Weekly Photo Challenge: Thankful

Yes! I am thankful for having books around me! They are in every room of our home. Their presence, their variety of shapes, sizes and colors, is of great comfort to me. I enjoy seeing them on the bookshelves and on the tables. They are like friends.

I love holding in my hands a traditionally published book, enjoying the texture of its pages and even its subtle smell. There is some intimacy, both sensual and intellectual, in reading such a book.

I simply love the companionship of books and can hardly imagine life without them. Linda Pastan expressed that feeling perfectly in her poem The Bookstall, which ends with the lines:

And I hold them, one in each hand,
a curious ballast weighting me
here to the earth.

So I am thankful for the writers who write books, the publishers who bring them to life, and the libraries and bookstores that make them visible and available.

When I deal with a difficult personal issue and need some help, I often end up in a bookstore and wander a bit aimlessly among the bookshelves. Soon enough, somehow I end up with a book that becomes another helpful friend – a new addition to my book collection.

Thanks to books I was able to travel through difficult times in my life with their guidance, information, and inspiration. In fact, I was so inspired by them that I became a writer myself.

Alicja

P.S. Last December I wrote a post to this blog titled The Power of Books. I hope you will enjoy reading (or rereading) it.

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Text and photos copyright © 2012 by Alicja Mann.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Green

I like the shade of metallic green that envelops my favorite beer. It contrasts elegantly with the silver of the can and the touch of red in the little star.

I also like the relaxing green of the worktable in my studio. I use it often as a background when photographing small objects, like this beer bread that I baked last Monday.

The recipe for the beer bread surfaced lately while I was reorganizing some old papers. It is a smile from the past that I would like to share with you.

The recipe is so simple and speedy that it is irresistible to try. I hope that its result will bring a smile to you, too.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Alicja

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Text and photos copyright © 2012 by Alicja Mann.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Renewal

There is a lot of optimism in the word renewal. Just its part “new” is exciting – it has elements of curiosity, adventure, and risk. Renewal is a complex concept that requires desire for it and willingness to pay the price. It takes energy, overcoming a variety of obstacles, and often a lot of struggle. The ultimate goal of renewal is joy and satisfaction. Even so, the result may be a disappointment.

Here is my visualization of renewal.

Renewal of life is powerful and joyful, especially in the desert

An old house becomes a new home

Renewal of hope. The 6th of November was a happy night – for many of us.

Renewable energy – a great chance for our planet

To renew oneself is difficult – as diverse a challenge as diverse people are. In truth, it is a form of metamorphosis.

So renew yourself! And good luck.

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Text and photos copyright © 2012 by Alicja Mann.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Geometry

 

I see geometry everywhere!  Enjoy these photos – Alicja

Desert Soldiers  © Alicja Mann

 

Squares  © Alicja Mann

 

Just 4U  © Alicja Mann

 

Sea Dogs Resting  © Alicja Mann

 

Southwest Windows  © Alicja Mann

 

Roses of the Southwest  © Alicja Mann