wordless wednesday – Amish
What was, what is.
Namaste – Oyashikiri
near Balderson,Ontario
Posts tagged ‘Ontario’
Wordless Wednesday – waiting
worn weary browns, with shades of
faded mustard and golden rod
wait for the warmth of spring
to revitalize and invigorate
for now
the landscape, waits.
Namaste – Oyashikiri
PL Precept #16 All things Progress and Develop
taken old Hwy 17 towards Montreal
Jessup’s Falls conservation area
all in a day
PL Principle # 3 I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things
We started the day with no clear destination in mind, simply one of our adventures in learning. The minister I’m working with is from Japan, although he has lived the last six years in Argentina. Now he is in Canada. Seeing Canada through someone else’s eyes is very interesting, we are together, so he can learn English, but the reality is that I am learning so much just from sharing his experience with him.
The miles of neat farmhouses, swept past as we made our way down a secondary highway back to the city, “what is that” he exclaimed as we drove by a property that was full to brimming with objects, most who had seen better days.
Having been to Japan, I could well understand his consternation. ” Look” he said “there is the entrance, but no one can enter” Looking down the lane I could see what he meant. I was still trying to figure out what to answer him. The sign said antiques, but…. there was very little space to move between what rows there were. Every available space was taken and from where we were, it looked like the rooms inside were much like the outside. we mutually without verbalizing it, simply moved on. There was no draw, or interest for us. yet to someone else, this would be a treasure hunter’s paradise. In French there is an expression, translated says, to each his/her own.
We did find a treasure of our own, in an eating place that claimed home-made meals, and baking, it was very nice. Nothing fancy, just good, home cooking and healthy portions. The whole idea of out outings is for the minister to experience our culture, and what better way then to drive out to the country. See life in the small towns, cross over bridges that span one of our many rivers and abundance of lakes. The snow is not all gone, but spring is on its way,
Never judge a book by its cover, the inside is warm and welcoming, and the food, delicious. Lots to pick from, This little gem is outside of Perth. Perth, can you say Perth… it was a lot of fun, hearing it said by the minister, he has a great sense of humour. No matter how hard he tried, the sounds would not work for him.. It will come in time, but for me… it brought home an awareness of just how spunky he is, In less than a year, he is already able to read and carry one a conversation, it may be short sentences, and one word at a time, but he is doing it. I’m so proud of his achievement. His sincere efforts to learn and his application to learning, inspires me, to do better with my projects in life.
When we approach each day like an open page, a vista waiting for the seasons to change, and new beginnings to come into our lives, we are growing, we are taking in new sights even if we have seen them hundreds of times before, each time is different. No two days are alike, every second is different.. that makes every day an adventure, and a thrill to live,
Look the crocus are in full bloom today … they are happy and singing, with their pretty faces lifted towards the sun, life is good, it is all in a day, to laugh and play, come what may, we are here today, and loving it…..
namaste – oyashikiri
PL Precept # 1 Life is Art
he discovered Tim Bits today!!
Carleton Place,Perth. Smith Falls, Ontario
Gananoque gateway to 1000 Islands
That was our destination, we headed for majestic shores of the St. Lawrence and the 1000 Islands in the Township of Leeds. When we take to the road it is about relaxation, meeting new people and making friends and memories. We are incredibly fortunate to live in a country where we can enjoy nature, big cities and small communities in practically any direction we decide to travel.
Whether you are into Arts and Culture, taking in a theatre production, and free outdoor concert in the park Gananoque has it all. We spent time in the town park, where its serene ambiance, the light summer breeze and the good company made for a most enjoyable way to spend the time.
Often we are finding ourselves, on the move.we are setting off in one direction or another, and time passes us by, and is gone before we know it. In the truck when the miles speed by, the world around us is like a movie of our own making. Being the passenger, my world is certainly different then my husbands. He is focused on the road, and the vistas and thoughts that crowd his awareness.. Sometimes we see the same things, sometimes we don’t. We are in the same vehicle, going the same direction, both in front seats…But we are not seeing the same things.
And that dear friends is true in all we experience say and do….=^_^= On the way back, we were driving into a real whopper of an electrical storm.. Spoiled wife, was nodding on her side of the car, while hubby got to experience the real highlights of the spectacular event.
We had gotten me a warm fleece throw to wrap around myself on the way home… and i was snuggled in for the night-time drive.. =^_^= oh, I heard his exclamations of wonder and awe…. he was enjoying his movie, and I mine. We shared every moment of our journey, together in our own way.
Life is good when we appreciate each others differences. When we learn to live in harmony with the uniqueness of the world around us….. the everything exists in relativity.
namaste – oyashikiri
yesterday?
We actually saw people enjoying the water on a lake that we have passed many many times. That was different, and so nice to see. So often ball parks, manicured lawns, playgrounds are void of human laughter and activity.
We were headed to visit a friend we hadn’t seen in a number of years, She lives on a lake that is basically on private land, to get there one must travel a private road for miles. The kind of road where you see signs, telling you that it is private, and you travel it at your own risk. In other words it is maintained only by the people who own the land surrounding this lake.
It is isolated in a way, from inside her log and wood constructed home, when one looks out, one sees only the natural vegetation of the area. The trees on one side of the house are just an arms length away from the outside screened in porch .. where safely inside if you are very quiet, you can hear and see some of the daily activities of the creatures who call the wild area, their home. If you berry pick you do so knowing that a bear can be not that far away picking just like you.
The sun had been out, but on our arrival, thunder rolled across the sky, it seemed we were under a bowling alley, it was that close. From the shelter of the roof that covers the wide porch where we had parked, one can sit and just enjoy the storm as it passes by. Her son built her home, it is not a “cottage’ in the woods, it is a lovely big home, that can fit her extended family when they cone to visit It has a quiet charm, There is a television and with her two grandchildren spending summer with her, I was surprised ro learn there is now a computer in the house. There never had been before. I smiled when she thought for a moment, and said, “but I don’t think its working, besides the children are so busy being outdoors, i don’t see them on it” We are speaking of teenagers!
I have not used pictures from our trip, but very close examples of the ambiance we got to enjoy .. and appreciate for the time we were there. Unfortunately, we city folks were on a schedule of sorts, and had to move along. What I wanted to share was that.. so often I think that I am in a quiet place. AND…. in my reality I am, BUT yes (winks) there is always a but, what I found yesterday was that to really and truly enjoy the laid back environment I was in, I would need time to unwind.
When visiting I usually sit with my back to the kitchen, facing out at the lake, On nights where we have lingered after a meal, I have always been lulled by the quiet and total darkness that envelopes the home.
When staying with my friend, its an early night and an early day to a start to a day of fresh air and leisurely walks to scout out the new growth in the woods, or to admire her gardens that she loves to sprinkle in the cultivated areas on her property.
The last couple of years, she tells us that it is difficult to go into the wooded areas without being protected from head to toe because of ticks.
We were sorry to take our leave, but we did have a long journey back to the city. On the way we were going to stop in Kingston, interesting for me, that I was looking forward to some signs of a city, I wanted an iced coffee! Shame on me I know, but there you have it… as much as I enjoyed the hours of bliss in small towns, and the wonderful vistas of farm lands cottages, and lakes………………………..I wanted a Tim Horton*!
Namaste – Oyashikiri
*for non Canadians, Tim Horton’s is a coffee/donut chain
pics – Pinterest
City Pavement? River Bank?
Along the St Lawrence river, the waterway the divides Canada from the United States, in our part of the Norther Hemisphere. Quiet little rest stops that allow the traveler to stop and rest along their journey.
This park was just outside of Brockville, and yes the shore line you see off in the distance is the United States. There was such a line up for fish and chips at the shop we always go to, that we settled for hamburgers at a c hip stand. The cod /haddock would have been wonderful, but on a Sunday, the tourists were packed into the place, we can return another day. To the right where these pleasure crafts are moored, is a trail that goes down towards Fort Wellington, and a now derelict pier. Soon this area will be full of people out to enjoy the sunshine. Yesterday we met other dog walkers, and a few other nature lovers, but it was the supper hours so, for us, we enjoyed the lazy slow ambiance. Saw big steamers in the water in Kingston, but I was on the wrong side of the car to get a picture. =^_^= next time…
We did run into swarms of shad flies. Now this is an experience in and of itself For the time they died by smashing into our car and all over the windshield, it was like something out of the science fiction novel. You can read about the insect here http://www.mynewwaterfronthome.com/fishflies.aspx The car will be visiting a car wash today, this task is at the top of the to do list.
LOL this meal had nothing to do with our trip yesterday, (I wish)…. this was the meal I had during my visit to the States with my sisters in May. It just looked so good, I wanted to share it. I love veggies. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Casino the buffets are half price. (Just past Massena, NY in the Indian Reserve itself) I knew of the Casino because there is a fabulous quilt fabric shop just down the road from the Casino) NB if you plan on trying it out, there is smoking allowed in the buildings there)
Lots of people love to spend time on the water, I lost count of all the marinas and boat launch sites we saw along the way myself I find quiet along the water, no so much on it. A good hike into the mountains on a fall day, now mmm… nice.. that is more my speed. LOL no way at this time of year.. uh uh, no thank.. the biters are out…
What about you. Ready for a change of pace?
Buenos dias, bonjour, c’est jeudi matin!
Thursday and the start of the spring season. LOL Mother Nature is still not decided in our neck of the woods. We are going to have a mixed bag of weather. No matter, I’m sure there will be a lot for us to enjoy and friends to greet, new places to explore. What is on your agenda today?
I just heard a car drive by, it sounds wet out there, the snow must have turned to rain, just like it was predicted. The drive to work today could be very sloppy, not to mention slippery in places. Today’s lesson in Pl is about how we do things, how we use materials and events to express ourselves. What value to we put on things and money. Hmmm, I confess to being someone who is not necessarily money driven, my creative side leans more towards activity and productivity. On a day like today, I would get up earlier so that I could miss the other commuters and if I was walking enjoy the walk through whatever weather was being offered up on that day, of drive through the silent streets towards my destination. I would enjoy the pelting rain, or freezing ice for what it was, an expression of Mother Natures many forms of artistic displays.
The other day, a friend told me he’d gone snowshoeing in the woodlands behind his home. It had been a day of clear blue skies, and fresh fallen snow. His little adventure had sounded so peaceful. This morning when I heard that car drive by, I was taken back to the days I would walk several miles from my home into the office through the downtown of one city, (Hull,Quebec) in one Province over a bridge past E.B.Eddy ( an operating paper mill, with frozen water along one wall, which tempted me to do some ice climbing.(which I never followed through on). My feet would make crunching sounds in the snow, since I was early and most others who would walk this way, had yet to make their way across into Ottawa. Other days it was like walking over shards of ice some parts of the journey required ice cleats, or the really wet days when you walked through big wet puddles) =^_^=.
In this same location there is the sound of rushing water where the rapids churn and gurgle over the rocks. It is a beautiful spot at any time of year. When you got over the bridge, you were in Ontario, and in Ottawa (Canada’s capital). The trek led me across open fields where buildings that had been, were now long gone, and the buildings that were to come, were still ideas on some drafting table. On the left there was a hidden gorge, where below the rapids provided a training ground for kayak enthusiast. If time permitted, I would stop to watch the activities.
There was/is a definite difference in the two cities, yet in their differences they merged into one giving this area a diversity that is both charming and inviting. Sophisticated,yet in many ways, so “down home”. Those walks were peaceful for me, they allowed me time to commune with nature and my thoughts .. by the time I walked through the now busier downtown core of the waking city, and got to the office, I was ready for my day. How do you prepare for your day? Whatever you do, remember to practice using full Makoto (sincere effort).
Hey, wow, I enjoyed my walk down memory lane with you this morning, but of course, I enjoy all my time with you. smiles at you and offers up these pretty flowers to brighten your day. Blessings.. today, tomorrow and always… Oyashikiri
Image
PL Peace Tower – Holy Land – Japan
Life is Art – “The Foundation of our Faith.
Annually we hold a Peace Tower Ceremony The spirits of all those who lost their lives in wars, regardless of race, religion or nationality are memorialized at the alter of the Peace Tower.
This picture does not do this room justice, it is an awesome sight, and the feeling when one enters is unique and powerful. There are two arms (rooms) that branch out from this central alter. In the ceremony we console the spirits of the dead and pray for the everlasting peace of humankind.
On the first of every month – we celebrate Day of Peace. Through this ceremony we pray for World Peace and dedicate ourselves to live as peaceful human beings. Today being September 1. this is what we celebrated in church.
ALLO – Bonjour _ Hello – Hola – Konnichi wa Being at the church always is a feel good moment, today though, I have a whole lot of extra good vibes, oddles and oodles…in fact.. I’m going to share it all with you…
Before I leave you. remember that September 14, we are having a garage sale – lots and lots of “stuff” “vintage” “new” and surprises.. if you live in the area, don’t miss out!
Believe me this smile is power packed with a lot of love and blessings – please have a great day where-ever you are, and should there be a tear or two, believe me, you are not alone, close your eyes and feel the hug that a wish of love can bring you. Need a special prayer, we can do that too. PL is here for YOU
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rain – wow how novel
woke up to the sound of rain on the window and roof top! We were away for just a little over a month, and we had rain one afternoon in Michigan, and later on our way back a bit of rain fell while we drove to our night stop in Norther Ontario. The rest of the time we had clear blue skies, fluffy clouds, and I’d say HOT weather. Especially in the Dakotas, Wyoming and Montana. Idaho and Washington although very warm, temperatures in the morning and evenings were more balmy. Oh I’m reminded that in Montana for maybe 20 minutes where I was it rained. Where hubby was he said it came down in buckets. Wei and I were at Flat Head Lake and although they had seen rain, and the water was producing white caps to equal an ocean shoreline. In fact the water was rolling up over and up under cars parked in the parking lot facing the lake. the tour boat had to take cover near one of the islands, and all other tours were canceled for the day. Yet for our walk about, it did not rain. Only when we were driving away did we get a shower.
In the time we were gone, we visited 9 States, and 5 Provinces. It was the longest road trip that I’d ever been on.
Some of you are aware of the few challenges we had, in the first week, hubby’s netbook died, due to hardware failure, and a couple of days later it was determined that my new Samsung tablet had a lemon battery, and nothing could be done except the return of it to the Mfg. Needing to be “wired” we both needed new net books. Fortunately hubby had his camera, I had intended using the Samsung, so we do have some pictures.
There was just so much to see, I loved South Dakato, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. The geography is awesome. I will write more at a later date of the “treasure” shopping I did. For now, this is an overview, letting you know that we are now once more back home. Yes planning our next “get away”.
For me it was an adventure, I got to see places I’d never dreamed of seeing, a taste of parts of Amercia that i will want to see more of. Hubby got to see places he had worked in, and how they had changed. as a broadcaster, he has covered many stories in his lifetime, and when he shifted over to the printed media many of the places we passed through, there was a story or stories that resurfaced. It was a great time for both of us.
In Winnipeg we stayed with in-laws. For me this was extra special, I got to spend time with the 3 nephews that until the visit, I had only met fleetingly at family gatherings where I had not had the time to really visit with them. One nephew and his wife took hubby out to play disc golf. aka frisbee golf. I got to spend quality time with a sister in law that is a gem. Brother in law is the cook in the family, so, YES we were well fed. Family dinners with sometimes 6. 7 at the table. unusual for us. (smile)
Of course we had the dogs with us. They were troopers. Canaille (Portuguese Water dog) got to put her dainty feet in many lakes. Velcro our dashing whippet, has been renamed “chick magnet”.. although he drew as many men as he did women to his side. ( his owners beamed of course) To the dogs it was all ho hum, they are used to the ooohs and aahhhhs.
The car was laden down with “stuff” -material- gifts- what nots- now we are in the process of unpacking and letting our bodies reclaim their well deserved comfort zones back,
Thanks to all of you who kept in touch during this adventure, it meant a lot to me.
Yes I will be writing more about thrift shops, and personal insights. Blessings!
dymoonblog 
Written
on September 1, 2013