Whippet Wisdom – a Highland Journey
A journey through the seasons with two adopted whippets, a poet and a camera
You can see Part I of The Light Always Returns on our sister blog, Tranature.
The skies and changing light reminded me of a song by the wonderful Scottish artist and musician Dougie MacLean:
Wishing you all a blessed Wednesday,
with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx
Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.
Settings: f/2.8 – 1/2000 s – ISO 100, f/3.4 – 1/1000 s – ISO 160 and f/3.4 – 1/1000 s – ISO 125.
Dutch Goes the Photo Tuesday Photo Challenge: Tomorrow
we find a friend
through this wonderful life
in nature’s magic
the warm light of the dawn
in vibrant winter skies
© Xenia Tran
Kristjaan at Carpe Diem invites us to write haiku, tanka or other Japanese poetry inspired by the song ‘Wonderful Life’ by Colin Vearncombe (aka Black).
Colin passed away surrounded by his family just under a year ago and this post is also a tribute to him and his music. Below is a video clip of him performing the song he became most famous for:
With love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx
Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.
Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, settings: f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 160 and f/4, 1/640 s, ISO 160.
Carpe Diem Haiku Shuukan #4 (’18) – Wonderful Life
Dutch Goes The Photo Tuesday Photo Challenge: Delicious
Forgiving Fridays: Piano and my Mum
It feels as if there is a higher force at play from way beyond the stars. When a physical journey brings rescue dogs to their new home their inner journey is just beginning.
Eivor knew straight away. ‘I have come home and I am here to stay’. Going out for the first time was frightening for him. His previous world had been so small. The soothing sounds of a flute helped to calm his nerves. He now looks forward to every new adventure. Pearl was too frightened to go into friends’ houses on our travels and seemed worried that we would leave her there. When she heard the song ‘In The Light of Love’ for the first time she flung her front paws around my neck and gave me a big hug. We both knew in that moment that we would be just fine. That we are meant to travel this journey side by side.
in the light of love
moon journeys through the sky
every day dazzles
© Xenia Tran
Mish at dVerse Poets has invited us to choose one line from a favourite song and grow our own poem from it. I chose the line ‘In the light of love’ from the song ‘In the light of love/om shree dhanvantre namaha’ by Deva Primal, Miten and Manose. Below is a video clip for you to enjoy:
With love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx
Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.
Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, setting: iA, 1/200 s.
dVerse Poets Poetics: Musical Muse
The town’s population has almost doubled this Easter break. Big smiles on pale faces tell us who escaped from city life. They are prepared for all manner of Scottish weather and delighted to see the sun.
“Who’s this little Speedy Gonzalez then!” says a bearded man in a Glaswegian accent. Eivor looks deep into the man’s eyes. He does not understand the words. He understands the energy and warmth behind them and touches the man’s hand with his nose.
energy of love
in timbre of a warm voice
the universe sings
© Xenia Tran
Lillian at dVerse invites us to incorporate the song title of a top song from the year we were born into a poem, or from when we were between five and ten years old. A month after I was born ‘Speedy Gonzalez’ by Pat Boon was number one in the Dutch charts and held its position there for four weeks. I had to smile when I saw this as several people have referred to Eivor as ‘Speedy Gonzalez’ over time.
When I was ten years old a Dutch ‘prog-rock’ band called Kayak appeared on the scene and performed a song on television called ‘See See The Sun’. I did not speak any English at the time and could not understand a single word, yet to me it seemed they were channelling something very special from a place much bigger than I could ever imagine.
Below is a video clip where Kayak bring us an emotional rendition of ‘See See The Sun’ at Paradiso in Amsterdam during a tribute concert for Pim Koopman, a founder member of the band, who had passed away the previous year.
With love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx
Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.
Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, setting: Action, 1/800 s.
dVerse Tuesday Poetics: Oldies but Goodies, No Matter the Age
Daily Prompt: Pleased
bars of delight
sun’s music in bent grass
joy of the dance© Xenia Tran
Photographs taken by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.
Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, setting: iA, 1/800 s.
In response to Carpe Diem Namasté the Spiritual Way #2 Pilgrimage
At one of the shelters where I volunteered the radio was always tuned into a classical music station and the soothing melodies that drifted past the kennels had a calming effect on the wise old souls who would look deep into your eyes from behind the bars. At home too, many of our adoptees would soon let out a deep sigh and stretch into a relaxed roach while the soft notes from a flute or piano filled the room.
At Carpe Diem Haiku Kristjaan has introduced us to a number of female composers I had never heard of before. When I played a recording from one of his posts on my phone Pearl went into a deep relaxation and Eivor listened very attentively before asking me to play that piece again.
heavenly music
part of us remembers
the angel’s harp
© Xenia Tran
With love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx
Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.
Camera: Lumix Panasonic FZ38, setting: Indoor Portrait.
Carpe Diem #1093 Concertino pour harpe et piano by Germaine Tailleferre
Daily Prompt: Bespoke
dVerse Open Link Night #186
The closing haiku from this haibun features in Between Heather and Grass. If you haven’t read the book yet, feel free to take a peek inside:
wind’s melody
waltzes by and shines her light
where hope lives
and mountains dream
the promise of tomorrow© Xenia Tran
Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.
Camera: Lumix Panasonic FZ38, settings: Outdoor Portrait and Landscape.
In response to Carpe Diem #1084 – Serenade (Schubert)
Daily Prompt: Sacred
For Walter and all of you who care for others.
Walter is saying goodbye to us at dVerse Poets to take care of his wife of 32 years and put his poetry on the back-burner for a little while. Like so many of us who care for loved ones, whether four-legged or on two legs, there is so much I learned along the way from those who went there before me.
When you roll up your sleeves to look after others it is important you also take time to roll them back down and look after you. The more you look after yourself the better you are able to care for those you love.
Your muse
becomes the carer’s carer
illuminating
the changing colours
of the dragonfly.© Xenia Tran
Thank you for hosting at the bar Walter and we wish you all the best. You and your wife are in our prayers.
With love from us all,
Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx
Photographs by Xenia Tran, unedited.
Camera: Lumix Panasonic FZ38, settings: Indoor Portrait and Outdoor Portrait.
dVerse Poetic Tuesday – Sweet Sorrow
Carpe Diem Tanka Splendor #8 Dragonfly
breathing clean air
sharing the peace within
this heavenly landscape
© Xenia Tran
I had never been taken for a walk before I ended up at the shelter. I had no idea what the world looked like outside of my home at the time.
I did not know that three years later, I would have so many wonderful walks to choose from. The list continues to grow. All these special places in nature to explore in different seasons.
I love running on the beach, catching balls. I enjoy splashing in the sea when the weather gets warm. The magic of the forest, with quiet deer’s eyes watching us from behind the trees, the smells of earth and leaves, the sound of eagles calling.
The snows left the mountains in July and now the heather is in bloom.
The air is fresh in the mountains when the glens grow warm in Summer. It is rare that we meet anyone up here. When we do, hikers are deep in thought, connecting with the wisdom from the mountains.
We greet each other the Highland way, the deep look into each other’s soul, the instant connection. The conversation without words.
It is a special place for Pearl and me. Our humans love it too. They smile and go quiet. Our companion sits down on a large stone and writes another poem:
the mountain watches
the loch and glen below
fill with the sound of fiddles,
laughter and the clink of a glass
that never empties
© Xenia Tran
I am so grateful for the long list of all the good things that come from spending time in nature where we can be who we were born to be.
I wish every shelter animal and every human in need will get to experience the love and peace that nature brings.
We have a video today where Aly Bain, John McCusker, Mike McGoldrick, John Doyle and friends are playing a set of traditional reels. The music played by the people here captures the spirit of the mountains so well.
I am sending you all so much love,
Eivor xxx
Photographs by Xenia Tran, unedited.
Camera: Lumix Panasonic FZ38, setting: iA.
Daily Post Discover Challenge: The Poetry Of List Making
Whippets love having fun on the beach …
… flying over the sands and catching balls …
… and never take themselves too seriously.
Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in windows photo editor.
Camera: Lumix Panasonic FZ38, setting: Outdoor Action
Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Fun
