Who knew. Not me, I’m a novice on what happens in the woods during a snow storm. I found out today, the heavy snow had blanketed most of the feeders. The cold, wet, thaw, freeze of the last 48 hours, also brought down weak limbs. To this end I found several of the feeders on the ground, one very damaged, and the other not so bad, but in need of attention.
I sent myself to clearing off the snow, and putting out fresh seed so that the now hovering birds could eat, while I righted the refilled the feeders that had suffered during the storm.
this heavy feeder was the one that had been on the limb that came down during the storm. I was fortunate that I was able to get a snowshoe enthusiast who came by with his young son to help me get it back up on a sturdier limb. The man had to put his son on his shoulders, so that we could hang the first S hook. Fortunately I had gone to the store a few days ago and stocked up on the larger S hooks. I had no idea at the time why I had a need to acquire them.. The Universe knew… they sure came in handy today.I use a variety of containers, so that i can offer an assortment of food. The stump on the left had to be cleared of snow so that the black sunflower seeds and peanuts could be scattered there for the birds to drop down and gather up.
At the Mer Bleue site, I was thrilled to see a bird that till that moment I had not seen, a Hoary red poll. When I get a picture I will share it with you.
Now that the birds have been fed. It is my turn, home made beef bone soup with fresh veggies and dried Chinese mushrooms. Yum
My sincere thank you to all who joined in last evening for 7 pm Evening Service. I admit that as I prepared, I asked myself, “why”… but … the moment passed and at 7, I began the service. I sat for some time after, allowing my emotions and thoughts to empty. I guess the events of the past many months has taken more of a toll on me, than I had imaged. The service and the prayer, were a balm .. I slept last night, with ease. I really do believe in the power of prayer. When this is shared, it is even more “powerful”
a relaxed whippet
Ok so maybe I didn’t sleep quite as relaxed as Velcro, but I did sleep, it was a sound and restful sleep. First in a long while.
Make today a different day. Instead of doing the same old thing, be creative and do things to improve your day.
Perfect Liberty 2021.17
Always live with a kind and generous heart. Show love and embrace others good points, be willing to overlook their faults. One who has a generous heart can live a fulfilled life.
10:12 and it is still snowing – Nikon doesn’t like being outside when it is snowing.
Good morning everyone. After reading my incoming this morning, and taking a few calls .. I have decided that this evening I will do special prayers at 7:pm EST. I will begin with the PL Prayer, and then do a short prayer, giving thanks and appreciation for all that we have experienced since the start of the new year. For the friends in the community that are dealing with extra “stress” challenges/opportunities, I will ask that the spirit of calm, and gentle goodness surround us while we pray for our loved ones and our concerns.
PL Precept # 11 Always be with God.
Please set aside a good twenty minutes. Find a place where you can sit comfortably , those of you with your own Omitama or Aramitama can do your usual salutation. Then sit quitely and gather your thoughts. We will begin with the PL Prayer, and then after a few seconds of quiet reflection, I will begin the special prayer … Before standing and returning to your normal activities, please take the time, to say “thank you” and to send your love/caring thoughts to those who have joined in our prayers.
Thank you everyone for sharing in this special evening of prayer.
PL Precept # 10 Love yourself and others.
PL Precept # 15 All is a mirror
Hospitals are crowded, people we know and don’t know are stressed and anxious. Let us join together in positive action. Let us Pray.
If you are reading this and can translate it for me in Portuguese for our members in Brazil, it will be much appreciated.
outside my bedroom window at 7:30 a.m YES it is still snowing.
guess my little Garden spirit will be smoothened under the snow. (see PS below)
What is “Normal” is different for each individual. Everyone has a different way of thinking and doing. It is important to understand others’ feelings.
Perfect Liberty 2021.16
Value those who are nearest to you. It is especially easy to overlook how wonderful your spouse or other family members really are. Always remember to respect and value one another.
Perfect Liberty 2014.22
Oyashikiri
PS. the sculpture using driftwood and apoxie sculpt is one of my earlier pieces.
I am getting better at just enjoying being there with them. I do try to whip out the camera and have it ready, it just never seems to “happen” .. I’ll get better =^_^=
it pleases me to see them using the “tables” I put out for them. the frog is an S hook that is holding another feeder.
The Nikon is bigger than my Canon, I’m still learning how to hold it, and work the “buttons” etc. It has a greater telescopic capacity than my Canon, & they handle very differently. My fingers get really cold, I’ll get better with time. Meanwhile, I am enjoying being out in the fresh air, and sharing time and space with the woodland community. They are each so different in how they “dine”… I’m surprised by the “calm” nature of the woodpecker… It seems that nothing ruffles his/her feathers.. its been very interesting, watching the dynamics that play out.
View your difficulties as a chance to make rapid progress. You grow by overcoming the obstacles in front of you, one by one. Look at your problems as opportunities for growth and make the best of your situation.
What beauties, when I arrived this morning, I was delighted to find that the Grosebeaks were all gathered for their morning buffet. Having come to fill the feeders before heading to the dentist I did not have my camera, fortunately for me Kevin came by mid day and got these pictures for us to enjoy.
Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Let’s begin today with a smile. Let’s start the day with a positive outlook, looking forward to what we can discover.
My husband and I were visiting this reproduced “village of another time” I tried several times to get a picture without a human entering the old church, but … it was a popular attraction. Now. many church doors are closed. the comfort and quiet that one finds in a place that is dedicated to one’s inner thoughts/soul… are not always available to us. Instead what is being broadcast is the rants of unhappy humans, or voices counting and recounting the misdeeds and negativity that is in the world today.
In many ways, we have come a long way. Kudos to new technology and the positive imprints we are making in/on this world we call “home”…
For the sake of others, society, and world peace. Always live keeping in mind everything you do is for the sake of others, society and world peace.
Perfect Liberty 2021.10
Treasure each moment in time. Lie is a continuation o “NOW” Treasure each and every moment as it comes, so that you can live your life as fully as possible, without regrets.
Tell yourself “things Happen” Even if something is inconvenient, once you accept it, you’ll be able to move onto the next step.
Perfect Liberty 2021.8
Once something happens it can’t be undone, nor should it be forgotten, we learn from our mistakes, our past choices may have given us unpleasant results. It is by accepting what it, that we can look at the situation with fresh eyes, then move towards positive resolutions.
Embrace the new day, Avoid being trapped in a mindset. Free your mind to consider other possibilities.
Oyashikiri
Top photo I took during a big ice storm we had in 2009, yes there was a lot of damage, that was then, this is now. WE (the community, cities/towns) cleaned up, we all moved on.
Bare with me while I recount to you another adventure with the delightful, brats of the woodlands the colourful Blue Jays. I was late getting to Dewberry Trail this morning, it was quiet and most of the feeders had been emptied. I got out to refill them, and saw a family patiently waiting for birds to appear. The Mother was telling the children, they should walk further along, perhaps they would see birds if they continued. As I neared with my container of black sunflower seeds and was taking off the lid, there was a sudden appearance all around of the little birds.
No sooner had the feeders been filled with round one, of the offerings, there came the distant calls now so familiar to me..of the Blue Jay. When the peanuts were dispersed, they were dive bombing, bold as brass, no waiting their turn. Today there was no shy, coy behaviour, it was a no holds barred attack on the seeds and nuts. Again I counted 5 of them, they were not being nice to their fellow jays either, going as far as cutting off their buddy if he was closest to the seed/nuts.
Their behaviour was ignored by the other birds, who simply moved away to other feeders, the woodpeckers were non pulsed, they silently went off to a tree with tasty bark and began tap tap tapping there.
Leaving this trail, I drove over to Mer Blu (less than two miles) to check what was happening there.. to my surprise as I was distributing the seeds and nuts there, I heard the now familiar cawing almost over my head. The little beggars were all lined up in the higher branches waiting for their chance to swoop down on the buffet that was being set out.. am I so predictable? I found it cold today, so I didn’t linger, tomorrow it is supposed to be sunny, I might attempt to use my camera. Meanwhile I’m so grateful to Kevin for allowing me access to his photos.
While perusing his Instagram account this morning (, which if you are on Instagram, might want to look him up..) I found this adorable face..
Begin each day with a renewed sense of appreciation. Always remember that you are here today thanks to God, and thanks to the many people around you. Let’s make each day meaningful by starting out with a feeling of gratitude.
Perfect Liberty 2014.6
Being with the birds and the woodland creatures always gives me a sense of “renewal” There is something very special watching them go about their daily routines. How they adjust when a bolder and more aggressive bird comes into the feeding area. There is room for everyone, no need to be first in line… their acceptance of a stranger in their midst is humbling.. Since I have been making these trips and spending time .. reconnecting to /with “nature” .. I myself feel life to be less chaotic … I marvel at the patience of the photographers who come early to stand and wait. To the other visitors who bring seeds and share with the birds. I am impressed with the number of young parents I have met who are starting their children at a very early age, to appreciate the woodlands. Life is good.
The simplicity of sharing the land/space with others in a positive way is healing.. it balances the world of the internet/ technology where often the focus is on negative, aggression, and competitive behaviour.
Always live “for the sake of others and society”. Be thankful to society for all that you have, and make a firm decision to be a person who can contribute to people and society. This state of mind will provide you with endless enthusiasm.
The smart little beggars realized I didn’t have my camera. I had a cancelation this morning, so decided to take the opportunity handed me to drive out and top up the feeders. It was quiet there were only a few cars in the lot, no photographers around, it was blissful. I took my pruners to cut back the dead branches that were in the way, then brought out the black sunflower seeds.. there were actually few birds around, its amazing as soon as the black seeds landed in the feeders, I was swarmed. Where they all came from.. I have no idea. But suddenly I was surrounded, even by the gross beaks who boldly sat and dined with a very relaxed air.
Ah ha.. the sound I was waiting for, the Blue Jays.. yes.. there they were, 5 of them.. swooping down, gathering seeds taking time to dance and flap for me. By then I had the gotten the peanuts and was distributing them in the flat feeders. They were happy, I’d say even chatty. Taking their time to look over at me as they casually pecked up the seeds and peanuts. If I didn’t know better, I’d think they could see that my camera was missing from around my neck.
They actually seemed to be in top form, flaunting their beauty and gracefully flying from branch to branch, within very close range to me. When I’m there with my camera they fly up to the highest of branches, but not today.. no.. uh uh.. a few times. I could have sworn they would land within arms reach from me, and then pop off with a happy little caw. almost like a “gotcha!”
All this to say, I saw many Blue Jays today, and was entertained by them. It was fun, but I have not one picture to show you. nadda. Even the Gross Beaks as I say, were friendly, but now that I think of it, I didn’t see the bigger woodpeckers…. hmmmmm.
Start by thinking “this is interesting! ” Even when you are dealing with a difficult situation, it is important to find something interesting about it.. From there, you will be blessed with wisdom and something new will come out of it.
Perfect Liberty 2019.5
Oyashikiri
an early avatar dating back to maybe 2013 SL Second life
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.