Empty hands
I saw her sitting there on the upturned crate.
Old weathered face, wrinkled from some far away sun and a lifetime of experience.
Scarf on head, hobbled leg in front of her, the crutch lying on the cobbled street beside her.
It was a busy afternoon. People rushed by – her empty hat smiled hopefully up at them,
Waiting for a few coins, a smile, a look in the eyes. Anything to acknowledge her humanity.
She sat there unnoticed, just another statistic. Easily dismissed with a ‘They work in gangs to beg and don’t need the money.”
I too have been guilty of the not noticing. But not today. I felt so sad to see this old woman sitting there, invisible.
Those hands have nurtured, loved, baked, cared for others, those hands were beautiful with her love.
So, I bought a single red flower. “For you,” I said quietly while looking into her eyes filled with tears and – perhaps – a fierce joy.
I wanted to fill those hands with something lovely. A gesture to let her know: “I have seen you.”
I’m not a better person than you – I’m probably a much worse one, in fact.
But she is me. They are us.
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
— Mother Teresa
I’m very happy to announce that the My World meme is continuing under the name: Our World Tuesday. In memory of Klaus, who created a great network of people from around the world and helped them to become friends.
Please feel free to join the Our World community on Facebook too.
Shake it, shake it – baby!
Summer
Swimming
Wet dog.
This is my favourite kind of shake! What’s yours?
For more goofiness, please visit: Camera Critters.
For all you fans of the My World meme. The meme has now become Our World Tuesday and has moved to a new web site. You will be able to post there from next week (Monday evening).
You can also join Our World on Facebook.
Stardust
Dramatic moody sunset
Bringing delicious cool breezes,
Purple rain
And a lifting of spirits.
Be humble, for you are made of earth. Be noble, for you are made of stars. ~ Serbian proverb
For more loveliness, please visit: Skywatch.
Butterflies of joy
Beautiful butterfly
Shining like mother of pearl
A painting of fleeting delicacy
Poised to fly to freedom
Through the silver rain –
Reminding me that joy comes when you least expect it
And that transformation can lead to great beauty.
For more loveliness, please visit: The Creative Exchange and Communal Global.
Sadly, My World is not continuing but I’d like to continue documenting the small unseen miracles of life here anyway. Rest in peace Klaus Peter.
Blue silk
Sometimes
The sun lies itself
Like blue silken sheets
On a bed;
Inviting reflection, repose
And rest.
For more silken shots, please visit: Skywatch and Camera Critters.
S is for Summer…
… S is for the social butterflies that gather by the lake.
(Look to the left of the photo – I love the joy of that man laughing.)
… For the serenity of another dazzling sunset.
… And for skipping stones in pajamas on a warm summer night.
For more summer (or winter) shots, please visit: My World.
Old Faithful
I couldn’t hope for a more loyal or sweet friend with four paws.
One who wags his tail more often than his tongue
And who is always happy to see me.
“You may have a dog that won’t sit up, roll over or even cook breakfast, not because she’s too stupid to learn how but because she’s too smart to bother.”
- Rick Horowitz, Chicago Tribune
For more non-breakfast-cooking animals, please visit: Camera Critters.
Write it in stone
This is one of my favourite spots for gazing at the lake and the sky and just being.
Lately, it has been a favourite spot for summer picnics and kids with a spray can.
At first, I was cross because the graffiti spoiled the perfection of the smooth stones against the blue sky.
But then, it reminded me of a saying I read somewhere.
Write your worries in the sand and your joys in stone.
For more joys, please visit: Skywatch.
Just for you or how I became a serial blogger
Last week marked the third anniversary of my blog.
It seems like only yesterday that I was taking the first tentative steps into this mysterious new world.
Back then, I didn’t even take my own photographs.
Now – you just can’t get away from them!
I like to think that I have developed since those early days -
And it’s all due to you: my crazy, loyal, wonderful readers!
Your support and kind words have encouraged me and filled my heart with warmth.
As a small token of my appreciation, I’m sending you a heart.
(OK – it’s a heart-shaped Special K cornflake.)
But I think it’s appropriate: from one cereal blogger to another.
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
– Marcel Proust
Thank you so much for being such kind and inspiring gardeners!
For more great things, please visit: My World!
A slice of heaven
If I were to cut open the pie of heaven
And serve myself a slice
It would be a glorious golden canopy
Served with a dollop of dog, laughter and kids.
For more beauty, please visit: Skywatch. And, of course, Camera Critters.
I’m away at the rented summer cottage (or just relaxing at home) and playing with the anklebiters and my niece and Oscar and just enjoying life, so I’m posting a little less. Only two more weeks of summer holiday – so have got to make the most of it!
Remember to click the photo to see the larger (better) version!
Indulgence
I try not to bore you with photos of my kids.
I realize that while I think they are works of art, you probably do not.
But indulge me today.
My daughter enters the world of double digits – she turns 10 on Tuesday.
And that is excuse enough for some self-indulgence on my part.
My angel, my daughter – so full of music and song and laughter.
Sometimes when I think I’m teaching her all about life,
I realize that she (and her brother) are, in fact, teaching me.
For more life lessons, please visit: My World.
Who says what?