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family

Yes there were better pictures, but I wanted to share my special friends (family) from yesterday. These two little girls, are such a joy and Eartha, well she and I have been friends for years.. we are like simply “sisters” from start to finish.

I can’t recall the last time I did a siss boom bah and a chika latta, chika latta chika latta Boom, cheer in a public parking lot before. It was great fun, I didn’t even remember that I knew the cheer. But here I was out in the parking lot showing little A, the footwork, jump and cheer in the parking lot. My older niece is grade A gymnast, she had gone on with her Mother to another location, or she would have outshone our jumps for sure.

Letting go, enjoying the day, and today still enjoying the glow. there is something very special about sharing time with those we love. don’t squander your days, include your family and friends when you can.. Thanksgiving is for everyday.

Love is

Oyashikiri

Chop Suey Monday

retreat snowberries 2

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,

retreat snowberries 3

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.

retreat snowberries 4

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

dragon soft

dragon soft

Acrylic abstract, created to soothe and calm.  Relaxing to do, and a pleasure to enjoy.

PL Precept #1   Life is Art

—————————————————————————————————————————————— the day started at an easy pace, we were all still worried about Sam’s delay, the estimated time of arrival was July 11th. mid day.  Finally when we still had not heard, we had no choice but to wait till today.

The surprise was that  Celine arrived a day early… so time was taken getting her settled into her rooms.  Her hair was a fright.  Nothing would do but she wanted time at the spa.

MGA Entertainment 2009

Sam bless her heart, finally arrived, by this time, we were nearing panic mode.  All is well, Dragon Soft, kept us calm.Sam getting used to being here 7.12.17Sam was really tired, we have all decided it is best to let her rest up before we  find out about her journey here.  (from United Kingdom) (A girl for all Time)

Both young ladies will add so much to our already dynamic “Family”

PL Precept # #7  Everything exists in Relativity

PL Precept #15  All is a mirror

PL Precept # 14  World Peace is Everything.

 

NB* Celine’s spa day, was a good cleaning and soaking in shampoo and conditioners.. her favourite part was the cleaning with Avon Skin So Soft


A day is made up of many segments, “chapters”  enjoy them all.  Q

Mother 1921-2017

Mother passed 3.6.17

Mother’s life was like an abstract painting, she lived creatively and managed to  keep all the  assortment of unique personalities that she loved  on one mosaic canvas.  She had an inner strength and resolve that kept her going for 96 years. Pansies were her favourite flowers.  She loved colours, when she set her mind to something, it got done. In later years, she loved to , crochet and knit in quiet times, but she dedicated much of her life to volunteering and working for the good of others.  She remained actively involved in all her charities and “projects” till well into her golden years. RIP Mother, your unconditional love and tenacious spirit, will always be with us.

PL Precept #1     Life is Art

Oyashikiri (blessings)

 

 

two pictures one”mind”

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Too tired to think, I reach for my brush, then change my mind and take the paint tube itself and simply lay the paint down,  There is no though no reason, or rhyme, my mind takes over, my hands follow directions.

horse-3-3-17

The previous night I felt tired, but I was happy, the colours and my strokes seemed to flow with ease and at a different pace.  I smiled as I posted this picture on Instagram, saying, can you see the face, or what can you see?  I was playful, I slept well.

The top picture was painted when I needed release from the stress of the day, conflict and sadness welled up inside as I faced the reality, yet again, that because you have a sibling, doesn’t mean you have a friend. In fact to feel hatred from someone you’ve known a life-time is really a very sad and hurtful  moment.

We can choose our friends, but not family.  We can walk away, we can close the door, disrespect and uncontrolled hatred that sounds in loud decibel at and around you.. is like walking into a war zone without protection. I choose to turn and walk away.

We all make choices, self-preservation is high on my list. I choose love, happiness = GOD.  With GOD in my life, I will work at being a better person.

Thank you to all of you who worry and call me, I’m fine, life is what it is.. God willing Mother will transfer over to a peaceful place, no more pain.. freedom will be hers. She had a long and happy life, she knows her family loves her, and that is everything.  Knowing you are loved, and God is with you.

Oyashikiri

 

moving day

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Stop  Hesitating  – Abandone la actitud reservada y vacilante –

When we travel, we pack up our suitcases with our destination in mind.  When we are being moved because we are at a stage in life where we need more care than can be had if we stay on our own.

Packing to go away, I never know just what I’ll need, so I take some of this and two pairs of jeans, etc.  Especially if we are to travel in our own vehicle, we can take more, “just in case”

But if someone else is packing for you, you find yourself watching, listening to the activity around you.  I am the person packing, the person watching and listening was my Mother who will be 96 on May 1st.  There was no hesitation on my part, I needed only to know what it was she wanted with her.  BUT my Mother who has travelled the world, toured China, walked the cities of Greece, bought opals in Australia,always independent and full of curiosity to see where she would visit next, now knows her destination will be to a health care facility miles away from her home city.  Temporary, never-the-less I know it is a trip she would rather not make, wanted very little.

My Mother has always been strong and stoic, whatever challenges the Universe sent her way,  she dealt with it.  She didn’t dwell on how, she simply did what was necessary to get what she wanted done.

Her attitude is.. bring it on, I’ll deal with it.  She never hesitated to live her life, so while we her daughters,  do our best to make it happen in a way that is best for her.  I believe that the Universe will watch over her.  The most important thing in life that she will need, won’t need to be packed, because God has blessed her with the Divine presence that lives within her.

PL Precept #  15  All is a Mirror

PL Precept #  3   God appears through One’s Self

PL Precept #19  Begin once you Perceive

 

pansy-kaema-blue

many steps

sewing-project

we begin with an idea…

PL Precept # 19   Begin Once you Perceive

PL Precept #17   Grasp what is most essential

project-finished

In this case, my sister lovingly sought out and found this material  and presented it to me.  I loved it..  I wanted it to be something that would be used, and appreciated every day.  I don’t get to see my sister every day, she lives in California, but I appreciate her every day. This pillow graces our bed, so every day, she is part of my daily life.   A sister is a precious gift, I am lucky and have two =^_^=

PL Precept # 7  Everything Exists in Relativity

In PL we have a Thanksgiving service every month on the 21st.  It is the most important service of the month, held at 7 pm.  Members humbly express appreciation to God for all the blessings of the past month, and sincerely renew our determination to follow and practice the PL “Way”

Our 2017  Perfect Liberty Calendars are here and ready for those interested in obtaining one or having them for gifts to friends and family for the coming year.  They are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and of course Japanese.  A reminder if you need them mailed to you, there would be a cost for the shipping.

YOU are a blessing in my life

Oyashikiri

connecting

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Caring,connecting,closeness

There is nothing else like it.

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It is truly beautiful

to observe, and even more powerful when we participate

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True, we don’t get to choose our family

but we do our friends.

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That said, when we have love in our hearts

it is there for all to see and feel

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a bond that lasts forever

is built on trust, acceptance and a love that is unconditional

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Here is your hug for today..

Pass it on…

Namaste      –      Oyashikiri

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prayer

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what will I do today

I will pray

I will walk in the sunshine

feel the sun on my face

and I will pray

when I am too tired

to walk, I will sit

in the shade

and I will pray

everything I do in life

is done with a prayerful mind

thank you God for the abundance

of love and joy in my life

thank you for the bounty at my table

and the gift of friends that care

please watch over

and provide for my friends & family

it is with gratitude in my heart

that I am beginning another day

namaste

oyashikiri

lace and life

lace

Once upon a time, I thought I would like to try my hand at doing something different.  I had seen some beautiful pieces at an antique show and wondered how it was done. Having a creative streak that just won’t quit, I began to ask around and was surprised that in my circle of friends, no one tatted or knew of anyone who did. For lace, it was also an unknown art to my immediate creative buddies.  We were one of a kind doll makers, we sculpted, sewed and worked with totally different media.

lace tatting 1940

This is a picture of a cover from a tatting book from the 1940’s. In my treasure hunting expeditions, I had seen such a tool and had not known what it was and no one around could educate me either.  Now of course with access to google search and other such vehicles, information is more at hand.  Tatting is a dying art form, it requires a ton of patience, and a love for working with very fine material and following a pattern.

lace and tatting

When I reflect back on what I could have done, and what I in the end, have done….  well …. the methods of applying my gray matter, processing information, working with chicken wire, wire,precious and semi precious metals, sculpting materials like Apoxie Sculpt. or the liquid polymers like Paverpol  and Powertex, all gave me creative ways to express my ideas, feelings and thoughts in a visual way.

needle felted by Q

This is a needle felted dancer that i did during my love affair with sheep, fleece and roving.  I like form, movement, and a sense of whimsy, I want abstract so that the viewer can find their own connection to my work.

Q paverpol victorian

Here a Victorian “mystery” woman walks away, or if she is in your garden, and you are walking towards her, =^_^= you’ll meet her in a different way. This was done with wire, and fabric so that it could withstand Canadian climate, she does come in during the winter months..

Q crochet hat

Crocheting  a hat so I could display felted flowers was the closest I got to lace and tatting.  We all express ourselves differently, what is important is that we do so in a way that will please us, and in so doing bring a smile to others.  For all of us who love to express ourselves, visually, vocally, (the written word is to me a visual expression) we are given the skills, and the tools, it is up to us to  create our own works of art.

When we do whatever it is we are attempting to do, with our full makoto (sincerity) and focus, our results are usually more positive and appealing to us and others.  Right… not everyone will like what you say or do, however, if you have spoken or applied love  and kindness into your actions, you have done your best.  That is really all you can do.

My father in law is as I write this,  is in his final days  here on earth.  He has lived a long and productive life (99) a man who till very recently was totally focused on what he needed and wanted.  He gave love, laughter and life to family and friends, now in the quiet of this journey, I visually see his life, like a piece of lace, beautiful in the making, and his memory will be a reflection of the time, patience and effort he put in to his personal pattern that no one else can replicate.

We create art…  however we ourselves …. are works of art….. life is art…………. 

Namaste   –   Oyashikiri

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*fr.wikipedia.org

knitting-and.com

4,5,6  sculpted by Q

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