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Sand Dunes

Do things joyfully instead of taking it easy. Enthusiastically engage with what’s in front of you. You’ll enjoy it more.

Perfect Liberty 2021.30

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

Aristotle

How fragile must our own beliefs be, if we resist even listening to opposing ideas. I have schooled myself that when I am ready to totally dismiss another person’s ideas our of hand, I stop myself and try to listen to what the person has to say. I still may not agree, but I will know something more about them – and of my own thinking. In the past year I have listened to another “perspective” on life .. as it is seen and lived in another part of the world. I have learned a lot, in some areas, my personal belief has strengthened, and to my surprise, I gained insight in ways I would not have guessed about myself.

PL Principle # 6, I will not be stubborn, being captured by my own thoughts

Friday everyone, the start of another week-end….

It is raining here today, I heard the forecast yesterday that it was to rain most of the week-end, I have wanted to return the wonderful fragrance of lilac to the backyard. When we bought here many many years ago, the neighbour in the back had a patch of lilacs all along the back fence. In the spring we would step outside to be greeted by their wonderful presence. When new owners came along, they ripped out an ancient old oak, some of you may recall my lamenting that from years back and most of the lilac. They left one .. that was old and weak, it soon died.

It wont happen over night, the plant I brought home is perhaps 3.5 foot high, but it is healthy and from a well established nursery.. I got it into the ground as soon as I got home, then surrounded it with wooden pieces from my various trips these past weeks and months. this will protect it, for its settling in period, Today’s rain, which will continue for the next couple of days, will help it to gently settle in. (Monge Lilac)

Tomorrow May 1. Service at 10: a.m. Day of Peace ceremony

Sunday Service 10:a.m. regular Sunday service.

the reward

Agility not being on my side today, I did make noise as I determinedly made my way through the brush along the shoreline to try to make my way to the end of the peninsula.

I climbed over fallen branches, dead trees, slipped down the embankment into the mud, even crossed a car length of water on a tree limb and a make shift stepping stone with a wooden plank to get to more of the peninsula. I was tired and getting weary, but I was determined to get to the end of the bit of land I was exploring.

My reward was that as I went the last few steps, I saw a Canada Goose out in the water, using my zoom I tried to bring him in focus, while keeping my balance on the uneven terrain. I was having a bit of a time, it was very uneven and full of overgrown brush and vegetation. Something made me aware that I was not alone, I cautiously looked to either side of me, but didn’t see anything… then I saw that the Goose was heading back towards me, and I looked down, just a few feet away from me, sat his partner.. staring up at me.

The queen herself, watching me, wondering what this silly human was doing in her space.

I know I like to explore, and I like being in places where I’m not likely to meet any other person on a walk, I suspect that they had chosen this place because it was far from human traffic, for sure, it was not an easy journey through the overgrown vegetation and dead wood that was everywhere. but, this crazy lady came to visit. They were both actually very calm about it all. You can see, when he got closer and saw that I wasn’t a threat, he stopped to primp himself. Needless to say, I was thrilled to the bone. I felt like I had just won the lottery.

Happiness is, a day out in the world, being ONE with nature, yes, I had to scramble over logs, deep holes in the ground, watch for branches that reached out to block my path, stumbled over dead roots reaching up out of the debris that littered the ground, but I was alive, and I was focused on every moment of my experience. The memory of that moment where her eyes looked into mine, will stay with me forever. She was so close, so near, and so unruffled … her serenity in the moment, was a gift//blessing.

Oyashikiri

Lime kiln -Monday

Be very careful about doing things you really like. Do everything in moderation, when you overdo, you’ll lose your balance.

Perfect Liberty 2021.26

This is a good one for me to pay attention to. I have a tendency to get carried away if I start doing something that I really like doing. I can get lost in the project/moment, creating an issue or lack of time for something else I “should” be doing.

For instance today I was headed for Jack Pine trail, I wanted to add it to my list of nature trails that I have to too .. and to start a file on it… that I can expand on as the days/months roll by, Driving by Lime Kiln I thought to take a quick look at the cut trees that had been downed the other day. The quick moment turned into a better part of half an hour. There were black birds in the area I was .. I started to focus on getting a good picture of them.. then realized that if I did that, time would be taken from my trip to Jack Pine.. why did I have to watch the time… … I’d been to Costco, and had items in the car that needed to get to my freezer… like duh.. multi tasking has its own set of problems one has to watch for and pay attention to.

Have a good start to the new week everyone!

drifting

I went in search of wood that I can try carving. I first went back to Petrie Island to see if I could find a small block of bass wood on the ground in the mulch, under the dead vegetation. I was on a mission. Found lots of water logged, wet, or burnt pieces of wood, a lot of it was decaying, some in worst stages than others. Wanted something the size of a brick. Found lots of twigs, dead branches, often with huge splits or splinters. As a form of exercise I did pick up a log about 3, 5 pounds, that I carried while I walked. Kept changing from my right to the left arm. Had to find something that wasn’t too round, my hands are on the small side.

Again the bird that I kept coming across was the robin. I did have two chickadees that came around looking for food, but I had none with me. Saw several little chippies too, they are small, takes awhile to recognize them as they silently slip in and around the underbrush going about their business. I saw some kind of water “rat” it was plumb maybe the size of a football, not pretty or cute at all. It dove into the water when I approached and didn’t resurface. (that I saw)

I also found a new trail to explore, Flood Line Kiln Trail in the west end. Not far from Jack Pine Trail. I walked to the end to see the ruins of the old buildings. (the trails did continue, leading out to another part of the west end) I returned the way I came, back to my car.

It is amazing that I have driven by this location many many times, just never knew it was a green space open for the public to enjoy, The parking sign is there and once you know where to look, it is obvious, but it has gone unnoticed by me for years, I knew of the other three sites further down the road, but not the Flood Line Kiln. The ground was still wet and muddy in places, there were even patches of snow on the ground, will go back in a month or so.. should be very interesting.

The pathways are there, it is up to us to be present and aware, when the time is right, the opportunity will present itself. Only in extending ourselves, do we grow.

Multitasking reduces your joy by half. When doing something, give it your all. There is joy in everything.

Perfect Liberty 2021.23

Don’t rush or allow yourself to get flustered. When you rush, it limits your ability to pay attention to detail, and often leads to careless mistakes. With a prayerful mind, take a deep breath and act calmly.

Perfect Liberty 2016.22

Oyashikiri

forever – always

shades of gray

The walk wasn’t that long to reach the water’s edge, but it was cold, and my fingers were not happy. The old arthritis just broke out in song, loud and clear … it wasn’t pretty. Still I soldiered on, I could hear the geese honking I knew there would be activity on the water.

They heard me coming and loudly protested the intrusion, flying up to where they could see who was coming, the actually up and flew away.

Here we are, mid week, it was cold, but I was not to be deterred, I still am getting used to walking the landscapes, it will take me more walks to build my stamina. I walked beyond where I usually walk today, really worth the effort to see what I will have to explore at another visit. Coming back though, I hoofed it right proper, my hands were so cold by now, the arthritis was not being kind … and I had not one pair of gloves with me. The good weather the last couple of weeks, lulled me into a false sense of security.

PL Precept #18 Each moment is a turning point. Postamo-nos sempre na bifurcacao entre o bem e o mal.

PL Precept #1 Life is Art. Vida e Arte.

Wednesday

there is something about a bird in flight – that sense of freedom it represents.
there are black birds everywhere these days. ( 2 bird photos Num Ottawa)

Today in PL we celebrate (21st of each month) A day of Appreciation – It is an important service, we give thanks and express our appreciation for the many blessings in our lives. We members humbly express our appreciation to God for all the blessings of the past month and sincerely ask to be guided and protected in the coming months, We renew our determination to follow and practice the PL teachings.

Due to Covid restrictions, tonight’s ceremony will be performed by Rev. Eugene at 7 pm. but the church itself will not be open. Instead we ask you to pray with us from home. If you wish to visit the church personally during the day, you may do so, please call ahead first.

Sunday service will take place like it did last week, please check in with us, we will have limited capacity. Sunday service will be at 10 a.m.

A thankful heart leads to happiness. When we really pay attention, we are surrounded by many things we can be thankful for; society we live in, the kindness shown to us by others. You will be able to find true happiness when you can see and appreciate these things.

Perfect Liberty 2015.21

Express your appreciation with enthusiasm. Appreciation is the driving force for progress and development/

Perfect Liberty 2021.21

OYASHIKIRI

Petrie Island .1.

this is where I wanted to be

There is nothing as enjoyable as a quiet walk along the water’s edge. Early morning before the hustle and bustle of the day begins in earnest.

Express your appreciation with enthusiasm. Appreciation is the driving force for progress and development.

Perfect Liberty 2021.21

Feel joy in doing things for others. We all live helping one another in our daily lives. Let’s find joy in helping others first.

Perfect Liberty 2011.10

Oyashikiri

Petrie Island

Sometimes, my mind is not always present. This was my first visit to Petrie Island in a long time. I parked and walked across to the inlet, and was startled by a black bird who few right up to me and landed just a heart beat away. He puffed up his chest opened his wings and I was delighted at his welcome, managed to grab a picture, and then took a few more of the water behind him and the activity in the bay. Guess who had not put her memory card back in her camera.

I grabbed for my cell phone but of course, by the time I did all that the bird and his partner were long gone. I continued on the trail chastising myself.. mutter mutter… I did get some pictures with the cell, but the cell is not my Nikon or the Canon .. The two ducks I came across were no interested in me, they basically ignored my presence. I am not standing all that far a way from them when I was taking their pictures.

I will go back. I went out today because the forecast calls for a nice temperature today, and sun, the rest of the week till Friday, is overcast with rain, and in the low 40’s. This was the first time I’ve ever not returned my memory card to the camera when done with the transfer of pictures from the card to my PC. Hopefully it will be my last.

In the summer, this location is full of people enjoying the island and the waters around it. Today it was quiet, there were people but not too many. It was ideal for a relaxing wander … I could hear all kinds of birds over head, but I lack the zoom lenses that my wildlife photographer friends have, so .. I just took my time walking the trail and listened.

meet the robin that walked along with me for part of my journey.

Oyashikiri

PL Precept #1 Life is Art

succulent you say!

photo Shirley Keen, NZ

Succulents, I remember when they were a passion and I scoured every nursery around for miles to acquire another variety for my indoor garden. Where I live in Canada, they were an indoor plant, could be put out in the summer months but for sure had to come back in come fall and winter. Eventually I moved on, but I still stop and admire them when I see them being offered in the plant section of a shop I’m in.

Interests, hobbies, change over the years, at least for me they have. I always said, I don’t have time for hobbies, but I am sure that friends who have been around me for years, will rolls their eyes and simply give a snort, should I be heard giving voice to such a statement now. Of course I don’t see all my creative interests as a “hobby” I see them as simply a part of my every day .. a way of expressing a thought, expression or to make “statement”. Words, can be so ambiguous. Mean one thing to one person, and something else entirely to someone else.

I think I am a visual person, I like to create with my “tools” for the visual results. Yet someone will argue, you are a writer, you love words and use words to create and tell “stories”. hmmmm that is true, I do that. Still I think I lean more towards being a visual person. Any thoughts on this? Are words not visual?

Today is Sunday, we have service at 10 a.m. with LIMITED capacity. I know Rev. Eugene sent out a notice earlier in the week, for those of you who will not be attending physically due to the limited physical seating, please join us in prayers this morning, from the comfort of your homes. If you are able to connect to the service in Brazil, use the link provided by the church Hokyoshi and enjoy!

Do everything willingly and joyfully. Your upbeat attitude will make things more cheerful and enjoyable.

Prefect Liberty 2021.18

longing

NZ photo by Shirley Keen

I want to be outside, I want to be outdoors, wandering through the woodlands, I want to be alone on a lost pathway, alone with my thoughts, the birds, and the wildlife that abounds around me, my only company. Wanting is not doing. Sometimes we just have to wait to do what we want to do. Sometimes we need to practice patience.

Today I am practicing “patience” and I’m not all that good at it. One would think after all the years I have had in the world and the chances I’ve had to practice patience, I’d have a better handle on it. Sigh.. I still have to work at it.

Do everything willingly and joyfully. Your upbeat attitude will make things more cheerful and enjoyable.

Perfect Liberty 2021.18

Tomorrow is another day…

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