Tuscan Room with a View

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This is what came immediately to mind when considering a window view. No, it’s not the view from any window at my home. It’s the incredible scene from our room at the villa in Tuscany we rented with a group of friends in spring 2014. We spent many happy hours in that pool, oohing and ahhhing over the gorgeous countryside around us, and then traveling those hills to Siena, Volterra and other ancient towns that left us in equal awe. A vacation of lifetime, to be sure.

I love a room with a view.

Thanks for visiting …

Dorothy

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©Dorothy Chiotti … All Rights Reserved 2017

Weekly Photo Challenge: Windows

Tulip Study

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Monochrome Madness 2-2

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Tulips

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One of the first, and most welcome, signs of spring is the emergence of the beautiful tulip.

It’s still too cold in southern Ontario, and the ground too hard, for the tulips to poke their noses through the soil, so those that currently delight are to be found in the supermarket or flower stores.

I’ve made a habit of photographing these animated flowers as they evolve from bud to bloom. It’s fascinating to watch them grow.

This week, yellow tulips adorned the vase on my coffee table, however they look so much more dramatic in monochrome.

Happy almost spring (or autumn, south of the equator) to you.

Thanks for visiting …

Dorothy

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©Dorothy Chiotti … Aimwell CreativeWorks 2015

More Than Skin Deep

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Wall

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layers

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For some reason I can relate to the ancient places. Wandering around Firenze late last spring fed my old soul in deep and, even, healing ways.

Everywhere I looked there was something profoundly beautiful to see.

At one point we were walking along a narrow cobbled lane, just following it to who knows where, when my attention was drawn to an adjacent wall.

Brick, mortar, plaster, and what is that? Alabaster or marble inlay? I don’t know. I’m no art expert. But it spoke to me and I hovered there for a moment to soak it all in.

Weathered by time and the elements, it seemed to me that this wall characterized the unique qualities of this ancient city, and the art and craftsmanship that make it what it is.

While locals and tourists filed by, this beautiful remnant of another time not even on their radar, I stood there mesmerized for a moment. Breathtaking it seemed, in all its vulnerable glory.

As I revisit it now it reminds me of the many layers of life. The solid foundation of the soul overlain by masks and veneers that, over time, gradually chip away to reveal the true essence of who we are and whatever we’ve cultivated that to be.

Outer beauty fades over time. It’s what’s underneath that counts.

I’m not what I was in the bloom of my youth. Life has knocked me around and the wear and tear of the years is showing up in all kinds of weird and wonderful ways. Still, I like to feel that what lies beneath this aging exterior is a solid foundation that will see me through.

As this wall clearly demonstrates beauty is, after all, more than skin deep.

Thanks for visiting …

Dorothy

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©Dorothy Chiotti … Aimwell CreativeWorks 2015

Blooms

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Blooms

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Another layer of snow fell last night and it’s still cccccolddd out there.

These beautiful blooms at the Keukenhof Gardens in The Netherlands remind me that spring is just six weeks. 🙂

Thanks for visiting …

Dorothy

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©Dorothy Chiotti … Aimwell CreativeWorks 2015

All Heart

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Monochrome Madness: Week 34

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Horse wisdom

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I never get tired of watching horses interact with one another.

There’s a grace, dignity, reverence and awareness in their actions that, for me, verges on the spiritual.

My heart is lifted and my head is light as I gaze upon their beauty and embrace the moment with them.

In this instance, my Bear (foreground), is in the process of getting to know new herd mate, Midas.

This image was taken in the spring about 10 minutes into their initial meeting.

Already, after a few snorts and squeals, stomping of feet as nostril meets nostril, breath meets breath, and a short tour of the paddock together, Bear and Midas have made their peace and are sharing a snacking moment.

I love how their heads pressed together side by side give the impression of a heart.

To me that’s what these spirited animals are all about ~ they’re all heart.

Thanks for visiting,

Dorothy

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©Dorothy Chiotti … Aimwell CreativeWorks 2014