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a quiet interlude

cave,Fingal's in Scotland  Isle of Staffa

Fingal’s Cave off the coast of Scotland

Good Morning, thought I’d share a little more of yesterday’s experience.  Like many others around me, I live life at a rather “active” pace.  True not always, I know to take breaks, and  have a slow down time, the key words here, are I know… just because I know, doesn’t mean that I do it.  I was happy yesterday to disrobe and get on the waiting table in the small room I’d been assigned to.  Nothing magical, just a quiet place, soothing music and the implements used for doing facials.  The table was the ordinary table used in spas, and salons all over.  The table had been prepared, the colours of the towels and sheets were calm, soothing colours, the terry towels were big a fluffy.  Already I could feel myself relaxing, and when I slipped unto the table and felt the warmth on my back (the table was heated) I knew I had made a good choice.

Our minds are chatty little characters,  often even if we want to rest and know we are tired, the little voice just keeps babbling away at times like a broken record. I closed my eyes, letting the moment surround me.  I was getting a holistic facial, the herbal fragrances were intoxicating, never mind the knowing trained hands working their magic. My mind began to still, my thoughts drifted into quiet spaces that’s I’d found along the way and wanted to explore.

cave, Greece

Melissani Cave, Greece

There is no rhyme or reason for where the thoughts will drift.  The mind and body are strongly connected and tuned to one another.  When the body begins to let go and release pent-up stress, the mind feeling less smothered and pressured, will also relax.  Being able to find, quiet moments where the body truly let’s go of the daily ritual of “activity” is an awesome experience.  It really truly is.

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The promise of spring, a new season, when we see the first signs of new growth peaking through the soil…. this is rejuvenation.  we see it and we love the discovery, it is pleasing, it is a new moment. Our bodies deserve the same care and attention that we give to our gardens, our hobbies, crafts, work, it is ours.

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When we invest in ourselves, in having a facial, a massage, a skin and body treatment, we are looking after ourselves, the part of us that often is taken for granted until it nudges and pushes back at us.

 PL Precept# 20   Live Maintaining Equilibrium between Mind and Matter

Having a quiet interlude, enjoying the moment, was a re-energizing experience.  I had booked a full hour of body massage after the facial, needless to say, my mind took itself to exactly where it wanted to be…. my smile was a mile wide… total immersion in a happy reverie is good for the soul, you really should try it.

crocus in snow

Namaste      –      Oyashikiri

ps. am I still smiling, you betcha!

PL Thanksgiving Feb.2016

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Look at the snow, it was piled so high, that I wanted to capture it, but couldn’t really get the same view I had from inside the truck.  I had stopped on the way to church to take a picture of the fire truck that was sitting in the parking lot.

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Big red shiny truck… some ladies love their diamonds, today, I went for the chrome, and the size of the truck.  At the time, when I first approached taking my pictures, I wasn’t aware of the fact, that sitting in the dark corner there was a fireman.  I had seen several disembark and go into the breakfast place off towards the back.  I was happily walking around snapping pictures of the chrome, and it wasn’t till I went up for this front shot, that I felt eyes watching me.

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I was engrossed in the taking of pictures.. after all how often does a person get up close and personal to a fire truck.  By the time I had made my way around to this panel, the “men” who had gone towards the restaurant were back.. They were a tad amused, we had a chuckle, and of course they apologized for not having the truck at its shining best for her photo session.

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Look at the grill, isn’t it beautiful.  I’ve seen these beauties outside the fire stations in spring, summer and fall when they are being washed and polished. I was some chuffed to see one up close and personal.  It was a great way to start the day, what was ordinary for them, was a total  “fantastical” moment for me.

LOL a big mound of snow and a shiny red and white fire truck, helped make my day today…  How about you.. you having a good day.  In Pl, we try to make every moment count.  This morning, sharing smiles and some happy .. made for a great kick off to the day.

PL Precept # 7 Everything exists in Relativity

Namaste      –       Oyashikiri

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I’ll end it with an awwwww moment!

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Bonjour, hello how are you today?

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Good Morning, thought I’d show you the snow outside the house today, it isn’t so pretty today. After the huge storm of the other day, dropping over 50 plus centimeters on us, we still have a lot of it piled on the streets.  It is cloudy and overcast, and with the sidewalk plow having gone by, well this is what we can see. This is the pile along the street, and below is the snow on our front lawn.

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The blue spruce is playing peek-a-boo, happy that we put a barrier between it and the sidewalk.  Not every day is sunny, and not all days bring out the crystal lights in the snow.  But it is still the same snow we love to see when the sun shines merrily on it, dazzling us with its glittering display.  I’m not a skier, but when I did do X-country, the wet snow of day such as this, was sloppy.  Temperatures are going up and the snow out there is being rained on.

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Even the house has lost its country cottage charm this morning. A positive here, I see the bird feeder needs more seed.  Actually, I loved the vintage, look when we bought ther house, and even today, as I see her braving yet another winter…I admire how she has stood the test of time.   They the weather forecasters, tell us it will be a cloudy wet day, all day.  As the temperature rises, the streets will really get mushy.  Hmmm choices, stay in, go out, its darn warm and cosy inside, and I certainly have a lot of projects and things to do… isn’t it wonderful to have all these choices.  =^_^=  we can sit and share a cuppa tea/coffee..

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Luckily I share my world with other bloggers who travel the globe and live scattered all over the world.  I know they’ll be dropping in during the day with stories of their own.  Many will bring a ton of sunshine they’ve captured here and there.  No matter where we are in the world, we are always sharing life/the Universe with others.  In today’s world of the internet and social media, we can cultivate and explore all parts of the world, make new friends, and best of all, we thrive, we grow when we allow friendships to blossom and bloom.  In exploring the various dimensions of ourSELVES through the friendships we make, our world as we know it, expands, we know that what is outside our door today, is only a moment in time.. in this very same moment and time, a friend is basking in sunshine on a mountain top or sandy beach.

PL Precept #17   Grasp what is most essential

PL Precept 18    Each moment is a turning point.

 

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Does anyone, can anyone remember or recognize these little give aways?

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I once had these Black eyed Susans in our garden,  over time, they simply disappeared.

C’est la vie, such is life.

Namaste          –          Oyashikiri

Have a good day everyone!

Till soon!

first winter storm 2015

winter alone

It was our first winter storm in 2015, and guess what, the year will be over very quickly, only a few more days now, and we will enter into 2016.  With the storm warnings, and the cold blowing winds, I’m sure that there were many who were not loving the day.  Especially with buses  stalled, and stuck in snow banks, the cold weary commuters had to stand and wait in the blustering weather for transportation.  It was certainly a dump, no light dusting today… when I left the house shortly before nine there was already a good foot of snow in the driveway.

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Snowblowers and shovels were the toys being used today.  When I was leaving home and hearth on my adventure, I saw only trucks like mine or bigger, on the roads, and of course commercial vehicles.  The big city  plows and sidewalk cleaners were likely in the downtown core and major streets in the city’s core.  I could hear the ice pellets hitting the roof of the truck, yes there was some of the little crystals gems flying through the air as well as the flakes of snow.  I couldn’t hear the wind, but I could see the trees bending and the commuters hankering down into their winter coats with scarves wrapped firmly around for more protection.

blizzard oil on canvas Joseph Farquhharson  1846-1935

So what was I doing out?  I was enjoying the day.  I watched the gray mist darken the day, when I got out of the truck to enter a building, I felt the cold on my face, and the  embrace of the winter chill.  My boots left a deep waffle like texture in the soft snow, and my coat  kept me warm while I walked.  I had the store basically to myself, the staff that did make it in, were busy telling of their adventure, I had time to wander and delight in the treasures that were laid out for me to discover.

Clerks had time to visit,   we enjoyed some social chit-chat, while we dealt with the transaction at hand.  It wasn’t rushed, it was nice and leisurely, and then while walking back to the truck, I got to appreciate how the snow had fallen and covered the truck in a blanket of white… there was a crystalized veil across the windshield… the pattern a lovely lace.  Mother Nature had done this in a very short time, she is obviously good at what she does.

snow fall in Ottawa

Smaller cars were having their challenges, I decided to take a different route home.. It was a little longer maybe, but it was a bus route, the roads would be plowed.  It wasn’t till I got back closer into the city proper that I saw just how much traffic was being affected.  For sure I had to be extra careful, stay focused, and enjoy my surroundings while staying vigilant.  I loved it.

It was good to be out on my own, going from A to Z I even broke out in song. Yes. be thankful you were not with me.  I felt that my positive good mood would see me home safe and sound, and it did.  I had a great sense of satisfaction in my outing, it was rewarding even…   I didn’t let the voices of “others” over shadow my desire of experiencing the day.  I embraced what was presented me, and took it all in, and said thank you  at the end of it all… the great mood just continued on, and tomorrow, will be another day… Hopefully just as amazing as this one was.

Ottawa

You know who else had a great day… the children who got to make slides and play in the snow… and the skiers who finally got enough snow to have a day doing what they love to do.  =^_^=  life can be magical!

I loved today …  and I love YOU

Namaste     –     Oyashikiri

 

 

 

 

 

*** Blizzard oil on canvas by Joseph Farquharson,British 1846-1935

photos from CBC Canada

some from Pinterest

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China, snow castle

This is a picture of the Snow Castle built for the Harbin Snow Festival in China.

snow, NY city

A not so much fun time for commuters in NY City after/during a winter storm

Sand storm

How about this, this is a sand storm, never experienced one, and hope not to, this is my first time to even see one

Weather happens, we have absolutely no control on what will appear over the horizon, we can guess, forecast, but the truth is, the world is so big and there are so many factors involved that we are never really sure .. the only certainty is when it happens.  We all know the possibilities, we all have experienced the weather in one form or another.  Sometimes it has been simply blissful, and other times, downright problematic, but we deal with it.  What else can we do.  Rain, or shine, the core of it all … is… we are alive… we are living it.

Each day is a new beginning, it really and truly is.  Yes the weather can be fierce, but it can also be like this.

Canadian Rockies, lodge

For this picture to have been taken, (Emerald Lake Lodge, Canadian Rocky Mountains) there had to have been a snow fall, lots of it. In life, it is our choice to see and dwell on the negatives, or whether we take action, deal with it, and move on.   Whether we like or love the weather, it doesn’t matter, it is here, now and always …. our forever companion through this journey of  ours here on earth.

snow and sun

The sun shines, even when it snows.  So can you.  Whether we are happy or not, that is our decision, and ours alone.  Weather is not the indicator or reason for our “moods”…

snow, loving it

This little critter is basking in the sunlight……….  enjoy

When we live with love in our hearts

we are weather proof

=^_^=

PL Precept # 7    Everything exists in Relativity

PL Principles # 2     I will not have complaints about others, matters, nor the weather,  Rather 

I will always be creative and will look for shortcomings in my own thinking and actions.

Namaste    –     Oyashikiri

pinterest & 500px.com

Being cheerful

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December arrives, and the excitement starts to build

The airwaves are full of happy songs anticipating the festive holidays

As children it didn’t matter what or where the holiday originated

not really, it was that everyone seemed so happy, and time was made

for decorating, planning and having friends and family over.

It centered around an evergreen tree, if you were lucky  enough to have

one fresh from the farm or farmer’s market, the smell of the freshly cut

tree would permeate the house.

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In school, we were told about what Christmas meant to our classmates

and how, the spirit of goodwill to all, was the lesson we should be learning

Mostly we were from different backgrounds, and the teacher would do

his/her best to  show us how in respecting each other’s  differences

we could all enjoy this wonderful holiday together.  Learn from each other

and share in the giving of “loving one another” and working towards

“peace on earth”

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We were encouraged to make something special for those we cared about

it was a time where we made time to find something to give our

closest friends and parents something from the “heart”

It wasn’t about the cost, but about showing how that person brought

happiness into our lives by sharing their lives with ours.

Xmas cards were so much fun to make or pick out, each with a message

that was specific to that friend or parent.

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There was an innocence, a joy, it felt good to say Merry Christmas.. to one and all

Not for religious reasons, but because it was being respectful, and caring.

Like saying, “have a great day and life”  Almost always it brought a smile for a response.

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Yes, the world is changing, and Yes there are now many more cultures that have come together

under one umbrella.  The month of December is the one time that should be Universal in maintaining

the spirit of Christmas.. (Xmas)….. we are all ONE… we all love, hurt, endure,and live one day at a time.

We want health, happiness and longevity for ourselves and our loved ones.  no matter who we are….

let us celebrate this holiday, with the mantra of “goodwill to all”

allow the cheerfulness of the season, to bring glad tidings to all…..

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Love makes all things possible

God is love

Namaste      –      Oyashikiri

PL Precept 11  Always be with God

PL Precept # 3   God appears through one’s self.

PL Precept 15    All is a mirror.

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looking up

snow magic

when walking through my dream

it seems, that all I did was walk

I searched, had no idea  what I was searching for

but on, and on I went

down corridors, and carpeted halls

even ran up broad marbled stairs

this is not my first time in the maze

sometimes it feels like I’m lost for days

it’s the past, it’s the present

yes I talk to people

I ask for directions,

I’m realizing now as I recount

this tale, no one ever says good day

not me, or anyone else I meet

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we are all so busy, busy,busy

how can I be lost

I’m surrounded by people

yet I  am on this endless search

I can’t find my “room” my private space

everything looks the same, each corridor

I find, has numbered doors,

1st, 2nd, 21st. floor it doesn’t matter

no door is mine, besides, I seem to have lost the key

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what web have I created with my nattering mind

and multi tasked habits

oh please, why do I insist on constantly searching

when if only I would stop, just stop

and look up instead of rushing

from one place to another

looking up

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I will see the sky, the Universe

and in the vastness of the Universe

my spirit will find peace

from the chattering of my mind

of daily matters that blind me

to the inner voice with me

that tells me, I need not search

I need not worry that I can’t get home

I am always home

God/Tao/Universe is always with me

 I am never alone

I need only stop

and look up.

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Namaste      –      Oyashikiri

PL Precept # 17  Grasp what is most essential

PL Precept # 11   Always be with God

PL Precept #15   All is  a mirror

PL# 17    Grasp what is most Essential

thank you – merci- obrigado

  • feedly,com
  • stellaresque42.tumblr.com
  • flickr,jim frost (3rd)
  • snowy orion,donegal skies,flickr
  • rebellesociety.com (top pic)

simplify

Belize

living on the beach man

oh that’s where I wanna be

hmmm the sun, the surf

and fishing, that is something else

I could have fresh fish everyday

prawns and simple fare

 Belize 2oh man but does that sound so fab

sunny days with clear blue skies

even scuba diving and water adventures

I’ve never done before…

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that said, my reality is simple

while I would like ro explore for a week or so

a place totally different from my own

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I’m a proud Canadian who loves being  home

We have four glorious seasons

each one giving us different reasons

to go out and explore the great Canadian experience

I do love to travel

but more and more, I want to be home

where life is simple, and its my own’

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The holiday season is fast approaching

the lights, the cool invigorating frosty air

wood fire crackling in the fireplace,  home baking

and evergreens everywhere

AND AND AND

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now it is pumpkin season,

there are so many different squashes

and fall vegetables everywhere

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LOL and it can be spooky and fun

you never know what you will see  while being out and about

there are just too many creative people out there

so, yes, I love love reading about David’s* travels

and his photography showing us all

where he has been, delights and teases me

David I watch for your reads

now lets eat..

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Smile everyone,

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It’s Friday!

Namaste     –     Oyashikiri

*David photographer,blogger -A wandering memory- WordPress

*pinterest

*DIY Heidi Rew (Parties for Pennies)

silly billie me

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not a tree in sight

just a little bungalow

tucked in under the snow

am I alright

to feel such delight

you’re darn right

it’s a welcome sight

when its hot hot hot

unrelenting heat for days on end

with humidity that one can’t circumvent

only please

let me have my internet

xxxoooo

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Ahhh another day of sunshine, just brush off the snow =^_^=

Namaste     –     Oyashikiri

pic.found on whitelinehotels.com

Snow in March

It was a fresh blanket of snow when that greeted me when I opened the door to let the dog out. That magical soft white that sits like powdered sugar on the trees and dusts everything in sight with a crystal blanket of angel dust.aa9cf2966c07c98e8351f4910fb7ba66The early morning sky still had a soft gray shading that had the world around still in sleep mode.  No buses, no cars, just the soothing quiet of an early morning.  T’is lovely, and I was tempted, very tempted to step outside and sit in a deck chair to extend the beauty of the moment.

89719dc678ce0c9547340e843b1e78b5The season’s change, sometimes they simply blend one into the other, and other times, the change can be more dramatic. Life, mirrors the cycles that transpire in Nature . Sometimes we are very much  center stage, at other times we are back stage,making it all happen, or in the audience, enjoying watching events unfold.

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Wherever the path leads today, I know it will be a great day, why, because it is my choice to have a good day.  I will share with friends I meet along the way, and will be blessed by the joy of sharing.  Even if it is for a moment or two, when we connect and focus on the moment, we are, in that moment,ONE with God/life/Universe.

I commit this day to be one of growth in every area of my life.

Namaste    –     Oyashikiri

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