THAT TINGLING MAGENTA THRILL

"Most of all I love the naked spring," Norwegian author Sigrid Undset wrote. The first days of March are the best naked days of the year. Some brave snow drops popping their heads above the brown soil. Some brave birds returning from their winter hibernation to the bleak sun of the North. Singing, as if their sheer will power can change the season and make the landscape ready for new love and new life. In my heart I quote immortal Shakespeare.




Magical Mystery Teacher is hosting Ruby Tuesday 2 together with Gemma Wiseman

Rating

Life is overrated.
We know death comes sooner or later.
That's actuality the only thing we know about life.
Eternity is underrated.
How and where to spend it.
Choice.
We have a choice, what a frightful gift.

The value of health is so underrated.
"Well, I don't care, as long as I have my health,
How often have I not heard people say that.
As if health is a human privilege, not even worth valuing.
"I am modest, I only crave my good health"...
"I don't care if it's a boy or a girl, as long as it's healthy."
And what do you do if it's not?
Return it as damaged goods?

The Bible strongly warn us against making vows.
Our politician do nothing but shower us with promises.
"I promise to love you all of my life."
How do you know if you can keep such an immense vow?

I have promised never to send my mother to a retirement home of any kind.
Now she wants to move of her own free will. She even filled out the application form herself.
Nevertheless I feel like a betrayer.
I've fought so hard for so long. Nine years have passed since the struggle started.
Never ever give any pledges.
Vows are definitely overrated.

Ecclesiastes 12:8 Vanity of vanities, saith Koheleth; all is vanity.

FOR THE GOOD TIMES

Happy Birthday to daughter Serina and brother Kel.
I'm giving you the good memories from birthday celebrations 16 years ago.
This particular year we celebrated three days in a row.
First with the small, close family, then with the school class and last with children from the neighborhood.
Most pictures were captured by Gunnar. I had the opportunity to take a few too.
Serina always was this smiling blue eyed girl, with lots of love and laughter.
Not a thing she would not do to please her mama.

Yeah. Over the sofa and down in the splits early birthday morning.

My mother used to help me out with baking cakes, but I think this one was ordered special for Serina from the confectioner.

Cousin Kristine Maria, bro Kel, whose birthday we celebrated the day before and my Mom, still wearing an apron.

Mia was a part of the extended family, her grandson, Alexander is born Feb. 26th,will be 18 tomorrow.

Somehow I cannot find aunt Lilly. She used to be the most faithful of all celebrators. Kel, Mom, Gunnar's brother Harald and sister Sigrid, and the happiest of them all; my dad.
Yesterday Kel celebrated with going to work, Serina shall be with her roomies in Ireland and we shall have cake with my mother. Great fun Skyping by midnight though.

Birthday wish
On your birthday
You are a king
No other day
Will ever bring
A chance to fly
Without wings
Feel as if
You are on a swing
Higher so much that
No one can think
Give your life
A new tinge
Of laughter, joy
Beam and bing
So what are
You waiting for
Come on sing
Happy Birthday to You

WORD OF LIFE

I cannot resist a good challenge. When Leora implied that I probably could not make the same Photoshop choices twice, I simply had to try once more to improve another wrecked picture. The bleak January sky and gray sea made my take of our harbor skyline dull and blur.
What made the change is an artistic filter called poster edges.
The lighthouse guarding the sailing entrance from the west, gave inspiration to the well known words from Psalm 119. (Hebrew Bible).
I wish you all a peaceful week end.

Leftovers

As good housewives we are trained to take care of the leftovers and use them as intelligently and colorfully we possibly can. Be it dinner, fabric or yarn. Patchwork, the great American folk art, is made of leftovers. When photographing I have been quick to delete my mischiefs. Today I was out in our garden to capture the first snow drops. This picture went off by accident. I had some minutes left and thought I'd fiddle with it in Photoshop before erasing it.


^{1 Chor. 1:27} But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him.