– photo courtesy of http://chicago-architecture-jyoti.blogspot.com
(This is a repost from last year; I absolutely love windows and thought it would be nice to bring this post to light (pun intended – you know me)! I hope you enjoy it again or for the first time!)
I have always been fascinated by windows; in the literal sense, and in addition to looking through them. Or, in some instances, imagining what is behind them.
Take stained glass, for instance. It can be a magnificent piece of artwork in and of itself.
This superlative gem is a Tiffany Stained Glass Dome located at the Chicago Cultural Center. Note the astrological symbols embedded into the glass. The first time I gazed at this wonderful window, I began to feel quite dizzy. Not necessarily from its majestic wonder, but because it’s a dome, and located high in the Cultural Center sky! This will put things into perspective:
– photo courtesy of robsaker.com
Some stained glass is opaque; to me, this doesn’t appear to be very ‘stained’. *grin* I like beveled glass windows, too. The glass distorts whatever is behind it, and thus the imagination begins. What on earth is that wavy-looking creature staring at me? It’s either a cow, monster, or a monster cow with a forked tongue!
– Photo courtesy of http://www.sanssoucie.com
– photo courtesy of max99x.com
Ah, the orange glow of a night-time window. This fascinates me. I think of magical villages from another time, place, or realm. What is behind these windows? I think the imagination is likened to be much more appealing than the reality of what’s veritably going on behind the scenes.
Speaking of windows (which I am, as you can tell), this leads me to discuss the intriguing, mixed bag of happenstance that I have surveyed whilst looking out our condo windows.
One lovely sunny afternoon, this gargantuan “Minion” came floating by my view:
Have you seen the movie, “Despicable Me”? If you have, you will no doubt recognize one of its stars meandering across the blue sky here in Chicago.
Less than two weeks ago, this colorful burst adorned my view:
Ah, watching the graceful sailboats skim past is a like a dream:
I have often described the view from our windows as an always-changing, ever-fascinating painting that allows a vast amount of emotions and perceptions to be experienced without leaving one’s abode!
There’s that orange glow that I so love!
This winter photo was pretty in pink!
My goodness, I was once witness to a glowing green object that literally zoomed across Lake Michigan! Perhaps it was a meteor; I’ve never seen anything like it, and of course it occurred in the glimmer of an eye!
I’ve seen a cavalcade of firetrucks and ambulances (32, to be exact; I counted) all lining the street due to a fire in a nearby highrise building.
To quote the iconic band, “Pink Floyd”, “A distance ship smoke on the horizon”; that too, I have observed.
I think I need a nap just writing about the myriad of window wonderment!
– photo courtesy of mothergoosesmiles.wordpress.com
I am most certainly against excess trash and the lack of many individuals who refuse to reuse, recycle, and keep our planet green. Nonetheless, I must make a confession. One of the most interesting performances I have witnessed out of the window thus far was a plastic bag on a Windy City blustery day. As I watched this bag dance with almost precision-like swooping motions, I couldn’t help but ponder the question: Where on earth did it learn to move like that in such rhythmic oscillation? *grin*
I hope I have shed some window light on, and perhaps given a slightly new meaning to the phrase, “gazing out the window”. An enlightened soul once said, “If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.” I couldn’t agree more!
Fab photos!! The dome, wow, the pink city sky, wow!!! You are so lucky to have a great photo venue in your home. 🙂
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Thanks, John! I had to travel to see the dome! *grin* It is certainly interesting to gaze through windows here in Chicago, I must say! Cher xo
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Great shots! 🙂
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Thank you kindly! Cher xo
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Wow!
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🙂 Awh, thank you, David!! Cher xo
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That’s a beautiful shot! Amazing view, how lucky you are. And thanks for stopping by too, Joanna.
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Thank you so much, Joanna! And to you as well! I am now following your blog and look forward to reading more! Cher 🙂
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The orange glow of sunrises and sunsets always stun me…! If only the sky always looks like that! 🙂
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I feel the same way! I wish the sky was like that all the time! Cher 🙂
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Those windows are absolutely magnificent Cher, mandala like. The one with the wavy kind of glass with the plant behind it is a marvellous shot. Great image that. I can see why you refer to that scene from your windows as an always-changing painting. Is that where you work?
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Thank you, Don! The scene that is always-changing is from the condo window! Extremely fortunate to see so many brilliant sunrises, boats, clouds, etc.! I merely have to open the curtains! Cher xo
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Lucky you. 🙂
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I feel very fortunate and grateful!! Cher xo
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Thanks for reposting these wonderful photos, Cher. Such beauty captured in the eye of the camera.
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Thank you, Hugh! When I see boats on Lake Michigan, or a stunning sunrise, I think, oh, I hope I can capture that moment to share with others! Cher xo
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Stunning gallery… The Stained Glass Dome at the Chicago Cultural Center is amazing… It looks like a mandala.
Best wishes! Happy week ahead! Aquileana ⭐
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Ah, merci dear Aquileana! It really does look like a mandala, doesn’t it? Best wishes and a happy week ahead to you too, my dear! Cher xo
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Reblogged this on Myblog's Blog.
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Superb shots, Cher! Have a lovely week. 🙂 Love, Iris
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Thank you, dear Iris! We are certainly fortunate here in Chicago to have so much to look at!! And to you as well; thank you! Love, Cher xo
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Thanks, Cher 🙂 ❤
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🙂 ❤
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That circular dome window is just magnificent.
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It is amazing, isn’t it, Joseph? It’s almost overwhelming each time I see it! Cher xo
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Thanks for reposting – and for sharing the fantastic view from your window!
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Ah, thank you so much, Veronica! I am so glad you enjoyed the repost! Cher xo
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Love your window views, Cher! :0(
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Don’t know what happened to my smiley. Pressed the wrong key, I guess! 🙂
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That is quite alright, dear Carol! I knew what you meant! Thank YOU!! Cher xo
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Wow, the dome looks stunning and as well the last image of the skyline! Chicago looks beautiful through your post, I hope someday I will visit it. Is it true Chicago is very windy?
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Hi Indah! I bet your photos of Chicago would be WONDERFUL! You are an amazing photographer! Yes, it is very windy here, but the reason they call it, “The Windy City” has to do with something else! In the late 1800s, Chicago & New York were very competitive with each other. New Yorkers often referred to Chicagoa politicians as being very full of themselves and full of, ‘hot air’. Here is an article about it: http://mentalfloss.com/article/49651/why-chicago-called-windy-city
Cher xo
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