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orange tree

orange tree xI loved this little orange tree.  Every year I would prune it back and bring it inside so it could survive our Canadian winters.  Circumstances were that it grew very big, and we simply were unable to bring it back in.

Fortunately, our niece knew of just the right home and the little, now larger orange tree, went to live somewhere new.  Happiness is letting go, knowing when it is time to say good-bye so that life can continue to grow and bring joy to someone else.

For months now we have been trying to declutter.  We have been finding things we forgot we had.  They are leaving to begin their lives again. Going where they can be rediscovered, and enjoyed and used in the light of day.  Not stored away and forgotten.

When I see piles of this and that.. I’m heartened knowing it is temporary, every day a  bag or box leaves for somewhere else.  It is a work in process.

What are you working on today? Strive towards a positive outcome.  Life is good!!!

“Happiness is giving it away”

Oyashikiri

PL Precept #15  All is a Mirror

 

 

Are you Ready

santa card 2017

Yes, the time has come, I’ve put if off, but now need to focus on getting a few more cards done. We had such a gorgeous fall, that I simply couldn’t get into the ho ho ho mood.  Now, whether I want to or not, I know that I must meet my deadlines.

After all, people want to prepare, and if cards are being sent abroad, even out of country i.e. the  States, there are deadlines for the items you send to get there on time.

I was taken aback the other day, I sent my sister a  handmade card, she is in California, Canadian postage to the States is $1.20 for a single card of standard size.  I thought that was what I was sending, however, there is a rule, that the card must pass though a certain size of slot to go at that price, and if it doesn’t the price more than doubles.  What a whopping surprise that was.

Now I understood why customers look for cards that are not built out, or designed in a way that they impeded machine sorting at the postal service.  Explains why card companies have resorted to thinner card stock… not always producing a quality (in my opinion) product.

For the creative person who makes their own cards, we are faced with a poorer quality of card stock being offered.  Didn’t understand at first why the better card stocks were being reduced in price in some merchandise outlets.  Now the light bulb goes on, because the consumer is wanting to build a lighter card, so that their clients will want the cards, because they will cost less in postage.

Wow is the postal system the “scrooge” machines don’t have warm fuzzy feelings, they just mechanically move the product along.  It rips, it tears so what, unless a human catches it……..end result you receive a really battered product.

Hmmmmm….fright nite b

It is Friday, you bet! Holler and Shout, jump and Pounce, Saturday is on it’s way.

 

 

Wordless Wednesday

Taiwan Jiancing Historic Trail

Taiwan Jiancing Historic Trail, Taipingshan National Forest   elevation 2000 m http://floralia.centerblog.net/rub-autour-du-monde–20.html

photo from internet

 

 

 

Love a Donkey

 

“Hey, come on closer, I can’t hear what you are saying”… dutifully I found my way into the ditch and up to the fence.  I knew darn well they heard what I was saying, but clever darlings, wanted me closer so I could feed them the taller greens on my side of the fence.

I learned some time ago how devious they can be.  As full of mischief, they are also softies if you are deemed a friend. Get on their bad side tho’ and I would stay way clear. If they are working, and taking care of their flock… be warned, security checks can be quick and purposeful.

My visit was obviously on their lunch break. =^_^=    I’ve been known to chatter away, wax poetically and find myself rewarded with big sloppy kisses.  Of course a carrot or two in my pocket helped.

Lately I have found myself on back roads, where I have had the pleasure of a few encounters.  Have you visited with a donkey lately?  Aren’t they a wonderful audience. You know they are listening even when they turn their backs.. scratch an ear, if you are lucky, you’ll hear the donkey sigh, =^_*=  (wink)

Enjoy every day, today, will lead you to tomorrow.

Blessings be… Oyashikiri

communication …… remember, it is not always what we say, but HOW we say it. after we speak, it is important to LISTEN

 

Mickey

disnyland 10.17

I was just going to settle into bed when I heard the ping of my phone, I could have ignored it, but I wasn’t completely settled in so, I had a look.  There was Mickey smiling away while in the shadows I could see a throng of people wandering, mingling the Disneyland “Park” Even at night it is able to captivate with the charm that is Disnyland.

Where I was, on a quiet street, night time had descended, and most residents on our street anyway, were safely tucked into bed.  My sister on the other paw, visiting in Los Angeles was surrounded with activity and coloured lights, (3 hour time difference)

I love when I am reminded on how wonderful life is in 2017,  that with technology the way it is now I can share a moment in space and time with someone (in this case my sister) and be miles away, and in a totally different “place”  These are blessings friends, we experience them everyday.   We have much to be thankful.

Appreciation of life, learning to share and care as a daily part of our lives, that is important.

People who choose to be toxic, who get their “highs” on the distress or perceived failures of others, who can only malign and remember past incidents that they feed on to give them a reason  to live.  That is SAD.  we can only pray that their toxic behaviours and  “sick” fumes don’t darken our paths.  When they do, appreciate that you are not in “that place”  give thanks for your own life, and pray that their “unwell” state of mind and being will find its way to a better place. Then move on.

PL Precept #11   Always be with God.

The negativity and disease of others, need not infect your world.

GOD is LOVE

no matter what philosophy you live by, LOVE permeates all teachings.

Oyashikiri

 

photo -Valerie

stained glass

retreat 10.7.17a

Imagine the sun streaming in on a cool fall day.  Isn’t there something wonderful about the way, light is transformed when it penetrates and shines through  a stained glass panel.

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even the high ceiling is mirroring the colourful hues, giving the  room an aura of light.  When the organist plays, what divine inspiration must flow from his hands to the organ itself.  A true delight for all who are embraced by the sound,

PL Precept # 15 All is a Mirror

PL Principle # 3  I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things.

God is everywhere – PL Precept # 11 Always be with God

Oyashikiri

 

Pictures taken by Valerie (sister) while at her retreat

sky high – Monday

festival winds bondi beach 9.17

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

look at me – flying so high

I am in the sky

riding the free-flowing breeze

oh… to never touch ground

yikes, if I do, will I be found

go away negative thought

God pilots my path

and in God’s grace/love

I have faith and know

wherever I go

it will be where I am bound

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for God is always with me

I am never alone

Q

PL Precept # 11  Always be with God

 

photography, Hillwalker (Darren Su)

pictures taken  Australia, Festival Winds Bondi Beach

 

Spring yay!

To walk where no one has walked before

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I wish, =^_^= but I was the one to make a new trail

down an unused road, that led me to another time

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a family home, once filled with laughter

now stands silent, waiting

this was not the structure tho’ that had caught my attention

rather I was drawn to a building that called out

to my searching ” eyes”

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“look, look, see my charm”, I got a picture in full sunlight

but this one with the little building half in the shade

I found had more to say

I sensed this is where the children played

on rainy days, on sunny days

this little structure captured and ignited

their imagination in every way

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this pretty face

was also part of yesterday =^_^=

It was an amazing day !!!

In PL (Perfect Liberty) we do our best to live each day doing our best to be creative in every way.  Make every day count, rain, snow, sunshine, it doesn’t matter. Do your best every day.

Oyashikiri

c’est bizarre, c’est jeudi

What happens when suddenly you realize it is Thursday! Wow, like how did this happen, it came at me right out of the blue.

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Like the seasons, was it just yesterday I sat and watched the birds fly by on the horizon, couldn’t have been, when I look out side now, the world is white, we’ve had snow.  Lots of it, although, it was so mild yesterday, temperatures went up to 40 degrees F.  Today is going to be another mild day.

img_20151206_125944719I had thought of going to New York city for the Perfect Liberty Thanksgiving service this month.  The thought of seeing NY again, I’ve been away from some time, actually a LONG time, so close to the Chinese New Year, a side trip down to Chinatown would have been a real treat.

If you saw my blog the other day on Chinese New Year, and took the time to watch the video on the foods prepared for the special celebration, you would have seen a lot of colour, especially reds.

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It was not to be.  In the Japanese Church of Perfect Liberty, we use a word, Kamuwaza, it basically means, “God’s Act”  or through no other reason, but that “something” just doesn’t happen, due to many different circumstances.  In this case, all the signs were not pointing towards a good productive trip, my pushing the envelope to go anyway, would mean that, my desire, my wishes, were “mine” and not necessarily were they going to happen.

The TAO. also addresses this, there are times when we simply need to listen to the “signs” around us, and STOP pushing forward. It is time to STOP, reflect, and regroup.

Noooooo I’m not bummed about it, a tad disappointed maybe, but I have learned, that everything has a reason, (season) and by staying tuned in .. PL Precept # 11   Always be with God.  
PL Precept #17   Grasp what is essential   AND

PL Precept # 20 Live maintaining Equilibrium between Mind and Matter..  Things will progress and develop (PL Precept # 16)

Life is beautiful when you live the PL WAY … every day, in every way.

Oyashikiri

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lazy day

There is something to be said about a cold sunny day, when you can see the shimmering bling of the icicles as they hang from the roof edge.  I have been trying to listen to the good advice from friends, “stay in, stay out of the cold, REST”, I think I’m soon going to be able to say, its been 4 weeks now! cough, cough, splutter, sneeze, wheeze and darn I’m tired.

windows-iceThis is a much better shot of the beautiful sculptured ice.  The sky was the beckoning blue that makes me want to be outside.  I don’t care it is cold, I’m happy outside, I layer up and I’m toasty warm.. the air is so fresh, crisp and deliciously brisk.

Thanks for the great feedback on the Sludge project, thought I’d show you a sneak peek.

sludge-part-2.

This is a piece of a cover that I was very taken with.  I liked it so much I kept the magazine for ages.  Doing these “Art” journals has given me a new way to display and keep the pictures I like, without keeping a whole magazine.  Eventually some time in the future, I will add to the pages.. this is the fun of it all.. there is no rush, no deadlines, just a great way to have quality time with myself doing “stuff” I like.

PL Precept #1   Life is Art

PL Precept # 18  Each Moment is a Turning Point

Make each moment count, enjoy being alive, be grateful, and appreciate that God is in your life…

PL Precept #11   Always be with God

When we live with love in our hearts…it is so much easier to express ourselves.

PL Precept #2   To live is to Express One’s Self.

Oyashikiri

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