The Dancing House

In my mailbox today, from the Czech Republic, comes this amazing structure. According to the comments from the lovely sender:
"Somebody likes it, somebody hates it. I like it very much. And you?"
Oh yes, very much so! It's nifty. It is an office block, and is known affectionately as "Ginger and Fred" presumerably because of the "Dancing" part of the name.

I also received a lovely package from Kansas, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see that.

Art Bonanza from the Netherlands

These delightful pieces arrived courtesy of Moonisme, an illustrator in the Netherlands. To view more of her charming, whimsical art, visit her website: http://www.moonillustraties.nl they're so beautiful, I love them all!

Not only did she make me the above piece, but she also sent me NINE postcard prints!

Thank you Monica.

The Kea

The Kea is an alpine parrot - the only alpine parrot in the world. He has real personality. Not only is he extremely intelligent - more-so than many mammals, he is also insatiably curious. Kea are not as common as once was believed - they get that reputation because they like to hang around people. In the High Country, they are often to be found near tearooms or rest areas, where they hope to scavenge food. The "Do Not Feed the Kea" sign is a common sight. And with good reason, because should you leave your car somewhere to go for a walk or go skiing you might well come back to see that the keas have "had a go" at it. Stripping the rubber, breaking off the window wipers... etc. Not a good thing to return to!

Art Postcards from Egypt

Postcards from Iran

I adore this image, which is heading for Lithuania today. It shows the Church of the Good Shepherd, a tiny church on the shores of Lake Tekapo. Around it, the rolling golden hills, bare now of vegetation, thanks to the early slash-and-burn agriculture. The lake, a vivid contrast against the gold of late summer. The green in the background are pine trees, planted by the settlers. Perhaps once this was native forest or grasses, now it is stark but still splendid.

Today, from Germany

A beautiful pair of ducks and their swarm of ducklings flew in!