Let's talk about Toothpaste

 Maybe not a subject that springs to mind pondering about life but...

Being a woman I always squeeze my toothpaste down the tube from top to bottom. It is a man's 'privilege' to squeeze in the middle, isn't it.
And I keep squeezing until the last little bit, I am thrifty. I prefer to have at least one tube in stock but sometimes forget to buy it. So, what happens next is that the amount of paste comes to a point of which I think I am going to run out of it. And I do not live close to a shop.

But here is the amazing thing that when I think I am going to be short of paste, the tube seems to be endless and I always survive until the my next shopping weekend. Not that I count on this every time though. I like to be prepared, I prefer a fresh breath.

Prepared.... I learned throughout my life that being prepared for tomorrow, next week, next month is impossible. Today can be totally different from yesterday or tomorrow. Living life by the day is much more my way (with my little home as my resting point). A 'skill' taught by my parents who regularly moved house because my father found an other job when the current one bored him, he needed challenges.
His career ended at the age of 43 when he got ill but in a way surviving was also a challenge to him.
My mother, a woman with a heart big enough for everyone who needed her unconditional love, managed to create a warm and welcoming home in every house we lived in. One of her favourite quotes was: 'Remember you always take yourself with you. If you can create a cosy home in one house, you can also create it in another house'. And she was so right.

Taking yourself with you everywhere you go needs stability in a sense of being comfortable with yourself by knowing you are the base of your life. Your base needs to be solid, you need to be able to trust yourself and move on from there. Take your base to where ever you go.
Of course life is throwing good and bad at you, I simply do not believe there are people who sail through life without high waters, storms or a good thunder now and then.
Just happiness does not exist. And in my humble opinion... how do you recognize simple happiness if you don't know grief? How do you appreciate a beautiful valley if you don't know the hills?
Or a smooth sea without the high waves?

To be honest, a predictable life would bore me to death. When I look back I can not remember one boring day in my life. Lazy days, yes. But even then I adored this laziness. Absorbed it, drank it in, squeezed every lazy minute out of it. And I still do, I still squeeze every little bit out of my lazy days.

Sometimes my head is full, my brains overloaded. Not just a matter of age, I have had this all my life. When this happens I know it is time to switch off, to withdraw to my little Mental Isle.

Because I work from home, my isle is only available in the weekends but if it is there, I make the most of it by switching off my phone and the internet.
My Mental Isles are a mix of doing completely nothing and enjoying the stillness, or walking the dogs, or reading, photography, watching a film.... just being me. Please do not say I am selfish which I am not. No, in this way I maintain my base. Each base needs maintenance to bear the structure. My structure is always in good use, busy at times. And because life is not predictable, the base needs to be ready for tomorrow.

Would I be an easy person to live with? Probably not, I need my freedom.

Photo: Ike Roelfsema

I am not a moody person, nor angry. Often called 'down to earth but with a good sense of humour' is more who I am. When things go wrong in life, I adapt to the challenge to use the changes to find other paths to my future. These paths always have side paths and sometimes you have to walk and walk to find new destinations but they are there! Never give up!

Be like a toothpaste tube. When you face the moment of running out, keep squeezing, you will be surprised how much there is still left. In the meantime 'buy' a new tube, buy a different taste. Be ready for a fresh breath tomorrow, next week, next month. Life is still full of surprises.

My 'tube' is running out for 2020 and I am looking forward to my holiday in my own home. Squeezing the last bits, buying a new taste for 2021. I am ready for new challenges.

Wishing you all a comfortable Christmas, squeeze the COVID restrictions, don't leave left overs in your old tube. I am looking forward to see you next year.

Lots of love,

Helen XXX

Let's talk about the darker days before Christmas

A village near the sea, grey and rainy days, an old renovated fishing cottage, ancestral furniture, dogs, candles. All topped with a fluffy mist....
This is my well being in the darker days before Christmas.

Of course I love light and sunshine, it makes the world so much brighter and we need it, but these darker days...... Every year again I am looking forward to them. I can't wait to lit my candles. To embrace the soft glowing light creating comfortable shadows and giving a warm glow to my furniture, maintained and loved by many generations before me. To listen to Bach, to read a book. To drink hot chocolate or Winter tea.

No, I do not live with ghosts from the pasts. Maybe it has to do with not always feeling comfortable in this modern world although I benefit from technology and improved health care too!
Often I crave for a more quiet world, less distractions, more simple. With more simple I mean more quiet, alone with your thoughts, less white noise. There is so much noise: traffic, plains, machines, radios.....  Living in a quiet village near the sea, is a blessing.

My former house, a renovated small farmhouse, was far more isolated although situated near a drive trough country road. At the back and the front no neighbours, just country views. I loved the house, it was comfortable and cosy. Still... in my new house I feel even more comfortable. More at home.
Last week I talked to my lovely neighbour about our mutual feelings for this village and the beautiful Wadden Sea. She and her husband moved here 35 years ago, she originates from Germany.
Even now she can get emotional talking about how wonderful it is to live here, which caused me 'wet eyes' when I agreed.

One of my ancestors owned a plot of land in a nearby fishing village. With my huge amount of Scandinavian DNA (the Vikings did not only ravaged the Friesian coast but also 'mingled' with members of the local population) it is not surprising that I feel so rooted here.
The current exhibition 'We Vikings' in the Friesian Musem in Leeuwarden is a 'must see' and on top of my list.

My DNA is used to long dark winters full of fires and stories to pass the time. I can imagine myself listening in front of a fire. My fantasy at work about elves, trolls, giant birds...... I love standing in the middle of nature, inhaling the cold air, watching the many stars we still see here, my feet guided by the night when walking the wet lands.
Genetic memories and reality.

Soon the Christmas tree will be up again. I respect our Dutch Sinterklaas but the very first Saturday after this wonderful festivity for children, the tree goes up. And already I am planning which changes I have to make to my sitting room to give it a prominent place. It will stay there for at least 4 weeks, spreading it's soft light. Adding to my home feeling.

Photo: Ike Roelfsema

I am also looking forward to the Christmas illumination of the village. There are so many old and beautiful cottages here. Often built close to the next one to shelter each other for the fierce cold wind from sea.
To hear the church bells in the 800 year old tower, wishing it could speak. Wishing it tells stories about all those Christmases it witnessed. In mostly hard times where people struggled to survive, but also happy times of new marriages, new born children.

The darker days before Christmas: simplicity and soft glows.....

Love,

Helen

Let's talk about photo cameras

No, don't be afraid nor disappointed, this is not going to be a tutorial for using your camera, neither will it be a technical lecture about photo cameras.
I am a passionate photographer who carries around her camera where ever she goes . I wrote about that before: Let's talk about photography

Today it is more about using different camera's for different occasions and moving on in Mega Pixels.
I still have my very first digital pocket camera, a PENTAX Optio 50L with 5MP which was a miracle at the time. Together with my analogue SRL, it suited me in all situations like quick holiday snapshots.
I loved that you could upload the photo's to your computer and share them in on-line albums (sharing is great!) so relatives and friends all over the world could view them.
For you youngsters it might sound very antique that there was an era without Mega Pixels, DSRL's, web albums or even mobile phones and computers. But believe me there was and we had an equal amount of fun as today.

Anyhow, the first digital pocket camera was a present given to me by my mother and I still cherish it and occasionally I still use it for monochrome photos.
But even I moved on to more MP's and recently received another amazing present; a very dear cousin (thank you so much!!!) made it possible for me to buy a Canon 77D. So, from 5 MP to 24 MP. What a difference!

And in between? A second hand FUJIFILM FinePix S950, 9MP and a great camera! Not a DSRL (still used my analogue) but with great features and an excellent zoom. Unfortunately it developed an annoying and expensive problem with the white balance and had to make way for my first Olympus, the E-400 (also second hand), 10 MP. This was the moment that even my analogue retired (until recently, analogue is hot again! Visit my Polaroid website).

My relationship with Olympus is a very steady one, the E-400 was my loyal companion for a vast amount of years and it is with an aching heart and tears in my eyes that the time is there to sell her.
She was my lecturer in understanding DSRL's, in editing photo's and changing my view on landscapes and objects. We travelled by foot, bicycle, plain, boat, train, car and motor home. Her photos have been uploaded and edited on Windows 98, XP, Vista, 7 and 10.

Dog Bas
Camera: Olympus SP-590UZ
Photo: © Ike Roelfsema

Still I bought a 'brother', a second hand Olympus E-510 - also 10MP, mainly (don't laugh...) for the Live View. And no, it does not have a touchscreen. I particularly like the live view using a tripod. And that is what I do for my Still Life photography (and sunsets).
And slowly but surely, the E-400 made way for the E-510. Though I could not sell her, I kept her and looked after her. At times I even thought her photo's were sharper than those of her 'brother'.

I love Olympus so much that I bought a bridge camera. I never attended to but nearby was an Olympus SP-590UZ for sale for a ridiculous low 'give away' price. It turned out the seller used it only once until it's internal memory was full (!), he did not bother to buy a memory card and it moved to a closet for a while.
I have been playing around with it and was impressed by it's 26x zoom (see the photo of my dog, taken at a distance of 11 metres).
And it is great with Macro too. Well, it may stay.

All Still Live photos are now taken with the E-510 and the E-400 will be put up for sale shortly. Including two lenses, lens hood, memory card, 2 batteries, battery charger and USB cable.
I truly hope she will find a new owner that will respect her for another couple of years.

Besides a Polaroid and analogue collection for own use and for rental purposes, I now have for 'daily' use the Olympus E-510, the 590UZ and my brand new Canon 77D which is an adventure on its own.
I was so much used to my E-510 that I have spent a whole battery on just exploring the 77D.
I watched some interesting video's (check out Jared Polin, Tony & Chelsea Northrup and last but not least Adam Carnacz who is a passionate landscape photographer), I read tutorials, watched photo's and received a lot of interesting advices from my friend Jannie who is also a passionate photographer and who owns a Canon 760D

Guru Pick in Gurushots Challenge "All is Vintage"
Photo: © Ike Roelfsema

I have to admit, I 'miss' my E-510, which means that I have to get used to the 77D but right now our acquaintanceship is running smoothly and I took my very first serious shot yesterday.
And guess what? A Still Life...... Which was successfully rewarded with a Guru Pick in the challenge "All Things Vintage" on Gurushots.

How many different camera's do you use on a regular base? And which one is your favourite?
Love to hear from you, leave your comment below.


Photo hugs,  Ike Helen

Let's talk about photography

Camera's come in al sorts and sizes, brands and prices.


Who of my readers never held a camera (including a mobile phone)?
You do not need to be a professional photographer these day to take beautiful pictures. The quality often amazes me viewing the photo's on Instagram.
Not seldom I am pleasantly surprised to read in a user's Bio '15 year old amateur photographer'.
I know, there are so many apps and programs to improve a photo but still you need 'the eye' to see the beauty of sometimes a very simple situation, landscape, animal.... what ever.

Give someone who always forget to include a head in a photo the most advanced and expensive camera, and still the head is not visible.
Give someone who recognizes the beauty of a paper clip on a black background lit by the sun a simple camera and he or she comes up with a beautiful artistic photo.

Not everyone needs to be a professional photographer who needs to live from his/her skills.
The joy of photography is also very important and adds much to the the story in the photo.
It shows not only the love for photography but also what people think is important in life, or beautiful. Photo's tell so much about the person behind the camera. I find that intriguing and sometimes also amusing; humour is a lovely emotion to express in photo's.

Instagram offers you a journey around the world for free. You travel through almost every country, watching it's people, heritage, food, history..... you name it. Some allow you to sit at their table and to meet their family members. Or even become friends.
One beautiful aspect of Instagram is the support of users for photo's of others. Always happy to provide positive feedback. And yes, friends for life are found on Instagram.

Photography has always been one of my passions (the other one is writing). Ever since I can hold a camera, I take photo's. And as with most camera addicts, I definitely prefer to be behind the camera and never in front.
It was not until 1982 that I learned how to use a SRL and I was over the moon when I inherited one in 2000. Although it is replaced by a Digital RSL, I still have the old one. In fact, I still have all my camera's! Somehow I can not part from them.

The very best thing about a digital camera is that you can take endless photo's, experimenting as much as you want. Editing is a joy (even though I am not the type of person that edits beyond natural). And posting on Instagram is a true joy as well.
I am learning so much from other people's skills and enthusiasm. An 'Instameet' (photo shoot somewhere with other Instagrammers) is great. And more to come.
Joined to the hip with your camera is like having a good friend around with who you share the beautiful things in life. A friend who challenges you to wider your horizon and to expand your

Design: Ike Roelfsema ©

boundaries.

I love the Wadden Sea and have taken and will take numerous photo's of the ever changing scenes and colours.
I am exploring Monochrome (black and white) photography, Still Life and last but not least Vanitas (see my special Insta account for this).
The latter I find extremely interesting and challenging. I learn from the old paintings when it comes to light, colours and shadows.

To be able to share my photo's and and photographic happiness with other's, I created a small website which I would like to introduce to you: Ike Roelfsema Photography
I hope you will find the time to take a look. All feedback is very, very welcome!



Hug from this camera addict!

Let's talk about Nigerian SPAM

A few days ago I changed my profile photo on my private Instagram.
I moved my regular avatar a little to the left and added a tiny black&white photo of my face to the blank corner.
I have never had my face in an Insta profile picture before but I was so very often called Dude, Mate, Guy, Amigo/Amico! I thought it would not hurt to show I rather be called by my name or Amiga/Amica. How little did I know I was going to be a prey for Nigerians.....

To some of my loyal followers the female edge was a surprise but they did not change the way they always liked my photo's for which I am of course very thankful.
Remarkably the amount of followers increased and all of a sudden I received Direct Messages from men who never liked my photo's, who have an Insta account with quite a lot of followers of whom the grand majority is female.
And they have more in common..... they only have 4 or 5 photo's in their accounts and all photo's of themselves. Good looking men with a interesting serious looking photo, a joyful one, melancholic etc. The comments of their female followers is always full of admiration.

They state in their Direct (or private) Message to me how happy they are to have me as a friend (standard text; I do not follow them...) and that they are looking forward to get to know me better.
Here we have the first two things we do not have in common: 1) unknown people - men and women - are NOT my friends, 2) I am not looking forward to get to know them.
But it goes further: I am so very good looking, as soon as they saw my photo they felt the need to contact me. So, what is my name, how old am I, what is my profession, do I have children, how wonderful I am on Instagram to change my life (sorry, this past part makes me laugh.....).

My parents taught me to be polite so I reply: "Thank you for contacting me but I use Instagram to share my passion for photography and to interact with and learn from other passionate photographers. Please note Insta is NOT a Dating Site!".

In return I receive replies like how happy they are to call me their honest friend and who they are, their age, their divorce, their daughter who lives with the mother and who they miss so much, that they are American citizen's with a high rank in the US Army and currently stationed in Kabul. But soon back in the US. They all LOVE travelling.....
To be honest, for a born and bred American their US English is pretty bad. Particularly for 'high ranked officers'.

My whole life I am called 'a little strange, sometimes a bit weird, unusual' but never 'stupid'!!
Of course the handsome man that choose me from all those millions of profile photo's, does not know this.
If I am in a relaxed mood, I dig for more information and often 'meet' a man who has a brilliant financial future and who can offer me the world and more. Though often I prefer to ignore them or if they keep bothering me, I become eeehhhm.... less polite.
But don't we know from all the warnings sent out over the internet, that they need money as soon as you grow close (for what ever the word close is worth for in this case).

You guessed right... I am not talking about genuine honest men who crave for a new family life in their homeland America.
I am talking about Nigerian Spammers who learned English but miss the language expertise of a native. They are taught to chat up women, to show themselves as vulnerable, tickling the motherly feelings of their victims. And if the victim turns out to be a lonely woman craving for a relationship, they slowly turn this woman into a tool to steal as much money as possible.

But the poor DM'ers in my account do not talk to a desperate lonely woman. Besides that, this woman wrote a large article about Nigerian Spammers already in 2006!!
Also, she has a very good nose and smells them even at the other side of the world. She might be a little weird but, as said before, NOT stupid!

Lovely readers, I know you are all far too intelligent to allow these Spammers to talk you into big trouble. Do you hesitate if they are genuine or not? Read above again about what they all have in common and you smell them as well as I do.

Look well after yourself, a relationship is wonderful with an honest and real (I emphasise real...) person with the right chemistry but you are the base of your life and love from there. Sometimes that  means that you are happy without a full time partner.

Love you all.

Helen

Let's talk about Instagram

   Instagram, a beautiful medium to share your (photo)hobby's with like minded people around the world.
I joined Insta - or IG - in 2015 with some photo's of my animals but soon learned that posting photo's of all destinations I have visited, was a greater joy.
   An even greater joy was following the people with beautiful photo's of items I am interested in or love to see. And if I like a photo I click the Like button and sometimes leave a positive comment and vice versa.
Like minded people interact and slowly  but surely you 'get to know' people; their sense of humour, their likes and dislikes, their hobby's and sometimes about their loved ones.
Occasionally there is a private chat, also known as DM (Direct Message).

   Friends from way before the digital era, were already on IG or joined so yes, true friends are also IG friends.
The word 'friends' developed into a different meaning thanks to media like Facebook and IG. To me the word friend is still the old fashioned name for someone who is close to you, one you can rely on, who laughs and cries with you. Above all, a friend who respects you. In that respect a friend is a rare phenomenon you have to treasure.  Other people I would like to call acquaintances who of course are also nice people but not so close.
Though the internet reveals feelings in between 'acquaintances' and 'friends' and sometimes it moves on to a real friend in real life and how special is this!

   Back to IG where my private account recently reached 1000 followers and I have to emphasize these are for 95% loyal followers, including the very few from day one and during my photo journey, the others.
My goal has never been to get as many followers as possible. I refuse to download Apps to gain them, I  refuse to buy them. To be honest, I find the followers that follow me just to be followed back, useless. Either they like my photo's or they don't.

    This 'follow to be followed' is lately becoming an issue on IG so I noticed. I ignore them and let them move on, but there are nice and kind people who are fed up (to put it nicely) with accounts of people who only exist expressing themselves through an iPhone, mirror and pumped up muscles, DD breasts or gigantic bums, or to be the focal point in every photo, spoiling the views of mountains, beaches etc. If you are on IG for commercial reasons, fine but leave us who enjoy sharing photo's of a totally different kind, alone.

   The positive side of IG is that I do not receive updates about what who says to who in a post I liked. If you are interested in other people's opinions on a post, return but I very rarely do that.

Photo: Helen Varras

It is thanks to all these beautiful photo's, positive comments, encouraging words and loyalty that I resuscitated my DSRL Camera and renewed my interest in Black & White photography. And not only that, the Urbex people with all their wonderful photo's of abandoned properties, are the base of my stories in 'Helen Varras' Story Book'! A life changing experience!

   When my private account reached the 1000 followers, it was time to express my feelings and to thank the true and loyal followers.
My Urbex account reached in a very short time 600 followers,  big thank you to those too!

   Is IG an addiction? No and it will not happen either. Is the combination of IG and photography an addiction? Well..... eeehhmmm.....
And is the combination of Urbex (Urban Exploration), photography, IG and writing an addiction?
Close... and I have to admit it became a way of life I feel extremely comfortable with!!

Helen