I am a visual person. I learn better by seeing something. I become more engaged in a story if I can see the people involved or the places spoken about. I understand instructions better if I can see them in writing.
This also translates into other things in life... I usually put on makeup first thing in the morning even if I do not plan on heading out the door, if one of my boys puts on something that doesn't match I have a hard time not saying something that convinces them to change, and I would find it very difficult to invite friends over without first making sure everything is clean and tidy and looks good. Some may call the latter examples a result of vanity.
And maybe in part they are right. Regardless, I am a visual person.
Hence, I really do appreciate a great picture!
That is why I find it strange that I have never picked up photography as a hobby.
Now I'm sure at this point many family members are raising eyebrows because I am usually the one person in the family that consistently forgets to take out her camera at any given gathering. And the camera I usually have at my disposal is either a borrowed one or a family hand-me-down. Never have I invested in a good camera. My brother and my sister on the other hand both have very good cameras with the extra lenses etc. And they take beautiful pictures! So what genetic defect causes this inconsistency in me... truly appreciating the visual yet never investing in the time or tools to create the perfect picture? I'm not really sure! I welcome any insights.
All this rambling to say... don't judge these pictures! They were taken with a small digital (borrowed) camera. Often they were taken while I was still walking or in the midst of a busy city, and most of them were taken with numb fingers because of the bleepity bleep cold.
Nevertheless, despite all this they have a story to tell. Or maybe they simply fill in the gaps to our story, here across the world. In any case I found them interesting and I hope you will too.
These beautiful flowers would rival any in our tropical Florida climate but can be also found on any given blistery winter day in the underground metros of Kyiv. Merchant after merchant lines the walls with everything you can imagine... pastries, sweaters, souvenirs, groceries, undergarments, raw meat... you need it and it is probably here.
My favorite pizza ever!!! Those are thinly sliced pieces of salmon, some kind of green, and a drizzle of sour cream. Yum!
And while on the topic of interesting food... here was a unique but delicious dessert. Lightly fried pineapple with sesame seeds and honey to dip it in. Another Yum!
So here's a funny story... the night before court I showed my two teenage daughters what I was planning to wear. It was a long, flowy, brown skirt, with brown high heeled boots and a flattering brown shirt. To which they both responded with a giggle and in their Russian accents said, "You like this???" I replied with a tentative, "yes... at least I thought I did." Long story short they took me to their closet and dressed me in what they thought made me look much younger... and this was the result. When I later asked Ty if he liked my brown skirt he said, "it's not your most flattering." Thanks Honey!!! So much for thinking I was a "hip Mom."
You cannot walk very far in Kyiv or even in Pertrivske without seeing one of these. It is so unlike the architecture or even the colors that we are use to seeing in America. It speaks of an older time and is hard not to be drawn to.
Speaking of color... after 6 weeks of being here the grey hairs started to get unruly. In fact a black Sharpie Marker became my new best friend every morning. Yes I really did color the greys every morning with a Sharpie Marker... kind of proud of my creativity. Or maybe it's vanity. I don't know, anyways after awhile Ty convinced me to be brave and get my hair colored here. A new friend recommended a very nice salon in walking distance. So here is the result of my appointment. Went for some reddish highlights... told at the salon that the dark black made me look older... that's becoming a theme. Ty loves it, I'm getting use to it.
This bed of dogs was on a busy corner in the middle of Kyiv. An old woman was standing nearby and had food that she was feeding them. We were told that this in fact was her bed and no one messed with it because of all the dogs she had with her. It's hard to see clearly but there were probably about 10 - 12 dogs on her "bed". It looks like either she or someone else had taped off the area so that all the passer-bys would not disturb her home. Today the temperature was 14 degrees fahrenheit... that is without the wind chill. I guess I can't blame her for wanting all those dogs around her... good for body heat.
Well had to represent for all the cat lovers out there. Here is a lone kitty watching all the traffic go by.
A cyclist getting ready to ride! I found a cyclist!!!
The snow is NOT stopping this avid cyclist!
Every house in Pertrivske stands behind a wall of some sort...
... here are a couple of the prettier ones.
And some in need of repair.
Old apartment buildings...
Monuments and cathedrals.
Ready to head out for a day of souvenir shopping... only to find out hours later that I should have had on two pairs of jeans, not just some leggings... This Florida girl still learning how to dress for bitter cold. I did have on two pairs of socks but it didn't make much of a difference.
And finally... Ty and I snuggled up in bed yesterday as we listened to and watched our Mosaic church service 6000 miles away via livestream feed.
Blessings!!!
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