This litte poetic ditty was inspired by this wonderful sculpture which I had the pleasure of seeing in all its splendour at Juniper Artland, Wilkieston, Scotland. You may remember that I mentioned this wonderful inspiring Artland before in a much earlier blog post, on the 15th of June 2014.
The Puzzle of Unforgiving Turf
Black space, a jigsaw of blue, confusing skies.
A giant piece of white mystifying lies,
Still we twist, baffle, and turn,
While blackened steel pieces confuse and burn.
My fingers decipher thoughts, raw and aching,
Questioning layers of paint work mercilessly flaking,
I turn to discern the last bewildering step,
I piece the puzzle, too late, the enigma lies cold and wet.
I trip, and fall, unravel, flip an ankle,
In scattered pieces I confusingly entangle,
But there’s no bewildering cuddle,
Just a gap, no cushion, in air’s baffling puzzle.
A pocket of relentless sky and bemused clouds,
Blankets the confused sounds,
As I fall in pieces, scattering, to the perplexed earth,
Triumph hitting the newly solved, but, oh so, unforgiving turf!
That was such fun!!!! Love poetry, just wish I was better at writing poems. Still, it’s nice to try. Please, if there any poets out there reading this, do give me feedback, I’m looking to improve 🙂
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Sounds good, looking forward to reading Summertime.
This brightened me up no end as I’ve got a cold at the moment, so feeling a bit sorry for myself! I’m a bad, grumpy, patient. On the positive I’ve got an excuse to lie in bed and read a book so that’s got to be a plus. But, my head hurts so much I can only read a chapter at a time. Ugh…….
So I’m cheering myself up by celebrating, Bonsai style! While blowing my nose, sniffling into a handkerchief, gulping down two paracetamols and sucking on a sore throat tablet, I’m typing up this post, that’s a bloggers dedication for you. Madness……
Ok, a Bonsai celebration seems a bit bonkers but that’s me, I’m a bit random!
Here’s some little Bonsai Bonkers thumbnails to get you smiling:
Cute aren’t they? Oh, and some spectacular colours and settings too, even found a Bonsai in the desert:
Have a wonderful weekend. Keep away from people like me, we’re full of germs. No hand shaking, or kissing strangers, they’re full of germs!
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A Very Happy Friday to you. Let’s talk about a new species. Of what you might ask. I’d reply, “You never know what you are looking at these days. Images trick you. Eyes deceive you.” You’d say, “Really, prove it!”
Yes, I intend to, I like a bit of a challenge. These are ………. drum roll please ………human flowers. No, they can’t be you say! They look so real. Those can’t be people. Well, here’s the thing, they are real. Astounding. Brilliant.
A delicate gust of wind and those blooms might just blow away!
A sky Diving BloomNo Thorns on This OneJust Going For A NapBlack Hair, Red Tights Rock!
Or maybe you might be interested in Feng Shui? This link is for Dragons in Feng Shui, but there are also all sorts of other interesting Feng Shui uses on this link, e.g. crystals and Feng Shui too. So, take a look: http://lifewithfengshui.com/tag/dragon-statue
THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. Most of the images that I post I find on http://www.pixabay.com. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and you do not wish for it to appear on this site, please contact or e-mail me with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.
A key. Just a simple word yet it holds a multitude of possibilities in its grasp, a twist of the wrist enables us to discover a multitude of hidden, secret, mysterious, places.
The Keyhole St Peter’s Basillica, RomeSt Peters Basilica Rome
A key to someone’s heart? Or a chest of hidden secrets, or a forbidden journey? The Idea of Order at Key West Have you read The Idea of Order at Key West? A poem by Wallace Stevens. It begins like this:
She sang beyond the genius of the sea.
The water never formed to mind or voice,
Like a body wholly body, fluttering
Its empty sleeves; and yet its mimic motion
Made constant cry, caused constantly a cry,
That was not ours although we understood,
Inhuman, of the veritable ocean.
I discovered it quite by chance today while I was searching for inspiring images about the word key. In “The Idea of Order at Key West,” Stevens explores several interesting themes: art, creativity, imagination and reality. In the poem the speaker and his friend listen to a woman singing on a beach in Key West. It’s a beautiful poem isn’t it? Here’s the link to read this stunning poem in its entirety, The Idea of Order At Key West by Wallace Stevens: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/172206The Key West Literary Seminar
Then the word key helped me to discover The Key West Literary Seminar, celebrating writers and writing. This literary event is held each January, attracting an international audience to hear such writers as Ian McEwan, Margaret Atwood, Billy Collins, and Joyce Carol Oates. Find out more at: http://www.kwls.org/
The title for the 2015 seminar, “How The Light Gets In,” is inspired by Leonard Cohen’s 1992 song, “Anthem”—“Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”
Where will the Mysteries of Lock and Key take me to next?
Ernest Hemingway’s Home
Then my lucky key helped me find out about Nobel prize–winning author Ernest Hemingway’s former home in Key West. It is a National Historic Landmark, Literary Landmark and recorded at the Library of Congress as a Historic American Building It is now open to the public as a museum, populated by as many as 60 descendants of his famous polydacty cats.
Quite fascinating.
A Polydactyl cat
SIX TOED CAT!
This fellow looks up to
MISCHIEF!
We’re just
LOUNGING AROUND!
I’ve had too much wine.
I’M IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF THE TABLE!
An illustrated Biography of Hemingway’s cats written by Carlene Fredericka Brennan with a Foreward by Hilary Hemingway.
The piano keys are the players rendition of the meanderings of his twisting and turning soul.
Yes, the imagination is meandering way off course now and going wild !
Quotes about keys On the theme of keys here’s a quote from Anthony Liccione: “Don’t try to be the missing key in my life, and I won’t be the unmatched lock, that doesn’t let you in.” Anthony Liccione is a Goodreads author. Here’s a link to his very successful Facebook page on Quotes: https://www.facebook.com/Quotes2Quote?ref=hl
Finally I discovered: Sarah Dessen Lock And Key
A quote from Lock and Key: “It’s a lot easier to be lost than found. It’s the reason we’re always searching and rarely discovered–so many locks not enough keys.” Goodreads synopsis of Lock and Key : Ruby, where is your mother?Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she’s been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.That’s how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn’t seen in ten years, and Cora’s husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future; it’s a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust again. I reckon this sounds like a book that I must read sometime, sounds interesting ……………….. A key …………. Yes, there is something very mysterious in this tiny word, isn’t there? Trust me it’s true!
A yellow leaf sitting on a bed of sparkling snow. Sometimes the most beautiful images are just so simple. It’s the Fifth of December who could possibly believe it, where does time go? I’m sure Father Christmas leaps into the year earlier every winter and steals a bit of time so that he can get on with his job. Cheeky fellow!
I decided that on this first Friday in December that I would post some lovely images of winter for you and myself to enjoy. Thought it would be therapeutic! I’m not a winter person, as soon as the clock goes back a tiny switch inside me goes click, and I become lethargic and grumpy, Seasonal Affective Disorder, no doubt. I love warm weather, blue skies, and the seaside. I live in Cambridge, a beautiful University city but the sea is a bit of a car drive away, and it isn’t warm enough, not for me. Maybe one day I’ll live abroad again, somewhere sunny who knows?
With the change in the clocks I turn into a miserable so and so, with each tick of the clock I become more Scrooge-like. This winter I am battling against the hands of time to boot out the Scrooge in me and launch myself into the spirit of Christmas. Christmas is a double celebration in our house as it is also my eldest daughter’s birthday, so I have to be extra enthusiastic! She was born two weeks early nineteen years ago on the 25th of December. An unexpected but very welcome Xmas present. I ended up eating my Christmas dinner in the delivery ward! My youngest was born exactly on her due date. Two sisters with very different personalities, what can I say? Anyway, I’m digressing a bit, so without further ado here are some wonderful winter images to enjoy.
Let’s start off in a playful mode with this fellow who looks just like Kermit and see where he takes us! He suggested reading a book to escape, what a wonderful idea, always one of my favourite things to do. At the moment I’m reading David Mitchell’s The Bone Clocks, so I’m leaping in and out of a multitude of bodies, travelling through centuries of time. Kermit decided to follow suite and leapt out of the confines of his stone body to go out and play in the snow!
Kermit, I heart you.
Kermit on his bum in the snow
After playing in the snow Kermit began to get restless and he remembered some of the wonderful adventures he had experienced while reading. Books take you to incredible places so Kermit wanted to make this journey a really memorable one. An adventure…..
Reading adventures
Kermit reckoned that you might like to see an Ice Sculpture? So off we go to…………………….
Ice sculpture Lake Louise Alberta
Just one of many amazing ice sculptures in Lake Louise. Great suggestion Kermit.
We’ve all heard of Cinderella but what about an ice slipper anyone?
A trip to Bryce Canyon?
Bryce Canyon, Utah
How about some winter shadows now?
Wonderful winter shadowsHay Tedders, Hoar Frost
Or spectacular blue skies?
Colle-di-fuori France
Twinkling lights in a winter cabin?
Winter cabin
Amazing Artic skies…………..
Artic ocean
A sleigh ride anyone?
Sleigh ride
Or a trip to Canim falls?
Canim Falls, British Columbia, Canada
A touch of frost, and a glimpse of the moon?
Frost and the moon
Some falling snow?
More falling snow!
What about some winter berries?
Don’t forget the snowman, otherwise his nose might get out of joint.
Snowmen
And our chirpy little friend the robin:
A sleepy doggie too:
Rudolph he’s invited.
And of course Father Christmas too:
Whatever you do this Winter holiday, have fun, and don’t be a grumpy Scrooge!
In my earlier blog post today, Secrets and Lies, I mentioned that I would be revealing one of my secret sources of inspiration. Well here it is, The Corpus Christi Clock in Cambridge, a stunning timepiece that is featured in my writing. The clock is a very popular tourist attraction that’s frequently photographed. People tend to respond to the clock in many different ways. I found the grasshopper thought provoking and weird looking. What do you think? Are you enticed by its fine gossamer wings, or repelled by its stinging tail?
I discovered a couple of interesting videos on Youtube about the Corpus Christi Clock and I’ve shared these on my Tumblr site, here’s the link: http://kyrosmagica.tumblr.com/.
I’m not going to tell you any more about the grasshopper other than to say he plays a very interesting part in the mysterious Crystal Cottage.
I’m excited to say that writing inspiration can be found everywhere, all you have to do is look with a keen eye. Museums, Art and Photography displays can provide such a wonderful source of ideas. In fact, I’m desperate to visit the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge to view the Silent Partners Artist & Mannequin from Function to Fetish exhibition. Sounds weird but interesting! It’s free too, where else can you get entertainment for free? Ok, libraries you say. C’est Vrai. Absolutely.
Enjoy. Have a very Happy Weekend, and if you’ve been shopping this Black Friday hope you’re aren’t too exhausted. I’ve ignored the Blackest of temptations and stayed well away from the shopping queues. How about you?
A Tunnel made out of books! Wonder of Wonders. Imaging crawling through it as it becomes narrower and narrower. Would your thoughts dwindle as you wandered further into its clutches? Or would you linger by the opening and stare in wonder at the sheer size of it? Who knows where this tunnel of books could take you? Anyway, whatever you do don’t pinch any of the books, you’ll spoil the look!
It’s sunny outside. Washing time. Air those books!
If you’ve got time on your hands and you’re feeling romantic? Try your hand at book sculpture.
Or would you prefer something a bit more traditional?
Or fantastical?
John Work Garrett Library
Maybe you’ve got a thing for rare books? Look no further than the Garrett Library ‘s collection of rare books and manuscripts gathered together over two generations by T. Harrison Garrett and his son John Work Garrett, before the latter bequeathed the collection in 1942 to Johns Hopkins University. Today, it is part of the Department of Special Collections at the university’s Sheridan Libraries, with some 30,000 volumes in all, the large majority of which are represented on-line in the Sheridan Libraries On-line Catalog.
Rijksmuseum Library Amsterdam
Library nut? Visiting Amsterdam? Have you been to the Rijksmuseum’s library in Amsterdam? Doesn’t it look incredible?
Well, I’ve been so distracted with writing this post and finding all these amazing images that I’ve had no breakfast or coffee so with that in mind. I will have to close this off with a few links:
Have you been to any of these amazing libraries? Or found some wonderful book sculptures? If you have please tell me all about it in the comment field below. I’d love to hear your stories. Breakfast awaits!
Let me introduce you to Antelope Canyon. I’m totally captivated by these wonderful photos. The canyons are without doubt one of the most beautiful wonders of the world. I had fun arranging these images into an order, the top few are more shadowed, having less light filtering in than the last. They are all exquisite. Enjoy. Antelope Canyon is located near Page, Arizona, on Navayo, native American tribal land. Antelope Canyon consists of two photogenic slot canyon sections, Upper Antelope Canyon or The Crack; and Lower Antelope Canyon or The Corkscrew. The Navajo call Upper Antelope Canyon Tsé bighánílíní, which means “the place where water runs through rocks.” Lower Antelope Canyon is called Hazdistazí (“Hasdestwazi”) by the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department), or “spiral rock arches.” Of the two canyons Upper Antelope canyon is the most frequently visited by tourists. This is because its entrance and entire length are situated at ground level, requiring no climbing. Thank goodness! Like the sound of that! Also, direct beams of sunlight from the openings in the top of the canyon are much more common in the Upper than in Lower canyon. In the summer months these beams occur most often, as the sun is high in the sky. Winter colors tend to be a little more muted. Lower Antelope Canyon is more difficult to visit. Before metal stairways where installed visiting the canyon meant that you had to climb along pre-installed ladders in certain areas. Even after the stairways were installed, it is more difficult to access Upper Antelope as it is longer, narrower in places, and footing is not available in all areas. Not for the faint-hearted or your granny! Also to leave the canyon, the climb out requires several flights of stairs. So for those who enjoy climbing this sounds the one to visit! Despite this Lower Antelope Canyon is still a challenge that many photographers can’t resist, and no wonder as the views are breath-taking. Photography within the canyons is no easy feat due to the wide exposure range (often 10 EV or more) made by light reflecting off the canyon walls. Antelope Canyon is a true photographers dream. Many are attracted to come see this wonder of the world. It has been a source of tourism for the Navajo Nation. Since 1997 it has been possible to access the canyons by tour. The Navajo tribe must be so proud of its status now as the Navajo Tribal Park. Well, I’m so glad that I found Antelope Canyon and made it my Friday image. It really makes you realise how wonderful the world is. What a lovely thought to start the weekend with! Have a fabulous weekend.
If you want to see more I’ve posted a wonderful video of Antelope canyon to my Tumblr, here’s the link to my blog where you can see Jason Ward’s stunning video: http://kyrosmagica.tumblr.com/
Sometimes the simplest images are just so interesting. A shadowy hand reaching out to pick up a single leaf, yet the shadow of the hand can’t move the leaf only the physical hand can. One to ponder over. Write about. Would you disturb the leaf or leave it to be caressed by the tender advances of the shadowed hand?
A quote from Lock and Key: “It’s a lot easier to be lost than found. It’s the reason we’re always searching and rarely discovered–so many locks not enough keys.” 
