This week's Tuesdays Photos theme is "Bridge." Man! Of all the bridges I've photographed, what to choose, what to choose?
Mouse on and off for the morning vs. afternoon view.
This particular bridge connects you to what's considered Scotland's most romantic and most photographed castle, the Eilean Donan, belonging to the Clan MacRae. We visited it last April, 2005, and saw it first in the morning light when the tide was in. Then we saw it in the late afternoon when the tide was out.
I LOVE bridges. I love that they take you from here to there. I love what they mean symbolically. We all have "bridges" connecting ourselves to each other, some more than others. When we have those AHA! connections, we have bridges of understanding and love.
Sometimes, however, the bridges are few and far between, or they break down and we have to make decisions about whether or not they can be repaired over troubled waters, or if they're worth the emotional, psychological expense to reconnect.
It'd be nice if all our bridges took us to such wonderful, romantic castles as Eilean Donan's. However, I'm guessing we probably wouldn't feel very balanced and they'd lose their charm after awhile. So here's to all the bridges that simply get us from here to there, connecting us to what's important in Life. After all, they really are a means to an end!
I LOVE bridges. I love that they take you from here to there. I love what they mean symbolically. We all have "bridges" connecting ourselves to each other, some more than others. When we have those AHA! connections, we have bridges of understanding and love.
Sometimes, however, the bridges are few and far between, or they break down and we have to make decisions about whether or not they can be repaired over troubled waters, or if they're worth the emotional, psychological expense to reconnect.
It'd be nice if all our bridges took us to such wonderful, romantic castles as Eilean Donan's. However, I'm guessing we probably wouldn't feel very balanced and they'd lose their charm after awhile. So here's to all the bridges that simply get us from here to there, connecting us to what's important in Life. After all, they really are a means to an end!
I like a lot what you say about the symbolism of bridges
ReplyDeleteWell of course you know this made me dissolve into a puddle of tears, but that's OK. :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and beautiful post.
Your symbolism on the bridges is wonderful. If I might take a step further in this symbolism discussion regarding relationships....when you find a bridge that has developed a crack or gap, along with deciding "whether or not" to attempt repair...I would like to suggest that one should consider that you can only receive what you are willing to give. Thus, it takes effort from both sides and you can only receive if you are willing to give the same.
ReplyDeleteMei: Thanks.
ReplyDeleteChristina: Awww. I guess this hits us all somewhere deep inside!
Donica: I couldn't have said it better. Bridges are not one-way streets!
Love this post, Mom. It feels like my whole world is one bridge after another at times (as you know all too well). While I have yet to find my own "castle" at the other side of the each bridge I cross, I'm starting to think that just getting to the other side and feeling a sense of accomplishment is enough! Sometimes we just have to appreciate the bridge itself for what it is and not expect the scenery to look different on the other side.
ReplyDeleteI love the post, and everything everyone's said in comments. The photos are so great and remind me of Monet painting at different times of day and in different seasons. I just love that you did that.
ReplyDeleteI especially love your last paragraph about balance, and that all [roads]/bridges do not lead to lovely, romantic places.
Maybe the best place for two people to meet on a bridge is right in the middle?
ReplyDeleteAmy: Ahhh, yes, dear Soul! You have already accomplished so much in understanding your lifetime of relationships. Much more than most ever will!
ReplyDeleteRuth: I love the parallel to Monet. Thank you. Why is balance often so hard for us! What the above photos tell me is that there is a morning and an afternoon every day and they don't ever excatly look alike!
Christina: I really like that! You're right, of course, in an ideal world!
Oh wow - such a difference. I definitely like the first one with water best...
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. And I love bridges. I have a fascination with driving over them.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, as usual.
I loved that bridge picture. Sometime, I'll have to get to Europe.
ReplyDeleteGreat commentary,too. Thanks!
ET: Yes, it's amazing what the tides can do!
ReplyDeleteDixie: Hmm. I wonder if you have a personal favorite?
Tim: You'd love Europe! I do hope you can go some day! Thanks for your kind words.
Ginnie, that's a lovely post. And you, with your blog are a constructor of bridges... :O)
ReplyDeleteI love that photo, and the post. I agree with Clo..you are a constructor of the best kind of bridges :-)
ReplyDeleteMr. Fab: Thanks, my friend.
ReplyDeleteClo: What kind and sweet words to wake up to today! You've made my day.
DW: As have YOU! You, too have made my day! Thank you.
Gustavf: I never even thought of making the mouse-over photo B&W but I think that's a great idea. Hmm. I may just have to work on that.
Ginnie, you are definitely a soul to meet. I agree with Donica and somehow, it was the first thing that popped into my mind when reading this post. My best friend is in Canada (I miss her terribly) but the "bridge" between us never cracked and is still a very powerful link. I'm very thankful for that.
ReplyDeleteNow I know why I'm a morning person... The light! It's so nice on your pic! Thank you for the nice post!
ReplyDeleteCS: Thank God for the virtual bridges that keep us connected! I can hope that you and your friend will cross a real bridge soon!
ReplyDeleteMP: Yes, I'm a morning person too! Thanks for your comment.
I LOVE that mouse over effect..I gather it wasn't there before...or I'm a complete idiot :)
ReplyDeleteI still have to try that one.
(My confidence took a bit of a knock when my template vanished as a result of trying to post a pic. I have no idea why it did that!?)
Ginnie, yesterday I was going to go take a photo of a footbridge in the middle of the city to post on Photo Tuesday. I walk over it everyday and everytime I have 'thoughts' about it. As you go over it there is a huge hole in it and you literally have to jump over it or you will fall through into the so called "Lana River" (really a sewer canal). Well I took out my camera and was ready to shoot te photo and what did I see??? Someone had repaired the hole during the night on Friday! I was stunned and though I was happy not to have to worry about falling in the hole, I was also a bit sad that it was gone.
ReplyDeleteDW: Yes, the mouse-over effect was there from the beginning, but NO, you are not an idiot! I'm guessing your computer was delayed in up/downloading it, as sometimes happens. I am so sorry about your template fiasco. Wish I were more IT-brained to know what happened but something seems fishy about that. Do you have a test blog that you work off of? Hmm. Maybe I'll send you an e-mail....
ReplyDeleteTO: Actually, I thought you had fallen through that hole, Kim, because I had missed you. I know what you mean, tho', about going back and being stunned. That barn near here that was dismantled a few days ago stunned me. It made me wish I had taken a pic of it before when it was so picturesque. Reminds me of how important it is that we take that shot when we first see it or think of it. The opportunity may not ever come back again!
Walked over the bridge again this morning and noticed that the hole has already started to come back!
ReplyDeleteTO: Hey, you may be able to get a photo after all!!
ReplyDeleteAmy, I completely relate to your crossing bridge after bridge. I often long to find that castle, but I realize that I am not the kind of person to settle down in a castle. Even though it's challenging and exhausting work, I love to cross bridges! I never stay on one side for too long. I sometimes look forward and wonder if I ever will.
ReplyDeleteRachel, you're just making me want to get to know you all that much more! :) So glad we'll see you soon.
ReplyDeleteHi Ginnie, very nice shot and a beautiful place which i know well (been there a couple of times). Thanks for the tip for Jessica, she was really proud to be able to take part in that. I too like your philosophy of what a bridge is, you are quite right... and in a sense that is what our "Blogs/websites" are :)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes from Switzerland
Neil
Thanks, Neil. That means a lot coming from you. Do tell Jessica that the next time she submits to Tuesdays Photos (or whatever challenge) she should include the URL of the entire post, not just the photo, so that she can get more traffic to her/your site. So glad to know you've been to this place a couple times. It makes the world so much smaller when that happens :)
ReplyDelete