Thursday Thoughts – SOS, Turn the Boat

/ Leya / 27 kommentarer

These last few weeks have been tumultuous in many parts of the world. I think most of us want to live a more quiet and secure life with our families, in positive thoughts, harmony, creativity and fun. Because that is what humans are meant to do.

When I was searching my archives for a symbolic picture to show my feelings, I came upon this photo. The picture was taken in Figueras, Salvador Dalí’s home in Spain.

Salvador Dali´, the famous Spanish surrealist, was a genius in his own way. He was inspired by Sigmund Freud and often created strange dreamscapes. They speak to me. I love Dali´s work, but this picture taken at his museum in 2011 now sent chills of another kind through my spine. A recognition of today’s world.

I see this dark boat where we are all sitting together…but it is upside down. Our whole world is. The sky is still blue, but we cannot see it. Dark minds are ruling and golden AI figures order us new directions to take. And it is all about power, money and gold.

We must turn the boat right again, turn our face to the wonderfully blue sky and help each other sail in another direction – towards a brighter and better world. We know it is still out there, our beautiful planet! But she and all her inhabitants are in dire need of help. Our help. And we can do it – together we can! Our own survival – and the whole planet’s survival – depends on it. We’d better start NOW, because we should have started yesterday.

Click the pictures in the gallery to find out more about my thoughts today. Thank you.

I discovered the picture texts don’t show in my phone, only on the computer.

Lens-Artists Challenge# 334 – Cats and Dogs

/ Leya / 41 kommentarer

Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.

– Anatole France

Tina has chosen a theme close to my heart – and I guess to many of us this will be a feast of memories!

In the first gallery you will find my own dogs, (I just had to…) the Lagotto Romagnolos. Originally waterdogs, but as Romagna (Italy) lost many of its water- and marsh lands, these dogs were taught to find truffles instead. The breed is known to be very harmonious and friendly, and these dogs never shed any hair.

Next gallery shows some of the unforgettable dogs I have met on my travels. Often it is the eyes that does it, but they all have their own stories.

The first one was a cosy dog we met on a hike in the Pyrenees. He was chained to his little house, which is forbidden in Sweden. So we stayed some time to talk and pat. In the middle are two ”mustcuddle” dogs from Scotland belonging to a blogger friend of mine. Before our Lagottos, we had a Bearded Collie in excactly the same colours. Then, there is a shop assistant in Bhutan…

The blue-eyes was a stunner in Lodz – never seen anything like those eyes. I know I have posted this several times – but how could I not? In Georgia we met many dogs, but this was the sweetest, most harmonious picture of a young boy and a stray dog, relaxing together in the sun. I saw a lovely story in this one…the two of them seeking each others’ company, maybe after school? Even if the boy is on his phone, his hand is resting quietly on the dog. And they breathe together. In silence.

The last gallery is for the cats! We always had cats when I grew up, so there is a special bond…even if I nowadays prefer dogs. (Or my husband does…)

Cats and dogs generally go well together- if they grow up together – but if not…well, in this meeting the dog turned stiff as a statue and the cat froze with lowered ears. Again we visit Tblisi, but also Norway, Iceland, the Amsterdam Catmuseum and lastly, Sweden.

The two siamese cats belong to a very good friend of mine. (Borrowed photos!) They are a Siamese and an Oriental Shorthair. Those two finally became good friends ( after half a year or more… ) and are now inseparable. Just for fun, my friend used one of her apps for deciding animal species – and the Oriental Shorthair is…according to AI… a bat! True enough by his looks! But he is very social and sweet, and ”talks” very much to us all.

Be sure to visit Tina’s inspirational site for beautiful wild cats as well – I cannot provide you with any (except Aslan in the header) and link to her post including the Lens-Artists Tag. We thank Egidio for last week’s Complementary Colors challenge, and all of you who responded with your beautiful images. Finally, we hope you’ll join us next week when Patti leads us once again on her terrific Pilotfish blog. Until then as always please stay safe, be kind and true to yourself.