It is a sad day for us. The day when Russia stopped hiding its true intentions towards Ukraine and openly attacked. The day the world let it happen. The day that showed what politicians' statements and international agreements are worth. The beginning of a chain reaction of wars and conflicts. February 24th.
In the last 2 years, I've said so much that my soul is empty today. There is only sadness in my heart.
In the last 2 years, you've shown so much support that ... what else could be added? Why am I still alive and blogging? I have no answer. I keep donating to the army, buying clothes for wounded soldiers in hospitals, and supporting other volunteers. I am used to living with physical and mental pain. I continue to live and do some of what I did in a peaceful life. What is all this for? What is the final goal? Maybe eventually it will happen what did not happen in the first days of the war. Maybe our husbands, brothers and sons will die on the war one by one, and women with children will end up under the rubble of houses hit by missiles. And we will never know what the politicians felt, who kept delaying the help, not letting us die quickly, but dragging out this bloody struggle for many years.
I better add some colorful spots to this depressing day. I took these pictures when walked in our Botanical garden in Kyiv a couple of weeks ago.
They have a pavilion with orchids. I am not a fan of orchids like many of my friends they have dozens of them at home or in the office. But I admit that many of them are beautiful.
Not only orchids are beautiful but also these... roots? Tillandsia is also called a Spanish moss / beard. In addition, it also blooms, as it turned out.
The next pavilion is dedicated to Rhododendrons of all kinds and colors. It is always the most popular among visitors, and therefore crowded. But I was there on the very beginning of their blooming season.
Some pictures taken outside. The view to the Dnipro river and the left bank.
The Holy Trinity Ioninsky Monastery is located on the territory of the botanic garden. With the beginning of the Soviet occupation, the monastery was closed. There was a colony for juvenile criminals, then a warehouse. Some buildings were destroyed. After the independence of Ukraine, the monastery was restored.
I was there just at the moment when the bells sounded on the bell tower of a small wooden church. I haven't heard church bells in so long, and it's such a nice, calming feeling.
Sword in the Stone. Excalibur? The botanical garden is a trendy place for walks among moms with kids of all ages. The administration even introduced a subscription for people who come to walk here every day. So, this is a play area for the youngest visitors. She looks a little ominous in the evening twilight.
A large green area in the midst of a big city is a nice place to live for birds. Wild birds can manage it without the help of humans but it is always nice to see creative birdhouses on the trees.
I rarely go for a walk lately. I haven't seen so many crows in a long time. They seem to like it here too. But looks like scenery for a horror movie, especially in evening twilight... 😨
That's all for today.
