I did somethings right when bringing up my kids; now there has been a study about children in nature, in this case in daycare, but I did all by myself as it was so much easier to be outside with the kids than hear them argue and play inside in smaller spaces. I can without lying say I spent about 4-6 hours a day with them in nature and parks, where they could run free, climb trees, and explore the beauty around them. I have to admit it was not so much fun in the winter and late fall. We would often go on little adventures, discovering different plants and insects, which sparked their curiosity and imagination. The joy in their eyes as they splashed in puddles or built mud castles was priceless and created lasting memories for both of us. I was never a stickler to hygiene; instead, I believed that getting a little dirty was part of the fun and an important aspect of growing up. Embracing the elements allowed them to connect with the environment, learn about the world firsthand, and develop a love for the outdoors that I hope will stay with them throughout their lives.
I wanted to share this as I believed in this even without a study 😀 If you have small kids I hope you find the information in the article useful.
It has been a long time since I participated in Lepis Saturday Classics, but I genuinely hope you enjoy the mellow mood I share with you today. I have been deeply immersed in soul music lately, and one artist who has captured my attention is Melody, whose unique sound has managed to find its way into my playlist on numerous occasions. This blend of soulful melodies and smooth jazz rhythms truly appeals to my musical taste, creating a soothing atmosphere that transports me to a carefree state of mind.
“Baby I’m a Fool” is a beautifully crafted song written and composed by American jazz singer-songwriter Melody Gardot. It was released as the second single from her second full-length album, My One and Only Thrill, which showcases her unique blend of jazz, blues, and pop influences. According to Gardot, the lyrics are about “two coquette people who won’t admit they are in love with each other,” capturing the essence of longing and the complexities of love in a playful yet poignant manner. The song resonates with listeners with its lush instrumentation and Gardot’s sultry vocals. .
Lepis is hosting Saturday Classics, you can add your own link here Saturday Classics
On Her page she writes: This blog is back with hosting the Classics after few years break. This time we’ll be playing on Saturdays and you can link straight here on this own page. Rules: There are no rules, as long as the song you play is a classic in your mind. Linking open 8 am and closes 12 pm.
Sofia asked for us to look back. Her post is ➡ Looking Back can be found there with memories and lovely photos.
I had trouble as which way to go with this challenge my first thought was to share photos of a photo album of my father, as in months time will be father’s day here in Finland.
I have looked back as I found my computer was full and I needed to make space for new photos, but instead of getting them from there I did the following.
Then I took a random photo album from the shelf and took photos with my mobile of the photos placed there. One way to scan photos and preserve those fleeting moments of the past. Here are a few memories that transport me back to a simpler time. I lived in San Diego in the early 1990s, a beautiful coastal city that captured my heart, and I have always loved the sea. We spent many days in La Jolla park by the sea, where the waves crashed gently against the shore, and the salty breeze filled the air. And I have several shots of the turquoise sea, shimmering under the bright California sun—a vivid reminder of those carefree days. The vibrant colors and lively atmosphere of the beach evoke nostalgia.
Also in this album are few shots of old Victorian houses in Memphis, their were supposed to be haunted houses, steeped in history and mystery. I visited these house with my sister, her son, and my mom, alongside a man who I have no reflection off; I think he was an associate of my sister’s husband who was there for business. He even attended our very small wedding, adding an unexpected touch to the day. My sister’s family, as she lived there, provided the venue, her backyard, while my mom came over from Finland, and—two Finnish businessmen I didn’t know, yet they seemed delighted to be part of such an intimate gathering. Out off all places, I would never have guessed that this is where we would get married, in Memphis.
And as we were there, the riverboats were indeed a must-see, providing a picturesque view that felt like stepping back in time. Memphis had so much richness to offer, and while we were there, visiting Graceland was a significant part of our journey. However, it’s strange to think back on it now because I have no photos to capture that moment. I have a vivid memory of stepping into Elvis’s home, and as I crossed the threshold, an overwhelming sense of distress washed over me—it was as though the walls whispered tales of sorrow. The atmosphere was oddly heavy, and the emotions were so strong that it affected me deeply as I explored the rooms, each filled with relics of a life that once thrived but seemed steeped in melancholy. For some inexplicable reason, I ended up not taking any photos, as if somehow the experience itself was meant to remain untouched and sacred, preserved only within my mind. But the feeling and the memory of it remains, a testament to the powerful connection we can have with places that hold a history far beyond our own experiences.
Sunglass fashion in 1980 – the one’s my husband’s had are back in fashion now, and it’s amusing to see how styles from that era are making a strong comeback.However, mine, which were a bit more trendy, are not so much in vogue these days. It’s interesting how fashion evolves and circles back, but sometimes, certain styles just don’t seem to resonate with the current crowd.
Marlon Brando on cruise with us ?? 😀
My parents both passed when I was in my twenties, so these are memories from way back, before my time. This album has memories from my parents youth.
Link your photos to Sofia’s post and tag Lens-Artists so we can find your post. Doing both is best as WP reader sometimes plays up a bit.
A big thank you to Ann-Christine for hosting with a wonderful Setting a Mood challenge. It’s incredible how we can create moods with our photos and how we all interpret them.
Next week Anne’s challenge will be on Intentional Camera Movement. You can learn all about it by checking out the various online tutorials or wait for instructions from Anne. Anne says it’s all about having fun and there’s no wrong way to do it!
Dumb Waiters was The Korgis second album and one of the signature releases of 1980 in the UK, ushering in the New Romantic era. This was the peak of The Korgis success.
Change your heart, look around you , Change your heart, it will astound you, I need your loving like the sunshine , And everybody’s got to learn sometime
Warren has said the simple lyrics concealed big ideas. “At the time, I was very into Buddhist philosophy. He had his very individual philosophy, but it was basically a Buddhist approach to life.. the This thing about changing fundamentally the way we look at life, the way we look at other people. Change your heart and look at the world with completely fresh eyes, not with the eyes of our social conditioning. Break away from your social conditioning and look at the world as if you were looking at it for the first time without any preconceptions. All that kind of stuff. As simply as possible, I made that the lyric of the song.”
Lepis is hosting Saturday Classics, you can add your own link here Saturday Classics
On Her page she writes: This blog is back with hosting the Classics after few years break. This time we’ll be playing on Saturdays and you can link straight here on this own page. Rules: There are no rules, as long as the song you play is a classic in your mind. Linking open 8 am and closes 12 pm.
The Box Tops came up as I was looking for a song about letters, I remember listening to this song and completely forget about it and then just wake up with it in your head? Yeah it’s the greatest. It’s like seeing a friend you haven’t seen in forever. It goes so well with todays photo of old letters I received when living abroad. I spent long times living away from my love.
First I thought I would make this post vibrate with the music of Bruce Springsteen – Letter To You , which could have been just appropriate. But as I have photos of letters addressed to me…
Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane Ain’t got time to take a fast train Lonely days are gone, I’m a-goin’ home My baby, just a wrote me a letter
I don’t care how much money I gotta spend Got to get back to my baby again Lonely days are gone, I’m a-goin’ home My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
The Box Tops is an American rock band formed in Memphis in 1967, The Box Tops’ music combined elements of soul music and light pop. As the Box Tops, they entered the studio to record Wayne Carson Thompson’s song “The Letter”. Though under two minutes in length, the record was an international hit by September 1967, reaching the Hot 100’s number-one position for four weeks, selling over four million copies, earning a gold disc, and receiving two Grammy Award nominations.
At the ‘How to Survive November‘ monthly theme we will combine photo and sound. You can select a piece of music to your taste and find a photo to portray the song or you can make a drawing, painting or collage. The picture can be from your archives or you can get it fresh. Enjoy and have fun!
I love this song, it is the magic of this tune, the way Phoebe Snow puts it together sends feelings of sadness reflection and love. I had really hard time finding photos to go with it. But it has certain nostalgia that I thought could go with memories. Hope you listen to this beautiful song 🙂
Tell me what you’re feeling and what it all means. You could be defensive or open up and share your dreams. You can keep right on denying or face me and start crying. ‘Cause this time, when I reach out, it may be my last try. Ooohh baby, I want something real one time before I die.
Phoebe Snow was an American roots music singer-songwriter and guitarist, She was described by The New York Times as a “contralto grounded in a bluesy growl and capable of sweeping over four octaves.
We’ll cry until it’s funny, baby. And laugh our selves to tears, yeah. If you’re frightened honey, I’ll hold you through your fears. You see, I’ve had some bad relationships already and I’ve fooled around goin’ steady
At the ‘How to Survive November‘ monthly theme we will combine photo and sound. You can select a piece of music to your taste and find a photo to portray the song or you can make a drawing, painting or collage. The picture can be from your archives or you can get it fresh. Enjoy and have fun!
When I was a teenager, I loved ABBA, and my favorite was Frida. And even at young age due to having lived already abroad I had this restless streak in me. Always wanting to go, loving the journey, seeing and learning new things. This song resonated to me.
Eagle
These photos are also from my archives, from 2013 when I visited Vancouver are in British Columbia, My photography skills have improved since then also my equipment. I was very happy at the time to have captured these eagles.
They came flying from far away Now I’m under their spell I love hearing the stories that they tell
They’ve seen places beyond my land And they’ve found new horizons They speak strangely but I understand
High, high, I’m a bird in the sky (I’m an eagle) I’m an eagle that rides on the breeze High, high, what a feeling to fly (what a feeling) Over mountains and forests and seas And to go anywhere that I please
British Columbia /Canada
Flying high, high, I’m a bird in the sky I’m an eagle that rides on the breeze High, high, what a feeling to fly Over mountains and forests and seas And to go anywhere that I please
And I dream I’m an eagle And I dream I can spread my wings
At the ‘How to Survive November‘ monthly theme we will combine photo and sound. You can select a piece of music to your taste and find a photo to portray the song or you can make a drawing, painting or collage. The picture can be from your archives or you can get it fresh. Enjoy and have fun!
California dreamin’ On such a winter’s day ( a gray November day)
All the leaves are brown And the sky is gray I’ve been for a walk On a winter’s day I’d be safe and warm If I was in L.A. (San Diego)
California dreamin’ ( On such a winter’s day (November day)
This song, the sentiments are what I have during the winter months, to be anywhere warn and sunny. I lived in San Diego years back in 1990’s and I remember warmly the even temperatures during all year round. These photo I scanned from the paper photos. I don’t know if I would want to live in the states anymore, but back then I enjoyed it. The weather there in California sounds like a dream, at least during winter months , certainly worth dreaming about.
At the ‘How to Survive November‘ monthly theme we will combine photo and sound. You can select a piece of music to your taste and find a photo to portray the song or you can make a drawing, painting or collage. The picture can be from your archives or you can get it fresh. Enjoy and have fun!
As in previous post about faces – well people. I started today to look at some old photographs, the first set is my mum and her twin sister. Next my parents and the last two are of my aunt and uncle( my mother’s other sister and her husband) Well this a memories of people passed.
Today: Sunrise at 9:22- Sunset 15:14- Length of day 5:52 hours – time of dusk 0:58 minutes . A minute less of daylight than yesterday. Only 5 more days until winter solstice.
Today I was listening to the new albums albums by Taylor Swift, Folklore and evermore, that she produced and co-wrote much of the albums alongside Aaron Dessner of the National. I liked them – evermore more. Long story short.
Reading news in so depressing, the positive news are so few and far apart. Negative are not so easy to miss. I try not to post my views here so I won’t go into it. Looking at old photos on the other hand is nice trip to memories of my family not present anymore
memories Something that makes me feel good – Veikka the Cat
I have learned to do so many variations of macaroni casserole, today one more. this is Everyday food that can be done quickly. You cannot go wrong here.
Todays ingredients: 400g of macaroni boiled in bouillon, 300g minced meat seasoned with salt, pepper mix, garlic and onions, 1 Creme Bonjour Cuisine fraiche 240g sipulisekoitus and 150g of crated cheese. Oven 175c – 40 minutes. So easy.
If you got this far, great – thanks 🙂
I will be posting new and old photos somehow related to winter, Christmas and eventually anticipation of new year. My aim is to take one new photo a day, but not going to stress over it, if I don’t come up with anything.
Would you like to join us? Join in with this title and link it to my page.
My boys have a great dad, Happy fathers day to the father of my children.
If you wish to participate in this survival of the darkest month challenge, use this link to add your post to it. PARALLEL LINES
Reflections of reeds
My old photos are this time of my dad, who passed away along time ago in 1982, but he still remains in my memories. The b&w one below is the first photo I took of my dad, and also the first time I took photos in the early seventies..
Today I created a new folder for my Travel photos. I created a folder for the countries I have visited and moved all the ones I could find to the right places. This is the beginning of my scanning project as there are several places I’ve visited before photos began to be in digital form. These two are from my first stay in NY.
I have not been able to take all that many photos lately, but I have been editing my old photos. This month I am going to be posting those, I hope you like them, I found new views to them as they have been out of sight, out of mind for a while.
My first one is from India, Goa. Let this entry lead us to a trip of memories. Welcome to my colorful memories from my travels.
FB has this going around at the moment, so I thought I’d share few here too. The quality isn’t all that great…but memories are.The first two are old family photos, one with my dad and sisters and one with my mom. Ten there is the happy flower girls…and the last shot is from soccer’s world cup 1982 – Brazil was playing…as to celebrate the ones that started yesterday with a Brazil win
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 