“Not the glittering weapon fights the fight, but rather the hero’s heart”

All you bad guys out there: don’t even think about it.. Any funny business – and you will have to answer to this big little hero

I just realized that I haven’t been posting any music on my blog for a very long time – not good. Here’s a song I heard on the radio while driving home yesterday. It’s a song that has been an inspiration to me ever since the first day I heard it.

It has a beautiful message.

The days are getting shorter again. The evenings are getting darker. Late at night, just before bedtime, I spend a few minutes outside on the porch. The view of the city lights can be seen in the distance. But right above my head there are only stars. Thousands of stars. Millions.

And a thought comes to mind; that the darkness on a clear night like this has its own special beauty, because it brings out the stars once again.

I remember reading a quote somewhere:

The stars are the street lights of eternity.

Perhaps that’s why looking up into the starlit sky brings this very special feeling of hope.. of faith.. something magical. A sense of being lost in the vast universe, yet at the same time knowing I am exactly where I wish to be. Where I am meant to be.

Someday soon I’ll teach myself how to capture those stars on camera.

Be happy.

Linda

Bringing my blog back to life, as promised

Here is a small collection of photos taken in September and October. I absolutely love all the photo opportunities of the autumn season, bringing such bright and beautiful colors.

Already the first month of fall is here. I’ve said it before – and I’ll probably say it again – how time flies! Well, if for nothing else, it’s a good excuse for taking some more pictures

A mushroom shimmering almost like gold

Mr C insisted on bringing the umbrella outside – on a sunny day. I told him there was only blue sky to be seen, but he wanted to be sure in case of a sudden rainshower

Here he has found himself a nice collection of autumn leaves. He studies their beautiful colors carefully, and then..

Oh, are these really for me?

Another mushroom in the grass

You may wonder what this rose is doing among autumn photos. Well, it was just growing there, right next to the mushrooms, blooming in all it’s beauty. As if to remind me that even if fall is here, there are still some warm, sunny days ahead for us to enjoy. Besides, I love roses. And that’s really all the reason I need

Some more wonderful colors

And a few more.. ah, now I see why he wanted to bring the umbrella. He noticed that the colors were matching!!! Have a nice weekend

]]> http://myvoicelinda.wordpress.com/2009/09/11/september/feed/ 0 Linda IMG_5608-1 IMG_5667-1 IMG_5777-1 IMG_5754.CR2-1 IMG_5785-1 IMG_5656-1 IMG_5727-1 IMG_5684 IMG_5771 http://myvoicelinda.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/just-to-let-you-know/ http://myvoicelinda.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/just-to-let-you-know/#comments Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:49:13 +0000 Linda http://myvoicelinda.wordpress.com/?p=4088 ]]>

Just a few lines to assure you that I am still alive..! As is my blog – despite the fact that it seems to have been in a state of hibernation the past month

It has been a very busy month, to say the least. Not leaving much time – or even energy – for other activities, blogging included. I think I can safely say that I’ve been falling asleep at night as soon as my head hit the pillow – or even 2 seconds before that.. yes, really

Anyway, here we are; settling into the new apartment.

So are we happy with the way everything have turned out? Absolutely! The kids are all over their new neighborhood. I see their happy, enthusiastic faces from sunup till bedtime, as they’re keeping themselves busy exploring new places, searching for new treasures, making new friends. According to them, the world is a pretty cool place to be right now, and I can only agree.

I would love to add some photos here, but quite honestly I seem to have misplaced my USB cable.. although I’ve been looking all over for it (Still have a few boxes to unpack).

But as they say on the radio: Just stay tuned. I’ll get back into writing a little more frequently, soon.

There’s a lot of good things to be said about photography. I can make you a list if you like.. But I’m sure most people would agree that the best thing is that it gives us a unique opportunity to capture that special moment in time – and keep it forever. Perhaps we don’t fully understand what a miracle this is. Personally, I often wonder how people even survived before the age of photography

Some moments are so special to us that we would never forget to eternalize them. Simply because we know their importance and how we will wish to keep and treasure them in the years to come.

But as we know; our journey through life is also made up by all those small moments along the way. Like today, when I was headed home from the grocery store and suddenly spotted a hedgehog crossing the road just in front of my car.

In less than a second, and without really thinking – I pulled over, opened the door to the back seat and quickly dragged my 4 year old out of the car. He looked somewhat puzzled, but there was no time to explain to him what was going on. I just put my finger over my lips and pointed at the hedgehog that was now approaching the bushes nearby (amazing how fast those little feet can move). And holding each others hands, we silently tip-toed towards him, afraid we were going to miss our opportunity.

Luck was on our side though: we made it. With a smile on our faces, my son and I sat by the roadside, staring into the bushes for more than a minute. Two pearly black eyes stared back at us. We were hardly breathing. It was a magical moment – until mr hedgehog decided the meeting was over; unceremoniously turned his back on us and simply wandered off.

Mr C was thrilled however, having had his first encounter with a real hedgehog. And honestly, although I have seen one or two before – I felt how the experience really brightened my day as well.

My only regret was that my camera… was at home.

Without a doubt, life brings to us lots of memorable moments. Sometimes we get to capture those moments on camera, a wonderful opportunity for which I am truly thankful. And sometimes we get to keep them only within our hearts – which is also good.

But the best thing is, when every now and then.. we are fortunate enough to get both.

Some hedgehogs have all the time in the world and don’t mind posing for a photo.. those that are made from polyresin, that is

As a child, I was fortunate to spend part of the summer at my grandparents. Their house was situated in the countryside, surrounded by open fields and woodland. They even had a dog for me to play with, and I always enjoyed my visits there.

The best part however, was their garden. A real, old fashioned garden; you know the kind that is filled with herbs and colorful flowers, apple trees and a variety of tasty berries, in addition to numerous secret hideouts. And a swing. In other words; a true wonderland for a little girl.

My granddad has passed away, but my grandma, now well into her 80s, is still very much alive. She is in many ways a remarkable lady; always well informed and with a clear mind.

Through the years I have learned a lot from her. She taught me that there is wisdom to be found in reading the words of others, always providing me with books (some with inspiring photographs too:) From her I learned that there is beauty and peace to be found in the love and respect for nature and its inhabitants.

I learned that some of our greatest treasures in life, lies within our own imagination and ability to create. And she showed me how happiness is really about the small things in life. That what truly matters, what bring to us the greatest joy and satisfaction, are quite simply – the simple things.

A very good example of the above; raspberry jam. Home made, of course, from her own garden. Mmm…

Beautiful bluebells. I remember how I always used to pick some for her, just to be rewarded with that special smile. They were clearly her favorites. Now that I have kids of my own, I find it easy to understand her joy. I love them also.

Another one of planet earths tiny miracles; small but perfect.

Below are a few more details found in my grandmas garden. Also a quote that I like; about finding joy in the simple things, and being truly alive.

If the sight of the blue skies

fills you with joy,

If a blade of grass springing up in the fields

has power to move you,

If the simple things of nature

have a message that you understand,

Rejoice, for your soul is alive.

~ Eleonora Duse

If you think today is just like any other day, then you will have to think again. Just ask my youngest son, and he will tell you it’s the most special day of the whole year.Here he is seen patiently waiting for his guests to arrive. (Who knows; maybe they’ll even bring presents..)

That they did. And here is a photo of the best gift, the one he had really been wishing for.

This blue-eyed fellow was quickly taken to heart as well.

Better not forget that magic wish..

And what’s a birthday without fishing?

It turns out this fish is actually made of candy.. isn’t he the lucky one!

He even caught another treasure. One that (I believe) is made of pure gold.

So you see; there’s nothing ordinary about this day. Quite the opposite; it’s a very special, very happy day.

At last, he’s a real 4 year old

Some people have really been blessed with the gift of expressing their thoughts in words. I just discovered the inspirational writings of Flavia Weedn, a woman whose words are well worth a few seconds of our time.

Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never ever the same.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go… Some stay for awhile and embrace our silent dreams.

They help us become aware of the delicate winds of hope… and we discover within every human spirit there are wings yearning to fly.

They help our hearts to see that the only stairway to the stars is woven with dreams… and we find ourselves unafraid to reach high.

They celebrate the true essence of who we are… and have faith in all that we may become.

Some people awaken us to new and deeper realizations… for we gain insight from the passing whisper of their wisdom.

Throughout our lives we are sent precious souls… meant to share our journey however brief or lasting their stay they remind us why we are here.

To learn… to teach… to nurture… to love

Some people come into our lives to cast a steady light upon our path and guide our every step, their shining belief in us helps us to believe in ourselves.

Some  people come into our lives to teach us about love… The love that rests within ourselves.

Let us reach out to others and feel the bliss of giving, for love is far richer in action that it ever is in words.

Some people come into our lives and they move our souls to sing and make our spirits dance.

They help us to see that everything on earth is part of the incredibility of life… and that it is always there for us to take of its joy.

Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never ever the same.

Flavia Weedn