The XII Canonical Prospects of Jakubowizna in Winter (Without Snow)

It will be a long time before the XII Canonical Prospects of Jakubowizna are finally agreed upon, and their order. No doubt there will be schisms along the way; which Prospects make the cut and which are relegated to the Apocrypha or judged to be Gnostic Prospects. Aesthetes and scholars will debate. Slowly though, the Canon will take shape; across the year's four seasons, across mornings, middays, afternoons, evenings and night. Each canonical image must, however, be linked to unalloyed, genuine qualia moments that resonate deeply with my soul, stirring unbidden memories.

Part I: The Western Canon

Below: takes me back to my strongest past-life memories. Road running alongside the railway track between Chynów and Sułkowice.

Below: one of my most favourite experiences is that of walking towards the sun, into the wind. The sun and wind, in my face. And with an interesting cloud formation that casts my mind back. 

Below: general view of the north-west corner of Jakubowizna, on leaving the station.

Below: up the lane from the station towards my działka. The familiar way.

Below: looking north from the lane into the side road that goes off to Grobice; birches, pines, houses old and new.

Part II: The Eastern Canon

Left: looking north towards Grobice down the path from Jakubowizna, flanked on either side by orchards – apples, pears and cherries. The local council wanted to widen this path and asphalt it, but landowners wouldn't sell the land the land needed to allow for the prescribed width. And so grass triumphs, and I must say, I'm rather glad. Lack of asphalt means I live on what's effectively a no-through road to all vehicles except tractors and mud-pluggers.

Below: Foreclosed. "Are you men from the bank?" Deserted cottage on the path from Jakubowizna to Grobice. Moon rising. Jet overhead.

Below: the row of silver birches at the forest's edge. Darkness brings foreboding as one approaches, but in broad daylight an uplifting scene. 

Below: from Grobice the path rises towards Grabina. Dry. The soil is dry for the time of year. It's below freezing overnight, but no snow; no snow cover in winter presages drought in spring.

Below: "When you come to a fork in the road, take it." (– Y. Berra). Left to Grabina, right to Adamów Rososki. 

Below: the path from Adamów Rososki to Machcin II. The debate is whether this view or the reverse view (from the end of this path) makes the grade as 'canonical'.

Below: the forest is much less dense before the last government's state forestry service, Lasy Państwowe, felled as many trees as possible ahead of the election. Still, a beautifully wistful scene, any time of year.

Nearly home – from here, about ten minutes to my kitchen; on with the kettle for a hot drink and then make me some food. 

Which prospects will make the Canon?

This time six years ago:
Fairness, simplicity, taxation and a sustainable society

This time seven years ago:
Polish beer cans in the UK: new shit has come to light

This time nine years ago:
Lent, a time to cleanse and reflect

This time 11 years ago:
It was 50 years ago today... Beatles arrive in New York

This time 13 years ago:
Adventures in the Screen Trade – the truth about Hollywood

This time 14 years ago:
The sad end of Andrzej J.

This time 17 years ago:
Today's dose of wintery gorgeousness

This time 11 years ago:
First intimations of spring