Doors are so important in our lives, and we take them for granted. Wandering around, we find doors in all shapes, colours and sizes… they all lead somewhere or to something. I’m blessed with friends who know and share my love of doors.. I was delighted when this picture landed in my InBox. Lately I have been working on being more aware and mindful… this picture brought joy, made me smile, two doors flung open in welcome.
You can be with God by having a prayerful mind. Let’s pray for World Peace. We are all one big family. Let’s start by praying for the happiness of those around us.
When working on the pictures taken at Morris Island, I kept coming back to this one picture, cuz I felt it was “looking” .. at least I felt I was being looked at. I copied it to another file so I could isolate it and get a better look. Even in a batch file, I could see the face as plain as day .. can you?
Always aware of the energy that is around me, there are times I’m oblivious, it happens, however more often then naught, I am aware and open to the ambience around me. Since the storm the conservation areas are having to deal with a lot of damage, the balance that had been, is no longer. I visited P18 today, I had been told that the forestry department was finally tackling the debris.
From thisTo this
I was filled with such mixed emotions when I visited after the storm and saw the destruction. When I got there this morning, I was overcome with the memory of years past, the recent storm, and what I was seeing, now.
The only constant in life is -CHANGE-
PL Precept #16 All things progress and develop
PL Precept # 18 Each moment is a turning Point.
Life is always giving us the opportunity to grow, develop and adapt to changes – I wish I could do it with more appreciation,- I’m working on it….
Morris island a conservation area, tucked away off the beaten track. You have to know its there, and you have to want to go there. For me it sent me into “longing” it has a lot of water, small bays and inlets all teasing and inviting to paddle, canoe/kayak. It was a very hot day, we were in the high 80’s with a ton of humidity just to make it more interesting… walking (for me) was an effort, what kept me going was the shaded areas I could see ahead of me on the path we were on.
Bonnie had her bird identifier ap with her.. she was happily giving me the names of the birds she could hear in the trees around us. I was content to wander with my knife shaving off the dead bark off a piece of driftwood I found at the start of the walk. It was casual and lazy, we had no need to rush, we simply put one foot in front of the other .. and made our way along the pathway we were on. There were numerous trails that ran off the road we were on, but we stuck to the main trail we’d begun at the start of our “trek”.
It was at one of the little bays we passed that Bonnie spotted something in the water she thought at first was a swimming turtle, but, in fact it turned out to be a beaver! It helps to have someone with you who is observant and sees things you would not otherwise see. I was focused on finding wood, she an experienced birder was more observant on life above the ground. I was checking out all the dead wood with interesting features.. Made for a pleasant walk, usually I am on my own, so this was a delightful experience for me. Careful Bonnie, I might want to drag you out into the wilderness more often. =^_^=
There was a section of our walk that I was totally engrossed with. I found it was full of hiding places for the “wee” ones. =^_^=
Hidden in the cracks and crevices we saw today, live a zillion micro cells of plant matter and small insects, some of the openings are gateways for the many rodents and wee ones that roam the forest floor. During the season where I am not totally wiped by the heat and humidity I want to go back with my Nikon and get close ups. I know that there was much that was hidden from view today… =^_^+
Never stop exploring
Pl Precept #18 Each moment is a turning point.
It’s okay to think “this is where it starts” There is always a turning point. It’s important what you do from now.
I was of great interest.. they left the little area they were in to swim by me. This strange human sitting on a stump in the middle of the river.. When I caught sight of myself later as I entered a shop .. I actually wondered they didn’t just all fly off.
this is the area to the left of where I was sitting. Someone had placed a big stump on the flat rock you see just under the water’s surface. To get to this little area I have to walk through about a half a mile out from the shoreline. Footing was slippery, lots of allege. etc. worth the effort, see the stick lying in the water.. I brought that home, used it as a second pole to balance myself as I walked back to the shore. used my knife to take off the bark.. left it behind so it will recycle itself =^_^=
The best timing is when you notice. When you notice something , it is God sending you a message. Act right away so you don’t miss good timing.
Doors come in all shapes and sizes and over the years, I have shared many many doors . Lately I have discovered cigar porn, I had no idea, none… that to some the search for that “perfect” smoke, is like the search for a fine wine. Like anything else, I lived searching out my interests and sharing …which is great fun.. but while I was looking at taking pictures of doors, someone else was searching out a good cigar.. and like the doors cigars come in all shapes and sizes.. AND.. where and how they are grown makes a difference in the taste etc. of the cigar. ie. how long it burns, HOW it burns, etc etc.
Having said that. I went back to my doors and (these were from one folder, out of “many”) I can’t taste the door, but they hold an attraction, I asked myself, is it the door itself, or is it how its been painted and how its being used that makes it “stand out” for me. Is it the door itself or how it fits into the structure (if there is one) .. what is it about doors…??? We are many, I had no idea just how many till I discovered Norm’s Thursday doors,( now hosted by Dan ), Thursday Doors lives on.. and we continue to gather participants. Fellow Door chases/stalkers… any suggestions on how and why we fell in love with “Doors”?
Thursday doors is a widely read and circulated post – I’m curious, have you or do you know of anyone who is into cigars like we are to doors? I’m over 50 I’ve lived a number of years, and it is only recently I’ve discovered there is a world out there where the cigar is the centre of attention.
How many people do you know that walk past, go through and use a door, but never see it.
When you get stuck, go back to the beginning. Could it be that you have forgotten what initially sparked your enthusiasm? By remembering what inspire you in the beginning, you will feel a renewed enthusiasm.
What to do, the bugs were so bad at P23, I wasn’t going to offer myself up to the hungry insects, I left in search of water. It had been awhile since I’d gone to Mud Lake in the west end.. thought I’d go have a look. Didn’t have my camera with me, but thought..” I have plenty of pictures of geese” so would just stroll the paths along the inlet (lake).
Well plans change. When I got there I saw that blocking the road up ahead (further than I usually park) were a zillion geese, sunning themselves, doing their morning rituals… not concerned that their numbers were such a car would not be able to get through. I drove up and parked on the left in a small 4 car parking indentation. When I got out, a father and his offspring were coming off a path to the right of where I would usually enter this side of the area. ” if you are quick you’ll see a mother wild turkey with her young ones strolling through the trees.”
I started for the path to the left of the fence, but he called out and said,” no go to the right ” I have been to Mud lake on numerous occasions, but had never gone in the area he suggested. I had always assumed that since there was cut lawn there, and a building down the way, that this was just, I don’t know .. a lawn. One should never assume. As I walked along the path that hugged the path, I found myself having to bend down under the branches of the trees that lined the manicured lawn.
To my delight I saw the adult wild turkey heading to the west further down from where I was.. couldn’t see the babies though… I thought to myself.. timing.. too bad, I’ve missed them.. but I continued on the path since I could hear water, and knew the river was ahead. Hello…. I found myself in the most wonderful of openings. (see picture above on the left) the heat of the summer has brought the water level down, I could pick my way over the flat river rocks.. and just meander along the shoreline without having to step into the water itself.
It was a beautiful unexpected visit, a new discovery, in an old known haunt… another example of how allowing yourself to do something different. can offer up new opportunities to present themselves.
Have a prayerful mind to love yourself and others. Open up your heart fully when praying to God. It will help you sort out your feelings.
Rain is cleansing, calming … yet … can be relentless and create anxiety
because it is said – does this make it a truth
Make today a memorable day. Let’s try to put our whole heart into whatever we say or do, as our unique signature.
Perfect Liberty 2022.26
Always live with a kind and generous heart. Show love and embrace others’ good points, and be willing to overlook their faults. One who has a generous heart can live a fulfilled life.
Do you talk to people you don’t know. Are you someone who strikes up a conversation with someone you don’t know who happens to be where you are, when you are? I hadn’t heard the term before, but I saw recently in an old Oprah magazine, an article about an author Malcolm Gladwell, who writes books about “cultural conversations”.. he writes about how close encounters between strangers can teach us ,how we can get better at reading each other’s signals. (Tipping Point)
Thinking back over my many years of my existence, I can’t count the number of people I’ve met, either in the workforce, out for the evening, waiting in line when running errands… everywhere, there is always, someone, somewhere who is close enough for me to greet or acknowledge. Do I always? .. no.. but on average compared to my friends and close associates, I would be considered “outgoing” and more likely to start up a conversation, or even, just say Hi, nod, say good day… I’ve met some of the most interesting people that way, and actually have found that I like most people I meet.
Being Chinese in the North America of many years ago, meant that you were “the oddity” your cultural background was different, and of course you “looked” different… I was taught that everyone has feelings, and meeting someone was an opportunity to “grow” as a person, to “learn” … my perspective on human behaviours was honed from a very early age to listen carefully, to watch and be aware of life as it came my way. PL Precept # 7 Everything exists in relativity.
It is in the meeting of people with different ideas, and backgrounds, that I found so many “treasures” (moments of wonder. PL Precept # 6 Efface your self-conceptions.
We are all so unique, I really enjoy brief encounters that elicit a smile, a wave, a brief exchange. =^_^=
When you get stuck, take a step back. When you are able to see things objectively, your viewpoint will change and you will receive new wisdom.
Perfect Liberty 2022.23
PL Precept # 18 Each moment is a turning point – we often make judgements based on our own unconscious biases. I try to be aware of my reactions and to be more receptive to “learning” and being more “open” to “differences” – an exercise that is ongoing… not that I’m a slow learner, .. there is just so much to see and discover.
Be in tune with the feelings of others. Let’s start by trying to understand other peoples feelings.
Perfect Liberty 2022.22
A simple message with a lot of homework. We have to work at nurturing, savoring and decoding our relationships. Friendships are often the bonds that complete us. It is not always easy to define friendships, in this new world of insta-intimacy, it is good to remember that friendships are a matter of the heart, not heart emojis. Caring, awareness, focus, and feelings.. are important ingredients of maintaining and appreciating a true friend.
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The charm of doorways found in Quebec City.
I don’t get to travel around as much as I used to … or would like to… I’m so grateful to have friends who know of my love of doors and send me smiles when they are away. Blessings come in all shapes and sizes, I am blessed with friends who are thoughtful and caring.
Today on Thanksgiving (PL day of Appreciation) I give thanks as I do every month on the 21st. for my valued friends. It is impossible to tell them everyday, but I pray every day and keep them in my heart always. Friendships are gifts that are treasures that enhance our lives.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Let’s live with gratitude towards everyone and everything all day today.
Perfect Liberty 2022.21
PL Service of Appreciation (Thanksgiving) is this 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.