Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #52- Serenity

It is the stillness that will save and transform the world. – Eckhart Tolle

Midsummer is over for this year, 2019. Sunny, happy and festive. Few great occasions in Sweden invoke so much serenity as Midsummer does. (And the reverse…) Nature is at its height in beauty, and the soft light lifts our moody Nordic minds.

The nights are sleepless…

…and the days are endless

Everything passes, nothing remains. Understand this, loosen your grip and find serenity – Surya Das

 

This week Tina is our host, visit her for serene thoughts and beautiful images for the challenge!

 

Thursday Thoughts – Midsummer

The most beautiful time in my country, Sweden,  is now – around Midsummer. The flowers and colours are abundant and it is a busy time for everything growing and for the animals raising their young.

Tomorrow is Midsummer’s Eve – in olden days a magical night. But also the night after which the bright light will start fading and we are heading towards winter.

If you celebrate or not – I wish you all a wonderful weekend –

And may you have a good night…

…should you be in Sweden, you will stay up to watch the sunset – and the sunrise. There is no real darkness in between.

World Bee Day – Every Day!

Today is World Bee Day – build them a hotel, plant attractive trees, flowers or herbs, leave a wild space in your garden, work for farmers to leave the edges of their fields for wild flowers, and do not use pesticides!

Did you know that every third bite of your food you eat is only made possible because of pollinating bees?

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #43 – Less is More

Amy challenges us to think Less is More – and that, is always a challenge… In photography we often talk about simplicity, and a photo standing on its own. No need for words. Often Black and White is helping us to achieve that.

So, let us slow down…because “Life is really simple but we insist on making it complicated.” – Confucius

Less is More even when the ground is covered in spring flowers below a blue sky,

or when a lonely path strives to reach the mountain lake – because colours matter here –

The history of the phrase Less is More, is that it was adopted in 1947 by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohem. Since then, the aphorism is one of the most used (and abused) in design and architecture.

Originally though, this is a 19th century proverbial phrase, first found in print in Andrea del Sarto, 1855, a poem by Robert Browning. And it still is a phrase very much alive!

mera-vc3a5r-2012-066-e1556356786995.jpg

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”   – Leonardo da Vinci

 

Thank you for all your innovative and creative contributions to my hosted challenge Creativity last week!

 

 

 

 

Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: Looks Like a Face

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Looks Like a Face

Thursday Thoughts – Ginkgo Biloba in My Window

Ginkgo biloba, commonly known as ginkgo or gingko, also known as the maidenhair tree, is the only living species in the division Ginkgophyta, all others being extinct. This is why it’s sometimes referred to as a living fossil.

 

It is found in fossils dating back 270 million years. Native to China, the tree is widely cultivated, and was cultivated early in human history.

While its leaves and seeds are often used in traditional Chinese medicine, modern research primarily focuses on ginkgo extract, which is made from the leaves.

Ginkgo supplements are associated with several health claims and uses, most of which focus on brain function and blood circulation.

My Ginkgo plant (hopefully a tree after some years) is standing in my window during winter time, but when summer arrives – it thrives in my garden. These are some of the new leaves this year.

 

Friendly Friday: Climate Change

Climate Change

is here

now

Time to act – 10-15-20 years ago. Now is the last minute – World leaders, WAKE UP!

Tuesday Photo Challenge – Layer

This week Frank, at Dutch Goes the Photo, challenges us to find some layers.

The glaciers of New Zealand provide magnificent layers in stone, and as a contrast,  colourful clothes can also be displayed in layers. A bit less sustainable though…