Traces of lives lived
many centuries ago
linger in the air.
***
Learning from the past
enlightens present moments
and feeds the future.
Monthly Archives: April 2014
Old Wisdom
No man
ever steps
in the same river twice
for it’s not the same river
and he’s not the same man.
– Heraclitus
Nature Reserve Neighborhood News
In this weekend edition I’d like to introduce to you our next door neighbor, the Great Blue Heron. He calls our beach and the nature reserve home. Like we do.
Airing his feathers
Discovering Tiny
Contemplating his next move
Taking off
Now flying
At cruising altitude
Going in for landing…far away
When he’s not at work –  fishing in the marsh, he likes to go to the beach. Like we do. He usually checks out the scene from the rocks at the end of the reserve. His preferred pastime is to watch people fishing. Sometimes he even volunteers to guard the fish bucket. And he doesn’t mind company. Provided it’s of the right kind.
I also have to update you on the situation regarding other important residents, namely the osprey family. I now know for sure that the couple has one offspring, not two. He is growing fast and seems to be hungry all the time. The papa osprey is away on fishing trips most of the time and the mama osprey seems to be responsible for grooming and feeding the nestling.
Sometimes I hear her talking in loud voice to the little one. School starts early! I witnessed such a teaching session earlier this week.
At the end of the session the youngster flexed his wings…probably dreaming of the wind carrying him out of the nest. One of these days he’ll be lucky. I’ll try to keep an eye on him and report on any new developments.
Have a wonderful weekend!
On assignment 🙂
Tiny
Cee’s Black & White Challenge: Small Subjects
Cee has these interesting photo challenges so I wanted to play again. A good excuse to take a long lunch break from my bring-home-the-bread projects. I’m not a master of anything in photography and even less so when I can’t hide imperfections in bright colors, but it’s always fun to play. I remember the old days when we used to develop black & white photos in a makeshift lab in our only bathroom. What a mess it was! But today we’ve gone all digital, and it’s like magic. Now color…poof…and now black and white 🙂
So here are three photos as my contribution on “small subjects” – in addition to the featured image of white palm flowers.
The child going for a swim here is definitely small compared to the vast ocean. Yeah, this is an old photo. I was young and he was only 4 at the time.
I heard this tiny bird sing at sunset time one evening when walking my dog Bumble. It had turned its little butt my way and was singing a beautiful evening serenade…unfortunately the tune didn’t stick to the image.
This is a picture of fog coming out from the ocean and rising fast. The whole landscape was covered in fog. The only thing I could see from my terrace was the rooftop of this 18-story condo building. Theoretically speaking a building is not a small object, but one could argue that the chimneys of the building are very small compared to the fog-covered 180 degree landscape. I was fascinated by the eerie fog enveloping everything that morning!
Now back to work. Boring.
Osprey Baby News!
That’s right! Those of you who have followed my adventures in the nearby nature reserve will remember that about a month ago I witnessed a drama in the resident osprey family. I then thought that the female was laying on the eggs – and I was right!
This afternoon I went there again and saw at least one nestling, maybe two. A brown feathered nesting, almost half of the size of the mother lifted his (or her) head when I approached their nest pole. And there might have been another youngster on the other side of the nest. I was too slow with the camera so I can’t be sure.
The nestling I saw clearly was already flexing his wings. That means he’ll fly in 10-15 days! If I am lucky enough to catch on camera some of the practice sessions, where the parents apparently drop fish in the water for the youngster to catch it, I’ll be sure to share those pictures with you. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Happiness
Happiness is like a child
playful and caring
sometimes quite wild
or you could say daring
she’s wanted by every heart.
Did you find her tonight?
Hiding in plain sight
among everyday green
her magnificent light
can only be seen
by an open mindful heart.
Did you find her tonight?
Remodel
Remodel all done
Virtually – top to toe
New floors and new paint
Still same good old furniture
Now welcoming visitors!
Easter Flower
The flower had ethereal qualities
 it reflected  inner light
alongside its brilliant colors
when it suddenly appeared
on a cloudy spring day
in front of those who could see it.
***
Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate this holiday!Â
The Movers Came
Uh, huh. The movers came last night. The PC movers. They packed all the programs, files and settings from the shelves and cupboards of my old home. And dumped the boxes overnight in my new home. Faster than promised delivery. I was there at 3 a.m. to check on them. Lots of stuff, 100 plus gigabytes.  It’s all there and nothing is broken. But what a mess! Boxes with minimal descriptions stacked in every corner. Can’t find anything. “Kitchen” could mean plates, cups or a garlic press. You know how it is.
My new home is quite close to my old one. I only moved from number 7b to number 8b on the same street. It’s called Windows. On the outside my new home looks quite similar to the old one. Same curb appeal, but that’s where the similarity stops. I thought I deserved a truly modern home, “all granite and stainless steel”, so to speak. Lot’s of efficient, green power and the latest gadgets. And it’s all there! But I can’t find any owners manuals. I guess I’ll get to use my intuition in learning how to operate everything.
I’m grateful my key worked. And now, coming back home, I only need to walk up to the front door, look up briefly, center myself – and it opens. I’m recognized as the owner. That’s always something. Makes you feel good.
I’ve been sniffing around the boxes this afternoon, opening a few, doing little reconnaissance. Found my blogs, among some other small necessities. I realize that settling into my new home will take some time. Need to open all the boxes, reorganize my furniture and do more decorating. Make myself feel at home. All in its time. Patience. And more patience.
Moving is really stressful. I’m sure you agree. And thanks for your understanding if I can’t find your blog right away. Now I think I’ll need a walk on the beach. Sunset time.
Head First
 
First pull back your fears
Have clear vision of your goals
Then dive in head first.
TINY LESSONS BLOG 