Bruxelles: Ville de Contraste~

On August 27, 2014August 27, 2014 By cindy knokeIn EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DESIGN, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS126 Comments

Brussels is a city of contrasts. Classical architecture and modern sculpture share the same streets. Consider this outdoor piece for example. What do you make of it?
(Warning: parental guidance, this post contains graphic depiction of the nude human form).

Nearby is The Palace of Justice, the largest building constructed in the 19th century, at 260,000 square feet.

It contains Belgium’s highest court and is considered an example of “Assyro-Babylonian” architecture.

Leaving this impressive building, one walks down the street approaching the police department, where this person is on display on the street in a store window.

It took me some time to figure out if this was a living person. I thought I saw her blink when taking the photo and was disquieted by the drain in the corner giving the piece a surreal, exposed, autopsy feeling. I wanted to give the woman a blanket as it was cold. Some children came upon this at the same time as I and they seemed very quiet. Turns out it’s a bronze by an artist named John de Andrea who seems to make a life study of “realistic” naked women. Interesting dude……Interesting city of contrasts.

There are fascinating rooftops.

Over the top gilded royal palaces.

And remember, it is Belgium, so you are always guaranteed fabulous chocolate!
Cheers to you from mind, and waist, expanding Bruxelles!

Mélange de Brugge~

On August 24, 2014August 24, 2014 By cindy knokeIn EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DESIGN, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS, Uncategorized172 Comments

It is time to say goodbye to peaceful Brugge. (Please click to enlarge).

Brugge seems to be the land that crime, strife and stress forgot.

The windmills on the perimeter of the old city were built in 1770.

They can be toured, but few tourists did while we were there, which is a shame because they are mechanical works of wonder and a challenge to safely climb!

Although the tourist center is crowded with day visitors, the city empties out in the early evening.

Even in the middle of the day, the streets a few blocks away from the tourist center are mostly empty.

Brugge is full of beautiful old cathedrals,

and charming old homes built on the canals.

Cheers to you & farewell to beautiful Brugge~

Reflecting Brugge!

On August 21, 2014 By cindy knokeIn Conservation, EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DESIGN, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS190 Comments

(PLease click to enlarge). Excited about what I’m seeing and had to fire off some pics to you even though it is late~

Brugge is best at close of day when all the tourists leave.

The tourist boats are quiet and the sun begins to go to bed.

The canals get still,

reflecting Brugge.

At dusk it’s hard to see where water starts and land begins.

At night the swans come out,

to swim with fairies.
Cheers to you from Brugge at dusk~

Love Locks of The Rhine~

On August 19, 2014August 19, 2014 By cindy knokeIn MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Tech Marvels172 Comments

We have just arrived, jet-lagged, in Cologne, Germany. The Cologne Cathedral is on beautiful display outside our hotel window. It is stunning at sunset.

The Hohenzollern Bridge over The Rhine River leads into the old city. Every inch of the bridge fencing on one side is covered with hundreds of thousands of “love locks!”

Lovers place these locks on the bridge swearing ever-lasting love and toss the keys into the Rhine.

We are traveling and I will be blogging as we go. Please understand that I will not be able to follow and comment on your posts as much as I would like. I will check in though, whenever I can.
Until then, cheers to you from beautiful Cologne Germany~

Tattered~

On August 15, 2014October 19, 2015 By cindy knokeIn Flowers, GARDENING AT THE HOLLER, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES194 Comments

Madam Butterfly,

drawn by sweetly scented flowers,

bearing scars of battles won.

Bees drink the nectar too,

and the garden hums,

with the thrum of life.
Cheers to you from The Holler garden~

The Banks of the Yellow Sea~

On August 1, 2014October 19, 2015 By cindy knokeIn HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, Sunsets203 Comments

“This is the land the sunset washes,

These are the banks of the Yellow Sea;

Where it rose, or whither it rushes,

These are the western mystery!” Emily Dickinson

We get some nice sunsets at The Holler.

Probably due to the sun setting over the ocean and the lack of ambient light pollution.

Reflection off Holler windows.

Of course the sun puts on a beautiful sky show for us everywhere!

Shining path Mid- Atlantic.
Cheers to you from our yellow sea~

“What the World Needs Now is Love”~

On July 28, 2014 By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES222 Comments

(Scarlet Macaw) “Sweet Love.” These birds have this figured out. (Please click to enlarge)

Many birds raise offspring jointly and mate for life.

(Yellow Crowned Amazon Parrot) Some of the birds at the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver BC are endangered in the wild.

Birds don’t wage wars and they don’t wipe out multiple species and habitats.

(Red Shouldered Macaw) Sometimes I wonder who is more highly evolved?

(Eclectus Parrot) “Imagine all the people living life in peace.”
Cheers to you from our peaceable feathered friends. We can learn a lot from them~
Lyrics Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach & John Lennon.

Shy Beauties~

On July 25, 2014October 21, 2015 By cindy knokeIn Birds, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES153 Comments

Hooded Oriole.

Acorn Woodpecker.

Most brightly plumed birds at The Holler.

They stand out.

And seem shy.

As if they sense,

they are almost too pretty.

Won’t let me get near.

Fly off with such fear.

Their beauty it seems is a burden.

Cheers to you from the Holler’s Shy Beauties~

Eden’s Calling You~

On July 21, 2014July 21, 2014 By cindy knokeIn Conservation, Flowers, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS237 Comments

So step outside.

The path beckons,

leading you into the forest.

Inhale the clean mountain air.

Dip your toes into the cool, clear springs.

The air is perfumed with the scent of wild mountain roses,

and you pick some to bring back home, just a few, leaving most.

Wild artichoke are blooming everywhere.

If you were stressed when you arrived,

as you leave your heart is filled with nature’s peace.
Cheers to you from Mt. Palomar State Park~

Nature’s Tonic~

On June 26, 2014October 21, 2015 By cindy knokeIn Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES236 Comments

Water is a healing balm,

bringing those who contemplate calm.

Essence of life.

Absence of strife.

Water is wine,

for the soul.
“While men believe in the infinite some ponds will be thought to be bottomless.” Thoreau
Cheers to you with water’s natural high~

Cindy Knoke

Year: 2014

Bruxelles: Ville de Contraste~

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Mélange de Brugge~

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Reflecting Brugge!

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Love Locks of The Rhine~

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Tattered~

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The Banks of the Yellow Sea~

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“What the World Needs Now is Love”~

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Shy Beauties~

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Eden’s Calling You~

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Nature’s Tonic~

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