Tina takes us to a theme inspired by “The City Mouse and the Country Mouse,” also known as “The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse,” is a heartfelt Aesop fable that tells the story of a country mouse and a city mouse who venture into each other’s worlds.
I have lived in three continents – I have moved many times and the really important thing is that you are where you are with the ones you love. Home is where your heart is.
This tale gently reminds us of the stark contrast between the glamorous yet sometimes perilous hustle of city life and the comforting, simple joys of the countryside. Ultimately, it reflects a profound truth: that true happiness lies in finding joy in the place where we truly belong, even if it means letting go of some of the city’s flash and excitement.
I do not know which you prefer a more quiet life or the hustle and bustle of city life, but as I am getting older I am leaning more and more towards the countryside. I have never lived in the city, only the suburbs with 15 minutes commute to Helsinki and that not is considered a big city. But I used to spend lots of time in café’s and bookstores. Walk in the park and marketplace. As I wrote this it came to me I lived in San Diego, and Las Vegas, those are rather big cities even back then. Memory what it does to you…. Nowadays I am happy to retreat to my summerhouse in the summer to listen to birds and watch the leaves above my hammock move against the blue sky. In the winter it’s suburbia 😀 with nature at my doorway. I am a happy country mouse 😀
I am just happy to visit the cities for a day or two and to return the more relaxed small towns.
That it for me this week. I’m sure others have much more intriguing takes, and I eagerly anticipate reading their thoughts. Please make sure to connect your responses to Tinas’s lovely original here, and tag the Lens-Artists Tag so we can find you. We extend our gratitude to everyone who took part in Edígios’s Longing challenge last week, which led to so many emotions.
We are excited to announce that next week Lens-Artists will be guest-hosted by Joanne of Joanne Mason Photography, we hope you’ll join us again next Saturday, so be sure to check her post at noon EST. In the meantime, as always, keep on smiling.
Interested in joining our challenge? Click here .
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 
Yes, I’m a Country Mouse – now. Your photos clearly show the thrill of a city, though also its possible people-unfriendliness. All the same I do like to visit. So long as I can retreat back to a bit of peace and quiet with my fellow Country Mice.
I think cities are mostly anonymous places, do you even know your neighbors. Great places to visit
Exactly. City visits as a tourist works for me.
A good response to the prompt, Ritva I myself have never lived in a city but always near enough to visit , although now I’m less mobile, I no longer get to the city. That said, I’m not really a country mouse more a town mouse a small town mouse with country around.
in between is good, that is my case also -suburbia.
😊
What a thoughtful and heart-warming reflection! 🌿🏙️
You’ve captured the essence of Aesop’s fable so beautifully — not just the contrast between city dazzle and country calm, but the deeper truth about belonging. I love how your own experience of living across three continents brings a personal richness to the story, proving that “home” isn’t pinned to a map; it’s woven into the people and moments we cherish.
It is true, the people make a home, but I prefer the home not to be the city. Love comment again, thank you
Some beautiful scenic photos Ritva, the countryside ones look so peaceful and relaxing
Alison, these photos are really from a peaceful place. Thanks 😀
I really liked Helsinki when we spent a short time there last month and I can see that it would be an appealing city for a single woman to live in, apart from the winter weather! I always love the images you share from your summer home in particular and although I’m definitely a city mouse I can also really see why you love it there 🙂
Winter in Helsinki so much more middle European than it used to be, many years the snow comes very late and turns into slush way too often. The climate change effect is felt here…
Ritva, I agree with your thought about true happiness is finding the joy in where we belong. Your images show us the contrast between the city and the country. I love your country images, especially the red farmhouse. I confess, I am a country mouse.
Country mouse is a good thing to be Beth, thanks
A wonderful representation of both sides of the challenge, Ritva! Your cityscapes are beautiful compositions, but I most enjoy the views of your country house. Relaxing summers, I am sure!
Thanks, yes the hammock says it all…
How wonderful that you got to experience life on three continents Ritva. I’m jealous.
No you are not… you are content with your life Anne 😀
I can’t say I’m content right now. This is not the America I grew up and raised a family in. But I am happy I got to travel across the U.S. when we did. We have visited several countries, but never lived in them. That’s the only way to experience a different way of life.
No I understand that the political situation awful, I am so frustrated with what’s happening there and how it affects us all even though we don’t live there. The attempt to grab power over your constitution is awful to watch. Yes true about experience a different way of living… I was there in the end of 80’s and early 90’s so that is why I feel so saddened by what’s happening. But I hope you like your home
I have very strong views on this issue and due to that I won’t be visiting US until this president leaves office. I don’t think I would be let in… if they checked my phone
It’s wonderful that you have found a place you are comfortable, your summer house looks idyllic, even if you might long for other sceneries.
Sofia, if you wish to be happy you have to embrace what you have. Thanks 😀
You are absolutely spot on, Ritva, but I can also be a bit restless 🙂
really like your variety
Thank you
😉
What beautiful reflections you showed us in your photos and text. I liked them all, especially your home. It is very comfortable and inviting.
Thanks, comfortable it is, not glamorous at all 😀
I’m with you all the way Ritva!! It’s the quiet life for me, as long as I can visit a nearby city, or travel to one further away. Always happy to get back to the quiet though – as I see you are too. Beautiful images as always.
Tina you live in such a beautiful place, I think many of us would enjoy that quiet place
Thank you for the photos of city and country residences over time. I love the cultural aspects of the city and the peace of the country. Where we live there is a lot of nature: lakes, trees, birds and the city is around 250,000 people, not so large.
Thank you Rebecca, I also find it important to have nature nearby.
I discovered I cannot live without it, especially trees and a water feature.
Such amazing images and their perspectives captured, Ritva! Country mice are great people, LOL! Love the yellow apartment building but the shots of the big city centers are stunning. So you lived in San Diego? I was born and raised there but moved north when I was 20. Still plenty of family to visit there, then I can run back to the country!
Yes, we enjoyed San Diego when we lived there, but it has grown so much so it feels like a different place when we revisited some years back.
Sadly, it’s lost its luster. Too crowded. 😕
Your summer place looks wonderful and peaceful. I can see why you love it!
It is something we have grown to love, we have had it for 30 years
I’ve always preferred the country side since I grew up in the north Swedish country side. I am not sure about the Texas country side (I live in Dallas now). Your photos are beautiful and the countryside photo from Mankala feels very much like home.
Thomas, Sweden and Finland countrysides are very similar places so I understand why it would appeal to you
Yes you are right. Thank you Ritva.
There’s something about that Helsinki apartment that is so inviting.
It must be the welcoming yellow color
Yes, sometimes a day or two is enough to get the city life out of the system. Always loved the images of your lake house and today is no different. My favorite photo is of the kitty coming to check on you while someone enjoys a book in the hammock. All looks like a deep breath to me.
Yes, our cat Tinka enjoys it as much as we do, as it can roam free there, at home we have to have a leash to walk her outside. I really like your line “All looks like a deep breath to me”
Your posts are always beautiful, Ritva, and in this one I am so with you! What a wonderful place you have to relax in and find nature at your doorstep every day. And still not too far from city life. I loved the picture from Singapore with the old houses in the middle. When we visited China many years ago, there was this mix too.
Thanks Ann-Christine :-D, there is this contrast in many cities.
Yes, but some are trying to get rid of the old and only build new ones…
I don’t think I could live in the country again. I like being close to the city, in a suburb, with the city only about 15kms away. I couldn’t live in it anymore. It sounds like you have lived in some interesting places. I’ve lived in Melbourne my entire adult life, except for a brief seven months in Kobenhavn when my daughter was a baby, that was a great place to live too. Wondeful post.
our county in our case is 30 minutes from the city, 15 minutes from all the basic necessities… rural country would be too country for me too
Very nice country scenes, Ritva!
Thanks 😊