Spring comes early here. Delicate and lemony leaves fill the hedgerows. By the time we return, foxgloves will be flowering again on the lane. Truth be told, it's hard to leave. The privilege I feel turning into my sixth decade is overwhelming. Early losses meant that I may have lived a little tentatively, now my grip on life . . .
A bouquet of roses in the tulip garden
Champagne is being served in the tulip garden. Just before the happy couple make an appearance they pause for a moment at the door. He holds the bouquet of roses while she takes an elegant swig from a glass. The dress is smoothed, he gives her the flowers, she takes her courage in her hands and then they descend the steps. I . . .
I give them the moon and a white ribbon…….
This is a guest post I wrote for Vision and verb shortly after the very sad murder of Jill Meagher in Melbourne. This month Tom Meagher, Jill's widower has become an advocate for the Irish White Ribbon Campaign. Tom has been writing about his experiences here on the White Ribbon . . .
Finding portals
Are you drawn to windows, portals, arches, and alleyways? I am and wonder if it's the quality of light filtering through or if it's the promise of something? Looking for how light is reflected, how the sun sets in the glass, what other images are captured there by the window lenses. It is an escape into a visual fantasy . . .
Breakfast with a leveret and a pair of thrushes
Our young hare or leveret One thrush stands guard A small nap during breakfast First shot of the thrush sitting on her nest Every morning the young writer and myself have breakfast with the current neighbours. We enjoy watching the leveret, now . . .
April hedgerows
Bumble bee Gorse Violet Blackthorn blossom Ladybird Herb Robert Primrose It's three years now since I started this blog. One of my earliest posts was a photograph of creamy Blackthorn blossoms on the ditch. Today just a short walk up the lane reveals again the quiet . . .
Seeking the feminine #Pilgrimage ~ April
The city of Rome is a masculine environment. The might of the Basillicas of both Ancient Rome and Vatican Rome, the heroic figures in the sculptures of the Piazza Navonna and the Trevi Fountain. The strong backs of suited men drinking espressos at cafe counters in the early morning. Rome . . .
Seeking light in Rome #Pilgrimage~ April
I skip the Pope's house this time. I am always cautious not to disrespect another's idea of beauty or religion, all I know is that I would never find light there. In the midst of droves of pilgrims making their way to the Basillica of St. Peter's I am as usual walking in the opposite direction, towards the pagan . . .
Every hop, nibble and silvery whisker
Sometimes they sit staring into space or take small naps in mid-nibble. As the sun goes down one cuddles up to a rock, settles down and I am left wondering who will survive the stoats and the foxes tonight? I know now from my lens that rabbits have completely individual faces. Some are braver than others and they seem to . . .
Selfies from 1979
New York 1979 Most days after work during that damp hot July, I would spend a dollar and take the Staten Island Ferry from Manhattan just to feel a cool breeze. Sometimes I go over and back a few times and watch the familiar skyline come in and out of focus until the sun sets beyond the Statue of Liberty. By day I am . . .
