When frost is a visitor in my garden, winter is close
Even if it only lasts for a day or two – we wait for the sun to colour our frozen world!
I wait patiently –
– and finally the cold rays transforms the crystals into diamonds.
It is a wonder each time, each year…
…to see them come alive again!
True happiness is… to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca
In March this year, we traveled to a long dreamed of country, Bhutan. I had read some books in advance, and knew the Bhutanese values and their use of GNH (Gross National Happiness) instead of GNP to measure prosperity. Values that went straight to my heart.
– But then, what Is Happiness?
Let’s start off with something really tangible – according to John Gunther, All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast. And, I might agree…because what makes my mornings happy is a quiet room, a good newspaper (made of real paper…) and a cup of strong coffee with some warm scones.
So, this week’s Lens – Artists’ challenge is: Happiness is...and it is up to you to fill out that sentence! What is Happiness to you? It could be anything from a big ice-cream on a hot day to spending a glorious sunset with your loved one – or running barefoot in the rain.
If I try to pin down what Happiness really is to me – what makes me warm inside and my eyes shine… it might look something like this:
Happiness is…photographing of course, but also…
…enjoying the little wonders in our world
…traveling with my family – meeting other cultures and exciting new people
….forest walks with my dogs
…playful (or mischievous…), smiling young faces – and the sound of their laughter!
…writing with my smooth fountain pen (I am a pen-freak…)
…the coming of spring
I am really looking forward to your interpretations of what Happiness is… to You! The next challenge (#23) will be hosted by Amy – just returned from Peru – on Saturday, December 8. Welcome to join us!
DID YOU SEE THESE? Here are some interesting posts you don’t want to miss from Patti’s Splash challenge :
For more information on the Lens-Artists Photo Challenges, click here. Most importantly, remember to TAG your post ” Lens-Artists ” so it appears in the Reader.
And finally, thank you for participating in the fun – and I wish you all an inspiring and happy week!
My post from November 30, 2017, a year ago – I thought a reminder to us all would not hurt. What do you want to give your children and grand children for the future?
Every December I remember our month in New Zealand some years ago. Never have I been to a country where I found so much and so many to admire and love.
This is where our antipodes live, this is where I had one of my first penfriends, this is the country whose nature I believe to be the most diverse and beautiful in the world. And this is where Rainbow Warrior went down, sending many people around the world into an unbelievable state of shock.
We are constantly reminded of how much we contaminate our world, and the focus here in Swedish media, right now, is the sea, the oceans.
Just like in Wellington, we can still bathe, swim and fish in Stockholm – but for how long?
I am a member of many organizations trying their best to help preserving our planet for generations to come. But right now, we receive news every day about all the plastic and micro plastic in the oceans – a terrible threat to all organisms-
So, I think again, with my heart wide open, about how much I respect and love NZ, its people and its genuine efforts to help the world stay healthy. Down to every detail… for example the artwork made for making us humans see and do the right things.
And these are only two, small, brilliant examples out of many, many…we saw new examples every day.
Hopefully it is not too late for the world – but You and I, and all of us, have to do our bit, our part, every day – to save our enigmatic and fantastic planet. Start with the little things…don’t use plastic bags, bring your own when you go shopping. Don’t throw old medicine in the toilet, in Sweden we leave them at the pharmacy for destruction.
Can you say you try to do everything you can to help? I know I try – but I also know I can do so much more.
These last weeks before the light returns, we were lucky to have a couple of cold days.
Frost is a phenomenon of great beauty, just look down…
…and you will see the bright stars on the ground – from where have they fallen…?
Some 10-15 cm higher up, everything is covered in compact whiteness.
After a refreshingly crisp walk, by 3 pm the last rays of sun touch ground and we hurry back home again before dark.
Totti and Milo were made for long, cold days. Unfortunately I am not. Some three or four hours is what I need to feel good – not more without some hot drink…Thank you for walking with me!
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Cold
Finally, winter is here. 10 degrees below zero today, and refreshingly frosty – and cold!
Tuesday Photo Challenge – Contact
From Dutch Goes the Photo – an agility dog! Which made me remember how my two Lagottos, Mille and Totti, were experts on how to overcome obstacles. They still managed to keep up their close contact…
…despite certain difficulties…
In my garden, there are not many colours left – unless you look for them –
A macro perspective is of great help – things unseen will reveal themselves…
I was concentrating on a tiny mushroom, and clicked. Once on my computer – I found this little friend sneaking up from nowhere.
And I never get tired of the morning jewellery.
Leya 
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