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animals

It has been hot very hot in this neck of the woods. The forecast is for a very unusually hot summer.. Spring was actually very wet for a good chunk of it, and now we are being visited by H O T weather .. so hot that even the sun/heat worshippers are being cautious about time spent outdoors. One of the hikers that I see on a regular basis out doing his walks/hikes . in all kinds of weather, has actually taken a break.. it was that bad.. and where the mosquitos and such usually start tapering off when the heat hits.. they have taken to gathering and attacking anyone that dares enter the cover of darkness (where the trees/woods are lush with vegetation)

Even the wild turkeys urge me to hurry up and get out of the car… so that they can breakfast and move away into the inner regions of the bog to find shade and a reprieve from the heat. The beavers, groundhog and rabbits stay in their dens. coming out only in the very early wee hours as the sun makes its appearance.

I am sorry with the passing of my long time companion and teacher (yes, Keeper taught me a lot) animals can’t voice with us, but they can communicate in a very clear way when they want something or want you to respond or interact with them. Someone sent me a text about what the wild turkeys eat at the “diner” when they come.

Depending on the season, their preference is whole corn kernels.. but in the spring/summer I have added what the suppliers calls “scratch” it is broken kernels of corn with various seeds, grains etc. (a feed they give chickens and such) I mix that with sunflower seeds. This way, all the smaller birds that like to join in on the buffet get to have some “easy pickings”

The turkeys at P23 .. the big boys, like the one you see above, to be smart asses.. will go over to where the blue jays/squirrels and chippies are eating and grab a peanut or two.. shake it and maybe give it back, but now, often they just swallow it down in one gulp. and casually walk away, Hope that helps.. even the mourning doves will come to share a meal.

Note, I had several packages of the dried veggies and freeze dried meat that were for sprinkling over Keepers prescribed dry food she had to eat… (made it more palatable) I sprinkled small amounts over along the side where the rabbits and groundhogs like to come for fresh greens. (wild grasses and ground cover) … and they nibbled away at that, This was an expensive treat.. but Keeper would approve of my sharing her no longer needed food with the wildlife. Keeper was an old soul.

Have a good day everyone. Life is to be lived and enjoyed… our time here is limited. We all have a best before/expiry date.

ps. yes I am considering offering a refresher course on “body rhythms/awareness” again for those interested in meditation in motion. Small class limited space.

Decisions

Things start happening the moment you decide. From the moment you decide “I’m going to do something” things begin to happen. Ride your initial wave of enthusiasm to get things done efficiently, (2011.15)

Physical pain is something that everyone endures differently. Acceptance of discomfort as we age, and the various symptoms that become annoying and sometimes, ever present… can be challenging.

” And now you ask in your heart, “how shall we distinguish that which is good in pleasure from that which is not good?” Go to your fields and your gardens, and you shall learn that it is in the pleasure of the bee to gather honey of the flower, But it is also the pleasure of the flower to yield its honey to the bee. For to the bee a flower is a fountain of life, and to the flower, a bee is a messenger of love. And to both, bee and flower, the giving and the receiving of pleasure is a need and an ecstasy.” (The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran)

Express your feelings straight away. It will be good if you could express your feelings as they are to people around you when you are happy or when you are troubled. Also, it will be a good chance for you to get to know others, (PL2023.15)

Oyashikiri

pause, go back!

another traveler along the trail yesterday

When you get stuck, go back to the beginning … Could it be that you have forgotten what initially sparked your enthusiasm? By remembering what inspired you in the beginning, you will feel a renewed enthusiasm. (PL2012.04)

I don’t know if this is an old soul I’ve met in years past, but every once in awhile, there is/are turtles walking the trail(s) where they come across long legged creatures like myself. Wonder what they think of us. Check out this critters back claws.

Oyashikiri

top photo,Daniel R.

today

Live Radiantly as the Sun. Strive to always be bright and cheerful so you can enliven those around you. (2020.27)

For me it is allergy season, (and let’s not forget the pesky bugs/mosquitoes)… I do my morning rounds and then come home.. There is an ad on the telly … where the windshield of a car is covered in pollen. Argh. If you suffer from allergies, you know how that picture can strike horror… ugh. I’m fortunate that as I’ve progressed in life (another way of saying aged) my symptoms are actually much diminished. AND no matter how it looks, I wear a hat with a netting all around it. Works wonders,

In my younger day, EGO would have likely not added such an item to my wardrobe essentials, Now I have two! One in a light beige and the other in that woodsy gray/green. one is smaller and fits my head just right, but the other was the only left in the store, it is bigger… but ., you know what.,, it covers a broader part of my shoulders, At first I was concerned my little friends would react.. but “food” is my calling card.. they don’t care if the human is wearing a silly hat,, They even know my car.. I’m not parked yet and I see the animals making their way to the “diner”…. Depending on my time of arrival, they can be impatient and scold and call out their impatience.

I have been doing this long enough now, I hear the early morning calls when they begin their mating songs.. and then there is the call of the babies… when parents are out getting food, The one bird I’ve gotten to know better is the woodpecker. It is fascinating to me how they have found ways to communicate to me, what they like and where they prefer me to put it.

Oyashikiri

Change is the only constant in life.

I was asked the other day if I think of myself as a happy person. YES I DO… and in fact, I now can say .. I also know contentment. …. do smile today,. life is to be lived and enjoyed,

shadows

Let’s find the joy in everything. Are you looking for things to complain about? Let’s change our perspective and live a cheerful and joyful life, (PL 2020.25)

Oyashikiri

nos momentos dificeis da vida

Nos momentos dificeis da vida….. in difficult moment of life,..step back, stop and listen to the voice within. If you can… visit a place where you can meditate/pray … take in the silence, the quiet, let your body/mind recalibrate, release negative and worrisome energies.. In areas where the seasons change, the transition from winter to spring can be a gradual change or a dramatic explosion … ie. severe weather warnings, forest fires, flooding..

You are never alone, even if at times it feels that way… Turn on the flame of hope… let the Universe help you to find inner peace.., The rain will feed the plants that are waking after being dormant for months on end .. spring flowers are blooming, the other day I passed many lilac bushes already bursting with colour.. I would have gotten out to see if their fragrance was filling the air, however.. I was stopped from following that thought process,, when I saw the mosquitoes eagerly waiting for me to get out of the car.

Life is a balance…. PL Precept # 20 Live maintaining equilibrium between mind and matter..

Pl Precept #1 life is art

Here are some of the birds I’ve heard singing these past couple of mornings.. chestnut sided warbler, gray catbird, red eyed Vireo, Great Crested Fly Catcher ,Oven bird, wood thrush, hermit thrush, there were of course many others, but these are the newer ones for me.

Oyashikiri

tudo e obra divina

early morning cuteness

Tudo e obra divina. Everything is a diving act. When the tree fell in my backyard, I mourned, it has been with me since we bought this place in early 2000s When we moved here, there was nothing but a small flower bed and grass. I took it all away, no grass for me, and no flower beds, I wanted to replicate if I could the Chinese gardens I had when I had my house and gardens on the Quebec side of the river.

I soon learned that in life the only constant is Change. and what worked in Hull, was not going to work here, different property .. sunlight… etc. The Hazelnut corkscrew was one of the first trees I planted, in fact I planted two.. one several years later.. It was a show piece. the gnarled branches coveted by many for their floral arrangements. Then the neighbourhood started to change.. established homes were ripped out including old oaks .. lawns disappeared.. infill began.. and with infill, the focus was on buildings and not on having a lawn, or garden ..

I soon found myself surrounded by big block buildings that looked more like dental or office buildings and new neighbours didn’t have room to do anything but maybe put out a potted plant. or a box with earth raised off the ground on their patios … what trees were left were on city property ( size of a laneway) between the backyard neighbours and my yard. No one tended them and soon they overshadowed my beautiful serenity gardens. My vegetation/ plants were deprived of the full sunlight they had had.. and began to fade. I watched the slow death of many of the shrubs and plants in my yard.

I knew eventually I would have to say a full goodbye.. and that time arrived this year. Last year it was bravely still standing, but .. no.. this past winter it had its last hurrah, Like the passing of the many friends and family members who have “moved on” it is now another page in my memory book.

I’m at an age where I have lived through a lot of “goodbyes”… I’ve learned the process of “letting go” is something that comes with “time”… it is what it is,

There will always be a way. As long as you are serious, there is no reason for you to give up. Move forward one step at a time and things will always turn out for the best. PL2018.13

Nature is being neglected. Look around, listen to what is happening globally…. focus is on destruction, not on harmony…. I pray every day .. for the strength to continue to work towards love and universal peace.

Oyashikiri

Anyone else remember when we could play in the front and backyard, I was lucky Dad made a small rink in our yard.. there were trees to climb, an area for Dad to have his garden, Mom her flowers, Mom would hang the wash out on sunny days.. linen had that fresh smell when it was put back on the beds. Some where along the way, I heard that is not allowed in some communities. (hanging out your wash)…

Have a good day everyone.. do you have memories of times gone by?

ogenki desu ka

someone was being very vocal

Everyone has their own way of seeing and thinking, There are different points of view and ways of thinking, which makes it interesting and creates new ideas, Try to enjoy others’ expressions. (PL2023.12)

Oyashikiri

Harmonize-me contigo com os homens e a natureza – Harmonize with nature and humankind

Celebrate YOU

reflections

Always live with hope in your heart. With a clear image in mind, move forward with enthusiasm. Your dreams will surely come true with perseverance. PL2015.2

There is something very serene about seeing the trees mirrored in the calm waters of an early morning visit to the woodlands.

PL Precept # 15 All is a mirror

Share a smile today, be happy! Life is good when we are welcoming!

Oyashikiri

moose

Always work to heighten your “inner sensitivity” Your life will take on greater dimensions when you are able to perceive your surroundings with more sensitivity. Let’s continue to learn and add to our knowledge and experience, and cultivate a fresh sense of beauty. (PL 2015.29)

This handsome brute was taken by photographer Philip Barden, you can see more of his work on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/philipbarden53/

PL Precept # 7 Everything exists in relativity

Happiness is a state of mind. I love moments when I can bask in contentment.

Remember…

PL Precept # 1 Life is Art

You just never know who you will meet on your walk, when you enjoy the nature trails in and around the Ottawa area. Walk softly .. listen and be present.

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