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Friday

Nature in abstract

I have been going often enough now.. they don’t fly away when I am working around the feeders, they don’t get chummy, but they do stay where I can get a good look at them. I’m close enough that I can see that each one of them has its own unique colour pattern, subtle, never-the-less some have more brilliant yellow, some more mustard colour, there is even softer shades of the golden hues. The contrasting black can be like an ebony while a few have more of a charcoal black, then of course there is the blinding white that stands out so dramatically.

This was my morning visit. After I pruned back broken twigs and branches that were in the way, and filled the feeders that needed tending to. I just stood there, letting them come and go, fly by, settle and eat. It was fascinating to see them at such a close range. It is a wonderful feeling to know that I’ve been able to gain their trust enough that they allow me to be so close.

The forest floor is covered in an array of shapes of all sizes, the snow that blankets the fallen timber and dead branches makes for natural abstract visuals. I come away feeling very pampered that I have been able to enjoy not only the fresh air, and clear blue skies, but the company of active birds, squirrels and ….. the odd human that wanders past .. heading out on one of the trails.

I must ask next time I see one of the photographers, where all the cawing and squawking is coming from that I hear off in the distance. Or… maybe.. just maybe, one day I’ll take the walking poles and head out for a stroll. So much to look forward to.

Listen carefully and speak clearly. A good relationship starts from truly understanding each other.

Perfect Liberty 2021.5

Oyashikiri

Cardinals

Energy springs from your smile. A smile makes you and others cheerful and energetic.

Perfect Liberty 2021.4

Oyashikiri

My thanks to Kevin whose patience paid off, I am now able to share these two beautiful birds with you. =^_^=

snow removal

I had no idea of course because it is just a natural normal part of our winters, that so many of you are unfamiliar with what I am talking about when I talk of snow in this part of Canada. We have been very lucky for the last many years, we don’t see a ton of snow like we used to.. But.. Mother Nature still keeps us in line with reminders.

Thought it would be fun to show you some pictures. Photos are taken from the internet.

When we have X amount of snow that falls, I have a contractor that comes and pulls the snow out of my narrow laneway. All this snow gets piled in the front of the house, causing snow banks. After a couple of such storms, then the city crews come along and clean up.

This is the company JR that I contract with. See the smaller vehicles .. these are dispatched all over the city to the homes and business that they clear for. parking lots and bigger areas, would be tended to by the pick ups with the plows on the front.

I enjoyed the communications I received over my post. Now you know when I am fascinated at how you can still get out and do gardening in winter months.. This is what makes life so interesting. How in just a short distance the weather systems and patterns can be so different. Friends in PA, USA each got the same snow warnings, one told me they were lucky if they got 6 inches and it fell lightly over a couple of days, while just north an hour plus away, the dump was over 13 inches.. and it was still coming down when that figure was given.

We are so blessed to live in a world that gives us such a variety of weather, that we are always using our creativity and ingenuity to adapt. I recall years ago.. when the snow plowing and removal wasn’t what it is today .. where I snow shoed or X-country skied to work. I worked in a hospital, and lived only 10 minutes by car, but there was no getting the car out of the laneway. ( A fond memory)

See, this is why I find you all so special, I thoroughly enjoy reading your thoughts, seeing your pictures and learning about life from your perspective.

The everyday things you do will show when it really counts. If you have a tendency to be careless about everyday matters, you cannot expect to perform well at crucial times.

Perfect Liberty 2020.3
now my crows will be waiting for their breakfast !
love and appreciate YOU !

Happiness is, seeing this sign

this is a sign that brings out a happy smiles

When you turn down your street and see this sign, you can let out a holler…YAY!.. It is the city telling you that your street is scheduled to have the snow removal crews visiting your street/area between those times. Everyone makes a special effort to clear the cars off the street. You find a place to park if you don’t have a laneway. They came this afternoon. Now when I look outside, my street, and sidewalks are clear of snow!

We live in a part of Canada that can get serious snow, but we are also blessed with a wonderful Cleaning and Mtce crew.. It doesn’t take long for our streets and highways to be cleared, (major)… side streets do take longer, but all in all, we have a very efficient system.

Improve yourself to have a kinder heart. Do what you can to be caring and considerate to make others happy.

Perfect Liberty 2021.3

Begin each day with a renewed sense of appreciation.

Perfect Liberty 2014.6
the snow in the woodlands is still big and fluffy =^_^=

Tradition

this stamp is available from Canada Post

Tradition in my house is that prior to the new year, I set myself to clearing out the debris from the previous year, to prepare for a brand new year. My parents were very “Chinese” in that they always celebrated the coming of the new lunar year. My Father would take me to the formal functions at the Chinese Consulate, and in later years, my Mother and I would almost always attend the functions at the Embassy. It was very important to her, thus making it important to me. It was a time to meet with friends and family that you have not seen during the year or seldom saw, and importantly meet and make new friends.

There was entertainment and LOTS of good food. I use past tense, only because I have not attended a formal function for years. When my Mother got ill and was unable to attend .. we just didn’t get there, and of course life over the years changed.. My husband than took ill, passed away, and I have been adjusting ..that is what life is.. an ever changing experience.

However that said, that is the social aspect of the coming of the new year. Spiritually, I have maintained and always cherish the time of meditation/prayer of what was.. and what is. In PL, we have special services/ceremonies that are performed 1st of the month, Day of Peace, where we pray for World Peace, the 11th. Ancestors Day, where we give thanks for our ancestors who came before us, making our presence in the NOW possible, and the 21st. Thanksgiving/ Appreciation for the blessings we experienced during the month and where we express our gratitude.

I faithfully attend these services, if not in person, at my own “family alter” it is part of the tradition (in my world) of keeping the commitment to do my best in the new year. The celebration of the Lunar new year, begins .. and then continues (for me) throughout the year, by honoring the decision to be a better person by attending and being present for the services that encourage a positive and useful life of service. Changes begin within ourSelves. For a better world, we have to start with our own behaviour, thoughts and actions.

I will not have complaints about others, matters nor the weather. Rather I will always be creative and will look for shortcomings in my own thinking and actions.

PL Principle #2

I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things.

PL Principle #3

I will live with the spirit of Misasage (Devotion) working for the happiness of others.

PL Principle # 4

So saying, I look forward to the new year. I live every day as best as I can to be as positive and helpful as I can be. This past year, I have been trying to be better at “self care”. It is easier to look outward than to work on our own shortcomings.

Whatever your thoughts, faith, or life… the lunar calendar begins February 12. You have time to start sweeping.. ( sweeping out the old) to prepare for the coming of the “new”. My red symbols are out, I have already put out my welcome sign at the door .. (welcoming the new year) I’ve put one in my office/studio too, to encourage me when I let the “day” get to me. I look and there is the happy ox smiling at me.

for each and everyone of you.

Always be with God

Perfect Liberty Precept #11

God appears through One’s Self.

Perfect Liberty Precept #3

Day of Peace

Shirley Keen, NZ

Abide in me, and I in you.

John 15:4

Don’t hesitate to show kindness to others. Do you ever find yourself hesitating to show kindness to someone? It is when you put your thoughts into action that you can show others what is in your heart.

Perfect Liberty 2014.31

Have a “Lets do it Attitude. Comece o dia de hoje com um sorriso

Perfect Liberty 2021.14

Oyashikiri

February 1 fevereiro

Shirley Keen, NZ

Each Persons Peace leads to World Peace. First of all, you have to be happy. That happiness will spread and be the foundation of World Peace

Perfect Liberty 2021.1

Paz Para cada pessoa, Paz no mundo.

Perfect Liberty 2021.1

Oyashikiri

In a land far away

It is nice to be able to travel and explore the creativity of others, This is Japanese themed Estate. Gardens and Bath house.

It is beautifully done and welcomes tourists to come explore and enjoy … photographers are welcome. If you are an SL traveller, this is the link http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/BASED/95/16/24

When I was a child, my father would take me to places that now are only distant memories. These memories come back to me when I explore Asian builds in the virtual world.

Don’t think overly about people. Instead of being excessively concerned about others, focus on what yhou should do.

Perfect Liberty 2021.31

During these times of restricted travel, virtual travel is actually a great way to learn about other cultures, and places you’ve never been before. In SL I have met so many wonderful and interesting people, I have been a virtual traveler since 2007. I’ve met people from all over the world, and I’ve expanded my ability to stretch my creative ideas in more ways than I can count. Bonus.. I’ve made friends, good friends who have crossed the border into what we call RL (real life). The reality is, we are who we are, no matter where we are, or how we are expressing ourselves.

Enjoy today, it will not come around again.

Oyashikiri

clear your mind

There are days when you want to simply clear your mind of all the mental debris that lingers in the crevices and nooks and crannies that fill up the space between your ears, and behind your eyes.

At home we can dig out the vacuum cleaner and do our best to manually suck up the dust and dander that has collected over time. If you are lucky enough to have hardwood or uncarpeted floors, you might even get to sweep up the different dust bunnies that have gathered here and there within easy reach. The mind however, can be a little trickier to unclutter.

Today I spent time enjoying the quiet of the church. With the pandemic having our city on lock down, the church is experiencing a lull in human activity. There is something to be said about being quiet, allowing the stillness to weave its magic .. and then accepting and allowing the mind to empty itself without haste, or worry.. When we meditate/pray, the heart rate mellows out, and tensions ease away. It is an amazing experience, and yet.. it is something that we often postpone, or put aside “till we have time”. Now more than ever, we need to make the time for reflection and “letting go”.

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

I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things.

Perfect Liberty Principle #3

Oyashikiri

photo- by Nick

crows

A friend came over and left me a big steak, a fillet of salmon and a package of bacon that had freezer burn. I chopped it all up into little pieces and this morning set out a buffet for the waiting birds. Even as they landed to grab pieces and then fly away, there were so many of them, that I lost count .. I knew that by the time I positioned myself and got the camera ready, poof they’d be off. In less than 10 minutes, the ground was clear of all signs that there had been a feast.

What I don’t get is there can be an empty sky, when I arrived there was one crow on a snow bank, he flew up into a tree as I drove in, and parked. By the time I scattered the food, they were all waiting, well a portion of them. As I drove away to give them space and position myself over a ways, I could see more crows coming from blocks away. How do they know? How do they communicate? Like after any big meal, some sat around just chilling, others left. Certainly there was nothing left on the “table’.

I noticed when I got to the one trail that I go to, this morning there were crows. I seldom see crows there, I would have liked them to stay around, but on my arrival they all took off. My usual crew of Evening grosbeaks, blue jays, woodpeckers and the little birds were hovering waiting… I set about filling feeders, dusting snow, and spreading the peanuts and sunflower seeds. Wasn’t long before the dining area was full of chatter and flapping about.

The beautiful cardinal was there this morning (guess I was early enough to catch sight of him) his female companion was there too. I was pleased that I was able to distinguish her by her head/shape and colouring. I’m getting better at recognizing the ones that I see regularly. I am even flattered that there are some of the chicks now that will actually land on me pecking at what is in my container. A few are as bold as brass.

Even the naughty little squirrels that I scold for getting into or on the flat feeders.. will just look at me now and talk back to me. so…. guess who went and got them their own peanuts complete with shells. Gosh.. is there hope for me… LOL it is fun. and I am getting my fresh air.

Be careful about saying “Its probably good enough” Wholeheartedly do what you notice, when and how you notice it.

Perfect Liberty 2021.29

Oyashikiri

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