Potpourri . . . Smorgasbord . . . Cornucopia . . .

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I set out this afternoon, not knowing where the day would lead me. Sometimes it's best that way, just to set out, then follow signs, follow one's nose, follow one's heart. So, all aboard for Owencourt . . . where seeing is believing. If I may add, I'm going to mention a few other blogs in this post, and I just wish I could mention everyone's blog all at once, but there are too many excellent blogs out there. . . so if not this time, surely another . . .
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And was that a big neon O ? Wish I'd caught it lit up like a full moon, on the nights when the full moon wasn't . . . For more about neon, do take a look at the "Let There Be Neon" website, few do it better from what I gather. And if you get to their page, take a look at the Rudi Stern memoriam section there, as well as past posts about Rudi in the misty fogs of past posts here a the Magic Lantern . . .
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There are a large number of photos waiting in the wings to come on stage for their 24 hours in the spotlight before they get buried by more recent postings. There's so much there in the queue on many days I hardly know where to start. There are no instructions you know, this is what's known as flying by the seat of one's pants. If there were instructions on how to live and what to say or where to go on any given day, I lost them long ago, or they perhaps got rusted over, leaving a sign with no words on it . . .

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One figure who seems to spend most of his time just hanging out is also rusting, and isn't saying much these days . . .

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But one place I have been finding spiritual sustenance of late is right here in the blogosphere, for the simple reason being that there are some simply extraordinary folks out there, sailing on the blog sea, doing their thing, expressing themselves openly and honestly and passionately. Just one example, if I may, is Tom Bejgrowicz's Tom B. Photography blog which has recently gone dormant in favor of his new media project on the Tumblr site, which can be found here. If you have moment do take a look at both his blog archives, and the Tumblr adventure, they are both voyages into the surreal worlds of abandonment and decay. I humbly offer these next two photos taken today in homage to Tom, and in gratitude for all the inspiration. You could say his work really rings my bell . . .
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If you've been reading these pages for any length of time you have guessed by now that I'm somewhat drawn, for inexplicable reasons, to the history of World War One, which is still visible in these parts. Most every village or town or city in France has a monument to the people who died from their community, and they are all different. Here are a couple of statues spotted today . . .

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Another blogger I'd like tip my hat to is Laurie up north in England, whose blog (Creating Pictures In My Mind) and company have been a pleasure over the past year or more, as we both enjoy stepping into cemeteries from time to time and marvelling at the history in such places, as well as the peace and quiet, far from the madding crowd, if you will. So Laurie, here are a few from this afternoon just for you . . .

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This third one bears a message the likes of which I've never seen on a tombstone; to translate roughly it says : "Absolutely forbidden to place any objects or religious texts here." And what about non-religious texts ? On the heart shaped stone it does say, "For friendship between individuals and peoples".

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These irises were in the same graveyard, and if I may I'd like to dedicate them to Clo whose blog Photos Sans Cibles just blows me away every time she does a new post.

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As for a very slightly photoshopped version of the same flowers seen today, this one is for Lynne at Décolleté Glimpses, who has developped a bit of an afinity for Photoshop, and is doing some heartwarming work . . .

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This pile of freshly cut stone was waiting to be put in place in the new facade of the Basilica in Saint Quentin, an enormous structure which seems to be getting a large scale makeover. I dedicate this to the master stonecarver who is the other half at Spit & Baling Wire, whose sheer spirit and inimitable style are unique in the realm of blogging.
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Another blog which I somehow stumbled on at least a year ago and have been following avidly ever since belongs to Amy, with the lovely name : Of Heliotropes and Silver Strings. Well, Amy, did you know there is a village in France named after you ? I found it today . . .

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Amy did a couple of posts in the past few days about a small carnaval that set up shop near where she is. This shot below wasn't in Amy, but it wasn't far away . . .

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In a comment this evening over on the Floating Bridge of Dreams, Roxana's magical art and poetry gallery, I mentioned to her that I'd seen a bar today named the Black Angel. Here is the proof. Anyone up for a little drink and a chat?

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As for you Bob, well, you know who you are, but I have no link to link here, other than that of unforgettable friendship over the years, and this very afternoon, I finally found a great place over here in France for us to go have a drink as soon as you get here, heck, it's only been what, seventeen years ? Eighteen soon ? Welcome to Chez Bob !

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If anyone is curious about Bob, who is a damn fine painter as well as an all around wild and crazy guy, there have been some past posts here that you could take a gander at if I haven't already worn out your linking patience . . .

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