Crazy Geometry

˜

The human heart

likes a little disorder

in its geometry.

– Louis de Bernières 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Geometry.

Mix and Match

Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans.

It is lovely to be silly at the right moment.

– Horace

Late entry for the Travel Theme Challenge: Display.

Round and Round

Spring had its moment of sunshine and mirth;

We witnessed the wonder of nature’s rebirth.

Summer was splendid, we laughed and we danced

In squares and on beaches from Finland to France.

For glorious Autumn did nature explode

In radiant colours: scarlet and gold.

˜

Now the leaves have all fallen, the skies turned to gray,

We can hardly remember a bright summer’s day.

Spirits are drooping as nature grows stark,

Nighttime comes early, and morning is dark.

But be not despondent and winter will bring

Christmas and snowflakes, skating, and spring.

* * *

Julia’s 100 word challenge: “…and winter will bring…” Still  in the vein of Mother Goose-ishness, I went for a little rhyme.

Jake’s Sunday Challenge: City.

The Miracle Mile

We should be too big to take offense

and too noble to take it.

– Abraham Lincoln

I’ve seen tall buildings before, but the “Miracle Mile” in Chicago really is something else.

The weekly photo challenge: Big.

Together

Modern Art? A bicycle stand?

I never really figured out what this was…

Sun

Frank Lloyd Wright

In the right light,
at the right time,
everything is extraordinary.

Aaron Rose

Arranged

Manifest plainness,
Embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness,
Have few desires.

– Lao-tzu

 Chinese philosopher (604 BC – 531 BC)

Distorted

Smoked something? Or is it mushrooms?

Bertie’s feeling a bit fuzzy today. Maybe he’s looked at too many pics from the photo challenge. This week’s subject is “distorted”:

Distorted sky

A dizzying sight.

If you ever want to shoot in Chicago: try the reflections.

Shooting in Chicago

Bertie likes the bean.

Chicago, well, the  unique bits of Chicago, are nearly impossible to photograph. The magnificent mile is truly amazing, in a way photos don’t really capture. Chicago’s people have found a way around it: the Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean”. It’s an incredible piece of sculpture that is not only lovely as an object, like all great art it makes you really look, and lets you see the world around you in a new light.

To make it short, I think the best way to photograph Chicago is: in reflections.

P.S. I admit I’m strictly a point and shoot photographer. If you’ve made a great shot of Chicago, post a link.

Van Gogh’s Best Bed

Bertie and I went to the Art Institute Chicago today. A breathtaking collection of art. The AIC must have had incredibly rich patrons to acquire a whole roomful of Monets,  alongside Gauguins, Picassos, Miros,  – and I didn’t even go to see the old masters. My only quibble is that some American artists like Hopper and Pollock are underrepresented.

Bertie loves Van Gogh.

You can see Bertie felt quite at home.

Blown Away

They don't call it windy city for nothing.

A Room with a View

Overlooking Lake Michigan.

Bertie loves the view.

He kept his nose glued to the window all night.

Finally asleep in the sun.