2021 Moments

Welcome, 2022!

Well, it’s over…. When it started, 2021 was to be the solution to all of our problems – or at least that’s what many of us wanted to believe. When was the last time such great pressure was put on the one year? No idea…

I remember being on the phone with my step-mother before 2020 came to an end and we were sharing a less positive view on 2021 – it would get worse before it got better. Of course we were hoping for some miraculous improvement just as badly as everyone else, but we just couldn’t see how that was possible. Come the end of 2021, we weren’t able to envision too positive a year to come either. I strongly hope 2022 proves us wrong.

Much Needed Me-Days

I haven’t blogged much in the year that recently ended, most of my posts were just photos in seasonal series. But the post that received the most attention from my readers – testimony to the kind of year 2021 has been for so many of us – was Much Needed Me-Days. How many times did you feel like you were at your wits’ end over the past year? I was in that place on countless occasions, more often than usual, and I’m fairly sure I wasn’t alone feeling that way. That’s probably why this post resonated…

Same Old Story

Same Old Story was on second place. All the environmental issues and changes we’ve caused can no longer be denied and we’re starting to pay for our hubris. Many of us are concerned about what we, humans, have done and keep doing to the planet.

Interesting Old-Time Rural Architecture

Interesting Old-Time Rural Architecture came third (the photos were taken in 2019). Personally, I see a direct connection between this one and the first two. The more we become aware of the current situation – from multiple points of view – the more we look back, we retrace our steps and our mistakes and we also become aware that previous generations were quite wise in certain respects.

All these three posts, as well as 2020 Moments, which also made the top 10, were contributions to the Lens Artists challenges. For yet another year, the four of you have helped keep together this wonderful virtual community, you’ve provided inspiration and that final push many of us needed in order to persevere in our creative expression. Your time and efforts are appreciated! Also, a warm welcome to Sofia, Anne and John, the three new hosts joining you this year. Looking forward to your wonderful photos and thoughts! And thank you, Tina, for reminding us to take stock of the year from a creative point of view – Favourite Images of 2021 (Lens Artists Challenge).

Since writing is my primary creative outlet, with me it’s never only about the photos when I put together my contribution to a Lens Artists challenge. But the hosts, much like my readers, are patient and understanding, and for that I am thankful. As you can see from the photos that made my top 3 posts of the year, my images aren’t always the most compelling ones, they are meant to complete the story.

How did 2021 treat you? As far as I’m concerned, it wasn’t one of my better years. I’m grateful for managing to stay in good health – both I and the ones I love – in such a challenging time and generally for managing to keep afloat when so many weren’t that fortunate. But other than that, it was mostly a non-year, as I fondly call it… a frustrating timespan which made me seek refuge in nature and my little creative endeavours whenever I could… So here are some of my favourite 2021 images, mostly because of the moments when they were taken.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December