My Tuesday Gripe
You can ignore this if you like and go straight to the image and story!! 😀
Since getting back from my trip, a virus and dental surgery, prevent my energy from reaching it’s usual hyper state (a good thing? lol) and I have slowed down the last while. I think I read somewhere on Blogging Etiquette 101 that in order to be successful you must make a plan and stick to it on how often you intend to post- once a day, once a week etc etc. I can never be consistent or stick to any one plan myself! I do need time out once in awhile as many of us do.
A few bloggers I follow- photographers and storytellers seem to have disappeared entirely. I sent a couple messages but never heard back from them.
If I disappear I hope it will be into the Gobi Desert seeking ancient dragon bones like Roy Chapman. I might at last find a worm hole in my garden or perhaps a starry portal and end up in some wonderful historical era, or on a Pandora star system somewhere off the asteroid belt of Arcturus. Maybe I will find a few friends there too.
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So here is my One Four Challenge from a great artist and photographer from down under- Robyn Gosby
The Skye Boat Song Story
The tragic and last battle of the Jacobite Rebellion at Culloden Moor saw the valiant but poorly equipped Jacobites along with their French and Irish allies fighting the British Government forces in 1746. After a bloody and terrible defeat a courageous girl named Flora MacDonald from the Outer Hebrides helped Bonnie Prince Charlie (heir to James III of Scotland) escape by boat to Skye. Though many of the MacLeods fought with the Jacobite Glengarry Regiment, the ruling Dunvegan chief, Norman MacLeod, sided with the government and tried to find where the prince was hiding. Charles then fled to France.
When King James fled, for a while some still hoped for better times “when the King comes back over the water.” but with the exile of the Bonny Prince, alas, it was never to be. The highland clearances or “expulsion of the Gael” continued on with many displaced clansmen leaving for the New World. Charles died in exile, a drunk and broken man.
Flora lived for a time in Dunvegan castle where one of her mementos, a lock of Charles’ hair, is on display along with letters and other artifacts of that turbulent time. She moved to America with her husband but returned to Skye later in life where she eventually died. Her statue stands in Inverness and the poignant “Skye Boat Song” is still played and sang today.
more from my own visit to the tragic Culloden Moor Battlefield – (for you cursory history buffs)
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I cropped the image, and converted it to Black and White before adding the lightening overlay texture.
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
Oooo I really like this one! I love the lightning! I too am recovering from dental work, and it’s taking longer than I expected to feel like myself again. Sending wishes of good health your way. 🙂
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so glad you do!! Thanks so much fellow sufferer!! 🙂
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I love what you did with the castle. It gave it an even more stormy look.
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thanks Laura. It worked well!
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Cybele, I love the thunder, I’ve been working with overlays as well, so much history!
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thanks Maria!! I Love overlays and history!!! 🙂
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Such a dramatic edit, Cybele! The addition of the lightening is great. I love the history, as well. 🙂 Sometimes you just have to take a break from the blog for a while – I’ve had a few times recently where I’ve just wanted to bury my nose in a book!
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I agree!! When it starts to become a chore lol – which isn’t often but when not feeling on top of things I get blogged down lol!
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I hope all is well
Just dropped by to say hello
As always Sheldon
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thanks Sheldon- I’m just taking it easy for a bit with the posting!!!
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Excellent pics and I enjoyed reading a bit of the story of the Jacobite Rebellion at Culloden Moor … Great job, as always!… Best regards, dear Cybele! Aquileana 🙂
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I love history though so much of it is sad!! Thanks again my friend!
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The lightning adds a great effect on the castle. I hope you feel better soon and please don’t disappear in a desert I’ll miss your lovely photos and sweet stories. 😦 I keep going to the previous posts of yours until it looks familiar. I just love your blog Moon. Sending best wishes your way Moon. 🙂 ♥
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you are so sweet to say so!! I will try not to vanish totally!! Thanks so much for your support and your lovely comment!!!
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Keep well! 🙂
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🙂
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Thank you for visiting
It’s always a pleasure when you come
As always Sheldon
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you are most welcome always!
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Wonderful B&W image, Cybele. Sorry to read about your dental woes. ‘Strongs’ to you. Thank you for visiting me and leaving such a lovely comment. I think we all need to disappear from sight occasionally. 🙂
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I’m healing Sylvia!! Thanks so much for your visits and support too!
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Wow, you’ve created an even more striking photo. Fits perfectly with the song and the tragic story. I’m sorry you haven’t been feeling well. I hope by the time you read this all will be well. Prayers and hugs, my friend. 🙂 ❤
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Thanks so much Linda!!! My jaw is healing! but ouch it has hurt so much!! So glad you enjoyed the story too!
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Oh my, Cybele! This is stunning!!! What a transformation, such an artistic take. And I loved a bit of history you served us, must confess most of these facts were known to me by watching the TV show Outlander.
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yes Outlander covers a lot of that history! Thanks so much for your enthusiasm! I wrote a bit more about Culloden ( do you know that story too?). https://cybeleshineblog.wordpress.com/culloden-a-tragedy-beautifully-memorialized/
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I do love a good storm and this latest version looks like a good one with wonderful booming thunder to go with that lightning.
Hope you’re feeling 100% soon!
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it was a fun edit! Thanks Deb!
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Wow such a dramatic image. You are so talented Cybele. Look after yourself.
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thanks so much Chris!!
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These are bringing back some great memories….looking forward to more, but only when you’re feeling up to it Cyb
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glad you like it Mark! Thanks!
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Your process is always amazing. The week 2 is stunning!
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thanks so much Amy!!
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The photo of thunder lights is extremely amazing. It’s not easy to catch the lights during the night, plus in the middle of pouring rain.
Get well soon, Cybele. I hope you get recovered soon and reach your energy back..
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Thank you Nurul- I didn’t catch the storm – that is an overlay texture I used but glad it looks real!!! Thanks for your good wishes!
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Sometimes life gets in the way of blogging, so we just have to go with it. I think if you’re focused on maximum blog traffic, then consistent posting helps. But I also think if blogging gets to be a chore and isn’t fun anymore it defeats the purpose.
That photo is beautiful. It’s amazing view the b&w and lightning changes the whole setting and mood.
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thanks Janna!! Agreed!
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Cool! the lightning is a nice touch and I like the closer crop too
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Pleased you like it Stacey!! Thanks!
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These photos are gorgeous. I hope that you’re feeling better. 🙂
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many thanks Robert and yes soon!!!
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Take time.. and just breathe xx
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will do!! 🙂
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Oh I love this version! The BW creates a mood and the lightning and storm overlay is genius! 😃
Please don’t disappear, except off into the desert on an adventure – you are needed around this www.
Do take time if you need it though and I hope you find your ‘oomph’ very soon.
I decided a while back to post twice a week, with the occasional midweek or other post thrown in. I like it 😃
Friendship hugs to you xx
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Aww thanks Robyn- I probably won’t for awhile lol!! I hear you on the posting. I hate to feel that pressure of having to do something! I will as the spirit moves too!!
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Not to worry I came to visit
Love your B/W work
As always Sheldon
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Many thanks as always Sheldon!!
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Cybele, I like your photo processing, excellent!
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thanks so much Della!!!
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The fork lightning complements the spooky look of the castle magnificently. Thank you for the interesting little history lesson, Cybele. I felt my Scottish blood stirring.
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Scots wha hae and all that!! 😀 Thanks Sarah!!
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Very cool edit.
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I do appreciate that coming from you Cee!! Thank you!
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I’m with you re not sticking to a rigid posting plan, Cybele – I used to post once a day without really thinking about it, but I guess I’m running out of energy a little now. And yes, bloggers do disappear, then maybe come back for another post or two, and then are gone – though that said I’m still in contact with a few from when I started, 4 years ago. I like the image, and its very good to see it alongside the original and the first iteration, and to have some processing details. I hope you’re well soon! Adrian
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thanks for your encouragement Adrian. Blogging can be hard work at times so I understand the taking of breaks! 😀
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Love this photo, Cybel. Very Bram Stoker or Jane Eyre. I haven’t blogged in months but haven’t disappeared (yet!). Just been so busy with other projects and traveling. Hoe you’re feeling better!
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isn’t it!! So glad you haven’t disappeared!!! Unless it’s to someplace very exciting of course!! 😀 Thank you Debbie!!
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I ignore nothing that comes from you,dear Cybele;your WP friends will soon go into orbit again when they see your stellar posts!
Btw,I’ve just come back from “Culloden Moor”.Superb account,remarkable photos!
Now,the folk song is playing here while I’m reading your steeped in history story.The lightning texture in the b/w version is beyond fantastic 🙂 ♥ xxx
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So glad you enjoyed it Doda!! I love history too as you know I enjoy reading yours! I enjoy the songs too because they always mean something in context with the events that occurred – and often sad!!
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Yes,I’ve noticed it,history is part of ourselves and I was really touched to see how you respect your “roots” and keep alive the memory of your ancestors.If we have past,we have also future,dear Cybele.The related songs are also sort of heritage and keep our pride high 🙂 xxx
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as do you and thank you for such encouragement!! I love your philosophy – we do have a future!
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Stunning photos! Hope you’re feeling well. Hugs.
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hugs to you my friend and thank you!
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The lightning certainly adds even more drama to the castle!
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thanks Eliza! I thought it did too!
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Wow what a fascinating photo … and you’ve rendered it even more fascinating and mysterious with each edit … Bravo Cybele!
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And hope you find your energy again … btw the summer seems to have blown a lot of us to far off shores … who knows once the cold sets in, they will probably return. Perhaps you already know Silk Road by Kitaro … but I thought I’d send you some Gobi Desert as imagined in his music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMaupYWRMpE
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I love Kitaro and thank you Bast! So sweet of you!!
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🙂 Glad you love Kitaro too and I’m happy to have sent it along!
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me too! 🙂
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Many thanks Bast!
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Very welcome Cybele! 🙂
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🙂
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