When working on the pictures taken at Morris Island, I kept coming back to this one picture, cuz I felt it was “looking” .. at least I felt I was being looked at. I copied it to another file so I could isolate it and get a better look. Even in a batch file, I could see the face as plain as day .. can you?
Always aware of the energy that is around me, there are times I’m oblivious, it happens, however more often then naught, I am aware and open to the ambience around me. Since the storm the conservation areas are having to deal with a lot of damage, the balance that had been, is no longer. I visited P18 today, I had been told that the forestry department was finally tackling the debris.
From thisTo this
I was filled with such mixed emotions when I visited after the storm and saw the destruction. When I got there this morning, I was overcome with the memory of years past, the recent storm, and what I was seeing, now.
The only constant in life is -CHANGE-
PL Precept #16 All things progress and develop
PL Precept # 18 Each moment is a turning Point.
Life is always giving us the opportunity to grow, develop and adapt to changes – I wish I could do it with more appreciation,- I’m working on it….
Morris island a conservation area, tucked away off the beaten track. You have to know its there, and you have to want to go there. For me it sent me into “longing” it has a lot of water, small bays and inlets all teasing and inviting to paddle, canoe/kayak. It was a very hot day, we were in the high 80’s with a ton of humidity just to make it more interesting… walking (for me) was an effort, what kept me going was the shaded areas I could see ahead of me on the path we were on.
Bonnie had her bird identifier ap with her.. she was happily giving me the names of the birds she could hear in the trees around us. I was content to wander with my knife shaving off the dead bark off a piece of driftwood I found at the start of the walk. It was casual and lazy, we had no need to rush, we simply put one foot in front of the other .. and made our way along the pathway we were on. There were numerous trails that ran off the road we were on, but we stuck to the main trail we’d begun at the start of our “trek”.
It was at one of the little bays we passed that Bonnie spotted something in the water she thought at first was a swimming turtle, but, in fact it turned out to be a beaver! It helps to have someone with you who is observant and sees things you would not otherwise see. I was focused on finding wood, she an experienced birder was more observant on life above the ground. I was checking out all the dead wood with interesting features.. Made for a pleasant walk, usually I am on my own, so this was a delightful experience for me. Careful Bonnie, I might want to drag you out into the wilderness more often. =^_^=
There was a section of our walk that I was totally engrossed with. I found it was full of hiding places for the “wee” ones. =^_^=
Hidden in the cracks and crevices we saw today, live a zillion micro cells of plant matter and small insects, some of the openings are gateways for the many rodents and wee ones that roam the forest floor. During the season where I am not totally wiped by the heat and humidity I want to go back with my Nikon and get close ups. I know that there was much that was hidden from view today… =^_^+
Never stop exploring
Pl Precept #18 Each moment is a turning point.
It’s okay to think “this is where it starts” There is always a turning point. It’s important what you do from now.
Wondering why on earth I want to be that stump… cuz…. just because… some days life is full of challenges, that was yesterday for me… so today, its my start of the day “wish”…. Quiet please. no problem to resolve, no challenge, just the opportunity for quiet and good company.
Don’t let circumstances sway your decision. It does not help to overthink things. Sometimes we just need to make up our minds and move forward.
I was of great interest.. they left the little area they were in to swim by me. This strange human sitting on a stump in the middle of the river.. When I caught sight of myself later as I entered a shop .. I actually wondered they didn’t just all fly off.
this is the area to the left of where I was sitting. Someone had placed a big stump on the flat rock you see just under the water’s surface. To get to this little area I have to walk through about a half a mile out from the shoreline. Footing was slippery, lots of allege. etc. worth the effort, see the stick lying in the water.. I brought that home, used it as a second pole to balance myself as I walked back to the shore. used my knife to take off the bark.. left it behind so it will recycle itself =^_^=
The best timing is when you notice. When you notice something , it is God sending you a message. Act right away so you don’t miss good timing.
I sat in silence, my companion shares the summer moment with me. There is a quiet exchange of simply being, side by side. No long range lens, just me, myself and I with the duck. Sharing a forever moment.
As I got up to leave, I was swarmed by a couple of wild turkeys and their brood. I was sitting on a fallen tree that was lying over the water, the young ones were rushing down to drink … they were now inches from me, with the one look from the parent, I saw down again… I knew who was trespassing in their space. When she saw I was not going to move or do anything to scare her brood, she meandered off and left them to peck and drink. It was interesting to watch how they turn over the rocks with their feet to get whatever juicy morsel is under the rock.
Discover each person’s (living being) unique qualities. When we approach people with respect, we can understand them better and see their special qualities.
What to do, the bugs were so bad at P23, I wasn’t going to offer myself up to the hungry insects, I left in search of water. It had been awhile since I’d gone to Mud Lake in the west end.. thought I’d go have a look. Didn’t have my camera with me, but thought..” I have plenty of pictures of geese” so would just stroll the paths along the inlet (lake).
Well plans change. When I got there I saw that blocking the road up ahead (further than I usually park) were a zillion geese, sunning themselves, doing their morning rituals… not concerned that their numbers were such a car would not be able to get through. I drove up and parked on the left in a small 4 car parking indentation. When I got out, a father and his offspring were coming off a path to the right of where I would usually enter this side of the area. ” if you are quick you’ll see a mother wild turkey with her young ones strolling through the trees.”
I started for the path to the left of the fence, but he called out and said,” no go to the right ” I have been to Mud lake on numerous occasions, but had never gone in the area he suggested. I had always assumed that since there was cut lawn there, and a building down the way, that this was just, I don’t know .. a lawn. One should never assume. As I walked along the path that hugged the path, I found myself having to bend down under the branches of the trees that lined the manicured lawn.
To my delight I saw the adult wild turkey heading to the west further down from where I was.. couldn’t see the babies though… I thought to myself.. timing.. too bad, I’ve missed them.. but I continued on the path since I could hear water, and knew the river was ahead. Hello…. I found myself in the most wonderful of openings. (see picture above on the left) the heat of the summer has brought the water level down, I could pick my way over the flat river rocks.. and just meander along the shoreline without having to step into the water itself.
It was a beautiful unexpected visit, a new discovery, in an old known haunt… another example of how allowing yourself to do something different. can offer up new opportunities to present themselves.
Have a prayerful mind to love yourself and others. Open up your heart fully when praying to God. It will help you sort out your feelings.
Rain is cleansing, calming … yet … can be relentless and create anxiety
because it is said – does this make it a truth
Make today a memorable day. Let’s try to put our whole heart into whatever we say or do, as our unique signature.
Perfect Liberty 2022.26
Always live with a kind and generous heart. Show love and embrace others’ good points, and be willing to overlook their faults. One who has a generous heart can live a fulfilled life.
Good morning, Bom Dia… This capture was taken “somewhere” in a country setting that is very beckoning if you are in the city with ambulance and firetrucks constantly being heard rushing from one place to another. When I saw it.. I thought “how rustic”, and moved on to other incoming mail. However over the next couple of days, that picture kept creeping into my thoughts. I dug it out and had another look.
Not a lot happening… not even a sign that there are people living there. Then a conversation I had with a friend who told me about her vacation on a lake, where the lots were so close you could stand on the deck and see the neighbour’s yards on both sides. there was even a pizza parlour just down the road (light bulb moment) immediately, the “blue retreat” sprang back to my mind again… darn I kept returning to the photo of the blue “retreat” in the woods.
Two very different “get away” locations. I have no idea if there is a lake/river near the “hideaway” but what set it apart from the cottage on the lake, was the “apparent” isolation of the place. I liked the idea of being in the woods, yet being in a structure protected from the elements*. I realized that what I was finding so inviting about the picture of the blue “retreat” was that it didn’t shout “lonely” rather it exudes a peaceful quiet.
That dwelling what I now think of as a “retreat” gets more and more appealing to me as I rush from one activity to another and run one errand after another, trying to ?? what??
We all have moments where we suddenly realize that we are “spinning our wheels” we are trying to get things done so we can “catch our breath”. The “retreat” set my thoughts in motion, “why” “what is the rush”… It was a trigger. whether or not the photographer meant to invoke a “mood” or capture the “stillness” of the place.. doesn’t matter, it is how “I” the viewer has interpreted his “work”.
Just seeing the picture set my mind and thoughts into ‘overdrive” It reminded me that I was making “busy, busy, busy” my normal. It made me stop and think… and ask myself. .”why” how come I was always in “busy” mode. Was I enhancing my life with my behaviour, or was I ” running around in circles” .. had I let myself get caught up in “making busy” .. Time for some quiet contemplation and reflection..
Use money and things usefully and enthusiastically. Money and things are materials for self expression. Use them joyfully with appreciation
Perfect Liberty 2022.25
That one picture, captured in time … has made me realize that for someone who is “retired” I am far “too busy” and need to review and revamp my “gray cells” – it won’t be easy.. but I can try.
a moment in timea captured momentMoments lived – then memories
You are the results of your daily efforts. Put your whole heart into everything you do in your daily life. Your true self will shine through.
Perfect Liberty 2022. 20
Focus your energy – Let your best self shine … We wake to a brand new canvas.
This morning I opened a drawer and couldn’t see what was in it for ALL the STUFF that was dropped into it over time. Being a visual person, if it is in the drawer it is out of sight. How can one person use or need over a dozen erasers, and who knows how many pens, pencils and markers. Guess what, it will be passed on… gone from my drawer. I’m working at creating an alluring medley of empty spaces. Can it be done?
Tomorrow the 21st of the month, we will have the Thanksgiving service (day of Appreciation) at the church at 7 pm …
A beautiful sunny day, the entrance to the site is still closed to visitors. The trees lie where they have fallen, the exposed roots lay bare for all to see. There is no access to the paths or the outdoor facility. Destruction is everywhere. The birds and wildlife are back to singing and going about their business, but to the human visitor, the paths are littered with fallen trees and branches. Very dangerous.
As I wandered on the outskirts of the debris.. I heard a chain saw. Curious I made my way back to the entrance, where a young woman had backed up her truck and was cutting away the limbs that were within her reach. She explained she was gathering up wood for the winter… some of it was obviously too green, but she said, it will be dry for next winter.
I am not an official of the conservation area, I could only caution her as to the risk she would be taking if she ventured into the woods.. I could understand her wanting to gather up the dead wood, her logic was that as people cleared up and put the fallen branches and tree parts to the curb.. there was so much of it, often it could not all be gathered up in one go. So she was in her own way, helping declutter. (her logic)
Since I myself collect fallen bits and pieces for my wood carving and whittling.. I could do nothing but smile and encourage her to be cautious. Life… is what it is…
Start by thinking “let’s do it” Once you decide to do something and put your whole heart into it, things will start moving forward.
Perfect Liberty 2022.8
Yes there is potential danger we had such a severe storm, and damage in areas is brutal. However, life is what it is and nature will continue to grow and recycle. I am drawn like a moth to a flame. I find comfort in being near and part of what IS. What will be, will be.. No more, no less.
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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