Blue waters

© 2011 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

Something to sooth the soul.

On the relevance of art

© 2011 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

Very interesting comment on the relevance of art by Jeanette Winterson, here.

Morning After

© 2011 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

Happy St Patricks Day

© 2011 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

Winter Walks

© 2011 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

I came across this image in my files today and it reminded me of the late afternoon winter walks I used to make when living up north. I miss the biting chill of the air and the wonderful scent of burning wood. Trees are especially beautiful in winter when they've shed all their leaves and stand naked against the sky. Some trees have so much more personality in winter. There was a beautiful Japanese tree in Park Bertrand close to where I lived in Geneva. The branches draped and twisted in such an unusual way. I miss the mountains of Switzerland this winter too. It's 80 degrees in Florida today. Quite a contrast to my dreams of snow, cold, wood and mountains. Floridian life is hard to beat though. The weather is so agreeable this time of year. So gentle and kind. So, as much as I long for the cool snowy days of winter, I happily settle for the glorious weather in Florida.

In the woods

© 2011 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

It's so strange how I can suddenly be struck by existential thoughts and feelings. There are times when I can pin point exactly where these thoughts and feelings have come from and other times when I haven't got a clue. This is one of those haven't got a clue times.The image above I gravitated to so I suppose it reflects some of these feelings.

Gardening

© 2011 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

Ive been thinking about gardening here in Florida. I know it will be a huge challenge. Between all the exotic pests, the extreme water requirements, heat, excessive moisture, drought and hurricanes, I will certainly have my hands full. The seasons are also reversed from what I am accustomed to. I wonder if I can wrap my head around this? The picture above is from my last garden which was lush with beautiful Hosta plants. I can't grow those in Florida. The amazing thing I can grow are fruit trees. You name it, it grows here in Florida. Maybe I should chronicle the entire experience on a separate blog.

Firearms

© 2011 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

I am often surprised by how many Europeans find the prospect of living in America scary. Of course there are many reasons for this which I am too tired to discuss right now. Recently I went to eat at a restaurant here in south Florida and came across this sign at the entrance.The sign reads "All firearms must be checked and locked at the main store entrance. Firearms are not permitted into the restaurant entrance." Welcome to the USA. This is not the kind of sign you see too often anywhere in the world. The flavor of the wild west still remains here in Florida. Do you think this could scare off some of those Europeans?