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vintage ? old? new?

vintage 4.17.17First, let me begin by telling you I do not collect dolls.  I have over the years belonged to the CDAA (Canadian Doll Artist Association) a club that no longer exists.  We were doll artists from all over the world who had an interest in one of a kind dolls.  Certainly not the kind of doll pictured above.

I met a lady in a shop, who over time, we developed more than a hi, good day, how are you relationship.  I found out she is an avid doll collector, not the one of a kind type of dolls but in particular ones from a Canadian company, that have a certain look to them, and a wardrobe.  Like myself, she is a crafter, and artist, with her hand in many different project. We are many such “creatures” on the planet, and we thrive on the exchange of ideas and the inspiration we get from one another.

It is in appreciating the differences in the people we meet that we ourselves grow.  I truly believe that.  Seeing their “vision” and “creativity” inspires me to look at the objects that come into my sphere of “seeking” when I’m out on a “treasure hunt”

The doll above, I’ve seen over the years in fancy boxes in shops that sell to the doll collectors, and have passed them without a second glance.  Today I saw this young lady with her beautiful hair rather messed, and untidy, hanging all over the place, her shift which once had been clean and starched, was now faded, dusty and had a staining (that brown coat of “age”) that made her look shabby.  To add insult to her condition, where other dolls were priced at a respectable price, she had been marked at a ridiculously low price.  The colour of her outfit doesn’t really show properly, but the dress at one time looks like it was a pastel Easter green.  Her crochet vest was perhaps an off white or linen colour.  Her mother would have been proud, her undergarments were still white.

Yes, I brought her home, used a crochet piece I had to put her hair up so that I could get her clothes off,  I’ve soaked the grime out.. and will give her a cleaning when I have time to get back to her,  Why did I do that.  I have no idea. I know I will not be starting a home for wayward dolls.  At the time it seemed the right thing to do.

We all get old.  Some more gracefully than others.  The kindness we show to others, and the reason for our actions at times is not clear to us right away.   But I know for a fact, that goodness, begets positive.  When we live with a desire to live our lives with pure intentions, life is good.  There is always a reason for our actions.  When you believe this, the moments of awareness become more frequent.

Today was Monday, tomorrow is Tuesday, how wonderful is that!  Sleep with dreams of soft pastel wonders, and tomorrow wake to a day filled with vibrant colour.

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A recent expression.. I was experimenting with my new watercolours on canvas and tissue.  Life is good, share your happiness with others.

PL Precept #19 Begin once you Perceive

PL Precept #16  All things Progress and Develop

Oyashikiri

journals -discovery

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After a meeting at the church, a friend and I went out to lunch, after all Chinese New Year is happening, and the Mandarin on Hunt Club was having a special Chinese New Year Buffet, offering dim sum, and other special dishes. for the celebration.  Having indulged ourselves in the many dishes, and the array of desserts offered, we headed back to the church so my friend could get her car.

A stop along the way, was for me a small bonanza of free books.  Now that I’m happily working on recycling books, into my own personal versions of “junk journals” I picked out books by size and age. I was not interested in the content but rather the size .. quality of paper was also important but I was going to be using gesso or acrylic paints to change them anyway.

I was particularly drawn to this little 4x 6 book, it was nicely bound and had enough pages for me to get “junk” look to go with my other projects.  I had no intention of doing any work on the books when I got home, I planned on just putting them aside for another day.

PL Precept #7     Everything exists in Relativity

PL Precept #15    All is a Mirror

When I got in, the little book fell to the floor, I bent down to retrieve it and saw handwriting in it.  I glanced at  the writing and realized that it was someone’s journal.  The pages were highlighted, small pencil notations were on almost every second page.  Someone had read and re read the book from cover to cover.  In the back I saw that this particular book was one obtained at a conference on the theme of the book.  There was a page with the 12 steps (12 step program) and a few other pages, with goals and objectives etc.

Needless to say, it was like looking into someone’s private, very private thoughts. The person had even identified the book, in case of loss, name and address labels were prominent on both back and front covers.  The book was not current.  I wondered how it had come to be in a pile of books being given away, left out as garbage at a thrift shop.

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Without further thought, I found myself searching for papers, cuttings and colours to depersonalize the book, I removed the labels and then began to paint and glue.

Pl Precept # 19   Begin Once you Perceive

The transformation will not happen overnight, these journals take sometimes years to complete.  IF EVER….. that is just the nature of the journals. Unless you are doing a particular theme for a give away, or to share .. They are ongoing projects, and become part of your “personal” inventory of treasures

When I told my friend about the find, she asked if the person had achieved their goal..  I didn’t have the answer, it would have meant that I would have  had to read her/his thoughts and try to know his/her mind.  Some artistic expressions are to share, others… are for one’s own pleasure.

There are printed pages of the book, that I will leave as is, there are thoughts in there that I can reflect on when I visit the journal from time to time.  Like sharing with a friend.

I love sharing with a friend, and today I made a new one.  how beautiful is that.

Oyashikiri

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fog

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A shroud of fog blanketed most of the day yesterday.  It was still a great day for drive out of the city.  My iPhone had to do for snaps, in my desire to get going to enjoy the day, the camera got left behind.

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See the heart, it was a happy day, not everyone finds it a joyful experience to drive along the river, when the fog is basically what you see in all areas.  It was mild, it was actually balmy, the dogs found it wet and slushy =^_^=.  Care had to be taken in the small towns that pedestrians braving the sidewalks, didn’t get showered with the huge puddles on the roadways.

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Here is where I wanted my camera,  but, it was snug in its case back home. We were in Hawksbury, this is a favourite park when out this way, only the road leading to the “tourist” building was plowed, we were limited in where we could go.  Life is not always full of colour and blue skies.  However, in my world …. it is always wonderful, when I’m sharing time with Nature.

PL Precept # 11    Always be with God..

Today in China people are on the move, heading home for the big Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)  Are you doing anything special today?  You having a good day?

2017 is a Fire Rooster Year.. you can easily google it, to find out your sign, and the predictions for you lunar year  I won’t spoil it for you.. There are so many sites, so much information, and since our birth year is very personal, we need to make our own discoveries

Fog is a beautiful element, for a while it can blow in like a mist and change the landscape with its ethereal beauty… be aware, its delicate beauty can be disastrous if you don’t pay attention to your surroundings … It is a balance.  In life, we need to learn to maneuver in all situations with confidence and faith, that we will be guided.

Through the teachings of Perfect Liberty, receiving consultations, and working every day to live a creative life.  PL Precept #1 Life is Art     We will discover that  –PL Precept # 18  Each Moment is a turning Point.

Oyashikiri

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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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Chinese New Year -lunar new year

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January 27 New Year’s Eve – most shops will close by afternoon, everyone is in full preparation mode.

January 28 New Year’s Day – at midnight a barrage of fireworks  with more in the morning and evening.  Children are given red envelopes. (and seniors)

January 29,30, 31, February 1, 2          On these days, it is all about family, friends, Chinese New Year clip.. on travel for the lunar new year and relatives. The festive season, ends on February 1, on February 2, the 7th day of the celebrations, many go back to work.  Some shops, companies and office will reopen on this day because  6 is a lucky number in Chinese culture.

February 3 – 11  the return travel begins, as everyone heads back to the towns, cities where they work.

The Lantern Festival, is on month 1, day 15… this year February 11.  Some business may decide to only reopen on Feb. 15 (day 8)  as 8 is also a lucky number.  The non superstitious may reopen on day 7 (Feb.14)

Chinese New Year 2017, Jan 28/29…. will welcome in the year of the Rooster.

A bite of China season 2 English version

YaBaDab -A-Do

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Awen this is not a wombat, it is Q wearing a Chaffro outfit, for the Chinese New Year, coming soon to place near you.

I learned lately that my sisters and I who are real siblings, do not speak the same language. message received, “Moana is too full. Decided to go to la la land”

What I understood, my sister for some reason had referred to herself as Moana, she ate too much of the dinner ( she had sent me pictures of the shrimp dish she had made) and now was taking herself off to bed.  I didn’t know why she was sharing this, she sends cryptic messages from time to time, so I really didn’t dwell on it too long.  However I was curious as to why she had decided to call herself Mona, so I sent back a text, asking her.

She replied to me so obviously my other sister, knew exactly what she was speaking of.. she wrote back 3 words,  Disney movie Moana (she isn’t long on texting or writing)

Ahhh older sister’s light bulb flashed, “so la la land didn’t mean you were going to bed” brilliant deduction Watson, La La Land has to be another movie.

These generation gaps, can be hard on the communication system.

So YaBaDab-a-do to you dear friends… we start another day!  Hur-Ray!  And what a day, freezing rain, on first back to work day for many of the Federal and Provincial government employees over the slippery roads we go.. hi ho hi ho hi ho

meerkat

Q was a Meerkat…The avatar above is a Wynx Tiny found in virtual worlds of Second Life and InworldZ.  For those of you who go into Virtual, Q is no longer a Meerkat but a Dinky, and still a cat, but a Dinky Siamese Cat.  The Dinky line is a product of Etheria Parrott a very talented builder/designer and artist in the Tiny community of RaglanShire. Below is picture of Q in her work studio working on her clothing line .pffft. She has a shop in Raglan and at Tiny Outpost (run by Sylkye Taffetta, who is still a meerkat)

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Life is to be lived…. Live it your way… just be happy doing it.  If you are not happy, you need to revisit your decisions, and make changes.

In PL, (Perfect Liberty) we pray that each day, will enable us to find ways to enhance our time here, and that includes the happiness of others.  We strive for and want World Peace.

Oyashikiri

clearly, languages are not just words, but our understanding of them… and there-by a means of miscommunications…

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PL Precept #11 Always be with God

May the joy of sharing

the gifts of appreciation

love, good health

and happiness

Bless your world

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with friendships and experiences

that bring ever lasting

harmony

filling your days and nights

with heart-felt

peace for everyone

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many steps

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we begin with an idea…

PL Precept # 19   Begin Once you Perceive

PL Precept #17   Grasp what is most essential

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In this case, my sister lovingly sought out and found this material  and presented it to me.  I loved it..  I wanted it to be something that would be used, and appreciated every day.  I don’t get to see my sister every day, she lives in California, but I appreciate her every day. This pillow graces our bed, so every day, she is part of my daily life.   A sister is a precious gift, I am lucky and have two =^_^=

PL Precept # 7  Everything Exists in Relativity

In PL we have a Thanksgiving service every month on the 21st.  It is the most important service of the month, held at 7 pm.  Members humbly express appreciation to God for all the blessings of the past month, and sincerely renew our determination to follow and practice the PL “Way”

Our 2017  Perfect Liberty Calendars are here and ready for those interested in obtaining one or having them for gifts to friends and family for the coming year.  They are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and of course Japanese.  A reminder if you need them mailed to you, there would be a cost for the shipping.

YOU are a blessing in my life

Oyashikiri

Fall explosion

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autumn – the season of fire and molten gold

when the wealth of the heavens opens up with a glory untold

each year it is a unique explosion of colour

each day we are treated to the various hues

of reds, golds, orange and greens

they come together in a polychromatic feast for the eyes

that no artist can duplicate if he/she tried.

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The trees stand so tall and proud,

arms outstretched towards the vast  azure sky

their harlequin adornments giving celebration to life

what majesty, what splendour

the moment is sublime, I feel so exalted

the exaltation is not exaggerated

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my high is real, its natural and it is pure

through God’s grace, I am blessed to be here this day

I am filled with the spirit of fall, of fullness, of harvest

life is a cycle, LIFE IS ART

and you and I are ONE

Under the moon, stars and sun.

Namaste      –      Oyashikiri

Celebrations

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When we drove by the Chinese Embassy today, there were bright red lanterns, flowers and decorations everywhere, it seemed so festive.  In China the Mid-Autumn Harvest festival takes place between September and October and commemorates the largest and brightest moon of the season.  It is a big celebration friends and family share moon cakes by the dozen ( see the moon cakes in left hand corner of the picture.)

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The Chinese love red, red is a happy colour, the above are Chinese Lanterns hanging in Yu Garden, during the Chinese New Year.  The next picture was taken in Beijing during the Mid Autumn Festival.

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We all celebrate life in different ways.   Lately the gift of life has played a pivotal part in my life.The energy of another human being provides a shaft of energy that oscillates giving wing to feelings and emotions that have lain dormant or have been simply non-existent.  Can one die and be reborn.  What determines the essence of life, and how it is lived.  We are told that life is the process of being alive, during our day-to-day experiences and challenges.

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Imagine sharing such a moment with another being, the awe, the speechless wonder that such a feeling can be shared, can be realized, and then released. Today, I saw the signs of a celebration, then later in the day, I felt the elation of an explosion of life-giving proportion, so great that it left me in a state of wonder. Surreal?

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PL Precept #1 ………… Life is art

PL Precept #2 ………… To live is to express one’s self

PL Precept #15……..All is a mirror

PL Precept #18   ……..Each moment is a turning point

Celebrate NOW

October 10, (China) celebrates double 10

Namaste     –     Oyashikiri

Today, October 1. PL celebrates PEACE

mirror art -BuzzFeed (Spain)

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