This was yesterday ..and we are due to get a whole lot more starting tonight into the day tomorrow. It might have been relatively mild winter, but it has not been lacking in snow. We have had a lot of snow… so much so that the contractors who clean up the roads, laneways etc,. will exceed their contracted amounts of snow and patrons will be facing additional charges this year for snow maintenance.
To all our Brazilian readers, this is the area to the side and back of the church building. You can see how much snow has accumulated. In Japan there are areas that get snow, but in the parts where no snow falls, you can see what the church grounds are like here in Canada at this time of year.
minister assigned to Canada, his first winter.
Put Makoto even into small things. don’t let things go with “oh well” You will have a different outcome if you put Makoto (sincerity) into everything you do. Perfect Liberty 2023,27
Smiles are the world’s treasure. If you smile more, there will be more smiles in the World. Be one of those who make more smiles
Perfect Liberty 2023.26
Is it so hard to smile? Sometimes… yes sometimes I just don’t think of it.. not because I’m unhappy, I am just not a person who goes around with a smile on my face. I can be deliriously happy, still no smile on my face.. it is an internal happiness.. a contentment. However, having said that… when I come across someone and smile when I greet them.. I hear it in my voice, it does sound friendlier. AND for that second when strangers pass/meet on a path… and a smile is exchanged, I do feel a pleasant glow after the exchange.
Life is fragile at the best of times.. Ever since I found the Merlin and got to admire the beauty of her markings and her head I have been haunted by the experience. A small member of the falcon family she often hunts on the fly, catching her prey in mid flight. Today while at the feeders I could hear the crows going ballistic in another part of the woods, I attempted to follow the “noise”.. looking up as I took to the trail. I have never been able to use binoculars without getting a headache.. thinking I might try again with these newer and lighter models. I gave up as the noise grew louder but seemed to be moving further away from the area I was in. I didn’t have my camera with the powerful lens, I wouldn’t be able to see the bird if it was high up in the trees.
What I learned from this incident was that I “knew” and thought it was a Merlin when I saw her lying peacefully on the snow.. but when someone else told me no it was something else, I doubted my knowledge. I have since found out, I was right, this /that angel was a Merlin. I am unhappy with myself that I didn’t 1. take a picture, and 2. take better care in burying her. In PL one of our lessons in life is to learn to trust our inner voices. Here is an example of my not following my instincts, and then living with the consequences. Every life is important.. /has value.
Why am I finding it so hard to shake this little bird’s demise. I don’t know..I can only guess, it was a loss of life and I was privy to the passing on, of this life, Thankfully I didn’t settle for an answer that I got that I felt in my heart was wrong. Every life should be recognized and acknowledged. I have since said a prayer for her little spirit..
Discover something new today. Have a willingness and an interest to start your day with excitement.
Perfect Liberty 2023.22
I have to practice – letting go.. The little bird is at peace, now I have to find mine. Wishing and hoping won’t bring her back.
Kevin Baldelli is a nature photographer who I met several years back, who has moved from still photography to getting pictures of the animals in their natural environment. He has put together clips from his films taken in 2022. Thought you might enjoy spending some time with the animals in their habitat. This is the link to the video I’ve taken a screen shot from. https://youtu.be/cs3ZsPL6KkE
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.
Perfect Liberty 2014.9
Others are others … I am I. If you force your values about anything on others, it can be self-righteous. don’t be overeager and haves a sense of “others are others. I am I”
Perfect Liberty 2023.13
In life we face many challenges. Yesterday I started out with my usual routine, I went into the woods to feed the birds.. enjoyed the fresh air, the time with the wildlife and headed back into the city to attend a service at church. Two of my fellow hokyoshi’s are back in Brazil for a holiday, even though I had been in on Saturday I thought to go in and make sure all was well. It was a lovely sunny day, I had time to make a stop at the Asian supermarket, so I did a quick in and out (only place I know I can get my garlic stems)… On leaving I saw the door to the Time Foot Bar was open http://www.timefootbar.ca/
Need I say more…. I went in for a reflexology session, I didn’t think much about it, I drove over to that end of the parking lot, got out, walked in, and…… the rest is history … I did not go to church … I booked a session, fell into a light sleep while there, left. came home and went to bed. Sometimes the best laid plans go awry …. the rest of the day was spent in a bit of a trance.. I had not ambition to do anything, not even watch the telly. When the body needs to relax, it reaches a point of no return… and I had hit the zone. I did go out and try to clear some more snow off the deck.. so I got more fresh air.. but then I came back in… and you guessed it… my need took me back to bed. I listened to a Simon Brett talking book and slept again.
I could beat myself up for missing church. But that is not the PL WAY. I obviously needed the “time out” … Sometimes we have to listen to our “inner voice” if we continue to force activity when we are overtired, overextended, we suffer the consequences. Be honest with yourself, when was the last time you did something called “nothing”
Oyashikiri
Do you like being on your own, can you remember when the last time was you did something for no reason at all but because you felt like it…….
There is something so magical about watching the sun make its appearance . A brand new day. New beginning, a fresh perspective, how wonderful the moment is when you see it between the trees teasing and tempting. There is no way I can ignore the majesty of it all.
There isn’t another car in sight, I slow down, looking for that perfect moment to stop the car… of course when I get out of the car, my view is different, and I have to walk around the car and walk up or back down the road to see if I can catch the glowing ball of fire before it drifts out of my sight.
The birds are quiet today, ok, well not all of them, the nuthatch are not carrying on, but the Jays are being absolutely silly. I’ve spoiled them, usually as soon as I get out of the car, I throw out handfuls of peanuts in a shell. LOL … now they expect it.. The evening grosbeaks are being patient, I can hear one or two of them begin their song. But… I’m still focused on getting a picture… which I did.. and only then did I dutifully go tend my charges.
Get things started with Grit. If you work on things in daily life with the attitude of “let’s do it!” you will feel a power to accomplish things. People around you will rely on you.
Perfect lIberty 2023.29
I have been tired a lot of late. So much so, it has been a bit of a worry. YET the Vitamines D and B the magnesium and and and.. that were recommended sit on my counter. Not being opened or used. What is it with me (part of me) anyway! What I have been doing, is still cleaning up (per Chinese New Year tradition) and yesterday…. finally…. I took out the “brasso” (cleaner) and cleaned my prayer bowls.
Little steps right….
Oyashikiri -love, gratitude and appreciation everyone.. there is no me without you.
In every garden there lives a dragon. They come in many sizes shapes and colours, mine is rare and elusive. He has the uncanny ability to show up in the darndest places. always he is watching, he never really lets me out of his sight. He is so good at it that I often forget that he is there. He though, does not forget, dragons are forever, and nothing is going to happen on his watch.
Today with all the snow, I had to exert myself probably more than I should have… I was feeling faint, having just cleared an area again for the third time (that is how much snow fell overnight and during the day) that I had to lean on the shovel, my breathing was quick and almost harsh.. I knew I was over extending, but I wanted it done. Besides I told myself… neighbours are all at work, no one is going to hear my laboured breathing…
Then I heard the hissing sound… it was soft but there could be no doubt that it was a warning, not a gentle purr, but a hissing that stopped me still. I looked over the mound of snow towards the tree where the dragon has a den… and there covered in snow he stood glaring. Whether he’d come out of the den or had just returned from one of his celestial journeys… I didn’t know.. but I knew the silent command, Stop.. enough!
Of course he was right, I was light headed now.. I came back in, looked around at the mess in the kitchen and decided, it would have to wait. I went to lie down… it took a bit of time, but the breathing calmed and I fell into a light sleep. (On waking I did take my blood sugar level to make sure my number(s) were not too high or low.)
I am blessed to have a dragon in my life. the dragon symbolizes power, change, and spiritualty, as well as good luck, fortune and prosperity. In many cultures the dragon is a protector. For sure mine is. He guides me and helps me tap into my power. A dragon has potent and auspicious powers.
Am I being fanciful .. still dreaming… who knows… all I know is that having a dragon in my life is super fantastic. Gives a whole new meaning to unconditional love.
Not a soul did I meet on the trail. One young lad came along on a winter snow bike (wide tires made for biking snow trails) he disappeared within seconds, only to be seen in the distance later on when I was on the trail that loops back to the parking lot. It was overcast, skies were rather dull and the clouds were plentiful, never-the-less it was like a mini winter wonderland. The birds were quiet, it was a tranquil walk that led me past the familiar and loved winter white evergreen and trees, along the trail.
Look.. this is the red belly woodpecker, .. sorry no. it is not the one hanging around the feeders, but one that Photographer Hien T. Nguyen ( Neihtn2012) took, I have permission to share it with you. https://neihtn.wordpress.com/2023/01/22/five-seconds/
Yes, patience is a virtue. Birders at P23 yesterday found our little guy flying around enjoying himself yesterday. Be aware that the feeders have also been drawing a few sightings of not so welcome guests… but then… to meet the very diverse community, you’ll have to drop by won’t you. =^_^=
Being asked for a favour is a chance. When someone asks for a favour from you, this is a chance for you to help others. Face the chance proactively.
Move forward with confidence. Experiences you have acquired through efforts so far are wonderful. Give it all you’ve got.
Perfect Liberty 2023. 20
The skies are cloudy and overcast – we have snow falling again..but it is mild. yesterday I did get my walk around the bog in. The above is the winter landscape that faced me. The world was quiet, the bird were busy at the feeders enjoying the fresh sunflower seeds with bonus tidbits of a variety of worms. The woodpeckers were showing their appreciation for the new suet blocks. We all enjoyed the comfortable community we were able to share. An early bird photographer came along, other than that, it was quiet on the home front.
Check with your church – all the snow should be cleared in time for service tomorrow, but check with Rev. Eugene San if you are in this area where there is a winter storm warning in place.
Oyashikiri
Stay safe everyone!
If you are travelling for the Chinese New Year, please be careful.
It was a brilliant day. Eartha and I finally got away for our day trip to Ogdensburg, NY. We didn’t gear away till mid morning, and we actually got home early evening. Ogdensburg is about an hour’s drive from here, the border crossing was unusually quiet. We had only a couple of cars ahead of us when we crossed over into the States, and we were the only car returning to Canada when we headed back. Unusual, but appreciated, cuz we were tired.
We were only hours away from home, yet the weather, was so much milder. People were in (believe this) shorts and cut offs. Mind you they were wearing fall sweaters, some had on hoodie type sweat shirts or jackets… but the snowsuits and winter apparel seen worn when we left home. Mind you, we have just had a snow dump, as you can see from the above picture that was taken in the morning when I went out to P23 and P22 to feed the birds/crows.
While in Ogdensburg we were told about a new Asian Buffet, all you can eat, with Free Ice Cream! Guess where we had lunch. (1000 Linden St. open 7 days a week) It was different from the Asian buffets I am used to here .. I did ask, the Cook was/is Chinese. They have lunch specials for take out which is something we don’t see up here at our Asian buffets. You can also do Carry Out buffet in the States, I don’t find that here too often. And KNOCK YOUR SOCKS off prices. Here a noon day buffet at our favourite buffet is over $20 ea. for lunch .There we paid just under $20 for TWO.
Happy Sunday morning everyone.. because of the storm I missed the feeders at P22 and P23 Friday, yesterday the feeders were empty and full of snow… Guess where I am headed as soon as this post is put to bed.=^_^=
Express your feelings straight away. It will be good if you could express your feelings as they are to people around you, when you are happy or when you are troubled. also it will be a good chance for you to get to know others.
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.
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