‘Shadows On The Diagonal’
… shaded and slanted…
Month: May 2020
Listen To The Lion
‘ Listen To The Lion’
Lions, of course, are symbols of courage and bravery.
Courage features in the second part of The Serenity Prayer:
“Courage to change the things I can”
I think about that which I can change at the start of the day. Whether I act depends largely on whether I have the guts to do so.
Some leonine musical inspiration comes from Irish singer-songwriter in one of his more extended songs:
” I shall search my very soul
for the lion
inside of me”
(Mr. Morrison really rips loose with the vocal chords on this number; the repetition too, as he hits full trance and utters the phrase “listen to the lion” over and over again at one point in the song. It makes for one of his more challenging listens, but that’s possibly the point. I still marvel that Van, well into his musical work by then, was still only 26 or so when this track was recorded – it sounds like someone with way more time and miles under the belt).
Good Things Come In Threes
Three Orchid Rows, Singapore
I love the saying “good things come in threes”.
They so often seem to.
Even if they don’t ,there’s always: “third time lucky”…
And, if you don’t get lucky third time around,
…. then perhaps pray to the Holy Trinity…!
(a re-post, to round out this series of triple oriented shots – stay lucky people!)
Three Birds On A Wire
‘Three Birds On A Wire’
…continuing on from the previous post Three Windows, and my belief in the thesis of good things coming in threes…
Three Windows
“Three Windows”
Spiked Crown
‘Spiked Crown’
The symmetical beauty of a nikau palm gets a grey makeover, just for the hell of it. For another view, and words, relating to the world’s southernmost palm, see Nikau Palm .
Reflection
‘Reflection’
Peak autumn on the Tamaki River at low tide; the clear blue sky is reflected in the water lying atop the mudflats at low tide. Plenty of time right now for me to likewise do a bit of reflection in the suspended state that is lockdown, whilst out walking.
The perfect mini soundtrack to this all comes from American new age/neo-classical pianist George Winston:
Enjoy !
Healing
‘Healing’
” Healing doesn’t have to look magical or pretty. Real healing is hard, exhausting and draining. Let yourself go through it. Don’t try to paint it as anything other than what it is. Be there for yourself with no judgment.” – Audrey Kitching
Suspended
‘Suspended’
Moored
‘Moored’
This is the last in a sequence of seven posts featuring boats and boatyards, all taken on a wet and dreary afternoon on Auckland’s Tamaki River a couple of days ago.
Not that I am any sort of boatie or seafarer. Far from it, but I do like the look of small vessels and the idea of travel across water in them.
There is just something in the idea of the intrepid voyage that captivates and inspires me.
However, in the photo, the yachts are at their moorings. In the other pictures there are boats up on the hard, on cradles for storage or maintenance, or tied by ropes to a wharf.
In hiatus.
Going nowhere fast.
Frustrating, right?
Boats are for sailing, but they can’t do that without repair, repainting and a general overhaul from time to time.
It is necessary, as much part of sailing or boating as getting out on the water.
When the vessels are at rest, it is also time for their owners and skippers to chart new courses and dream of great excursions.
And, thus prepared, adventures await…
Empty Cradle
‘Empty Cradle’
‘Otira’ At The Boatyard
‘Otira’ At The Boatyard
On The Hard
‘On The Hard’
‘Aquavit’
‘Aquavit’
Dinghies
‘Dinghies’
Prow
‘Prow’
Unfinished
‘Unfinished’ Edinburgh, October 2019
There’s nothing like being corralled in one’s home during lockdown to cause a longing review of your travel pics.
This shot of Edinburgh’s National Monument of Scotland atop Calton Hill is a particular favourite.
The Monument is a wonderful exemplar of overreaching ambition unmet in actual performance!
Intended as “A Memorial of the Past and Incentive to the Past and Future Heroism of the Men of Scotland ” (phew!), construction of the grand edifice began in 1826 but stopped in 1829 owing to the cash drying up.
It has apparently earned nicknames such as “Scotland’s Folly” , Edinburgh’s Disgrace”, and best of all “The Pride and Poverty of Scotland”.
A bit harsh really.
As I stood in the drizzle gazing at the Grecian columns framing the grey sky, I had a sneaking admiration for those who started something so grand it just could not be completed.
Been there, done (or not quite done) that!
Sunken Steps
Ever felt submerged by it all? Like life is one great descent into the depths ?
…even then, there is a light that shines.
ebb then flood 