looking back 2017
endings, beginnings
always another day
reality, there is only now
always is
this very moment
Q
endings, beginnings
always another day
reality, there is only now
always is
this very moment
Q

Good morning everyone. Tuesday, Dec. 5, and it is a mild day with rain. I heard that the mild weather will stick around for a couple more days. Somewhere I saw a big sun in one of the forecasts showing on most of the days of this week.
To me, our church here in Ottawa is beautiful. Clean lines, no clutter, you could be walking into a clinic, it seems so bare compared to the buildings I am entering especially at this time of year. As I walked towards the front of the church to pray, I caught a glimpse of colour. I paused to looked over.. WOW simplicity making a statement. Whether it was just the time of day, sun streaming in from the large windows but the play of light and shadows was such, that I rushed to get my phone.
A minister’s wife is someone in the PL ministry that supports and works with the minister at maintaining and providing a “home” for its members. This current minister’s wife is very quiet, speaks little English and never misses the opportunity to give you a warm welcome when she sees you. She is also creative and talented, there are little touches everywhere that turn up like the arrangement above, when you least expect it to. These little offerings are not only “a breath of fresh air” they brighten a day, and for this we really appreciate her silent gifts.
Her understanding of how to help a worn out or troubled “soul” whether with a cup of coffee, in my case, unlike everyone I only drink iced coffee, black. Yet, like magic a cold glass of ice with coffee will appear where I am working/sitting. It is humbling to experience such generosity of SELF. Over the time I have known her, I appreciate her goodness more and more. Could I be so selfless, so caring, to live every day for the good of others, in a country where the language is so different, never mind customs and cultural differences.
She makes me realize what I know, but don’t always practice, that “actions speak louder than words” In PL, it is said.. “Church is a spiritual home away from home” and a “place to find your Inner-Self”. I was at the church to pray and to ask for help in the coming days. I came away with such a wonderful feeling of “happiness” yes the praying was good, but the flowers touched me.. the knowing and recognition of what a blessing she is…Today is about saying thank you to a beautiful lady.

Without saying a word, this arrangement, spoke volumes.
Oyashikiri
PL Precept # 21 Live ink Perfect Liberty

Good evening everyone…
With a busy day, a stressful afternoon, and a stomach that was being quirky, I just wanted to zone out… crash in my recliner and daydream. It wasn’t happening, my mind just wouldn’t settle. So, I called my sister. She had just made herself a yummy lunch (different time zone) of freshly made Gazpacho with fresh produce and some tasty pasta.
In her part of California, they were experiencing record highs (heat) so she came up with a zesty dish she could enjoy chilled. Talking about her recipe and the thought of something similar I was inspired to get up and check out what was in my kitchen.
To my delight when I looked out on the deck I saw that a plant we had been nurturing for the last couple of years had bloomed. Wow… I had no idea, I found the plant next to a dumpster in the West End, looking very pathetic, didn’t know what it was, but I saw it, and another plant that looked like a vine, Liked the look of them so brought them home.
They have been watered, and simply tended. In the spring they go out on the deck and in the fall they come in. Nothing was expected of them. The vine grows nice big green leaves, they fall off during the winter, and return in the spring, no more no less. The one you see above, looked like it was just surviving, When I saw the bloom it was a real treat. I put out a “what is this” on Instagram, my cousin in Halifax replied “hibiscus”
Isn’t family wonderful!

PL Principle # 3 I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things.
We always have choices, we can dwell on negatives, or we can enjoy the positives, show appreciation and be rewarded, with more happiness and contentment in our daily lives.
PL Precept # 7 Everything exists in relativity
Oyashikiri

This was a picture a did a while back. I titled it, Dragon Soft, you’ve seen it before shortly after I painted it. As sometimes happens, I paint something put it away, and don’t look at it again, till doing something else I come across it.
Today we are moving into several weeks into the journey of our cancer voyage. Each day is a new day, nd every day, I am blessed with the kind words, and messages of friends who remind me that they are holding us in their prayers and sending healing vibes our way.
It is an amazing feeling to know that there is such caring and thoughtfulness surrounding us. I appreciate it especially when out of the blue, I am struck down with an over-whelming feeling of “tired”. It is like nothing I’ve ever known, and I really can’t describe it. Everything just seems to grind to a halt.. and I NEED.. to sit down, close my eyes, and just wait for the moment to pass.
When my husband is out, I find I’m waiting for him to come home, just so I know he is safe. I know that over the course of the next weeks, even months.. I will be inconsistent with my blog. I beg your patience. I am eternally grateful for your continued friendships and support.
Oyashikiri


Something funny has started to happen, at the end of each day, I pull down a canvas or another form of painting platform, and I recap my day. Nothing in mind, just a glance over my inventory of tools, and my hands and “unconscious” thought take over.
I’ve always said, “I can’t do a journal” when asked if I have a journal, oh, I have lots of potential journals. I love collecting them, but somehow, I don’t seem to be interested in writing in them. OR drawing in them. I did start doing “art” journals, remember that, I got books and was keen on recycling the pages into artistic “expression” I still like the idea, but that “action” evolved, I began to recycle canvas I’d find in Thrift shops, but as my husband has patiently explained, we only have so much wall space
In fairness to myself, I don’t really want to put up all the canvas that I paint. But it does have to dry, AND some I do like to revisit. BUT once I do them, express that one “emotion/thought” I let it go. Working on Acrylic board, canvas sheets, or water-colour pages works far better, I can then once they are dry, store them till I decide to cut one up to use part or parts of it for a background for something else.
And why pray tell am I sharing this with you. In PL, our first precept is #1 Life is Art.
Think about it, many of you I know read my blogs, and you relate, maybe not to all of what I go on about, but some of it definitely resonates with you. With me, my daily lessons come from my “art” my writing, painting, how I deal with a “challenge/opportunity” sometimes, I am a wiz, it works out just fine, other times, like putting paint to paper it really pops, just not the “harmony” you’d hoped or thought would reflect back at you…. PL Precept # 15 All is a Mirror
In PL we don’t do “sermons” we talk about the precepts, and how they are useful to us in our daily lives. Much like you read here in my blogs. I mention this because, over the years, I have been blessed with new friends through this blog who are not PL members but who share with me, their thoughts and comments, I LOVE IT.
Sometimes we begin a project thinking we know just how and what we will do. Over time I have grown, listened, and learned from you, my delight in the world has expanded through the growth of my online, virtual friends.
How does my “garden” grow….. YOU make it blossom, YOU bring your thoughts and energy into my world, and I THANK YOU.
Oyashikiri
In PL Oyashikiri is a blessing.


Anticipation
as the days grow warmer the anticipation grows
soon, not only will we celebrate a new day
the new buds of spring will come alive
and the art of the bloom
will bless and bring colour
to skies that have been winter gray
Bees will actively tend their hives
and our toes will be free again
=^_^=
YAY !!!

Every picture tells a story, no two people will see the same “play”
Oyashikiri

Out of the night, the eyes stare down and fix on the emotion and passions of “desire” the colours shout and harmonize to dominate the midnight skies. Fireworks in the sky …Q

My sister’s colours, charm and delight with the quiet passion of one who colours from her heart, bright and cheerful and full of warmth. Mother’s Pansies …… V
Oyashikiri
PL Precept # 2 To live is to express One’s Self
2 sisters, two styles,
PL Precept # 1 Life is Art
How we express ourselves, whether on canvas or another form of expression, is us, being true to ourselves. We are all unique, let us respect and do our best to understand the differences and challenges around us.
We are all ONE.
PL Precept # 11 Always be with GOD