Meet photographer Brian Waterman https://www.instagram.com/bird_bri/ There have been so many birds signing in the woodlands it has been a treat to meet up with Brian who has graciously shared photos with us. He has a wonderful selection of birds for you to explore and enjoy, I have a few favourites that I will use from time to time because he has captured the personality of the birds that I’m drawn too. Right now the leaves are filling out so quickly, I hear the birds but I don’t see them. I appreciate Brian’s patience and his ability to find and “catch” the beauties. Check out his Instagram, make sure you have time to doddle, you’ll love what you find,
Cherish this moment, this time, this day. People keep growing as time goes on. Cherish your self expression.
Do we learn from our past. Can we move forward with peace in our hearts and the commitment and desire to live with respect/understanding and appreciation for others.??? This is a time to reflect and pause in our daily activities to remember and take notice of the positives in our lives.
Get things started with grit. If you work on things in daily life with the attitude of “let’s do it!” you will feel a power to accomplish things. People around you will rely on you.
Perfect Liberty 2023.29
The simplicity of a quiet morning – each day is a new beginning – a new chapter begins.
When your sister goes visiting, and you suspect she is treading into a world of magic and intrigue. You catch sight of her checking out the flying brooms…. Wonder if she suspects I have my own… =^_^= Having talked about this trip for some time, I can only assume she is finally in the UK again. She and my Mom loved exploring, my sister is a world traveller, I get to enjoy the fruits of her adventures from the comfort of my home.
Develop new ideas through your imagination – softly and flexibly. If you could find a way to add a twist, you will have more joy.
Perfect Liberty 2023. 28 (translation done in Japan)
No taking a morning break, the destroyed bench is gone, but another has not appeared, when we get to the section of the boardwalk we are met with pylons.
With the pending heat of the day, even the ducks are retreating to find a place to chill.
Others are taking it all in stride. Enjoying the day come what may. That will be my focus for the day, start slow and simply let the moments flow one into the other. I’ll head out now while the morning is still fresh. Have a chill day everyone!
Put Makoto even into small things. Don’t let things go with “oh well”. You will have a different outcome if you put Makoto into everything you do. (sincerity)
Which path to take… I’m learning from the turkeys… at first .. I was ” pleased” .. yes that would be the word … they charmed me by coming to eat when they saw me.. now I’m spending more time with them, I am learning, it is their world, and they really do have their own way of navigating the woodlands and surrounding fields. I am humbled that they accept to interact with me when they do. I stay on the paths, while they get to roam free under the overgrown or tumbled over branches and vegetation. Their stamina and ability to travel great distances in short periods of time is teaching me (reminding me) to focus and be in the moment. Live it.. appreciate the moment and move on.
I am a visitor in their world.
Smiles are the world’s treasure. If you smile more, there will be more smiles in the world. Be one of those who makes more smiles
Perfect Liberty 2023.26
Yesterday I really felt that I should make more of an effort to be like the turkeys .. I should walk the trail enjoying the walk, not focus on getting the walk done … Looking at the trail is not walking it.
Somewhere in Portugal, I saw this little house and was enchanted. I was inspired to write a little “verse” .. the Universe didn’t agree with my sentiment, the whole blog didn’t save, it simply disappeared. After many failed attempts to retrieve it… I gave up… however, I am still going to show you this little building, isn’t it a charmer?
No I won’t try to redo the verse… suffice to say, tomorrow will be another day. Meanwhile, enjoy all the wonderful doors that will be available from Dan’s site.
Today’s calendar
Always have presence of mind. If you overexert yourself, you will get easily swayed by emotion. Always put the best Makoto with presence of mind.
Sitting out in the sunshine yesterday, I marveled at how in just a few days the trees had doubled their foliage, even the magnolia seemed happy in her spring frock of pink/purple blooms. The long week-end just past, traditionally is when the gardeners plant get their summer gardens going, but this year, due to the frost warnings still in effect (overnight).. I heard many are waiting for another week or two for the warmer weather to really take hold.
For me, sitting out on my deck… it was wonderful, cool enough there were NO biting insects.. my guests and I could simply sit and enjoy the sun’s warm rays and the clear sky. I did see the pollen flying about, I’m sure allergy suffers are having to cope. Sending out healing vibes and a happy wave to all.
Today’s calendar
Being asked for a favour is a chance. When someone asks for a favour from you, this is a chance for you to help others. Face the chance proactively,
Perfect Liberty 2023. 23
” Making memories with you, is my favourite thing to do” I found this small card on my studio work table a left over from a card making project I had. I love the thought, and was going to send it to a special friend… then.. the thought came to me that the saying made me smile and think of YOU… so I am posting it here so anyone finding it, and enjoying the sentiment… can share it too.
I feel so blessed, sharing with you over the years… you are locate in far off places some just minutes away, others oceans away, yet… you are all part of the community that I am blessed to have in my life. thank YOU!!
When you reach the edge of NOW. The Province of Quebec has many such moments, it is only when you drive through the province beyond the built up areas, when you park, get out and explore. You can find a wonderland of simplicity that can transport the viewer to another time. An example of Nature at her best. In this photo, he* shares a timeless moment. . (*Dave Renz)
I know many a writer who will find inspiration in this photo. It certainly stirred my imagination..
Today’s calendar
Discover something new today. Have a willingness and an interest, start your day with excitement.
Yesterday I stepped into the past. I was standing with the wild turkeys in the woodlands listening to the baby birds chirping and singing their little hearts out … the squirrels and chipmunks were chasing each other and racing up and down the trees where I had spread the nutty butter (made for wildlife).. we were happy in the moment of sharing under the wide open sky. When a thought clear as a bell, nudged me to pay attention….
I got back into my car, drove home, emptied my trunk of bird seed, peanuts, etc. took out unnecessary clutter, got my passport and headed back out the door to the highway. No advanced planning, no wondering why … I just followed my nose. (expression)
PL Precept # 19 Begin once you perceive
PL Precept #18 Each moment is a turning point.
As the miles slipped past me, the landscaped changed from sprawling city to the outskirts, and then towards the American border, I felt oddly at peace. A quiet settled over me, and I realized that I had turned off the radio, there was just me, myself and I alone with my thoughts. In an hour I was at the border crossing being welcomed and waved through by cheerful customs personnel.
When asked where are you coming from, why are you coming over .. where are you going… I had no definite reason or plan… I simply wanted to be there. The agent smiled at me and encouraged me to have a good time… Smiles go a long way, feel good too!
Move forward with confidence Experiences you have acquired through efforts so far are wonderful. Give it all you’ve got.
Perfect Liberty 2023.20
Not two hours past, I had been standing in a conservation area, with wildlife all around me, now I found myself standing in an American Walmart under construction. Was it busy, YES. Ahhh life in 2023. I had remembered to turn off my phone before crossing into the States (avoiding roaming charges).. how grand is it that I could start my day in Canada and be in the States for lunch. I did a no brainer.. drove through MacDonald’s for a big Mac and fries (hey! on a mini holiday here)… paid and happily drove right off without my food! Was on my way to search out the airport when I realized what I had done. Had to turn myself around and go back forit.
Again I was greeted with smiling and cheerful staff who were waiting for me… I decided to eat in and discovered a new experience. On the tables are big screens to play games on while you eat. I took my time enjoying my food playing mahjong and then a word game. What fun!
The news these days has been filled with negativity, when you stop to think about it, it is always about the anger, frustration and crises situations …senseless killings, neighbours fighting neighbours, natural disasters (they do happen)… yet here I was… people all around me, smiling, chatting, going about their business, courteous, oh and the temperature was warm and balmy, Everything felt so positive. I got the directions to the “international” airport that was advertised on PBS (television) and once again got in the car and headed off to “discover”
I found one of two old, very old cemeteries. I stopped to get pictures for a Thursday door feature and was drawn to the tall tombstone you see. Period 1816 -1863, it was not the oldest, but interspersed here and there were newer headstones. It was so tranquil ,.. there were old trees, the grounds well kept… I could feel the years, sense the history. Not far off when I took to the highway in search of the airport again, I saw the horse and buggy signs… and a big sign telling me if turned right I would find a national State Park.
I was searching for the airport, so after taking the turn, I turned myself around, that will be for another day. I was headed out of the city when I realized that I had to have passed the airport, I pulled over and turned around.. all I could see was farmland, big empty fields and older well loved homes. Then I saw a faded sign on a chain link fence.. saying to watch out for low flying planes. Ah Ha… I was close.. but I had passed here just minutes before the cemetery I had been in was just on the left. slowing down I saw a paved road that led to a big parking lot.. (almost empty).. with a commercial building looking very empty. Taking the turn unto the road, I saw the way was barred… just up ahead… so I slowed to turn around. It might be small, but it has a lot of good reviews. =^_^=
Ogdensburg International Airportthe sign is big enough, how did I miss it?
Finding the airport, having spent my time wandering the Walmart, enjoying a quick lunch in a clean bright Macdonald’s.. Hey! a wonderful interlude. AND not once did I feel alone, YOU were with me all the way. we can cross borders, travel great distances, but always…. WE, me, myself and I are constant in my head/heart.
It was an adventure, and what made it all that much more special, the people.. the army photographer I met in the morning, the customs personnel, the staff in Walmart, the cheerful clerks at MacDonalds, the man who held the door open for me at the store,, the gas attendant when I stopped for gas.. It was a positively glowing day…. all because life IS good and there are opportunities always presenting themselves. we need only be open and willing to participate.
What will you do today?
MC I bought pickled eggs!!!!
Cheers everyone! Tomorrow Sunday service will be an early ceremony Day of Appreciation.. followed by another service in the evening at 7 pm.
TAOIST Life is Art (Perfect Liberty precept #1)
contact info.- via blogs
--- there are two energies, Yin and Yang = ONE
---to have balance we must live each moment
of our lives.. with Makoto (sincerity)
The only constant in life is change. I am grounded in the reality of Living.
This is true, in all worlds. RL or virtual. I am me and only me.