Having fun

It is the last day of August, and I can say that it was the nicest month in this year so far. Peaceful, but far from boring. I couldn't resist not to try searching for hidden caches during this weekend, and I was able to find four of them in two days. I wasn't successful yesterday, but this won't stop me from trying to find them some other day.I took a Travel Bug from one of them, little kitty that came all the way from Indiana in the USA. I have to put this kitty into one of the caches I find next, but it is important that the box is big enough.Treasure hunt is fun, I tell you. I stopped for an ice-cream, saw some nice sundials while visiting lovely park beside a castle, visited places where I had spent my childhood. Perhaps it was just a pity that I was alone; however, I spent some pleasant hours in my own precious company. :)

We are all human

I was driving behind a garbage van this morning. Two men were collecting the garbage. Both looked lively, their faces looked bright and happy. I wondered what kind of lives they have. I smiled at them, and they smiled back. Maybe I made their day, who knows.When I lived in Kranjska Gora, among the mountains, our neighbor had a little golf course next to his house. A young man was coming several times a week to mow the grass there, and about twice a week he mowed also the grass around our house. Once I met him on my way to a local shop, which was about one kilometer away from home. He was dressed into a bright orange dress and he was collecting garbage. He had to do several jobs to earn his living. I think that we both felt uneasy at that moment when I first met him collecting garbage.But I always say, these men are also human, they have to earn money for a living, and besides, how could we cope without them? In a way they do much more useful job than me, sitting behind the screen most of the days... Furthermore, we never know what our job will be tomorrow... Photos were taken in my garden yesterday. It is finally raspberry season again. They are much bigger and tasteful than those in June.

And, yes, do smile at someone today. You may save a life by doing that. Happy weekend!

Treasure hunt

I didn't find it, although I was standing exactly on a spot where it should have been located. Alright, I will try with another cache, also located near my home. Though, it was great fun, and I suppose that if there are even more people, especially children included in this treasure hunt, it is even more fun. If nothing else, we do not spend days inside behind the screen...Yesterday I finally started to read a book that I bought a long time ago. On the cover it is written: Time fades everything. Except desire.

I am not so sure that this is so true. Sometimes even desire fades...

Find me!

A few days ago I came across a wonderful web site, called Geocaching. I tried to find one of the hidden treasures yesterday, but without success. I will need GPS to find it, hopefully today. Some great ideas came up my mind, searching for a hidden cache; maybe we will be able to realize them next year at my work. It will be a game! And I love games! Nonviolent ones, of course.The treasure is hidden somewhere in the area on the photo I am posting today. Tempting! A good exercise. Getting to know new places and history. Spending spare time having fun.

I hope today is my lucky day. And I will let you know, if I find this treasure.

Free falling

I wanted to write a post yesterday, but I had to rush to our reserve because children were having an excursion there.

Actually I wanted to write this time that skydiving is great fun. We had to wait long hours to board on a plane, but the feeling when I was finally falling free from the sky was incredible. Unfortunately we didn't go higher, so the jump passed really quickly. Too quickly. When a parachute opened, I could enjoy the view. It wasn't scary at all, not even one moment of the jump. I wouldn't mind doing it again, if only it wasn't that expensive.

And I was flying again by plane, seeing the lakes, landscape and my bellowed mountains from above. It is a shame that it is such a terrible year, as I can't enjoy my treks in the mountains like I could. I hope for the best though, wishing that the next year will be a peaceful one for my heart and soul. I wish to find balance in life again, and people with whom I will be able to share it, feeling safe at the same time. Each and every moment of my life...

Go with the flow

This influence can signify sudden events in your personal and emotional life and sudden changes in your home. You may be upset by these changes, but you should recognize that this influence can free you from characteristics that you don't need.

~Robert Hand, Planets in transit; transit valid for me from 24 August to 16 October 2009~

I went through such transit this spring and it was very stressful. I am aware now that I cannot change anything, it is better to go with the flow. I keep hearing things that I would rather never hear, but still, I hope that everything will be alright and well. I know that it will be one day. In a year for sure, though it is still a long way to go, and there are many leafless and gray months in between...

I took a photo above yesterday in the afternoon when I rode to the natural reserve where Ž was working. Today I will be a helping hand there, doing my voluntary work...

Have a lovely weekend!

I won!

During this period some things will come to an end or an old order of life will cease. This influence means that factors are now being incorporated into the structure of your life that will later bring about evolution and growth.

~Robert Hand, Planets in transit; transit valid for me from 24 August to 9 September 2009~

Not that I am a firm believer into what is written in the stars, but sometimes I get a reminder that it might be true what the books say about the transits of the planets in my natal chart. Life seemed to be peaceful this August until yesterday evening. My life is going to be changed once again. Although the stars clearly show that September will be one of the most turbulent months in my life, I didn't want to believe it - until yesterday. Now I know that inevitable will happen, no matter how I hoped it wouldn't. I can make plans, but others have plans, too. Let me wait until it happens, whatever happens. This time I won't be kicking like I was this spring because I have no energy left for that.

I spent the afternoon playing mini golf with a friend. In Bled. That crowded place where I often stop when I am returning home from the mountains. That place which is not only famous for a cream cake, but also for an island with a church on it. I drove through the villages with hidden treasures. I like those old houses and all the flowers on the windows. Sometimes I am lucky enough to spot a huge night butterfly on the shade of the window. Oh, yes, and I won the mini golf game! :)

So... I do hope for the best but at the same time I am saying: let it happen!

Equation

Do you know why time is more powerful than love?

Do you know why hatred is more powerful than time?

I found these words in one of the books I read ages ago. I take shots of sentences I like and it is nice to find those words again when browsing through the old photos. I discovered those words yesterday again while searching for photos for a leaflet I am preparing at work.

I took one of the math books into my hands yesterday in the evening. Mathematical mysteries. It is amazing how the Universe is so perfect in its imperfectness. It is just that we with our brain think that we should make it even more perfect. Those two sentences above actually bring us to the conclusion that hatred is more powerful than love. And to add one more thought to all those already written today: time is more powerful than grief. At least in most cases.

P.s.: That beauty on the photo is growing in my garden and has about 40 cm in diameter. Hiding in the weeds and among the raspberries which will be ripe any time now. Mmm, I can hardly wait...

Idleness

In a way I feel such urge to do something, but at the same time I enjoy these days of August doing absolutely nothing. At least it seems so to me. Going to work, work there for 8 hours, going back home, cooking something to eat, taking some water and food to Ž, flipping through the pages of magazines and books, watering the flowers, washing the dishes, doing laundry, maybe ironing if it is not too hot, watching the vegetables grow in the garden, staying at the stream nearby watching the dragonflies and water rail, chat with the neighbors ... all this seems to be so boring in a way, but it is what I do almost every day. It is my life. So time flies by and I have no stories to share... Do I?I very rarely go to the city center, although it is probably nice and lively there, especially in the evening. I am postponing a visit to the library for ages, being afraid that I will be reading so much as I did before. Somehow I often wonder if I will ever do any good for others, not only for myself. But you know, something is missing in my life to do this. Courage. Boldness. Though I do have my good days, you know. :)

Meeting people

It was on a radio the other day that we should meet people and relatives on Saturday's holiday. It is good to be together with others sometimes, sharing thoughts and news. I keep meeting people and forgetting their names too. Slowly they will get to know me and I will get to know them. It is not so easy for me, coming from the capital city, to be with people who speak different dialect, as they always think that it is our fault that things go wrong in this country. Sorry, but I can't help it that I was born and raised in Ljubljana... I could never understand that and I still don't. I value people for who they are, not for where they come from. But you know, I have learned to be nice to people although they say things I would rather not hear. It helps when I explain them that I do not live in the city center but in the suburbs...

I know that it is still a long way to go. Especially if I ever live there, in the NE part of Slovenia. Where the Milky Way can still be seen at night...

New books in my home

Yes, I couldn't resist ordering some more books. Although I am not so sure I will ever use/read them at all. I know of a couple of gals who would love to have the one by Heidi Swanson: Super Natural Cooking. The calendar by Janosch is a present for Christmas for one of my friends. Yes, I know, already. I have to admit that I am looking forward to a year 2010, because I am sure that it will be my year. Life will have to be balanced again, and things as they are, cannot last forever. I will not let them to. Looking at my collection of books makes me think that I will have to get some new bookshelves. Soon. Though there are only about 500 of books that I have. I appreciate very much that there are libraries in this world... One of them was actually founded by my grand grandfather. :)

Happy weekend! I will be celebrating tomorrow's holiday walking, walking, walking... but not in the mountains... this time I will be enjoying in the beauties of the flatlands!

Creative?

Well, things have to be done sometimes... I made a fabric box the other day for my friend who is celebrating her birthday this weekend. She doesn't like birthdays, but I think that this pink box will match the pink and magenta colors in her living room. :)I had seen four Perseides yesterday in the evening before the clouds covered the sky. Just enough for the wishes I have...

One year is around again...

... and in my mailbox I could find, for the first time, a new Ikea catalog. I like it red, they like it red, I like it green, they like it green. I like it blue, maybe they will like it in 2011... :)The sparkles were flying around my house yesterday, when I was flipping through the pages. I was measuring the living room because hopefully soon, it will get completely new look. One day I will guide you through my home here on this blog, and then you might really get to know me better, like they say it in Ikea catalog for 2010. Until then I will have more books on the bookshelves, more bookshelves for books. "Hausapotheke" will be as empty as it is now (hopefully!), when there are only a few plasters and some vitamin C tablets in it (I know, I should get an aspirin or something similar soon, just in case, although I eat about three painkillers yearly). "Bilder" on the walls right now are just paper prints of some nice pictures I found on the Internet. I have pictures framed and prepared to be hung on the walls, and some great ideas for wall decorations. Oh, I have plans! I am a dreamer, I have always been. That's why I will look at the sky tonight and make wishes when watching the Perseids touching the Earth's atmosphere. Also Google reminds me to do so. I hope that you will see some, too!

Sweet August

My mom stopped by in the afternoon and left me some newspapers. Flipping through the pages, I found this picture. It is titled Tolerance and it was drawn by Sara Mušič. Flock of birds (swallows and starlings, and sorry, no cats) are actually gathering on the wires to start their travel south. August is a month when I get that travel fever - I surround myself with maps and guides, and travel around the world with my finger...

A few days ago, lying in bed and thinking about life, I jumped up, and in a few moments I was flipping through the pages of the France guide book. It called me.

Listening to music by Jack Johnson always reminds me of driving around the huge distances on the plains in the USA. They called me the other day, those plains.

Ten years ago I gave my parents a present - a travel to Mauritius. Since they were there, they've been dreaming about going there again. Yesterday I spoke with my mom about her retirement. In my opinion she's been waiting too long for it. I suggested her to spend the money she will get then for travel. So, yesterday, talking to her, Tonga and Easter Island called me.

I tell you, August is a wonderful month. Month for traveling. Though I know that I will stay at home this year.

In 1994 I spent today's day in Lillehammer in Norway. The most wonderful time of my life has started right then, in Gjeste Bu hostel. Though, Norway hasn't called me this year. Not yet.

In the city park

There's been a new exhibition in Ljubljana's city park since June. On Friday during my lunch break I went to check it. This means that I just walked along the promenade, taking a few shots along the way.As it was around noon and sun was shining with its full force, the pictures were dull and too bright. So, I guess it is better to see it in a cloudy weather or in the evening when the lights are turned on.These days the Moon has been very bright. Ljubljana is actually very light polluted. I still don't understand why all the lights of those huge shopping centers have to be lit on all night. The last time when I could see the bright and shining Milky Way was the other day at the seaside. I am just sorry that I didn't take the time and lie on the beach gazing at the night sky. There was no moon, just the stars. And they seemed to be so very close.I admit, I love staring up at the sky in the night. When I was a child, I counted the stars, standing on a balcony of my grandparent's house where we used to live. I was very disappointed when we had only a few hours dedicated to astronomy at physics. I was eager to learn, but I had no teacher. I can say that for many things in my life. If I had time on Friday, I could also stop by in the library under the trees. Each year there are a few shelves of books and a few little chairs inviting people to stop by on a meadow next to the pond in the park. Maybe one day I will check the selection of their books, too. Maybe some other year, if not this one. But who knows where I will be then! :)

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Reading

I mentioned a few days ago that I stopped reading books. Well, in between days I do read, but not like I used to. I used to spend whole days sitting in my armchair, reading. I don't do this anymore and hopefully I never will again.The other day I read an article about reading. About spending time among the pages of books, stories they tell. Whatever these stories are about. We have to find balance in things we do in our lives and this also holds true for reading. Too much of it leads to what I am going through right now, because we slowly forget that we have a life to live. Our life, not lives of other people. Though, reading is life, isn't it? Mostly we do it for fun and to relax. Or to escape everyday life...

Reading about Tao and Zen lately made me think that I really escape everyday life only when I am among the shelves in a library, browsing through the books there. Then I forget about the pain, if there is any. About anything that is not good in my life. Then I am truly myself.

So, I will try to find balance in reading, especially when Autumn is finally here and short days with it. I still have my life to live, that other, active life, sharing it with real people.

P.s.: The photo above was published in that article about reading. It was painted by Homer Winslow in 1872 and it is titled Sunlight and Shadow.

Autumn on a doorstep

It could be also called high summer, but looking close, I can say that autumn is slowly approaching. Morning fog. Leaves are loosing their green color, bushes and trees are full of fruit, either edible for us, or just for animals. Some are ripe, some will be soon.Yesterday I took lunch for Ž to the place where he is working at the moment. Mowing the meadows. It is beautiful out there. All around are fields of corn and there on a reserve is an oasis of meadows. I should take time and look for summer fruit from which I will make some jam. Blackberries are ripe and elderberries are black, too. If only horseflies were not stinging so much... :)