I was humbled and totally captured by this beautiful bird yesterday. He surprised me by appearing beside me, and I mean beside me… looked me right in the eyes, and actually stayed there long enough for me to re cover my shock at having him so close to me and my face. I was putting out seed along a fallen log for the other birds… he was an arm’s reach from me … we were face to face…
My only thought was … this must be the bird that hung around with me a year or so ago.. he would come and visit, then fly off and I’d hear his knocking…. loud knock knock knock.. on the various trees around.. He hung around maybe a week or two and then he was gone… I’d hear him, but never see him …. He left an impression… but with time.. the moments faded… so much else is happening in the world.
Yesterday when I saw him… the fact that he was so close to me, and stayed close enough to connect with me, brought back that first encounter… I had never seen a pileated up close .. ever… I was used to the Downy and the Hairy fluttering around waiting for the food to be put out… but never had I seen the pileated. What a majestic bird.
I was too taken aback and “in the moment” that getting a picture was just not even in my head. All I could do was look back at him … I might even have gasped… then he flew off calling as he went.
This morning I found the clip by Francois Potvin… I’m sharing it with you. Enjoy.
Life is an adventure. Every moment is a lifetime.
PL Precept #18 Each moment is a turning point
PL Precept # 7 Everything exists in relativity
You all know my love of the crow and the ravens… but this one bird, man … he has stolen my heart big time.
Touring and exploring the countryside in Holland. The Dutch estate .. see below.
Let’s Pray for World Peace
The path to World peace will open up with each person’s prayer for peace.
PL2023
Oyashikiri
The Dutch estate – Estate with the renowned Utrecht villa and De Vecht teadome. Now it is the residence of journalist and writer Angelus van Engelen. Everyone is welcome to come and have a look, visit the villa or take a walk through the park and along the canal. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Earp/190/179/1184
I kid you not… these decorated wonders are all under one roof. AND I did not post all the pictures. Their displays take my breath away. This is in a home with dogs… many dogs…. yet, except for the odd ornament that a whippet/borzi wants to rearrange…. their decor stays pretty much as is till after the new year. This is a house of Joy and Wonder. thank you Steve and Paul for the tour of your beautiful displays.
Be Cheerful and Friendly with those around you.
Other people can sense how you are feeling ... so.. be cheerful…
When the “boyz” decorate, they don’t fool around, these are just a few of the trees that decorate their home during the holidays.
I usually go out to take pictures after they are set up…. this will all be enjoyed with their annual New Year’s “come visit” party…I have watched as every year, a new year or new theme gets added.. Even the exterior of the home is festive bringing a smile to all who drive by …Believe on cold dreary days travelling through the snowy challenges.. Canadian winters can offer up… seeing this festive display shining out at you never fails to bring smiles and cheer a traveller on their way. (promise more pictures soon)
This year I have been visited by a persistent flu germ…. what a nuisance, It is visiting the least patient of humans… its been an unwelcome guest for weeks. leaving me tired and uninterested in simply everything. How are you doing? We are days away from the jolly holiday …you ready?
If you are going to do it, do it joyfully
If you have to do something, choose to do it with joy and enthusiasm. By doing so you will experience a deeper sense of beauty.
PL2014.23
For those who have asked me how the cats are settling in… they have discovered YouTube/ bird videos, I now have two cats who can sit for hours watching woodpeckers, grosbeaks squirrels cardinals and and and. They are fascinated.
and,… yes.. there is a performance tonight, 4 pm slt. @ Nat’s (SL)
Snow covers the ground a beautiful blanket of white. Holiday music is heard every where we go. You ready for the season of holiday cheer and festive gatherings? Not to be a wet blanket, but it isn’t a holiday for everyone, please be aware of the hardships others may be facing.
Sincere condolences and prayers go out to the families that are facing the loss of a family member… or having to spend time in the health care facilities who are open 24/7. The support workers who work holiday and shifts, who can’t just stop what they are doing to celebrate. Hats off to the work crews who no matter what the day, night … if the weather decides to play havoc with travel, they are out working to keep our roads safe. Its not a party for everyone…
Work happily with good rhythm
If you take on your tasks willingly, you will enjoy the task and you may even be rewarded with a more positive outcome.
a memory – a long time ago, my husband (at that rime) was the morning man for a radio station in Montreal. The owner bought a station in Nova Scotia and wanted to ensure good ratings, so he talked my husband into doing a stint in NS. I was a city girl, having lived always in big cities, the most recent one was Montreal. I was not amused. But pack up and fly to Cape Breton .. we did. Talk about culture shock… I’m talking years ago, when life was simpler.
While exploring ..one cold winter day, we parked and started on foot across a big open expanse of land, we could hear the surf pounding (the Atlantic Ocean was never far away from where we lived) We used snowshoes so that we could make better time across the snow. As we came to a wooded area, and made our way around it, there sitting as pretty as you please was this small wooden cabin (like the one above)… only it was winter and there was smoke coming from the chimney.
A elderly man came out (Mr. MacDonald).. he graciously invited us in for tea.. to warm up… I was totally charmed, he lived alone out there, he had to walk out and into the little wooded area we passed to his private little loo… in the one room home, he had a wood stove, that heated the home, and doubled as the stove. I must ask Dean if he had electricity, I don’t think he did.. but there could have been a single line to the cabin, for a lighting.. I recall he had some kind of root cellar for keeping things cool.
I came across this picture earlier and it got me thinking… this was a moment that I lived years ago (another life time) but it stayed with me, his genuine hospitality, to two “weird” strangers tromping across his land. BTW the ocean was just over the hill, when we got to the small hill and walked to the top, below us was the ocean pounding in on a deserted beach strewn with big pieces of driftwood. It was doable (getting down) we were young, we left snowshoes in the snow and were able to scramble down the steep incline to the water’s edge. (couldn’t do that today)
When I give thanks for the life I’ve led and all the adventures I’ve had, going to distant shores and meeting with people with/from different backgrounds.. I feel very blessed.
I know this is one reason I keep writing/blogging, I’ve met through this venue so many different writers/expressionist, story tellers, that I so enjoy. Reading your thoughts, seeing the world through your eyes…. the readers who touch base, who relate to something I’ve posted.. L I F E I S G O O D….. and it is because of you.
On Thursday, there is a Thursday Door feature, I know I’m a day late, but I’m going to post to that feature https://nofacilities.com/2025/11/20/yale-peabody-museum/ so anyone interested please visit Dan’s No Facilities site… for more doors.
Today being the 21st. there is a Thanksgiving service (Day of Appreciation) at the church, service is at 10 a.m. If you are unable to attend in person, please, take a few moments around that time to close your eyes and spend a few minutes with us in prayer.
Your feelings of Appreciation become real when you express them.
Express your feelings of appreciation by actually saying “thank You” out loud or by doing something to show how you feel Not only will the person you are thing feel good, but you will too, leading to better things in the future.
PL2014.21
Life is what we make it folks.. I am fortunate to be able to say I am grateful for the friends in my life, and for knowing love .. and the blessing and rewards it brings to living on this earth.
Do you ever feel like you are speaking to the wind? Are you tired of explaining and trying to get someone/or others to understand something that is important to you, but…. nothing,…. you are left with the frustration of realizing that something that matters to you… is just that… YOUR “problem”
Then the questions becomes, is it really a problem.
Sometimes, there is nothing to do but sit back… take a deep breath…. and let your thoughts… settle into a quiet space… so you can contemplate and look at your “problem(s) in a way that allows you to perhaps see them in a different light.
Sometimes doing something you enjoy, something relaxing, somewhere without a lot of distractions.. will help you to think and see things in a different light.
Always express your true self with honesty and integrity.
We feel a deep sense of joy when we are able to express our true selves. Always focus on your true feelings and express yourself honestly.
PL2014.3
Life is not always a walk in the park, or moments filled with joy … but the moments that perplex and frustrate will pass… they always do.
PL Precept #16 All things progress and develop.
Oyashikiri
I’d like to thank everyone who has been visiting this blog… I have been remiss in acknowledging new members… no excuse except that I have for some reason been hit with a lot of unexpected “this and that” moments that have left me “tired and in some ways very unproductive”.. Please know that I appreciate each and everyone of you… and keep you all in my prayers.
Have a great start to your week, whatever you are up to.
Ever alert and ready for a hug/kisses… meet Fiel… my secret love…. I get to visit with him from time to time. There is nothing like a “dog hug/greeting”
Let’s Pray for World Peace
Always live with prayer, hoping for World Peace. When each and everyone of our prayers is combined, it will contribute to creating peace.
PL2017.1.
The start of another month, the cooler weather has begun to be a daily reminder that we will soon be beginning another “winter”.. you ready?
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.
dymoonblog 