Monday, October 11, 2010

The Magic of Lanterns

Every October of this blog I have written and posted here two or three Halloween pieces - poems and little stories that some of you have read.

I don’t feel like doing it this year. This is partly because I’m reluctant to take away from the little time and energy I have for my novel. Most of all, though, it is a consequence of what happened to Rick Moore, whose story was shamelessly stolen. And his was in a published anthology...

So, although it makes me happy to know that good people, like my blog friends, are reading my work here, I’m appalled at the thought that others might have vile intentions with it... What has been posted stays... but with a bad aftertaste... For they too are my children, aren’t they? I’d hate to know that somewhere they’re treated badly...

However, I must honour the season, for I love it. Thus, I give you some pictures I took on Sunday in the Montreal Botanical Gardens.

The Chinese Garden was alight with the magic of lanterns... This year’s theme was Like a Painting, inspired by a traditional Chinese painting, Qing Ming Shang He Tu. An artist from the Song Dynasty painted it in 1127 on a 5.28-metre silk scroll. It depicts the lives of the inhabitants of the city of Bianjing on the day of the Qing Ming festival, when the Chinese honour their ancestors.

And while we stroll among the lanterns, we can always think of some traditional Chinese ghost stories...








20 comments:

Rick said...

these are absolutely gorgeous photographs, Vesper. You've made my night.

Having said that, my newest post details his theft of photos and artwork, too. Sorry.

But, thanks to everyone's input, I think there's a solution to protect us from these creeps.

So go back to your novel. I'd really be mad at this guy if he slowed down your creativity!

Karen said...

Thanks for the warning, Vesper I'll get over to Rick's and have a look. It has occurred to me that this would be an easy thing for an unscrupulous person to do. How awful!

I hate that something like this stifles others.

What a gorgeous park display! Thanks for that.

strugglingwriter said...

Those are amazing photos. "I would drive to Montreal to see that in person" photos. Very cool.

Paul

BernardL said...

Very colorful photos... just the thing for October. I'm going to post another Demon story for Halloween. I'm too old to worry about the thieves. :)

Geraldine said...

Wonderful photos V! This is my time of year too, I love all of it.

Hugs my friend, G

www.veggiesyarnsandtails.wordpress.com
www.mypoeticpath.wordpress.com

laughingwolf said...

ab fab, v :)

btw, they steal photos, too GRRRRRRRR

if you like, i can have a friend tell you how to 'watermark' your photos so no one can ever use them without your permission... let me know if you're interested

laughingwolf said...

rick, just saw your dilemma above... his method works on photos and artwork, if you're interested....

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Sad about missing the stories... that's how you and I became buddies! Writing! :(

But! I love the dragons and wonderful colorful images; SO fabulous! Thank you for sharing!

...I am the same way with my photography; the good stuff does not go up on the blog OR facebook; that is saved only for the flash photo website where it's very difficult to steal.

Scarlett & Viaggiatore

Charles Gramlich said...

I'm not yet feeling the energy to do much halloween stuff either. Too much other stuff going on.

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

I've been keeping up with the "idiotic plagiarist" via Rick's great blog. It has started me thinking, too.

These photos in the Chinese Garden are delightful. Not five minutes ago, I was working on Japanese Art - painting fans in particular. So, I was fascinated by this post.

How is the book coming along? Wishing you well, Vesper!

Vesper said...

I’m so glad you liked these, Rick! Thank you. Your comment made my night! :-)
I hope the thief gets what he deserves. Kudos for your great attitude.

Karen, thank you! You’re right, it’s easy and unfortunately there are too many unscrupulous people everywhere.
xoxoxo

Thank you, Paul. You should visit Montreal. :-)

Thank you, Bernard. I’m so looking forward to reading your story! I LOVE Demon! Just don't let anything bad happen to him. :-)

Geraldine, I don’t know why but it’s true that I feel a renewed energy in October. (Makes me think of your post on creativity.) Maybe it has to do with Halloween and my love for everything that touches the fantastic…
Thank you and hugs!

Thanks so much, LW! My photos are not that great but, after all, they’re mine so, why not… if your friend could tell me how to do it that would be nice. Thank you again!

Scarlett, but we’re still buddies…:-) It was so exciting when Seamus started the Shameless Lions Writing Circle! Thank you, my friend.

Charles, I’ve been waiting to read your installment of the time travel story over at Beat to a Pulp. When is it coming up?

Kaye, I’m glad you liked these photos. You’re painting fans – wow! I hope you’ll post some photos of them on your blog. There is something fascinating about the Oriental art…
My book? Hmmm, slowly but surely… :-) Thank you for asking, Kaye. As a matter of fact it’s going pretty well, considering my permanent lack of time.
xoxoxo

SzélsőFa said...

great photos, Vesper! in a detto-what-Paul-said-way :)

laughingwolf said...

his name is fred, lives in ft.worth, texas... i'll send him your email addy and a note asking how to do it :)

Akasha Savage. said...

Those were amazing photos. Thanks for sharing Vesper. Happy Writing! x x

Geraldine said...

Just stopping in to see what's new and send hugs...

Fireblossom said...

I've been plagiarized four times, but I have my little ways of finding out, and exposed all four and got the posts removed. I did stop posting at a poetry forum I used to use, because stuff was always getting ripped off.

It's true that our creations are our children, in a way, and it feels bad to find that they have been misused. What struck me, though, was these people lapping up all the positive comments, knowing full well they hadn't even written the piece, and couldn't.

xoxo

FB

Stephanie Fey said...

Publishing online does have its risks, I agree. But you have to also take risks to get your work out there, don't you? Well, everyone does it a different way, and there's nothing wrong with that! Great to see that you're still going strong with your blogging :)

Steph x

Vesper said...

SzélsőFa, thank you. I’m glad you liked them. :-)

Thank you again, laughingwolf, he’s contacted me. :-)

Thank you. And to you, Akasha!

Geraldine xoxoxo

Fireblossom, unbelievable! And they’re not even subtle, are they?
xoxoxo

Steph, it’s so nice to see you here! I very much admire your story and, often, while reading it, I thought of how much courage you have to put it out there...

Taffiny said...

love this.
Oh, I've got dragon, and botanical garden envy.

Anonymous said...

Clickety click
The Sun goes up and the moon so shy
I love the way you hold your quill
Clickety click
I had to stop
to see your blog
From one poet to another
I salute you girl
You got a great quill