yet, its been around for longer than you have been
When I first visited Beaver Trail, I had no idea what it was like or what I’d find there. It was very early spring when I actually got out of the car and walked into the area. Previously I had only been in the parking lot. Maybe a couple of times, I’d gone in to snap a picture at the entrance, but I had not been tempted to go beyond the parking lot. Then late winter, early spring, I rediscovered the place.. and actually went in to explore. It was still very early, there was no snow that I recall, but the ground was still wet, and for sure there was no new growth.
Today was a different story. Lots of growth, and I need not go into detail, but you know the whole place was buzzing with insect activity.
There are two boardwalk areas.. one where i found the duck, and the other where the Beaver dam is.
There are two trails, one is called Beaver trail, and the other pathway (trail) is called Chipmunk trail. I didn’t get to do all the pathways (trails) but I did manage to put in almost the same number of steps as when I do the bog at Mer Bleue.
For those of you who live in Ontario, the rules have changed somewhat. In my area, the stay home order was lifted. Not that it made much of a difference, nothing else was opened or relaxed.
OK.. my door for Thursday doors.. is one that I felt tells a story of its own. It also reflects how in some ways, it represents our current state of “living during the pandemic”.
shut- locked – not welcoming at all, but I’m sure very efficient.
Express your appreciation with enthusiasm. appreciation is the driving force for progress and development.
Perfect Liberty 2021.21
I am an abstract artist, I love texture, form, and how everything in life intertwines, when I paint, I enjoy working with acrylic and other materials that I can sculpt as well as shape, with whatever tool I am working with. Life is a series of exchanges with other people and energies I meet along the way and during the day. When I engage I listen with every fiber of my being. I drink in all that is presented to me. Challenges are opportunities… I absorb and digest and later, I reflect and meditate. The world is dynamic and ever changing, sometimes there is just too much activity, and it is only hours or days later when something will reappear in my “preview” window …
This morning reading another blogger’s sharing, I saw his wonderful capture of birds he’d posted.. the yellow reminded me that while I was walking yesterday in what I termed mosquito alley, a bird flew past me, it was a hit and run, it came out of the wooded area, across my path just over my head and into the trees on the other side, it happened in seconds. What struck me was that it appeared to be dark with yellow under its wings. It all happened so fast. Not the dark ” orange” of a robin more of a ripening banana. With all that happened with the rest of my day, I lost that moment, thanks Tim for bringing it back to me.
Keeper
Velcro
These are my two “babies”
They had their appointments with the Vet yesterday, with social distancing, they get to go in for their check up, parent gets to stay in car in parking lot, or go home till you are called to come pick them up. Velcro is 13, I expected I would get a call about his growths, his teeth, his over all condition.. but I wasn’t ready for a call about Keeper’s condition. She had a bit of a procedure, requiring a sedative be used.. (unexpected) her heart has a murmur that should be monitored, and her thyroid had enlarged, she needs to go back on medication, which will be ongoing etc. Dr. M did her first, so I had all he had to say about her health to take in, when I got a second call about Velcro.. not only is his hearing going, he has cataracts that have progressed to approx. 50%. So much to take in. It was overwhelming.
NOW here is where you come in…. if any one has had experience or know of what I’m going to say next, I would appreciate hearing from you. The Vet wants to put Velcro on an eye drop that has had very good results in stopping further growth and in some cases, creating shrinkage of the cataracts. In one case (his personal experience with another client) the cataract disappeared completely. Taken back, I asked how come if there was such a medication it wasn’t used with humans…. he replied that it is not approved in Canada, but is used in other countries. The cost on top of everything else was not something I could do yesterday, and I wanted to ask for opinions??????
I did call my wonderful breeder friends, (where both Velcro and Keeper come from) and they will also look into this for me.. Is anyone, out there got information to share with me on this subject?
I am headed for the church this morning, and I will pray for guidance – I love and appreciate the blessing of having these two precious energies in my life… last night we were all exhausted from the days events. It was an early night!
It is Friday everyone… in Canada we are heading into a long week-end. The garden centers are open, this is the time when everyone would be opening up their cottages, here in the city we would be sprucing up our gardens, temperatures are going into the 80’s.. and here we will have high humidity to go with it.. groan.. lots of inside for me. I wilt in the heat.
Make today a different day. Instead of doing the same old thing, be creative and do things to improve your days
Perfect Liberty 2021.17
Whether you are happy or not depends on your perspective. The things that happen in your life are neither good nor bad. It is your perspective that determines whether the outcome is good or unfortunate.
top row was a week ago, bottom yesterdayEvery day is a new beginning
In a conversation with a treasured friend who lives in sunny California, she observed I took pictures of sticks, and empty branches, another precious friend, mentioned I like “dead wood” Hmmm I thought, how true the expression… beauty is in the eye of the beholder… =^_^=… I love capturing the moments I experience, they tell a story, and give a visual to the life that unfolds around me.
my magnolia in bloom
I love my magnolia, when it blooms the fragrance that fills the air is AMAZING. My neighbour who is beside me and shares the love of this tree, says she gets the best of it.. the pure beauty of its flowers, and the scent it gifts the neighbourhood. I get to sweep up the fallen petals as they descend to the ground after they do their showing off.
Yeppers, each and every one of these petals falls to the ground when it has done its “showing off”… and no they don’t all fall at once or in the same place, the wind/breezes ensure they land everywhere. I had a very mindful day yesterday, must have swept up the fallen at least 5 times in the span of afternoon and early evening. This morning I found more waiting, and by this afternoon when I return from church there will be more.. and NO she hasn’t finished shedding yet.
Is the tree still loved and appreciated. YES. I never tire of saying, that I feel very blessed that I live in a country that has 4 distinct seasons. Each season, has a reason for being.. just like me, myself and I.. every part of my personality, character is ME, and even when I am fragmented and disjointed, life not running smoothly I thank God that I am alive and here to experience all that is offered. If I didn’t experience the greatest moments of LOVE/Happiness I wouldn’t know the sadness or feeling of lonely/loss…. it is because I feel, because I love that I am alive ..
I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things.
PL Principle #3
What is “normal” is different for each individual. Everyone has a different way of thinking and doing. It is important to understand others’ feelings.
Doors from down under – photos taken by Shirley Keen
When I saw these hobbit homes, that Shirley took when she was on a tour of Hobbiton NZ, I knew I would have to ask her permission to share them. She graciously agreed.
Have a wonderful Thursday everyone… enjoy all the fantastic and wonderful doors you will visit today!
Your surroundings are a reflection of you. a person who constantly worries will always find things to worry about. an optimistic person will attract happiness. A kind person will always be blessed with kindness in return.
“detached from ego and vice, rid of selfish, willful mind, there is a new life to live. — beyond earthly thoughts, aloof from worldly ways” (PL)
You’re happy, I’m happy. have the mindset of “good for you, good for me” Express yourself in a way that makes others happy.
Perfect Liberty 2021.7
Happiness is something that is subjective. My Mother who would have been 100 this past May 1, did a lot of volunteering, and was very involved in working with and for the sake of others. She would sit nights making blankets, baby sets, and whatever else was needed for the “causes” she was committed to. There was always knitting needles or a crochet hook in hands .. She was when I think back seldom idle. She was constantly looking for material(s) that she could put aside for one project or another. She had three children to feed and raise, My Father having passed away when I was only 10, my sisters were much younger, maybe 6 and the youngest 2.5… it wasn’t easy, but she did what she had to keep the family together.
Happiness is fleeting at best, when it comes from an outside source. Happiness isn’t what someone else can give you, it is how you live and appreciate YOUR blessings.
I visited a nursery yesterday, I needed a few pavers for the backyard, it is something I’ve neglected doing over the years since my husband passed away, many “to do” chores/tasks simply just disappeared from “view”. A nursery was once one of my happy places, I would comb the nurseries for miles around for just the right plant. Today when I walk outside and see my “young charges” they are no longer young, some are old and ailing, over grown and a few I noted the other day, have serious health issues. They need serious pruning and … sigh… some will just stand like sculptures .. they will no longer produce life..
When I’m out in the woodlands, I see so many fallen branches, and remains of trees that have lived their cycle, and are now returning to the earth. Currently these once stately trees are surrounded by new life, fresh minty greens, soft pale pastel and delicate buds are bursting forth from the damp ground that is swollen with the moisture from the winter blanket of snow. Every season has its purpose. Every moment of the day/night there are new beginnings.
Lose your attachments to money and things. Money and things don’t have value unless you actually use them. don’t be stingy nor overly attached to your resources and utilize them to their fullest potential.
Perfect Liberty 2015.7
Happiness is – PL Precept #11 – Always be with God.
This is the kind of terrain I hiked yesterday – getting on and off this boardwalk was challenging, this is when we are happy we have a sturdy walking stick to help balance as we walk the planks (logs)
Don’t think “I can’t” from the start. Begin by taking the first step, then you’ll be able to see what comes next and a path will open.
The boardwalk above, was the one at Old Quarry Trail, if you have not been on that trail, it hooks up with the Trans Canada trail, which I discovered when I took a turn to the right instead of to the left. ( gave me many extra Km, to walk to get back on track to find my way back to the parking lot off Eagleson)
Also note.. the trails I’ve been on, the two yesterday were very VERY wet, muddy, and the boardwalks were slippery and in some places in need of repair, be careful, and wear your gum boots or good hiking boots!
my reward he visited with me while I was on the boardwalk! Yes this is on the same trail where I met the porcupine.
I watched the little beggar cross my path, and waddle over to the tree and begin to climb it. I had my Canon with me and not the Nikon. By the time I got the camera out and tried to find him.. zip.. finally I did see him sitting calmly on a very high branch looking down at me and now a couple of other hikers.
he was not a figment of my imagination
I’ve never seen a porcupine up close, never had one within my space, this was a big deal. I knew to give him/her space, I was very taken with every detail of his/her person. Talk about a slow and deliberate mover… even so, I have to find another way to carry the Canon or not use it and stick to my Nikon. Both of the cameras tho’ are not really good at getting close ups of birds /animals that are not within easy reach.
The little guy was not as clean and his colours were not as bright, but he had yellow shading, his latin name is Erethizon dorsatum.
taken from wikimedia
Not going to say he/she was pretty, but it was exciting for me =^_^=. I came across this critter at Old Quarry Trail off Eagleson in Kanata. It was my third stop of the day, I was a busy bee this morning.
Earlier I had retraced my steps to where I had seen the Egret (bird) yesterday, nothing, it was cloudy overcast, and very damp, you would think perfect for ducks, geese and fowl, but nope… I saw few there or at the Hope Side Road location.
My fascination today, was watching the porcupine climb high into a tree.
The NCC is working at restoring the sand dunes in Pinhey Forest What a delightful discovery for me yesterday.
Do things joyfully instead of taking it easy. Enthusiastically engage with what’s in front of you. You’ll enjoy it more.
Perfect Liberty 2021.30
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
Aristotle
How fragile must our own beliefs be, if we resist even listening to opposing ideas. I have schooled myself that when I am ready to totally dismiss another person’s ideas our of hand, I stop myself and try to listen to what the person has to say. I still may not agree, but I will know something more about them – and of my own thinking. In the past year I have listened to another “perspective” on life .. as it is seen and lived in another part of the world. I have learned a lot, in some areas, my personal belief has strengthened, and to my surprise, I gained insight in ways I would not have guessed about myself.
PL Principle # 6, I will not be stubborn, being captured by my own thoughts
Friday everyone, the start of another week-end….
It is raining here today, I heard the forecast yesterday that it was to rain most of the week-end, I have wanted to return the wonderful fragrance of lilac to the backyard. When we bought here many many years ago, the neighbour in the back had a patch of lilacs all along the back fence. In the spring we would step outside to be greeted by their wonderful presence. When new owners came along, they ripped out an ancient old oak, some of you may recall my lamenting that from years back and most of the lilac. They left one .. that was old and weak, it soon died.
It wont happen over night, the plant I brought home is perhaps 3.5 foot high, but it is healthy and from a well established nursery.. I got it into the ground as soon as I got home, then surrounded it with wooden pieces from my various trips these past weeks and months. this will protect it, for its settling in period, Today’s rain, which will continue for the next couple of days, will help it to gently settle in. (Monge Lilac)
Tomorrow May 1. Service at 10: a.m. Day of Peace ceremony
PL Principle # 3 I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things.
This bird is so beautiful so majestic -I look forward to the day, I get to see one myself
last photo here, NumOttawa
Be careful about saying “It’s probably good enough” Wholeheartedly do what you notice, when and how you notice it.
Perfect Liberty 2021.29
I want to say how much I appreciate the above photographers who so graciously allow me to share with you their awesome captures. My heartfelt thanks Kevin, Num and Ed, you are “tops”. See Instagram for more of their work.
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 