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lessons – PEACE

lakeshore nick

Growing up, I remember my Mother collecting the tools she would need when she retired.  She was determined she would weave.  She also sewed, growing up in the early years before Father passed away, Mother made our clothes, pretty dresses, frocks with smocking, we were little charmers.

Upstairs she stowed her treasures, materials for sewing, wool for knitting, and the materials she would weave with.  We had boxes and boxes stored for that time when she would retire and spend her time lazily doing the things she loved.  Did I tell you she painted too.   Was a creative lady my Mother was.

When she finally did retire from her years in a Government office, away from her officer, desk and responsibilities there, guess what, she dove into her volunteering with a non profit group managing their business affairs.  She was part of a group of ladies who felt more needed to be done for seniors on low income,  They did what needed doing to have an apartment built to meet their goals.

Mother managed the building, did all that needed doing to keep it afloat. Went to meetings, volunteered with other groups, for other needs she felt were not being fully addressed.  Drove seniors for appointments, opened a tuck shop in the building she and the others in her group had now enlarged on ….She was part of Meals on Wheels.

All this to say, she never did her weaving, her sewing interested faded away, She did knit and crochet at night while she rested in front of the telly, but that was for babies in the home for unwed Mothers, blankets for the hospitals, you name it.. Mother had her hand in it.  If it was to help others, she was there with a helping hand.

She outlived most of her friends, (close ones) and others who she had know  over the years, were now, like her, too frail, age had slowed them all down.

We all do our best to live each day as best we can. If my Mother had any regrets, she never spoke of them.  My Mother and her friends were of a generation that grow up with World wars 1 and 2, they knew about scrimping, saving, and making do.  They also knew how fragile a life can be.

PL calendar day 31    Someone who is mentally prepared is strong.

Even when things look grim, if you take on the situation with determination, you will be able to make a fresh start with a positive outlook.

World peace is essential if we are to give hope to the next generation.  Love, caring, and understanding, begin within ourSelves.

Oyashikiri

 

past, present NOW

Quiet picturesque little lane that takes one down to the Seaway.  Old and new stand along the shoreline.  What was, will no longer be.We face this every day.  For the last many days I have not had a computer, I have learned from trial and error, that a laptop is not the way I like to fly.  Handy they may be, but for what I want and need (feel I need) is to be back on a desktop.  I would only come to this having made previous decisions that at the time, seemed necessary change.

One learns in life, that choices made at one time, may not always be what we most prefer, some we can easily change, others not so easily.  Some are impossible to change and go back to.  For example.  every time one changes our hardware (for working on the internet) the newer improved technology is one we have to readjust to.

Recently a display I had made in my garden, was vandalized. A grandparent thought it was ok to give his granddaughter a display doll that I had put out of reach of little arms. I am a doll collector and doll artist, the display was put well out of reach, it was high on a wall, and behind a big rain barrel.  Getting at it, meant one had to reach over and be tall enough to get at the doll.

It has been interesting to hear the comments when I retell this little story to friends, one even scoffed and told me it was only a thing.  I wondered how he would have felt had I gone into his well tended and beautiful garden and began trying to move his plants around because I felt that the roses should be next to a bee balm plant.  OR decided his lowers were so beautiful, I should just pick them and bring them to a friend who loves flowers.

Is consideration of other’s property a thing of the past, is the ability to recognize that rearranging a display in another space other than your own, is OK.  ???

All things, deserve respect, your car that gets you to where you need to be, the doors that open for us to enter, the shoreline that contains are precious rivers, lakes and oceans.  As an artist I don’t expect everyone to like my style of expression,  but I do expect RESPECT for my property if you are on it. I now understand why people put up DO NOT ENTER or PRIVATE PROPERTY up on their lands

(sorry took off  on a little rant there)  however it is all the same message.  Changes happen in life, some we can make choices on, and they affect us directly, others it is not as easy.

PL calendar day 29   Use what you need to use without hesitation. 

YOUR things, your money, your knowledge, and your strengths are all a part of you.  Utilize them to their fullest potential without any hesitation.

Oyashikiri

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Thursday doors

 

Solid

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Success doesn’t just happen….

It is not by coincidence that things go well.  The results are based on the hard work you have put in up until that moment.  Remember to be thankful and use your current success to reach the next level.

PL Precept #20  Live maintaining equilibrium between mind and matter

Happy productive Tuesday everyone!

Oyashikiri

 

a moment please

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Another moment please, the window down, camera ready, I smiled and captured the lovely flowers that I had seen the other day.  I was happy to see they were still open and waving merrily in the early morning breeze.  It was meant to be, the car in front of me, was ordering yet another order.  Sometimes the Universe has you in the right place, at the exact time, that you were meant to be.

Here is wishing you a grand start to a brand new week.

PL Precept # 1  – Life is Art…

PL Precept #18  Each moment is a turning point.

Oyashikiri

Happiness is loving the world around you… everywhere, can be a stunning view…

Wordless Wednesday

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Oyashikiri

 

wicked

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I love this time of year, especially the coming months.  Those of you who follow along, know of my utterly obsessive interest in doing “October” art forms.  I have begun again, I see it sneaking into my various “art” projects.

What has also claimed some of my attention, is fall allergies… We are really not anywhere near fall season, but the weather has been blowing up the country harvests and mites.. The air must be full of something that is not sitting well with my “system”.

Such is life.  The stock pile of tissue boxes will now start to diminish. and the sinus and allergy pills will come out of hiding to be front and centre in my activity areas.

I have long accepted that having seasonal allergies is part of my life experience. Acceptance, makes it easier to do what needs doing, so that I sail through the season with not too many changes to daily life.

PL # 27 -2014 calendar

Let’s Interact proactively with an ever -changing environment, society and life in general.

Oyashikiri

 

Monday 12

Monday morning greetings… I am revisiting some of the farms I have taken in the past. The big red heritage one in particular because I was out that way on the week-end. The construction has started now. Now we see bigger mounds of earth, as they rip out all the pastures around it to map out the streets that will be going in, and where the houses will be built.  Already it is surrounded by big box store shopping areas, and a small mini golf course.  There are all the convenience fast food stops as well..

The skies are still a beautiful blue, and stretch on for miles, but gone are the rows of produce and the beauty of wandering farm animals enjoying the sunshine and breezes.

I have been out driving back roads lately, had special events that were way out of the city, one along the St. Lawrence.  A small town along Hwy 2 and the St. Lawrence, Iroquois.  Small it might be, but it has a good restaurant(s), a small thrift shop, and a couple more interesting little shops.  For me it was the drive along the secondary roads to get there.  I took my time and drank in open spaces.

For button collectors, the thrift shop has big bowls of buttons you can go through and pick out how many and which ever ones you want. Fill a small cello bag for $1.00.


PL Calendar day 12  Be cheerful and carefree

Without putting on airs or trying to be someone you aren’t just be yourself.  This will give people a good impression of you and things will move forward in the right direction.


flower center2Oyashikiri

I heard a definition once.  Happiness is health and a short memory!  I wish I had invented it, because it is very true.  Audrey Hepburn

 

prepping

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Before working in a journal, the pages have to be prepped.  Especially since I am a mixed media artist.  I use different medium to work on the pages.  I have had so many projects to work on the past while that I have lost track of time.  I simply spend hours in the studio.  This meant, pushing the Xmas cards to the back of the burner, while I prep* pages to work on them.

*work on the pages – doing backgrounds and then priming them with a Gesso that seals the page so the inks or paints won’t bleed when I begin working on them.

Life is the same. We commit to something then before we are done, something else comes up and we juggle. Choices pop up and we have to decide what is the best way to proceed.  I reasoned that Xmas isn’t till December, BUT. I need to turn them in before the fall, so that the agencies can do what they need to do.

Am I procrastinating when I start something else before I finish another project?  The PL Calendar for day 23 ( I know we are not where near the 23rd) ” Once you have set out to do something, it is your job. ” Job? I am retired !!! Then it goes on to say, Once you have accepted a task, don’t make any excuses, continue the job until the very end and make sure the outcome is something you can truly be proud of.

Written words and philosophies can be so confusing at times.  anyone want to put in some ideas.views, give me something to ponder???

Winks at all her readers/friends…..honestly, I really am interested.  Yes doing this blog this evening is a stalling tactic. =^_^=

Reminder  Sunday, (August 11) service is at 10 a.m.  we will be doing the Ancestors’ Day ceremony.  See you all there!

Oyashikiri

 

itching palm

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My Mother used to say, an itching palm means you will be favoured with $ and/or something pleasant. YAY. if I am not to sleepy from the allergy meds, it will be fun.  Another Mother memory is she said ear lobes can grow longer when you age. Mine have!!  Message to self, you still have lots to learn.


PL calendar day 9       It is interesting because  it’s different

Even if someone totally disagrees with you or does things differently you may learn something from them.  Avoid getting trapped in the mindset, “This is the way it has to be,” and free your mind to consider other possibilities.

My husband used to tell me that saving 50% was not a big deal,  he would be more impressed if I learned to save 100% .. Subtle … you think!!  I am still working on this one.

Smiles and waves.. love and love and love.

Oyashikiri

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Wednesday – Thursday

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With a prayerful mind, put your heart into everything you do..


PL Calendar day 8 – Discover the joy of transforming yourself…

When you realize how much you have changed for the better, it fills you with true happiness.  Strive each day to improve yourself.

Oyashikiri


We waste time looking for the perfect lover, instead of creating the perfect love.  Tom Robbins

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