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A floral greeting for you today…

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Strolling through the agricultural park in the heart of the city yesterday brought back a lot of memories.  My parents especially my Dad ( the avid photographer that he was) loved to bring us here for a day trip and to take pictures.  The farm has wonderful beds of flowers of every colour one can imagine.  Rock gardens, and  a small oasis tucked here and there of trees and evergreens.  Along with what I will call domestic plants, the farm also has fields of corn and other crops.  The Dept. of Agriculture has several office buildings and laboratories there, it is a big area, however, as long as I can remember, they have had a portion of it open to the public so that “city folk” can come and learn about crops, animals etc.  Yes one of the big attractions is a cow barn.  And no, we didn’t get to see the cows, that will be another time.

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On a summer day, it wasn’t unusual to have to fight your way to through a crowd of tourists with cameras all clicking away, at the thousands of plants in various stages of their blooming cycles.  It was and likely still is a place for wedding pictures.  Yes there was a hit of rain in the air, and late afternoon so the place was quiet.  The heat of the day was being  tossed about by a wind that was testing its wings, it was still in a playful mood.  A rain cloud was nudged and some drops did fall, but all in all, it was a wonderful hour away from the hustle and bustle of the rush hour traffic that was happening all around this patch of “Agricultural farm land”

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While we hurry about, driving here and there, there is another style of living that is very close by, and unless we stop, we don’t see it.  How often have I driven by and not stopped.  For years I’ve taken this place for granted.  Already the reality of modern day life in 2014, with budget cuts and the  need  or is it greed, for space to build, sources have tried to cut into this land,  ” Master Gardeners” and” Friends of the Farm” volunteer and work hard to maintain the land for people to enjoy.

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It takes years for  trees to  develop, grow and mature into the works of natural art they become.  We are much like the nature around us, to live we need the freedom to grow, most of all we need love in our lives, in all its various forms.  We need to stop looking out, and begin to look at what IS. The expression, “stop and smell the roses” certainly applied in my day yesterday.  To quote from a church lesson ” With a humble mind, take a second look ” make time to reflect on where you are, sincerely pray that you will live with love at the core of your actions.

Good morning dear readers…..  I hope you get to enjoy a breath of fresh air today, after yesterday, I want more.. =^_^= is that a snippet of greed? Oh gosh and golly gee, I hope not.   SMILE… pass it on.

smile,girl with goat Yunna by Elly Prestegaard -flickr

Big, small, tall, I love you all

Namaste –  Oyashikiri

except last one, all pictures are mine,Q

Good Morning everyone

I would like to do something a little different today, I wrote this in January 1995.  Thank you for allowing me to share a past moment with you.

————–       W O R D S      ———————

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Looking out into the night, with only the shadow of dusk on the horizon, the fading lights of the car seemed to draw his mind to another time in space.  He could have stopped her from leaving, but then instead of being alone with his thoughts,he would have had to listen, and be attentive. No,he no longer cared if he had to eat alone, or wake up with no one by his side, for once he was happy by himself.

He looked down at his hands,.  Such sensitive hands, at least he thought them to be… he remembered how his hand had looked against the whiteness of her skin…. how when he reached out to draw her to him, his fingers had felt the softness of her hair….If only she had not spoken. Why was it that whenever he began to feel close, when the fiery warmth began to grow within him, words would render him cold.

There was a time when he would  easily have pushed aside the momentary irritations of speech and continued on into paradise.  Alas, that time had passed.  With time he had  learned that sooner or later the “words” would come, there was no escaping them…

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With the dusk casting long shadows on the road before her she found her thoughts floating back to the silent figure at the window.  She could have stayed, she knew how wonderful it would have been.  How gentle his  hands, how loving his touch.  When he reached to hold her, she had felt her body respond to his need…  his closeness catching her breath. such contentment, he wanted to share “all” with him.  He’d stemmed her words wanting only to pursue the moment.

She felt her hand on the wheel… the smoothness of the leather, the power of the engine as it purred along.  There was a tightness in the pit of her stomach that longed to be eased… her mind was caught in that space of time, when she so easily could have succumbed to the melting passion that balanced so precariously on the brink of her consciousness.

Somehow she had pulled away, she needed more… words were part of who she was, she was fine on her own, she liked having the bed to herself at night.  Over time she had learned that she could not live in a world void of “‘words”.

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To experience life we must venture beyond our horizons and explore the unknown… in transcending boundaries, we find oneness with the Universe.

The words, pictures and thoughts are mine alone.Q

Namaste    – Oyashikiri

 

 

Dank u, goedendag, good day!

Holland, theVeenpark,Barger-Compascuum  found on flickr by mad_madchen_cards

Recall the expression, “different strokes for different folks” isn’t this adorable,  It’s a little build in Holland, The Veenpark,Banger-Compascuum*

Holland, goamsterdam.about.com  Pinterest

We are all unique, in our own personal way, that is what is so wonderful about meeting and getting to know another person. I grew up in an age when we were encouraged to have pen pals. With the electronic age, snail mail seems to have gone the way of the 10 cent phone call.

Norway, Alesund, by waynekkorea on Flickr

Yet, the internet now provides us with opportunities that would have been unheard of in days gone by.  The meetings can be more frequent, and more direct if not face to face, they are still person to person. Respect becomes key, we may appear to be different, we may dress, walk, talk in a different manner, but we are still connected,  We all feel, we all have needs and wants, even though our experiences/challenges differ, we came to “be” in the same way.

norway, Predjame castle

Intriguing build  isn’t it.  So are the people around us.  Each person in your life, is a whole new landscape waiting to be discovered.  Accept and respect differences, strive for harmonious relationships.

Namaste      –    Oyashikiri

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*Flickr,mad_madchen

** Zaanse Schans, Holland (full of traditional crafts and architecture) found on goamsterdam.about.com

*** Reflections in Alesund,Norway by waynekorea on Flickr

**** Predjame castle Norway http://www.photopix.co.nz

 

 

Good Morning Everyone!

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Celebrate the day, put your whole heart and makoto into everything you do (sincerity).  Never regret the choices you make, learn, embrace the moment and step into the next one.  The above picture appears in several places on Pinterest, and a different author of verse is under each one,  So to you dear artist and creator of this moment. I say kudos on a wonderful visual interpretation of life.

Dance to the music of life. The Universe is all around us.  Therefore, so is LOVE.!!!!                     Oyashikiri

Roots

tree roots, lori wright houldsworth PinterestRoots the life line that digs in, burrows down and holds a tree in place.  Roots travel through the soil around in search of food, in their search they provide stability  Ever wonder what your invisible roots look like.  Imagine that each experience we live through is another root forming, some are strong and are leaders, others are just side shoots and really only affect us for awhile.

tree root,beech, near Derbyshire,PeakDistrict National Park, England, by Keartona, flickrMother Nature, has given this old beech tree very strong roots, the tree above(top)  has very decorative roots.  We all know if we garden, or do landscaping, that a tree can be very resilient even when it has had a good portion of its roots cut away by a careless shovel, or with full intention by the gardener.  In the woods when I am traipsing through on one of my exploring forays, I actually go in search of roots, driftwood, fallen trees that have somehow come down exposing their root system, it is a treasure hunt, camera in hand I wander happily off trails and into the brush.  When I was actively carving and sculpting I searched for pieces that I could carry away that could be recycled into “art” that represented human forms and “activities”.  In nature, we see the natural progression of the life cycle of  plants/trees.  For our personal “selves” it isn’t so easy, yet each and every one of us has roots.

Ireland, the dark hedges

I could be one of these trees, this is a picture of “the Dark Hedges” of Ireland,  after all, trees that have lived a long and productive life, are mostly seen along side other trees.   We do see stand alone majestic trees, however, usually at one time, they were surrounded by other trees.  I am one of many on this earth.  But I see myself as a lone individual.  Nor am I able to see the scars (rings) of my life.  I may feel them, as my body ages, but I do not see them, nor do I see the roots that have held me and supported me through my journey. I am wanting to pay my respects to my roots, I want to nourish and take care of my roots.  To do so I first have to acknowledge them, and determine what is needed to keep them strong and healthy.

tree root home, by vicki Hopper

 

Now how about this, I want to be this tree offering shelter to the wee ones, (for more info on this picture, follow link shown in picture)   Roots come in all shapes and size, the older we get, the deeper our roots. Do you know, does a tree die from old age?

tree root, gnrled, by loominpapa flickr

What do you see?

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Thank you to all the wonderful photographers who posted to Pinterest

#1- lori-wright houldsworth

#2, beech Derbyhire district,National park, England by Keartona.flickr.jpg

#3 Ireland   vickie hopper.jpg

#4 fb.com/nature galleries

#5 gnarled by loominpapa.flickr.jjpg

Sunday morning sunshine

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Open the door today, to another way

Don’t just look at the door and say

Someday

Make today that special day

Step through, then walk away

from yesterday

Today, when you pray

You will be shown “the WAY”

God, is with you today, and always!

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Oyashikiri

prayer/poem by Q

pictures>Pinterest

Good Morning Everyone!

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In my meditations this morning, I came across a Blessing Chant, I’d kike to share it with you. It is a chant adapted from the Pattanumodana  (Teachings of Buddha >edited by Jack Kornnfield)

Just as water flowing in the streams and rivers fills the ocean, thus may all your moments of goodness touch and benefit all beings, those here now and those gone before.

May all your wishes be soon fulfilled as completely  as the moon on a full moon night, as successfully as from the Wish-Fulfilling Gem.  May all dangers be averted; may all disease leave you.

May no obstacles come across your way and may you enjoy happiness and long life.

May those who are always respectful,honoring the way of the elders, prosper in the four blessings of old age, beauty, happiness, and strength.

nederlands,amsterdamPL’s lesson of the day is about being pro-active, in an ever changing society.  a reminder to keep  our minds and eyes in tune with the changes and to learn to deal with them in a proactive manner.  This busy picture taken in Amsterdam, Nederlands (found on Pinterest) while peaceful in it’s own way, is not the tranquility captured by the photographer of the top picture.

Where would you like to be today?  Which destination captures your imagination, if you could close your eyes and with a snap of the fingers be right there, in what direction would you go?  Choices, ahhhh isn’t life grand!  Have a blissful day everyone!

Live in Joy > Live in Peace             Oyashikiri

Goooood Morning everyone!!!

8a05040ff63bf636578dce8a44dcf019I have no idea why, but I woke up this morning and the found a song running through my head.  “It’s Saturday night and I just got married la la la”  I have no idea where that came from, why its there,   I’m trying to recall if I had a vivid dream, or what I was thinking of last night, but it escapes me.  I don’t even think I watched the telly last night… chuckles… oh well, at least its a peppy song, happily I don’t recall any of the words to the song except the first few lines.

It produces a wonderful, fresh and rather enticing picture for us to look at =^_^=.  How was is your day so far?  Are you enjoying it? The PL lesson for the day is about being proactive and flowing with the “joys” and never ending challenges of  life.  It is about being present, mindful, and honest with yourSELF in your reactions to what comes your way. Hmm  doesn’t look like Mother Nature is going to give me outdoor sunshine today,  BUT, my day starts with sunshine, because.. you ready for it.  I’ve started my day with YOU.

e1aa40ffc0eb9fbd1dcb9225c571640fEvery bloom holds a hug and prayer, just for you.  Happiness is sharing.  Its LOVE pure and TRUE > Oyashikiri

“Mine is the joy that comes from the path of liberation, and my secret I share with all, for in giving it I do not lose it” (Buddha-the Quest for Serenity)

Keep your eyes,mind and heart in tune with the changes, learn to deal with them proactively, and always keep a smile in your heart, share it as often as you can.

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11th of the month, Ancestor Day

0937d5820779f8bd829694415e8398ddWe are who we are.  No amount of cosmetic surgery, make up or fashion styles we make will change who we are, or where we came from.  What does change is the way we use the skills and  God given talents we have (understanding of life).  This is an old Japanese print that I found, and thought it was a very appropriate visual for today’s greeting.

The clever and subtle messages of the artist are wonderful.  I see so many possibilities of interpretation. He/she has captured the happiness of the cat being worked on, the little claws are  out as it kneads its contentment into the carpet.  How one feels when enjoying a wonderful relaxing massage. =^_^=  the look of face on the “giver” is focused and mindful of what it is doing.  The signer stamp of the artist is an artistic sign of the TAO.. Yin/Yang.  Male/Female, Active/Passive and this is what the picture is a balance .  Harmony of two energies.  TAO – complete ONEness in the moment.

You are here today, thanks to your ancestors.  Their actions, lives were instrumental in your being here at this very moment.  On the 11th of every month, through ceremony, we express our gratitude for the love and virtues of our ancestors and ask for their protection and guidance so we can continue to live the PL WAY. (Perfect Liberty)   Service is at 10 a.m.  today..             Life is Art       ( PL Precept #1 )

Happy Tuesday to you all………. May the sun shine its warmth on you today &, bless your night with the happy twinkling of the brilliant stars that dress the moonlit night.           Oyashikiri

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