Madrid’s Don Quixote Tapestries~

On June 25, 2016June 25, 2016 By cindy knokeIn Conservation, EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DESIGN, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES188 Comments

The Royal Palace of Madrid,

has a special exhibit,

honoring the 400th anniversary of the death of Miguel de Cervantes, the author of, “The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha.”

These tapestries were commissioned by Phillip V who lived from 1683-1746,

and depict in detail the life and adventures of Don Quixote.

I included a close-up so you could see the intricate stitch detail in these remarkable tapestries.

They were woven sometime in the early 1700’s by the Madrid Tapestry Factory which was founded by King Phillip V. Goya worked for a time in this factory creating designs.

Cheers to you in honor of Don Quixote who taught us so much about the subjective nature of our perceptions~

Portugal’s Historic Tilework~

On June 18, 2016June 19, 2016 By cindy knokeIn Conservation, EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DESIGN, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS259 Comments

is this amazing gimish,

of Portuguese artistic talent,

Arabic design

brilliance,

and remarkable Catholic art.

Cultures when mixed,

mutually enrich.

This is Portugal!
Cheers to you from the art that lives inside us all~

Free Flight~

On June 14, 2016 By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES228 Comments

Penetrating eyes,

miss nothing.

The most intelligent,

successful birds,

are often resented.

I wonder why?

Are we jealous they are free, and fly?

Cheers to you from the free-flying gulls~

Trapeze Artistry~

On June 9, 2016 By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES219 Comments

Orioles,

masters of the vertical trapeze.

As if, all their life,

they’ve been waiting for a high sliding wire.

Flying Wallendas,

with no need for nets or costumes.

Natures perfect performers.

Cheers to you from the Holler’s high-flying orioles~

Tagus Estuary & Fuente de Piedra~

On June 4, 2016June 4, 2016 By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, TRAVEL REVIEWS211 Comments

Portugal and Spain have extensive wildlife reserves,

sheltering flamingos, black headed gulls and many other birds!

Tagus Estuary is the largest reserve in Western Europe,

and one of thirty natural protected areas in Portugal.

Fuente de Piedra Natural Reserve in Malaga Spain is known for it’s flamingos.

To mark the last day of our trip, we escaped the bustle of Lisbon,

and spent the day exploring,

enjoying the blooming flowers,

and belly dancing in little town of Alochete Portugal!
We are home at The Holler now, but it is still, cheers to you from Portugal & Spain~

“Andalucia With Fields Full of Grain”~

On May 30, 2016May 31, 2016 By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DESIGN, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, TRAVEL REVIEWS223 Comments

Malaga Spain is one of the oldest cities in the world.

It was founded by the Phoenicians in 770 BC.

The Moorish Gibralfaro Citadel was built-in 929 AD.

It is the best preserved Moorish Citadel in Spain.

Flocks of Indian Ring Necked Parakeets,

gorgeous flowering parks, and empty beaches make Malaga a tourist’s dream.

Cheers to you from fascinating Malaga~

Porto~

On May 24, 2016May 24, 2016 By cindy knokeIn Birds, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS212 Comments

Pretty as a picture!

A wading gull in an azure pool,

bird’s-eye view,

of the Douro.

Spring buds bloom,

while sipping port,

in the peaceful town,

of Porto.
Cheers to you from Portugal~

Paddling Around Aveiro…..

On May 17, 2016 By cindy knokeIn EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DESIGN, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS236 Comments

can be fatiguing.

There is so much to see and do,

that sometimes it’s hard to keep up,

which is why some sit it out on the sidelines,

and others prefer traveling by boat.

The fit choose to walk,

but whatever your mode of transport,

Aveiro is visual candy!

Cheers to you from Aveiro Portugal~

Take Me To Spain~

On May 12, 2016May 12, 2016 By cindy knokeIn EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DESIGN, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS206 Comments

“Carry me caravan take me away,

silver and gold in the mountains of Spain.”

Thank you Madrid for welcoming refugees!

Jesus fue un refugiado.

Somos todos los refugiados!

Cheers to you from warm & welcoming Spain~

Take Me to Portugal~

On May 7, 2016 By cindy knokeIn MY PHOTOGRAPHS, TRAVEL REVIEWS207 Comments

“Trade winds and galleons lost in the sea,

I know that treasure is waiting for me.”

Morrison was right, Lisbon is a treasure trove.

We are traveling back and forth between Portugal and Spain for the next several weeks.

As the poet, Alvaro de Campos wrote, we will be revisiting Lisbon,

“O gentle, silent, ancestral Tagus,

Tiny truth in which the sky is mirrored!”

Cheers to you from Portugal & Spain~

Cindy Knoke

Year: 2016

Madrid’s Don Quixote Tapestries~

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Portugal’s Historic Tilework~

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Free Flight~

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Trapeze Artistry~

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Tagus Estuary & Fuente de Piedra~

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“Andalucia With Fields Full of Grain”~

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Porto~

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Paddling Around Aveiro…..

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Take Me To Spain~

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Take Me to Portugal~

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