Monday, December 31, 2012

A cynical world in turmoil...

I am very angry on this last day of the year and the squabbling in Washington goes on. 
Politicians everywhere in the world are braking every code of what democracy is 
and all for power, greed and manipulation. The pope finds a convenient way of manifesting himself through announcing that a miracle has taken place, just a few days before Xmas. 
Muslims are killing other muslims and in Syria thousands are killed every week without the world outside doing anything but talking. 
I could fill out page after page in an endless stream of examples of atrocities being made 
day in and day out, in every corner of the world.
*
And then there is Fotis, Evi, Filippa, Dukas and Eleni and a long line of names of children who brighten up my day. Here, there and everywhere!
I might be a bit naive in this, but I really think that our children of any age, 
is what makes the difference. 
As long as I and others in the so called grown up world, 
do the best to avoid screwing them up with our own problems.

That will be my New Year's Resolution, to never stop listening to them and respond to their brave attempts to communicate with this rough world of ours. 
Pictures of children with the permission of parents. I did not ask the cats.






A candle for me and everyone.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Pastoral Xmas Day...

A walk in warm weather. Green grass, shining puddles, 
the smell from burning wood and Aghia Filiá. 
Treasure hunting on a quiet beach, a swim and a warm house. 
Quiet mind setting...
*








Monday, December 24, 2012

I could not ask for more...

Waking up rather early on this day of Xmas Eve. 
My being non-Greek, except at heart, this is my day. Sharing coffee
 and "pepparkakor" and gifts in the peace of this incredibly sunny day
and a glittering sea down there. 
Thinking good thoughts to everyone I know...
*


Friday, December 21, 2012

Xmas preps at laundry...

Taking a brisk walk in a rather wintery day. Passing by Mersini and Giannis at the laundry for a chat. Realizing that even God's shepherds need to be cleaned and prepared for days of Xmas. Far away from their presumably shining world. Makes it a bit more human... 
*



Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Time making a break...

No entrance fee. Just tranquility and that fresh, green color from lawns and fields under the millions of olive trees and the dew glittering in the light of the sun. There is this total absence of state church feeling here. Nothing dogmatic. Just there. Only that kind of stillness I can find inside at times. At Aghios Stéfanos...
Warming in the sun.

Simplicity.

The art of a wall.

Remembering.

Friend at peace.


Same bench, but Winter time.

Mirror of water velvet.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Winter trip in Wonderland...

Magic Winter days of light and friendship, through peaceful villages, on icy roads shaded by surrounding mountains, to quiet Mantamados, coffee and loukoumades in the warming sun....







Thursday, December 13, 2012

To kill your darlings is very hard...


I can never get enough of Psiriara beach and all it's different faces. An endless variation of colors, light and temperaments. Changing with seasons, it makes me see where I am in time. It is so easy to become too much in love with all the photos taken, all my darlings, but I have learnt from pro photographers who know better, that I have to be selective and not let all the pictures seduce me. So, many of my darlings have to go and I stay with my choices. 

Backlight peek.




No more showers in the summer.



The waves come marching in.



Friday, December 7, 2012

Yippee for photographer Johanna and the island of Lesvos...

Time to salute a pro photographer and to congratulate the people and the island of Lesvos. 

Yesterday, Johanna Akerberg Kassel was rewarded a highly valued scholarship, in competition with well over 1000 applicants, by the board of The Swedish Author´s Fund, on behalf of The Ministry of Culture, for her photo book Μάτια Μου. 

The book was published in June and is, at least in the way I witness the work, a meditation over Greece and it´s people, with those of Molivos, Lesvos in particular. 
The best way to find a person's own reactions, could be to read the Prologue in Greek, English or Swedish, written by renowned Greek Swedish author Theódoros Kallifatides and then focus the book itself. 
I really do not feel that I have anything to add to that. It speaks for itself.

It is, of course, also a fantastic tribute to "the island of islands", Lesvos and an eye opener for both locals on the island, as well as for all those who have visited the island and all who still has that possibly incredible experience undone. 
With the photographer's permission.
Dedication.

The photographer's beginning. Out of the photo book.

The work.
Thoughtful on the island of Lesvos.
Prolog på svenska.

Πρόλογος στα Ελλενικά.

Prologue in English.




Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Joy on a gloomy day...

Any grown ups around?
SuperMersini.

Yes, the yearly Xmas bazaar down at the school yard, could have had better luck with the weather gods.  But mud and water puddles, lack of sun and occasional rain did not destroy the good mood, as far as I could see. Many smiles and laughter among glüh wein/glögg, hot dogs, pop corn, football kicks, donkey rides, loukomades and more glüh wein. Every year with the children in focus. Without them, days would be rather boring...
What a smile!

Wise words from Santa.

A break, the Greek way.

He'd better start practicing!

Zlatan, no chance!

Hunger.

Are you cute?

Fotis The Great.

This is serious business!