There is an obvious connection between the two in this painting. The girls cling to each other, gathering strength & courage, the older protecting the younger.

What is she protecting her from? We cannot see what it is, but the older keeps a watchful eye, while the younger appears to be engaging the viewer, begging for help with her young, distraught gaze.
 
The viewer is pulled into this painting. The older is a picture of concern, while there is a yearning in the younger.  Is the younger seeking protection or comfort or both? What circumstances precipitated this embrace?
The background is blank allowing the viewer to put their own circumstance into the painting.  Who do you see yourself as, in this painting? 

There are times in our lives when we are in both of these positions. Sometimes we are the one giving the comfort, the one who protects and shelters someone else. We hold someone and keep a watchful eye to guard as we can. Other times we are the ones who need the shelter and comfort. We call out for help and rest in the comfort provided to us, just as the young girl does in this painting. 

Our lives are filled with giving and taking. May we always give with fervor and receive with thankfulness. Life is better together!
 

The sound of nothing but the leaves rustling through the trees overhead create a long, sought-after peace for a busy soul. The smell of fresh air, mixing with the fragrance of pine trees and the aroma of the lake fill the lungs adding to the calm of the summer haven. The colours, the greens and blues from the sky and trees, reflect exquisitely on the smooth surface of the beautiful lake. The pergola and deck are the ideal spot to just sit and to take in the view. A perfect spot to allow the stress of life melt away and provide a space for the peace of this scene to fill the body and soul.

This lake, Lorbin Lake in Hanover, is a stunning spot to unwind, to reflect, to rejuvenate. I spent a glorious weekend here enjoying all the sights and sounds and scents as they refreshed me. 

Sounds of the birds sweetly singing filled the air.  The blue jays, the robins, the cardinals, the frogs and crickets all filled the air with their distinctive songs. Just reflecting on this scene brings me back to that day, not so long ago, when I savored the calm serenity of this setting.

Sometimes I wish that this is where I could stay; sometimes I wish I didn't have to leave this place of peace, this scene of beauty. But sometimes, in order to realize the blessing and tranquility of this summer retreat to its fullest extent, we also need to live and breathe the busy-ness and stresses of life. In order to appreciate the quiet of a summer retreat, we need to experience the "noise" of everyday life. 

Looking at this painting reminds my spirit to take the time to stop and to find the beauty around me. I don't have to be at a cottage on a lake to find these mental spaces. I can also find them in a quiet drive along a peaceful road or quietly sitting on a bench at the river's edge or walking down a deserted path through a forest of trees or even in a quiet paddle on calm stream.  There are always moments that will give us the peace and tranquility that our souls need. All we have to do is slow down and look for them. 

As darkness descends on the tiny building called "Home," a bright fire glows softly spreading its light and comfort throughout the little space creating a warmth within. As the last gleams of the day’s sunrays fade into the horizon and the darkness settles, there can be a sense of fear and foreboding. The colours of the evening are glimmers of browns and golds that remind us of the warmth of "Home."

This piece instills a feeling of "home" in me. What does home mean to me? Home is where someone loves and laughs and learns and plays. It is a place where one is loved and respected and cared for.

"Home is where the heart is." We all have a place where our heart is; a place where we feel safe and secure; a place where we feel protected and sheltered. Home is a place where you feel an emotional connection. "There's no place like home!"

The yellowy/orange glow coming from the windows and the glimmers in the sky and landscape portray a warmth. There is safety pictured in this scene; a safety even as the approaching darkness can present a sense of anxiety and dread. "Home" shelters us from the apprehension and worries that descend upon us much like darkness in the evening. 

I am thankful for the sense of "home" and the sense of safety and love that this picture represents.

​What does home mean to you? What do you see in this painting? 

This painting characterizes much of life, both by what we see in it as well as what we don't see or what is just beyond our vantage point, our moment of time. We all have stability and peace, and we all have trials and storms for which the "lighthouses" of our life provide a sense of direction. We all have "rocks", reminders of lessons learned and opportunities taken.
 
With blue skies overhead, a gentle breeze rustled the grasses and wildflowers underfoot and caused the waves to lap gently at the rocks. The view ahead was captivating. The many wildflowers and random forms of the rocks were striking against the stark lines of the buildings that lay beyond them. The scene bids us to smell the many fragrances that fill the air; the aroma of wildflowers and the sea mingled together.

The lighthouse and various houses stand tall and firm reminding us that there is stability and security even as, we know that the raging wind may bring troubled waters. What brings stability in our lives? Many times life throws us trials and storms. Sometimes we need to look for our stability. But like a lighthouse shining in a storm, if we watch and look and search and give ourselves time, we can find our "lighthouse", our stability amidst the "storms."

The green grass with blue skies and blue-green seas are cool colours and they remind us of peace that we can find even though at times this peace can be quite elusive.

The sounds we imagine in this scene are rather quiet; the gentle lapping of the water on the rocks, the breeze blowing through the grass. These sounds also portray the calm serenity of this scene and yet the lighthouse reminds us that there are times when the sounds in this landscape are not so peaceful, but rather quite upsetting and frightening.

The rocks look so stable and strong, yet we know that these rocks have been driven to their home on the shoreline by the wild storms of the past. We all have rocks in our lives; monuments from past experiences that have been "washed" into our lives and shape our "shoreline". They shape who we are. These rocks are not necessarily bad rocks or tumultuous experiences, but may well be positive adventures that shape us.

In so many ways this scene demonstrates our lives, the ups and downs, the past and present that shape our lives. All of us have memories of childhood, of carefree summer days. Sometimes a smell, or a sound, or the colours we see, can bring these memories all back. I pray that we all have many good memories and that we can have open eyes to see the good that came about from any bad memories of the past.

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​On this sunny warm day I feel a gentle breeze sitting on this ledge. I am enjoying the breath of fresh air that the wind brings, providing me with a brief respite from the heat of the city.
 
With blue skies overhead, cars rushing by on the street behind me, and people scurrying in the streets below my perch, my eyes are focused singularly at what is off in the distance. A tower stands firmly amidst the bustle of the city.
 
As my eyes settle on this magnificent structure, I have a calm confident air about me, a peace within.
 
Thoughts flit through my mind. Thoughts about the past. Thoughts about what is to come. What does the future hold? Now is a time for looking forward, not looking back.
 
As the summer breeze blows quietly around me, I am reminded that there is always a glimmer of hope.

Colourful houses in a row
Tight-knitted community
Birds approaching from afar
Sweet melodious songs
Friendly
Home
Relaxing
Simple, everyday moments
Life at a slower pace
This is what memories are made of
​Small town Canada

 
The young girl, a symbol of youth bends over to pick yet another dandelion going into seed. It's fragile stem bowed it's head delicately in her hand. Her skirt was as blue as the sky overhead and matched her hat that contrasted her pretty pink blouse. She had a million wishes flitting through her mind. A flowery fragrance filled the field. Her wonderful wishes wait in her mind as she breaks a graceful bloom. Is it a kitten that she wished for? A soft and fluffy one with a puffy tail? Or maybe a puppy, so playful and friendly. Will each stem make her wishes come true?  Will each flower bring her happiness? A wish upon a dream is all she needs. 

Windows can mean different things to different people. Some may see windows as opportunities. Others may see windows as  portholes to the soul. Some see an open window, others see a closed window. What do you see when you look at a window? Let's explore the theme of windows and some of the elements of this painting.

A window of opportunity is the right set of circumstances at a specific time and it is usually fleeting. A window allows us to gain a different perspective, a view of something outside (or inside) of where we are and even allows us to imagine ourselves in another place or set of circumstances. Whether we are looking in or out, what is on the other side of the window can draw us out and into a whole new set of circumstances. Life presents us with countless opportunities to move forwards or backwards in our journey.

Eyes are often referred to as "windows to our soul". You can ascertain a person's emotions - both sadness and happiness, both confidence and fear - by looking into his or her eyes. Our eyes give our brains new perspectives, much like a window does for anyone looking through them. When you look through a window you see a little bit of who or what lies behind that window. By seeing toys strewn over a living room floor, you may see a family who values children and spends much of their time focused on them. By seeing a darkened room, you may see someone devoid of joy or happiness. So it is with eyes; you are able to see a little bit of the person by looking into their eyes.

A window can be either open or closed. We can see this theme in both of the aforementioned window quotes. A person can be open or closed to an opportunity. Also, we can shield our eyes from showing emotion, much like a window can be blocked with blinds.

The stone wall in the painting is rigid and a source of strength for the window. It symbolizes the idea of endurance, stability, and permanence. The wall also represents boundaries. The window provides the opportunity to see, whereas the wall provides safety. If we stay behind the wall we stay safe, but if we venture to the other side of the window we embrace opportunity. Does the correlation between the security of the wall and the vulnerability of the window reflect our life? Does letting things in or stepping out make us anxious? For every new experience ahead we can see a wall or a window.

In this painting, specifically the window panes the shadows are conflicting. In the left side panes there is darkness on the left; in the right side panes there is darkness on the right. And so it is in life. Windows may reveal conflict. Opportunities and change may provide conflict. What we see on the other side is not always what we want to see.

The flowers decorating the window of this painting can encourage us to "stop and smell the roses", to slow down and allow the colours to lift our souls. Flowers can brighten our moods and encourage us to see the positives in life, the positives in opportunities, the positives in our souls.

Windows...opportunities - conflicts - open - closed - strength - safety. Windows can convey so many things to each and every one of us. What does a window mean to you?​