Thank you, Jean, There is so much more to share but there are only so many hours in a day. I know there will be many more stories to tell this year and I look forward to sharing those.
Fragile moments of thought and beauty illuminated by your words as brilliant as the sun filtering through the church window.
What wonderful writing!
How fortunate you are to spend your days in this tranquil place but, even more, that you are blessed with the sentience to notice, appreciate and bring to life the simple majesty for your readers.
I absorbed every word, reading slowly to allow the imagery you so elegantly described settle into my mind. I am charmed beyond words!
Thank you for the gift.
PS Do you see yourself in the old man on the bench, years down the road?
I already look at those green benches with a longing to sit there and study pigeons. I picked this village out of all cities and villages in the world as the place to grow old. It's too soon for that, other adventures await beyond new horizons. But I am here these months to prepare for that part of my life and I haven't found anything yet on this island that would change my mind, except perhaps the months of January and February where I long to return to Spain, even knowing that I would miss the Dutch winter storms on the beach in that season.
Alex, I would have loved to have been on your walk to the bakery with you! We would have gone back to your house and had tea (or coffee) with the baked goods and you would’ve talked like you write: painting pictures like Van Gogh did😊
You would love the quiet streets here (soon car-free, so even more quiet), the old houses, the history, and the huge diversity in nature and landscapes nearby. That small bakery looks like it is a hundred years old and it likely is; so it will be there for some time to explore and enjoy if you ever make it to these shores. For historic links to painters, I recommend a trip to Domburg, on the next island to the south. It is where Mondriaan worked in the summers and it was the local church tower that aided him on his journey towards the kind of paintings people mostly associate with him. His earlier work is fascinating too, the best pieces are in The Hague, and you can feel the influence of these islands on his work. Vincent never made it here, but the landscape is not too different from the next province of Branbant where he grew up and made his earlier works. In short: I think you would love it here.
So pleased you are enjoying the slower pace of Spring at your home, selected from so many possibilities to which you have been exposed. Thank you for taking us on your detailed nature walk around your lovely village. It is so comforting to know you are home for the present at least with time to enjoy your special island. ✍️
Thank you, Judith, I enjoy living here these months, but I'll fly accross the Atlantic again tomorrow for a short visit to Canada and the US. I'm sure more island stories will follow once I'm back in mid-April.
I was amazed to discover it, after having passed that church so many times in my life. But it is at the back of the church, where I normally don't pass, and the spectacular design is only visible at a rare moment when the sun pierces through the colorful glass. It may not be as spectacular as the beautiful catherdral of Leon on the Camino de Santiago, but for our village I'm pleasantly surprised at this discovery. I searched on google and there is zero information about the window, exept the one or two lines I shared in the article.
I think the design is perhaps a Horseshoe. A Horseshoe for good luck. As a tradition people hang them above their (Barn)doors with the opening on the down (pointing) side to let the"Good luck" run free . . . from the shoe. Good Luck ! (-:
The Sonoran Desert laughs in wildflowers: Apricot Mallow, Poppies, Asters, Marigolds and Chuparosa, to name a few. Mourning Doves make their nests wherever they can. One has laid her eggs in my entryway, and I am diverting deliveries to the side door. She is not impressed. Spring has arrived and a sense of renewal seems possible.
Your article reminds me again of The White Rabbit: I'm late, I'm late for a very important date. So much to do, so little time. Yet you slow down to share images of your island in real time, far from the madding crowd. From artists to architecture to blooms of Spring to birds returning with an agenda. Mother nature is busy.
"There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the ground." A passion that is grounded I feel is one of yours. This unique style of reflecting on everyday wonders surrounding us reminds me to let the beauty we love be what we do. I think perhaps the older man in the faded raincoat is living proof?
Thank you Sharon, Although I chose this island as my permanent home, there are some good alternatives in the world. Spain or Brittish Columbia come to mind. And then there is Arizona, one of the US states that I have always been drawn to and that I hope to always return to. I know from your writing how much you love living there, in that open space, under a big sky that gives every day around sunset a unique show of colors. This wet island and dry Arizona have nothing in comon expept both are situated in beautiful nature. It's a good reason to find a home there. There is still a book to write about the Colorado River and my trek through Arizona a year ago. Perhaps, someday on a cold winter morning, I may dust off those notes and start working on it. Thanks for the kind words!
Dank U, Michel. A slower pace of life is a rather new experience from the past few years; a kind of permanent holiday feeling as soon as I see the dunes and the beach, even though I work here many hours a week. Living here close to nature in such a village gives this slow pace of life feeling. :-)
Oh, I loved this so much! Makes me want to visit your beautiful island (but only when the ‘other tourist’ are not there 😉). I will share this story with my daughter who will visit her father in Holland the last week in April. She has not yet visited Schouwen-Duiveland but, I bet she will want to once she reads this wonderful description!
As always, thank you for sharing your charming places and experiences with us.
Hi Clarisse, thank you; nice that you like it. Late April is perfect for cycling and walking in the dunes and the forest. And there are small cities to explore like Zierikzee or, more to the south, Middelburg or Veere
So many lines in this piece are treasures. You paint with words and take my breath away. Thank you!
Thank you, Rena :-)
Thank you for taking me/us on your walk with you. It’s always enjoyable when you share your life & appreciation of the world around you. Take care.
Thank you, Jean, There is so much more to share but there are only so many hours in a day. I know there will be many more stories to tell this year and I look forward to sharing those.
Fragile moments of thought and beauty illuminated by your words as brilliant as the sun filtering through the church window.
What wonderful writing!
How fortunate you are to spend your days in this tranquil place but, even more, that you are blessed with the sentience to notice, appreciate and bring to life the simple majesty for your readers.
I absorbed every word, reading slowly to allow the imagery you so elegantly described settle into my mind. I am charmed beyond words!
Thank you for the gift.
PS Do you see yourself in the old man on the bench, years down the road?
I already look at those green benches with a longing to sit there and study pigeons. I picked this village out of all cities and villages in the world as the place to grow old. It's too soon for that, other adventures await beyond new horizons. But I am here these months to prepare for that part of my life and I haven't found anything yet on this island that would change my mind, except perhaps the months of January and February where I long to return to Spain, even knowing that I would miss the Dutch winter storms on the beach in that season.
Alex, I would have loved to have been on your walk to the bakery with you! We would have gone back to your house and had tea (or coffee) with the baked goods and you would’ve talked like you write: painting pictures like Van Gogh did😊
You would love the quiet streets here (soon car-free, so even more quiet), the old houses, the history, and the huge diversity in nature and landscapes nearby. That small bakery looks like it is a hundred years old and it likely is; so it will be there for some time to explore and enjoy if you ever make it to these shores. For historic links to painters, I recommend a trip to Domburg, on the next island to the south. It is where Mondriaan worked in the summers and it was the local church tower that aided him on his journey towards the kind of paintings people mostly associate with him. His earlier work is fascinating too, the best pieces are in The Hague, and you can feel the influence of these islands on his work. Vincent never made it here, but the landscape is not too different from the next province of Branbant where he grew up and made his earlier works. In short: I think you would love it here.
👍👍👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🌻🌺🍀🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
😊
So pleased you are enjoying the slower pace of Spring at your home, selected from so many possibilities to which you have been exposed. Thank you for taking us on your detailed nature walk around your lovely village. It is so comforting to know you are home for the present at least with time to enjoy your special island. ✍️
Thank you, Judith, I enjoy living here these months, but I'll fly accross the Atlantic again tomorrow for a short visit to Canada and the US. I'm sure more island stories will follow once I'm back in mid-April.
🌻 Thank you Alexander (-:
The Arts décoratifs window photo is a marvel . . . awesome light timing!
I was amazed to discover it, after having passed that church so many times in my life. But it is at the back of the church, where I normally don't pass, and the spectacular design is only visible at a rare moment when the sun pierces through the colorful glass. It may not be as spectacular as the beautiful catherdral of Leon on the Camino de Santiago, but for our village I'm pleasantly surprised at this discovery. I searched on google and there is zero information about the window, exept the one or two lines I shared in the article.
I think the design is perhaps a Horseshoe. A Horseshoe for good luck. As a tradition people hang them above their (Barn)doors with the opening on the down (pointing) side to let the"Good luck" run free . . . from the shoe. Good Luck ! (-:
Perhaps an Omega symbol?
. . . I go with the Omega symbol (-:
Both are good options. I will let you know when I find out.
The Sonoran Desert laughs in wildflowers: Apricot Mallow, Poppies, Asters, Marigolds and Chuparosa, to name a few. Mourning Doves make their nests wherever they can. One has laid her eggs in my entryway, and I am diverting deliveries to the side door. She is not impressed. Spring has arrived and a sense of renewal seems possible.
Your article reminds me again of The White Rabbit: I'm late, I'm late for a very important date. So much to do, so little time. Yet you slow down to share images of your island in real time, far from the madding crowd. From artists to architecture to blooms of Spring to birds returning with an agenda. Mother nature is busy.
"There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the ground." A passion that is grounded I feel is one of yours. This unique style of reflecting on everyday wonders surrounding us reminds me to let the beauty we love be what we do. I think perhaps the older man in the faded raincoat is living proof?
La naturaleza trae paz.
Thank you Sharon, Although I chose this island as my permanent home, there are some good alternatives in the world. Spain or Brittish Columbia come to mind. And then there is Arizona, one of the US states that I have always been drawn to and that I hope to always return to. I know from your writing how much you love living there, in that open space, under a big sky that gives every day around sunset a unique show of colors. This wet island and dry Arizona have nothing in comon expept both are situated in beautiful nature. It's a good reason to find a home there. There is still a book to write about the Colorado River and my trek through Arizona a year ago. Perhaps, someday on a cold winter morning, I may dust off those notes and start working on it. Thanks for the kind words!
Lovely sentiments, Alex. A book is always a good idea. And then there is Arizona...
What a eulogy to the slower pace of life! Dank U, Alexander
Dank U, Michel. A slower pace of life is a rather new experience from the past few years; a kind of permanent holiday feeling as soon as I see the dunes and the beach, even though I work here many hours a week. Living here close to nature in such a village gives this slow pace of life feeling. :-)
Oh, I loved this so much! Makes me want to visit your beautiful island (but only when the ‘other tourist’ are not there 😉). I will share this story with my daughter who will visit her father in Holland the last week in April. She has not yet visited Schouwen-Duiveland but, I bet she will want to once she reads this wonderful description!
As always, thank you for sharing your charming places and experiences with us.
Clarisse
Hi Clarisse, thank you; nice that you like it. Late April is perfect for cycling and walking in the dunes and the forest. And there are small cities to explore like Zierikzee or, more to the south, Middelburg or Veere