You know when you have someone’s undivided attention. You know when what you are saying is being processed and listened to, If when we engage in a conversation, the other party is simply replying to your statement/comment, or they really really want to know what your saying and what it means.
And… sometimes, we are the ones who are being superficial, we call out a greeting or make a comment, but we have not really meant to engage, we are just being polite.
Spending time with Gracie, the boxer you see above, reminded me of just how different it is to interact with a dog…. versus a feline friend. I couldn’t help but draw a comparison… to interactions one gets from a dog, versus a cat. And of course, that led me to thinking how indifferent humans can be with each other as well.
PL Precept # 12 Everything has a way according to its name.
PL Precept # 13 There is a way for men and a way for women,
This is a tricky one … a good topic for a round table discussion with Rev. Hiroki .. what do you think? In PL we are open and encourage participation in the interpretation of the Precepts and Principles … If you have thoughts you’d like to share, I’d love to hear them.
Have a good day everyone, Feil is watching and you know he won’t miss a trick….
Oyashikiri
note. The church in Ottawa is open to anyone who would like to visit ..
When the anticipation of having lobster with soba noodles gets to be too much and you have to indulge. I like to cook them and let them cool, then I simply enjoy the succulent meat with the noodles. Yummy!
How was your holiday gathering…? We have been bombarded for a week about the sales happening, in some cases, the black Friday sales have been on for almost a week!
Yesterday I ran around trying to find pumpkin pie, it was everywhere during the Canadian Thanksgiving, I finally found one so I could have A piece. yes A, meaning a single piece… As much as I love a piece of pumpkin pie smothered with whipped cream… I can only indulge in one piece. Desserts are not high on my list, but the pumpkin pie was the one memory I had of sharing time with my Mom… it was a time where we shared the guilty secret of enjoying the treat on our own… (we were both diabetics) Pies elevate sugar levels!!! Mom has been gone now for almost 10 years…. festive holidays were always so important to her. So altho’ I tend to withdraw into a a quiet laid back day … I do remember her love of sharing a meal with her family, I might be inspired to call my sister.
Simple message today, it is so simple .. it slips easily past your thought process .. after you’ve read it… and agree, yup, you need to slow down… it gets tucked away … and forgotten. Please… take a few minutes today for YOU. Really, really make time for YOU.
Oyashikiri
re. lobster. No I don’t drown it in garlic butter.. altho’ that is one dip I enjoy… lately I am eating it plain, savouring the taste of the meat on its own. It is healthier for me … no after effects.. there are some great Asian sauces that are a treat, but again.,, sauces contain sugar..
The Soba noodles I drain, and cool them down under the cold water tap, then toss them in a very light seasoning.. depending on my taste wants of that moment. sprinkled with black or white sesame seeds is fun. I found a Vietnamese sauce with a tang that hits the spot too.
Sometimes there are no explanations, life is simply what it is. No more, no less.
Put your whole heart into whatever you do, no matter when or where you are. Don’t try to cut corners or be careless about things. Be fully responsible, completing whatever you set out to do.
Ohhhh love is in the air, holidays are around the corner, there is an excitement in the air, shops are all a glitter with holiday lights, and decorated Christmas trees. Are you ready?
Pay careful attention without overly straining yourself or taking things too lightly
Having the right amount of tension in your life allows you to notice many things, and that will help you to better express yourself.
PL2019.25
Not everyone is blessed with happiness and joy at this time, be aware of what is happening around you… share your happiness, listen with an open heart… Smile. A smile goes a long way.
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.
The soft flakes fell ..,each a delicate masterpiece of beauty… with gentle precision they landed on the extended arms of the trees. The forest was covered in a blanket of sparkling organic gems. Some translucent and others the purest of white.
I was surrounded by scenes that were surreal ,the world had become a winter wonderland. Suddenly I’d get a flash of black as a frisky squirrel would scamper towards the “cafe”… then I would catch the rusty red of a smaller squirrel rushing to get a place at the “table”.
The blue jays were already poised to shop for the biggest peanut they could find… and since reopening, the woodpeckers were gathering higher up … waiting for the suet and butter bark to be distributed.
The chickadees,, nuthatch and a group of “gray” birds were busy grabbing would they could from the buffet tables. Chirping and chattering all the while as they flew back for second and third helpings
Here we are at the beginning of new week. I hope you have a beautiful start to your day/week.
Have clear goals and take appropriate actions
Always begin with a clear idea of what your goals are. Once you have pinpointed the target for your actions, things will move forward much more smoothly.
PL2019.17
Oyashikiri
The next day after the snow.. the cafe floor was filled with tiny and mid size paw prints. There wasn’t a crumb left.. all the tables/platters were empty.
Yesterday was a busy day, yet very tiring…. seems everyone around me is dealing with something, ie. runny nose, cough, chills, the drop in temperature, and the bit of snow we got, seems to have put everyone in a, “let’s go back to bed” mood.
While exploring I found a build that was set in an environment of swirling water incased by walls that let the open skies in and protected from elements. It was the sound of rushing water cascading and tumbling over the rocks, creating such a thundering and rumbling sound that it was musical, I found it was actually soothing. I actually sat on a bench and just let the sounds engulf my senses…. I relaxed… forgot about wanting to explore … and made time to just sit and listen. (will give LM below)
. In PL we celebrate Ancestors’ Day .. every 11th of the month. Service will be at 10:a.m. please if you cannot attend in person, join us for a few silent moments around 10:- 10:15 a.m. In Canada today is also Remembrance Day , in the States I think its called Veterans Day. It is time to express our gratitude for the love and virtues of our ancestors and those who have come before us.
Live today to the fullest
You are here today thanks to your ancestors’ virtue and Makoto (sincere effort). Remember to be thankful and live your life to the fullest so that you can pass this virtue on to the next generation.
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.