智者、旅人 The Wise man said...

A tourist who was visiting a small village approached the house of a well-known wise man, and he was surprised to see that he lived in a small, humble room filled with books. The only pieces of furniture were a bed, a table, and a chair.

 “Where is the rest of your furniture?” the tourist asked.

 “And where is yours?” the wise man answered back. 

“Mine?” responded the tourist, surprised. “I’m only here for a short time.”

“Me too,” said the wise man.

事源教會的一個課堂上，大家思考着智慧書，那麼，什麼是智慧呢？一位姊妹便發現這篇文章與我們分享(抱歉忘記了是摘自那裏，如果你知道，煩請告訴我以便加入此文的備註中，先謝過！🙂)，我覺得很有意思，於是繪了這張圖畫，也在此與你們分享。

從信仰的角度，智慧源於我們信靠的神~敬畏耶和華是智慧的開端，認識至聖者便是聰明！(箴言九章10節)人的智慧實在沒法與創造我們的神相比，這是合理不過的; 能夠認識並信靠神，自然能尋到智慧的根源，這也是我們的福氣。那麼，在還沒有認識神之前，是否也可以活得智慧一些而不是愚妄地渡日呢? 

上文述説一個旅人在探訪小村莊的時候，行至一位有名的智者家中，驚覺他居住在一間充滿書的樸實小房子，除此之外，便只有床，書枱和椅子。

旅人問：你其餘的傢俬在那裡呢？

智者回答説的：你的又在那裡呢？ 

旅人疑惑地説：我的？...我只會在此處短暫停留．

智者說：我也是。

或許不用我多解説，你也明白箇中意思。就是這麼簡單地解釋了我們為什麼不需要無止境地追求物慾，除了是物質與心靈所需的分别之外，也就是把有限的時間用在什麼地方上。得到的一齊能成為我們活得更自在和有深度，還是變成享受過後的一些負擔呢？

Listening

 

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I will say this is Part Two of "Hide and Seek", when I was thinking of what to draw in the center page for Book Six - Hear Me, lots & lots of images flash into my mind, they may be real or, are only some wishes that I would like to see someday. Both hide & seek/ hear me & listening would not exist without someone to act, problems remain if nobody care. 

I've always said that "melancholy" happen not only in Paris, but everywhere in the world, we can just ignore them if we think they are the norm, or begin to act bit by bit starting from peoples around us and therefore, this is not merely "wishes" !

Covid-19 pandemic may further increase the distance between us, but a lesson that we've all learnt - to treasure those around you in your life, the bonding of human beings always last wherever we are. 

So, at the end, I make use of the gramophone to deliver the message knowing that there is always someone who is willing to listen as well as to assist. May God bless our planet!

Hide and Seek

Most of my drawing starts with a pencil sketch, the first line is the most difficult one, especially on a clean white paper...a curse, may be :) but once you've overcome this, the time of joy follows!

Although I can draw base on memory, photo reference can help to enhance the details. If you remember, once I've told you that I didn't plan to write Petit Paris in the early beginning of my journey, so all photos took were for pleasure only, i.e.: not recording for future reference. I was glad to be this because if it's for recording or some sort of research, all the joy would be gone. 

I love to draw in the early morning, the most "powerful" time of my day, ideas flows effectively with a spark. Continue with the coloring if it's not complicated or otherwise it has to be done in another day. 

"Hide and Seek" is the watercolor center page of Book Five- Point Zéro, it consist of some characters that I've met in Paris. Although the poems may lead you to think or concern a bit more to the relationships both in human nature & religious, sometimes sad or wordless; I do wish a happy ending, always and that's why it was reflected here, hopefully, you can feel it, too!

Be my guest

click to enlarge

Sorry sorry sorry...this is always the major problem of an indie writer...especially me, a forgetful bird. I remember to write my books, to prepare "behind the scene" blog posts and scheduled to upload; distribute to my reviewers as well as to other e-platforms...but forget the watercolor in center pages of each book, which is also one of the element that I would like to share with you.

Although Book Six - Hear Me has just released this month, it's better for me to carry on with the watercolor in Book Four - Jardins Secret.

"Be my Guest" is the title of this drawing, I don't actually own an apartment in Paris, of course...but dreaming of ;) Haussmann style is a Must !! with a balcony, near the river Seine...that's all; it seems not much criteria have to be fulfilled, it's not easy.

Same as Hong Kong, Paris is small & crowded with peoples, both local as well as immigrant & tourist, so the rent is super high unless you are willing to sacrifice the location & flat size. There is hopeless to live along the Seine at the 1 er or 5 er, but streets a little bit set back is fine, if I get one?! 

Haussmann style architecture is gorgeous but most of them don't have an elevator or air conditioning, for those include these two facilities...rare = higher rental per month. So, you can imagine what your daily life will be if you are living at 5th floor or the roof (usually with balcony); but on the other hand, I am sure you will look super fit within a months time.

I am fascinating with the Parisian balcony, it don't has to be a large one. The most attractive elements are always the wrought iron balustrade, raw plastering finishes wall & flooring, French windows, a bit narrow & long shape but good enough for a mini breakfast table/chair, plus, floral, floral, floral...together with a coffee & baguette every morning here, I am dying for!

Keep Dreaming & never quit :D

 

Tower Eiffel...do you hear me?

 

Wow! Tower Eiffel! What it means to you?! I’m standing right now is near the Jardin du Trocadéro, Av des Nations in front of the Pont d’léna, one of the best viewing angle to Tower Eiffel. Why am I here instead of up up on the tower?...It’s not in my itinerary, besides, if you still remember, I’ve finished my apple there, at the foot of the tower, good enough this time :P

Back to the question and what is your answer? An icon of France? A romantic spot for lovers? A must go in a life time tourist spot?....you name it. One of my friend told me that when she traveled to Paris with her husband years ago, in her memory after returned to Hong Kong, Eiffel, Eiffel, Eiffel...almost every corner in Paris could see...a bit “tired” of it’s existing, everywhere, every minute.

She was right, you’ll never miss Eiffel, day or night, there is always a trace to discover it in my photos. But it’s also amazing when you see how it “interact” to the surrounding, a lot more rather than simply an icon.

When I took this picture, just because of a very straight forward desire to capture the chaotic elements all appear in the same frame. I didn't recognize there was a man somewhere “resting? or...”at the bottom of the bridge, another element in the photo, that’s all.

But when I’ve returned Hong Kong, to zoom in each photos as my usual practice to explore more, the contrast of  “flourishing” above vs the “hollowness “ below in this photo, I was engaged. It reminds me the other day early in the morning, a “yellow spot” drawn my attention...

 

He was working silently, full of concentration without any facial expression, as usual without being aware by any passengers who were hurrying to work. I stared at this scenario for a while, splash of rain falling onto my face...the exact feeling on the bridge...

When I arrived Paris on the first day, I asked my hotel driver wasn't she happy to live here, so she could visit the Louvre, Tower Eiffel, Jardins...,etc at any time she want? She told me, it’s because you are a tourist, I am not, I’ve never visited the Louvre, too much to do for a living, for my family...the exact feeling at the fountain...

Tower Eiffel, what it really means to us?!

Four Seasons

 

Autumn ...

 

forest become silence

color begins to faint

air is dry

life is grey

open your eyes

something above

stretch your arms

a Gift to Receive

Summer...

 

here & there in forest

everything in motion

wind that blows to deliver

signs of love encounter

open the gift for you

the always special you

any message to tell?

any breakthrough to act!

 

Spring...

 

aroma of the forest

life of the triumph

ready for the blossom

can't stop the movement

fly to Explore

chase the light

you'll never know

if you don't go

 

Winter...

 

it seems the end

forest back to death...again

it's a cycle of no control

we should only follow

 the seasons of nature

a Creator who rule

Embrace your life in Him

& you'll be free

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merry-go-round

Rotunda is very common in Paris, some are in the park, on the square or around the corner of the street; most of them are near the famous tourist spot, such as Hôtel de Ville, Tower Eiffel...,etc. You can imagine how wonderful the scenery will be under star night, blossom of cherry in Spring, Autumn burst golden leaves or in the soft white snow of Christmas...post card shot, right?

Guess what is my favourite? not difficult to know, street side rotunda. Don’t you think they just like a super huge toy right next to your apartment, everyone in the neighbourhood can share the joy whenever nearby, be my guest, isn’t that fun?

It’s also enjoyable to watch those lovely kids riding with interesting facial expressions, some are excited, a little bit scare while the turn is moving away from their parents, but a sudden burst of smile when they are once appear in front of them; they all become prince & princess within minutes living happily ever after...

I still remember when I was some where at Saint-Paul, after a long walk without having any lunch, I quickly grab a lemon pie & espresso from a boulangerie, eating in front of a rotunda at the street corner;  the weather is cloudy & cold, but with it’s vintage colour decorative light bulb, pinkish apple like smiling faces on pastel wooden horses, I feel so warm, what an unforgettable moment. 

Merry-go-round, a more familiar name in my childhood, time flies...