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.
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.
Perfect Liberty 2022.5
LIFE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE PERFECT TO BE WONDERFUL…
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.
Perfect Liberty 2022. 2
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.
Perfect Liberty 2022.31
Rain is cleansing, calming … yet … can be relentless and create anxiety
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.
Perfect Liberty 2022.17
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.
PL Precept # 18 Each moment is a turning point
*elements -thunder lightening-insects-heat
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.
What happens when something happens that is out of your control. One minute there is a familiar and welcoming environment, and suddenly with a roar of a raging, angry, demented winds and torrential downpour, years of happy memories are wiped out. boom, crash, what was, is gone. Like a ripple in the calm waters. one casualty causes a domino effect.
The forest floor is littered with fallen trees, some have been standing for years, their arms had reached high into the sky, now… they lie broken, no longer able to stand, so damaged there is no way to heal. Because these trees are in areas that are frequented by humans, not all, but some will not be left as they have fallen, but will need to be removed, in most cases, relocated or repositioned so that they are not a safety hazard.
The damages have been so extensive (we are blessed in this Province with a lot of green space.) it will be not weeks, but months , maybe even years before there is a sense of “normal” again. People with special training from the Forestry dept. have been called in.. It is a huge project.
Some areas might look safe, but if the NCC has danger /caution tapes up, and the sign says THIS SITE IS CLOSED … there is a valid reason for this. I am amazed at just how many times these tapes need replacing because “some people” feel the need to rip them down, and enter when there are clear signs that the area has not been cleared yet and is still a potential danger/risk.
There are ways around the tapes, one can go under or walk to an area that is not barred, people determined to go in, do so at their own risk.. When you take down the caution tapes and rip away the signs saying the site is closed, that puts other people at risk.
It is not fun to be stuck in one place. Instead of being captured by what’s in front of you strive to broaden your horizons.
Perfect Liberty 2022.28
Please be aware that what you do, could have consequences for others.
Think /pause before acting out. or doing something that can impact a decision someone else may make.
PL Precept # 20 Live maintaining equilibrium between mind and matter.
Make today a memorable day. Let’s try to put out whole heart into whatever we say or do, as our unique signature.
Perfect Liberty 2022.26
When I see the picture …I remember the many times we drove there to let the dogs enjoy the water We had Canaille (Portuguese Water Dog).. she absolutely loved water.. On hot days like the heat/humid and sultry weather we’ve been having, we felt it was an obligation to find her water to swim in. At that time our other dog was a Labrador mix, the two could wade and swim while the human parents sat on the big rocks along the water’s edge and enjoyed their antics.
Fast forward to 2022.. could I find it today, I don’t think so… I seldom drive out to that part of the Province anymore, in fact, I think if I get over to the Quebec side a couple of times a year, that is a lot. I have become a creature of habit, and I stay pretty much “local”. My eldest dog now is Velcro who just turned 15 (whippet) he, nor Keeper (10) (whippet) have no interest in swimming and I of course am now a widow…. “THE ONLY CONSTANT IN LIFE IS CHANGE”
Someone asked me the title of a book the other day, it was Atlas of the Heart (Brene Brown) the book takes us on a journey through 87 of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. “We cultivated love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known”
“Love is not something we give or get; it is something we nurture and grow, a connection that can be cultivated between two people only when it exists within each one of them – we can love others only as much as we love ourselves”
Hey wait up… you are going to fast..
Have you ever found that for some reason you are just not able to keep up with the others on the trail or path.?? Do you need to keep up?? What is the purpose of your outing? Is it to go a great distance or to enjoy the moment? Is it, time out in nature, or exploring new parts of the city/town you live in or near. For whatever reason you find yourself “out of step”.. when you notice it.. it is at that moment you need to explore the thought…
PL Precept # 18 Each moment is a turning point.
PL Precept # 19. Begin once you perceive.
When you get stuck.. take a step back.. When you are able to see things objectively, your viewpoint will change and you will receive new wisdom
Perfect Liberty 2022.23
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