Tankar

Thursday Thoughts – Dreams from Holland

/ Leya / 38 kommentarer

Back to Holland again – and some lovely plants from botanical gardens in Amsterdam and Leiden.

But this photo is from the flower market along one of the canals. The red flower in the lower right corner is a Gloriosa – a climber I have tried several times… but cannot make thrive at home.

A different way to use a palm house – every plant in a separate barrel.

I love these – and I know that Cee Neuner has posted ”the real thing” many times!

More from the pond and the wetlands of the gardens.

Now I am longing for summer again…

Aren’t you?

Lens-Artists Challenge – 5 Elements

/ Leya / 36 kommentarer

Sofia‘s interesting challenge this week is about the 5 Elements of Wuxing, that create the world around us: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. This Chinese Theory asserts that the world changes according to the five elements’ generating or overcoming relationships.

Generating processes promote development, while overcoming processes control development. For example Water nourishes Wood (Water flowers, plants and other changes in forest) and/but Water dampens (or regulates) Fire. By promoting and restraining, systems are harmonized and balance is maintained.

This is a beautiful but complicated theory, so please go visit Sofias post for more inspiration. I will make it simple – only using pictures of the 5 different elements.

Wood

Fire

Earth

Metal

Water

Sofia says we can focus on one of the elements if we wish. I did try to get them all in one photo – but could not manage it… The closest I came for all of them together…is in the header. Maybe you can? We’re looking forward to seeing what you’ve found, feel free to use your archives or to go out and find new images. Link back to Sofia’s post and tag with Lens-Artists so we can find you on the Reader.

Last week we had plenty of smiles looking at the screen – A big, warm thank you to everyone for sending so much joy! We very much appreciated the positive photos you shared.

Next week it is John’s turn to lead us, Saturday 7th Dececmber. Until then, take care and be kind.

Thursday Thoughts – Bicycles, Bicycles…

/ Leya / 41 kommentarer

The city most known for a multitude of bicycles used to be Beijing – but as they are getting much fewer there since the 1980’s, my guess is that Amsterdam has taken over the lead.

Or, do you have another suggestion?

Lens-Artists Challenge #326 – This Made Me Smile

/ Leya / 169 kommentarer

Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life. The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, and tints tomorrow with prophetic ray.

– Lord Byron


So much in this world is rather tough right now, I guess we all feel it… I was thinking, don’t we all need a smile? Let’s share something that made us smile, made You smile – and make the world smile with us! Old or new smiles, big or small, we welcome them all!

Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people. ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

Art makes people smile, brings people together.

– Yusaku Maezawa

You know I can’t smile without you.

— Barry Manilow, Can’t Smile Without You

Life is too short not to smile…

– Unknown

You’ll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile.

– Charlie Chaplin


I think that anybody that smiles automatically looks better.

– Diane Lane

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.

– Joseph Addison

I hope some of these made you smile, and I can’t wait to smile even more from seeing Your choices! (I was thinking of suggesting 1-3 photos…but why, when we desperately need those smiles?) Remember to tag with Lens-Artists and link to this post.

Next week, Sofia will lead us from her inspirational site Photographias – be sure to visit on Saturday 30!

A massive Thank You, Tina, for a wonderful challenge last week! So many things to be grateful for and so many heartwarming messages from you all! Until next time, stay grateful, warm at heart and keep smiling.