Stop and Smell the Roses

 

Photos from the rose garden in the town park (last week).

“Take time to smell the roses.” – Proverb

“The world is a rose, smell it, and pass it to your friends.” – Persian Proverb

“Those who don’t pick roses in summer won’t pick them in winter either.” – German Proverb

“The rose is a rose from the time it is a seed to the time it dies. Within it, at all times, it contains its whole potential. It seems to be constantly in the process of change: Yet at each state, at each moment, it is perfectly all right as it is.” – Paulo Coelho

 

Lake Views

 

Yesterday turned out a lovely late summer day - sunny and still, but not too hot. In the morning, I walked into town (and back) to complete my order of new glasses (two pairs), based on an eye examination last week. After lunch at home, I still felt like going out again just because of the nice weather, and spontaneously decided on taking the bus out to the lake for a change of view and another walk, even if just for an hour. (With my senior bus pass, the bus fare is free if I keep to the non-rush hours...) The photos of the rowan trees in yesterday's post are from that walk, too. Here are some more photos: from the narrow point of woodland sticking out into the lake, and back at the beach. Compared to when I was there in July, it was very quiet yesterday; there were a few people about, but no "crowds" ... Schools have started, and most adults are back to work after the summer holidays as well.

 

 

Smoke, Sticks and the Sound of Stones...

 Remember the Curtain of the Sky from one of my previous Art Biennial posts? 

Sadly, that only got to stay up for about one week - then someone set fire to it... 😢 

All that remains is the blackened framework left empty in the middle of the bridge...

A new sculpture for the biennial also got broken and thrown into the river (I learned from the newspaper) - it was one I did not happen to find on my previous walks through the park, so have no photo of it. Possibly that one can perhaps be restored (?) But the curtain was unique as it was made from fabrics donated locally. 

The wooden "megaphone" in the river is still standing (or floating) , though, and this time I went out to it and too a photo from the inside as well:

It's got little lamps inside it, so one should probably also go and look at it at night. (As it doesn't get dark here until really late in summer, it's unlikely that I will, though.)

Looking up from inside it, there was nothing but BLUE to be seen this afternoon!
 

In another corner (or whatever) of the park, there are three smooth (but fake) boulders placed in a triangle - and making weird noises! While I still remember where to find the video editor on my computer, I decided to make another movie including the Sound:

 

 

April Weather

When in Sweden we talk of "April weather", this is what we mean. It's also what we've been having, since Easter; and why I haven't been out and about much with my camera lately. One moment, the sun may be shining; but by the time I've put my coat and shoes on and gone down the stairs, there's another sudden rain/snow/hail-storm going on outside... (Photo above taken through my window last Friday; but it's pretty much been like that ever since. Brr!)

A week earlier (Good Friday) there were some lovey crocuses to be seen in sunny places. This past weekend, they were wishing they'd stayed in hibernation for a while longer...

 

Squirrel Nutkin

Seeing a squirrel probably does not count as a sign of spring, but I don't think I've seen any during the winter, so it made me happy to notice one again yesterday (in the old cemetery where I often walk, and which is also where I usually - sometimes - come across squirrels). I think he's still in his winter fur, with the large ear-tufts. (I'm still in winter coat and hat myself!)

"The red squirrel sheds its coat twice a year, switching from a thinner summer coat to a thicker, darker winter coat with noticeably larger ear-tufts (a prominent distinguishing feature of this species) between August and November." [Wikipedia]

Searching my own blog for previous squirrel posts, I find that I seem to have named all of them "Squirrel Nutkin" (after Beatrice Potter's story, first published in 1903). Ah, well. Might as well stick with the tradition! ;)

Another Sunny Walk

 
Sometimes my feet, my camera and my mind conspire along the way to take me on a little detour from where I had originally intended to go. Sunday was once such day; and living up to it's name as well (i.e. the Sun doing its best to fight the cold). 

 

That tree made me think of Treebeard from The Lord of the Rings...

The sign on the old red house says "Glazier's workshop". I don't know if they're still in business or if the owners have just kept the sign. (If you're thinking you've seen the house before, you probably have... On this blog!)

 

The Beauty of Late Summer

 

A flower bed in the old cemetery where I often walk.
Photos from a couple of weeks ago.

Summer is beginning to slowly turn into autumn,
but has not yet given up...

 

Squirrel Nutkin

A phrase I read the other day stuck in my mind: 

"If you think of every day as an adventure, life gets a lot more interesting."

After a very long summer of "staycation", and going no further than my own two legs will take me, I confess it's a bit of a challenge to keep up that attitude. But I still find the camera a helpful tool!

Yesterday was another hot day, and as I did not get out until noon, I decided that a turn around the old cemetery, seeking shadow under the big old trees, would once again have to be far enough. Not much of an adventure, perhaps - but I brought the camera anyway, and was rewarded for doing so. The adventure of the day turned out to be playing hide and seek with a squirrel (with me as paparazzi).

Look at me! I can climb a BIG tree...

 
And I'm quite an acrobat, aren't I?

And I can run very fast! (Bet you can't catch me, I'll just be a blurr...)

Ha! What did I just tell you?!

Phew. It's hot... I need to rest for a while. (Is that paparazzi still following me??)

Here we go again. Hmm, I think I need to find a snack of some kind...

Yum!!
 

 Still keeping an eye on YOU, though... Even if you're standing way over there...

Now which way shall I choose??

 
Okay... I'll pose for you nicely one last time. But then I'm off, and you won't be able to follow this time! (he said, and then set off at full racer speed, escaped through a fence, and disappeared out of sight)

 

A teaser like that, I think he must be related to Squirrel Nutkin.
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter (Project Gutenberg)