Just… windows, doors and things

/ restlessjo

What is it that captures your eye as you wander? I find some things almost impossible to pass by without pausing for a photograph. Windows and doors can be particularly compelling, and several of these caused me to retrace my steps because I just couldn’t resist.

Balconies, light reflected in windows and reflections are all great subjects. Usually I opt to stay out of sight, but occasionally a doorknob or detail will lure me close. A beautiful tile will always stop me in my tracks, especially if it’s crumbling at the edges. That black cat seemed to follow me round the corner, demanding a photo. The blue door intrigued, and there was no question but that I would pursue the water tower for a close up.

How about you? What do you find irresistible? And currently, how are you distracting yourself from the distress we are witnessing? Praying for peace in the Ukraine.

104 thoughts on “Just… windows, doors and things”

  1. Lots of clever eye-catching things in here, Jo, but that cat is a stand-out.
    As for Ukraine … those poor people. I feel so sorry for them, and so helpless to help, and so full of admiration for their defiance, and so glad to be living in obscure, unimportant Australia. I fear I have taken to ‘doomscrolling’, the near-obsessive checking of updates. Sadly, the updates are rarely encouraging.

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      • In Poland, mostly in a small town south of Warsaw but some in Krakow. They are safe but worried as you can imagine. They have seen it all before.
        How tragic to have this subject matter as an author. πŸ˜§πŸ’Ÿ

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      • I’m glad to hear your family is safe (and let us hope it stays that way). The Poles have really stepped up to take in refugees! I read today (yesterday?) a quote from someone in Poland to the effect that Poles are doing now what they’d wished other people had done for them in 1938.

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  4. That cat door and all the ones with these amazing reflections are SO epic Jo! I find some walks through unknown trails irresistible, it feels like some trails just pull me towards them. Are we over the whole Covid thing yet I fail to understand with some people wearing some weird masks? Planning for any travel lately? Also, ‘all the money in the world cannot buy peace’ (heard this in something I was watching the other day). Peace!

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    • Fun, aren’t they? We still have to wear masks in shops and public transport, NiNa. Going to the UK very briefly next month to see our son’s house – his first step on the mortgage ladder πŸ€£πŸ’Ÿ Then doing some traveling in the north of Portugal around Easter time. Keeping an anxious eye on poor Ukraine. I have a lot of family in Poland. πŸ™„πŸ’—

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      • Totally! I have a couple of doors from my travels at different places so was thinking of doing one earlier on, might do it in a couple of days though. Looks like UK is going to be very entertaining for you this time around. Happy travels Jo! Well we can hope and pray for peace in our own little ways. Many people are heading back to their home country from Ukraine depending on how helpful the governments are in certain places, embassies trying their best. Hope everyone in your family is okay.

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  5. A very appealing wander, Jo. All of those things would catch my eye too. The black cat is a smile bringer.
    I think my favourites are the reflections with mannequins – both the one with selfie and the one without

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  6. Doors, windows, tiles – little vignettes as you wander through towns and villages I find them all beautiful Jo. I hardly know what to say about the heartbreaking tragedy unfolding in Ukraine – such dreadful times. I follow it as much as I can then have to switch off for a while but then you know there is no switching off for so many people. Thoughts, prayers and hearts go out to the people of Ukraine and other countries affected by war – sincerely hoping peace can prevail xx

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      • I find it unimaginable Jo – just having to uproot and leave everything with so many families torn apart and divided. Just have to keep hoping for a peaceful resolution. Hope your family in Poland are doing ok – it must be so hard on the neighbouring countries too. They must be worried about an escalation plus they are trying to help so many scared and frightened people (and pets) needing refuge.

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  7. Lovely photos Jo, especially those with the reflections! You would probably guess that nature captures my eye 90% of the time, but I do love lighthouses, carvings, the quirky, street furniture, architecture…….(the list was getting longer than I thought! πŸ˜‰)

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  8. I thought I’d previously commented on this Jo but obviously not – i must have been to busy writing about a recent weekend away πŸ™‚ I like most of these but my favourite has to be the door with the black cat πŸ™‚

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  11. A wonderful collection Jo. I love all the reflections, and they would have me pausing to photograph too.
    I’m compelled to seek out news of Ukraine in a way I wouldn’t normally do 😒 Every morning it’s the first thing I must know about. And then I give deep thanks to be where I am and have the life I have. Daily life goes on. I too pray for Ukraine πŸ™
    Alison

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    • I’m normally a head in the sand person when it comes to politics and the evils of this world, Alison, but Ukraine has us all in its grip, praying that it can survive this. Yes, life does go on, and you’re right. We have to give thanks.

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  12. So difficult to get distracted these days.. When we left for Florida, there were still big crowds in Ottawa, and when we returned, the madness in Ukraine..
    We really enjoyed the warmth, the perfect getaway! Now, back to reality LOL
    As for photographing things, I totally relate with you, so hard to move on, sometimes it seems like a window or a small figurine is pulling you back, and you have to step back for another clickπŸ™‚
    Just wanted to let you know I tagged you to my most recent walk in Key West, but I guess you already saw the linkπŸ™‚
    take care, hugs πŸ€—πŸ€—

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    • Thanks for the nudge, Christie. I haven’t seen the pingback yet but no doubt I’d have caught up with you in the Reader. Good to be aware, though. I’m finding it hard to focus on blogging right now, because it seems so trivial in the face of events. I can’t believe the things I’m seeing.

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  15. These are great distractions. Beautiful windows/doors, etc. Where I live, most doors look the same, except when I walk around Boston (which is too cold/snowy/icy to walk right now. So, for distraction, I walk the woods nearby. Give me peace, and I pray for peace. I hope so much our prayers make a difference. xo

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  16. What a wonderful collection of beautiful doors and windows, Jo πŸ™‚ There is something about doors and windows. Doors and windows tell us so much about the streets, about history, about cultureβ€”and they’re everywhere. Doors and windows are big, small, plain, colourful, old, new, modern, antique, they come in all shapes and forms. Sometimes you will find open doors and windows, sometimes closed, with or without people, and sometimes the door or the windows are gone, but you know where they used to be. Thanks for sharing and have a good day πŸ™‚ Aiva xx

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  18. I like ’em all, and you’re in one too as a bonus aren’t you? My distraction is bugs and birds and pretty much anything in nature. Life goes on even as the human race appear determined to screw it up as much as possible, unfortunately.

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  19. What a great selection, Jo, glad you made that walk. My favourites are the crumbling tiles and the cat which is No. 1 – way out in front. I guess it will be most people’s favourite. Looking at photographs does seem such a wasteful thing to do at the moment but I think it’s a mundane thing like this that helps keep our sanity so I’ll go to sleep with a picture of the cat on the yellow door firmly imprinted on my mind!

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    • As I wake up, make coffee and listen to Zelensky’s latest speech. Please God he can lead his country out of this. My days are full of blue skies, walks, lunches and lovely people, Mari. With an occasional spot of rain. No equality in this world, is there, but I can only be supremely grateful to be where I am.

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  25. Ahh, you can imagine how this title catapulted me into your post. And it’s even better than expected. Such cheerful, interesting and eye-pleasing sights. And I love it that there are some doorfies as well. You know that I like to take them too. We will never stop looking. One view like this and the day is made.

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  26. Jo, I adore your photos in this post, especially that whimsical cat on the door. I wonder what other whimsy awaits on the inside of that door because surely the residents there have a sense of humor. And seconding the wish for peace in Ukraine and a swift end to the evil.

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    • He turned his back on me very impolitely, Babsje. It must have been obvious I had no fish!
      We have to keep smiling but how hard must it be to lose your home and have to flee for your children’s safety?

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  29. For me it’s the beauty of nature that makes me stop to shoot a picture. Though yes, doors catch my eye too. You’ve found some lovely ones here Jo.
    I too am praying for peace and think about all the people caught up in this unnecessary tragedy. The concern is it will bubble into something much bigger or continue for too long and as usual too many innocents will suffer. So heartbreaking.
    Thank you for sharing your post Jo. It brightens the day.

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  32. Doors and windows are always a fascination in Europe, not so much in the U.S. I love your yellow door with the cat and the blue one with the boat reflections. Here at home I love the old signs for motels, gas stations – the colorful old ones from the 50s and 60s. I also am always attracted to murals. I’m looking forward to going to Miami soon and seeing the colorful Art Deco buildings.

    The situation in Ukraine is so tragic and disheartening. I don’t understand how the world can allow itself to be taken hostage by one megalomaniac. I’m hoping peace will prevail, but I’m a little jaded at this point in history.

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  34. Great finds Jo! My eyes usually take me to the same things like doors and windows…. Add to that street art, chairs and benches, domes and steeples! πŸ‘πŸΌ

    Have a good day and praying for peace as well for Ukraine

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  37. These are fabulous – well spotted. And part of Ukraine’s tragedy is that the stories told in scenes like the ones you’ve singled out have been wiped from the face of the earth and their history.

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