The End Of An Era.

When I was a little girl, I drew.

I drew my dreams. Anything and everything I could not have at that given time, but could imagine in my dreams.
I drew with pencils on paper.
I drew my first apartment, the clothes I wanted, the future I imagined. The way I wanted to look.
I became absolutely proficient at drawing horses, as their romantic symbolism fueled my young mind.
As a teenager, I continued drawing, mostly escapist pictures for my girlfriends. Ethereal looking women, dreamy, with large eyes, full lips and flowing hair - they were a hit with my teenage peers.
Growing out of my teens, I moved to oil and over a few years created oil paintings, some of which still adorn the walls of my parents home, and until recently, my own walls in the white house on the hill.

As I became an adult and as my dreams shattered, I realized that life was hard and unforgiving, which took the fun out of drawing and painting and I stopped. All together.
Work and carrier took over.
Living took over to some degree as well.
Sometimes I wondered bewildered - how I could I no longer wish to paint and draw, something that was almost second nature to me...?
Yet, I knew deep within that a personal era has ended and nothing would be the same again.

And then, many years later, when life turned around and I entered a period of search and discovery once again, resembling a teenager in so many ways, but being an adult trying to find her purpose here,  I found something new and novel into which I channeled my creativity.
Writing and photography.

And as luck had it, I discovered blogging and my creativity turned into an outlet, enabling me to share my pleasure and pain, and my own life in the process, with millions of strangers.
Well, at least with all of you who are still around to read these few lines.

The last five years of my life, the ones that I have exposed to the world quiet publicly through my blog, has been the most defying years of my adulthood.
They took me through so many adventures and in such an intense way, it still makes me smile and ponder the incredible serendipity of life.
How much can unfold if we are only willing to find the courage to walk out on the limb and let it happen.
Let life happen.

Writing my online diary has been an incredible journey and I want to thank all of you, who are still here reading my last post.
Just like with my painting and drawing, I have reached an end of an era and find no longer a purpose nor need to continue.

I no longer find escape nor solace in writing - something I NEVER thought would occur. Yet my life has changed and thus so have my needs.
I no longer crave a creative outlet, as I have found my safe harbor, which grants me my dreams.

It took me half a lifetime to get here, but I have arrived and I have found my purpose in this life and my search is over. Instead I now devote my time to living.
And in some very odd way, my need to draw and paint has returned - not because I want to visualize my dreams, but rather document them coming through.

My dear friends, I do not write this post as a good bye, as experiences have taught me that we never know what lies around the corner.
Yet for now, this will be my last post before I stop writing indefinitely.

I want to dedicate it to all of you who have stuck with me through the years and who always had something nice or encouraging to say when I needed to hear it.
I would probably not be where I am now had it not been for all of you.

Thus all that remains to say is a big THANK YOU.
See you on the flip side.

xoxo
Zuzana

Here And Away.

Unintentionally, I have granted this diary with my absence.
Since my last post, cold spring turned into almost an early summer; trees, shrubs and bushes went from bare to green and bursting with bloom; the sun has gained in strength and our days grew longer, giving us several hours of extended light.
The best time of the year has indeed begun and I intend to enjoy it as much as I can, in the company of my family and foremost the man that I love, before his duty takes him away from me for months to come...

Thus forgive me that I am here now, but gone again. This is not a good bye however, this only to let you know that I will be back very soon, my dear friends. ♥

The Three Things I Own.

Elizabeth and Me, in 2011

The allures of my blogging experience are many, but by far the most rewarding one is the multitude of friends I have made over the years.
Some of them I have never met in person and yet we have shared the good and the bad through the tides of time. I take part in their life as much they take part in mine, making me smile, cry and contemplate.

One of the absolutely profound and substantial connections I have made here have been with a Dutch Lady - a truly empathetic, poetic and gentle soul. An artist at heart, inspiring and passionate, she writes a lovely blog called Landanna.
Just like me, she is a foreigner in Denmark and have been my greatest confidant through the most intense and defining time of my life.
Although we only met once, the aura of that meeting will always illuminate my recollection.

Being busy moving to a new home this week, unable to update my online diary, I have invited Elizabeth to be my guest-blogger, to which she kindly agreed.
I hope you will enjoy her candid and poignant writing as much as I do.

Thank you Elizabeth for being you.

The Three Things I Own 
by Elizabeth at Landanna

A few weeks back my "little sister" asked if I was willing to write a guestpost for her since she was so busy with the move to her new home.
What other reply than yes could I give to my dear friend and partner in non-crime and silliness.

Sletterhage Lighthouse

Let me give you a glimpse of our friendship.
In October 2009, Zuzana and I met through her post about Sletterhage fyr, a lighthouse that has a special place in my heart.
Thus this whirlwind of kindness started to visit my blog - very soon we became friends and started writing each other daily.

Some days just some scribbles.
Other days the mails consist out of smileys, when we act more like teenage girls than back in the days when we were teenage girls. In a number of mails we gave each other a written handkerchief to dry our tears or make each other dance in front of the computer to the latest music of our heart. And then there were these discussions in which she did her best to persuade me to blog about that particular subject.
All of this without ever meeting - yes it took us three years before we finally took that step. Still, I have very fond memories of meeting my "Sweety" and her husband-to-be.

One of our favorite discussions was about The Three Things I Own, a piece I wrote a long time ago, but which somehow stayed with me.

"Leaf In The Wind"

The first one is my soul, the energy that makes me who I am, the energy that communicates with my environment, the energy that gives me the possibility of sharing my love with the world.

The second one, which is also my very own, is my body.
My body, the house of my soul, the storage place of my memories, the workshop of my talents, the only piece of my ownership that is palpable. My body is the first merit I am judged upon by others, since that is the first thing they lay their eyes upon.

The third piece I own is time.
This commodity is one everybody has, but no one knows how much time they have on this planet. Each minute can be our last one and still we feel immortal. How we spend our time is very important, not to reach the highest economical goal but the most fulfillment for ones soul.

"Changing The Landscape"

Our inability to survive on our own and the need to define ourselves makes us want to belong to a group of people with similar traits. If we don't find such a group, feelings of vulnerability emerge. Does this mean that if you find a group your worries are over? No, groups and their agendas change constantly, adjustments are needed, just to keep on fitting in. Still, each person we meet might be a teacher we are in need of. He or she tells us something, or makes different choices and the way we view this gift defines who we are.
Finding out what we need/want - but most of all what is uniquely ours to give to the world - is the journey through life.

Normally I'm not one that writes lengthy posts, since I'd rather tell my stories by holding my needle. I nevertheless hope you enjoyed yourself while I took you on a sailing trip through our friendship and Landanna.
Next week my little sister will be writing again despite of all the boxes she still undoubtedly needs to unpack.

Good luck Sweety!
All my love your big sis. e.

"Courtship, For The Love Of It"

Natural Scenes

Note: Images throughout this post (except the first two) depict Elizabeth's art and her photography.

Be Right Back.

I am taking a short blog break, but will be back in a week. Take care my friends.
Xoxo

Zuzana

Poems, Pendants And Praise...

When I started to publicly express my thoughts online a few years back, I did not really know what to expect. The world of blogging was a completely unknown territory, and even though I enjoyed the idea of exploration, I also felt apprehensive and insecure.

What surprised me the most was the collective feeling of friendship, kindness, mutual respect and courteous conduct, that rules the blogging community. The genuine love and affection that all of you at all times express while you visit me - whether in your comments, your emails or just in the interest you take in reading what I have to say, sharing my pain and happiness.

I am way overdue acknowledging three ladies who have express their appreciation of my writing and our friendship.

The lovely Mimi whose giveaway I won - what feels like ages ago - and the book that was the prize has since become my most prized possession. The poems expressed within are as gentle as they are profound.
My absolutely first and oldest friend here, dearest Holly, a beautiful woman inside out, who send me a precious necklace with a plethora of symbolic pendants -  just like that, for no reason at all. Words fail me... so rarely do I get a gift out of the blue...
And last but not least -  the gorgeous Adrielle, a poet with a sensitive mind and soul, who honored me with a blog award - thank you so much.

I dedicate this post to all of you reading this, who have become my very dear friends and I would like to express my gratitude with help of Batcat below. He is my bellowed companion and best friend and a true symbol of unconditional love and devotion.

BON.

The French use this word (Bon) to describe something that is good or delicious. In fact, the French expression for sweets is bonbon.  We have adopted this word in the language of my roots and indeed call sweets bonbons in Czech.

However this post is not about bonbons or something delicious, but then again I would somehow like to think so, as in this case BON refers to Blogger Of Note and I have been chosen to be as such. Hosted by Sandy and Pam at Words Of Wisdom, a lovely place that aims to bring together people by highlighting a variety of blogs and making it easier to discover new, beautiful places. My thanks with a deep sense of privilege and appreciation goes to both these ladies, who suggest that I indeed fall into that category. Likewise I express the same sentiments to the kind and endlessly talented young woman and my friend Susan for nominating me for BON.

To those of you who stop by for the first time, I bid you the warmest welcome and I hope you will enjoy your stay.
My writing - as is stated by this blogs title and the short description of myself on the sidebar  - is focused on conveying my thoughts about the present, my recollections of the past and my hopes for the future ahead. In short, I write about life itself. Being an undying romantic, an optimist and a true fatalist, I view life as a grand adventure that I have been granted the privilege to experience. I marvel over each sunrise or sunset, I find comfort and endless enchantment in almost any natural wonder and in the beauty of simple pleasures.

To pick only three posts in order to highlight what this blog is about is difficult, but I decided for the following:

Unforgettable Moments

Ice Cream Memories

Unconditional Embrace

I also included below a collage of images, which have been featured on this blog over the years. The reason being that photography is my great passion, combined with the need to express my self through pictures, painting and writing.

Thank you again for this nomination, Sandy and Pam and thank you everyone for taking the time to stop by.

xoxo
Zuzana

Theme Thursday: "Sign".

Or "Lost In Translation".

I decided to participate in Theme Thursdays this week as I just could not miss the opportunity to share a fun story about a sign.

Posted in an article on the BBC news site, it tells an amusing incident with a road sign that was standing near a supermarket in Swansea, printed in both English and Welsh.

The sign was comissioned by the Swansea Council, that sent an email to its in-house translations service to have this road sign translated into Welsh:

"No entry for heavy goods vehicles. Residential site only."

However, the Welsh translator wasn't in his office at the time, thus an automated "out of office" mail response was sent back to council officials. They were under the impression though that what they recieved was indeed the needed translation, when in fact it stated:

"I am not in the office at the moment. Send any work to be translated."

Unaware of the real meaning of the message, authorities had it printed on the road sign under the English text. The sign was removed as soon as the official became aware of the mistake; however not before a few pictures were taken and news stories were written.

(For more sign translation blunders, please see this article.)

Intermission.

I am taking a short break from writing, but will return soon. Have a wonderful week everyone.
Xoxo
Zuzana

Things That Make me Happy.

My blog friends are very kind to me and I simply keep getting these awards. This despite the fact that I am guilty of two major offenses:
1) I never pass them on myself
2) I take forever to acknowledge the award givers

Still, better late than never, it is time to thank those of you who gave me these beautiful tokens.

The first one, called Inspiring Blog Award is from Radka, an artist who writes a lovely blog about her little boy. It carries the name of her son, Matýsek. She is my only Czech reader and I appreciate her kind visits and this lovely attention.

Then there is my most avid and devoted reader sprinkles. I have gotten three awards from her recently. Well, one of them is actually meant for Batcat. Yes indeed, Batcat starts to be a popular blogger in his own right. Thank you so much dear sprinkles!

Sprinkles awards came with a tag, to list ten things that make me happy. What a delightful tag this indeed is. An optimist and a very happy person by nature, I have no problem with naming ten things that bring smile to my face.
However, in order not to make this post extremely long, I decided to list only five and return with five more at another occasion.

Views Out Of My Windows.
They are endlessly enticing. In any season, at any time of the day - stunningly beautiful, pristine and tranquil. Images of nature, of the fascinating yearly cycle in the life of the trees and plants. The breathtaking sunsets, as the sun moves on its journey across the sky, painting the blue canvas in every imaginable colour. In snow, in bloom, after a summer rain, when the foliage is on fire in autumn - gazing out of my windows is a feast for my mind and soul.
Always.

My House And My Garden.
I love my house. I have dedicated numerous posts to my home, as the place where we lay our hat is one of the most important places in our life. I am happy being home, in fact so happy that I need not to leave it for days. Either being inside, or being outside on my two terraces, while hours pass away as I plant flowers or tend to bushes and herbs, feeling the soil between my fingers and the sun on my face. Gardening is very therapeutic and brings an infinite tranquility to me whole being.

The Sea.
The unforgettable moments in my memories includes time spend at the sea. Views of the ocean, sound of the waves. My favorite is the summer sea, when I can stretch out on the warm sand, feeling its soft and warm texture, while the soothing sound of the moving water plays a calming harmony in the background. Gazing at the endless body of water fills me with unrestricted freedom and happiness.

Batcat.
My devoted friend and companion. As cute, funny and hilarious, as he is calm, independent and elegant. A perfect pet, adding ambiance to my home, making it feel full of life at all times. Gifting me with unconditional love and relaxing me with his presence and his ways. Inspiring me and astounding me and making me smile on daily bases.

My Man.
Love needs no words and description and so I leave you only with the notion, that the feeling of loving someone and the feeling of being loved back is one of the greatest sources of happiness in my life.
It is that which makes it worth living.

"Well Travelled".

Railway Cottage is the appealing name of a wonderful blog, written by Kath. I love her endearing style as she describes her creative life in a wonderful cottage with her family and her pets.

A few weeks ago, Kath hosted a give away. A give away with a riddle. She posted a series of pictures of one of her cats and asked us to guess what the initials; D.P, that made up the cats name, stood for. On the pictures, one could see a very cute, white cat with irregular black spots. The winner would receive a lovely tea towel with images of different cat breeds.

I am always ready for a challenge and even though I rarely (never) win, I thought I would give this a try. Very quickly I did realize though that this challenge was harder than I thought and going in the same directions as many others, guessing anything from dots, dotty to dark patch, I decided to get help from the most clever man I know.
My Irishman.

As I introduced him to Kath's page, he took one look at the site and within seconds proclaimed "Disruptive Pattern. As in camouflage." Yes indeed, I knew in an instant this was correct and immediately posted my winning answer in the comment section on Kath's post. I think she enjoyed the way the guessing came about as much as me, and she also later explained why the cats name was D.P.

But, this story is not over yet. Kath posted the parcel containing my prize on the 12th of last month. She only lives about 1000 km west of me and the normal delivery time should be about three days. Five days at the most. When two weeks passed and the parcel still did not arrive, we were both getting slightly worried.
As the third week was reaching its end, I considered the possibility that I misspelled my address or that the package simply got lost. How unfortunate, but these things do happen.

My hope was slowly fading, but then last Friday the package was waiting in the mailbox for me as I got home from work. As I looked upon the stamps next to the address label, it became very quickly obvious to me why the delivery extended to almost twenty days.
Next to a perfectly clear, readable and very correct address, a big postal stamp all across the label stated:

Missent To Vancouver, B.C. CANADA
Envoyee Par Erreur A Vancouver, B.C. CANADA

I was laughing out loud reading this. The parcel surely traveled half way around the world to get here. Instead of 1000 km, it traveled almost 17 000 km. "Well Travelled" as Kath put it in her mail. And ain't that the truth.

Seven Wisdoms.

I would very much like to acknowledge a few awards I have received recently (and less recently). I am so flattered that you keep passing these onto me, even though I have stopped passing them on myself. I simply refuse to choose who gets one and who gets left out.

The first one was given to me by Queenmothermamaw and is called "Sisters In faith Award". It is given to the bloggers that have touched ones life and to a new acquaintance as well, which turned out to be me. Thank you so much, I am very honoured to have been chosen for this beautiful sentiment.

The second came from the lovely sprinkles and is entitled "Best Blog Comments Award". Honestly, it should be given back to her with the same token as it was given to me, considering she is one of my most dedicated and valued reader, stopping by every single day, commenting every single post I have ever written. Even the really bad ones. Thank you my dear friend, this means a lot to me.

The last one came from the beautiful Kat and is entitled "Kreativ Blogger Award". The spelling appears not English and I wonder so where it actually originated. Thank you so much dearest Kat and sorry it took me a while to acknowledge this.

This award came with a tag as well, to list seven things that people might not know about me. I have been listing similar tags so many times now, that there is nothing left of any interest to anyone anymore to reveal about me. Therefore I have decided to alter this tag slightly.
I am going to list seven most important things I have learned in life or wisdom that I found to be true:

1) You are capable of achieving more than you think; If you can dream it, you can do it.
2) You will always regret that which you did not do, not that which you did.
3) Happiness is a state of mind.
4) Seize the day. Always and every one.
5) Be curious.
6) Keep your feat warm, your stomach half full and your head cold.
7) The best is ALWAYS yet to come.

Back With A Tag.

And a few awards.
Hello and a Happy 2010 everyone, it is great to be back! I trust you all had lovely Holidays. I have enjoyed my short, but very needed break. Staying pretty much completely off line for a week, it was beneficial for my mind and soul.

I had a wonderful white(!) Christmas and a very laid back New Year. The weather has been bitterly cold and it is snowing as I write this. In the news they talk about a possible "ice-winter", the first one in about fifteen years. This means that inlets and bays of the North sea will freeze. An event that happens very rarely, as it takes prolong subzero temperatures to cause saltwater to turn into ice.

I have decided to ease back into my writing by acknowledging a few awards I have received recently and less recently. I have been feeling guilty about not doing so for a while, but I want all the award givers to know that I always appreciate every single award I get; and I keep being amazed and extremely flattered that these are being bestowed upon me.

The first one was given to me by the talented Doreen. It is entitled Best Blog Award and is given to blogs that are "visually stunning, memorable, educational, and funny". I feel very honoured that I should fall under this category - thank you so much Doreen.

The second one was passed on to me by the very lovely Susan. It is apparently originally a nameless award, but Susan decided to call it Gratitude Expressing Award. Thank you dear friend, I am very thankful for this attention.

The last one was given to me by my friend and a talented artist Stevie; thank you dear, you know this means the world to me.

The last two awards both came with the same tag; I am suppose to reveal Seven Things You May Or May Not Know About Me. I am not sure there is anything left to disclose that you might not know about me (or that is of any interest). I have done similar tags before, such as here, here and here and am kind of running out of things to say about myself, but I am giving it yet another try:

1) When I was a child I fell on my chin and needed to have it stitched. So I have a scar just below my chin; I think this is one of the most common injuries in small kids.

2) I carry my passport with me at all times. It is a strange habit, I guess revealing the more adventurous me; ready to travel at any given moment.

3) I am a collector. I collect stuff. It is not critical yet, but my basement is filled with boxes of stuff. Some I have not opened for years. But as a hobby, as a child I collected stamps, chewing gum wrappings and napkins. I think my collections are still somewhere in some of the boxes.

4) I once went on a two weeks vacation to Cyprus on my own. I was 22. It was "a last minute trip", meaning I did not know where I was staying until actually after my arrival. As luck had it, I was assigned to a first class resort, with my own apartment, sea view and private beach. I met tons of people and had a blast. I never traveled alone again though and would never do that today. Sometimes I miss the braveness of youth.

5) When I was about five years old I saved a kid that was drowning at the shore of the Black Sea. He was a son of my parents friends and our families were at that time vacationing in Romania. This happened as we played on the beach at the shore line, and he kept being hit by waves, unable to come up for air. I grabbed the boy by his hair and screamed my lungs out for help. His name was Tom. I wonder if he recalls this and what he is doing now.

6) I have reoccurring dreams. They have varied over the years, but most of my reoccurring dreams are unsettling. Not directly nightmares, but not directly pleasant either. My latest dream is about a basement in a house, that is apparently mine, but that I do not recognize. A basement that has been locked for years and that I do not dare to enter. Hmm.

7) I believe that Saint Francis of Assisi adequately summarized the art of how to live in this one single quote (which is my favourite, together with the one listed in my sidebar):
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Giving Thanks Challenge Finale.

This is the last day in November and thus, the last day of the Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by Leah at South Breeze Farm. Participating was a wonderful experience and I look forward to join again next year.

Although I did not participated with a post of thanks every day, some of you might have noticed a single, new sentence posted on my sidebar each day. In it I expressed my gratitude towards subjects, people and situations in my life and my surroundings, directly (or indirectly) linked to the post of that day.
Thank you Leah for a wonderful sentiment and for the privilege of letting me become part of a beautiful movement.

Below, a summary of my subtle participation in text and pictures.

•I am thankful for the beautiful nature that surrounds me...
•I am thankful to be living in a free country ...
•I am thankful to have met so many kind *blog friends*...
•I am thankful for all the beautiful songs and compilations...
•I am thankful for the magic of seasons...
•I am thankful for relaxing Sundays...
•I am thankful for my parents, the most brave people I know...
•I am thankful for the beautiful views out of my windows...
•I am thankful for Batcat and the way he makes me smile everyday...
•I am thankful for my memories of a life lived...
•I am thankful for lazy Saturdays in front of my fireplace…
•I am thankful for the sun and it's vital rays...
•I am thankful for the privilege to be alive in a great century…
•I am thankful for the proximity to a magnificent sea...
•I am thankful for Holidays and Celebrations…
•I am thankful for cosy evenings by candlelight...
•I am thankful for works of art...
•I am thankful for my lovely home...
•I am thankful for beauty of simple pleasures...
•I am thankful for my perfect little car...
•I am thankful for each day that was and for the magic of each new day...
•I am thankful for unforgettable moments…
•I am thankful for the few very good friends...
•I am thankful for my sister and the memories of childhood Christmases that we share…
•I am thankful for the magic of the Holiday Season...
•I am thankful for the many traditions in my home...
•I am thankful for being who I am and for all the privileges that life has bestowed upon me...

Gifts From A Good Friend.

I never win anything. NEVER. I have of course not participated in many contests and I have bought lottery tickets only a few times in my life, but I have never won anything.
Until now.

Recently, my very talented blog friend Holly hosted a giveaway in honour of her one year blog anniversary. Holly is one of my oldest blog friends and she is so kind, generous and absolutely talented.
In any case, I seem to have become one of the winners! About a week ago as I returned from work, there was an envelope waiting for me in the mailbox, filled with small "treasures".

Thank you Holly, the gifts were a wonderful surprise.

Two Awards And A Tag.

I must thank two lovely ladies that so kindly showed their appreciation of this place by granting me two lovely awards.

The first one I received from the very kind and gentle Sprinkles and it is just so cute. "You are so special" award seems to be as cute as it is colourful.

The second one came from my young and hip friend MelRoXx. Entitled "Bookworm Award", it seems to fit me well as I love books.

Thank you ladies. I find it always so surprising and equally exciting each time any of you think I deserve such an attention.

On the same note, I have also been tagged by the very talented gaelikaa with an interesting book tag. I am suppose to list the fifth sentence on page 161 of the the book that is nearest to me.

Lets see; I am sitting in my red sofa and the books that are nearest to me are right behind me on a book shelf. As they are all in the same proximity, I guess I will follow the numbering in the tag and chose the fifth book in first the row.

This book is entitled "The Celestine Prophecy" and is written by James Redfield. It is one of my favorite books and I am sure most of you are familiar with it, as it was a best seller in the mid 90's. When I read it in my mid twenties, it was full of revelations that clarified a deeper meaning of life for me.
The book is written as an adventure story, but describes the perception of a more spiritual world, forcing us to focus on the eluding question dealing with the meaning behind our existence, in an unusually optimistic way. One can take from it as much as one pleases, believing in the thoughts presented within the pages or dismissing them as New Age hype; still it is a well written book and the adventurous plot is very enjoyable.

The fifth sentence on page 161 reads:

"Anxious thoughts filled my mind."

Short, but a somewhat ominous sentence I must say.There you have it. Anyone who would like to do this tag, please as always, be my guests.

Connected To Fall And Awards.

I have been given two wonderful awards in the recent week and I would like very much to acknowledge the kind award givers, both beautiful and talented ladies. It never ceases to amaze me that people think I am worthy such an attention and I cherish each occasion, when I receive these.

The first was given to me by the hip and cool MelRoXx and is called "Your Blog Is So Swank". The other was bestowed upon me by the very lovely and talented gaelikaa, and has the very splashing title "Splash Award".

Thank you ladies, these deserved to be given back to you with the same token they were given to me.

On another note I made a visit to the lovely blogthings again and took a test, to see which season my soul is connected too. I was amazed by the outcome, as I definitely am a summer child.
But I guess, my soul thinks otherwise.

Your Soul Is Connected to the Fall

You are a somewhat sensitive soul with a tough exterior. You are street smart and wise about the world. You have the heart of a poet, but you're not too eager to let anyone else see it. You are very creative and deeply talented. You are still looking for the perfect outlet for your expression. You embrace change and think the cycles of life are beautiful. You don't shrink away from the darker elements of life.

What Season is Your Soul Connected To?

One Year Old.

I have a reason to be slightly contemplative on this day, as a year ago exactly today I sat down to write my very first post.

In March 2008, I was searching the web for information about a painting that has managed to entice me and captivate me, like no other artwork. Called "The Meeting On Turret Stairs", it was painted by Sir Fredrick William Burton in 1864. The search brought me to a wonderful blog, written by the lovely Blog Princess G. Upon her encouragement and suggestion, I took a decision to write my first post some months later.

The experience to write a daily blog has turned out quiet differently from what I though it would be. I did not expect much, in fact, I expected nothing. Just a year ago I knew what a blog was, however I thought it would take a professional to write such a journal online. The few blogs I have read by then were either written by freelance journalists or novelists or other kind of professionals with a schooling in writing. I was neither. The idea or a notion of me writing down my ideas, my private thoughts and personal opinions and then sharing them with complete strangers appeared completely absurd to me then.

But I have been enjoying it incredibly.

A whole new world has emerged in front of my eyes, filled with talented people, from all across the world. Every day, they allow me the privilege to have an insight into their every day lives, sharing moments of happiness and sadness, trouble and joy.
At all times, the far corners of the globe lie at my finger tips and a few key strokes have taken me to places I could never have visited physically. It is an incredible experience to read about the reality of people, who live ordinary lives, yet make them seem so very extraordinary at all times, with eloquence of words and beauty of pictures.

I would very much like to thank ALL of you, too many to mention, who have found it worth your while to pay me your visits; whether it is once or regularly; they are all appreciated. Even if writing in itself is an absolute pleasure for me, no matter if my words are read by others or not, it makes it so much more rewarding having someone to take notice of the little things I have to say. I find incredible satisfaction in the feeling of having strung a chord with something that I have written or with the pictures that I have posted. Simply finding a kindred spirit once in while in opinions and in taste can make my day. If only one post has spoken to someone out there, even if for just a moment in time, then this year of writing has not been in vain.

Finally, I have decided to alter slightly the name of my blog. When I started, I had no idea what it would turn out to be. I gave it title without much contemplation and feel that now perhaps it is time for a change.

I write mainly about my life, and the way I see, perceive and experience it and have in the past, with all its magic, natural splendor and the beauty of simple pleasures.
I feel "Life Through Reflections" is a title better suited for this blog and what it has become over the year.

Welcome to another year with my "Life Through Reflections".

Progressive Photography: White Nights.

My dear blog-friend Hilary is a talented photographer. If you have not visited her blog filled with beautiful images yet, please do. She has an eye for details and she captures the simple in our surroundings and turns it unique. A rare and appealing talent.

Well, she wrote in one of her comments here recently; "You have such a knack for "progressive photography."" Without realizing it, she simply summed up my view of the world.

I love to take pictures of what I perceive; whether they are mental images that I replay in my mind when I choose to or actual photographs. At all times, I love to watch the changes that the seasons bring on in my surroundings. As a matter of fact, every morning after hugging Batcat, the first thing I do is to look out of my large windows facing my garden and the nature in the vicinity, to see whether any changes have taken place over night. I follow the birch trees and the changes in their foliage or observe the blooming seasons of my plants and bushes. I look for animal life and I watch the city below. Likewise I often look out onto the evening sky, watching the sun set later or earlier each day, or simply to follow the movement of the stars or the lunar phases.

Already when I got my first camera, I was fascinated by the circle of life that a year brings. I made a collage of four pictures taken out of the kitchen window in my parents house at different times of the year, depicting the four seasons.

I guess I love to enjoy the moments in time and photography helps me to document this. I have often longed to capture the changes that my garden undergoes during a year and without realizing it, writing a blog has made this possible. I also love those small - or extensive - countdowns to certain events. They help me enjoy the journey, instead of only the destination.
As after all, the best in life is all in the process, not always in the fulfilment of a goal.

Therefore, here is yet another post in the spirit of progressive photography; the increasingly late sunsets that are the countdown to summer solstice (please click to enlarge).