Gratitude Alexander for sharing your experience of reprieve into nature with us. It sounds wonderful, and your title for this piece is profound. I recently happened on writings by Dr. Edward O. Wilson, a renowned naturalist at Harvard. He coined the term 'Biophilia', the title of a book he wrote in 1984, it expressing what he sees as humanity's "innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes and to be drawn toward nature, to feel an affinity for it, a love, a craving". Your experience exemplifies this and no doubt is shared by many. He also co-authored with others in 1991, "The Biophilia Hypothesis". Believe I was drawn to these books related to my concerns about climate change and global warming. It appears our having distanced ourselves from the natural world is a significant cause of these major problems. As I'm just getting into these books I hope they reveal remedies that can be there for the upcoming generations and all of planetary life. Also in your swimming experience, "plunging into the water...cold bites...refreshing embrace of the sea" speak of the benefits of cold exposure that some cultures have known about (ref Wim Hof). Continue experiencing...continue sharing, please.
Thank you, Mary. I just had to cancell may participation at the conference on biophilic design on November 12 this year in London. It's a pity, since it is a fascinating subject, building upon Wilson's concept. Putting a plant in your room or choosing a wooden desk instead of a plastic-covered one is a very first step. Extend it and you design houses or cities with a completely different mindset, just as you can live your life more biophilic. I love the concept, and my recent move to the countryside, for the first time in my life, is related to the same philosophy. It gives me more peace and a reconnection to nature.
The heat is so intense in the desert I am taking extra Vit D because I am a hermit. But as the sun makes its descent into nature's closing ceremony, I come alive; somehow the heat is bearable, the sky is on fire and my mind opens to the vast display around me.
Like your seagulls lining up facing the North Sea, my Mourning Doves, messengers of peace and hope, are landing in Mesquite and Desert Willow Trees, their coos sounding like a lament for our planet. Standing in Sonoran sand, thinking about what you wrote, my mind goes to "My name is Ozymandias king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty and despair." Shelley's poem about a bodyless Ramasses II in the sand, symbolizing lost power; tyrants and oppressors have never passed the test of time. Time changes all; power is never absolute or eternal.
It will be a nerve wracking 100 days. Democracy hangs in the balance. I envy your serenity on the island and your sea gulls who seem to understand nature and her "One singular sensation every little step she takes. One thrilling combination every move that she makes." (I live for lyrics). Let's hope the U.S. takes the right step. Thanks, Alex.
I'm using science to stay cool. Windows open very early in the morning (when it was coolest). Now all shades down and windows closed. Keeps the apartment at around 26 C. All my windows are south facing.
I've had a love for Scandinavia ever since primary school. All my school projects were on Norway (if we could choose the topic freely).
I also don't understand why you'd go boil in the Spanish heat. Having said that. I once got hit by a 30+ C heatwave in Narvik. Too damn hot. Still, if I win the lottery I'll walk the length of Norway.
Current architecture using mass timber might be an example of biophilic design. It is said to equal or exceed the qualities of steel and other standard building materials. Milwaukee Wisconsin in the U.S., where I live, claims globally to have the tallest mass timber hybrid, Ascent MKE, at 284 foot (87 meter) (although I personally prefer living closest to Mother Earth :)
Summer in paradise, nice. 😊
yes, it feels like paradise :-)
The perfect morning in a heavenly locale. The Dutch sure know how to live and work with water. Thank you for the happy tour!
glad you liked it :-)
Gratitude Alexander for sharing your experience of reprieve into nature with us. It sounds wonderful, and your title for this piece is profound. I recently happened on writings by Dr. Edward O. Wilson, a renowned naturalist at Harvard. He coined the term 'Biophilia', the title of a book he wrote in 1984, it expressing what he sees as humanity's "innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes and to be drawn toward nature, to feel an affinity for it, a love, a craving". Your experience exemplifies this and no doubt is shared by many. He also co-authored with others in 1991, "The Biophilia Hypothesis". Believe I was drawn to these books related to my concerns about climate change and global warming. It appears our having distanced ourselves from the natural world is a significant cause of these major problems. As I'm just getting into these books I hope they reveal remedies that can be there for the upcoming generations and all of planetary life. Also in your swimming experience, "plunging into the water...cold bites...refreshing embrace of the sea" speak of the benefits of cold exposure that some cultures have known about (ref Wim Hof). Continue experiencing...continue sharing, please.
Thank you, Mary. I just had to cancell may participation at the conference on biophilic design on November 12 this year in London. It's a pity, since it is a fascinating subject, building upon Wilson's concept. Putting a plant in your room or choosing a wooden desk instead of a plastic-covered one is a very first step. Extend it and you design houses or cities with a completely different mindset, just as you can live your life more biophilic. I love the concept, and my recent move to the countryside, for the first time in my life, is related to the same philosophy. It gives me more peace and a reconnection to nature.
The beaches, the experience, heavenly. Dutch architects renowned worldwide for managing water and climate events.
And a personal history so wedded to your island. You are very fortunate indeed as are we to share virtually with you.
Floating in the salty water 💦 so very peaceful. A place and feeling difficult to find for so many. A morning routine to start a lovely day. Enjoy! 🕊️
Thank you, Judith, The morning are the best hours of the day.
The heat is so intense in the desert I am taking extra Vit D because I am a hermit. But as the sun makes its descent into nature's closing ceremony, I come alive; somehow the heat is bearable, the sky is on fire and my mind opens to the vast display around me.
Like your seagulls lining up facing the North Sea, my Mourning Doves, messengers of peace and hope, are landing in Mesquite and Desert Willow Trees, their coos sounding like a lament for our planet. Standing in Sonoran sand, thinking about what you wrote, my mind goes to "My name is Ozymandias king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty and despair." Shelley's poem about a bodyless Ramasses II in the sand, symbolizing lost power; tyrants and oppressors have never passed the test of time. Time changes all; power is never absolute or eternal.
It will be a nerve wracking 100 days. Democracy hangs in the balance. I envy your serenity on the island and your sea gulls who seem to understand nature and her "One singular sensation every little step she takes. One thrilling combination every move that she makes." (I live for lyrics). Let's hope the U.S. takes the right step. Thanks, Alex.
Beautiful words, beautiful desert. You always have One line of lyrics for everything ;-)
What superb photos🤩!
Thanks very much Alex for sharing this 📸!
These landscapes, both wild and welcoming, are so attractive, so plaisant!
They meet our needs for a return to our sources, and as you rightly write, a reconnection with nature which gives us so much!
Enjoy lot ☺️!
🙋♀️🌊🐚
Thank you, Danièle 😊
Postcards and a song. Shivers of distance drifting in the morning.
[…] La mer les a bercés
Le long des golfes clairs
Et d’un’ chanson d’amour la mer
A bercé mon coeur pour la vie
- Charles Trenet
Yes, the sea gently rocked me and connected me to nature. Trenet must have had a similar experience. 🌊
La Mer” 🎶
This song by Charles Trenet from the 1940s, and often covered subsequently, is registered in the Patrimony of French and International Songs.
Her words were a success because they know how to touch us and evoke in us the sweetness and fullness that we feel by the sea...
I loved reading about your blissful morning swim and the serene beauty surrounding you.
What a marvelous way to begin your day and inspire your writing.
Sounds refreshing. And a 20-minute bike ride through the dunes and the forest. Heavenly. Thanks for sharing.
Hot one here today 34°C/94°F. No AC. With no ocean to cool off in I'm hiding in the basement.
Oh that is so warm, here it is 25 C and that's already too much for me (writing behind a sunny window doesn't help).
It explains my love for Scandinavia (and leaves me puzzled why I'm always drawn to Spain)
I'm using science to stay cool. Windows open very early in the morning (when it was coolest). Now all shades down and windows closed. Keeps the apartment at around 26 C. All my windows are south facing.
I've had a love for Scandinavia ever since primary school. All my school projects were on Norway (if we could choose the topic freely).
I also don't understand why you'd go boil in the Spanish heat. Having said that. I once got hit by a 30+ C heatwave in Narvik. Too damn hot. Still, if I win the lottery I'll walk the length of Norway.
Current architecture using mass timber might be an example of biophilic design. It is said to equal or exceed the qualities of steel and other standard building materials. Milwaukee Wisconsin in the U.S., where I live, claims globally to have the tallest mass timber hybrid, Ascent MKE, at 284 foot (87 meter) (although I personally prefer living closest to Mother Earth :)