Thursday, July 29, 2010

BUTTERFLY BAG

If I only had the same talent for stories like my friend Dawn! Hm, what would she tell? What would flow out of her soul? What a plot would she spin around this bag? What fancy, mysterious, humor full or otherwise very special name would she find for it?
I am searching my head for an idea, a spark - but I find myself unable to come up with even the most simple tale! Dawn, we all are admiring and enjoying your gift of giving us pleasure not only with your wonderful art, but with the bits of romances you weave around it as well!
                 So with me it is just the BUTTERFLY BAG!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Friday, July 23, 2010

SAFARI ISRAEL

Yesterday morning my husband took another photo trip, this time to the Safari Park in Ramat Gan. This wonderful park was opened in 1974 and in 1981 a zoo was established in the middle of the park. You start the excursion in your car, with the windows open and in a very relaxing way. You go slowly, taking your time, greeting the animals and enjoying them. Be aware of the ostrich, they are very naughty! Then you park at the zoo and walk around - I promise you, you will have a great day!
 Since Uri brought home so many beautiful photos I will share some today and over the next days - and I am starting with the gorgeous flamingos!
 Why do they stand on one leg?
The reason for this behavior is not fully understood. Some suggest that the flamingo, like some other animals, has the ability to have half of its body go into a state of sleep, and when one side is rested, the flamingo will swap legs and then let the other half sleep,[citation needed] but this has not been proven. Recent research has indicated that standing on one leg may allow the birds to conserve more body heat, given that they spend a significant amount of time wading in cold water. Wikipedia
And why are they pink and red?
Young flamingos hatch with gray plumage, but adults range from light pink to bright red due to aqueous bacteria and beta carotene obtained from their food supply. A well-fed, healthy flamingo is more vibrantly colored and thus a more desirable mate.  Wikipedia
And what do they eat?
Flamingos filter-feed on brine shrimp and blue-green algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they eat, and are uniquely used upside-down. The filtering of food items is assisted by hairy structures called lamellae which line the mandibles, and the large rough-surfaced tongue. Wikipedia

Thursday, July 22, 2010

YOU REMEMBER THOSE BIRDS?

Zoom in!
First photo taken by my friend Vered
 

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

MEMORY

I saw a movie yesterday evening on TV and some one said there:
"Love does not die - time can not kill it - and not many miles - even not death."
I like that.
                                                      I love you Gisa!

Monday, July 19, 2010

MOUNT OF BEATITUDES

Our guests from abroad whom we had the pleasure to entertain this last weekend are Christians. Therefore of course they have been very eager and interested to see some of the Holy Christian Sites in Israel. Among other places near the Sea of Galilee my husband took them to the Mount of Beatitudes to visit the Roman Catholic Church of Beatitudes. It is located on a low hill on the northwestern shore near Tabgha and Capernaum. Overlooking the lake the location presents a fantastic view on its waters and the distant hills and mountains on the opposite side. The church is maintained by the Franciscan Order.
 According to Christian tradition it is possible that this is the actual site of the Sermon on the Mount. The beautiful church is built in Byzantine style from black basalt and white limestone and the octagonal shape of it represents the eight Beatitudes given by Jesus to his disciples.
Jesus blessed in Matthew 5:3-10: ' the poor in spirit, they who mourn, the meek, they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, and they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.' 
No matter what are your religious beliefs this scenic place with its wonderful gardens and quiet and peaceful atmosphere is inviting you to enjoy it! 

Sunday, July 18, 2010

MIDLIFE

Quilted Wall hanging - 80 cm x 86 cm  
home dyed cotton and silk, commercial cotton
Photo by Ran Erde

Friday, July 16, 2010

IMPRESSIONS FROM THE ART AND CRAFTS MARKET IN TEL AVIV

The Art and Crafts Market at the pedestrian zone of Nachalat Binyamin Street, near the Carmel Market in the heart of Tel Aviv was established in 1987. In Tel Aviv one can find streets with only shoes, or spices, or lamps, and Nachalat Binyamin is the street of textiles, mainly fabric, which are sold whole sale and retail, one shop after the other, a street full of fabric shops. 
On Tuesdays and Fridays one part of the street becomes alive much more, as a matter of fact there is an explosion of people, color, texture, a mixture of vendors, stalls and shops, merchandise, SUNbrellas, entertainment and music, with a variety of coffee houses and restaurants as well, all with the back drop of the fabric shops. 
It is a most enjoyable and happy sight and event. You can even have your feet massaged and your hair braided  African style.
 The street itself and the surrounding area feature an eclectic and broad array of interesting architecture, Bauhaus style among it. In the last years a great effort has been made to restore many of the buildings to their former glory, with stunning results.
At the market exquisite fashioned items can be found. The rules for being accepted as an artist are: the item has to be original and handmade, and the creator has to be present at his or her stall. The array of ARTicles and CRAFTicles sold is immense. One can find jewelery, pottery, Judaica, dolls, toys, fused glass, things made from wood and gourd and leather, from papier mache and newspaper, and even from silver ware. A lot of imagination and creativity is going on there. The prices are very reasonable and great gifts can be found. The atmosphere is wonderful, it gets quite crowded at the peek hours, but it is always fun!
 We took guests from abroad there yesterday and ended our tour at the old port in Yafo with a tasty lunch of grilled fish. I am sure they will tell about all of it at home with excitement in their voices!
My husband was the photographer and he captured the most lovely people at the market and on the way: looking at each other, eating, arguing, resting, receiving items, being pregnant, counting money, reading, smoking, looking bored, making music, smiling, laughing, braiding hair, talking on the cell phone, photographing, checking out and choosing items, watching glass being fused, fusing glass, getting a massage and giving one, looking pretty and being dressed nicely and special,  and more!
You are invited to open the link and to accompany  us on our lovely tour through Tel Aviv!
People, Buildings, Colors, and Textures in Tel Aviv Yafo, July 2010