Antonio de Pereda y Salgado *“Allegory of Vanity”* (1632–1636) My soul, the sinful earth at your core, You yield to forces bent on mutiny; You languish, starved of what you need most, Yet spend yourself adorning outward walls. A passing guest—why lavish so much On this rented house of yours, Only to leave it to blind worms, Your hard-earned wealth and all? Grow, soul, and feed your deepest hunger. Gather treasure as the days run by; Win the better share, and live more richly Though outwardly you seem to own less. Master death in this brief life; Then death shall die, and you endure forever. William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 146” (Translated by S. Marshak) Bright Bits

Golden Autumn Through the Eyes of Artist Sergey Bessonov Autumn water is darker than summer water. Fallen leaves bring a graceful touch to the still surface. A beautiful, fleeting moment in the golden season… Bright Bits

The Crystal Museum in Gus-Khrustalny, Russia Bright Bits