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)
Good morning,
Meet Pippa, she is a female Whippet who lives with her human parent(s). You can see that in her very short time with them, she knows how to handle them so that life is extra good for her. I’m told that she is a very patient and willing model, just look at that face.. her eyes are wise beyond her years. A ride to work in a warm cozy wrap with a fall coloured whimsical cap – she’s got style. What better way to get around and keep her pedicure and paws perfect for her lazy sprawl on the living room couch after a hard day.
Her owner graciously allowed me to share her pictures, Pippa can be found on Instagram, she is a raising star in the “diva dogs” on Instagram pippa_g_thats_me Pippa was born, in the spring of 2017 and lives in Austin TX. If you enjoy a smile from time to time, she is a whippet you might like to follow. She already has a lot of followers, the numbers grow everyday.
This is the picture that caught my eye. I call it the Gatsby look. Pippa is really good, if I tried to get Velcro or Keeper to sit and model, sigh, let’s just say, ” have you ever chased a hound when its got another place to be??”..Pippa you are a super model already, I look forward to following your career. Your wardrobe attendant is going to be one “busy” gal.
You all know that this has been a very challenging year for me, I am so grateful and appreciate so much the kindness of you have shown “us” The Thursday Door posts yesterday were just so varied and so interesting. With cancer now part of our lives, we are home of course, much much more. There will be no wandering the back roads, for a while, but I get to visit such fascinating places, and see so much through “your” eyes.
I wanted to share Pippa with you, because when she pops up on the screen, there is always a smile being shared.
Life is good, we are very blessed, the seasons give us blazing colours, shades of gray, brilliant whites and our views, stories and photographs all come together in a cornucopia of blessings, different for everyone, but there non-the-less.
PL Principle #3 I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things.
PL Principle #4 I will live with the spirit of Misasage (Devotion) working for the happiness of others.
“Do your best to live in harmony with the world around you. Life will flow easily and gracefully along with the current, gently caressing each adventure along the way.” Q
Oyashikiri
Pippa’s pictures (her human)
Fabric art, continued.
I was happy to learn today that the 2018 PL Calendars are here, and now available. After perusing the pages, I can’t wait to begin the new year. Plan ahead, if you are wanting to be able to send them to friends, Let us know how many you would like put away for you. Please note that the cost has been made the same all across North America. $3.00
Day of Peace ceremony will be November 1.st. 10 a.m
Let us take today’s lesson, Express Yourself Cheerfully, as a thought to carry forward into the whole week.
Remember as we begin a new week, that our relationships and the situations around us, reflect our own hearts and actions, like a mirror. When we change our surroundings, it will bring about changes for us personally too.
Happy week ahead.
Oyashikiri
original art by Q (in progress)
My long time friend, passed away Friday – if she were here, we would likely quip that “another one bites the dust” Susan and I were the dynamic duo who felt that we could do anything we wanted to. If others said it was impossible, Susan and I would sit down and work out how we could get it done. I had two friends called Susan, she was known in our circle as “little Susan” cuz that is what she was, 5’2″ if that.
Being a Taoist, for me landscaping was all about bringing nature to my property so that it would as closely resemble natural growth, Susan shared that passion, when I bought a home with a double lot, she said, I’m going to get more land too. She moved to a place where she had the kind of lot that she could build on. We were off to the races, every week-end we toured miles of countryside looking for landscaping places that would offer us plants that were not the standard backyard fare.
Susan’s passion soon outgrew her backyard, she called me one day to tell me she had decided to purchase land. We both had full-time careers in Corporate Health Care, and were raising our “young” but that didn’t stop her. Once her mind was made up, Susan was a very determined person. Over the years I watched as she took on one “project” or “passion” after another.
When I remarried in the late 90’s, we didn’t get to spend the time together that we did before, but anytime we did meet up, we picked up just where we left off. That was the kind of relationship we had. The bond we had created when we were younger, held like glue. The years passed, friends in our lives changed, but still, we knew each other like one hand knows the other.
She is gone now, at least the human form is no longer here. But her presence, the secrets we shared, the long evenings of simply “being” in the same space, discovering our “selves”.. that will always be.
Rest in peace my friend, our joy in prisms will always be a reminder of how much you are part of mine.
When love is true it lasts forever, no matter what…
true friendship is not about how often you see each other,
or how long you have known each other..
but in the truth of what you were to each other.
Q
photos along the Tay River, Ontario,Canada
I was just going to settle into bed when I heard the ping of my phone, I could have ignored it, but I wasn’t completely settled in so, I had a look. There was Mickey smiling away while in the shadows I could see a throng of people wandering, mingling the Disneyland “Park” Even at night it is able to captivate with the charm that is Disnyland.
Where I was, on a quiet street, night time had descended, and most residents on our street anyway, were safely tucked into bed. My sister on the other paw, visiting in Los Angeles was surrounded with activity and coloured lights, (3 hour time difference)
I love when I am reminded on how wonderful life is in 2017, that with technology the way it is now I can share a moment in space and time with someone (in this case my sister) and be miles away, and in a totally different “place” These are blessings friends, we experience them everyday. We have much to be thankful.
Appreciation of life, learning to share and care as a daily part of our lives, that is important.
People who choose to be toxic, who get their “highs” on the distress or perceived failures of others, who can only malign and remember past incidents that they feed on to give them a reason to live. That is SAD. we can only pray that their toxic behaviours and “sick” fumes don’t darken our paths. When they do, appreciate that you are not in “that place” give thanks for your own life, and pray that their “unwell” state of mind and being will find its way to a better place. Then move on.
PL Precept #11 Always be with God.
The negativity and disease of others, need not infect your world.
GOD is LOVE
no matter what philosophy you live by, LOVE permeates all teachings.
Oyashikiri
photo -Valerie
On a retreat this past week-end, my sister thought to share some pictures with me. In one of them, I was very taken by these big white berries. They are so plump and lush. She is in California, so her countryside where she was visiting was very different from what I have now here in the Ottawa area,
I thought at first to crop out the shadows, but then I realized that it lent a very human element to the picture. the retreat took place on a large acreage owned by the diocese of the church she belongs to. Her church and another one were holding their annual fall retreat. Before the heat of the day set in, her group, were walking some of the pathways, exploring.
The picture isn’t perfect the wildflowers look a tad blurred, but I think the reason I liked it s much was that it was being shared with me, and it had been part of her journey that day. So often in life, we want everything to be perfect, I am guilty of cropping, removing, using photo shop at times to get what I call an artist visual of whatever it is I want to express. My sister, was taking a picture simply to share her happy moment, the joy we all feel when we are outdoors on a sunny day, being warmed by the sun, perhaps a gentle breeze and fellowship.
Realizing that the sharing of a special moment was more important and let’s face it precious, than a perfect picture. Appreciation of all that comes our way, is a gift. I like many others have to practice every day, giving thanks, and being grateful for all life has to offer. ALL, not just what I pick and choose . When we learn appreciation, only then can we truly be of service to others.
Look at the view ,for as far as they eye can see . No highrise to block our view,, no constant roar of traffic. Just open land. I wasn’t there at the time she was, but I am sure enjoying it now.
It is Canadian Thanksgiving today, but appreciation and knowing how blessed we are, is something to give thanks for every day.
Oyashikiri
There is no such thing as true perfection, but happiness, and Love/GOD are very real…
PL Precept #11 Always be with God
This little flag was brought back a year ago, it was to fly happily at the church reminding one and all, that we should be thankful at all times. Somehow, it just never got put up, and it was only discovered recently again, when I picked up several boxes of goodies I had to be recycled to the House of Lazarus, Community Outreach Mission, in Mountain, Ontario. *
Seeing it again, was uplifting and reminded me that I do have so much to be thankful for. I kept it, and it hangs where I can see it everyday. Actually it sits where both my husband and I can see it and rejoice at the blessing we have been given. An illness is an opportunity to revisit the purpose of life, and why we are here.
A reminder not to squander your days and nights doing things you don’t enjoy, or with people who are possibly toxic in your world. Rather than peace, love and caring, they can only offer, negatives. They project hate, greed and selfishness.
This is the Canadian Thanksgiving week-end. Families will gather, with friends and family to share the bounty in their lives.
Be sincere, be honest love with an open heart.
PL Precept # 11 ASLWAYS BE WITH GOD
NO, no turkey or ham this year..
NB* all the jewelry, name brand purses, bags etc. plus the fleece for spinning, felting and craft work, is all up at the House of Lazarus now. Please check their Facebook Page for their hours. Or check their website http://www.houseoflazarus.com
Nature has many faces, depending on where we are at a given time, what we will see and experience , are miles apart, different in every way, yet beautiful at the same time.
With the many prayers and healing thoughts coming our way, how can we not be enriched in every way, by the thoughtful and caring generosity of our friends.
PL Precept # 11 Always be with God.
PL Precept # 7 Everything exists in Relativity
Oyashikiri
Thank you, I give thanks each day you are in our lives!
bottom photo, Shirley Keen (Squally Cove) (down under)
top photos, Ompah, Ontario (Q)
My sister in law was a strong resourceful woman, she battled with medical problems what seems like forever. Yet she raised her family, say her children marry, and then the blessing of grandchildren. Had she stayed around, she and my brother in law would have celebrated I believe their 49th. anniversary.
The last few years saw her visiting the train station, more than I’m sure she wanted to, but an intelligent woman, she knew that a journey was soon to come. I never failed to marvel at her sense of “life” no matter her physical limitations, she always had an aura of vibrancy and life the emanated from her. Everyone who met her, dealt with her, enjoyed her presence. Even in the greatest discomfort, she made you feel welcome by her side. A “true lady”, genteel, she will be greatly missed.
She was a ray of sunlight that shone just a tad brighter than most.
The last few days, we saw the skies cloud over, we felt the murmur and call of the Universe.
One night the stars shone extra brightly, the next morning, we knew, she had spread her wings and flown home where she will shine down on us from up above.
The sunbeams that dance across the lakes, and caress the changing seasons, will always be a bit of Georgina, reminding us, she is not far away, Her legacy and faith in “life” will always BE.
Oyashikiri
Rest in Peace dear friend, you will never be forgotten..
