Wishing you all a wonderful, healthy, prosperous, creative, joyful, loving 2021. Wrap your arms around the new year, and I wish we all can wrap our arms around loved ones and friends a lot more than in 2020!
Christmas is about light, shining in the dark, a promise of possibilities, of new events. Small sparks that may turn into the brightness of a beautiful sun, offering warmth, comfort, trust, security, well being and new life. I wish you lots of light in the coming year, to see and observe the difference between the light and the darkness, to embrace and accept them both as parts of our life.
A memory can be triggered by here and now. Last weekend I visited Den Haag physically for the first time after the lock down started in March. It was exciting and at the same time sad to see the city and the familiar landmarks. ‘Normally’ at this time of year, the center is crowded with people doing Christmas shopping, but now it is (depending on the hour of the day) more or less quiet. At times it is however too busy. The apparent human need to cluster closely together (in shops, or at home) is probably a reason why we see a rise in cases again. Tonight a more strict lock down will be announced. To curb the second wave. Department stores like the 150 year old Bijenkorf and other ‘unnecessary’ shops will close again. That hurts them enormously. But luckily there is light at the end of this tunnel. I hope the light of Christmas will soon turn into a bright sun that opens up our now small worlds and gives us the space and opportunities to be more human again. Till then: courage.
During a visit to the world famous Royal Delft (where they make pottery with the famous blue color), this endearing two piece was on display in the shop. Portraying a precious moment between a female figurine and male figurine. For some the traditional clothes are precious too, but I am happy not to wear clogs any more :-).
We are getting close to Christmas. A feast of hope and light. In times like we live in now it is even more important to celebrate the unbearable lightness of being.
The B4 retouch series I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. All of them are not completely retouched yet. Scratches, dust and stains are not removed.
The picture was scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version
The B4 retouch series I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. All of them are not completely retouched yet. Scratches, dust and stains are not removed.
The picture was scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.