Wordless Wednesday

Mid-winter morning. Image: Su Leslie, 2017

Misty morning wanderings

Stillness. Boats moored in the Upper Waitemata Harbour, seen from Greenhithe Bridge. Image: Su Leslie, 2017. Edited with Snapseed.

Although not good for travellers (creating havoc at the airport), the mists that have laid themselves upon Auckland this last week have created a wonderland for walkers, photographers and dreamers.

Greenhithe Bridge disappearing into the mist. Image: Su Leslie, 2017. Edited with Snapseed.

If only I could see the exit! Greenhithe Bridge, misty morning. Image: Su Leslie, 2017. Edited with Snapseed.

A contribution to Sally D’s Mobile Photography Challenge at Lens and Pens by Sally.

DP Photo Challenge: focus, take 3

When Nature determines focus. misty morning, Hobsonville Point, Auckland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2017

Six Word Saturday: all quiet at the local station

Couldn’t help thinking of the London firefighters this morning as I passed the local fire station. Feeling enormous sadness, and huge respect, for those brave men and women of the emergency services. Image: Su Leslie, 2017

The Changing Seasons: August 2016

Early morning; Hobsonville Point, Auckland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2016

I hope I can look back and say that August 2016 was the worst month of my recent life. Really. Because that will mean that things have got better.

Of course “worst” is relative, and compared to so many people, I’m incredibly fortunate.But internally, on a scale of one to smiling, I’m barely registering a lip twitch.

It’s been a month of sadness; watching the Big T’s mother slip away from us.

A month of worry. About the health of our remaining parents, work issues plaguing family members, our boy-child’s living arrangements.

Of frustration. Too many things are out of our control. Without input from others for whom our issues aren’t that important, we’re left in a holding pattern, circling, running out of fuel.

Add a cancelled holiday, on-going back pain and a wicked cold, and I really am a grumpy little unit.

So my image for the Cardinal’s Changing Seasons challenge pretty much sums up how I’m feeling. I know the means to travel onward is out there; I can see it through the mist. I’m just not quite sure how I’m going to get to it. Pity I’m not a better swimmer.

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge hosted by Cardinal Guzman. Please visit to see the Cardinal’s month, and find links to other participants.

There are two versions of the challenge:

Version 1 (The Changing Seasons V1):

Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery.
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.

Version 2 (The Changing Seasons V2):

Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons
Each month, post one photo (recipe, painting, drawing, whatever) that represents your interpretation of the month.
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!

 

“… this old world is a new world”

Morning, Rahui Beach, Auckland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2016.

Sometimes if you repeat the words often enough, the feeling comes.

It’s a new dawn

 I’s a new day

It’s a new life, for me

And I’m feelin good

— Nina Simone

Written for the Daily Post Photo Challenge: morning

A good morning

Coffee, croissant and homemade jam served from my grandmother’s silver jar holder. Image: Su Leslie, 2016

Since the boy-child moved out, my mornings have generally become more leisurely. I can wake according to my body-clock rather than the dictates of Auckland traffic.

Freed from cooking teenager-sized breakfasts, packing lunches and constantly, constantly reminding the boy to HURRY UP, breakfast has become a time for planning and contemplation; a little oasis of calm where I prepare for the day.

I have my grandmother’s silver jam jar holder, and while once I would have thought it ridiculous to use something like that just to hold jam (which, let’s face it, comes in its own jar) I now appreciate not only the simple beauty of the object, but the connection it gives me to the woman whose name I bear, and whom I know only from photographs and my father’s memories.

This post was written for the Daily Post Photo Challenge. This week’s theme is morning.