We’re currently experiencing the second major heatwave in Germany. After the 41 degrees Celsius we had a few weeks ago in June, the 35 degrees now actually feel quite pleasant. Contrary to my usual habit, I didn’t manage to get around to taking photos in Thomas’ Garden in June, so I’m now posting some new photos from July … and I think there are a few lovely ones amongst them.

Continue reading ...

Sicily is an island where, over the centuries, just about every culture in the Mediterranean has left its mark: Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, etc. We didn’t spend much time exploring the history during our trip in May because it was meant to be a relaxing vacation, not a history lesson, but it’s definitely fascinating, and we’ll certainly return and visit a few more cultural monuments made of stone. We haven’t seen the south yet …

Continue reading ...

This is part two of my photographic review of our journey to Sicily in May. Views. And the island has so many of them – and in those two weeks we were only able to see just a few in the north.

It was truly impressive – and a first for me – to come face to face not just with one, but two active volcanoes: Etna and Stromboli. Unforgettable moments in the presence of natures raw, uncontrollable power, which makes one feel rather humble.

My oh-so-beloved sea did the rest to fill up my camera’s memory card. For me, a coastline marks the boundary between two completely different worlds, and my longing for the sea is probably driven by my curiosity about what lies beyond or beneath what is unknown to me. Besides, there is nothing more beautiful than the blue of the sea.

Continue reading ...

I only take photos occasionally, even though it’s one of my great passions. Vacations are, of course, the perfect opportunity for this, although I have to make some compromises here too, because no woman who isn’t keen on photography will tolerate waiting for hours for the right moment in the long run. I’ve reached a tacit agreement with my better half that I’ll always lag a little behind on our trips. She turns round every now and then to see where I am.

Continue reading ...

Over the past month of June, I’ve collected 21 links for my link journal.

Continue reading ...

You stroll around a traditional market in town, stop at a stall and have a look at what’s on offer. You’re never alone, as others are doing the same. Unless you’re in a hurry and you like people, it’s quite common to strike up a casual conversation with other stall-goers or even the stallholder. “The stand is quite busy.” “The product is rather expensive, though.” “It’s hot today, but it’s finally supposed to rain this afternoon.” Conversations that we usually forget quite quickly, but which make us social beings.

One problem with the traditional internet, on the other hand, is that you usually ‘surf’ the web on your own. Reading a blog post is a passive activity, and contact with the blogger, if possible at all, is asynchronous. Social networks are somewhat different in this regard, but the platforms usually operate in a silo, acting in their own interests – with all the associated excesses – and outside the confines of your own blog. The latter can be mitigated somewhat, for example, by using tools such as Mentions United to bring platform interactions ‘home’, but these interactions are still asynchronous and merely link content to comments, likes and the like.

Continue reading ...

Back in the day, there were only hunters and gatherers, and I would certainly have been in the latter group. Collecting things is satisfying.

This month, I’ll be collecting links to blog posts as part of Robert’s Junited 2026 campaign on this page. Keep an eye on it …

Continue reading ...