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Posts tagged ‘art’

Good morning smile, happy day!

bird, Shoebill, aka Whalehead or shoe billed stork from Africa, livdes in swamps from Sudan to Zalmbia

Isn’t this just the cutest most adorable face.. looks like a big smile plastered on his/her face.  Its real, it’s called a Whale-head or Shoe-billed stork an dis found in tropical east Africa.  It can be found in large swamps from Sudan to Zambia.  It is interesting what can compel a person to want to go somewhere, this bird I’d really love to experience.  See it walk, hear how it communicates, what a wonderful morning discovery.

Swamp Art - The Ferryman's End in Eastern Ireland.  Victoruia's Way, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

 

This Swamp Sculpture can be found in Eastern Ireland.  It is called the Ferryman’s End. (Victoria’s WayRoundwood.co. Wicklow, Ireland)   I’ve been to swampy areas in my travels, but I have never experienced for myself some of the world known swamp lands,   I was most intrigued by this sculpture, the artist had to conceive the idea, build it, and then place it. Amazing workmanship.   Since swamps to me are just boggy areas found in low lying land and usually freeze over come the cold weather. Swamps that house alligators, crocks and life forms all year round due to the totally different climate and geography hold a fascination for me.

swamp forest, Haida Gwaii BC,Canada

This is Swamp Forest in Naikoon Provincial Park, Haiida Gwaii, BC. Canada, I found this picture while looking for inspiration to  make a one of a kind doll that was going to be a swamp fairy.

Swamp -Ssouth Carolina

Photo by John Hunter, 9/2005 – he canoed through the swamp in South Carolina, I’m afraid that this morning I have lost myself in the swamps.   This can happen, I was going to talk on a very different subject, blame it on the Shoe-billed stork, his smile just captured my imagination and off I went further into the swamps. =^_^= I make no apologies, the artists/photographers of these pictures did such a good job of catching the moment, preserving them for us to enjoy, that I willingly wandered from point X to point B.  My choice. … now what do you think, I found this  house, wonder if it is for rent.  I might sit a spell and delight in the moment.  Care to join me?

wee home

Life is what we make it… thanks for travelling with me this morning.. on our mini journey. Happy Saturday!  Oyashikiri

 

Cat on a hot tin roof

Cat on a hot tin roof by Tennesse Williams - movie direted by Richard Brooks

I have to be honest here, I vaguely remember this movie, and the play by the same name. the movie was based on play by the playwright, Tennesse Williams.  The  movie was released in September of 58.  The names Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, are familiar, these were people I did read about, and hear about.  Somehow in my mind Burl Ives was a jovial character who sang some song to do with reindeer.  I’m likely all wet here, I’m testing my memory. No I do not want to be young in years again, I love where I am now. thank you very much!!  LOL  I’ve earned it!

mirror, via Leonor

First impressions, we only get to make them once. Because the movie Cat on a Hot Tin Roof made such a splash, and I being as young as I was at the time, Elizabeth couldn’t ever escape my thinking that she was very beautiful, and very bad.   Paul Newman, well I never saw past his blue eyes, and in later years I saw his name on salad dressing.  But…. I always did have a soft spot for the young rebel types, remember James Dean. =^_^=   (the reason at the time I even took an interest was because of the word CAT, ah for the age of innocence!) Sub-conscious thoughts often have deep roots!

Of course this is all very shallow and as an adult I realize and understand so much more about life. Movies, fan magazines television and the like, are the product(s)  of creative minds who  come together to entertain and feed inquiring minds. Truth be told, glamour aside, in reality acting is a profession,  a  career, these people live just like everyone else, in the sense that they have to pay their bills, and try to succeed at what they set out for themselves. They need friends, they get sick, they hurt just like we do.  A big difference for them is that should they make it big, they are fair game for people who want to capitalize on their lives and lifestyles. Especially their appearances, heaven forbid they have a relaxed dress down day.  They are constantly being judged, with half-truths even lies being splashed all over cheap thrill rags(tabloids)  (can’t really call them newspaper!)   We’ve all seen them, they are displayed like candy in all the check out counters across North American.

night,via Hailie Carter

We all want and desire, respect and courtesy in our own lives, we value our privacy, how is it that we don’t extend that to others around us. Do our acts, our words, reflect how we value and appreciate our friends, partners, even strangers on the street.  What does our demeanor  say to people we meet.  Please give some thought to this today, as you progress through your day.

cabin, via Provestra

Choose to be in a peaceful place.  Choose to smile from the heart. be the sunshine in your world and share it with others.

May you avoid the temptation to treat love/friendship as a mere commodity today.. love and friendships are precious gifts.  Blessings upon all who know it and willing reach out to another.

Pl Precept # 15.  All is a mirror                   Oyashikiri …………..  

 

pictures>Pinterest

Change of plans

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Thanks to my sister, I had a great walk on the Quebec side of the river today, Yes it rained off and on, but it didn’t deter us from our mission.  For her it was “must” stop at Tim Horton’s for toast and coffee.  When you drive everywhere, it was a nice change to do this little “hike” from my Mother’s to the Timmy’s down the way. Walking I found  that there was a little creek  that runs along the sidewalk. AND,  that we were actually walking uphill and that by car, it is much easier =^_^=.

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The first part of our walk had us in a big box store shopping center.  However the walk home was through one of the trails in the Gatineau Parkway.  The Gatineau Park lands extend for miles and miles, it was nice to see so many runners, walkers, and bikers out enjoying the day. For me I was thrilled at being in the woodlands, hearing last year’s fallen leaves crunch under foot when I trekked off trail to inspect a tree that caught my fancy.  Seeing my first butterfly of the season!

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In the summer once the leaves are full, and the ground cover has risen to its full height, many of the treasures being discovered today will be hidden from view.  The skies were mostly overcast, so the pictures are showing you the day as it was.  It was beautiful, quiet,the earth had just enough moisture in it to give us that earthy smell that can be so intoxicating.

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I could spend hours marveling at the way the decay in this tree is unfolding into a work of natural beauty.  The insects, bugs,birds,worms, and of course the elements all have had a go at putting their imprint on the tree.

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These ducks were swimming about in the pond till we came along.  I stopped to take pictures and the casually swam towards us and walked up to the walk where we were standing.

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How cool was that.  The whole day was perfect…. I  got to spent time with my sister who is here for a visit.. walking, talking and just enjoying the day.  Something we have not done in years.  It didn’t matter the forecast was for cloudy skies and rain,  being together was sunshine and the rainbow in my day.  I hope you all had a great day too.

smilePencil

 

 

photographs -Q

Hull,Quebec (Gatineau)

dag/Hallo, hello? you hearing me?

 

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Buen dia. bonjour, once the greetings are said, how carefully do you listen.  Do you sometimes feel that you are talking into a void, even though you have someone there, talking with you, do you sometimes feel their thoughts are elsewhere? When it happens to you, how do you react, do you pretend you don’t notice, or do you  end the conversation and move along.  I guess it can depend on the situation.  I was on the receiving end of such a conversation last night, someone initiated a conversation with me, then suddenly it was as if, the person was in another room, then he said he had another incoming call, would I mind waiting. Sound familiar, happen to you?   My reply is to say, hey no problem call me back when you have time, and I hang up.  I personally would not do that to someone I had called, nor do I appreciate someone doing it to me.  Call me old-fashioned, but if you call to speak with me, then whoever else is calling can wait.

More and more with the new technology the niceties  are slowly fading in our interaction with others.  Communication is peppered with icons, acronyms and broken down sentences so that maybe your message is understood, maybe it  isn’t.  Our cell phones, iPads, note books even make spelling  corrections for us, that can and often completely change the direction or context of the message being sent. The question should be, not only can you hear me, but do you understand what I am saying to you.

I have one friend who can drive me crazy when he texts … I can see he is writing, and so I wait, the little pen stops, and nothing comes across to my screen, he does this several times, so I can see that he has something to say, but what I also see is he changes his mind 3, 4, sometimes 5 times and then says nothing.  It is a catch 22, I’m thrilled at being able to text to friends all over the world, have real-time conversations, but on the other hand,I miss a good old-fashioned letter, where thoughts are carefully put on papers, maybe even a few doodles, then signed with care/ love, and sent.  The recipient always knew that the person who wrote, spent time composing and thinking about what to share, then took the time do do an envelope and post the visit  for you to receive and enjoy.  Snail mail, miss it!

The empty corridor reminds me of  communication today, we are in such a hurry to get on to the next task or conversation, we miss out on the nuances and often the intent of the conversation we are currently having.  Listening will soon be a lost art.  The ability to have a real meaningful conversation will it fade into history too?  We all want to have, and be good friends.  And,  Lit we desire  relationships that are long lasting and enduring.  To achieve this, after we say our Guten Tag, we really do have to listen and be present in the conversation we are entering into. Yes!  Listen to others carefully and with a clear mind.

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pictures -Pinterest

 

Second chances

life is a mirror - pix found on flickr

No matter how hard life can seem at times, face it head on.  Live in the present, deal with today, every moment is a chance to approach the challenge in an artistic way.  If you have already tried to deal with it one way, and that way didn’t satisfy your requirements, then re-evaluate the situation.  If it involves someone else, or others, then you have to really understand your motivation for the change(s).  The only person you can change is yourself.  You can present options, and suggest when it comes to others, but you yourself cannot change them.  They might try to change for you, but it will be short lived, if it is not something that they themselves really want to do..

second chances

Second chances, when you ask about how others feel about second chances, you get mixed responses. Some feel that there is no such thing as a second chance, you either work out a situation or you move on, the world is full of new beginnings.  Others will say, if you are given a second chance it is because the first time, was the wrong time.  Tao, belief is that there is always Yin/Yang in life.  Two sides to a coin if you will.  I have found that in life, we flow from one side to the other, that is our “Divine” gift.  The Universe balances our lives with rain, sunshine, clouds and clear skies. When we make time to reflect/pray/meditate, we find the beauty in our lives, and appreciate them for what they are, “moments in time”….    Good Day Everyone… may your day be blessed with love and activities that make for happy memories.               Oyashikiri

via Zuly L - Pinterest

 

The skills and patience, the eye of the photographer, never cease to amaze and delight.  Often the photographer is not listed, I hope that they eventually get to see just how much their “art” is appreciated and enjoyed.

 

 

* flickr

** Pinterest

*** Zuly  on Pinterest

Do you glance or do you read?

Good morning everyone..  earlier this week I received my PL Newsletter from Rev. Goto on New York.  In it, he has shared with us an article by Rev Toshio Suzuki*  His article began with a sentence that I read and re-read several times thinking that there was a typo.  It took a couple of readings and then going on and reading the next two sentences before what he was saying sunk in.  I am guilty myself at times of thinking I’m reading, but in fact my eyes are scanning and the brain is taking in what it is reading, but NOT necessarily  assimilating the information the way it is intended.

His opening paragraph is as follows.  Conviction and Faith, by Rev. Toshio Suzuki … If you want to see the truth of your faith, you should try to practice it very doubtfully,like “is it really true or not?”  Then you will come to the conclusion.  There is nothing more useless than neither doubting nor  believing.   To read more of what is said, please contact Rev. Goto in our New York church for a copy of this PL Newsletter.  His e-mail is goppoy@icloud.com   If you are in the NY area  (718)-424-8815.

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While researching for a previous blog I found several interpretations or versions if you will of a photograph of the Mad Hatter as played by Johnny Depp. This is the one that struck me the most, and I went back to find it to use it today.  Since the picture had no explanation, as to how or why it was coloured the way it was, I can’t pass that information on to you.  I could only view it and  enjoy it from my perspective.  Most pictures I saw were in shades of black and white.  Like Rev. T.Suzuki’s words, this picture had arrested me in my search by making a statement that connected with something inside me.  I wanted more.  I really looked at it closely, the shading, the lace, the fingerless,frayed gloves, bandaged thumb,  the assorted pieces of accessories, everything.  All of the costume was very artfully pulled together to draw and capture the viewer’s attention.  When we are visual, which I am, the picture shouted at me, and I responded.  Words,are not as visual, they are a group of letters that come together to form a word.  We must read the words not necessarily by themselves, but with the words that come before and after them to really understand the intent of the writer.

floral Geranio by ceferreira on flickr

Sunshine Blessings to you on this 22nd day of April.  Oyashikiri

remember, we can all look at the same picture , read the same words, and come away with our very own story-line.

 

* Rev.Toshio Suzuki former principal of PL Elementary School, Japan  (40Years)

picture of flower, Geranio by cefferreira.flickr.jpg

picture Mad Hatter> Pinterest

Bom dia, happy Saturday everyone!

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A lazy start to another wonderful day, closes my eyes, smiles and remembers yesterday. Would you look at this tree, how old must it be, how extraordinary its experiences in life must have been.  It is hard to tell from a picture just how  high that opening is, right away, I want to climb up to explore inside.  In some ways it reminds me of a big bird with its mouth open, and other times when I look at it, I imagine its the entrance to a hobbit condo.  Imagination is wonderful isn’t, so is intuition.  Both are gifts we were born with, some of us use these gifts more than others.

 

 

 

cherry blossoms -peaceful by Glenn Waters

It is still too cool in this part of the world, to lay in the shade basking  under the warm healing sunshine, but in other parts of the country this could be one of your options today.  Yes I am a bit of a day dreamer, but what is wrong with taking a bit of “laid back” time for yourself.  Value your intuition, often we “know” a little voice tells us, we “need” to slow down, engage in some “me time”. Instead we look at our lists, or to the voices of friends who want to go here, there and everywhere, and you become “busy, busy busy”.  We are not machines, and we all know that machines break down, require ongoing maintenance.  Unlike the tree in the first picture, we might not show our scars and our age in the same way, but instinctively we do know when its time to rest, when we have pushed ourselves to a limit. The “Universe” looks out for us, Believe and have Faith, listen to your “intuition”, stop planning every minute of your day.  Allow time in your day to  P L A Y.  Don’t wait for a better time, that time will never just materialize.  Be good to your SELF today.  PRAY=recharge,  rain or shine, make this a day you’ll remember.            PL Precept #18.   Each moment is a Turning Point.

LIFE IS ART……    LIVE IN PERFECT LIBERTY (PL #1 and 21)

                       May your day be full of blessings you will enjoy and cherish forever …….    Oyashikiri

pictures> Pinterest

 

Wishing you a happy start to your day!

buffet,day

Let your day be a smorgasbord of challenges that excite and provoke you in a positive way. Sometimes we allow our days to be routine, we choose to do the same thing over and over again, in the very same way.  Try something different, whatever you do, put your whole heart into everything you  do, even it is as simple taking the stairs instead of the elevator.=^_^=

Just as the Earth goes through a never ending cycle of rebirth and renewal, so do we.  You are a spiritual being, a divine life in expression.  Life is Art.

buffet,night

Come the end of day, know you have done your  best,  to live each moment of your day, the best  way you could.  That is all that is asked of you.        Blessings…..       Oyashikiri

pictures>Pinterest

Nature’s natural beauty

prehnite, a stone that heals the healer, indues deep meditation,useful in visualization, and is powerful in contracting the higher selfHave you ever been enraptured by a crystal.  Mesmerized by the dancing light that is caught and redirected by the facets natural or man made.  This is a picture of Prehnite.  It is said that this mineral, heals the healer enhances precognition and inner knowing while aiding in accessing higher spiritual beings.  It has also been said that it induces deep meditation and is useful in visualization.  This mineral is on my “to see”  list next time we are visiting the museum not far from here. (note to self… mark calendar now for the Rock and Mineral show in Bancroft this summer!)

crystal tip

Somewhere in your home, jewelry box, desk drawer, do you have a stone or personal amulet.  We all have different ways of thinking and feeling, some of us will readily admit to having a slight leaning towards the magic of crystals and symbols, while others will deny any interest, yet they carry around a special coin or button a souvenir or memory from another time.  For awhile I had so many boxes, drawers and displays of the many minerals I’d collected either for display or wearing it was silly.  I really had too many, yes too many, how can I say that, or why do I say that? Simple, once you have so much of something that you no longer see all the wonderful treasures you collected, and barely remember then till you actually lay eyes on them again, then in my book, you’ve passed into the realm of a collector or hoarder.  If that mineral, gemstone or object that you once desired is now just sitting gathering dust, or in  a box packed away from the light and air that it grew in, why are you still holding on to it.

Labradorite, powerful protector in the mineral kingdom, protects against negativity

Did you know that Labradorite is the most powerful protector of the mineral kingdom, creating a shielding force throughout the aura.  It strengthens natural energies from within and protects against   negativity.  If you are going to explore alternate levels of consciousness, this is the mineral to have at hand.  Have you noticed, that I am tying in the natural wonder of the earths gifts to states of mind that we seek in our daily lives or patterns that we replay over the many “cycles” we live here on earth.  I stand guilty before you of such behaviour.  It was another of my personal lessons on letting go. LOL it wasn’t easy, it started years ago, and I am still in the process today… my “collections” were so many and varied.  Each time I did “let go” and either give away to friends/family or simply pass along, I felt an amazing sense of release, and believe it or not, if I was there to see the “objects” being admired and enjoyed, I’d swear that I saw the object glow in the light of being appreciated again.  There I’ve said it.  I may have owned it, but I no longer appreciated it.  I’m talking of objects here, but dear reader, stop and think…… this is behaviour, we often without thinking,  comes out when we are dealing with family and friends.  It is not intentional, it just happens.

Alaska,sunset,boundry range

Long Time friendships are a two way mirror, a gift … a blessing in our lives.  In the maturing process, I’ve realized just how precious a good friendship is.   Friends come in many shapes and sizes, at the core of a lasting friendship, is a bond of trust and love that endures the test of time.  Let’s enjoy and appreciate the personalities and differences we all have.

Life is Art   –    Oyashikiri

photographs >Pinterest

Goedendag =^_^= good day everyone!

3012c01dcc3059b4172570c9577826a8In church yesterday, Rev. Tiago spoke of a story he’d heard when he was back in Brazil, studying to be a minister for the Church of PL  (Perfect Liberty) It was about Oshieoya-sama .  (This is the honorific title of the spiritual leader of PL, Rev. Takahito Miki).  He was telling  us that when Oshieoya-sama was younger, (still in high school) he felt that it was important to know about computers, and that the new technology would one day play an important role in the church and society. He focused and studied hard,what he learned he taught to others in his church group. The subject matter was advanced for his age group and academic level, but he applied himself, and eventually  he wanted to take the required exams for certification on this IT technology.   The exams were attended and taken  by students in senior levels he was the only one who was still at the high school level.  When the results were finally posted, of all the students who had taken the tests, only 5  made the grade. 1 of which was Oshieoya-sama.  On being told of his accomplishment, his first reaction was one of concern, on how the others had done.

Because of his achievement at such an early age, he was signaled out to be interviewed.  Always he included his fellow students, always when asked a question, on how he had managed to get such grades and pass the exams, he referred the question to one of the other graduates, by saying ,” thank you, yes WE worked hard,” and then he would turn and ask the other student to explain the complexities of the subject.  He did not accept the attention on himself and his hard work, but on the hard work of the others who had also achieved their goals.  Yes he was the youngest, but he knew that in allowing the others to have their time being interviewed it would help them along their career paths.

I so appreciated hearing Rev. Tiago talk about Oshieoya-sama.  His little story was a reminder for me  to put into practice more, the  21 Principles in PL,  in particular   #4 to live with the spirit of Misasage (Devotion) working for the happiness of others.

It is so easy to get caught up in our own little worlds. In PL we are encouraged to pray for the happiness of others and society.   to strive to do things for the sake of other, and pray for their happiness as well.  Many of us will often review the PL 21 Precepts.  How often do we review the 21 Principles?    the PL 21 Principles, are the practical guidelines  for our daily lives as PL members.  They assist us in practicing the PL 21 Precepts, they are specific  guidelines how how to live the PL WAY. (an artistic life) and teach us how to reach a positive state of mind.  Anyone wanting to know more about what Rev. Tiago had to say yesterday, or to consult with him, Rev Tiago de Medeiros Chagas  –   tiago@perfectliberty.ca  or by phone 613-225-1850

flower,pink Chilean bell flower

 Pink Chilean bell flower

Even when we think we have put our best effort into what we are doing, we may have overlooked something. with a humble mind, take a second look, check for that there isn’t something you’ve missed.  Mistakes and oversights happen.  They are just part of life… little hiccups along the way.

Smile…  have a great day….. do your best to spread sunshine and happiness to others.    Blessings be……………..    Oyashikiri

photographs ->Pinterest

 

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