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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

 

 

 

beginnings

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The fun of starting something new, is that one never really knows what it will end up to be.  what I showed you yesterday, and this today, are beginnings.  Like one would sketch an idea, I am using fabric.  Already when working this piece last night, I could see a glimmer of what I was NOT doing, that I think I will try when I continue playing,

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When we look at a visual, it leaves an impression, that our gray cells will process in different ways, over the course of minutes, hours, days, who knows when what you saw, will reclaim a moment of your “now” to present itself in a different way.

Whatever your medium, photography, paint, ink, text, fabric, if you are expressing yourself, through a visual, the colours, patterns, shapes and textures that impressed themselves on your psyche will show up.  Some colour combinations will never draw my attention, because, my “personal” makeup is drawn to shadows/light and colours that are attractive to me.

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This is one of the reasons I love life, and find it so fascinating.  I “see” the world in such a magical way.  I loved this picture, didn’t know why till I got it home and saw it on my PC screen.  When I took the picture, it was instinct.  Now all I see is the wild animal preparing to chow down.  =^_^=

Beginnings never have to end. Love the choices you make in a day, embrace the adventure of life.  Appreciate your friends.  Life IS.

Oyashikiri

 

all photos and work, mine Q

a chance encounter


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shadows cast a spell

allowing me to see

 the world in your eye

when the sun moves on

you will be gone

 I won’t forget, but

your location

I won’t tell

your secret is safe

with me

Q

Susan

My long time friend,  passed away Friday – if she were here, we would likely quip that “another one bites the dust”  Susan and I were the dynamic duo who felt that we could do anything we wanted to. If others said it was impossible, Susan and I would sit down and work out how we could get it done.  I had two friends called Susan, she was known in our circle as “little Susan” cuz that is what she was, 5’2″ if that.

IMG_4120Being a Taoist, for me landscaping was all about bringing nature to my property so that it would as closely resemble natural growth, Susan shared that passion, when I bought a home with a double lot, she said, I’m going to get more land too.  She moved to a place where she had the kind of lot that she could build on.  We were off to the races, every week-end we toured miles of countryside looking for landscaping places that would offer us plants that were not the standard backyard fare.

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Susan’s passion soon outgrew her backyard, she called me one day to tell me she had decided to purchase land.  We both had full-time careers in Corporate Health Care, and were raising our “young” but that didn’t stop her.  Once her mind was made up, Susan was a very determined person.  Over the years I watched as she  took on one “project” or “passion” after another.

IMG_4126When I remarried in the late 90’s, we didn’t get to spend the time together that we did before, but anytime we did meet up, we picked up just where we left off. That was the kind of relationship we had. The bond we had created when we were younger, held like glue.  The years passed, friends in our lives changed, but still, we knew each other like one hand knows the other.

IMG_4116She is gone now, at least the human form is no longer here.  But her presence, the secrets we shared, the long evenings of simply “being” in the same space, discovering our “selves”.. that will always be.

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Rest in peace my friend, our joy in prisms will always be a reminder of how much you are part of mine.

When love is true it lasts forever, no matter what…

true friendship is not about how often you see each other,

or how long you have known each other..

but in the truth of what you were to each other.

Q

 

photos along the Tay River, Ontario,Canada

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

 

Manaus, Brazil

manause Brazil - Amazon Theatre

What brings me to Manaus, Brazil?  A book I picked up because I saw on the back cover that it was about a young girl who travelled to Brazil.  It is one of those “ah” moments when you are wandering down an aisle in a shop and your eye falls on a object, or in this case, a book, and you know you want to see it more closely.

The book is Journey to the River Sea, by Eva Ibbotson.  It was runner up for the Whitbread Children’s Book of the year and the Guardian Fiction Award.  I glanced at it this afternoon, sat down and read it through till the end.   I had not expected to spend the afternoon reading, but that is exactly what I did.

I was transported to a land I know only from various media presentations, the story line, the characters, it was a perfect blend of words presented in such a way that my imagination created the visuals.

manaus brazil amazon rainforest

I was travelling along down the Amazon (the River Sea), seeing where the brown waters of the Amazon joined the black waters of the river Negro.. where soon after the main character saw the green and gold dome of the theatre and church spires.  It was wonderful to be able to totally immerse myself for a short time in the adventure of a young girl, and her friends.

amazon rainforest waterfall

There were no pictures in the book, I found the pictures you see here, on the net. To be a young girl, who due to circumstances is off to live in Brazil, with distant family she has never met… (from England)…. you know… there are many possibilities, the author is skilled at her craft.  I will have to seek out more of  her stories.

PL Precept #17  Grasp what is most essential

The story held me captive for hours. At first I wanted to know what was it, what held my attention, then a thought popped up.. Could it be, my mind needed a rest from the chattering of nonsense and noise that has been whirling around me of late… my husband had his last chemo session today, and soon it will be his last radiation treatment.  Then we rest, and prepare for the surgeries.

PL Precept # 12   Everything  has a way according to its name

PL Precept #7  Everything exists in relativity.

Isn’t life beautiful… PL Precept # 11   Always be with GOD

Oyashikiri

Mickey

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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

Wordless Wednesday

retreat 10.7.17e

Happy Wednesday – Blessings be.

Oyashikiri

 

 

stained glass

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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

Zen Friday

be thankful

This little flag was brought back a year ago, it was to fly happily at the church reminding one and all, that we should be thankful at all times.  Somehow, it just never got put up, and it was  only discovered recently again, when I picked up several boxes of goodies I had to be recycled to the House of Lazarus, Community Outreach Mission, in Mountain, Ontario. *

Seeing it again, was uplifting and reminded me that I do have so much to be thankful for.  I kept it, and it hangs where I can see it everyday.  Actually it sits where both my husband and I can see it and rejoice at the blessing we have been given.  An illness is an opportunity to revisit  the purpose of life, and why we are here.

A reminder not to squander your days and nights doing things you don’t enjoy, or with people who are possibly toxic in your world.  Rather than peace, love and caring, they can only offer, negatives.  They project hate, greed and selfishness.

This is the Canadian Thanksgiving week-end.  Families will gather, with friends and family to share the bounty in their lives.

Be sincere, be honest love with an open heart.

PL Precept # 11 ASLWAYS BE WITH GOD

NO, no turkey or ham this year..

veggie pattie     image1 sending kisses

NB*  all the jewelry, name brand purses, bags etc. plus the fleece for spinning, felting and craft work,  is all up at the House of Lazarus now.  Please check their Facebook Page for their hours.  Or check their website  http://www.houseoflazarus.com  

Blessings Be.

Oyashikiri

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