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chop suey Thursday

IMG_4093Some times when we are travelling full speed down a Provincial highway, we admire the beauty along the sides of the road.  Same is true when we are on secondary roads.  My mind will pick up on a detail, that later brings me to another storyline.

old orchard beach taken by B

Two very different landscapes, yet each sends me images and text.  I imagine that for many this is also true.  This morning, when I opened up my mail, one of the images I saw was this one.

fantasy house Pinterest

Of course I thought immediately of Norm’s Thursday Doors.  His this  week is AWESOME Norm 2.0  For those of you who know my love of the “character” doors, you will appreciate why today he had me mesmerized..

My husband has been wanting to take me back for a visit to Newfoundland and Labrador, he worked there years ago when he was still doing radio/TV… I have also been there, but just to visit, now seeing Norm’s doors, you can bet your booties, I am going to be suggesting that YES, Let’s pack up the truck, bring the dogs, we are going exploring.

See that is what an image can do for me.  I love seeing the world through the lens of another, as well as my own.  When we focus, a whole new world opens up for us.

BE  present.  always.  listen giving full attention.  the rewards are   A MA Z I N G

I didn’t plan on a trip to the States yesterday, but there I was, having lunch in NY State, and adding to my fabric stash.

Ogdensburg,10.25.17

Life is good, life is great, being alive to see the fall colours, WOW, we are so lucky those of us lucky enough to experience Nature in  all her seasons.  Yes even winter.

Oyashikiri

PL Precept # 21 live in Perfect Liberty

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

 

soyez tranquilles

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tranquility

moments pass

yet stillness

inspires

more lingering

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Make every day special, we only live it once.

Oyashikiri

 

Perth, On. Canada on the Tay trail

 

 

Mickey

disnyland 10.17

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

au soleil – in the sunshine

huntsman spider in australia.

A spider will play, the warm sun fondly warming his legs as he feels his way along the path he is on.  A beautiful day for a stroll, I’m sure he is focused on his search  for his catch of the day. Yet he will be ever vigilant of the world around him.  Of course, realize that it will be from his perspective.

When we are out and about on a sunny day, do we focus on the moment or the day ahead.  I was myself not focused on my day, only on the moment, when a friend knocked on my door, saying, “come out and play”  Left on my own, I would have had a boring day. Sure I would have gotten things done, but having a friend to share some time with changed the whole “colour” of my day.  Not that we did something extra ordinary in a way that would win us, ooohs and aaahhhs…. but, it was an absolutely different and wonderful day, because it was shared with a friend.  So for ME, it was a fantabulous day..

How many times have I used the word =day=   hmmm doesn’t matter this is not a literary piece, it’s a shout out.. saying ” YAY” today was a good day!

What a nice way to enjoy such an interlude in the middle of the week.

Make times my friends to do something that makes you smile. Don’t squander all your day, doing the mundane.

Jai eu beaucoup de Plaisir, I had a lot of fun “living” today.

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no goblins or ghouls, I hope this “leaves” you with a smile.  Happy Thursday…

Q

Oyashikiri

 

photography,Hillwalker (D. Su)

 

 

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

Thursday, week 2 of treatments

ompah

Nature has many faces, depending on where we are at a given time, what we will see and experience , are miles apart, different in every way, yet beautiful at the same time.

With the many prayers and healing thoughts coming our way, how can we not be enriched in every way, by the thoughtful and caring generosity of our friends.

PL Precept # 11  Always be with God.

PL Precept # 7  Everything exists in Relativity

Squally Cove, Shirley Keen

Oyashikiri

Thank you, I give thanks each day you are in our lives!

bottom photo, Shirley Keen (Squally Cove) (down under)

top photos, Ompah, Ontario (Q)

 

 

birthdays =^_^=

hwy 43 9.16.17b

LOL.. no getting away from you is there. You are all so super fantastic.. No way you gonna let me forget it is my birthday. I wasn’t running away from it, really I wasn’t. I woke up and found that I’d lots of visits overnight. It was actually really pleasant to wake up and see that so many of you had dropped in.

hwy 43 9.16.17e

So many of you have traveled through the years with me, always there with your smiles and friendships.  How many times have I hollered out.. HELP  I’m stuck… it could be late in the night for you, and mid afternoon for me.. Always, if you are around, help is to be had.   I am so truly blessed.

hwy 43 Alexandria 9.16.17b

The colours of fall have started to appear as you see in one of the pictures.  Friends, are blessings I believe that. Even tho’ with the technology today (internet) we are able to reach out almost anytime… We don’t always get the chance, or think to do it, our day to day passes by on us too quickly.

Like the seasons, I am changing, my life takes new directions, doors open that I wasn’t expecting, opportunities that I hadn’t expected, drop in, and like nature, I accept and find creative ways to deal with the landscapes before me.

Hwy 43 Alexandria 9.16.17d

Always precious friends, I know that along the shorelines of my life, a friend is there.  Thank you .. thank you, thank you…. each one of you helps me, live a life that is more complete, because you share this world with me.

Another year to mark off on the calendar…  sigh… means I’m wiser, yes!

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Come on…. this little gal is a cutie too…  Thanks again everyone.. I love and appreciate you!!! I truly do…..

Oyashikiri

roof tops

hwy 43 9.16.17f near Mountain

I sit high when driving, we have a truck.  I as struck by the vegetation and rooftops as I travelled how 43, going east.

hwy 43 9.16.17c

It was a beautiful day as you can see.  The miles slipped silently by as I rode along taking in the views.  It was a “me” day.  A day to allow my thoughts to come and go, my only objective to watch the road, and take in the beauty around me.

hwy 43 9.16.17a

Farmland as far as the eye could see.  Small villages, and towns, expanse of fields waiting for harvest.  Rural Ontario. (250km)  Lots of time to entertain my thoughts.

PL Precept # 15  All is a Mirror    –  I sought tranquility and peaceful surrounding.  The Universe granted my wish.  I enjoyed conversation and friendship along the way, then back in the truck  as I continued on my way………….. the steady hum of the tires and visual delights as Nature provided the beginning colours of her  fall palette.

Just before the final stretch, I stopped for fresh produce and discovered a new fruit.  Ground cherries.  physalis longifolia

Enjoy each new day, give thanks for the opportunities that come your way.  Life is good.

ground cherries

A day spent with and in Nature, alone, in meditation and quiet

is a special day indeed!

Oyashikiri

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