Dear You,
I'm back from my utterly gorgeous holidays. First almost two weeks in New York, then almost two weeks in Crete.
I will tell you soon about it, I have many adventures to sing about, and many photos to show.
But since I'm back I felt somehow overwhelmed when I thought of all that I want to talk about, and refrained. Kept my mouth shut (
Then I looked at the photograph of the frontyard in Kapsa's Monastry on Crete - and found the answer to the "Why?" for my reluctance to write.
It seems like work to me - and (real) work I have enough at the moment.
As always I need more patience.
So I will start and put one little stone after the other onto the ground - not all at once.
"Monnik-werk" - "monk's work" this kind of floor is called, a Flamish translator on Crete told me.
And if one is very diligent, something beautiful might become of it.
So I'll start - otherwise I'll might stare at my heaps of beautiful little stones - and keep silent forever, overawed.
I don't want you to keep silent. The stones remind me of Torcello, Venice, I made a cut out picture of a church floor like this. Is Crete somewhere Venetians went? I have missed you. xxx
ReplyDeleteDear Rachel, your words taste like honey from Crete - thank you! Yes, the Venetians have been in Heraklion (I might write about that :-) :-) ).
DeleteAt the moment I am more incined to write a protest note about the 12°C we have in Berlin, shudder, and that rain...
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ReplyDeleteBritta... Yippee! ... A thoroughly American response to seeing that you are back!!! Just eat that little blog-elephant one bite at a time and dish out bits and pieces as you choose! Just delighted that you have enjoyed yourself... You were missed. Smiles...Susan
DeleteP.S. Auto correct is terrible and I didn't catch what it changed... So delete and try again!
Dear Susan,
DeleteI liked "Britanny"! And thank you for the warm welcome (in America I enjoyed the very kind way people had). When I forget to change my smartphone from "German" to "English", I found the strangest auto'corrects' by that system - and sometimes it is even quicker in sending a message away than I want :-)
But monk's work is for good and glory, so another reason not to be silent. At least tell me more about the pattern in stones; where you found it. How large are the stones; we only see the edges. They are laid in such a regular braided pattern. I am in awe of the patience. Monk's cloth, which I have woven, inspires the same idea of patience.
ReplyDeleteDear Joanne,
DeleteI believe that the monks had to be silent :-)
I will make my next post about the place where I found that patter. And I will be on the look-out for your woven monk's cloth (is it on your Facebook-page?)
My how beautiful. In the first picture I thought I was looking at some sort of stitchery. After I read what it is I am left speechless by the painstaking artistry.
ReplyDeleteDear Emma,
Deletethank you! It must have taken such a long time to find, sort and then lay the stones. Beautiful.
I love Crete and I am glad you are back. I made a floor just like that for Hampton House Grotto at Hampton Court, years ago (not the Palace, the other side of the road.)
ReplyDeleteDear Tom,
Deletewhen I was at Hampton Court I should heve known that before! I don't even know whether I saw House Grotto. But there will be another chance (this year maybe I'll be a week in London; and with certainty at a trip on a narrow boat in September).
The stones are beautiful, and I highly endorse sharing as you can, a few stones at a time, so it never feels like work, for I know what you mean and have "been there" too. After all, it's summertime!
ReplyDeleteDear Sue,
DeleteI feel very much understood, thank you - and yes, though I am utterly glad with my adventures I am living in the 'Here and Now' mostly, as the gurus say :-) I'm still looking for summer in Germany - it should have started today, but punctuality doesn't seem to be a German summer-virtue anymore...
The designs are fascinating --mosaic with geometry informed by pebbles. A form of meditation as well as beautiful. Wonderful to hear from you again!
ReplyDeleteDear Geo., thank you! I love the meditative aspect too (it was well represented in my whole stay in Crete). Patience is a lesson I still have to learn...
DeleteWelcome back from your travels Britta ….. what an exciting time you've been having.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing your photographs and hearing all about it. XXXX
Dear Jackie, thank you! Yes, I will tell soon - in the meantime I try to catch upt with all the interesting posts by bloggers here.
DeleteYou always convey your experience with such a vivid and individual enthusiasm, Britta, that we very much look forward to the laying out of your stones.
ReplyDeleteDear Mise, that is very kind! I have to make a list what to do first (am back to the weight-gym, and am repeating Italian - my muscles only needed 6 weeks of leisure, to forget completely how to keep strong, and my brain thinks that is a lovely role-model :-) Ha!
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