzhI/AAAAAAAAGuE/Xk_31NgtHP0/s400/24th%2Bnov11%2B014%2Bopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678862186722938386" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Camera still in hand after rushing to capture the shot above,<br />I snapped a few more photos as I wandered back to my computer. . .<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"If you carry a camera, it helps the 'background' to become foreground - it helps you to 'see'"</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sl0MzRUp8EU/Ts9fytQPpZI/AAAAAAAAGu8/5vHXqtLXt-A/s1600/24th%2Bnov11%2B034%2Bopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sl0MzRUp8EU/Ts9fytQPpZI/AAAAAAAAGu8/5vHXqtLXt-A/s400/24th%2Bnov11%2B034%2Bopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678862979883312530" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Re7HqSfUjqM/Ts9fyfFMGVI/AAAAAAAAGu0/qQPSlmzkIBk/s1600/24th%2Bnov11%2B030%2Bopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Re7HqSfUjqM/Ts9fyfFMGVI/AAAAAAAAGu0/qQPSlmzkIBk/s400/24th%2Bnov11%2B030%2Bopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678862976078846290" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lGgpW5V-xVg/Ts9fyDPFNQI/AAAAAAAAGuo/6SmwKedD87o/s1600/24th%2Bnov11%2B021opt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lGgpW5V-xVg/Ts9fyDPFNQI/AAAAAAAAGuo/6SmwKedD87o/s400/24th%2Bnov11%2B021opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678862968604144898" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Splashes of sunlight! - on my wall above and on the fruit below.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJcwd4k4LYI/Ts9fzTf-TiI/AAAAAAAAGvU/rfrCa-pYrdM/s1600/24th%2Bnov11%2B040opt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 391px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJcwd4k4LYI/Ts9fzTf-TiI/AAAAAAAAGvU/rfrCa-pYrdM/s400/24th%2Bnov11%2B040opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678862990149832226" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >GARDEN</span><br /><span>T</span>he garden has become busy with birds. I've started putting out food again now, as it is getting colder. The feeders outside my window are a real hive of activity. This week, beside the usual visitors, we had a woodpecker. His strong beak made short work of the fat balls! No photos I'm afraid.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(Blackbird and Sparrow taking a drink)</span><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sghmWuPvczU/Ts9f7BQOw7I/AAAAAAAAGvk/8PA9pzPysuM/s1600/24th%2Bnov11%2B063opt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sghmWuPvczU/Ts9f7BQOw7I/AAAAAAAAGvk/8PA9pzPysuM/s400/24th%2Bnov11%2B063opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678863122690917298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >TOWN</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span>I</span>t was a damp grey day in Banbury mid week, but I was cheered by the colours of the flowers and the delights on offer at the old sweet shop in the photo below. - I didn't indulge ;-) .<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dTyTgQQiB44/Ts9eDxZd3dI/AAAAAAAAGsw/p1QPe-R_gHE/s1600/22nd%2Bnov11%2B019%2Bopt2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dTyTgQQiB44/Ts9eDxZd3dI/AAAAAAAAGsw/p1QPe-R_gHE/s400/22nd%2Bnov11%2B019%2Bopt2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678861074030255570" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-toNyGVXf43c/Ts9eDPYdaUI/AAAAAAAAGsM/3OeNio1GuVE/s1600/22nd%2Bnov11%2B015%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 374px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-toNyGVXf43c/Ts9eDPYdaUI/AAAAAAAAGsM/3OeNio1GuVE/s400/22nd%2Bnov11%2B015%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678861064899225922" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">OBSERVATION</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"Engine running. Warm air at my feet keeps the grey day and its chill at bay.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Insulated by this travelling box on wheels, I am removed. And insider looking out."</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >AUTUMN</span><br /></div></div><span>I</span> have noticed that lots of leaves are still on the trees. Maybe it is because we haven't had such high winds this year? In previous years the winds have taken the leaves, rather than waiting for them to fall. . .<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9qUNCakQSAA/Ts9eVlQAUfI/AAAAAAAAGtU/ONRt-SM20ac/s1600/22nd%2Bnov11%2B026opt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 355px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9qUNCakQSAA/Ts9eVlQAUfI/AAAAAAAAGtU/ONRt-SM20ac/s400/22nd%2Bnov11%2B026opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678861380006990322" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s1Jx7HzViF8/Ts9eVWWo0DI/AAAAAAAAGtI/67ZYMUunqjs/s1600/22nd%2Bnov11%2B025opt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s1Jx7HzViF8/Ts9eVWWo0DI/AAAAAAAAGtI/67ZYMUunqjs/s400/22nd%2Bnov11%2B025opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678861376008278066" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J88UW0gAvVM/Ts9eVxAnU5I/AAAAAAAAGtg/8DcqO22ZJTY/s1600/22nd%2Bnov11%2B027opt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J88UW0gAvVM/Ts9eVxAnU5I/AAAAAAAAGtg/8DcqO22ZJTY/s400/22nd%2Bnov11%2B027opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678861383163663250" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7db6Qw0rDjA/Ts9eEXqoJaI/AAAAAAAAGs4/_5DTz9KrCVg/s1600/22nd%2Bnov11%2B022%2Bopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7db6Qw0rDjA/Ts9eEXqoJaI/AAAAAAAAGs4/_5DTz9KrCVg/s400/22nd%2Bnov11%2B022%2Bopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678861084302779810" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Down by the canal, I was struck by this scene. <span style="font-size:85%;">(below) </span>I loved the trail of yellow.<br />From the tree, to the bikeframe, to the scattered leaves on the pavement below.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4AFTsFiIBOg/Ts9c_ytXhwI/AAAAAAAAGrY/OEYYcF19f34/s1600/22nd%2Bnov11%2B007opt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4AFTsFiIBOg/Ts9c_ytXhwI/AAAAAAAAGrY/OEYYcF19f34/s400/22nd%2Bnov11%2B007opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678859906151057154" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for sharing my week. I hope all well with you all. x<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=" ;font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thought of the week</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"Peace in ourselves, peace in the world." - Thich Nhat Hanh</span><br /><br /></div><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >I am linking this post to week<span style="font-weight: bold;"> 63 </span>of <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#993300;">I Saw Sunday</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Images and words - Susannah Bec</span></span></div>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-73605086013122132322011-09-25T13:09:00.008+01:002011-09-25T13:49:36.616+01:00Falling Leaves and Sparkling Water. . .<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind<br />than to be hopelessly in love with spring." - George Santayana<br /></div><br />Well the year has reached its balance point, days and nights of equal length at autumn equinox marks the slide into the darker time of year. This week I really noticed the colours of autumn starting to creep along the trees and hedgerows and the ground is littered with beautiful jewel coloured leaves.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TK1WZCth-2Q/Tn8bThC4QXI/AAAAAAAAGN0/KAiVtox77jw/s1600/19thseptember11%2B108.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TK1WZCth-2Q/Tn8bThC4QXI/AAAAAAAAGN0/KAiVtox77jw/s400/19thseptember11%2B108.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656269679102542194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHSKumoQMEg/Tn8bTf9luPI/AAAAAAAAGNs/4VyKN1QUrUQ/s1600/19thseptember11%2B112.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHSKumoQMEg/Tn8bTf9luPI/AAAAAAAAGNs/4VyKN1QUrUQ/s400/19thseptember11%2B112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656269678811920626" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"The leaves begin their slow journey from summer green to autumn's fiery jewels. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Glimpses of saffron yellow and burnt orange amidst the sea of green, picked out and </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"> set aglow by the sinking sun. Day and night, balanced again at this equinox point. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">The year is turning and autumn is returning to the land."</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">- my name is zing</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(192, 192, 192);font-family:georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;" ></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5lGh-s9Qdc0/Tn8bTVExK-I/AAAAAAAAGNk/NnDkJWPQr8E/s1600/19thseptember11%2B094.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5lGh-s9Qdc0/Tn8bTVExK-I/AAAAAAAAGNk/NnDkJWPQr8E/s400/19thseptember11%2B094.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656269675889241058" border="0" /></a>Mid week it was a lovely day and we decided to take a drive out to the reservoir.<br />It is always such a pleasure to drive the roads around here, and the journey is<br />always just as nice as the destination.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lsFIMxE4hIs/Tn8bCtjFmBI/AAAAAAAAGNc/IVunDi0fpQA/s1600/21thseptember11%2B012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lsFIMxE4hIs/Tn8bCtjFmBI/AAAAAAAAGNc/IVunDi0fpQA/s400/21thseptember11%2B012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656269390401083410" border="0" /></a>When we arrived we were shocked to see that the water was so low.<br />All of the green bits are usually well under the water.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iJKG4NF41-E/Tn8bCjIQ0NI/AAAAAAAAGNU/VrTdfaAXJ_k/s1600/21thseptember11%2B050.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iJKG4NF41-E/Tn8bCjIQ0NI/AAAAAAAAGNU/VrTdfaAXJ_k/s400/21thseptember11%2B050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656269387604218066" border="0" /></a>But as we walked and saw the sunlight sparkling on the water, that was soon forgotten.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5nNDccxT9II/Tn8bCe3I2LI/AAAAAAAAGNM/rEz64cQNPnM/s1600/21thseptember11%2B087.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5nNDccxT9II/Tn8bCe3I2LI/AAAAAAAAGNM/rEz64cQNPnM/s400/21thseptember11%2B087.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656269386458650802" border="0" /></a>Autumn had been doing its work here too, leaving a still life of fallen leaves floating on the water.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Zis5iSAQiI/Tn8bCW-cQlI/AAAAAAAAGNE/TIGbVeKIdb4/s1600/21thseptember11%2B101.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 345px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Zis5iSAQiI/Tn8bCW-cQlI/AAAAAAAAGNE/TIGbVeKIdb4/s400/21thseptember11%2B101.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656269384341799506" border="0" /></a>It was breezy and quite hypnotic watching the changing patterns of the wind on the water, and the blowing of the clouds and the willows.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BXPJSb4elvM/Tn8atgFa60I/AAAAAAAAGMs/TQz2ajEpnqI/s1600/21thseptember11%2B126.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BXPJSb4elvM/Tn8atgFa60I/AAAAAAAAGMs/TQz2ajEpnqI/s400/21thseptember11%2B126.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656269026009738050" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions, </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">but in the fewness of my wants. " - J. Brotherton</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGRRmKozFvA/Tn8bCNDG3kI/AAAAAAAAGM8/Cq4bn-wyjcs/s1600/21thseptember11%2B113.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGRRmKozFvA/Tn8bCNDG3kI/AAAAAAAAGM8/Cq4bn-wyjcs/s400/21thseptember11%2B113.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656269381677014594" border="0" /></a>Back to the car and on our way home. . .<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DWw-4syBnMY/Tn8atfzNP_I/AAAAAAAAGMk/FssTKZQDHCQ/s1600/21thseptember11%2B147.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DWw-4syBnMY/Tn8atfzNP_I/AAAAAAAAGMk/FssTKZQDHCQ/s400/21thseptember11%2B147.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656269025933344754" border="0" /></a>Now I wonder if any of you kind people can help me identify this bush/shrub in my garden.<br />(In Spring it has tiny pinkish red flowers.)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8p2NIQtjr5s/Tn8atUqdzbI/AAAAAAAAGMc/cIPNeoWXAQQ/s1600/23thseptember%2Bebay%2B059.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8p2NIQtjr5s/Tn8atUqdzbI/AAAAAAAAGMc/cIPNeoWXAQQ/s400/23thseptember%2Bebay%2B059.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656269022943890866" border="0" /></a>And in the autumn (now) it has these fruits? at its base. Any ideas?<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o0AxGGGSv2k/Tn8atZAUd5I/AAAAAAAAGMU/uuk5U89dhJc/s1600/23thseptember%2Bebay%2B058.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o0AxGGGSv2k/Tn8atZAUd5I/AAAAAAAAGMU/uuk5U89dhJc/s400/23thseptember%2Bebay%2B058.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656269024109295506" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I hope that your week has been a good one. :-)<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=" ;font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thought of the week<br /></span></span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">"It isn't the mountains ahead that wear you out,<br />it's the grain of sand in your shoe. "</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">- Author Unknown</span><br /><br /><br /></div><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >I am linking this post to week <span style="font-weight: bold;">54 </span>of <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#993300;">I Saw Sunday</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Images and words - Susannah Bec</span></span>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-71854673892511845502011-09-17T20:14:00.018+01:002011-09-17T22:06:06.457+01:00And today I fell in love with the sky . . .<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"If you wish to know the divine, feel the wind on your face </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">and the warm sun on your hand." </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">- Eido Tai Shimano Roshi</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWc1kfLd1mA/TnT-59oK2jI/AAAAAAAAGK4/_kSWXH2DrTA/s1600/12Sues%2BSkys%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWc1kfLd1mA/TnT-59oK2jI/AAAAAAAAGK4/_kSWXH2DrTA/s400/12Sues%2BSkys%2Bcopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653423704005859890" border="0" /></a>These photo's are my attempt to capture the magnificence of the sky today as we were driving out of the village. It was changing by the second and held me awestruck. . .<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZasJRdLuG4/TnT3cja4XEI/AAAAAAAAGJ4/SX0EPnCejJs/s1600/6Sues%2BSkys%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 366px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZasJRdLuG4/TnT3cja4XEI/AAAAAAAAGJ4/SX0EPnCejJs/s400/6Sues%2BSkys%2Bcopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653415502173199426" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HC-X_xVK3Pw/TnT3dHCzgLI/AAAAAAAAGKQ/YRhJQuFm88A/s1600/10Sues%2BSkys%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HC-X_xVK3Pw/TnT3dHCzgLI/AAAAAAAAGKQ/YRhJQuFm88A/s400/10Sues%2BSkys%2Bcopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653415511735894194" border="0" /></a>Spreading in all directions as far as my eye could see, I was almost overcome by the sheer enormity and majesty of it. So when I got back into the car, I scribbled down my impressions trying to capture the feeling and how it had affected me. . .<br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">". . . and the sky was full of mountains,<br />snow white and edged with light. </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br /><br />Billowing turrets set against the brightest blue. </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br />They made me catch my breath in awe. </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br /><br />What a </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">privilege</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> to be alive and to be conscious of it</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">. . . and of the splendour of skies such as these."</span><br /><div style="text-align: right;">- <a href="http://mynameiszing.blogspot.com/">My name is Zing</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">These tiny pictures don't do justice to the sight that I witnessed today, but they and my words are all I have to share of it. I hope from this that you can appreciate some of the beauty too. :-)<br /><br /></div></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TUNEjW-pCyY/TnT3c4DJ5OI/AAAAAAAAGKI/3crVYwZn2Qs/s1600/9Sues%2BSkys%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TUNEjW-pCyY/TnT3c4DJ5OI/AAAAAAAAGKI/3crVYwZn2Qs/s400/9Sues%2BSkys%2Bcopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653415507710829794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xvy_VHmPVho/TnT3k7vkI5I/AAAAAAAAGKY/PgeKcQjR6CY/s1600/12Sues%2BSkys%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i14dLWlel3s/TnT3ctI4tCI/AAAAAAAAGJw/CuErM1sYS_A/s400/3Sues%2BSkys%2Bcopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653415504782079010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TUNEjW-pCyY/TnT3c4DJ5OI/AAAAAAAAGKI/3crVYwZn2Qs/s1600/9Sues%2BSkys%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8shouEryNE/TnT3k4wYAzI/AAAAAAAAGKg/OwgOcv2G3t0/s400/13Sues%2BSkys%2Bcopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653415645339452210" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G53lvBP4UDs/TnT3cwbqfgI/AAAAAAAAGKA/sYfcmWM0qGY/s1600/8Sues%2BSkys%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G53lvBP4UDs/TnT3cwbqfgI/AAAAAAAAGKA/sYfcmWM0qGY/s400/8Sues%2BSkys%2Bcopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653415505666145794" border="0" /></a><br />I hope that your week has been a good one. :-)<br /></div></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=" ;font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thought of the week<br /></span></span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"Our life is an apprenticeship to the truth that around every circle<br />another can be drawn; </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">that there is no end in nature,<br />but every end is a beginning, and under every deep</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> a lower deep opens." - Ralph Waldo Emerson</span><br /><br /><br /></div><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >I am linking this post to week <span style="font-weight: bold;">53 </span>of <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#993300;">I Saw Sunday</span></a><br />Images and words - Susannah Bec<br /></span>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-4552233061561020642011-09-10T19:06:00.024+01:002011-09-10T20:50:42.048+01:00Stalking Beauty on a Friday Afternoon. . .<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"The ego tells you to fill space. Your spirit tells you to let space fill you." - Alan Cohen<br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />W</span>hen you look for them there are little glimpses of beauty everywhere. You turn your head and something interesting shouts, look at me, look at me. Camera in hand, I stalk those magic moments of line or colour, reflection or shape. And as with all things, the more you look for them, the more you see.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UEQuPaqlWCg/TmuuKIqCfVI/AAAAAAAAGJI/Fi4uZOV2yUM/s1600/9thseptember11%2B052%2Bcopy%2B2opt.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 244px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UEQuPaqlWCg/TmuuKIqCfVI/AAAAAAAAGJI/Fi4uZOV2yUM/s400/9thseptember11%2B052%2Bcopy%2B2opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650801646612151634" border="0" /></a><span>F</span>ocus is like a beam, it is as though your subconscious mind knows that you want to see the startling little gems hidden in the everyday sprawl. So it becomes your seeker and turns your head just in time to see something glitter.<br /><br />I have been running around like a child this week, oohing and aahing as I captured these glimpses and moments.<br /><br />But then came the daunting task of distilling the 250 photos I ended up with! (thank goodness for digital cameras) down to just a few to include here.<br /><br />So I thought to myself, shall I share the golden fields, tractors and corn bales? Or maybe the lovely and very picturesque visit around an historic house and grounds?<br /><br />Or shall I pick those little moments that caught my eye and sent me scurrying around a park as though I were chasing a butterfly? - Ah yes. They will do nicely! :-)<br /><br />So here are just some of the things that I noticed on Friday afternoon . . .<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fD5s71ydq4s/Tmut6gf2auI/AAAAAAAAGI4/usuiIdCQuIE/s1600/9thseptember11%2B037%2Bcopy%2B2opt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 396px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fD5s71ydq4s/Tmut6gf2auI/AAAAAAAAGI4/usuiIdCQuIE/s400/9thseptember11%2B037%2Bcopy%2B2opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650801378133961442" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dEVhHd0P5c/Tmut6v3wtbI/AAAAAAAAGIw/Cyx0MyCp7lI/s1600/9thseptember11%2B038%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dEVhHd0P5c/Tmut6v3wtbI/AAAAAAAAGIw/Cyx0MyCp7lI/s400/9thseptember11%2B038%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650801382260782514" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"Nothing is too wonderful to be true." - Michael Faraday</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1uDfh6iNNjw/Tmut6NZlEgI/AAAAAAAAGIo/3DU0m3FnWsg/s1600/9thseptember11%2B060%2Bcopy%2B2opt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1uDfh6iNNjw/Tmut6NZlEgI/AAAAAAAAGIo/3DU0m3FnWsg/s400/9thseptember11%2B060%2Bcopy%2B2opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650801373007385090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x4UHpoy2O6o/Tmut6F-RzOI/AAAAAAAAGIg/7yQxFA07tTI/s1600/9thseptember11%2B074%2Bcopy%2B2opt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x4UHpoy2O6o/Tmut6F-RzOI/AAAAAAAAGIg/7yQxFA07tTI/s400/9thseptember11%2B074%2Bcopy%2B2opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650801371013827810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYpLXNnvMb8/Tmut5xMTpxI/AAAAAAAAGIY/rfAFILxbV_8/s1600/9thseptember11%2B076%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYpLXNnvMb8/Tmut5xMTpxI/AAAAAAAAGIY/rfAFILxbV_8/s400/9thseptember11%2B076%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650801365435524882" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"The delights of self-discovery are always available." - Gail Sheehy</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fD5s71ydq4s/Tmut6gf2auI/AAAAAAAAGI4/usuiIdCQuIE/s1600/9thseptember11%2B037%2Bcopy%2B2opt.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x-h988FJ0Qs/TmuuDJgc6WI/AAAAAAAAGJA/Nzso4AbrG7w/s1600/9thseptember11%2B030%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x-h988FJ0Qs/TmuuDJgc6WI/AAAAAAAAGJA/Nzso4AbrG7w/s400/9thseptember11%2B030%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650801526581291362" border="0" /></a>The colour of those leaves floating in the water was gorgeous.<br />The sign works for the above picture too. :-)<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MX1OSdXwM5k/TmutFQ6wtYI/AAAAAAAAGIQ/i9_Dv_JW0hw/s1600/9thseptember11%2B141%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MX1OSdXwM5k/TmutFQ6wtYI/AAAAAAAAGIQ/i9_Dv_JW0hw/s400/9thseptember11%2B141%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650800463418799490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JfIVAGxNaZw/TmutFFJV63I/AAAAAAAAGII/1objFX3h--Y/s1600/9thseptember11%2B131%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 369px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JfIVAGxNaZw/TmutFFJV63I/AAAAAAAAGII/1objFX3h--Y/s400/9thseptember11%2B131%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650800460258732914" border="0" /></a>Beautiful reflections in the water. . .<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PC_UGrcN5Oo/TmutFPkcSuI/AAAAAAAAGIA/UubsfyXWshQ/s1600/9thseptember11%2B093%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PC_UGrcN5Oo/TmutFPkcSuI/AAAAAAAAGIA/UubsfyXWshQ/s400/9thseptember11%2B093%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650800463056751330" border="0" /></a>And here, the blue sky has taken up residence in the river.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cy_OtUPIlag/TmutEzHE11I/AAAAAAAAGH4/L45548Xlsfg/s1600/9thseptember11%2B106%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cy_OtUPIlag/TmutEzHE11I/AAAAAAAAGH4/L45548Xlsfg/s400/9thseptember11%2B106%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650800455417386834" border="0" /></a>Sky back in its correct place, (normal contrast too this week!) :-)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHZGuj8Ts3k/TmutEg-d75I/AAAAAAAAGHw/hLCK4yirU0E/s1600/9thseptember11%2B190%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHZGuj8Ts3k/TmutEg-d75I/AAAAAAAAGHw/hLCK4yirU0E/s400/9thseptember11%2B190%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650800450549444498" border="0" /></a>I hope that your week has been a good one.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=" ;font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thought of the week<br /></span></span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"Learn to pause...or nothing worthwhile will catch up to you." - Doug King</span><br /><br /><br /></div><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >I am linking this post to week <span style="font-weight: bold;">52 </span>of <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#993300;">I Saw Sunday</span></a></span>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-34547175648460209802011-09-03T18:23:00.015+01:002011-09-03T20:00:45.222+01:00A Time for Harvest and Messing with the Contrast. . .<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"The air is still as feathers and the yellow sun nowhere to be seen.
<br />From the top of the old ash tree, a crow shouts. . . his voice
<br />resounding like a claxon, sending sound waves
<br />shimmering through the static air. "
<br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">-</span> <a href="http://mynameiszing.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;">My Name is ZING</span></a>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">T</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">his week</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">has been</span> a tapestry, multi layered and woven with those rich hues that give line and shape; adding shadow and definition and bringing stories into sharp focus. People close to me, people I care about, have lost loved ones and one stitch in our family story has passed on as all things must do. Another bright skein of silk to be woven into our memories.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">M</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">eanwhile</span> in the air is the nip of autumn and the sounds of the machinery bringing in this years harvest. The fields are busy with combine harvesters kicking up dust into the evening air as the corn is baled. Leaving the horizon decorated with golden circles as the low sun sets; Streaking the landscape with its long shadows, criss crossed by country roads and slow lumbering trailers hauling home the harvest and sprinkling the air with gold.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">I</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">haven't</span> been feeling too well these last few days, full of some sort of lurgy! leaving me with that strange feeling of being insulated inside my own head. Spacey and muffled, with the outside world viewed as through a fish-eye lens - food has been tasteless, my senses dulled and I crave the colour and taste that is temporarily banished. So in sorting through my lacklustre photos taken earlier this week for some to accompany this post. I did what I thought was appropriate, I turned down the brightness and turned up the contrast. It has been that kind of week. . .
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rb9zJVW4BRs/TmJpsTboTII/AAAAAAAAGGo/8DY6bbMNXlw/s1600/1st%2Bsept11%2B027%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rb9zJVW4BRs/TmJpsTboTII/AAAAAAAAGGo/8DY6bbMNXlw/s400/1st%2Bsept11%2B027%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648193092527344770" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mNBaLrHR45g/TmJpsJY9wdI/AAAAAAAAGGg/JZvUn2Fz6Js/s1600/31staug11%2B044%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mNBaLrHR45g/TmJpsJY9wdI/AAAAAAAAGGg/JZvUn2Fz6Js/s400/31staug11%2B044%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648193089831813586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1L19EaEzoG4/TmJpseXzz1I/AAAAAAAAGGw/oqKypg7IqD4/s1600/31staug11%2B047%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1L19EaEzoG4/TmJpseXzz1I/AAAAAAAAGGw/oqKypg7IqD4/s400/31staug11%2B047%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648193095464111954" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDMzWsHEccA/TmJpr3B5J3I/AAAAAAAAGGY/z3TxJmZ_2pY/s1600/31staug11%2B052%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDMzWsHEccA/TmJpr3B5J3I/AAAAAAAAGGY/z3TxJmZ_2pY/s400/31staug11%2B052%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648193084903204722" border="0" /></a>I hope that your week has been a good one.
<br />Normal contrast will be resumed here next week. :-)
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=" ;font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thought of the week </span></span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">"Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy." - The Eagles</span>
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<br /><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >I am linking this post to week <span style="font-weight: bold;">51 </span>of <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#993300;">I Saw Sunday</span></a></span>
<br />Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-24934301891118519972011-08-27T18:38:00.009+01:002011-08-27T20:13:03.558+01:00Same Place, Different Me . . .<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"My future starts when I wake up every morning." - Miles Davis
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<br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span> think that for those of us who moved away from the stomping grounds of our youth. Those local towns that formed the backdrop of our early years, are remembered in various ways. Some remember them with nostalgia, some with a relief at being away from them, and others with indifference.
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<br />Over the years I have felt all three. My family still live in the surrounding areas of what was once my local town, and although I visit often to see them, it has been years since I walked around the town centre. In fact the route I took last time I did, just reinforced my preconceptions of it being a little run down and somewhere I was glad I was away from.
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<br />Not so this week, when we needed to visit the old town.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j0fdPjJ2aJs/Tlkte7ZNHPI/AAAAAAAAGFw/-e_L1S3hGj4/s1600/22ndaug11%2B051%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j0fdPjJ2aJs/Tlkte7ZNHPI/AAAAAAAAGFw/-e_L1S3hGj4/s400/22ndaug11%2B051%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645593617248361714" border="0" /></a> In keeping with our new 'tourist days out' ethos, we took a walk around the scenic parts of the town centre and I can honestly say, I was totally wowed. Places I knew, but hadn't looked at for many years suddenly became clear in their splendour! - Especially <a href="http://www.northampton.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=862&pageNumber=8">the Guildhall</a> . . .
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9wk61bChXSc/Tlkte46_4qI/AAAAAAAAGFo/hrfoqsPnsq0/s1600/22ndaug11%2B055%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9wk61bChXSc/Tlkte46_4qI/AAAAAAAAGFo/hrfoqsPnsq0/s400/22ndaug11%2B055%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645593616584794786" border="0" /></a>It is an amazing building and these few photos don't do it full justice. Many years ago I actually worked in an office there and had the privilege to explore the place from the inside. I've searched for files in the basement and explored the corridors, but strangely it took me until now to truly appreciate and experience the magnificence of the place.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WxCZKPIJ-nM/TlktfJn52WI/AAAAAAAAGGA/A0imXfx8zYE/s1600/22ndaug11%2B019%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WxCZKPIJ-nM/TlktfJn52WI/AAAAAAAAGGA/A0imXfx8zYE/s400/22ndaug11%2B019%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645593621068110178" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hexyp3Teqb8/TlktfDmmN6I/AAAAAAAAGF4/3tH_ru9yIQ0/s1600/22ndaug11%2B050%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hexyp3Teqb8/TlktfDmmN6I/AAAAAAAAGF4/3tH_ru9yIQ0/s400/22ndaug11%2B050%2Bcopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645593619452016546" border="0" /></a>On with our walk. I was pleased to see that they had kept the old phone boxes. So many places have got rid of them these days. I think they are wonderful. They bought back memories of all of the times I stood in them ringing for a taxi. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">
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<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WZQrS65bfqk/Tlks7wQTw3I/AAAAAAAAGFg/xF7Yiwp9wL4/s1600/22ndaug11%2B066%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WZQrS65bfqk/Tlks7wQTw3I/AAAAAAAAGFg/xF7Yiwp9wL4/s400/22ndaug11%2B066%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645593012962837362" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k-kbD9cApTk/Tlks7oO9iXI/AAAAAAAAGFY/ec3fTX7jN00/s1600/22ndaug11%2B069%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k-kbD9cApTk/Tlks7oO9iXI/AAAAAAAAGFY/ec3fTX7jN00/s400/22ndaug11%2B069%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645593010809702770" border="0" /></a>On to the market square and the new water feature, something I hadn't seen before.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mWF_A159umc/Tlksnu_IZqI/AAAAAAAAGFA/kQ-K0Hpfc64/s1600/22ndaug11%2B107%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 370px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mWF_A159umc/Tlksnu_IZqI/AAAAAAAAGFA/kQ-K0Hpfc64/s400/22ndaug11%2B107%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645592669024970402" border="0" /></a>If it had been there in my day, I am sure my lunch breaks would have been spent sitting on the benches watching the water sparkle and listening to it splash!
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j7SIT5a_7cY/Tlksn0qMSnI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/ZhBV70ynAQo/s1600/22ndaug11%2B127%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 380px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j7SIT5a_7cY/Tlksn0qMSnI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/ZhBV70ynAQo/s400/22ndaug11%2B127%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645592670547757682" border="0" /></a>Do you see the animal profile beginning to appear in this water jet?
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7I8JeoDKadw/Tlksn30184I/AAAAAAAAGFI/jIOqkYKs3Tw/s1600/22ndaug11%2B120%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7I8JeoDKadw/Tlksn30184I/AAAAAAAAGFI/jIOqkYKs3Tw/s400/22ndaug11%2B120%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645592671397737346" border="0" /></a>Then something I had glimpsed from a distance, but really wanted to see close up. . .
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dmg_8DGHl8M/TlksNy5ihSI/AAAAAAAAGEg/pBU5qtakHtM/s1600/22ndaug11%2B170%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dmg_8DGHl8M/TlksNy5ihSI/AAAAAAAAGEg/pBU5qtakHtM/s400/22ndaug11%2B170%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645592223398659362" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >The steel sculpture called Discovery </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >commemorates the life of </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Francis Crick, (a</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > local man and o</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >ne of the scientists who discovered the double helix structure of DNA.</span><span style="font-size:100%;">)
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IEaNhzc-xKE/TlksOLFtbvI/AAAAAAAAGEw/GaATG8ACTtM/s1600/22ndaug11%2B183%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IEaNhzc-xKE/TlksOLFtbvI/AAAAAAAAGEw/GaATG8ACTtM/s400/22ndaug11%2B183%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645592229892157170" border="0" /></a>I loved it! Seeing those figures soaring up into the blue sky was wonderful.
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KEWf-G__QQU/TlksOKRNInI/AAAAAAAAGE4/N0oohvbHkJc/s1600/22ndaug11%2B184%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Yj5CUzXeyw/TlksN3H6qXI/AAAAAAAAGEo/SIeuSgvEsgM/s400/22ndaug11%2B175%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645592224532703602" border="0" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KEWf-G__QQU/TlksOKRNInI/AAAAAAAAGE4/N0oohvbHkJc/s400/22ndaug11%2B184%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645592229671936626" border="0" /></a>
<br /></div><span style=" ;font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>o, I came away feeling so glad that I had seen the old place with new eyes, and that like me the place had evolved. Keeping hold of the good old things that gave it structure - but adding a little sparkling water and those joyous figures playing up there in the clouds!</span>
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<br />A question for you. - Do you still live in the place you grew up? Do you visit it now? How do you feel about your home town? Nostalgic? or are you glad to be away?
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=" ;font-size:100%;color:black;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thought of the week </span></span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">"Until we can understand the assumptions in which we are drenched </span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">we cannot know ourselves." - Adrienne Rich</span>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, what did you see this week? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Please come and join us and leave a link to one of your blog posts at I Saw Sunday! </span>Click <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/">HERE</a> to visit - <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We will make you very welcome, I promise. :-)</span>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >I am linking this post to week <span style="font-weight: bold;">50 </span>of <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#993300;">I Saw Sunday</span></a></span>
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<br />The place is Northampton and all images are by me - Susannah Bec.
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<br />Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-34289662237868040082011-08-20T18:53:00.023+01:002011-08-20T20:21:43.747+01:00Walking Around the Lake in the Park . . .<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"And gentle winds and waters near, make music to the lonely ear." - Byron
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<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4XVwaSNqFIs/Tk_3Kcfg_9I/AAAAAAAAGCE/2acXQqS2AU4/s1600/19thaug%2B073%2Bcopy%2B2opt.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4XVwaSNqFIs/Tk_3Kcfg_9I/AAAAAAAAGCE/2acXQqS2AU4/s400/19thaug%2B073%2Bcopy%2B2opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643000616937652178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span>his week I felt that subtle chill to the air as night fell. Looking at the clock confirmed that darkness had arrived earlier, it seemed that summer was having her last dance and I could sense that autumn was beginning its slow walk across the land.
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<br />We have taken on board the need to take time to explore, to be visitors, sightseers in our daily activities. No more rushing to the supermarket and straight back home. We are making the effort to be mindful, to take the moments to explore.
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<br />Joe having a new camera has helped. As now I am not alone at looking at things through a lens!
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<br />We live equidistant between two towns and this week we needed to visit the other, quieter of the two.
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<br />I suggested that we take our camera's with us and take a walk around the lake in the park there.
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<br />So this is what we did, and this is what we saw. . .
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OnPyQ0i-6x8/Tk_4BolxcFI/AAAAAAAAGCs/wOFahK7GmHQ/s1600/19thaug%2B080%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OnPyQ0i-6x8/Tk_4BolxcFI/AAAAAAAAGCs/wOFahK7GmHQ/s400/19thaug%2B080%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643001565077925970" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wlFKyl6ZWA4/Tk_3o7ira9I/AAAAAAAAGCU/HrdoLaRjChE/s1600/19thaug%2B079%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wlFKyl6ZWA4/Tk_3o7ira9I/AAAAAAAAGCU/HrdoLaRjChE/s400/19thaug%2B079%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643001140668492754" border="0" /></a>Ducks had left behind soft downy feathers. . .
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXxg5tJrY1E/Tk_3pKKeD7I/AAAAAAAAGCc/SrmtlEb_qc8/s1600/19thaug%2B084%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXxg5tJrY1E/Tk_3pKKeD7I/AAAAAAAAGCc/SrmtlEb_qc8/s400/19thaug%2B084%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643001144593485746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dA121VCozBQ/Tk_3pD9Ix7I/AAAAAAAAGCk/TFQWv4Y4v-8/s1600/opt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 358px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dA121VCozBQ/Tk_3pD9Ix7I/AAAAAAAAGCk/TFQWv4Y4v-8/s400/opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643001142926952370" border="0" /></a>As we walked, despite the sunshine - I saw my first glimpse of autumn. . .
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VAqNJqSQTKE/Tk_4BrzyHcI/AAAAAAAAGC0/BAsGtsW-tTc/s1600/19thaug%2B064%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VAqNJqSQTKE/Tk_4BrzyHcI/AAAAAAAAGC0/BAsGtsW-tTc/s400/19thaug%2B064%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643001565941996994" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6y_neL9l500/Tk_4Z_JwVVI/AAAAAAAAGDs/OEjdX1FwlAE/s1600/19thaug%2B070%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6y_neL9l500/Tk_4Z_JwVVI/AAAAAAAAGDs/OEjdX1FwlAE/s400/19thaug%2B070%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643001983451288914" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-01F11HnlKMs/Tk_4ByDGcdI/AAAAAAAAGDE/uBup90iVcKA/s1600/19thaug%2B066%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-01F11HnlKMs/Tk_4ByDGcdI/AAAAAAAAGDE/uBup90iVcKA/s400/19thaug%2B066%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643001567616856530" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family: trebuchet ms;">"Shadows shifting. Soft grass splashed with sunlight. Shimmering leaves </span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family: trebuchet ms;">
<br />throw down their yellow gold beauty like blessings bestowed. </span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family: trebuchet ms;">
<br />The green velvet ground at my feet is laden with jewels."</span> </div><div style="text-align: right; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><a href="http://mynameiszing.blogspot.com/">My Name is ZING</a>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OmWkOen8Z6U/Tk_4B0mRzwI/AAAAAAAAGC8/n772ogpxAxA/s1600/19thaug%2B065%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 351px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OmWkOen8Z6U/Tk_4B0mRzwI/AAAAAAAAGC8/n772ogpxAxA/s400/19thaug%2B065%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643001568301272834" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VbzIGqBwQ-o/Tk_4CEj8UtI/AAAAAAAAGDM/ynLO4OlmL3k/s1600/19thaug%2B067%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 391px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VbzIGqBwQ-o/Tk_4CEj8UtI/AAAAAAAAGDM/ynLO4OlmL3k/s400/19thaug%2B067%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643001572586443474" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"You never know when you're making a memory."</span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">- Rickie Lee Jones</span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VAqNJqSQTKE/Tk_4BrzyHcI/AAAAAAAAGC0/BAsGtsW-tTc/s1600/19thaug%2B064%2Bcopyopt.jpg">
<br /></a><div style="text-align: center;">In the field adjoining we came across these wonderful creatures! - Three Alpacas.
<br />
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E54Ej2Hfi8o/Tk_4Zd1zKOI/AAAAAAAAGDc/qZHmAScK6Cg/s1600/19thaug%2B056%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 357px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E54Ej2Hfi8o/Tk_4Zd1zKOI/AAAAAAAAGDc/qZHmAScK6Cg/s400/19thaug%2B056%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643001974509218018" border="0" /></a>Below: See the funky hairdo! and the 'heart' on his throat?
<br />
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9WsJ86m6RzU/Tk_4ZdD8uuI/AAAAAAAAGDU/YZpPzuDXU9c/s1600/19thaug%2B055%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXMaDKwK-ZA/Tk_4ZoqcGVI/AAAAAAAAGDk/L0XvlrGWoTI/s400/19thaug%2B058%2Bcopy%2B3opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643001977414359378" border="0" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 393px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9WsJ86m6RzU/Tk_4ZdD8uuI/AAAAAAAAGDU/YZpPzuDXU9c/s400/19thaug%2B055%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643001974300130018" border="0" /></a>This handsome fellow stood and posed for a photo after I informed him
<br />that he would be featured on my post for this weeks I Sunday Sunday. :-)
<br /></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7DyZn5TBw9M/Tk_4aM1LK0I/AAAAAAAAGD0/tb45aqH_tfA/s1600/alpacaopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 370px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7DyZn5TBw9M/Tk_4aM1LK0I/AAAAAAAAGD0/tb45aqH_tfA/s400/alpacaopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643001987123063618" border="0" /></a>A walk around the lake in the park, but no photos of the lake?
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">There were too many other things seen on the way round, so the rest of the walk will have to wait until mid week. Please pop in if you are out and about in cyberspace as I'd love to share the rest of the photos with you. :-)
<br /></div>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >I hope you all had a wonderful week!
<br /></span></div>
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VbzIGqBwQ-o/Tk_4CEj8UtI/AAAAAAAAGDM/ynLO4OlmL3k/s1600/19thaug%2B067%2Bcopyopt.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;">If you haven't already seen it, why not pop in and see my mid week post
<br />where I posted more narrowboat photos as promised. . .
<br /><a href="http://thestreamingnow.blogspot.com/2011/08/boats-boats-boats.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tourist day out continued - Boats, Boats, Boats</span></a>
<br /></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SG0JRH-Czk0/Tk_9_6hJJaI/AAAAAAAAGD8/pXt6ZlPXGog/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B047%2Bcopy1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SG0JRH-Czk0/Tk_9_6hJJaI/AAAAAAAAGD8/pXt6ZlPXGog/s200/8h%2Baug%2B047%2Bcopy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643008132600374690" border="0" /></a><span style=" ;font-size:100%;color:black;" >
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thought of the week </span></span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >“There are no old roads to new directions.” - anon</span> </div>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, what did you see this week? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Please come and join us and leave a link to one of your blog posts at I Saw Sunday! </span>Click <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/">HERE</a> to visit - <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We will make you very welcome, I promise. :-)</span>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >I am linking this post to week <span style="font-weight: bold;">49 </span>of <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#993300;">I Saw Sunday</span></a></span>
<br />
<br /></div><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:x-small;"><span style="font-size:85%;">All images and words - Susannah Bec</span></span></span> Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-769428225881713392011-08-17T18:03:00.027+01:002011-08-20T08:25:22.784+01:00Tourist Day Out Continued - Boats, Boats, Boats<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:georgia, bookman old style, palatino linotype, book antiqua, palatino, trebuchet ms, helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, avante garde, century gothic, comic sans ms, times, times new roman, serif;" >"Thoughts come clearly while one walks." - Thomas Mann</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:georgia, bookman old style, palatino linotype, book antiqua, palatino, trebuchet ms, helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, avante garde, century gothic, comic sans ms, times, times new roman, serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">In my last post I promised you more pictures!
<br />So without further ado, I give you boats, boats, boats!
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<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1vef92Rtapg/Tkv2Gu3SIuI/AAAAAAAAF_E/oIIt0Q8Hlqo/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B047%2Bcopy1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1vef92Rtapg/Tkv2Gu3SIuI/AAAAAAAAF_E/oIIt0Q8Hlqo/s400/8h%2Baug%2B047%2Bcopy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641873553731232482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-piDcKuT_T_s/Tkv0_ndBluI/AAAAAAAAF-A/3r4xJkHyIK4/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B014%2Bcopy1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-piDcKuT_T_s/Tkv0_ndBluI/AAAAAAAAF-A/3r4xJkHyIK4/s400/8h%2Baug%2B014%2Bcopy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641872331971335906" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zx9VW7TXeZc/Tkv2Yr7tp1I/AAAAAAAAF_c/lt0Si45GK40/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B017%2Bcopy1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zx9VW7TXeZc/Tkv2Yr7tp1I/AAAAAAAAF_c/lt0Si45GK40/s400/8h%2Baug%2B017%2Bcopy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641873862182152018" border="0" /></a>This is the covered bridge (below) I mentioned in the previous post.
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had to cross it to visit the museum and the hologram exhibition.
<br />
<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HenRCgX7VFY/Tkv0_O1u2GI/AAAAAAAAF9o/jEWKgdPPM1Y/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B011%2Bcopy1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HenRCgX7VFY/Tkv0_O1u2GI/AAAAAAAAF9o/jEWKgdPPM1Y/s400/8h%2Baug%2B011%2Bcopy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641872325364078690" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ElPYHHhpyeI/Tkv2YdNwk9I/AAAAAAAAF_U/QFE5OmGBeFs/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B019%2Bcopy1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ElPYHHhpyeI/Tkv2YdNwk9I/AAAAAAAAF_U/QFE5OmGBeFs/s400/8h%2Baug%2B019%2Bcopy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641873858231309266" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2TTMuGZwbvE/Tkv0_Qill2I/AAAAAAAAF94/QfIIpB2V1sA/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B013%2Bcopy1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2TTMuGZwbvE/Tkv0_Qill2I/AAAAAAAAF94/QfIIpB2V1sA/s400/8h%2Baug%2B013%2Bcopy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641872325820651362" border="0" /></a>This boat (below) was really nice, and had a contempory feel with chrome fittings instead of the usual brass, though it was still sporting the traditional 'roses and castles' painting on the doors.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2pjhGI6WGnE/Tkv0_2hpIZI/AAAAAAAAF-I/gb7px0MNwCI/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B015%2Bcopy1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2pjhGI6WGnE/Tkv0_2hpIZI/AAAAAAAAF-I/gb7px0MNwCI/s400/8h%2Baug%2B015%2Bcopy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641872336017236370" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLIi3L5sDjM/Tkv0_WcQmaI/AAAAAAAAF9w/xPokkFujnYg/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B012%2Bcopy1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLIi3L5sDjM/Tkv0_WcQmaI/AAAAAAAAF9w/xPokkFujnYg/s400/8h%2Baug%2B012%2Bcopy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641872327404722594" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwwLSNJGEBY/Tkv2Gd4nb7I/AAAAAAAAF-8/SeHotzvThbU/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B034%2Bcopy1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwwLSNJGEBY/Tkv2Gd4nb7I/AAAAAAAAF-8/SeHotzvThbU/s400/8h%2Baug%2B034%2Bcopy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641873549173419954" border="0" /></a>Before turning back and going into the town, we walked a little way further,
<br />away from the paved walkways and onto the grass bordered track. . .
<br />
<br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X19rO63PZQ0/Tkv2YHhBPkI/AAAAAAAAF_M/7EQEKfaAG9E/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B024%2Bcopy1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X19rO63PZQ0/Tkv2YHhBPkI/AAAAAAAAF_M/7EQEKfaAG9E/s400/8h%2Baug%2B024%2Bcopy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641873852406513218" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xhR5-4KObHs/Tkv2GKodNyI/AAAAAAAAF-0/uOI6S5k_FxE/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B025%2Bcopy1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xhR5-4KObHs/Tkv2GKodNyI/AAAAAAAAF-0/uOI6S5k_FxE/s400/8h%2Baug%2B025%2Bcopy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641873544005367586" border="0" /></a>If you missed the first part of this day out, scroll back to the previous post. Or you can click -
<br /><a href="http://thestreamingnow.blogspot.com/2011/08/boats-bridges-and-beautiful-light.html">Boats, Bridges and Beautiful Light</a> - to read it. :-)
<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">
<br />**I have just added a few links to posts of mine </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">on a now defunct blog, on which I used to document our days</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">out </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">in the campervan that Joe converted from an old minibus.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">These posts below feature more narrowboats and of course lots of photos! </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">. . . </span>
<br />
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">This one has lots of lovely photos of a pretty village and lots more narrowboats. . .
<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://journeysclosetohome.blogspot.com/2009/06/cropredy-narrowboats-and-sunshine.html">Cropredy, Narrowboats, and Sunshine</a>
<br /></div>
<br />Another trip with pictures, and my thoughts about what in must be like to live on the water. . .
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://journeysclosetohome.blogspot.com/2009/07/coffee-cats-and-another-canal.html">Coffee, Cats, and Another Canal</a>
<br /></div>
<br />Third is Banburys annual canal day celebration 2009. Lots of photos here. . .
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://journeysclosetohome.blogspot.com/2009/10/banbury-canal-day-2009.html">Banbury Canal Day 2009</a>
<br /></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">I hope you enjoy the photos!</span>
<br />
<br /></div>I have just added a link in my sidebar to the blog mentioned above - just in case any of you fancy joining us on one of the other days out I documented. A virtual mini break awaits you. - Susannah x
<br />Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-17168943621518319092011-08-14T09:27:00.016+01:002011-08-14T11:00:49.190+01:00Boats, Bridges and Beautiful Light . . .<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-family:trebuchet ms;" >"The light through the trees is beautiful. </span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Low golden sun touching the remnants of this dark day. </span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Oozing from the edges of leaves and falling into liquid amber pools,</span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-family:trebuchet ms;" > its soft fingers spread honey on the cold hard ground. " </span>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Thursday -</span> <a href="http://mynameiszing.blogspot.com/">my name is zing</a>
<br /></div>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Earlier this week</span>, Joe and I decided that instead of just nipping into our nearest town (Banbury) for the weekly shopping, we would be tourists for a couple of hours. So we parked down by the canal. . .
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_U9-m6hYmw/TkeHa1-86YI/AAAAAAAAF7o/PiFzcG-mStY/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B004%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_U9-m6hYmw/TkeHa1-86YI/AAAAAAAAF7o/PiFzcG-mStY/s400/8h%2Baug%2B004%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640625953542302082" border="0" /></a>Notice the flowers? Banbury always has the most lovely flowers decorating the town every year, with different colour schemes. It looks like this year it is red and yellow.
<br /></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gv5sd8hoPZg/TkeHaxdTGqI/AAAAAAAAF74/vpquUF5OwxI/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B028%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gv5sd8hoPZg/TkeHaxdTGqI/AAAAAAAAF74/vpquUF5OwxI/s400/8h%2Baug%2B028%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640625952327408290" border="0" /></a>There were lots of boats moored on the water, plus the holiday makers chugging though on their boats. We walked along as far as the bridge. . .
<br /></div>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x9aWi_Zx7m0/TkeHa-qB96I/AAAAAAAAF7w/mJ3znsTT_XA/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B020%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x9aWi_Zx7m0/TkeHa-qB96I/AAAAAAAAF7w/mJ3znsTT_XA/s400/8h%2Baug%2B020%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640625955870472098" border="0" /></a>Then up the steps! I stopped to snap a photo of the lines and shadows.
<br />
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1_DsLPAfAg/TkeHbLPkQ3I/AAAAAAAAF8A/Lc0h8PyimFY/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B032%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 341px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1_DsLPAfAg/TkeHbLPkQ3I/AAAAAAAAF8A/Lc0h8PyimFY/s400/8h%2Baug%2B032%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640625959249134450" border="0" /></a>And on to the bridge. We are heading in the direction of the big Q so that we can cut through the shopping centre.
<br /></div>
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fnspB8LKQjQ/TkeHbABWPyI/AAAAAAAAF8I/FyTmcLBqxro/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B035%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fnspB8LKQjQ/TkeHbABWPyI/AAAAAAAAF8I/FyTmcLBqxro/s400/8h%2Baug%2B035%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640625956236705570" border="0" /></a>From the bridge, looking back in the other direction.
<br />
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tX-FJc3Wc6o/TkeH1m5x3-I/AAAAAAAAF8Q/c6laaDfKdVQ/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B039%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tX-FJc3Wc6o/TkeH1m5x3-I/AAAAAAAAF8Q/c6laaDfKdVQ/s400/8h%2Baug%2B039%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640626413350543330" border="0" /></a>And down the other side. . .
<br />The sun is out and lots of people are milling about, both on the water and off.
<br />
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RBIHp73L_o/TkeH164SKZI/AAAAAAAAF8Y/S8y-MQsOFtY/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B042%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RBIHp73L_o/TkeH164SKZI/AAAAAAAAF8Y/S8y-MQsOFtY/s400/8h%2Baug%2B042%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640626418712979858" border="0" /></a>A last look at the boats.
<br />
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPzYcS85uqw/TkeH12eFxvI/AAAAAAAAF8g/QtegyJsey38/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B045%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPzYcS85uqw/TkeH12eFxvI/AAAAAAAAF8g/QtegyJsey38/s400/8h%2Baug%2B045%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640626417529374450" border="0" /></a>And then into the shopping centre.
<br />Where I am once again taken with the light and shadow.
<br />
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5qM-Kit9r0/TkeH2FP8XHI/AAAAAAAAF8o/4tOjLBTr8mI/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B052%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5qM-Kit9r0/TkeH2FP8XHI/AAAAAAAAF8o/4tOjLBTr8mI/s400/8h%2Baug%2B052%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640626421496568946" border="0" /></a>And I loved being able to look up and see the sky and clouds!
<br />
<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PblcI4FARGw/TkeH2GlrScI/AAAAAAAAF8w/pb6pFxBl9eA/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B053%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 343px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PblcI4FARGw/TkeH2GlrScI/AAAAAAAAF8w/pb6pFxBl9eA/s400/8h%2Baug%2B053%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640626421856160194" border="0" /></a>While we were inside the centre, we visited the museum which has a wonderful exhibition of Holograms on at the moment. They were really stunning! as was the view from the glass sided covered walkway over the canal we walked across to reach the museum.
<br /></div>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure." - William Feather</span>
<br />
<br />Then back out the other side of the shopping centre and into the sunshine.
<br />
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--7CRbThsueM/TkeJmqFv7wI/AAAAAAAAF9Y/bGNYnoVpbDc/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B055%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--7CRbThsueM/TkeJmqFv7wI/AAAAAAAAF9Y/bGNYnoVpbDc/s400/8h%2Baug%2B055%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640628355531271938" border="0" /></a>The fancy brickwork on this building caught my eye.
<br />
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fKjimiGG4CU/TkeIC6ob1SI/AAAAAAAAF84/PY-vzFNTAgA/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B054%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fKjimiGG4CU/TkeIC6ob1SI/AAAAAAAAF84/PY-vzFNTAgA/s400/8h%2Baug%2B054%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640626641984804130" border="0" /></a>Strolling through the side streets. . .
<br />
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rZYw2G2g3hs/TkeICzyd35I/AAAAAAAAF9I/PPwYBqatREM/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B061%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rZYw2G2g3hs/TkeICzyd35I/AAAAAAAAF9I/PPwYBqatREM/s400/8h%2Baug%2B061%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640626640147832722" border="0" /></a>Until the weather began to change and the dark clouds rolled in!
<br />
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ngtA95pMQzc/TkeIDFG9B2I/AAAAAAAAF9Q/ES3S2fEb5yo/s1600/8h%2Baug%2B067%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 373px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ngtA95pMQzc/TkeIDFG9B2I/AAAAAAAAF9Q/ES3S2fEb5yo/s400/8h%2Baug%2B067%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640626644797163362" border="0" /></a>I love these, they hang over side alleyways and I think denote what shops used to operate there.
<br />They are very beautiful, even when backed by that angry looking sky!
<br />
<br />There were lots more photos of the day, but I didn't want to make this blog post too long! So I may post more photos mid week.
<br /></div>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">By the way</span>, did you see the photos of the 'Tree People' that I post earlier this week?
<br />If not you can see them by clicking <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://thestreamingnow.blogspot.com/2011/08/being-watched-by-tree-people.html">HERE</a>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 0);">I'd like to thank all those that wished me a happy birthday for yesterday. I had a lovely day surrounded by family, good food and much laughter. Thanks again for your good wishes. - Susannah x</span>
<br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;color:black;">Thought of the week
<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking </span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">for boats to save; they just stand there shining." </span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">- A Lamott</span>
<br />
<br />
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, what did you see this week? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Please come and join us and leave a link to one of your blog posts at I Saw Sunday! </span>Click <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/">HERE</a> to visit - <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We will make you very welcome, I promise. :-)</span>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >I am linking this post to week <span style="font-weight: bold;">48 </span>of <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#993300;">I Saw Sunday</span></a></span>
<br />
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:x-small;"><span style="font-size:85%;">All images and words - Susannah Bec</span></span></span>
<br /></div></div>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-25488371976118263182011-08-13T07:22:00.016+01:002011-08-13T09:20:28.145+01:00My Solar Return<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"Rainbow coloured envelopes in a haphazard pile. </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">
<br />Striped wrapping paper and glittery bows. </span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Ecards with loving wishes. Tweets from friends. </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">
<br />Smiles and happiness at a whole day of birthday still ahead!"
<br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">- My name is ZING</span>
<br /></div>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yH0Gqaz5TJw/TATSy6iSf2I/AAAAAAAADO4/10HkaXUKxKU/s320/circle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 283px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yH0Gqaz5TJw/TATSy6iSf2I/AAAAAAAADO4/10HkaXUKxKU/s320/circle.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family:courier new;" >
<br />I think I swallowed the sun today</span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family:courier new;" >One gulp and it had gone</span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family:courier new;" >Burning and fiery</span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family:courier new;" >all the way down</span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family:courier new;" >to my belly</span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family:courier new;" >and there
<br />it sits</span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family:courier new;" >Shining</span>
<br /></div><span style="font-family: courier new;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >
<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family: courier new;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >*</span>
<br />
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">So the day has turned and taken with it my fiftieth year.
<br />Over the threshold I tumble. . . no longer <span style="font-style: italic;">just there</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">on the brink</span>!
<br />
<br />I am now officially IN my fifties!
<br />
<br />So please join me in a slice of virtual birthday cake (it has no calories whatsoever!)
<br />and a glass of whatever is your tipple, to help me celebrate this, my 51st birthday!
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yH0Gqaz5TJw/TGToDVHYveI/AAAAAAAADgQ/fgN6bSf06pw/s1600/cake.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yH0Gqaz5TJw/TGToDVHYveI/AAAAAAAADgQ/fgN6bSf06pw/s400/cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504779788458966498" border="0" /></a>
<br />I have just found that my lovely sister has done a blog post for my birthday!
<br />(She is trying to make me cry! I admit my chin wobbled and my eyes did get moist.) :-)
<br />Check it out at the link below. . .
<br /><a href="http://thecaterpillaruprising.blogspot.com/2011/08/happy-birthday-to-my-lovely-big-sister.html">http://thecaterpillaruprising.blogspot.com/2011/08/happy-birthday-to-my-lovely-big-sister.html</a>
<br />
<br />Thanks Deb, I love you! xxxx
<br />
<br />
<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);" class="the-quote">"There may be more beautiful times, but this one is ours."</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"> Jean-Paul Sartre </span>
<br />
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="the-quote">"The little space within the heart is as great as the vast universe.
<br />The heavens and the earth are there, and the sun and the moon and the stars.
<br />Fire and lightning and winds are there, and all that now is and all that is not."</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> </span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">- The Upanishads </span>
<br />
<br />And for some astrological synchronicity to do with my birthday - see this post. . .
<br /><a href="http://thelionandthelightningbolt.blogspot.com/2011/08/aquarius-full-moon-happy-birthday-leo.html">http://thelionandthelightningbolt.blogspot.com/2011/08/aquarius-full-moon-happy-birthday-leo.html</a>
<br />
<br />Thanks all of you for sharing my day. - Susannah :-) x
<br />
<br />
<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Image and words Susannah Bec
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Birthday cake image courtesy of <a href="http://www.dailyclipart.net/">DailyClipArt.net</a>
<br /></span></div></div>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-26287742639461162082011-08-09T18:20:00.006+01:002011-08-09T18:32:53.747+01:00Being watched by tree people. . .<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">I</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"> was out walking</span> when I felt eyes upon me. - I turned, to find I was being watched by tree people. :-)
<br />
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_OF9FVPQ-g/TkFs9VHYbhI/AAAAAAAAF6Y/7QA21MC1xkc/s1600/5th%2Baug%2B051%2BcopyOPT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 358px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_OF9FVPQ-g/TkFs9VHYbhI/AAAAAAAAF6Y/7QA21MC1xkc/s400/5th%2Baug%2B051%2BcopyOPT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638908009340497426" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RaUIZ2F2vaQ/TkFs9UtiILI/AAAAAAAAF6g/r_kqRg2eXOQ/s1600/5th%2Baug%2B050%2BcopyOPT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RaUIZ2F2vaQ/TkFs9UtiILI/AAAAAAAAF6g/r_kqRg2eXOQ/s400/5th%2Baug%2B050%2BcopyOPT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638908009232081074" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_Isr5_mWRk/TkFs9sex1UI/AAAAAAAAF6o/RyEM7Biw6PY/s1600/5th%2Baug%2B011%2BcopyOPT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_Isr5_mWRk/TkFs9sex1UI/AAAAAAAAF6o/RyEM7Biw6PY/s400/5th%2Baug%2B011%2BcopyOPT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638908015612646722" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >"Learn to shake yourself loose from what the world believes is the only reality." </span>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >- Neville Goddard </span>
<br /></div>
<br />Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-49538665213297171972011-08-06T19:50:00.022+01:002011-08-06T21:29:18.567+01:00Reflections in the water and visitors in close up. . . .<div style="text-align: center;"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >“Take your heart out into vast fields of light and let it breathe.” - Hafiz</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><br /></b></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>I</b>t has been very warm this week, so one day in search if its</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>dappled shade,<br />we walked down this green lane . . .<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GKsi_Fg859c/Tj2e2jdKOuI/AAAAAAAAF5s/PDxYpHNMIp8/s1600/5th%2Baug%2B010%2BcopyOPT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GKsi_Fg859c/Tj2e2jdKOuI/AAAAAAAAF5s/PDxYpHNMIp8/s400/5th%2Baug%2B010%2BcopyOPT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637836968605399778" border="0" /></a>and I came across clouds and trees living in the water. . .<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zTvr1mSC40A/Tj2RErJFZtI/AAAAAAAAF5M/JSUdZSk7jXU/s1600/5th%2Baug%2B015%2BcopyOPT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zTvr1mSC40A/Tj2RErJFZtI/AAAAAAAAF5M/JSUdZSk7jXU/s400/5th%2Baug%2B015%2BcopyOPT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637821818024060626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jNtXlInE_AY/Tj2REfvF5VI/AAAAAAAAF5E/Ebt0A5xX0Gs/s1600/5th%2Baug%2B013OPT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jNtXlInE_AY/Tj2REfvF5VI/AAAAAAAAF5E/Ebt0A5xX0Gs/s400/5th%2Baug%2B013OPT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637821814962251090" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zgZcR7Ri9_4/Tj2R14Q3YII/AAAAAAAAF5c/aPPfI4uQ0v4/s1600/5th%2Baug%2B036%2BcopyOPT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 177px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zgZcR7Ri9_4/Tj2R14Q3YII/AAAAAAAAF5c/aPPfI4uQ0v4/s400/5th%2Baug%2B036%2BcopyOPT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637822663359946882" border="0" /></a>The reflections were so detailed, it was as though the world was looking into a mirror.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >"From wonder into wonder existence opens." - Lao Tzu</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />And later, when the sun shone and the garden was buzzing with life,<br />my camera and I saw the close up beauty of these flowers and their visitors.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBRLVF8Dwm0/Tj2NTFVEj8I/AAAAAAAAF3c/B5-KZvKTHhY/s1600/5th%2Baug%2B002opt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 379px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBRLVF8Dwm0/Tj2NTFVEj8I/AAAAAAAAF3c/B5-KZvKTHhY/s400/5th%2Baug%2B002opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637817667525316546" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jDOBvbt_r30/Tj2NTDHKAJI/AAAAAAAAF3k/k0PgRuot-ss/s1600/5th%2Baug%2B005%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 382px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jDOBvbt_r30/Tj2NTDHKAJI/AAAAAAAAF3k/k0PgRuot-ss/s400/5th%2Baug%2B005%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637817666930081938" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l44PXTU-R3U/Tj2NwBN6wjI/AAAAAAAAF4s/fppBIBRudOg/s1600/5th%2Baug%2B076%2BcopyOPT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 375px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l44PXTU-R3U/Tj2NwBN6wjI/AAAAAAAAF4s/fppBIBRudOg/s400/5th%2Baug%2B076%2BcopyOPT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637818164637778482" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2CbYdbG6ajs/Tj2NwYzNmEI/AAAAAAAAF40/86udpCGJjLQ/s1600/5th%2Baug%2B077%2BcopyOPT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 359px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2CbYdbG6ajs/Tj2NwYzNmEI/AAAAAAAAF40/86udpCGJjLQ/s400/5th%2Baug%2B077%2BcopyOPT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637818170968217666" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mXyd7VRSigc/Tj2NoYxg2aI/AAAAAAAAF4U/DzTInPZbGIs/s1600/5th%2Baug%2B069%2BcopyOPT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mXyd7VRSigc/Tj2NoYxg2aI/AAAAAAAAF4U/DzTInPZbGIs/s400/5th%2Baug%2B069%2BcopyOPT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637818033522137506" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W4ALUFrQSVg/Tj2Nomztg4I/AAAAAAAAF4c/bi3v9IflpZc/s1600/5th%2Baug%2B070%2BcopyOPT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W4ALUFrQSVg/Tj2Nomztg4I/AAAAAAAAF4c/bi3v9IflpZc/s400/5th%2Baug%2B070%2BcopyOPT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637818037289452418" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3dZ2YPD8I0/Tj2NoKBXu0I/AAAAAAAAF4M/j3HM7CiZb6c/s1600/5th%2Baug%2B067%2Bcopy2OPT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3dZ2YPD8I0/Tj2NoKBXu0I/AAAAAAAAF4M/j3HM7CiZb6c/s400/5th%2Baug%2B067%2Bcopy2OPT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637818029562116930" border="0" /></a><span style=" color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >"Life holds so many simple blessings,<br />each day bringing its own individual wonder. "<br /><b> </b>- John McLeod </span><br /><br />Also this week I shared the story of the heart that features in my blog header. Did you read it?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwDXGV0UHLw/Tj2UScng7_I/AAAAAAAAF5k/AlmYLBTTU3A/s1600/000283-000016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 170px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwDXGV0UHLw/Tj2UScng7_I/AAAAAAAAF5k/AlmYLBTTU3A/s200/000283-000016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637825353178214386" border="0" /></a>If you have the time please click below and read it, as I'd love to share the story with you!<br /><br />---> <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);" href="http://thestreamingnow.blogspot.com/2011/08/message-from-nature-story-of-heart.html">*a message from nature - the story of a heart*</a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"> </span> <----<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style=";font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"></span><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;color:black;">Thought of the week<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">“Love what you do. Learn balance. Take rests. Trust your instincts.” - Leith Clark</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style=";font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">So, what did you see this week? </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Please come and join us and leave a link to one of your blog posts at I Saw Sunday! </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Click</span> <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/">HERE</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> to visit - </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We will make you very welcome, I promise. :-)</span></span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >I am linking this post to week <span style="font-weight: bold;">47 </span>of <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#993300;">I Saw Sunday</span></a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:x-small;"><span style="font-size:85%;">All images and words - Susannah Bec</span></span></span><br /></div></div>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-47731572080953696882011-08-02T21:32:00.036+01:002011-08-05T08:19:13.644+01:00A Message from Nature - The Story of a Heart<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Something happened today to trigger a memory, I wanted to share it here with you. . .</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>even years ago we were living in quite an isolated country cottage surrounded by nature. We had deer and foxes visit our garden and rabbits hopping around on the grass, it was open on one side to a three acre wild flower meadow that led to the bluebell filled<span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"> </span>woods beyond.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pug9z44H18U/Tjh3ejaSRSI/AAAAAAAAF2E/FRhMw3ljnB8/s1600/treeandbluebells.jpg"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-htrdkg2Vhtw/TjkQGsyJVrI/AAAAAAAAF20/CSqYInH1s3I/s1600/roseandsky.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-htrdkg2Vhtw/TjkQGsyJVrI/AAAAAAAAF20/CSqYInH1s3I/s320/roseandsky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636554115917633202" border="0" /></a>It was while living there that I became attuned to nature. I had never lived so far from a town and all it contained. Here nature was almost palpable in its presence and I grew to love the space, the garden, the animals. The wildness of it all.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>It was rented from an old lady, and we had lived there for seven years when the old lady died and out of the blue a letter arrived from solicitors acting on behalf of her family. We had one month to move out as her family wanted to sell up. I was in shock, it should have been expected but it wasn't.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>o the packing and goodbyes began. . . I said goodbye to the big old stone workshop attached to the house - it had been my art studio, full of creativity and inspiration. I emptied the outbuildings that our once feral cat had given birth in the year before, to the kittens that taught me that I could love cats as well as dogs! I walked into the meadow to the spot we had buried our old dog Harvey just a few months before. . .<br /><br />I strolled around the garden. That magical place where I had learned so much from trial and error and from just loving it and allowing it to bloom. Where I had sensed the energy of the place, where things had happened that changed my relationship with nature forever. Full to the brim with emotion and goodbyes, I went to sit quietly on my usual perch. The huge flat rock/stone that had been here long before we came. It was then that I saw it. . .<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yH0Gqaz5TJw/S-2Ya1FXiRI/AAAAAAAADKI/mXgmLzjnnfg/s1600/000283-000016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yH0Gqaz5TJw/S-2Ya1FXiRI/AAAAAAAADKI/mXgmLzjnnfg/s400/000283-000016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471196709018634514" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">A perfect heart</span></span> made out of moss, growing there on that big lump of granite.<br /><br />And through the burning tears that immediately leapt to my eyes, I smiled, because I understood the message from this house, this space, from nature itself. . . It loved me back!<br /></div><br />The photo that I took of that special message, sits among the pictures in the header to this blog, its story untold. Until today when I decided to share the story here with you. . .<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica;font-size:100%;" >"Ultimately magic finds you, if you let it." - Tony Wheeler</span><br /></div>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-35919045514881382472011-07-30T18:35:00.033+01:002011-08-01T10:05:55.308+01:00Where I am reminded of the importance of play . . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OAHxaTntXjE/TjRCL3hESSI/AAAAAAAAF00/TV0eZEbHzw8/s1600/closeup10.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OAHxaTntXjE/TjRCL3hESSI/AAAAAAAAF00/TV0eZEbHzw8/s400/closeup10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635201805395970338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span>his week we explored the newly refurbished play area near our home.<br />Of course I took my camera with me! There were so many great colours and shapes, I was soon snapping away and came back with loads of pictures.<br /><br />I resisted the urge to play on most of the things but the seesaw got the better of me, I was soon giggling away as I soared into the air. It was great fun and surprisingly high! Joe was on the other end and as he was heavier I felt I was going to be launched into orbit every time I went up.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">"To play is to yield oneself to a kind of magic." - Hugo Rahner</span></span></span><br /></div><br />The blue swing below is almost like a hammock, Joe tried it but as the park was filling up with little children, I thought I had better give up my turn. :-) Though from the look of it, I am sure it would have been a favourite! I quite fancy one of those in my garden!<br /><br />They didn't have anything like that when I was young, as a child I always loved roundabouts and slides best. What was your favourite?<br /><br />Being on the seesaw reminded me of the rhyme - 'see saw, marjorie daw. johnny shall have a new master... ' Did you sing that too?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the lovely big swing, complete with its wonderful shadows. . .<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gRAVgZGMAlI/TjRCBkbnwdI/AAAAAAAAF0k/pVzaI-lRpCw/s1600/closeup6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 362px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gRAVgZGMAlI/TjRCBkbnwdI/AAAAAAAAF0k/pVzaI-lRpCw/s400/closeup6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635201628474163666" border="0" /></a>As well as looking comfortable, it looks really interesting too. . .<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1onJCgGHGHs/TjRBy_qpsBI/AAAAAAAAF0E/0yxa4j3vGqY/s1600/closeup1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1onJCgGHGHs/TjRBy_qpsBI/AAAAAAAAF0E/0yxa4j3vGqY/s400/closeup1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635201378086924306" border="0" /></a>Especially against the rubber matting beneath it<br />(eventually the grass will grow through that.)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4PxmU5t2uw/TjRBy3IuMOI/AAAAAAAAFz8/0ceVqNzOfhk/s1600/close%2Bup2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4PxmU5t2uw/TjRBy3IuMOI/AAAAAAAAFz8/0ceVqNzOfhk/s400/close%2Bup2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635201375797129442" border="0" /></a>I wasn't brave enough for the climbing frame!<br />But it looked fantastic against the blue sky.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BV0hkfL8TjY/TjRBzQmZLCI/AAAAAAAAF0c/cCGrEI8816U/s1600/closeup5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BV0hkfL8TjY/TjRBzQmZLCI/AAAAAAAAF0c/cCGrEI8816U/s400/closeup5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635201382632467490" border="0" /></a>Almost like some sort of monument!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_TOYofcn8-o/TjRCBv6je1I/AAAAAAAAF0s/U3pJEP8N_nU/s1600/closeup9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_TOYofcn8-o/TjRCBv6je1I/AAAAAAAAF0s/U3pJEP8N_nU/s400/closeup9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635201631556696914" border="0" /></a>Some more interesting shapes. . .<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OuFxOz6nwO8/TjRBzPRK1WI/AAAAAAAAF0U/VwbpXoDhnvM/s1600/closeup4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OuFxOz6nwO8/TjRBzPRK1WI/AAAAAAAAF0U/VwbpXoDhnvM/s400/closeup4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635201382275011938" border="0" /></a>. . . and shadows.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qn_QGjAbwBo/TjRBzAv0UdI/AAAAAAAAF0M/cDN2dOTau2Y/s1600/closeup3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 323px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qn_QGjAbwBo/TjRBzAv0UdI/AAAAAAAAF0M/cDN2dOTau2Y/s400/closeup3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635201378377028050" border="0" /></a>Meanwhile back in my garden. . .<br /></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_w_T6XjVhs/TjRBaSTqR3I/AAAAAAAAFzc/hEhsWuO3_HU/s1600/30th%2Bjuly%2B011%2Bcopy1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_w_T6XjVhs/TjRBaSTqR3I/AAAAAAAAFzc/hEhsWuO3_HU/s400/30th%2Bjuly%2B011%2Bcopy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635200953594038130" border="0" /></a>A certain adorable golden cat with a striped tail - A.K.A. Sammy, has taken to climbing the lilac bush and making his getaway over the fence.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNHXa2J8xdg/TjRBadKtpUI/AAAAAAAAFzU/Go5k8QwmvRI/s1600/30th%2Bjuly%2B011%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNHXa2J8xdg/TjRBadKtpUI/AAAAAAAAFzU/Go5k8QwmvRI/s400/30th%2Bjuly%2B011%2Bcopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635200956509300034" border="0" /></a>Now you need some background here. Our cats have never roamed free and are usually content to laze around in their outdoor cat run, or roam the garden. (When they are not curled up on cushion indoors of course.) And both Bina and Mitz never exhibit any urge to see beyond the fence and hedge, but Sammy? well occasionally his naturally curious nature takes him too far, then suddenly he is somewhere unfamiliar and we have to find and rescue him.<br /><br />It is not a good idea for him to get out, as there are three working lurchers living next door! and he has no experience out there! or any fear of cars or dogs. He has led a very sheltered life.<br /><br />But we don't want to have to confine him to the cat run and indoors. So Joe jumps into action!...<br />With his pump action water gun! (bought specifically for this purpose of course.) LOL.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0XLAOk2uTiE/TjRBalylZEI/AAAAAAAAFzs/M7EslrJpC0o/s1600/closeup7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0XLAOk2uTiE/TjRBalylZEI/AAAAAAAAFzs/M7EslrJpC0o/s400/closeup7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635200958824014914" border="0" /></a>There are only two places that Sammy can get out if he really tries. So Joe watches and as soon as he goes near either of those areas, the water cannon shoots a jet of water against the fence just where he is going to go....and he runs! Terrified that the 'fence' is going to get him.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRJ-AKqTjUo/TjRBauGZUnI/AAAAAAAAFzk/A8D628i3A0s/s1600/closeup8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRJ-AKqTjUo/TjRBauGZUnI/AAAAAAAAFzk/A8D628i3A0s/s400/closeup8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635200961054593650" border="0" /></a>After a few goes at this and the resultant wet fur, he carefully avoids the areas and the problem is solved for another year. Periodically we will have to go through this whole procedure again, but it always works! (and secretly I think Joe rather enjoys patrolling with his water pistol!)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">"You've got to keep the child alive; you can't create without it." - Joni Mitchell</span></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Now do any of you remember this photo from back in May?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJ3wX-h6f0Y/TjRLkSeCjxI/AAAAAAAAF1E/P_iDdS30xOA/s1600/21thMAY11%2B027%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 371px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJ3wX-h6f0Y/TjRLkSeCjxI/AAAAAAAAF1E/P_iDdS30xOA/s400/21thMAY11%2B027%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635212120552541970" border="0" /></a>If you would like to read what happened to this little seedling<br />then read this blog post I wrote this week. . .<br /><a href="http://joyfrequencies.blogspot.com/">*Growing Where You Are Planted*</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Happy Sunday everyone. I hope you have had a good week. x<br /><br /></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=" font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;color:black;" >Thought of the week<br /></span><span class="status-body" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content"></span></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">"</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">Live and work but do not forget to play,<br />to have fun in life and really enjoy it."<br />- Eileen Caddy</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >I am linking this post to week <span style="font-weight: bold;">46 </span>of <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#993300;">I Saw Sunday </span></a> - Why not come and join us?</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:x-small;"><span style="font-size:85%;">All images and words - Susannah Bec</span></span></span><br /></div></div>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-29373548509940968942011-07-23T19:59:00.031+01:002011-07-25T13:09:28.304+01:00Skies, Shadows and Sunshine. . .<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"Yellow light dazzles and daubs. I am smeared in sunshine."</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">-</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> <a href="http://mynameiszing.blogspot.com/">My name is ZING</a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I </span>never get tired of seeing the sun shine. That glorious yellow light illuminating leaves and greenery, casting its intricate shadows and warming my skin. Perhaps it is something about being British and the fact that when the sun arrives, like spring after winter, it is so welcomed. Would it lose its meaning if it was constant, would we long for dull skies and rain? I am sure we would. Though I don't like too much heat, the sun shining and blue skies always makes me smile. . .<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lfCQCxcXZEU/Tisc1AMtQhI/AAAAAAAAFxU/_K-53ksLgpk/s1600/22nd%2Bjuly%2B083%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lfCQCxcXZEU/Tisc1AMtQhI/AAAAAAAAFxU/_K-53ksLgpk/s400/22nd%2Bjuly%2B083%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632627455868879378" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luvmuQXUFG8/TisbzUh1vMI/AAAAAAAAFvk/0REdI3i3vjw/s1600/22nd%2Bjuly%2B013%2Bcopy%2B2opt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luvmuQXUFG8/TisbzUh1vMI/AAAAAAAAFvk/0REdI3i3vjw/s400/22nd%2Bjuly%2B013%2Bcopy%2B2opt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632626327454858434" border="0" /></a>Such beautiful skies - see the cloud that looks like a new moon?<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlpwKV7CuUA/Tisx58WPBzI/AAAAAAAAFxk/cXLTFxWOUpc/s1600/22nd%2Bjuly%2B017%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlpwKV7CuUA/Tisx58WPBzI/AAAAAAAAFxk/cXLTFxWOUpc/s400/22nd%2Bjuly%2B017%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632650630478628658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">"Just remain in the center, watching. And then forget that you are there." - Lao Tzu</span></span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e9x_cbaFvg0/TiscN4hUkeI/AAAAAAAAFwM/u2u7ee-dybw/s1600/22nd%2Bjuly%2B017%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><br /></a>And then the stark contrast of shadows . . .<br /><br />See the moss circle in the drain cover - a miniature green world! :-)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKiOETD-cd0/Tisc04iILII/AAAAAAAAFxM/Ss1FRfn3tJs/s1600/22nd%2Bjuly%2B080%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 397px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKiOETD-cd0/Tisc04iILII/AAAAAAAAFxM/Ss1FRfn3tJs/s400/22nd%2Bjuly%2B080%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632627453811240066" border="0" /></a>(I didn't realise until I downloaded these that I had captured my shadow!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl-0up4pqfo/Tisc0x3-9LI/AAAAAAAAFxE/99YQ-4EUIHQ/s1600/22nd%2Bjuly%2B071%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 376px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl-0up4pqfo/Tisc0x3-9LI/AAAAAAAAFxE/99YQ-4EUIHQ/s400/22nd%2Bjuly%2B071%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632627452023862450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The Importance of Shadows. . . </span><br /></div><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The shadow black stripes, define you</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >throw your light into sharp contrast.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Give you a depth and a fullness,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >that without them would not exist.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >To be manifest and well rounded,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >you need the light and the shade.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >You are not a pencil drawing</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >scrawled on a flat surface.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >You have body, you have shape,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >dimension, form and movement.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Without the shadow blacks . . .</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >your colour would have no meaning.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YjBulr_5k0A/Tisc0oJTCfI/AAAAAAAAFw8/FUIkqW67ysg/s1600/22nd%2Bjuly%2B048%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YjBulr_5k0A/Tisc0oJTCfI/AAAAAAAAFw8/FUIkqW67ysg/s400/22nd%2Bjuly%2B048%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632627449412127218" border="0" /></a>An unexpected cat shadow too!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqU1szWPWh4/Tisc0ojJiMI/AAAAAAAAFw0/e18tmTQ8vhM/s1600/22nd%2Bjuly%2B046%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 374px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqU1szWPWh4/Tisc0ojJiMI/AAAAAAAAFw0/e18tmTQ8vhM/s400/22nd%2Bjuly%2B046%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632627449520556226" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And now, Bina observed . . .</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqK_dwz7PJU/TiscOkjEPNI/AAAAAAAAFws/jPdnHr-bQUI/s1600/22nd%2Bjuly%2B042%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 343px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqK_dwz7PJU/TiscOkjEPNI/AAAAAAAAFws/jPdnHr-bQUI/s400/22nd%2Bjuly%2B042%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632626795611438290" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"She sits on the windowsill, tail wrapped around her delicate paws. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">The light catching her profile and highlighting the cream coloured patch on her nose. </span><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">She turns and sees me watching and begins to purr. "</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">-</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> <a href="http://mynameiszing.blogspot.com/">My name is ZING</a></span><br /></div></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RC-qKcLfHQg/TiscOQGMRfI/AAAAAAAAFwc/_6tWlRI0TBE/s1600/22nd%2Bjuly%2B039%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-adz-zZXTC7c/TiscOsWOICI/AAAAAAAAFwk/JmYUtuInnrs/s400/22nd%2Bjuly%2B040%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632626797705044002" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">"Be where you are; otherwise you will miss your life." - Buddha </span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pLtE-ti9Gz0/Tisx6EBOHdI/AAAAAAAAFx0/uWRzijYUPzo/s1600/22nd%2Bjuly%2B039%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><br /></a>The sun setting - seen from my desk. . .<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-92K3H-uTMYU/TiscOZoj8zI/AAAAAAAAFwU/r0swZ9x75v4/s1600/22nd%2Bjuly%2B037%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-92K3H-uTMYU/TiscOZoj8zI/AAAAAAAAFwU/r0swZ9x75v4/s400/22nd%2Bjuly%2B037%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632626792681698098" border="0" /></a>(As you can see, my windows need cleaning! lol - I am not very domesticated! )<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style=";font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span>Happy Sunday everyone. I hope you have had a good week. x<br /><br /></span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=" font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;color:black;" >Thought of the week<br /></span><span class="status-body" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content"></span></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">"Language is the dress of thought;<br />every time you talk your mind is on parade."<br />- Dr Samuel Johnson</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >I am linking this post to week <span style="font-weight: bold;">45 </span>of <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#993300;">I Saw Sunday </span></a> - Why not come and join us?</span><br /><br /><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:x-small;"><span style="font-size:85%;">All images and words - Susannah Bec<br />My name is Zing quotes are written by me and taken from the blog of the same name.</span></span></span>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-57290261986599467912011-07-16T21:03:00.014+01:002011-07-16T22:45:54.392+01:00Sunshine and Shifting Perspectives. . .<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"The tiny bird and his shadow sit on my fence top. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">He has his back to me, but I can see his little body moving. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">And though I can't hear it through my double glazed windows, </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">I can tell that he is singing. . ."<br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">- <a href="http://mynameiszing.blogspot.com/">My name is Zing</a></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span>his week the sun shone, and it seemed that summer had settled into her stride. I sat in the garden, listening to the birdsong and the soft hum of insects going about their day. I watched the air full of little tiny insect bodies going about their life and was struck by the realisation that we were co-existing, sharing the moment on a lazy summers day in my garden. . .<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cWKMMOzK2NE/TiHv87OPC_I/AAAAAAAAFvE/FaYkWZSP7VE/s1600/summer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cWKMMOzK2NE/TiHv87OPC_I/AAAAAAAAFvE/FaYkWZSP7VE/s400/summer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630044839158418418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ads2BmFmnOI/TiHv9EH2nbI/AAAAAAAAFvU/HqCfmMsHgnc/s1600/upclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 389px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ads2BmFmnOI/TiHv9EH2nbI/AAAAAAAAFvU/HqCfmMsHgnc/s400/upclose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630044841547570610" border="0" /></a>I spent time this week, taking close up photos.<br />Looking at the fine details of things. . .<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDHWVQsZqFQ/TiHu4vHfZhI/AAAAAAAAFuM/ioyzH3i1544/s1600/bee.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 397px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDHWVQsZqFQ/TiHu4vHfZhI/AAAAAAAAFuM/ioyzH3i1544/s400/bee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630043667677799954" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"Dancing shadows play across the wall, sunlight glints on everything shiny. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">There are pools of light in dark corners. Outside, white butterflies<br />flutter </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">like floating flowers. Pinned like delicate brooches to the<br />Buddleia blooms </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">they collect the nectar that is their life.<br /><br />The thought crosses my mind, </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">am I collecting nectar,<br />or am I still fluttering around the bush </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">looking<br />for somewhere safe to land?"<br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">- <a href="http://mynameiszing.blogspot.com/">My name is Zing</a></span><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mh8lE0d_9ks/TiHu49lOE8I/AAAAAAAAFuU/PcnUoeqhJ2M/s1600/butterflyuse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 343px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mh8lE0d_9ks/TiHu49lOE8I/AAAAAAAAFuU/PcnUoeqhJ2M/s400/butterflyuse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630043671560590274" border="0" /></a>I caught this butterfly in flight, and the shadows against Joe's workshop.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);" class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">"The beginning is always today."<br />- Mary Wollstonecraft</span></span></span><br /><br />Our side gate - with its faded paint and promise of the garden beyond. . .<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dByEglGHk4g/TiHvo6nw_KI/AAAAAAAAFuc/C5nf96lJ1pw/s1600/gate.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 370px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dByEglGHk4g/TiHvo6nw_KI/AAAAAAAAFuc/C5nf96lJ1pw/s400/gate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630044495399681186" border="0" /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);" class="" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span></a>And then I found this seedling<br />it inspired a blog post. . . <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://joyfrequencies.blogspot.com/2011/07/thinking-about-journey.html">Thinking about the Journey</a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPLzn3z_MM0/TiHvppDAwfI/AAAAAAAAFu0/JtRVJIH2-eE/s1600/sapling.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPLzn3z_MM0/TiHvppDAwfI/AAAAAAAAFu0/JtRVJIH2-eE/s400/sapling.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630044507861991922" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IEtuZqxg8wQ/TiHvpMTSiYI/AAAAAAAAFuk/uIRCwwSFpKA/s1600/leaves.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IEtuZqxg8wQ/TiHvpMTSiYI/AAAAAAAAFuk/uIRCwwSFpKA/s400/leaves.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630044500145637762" border="0" /></a>Looking at things so closely is a good thing, as long as you don't get too wrapped<br />up in the details and forget to look at the bigger picture. . . Because then<br />sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees, as the saying goes.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lGXfBI-WzCY/TiHv9IpdfDI/AAAAAAAAFvM/xSgCEhYfVjg/s1600/treespath1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 381px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lGXfBI-WzCY/TiHv9IpdfDI/AAAAAAAAFvM/xSgCEhYfVjg/s400/treespath1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630044842762271794" border="0" /></a>I walked this dappled path thinking of that. When I came across this wider view<br />and I realised that for balance, both perspectives are equally important.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBZKPoyYKAI/TiHvpQlVmLI/AAAAAAAAFus/6i3bWOj39zA/s1600/longerview.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBZKPoyYKAI/TiHvpQlVmLI/AAAAAAAAFus/6i3bWOj39zA/s400/longerview.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630044501295077554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style=" ;font-size:100%;" >Happy Sunday everyone. I hope you have had a good week. x</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=" ;font-size:100%;color:#993300;" ><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=" font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;color:black;" >Thought of the week<br /><br /></span><span class="status-body" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content"></span></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">"All will be well, all will be well, and all manner of things will be well." - Julian of Norwich</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >I am linking this post to week <span style="font-weight: bold;">44 </span>of <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#993300;">I Saw Sunday </span></a> - Why not come and join us?</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:x-small;"><span style="font-size:85%;">All images and words - Susannah Bec<br />My name is Zing quotes are written by me and taken from the blog of the same name.</span><br /></span></span></div></div>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-68688070777134535192011-07-09T21:04:00.015+01:002011-07-09T22:27:13.991+01:00Fast Roads, Sunsets and Rain at Last. . .<b>W</b>e were driving home from shopping when the sun began to go down. It didn't take long before I was hanging out of the passenger window taking photos as we sped along the fast road home...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"Speeding by the sunset - a blur of yellow </div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">streaks the coming night with gold."<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">- </span><a style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);" href="http://mynameiszing.blogspot.com/">My name is Zing</a> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynFwGemVsN0/ThipJfoUWGI/AAAAAAAAFr8/mH4mawAyPcs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynFwGemVsN0/ThipJfoUWGI/AAAAAAAAFr8/mH4mawAyPcs/s1600/1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OjvbgkzAXJ8/ThipJ8Xg8kI/AAAAAAAAFsA/51zd231tjZ8/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OjvbgkzAXJ8/ThipJ8Xg8kI/AAAAAAAAFsA/51zd231tjZ8/s1600/2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SXj6ov6FsSs/ThipKgsCs7I/AAAAAAAAFsE/zWR8LbE0HP0/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SXj6ov6FsSs/ThipKgsCs7I/AAAAAAAAFsE/zWR8LbE0HP0/s1600/3.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0edKEzGOgw/ThipLL5gqsI/AAAAAAAAFsI/sYSz3OId9Ic/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0edKEzGOgw/ThipLL5gqsI/AAAAAAAAFsI/sYSz3OId9Ic/s1600/4.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1XUS0KtGBFI/ThipINfkGQI/AAAAAAAAFr4/aKwle6An_ys/s1600/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1XUS0KtGBFI/ThipINfkGQI/AAAAAAAAFr4/aKwle6An_ys/s1600/5.jpg" border="0" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">A</span>nd then at last the rain came. Hesitant at first, then later in the week we were treated to torrential downpours! The rain filled up the almost empty water butts, the bird bath was full to overflowing and the bowl I put out for hedgehogs and garden creatures, was full to the brim too. .<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8QiSKrgZeZY/ThiuuTi3mmI/AAAAAAAAFsQ/4TKAc5yCc7w/s1600/9th+july+013+copy+2opt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8QiSKrgZeZY/ThiuuTi3mmI/AAAAAAAAFsQ/4TKAc5yCc7w/s1600/9th+july+013+copy+2opt.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ff6kMobIHp0/Thiuri4ukbI/AAAAAAAAFsM/TRAymt6nECI/s1600/9th+july+010+copyopt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ff6kMobIHp0/Thiuri4ukbI/AAAAAAAAFsM/TRAymt6nECI/s1600/9th+july+010+copyopt.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #783f04; text-align: center;">"In the grey green moment before twilight, a solitary dove lands. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color:#783f04;">Rain drips from the silent bird table and falls to the waiting earth." </span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color:#783f04;">-</span> <a href="http://mynameiszing.blogspot.com/">My name is Zing</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">The garden welcomed the much needed rain and there was colour everywhere. . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JToTfKIPysg/ThivQbCHXAI/AAAAAAAAFsY/Cl8AMbJvfNE/s1600/9th+july+060+copyopt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JToTfKIPysg/ThivQbCHXAI/AAAAAAAAFsY/Cl8AMbJvfNE/s1600/9th+july+060+copyopt.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-iHRoOhEEw/ThivTEKFCwI/AAAAAAAAFsk/EikisBayc1s/s1600/9th+july+030+copyopt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-iHRoOhEEw/ThivTEKFCwI/AAAAAAAAFsk/EikisBayc1s/s1600/9th+july+030+copyopt.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRL8NPN-nwM/ThivSJdSPEI/AAAAAAAAFsg/-BRZmyzkFVQ/s1600/9th+july+026+copyopt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRL8NPN-nwM/ThivSJdSPEI/AAAAAAAAFsg/-BRZmyzkFVQ/s1600/9th+july+026+copyopt.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />One patch of this is all green, one is variegated. Though they came from the same plant? </div><div style="text-align: center;">I think (if I identified it correctly earlier this week) that this is called Loosestrife?<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zfbdSLfcWxY/ThivT3wCqaI/AAAAAAAAFso/VSdeVAFc1Bk/s1600/9th+july+036+copyopt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zfbdSLfcWxY/ThivT3wCqaI/AAAAAAAAFso/VSdeVAFc1Bk/s1600/9th+july+036+copyopt.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Does anyone know what this plant below is called?. . . </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JCMuYpfbm80/ThivUtW3uoI/AAAAAAAAFss/1rQriRhuvtM/s1600/9th+july+037+copyopt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JCMuYpfbm80/ThivUtW3uoI/AAAAAAAAFss/1rQriRhuvtM/s1600/9th+july+037+copyopt.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And relaxing and taking it all in, Bina poses for a photo! :-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ts9mURbjdvg/ThivPEeuO5I/AAAAAAAAFsU/u8o_T78_P50/s1600/9th+july+055+copyopt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ts9mURbjdvg/ThivPEeuO5I/AAAAAAAAFsU/u8o_T78_P50/s1600/9th+july+055+copyopt.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style=" ;font-size:100%;" >Happy Sunday everyone. I hope you have had a good week. x</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=" ;font-size:100%;color:#993300;" ><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=" font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;color:black;" >Thought of the week</span><span class="status-body" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content"></span></span></span></div><span class="status-body" style="color:#660000;"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">"Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="status-body" style="color:#660000;"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">and necessary to resolve it."- Rene Descartes</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >I am linking this post to week <span style="font-weight: bold;">43 </span>of <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#993300;">I Saw Sunday </span></a> - Why not come and join us?</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:x-small;">All images and words - Susannah Bec </span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-31260003883732017612011-07-05T14:37:00.007+01:002011-07-05T16:30:22.116+01:00Remembering. . .<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="status-body" ><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">“If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking.”</span></span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="status-body"> <span class="actions"><div> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yH0Gqaz5TJw/TICiQfFxSeI/AAAAAAAADqs/FKyfiXeF7nY/s1600/flower4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yH0Gqaz5TJw/TICiQfFxSeI/AAAAAAAADqs/FKyfiXeF7nY/s400/flower4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512584348008794594" border="0" /></a> </div></span> <span class="entry-content"></span></span><br />I wander through the corridors of me<br />in search of that tiny room<br />that contains<br />all I have forgotton<br /><br />The dark holds such memories<br />it is taut with unspoken things<br /><br />Things that lay just below the surface<br />unseen, but dangerous, even to the sure footed<br /><br />Those small wrinkles in our bedrock become molehills<br />that can be magnified into mountains<br />in those inner cinemas<br />of the unconscious<br /><br />I need to find the very darkest corner of me<br /><br />and there, behind the fears<br />and the debris<br /><br />of a life<br /><br />half lived<br /><br />I know I will find the spark<br /><br />That pinprick of startling light. . .<br />just awaiting the breath of my awareness<br />to fan it into a fire, that will flood the shadows<br />illuminating those inner rooms with the brightest light<br /><br />I reach out with eager hands and pick up that burning torch<br />I hold it aloft, until all the dark internal places<br />have seen the light that I carry<br /><br />Lit up from within<br /><br />I remember<br /><br />myself<br /><br />*<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="status-body" ><span class="entry-content">"Do not fight the darkness,</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="status-body" ><span class="entry-content">the light in and the darkness will disappear."</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="status-body" ><span class="entry-content"><span style="font-size:85%;">- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="status-body" ><span class="entry-content"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="status-body" ><span class="entry-content"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I was sorting through my Joy Frequencies blog and found this post from last year.<br />It felt appropriate for some reason to repost it here today....So here it is. :-)<br />Image and words - Susannah Bec.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">More poetry at my blog </span><a href="http://outofmyocean.blogspot.com/">Out of My Ocean</a></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="status-body" ><span class="entry-content"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></span></span></div></div>Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761090274076720975.post-17119628314251847442011-07-02T18:31:00.056+01:002011-07-03T09:59:22.165+01:00Sunsets and Small Stones. . .<span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span>he week started out very warm and things slowed down as they always do, as warmth soaked into waiting bones. The dappled dance of the sunlight and shade cavorted on the canvas of the nearby building. While underneath the big plane trees, warm people found shelter under the spreading canopy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T_wIDmTC9P0/Tg9eNQ052nI/AAAAAAAAFnk/vEk1NfyH9xc/s1600/1st%2Bjuly%2B041%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T_wIDmTC9P0/Tg9eNQ052nI/AAAAAAAAFnk/vEk1NfyH9xc/s400/1st%2Bjuly%2B041%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624818041557211762" border="0" /></a> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br />"The heat haze hangs heavy over the leaf green land. The air has weight. I feel it pressing into my unwilling limbs, wrapping itself around my shoulders like a shawl."<br /></span><div style="text-align: right; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">-</span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://mynameiszing.blogspot.com/">My Name is Zing</a></span><br /></div><br />As the two day heatwave fled, leaving us with more moderate temperatures, I began to make some changes to my blogs. You've probably noticed that I've made a new header for this blog. (I love designing blog headers!)<br /><br />You can read about some of the changes and my decision to let some blogs lie fallow for now, in a post I wrote earlier this week--> <a href="http://thestreamingnow.blogspot.com/2011/06/redesigning-downsizing.html">Redesigning and Downsizing.</a><br /><br />This week I also decided to join in with July's<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://ariverofstones.blogspot.com/p/join-us.html">a river of stones</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>over at <a href="http://mynameiszing.blogspot.com/">My Name is Zing</a> where I will be posting my captured moments as 'small stones' every day this month.<br /><br />So that's enough news! Let me get back to what I saw this week :-)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Outside the town hall, the hanging baskets were in bloom. . .<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Anqr7-DEiG4/Tg9xeR5tsNI/AAAAAAAAFns/-jlb1QE9akQ/s1600/1st%2Bjuly%2B037%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oh8D5G5OUXo/ThAigEBFpKI/AAAAAAAAFoE/ruGVpemcsXU/s400/1st%2Bjuly%2B038%2Bcopy.jpgopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625033868815213730" border="0" /></a>And in my garden this week, were more splashes of Red. . .<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oeqfOfyLh6c/ThAlwqHvlFI/AAAAAAAAFoM/f77ly5VOhzE/s1600/Picture%2B047%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 392px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oeqfOfyLh6c/ThAlwqHvlFI/AAAAAAAAFoM/f77ly5VOhzE/s400/Picture%2B047%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625037452456465490" border="0" /></a>and a carpet of Purple underfoot. . .<br /><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYremwxGnRg/Tg9eHrCdsPI/AAAAAAAAFnc/s7_OW-1ujdk/s1600/1st%2Bjuly%2B006%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYremwxGnRg/Tg9eHrCdsPI/AAAAAAAAFnc/s7_OW-1ujdk/s400/1st%2Bjuly%2B006%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624817945514193138" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sweetpeas growing up outside my window. . .<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYremwxGnRg/Tg9eHrCdsPI/AAAAAAAAFnc/s7_OW-1ujdk/s1600/1st%2Bjuly%2B006%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OIqMuDJcRGA/Tg9d3TEYwrI/AAAAAAAAFm8/k7XhbfoEpBU/s1600/1st%2Bjuly%2B003%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OIqMuDJcRGA/Tg9d3TEYwrI/AAAAAAAAFm8/k7XhbfoEpBU/s400/1st%2Bjuly%2B003%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624817664201900722" border="0" /></a>and a dash of Orange. . .<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtTT9O27lj0/Tg9d24NELbI/AAAAAAAAFm0/IpxobajBO6A/s1600/1st%2Bjuly%2B001%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 390px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtTT9O27lj0/Tg9d24NELbI/AAAAAAAAFm0/IpxobajBO6A/s400/1st%2Bjuly%2B001%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624817656990543282" border="0" /></a>Then there were the most beautiful skies. . .<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xT3FlgZYmK8/Tg9dTqYBqDI/AAAAAAAAFmc/UwpZ1gUkWDA/s1600/1st%2Bjuly%2B001%2Bcopyopt11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 379px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xT3FlgZYmK8/Tg9dTqYBqDI/AAAAAAAAFmc/UwpZ1gUkWDA/s400/1st%2Bjuly%2B001%2Bcopyopt11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624817051982997554" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"I wanted to take pictures of the day leaving </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">and the night<br />covering the vast heavens with stars. </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">So I walked out into<br />the moth rich darkness, and was entranced </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">by the intricate<br />silhouettes of trees etched against the sky."</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">-</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> <a href="http://mynameiszing.blogspot.com/">My Name is Zing</a></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wyKVLpDg6Bk/Tg9d5JcunTI/AAAAAAAAFnU/pGfzj0YLDCA/s1600/1st%2Bjuly%2B038%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JVEN5Pljlbs/Tg9dUMC6D1I/AAAAAAAAFmk/M2W7ya00hBM/s1600/2st%2Bjuly%2B002%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JVEN5Pljlbs/Tg9dUMC6D1I/AAAAAAAAFmk/M2W7ya00hBM/s400/2st%2Bjuly%2B002%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624817061021224786" border="0" /></a>And then last but not least. . .<br /><br />I was waiting in the car while Joe picked up something from a local industrial estate.<br /><br />While I was waiting I looked around from my passenger seat vantage point, for things of<br />interest or beauty (as I do! ;)) - and the first thing I saw was this scene below.<br /><br />Almost an abstract art image - I love the lines, shapes, angles, and shades of blue.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDL8cm4kd2s/Tg9dTFtTowI/AAAAAAAAFmU/YG0EvfuchUk/s1600/1st%2Bjuly%2B053%2Bcopyopt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDL8cm4kd2s/Tg9dTFtTowI/AAAAAAAAFmU/YG0EvfuchUk/s400/1st%2Bjuly%2B053%2Bcopyopt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624817042140144386" border="0" /></a>And then, I saw the scene that became my first entry for<span style="font-style: italic;"> a river of stones</span> . . .<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"Growing among the rusted metal<br />and stark utility of factory units. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">The tiny yellow flowers bloom."<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br />-</span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://mynameiszing.blogspot.com/">My Name is Zing</a></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2z_NfP_dx8/Tg9dSn0p84I/AAAAAAAAFmM/DSvm_3BUk2g/s1600/1st%2Bjuly%2B052%2Bcopyoptuse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 342px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2z_NfP_dx8/Tg9dSn0p84I/AAAAAAAAFmM/DSvm_3BUk2g/s400/1st%2Bjuly%2B052%2Bcopyoptuse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624817034117903234" border="0" /></a>My second river of stones entry was a moment of <span style="font-style: italic;">reflection</span> that I had this morning.<br />I wrote about it in <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://thestreamingnow.blogspot.com/2011/07/it-made-no-difference.html">the post</a> beneath this one.<br /><br />I hope you like the new look! I am intending to post here more regularly from now on. :-)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-size:100%;" >Happy Sunday everyone. I hope you have had a good week. x<br /></span></span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Thought of the week</span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content"></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content"></span></span></span></div><span class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"</span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">It's never too late - in fiction or in life - to revise." - Nancy Thayer</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >I am linking this post to week <span style="font-weight: bold;">42 </span>of <a href="http://isawsunday.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">I Saw Sunday </span></a> - Why not come and join us?</span><br />We would love to have you on board and we will make you very welcome, I promise. :-)<br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Images and words Susannah Bec</span>.Susannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581993763700327953noreply@blogger.com11