The Nest

While I was out walking this morning I came across a tree in blossom with an abandoned nest resting in the branches. I wonder if the birds who lived in it before will return here again. I'll have to wait and see. The recent rains are bringing out the green grasses and wildflowers. The cool air feels fresh and crisp - perfect weather for taking walks.

Dreaming of Spring

Just one lone blossom on this tree. I think it's dreaming of spring.

One

Our scarecrow... waiting to be put to work.

By candlelight

It's been raining today and I've been relaxing in the house, enjoying the sound of the wind outside the windows and rain on the rooftop. I filled terracotta dish full of candles, lit them, and put them on the glass topped coffee table in the entrance sitting area of my house. Then I decided to photograph them - still with my light / dark theme. I like the way it turned out. You can see the silver plate and crescent pin, both with traditional Libyan designs, on the table below the glass. There's only a slight reflection on the tabletop.

A Column and Light

Still working with differences of light and dark. I'm improving.... slightly...

Make a wish!

My son Yusef turned sixteen today. He's invited 6 of his cousins to have a slumber party. We had cake and junk food and now the boys have all retreated to the marbowah (traditional Libyan sitting room) and are watching scary movies. Lucky Yusef - his birthday has come this year during school winter holidays. And lucky me that we built the house with a marbowah that has the an entrance from outside. Yusef and the boys can stay up all night long, laughing and joking and watching movies, and I wont have to hear a thing.

We ran out of birthday candles and used seven big ones instead. 1 representing a decade and 6 for the years = 16.

The party gave me another opportunity to play with light and dark too. Still needs work though.

The Party's Over

Playing with light and dark. Still needs work.

Fuzzy

Fuzzy little kittens on a fuzzy, warm blanket. Their eyes are not open yet but they are as sweet as can be.

From Long Ago

Took a nice walk today. Everything should be green by now but isn't because of the lack of rain. A few ground hugging plants are green but everything else is dry, brown and crunchy underfoot. The lack of undergrowth reveals other things, like this pottery shard. Long ago someone was here - right here where I was standing.

Light and dark

I played a bit with my camera at night. Adjusting everything for night pictures is challenging. I need to work on it some more.

The only one left

One of my favorite fruits are tangerines, called leem kinnie in Libya. When I'm driving the kids back and forth to school I often stop along the way and buy a bag full of them for us to snack on. There are seldom any left by the time we arrive home.

High Five

The hand with it's five fingers spread is used in many cultures. In ancient Native American culture it was perhaps used in rituals for preparing for war. In Arabic and Jewish cultures it is said to ward of the 'evil eye' and is often found with an eye in the middle of the palm. It's sometimes called 'the hand of Fatima' after prophet Muhamed's daughter, or 'Khamsa' meaning five.

Evidence of it's use as a symbol to ward of evil can be found all over Libya. As a simple palm print on a wall like the one in the photo, or in more elaborate, stylized charms and emblems. On houses, vehicles, and in businesses as well as on keychains and jewelry, khamsa abound in Libya and north Africa and the Middle East.

In modern times the palm has meaning too. People often greet one another by slapping an upraised palm against that of another person, called 'high five'. It's also used as a gesture of congratulations, elation or victory. A modern gesture that has spread throughout the world.

I greet you... High Five!