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travel/distance

Yesterday I stepped into the past. I was standing with the wild turkeys in the woodlands listening to the baby birds chirping and singing their little hearts out … the squirrels and chipmunks were chasing each other and racing up and down the trees where I had spread the nutty butter (made for wildlife).. we were happy in the moment of sharing under the wide open sky. When a thought clear as a bell, nudged me to pay attention….

I got back into my car, drove home, emptied my trunk of bird seed, peanuts, etc. took out unnecessary clutter, got my passport and headed back out the door to the highway. No advanced planning, no wondering why … I just followed my nose. (expression)

PL Precept # 19 Begin once you perceive

PL Precept #18 Each moment is a turning point.

As the miles slipped past me, the landscaped changed from sprawling city to the outskirts, and then towards the American border, I felt oddly at peace. A quiet settled over me, and I realized that I had turned off the radio, there was just me, myself and I alone with my thoughts. In an hour I was at the border crossing being welcomed and waved through by cheerful customs personnel.

When asked where are you coming from, why are you coming over .. where are you going… I had no definite reason or plan… I simply wanted to be there. The agent smiled at me and encouraged me to have a good time… Smiles go a long way, feel good too!

Move forward with confidence Experiences you have acquired through efforts so far are wonderful. Give it all you’ve got.

Perfect Liberty 2023.20

Not two hours past, I had been standing in a conservation area, with wildlife all around me, now I found myself standing in an American Walmart under construction. Was it busy, YES. Ahhh life in 2023. I had remembered to turn off my phone before crossing into the States (avoiding roaming charges).. how grand is it that I could start my day in Canada and be in the States for lunch. I did a no brainer.. drove through MacDonald’s for a big Mac and fries (hey! on a mini holiday here)… paid and happily drove right off without my food! Was on my way to search out the airport when I realized what I had done. Had to turn myself around and go back forit.

Again I was greeted with smiling and cheerful staff who were waiting for me… I decided to eat in and discovered a new experience. On the tables are big screens to play games on while you eat. I took my time enjoying my food playing mahjong and then a word game. What fun!

The news these days has been filled with negativity, when you stop to think about it, it is always about the anger, frustration and crises situations …senseless killings, neighbours fighting neighbours, natural disasters (they do happen)… yet here I was… people all around me, smiling, chatting, going about their business, courteous, oh and the temperature was warm and balmy, Everything felt so positive. I got the directions to the “international” airport that was advertised on PBS (television) and once again got in the car and headed off to “discover”

I found one of two old, very old cemeteries. I stopped to get pictures for a Thursday door feature and was drawn to the tall tombstone you see. Period 1816 -1863, it was not the oldest, but interspersed here and there were newer headstones. It was so tranquil ,.. there were old trees, the grounds well kept… I could feel the years, sense the history. Not far off when I took to the highway in search of the airport again, I saw the horse and buggy signs… and a big sign telling me if turned right I would find a national State Park.

I was searching for the airport, so after taking the turn, I turned myself around, that will be for another day. I was headed out of the city when I realized that I had to have passed the airport, I pulled over and turned around.. all I could see was farmland, big empty fields and older well loved homes. Then I saw a faded sign on a chain link fence.. saying to watch out for low flying planes. Ah Ha… I was close.. but I had passed here just minutes before the cemetery I had been in was just on the left. slowing down I saw a paved road that led to a big parking lot.. (almost empty).. with a commercial building looking very empty. Taking the turn unto the road, I saw the way was barred… just up ahead… so I slowed to turn around. It might be small, but it has a lot of good reviews. =^_^=

Finding the airport, having spent my time wandering the Walmart, enjoying a quick lunch in a clean bright Macdonald’s.. Hey! a wonderful interlude. AND not once did I feel alone, YOU were with me all the way. we can cross borders, travel great distances, but always…. WE, me, myself and I are constant in my head/heart.

It was an adventure, and what made it all that much more special, the people.. the army photographer I met in the morning, the customs personnel, the staff in Walmart, the cheerful clerks at MacDonalds, the man who held the door open for me at the store,, the gas attendant when I stopped for gas.. It was a positively glowing day…. all because life IS good and there are opportunities always presenting themselves. we need only be open and willing to participate.

What will you do today?

MC I bought pickled eggs!!!!

Cheers everyone! Tomorrow Sunday service will be an early ceremony Day of Appreciation.. followed by another service in the evening at 7 pm.

Gooood Morning everyone! =^_^=

road found on plus google

PL (Perfect Liberty) lesson of the day >Willingly Take on Tasks That are Behind the Scenes <   Be the one who is able to proactively take on the troublesome tasks that no one likes and for which they are not recognized.  by doing so you will be filled with a genuine feeling of accomplishment.

Yesterday I was on a road trip with a dear friend, we took to the highway with a simple goal, a day away.  We were blessed with wonderful weather, the bluest of skies and good roads. Crossing over into the States was quick, no long line ups, and we easily found the way to the places we had more or less decided to explore. The for sure destination was the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort for the noon hour buffet special.

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Yes, those are big honking coconut breaded shrimps you see on top, and Yes i did take a picture of the dessert plate, and NO, I’m now showing you.  Suffice to say it was very good, and totally enjoyed.  For those wondering where all the greens were, they were in the car, we munched  on raw sugar snap peas and other veggies as we drove along.  No chips or junk food for us.

night, coast line

The whole day was one moment of living after another, we enjoyed the sights along the way, the company, the experience, we meandered , rested, and traveled again.  Home at a reasonable hour, tired but  happy…. that is what I call.. a holiday, =^_^=

Oyashikiri

 

*posted on Pinterest by Guillermon Perez via Tio Jesus TioChucho muydelgada.com
** Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort is in upper NY State, east of Massena

City Pavement? River Bank?

Kingston 6.1 016

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.

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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…

Shad flies

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.

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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)

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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?

Share your Happiness

5ef43740409003232aadbc047466075cGood morning everyone! Hope your day is going well for you.     Did you all enjoy wearing the “green” ..I personally had a wonderful day driving along the St. Lawrence (the great waterway that separates the United States and Canada)  The day started out with -20 something weather, but turned to a balmy minus  single digit by the time the noon hour was upon us..  Definitely during a Canadian winter we did not see a bicycle rider such as the one I’m showing you today. LOL and even on a good sunny day in summer, we are not likely to see such  a sight here in Canada.  Here we are about cars, motorcycles, and more cars.  Riding a pedal bicycle is usually  a recreational or sport activity.  What caught me about this picture is the balance and way the artist packed his merchandise on the bicycle. We are all artists in life, we all use our gift in different ways. This man had to pile the pineapples in just such a way for  him to carry the load and maintain balance so he can get his wares to market.  Everything has its place. This was one moment in this man’s life captured in time.   PL Principle # 3  I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things.

Yesterday while my friend and I drove along enjoying the sunshine and our friendship, we got to talk about life and share just being able to catch up.  Both with busy lives, we can keep in touch, but while her activities tend to take her daily in multiple directions, she still works “9-5” mine is more laid back and my time more flexible.  Sharing feelings, joys, sadness and disappointments is important, not because you want someone to resolve an issue or make something go away, but just to hear a thought out loud gives US a different perspective. PLUS,  when we have a better understanding of a friend’s feelings and thoughts, we are better able to share in their happiness. joys and sorrows.   PL Principle # 4   I will live with the spirit of Misasage (Devotion) working for the happiness of others. 

Mongolia

somewhere in Mongolia on a clear day….

Calmness and adaptability will see you through…

pictures-Pinterest

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