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McDonalds 5.31.17I have stopped listening to the audio recording of Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosserr I simply could not listen to another CD.  Not because it was awful, the truth is, it is an interesting and well researched book/CD. “Part investigative journalism, part social criticism,” it was a New York Times bestseller and has been critically acclaimed.

On the back cover, it says ” a fine piece of muckraking, alarming without being alarmist”..  my sensibilities just couldn’t take anymore.. I got up to CD 5 and couldn’t listen to anymore.  “the dark side of the all American meal”  The laws in Canada are not the same as the USA, never-the-less…   There is a lot of common sense, and ah ha  moments. If you are not aware of this book, or this author,  then if you are  interested in something different.. please check it out.  I got mine at the public library, I thought it was something else, I really didn’t peruse it… I just thought it was a quick and easy…. NOT!

The news these days has been so repetitive, bleak and often shake your head, sad.. that I thought it would be a change.. NOT!

Time to find a feel good holiday movie to watch, or simply listen to music, if I thought I could go to sleep, wake up and the world would be different… nah.. that is wishful thinking…

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Time to find a quiet world, where the air is clear, thoughts are able to chill, and time for a while, floats in a happy space.

Oyashikiri

 

2nd pic, SL Second Life

audio by Rick Adamson (excellent)

 

genuine heart

alvin, disneyWe are fast approaching the month of December.  A fellow blogger wrote to me today, and used the above two words,  “genuine hearts”.  I loved the sound of the two words, saying them  felt like a modern mantra.

I have found myself watching made for the season, movies on one of the networks, it seems they are playing one after another, and so far they have all been the feel good romantic  movies that pop up at this time of year.  Boy meets girl or girl meets boy, one is full of the holiday spirit and the other is not.. storylines are similar and we are assured of a happy ending.  As my sister pointed out, I don’t have to watch them, I can either watch something else or get up and do something productive.

I tell myself, I’m being productive, I’m being entertained, while I watch human behavior play out in front of me.  After all, someone had to put this storyline together, then gather the assortment of actors, set designers, technical crews, etc. to pull it all together.  The one I watched last night, even had my friend’s son in it. Ah Ha!!! Canadian content… It had to have been done awhile back, cuz he is now the “face” on Canadian Tire commercials, and has been for several years now..  So you see, I’m not just being lazy, I’m acquiring information that I can store away for when I need to spin out some pearls of “wisdom” or something =^_^=

Ok back to the words, caring, genuine hearts…………. I reacted because I do believe that in each and every person on earth, there beats a genuine caring heart.  However I also feel that sadly, it is often on pause, and that we are often treated to a facsimile and not the genuine heart.

If you have any comment or feedback on this, I’d love to hear it.  The world is constantly changing, more and more automation and the use of social internet for communication, is dulling the way humans interact. Machines have no feelings, and viewing life on a screen, is not “real” … it is scripted…  Hello? what say you!

sock-monkey-after-nip-and-tuck.jpgAnother friend gave sock monkey a nip and tuck… now that is heart,  when he comes home, he will have a  genuine caring heart.  =^_^=

Oyashikiri

 

chop suey Sunday 26th

Today, was a day of errands.  After church I was busy gathering ingredients for a soup, and then to a craft supply place that still had their special sale on.  With the holidays around the corner, I have once again, begun to work at my “work table.” I want to finish cards that I have promised for a few “retail” outlets, and want to make a few personal greetings that need to be posted soon.

To accomplish this, I wander and look at everything that I discover along my path, one never knows when an idea or a creative moment will present itself.  Funny I go into a shop looking for a very specific item or theme, and come out with way more than I had anticipated.  Anyone else, know this curious “happening” it is as if an elf is putting things in our basket when we aren’t looking.  When we do see it, we realize that ..”wow! that is a great ^whatever^ guess I will keep it.”

Fortunately, more often than naught, these are the items that will be the first to be consumed or used in the creative process.

If you are someone who delights in homemade soup… then you are likely familiar with the above utensils… maybe not these, but a strainer of some kind.

I start my soups with bones, for me the most delightful of tastes is the meat that is closest to the bone. Exquisite flavour can be obtained by combining the oddest ingredients, then after hours of slow simmer, straining the broth, only returning to the liquid ambrosia, the jewels you want to feature.  Sometimes they have absolutely nothing to do with the making of the broth.  But their taste, harmonized perfectly to offer up a feast not only for the eyes, but for your taste buds … not to mention the aromatic teasing of your senses

All this to say… I’ ve got a soup on the back burner, and I steamed my veggies to put on my rice, in a Pad Thai sauce.  Hmmm must be time for me to eat.

Hope you all had a great week-end.  Tomorrow we start a brand new week! Soon a new month will appear too…  YAY!!!!

Make every moment count, and enjoy all that life has to offer.. The more you succeed, the merrier life will be.

Oyashikiri

Thanksgiving

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Cranberries and turkey ….stuffing and mashed potatoes ….gathering of friends, sounds like holiday cheer.  My sister was telling me about her menu, for today’s Thanksgiving feast (she lives in the States).  It was interesting to learn that mashed potatoes were not just “mashed potatoes” as I know it, but, how she specially prepared the potatoes for guests on this special evening of sharing.

Potatoes being carefully peeled and cooked, so they could be mashed and presented in a certain consistency etc.  The care and thought she has put into serving up a dinner for her friends I found heart warming.  Just listening to her explain the shopping for, and the prep done days in advance, the settings, the placement of chairs to accommodate the gathering so that all would be comfortable and feel welcome, was all “new” to me.  Our family has our own “Martha”… I was impressed.

My long time personal friends, will all chuckle and know that “yours truly” does not share my sister’s flare. I felt really proud of her, as she went on about her dinner today.  These were/are her friends, and she for years now, has them over to share in a now, “traditional” Thanksgiving in appreciation and love for their part in her life. My little sister, gave me a warm glow of love and appreciation for HER, I am still basking in it today.

LOL she will be busy today, and seldom reads my blog.. so I can get away with saying nice things about her today…hahahaha

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends…. let us ALL embrace and share the meaning of Thanksgiving, in our lives today and always.

PL Principle #3   I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things.

retreat 10.7.17a

wordless Wednesday &

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having fun =^_^=


Thank you everyone for your kind wishes, and the healing healthy vibes you sent our way today.  Meeting was a good one, surgeries will be early December. Approx. 2 weeks apart.  There will be a lot of scheduled planning done.  The team of doctors  practitioners, therapist and educators is impressive.  They work together to keep us informed.

Your prayers and ongoing support is very appreciated.  Thank you.  We feel very blessed.

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choices

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Today is a new day.  Yesterday was the past.  Once I live today, I will have crossed another time zone.

and  yes………. bus pass is still missing..

some days, just happen.

Smile on everyone! race the sun, it can be fun.

Oyashikiri

 

orange tree

orange tree xI loved this little orange tree.  Every year I would prune it back and bring it inside so it could survive our Canadian winters.  Circumstances were that it grew very big, and we simply were unable to bring it back in.

Fortunately, our niece knew of just the right home and the little, now larger orange tree, went to live somewhere new.  Happiness is letting go, knowing when it is time to say good-bye so that life can continue to grow and bring joy to someone else.

For months now we have been trying to declutter.  We have been finding things we forgot we had.  They are leaving to begin their lives again. Going where they can be rediscovered, and enjoyed and used in the light of day.  Not stored away and forgotten.

When I see piles of this and that.. I’m heartened knowing it is temporary, every day a  bag or box leaves for somewhere else.  It is a work in process.

What are you working on today? Strive towards a positive outcome.  Life is good!!!

“Happiness is giving it away”

Oyashikiri

PL Precept #15  All is a Mirror

 

 

Monday – reflection

 

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I came home from church yesterday to find out that Keeper had gone missing.  She had slipped out the door before my husband could close it. He tried to follow her, but in his weakened condition, she proved to be more determined then he, and for his efforts he landed on the curb while she ran merrily on her way.  Of course, new to the area, she got lost.

As fate would have it, I had gone out without my cell.  He had no way to reach me, I was doing errands on my way back  home.  In brief, I was devastated, crushed beyond measure, every death in the last year, every parting that have visited my life this year, came crashing down on me.  The damn opened and I have never in my life known such emotional ripping apart of my “soul”  I cried, screamed, wailed, I scared myself.  Never in my life have I had such immediate pain and felt so ripped apart.

All I could think of was NOTHING, the grieving in my total being had taken over and all I could do was allow the emotions to express themselves.  Prayer, Pray Pray, Pray… in the  quiet spaces before the wailing began again & again, I called the church, the Humane Society, the Police…. my common sense prevailed, I did not use 911.. but called their main number.  my voice cracked I could barely speak my vocal chords were in shock, I’m sure.

Keeper is home.  Someone called animal control, they came brought her back to the shelter, checked her microchip, called the breeders*, who like knights in shining armour from days of old, jumped into their car and did their best not to speed into the city.  They  got the call at 3:15 or so,  the shelter closed at 4 pm.

It was a harrowing day, Keeper and I were in bed very early,  we slept till this morning, glued together in relief.  Poor Velcro, didn’t know what was happening around him, he is such a patient, and caring soul. The dogs commiserated happily when they met up.  Big brother was welcoming to his delinquent sister, he didn’t scold for the anxiety she unwittingly caused, in all four of her humans.

I don’t know why it was deemed necessary that I experience such a torrent of emotions, but… it did certainly allow for an emptying of any and all emotions I may have been holding back.  Life IS.

I am so grateful and thankful for the kindness of the strangers, that due to their caring  and good intentions, made the choices that brought Keeper home.

PL Precept #18  Each moment is a Turning Point

Oyashikiri

 

*Hounds of Freckashpeng

 

petit diable

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Good Tuesday morning to one and all.  I have used this picture before, I don’t recall where I got it, but it is one I’ve obviously kept.  It still has an appeal.

I believe in balance.  There is no wrong without there being a right.  Everything seems so subjective, it is not always easy to find objectivity. We try.  At times it is like walking a tight rope with no safety net.  Even when we see and intellectually know the safety net is there, We doubt.

Today, no matter what, I want a happy day.  So… I found Pippa’s post on Instagram… come on… doesn’t she make you smile.  She gets my smile every time.
Pippa Nov. 4.2017

It is our choice, to want a happy day, or to allow challenges to cloud our day.  PL Precept #1   Life is Art.   Sometimes we need creativity to see the opportunities, if you need a boost, find what makes you smile and go for it.

PL Precept #1   Life is Art

 

Pippa_g_thats_me   can be found on Instagram  She is a young female whippet pup living in Austin Texas.

 

Reflection

Darren 2015 Monterey Bay Ca

quiet reflection

a moment of silence

a prayer for peace

a prayer for understanding

join in prayer today

reach out

show you care

kindness, love and compassion

communications that come from the heart

is how we start

to do our part

world peace

begins with us

we can make a difference

Believe, have faith

it can be done

seasons come and go

“life is art”

Oyashikiri

 

top photo – Hillwalker (D.Su)

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