Thoughts

Thursday Thoughts – A Goodbye

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Summer it is, and I just have to visit The Garden of My Dreams – maybe for the last time. The old couple owning it, will sell it this summer. If it is not already sold… To sneak in is maybe wrong, but somehow I just have to… say goodbye.

Every year I have talked to the little man and his beautiful wife, about all their travels throughout this world to collect plants, and about the birds he kept ringing every spring.

Some of my favourites are still in flower, and if you follow me through the garden, I will show you some of them. My absolute favourites are the thistles, so they will need a picture of their own. I hope you will enjoy the flowers just as much as I do.

 

WPC: Delta

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Delta

For this week’s photo challenge, share a picture that symbolizes transitions, change, and the passing of time.

 

Titanic – Cobh, Ireland

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A windy and rainy day, we visited Cobh. Somehow the weather seemed appropriate.

The little seaside town of Cobh, with 13 000 inhabitants, has got one of the world’s largest natural harbours. Cobh was the place where most of the Irish emigrants left for America during the great starvation 1844-48. More than 1 million people died when the potato harvest failed  (mildew) and by 1856 2 ½ million people had left Ireland for America. Not until 1930 did the Irish stop leaving the country – due to the Wall Street crash.

 

Cobh was the last stop for Titanic before her Maiden voyage across the Atlantic. Titanic entered Cobh harbour April 11, 1912. 120 passengers  had bought their tickets there – hoping for a new and better life overseas. April 15 she went down after hitting an iceberg.  I guess everyone knows she was a White Star Line ship.

Today there is a museum where the White Star Line’s terminal was. Down in the harbour there are mosaic tablets with memorials of those who embarked from Cobh that day. Even if we all know the story…this is a very special place to visit.

Travel theme: Abroad

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Travel theme: Abroad

Abroad means many things to me…but if I were to choose only one thing – it is Freedom.

WPC: Transient

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This night, the Summer Solstice night, is a night of Magic to us in Scandinavia. Transient.

 

The Road to Swedish Midsummer…

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These last two nights have been magical. Please join me as I try to convey something of the magic…There is only little time left …in four days the Magic will be broken…

Close to my home, there is a National Reserve for wild orchids –

Last night I spent a couple of hours walking there, just before sunset.

Many of my favourite flowers grow here…

…so Time does not exist when I sit on the boardwalk or just walk slowly through the grasses and the open fields –

All my senses alert and my mind at ease. These days are the best ones in my life.

Thank You – All

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All my love to you out there in the blogosphere! We are so lucky to have each other in this supportive community. Today it was my turn to feel your warmth and sympathy, as I have lost a dear friend.

You being out there…listening, reading…I so appreciate your kind thoughts and words. I want to believe Anita is – someway, somewhere – aware of them as well.

Thank You All ♥

Travel theme: Decadent

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Decadent? Well, a fun travel theme you just have to see more of here!

One of the most famous hotels in Madrid –  Palace Hotel. Many of the world’s most famous people have stayed here: David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Henry Kissinger, Mata Hari…to mention just a few of them.

 

My Oldest Friend

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Last night I lost my oldest friend, Anita. We have known each other for more than 40 years, and never lost contact. A tough lady, redheaded and strong willed. In the beginning, when we worked together, I was a bit afraid of her harsh speaking and straight forward attitude, but soon learned she had a heart of gold.

We found we had the same interests – birds, flowers and dogs. We had so many good laughs together… with some spring birdwatching and dog walking and talking…How I will miss her. So much. My eyes seem never to get dry.

She had no children, no family, only a brother – sharing the same mother but different fathers. Anita had such style and good taste, and her brilliant knowledge in so many areas took her to the top of entering a TV show. And I am missing her happy, low laughter too. My friend, Anita.

People could always turn to her for help – she helped others far too much and kept too little for her own needs.

The phone rang early this morning. I had not slept well for several nights, because I had been sitting by her side, watching her fade away. All her life she had been the master and commander of her own life, working in Italy and Switzerland, and back home again. The last two years  she lived at a home for elderly people with dementia – and could no longer decide over her own living or doings. Her ”inmates” did not speak much, and there was nobody interested in dogs or flowers, or birds. And Anita was a social person…She never found a new friend there, and every time I came visiting her, she said she wanted to leave. And to have a dog again.

 

She had many dogs throughout her life, and a kennel for several years – pugs. She imported a great bitch from England, and with her and her offspring, she won everything – home and abroad. Stockholm, Oslo, Berlin…in short, a champion kennel.

To be allowed to stay at this home, she had to let go of her last dog. That was a devastating blow to her spirit, and she never really recovered from it.

I miss you very much, Anita. Thank you for letting me know you, for keeping me warm by your fire.