Silent Sunday
Tankar
Thursday Thoughts – Lost in Japan
I often have Japan on my mind. Not only for the beauty, but also for the amazingly kind and helpful people. My children had told me about it, but I still was overwhelmed.
I loved the streets in our area in Tokyo and Nara. Empty or crowded, morning or evening, the special light and people hurrying by on bicycles. It made me remember our first visits to China – thousands of bicycles in those days (1989)!
The Japanese are very disciplined, queueing patiently for their turn. If you look lost, within a minute, someone is there to help you. Smiling and good humoured. We were very grateful, because it was impossible to find the way with no street names… Our first day here, a truck driver even parked his car and accompanied us all the way to our hotel.
That first day, we went to Tokyo Sky Tree, as we wanted to see Tokyo by night from above. I have posted on it earlier – an experience to be recommended.
But, when we tried to find our way back through the darkening streets (they still had no visible names ), we realised we were lost.
And there was noone out in the street to ask. The shops were closed, so no chance there either. My husband is usually good at walking in the most probable direction…but not this time.
We kept walking, rather tired now, when I saw this shop – a must have photo. Strangely enough it cheered us up!
That is just another wonder with Japan – you don’t have to be afraid of empty streets or dark places. Not at all. A taxi would not have been wrong though, for tired legs.
We finally came across a biking man who could direct us towards Asakusa, where we lived. We realised we were kilometers away from our hotel. And hungry. It was one of those sooo good moments to be back in our own street!
Lost again? No, the bamboo forest is like an uplit highway through the grass – for it is a grass – that is fast-growing and very versatile. From bowls to knickers! I guess all of us have got something made of bamboo in our homes. And it is such a beautiful plant too with its marked stems and thin leaves. I hope not all of these were planted the same year, because bamboo dies when it has flowered. And it only flowers once.
More of Japan will pop up over time – it is one of the most special places I have ever visited.
Wordless Wednesday
Silent Sunday
Lens – Artists Challenge #319 – Setting a Mood
By definition atmosphere is always what the individual objects that occupy places are not. Light, air, materials and sound.
– Stefan Vujić
Atmospheric is the character, feeling, or mood of a place or situation. It might be the mood of the mist, the collusion of clouds, or just a stunning structure. Ambience is another word for the mood a place or setting has.
The kind of music I like depends very much on my mood. – Frida Lyngstad
Let’s start with the ”natural” mood settings. A summer sunset by the sea settles your mind. It doesn’t have to be blue colours – grey is perfect too. And the sound of the waves plays an important part. Somehow I believe we search for the surroundings that lifts or matches our own mood.
Love is the flower you’ve got to let grow. – John Lennon
Love is in the air. Maybe your man or your lady brings you flowers, sets the table and lights the candles to welcome you… Although I believe atmosphere is not as pragmatic as it is poetic.
In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous. – Aristotle
Yesterday’s late Autumn walk with silent friends. Mist is mostly an autumnal fenomenon, created by the warmth of the day and the chill of the night. But, we’ll stick to the poetic mood. The soft light and the quietly munching sheep set my mood right for the end of the day.
I like the muted sounds, the shroud of grey, and the silence that comes with fog. – Om Malik
By the sea, Autumn brings many days of fog rolling in. In me it creates both a tension and a feeling of being hidden from the outside, troubled world. It is an inward looking mood.
Don’t tell me how good you make it; tell me how good it makes me when I use it. – Leo Burnett
Advertising is good at creating perfect atmospheres for us to take the bait…We visited a big beer company in Amsterdam – I don’t have to say which one… Instead of showing the process (which we got a professional presentation of in Ireland with another company), we were presented with a full show with party light and music. And beer. I guess it was all for engaging the younger generation.
While we still are in the mood for a party – let’s add a carnival mood too!
Like sunshine, music is a powerful force that can instantly and almost chemically change your entire mood. – Michael Franti
In September we went to Amstedam for the Dahlia Festival, where every piece of the pageant was made of dahlias (except the carriages). A fiest for both eyes and ears. Happy people makes happy spectators! (Find some mischievous happiness in the header/opener, where some boys enjoyed shooting water at us from a bridge.)
I have lived with several Zen masters—all of them cats. – Eckhart Tolle
For atmosphere and mood – this was a perfect setting at the Cat museum in Amsterdam. A combination of light, art, furniture and details. And if you know some cat lovers, cats on the table is not unfamiliar. Real cats too… I guess you have noticed there is a special atmosphere where there is a pet in the house? The first thing you will see (except for Milo) when you visit My home, is a sign saying: ”A home without a dog is just a house.” But, I assure you he is not allowed on the table…
Perhaps I am old-fashioned, but black and white films still hold an affectionate place in my heart; they have an incomparable mystique and mood. – Ginger Rogers
As a photographer, you might also use the possibility of setting the mood you want in your pictures – either with the natural environment, lamps, software or other means. An easy way is just converting a photo into B&W or sepia tones to set another mood, like this theater photo. I could almost see Greta Garbo and Clark Gable passing by in the lobby…
I love kids. I just love kids. They put you in a good mood and they are so full of life. – Carmen Electra
Very little changes can make a difference too. A park in Amsterdam housed some rabbits for the children. I smiled as I saw this little girl, who so gently patted her friend. An animal lover with the right feeling. I could easily see myself at her age.
By desaturating the colours a bit, I felt the photo fitted both my own nostalgic mood and the warmth between these two friends.
I hope you will be in the mood to join this challenge (pun intended) – as we search for special atmospheres you have met or created. A big thank you to Patti for making us see beauty everywhere – and somehow I feel this week’s challenge is a natural way to follow up. Mood and atmosphere are very individually seen, but so is beauty. I am looking forward to seeing your posts! Be sure to link to my original post and to include the “lens-artists” tag so we can find your images.
Next week Sofia will lead us, please go to her lovely blog for more inspiration! Until then, stay calm and kind.
Thursday Thoughts – Autumn is Here
Foggy at sea
Colours at home
Morning dew in the webs
Take out the warmer jacket and jeans, and don’t forget the wool shirt. The air is fresh and clear, and Milo shows his love and joy by throwing himself on the wet morning grass. Rolling happily. I wish I could feel some of that happiness about Autumn too!
Lens-Artists Challenge #318 – Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places
Patti is challenging us with a very important thing – to find beauty where we might not immediately think we could. Because, there is beauty everywhere if we just look for it! Please visit Patti’s inspiring post for more!
This is Highgate, London. Below the massive growth of ivy, this beautiful statue of a resting woman had just been rediscovered when we visited in 2014. We admired every detail – the artist made her look so real, just sleeping -about to wake up any minute.
In Tblisi, Georgia, 2019, most buildings and open places were dilapidated or worn down. Walking past this yard, I was really taken by the shadow and reflections, the tranquility, and the lovely cat.
More Tblisi. After a climb up one of the hills, three resting beauties awaited us in this yard. So calm and relaxed as only cats can be in the sun, they even let me take some photos.
A burnt down house lent some of its books to a beautiful photo. (An exhibition by Helene Schmitz) I often find great beauty in old and worn things, but these books sent an ache in my heart. Books should never be thrown away or burnt. This artist really found a way to make the disaster in her own home into something beautiful.
Finally, a stinging nettle in evening light – a dangerous beauty!
A special thanks to Tina, who invited us to explore our neighborhoods last week. Thanks for sharing your “world” with us. Next week it’s my turn, Leya, to lead. Until then, be safe, stay curious, and be kind!
I hope you will join this challenge – as we search for beauty in surprising and unexpected places. Beauty is seen in a wider context–beyond the typical. For an added challenge, Patti suggests us to come up with a surprise – something that you find beautiful but other people might not. Show us your beautiful and unexpected finds and tell us where you discovered them. Be sure
to link to Patti’s original post and include the “lens-artists” tag so we can enjoy your images.
Silent Sunday
Thursday Thoughts – Leeds Castle
The first historical record of a building is listed in the Domesday Survey of 1086, where the ‘Manor of Esledes’ was owned by Odo the Bishop of Bayeux, who was also the half-brother of William the Conqueror.
Leeds Castle has a long history of noblemen, kings and queens, but it was not until the 16th century that King Henry VIII transformed it from a fortified stronghold to a magnificent royal palace.
Leeds Castle was the last Castle to visit on our tour, and here I found the indoors to be the most interesting part – but let’s have a short look at the roses first, and the multitude of Hollyhocks!
Jumping into the 20th century, during the 1930s, Leeds Castle became one of the great country houses of England and a centre of lavish hospitality for leading statesmen, European royalty and film stars. The interior decorations are very stylish in cool colours, giving it quite a modern feeling. There are not many castles you feel you actually could live in – but Leeds Castle, yes.
In 1974 the castle and grounds were finally left to a specially created charity called the Leeds Castle Foundation, whose main aim was, and still is, to preserve the castle for future generations to enjoy. The reputation of Leeds Castle as a leading visitor attraction and conference venue grew, and in 1978 it was chosen as the location for the Middle East peace talks that preceded the Camp David Accords of the same year.
Since then Leeds Castle has become one of England’s top tourist attractions with over 600,000 visitors a year.
Lens-Artists #317 – Walking the Neighbourhood
Earth is a small town with many neighborhoods in a very big universe.
– Ronald J. Garan, Jr.
Tina challenges us to walk the neighbourhood, and I decided to take Milo for this warm Autumn day walk. On opening the front door, I caught sight of one of our neighbouring cats waiting for a meal – in the shape of an innocent bird…
I turn right out on the street, and pass my favourite car (belonging to one of our neighbours…) I love the colour and the shape, but don’t even know what brand it is. We’ve had some heavy morning dew for a couple of days, and it stays with us for almost half of the day.
My ordinary morning walk passes by these lovely stone fences – there is a road in between those two. And on that road is always an old, yellow cat lying – sun or rain. He is totally deaf, but somehow everyone knows about him and he survives every car and every new year.
And I love that old wooden gate.
Now the sun has burnt the mist away, and further down the street I find a bucket of sand toys resting from yesterday’s fun.
As we pass by some more houses and hedges along the road, we finally get to the horses’ play ground. Milo finds a friend and the heat takes its toll – my curly friend will not move another step until he’s got his bath and a cool drink!
Next day, we went to our summerhouse – and I hope Tina thinks it’s ok to take a walk there as well… after all, it is a lovely place by the sea!
When we walk from the house and turn left, we must pass the apple trees to get to the road leading to our hike. I am always happy to find the old oak is still standing! I have to check on him a couple of times a year. When we pass one of the parked cars, I find this pretty young ”butterflytobe”, a Cossus cossus (Swedish name: större träfjäril). We walk by the lama meadows too, and I get a loving look (?) from a really handsome guy.
The beautiful cranes are leaving for warmer places. I hear and see them every day, but the geese are still here. Sailing gracefully on the quiet waters. Unfortunately we missed out on the ferry to one of the islands, and were told that last week was the last time to catch it. And there were no canoes for hire anymore – they still looked colourful and inviting though. Maybe next year?
I think we all get to understand each other a little better by sharing our neighbourhoods for this week’s challenge! Be sure to link to Tina’s original post and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you.
Finally, big thanks to Egidio and all of those who responded to his Fun challenge last week. There were fun responses throughout the whole week! Finally we hope you’ll join us next week when Patti once again leads us on her beautiful Pilotfish site. Until then, stay safe, be kind and enjoy every day.
Leya 
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