Theme Thursday: African Spaces

This week, Theme Thursday invites us to explore the concept of 'space'.

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Nowhere on earth does the world seem wider than on the African savannah. Golden grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see, flowing seamlessly into big and brilliant skies. 

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At home on these open spaces, animals roam freely…hampered only by the measured interruptions of those of us who ache to catch just a glimpse of the singular beauty to be found in that wildness.

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On safari in East Africa, I've sat mute with awe as lions prowled steathily in the grass nearby,

and watched giraffes lope nervously away if we lingered too long to stare.

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I've laughed aloud as zebras pranced cheerfully ahead of us on the rutted trails, stopping  as if to to wait when we paused to let them get ahead.

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 And I've simply marvelled at the glorious cheetahs who watched us curiously as we pointed our cameras their way.

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This is a place like no other, where space and time converge in nature's ageless harmony.

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 It is my fervent hope that the animals of the world will always have their wild places...that mankind's often greedy and thoughtless pursuits do not irrevocably encroach on their worlds, for surely, to destroy these precious habitats would mean the ruin of our humanity...

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For more about the spaces of our universe, check out the great link below...

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http://themethursday.blogspot.com/

Signs, Signs: Danger!

My mother always said there was not an ounce of sense in my entire body!

If you’ve read earlier posts, you might know that I sometimes act before I think.

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I was therefore dismayed at the Cliffs of Moher in the west of Ireland, to have choice snatched out of my hands, forcing me to be wise in spite of myself. I’d waited a long time to see these cliffs, eagerly anticipating going close to the edge and peering over, as I’d done with cliffs as a child.

My adventuresome spirit never stood

a chance!

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Sturdy slate barriers edged the walkways and multiple signs warned of danger at every turn.

I itched to climb over the barriers in spite of this sign.....

though I would never dream of disturbing a bird's nest!

And had I made it to the edge, I would have been very careful not to let this happen!

In the end, I let common sense prevail.

My mum would have been so proud of me....

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I'm linking this post to the wonderful meme, Signs, Signs, hosted by Lesley. To see more signs from around the world, check out the link below...

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http://signs2.blogspot.com/

Window Views in Belfast

Because Mary was unable to access her computer for last week's Window Views, I'm reposting this piece to link with her this week...

I have previously  posted photos of the brightly painted doors, colourful signs and wonderfully ornate windows to be found in Northern Ireland.

But most of you will know the other side of this picture...the Troubles that pitted citizens against one another, ordinary families on opposite sides of the street who were separated by much more than mere pavement....

On  a recent trip home to my birth city, I saw reminders of those troubled times everywhere. The Peace Line that divides the city still stands...barriers and barbed wire circle buildings long out of use, and progress seems stilled in its tracks.

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It saddened me immeasurably to photograph this proof of a time when hatred won out over reason.

 

Yet we Irish are nothing if not resilient.

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Overshadowing the ruins are signs of new beginnings. Reason rules once more...and slowly, but inexorably, we edge ever closer to being united through our love of the homeland that lives in each of our hearts.

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I'm linking this post to ' Window Views...and doors too', a wonderful meme hosted by the very gracious Mary.

Do stop by the link below to see windows and doors from many corners of the world!

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http://windowviews2.blogspot.com/

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You may be interested in these previous Irish posts:

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http://imaginationlane.blogspot.com/2010/07/immigrant-experience.html
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http://imaginationlane.blogspot.com/2010/08/city-divided.html

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http://imaginationlane.blogspot.com/2010/07/young-of-belfast.html

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Microfiction Monday: Ancestors

Each week, Susan at Stony River posts a photo she's chosen, then invites us to weave a tale around this photo using 140 characters or fewer.

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My entry for today comes in at exactly 140 characters...

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Moving forward, we look back -

to meet the road ahead,

we ponder whence we came.

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On the path of our lives,

none walk alone -

other steps brought us here,

so too they lead us on

For more of Microfiction Monday, do visit the link below...there is much good reading to be found there!

http://www.stonyriver.ie/

Arizona Shadows

Those of us with restless souls have our bucket list of places to see before we die, corners of our wide and wonderful world that call out for us to experience them first hand. Travel can make home seem even sweeter when one returns from afar with hearts and minds made large by a glimpse into other lives.

 I was lucky enough to realize my number one dream of a lifetime when I got to Africa a few years ago, an experience that changed me irrevocably.

But wonder does not only exist in far-away lands…it can be close at hand or just a road trip away. Last year took me to a place I’ve yearned to visit since seeing photos of it that literally stole my breath away in astonishment.

 In northern Arizona, not far from the border of Utah lies Antelope Canyon, an extension of the glorious canyon lands for which Utah is renowned. Though I believe I have some facility with words, I can find none to properly describe the magic these slot canyons wove into my psyche for all time.

For now, I will allow these photos to speak for themselves, but I promise there is much more to come…

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I'm linking this post to Shadow Shot Sunday, hosted by the wonderful Tracy at the link below. You will find delights galore if you drop by for a visit...:)

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http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/

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Watery Hippo Reflections

On our photo safari through Kenya and Tanzania, we saw countless magnificent animals whose beauty and stealth stirred in us incredible awe.

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Alas, the hippo was not one of them!

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Interesting these fellows are…and most definitely entertaining, but by no-one’s definition of charm would they be placed high on a list of the world’s beauties.

Driving through wild game reserves necessitated our remaining in the trucks most of the time. Danger was ever present as lions slid by close to our wheels and elephants stood nearby in angry disdain, looking as

 if they’d like nothing better than to charge.

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Hippo pools were one of the few places at which our driver allowed us to set foot on the savannah. There were some who regretted doing so one Serengeti evening…

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Too busy frolicking to pay us any heed, these lumbering beasts swam, played and fought at a frantic noise level one rarely hears elsewhere. But it was the stench that made a few of the less hardy scurry back to the truck.

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In the interest of remaining ladylike, I will not even mention what the brown stuff splashing about is…but it’s not water. I need only point out that hippos have a quite unorthodox way of greeting one another!

 

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Enough said…I am too easily able to visualize the look of  horror my mother would shoot my way, were she still here to read this post…:)

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(I think I know what kind of comments I'm going to get on this one!)

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Today, I’m linking this to three wonderful memes you would very much enjoy checking out…

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Watery Wednesday

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http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/
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Weekend Reflections

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http://newtowndailyphoto.blogspot.com/
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Camera Critters

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http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/

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Skywatch Friday:Utah

Yesterday I posted shots of a wonderful abandoned ranch we enjoyed exploring in northern Utah…that is, we enjoyed it up until the moment we got busted for trespassing!

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Because I found the whole area extraordinarily beautiful, I am posting more photos of that day to participate in Skywatch Friday.

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To view skies from all over the world, click onto the link below and enjoy…

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http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Thursday Think Tank: Homage to Robb

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Quentin Tarantino has said, 

“You can’t write poetry on a computer.”

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I beg to differ…and I offer this homage to the founder of our online forum!

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Our brave friend Robb took on the job of being poets’ host,

And I can’t help but wonder what he likes about it most.

Is it the endless questions that we always seem to ask?

Or is his joy found in the role of keeping us on task?

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When night falls, does he tear his hair and wonder what he’s done?

Or is he like the rest of us, too busy having fun?

Who wouldn’t want to nudge along a group so keen to play,

That we’ll line up with haste for one brief chance to have our say!

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All jest aside, our gratitude we offer to our host.

This man of wisdom thought to carve out space for us to post.

He gave us room to grow and shine our light for all to see.

He helped us know we could become all we were meant to be.

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As writers, we’re prolific and our minds resound with rhymes,

We’re always jotting down new thoughts at quite peculiar times.

But it can feel quite lonely living in one’s muddled head…

And ideas left unshared can seem to be as good as dead.

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I used to write within a void; my words the weight of stone,

And now I am much heartened to know I am not alone!

So many clever people leave their gems upon this site,

And I can soak up wondrous words at any time of night.

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The poets I have come to know inspire me with their zest,

Though it’s the gift of sharing that I’ve come to love the best.

For kindred souls and seekers who explore the world in rhyme,

This is, without a doubt, our favourite way of spending time.

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As captain of our crew, we tilt our caps to Robb with pride,

No phrase seems quite enough to say how much we love the ride!

Our work is launched, our writing ship sets sail with banners high,

The world is ours to conquer, and our limit is the sky!

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For more poems insired by the words of others, you should really stop by the link below and settle in to enjoy the offerings...

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http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/2011/03/thursday-think-tank-38-quotes.html#more

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I am also linking to Theme Thursday, graciously hosted by Megan. Do stop by to see more words and pictures about books...
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http://themethursday.blogspot.com/
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Busted!

I so enjoyed the response to my trespassing post yesterday that I thought to share a tale about one of the rare times we’ve been busted.

 Our road trip through Utah last fall ended in Salt Lake City, our departure city for the flight home. As often happens, we had no plan for our last day, deciding randomly to head north and cross into Wyoming for lunch, (just because we could).

The scenic back roads served to heighten our awe at the sheer scope and majesty of this state. And when I spotted a collection of timeworn buildings at the side of the road, it was a given we would stop for a look. A fellow traveler in full motorcycle gear was regarding the ‘No Entry’ sign with disappointment as we approached…clearly a more law-abiding citizen than either of us! With cheeky grins, we edged through the wide fence slats and were not surprised that the stranger soon followed our lead.

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Such beauty there was in the weathered wood, the rusted hulks of trucks and the pale grass that was steadily reclaiming everything! I almost forgot to take pictures, so interested was I in poking carefully about.

Our peaceful exploration was soon interrupted by a loud screech and rattle as a dusty pickup roared up to the front of the gate. Out of it climbed a young -and very angry- cowboy…the property owner who had spotted us from across the fields.

We made our way quickly and contritely back to the gate to accept our well-deserved lecture on the dangers of breaking the law. It does seem proof of my incorrigibility that while hanging my head in repentance, I could think only that I’d love to get a picture of this wonderful, fierce defender whose cowboy hat bore the sweat stains of hard work, and whose duster coat and battered boots made clear he was the real thing!

We did apologize – profusely and sincerely…it would never be our wish to offend anyone or cause harm to private property. I seek only to preserve in photographs the worn, forgotten memories of times past.

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While he remained understandably irked by our disregard for his sign, the landowner calmed himself when he saw we had taken nothing but pictures. Others have not been so restrained…he told tales of many things pilfered away over the years by looters hoping to profit from this small piece of history.

We most certainly deserved what we got…had this man called the police, who knows what mess we would have been in outside our own country!  But seriously…could you pass by this glorious collection of buildings and cars long abandoned, and not stop to admire? Clearly, we cannot…

I do, however, feel bad that our unwitting partner-in-crime had to bear the tongue-lashing with us…no doubt he would have resisted temptation had not we led him astray. Courting trouble for ourselves is not new, but I think we’re seldom a bad influence on others. Still, you might not want to ask our children about that last bit…:)

Signs, Signs: No Trespassing!

 My husband and I consider ‘Do Not Enter’ signs a personal invitation to do exactly that.

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I am certainly not bragging…as a mature adult, I know this attitude is ill advised and decidedly illegal.

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Still, it is a fact that forbidden places inexorably draw us in by dint of those clear and simple signs.

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The lure of new and curious things to discover is irresistible, for surely if there is a need to post such warnings, something good must lie ahead! We have entered decrepit buildings that dearly deserved to be explored with caution, and driven roads that challenge car and driver both.

It's true there have been a few disappointments, times when we end up nowhere, with nothing to show for an often uncomfortable trek. No matter…we have never for a minute regretted taking any one of our many detours.

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After all, the best road is always the next one waiting to be found…

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For more signs from all over the world, you will enjoy stopping by Lesley’s intriguing meme, ‘Signs, Signs’ at the link below…

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http://signs2.blogspot.com/

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And if you want to read more of our trespassing adventures, here is a short and similar post...

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http://imaginationlane.blogspot.com/2010/04/no-entry_12.html
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My World: Snow Day!

My girl Meeghan loves snow as dearly as I do. Sadly, we are out of luck a lot of the time…in our mild West Coast climate, precipitation most often comes in the form of plentiful rain.

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You may then realize the giddy excitement with which we greet our occasional snowfall. In short, we turn into grinning fools…leaping through the drifts, (well- Meeghan leaps and I lumber!), chasing snowballs, and cheerily greeting other small dogs in their winter coats.

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Alas...our snow celebrations are, of necessity, brief: by afternoon, we are usually wading through slush. But for those fleeting, magical moments in time, we happily throw ourselves into the glory of winter’s icy offering and grab from it every sweet minute of pleasure that we can…

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I am linking up today with Klaus and his team at My World Tuesday. For a glimpse at many wonderful sights, do stop by the link below...

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http://www.showyourworld.blogspot.com/

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