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Posts tagged ‘winter’

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mountain 1.15.

I knew I shouldn’t just stop along the highway, but when I saw the trees coated in white snow, I found a way to stop so I could take a few pictures.

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Too often, I squeal with delight at something I pass along the way.  I know moments can’t repeat themselves, but still I try.  I wanted to capture the white frosting on the sculpted branches.  I drove for miles and saw only open fields, with winter shades of blanched stalks, and soft golden grasses standing out from the fresh fallen snow.  Farm houses, and barns in the distance would have made great captures, but there was no place to stop.

We need to seize opportunities when they show themselves.  As I turned off the busy #43, towards Mountain, I saw the  stand of trees, with their blanket of snow, and the textured ground cover and I knew… it was time to pull over.  Such moments, are not necessarily the best photos, but they sure are rewarding moments that leave a person feeling good. Sometimes we need just LIVE the moment, and then move on.

If we hold back, wait and want only that perfect picture.  We miss the moment.  Technical composition, for me does not  >for me<  a memory make… Just saying…

That is why we are all so different, and why appreciation of another is so valuable in the enrichment of daily life.

Oyashikiri

 

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lazy day

There is something to be said about a cold sunny day, when you can see the shimmering bling of the icicles as they hang from the roof edge.  I have been trying to listen to the good advice from friends, “stay in, stay out of the cold, REST”, I think I’m soon going to be able to say, its been 4 weeks now! cough, cough, splutter, sneeze, wheeze and darn I’m tired.

windows-iceThis is a much better shot of the beautiful sculptured ice.  The sky was the beckoning blue that makes me want to be outside.  I don’t care it is cold, I’m happy outside, I layer up and I’m toasty warm.. the air is so fresh, crisp and deliciously brisk.

Thanks for the great feedback on the Sludge project, thought I’d show you a sneak peek.

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This is a piece of a cover that I was very taken with.  I liked it so much I kept the magazine for ages.  Doing these “Art” journals has given me a new way to display and keep the pictures I like, without keeping a whole magazine.  Eventually some time in the future, I will add to the pages.. this is the fun of it all.. there is no rush, no deadlines, just a great way to have quality time with myself doing “stuff” I like.

PL Precept #1   Life is Art

PL Precept # 18  Each Moment is a Turning Point

Make each moment count, enjoy being alive, be grateful, and appreciate that God is in your life…

PL Precept #11   Always be with God

When we live with love in our hearts…it is so much easier to express ourselves.

PL Precept #2   To live is to Express One’s Self.

Oyashikiri

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wordless Wednesday 1.4.2017

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inside looking out

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poached egg on toast

 

Poached egg on toast no… do I know what it is… no.. I somehow press a button that creates a video of sorts.. this is 1 sec. My creative expression doesn’t always work out the way I want it to.

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Moving along, I tried to capture the berries against the red door of the house next door, ok,

 

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This video doesn’t exist

click on it.. there should be something there.. this is my morning of poached egg bloopers.

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From my mail box to yours, happy day, the snow is light, fluffy and a little sticky, the temperature not balmy, but nice, cozy with my down on.

Oh, and btw, my eggs were delicious, salt and peppered with a tease of a Japanese chili pepper… yummy.

Life is not about everything having to be perfect, I enjoyed being outside, trying to find just the right angle and the perfect frame.  So it didn’t happen like I would have wanted it to, I did get pictures, and in the process, I’m learning.

Oyashikiri

btw= by the way

 

 

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quiet beckoning

ompah-hwy-7Ompah is in Ontario, a little out-of-the-way, but not so far one can’t get to it.  The seasons change, right now I’m sure it doesn’t look like this.  It will be snow-covered, and likely there will be a chill in the air.

My body has a cold right now.  Notice I’ve disengaged myself from the body that is wanting to sneeze, wheeze and be a total drain on my energy.

I envision this wonderful location, patiently waiting for the cold to have its day and disappear.

Such is life, sometimes, Nature has its own agenda, time for me to settle down, find a cave and  hibernate for a while. =^_^=

I’ll do that after Hubby takes me out for our anniversary dinner…..International Buffet.. yum.. what is it, you feed a cold or starve a cold??   later, I’ll dwell on it later… =^_^=

smilePencil                                                          Oyashikiri

I know… I will own my decision to go out, when I should be tucked in bed…  I will not complain if/when my body does not take kindly to my actions.

Pl Principle #2     the last part….. ” I will always be creative and will look for shortcomings in my OWN thinking and ACTIONS”

 

 

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snow moment

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Snow what a  blessing

from above, crystals

with prisms that catch the light

an art form,

that can  dazzle and delight

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it is true, we can’t fall asleep

in plain sight,

enjoying the sun the same way

we can in summer

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oh, but other delights await us

and the winter fun can begin

the slops are being groomed

snowshoes  are being readied

I can smell the baking pies

and anticipate the wonder

in the children’s eyes

the    happy smiles

when they fly down a hill

all bundled up, on their first toboggan ride

oh dear.. there is always

an old bear, who wants us to know

winter or not

he will have his time in the sun

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truth be told

he is right of course,

no matter the season

there is never a  good reason

to get out and enjoy

the day no matter what

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I for one

will wear my new dress

and have fun

PL Precept #1     Life is Art

smile donkey snowman

hmmm somehow Mr. Snowman, I don’t think that this is a friendly kiss

1st and hedgehog picture are mine, others from social media

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Xmas in May

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That’s right, Xmas, snow, jingle bells, and all that glitters, that is my world the last few days as I start to prepare for the making of holiday cards for seniors and shut ins .  My sister is a long time contributor to various charities and organizations, this year she was able to get my attention, for the cause, and I accepted.  Yes, it is not till later in the year, but as all of you who are card artists and crafters will know, to be done, with access to supplies etc. we start now.

With shops busy with current events, such as weddings, graduations, vacations, winter is far away, and many have their Xmas/winter embellishments and card/paper stock on sale.

In some ways it is easier for me to be creative about a season that is on its way, in months to come, because I get to work in a sun filled studio with the temperature a nice seasonal 60 – 70 something degrees.

With no pressure to get something done, now….. because someone else needs it to do their part.  ie. know what inventory they have so they can know how best to serve their clients.  I can create and play just “chilling”

The picture of the “tree” was taken a few years back when my other sister was up from California, and we toured a “green” area not far from where we were at t he time.

These are the other hikers we met  along the trail.

 

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This is a beautiful time of the year, so much is happening in the woodlands and gardens that are waking after a long winter’s sleep.  We are so fortunate for our abundance.  Today’s lesson on the calendar #23 is  Applaud the Makoto of others (Makoto=sincerity)  When you encounter good faith or kindness in others, make sure that you acknowledge it fully.  

Brinde aplausos al Makoto de las personas.  Cuando recibe cordialidad y amabilidad de los otros, admirelos sin escatimar. 

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Namaste         –         Oyashikiri

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PL Principle #1   I will live paying careful attention, putting Makoto into all I say and do

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Life is good

Happy, sunshine and joyful day to you all

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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!

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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.

snowblowing

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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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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