tudo bem?
Always have presence of mind
If you overexert yourself, you will be easily swayed by emotion. Always put the best Makoto with presence of mind.
Oyashikiri
PL2023.25
Photo. Nick V.
Always have presence of mind
If you overexert yourself, you will be easily swayed by emotion. Always put the best Makoto with presence of mind.
Oyashikiri
PL2023.25
Photo. Nick V.


Pileated Woodpecker .. got to spend a quick moment with one yesterday morning. We startled each other, altho’ he/she was greeting me with a knock, knock, knock inches away from me. We came face to face (he/she was at my face level)
Male on the left – female on the right. I will post a link at the end of this post if you want to know more about this beautiful bird. It is about the size of a crow. (they mate for life)
A single moment is a life time
Be grateful for everything. If you see everything as material to express gratitude, you can encounter a number of opportunities to be grateful for.
Understand Impermanence
Oyashikiri
It is cold and the snow is deep. Hard to sleep when the world around you is in a deep freeze. The finding of a peanut makes the day in a big way.
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.
Oyashikiri
Many of you know that I work and create in a virtual world called Second Life. Applying myself to learning how to work with the new software that is used by creators is something that both frustrates me and leaves me feeling a sense of accomplishment when I can achieve something as simple as learning how to build a male shape and what is involved .. the bodies and the huds are so different from that of the female avatars.
Benz one of my male avatars that I’ve used in my digital photography was due for a serious update. One of the “wow” factors was when dressing him, the creators of this avatar line, have it so that when I change his clothes, if I have had to alpha out parts of his body so the clothes (from another designer) fit properly.. when I undress him, his body magically reappears, This does not happen with the technology used by the creator of the female body I use. This was a fun surprise for me… all in all the hours spent learning a new skill is rewarding.


He went from looking like this… last year… to the picture on the right. this is a work in progress.. but I sure am chuffed. Look for Benz to make appearances in the near future. Who is that with Benz, that is Q, she is the original avatar from when I first began in SL in 2007… she has undergone many transformation… She has firmly told me.. she is retired.
PL Precept # 1 Life is Art





First picture is what the laneway looked like before the snow.. the last picture was taken about an hour AFTER the plow had come by to clear the lane so I could get out yesterday morning. I fortunately turned around about 20 minutes away from my home when I realized that even the main roads, although a plow had gone through, were dangerously rutted with snow caused by the cars that were trying to make their way through. Visibility was not good, blowing snow made it impossible for the wipers to really clear the windshield. I got home put the car in the garage, shoveled the snow away from the garage door piled it where the plow driver could pull it away.. did that all along the side of the house too.
You can see by the pictures of the back deck, it had been cleared of snow down to the wood in anticipation of the coming storm, I had prepared. Still, when I went out to clear a path.. so I can make my way out of the house by the back door should there be an emergency, you can clearly see the dump. It fell hard and fast for hours before slowing down,
Have a “let’s do it” attitude.
Even if a task is difficult, keep in mind it is given by the Universe/God, and accomplish it. (PL2021.14)
Yes, my legs and arms did some complaining, but life is what it is.. and I thanked God/Universe that I have the ability to do it.
on the positive .. the snow .. was feathery light, the air was intoxicatingly fresh… the breeze/wind was teasing…friends touched base to see I was alright… sure in a *perfect world ** I would have been able to just sit by the fireplace and chill with a warm ginger tea, and my love wrapped around me… substitute a heated blanket … and Quincy came to cuddle.. Hey.. life is good! Even Quinn came to purr she actually got on my lap of her own accord. Time and patience.…
Oyashikiri
for those wanting to see Thursday Doors (https://nofacilities.com/2025/02/13/iowa-law-library/ )
Some furry scampered across the freshly fallen carpet of snow. Any ideas?
Make today, a “give back day!” Kindness to others , is the best way to give back.. Express your appreciation, smile, make eye contact when you see a friend. When you say, “how are you” wait, listen for the reply.
Don’t be capture by momentary troubles but continue doing everything with sincerity.(Makoto)
Oyashikiri
All I am hearing yesterday and today on the radio is the hype about the big game today. Interesting when I keyed in football yesterday I got a lot of info. on soccer.(Soccer is called football in other parts of the world). Apparently the two teams playing today are creating quite a stir, The Chiefs have held the title and the Eagles want to take it back, they won it a few years back. Communication seems to play a big part in all that goes down.
Communication is important in all our lives. I suspect that today, everyone will be focused on NOW.
Today’s PL “thought for the day”
Don’t be swayed by the past; It’s what you do from now on that counts.
Your failures as well as your successes are now in the past. Always look towards the future and start with a fresh outlook.
OYASHIKIRI
At one time I would have just said “good luck” but it seems there is a lot of hard work with hours of practice and dedicated focus on accomplishing team work... there has to be a winner, but I think from what I am hearing … it will be close… What will be, will be.
Think “now is the time” Instead of “it’s no use now” Don’t give up by thinking it’s too late. Tell yourself that there is more that can be done.
—- enjoy and focus on every moment —-
Oyashikiri
Owl pic is a puzzle
How can human beings who claim to be caring loving beings, hunt and harass a beautiful living creature just trying to live his/her life. For the sake of a picture and ???
PL Precept # 15 All is a mirror
https://daverenz.com/album/1461972/this-peace-of-mine
Oyashikiri


These were taken yesterday, it was balmy, mind you I was bundled up with a very long coat, and Bogs* (boots that are made for Canadian winters, keep the feet warm to -058 degrees.) .. and layered “to the nines”. To do the Bog on days when the winds are whipping over the landscape, can be very refreshing. I enjoyed my walk, there was no one else around, There is something to be said about sitting on a bench in the middle of a snow covered Bog. The birds were huddled in the woods fluffed up, keeping warm. The one squirrel I saw was nuzzled in against a tree in the elbow of another branch. He had no interest in leaving the sheltered nook for a peanut.
When I got to the part of the Bog that leads back to terra firma, the wooden boardwalk that crosses over water, was snow covered, the winds had picked up enough that the dried stalks from the water plants .. whispered and sang as the spirited winds ran through them. Beautiful and serene.
The walk provided me with time for quiet reflection, any sadness was carried away by the breeze. Its cool caress as it gently brushed my cheeks, wiped the silent tears. Nature embraced me with the comfort I needed.
Your smile is what is needed
A smile invites happiness and cheer and is essential to energize others as well as yourself.
PL2022.3.
Ottawa is in for another snow storm, hello. another one, yes! and, it will only be the appetizer, mid week it seems a bigger one will arrive. Keep the snow shoes and skiis ready!
Oyashikiri