I see thirty words there, Ms. Wordless. Not counting the gasp. Or the title. Or bothering to expand your contractions.

Yeah, I know. Shut up and enjoy the picture.

Lovely photo, Bb. I'm having the same problem. Dorothea doesn't seem to be suffering from our affliction, though. Perhaps we could ask her for a thousand words or so each.

What a gorgeous scene. Do you really have this out of your window?

Kaf, 'practically' wordless. For me, 30 words _is_ wordless.

Victor, no such luck. This nature reserve is about 10 minutes by car from my place. And 15 minutes in the opposite direction is America's only remaining Victorian walking park. St. Louis has a rather amazing park system, and wilderness comes literally right up to the back door. But no chooks. (Speaking of which, I really like your stories about adjusting to life in the country.)

Jonathon, if this is Dorothea on a caffeinated soda, imagine what she can produce on espresso? What I've said, "Hot blogger coming through."

As for our own wordless state, perhaps now is a time for us to quietly enjoy the writing of others. Weblogging is as much listening as writing, and maybe we're in a "listen time".

Yeah, well, my classmates always told me I never knew when to shut up.

Espresso? *turns green* I hate that stuff. I had to learn to drink it without gagging in Hungary, where it is a major component of hospitality, but in color and taste it rather reminds me of tar.

Well, your classmates were just jealous and probably now work for the GOP creating things like this. Promise me never to stop talking, Dorothea. I love your words. (There, now I just did a compliment, didn't I? Darn, have to stop that.)

Yesterday I and my roommate received a box of goodies from a friend who works for a company who shall be nameless. In it were coffee drinks and energy drinks and espresso treats that his company makes. I can't wait to see what I'll write after I drink this thing in a small black can called a "maxi-shot".

P.S. When were you in Hungary?

Bb--the photo is beautiful and beautifully placed in relation to the post below it. All about journeys and paths, and paths interrupted. Times of reflection and silence can be a good thing. Relax and take it in. -jeneane

My classmates hated my guts. End of *that* story.

Hungary? Um, a decade ago this past summer, in fact. I was there for the party when the very last Russian soldier left Hungarian soil. I think my dad still has all the pictures I took, or I'd post a few.

(In fairness to the Russians, they were incredibly good sports about the huge party that greeted their leaving. They staged a helicopter departure and the whole nine yards.)

Crud. Not ten years ago. Eleven. It was 1991. Apparently they've turned that party into an annual event called the Budapest Farewell.

I see a thousand words.

Gary, One thousand and thirty. =]

Dorothea, what time of year did you happen to be there? I was in Budapest in '93, during their St. Stephens/Constitution Day celebration in August. They put on the most awe inspiring fireworks display I've ever witnessed, with the pyrotechnics going off above the center of old Budapest, and spotlights placed strategically about the city tracking up with the rising firework plumes. It was amazing.

Late May to late July, I believe, give or take a week or two. I'm pretty sure I missed Constitution Day.

Shelley, thanks for the gorgeous photo! It's worthy of framing. Sigh . . . After all these years, October's still the time when I really miss my native Midwest.

great picture.. just great.

you take it?

Thanks much for kind words on photo, you all. Very kind, and appreciated.

Ruzz, yup, it's mine.