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But alas and alack, nary a trace of Juliet to be found...
Come, he hath hid himself among these trees,
To be consorted with the humorous night.
Blind is his love and best befits the dark.
-- William Shakespeare, "Romeo and Juliet"
As befits an old house from 1785....
so I added the young spirit to the empty window
#20/52, Inside Looking Out, 52 weeks in 2020
HWW
El salón de baile presenta la particularidad de tener una tribuna para los músicos escondida tras una celosía para que estos pudieran hacer sonar sus instrumentos pero no ver al público de la sala. Toda la decoración tiene un carácter suntuoso como corresponde a la función de este ámbito. Así, los grandes espejos contribuyen a dar una mayor amplitud a la sala y multiplicar el efecto de las luces de las velas. Destaca también el mobiliario con un sofá central y banquetas y los apliques y candelabros originales del palacio del siglo XIX. El techo está decorado con la pintura “El consorcio de Valencia y Don Jaime por la Religión”, obra de Salustiano Asenjo fechada en 1866.
The ballroom has the particularity of having a gallery for the musicians hidden behind a latticework so that they could play their instruments but not see the audience in the room. All the decoration has a sumptuous character as befits the function of this area. Thus, the large mirrors help to give a greater amplitude to the room and multiply the effect of the candlelight. Also noteworthy is the furniture with a central sofa and stools and the original sconces and chandeliers from the 19th century palace. The ceiling is decorated with the painting "The consortium of Valencia and Don Jaime for Religion", a work by Salustiano Asenjo dated 1866.
El saló de ball presenta la particularitat de tenir una tribuna per als músics amagada després d'una gelosia perquè poguessin fer sonar els seus instruments però no veure el públic de la sala. Tota la decoració té un caràcter sumptuós com correspon a la funció daquest àmbit. Així, els grans miralls contribueixen a donar més amplitud a la sala i multiplicar l'efecte de les llums de les espelmes. Destaca també el mobiliari amb un sofà central i banquetes i els aplics i canelobres originals del palau del segle XIX. El sostre està decorat amb la pintura “El consorci de València i Don Jaime per la Religió”, obra de Salustiano Asenjo datada el 1866.
Swansea, Wales
In 1959, the latest addition to Martins Bank’s brand new South Western Region is this handsome looking branch at Swansea. Martins has long since been a fan of the “mock Tudor” look, and here are plenty of wooden beams to satisfy that particular craving. Sadly, Swansea is not part of Barclays’ dreams going forward, and the branch closes within a year or so of the merger. Still, as befits a building of this stature, (not to mention a vague resemblance to a wedding cake) the modern day occupants are a prestigious bridalwear company! (Also, a tattoo shop).
Further reading: www.martinsbank.co.uk/11-46-80 Swansea.htm
I saw someone on reddit refer to a cat as a "meeploof" and it just befits Jane so well. I took her out on the back porch to enjoy the bright sun and play with my latest prime a little more. She obliged by rolling around all crazy and getting her belly rubbed.
Since the lens is known for some ghosting I had to test for that by pointing it at the sun. It was better than I expected after reading several online reviews, but obviously the lens could benefit from a hand over it to block the light.
Vivitar (by Komine) 28mm f/2 @ f/2.8
Although this is a photo taken many years ago I thought it befit the day. We have been surprised this morning by - not forecasted - 4-5 cm's of fresh snow that fell during the night.
This graveyard adjoins the community of Swastika, Ontario - awkwardly named to our contemporary ears but a town existing well before Hitler tainted its name for eternity.
- Swastika, Ontario, Canada -
*Eichholzmaar @ Morning sun and fog*
This morning, during the fog release on a very small maar in the volcanic Eifel, a lake of volcanic origin. And as befits the "Eichholzmaar" an oak tree of the image design serves.
It's a dream to take pictures in the Eifel in the early morning...no competition, silence, just the cry of a heron or the rustle of leaves...pure relaxation....
Heute Morgen während der Nebelauflösung an einem sehr kleinen Maar in der Vulkaneifel, ein See vulkanischen Ursprungs. Und wie es sich für das Eichholzmaar geziemt dient eine Eiche der Bildgestaltung.
Es ist ein Traum, am frühen Morgen in der Eifel zu fotografieren...keine Konkurrenz, Stille, nur der Schrei eines Reihers oder das Rauschen der Blätter...Entspannung pur...
Danke für deinen Besuch! Thanks for visiting!
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Monasterio de Yuso, San Millán de la Cogolla, La Rioja, España.
El real monasterio de San Millán de Yuso (yuso significaba 'abajo' en castellano antiguo) está situado en la villa de San Millán de la Cogolla, comunidad autónoma de La Rioja (España), en la margen izquierda del río Cárdenas, en pleno valle de San Millán. Forma parte del conjunto monumental de dos monasterios, junto con el más antiguo monasterio de San Millán de Suso («de arriba»).
Este monasterio fue mandado construir en el año 1053 por el rey García Sánchez III de Navarra «el de Nájera». La historia de su fundación va unida a una leyenda basada en un milagro de san Millán (o Emiliano), un joven pastor que se hace ermitaño. Cuando en 574 muere Millán, a la edad de 101 años, sus discípulos lo entierran en su cueva, y alrededor de ella se va formando el primer monasterio, el de San Millán de Suso. San Braulio, cincuenta años después de muerto san Millán, escribe la vida de este.
El monasterio fue construido en estilo románico, como correspondía a la época. Es demolido en su totalidad y reconstruido en el siglo XVI, en estilo herreriano, de los siglos XVII y XVIII.
La iglesia es de tres naves, con bóveda estrellada y un bonito cimborrio. Se comenzó en 1504 por mandato del abad Fray Miguel de Alzaga y se termina treinta y seis años después. Gótico decadente. La iglesia era para uso de los monjes, por eso la parte delantera, desde el coro central, pasando por el presbiterio hasta el relicario, estaba destinada solo para ellos. La parte trasera, desde el trascoro hasta la puerta, era la zona que usaba el pueblo cuando éste podía acceder al templo. Son dos espacios litúrgicos dentro del mismo edificio.
The Royal Monastery of San Millán de Yuso (yuso meant "below" in Old Castilian) is located in the town of San Millán de la Cogolla, in the autonomous community of La Rioja (Spain), on the left bank of the Cárdenas River, in the heart of the San Millán Valley. It is part of the monumental complex of two monasteries, along with the older monastery of San Millán de Suso ("above").
This monastery was commissioned in 1053 by King García Sánchez III of Navarre "of Nájera." The story of its founding is linked to a legend based on a miracle of Saint Millán (or Emiliano), a young shepherd who became a hermit. When Millán died in 574 at the age of 101, his disciples buried him in his cave, and the first monastery, that of San Millán de Suso, was built around it. Fifty years after Saint Millán's death, Saint Braulio wrote his life.
The monastery was built in the Romanesque style, as befitted the period. It was completely demolished and rebuilt in the 16th century in the Herrerian style of the 17th and 18th centuries.
The church has three naves, a star-shaped vault, and a beautiful dome. It was begun in 1504 by order of Abbot Fray Miguel de Alzaga and completed thirty-six years later. It is in the Decadent Gothic style. The church was for the use of the monks, so the front part, from the central choir through the presbytery to the reliquary, was reserved for them only. The rear part, from the transept to the door, was the area used by the common people when they could access the temple. They are two liturgical spaces within the same building.
Monasterio de Yuso, San Millán de la Cogolla, La Rioja, España.
El real monasterio de San Millán de Yuso (yuso significaba 'abajo' en castellano antiguo) está situado en la villa de San Millán de la Cogolla, comunidad autónoma de La Rioja (España), en la margen izquierda del río Cárdenas, en pleno valle de San Millán. Forma parte del conjunto monumental de dos monasterios, junto con el más antiguo monasterio de San Millán de Suso («de arriba»).
Este monasterio fue mandado construir en el año 1053 por el rey García Sánchez III de Navarra «el de Nájera». La historia de su fundación va unida a una leyenda basada en un milagro de san Millán (o Emiliano), un joven pastor que se hace ermitaño. Cuando en 574 muere Millán, a la edad de 101 años, sus discípulos lo entierran en su cueva, y alrededor de ella se va formando el primer monasterio, el de San Millán de Suso. San Braulio, cincuenta años después de muerto san Millán, escribe la vida de este.
El monasterio fue construido en estilo románico, como correspondía a la época. Es demolido en su totalidad y reconstruido en el siglo XVI, en estilo herreriano, de los siglos XVII y XVIII.
La iglesia es de tres naves, con bóveda estrellada y un bonito cimborrio. Se comenzó en 1504 por mandato del abad Fray Miguel de Alzaga y se termina treinta y seis años después. Gótico decadente. La iglesia era para uso de los monjes, por eso la parte delantera, desde el coro central, pasando por el presbiterio hasta el relicario, estaba destinada solo para ellos. La parte trasera, desde el trascoro hasta la puerta, era la zona que usaba el pueblo cuando éste podía acceder al templo. Son dos espacios litúrgicos dentro del mismo edificio.
The Royal Monastery of San Millán de Yuso (yuso meant "below" in Old Castilian) is located in the town of San Millán de la Cogolla, in the autonomous community of La Rioja (Spain), on the left bank of the Cárdenas River, in the heart of the San Millán Valley. It is part of the monumental complex of two monasteries, along with the older monastery of San Millán de Suso ("above").
This monastery was commissioned in 1053 by King García Sánchez III of Navarre "of Nájera." The story of its founding is linked to a legend based on a miracle of Saint Millán (or Emiliano), a young shepherd who became a hermit. When Millán died in 574 at the age of 101, his disciples buried him in his cave, and the first monastery, that of San Millán de Suso, was built around it. Fifty years after Saint Millán's death, Saint Braulio wrote his life.
The monastery was built in the Romanesque style, as befitted the period. It was completely demolished and rebuilt in the 16th century in the Herrerian style of the 17th and 18th centuries.
The church has three naves, a star-shaped vault, and a beautiful dome. It was begun in 1504 by order of Abbot Fray Miguel de Alzaga and completed thirty-six years later. It is in the Decadent Gothic style. The church was for the use of the monks, so the front part, from the central choir through the presbytery to the reliquary, was reserved for them only. The rear part, from the transept to the door, was the area used by the common people when they could access the temple. They are two liturgical spaces within the same building.
#MacroMondays
#Blocks
Meet Cubeland "Cubie" Blockington. He's a contortionist, and his most famous act is "The Cube", for which he folds every single block in his wooden body together so he becomes a 4 x 4 x 4 cm (1.57 x 1.57 x 1,57) cube. This is also how he entered my home.
Naturally, at first, Cubie wanted to perform one of his contortionist tricks for the photo. He was a little sad when I told him that "The Cube" looked spectacular when performed live on stage, but not so much in a single photo. So I asked him to give me some of his best goofy contortionist poses. But while we both had a lot of fun, the poses looked too chaotic in a single scene. So what should we do?
I asked Cubie if he wanted to try a pose he had never done before, and his eyes lit up. "Does it have to be contortion?", he asked. When I said, "Do whatever you like", he jumped up and yelled, "The Arnie, I always wanted to do The Arnie!" "The... what?" I asked. "Come on, you do know who I mean! Arnie! Arnie!?! He's even in one of our favourite sci-fi movies! Let me do it! My muscles are so much bigger than his! And I know all his lines, from every single movie he ever played in!" "Oh", I said. "That Arnie. Well, that isn't hard", I mused. "What isn't hard?", Cubie inquired. "Well, to know all of his lines", I said. "You... you... you philistine!!!!", Cubie yelled. But I got my photo ;)
So this is a wooden toy, a so-called "Cubebot". It has a fully articulated (and sometimes more than that) body made of beech blocks. Elastic bands keep it together and also serve as joints. Tightly folded in the box it comes in, its dimensions are the above-mentioned 4 cm / 1.57 inches in each direction. Unfolded, it becomes much taller, so I made sure the scene stayed under our 3-inch limit by slightly cropping in and also cutting off a considerable part of its body: "Cubie", at his widest (elbows outstretched), is 7 cm, and his height, chest upwards, is 4,5 cm. The image border (which is outside the actual frame) is from Analog Efex. I haven't used that particular frame/border in ages, but I thought that its slightly over-the-top, vintage look befitted the scene of Cubie trying to look martial.
"Cubebot" was designed by David Weeks. On his website, you can see the sizes of all members of the "blockhead" family. Cubie is the smallest of them:
CTRL: cubebot.com/pages/about .
HMM, dear Flickr friends!
We're celebrating Jasper's 10th birthday this weekend (his actual birthday was Wednesday July 21). He's been in desperate need of a new OddBall, his most used toy. The old one had been stitched up so many times, it was beyond repair. Time to break in a new one! Lots of playing this weekend, as befits our birthday boy. (a picture of Jasper with his old Oddball in he first comment)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mutVAR7Lxvg
حلمي أن أعيش..
في بيت صغير..
في مدينة هادئة..
أن أعمل في مكان بسيط.. عملا نظيفا.. بلا تحديات.. ولا رتب وظيفية..
أن أكسب رزقي بإنسانية.. فلا أكون غنيا ولا أكون فقيرا..
ولا أكون عبدا لأحد.. ولا أكون سيدا لأحد..
أن أقضي ثلث النهار في العمل.. والباقي في التنزه بين الأشجار..
ألا أكون أسيرا لأي روتين.. فأستخرج أوراقي الثبوتية بمكالمة هاتفية.. وأجدد رخصي بزيارة سريعة لموقع الكتروني يثق بأني أنا هو أنا..
ألا أكون متهما لكوني فقط مواطنا..
أن أتمشى نهارا فلا تنهشني عيون الطريق ذهابا.. وأن أتمشى ليلا فلا تنهشني كلاب الليل إيابا..
أن أبادر.. فلا أخشى المبادرات..
أن أغادر.. فلا أخشى العودة.. ولا تطحنني البوابات..
حلمي أن أزهر كما يليق بإنسانيتي..
وكما يليق بسعيي الأبدي نحو الفضيلة..
وكما يليق بفكري الفطري الذي بنيته بعيدا عن التهافت والتناطح..
وكما يليق ببساطتي وفرحي الطفولي بزهرة برية أو غيمة شاردة أو بالون أصفر تائه في السماء..
حلمي أن أسابق الطيور في درب مفتوحة.. بلا حواجز..
أن أشرب الماء.. الذي هو ماء..
أن أتنفس الهواء.. الذي هو هواء..
أن آكل قمحا مزروعا تحت بيتي.. مطحونا بيدي.. مخبوزا بتنوري.. معجونا بزيتي وزعتري..
حلمي أن أنام بلا كابوس ليل حول كابوس الليل..
وأن أصحو بلا قلق صباح حول قلق الصباح..
وأن أسعى.. فلا تتصاعد الجدران في وجهي..
وأن أنجز فلا يتبخر إنجازي تحت وطأة الملفات.. وألوهية المصارف..
حلمي أن أعمل.. فلا تتسابق الأمم كي تمنع أجرتي.. وتعصر حصتي.. وتصب النار فوق قمحي وأرصدتي..
حلمي أن أعيش إنسانيتي..
من ألفها إلى يائها.. بلا قصٍ ولا نقصٍ.. ولا تشويه ولا آفات..
أن أشرق صباحا..
وأن أسكن مساء..
وأن أنام بسلام.. كطفل سعيد.. بلا تجارب ولا خبرات
My dream is to live... In a small house... In a quiet city... To work in a simple place... doing clean work... without challenges... without job titles... To earn my livelihood with humanity... so I am neither rich nor poor... Not a servant to anyone... nor a master to anyone... To spend a third of the day working... and the rest strolling among the trees... Not to be a prisoner of any routine... to handle my official documents with a phone call... and renew my licenses with a quick visit to a website that trusts I am who I say I am... Not to be accused merely for being a citizen... To walk during the day without being harassed by the eyes of the road... and to walk at night without being attacked by the dogs of the night... To take the initiative... without fearing initiatives... To leave... without fearing the return... and not to be ground down by gates... My dream is to bloom as befits my humanity... And as befits my eternal quest for virtue... And as befits my innate thinking that I have built away from contention and conflict... And as befits my simplicity and childlike joy in a wildflower or a drifting cloud or a yellow balloon lost in the sky... My dream is to race with the birds on an open path... without barriers... To drink water... that is just water... To breathe air... that is just air... To eat wheat grown under my house... ground by my hands... baked in my oven... kneaded with my oil and thyme... My dream is to sleep without a nightmarish nightmare of the night... And to wake up without the morning anxiety of morning worries... And to strive... without walls rising in my face... And to achieve without my achievements evaporating under the weight of paperwork and the divinity of banks... My dream is to work... without nations racing to deny my wages... to squeeze my share... and to pour fire over my wheat and my savings... My dream is to live my humanity... From A to Z... without cuts or deficiencies... without distortion or afflictions... To greet the morning... And to settle in the evening... And to sleep in peace... like a happy child... without experiences or trials...
Mohammed Al-Hamawi
محمد الحموي
Leica M246 Monochrom, Summilux 1.4/50 ASPH, Affinity Photo, EI 12500 ISO, 1/45s, f/4
=====================
This picture reminds me of a haiku written at his deathbed by the famous Japanese poet Bashou. A poignant poem, telling us, in that very simple haiku way, how we clinch to life at the end of our autumn (road):
Autumn's end --
Oh, what is my
neighbour doing?
A very very free translation, as befits a haiku.
The original:
秋深き隣は何をする人ぞ
Aki fukaki tonari wa nani wo suru hito zo
As befits a border collie, Pad's is always trying to stay ahead of the serious game (everything has a purpose!) especially where that concerns a gatey thing and as we all know the grass might be greener on the other side :)
It’s a long while since I have submitted anything to Macro Mondays, but I’ve often found leaf vein patterns interesting so I couldn’t resist this week’s theme of Leaf
This specimen was picked a year or two ago and pressed in a flower press, along with a lot of flowers from my garden. The advantage of doing this is that it flattens the subject making it much easier to focus across the extent of the thing. The image was taken today.
This portion of variegated ivy (which grew up a fence by my patio) has retained its colour pretty well over the intervening months. I also tried processing it in monochrome which really brings out the venation, but I preferred the pretty colour version here.
You can also play spot-the-(dried)-insect. There are at least two I have seen...
The leaves are really quite small and the image is less than three inches across as befits the MM brief.
The title I blame on a friend of mine who tends to favour puns in them… I fear it might be catching :)
Thank you for taking the time to look. I hope you enjoy the image. Happy Macro Mondays :)
[Backlit with LED lightbox; tripod; delayed shutter; VR off; manual focus.
Developed in Capture One to take out the background warm and green the colour temperature.
Processed in Affinity, rotating to get the left stalk more or less vertical; square crop.
Curves in LAB mode to strengthen colours mildly. High Pass/Linear blend sharpening with a little Unsharp Mask as well. No vignette.]
As befits a good castle, this one stands on the top of the highest hill in the vicinity. The view over the Cova da Beira valley extends for miles and miles.
==================
Leica M Monochrom (246), Elmarit 2.8/24 ASPH, Affinity Photo, EI 320 ISO, 1/500s, f/11
Sometimes you just happen to wander through a scene looking for another scene, a quick sideways glance told me this was a much better shot than the back of the Schloss.
This was taken from a little bridge, really a culvert crossing between the back of the Schloss and the golf course a little oasis of serenity happened quite by chance or maybe the fates have put it in my path for a reason like capturing a perfect moment in time at least to me :).
In my mind I will forever be sitting at the little table on this patio enjoying a glass of very good wine watching the ducks, geese and swans with a cacophony of peacocks somehow serenading you in this shady peaceful setting.
This handsome chocolate box cottage on the moat tributary, is most likely the golf course owners or family getaway versus the greenskeepers but I like to imagine it is a perk that befits the person that maintains these lovely spotless grounds and course.
I took this with my D750 and Tamron SP 24-70mm 2.8 G2 Lens at 46mm 1/20s, f/11 ISO 100 processed in LR, Topaz Denoise, PS (Lumenzia and DXO Nik Color Efex)
Disclaimer: Not trying to be realistic in my editing there is enough realism in the world, my style is a mix of painterly and romanticism as well as a work in progress.
Hermes, as befits a god, has his own sunbeams which follow him. (this boat bears the name Hermes, build in 1917)
Alternative Title Suggested by Michael: "Practicing to be a politician".
Anhinga
This is what I patched together from different sources - hope it is correct:
This is the American Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga). There are the closely related African Anhinga (Anhinga rufa), and Oriental (Anhinga melanogaster) darters. The Australasian darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae) has been classed as a subspecies of the African or African plus Oriental darters. All four have also been classed as a single species.
From Laura's Birding Blog - Laura Erickson's for the Birds -
As befits a species that feeds on rather large fish, the mouth has to be able to open wide.
I've gotten through several more of the 100 backlogged folders of photos - this from 2021.
"The church, in the late Romanesque style and with Gothic adornments, was built in 1314. [...] The church is simple and strict in form, as befits a church of the begging order. The fine treatment of the stone blocks from which the walls were built evidences the skill of the masters who participated in the construction." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery_and_Church_of_St._Francis...
John Ford’s Point commands some of the most celebrated views of Monument Valley, as befits this groundbreaking film director who shot some of the most classic films of the American West in this dramatic landscape.
It is a Doric peripteral temple located at the north-west side of the Agora of Athens, on top of the Agoraios Kolonos hill. Hephaestus was the patron god of metal working, craftsmanship, and fire. There were numerous potters' workshops and metal-working shops in the vicinity of the temple, as befits the temple's honoree. From the 7th century until 1834, it served as the Greek Orthodox church of Saint George Akamates.
The temple is built of marble from the nearby Mt. Penteli, excepting the bottom step of the krepis or platform. The architectural sculpture is in both Pentelic and Parian marble. The dimensions of the temple are 13.71 m north to south and 31.78 m east to west, with six columns on the short east and west sides and thirteen columns along the longer north and south sides (with each of the four corner columns being counted twice). (Wikipedia)
The crowds were here already. It seems every tourist in Scotland has to come here to see the Jacobite steam train, made famous in the Harry Potter films, cross the Glenfinnan viaduct. You could even buy a wand off the drinks trolley that comes down the carriage.
Anyone thinking of taking photos of this should bear in mind the train goes to Mallaig twice a day. Don't worry if you didn't book tickets six months in advance. Get to Fort William station early and see the train Guard (normally in Coach 'D') where Florence (That's her name. Zebedee was on the engine) will have about 30 tickets available for sale on the day. Purists will want to photograph the engine facing the right way, which is normally only on the outward leg to Mallaig. Also if you book First Class you are tucked in right behind the engine and don't see the benefit of the train stretching ahead. But Second Class might be grubby, as befits lower class travel. On the train you rarely get a clear view as there are alot of trees along the trackside. If you want a view of the train my advice is to go up the hills behind the viaduct....but not where the hordes go. Behind me, and not in this shot were probably around a thousand tourists stood taking pictures of the Hogwarts Express as it trundled by. This was the only reasonable shot I got from the train during the journey.
Personally I'm looking forward more to our other transport solution in this inaccessible, remote part of the Highlands. We're taking the M/V "Sileas" booze cruise down the loch from Acharacle to Glenfinnan for the Glenfinnan Highland Games, and back, with full wildlife cruise for golden and sea eagles on the way past the Green Isle.......and more.
Nothing colorful and fun but it befits my mood today. The lil' one has been sick so I haven't had time to take or process any new photos.
HBW!
This indestructible and reliable AVO Avometer 7 universal meter for voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, decibels and power was manufactured by Automatic Coil Winder & Electrical Equipment in London, according to the serial number in February 1949! The original manual and accessories are still with it, and as befits such a precision instrument, it still works perfectly today!
Our guide kept talking about hoping to see a Racoon Dog and we wondered what it looked like, I guess the name totally befits the animals appearance.
Image taken from a photo boat in the Danube Delta, Romania.
Many thanks to everyone that views and comments on my images - very much appreciated.
♬... L'Appuntamento/The appointment at 7 Via Luigi
I’ve Been Mistaken So Many Times
By Now That I Already Know
that Today its Almost A Certainty
I’ve Been Wrong About You But Once More
that You Can Change My Life…
to Accept This Strange Appointment
has Been A Madness!
I Am Sad Among The People
that You Are Passing By Me
but The Nostalgia Of Seeing You Again
it Is Stronger Than Weeping:
this Sun Shines On On My Face
a Sign Of Hope.
I Am Waiting When Suddenly
you Appear In A Distance!
love, Make It Soon, I Don’t Resist…
if You Don’t Come, I Don’t Exist
I Don’t Exist, I Don’t Exist…
and The Time Has Passed And It’s Raining
but Only To Wait
it Doesn’t Concern Me What The World Thinks
I Don’t Want To Go.
I Look Inside Myself And I Wonder
but I Don’t Feel Anything;
I Only Have is Hope
lost Among The People.
love Is You Already Late And I Don’t Resist…
if You Don’t Come I Don’t Exist
I Don’t Exist, I Don’t Exist…
lights, Cars, Showcases, Roads
everything Seems So Confusing
my Shadow Has Gotten Tired Of Following Me
the Day Dies Slowly.
it Doesn’t Befit Me To Return To My House
to My Sad Life
this Life That I Wanted To Give To You
you Have Crumbled Between The Fingers.
love Pardons But I Don’t Resist…
forever, I Don’t Exist Now
I Don’t Exist, I Don’t Exist..
Luke of Stiris, a hermit who died in 953, is the reason a monastery stands on the western slopes of Mount Helicon, in Boeotia. Two churches rise side by side: the Church of the Theotokos, from the tenth century, and the Katholikon, built to house his tomb and decorated in the eleventh century with gold mosaics above walls veneered in marble. Constantinopolitan models guided the work, and in 1990 UNESCO inscribed Hosios Loukas on the World Heritage List together with Daphni and Nea Moni of Chios.
The monastery catalogues the apse mosaic of the Katholikon both as Our Lady of the Sign and as Theotokos Platytera. Platytera, “more spacious”, expresses the Byzantine understanding of Mary as the one who carried in her womb the Creator, who is greater than the heavens. Her image above the altar recalls the Incarnation, and the monastery relates this composition to the icon of the Virgin in the sanctuary of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. She sits on a jewelled throne, her feet on a footstool, with the infant Christ on her knees. Her mantle is dark blue, and three gold marks at brow and shoulders, described by the monastery as crosses, are read as signs of the Trinity or of her perpetual virginity. Her shoes are purple, the colour of royalty. Christ wears a gold tunic and mantle, in the manner of a royal child, and holds a scroll wound on a wooden roller. The letters MP ΘY beside her halo abbreviate Meter Theou, Mother of God. A verse from Psalm 92 (93 in the Hebrew numbering) runs around the arch of the niche: “Holiness befits your house, O Lord, for length of days.” Above, in the shallow dome over the altar, the Pentecost shows the apostles seated in pairs around the symbols of the Trinity, with rays of fire reaching their heads; along the lower edge, figures lettered as the Tongues and the Tribes stand for the nations to whom the apostles’ message was addressed. Beneath the conch, a bust of Christ marked IC XC appears in a lunette, and saints occupy the niches at either side. Gold tesserae carry the light across every curved surface, and bands of geometric and floral ornament frame the scenes.
Steiri, Boeotia, Greece
Happy New Year to all my dear friends and family, lots of love, Poppy xoxo
“Is the Mona Lisa an 'accurate' representation of the actual human model for the painting? Who knows? Who cares? It's a great piece of art. It moves us. It makes us wonder, makes us gape - finally makes us look inward at ourselves.”
- Tim O'Brien
Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw9ugHENgVE
MONA LISA – NAT KING COLE
Beneath an enigmatic smile
the spirit lays so vibrantly
shining bright and lovingly
smile outwardly; smile inwardly
secrets stored to be revealed
delicious and delectable
yet innocence will still prevail
amid the sea of ecstasy
blue eyes cast down to hide the skies
the sun; the moon and all the stars
mirrors of immortal soul
distant depths that seem so far
often inpenetrable; aloof
sometimes but then again
to mete out little bits of truth
weaken the strain and spare the pain
ease the burden of the walk
the path so long; so arduous
a neverending quest for love
dismiss misunderstandings part us
there's more to me than meets the eye
a cliché that befits us all
so never judge the outward cover
for the book beneath is beautiful
love yourself and love each other
give special thanks for this New Year
remember those we left behind
in memories; in clouds of tears
begin again; soon Spring will come
and all things new will spring
that which is born from earth and dust
will rise again; will make hearts sing
there is much sadness in our world
much work still to be done
but be strong for those who are weak
bring hope to hearts; forgive the wrong
it does not matter who you are
we are the same beneath same skies
brothers; sisters; family
me and you; we and I
lay down your arms; lift up your hearts
hug your neighbour; hug your foes
love is born of understanding
free hearts from fear; stamp out all woes
we are strong; we stand together
how happy will this make our Earth
the answer's plain; the answer's simple
let the New Year mean rebirth
cast out the old ways closed in minds
free ourselves to let new in
new ways; new days; new understanding
Happy New Year; let peace begin.
- AP - Copyright © remains with and is the intellectual property of the author
Copyright © protected image please do not reproduce without permission
p.s. Seems I did such a good job that a few people think this is the actual Mona Lisa! This is me, my friends and I am immensely flattered. My enigmatic smile suddenly got very big!!!!! 😉
The oldest British built plane to still be airworthy, the Type D was a one-off design, built by Robert Blackburn, who already had several successful aircraft designs under his belt.
The aircraft is controlled by twisting, or 'warping' the wings, (a technology invented and patented by the Wright Brothers) hence the profusion of cables above and below the wings.
The Type D was made to the order of a Mr Cyril Foggin, who was aged just 21 at the time. In 1914, Foggin joined the army to serve in the Great War, by which time he had sold the plane to his friend, Montague Glew, who was too short-sighted for military service - but apparently a good enough pilot to give flying displays around the country. The plane had crashed during 1914, and the wreckage was eventually bought and restored by Richard Shuttleworth, in whose collection it remains to this day.
Major Foggin, as he became, was sadly killed on the Western Front in 1918 in a car accident.
Richard Shuttleworth joined the RAF in WW2 and perished in a training accident in 1940.
Robert Blackburn founded a very successful aircraft manufacturing company and lived until 1955.
Montague Glew, a farmer, outlived them all, passing away in 1969.
Their aeroplane, the Blackburn Type D, lives on, and can often be seen at Old Warden aerodrome, flying circuits, sedately - as befits a machine of its great age.
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Explore #66
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Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Týn.
Plaza de la Ciudad Vieja.- Praga.
Construida entre 1380 y 1511, es el edificio religioso más importante de Praga después de su catedral (catedral de San Vito).
Es conocida por dos Torres icónicas de aproximadamente 80m de altura que dominan la plaza. Aunque pueden parecer idénticas, una de ellas es más corta y delgada que la otra, de ahí sus nombres: Adán y Eva.
Originalmente de estilo gótico como correspondía al movimiento husita, fue "barroquizada" posteriormente durante el siglo XVII.
Destacan sobre todo sus altares, sus murales y su Crucifixión.
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Our Lady of the Týn
Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí).- Prague
Built between 1380 and 1511, is the most important religious building in Prague after its Cathedral (St. Vitus Cathedral).
It is known for the two iconic towers of about 80m high overlooking the square. While they may look identical, one of them is shorter and thinner tan the other, hence their names: Adam and Eve.
Originally Gothic style as befitted the Hussite movement approached to the barroco style later in the seventeenth century.
The most notable are its altars, its murals and its Crucifixion.
Cala Civette, Bandite di Scarlino (Scarlino, Grosseto)
Quale migliore prova delle bellezze della Maremma Grossetana? Questa spiaggetta, solitaria e chiusa in un ambiente naturale di grande bellezza dove tutto è rimasto incontaminato per secoli ed ora preservato dal Parco delle Bandite di Scarlino, sul mare Tirreno in provincia di Grosseto.
Prende il nome dalla torre che la sovrasta dall'alto del promontorio, Torre Civette, costruita nel secolo XVI quale roccaforte del Principato di Piombino, strategicamente importante per la visuale che riusciva a coprire. Il suo aspetto è stato rimaneggiato più volte dal secolo XVIII al 1900 e la fattoria con la torre sono attualmente di proprietà privata.
Senza tanti preamboli è un luogo ameno e selvaggio come si addice alla maremma costiera e rappresenta una delle spiagge più solitarie della provincia di Grosseto per la difficoltà di poterla raggiungere sia via terra, con un ripido sentiero, quanto via mare, guadando il torrente Alma in prossimità della foce accanto alla spiaggia di Punta Ala.
What better proof of the beauties of the Maremma Grossetana? This small beach, lonely and closed in a natural environment of great beauty where everything has remained uncontaminated for centuries and now preserved by the Bandite di Scarlino Park, on the Tyrrhenian sea in the province of Grosseto.
It takes its name from the tower that overlooks it from the top of the promontory, Torre Civette, built in the 16th century as a stronghold of the Principality of Piombino, strategically important for the view it managed to cover. Its appearance has been remodeled several times from the 18th to the 1900s and the farm with the tower is currently privately owned.
Without many preambles it is a pleasant and wild place as befits the coastal Maremma and represents one of the most solitary beaches in the province of Grosseto due to the difficulty of being able to reach it both by land, with a steep path, and by sea, fording the Alma stream in proximity of the mouth next to the beach of Punta Ala.
By the way, civette in English means owls...
© Riccardo Senis, All Rights Reserved
This image may not be copied, reproduced, republished, edited, downloaded, displayed, modified, transmitted, licensed, transferred, sold, distributed or uploaded in any way without my prior written permission.
Neuschwanstein is simply an Icon. One of the most photographed subjects in the world. So much has also already been written about Neuschwanstein that I am not going to add any more here.
I had to wait for 30 minutes for it to clear this much. Most of that time, it was completely shrouded in the fog.
When the mists parted, this old yet new Schloss silently materialized.
I heavily processed this on purpose because I think it befits the Castle and its creator who was, if anything, dramatic.
(MG_1352)
1. The Temple of Hephaestus or Hephaisteion or earlier as the Theseion, is a well-preserved Greek temple; it remains standing largely as built. It is a Doric peripteral temple, and is located at the north-west side of the Agora of Athens, on top of the Agoraios Kolonos hill. From the 7th century until 1834, it served as the Greek Orthodox church of St. George Akamates.
2. Hephaestus was the patron god of metal working and craftsmanship. There were numerous potters' workshops and metal-working shops in the vicinity of the temple, as befits the temple's honoree. Archaeological evidence suggests that there was no earlier building on the site except for a small sanctuary that was burned when the Persians occupied Athens in 480 BCE. The name Theseion or Temple of Theseus was attributed to the monument under the assumption it housed the remains of the Athenian hero Theseus, brought back to the city from the island of Skyros by Kimon in 475 BCE, but refuted after inscriptions from within the temple associated it firmly with Hephaestus.
While lost in his imagination, the little man overhears his toys talking about how best to divide up and devour the food…
“Hey now! That’s my dinner!”
Skippy was inspired by the always incredible Deco(c)rate!
From the crate:
Pewpew!'s Zen Dinner Set!
MadPea's GongFu Tea Set!
Merak's Serenity Corner!
Maru Kado's Ikebana Lotus in White, Pink, and Blue; MA Screen!
HEXtraordinary's Zen Juniper Bonsai and Zen Hall Stand!
Mesh India's Stone Lanterns and Bamboo Water Fountain!
Vagabond's Shino's Console, Urns, and Lanterns!
Peaches' Soothing Fountain!
CONVAIR's Zen Bath House!
Little Branch's Sweet Chestnut Trees!
In addition, the little prince envisioned his universe with the help of the following:
HAIKEI's "Belong To You" Building, available at Kustom9!
Pewpew!'s French Fries & Cheese Plate, Pewrncake Dessert Plate, Cheesy Durty Towel, Chocolate Durty Towel, Silver Fork & Knife, which are all part of the Food Pewrn Collection, available at Kustom9!
Pewpew!'s Wooden Plane Toy and Balbo Bicycle!
Maru Kado's Stone Soccer Ball with Flowers!
Keep shining bright, my friends!
Let's keep laughing together and lifting one another up up up!
Bathed in mystical light as befits the peak's legends. Mid February and the upper reaches are blanketed in deep snow while the lower slopes are perfectly verdant from winter rains.
An agile, inquisitive American Badger checks out a prairie dog burrow for signs of activity. They are among my favourite critters to photograph - always entertaining and often surprising.
Look at its body position. If the camera is pointing due north, its tail is oriented north-south; meanwhile its head is aimed west southwest. At the point of shutter release its body was in constant motion. So fluid. So quick. As befits this large member of the weasel family (the only larger North American mustelid is the wolverine).
Photographed in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission © 2024 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
The Chiffchaff's a member of the extensive Warbler family, of which there are thirteen species breeding regularly in the UK. They're regarded as one of the trickier groups to identify, particularly for novices, as plumage characteristics aren't instantly apparent and the colouration of many is somewhat restrained. Indeed their songs are often pivotal in recognition. The Chiffchaff is one of the so-called 'Leaf' (Phylloscopus) Warblers which befits their personality as they flit boldly between branches looking for insects, frequently low in the canopy. They may often prove surprisingly approachable though they're an active, restless bird who rarely sit still for long.
The White-tailed Prairie Hare or Jack Rabbit can be elusive - I did not see one all last winter. Last November, just before the first snowfall, I watched a Coyote flush an all-white one from some tall grass, at a great distance. Another hugged the ground, very still, almost invisible, when I slowed the rolling red Toyota blind to a stop along a gravel road.
And yet, despite their timid response in many situations, as befits a prey animal, some of my best encounters have been on foot. Several years ago I sat with one in a field while it sampled the salad offerings. It was incredibly tolerant, and not at all afraid, although it kept an eye on me. Look at that peripheral vision! Its left ear is also positioned to pick up any audio nuances. It could have bounded away in an instant... but it didn't!
Photographed between Val Marie and Grasslands National Park, ie. in the middle of nowhere, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission © 2019 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
No visit to Japan would be complete without a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Park. Perhaps fittingly, it was a grey and sombre day, as befits the events that happened here.
The atomic bomb exploded at a height of 600 meters, 160 meters to the southeast of the Atomic Bomb Dome. Upon detonation the blast exerted 35 tons of pressure per square meter and created a fierce wind speed of 440 meters per second. The building absorbed the powerful explosion and heat, and burst into flames. Because the impact of the blast came almost directly overhead, the thick outer walls and the steel dome escaped complete destruction. However, the people who were inside at the time died instantly and the interior of the building was completely gutted by fire.
This is Great Great Great Uncle Ghastlimonius.
Everyone called him Uncle Ghastly for obvious reasons tho never to his face for obvious reasons.
He's not happy.
He feels his portrait isn't being maintained in a manner that befits him.
We think it fits him perfectly, but none dare argue with GGGUG (or UGGGG as we prefer) as even from beyond he has the most uncanny ability to make his presence, and his ire, known in ways we never mention.
We kind heartedly suggested he recruit his own devoted maintenance team.
It seems he has his eyes on you.
When he comes for you it's best you not refuse him or you may come to know what it is we never mention.
Good luck.
Happy Shocktober
Another shot from pre-dawn at Saltwick Bay. There was a fabulously sculpted rock on the rock flat just to the right side of the shipwrecked remains of the trawler "Admiral Von Tromp". It was pitted and covered in all manner of crustaceans creating a wonderful natural piece of art!
This was taken well before the sun eventually came up and I liked the feel of the gloomy blue shades which befitted the scene of this mysterious shipwreck. The trawler went down in seemingly fine conditions in 1976, way off course for its fishing destination..
Scots Guardsman approaches Aisgill Viaduct with the southbound Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express of 20th May 2017. This is most likely its last run over the Settle before a major overhaul. It is putting on a splendid performance, as befits the occasion. It was a pleasure also to touch base with Ian Cawthorne, Gordon Edgar and Mark Fielding this afternoon.
“To be natural is such a very difficult pose to keep up.”
― Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest
[View LARGE, if you dare!]
As befits most collies and herding dogs, Paddy has a most rivetting and captivating stare, every iota of his body and mind fixated on the slightest twitch .. you've gotta love them! (he'd stay like this for a very long time ..)
Sandbag is a community assistance organisation based in suburban Sandgate in Brisbane. In fact it's in Rainbow Street which befits this very colourful mural by the Brightsiders. It has a broad focus with emphasis on Indigenous folk.
Black-bellied Plover has a Conservation Status under the IUCN of Vulnerable
www.iucnredlist.org/species/22693749/254375039
The Black-bellied Plover in the middle of the three in this image is taking off, and its raised wings show the black axillaries of the species. The long wings befit a bird that often makes non-stop transcontinental flights, and only occasionally lands in the interior of large land masses. These individuals were on the west shore of Weed Lake near Langdon in southern Alberta, Canada.