Tempestuous

Below are pieces that evoke a certain dark mood. Would be great to brew up a cup of hot coffee for enjoyment while posting these images.

Dangling from the tiny tree branch by the edge of a rooftop is this wire mesh of a life-sized female figure. Her body arcs gracefully backward toward viewers from below, bringing out the long lines of her dress as they flap in the wind. [Budapest, Hungary]

I like the saturation of the sky and in the facade of this gothic cathedral. It was a cold day in Budapest, which adds a temperamental mood to the piece.

Considered one of the biggest ancient castles in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records, the Prague Castle stands tempestuously against an ominous sky. Its gothic angles and Romanesque interiors add a certain charm and mystery to the structure. I would love to start out a fairy-tale book with this scene as the introductory opening shot of a castle in the hills.

Significance

Certain elements generate a kind of peace and tranquility when captured. Depending on my mood, sometimes I can search all day and find not a single scene to convey the meaning, while other times, I would stumble upon a treasure cove and manage to find boundless significance in the most insignificant things.

Cracked dirt nearby train tracks (Los Angeles, CA)

Thin bamboo sticks weaved together to create a fence (Pasadena, CA)

Parked comfortably on soft grass and enjoying its moment (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Healthy Eating

2010 was a year of healthy eating and living. The rule of thumb for eating healthily is to make sure I include as many natural colors from my food sources as possible. It also helps to be conscientious when preparing meals and to treat a self-prepared meal as if one is working from a blank canvas and painting it with a wide spectrum of colors.

Certainly, this Hungarian grocer prepares his produce stand in such a way so as to bring out the vibrancy of the primary colors. The hanging bananas and chilies are not only displayed in a practical way but they also add a whimsical touch to the whole arrangement. Even more whimsical is the man's choice of red and bold black striped shirt, drawing our eyes to him and making him very much an essential piece in this scene.

Mixed beans from Trader Joe's, my favorite grocery store.



This glossy red bell pepper with its plump green stem is so beautiful in form and color that I couldn't resist capturing it before dicing it up for dinner.