This bench is where I did my sunbathing. I cleared off most of the snow, gathered my coat around me and lay down.. closed my eyes and basked in the sunshine. There was a gentle warmth that warmed my face. I was in a happy space. It was so quiet, there were no birds singing, no little critters running about. I had the place to myself. Where was I, in the middle of a bog. It was at least a twenty minute walk to the spot where I was lying down. The boardwalk you can see still has snow packed on the boards, but with the use of my walking stick it was doable. The first bench I came to, (boardwalk photo) was totally covered in hard packed snow. Make no mistake, this area is still in its winter wardrobe.
Sun bathing in winter is not something I usually do. This was a first actually. Would I do it again, yes… it was pleasant, and I liked the silence. If you look at the bench photo, you can see where I dropped a peanut in case a little critter wanted to join me.. I had no takers. What time was all this, somewhere between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30..
“Make today a memorable day. Let’s try to put our whole heart into whatever we say or do, as our unique signature.
Wander happily through the open landscape, enjoy the clear blue skies.. today is another day!
Make happiness with willingness. People who like to make an effort can enjoy anything. Those who spare no effort for anything and anyone know the joy of making art. Make an effort with willingness.
A hideaway, a secret rendez-vous.. somewhere some place, an idyllic get away, I couldn’t resist when I saw this bit of landscape, I wanted to go up and be part of the scenery.. sit under a tree, enjoy the breeze coming off the water’s edge. But … it was not my place… someone else lived there. I was a passerby … who fell in love with that moment in time.
Of course this would have made a wonderful post for my Thursday Door challenge that I participate in, but today is not Thursday, it is Sunday, and this is when the picture fell out of my file … I couldn’t pass it by. I wanted to share the moment with you. Life gets so busy at times, that what happens is we react and respond to what is before us. In my studies last night, I listened to a lecture given at one of the universities on coping and living through the many challenges and opportunities we are given in life. Believe me, they can be numerous at times.
The picture above was one taken a couple of years ago when I was exploring a part of the virtual world I had not been in before. It was another artist’s creation, another person’s vision, i was just lucky .. I saw it and captured it … Now I wish I had taken the time to see who the architect was that had the vision to produce such a welcoming environment.
If you have an adventure in your nature, there is a new build in SL called the Golden Place, (A tropical photogenic island, it has many hideaways where you an enjoy some awesome views if you love taking photos, or just being on a beach listening to music, you might enjoy transporting your avatar to the island to explore, http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden%20Place/99/156/22
I had a personal experience recently that showed me that I can be vulnerable and my feelings and “comfort zone” can be turned topsy turvy… life isn’t always the same old, same old “stuff”. I can’t just call up a travel agent and board a plane for Cuba or some other far away destination. I am at the moment living in a world that is smack in the middle of a snow season. Sometimes come March, spring is in the air and the world is breaking free of the winter “blues” not so this year.
As a photographer, I love the virtual world for the many opportunities I have to see and visit the creative builds of artists/builders/designers/from all over the world, The Golden Place was put together by I believe a visionary from Germany. As a music lover I can hear and experience talented performers from all over the world. I noticed the other day that there was a whole afternoon of Brazilian music being presented on another Island (Isle Du Noir).. a Brazilian guitar player from Sau Paulo … after Wes, there were two other entertainers, I believe singers (also from Brazil) who delighted audiences with their music. I was already covering the new travel location, I missed it. Still haven’t figured out how to be in two places at once.!!
I share this with you because I know I’m not alone at looking out into the snow filled world and wanting a change. We are not in a position to pick up and go anywhere at the moment, it is tax time, we are facing several more weeks of “winter” weather… exploring new possibilities within easy reach… could be an option
Meanwhile today’s calendar reads…
Always be humble. If you work on things with the attitude of asking a favour, people around you will advise you what they have noticed. there is something in fact you are not aware of that you do.
Perfect Liberty 2023.5 translation to English done in Japan.
A recent conversation with another writer/photographer was about -being alone- the comment that stuck out because I hear it so often, “I love what I do (photography) especially when I can be on my own in nature, wandering and searching out ‘possibilities”…. If you were asked your preference, do you like your alone time. is being on your own where your creativity shines through?
The ambient sounds, the birds calling, the wind, the sound of the waves … you had to be there!
This picture is from 2021… the snow was too high, visibility too poor for me to even get a picture today, but this is how the crows were lined up waiting for me to get to them. I had to park away from the area I usually drive into.. snow was too high, it was impossible to see where one could get out once in the area. I parked and hiked in… they watched my progress with rapt attention… cawing and calling out encouragement as I stumbled over a cement edging that was unseen under all the snow.
They were very appreciative, swooping down to see what goodies I’d put out in the feeding area. I saw that the corn and kibble landed in the snow … sinking in… but allowing for the birds to see where the food was. the food scraps I put near the big pole that is there.. that is where the bulk of the offerings go.. They were keen to get to the food, not even waiting for me to exit the feeding area.
I did not attempt the drive out Anderson Road to the Nature trails… if the city roads were so bad, and the parking lots still lost to shoppers, (the plows couldn’t keep up with the falling snow) I was not going to chance skidding off the country road… and being stuck for hours waiting for rescue. I know this area I was driving in well, yet I had to make educated guesses on where the lanes were. Thank goodness being Saturday, there were less cars on the road.
The weather forecasters warned that the next weeks, we would be dealing with more cold weather and snow… likely into April. !!!!!! yes I said April. No early spring. having filled my windshield washer fluid the other day, I needed to ensure I had another container of fluid, with deicer.. Canadian Tire is blocks from my place.. This is a huge store.. big parking lot.. always well maintained.. it is next to the ball park and government buildings. I was surprised to find that if you didn’t know there was an entrance at the lights, you wouldn’t know how to enter. The Walmart parking lot was the same. Neither lot had been plowed nor was there a plow working the lots.
Someone asked me.. what are the roads like, in one word… pathetic…. I would play it safe, travel at your own risk, and if you don’t need to go out… stay in.. this from the person who stubbornly goes out in most conditions.
Listen to others until the end. If you put your thoughts first, you will not be able to listen to others until the end. Firstly, listen to others to the end and understand them well.
March 2023.4 translated to English in Japan
it is what it is..no more,no less
Food prices are high.. Walmart has cheese on sale and some good specials on basic food products.The ice coffee was 2$ cheaper than anywhere else in the area. the block cheese at Metro was almost 10$ a slab… Walmart had a good selection of slabs 2/10$.. just saying.
Take action without thinking too hard. No matter how hard you try to foresee the future, you really don’t know how things will turn out. Do your best and see how it plays out.
Perfect Liberty 2022.4
Oyashikiri
another 10 plus inches due to fall over the course of the day.. .. yeah.. for real.
Yesterday the world came together to mourn the loss of one of the most loved saxophonists of all time, Wayne Shorter. He passed away Thursday morning in Los Angeles at the age of 89. His lyrical jazz compositions and pionering saxophone playing sounded through more than half a century. He was an influential jazz musician who over the span of his career touched the lives of many aspiring musicians. In 2015 he was given a lifetime achievement Grammy. He was foundational member of two of the most seminal jazz groups: Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and the Miles Davis Quintet. Someone said ” his composition and delivery are otherworldly”.
I myself in listening and researching his life and music found his music to have a “haunting” quality. Last night in a tribute to him (an hour tribute in SL by performer/saxophonist. Trowzer Boa (Dave Renz), we were reminded of how much he loved to explore the sights/sounds of the Orient. He was an innovator during an era of change.
Herbie Hancock (@herbiehancock) on Twitter said his best friend Wayne Shorter “left us with courage in his heart, love and compassion for all, and a seeking spirit for the eternal future” He went on to say. “as it is with ever human being, he is irreplaceable”. Thank you Herbie for a sentiment that says it all.
Check his smile, he had the gentlest smile and he used it often, his music will live on, he wrote and played his “heart/soul” sharing his “vision”…He was a jazz visionary.
Your smile is what’s needed. A smile invites happiness and cheer and is essential to energize others as well as yourself.
The door was closed, but I knew if I turned the handle it would open. Why did I hesitate, what was keeping me from entering? Instinctively I knew that beyond the door would be a series of opportunities/challenges. Was I ready to press forward into the unknown. Everyday we face such decisions, some we don’t blink an eye, we simply make our choice and move on. Others are not as simple, they require more thought.
Most doors are very good at what they are built for. They don’t show you what is inside, you have to approach the door, knock and enter, or wait to be admitted. Most doors keep their secrets well.
Thursday doors is a weekly challenge for people who love doors and architecture. Over time and during our travels we capture the various doorways that we encounter, then showcase or present them in a blog on Thursdays. We have participants from all over the world, I have been able to enjoy the most intriguing doors, some so colourful and exotic in their appearance, and others a mystery, whatever could the householder, or builder been thinking? Always it is a journey of wonder.
Some doors are similar and others are completely fashioned and showcased to leave the viewer intoxicated by their charm. AND… let’s not forget the old world charm and the doors that have stood the test of time.
Doors are part of our every day. How often do you walk through a door and not give it a second thought.
What is “normal” is different for each individual … Everyone has a different way of thinking and doing. It is important to understand others’ feelings.
Perfect Liberty 2021.16
In my world this applies to doors too. They are all different, and each door holds it’s own “secret” next time you go through one… see if it whispers to you….
Good morning… It isn’t just what you see when you wander the woodlands early in the day… it is what you can hear. The other morning I arrived just as a coyotes were making their way behind these trees. They were just beyond the farthest row of trees… yipping and yelping enjoying the fresh albeit cold morning air. Not long after they passed the blue jays began to call out and give their “go away” “scoot, you are not welcome” cries, then the crows chimed in, it was a free for all in the skies (with vocals)… suddenly we saw what they were screeching at… a huge shadow flew over head… the wing span was wide… it was too high and going at a good speed that meant it was travelling through… how graceful .. and how thrilling to see it soar past. We ( on the ground near the feeders ) were relieved it was heading somewhere and not interested in our little gathering…
The scene on the ground was idyllic, soft white fluffy snow coving the landscape gave everything a peaceful, lazy ambience, but the sounds and activities of the wildlife in and around the visitors area began to pick up again …once the warning and shouts of the bigger birds had subsided. There is a spirit of community between the regulars that share areas where I go. Every day I learn something new,I go every day, around the same time give or take, and always there is something new to appreciate. or something I pick up on that I recognize that I would not have noticed 3 years ago when it all began.
Over the many days/weeks seeing the wildlife, standing in their environment, letting them do what they want to do, just appreciating the space … preferably I am standing still, or sitting… just observing.. they are use to me (most of them) I get to visit with them …up close .. at times they are less than an arms length away from me. It is awesome.
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
Be a messenger of Peace. always think “for the sake of others and society” and express yourself for the happiness of all people.
Perfect Liberty 2022.1
A photographer friend I met years ago in my “woodland journey” said to me… standing still .. in one place.. enables you see so much of the world around you. I agreed, and it is why I find it so important to stand still and simply BE whenever I can. From one spot, you can see and capture (photograph) hundreds of interesting and thought provoking moments.
You hear me say this often… two people standing side by side can be looking in the same direction, and both see something completely different. Add to that. we all interpret what we see in a unique way. what we see will be based on our own knowledge and personal experiences.
PL Precept #15 All is a mirror
Oyashikiri
Have a sunshine day everyone! Bom dia a todos! Que assim seja .
If the giraffe here was in my back yard, maybe his head would be out of the snow, maybe. That is how much snow has fallen these past weeks. Good morning, Bom dia a todos. Here we are heading into another month. A few days ago, so much of the snow accumulation we’ve had Jan. and early Feb. was really disappearing, Now. . . we have had so much snow fall the last 48 plus hours.. the snow piles in areas where it had not been taken away ( our street had been cleared of the snow piles) the snow is deep enough that cars were getting stuck on our street, and neighbours and passer bys had to help get them going again,
Snow on my back steps was over 10″ deep almost the depth of my broom ( I was trying to sweep the steps, determining if it was a good idea to venture out or not.) I don’t know when it stopped snowing, I do know that I went out twice (in the back) to shovel a path for the dogs.. Had to do it a couple of times, that is how hard and fast the snow was falling. There is one section of the yard where the snow is taller than I am.. I am 5’3″ and shrinking.
Today’s calendar message is about World Peace.
Let’s pray for World Peace. The path to World Peace will open up with each person’s prayer for peace.
Good morning! as many of us look out at the bleary overcast morning, in my case, there is a heavy curtain of wet sticky snow falling making visibility very poor. I’m told by a friend whose work has her driving the roads, that they are very slippery. All around the city school buses are being cancelled, people are being asked to stay off the roads unless necessary.
What makes it difficult, is yesterday afternoon it was darn right balmy, roads were all dry and bare. But.. with the drop in temperatures over night, and the snow that has been falling now for hours, driving has become dangerous… there is black ice under the freshly falling snow .. drivers don’t know its there until they need to slow down or come to a stop and the wheels keep sliding.
If you have to go out, which some of us do… take your time. Personally I have decided not to venture out, especially my garage door is acting up .. and I may or may not even be able to open it this morning. Yesterday I had to manually get it open, and it was not easy getting it closed. With all this snow, I don’t want to have the garage filled with windswept snow etc. if I can’t get the door to close after I drive out.
Friend and photographer Shirley Keen in NZ was out walking yesterday, this is her “neighbourhood” .. just looking at the beach, water and hills in the distance was a breath of fresh air.. So…even tho’ I’ve already posted today, I wanted to shar the moment with you. What came to mind was that expression, “it must be five o’clock somewhere in the world” … in this case..we might be snowed in here, but somewhere else it is sunny and warm.
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.
dymoonblog 