“The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.” ~Michel de Montaigne
Morning Ritual, Point Reyes, CA
The happiest of all lives is a busy solitude. ~Voltaire
Inspired, Seattle, WA
“We visit others as a matter of social obligation. How long has it been since we have visited with ourselves?” ~Morris Adler
Meditation, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Creativity, San Francisco
“Inside myself is a place where I live all alone, and that’s where I renew my springs that never dry up.” ~Pearl S. Buck
Interpretation, Yellowstone National Park
“What a lovely surprise to finally discover how unlonely being alone can be.” ~Ellen Burstyn
Energized, San Francisco
“I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. We are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers.” ~Henry David Thoreau
Creativity, Thailand
“Without great solitude no serious work is possible.” ~Pablo Picasso
Perserverance, Charleston, SC
Jane Lurie Photography 
Very beautiful pictures dear Jane
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Thank you very much, Ajaytao. Happy you enjoyed these.
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yes indeed dear I enjoy all of your pictures
they are somehow masterly 🙂
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You are very kind. 🙂
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okay but that is a fact dear
I sincerely feel that
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What a lovely, inspiring blog you have! Great work, Jane!
Greetings from the North
Dina
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Hi Dina, Thanks for your kind words. Nice way to start my day. Your blog is beautiful.
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philosophical post! thanks for the Montaigne quotation!
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Thank you, Frizztext. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Lovely!
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Thank you very much, Julianne.
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Love it!
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Thank you, Marius. Appreciate your comment!
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Such a beautiful post Jane, very inspiring and beautiful photos to accompany the quotes.
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HI Jocelyne, Thank you so much. I am glad you enjoyed this one and I appreciate your comment.
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HOW TOUCHING!!!! Felt very warm & fuzzy from these visuals!!! brilliant!!
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Thank you so much, April. Happy it moved you.
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Alone is such a gift and so not loneliness. Loved this – the pictures and quotes!
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Mary Lynn, So true. Thank you for your kind words.
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I love this series, Jane!
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Thanks so much, PK!
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I’m with Ginny – a gift of time to yourself; what a lovely thought. Very nice, Jane
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Thanks, Tina. Glad you enjoyed this one.
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Tremendous series Jane!
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HI Phil, Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it– appreciate it.
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Beautiful Jane, you captured the intimate quietness of concentration. Wonderful, nature photographs.
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Thank you very much, Mary.
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Lovely series of portraits and quotes.
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Hi Sherry- Thank you – I’m very glad you enjoyed this one.
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Hi, Jane. I do love solitude. Maybe that’s why I live way up here. And solitude was painful when I was young. I had forgotten until I read your wonderful post.
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Hi Dave, So happy you enjoyed this. Thank you for your kind response.
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Thoughtful and moving post. The quotes are deep and timeless and full of wisdom, the photos apt illustrations of each. The man with newspaper, boy with Legos and boy doing schoolwork are moments frozen in time – perfectly captured. Thanks for shatng these gems and for reminding me of the benefits and growth available through solitude.
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Hi Amy, What a lovely and thoughtful response. Thank you for taking a moment to let me know. Much appreciated.
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Jane, what treat! Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us!
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Thank you, Jill. I appreciate your support and encouragement!
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Beautiful portraits, Jane!
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Thank you so much, Fred.
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Jane, this is just a great post. Your portraits are stunning and insightful. The light on the beautiful child working on his legos is perfect. Loved the quote from Voltaire.
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Thank you so much, Kathy. Glad you enjoyed the quotes and I appreciate your comment. That light table for the legos was a gift for that portrait.
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Wonderful post!
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Thank you very much, Cynthia.
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I am with Pearl Buck! It is a joy to know and seek solitude as a ‘gift of time’ to yourself .
Love Jane I’s creative little one!
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Thank you, Ginny. I loved that quote.. and we do need to honor our alone time. Glad you liked Ronan at work.
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Photos each mirror the quotes so well…so much wisdom and contentment imparted…. Love Voltire’s quote…. Funny how in my healing process… Much more forced ” alone” time…. Linda
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Hi Linda, Happy this spoke to you– and at this particular time in your life, I can see why. Thank you, friend!
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I so agree with Einstein quote. You caught every subject looking contemplative but happy and focused. Really like this post. K
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Hi Kathleen– Thank you. You really got the essence of what I was going for. Appreciate it!
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What a delightful post. Made me happy. Thanks.
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Hi Jane, I knew it would with that beautiful, busy boy in the mix. Thanks so much!
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Lovely series Jane. A pleasure to view.
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Thanks, Lignum. Happy you enjoyed this one.
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As always, fantastic photos and memorable quotes … // Maria 🙂
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Thank you very much, Maria. 🙂
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I agree with the earlier comment–your portraits are wonderful and the marriages of the pictures and quotations are really, really fine. I’ve missed your posts–glad to see you back.
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Thank you so much, Patricia. Always appreciate your comments. Not sure what’s up with WP.. I have been posting… glad you’re back here.
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How your quotes ring like music to my ears! Their are the confirmation to my firm beliefs.
I’ll pass on this link to those that could benefit from this wisdom. Thanks 🙂
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Thank you, OA. I’m happy that the quotes spoke to you- I thought they enhanced the images.
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They did indeed! I loved each one of them. This post gives hope to the meaning of loneliness which usually has a negative connotation. The knowledge that it can be a personal choice & a good one at that! People will start feeling less victimized by loneliness.
It has brought clarity on the matter… light to a shady spot & for that I thank you!
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OA- So true. I almost used this quote which illuminates your point:
Loneliness expresses the pain of being alone and solitude expresses the glory of being alone.
Paul Tillich
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That’s just beautiful!
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Wonderful quotes that match up equally well with your photos. I always enjoy getting your posts. Hope all is well with you Jane.
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Hi Ron, Thank you! Glad you enjoyed these–I had fun putting it together. We are doing well and I do hope you are, too. Love hearing from you.
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