Lens-Artists Photo Challenge#94 – At Home

/ Leya / 60 kommentarer

This week, Amy invites us to share photos taken at home. But, I will start by thanking all of you who so generously shared your mornings with us last week – they truly brightened my days. So many sunrises and mugs of coffee or tea – no problems getting up early then!

Home is the nicest word there is.
― Laura Ingalls Wilder

Staying at home is what we all do now, and for me this is not difficult – on the contrary, I love my house and I am also fortunate enough to have a garden. And all the living things here…

are precious to me. Now, a visit at my place means you will have to share with my dogs. Milo always wants to follow me Everywhere, which sometimes may be inconvenient …

My home is a ”jungle”, according to my husband, and I have lost a pot or two over the years when he is vacuum cleaning… Too many plants everywhere. I used to count how many once a year, but not anymore. They were 144 some 5-6 years ago.

If you look closely, you will encounter several critters and creatures hiding here too…

Spring has arrived, and I’d love you to take a walk in my garden – to find more living things! They are everywhere now, bees, bumble bees, spiders, lady bugs, butterflies, birds…and I love watching them buzzing around searching for food, bathing or mating. It is good to know that Life still goes on out there – This year it seems we have starlings as well – they haven’t resided here for many years, because I had to take down their home. The magpies would not let their fledglings alone – so weeks of parenting chores were all in vain. I could not stand watching the parents lose their young every year.

I love the seemingly clumsy bumble bees landing
For every child we planted a tree – this is my son’s plum tree
Bird-cherry trees are favorites with me – oh, that lovely scent!

The fourth insect hotel is now in place, waiting for guests flying in. They will soon arrive, I hope –

Nature is Life, and sometimes we can help animals and plants to regain some of their old and rightful place in life. As we humans have destroyed many of their habitats, it is our duty to try and restore what we can. We will be greatly rewarded in the end.

 

Be sure to link your post to Amy’s here, (use the original post link NOT the one from the WP Reader) and add the Lens-Artists TAG so that we can easily find you. We’re looking forward to your Home contributions – keep up your creativity!

Next week is Tina’s (Travels and Trifles) , #95 on May 2nd.

Thursday Thoughts – Hiking, but not 2020

/ Leya / 36 kommentarer

For so many years we have hiked this beautiful national park during April…

…but not this year. We used to go the whole family, and all our dogs have made it to the top of the mountain at least a dozen times each. We follow the water for about an hour,

then the track turns around the bend and for a while we walk the footbridges.

I searched my archives to find some memories from years gone by,

and here is something of the early spring loveliness as we struggle up the tough slopes.

On the plateau, old trees have come to rest, and younger ones softly lean over the precipice. We stop to admire before the long walk down to the pond where we started.

I miss this hike, but this is 2020, the year of corona and covid-19.

I will be back though – I promise…maybe next spring.

 

 

 

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #93 – Morning

/ Leya / 226 kommentarer

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.  – Marcus Aurelius

My mornings these days – are not quite the same as before the pandemic. Maybe yours are the same as before – or a bit different too? Anyway, a look at your morning – or Any morning – is the challenge for this week. Maybe there is a special morning that you will never forget – you could share it with us!

When the virus hit my world, in order to sleep better, I had to move upstairs to my daughter’s old room.  So the first thing I see when I open my eyes to a new day – are fluttering butterflies. Feels good! And I do sleep better up here. I find harmony and peace.

This room is where many of my potted plants spend their winter season, waiting to come out in the sun and the fresh air again. What better place is there for me to spend the night?

Here I also grow new plants for the next season – these little ones are tomatoes in the making. I guess I love seeing plants, animals and people, grow –

In the hallway I pass the standing mirror, and a glance into it before closing the door, reveals Emma’s sewing machine waiting in stand by with her summer hat on top.

Before I go downstairs, I sit for a while with my new colourful plant puzzle – very relaxing and Mindfulness My way.

On coming down into the living room, I am usually met by a yawning Milo and a snoring Totti…(So…hardly ”met” really…), Totti is extremely good at snoring, so I hear exactly where he is. My husband tells me the dogs miss me terribly, but they have now accepted my strange night habits. Please click to enlarge if you love them –

Finally – coffee (Emma’s mug…). And the morning paper is a must. After a rather solid breakfast, I spend the rest of the morning out in the forest, enjoying the Wood Anemones while they are still flowering. Now on their last due to the dry weather and strong winds.

 

Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing
Praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world

(My favorite song from younger days, when Cat Stevens still was – Cat Stevens.)

We are looking forward to saying Good Morning to all of you! Be it your morning, any morning or some creative twist.

 A big thank you to our guest-host John Steiner of Journeys with Johnbo for ”Going Back the Second Time Around”, which brought many lovely memories from you – and tips for new memories to be made!

Have you seen these:

  • Sue is treating us to the most charming little village in France
  • Everest Base Camp and the cutest chalet ever from Pam
  • Anne and her best friend
  • Chasing the bloom – and succeeding at ramblingranger

Next week, April 25, #94: your host will be Amy of The World is a Book

As usual we wish you a lovely week, stay safe, stay well –  and maybe make a phone call or two to someone who needs it.