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A swinging, singing witch?
A flying witch?
Or a laughing witch?
Whichever witch you choose to be,
today,
or in life,
have fun!
AND
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Witches of Szentendres, Hungary, or perhaps variations of Baba Yaga, wise woman of Russian and Slavic folklore.
To an adult,
a cemetary is a serious thing,
but to a child,
it's another place that needs exploring.
No prior knowledge,
no expectations,
no prejudices,
a great way to live
each day.
Cemetary in Budapest, Hungary.
Kid = Aden.
Considering these grave markers,
(are they discarded,or awaiting re-positioning,
it's hard to say?)
it might encourage one to seize the day,
since once you have given up your body,
you are really gone.
Maybe not really dead as some suggest,
but really
gone.
Ancient Cemetary outside of Budepest in Hungary.
It's funny, when you don't know the name of something,
you pay close attention to it,
to try to "identify" it,
scrutinizing the little details that might help you.
Once named,
it's onto the next thing.
This mystery bird turned out to be
an American Oystercatcher -
at least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Oystercatcher was observed at Cedar Key, on the west coast of Florida.
Is this oak tree burdened by the spanish moss?
If you really pay attention to your life,
then you recognize that your burdens are connected to your joys.
All you have to do is remember where the love is.
And that gets easier and easier,
when you realize that your love
is everywhere!
Blue Spring State Park, Florida
Reprinted (and rewritten!) from Laine's Blog, August 2012, with permission.
I'm just a duck,
quit looking at me like I should be saying something clever.
I'm just a duck.
QUACK.
One of many ducks around and in the pond at the South East Branch of the Library, one of five sites for Early Voting in St. Augustine.
This is the day before he understood that you can eat the cone
and
get to the rest of the ice cream!
Aden useing a spoon in Godollo, Hungary to scoop out the rest of the ice cream!
Traveling with this little guy and his mom and grandparents,
at that age where he is absorbing language like a sponge,
and learning two languages at one time,
it was little surprise when he could recognize the Hungarian word for "ice cream"
and take you by the hand to the very attractive stands displaying the beautiful choices,
in all the towns we visited.
"Fagylalt"
Aden and swans at Lake Balaton, Hungary.
This man was right next to our table at the very best restaurant in Tihany, Hungary.
He was fine, really.
Staying with a Hungarian family,
is a lot like being with an Italian family,
everyone talks at once.
You almost can't imagine how these conversations can procede,
especially without your valuable input!
Hungarian is actually spoken softly, most times, and these gorgeous pets were shot in Tihany, on Lake Balaton.
Once in a while,
exactly what we want, need,
falls right into our -
beaks.
Sea gull, Cedar Key about to catch a bit of bread thrown by the upstairs neighbors.
More from the drive through Budapest.
Traveling to the little towns and villages that we visited in Hungary,
we had to go through Budapest from Godollo.
These shots were taken through the windshield of the little Pugeot that got us around.
I can only identify one of the buildings, the Opera House.
This building had been gutted by a fire, and was being restored.
The Opera House
Budapest, Hungary.
If I hadn't been traveling with a local,
I would have been hopelessly lost in Budapest.
This archway led from one street to another that took us to the train for home,
Godollo home that is.
It was this shadow cast onto the floor that intrigued me.
Sometimes it's the little things in life that speak to the soul the most.
In Godollo, the little town where we stayed in Hungary,
there is a Castle that is dedicated to the memory of the beloved Queen Erzsebet,
who united the Austrian Hungarian empires.
On the grounds of the Castle,
was the prettiest stand of fall blooming Anemones that I have ever seen.
Queen Erzsebet translates as Elizabeth, but she is not to be confused with the British Queens.
Uh-oh, now what?
One of many sculptures found in the very exclusive clinic in the heart of Budapest.
(Apologies to the artist for not knowing her/his name.)
Once upon a time,
there was a cottage on top of these pilings,
and it was known as the "Honeymoon Cottage",
AND
it was/is the most photographed structure in Cedar Key, Florida.
After spending a long weekend in this friendly town,
the simplicity of this structure and the fact that it is so popular,
makes perfect sense.
Artistic, friendly, surrounded by water, simple living without pretense,
Cedar Key is one of those places that you visit,
and think to yourself,
"I could live here."
And the nicest people do!
This terrace was so inviting that we spent time there on our way into the village of Tihany,
and we spent time there on our way out of Tihany.
Situated on Lake Balaton it was a place to stop, slow down and smell the roses,
and the lavender!
Kid friendly with a wonderful view,
it was a very special part of what became the perfect day.
(Where's Aden?)
Hungary is dotted with many charming towns,
like this one, Szent Endres,
situated on the banks of the Danube River.
Once you hear the English translation, Saint Andrews,
it is easier to remember the name.
Forgetting the cobblestone streets and squares and shops and galleries,
is not an option!
(And there are my travelling companions and friends,
just up ahead, as I stop to take yet another photo.)
Our last night in the city and we stumble upon a beer festival,
a distant lightening storm,
and the yellow train whizzing by a Jazz boat in front of the Palace
on the other side of the river.
Still livin' right!