Focus

I have gained focus in the last few years...if only my eyes would do the same. Extremely thankful for auto-focus on my phone camera.

Autumn heather

Listening to your heart

Recently I revisited one of my favourite beaches. To reach it, you scramble down to a gap between two rock cliffs. Beautifully polished stones, scoured by the sea, cover this narrow rocky beach. Most of the serpentine stones are lovely green tones and turn even deeper shades of green when wet. I have found my way to this place quite a few times. This time a strong southerly wind was sending waves crashing into the beach and causing my lips to taste of salt. When I am standing amongst all of these beautiful stones, I feel strong and my thoughts are filled with the beauty in our world.

Population growth

Within a few weeks, there are lambs filling up the fields. The sheep population doubles, possibly close to triples, within weeks. Then come the tourists. Cruise ships appear in the harbor, cyclists appear along the roads, rental cars parked on the side of the roads. Then come the flocks of birds arriving to breed in the summer months. Arctic Skuas, Guillemots, Razorbills, Arctic Terns, to name a few. And these crazy characters...yes, the puffins are back in town.

Is it Spring?

Spring has come and gone a few times this year. There have been some teasingly warm days. The daffodils seemed to appear and bloom in the course of a few days. While the flowers continue to shine brightly, there has been more than one dusting of snow. Just a few nights ago it was white once again. 

What am I missing?

I am living on a remote cluster of islands across an ocean from where I grew up. Of course life is different. Yet in less than a year, I don't notice differences on a daily basis...until I leave the islands, drive off of the ferry, and encounter a stoplight. What are these stoplight things? I laughed at the realization that there are no stoplights on the island, except for zebra crossings (How do zebra's survive on the island, you ask? They don't. This is what a certain type of pedestrian crossing is called:). Why hadn't I noticed that? What else am I missing?

Out of reach

Food enticingly out of reach? Squeeze your way through the bars and climb on top of the pile!

Accents in white

February has been a month of reflections.

Window views

A few pics from my window on a winter day...

Snow, sheep, and Vikings

It has been a memorable week. Tuesday morning began with bagpipes and being hollered at by a Viking Jarl Squad in splendid attire. For it was Up Helly Aa. At lunch, I ignored the rain and went to catch a glimpse of the longship that was to burn that evening. So much attention to detail and I was particularly struck by the raven perched on it. In the evening, I stood with a silly grin on my face as the Viking Squads took to the streets with torches. So beautiful to watch. The clouds cleared and under the starlight, I watched as the squads threw their torches into the longship. I could feel the heat from some distance away. Absolutely gorgeous to watch the flames leap up the mast and incredibly, the raven flag seemed unharmed until the mast finally gave way. Then gazed up to the sky for a beautiful firework display. (you can google Up Helly Aa 2016 to see photos)

This is only halfway through the festivities for most as the squads will go from hall to hall to perform skits all night long. I headed home. The next morning I came across more than a few who were still enjoying the festivities - quite impressed to see some large, hairy men still attired in slinky, yellow, skintight mini dresses with wigs. Most impressive is that they still had on a nice coat of pink lipstick!

Winter Light

My shadow at midday on a chilly January day.