Friendly Friday Photo Challenge – Smoke and Mirrors

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Elise Davies was writing about mirror photography on her blog recently. Apparently it is quite a trend on a nefarious app, that one that imitates a clock! Yes, that one.

Elise likes how using mirrors in her photography:

diverts or reflects something else within the image whilst keeping focus on the models also.

Elise Davies

Mirrors can reveal something different or be a reverse reflection of the chosen subject.

Friendly Friday Challenge Prompt

The challenge this week is to post photo/s of, “Smoke and Mirrors.”

It might be a magic illusion, a symmetrical reflection, an accidental or deliberate set-up shot, or an image within an image.

It is really up to you how to interpret the prompt.

Trondheim, Norway

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Credit: pixabay.com

How to Join the Friendly Friday Challenge

To join in add a linkback, (aka a ping-back), and a Friendly Friday tag to a new post or link, addressing the prompt, then return to this post and leave a comment with your published link, as pingbacks are notoriously unreliable.

If this is your first challenge, there are more detailed instructions on how to join the Friendly Friday Photo Challenge.

My Friendly Friday Challenge co-host will provide the prompt next week, at The Sandy Chronicles.

Friendly Friday Photo Challenge – Rails

Every second week, the Friendly Friday challenge is hosted here at, ‘StPA’ (Something to Ponder About) and can be found at the blog of my very adept co-host, Sandy, every alternate Friday, – The Sandy Chronicles.

This week the world continues its Corona freefall, so we could be facetiously say, the world is off the ‘rails.’

Weekly Friendly Friday Theme

Rails

This week I am asking you to show you me photographs of ‘rails.’ It could be a balcony, or a train line, something new or something from your archives, if you are self isolating.

As rails are usually straight and narrow, we could say the universe has it under control and whilst we should take precautions, we don’t need to panic, if we are following basic hand hygiene and cough etiquette.

Rails can keep us from straying from the straight and narrow.

The rails might keep us safe across the bridge

Or from falling over the edge.

A world like no other!

This is one kind of challenge that is not risky for our health.

New to Friendly Friday or need a reminder about how to join? Post a comment below with a link and check the details on how to join here.

Thank goodness we cannot catch Corona via our computers!

I hope you are all doing okay in your respective countries.

Take care, everyone.

Friendly Friday Photo Challenge

Who wants some Snapper?

What is Friendly Friday?

The Friendly Friday Photo Challenge is about community and interacting with other bloggers. It’s a weekly blogging challenge where participants have an opportunity to share photographs from their world in a post based on, or around, the weekly theme. Everyone is welcome to join in.

Friendly Friday is hosted by bloggers Amanda, from ‘StPA’ (Something to Ponder About) and Sandy at The Sandy Chronicles.

Weekly Theme

As I now live in a home by the sea and was posting about a recent Michelin star seafood meal, the theme for this week’s Friendly Friday is: –

‘Sea Creatures‘

‘Sea creatures‘ covers anything from coral or seafood, to fishing, street photography, artwork, or shells. Your imagination is your only limit.

Nothing beats a meal of sea urchin and walnut tofu! Yes, I did eat it all!

What kind of sea creatures can you find for Friendly Friday?

Finding decorative sea creatures is a bonus.

Friendly Friday Photo Challenge

• The challenge runs for one week, from Friday to the following Thursday, when the new weekly theme will be posted.
• The Challenge is hosted on alternate weeks by StPA and The Sandy Chronicles
• Leave a comment here to indicate you have joined the challenge.
• Include a pingback/tag your post so we don’t miss your post.

Need more information on Joining Friendly Friday?

Friendly Friday Photo Challenge – Shadows

Everyone is welcome to join in with the Friendly Friday Photography challenge.

This photo challenge is alternately hosted each Friday by the bloggers:
Something to Ponder About  and The Snow Melts Somewhere

The prompt for this Friday is:

Shadows

I hear you say that you don’t have a photo with a cool ‘Shadow’ in it?

Then create one, like I did above! Add a frame or border with a photo app if you like.

I am really curious to see what you come up with this week!

Spread the word and gets your blog community to join in on the fun.

Instructions for Joining:

• Write a post including a URL link back to this Friendly Friday post.
• Tag your post ‘Friendly Friday’
• Once published, paste the link to your Friendly Friday ‘Shadows’ post, in the comments here, so we can find you and visit your blog.
• Include in your post the Friendly Friday logo, found below, if you wish.
• Please note there are no deadlines for participating. New prompts are posted each week alternately at the host blogs.
• Be a part of the Friendly Friday Community and visit the links in the comments section. It can be quite interesting to see another person’s post on the prompt.

See you over at Snow’s blog TheSnowMeltsSomewhere next Friendly Friday.

Lens Artists – Creativity

We are all creatives here at the blogging world. As Manja recently commented, posts can be stories, and stories are creative. But today I would like to post some creativity of my own.

I never considered myself a creative sort, that is until I discovered a very old decorative art form from Norway, called Rosemaling and even though I was far away in Australia, I was determined to learn how I could paint in a similarly creative way.

Little did I realize that Rosemaling was to take me to so many places, meet so many fantastic people, and make so many enduring friendships around the world. From Iceland to Turkey, Japan, Holland and back to Australia.

One of my painting that I have printed on fabric

As I have my own photographic challenge, that I co-host with another blogger, I do like to support other bloggers who are running challenges, when I can. This is the first time I have participated in the Lens Artists challenge.

My mentor’s Rosemaling

This very old art form, called Rosemaling stems back to the 17th century and I think those who created the styles initially were extremely creative. It arose from Renaissance motifs but developed into individual styles based on each district in Norway.

Inside an old Norwegian Stave Church. I love this blue!

1766 Chest from Simenrud Fåberg

Telemark Style rosemaling I painted. The small rose motif to the bottom left has been used by graphic designers with my permission.

Take a look here for the rules and other participants here Lens Artists – Creativity

Something to Ponder About

Friendly Friday Photo Challenge- Mistakes

Mistakes.

We all make them.

Sometimes they help us discover something new, sometimes they are curiosities to us, or something to laugh at, occasionally they might even be serendipitous.

Graphic credit: H. Mcl.

Still other times, mistakes might be a real pain.

But with every mistake, we undoubtedly learn something previously unknown.

This week on Friendly Friday Photography Challenge, I am asking you to create a post on the theme of:

“Mistakes”

Write as much or as little as you like to accompany the photo/s you choose to post.

New Zealand – an unexplained photo mistake??

The Friendly Friday prompt, this week, is “Mistakes.”

There are two mistakes in the above photo.

Mistake #1 – shows a quirk of mobile photography – I am unsure how I managed this photo, given it was taken with my smartphone, but I think it looks kinda cool. It reminds me of The Day of the Triffids, War of the Worlds, or a sci-fi novel.

Can you guess what the mistake actually is?

Mistake #2: Can you see another mistake?

I feel sure this mistake would not amuse local police.

Here is another kind of mistake:

Did he/she make a mistake?

Create a post sharing your interpretation of the weekly prompt – Mistakes.

Instructions:

• Write and publish a post, tagging the post Friendly Friday, and adding a url link back to this Friendly Friday post.
• Include the Friendly Friday logo if you wish
• Post a link to your Mistake post, in the comments here, so we can easily find you.
• Please note there are no deadlines for participating
• Browse the other participants’ posts using the links in the comments section, to see how they’ve interpreted the weekly prompt. It can be quite interesting.

Find more Instructions on joining in with Friendly Friday here

Friendly Friday Photography challenge is alternately hosted each Friday by
Something to Ponder About  

and

The Snow Melts Somewhere

For help creating a link back or pingback to your post – click here

Something Fun to Ponder About this Friday!

Poetry Challenge – OctPoWriMo

The following poem is the one I have always liked and I wrote it so quickly – it must be that writing from the heart, makes a difference.

I am submitting it for the October poetry month challenge. A little late but I have been occupied with hosting my own poetry challenge, which ends this month, well, last month, now that today is officially November.

You can check out another of my poems here/2018/11/01/poetry-challenge-october-prompt-2/

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

‘Still in my Heart’

Home Sweet Home afar from me,
At least 10 hours over sky and sea,

A fairy tale land of red and white,
of rain, and wind, and winter nights.

Yet still you send my heart a flutter,
And here, I can but get your butter,

Cos’ when I’m sad and feeling down,
You can lift my spirits like a children’s clown.

What is this strange longing and connection,
I feel for such warm and fuzzy introspection?

Of land and family long dead and passed,
Would they think me to be completely daft?

Yet I am of them, and they are of me,
This continual spreading of the family tree.

The branches are like the ancient Birch
Resilient, pervasive til one drops off the Perch.

If only I could stay or perhaps visit more often,
But my responsibilities and circumstances rarely soften.

So I must dream and wish and be ever so frugal,
And if I can’t afford to travel there, there is always Google!

~ The Sunshine Elves

Poetry Dedication:

In memory and thanks for a great friend, Andrea Heiberg.

You are watching now from another place, I place I cannot yet go.

Just what are you thinking, I do wonder.

~Amanda

Poetry Challenge – October Prompt

A and I Poetry Challenge Hosts are a Blogger and Writer, from New Zealand, Ineke, of Scrapydo2 and Blogger from Australia, Amanda, of  Something to Ponder About.

Amanda’s Poetry challenge is  in English and Ineke’s Poetry Challenge is in Afrikaans, (with many translations in English). Everyone is welcome to join in. October is the final month of this challenge! Please do join in!

You can write in either language, however, please post a link back, and comment at both WordPress blogs to indicate your interest and include the tag  A and I Poetry Challenge.

For Full guidelines on joining in, click here.

 

October Prompt:

~ Write a poem to, or about, your future self.

How might you see yourself, or your life, in ten years time.

 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

This prompt is merely a suggestion and you may choose a topic of your liking and still be included in the challenge.

Remember to add the tag A and I Poetry Challenge, to your post, so that I can link to your blog in the final end of month round up of contributors.

 

The challenge is open to everyone, from complete beginners to advanced writers or aspiring poets. The challenge will include writing tips and link backs for contributors. Beginner poet, hobbyist or Advanced writer We hope you will join in.

You can write in either language, however, please post a link back, and comment at both WordPress blogs to indicate your interest and include the tag  A and I Poetry Challenge. 

In this way, we can find you and read your poetry.

 

Have fun!

Something poetic to ponder About

Scrapydo2

Poetry Challenge – August Heart Poems

A and I Poetry Challenge Hosts are a Blogger and Writer, from New Zealand, Ineke, of Scrapydo2 and Blogger from Australia, Amanda, of  Something to Ponder About.

Amanda’s Poetry challenge is  in English and Ineke’s Poetry Challenge is in Afrikaans, (with many translations in English). Everyone is welcome to join in.

You can write in either language, however, please post a link back, and comment at both WordPress blogs to indicate your interest and include the tag  A and I Poetry Challenge.

For Full guidelines on joining in, click here.

August – Heart Poem

 

Feature Poem for August

 

This month’s feature poet is Steph, from the blog, Stories and Things Like That.  I really like the repetition Steph uses in this poem and how the shape reinforces and emphasizes the touching memories of a loved one.

 

 

 

Blogger Submissions for August

 

The prompt in August was to write a poem or format a poem with a Heart theme.

We had some wonderful interpretations of this theme, so please do hop around and check them all out.

• Hesterleynel  writes in both Afrikaans and English, which is no easy feat and cleverly uses a heart format to communicate her words.

 

•  Bondelsgedagtes writes about Love never being enough.

 

• Ju- Lyn writes an exquisite Somonka.  Just as two souls are intwined in love, Ju-Lyn has intwined Two Tanka poems about the power of Love.

 

• Yvette at priorhouse.blog delights us with eye -pleasing photographs  and a fun heart shaped format to accompany her writing.

 

• Ineke at  scrapydo2 writes a touching poem about love, loss and forgiveness

    (Insert into Google translate for English)

 

• Amanda  aused a heart graphic and rhyme to enhance this love poem here

 

• Mammasquirrel presents a poem honoring her faith and love of the Divine.

 

• Manja writes a poetic story of love, separation, and what’s more, it comes beautifully illustrated  with photographs.

 

• Tafazul writes with honesty and directness in his poem for August.

 

• Featured poet: Steph, from the blog, Stories and Things Like That.

 

Please let me know if you submitted a poem during August, and the link is not listed here.

Sometimes pingbacks do not work as they should.

~ Amanda

 

 

Poetry Challenge for July closing soon

Time is running out if you wish to join in for the month of July in the A and I Bilingual Poetry Challenge (running each month until October).  Linkbacks to contributors will be posted next week. Leave a comment here, and tag your post as per instructions, to be included in the July round up.

The prompt for July is:

Turn on the radio to any channel.

Write a poem inspired by the first thing you hear

(lyrics to a song, a commercial, etc.)

For the Afrikaans version of the Poetry Challenge, please visit Ineke at   scrapydo2.wordpress.com

Full instructions on joining in with the Poetry Challenge, look here

One member of my blogging community posted the following poem on his blog, Chief Writing Wolf and I am reproducing it here, as I believe that the thirst and acquisition of knowledge is so important. The radio can be a vehicle for this, particularly in remote areas of the world.

Pardon me,

If I may sound critical of I.

But I realized once a short time ago,

That I’m a whore.

A whore of the spirits.

My mind and body and everything in between are open to everyone and everything.

It’s not that I have no moral turpitude.

I’m a glutton for emotion.

I’m a fool for curiosity.

I’m in need of knowledge.

And the people who possess it.

People like you.

I’m a whore of the spirits.

Your spirit and mine.

The spirit of anyone who’s lived in this world,

And wants to share their ideals.

I’ve let myself be used for good and bad.

For all others to enjoy.

Now I demand to enjoy myself.

And be a whore for my brain.

I have no more qualms of life.

I don’t fear mysteries of the human creature.

I frolic with my pod of friends,

In orgied lusts of the good.

Beneath a midnight sky or a crystal sun,

Call me as you please.

I gleefully admit,

I’m a whore.

Because I understand my true soul.

I’m in need of company,

But only to learn.

Always and forever.

I feed from that.

I must nourish from a bountiful mass of gray matter.

It’s my blood.

It’s my breath.

Shout at me, “You whore!”

And I laugh.

“Thank you, my friend!”

Because I know who I am.

One of the spirits.

Hungrier and thirstier,

For a tapestry of brilliant introspection.

Alejandro – Chiefwritingwolf.com

Poetry can be Something powerful to Ponder About

 

 

Celebrating Diversity in Blogging

Happy Me!

Acceptance speeches are not what I would call, my forte, I’ll openly admit that. But to disregard or ignore an Award such as, ‘Most Diverse Blog for 2016,’ an honour that has been bestowed on me by others, is disrespectful and that is something I would never do.

Particularly as readers of NepaliAustralian‘s blog  took the time to nominate and vote for my blog.  It is important to be grateful and respectful, regardless of what a reader’s opinion might be of “awards” in the blogosphere. Because, besides the lovely affirmation that my humble ramblings are in fact, “reader-worthy”, what I think NepaliAustralian’s blog awards are doing, is introducing like-minded people to new blogs that they may not easily find via their readers. By the looks of her followers, many agree.

And I do try to discuss and showcase a range of subjects here, so Yay for Diversity! I will try to live up to the title: ‘Most Diverse Blog for 2016!!!’

So here goes…

1. Thanks to the other nominees for NepaliAustralian Blog Awards, for without them, I would not have had the award bestowed on my blog.
2. Extra big thank you to NepaliAustralian for launching and coordinating the awards and sending me around the web checking out new and interesting blogs.
3. A extra extra big thank you to that person who nominated me. I suspect I know who it might be, but do not really know for sure. How more gracious can you get than an selfless gift of nominating anonymously?!
4. Finally, the biggest thank you goes to those who saw something of value in my blog read my blog, and voted for me! It is most appreciated.

You can find the full list of Blog winners here. Congratulations to all of them. Perhaps your blog will be amongst them next year?

Something to Ponder About, perhaps?

Amanda in Trondheim, Norway

 

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Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge – Juxtaposition

I liked the juxtaposition of the old fishing boats, some where people of Hong Kong still live, and the monolithic skyscrapers, where thousands live. A very ancient and modern place of residence.

dailypost.wordpress.com

http://adamoe.com/2014/01/24/weekly-photo-challenge-juxtaposition/

http://perceptivepotcluelesskettle.wordpress.com/2014/01/24/weekly-photo-challenge-juxtaposition/

http://hopethehappyhugger.wordpress.com/2014/01/24/weekly-photo-challenge-juxtaposition/

http://pangelastravels.com/2014/01/25/weekly-photo-challenge-juxtaposition/comment-page-1/#comment-19

http://dublin1picture365days.wordpress.com/2014/01/24/day-14/

http://ordibild.com/2014/01/25/close-up-and-far-away/#like-14035

http://chrisbreebaart.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/weekly-photo-challenge-b4-retouch-juxtaposition-class-at-musee-dorsay/

http://publictransituser.wordpress.com/2014/01/25/weekly-photo-challenge-juxtaposition-sevilla/