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Snow

These were taken yesterday, it was balmy, mind you I was bundled up with a very long coat, and Bogs* (boots that are made for Canadian winters, keep the feet warm to -058 degrees.) .. and layered “to the nines”. To do the Bog on days when the winds are whipping over the landscape, can be very refreshing. I enjoyed my walk, there was no one else around, There is something to be said about sitting on a bench in the middle of a snow covered Bog. The birds were huddled in the woods fluffed up, keeping warm. The one squirrel I saw was nuzzled in against a tree in the elbow of another branch. He had no interest in leaving the sheltered nook for a peanut.

When I got to the part of the Bog that leads back to terra firma, the wooden boardwalk that crosses over water, was snow covered, the winds had picked up enough that the dried stalks from the water plants .. whispered and sang as the spirited winds ran through them. Beautiful and serene.

The walk provided me with time for quiet reflection, any sadness was carried away by the breeze. Its cool caress as it gently brushed my cheeks, wiped the silent tears. Nature embraced me with the comfort I needed.

Your smile is what is needed

A smile invites happiness and cheer and is essential to energize others as well as yourself.

PL2022.3.

Ottawa is in for another snow storm, hello. another one, yes! and, it will only be the appetizer, mid week it seems a bigger one will arrive. Keep the snow shoes and skiis ready!

Evening Grosbeak

Happiness is… looking up and realizing that there is an Evening Grosbeak looking back at you.

Made my day, I just stopped in my tracks and admired … the delight that filled me was instant I waited all last year for a glimpse of one.. and now.. here it was … the moment of sheer pleasure. Bold as brass, it just looked back to acknowledge my admiration… then went back to his breakfast.

Handle things that come your way one by one

Tackle your issues in the order they appear in front of you. You will be able to get things done more efficiently this way, (PL2015.19)

Evening Grosbeak is a passerine bird in the finch family. Adult male Evening Grosbeaks are yellow and black birds with a prominent white patch in the wings. They have dark heads with a bright-yellow stripe over the eye. Females and immatures are mostly gray, with white-and-black wings and a greenish-yellow tinge to the neck and flanks.

Samedi

Good morning. While waiting for news of my car … I did another puzzle, they certainly can keep one entertained, and of course the results are bright and colourful. I noticed that the puzzles I seem to like doing are not only cheerful but reminiscent of another time. Time when life was slower. People more open to being neighbours, new discoveries were viewed with reserve but boy, a drive in an old vintage pickup was a treat… You would see old cars being repaired and lovingly restored. On Sundays, there was a sense of pride as you drove the car/truck out for a drive that saw you driving the dusty backroads, taking turns you knew would take you into cottage country.

You could sit along the side of the road, especially at little “pull off” parks… where you could let the dogs get some exercise, sit at a picnic table and dig into the sandwiches you had made that morning for the little excursion. The “out houses” were maintained by the local communities or county park workers. It was a different pace and a different “world”.

Now everything is fast, fast foods, paved roads that lead you quickly from one destination to another, a drive to the country, means a long trip, across the miles of city/sub-burbs and big shopping centres.

When my car died on me .. yes again… the dealer was not optimistic, this is late November here where I live, everyone is in a rush to get their winter tyers on their cars.. We have had no snow yet, but there have been signs it is on its way. When my car simply refused to open for me or start, I was told they couldn’t tow it out of the garage, until a way was found to get the car out of park mode.

The CAA driver (I had called for a tow truck after the dealer advised me that would be the only way to get the car to them.. and this would mean an emergency call, AND the first possible date they could give me to look at the car would be December 10.) Imagine my chagrin. But.. no choice .. so I booked for Dec. 10.. and knew I’d be without a car for weeks .IF the Tow truck driver could get it going or out of the garage.

Bless his heart, he wouldn’t give up, he got the manual out and began to leaf through the pages, it was a wonderful sound to hear the car’s engine come to life. … then crashed when he informed me that the car was not responding to the engine going, it wouldn’t read the key fob. The man kept at it.. and bingo, the car responded, he quickly got me to get in the car, and said he would follow me to the dealer. When I drove unto the car lot he honked, waved and kept going to his next call.

Of course the next bit was being told it didn’t look good, BUT the Service Advisor I deal with at Surgenor is Kevin Gammage ( I secretly dub him, Superman) took charge … sent me home by Uber… saying he would get back to me once they could look at the car… reminding me… it could be awhile. This I already knew since the gal in Service had already told me of their backlog and that my car would likely not be seen till December.

To my surprise Kevin called me late afternoon to tell me they had looked at the car, and he thought they saw the problem.. and there was a part for it in Montreal, he would let me know further news when he could. (It was the same issue as last May when critters chewed the wires to my car) The long and the short of it is… Surgenors had my car ready for me to pick up yesterday afternoon.

People ask me why I continue to go to my dealer with my car, (its a 2019) I don’t know about other dealers, this one is a cut above… I have over the years dealt with other places, this is not the first car I’ve owned. However, this is the first place in these modern times that I don’t feel like a number when I go in.. they recognize a loyal customer and they provide a service that is exceptional. I am not alone, when we go in for service, I hear the banter and the exchanges while I wait my turn, they are going to send a follow up (which now seems to be common practice everywhere) on how I enjoyed my experience… You all know what my reply will be… It was WONDERFUL.. in this impersonal day and age.. where people talk of service but don’t deliver.. Surgenor Ottawa, delivers!!


If you’re going to do it, do it joyfully

If you have to do something choose to do it with joy and enthusiasm. By doing so, you will experience a deeper sense of beauty. (PL2014.23)


I did not get the name of the tow truck driver, but I will be placing a call on Monday to CAA, (this is like AAA in USA)… people are quick to give a bad rap to these drivers.. Everyone I’ve encountered has always been so helpful, and this fellow was a gem, he wouldn’t give up, I am grateful for his “makoto” (sincerity)

Have a good day everyone, now thanks to Kevin and the team at Surgenor (he didn’t do it alone, I thank everyone who helped get me back on the road) I can deliver food donations to the foodbank out in Mountain today, do my drop offs at the pharmacy etc. etc. Life is Good!

CAA Canadian Automobile Association

Surgenor Ottawa 939 St.Laurent Blvd. Ottawa, On.K1K3B1

konnichiwa

ogenki desu ka

Don’t give up!

Keep at it until you accomplish what you’ve started

The key to achieving something is to stick to it, If you are able to continue something from start to finish, you will be sure to accomplish it no matter how difficult the task is. (PL2014.5)


I drove to Toronto yesterday. I have never in all my years driven to Toronto on my own, NEVER. I have been there many times, even lived there years ago. But either I was with someone, or I took a bus, train, even plane, but never have I driven there.. it is a 5 plus hour drive, and Toronto is a BIG action packed city. Cars everywhere and going at amazing speeds… highways beside highways, criss-crossing , man, I was to overcome with the magnitude of my situation to even think about it, I just had to live it.

Sometimes we just need to live it. My trips to Japan, and my memories of the Chinatowns I’ve been in over the years had me wanting to be in a milieu that was “Asian”… In Toronto there are huge communities, marketplaces, shops, restaurants that have that “familiar” vibe. My “draw back” was I didn’t take into consideration the time change factor, the month, days are shorter, etc. I had rendez-vos at the start of the day so didn’t leave Ottawa till almost 9 and Toronto is a good 5 hour drive.

AND I had a place to be (which required me to be back home) for 8 pm. Let me tell you, I got to have many little chats with myself yesterday…. and to examin my need to do things as they pop up in my gray cells. Then the jewel on the crown, when I got home, the road was closed right in front of my house, I had no access! (well I did, but I had to be coming from the other direction, and it was a very small opening!!) and I have mentioned it was pitch black out, and had been since about 4:58 pm. ok maybe 5:15…

It is pretty scary when the guardian angel is the big white truck in front of you that has lights not only along the bottom of his truck, but at each corner of his truck at the top. I offered up a silent prayer to his guardian angel in thanks and to keep him safe. Those super highways are D A R K !!!

A big thank you to my nephew who came along as I was staring in disbelief at the big road closure fences barring my way home… He ran over and saw that by going around and coming down the street from the other direction, I could squeeze the car through and into my laneway.

I was blessed with friends who checked in on me along the way…. in spirit I was never alone, and I did have a sense of accomplishment when I finally threw myself on the bed to end the evening with a well deserved “sleep”… (Bedtime stories are heaven sent)

Oh and.. onStar (service in my car) guided me every mile along the way, I even learned a new way to leave the conservation area, to the Queensway (super highway here in Ottawa)….

would I go back.. yes that was a tease.. but I would time it better.

opportunities

When we travel the roads, we sometimes can step back in time. This was a now closed garden landscape concrete statues, benches etc. shop that is no longer operating. The land around the old structures was still being well maintained, and you can see that it was once vibrant and thriving. There are still reminders on the grounds, I would like to track down the former owner, some of his pieces were unique .. I have not seen them in the big garden centres in the cities.

We were in what would be called cottage country, not off the beaten track … but definitely not in a built up area. The small town was full of charm, and wore it’s history with pride. It was welcoming.. but reserved in a quiet fashion.

In life, we learn that there is always “change” we can’t stop the progress that happens all around us, but in small villages/towns , the feeling of “shared” community stands out. All along the streets, we saw the welcoming signs of “trick or treat” being displayed.

One of the Precepts in PL, #16 All things progress and develop, is so true, I was remined of how precious each moment in is. PL # 17 Grasp what is most essential … I was touched by the welcoming spirit of the streets and byways we explored. People we talked to were friendly and so welcoming, cars passing, drivers would wave a cheerful “hi there” … acknowledging the stranger capturing images of their town. There was pride in the way homes, farms, business were maintained.

Driving home later in the day, we crossed over to the Quebec side .. and drove home through the Pontiac (county) passing the most amazing show of colour on the hills/mountains that surrounded us. And the lakes, waterways … just awesome.. Canada still has a lot of wilderness. By then the sun was saying its goodnight, I couldn’t get pictures, but the views are etched in my heart/memories.

PL Precept #18 Each moment is a turning point.

Appreciate and enjoy each moment, don’t squander life.. .. There is a whole world out there to discover, and often it is in our own “backyard”.

Beachburg Village is in historic Westmeath Township, Renfrew county, It was built along a trail that led to the settlement of Miramichi (now Pembroke)

For more doors, please visit, Dan’s No Facilities site where doors from all over the world are presented for your discovery. https://nofacilities.com/2024/10/24/new-brighton-detour/

primeiro

Yesterday I made it to downtown Salaberry de Valleyfield in southwestern Quebec. To get there I took the route along the water, through Saint Zotique and other little villages. I was blessed with another gorgeous day. These pictures were taken when I stepped out of my car on rue Victoria that runs along Dellpha Sauve Park. I parked and walked across to the Restaurant la Pataterie, where I ordered …. you guessed it.. a steamed hot dog and fries … to go of course.. there was a picnic table just steps away from where I parked where I could not only enjoy the view, but the clear skies and mid day breeze.

I’d go back for the fries and to try the hamburger or their smoked meat combo.. there was a lot to pick from.

Driving along the roads I let my mind empty of the mindless chatter and let the thoughts come and go as they were want to. The mind can be a real chatter box, some of it is relevant … and a lot is just gibberish. But .. it is important to let the mind unclutter itself. We can’t do that when we are busy running here and there .. or having conversations … My car is like my office on wheels. Sometimes I need to shut the door, turn on the engine and let the open road call me to where ever…

PL Precept # 18 Each moment is a turning point.

PL Precept #17 Grasp what is most essential

In life we are blessed with the opportunity to make choices, to decide what and how we want to live our lives. As I drove by the areas that allowed me an access to the water… I took a small side street that gave me a full view of a big industrial tanker making its way across the water. I parked for a bit so that I could enjoy the view as it slowly sailed past.. not another boat in sight, just the open sky in the background. It would have made a great picture, but that would have meant my finding a place to park the car and my getting out.. by the time I would have done that.. it would no longer be in the perfect spot for a good picture. That’s what life is all about isn’t it. Each moment is a lifetime.

PL Precept # 19 Begin once you perceive.

Have a grand day everyone!

hoje

can you see me?

Be creative in your efforts

If something is not going well, take a step back and look at how you are tackling the problem. There is sure to be something you can improve on. (PL2014.16)

I realized this morning that yesterday I travelled through two provinces and followed along the St. Lawrence River and part of the American shoreline… the weather was amazing, ambiance and landscapes were picture perfect…. and I didn’t take one picture. Not one. Never even occurred to me I was so in the moment. Lost in the beauty of NOW.

Happy start to a new week everyone.

quinta-feira

No two doors are the same, no two people are the same, YET

Discover something new today. Have a willingness and an interest, and start your day with excitement, (PL2023.22)

Everyday, we walk by doors and never see them. How many times have you walked by someone and not even been aware you’d done so… or … you see people all around you YET…. you cannot recognize or identify anyone you just passed. We have become so used to having “busy” around us, that we “tune out” and often are so wrapped up in our own thoughts.. we miss “the” moment.

The picture bottom left, When I first saw it, I was captured by the closed door and the open entrance right beside it. on closer inspection, I saw that they had different house numbers. Right away, I thought, “which entrance would I want to explore?” Do you have a preference?

I have learned over the years… to never judge a book by its cover.… what doorway would inspire a story from you today?

For more doors, please visit Dan’s No Facilities site for the Thursday doors! feature https://nofacilities.com/2024/08/22/still-more-from-iowa/

Thursday

We all live through rough moments when we wonder– what? why? how did this happen? Why me? These ahHA moments can be startling, revealing, and even painful. But. the truth and reality of it .. is that moment will pass.. in French there is an expression, “want to or not, this is what it is”… When you have these light bulb moments, thank “Universe/God” you’ve reached the turning point. Say thank you… and move on.

Find the door .. open it, walk out or walk in, the world is yours to discover.

For more doors/architecture, please visit Dan’s No Facilities site, to see what other door/architecture lovers have posted today. https://nofacilities.com/2024/06/13/csc-model-trains/ note. I know I have a lot of readers who like trains and all that goes with them.. another reason to visit Dan’s page today.

Till soon…… Oyashikiri

Thursday

Treasure those fleeting inspirations. The best time to seize an opportunity is when you first notice it. Good timing is crucial to working efficiently, (PL2011.9)


1st door, is inspiration for a storyline. Had me wondering why not just change the lock or have another key made.?

Knowing my love of crows/ravens. Nick and Mel who are traveling in Europe and Iceland, sent a short video of the large gathering of crows/ravens when visiting these ruins, (they don’t show in the recapture of the doorway etc. but they were there and very vocal.)

The third door speaks for itself. Hope that one of the above inspires a story or two, Being this is Thursday Door day.. here is the link for the Thursday Door feature at Dan’s No Facilities site. https://nofacilities.com/2024/05/09/titanic-doors/

Oyashikiri

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