“A bird does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” -Maya Angelou
Eastern bluebirds are the most widespread of the three types of bluebird. They’re found in in grasslands, forest clearings and meadows across a huge area from southern Canada to Central America.
A vibrant male Eastern Bluebird pirches proudly on the branch of a tree. Photo online
All bluebirds are cavity nesters, making their homes in the hollows of trees, often in holes vacated by bigger birds like woodpeckers. Nest boxes have also played a big part in helping the eastern bluebird population rebound after a steep decline in the early 20th century, due to reduced habitat and the introduction of non-native species, which compete with them for nesting holes.
An adult female Eastern Bluebird – photo- internet
Other types of bluebirds are the mountain bluebirdand the western bluebird.
The eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a small North American migratory thrush found in open woodlands, farmlands and orchards.
The bright-blue breeding plumage of the male, easily observed on a wire or open perch, makes this species a favorite of birders. The male’s call includes sometimes soft warbles of jeew or chir-wi, or the melodious song chiti WEEW wewidoo.
I do hope that you fell in love with the minute bluebirds that make the meadows, the far away forests and the familiar orchards more beautiful, colorful and enjoyable. Their song is enchanting. Next time you see one, stop and listen to its chirping.
On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it.— Jules Renard
While I have a great appreciation for manmade wonders, nothing comes close to the beauty of the natural world.
We all yearn to spend time in nature, and thankfully there’s no shortage of incredible sights to enjoy; from mighty mountains and roaring waterfalls to thick forests and beautiful beaches, we’re spoiled for choice. In this article, we will explore one natural phenomenon in particular—rock formations.
Whether for their shape, components, location or beautiful surroundings, tourists have long been drawn to these spectacular-looking rocks. Many of them are huge, and viewing them is breathtaking. Here, I endeavour to showcase 10 of the most incredible rock formations in the world.
1 Church Rock – Utah
Photo – Internet
Church Rock is a solitary column of sandstone in southern Utah along the eastern side of U.S Route 191, near the entrance to the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. This 200 foot roadside oddity near Monticello is called Church Rock.
Photo – Internet
2 Aphrodite’s Rock (Cyprus)
This is one of the most famous spots in Pafos, a coastal city in Cyprus. It is also known as Petra tou Romiou, which means ‘Rock of the Greek.’ Its popularity is linked with Greek mythology and the belief that Aphrodite—the goddess of love, beauty, procreation and pleasure—was born here. There is a belief that swimming around Aphrodite’s rock brings one eternal beauty.
3 Old Harry Rocks (England)
Photo – Internet
Old Harry Rocks can be seen up close on foot by walking from either Studland or Swanage across Ballard Down, a gorgeous chalk grassland . This UNESCO World Heritage site at the end of the Jurassic Coast is simply spectacular.
Further south from Old Harry Rocks along the South West Coast Path is the charming coastal town of Swanage, and beyond that Durlston Country Park and Dancing Ledge.
Old Harry Rocks is a spectacular cliff formation and one of the best places to visit on the Jurassic Coast. This is the very eastern end of the Jurassic Coast and the white chalk rocks gleam brightly in the sun.
Thousands of years ago, Old Harry Rocks and the Needles on the Isle of Wight were linked by a line of chalk hills that eroded away. What’s left is a series of impressive rock stacks and cliffs. Old Harry Rocks can be reached from South Beach Car Park at Studland Bay and its a 1 mile walk along the fields and grasslands to reach the clifftop, with great views over Studland Bay along the route (a 4 mile stretch of golden sand).
4 Uluru Ayers Rock (Australia)
Photo – Internet
Visit one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, Uluru. Not only is it a spectacular natural formation, Uluru is a deeply spiritual place. You can feel a powerful presence the moment you set eyes on it.
At 348 metres high, Uluru is one of the world’s largest monoliths, towering over the surrounding landscape and some 550 million years old.
Made of sandstone, Uluru is often referred to as the heart of the ‘Red Centre’ and is one of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks. Breathe in, see the colours change before your eyes, hear the stories of time and be amazed as Uluru captures your heart.
For the local Aboriginal people, the Anangu, World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park holds a special cultural significance where earth and memories exist as one.
Feel the connection to the land as this iconic rock formation hides ancient wisdom and diverse plant and animal life. Discover an awe-inspiring landscape where creation stories are whispered on the winds.
5 The Arbol de Piedra (Bolivia)
Photo – internet
The Arbol de Piedra is another stunning example of geological erosion; over millennia, strong winds have rendered this volcanic rock formation thin at its base. Situated in the Desierto Siloli in Bolivia about 4,600 metres above sea level, the uniqueness of this isolated rock lies in its resemblance with a stunted tree.
Beside the salt flats of Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, you’ll find the stunning landscape of the Siloli Desert, a starkly contrasting scene to that of the vast white salt flats. Here, at the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve entrance you will find crazy rock formations that come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. The stand out among these different volcanic rock figures is the Arbol de Piedra, meaning ‘Stone Tree’.
Named after its unique appearance which resembles a surrealist vision of a tree, the Arbol de Piedra is 5 meters tall and has been formed by the work of wind erosion over millions of years. The base of the tree predominantly consists of quartz which is sensitive to erosion from strong winds in the area. The winds here carry sandstone and salt which increases the erosional effect on the rock. The upper part of the Arbol de Piedra is made up of iron that has a stronger defense to the winds which is what gives the Arbol de Piedra its large mushroom shape.
Enjoy these breath-taking formations made of stone and maybe, some day you will get to see at least one of them!
The Callanish Stones on Lewis predate Stonehenge. Photograph: Kippiss/Getty Images
Lewis is rich in treasures of many other kinds – historic, religious. ..First light at Callanish. This is one of those places where tourists find themselves mesmerized and overwhelmed by unexplained prehistoric formations of huge pillar- like stones displayed in unusual positions.
The stone circle on the Hebridean island of Lewis may be 5,000 years old, but it would not do to keep it waiting. Besides, coming here at daybreak is, from certain perspectives, positively tardy. Emma Rennie, a local photographer, considers 2am the best time to visit. “It’s beyond mindblowing,” she told me, ahead of my journey. “There’s silence, which the world is so short of nowadays, and millions of stars. I feel small and insignificant, and I love it.”
Callanish – or Calanais in Gaelic – comprises 49 standing stones laid out in a shape that, seen from above, suggests a Celtic cross. Despite this resemblance, the site long predates Christianity and, indeed, Stonehenge.
The world famous Calanais standing stones are older than Stonehenge and much more sculptural and beautiful. Erected 5,000 years ago, they were an important place for ritual activity for at least 2,000 years. The main complex contains around 50 stones in a cross formation, with 13 stones and a small chambered cairn in the inner circle.
This is one of the delights of Callanish, and something you can’t get from the photographs – the look of the stones up close, and the tingling pleasure of the way they feel beneath your palm. Swirls, crevices, bright patches of pink granite … each stone offers a drone’s-eye view of some desert landscape. The oystercatchers and swallows, peeping and piping overhead, have the right idea. Don’t get too close: you could get lost in those patterns and never find your way out again.
The Callanish standing stones. Photograph: Murdo Macleod/The Guardian
What, though, was Callanish for? The idea that this was some sort of druidic temple draws the crowds, especially at the summer solstice. The visitor centre and information panels play it safe with a lot of “perhaps” and “possibly”; the purpose of the stones, they say, remains a mystery. When I visit Callanish expert Margaret Curtis at her home nearby, she offers greater certainty: the site, she believes, was built as a solar and lunar observatory.
Crofter Kenneth Macdonald with his sheep at Calanais. Below: Lambs play near the Calanais Standing Stones.
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day.” (Albert Einstein)
Cofucius lived in China a long time ago, (551 bce – 479bce) and was China’s most famous teacher, philosopher, and political theorist, whose ideas have profoundly influenced the civilizations of China and other East Asian countries. The philosophy of Confucius, also known as Confucianism, emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, kindness, and sincerity.
Confucius is widely considered as one of the most important and influential individuals in human history. His teaching and philosophy greatly impacted people around the world and remain influential today.
His teachings , if understood, and learned, could change the way we see life and therefore they are worth reading and remembering.
Here are just a few quotes containing some of Confucius’ great philosophical ideas about life.
Photo – internet
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
Photo – the internet
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
Photo – the interne
To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.
Photo – the Internet
When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it – this is knowledge.
Photo – the Internet
To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage, or of principle.
Photo – the Internet
Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.
Photo- the Internet
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
One quote that I particularly like:
Graphic Design – my personal archives
It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.
The Age of Reason, also known as the Age of Enlightenment spanned across Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries and was spearheaded by such immortal thinkers as Voltaire, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Adam Smith. The list of these forward-thinking figures wouldn’t be complete without the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, whose thoughts on life, art, and ethics have greatly influenced modern philosophy, democracy, and especially our everyday lives and actions. Kant’s greatest contribution to the field of moral philosophy was his ability to frame a known religious doctrine into a rule that can be used by everyone, irrespective of their religious beliefs: his idea of a categorical imperative which states that all of our actions should be such as you would want all other people to act towards all other people. That said, this was hardly the only wise idea the philosopher uttered throughout his prolific career, and many pearls of wisdom can be taken from his written works. Here are 12 priceless words of wisdom uttered by Immanuel Kant:
„Rules for happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.”
„We are not rich by what we possess but by what we can do without.”
„Live your life as though your every act were to become a universal law.”
„Dare to know! Have the courage to use your own intelligence!”
„Always recognize that human individuals are ends, and do not use them as means to your end.”
„How then is perfection to be sought? Wherein lies our hope? In education, and in nothing else.”
„Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.”
„Genius is the ability to independently arrive at and understand concepts that would normally have to be taught by another person.”
„Thoughts without content are empty, intuitions without concepts are blind.”
„Ingratitude is the essence of vileness.”
„Look closely. The beautiful may be small.”
„The busier we are, the more acutely we feel that we live, the more conscious we are of life.”
Diana Spencer was born on July 1, 1961, near Sandringham, England. She only became Lady Diana in 1975, after her father inherited the title of Earl Spencer. Diana who was described as a jolly and lively kid and teenager, and her husband-to-be Prince Charles met in 1977, while he was reportedly involved with her older sister, Sarah Spencer. Despite their 13-year age gap, their courtship moved quickly. The couple got married in what was dubbed the “Wedding of the Century” when Diana was 20 years old.
The Princess of Wales is known to have broken the rigid royal traditions quite a few times, for example, she was the first member of the royal family to give birth at a hospital rather than the palace. This may have contributed, in a way, to her becoming one of the most popular and beloved royals in history. However, it is mostly due to her humanitarian work and approachability.
Princess Diana was always eager to meet with people of all ages and backgrounds while traveling and refused to wear gloves when greeting people, which was customary for royals.
She passed away when she was only 36, on August 31, 1997. Princess Diana will always be remembered as the people’s princess. She won the hearts of many around the world with her grace, compassion, and generosity. We hope you get inspired by some of her most powerful words.
Helen Keller was born to a large affluent family in Tuscumbia, Alabama, in 1880 and lived with her parents and four siblings on their historic homestead, Ivy Green. On her mother’s side, she was related to a number of prominent New England families. Helen’s father, Arthur Keller, was a captain in the Confederate army. The family lost most of its wealth during the Civil War and lived modestly. At the age of 19 months, Helen became deaf and blind as a result of an unknown illness, perhaps rubella or scarlet fever. As Helen grew from infancy into childhood, she became wild and unruly. She was initially able to communicate only with the young daughter of the family’s cook using signs, and within the next few years, she discovered more than 60 home signs she used to communicate with her family. She could even determine who was approaching by distinguishing between the vibrations of people’s footsteps.
As she so often remarked as an adult, her life changed on March 3, 1887. On that day, Anne Mansfield Sullivan (a visually impaired woman herself) came to Tuscumbia to be her teacher, especially to teach her how to communicate. She was just 14 years older than her pupil Helen, and she too suffered from serious vision problems. Anne underwent many botched operations at a young age before her sight was partially restored. Though the process was slow and frustrating for young Helen, she eventually became determined to learn the name of every item in this world that had previously escaped her. A whole new world had opened up for her, and though she had remained isolated for the initial years of her life, she maintained her connection to the beauty offered by music and books. At age 24, Helen became the first deaf-blind person to earn a bachelor of arts degree.
Helen’s pursuit of goodness and greatness was unfaltering, and over the years, she learned to communicate using the spoken word by observing and imitating the mouth movements of others. She went on to write numerous books, autobiographical and other, as well as give lectures and speeches on her life and overcoming seemingly impossible difficulties.
During seven trips between 1946 and 1957, she visited 35 countries on five continents. She met with world leaders such as Winston Churchill, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Golda Meir. She became a celebrity, therefore.
She was a suffragist, an advocate for people with disabilities, a political activist, and a profoundly powerful woman. Her words have been the result of a long and strenuous but ultimately victorious battle that reminds us that we should always have hope and always keep fighting!
I will post here a few of her renowned motivational sayings that might be helpful to many of us.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope.”
“No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.”
“When all you can feel are the shadows, turn your face towards the sun.”
“Each day comes to me with both hands full of possibilities.”
“Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight.”
“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”
I wish you to overcome all the obstacles in your life the way Helen did, with so much determination, undeterred by her disabilities!
We’re all readers here, but the kind of genres and topics we enjoy reading and learning more about can be vastly different. I, for instance, enjoy poetry, fiction, and history books, while others may not and they will prefer to read news articles and practical advice online or in magazines and newspapers. Neverthesame, we love readng and we can all agree that reading is a joyful and enriching experience, and becoming a better reader also means being more engaged with the surrounding world and more in touch with ourselves. But how can we accomplish that goal? Some of the world’s most vorociuous readers offer advice on this topic.
Only you decide what to read and what to avoid
The message of these words is simple and sensible: it is you who will benefit from and should enjoy the process of reading, and so it is also your freedom to choose what kinds of books to read and what topics to choose. An avid reader from his early childhood, Roosevelt was always stuck by the rule to read for at least a few minutes every day – a rule we should all definitely adopt, too!
Get acquainted with the classics
Einstein, one of the most forward-thinking minds of the 20th century, always said that it’s crucial to look back at the past and explore the writings of our ancestors. The great scientist firmly believed that without the wisdom of the past, people fall victim to the prejudices of the present and become nearsighted. Thus, to gain more perspective, go back to the basics, and explore the classics.
Reading the same book several times is a must
Continuing and building up the previous piece of advice is Lucius Annaeus Seneca (known as Seneca the Younger), a Roman Stoic philosopher, who stood by the thought that you have to re-read books over and over to really absorb and understand the wisdom imparted into them by their authors. The philosopher further specified that it’s better to limit yourself to a specific genre or group of like-minded authors at a time to get the most out of it, otherwise the message and intentions of the readings will slip away from you, being no more than a mere distraction from reality.
Don’t shy away from second-hand books!
If the quote we have selected puzzles you, let us set the context for it first, and you’ll soon understand what it intends to teach. These words are from Woolf’s essay titled “Street Haunting”, where she lays out the merits of second-hand book shopping. Here, Woolf intends to say that a street market full of books is like a treasure chest full of pleasant surprises, unexpected finds that you would never have intentionally selected. We must point out that the famous writer is, of course, right, as nothing warms the heart more than a surprise find!
What you read in your leisure time reveals your true nature
This quote, too, is a perfect reflection of Oscar Wilde’s rebellious spirit we all cannot help but admire! If you have ever been told that the kind of books or articles you read are too simplistic or not worthy of your time, even though you really enjoy them, brush away those critical remarks. After all, your reading preferences are a reflection of your own personality and interests, and toxic comments that intend to prescribe certain preferences are only there to waste your time. As the famous writer also once wrote, “If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all”. And we hope you enjoyed and learned something useful from this article!
“Without music, life would be a mistake” ― Friedrich Nietzsche
Yes, indeed, music in its infinite combination of the 7 musical notes which in their turn are arranged in an infinity of pieces, is a Universe of its own!
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ― Plato
As a child i took piano lessons, sang in a choir ; I still can play the piano and I take real delight in remembering some of the musical pieces i used to play when a teenager. I often catch myself singing old songs composed for the Nursery Rhymes and not only, good old songs of the 70’s, 80’s. When I do so, I feel like a totally different person, I have to admit.
I do hope some of you do as I do and like what I like…or maybe try to. It makes life so less boring! Let me add one more quotation which is to my liking :
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Unlimited Possibilities 