Creating Atmosphere, Part V

There’s more to atmosphere than moody old churches and damp ruins. At this time of the year, there is the fall foliage which signals the change of seasons, the coming of winter, and the harvest parties that have more elegant names to dress them up.

The photo to the left was taken looking down from a stretch of Route 6 in northern Pennsylvania. This vista has it’s own atmosphere, one that would do well in any story, fiction or not. Some views along this road seem hardly changed since the days of Daniel Boone. Now that’s an early American atmospheric setting if ever there was one.

It’s good to get out and see nature whenever you can. Living in a metropolitan area deprives people of the expansiveness of the areas beyond the metroplex. At the same time, I spend many months on a small Caribbean isle that has neither the lush green of the tropics nor the seasonal rotation of northern climes. Thus, a scene like the one at left is a real treat.

Get out and see something. It will enrich your life, calm your nerves, and do wonders for your karma.

Published in: on October 12, 2008 at 8:06 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Aruba Cemeteries

There are many cemeteries in Aruba that feature excellent statuary, fascinating crypts, and haunting images. During my extended stays on the island, I typically take a few strolls through a cemetery or two like the one shown below.

If nothing else, a trip to the cemetery reminds us that no one lives forever. Best to get those things done you’d like to while you’re still alive. Sounds like a cliche, but it’s true.

Published in: on October 10, 2008 at 2:10 pm  Comments (1)  
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Alhambra’s Lion Fountain

When visiting the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, one of the must-see items is the lion fountain.

I first became aware of the Alhambra when I read Washington Irving’s Tales of the Alhambra. Many people don’t know that Irving was responsible for one of the earliest conservation efforts of historical sites. He traveled to Spain, rode from Seville to Granada, and found the Alhambra in a sorry state of disrepair. His book was a huge seller during his time, igniting the imaginations of people in various countries. One of the most amazing things is how his writings remain relevant more than a hundred and fifty years later. His discussion of the Spanish character, the context in which the Alhambra exists, and his interpretation of the sight ring true. It is interesting to read how travel was conducted all those years ago. It certainly makes me appreciate all the conveniences available in the current age.

Published in: on October 7, 2008 at 2:24 pm  Comments (1)  
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It Won’t Be Long…

…before the staff at Rockefeller Center has the ice skating rink set up and ready for visitors.

As you can see from the photo above, they’re hard at work. This is something residents and tourists alike love to do. Enjoy! (I’ll be in Aruba under the lower-latitude sun, working on my relaxed attitude.)

Published in: on October 4, 2008 at 8:25 pm  Leave a Comment  
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