Sunday Stills – through the cracks

For Sunday Stills our theme this week is “City Sidewalks”

City Sidewalks, busy sidewalks
people rushing to the stores
like watercolors flowing
down the canvas of life
spread too thin
to leave an impression
Nature’s beauty superfluous
to their needs
too hurried to smile
too harried to pause
they never even noticed
the tiny flower
growing through the crack
in the pavement

taking the sidewalk into Castle Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

Sidewalk running by the hot spring in Hot Springs, SD

Walkway across the quay into Wellington, NZ

What I’m listening to now:

Til next time ~Peace ~JP

Blue Skies – picoftheweek and OLN

2020-pic of the week

For Maria Antonia’s 2020 Picoftheweek photo challenge, my prompt for this week is “blue skies” and for Open Link Night at dVerse Poets Pub, Grace is hosting pop on over and discover something new.

2.27.20 Blue Skies over the Highlands Scotland — Heading into the Highlands of Scotland, on our way to Loch Lomond

Trip to Loch Lomond

For too long the city air
has seared my lungs
and choked my soul
so away I go
to the Highlands
to clear the air
and free my heart
on the bonnie, bonnie banks
of Loch Lomond

The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond — Ella Roberts

Til next time ~Peace ~JPP

Monday Windows — A light

2.10.20 stone lantern — A stone lantern at the entrance to a garden Kyoto, Japan snapped with my phone

For Ludwig’s Monday Windows project wee-bity windows light the way

A stone lantern stands
a lonely sentinel
silently lighting the path
for wayward travelers,
pilgrims and seekers
rich with moss and
the patina of ages
how long has it guarded
this woodland path
and who lights it?

Every Light in the House is On — Trace Adkins

Til next time ~Peace ~JPP

Monday Windows – Imperial Windows

2.3.20 shugakuin

For Ludwig’s Monday Windows do pop over a see some great windows.

At Shugakuin Imperial Villa in Kyoto, Japan. At the pinnacle of the upper garden and grounds lies a simple pavilion structure of multiple rooms where emperor Gomizuno could view the panoramic views. Construction began in 1655 and Shugakuin remains one of the finest displays of shakkei (the Japanese garden art of “borrowing scenery”) to be found. Here at the Emperor’s Pavillion you see the extensive use of tatani mats. Note the elevated platform where the Emperor would sit. The paper windows let in light at different times of day and these large “lift out” windows let in the summer breeze.

One of many views from the Emperor’s Pavilion

Summer Breeze – Seals & Croft

Til next time ~Peace ~JPP

The Gael – a Which Way Challenge

7.9.19 WWC edinburgh castle

“We cross the bridge, and are transported back to a long ago age. Soot still clings to the stones and I cannot help but wonder if somewhere blood stains linger. The blemish of war wraps itself around the very stones and spirits call from the long empty battlements. Make no mistake, this is no fairy tale castle, this is Castle Edinburgh ancient stronghold and defender of the nation.”

~ JP Pearlman A Travel Journal

For the Which Way Challenge

Til next time ~Peace ~JPP

Suzhou – a Which Way Challenge

6.24.19 WWC canal in Suzhou

A canal in Suzhou, China

Suzhou was once at the center of the Chineses silk trade. Today, it is much more celebrated for it’s art, delicate gardens, thousand year old temples, and of course romantic water towns and canals. It is these that have earned it the name “Venice of the East.” A thoroughly charming city all modernized but still holding on to it’s 2,500 years of history and architecture.

And a plus, a traditional gondolier song by what may well be one of the finest voices of our age.