A fine WordPress.com site

Posts tagged ‘writing’

lundi

Listening to the pouring rain. The fire is crackling and blazing in the fireplace, there isn’t another person home, just the cats who are somewhere enjoying the quiet of the day.. Taking time to rest to just listen to our thoughts is a pass time that many of us put off. I am guilty of it myself. I am tempted by the photographic possibilities in a virtual world…or caught up listening to my lessons .. reviewing incoming mail. there is always “something” that catches my attention.

Yesterday, I had a “chat” with my nephew who is gathering information to do a “chart” of our family “histories”… I know some of you have been doing similar research, going back over family photos, gathering stories of the past moments in your family history. It seems like in today’s world (according to my nephew) it is somewhat simpler. He was able to (with a few clicks) show me a map of where my grandparents came from in China. The exact location on the map, so I could actually see the province in China and the little town near the coast where my father’s family came from. I could see how far it was from Taiwan, and picture them travelling from China to Canada way back when.

I sometimes get very annoyed at the constant barrage of information and images that constantly appear on my screen when I’m trying to do something else. But yesterday I was grateful and thankful for the technology we have today. Reminded me again, that there is always a positive to something that can be so negative at times.

“Time is more valuable than money because time is irreplaceable” (God’s little devotional book)

Have a good start to a new week!

Oyashikiri

I know I will be asked, let me give you the LM to the location I visited in SL (Second Life) The ambience is lovely, the sound of pouring rain is restful… http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Silent%20Melody%202/224/114/2520 /silent Melody is a lovely relaxing setting … rain
patters against the windows. Each corner reveals a hidden nook, a tranquil spot to sit and savor the peace to silent melodies, as the world outside fades into a distant murmur.

Friday

Today (actually yesterday now) I drove to Montreal’s West Island and back, did it all in half a day, I find that driving along a highway with nothing but a straight road ahead, and one disappearing in my rear view mirror, relaxing. It was a spur of the moment decision, I had been going to go, changed my mind, realizing I had a full afternoon and evening. But on waking I saw on my calendar that the city was working in the area, and I would have no water … it was being turned off .. 8 – 4 … ugh.

The day being bright, skies clear, I decided to hit the road, the gem/mineral show is on all week-end, but I knew the week-end would be a zoo. I went for many miles with no radio on… I wanted the quiet. The car is my personal space… a place where I can lock myself in and just BE. No distractions unless I want them.

There is something soothing about driving in silence. There were few cars /trucks on the road.. I didn’t question it, I enjoyed it. I took the 417 (super highway) going down, and on the way back, veered off and came by way of Hawksbury. A secondary road that goes through small communities.

My objective was to attend a warehouse sale of earth treasures, crystals, minerals, fossils and one of a kind treasures .. This vendor specializes in high quality specimens, he travels all over the world, his inventory is wonderful to experience.

Specific mindfulness exercise can help you ease your mind and improve your every day.

Wandering down aisles of crystals, minerals from all over the world, unique fossils .. feeling the vibe from “mother earth” was “grounding”

Have a good day everyone!

Oyashikri

Exit

When a fire alarm starts going off in your building before 7 a.m. and just keeps ringing that warning sound, ahh what do you do… Thank goodness I’m on the ground floor and I have an exit right on to my patio which is just outside of the courtyard where where the fire trucks are rolling in. Yes this is the day after a snow storm that has left about 6 inches of fresh snow on the ground over whatever was there before the latest snow fall.

Today I’m showing some of the door ways that I would choose to enter… to escape the noise and the confusion that happens when an alarm goes off in a Highrise complex.. (adult living) My door that I got open with some difficulty since its middle of winter and I have not opened it since the fall, was my patio door. Grabbing my boots and trudging out beyond my hedge to the fire trucks… Firemen were coming back from doing a walk around the building looking for ???

I still don’t know what happened, but I was assured, I would be fine, and not to worry … no action was required on my part. The cats who were taking it in stride, but like myself were not happy with the shrill ongoing noise. Took another 15 minutes or so before the alarm was silenced. I can assure you, it is a rude way to start one’s day.

If you have an interest in doors, today being Thursday, the link to the Thursday Door link on Dan’s No Facilities site, will be posted at the end of this blog.


Today’s message

If you face a situation head on, a path will open up.

No matter how hard the situation is, face it head on. If you approach it seriously you will be able to find a way to break through,

PL2014.26


Since I was already outside, when I went out to find out what was going on, I grabbed my shovel and cleared my patio area. Not such a smart move with me just at the tail end of a serious chest and sinus infection.

This is the link to Dan’s No Facilites site. https://nofacilities.com/2026/02/26/more-snow-doors/

Have a good day everyone.

Oyashikiri

challenge

I sent one of my gals on assignment yesterday, show us how many ways our readers can stop, sit, relax for a moment.. She travelled to a retreat… found a comfortable chair and … here are some examples of taking an “adult, TIME OUT” you can’t hear it but there is a water fall in the courtyard… it was very picturesque but you can sit anywhere, at any time… You just have to make the time, to STOP for a moment, and SIT …

I know it is hard.. every time I open one of my devices I find some kind of ad/commercial/video about how to get better, feel better, and how their product will be a miracle cure like no other.. All you have to do is send them your information and buy their product. This Time Out is free…it is all Y O U.

I recommend, you close your eyes, take a deep breath in… and tilt your head back, and just let it out with a huge big sigh… and feel how your body responds… as you exhale your shoulders actually crop slightly.. and wow it didn’t hurt at all, it wasn’t hard to do… you survived.. Try it for a few more minutes… I know you can do it… don’t be shy, let the sigh be audible if you like… its YOUR moment… After that hard workout… you can treat yourself to another quiet moment, maybe sip on a coffee, drink some organic tea… after all you took a TIME OUT… you deserve a reward… smile…

The best part is you can do it several times a day if you want… if its too hard, try it three for times a week… see if it helps…you can work up to doing it daily… Putting yourSELF first can at times be challenging .. but. you are worth it !!!

This is a cold hard fact…. no one but YOU can make changes in YOUR life, Things happen that we can’t control, but WE can control how we deal with/accept… the opportunities that come our way.

PL Precept #18 Each moment is a turning Point

PL Precept #19 Begin once your Perceive

Oyashikiri

jeudi

With the lunar new year not far off… I let my thoughts drift to another place and time… in my youth, I dreamed of being able to wander the grounds of a monastery high in the mountains. I knew I would feel at home .. looking out into the distance… hearing the soft chanting of the monks… the sweet smell of incense and sandalwood wafting through the air. I never made it to China but my Mom and sister did… . no their interests were not mine… but they did get to explore and bring home memories of a land that was very different from the world we knew. My time abroad was spent in Japan.. smiles with a soft stirring in my heart as I recall the cherry blossoms… and the rice fields as i wandered and took in life in Japan. I loved it there, but I missed hearing English and French, oui, je suis Canadianne …

We can’t always do all the things we want to… but we can explore and take in the world around us, every day there is something new to discover. We need only look around, and reach out, be open to try something new, something different, try something you have never done before. It’s a thought, think about it.

Once upon a time .. we used an expression, “arm chair traveler” have you heard it? do you know it’s meaning? Now I am an “internet buff” I use different platforms to explore my interests. In person, travel to far distant places is no longer a possibility for me, I’m just not interested in airports, long lines, customs, politics.. I simply want to enjoy life and the pleasures available to me. I am thankful for the experiences I have had, and the many wonderful people I’ve met along the way…. now I make no apologies for making time for ME… my interests, my joy at being able to explore places via the creative efforts of others.. I am learning and appreciating the talent and skills of creative minds that impact my world in a positive way.

I discovered I like being happy. I like sharing that happiness… and if it isn’t what others want who are in my space.. I move on. simply said. life is to be enjoyed.

Always express yourself for the happiness of others as well as yourself.

The happiness of those around you can lead to your own happiness. Cultivate a heart to always wish for the happiness of others.

PL2015.12

Oyashikiri

virtual landscape in SL (Second Life) http://www.secondlife.com

ca suffit



enough is enough

All I hear these days are complaints on how cold it is, it is not that cold, there are colder places in the world. WE are human beings, we adjust, this is not new, winter comes every year if you live in a part of the world with 4 seasons. I’d be more apt to complain about the bombardment of my privacy, the constant dinging of the cell phone, the forever in your face advertisement when you try to check on what your friends are up to.

Gone are the phone calls that are for a “catch up” or “long time no see” “let’s connect” instead, it is some marketing firm, or something,someone, somewhere posted and it lands in your “feed”.. with some lure to get your to spend, on ???? it is endless.

ça suffit is a french exprssion... that when I was younger, I would hear my friend's parent utter it with a stern no nonsense tone of voice that brooked no ignoring. When the Mother or Father would say those two words, we stopped the fooling around or whatever we were up to (pre teens) and stop.. it was cool down time.

In those days no matter the weather we were outside, my Dad had made us a small rink in the front side yard under the tall poplar trees where we would put on our skates and skate, or slide down using a piece of cardboard on the snow that was piled high along the side... Was it cold, probably you could see your breath in the air, but we didn't care, we climbed the now bare trees with our snowsuits, mittens and whatever our parents bundled us in... During the day, we played outside... we gathered at the big rink at the park down the street, watched the boys playing hockey, or if we had our skates with us... we climbed over the boards and did our best to learn to do fancy figures like the skaters we heard or saw on the television if you knew someone who had one that is.

Life is not complicated, it is the human brain that makes it so.

ahhhh. sigh. .. ok, got that out... how are you today, are you having a good day? I'm late, yes for a very important date... the crows and critters are waiting. Here is today's thought of the day....

When you are not having fun, could it be because you are being lazy?
Sometimes you feel blue or can't seem to find the joy in doing anything. At times like this, just get up and move your body or work your mind to the fullest extent.

PL 2019.10

And, no, I didn’t change the font on my own, the computer is doing its own editing… and you know what, I’m going to let it. WE can still read it. Am I a fan of auto correct, and AI taking over my PC.. NO.. but I’m not going to haggle with it now. I want to get out and away from it.

Have a good day everyone… soon a new year (lunar) will begin.

Oyashikiri

confession. I succumbed and purchased mushroom powder… I’ll let you know how I like it. 5 mushrooms organically grown and processed in a healthy way… made in Canada.. look up the benefits of mushrooms.

Hello?

Have you ever found you arrive somewhere and suddenly you know you are somewhere, but realize you don’t know or understand anything that is around you. It happens even when you are on home ground. You wake up and find that ..ok yes… you understand the language, but… the world around you, the voices you hear, even though they are speaking a language you know.. the meaning, the context, the way they see life is unfamiliar to you. Sometimes I feel transported by a Telephone Booth (Dr. Who) or I was highjacked by the Star Ship and I’m on a different galaxy. If I blink will it go away? Maybe Spock will walk around the corner. (fictional character from the Star Trek franchise. If I shake a strangers hand, will I get pregnant?

For awhile I thought, “it is because you are over 50 … you’re having a mid life crises.” But.. time moves on and no.. there is definitely a mis-connect. If on the computer, I would turn it off and do a reboot, or hit restart… But this is 2026… it’s real and I don’t think one can just reboot one’s life. I hear a meow and I look over and the cat is looking at me… I can see it in her eyes… you have to go now.. I’m waiting for you to open the window (she means the television, she wants to see the activity outside, YouTube has cat videos!) When I leave in the morning, my routine is to get ready .. I pull out my coffee (cold from the fridge, YES cold! I even fill it with ice cubes too !!) put it by the door and turn on the telly for them before I leave. They don’t even notice my leaving.

Today, I’m late.. getting organized, spent the night bleeding either awake or dreaming. I DO NOT usually dream… Maybe today I should seek out some ” Vulcan stoicism”. When I see the doctor today, I’ll ask him if he thinks my ears are somewhat pointed. OK everyone, have a good day.. Here is today’s PL message. (PL Perfect Liberty) philosophy from Japan.

Live with firm determination, thinking that “this will turn out for the best”

Everything in this world progresses and develops. Always be positive, knowing that everything will turn out for the best.

PL2010.15

5th

My sentiments. I have had this lingering cold/flu now for almost 6 weeks, maybe even more.. Who knows anymore, and who cares… I guess I do. However on the bright side… I have had a lot of REST if not always fitful. Come to think of it… In looking back, I don’t think I’ve had a real bout of “sickness” in recent years, So I guess I should consider this a positive. My body must have been or has been in need of R E S T … In my “awake” times, I have noticed that the cats are aware of my comings and goings.

For instance, I discovered that YouTube has these cat/dog videos.. Before leaving for my morning ritual of nature walks (a way of saying, I go into the woodland I favour to spend time with the birds) I started to put on the telly for them (since moving into an apartment)(reasoning that when I had the house they had 3 floors to run around in and explore)… I started out just putting on Asian music, soothing … calming… (I enjoyed it right) but one day I saw that there was a video for cats.. with birds and animals, nature sounds, running water, feeders…. well … instantly I had two very interested felines perched on the end of the massage table.. totally fascinated. So I now have two cats who when they see me getting ready to go out, wait for me to open the magic window. Amazing.. my cats have discovered technology.

Today’s message..

Your smile energized the people around you.

A smile has the ability to put others at ease and give them energy. Strive to be the first to offer a smile each day to those around you.

PL2020.5

Oyashikiri

Ps. for those of you who knew /know that I have been after the free Genus head being offered in SL (Second Life) Today was my lucky day, I succeeded in getting the female head at 5 a.m. my time… (2 a.m. SL time).. they had such a tremendous response, their vendor went down, I did get the male head the first day I knew about the offer and went in to try my luck. I will do a write up on the head later in/on my Virtual Blog. Meanwhile if you want to see the male, I have posted his picture on my Flickr page. (grid status .. there were over 30,000 people online at the time.) (offer was limited for only so many days)

Cheers, till soon.

Friday

a memory – a long time ago, my husband (at that rime) was the morning man for a radio station in Montreal. The owner bought a station in Nova Scotia and wanted to ensure good ratings, so he talked my husband into doing a stint in NS. I was a city girl, having lived always in big cities, the most recent one was Montreal. I was not amused. But pack up and fly to Cape Breton .. we did. Talk about culture shock… I’m talking years ago, when life was simpler.

While exploring ..one cold winter day, we parked and started on foot across a big open expanse of land, we could hear the surf pounding (the Atlantic Ocean was never far away from where we lived) We used snowshoes so that we could make better time across the snow. As we came to a wooded area, and made our way around it, there sitting as pretty as you please was this small wooden cabin (like the one above)… only it was winter and there was smoke coming from the chimney.

A elderly man came out (Mr. MacDonald).. he graciously invited us in for tea.. to warm up… I was totally charmed, he lived alone out there, he had to walk out and into the little wooded area we passed to his private little loo… in the one room home, he had a wood stove, that heated the home, and doubled as the stove. I must ask Dean if he had electricity, I don’t think he did.. but there could have been a single line to the cabin, for a lighting.. I recall he had some kind of root cellar for keeping things cool.

I came across this picture earlier and it got me thinking… this was a moment that I lived years ago (another life time) but it stayed with me, his genuine hospitality, to two “weird” strangers tromping across his land. BTW the ocean was just over the hill, when we got to the small hill and walked to the top, below us was the ocean pounding in on a deserted beach strewn with big pieces of driftwood. It was doable (getting down) we were young, we left snowshoes in the snow and were able to scramble down the steep incline to the water’s edge. (couldn’t do that today)

When I give thanks for the life I’ve led and all the adventures I’ve had, going to distant shores and meeting with people with/from different backgrounds.. I feel very blessed.

I know this is one reason I keep writing/blogging, I’ve met through this venue so many different writers/expressionist, story tellers, that I so enjoy. Reading your thoughts, seeing the world through your eyes…. the readers who touch base, who relate to something I’ve posted.. L I F E I S G O O D….. and it is because of you.

On Thursday, there is a Thursday Door feature, I know I’m a day late, but I’m going to post to that feature https://nofacilities.com/2025/11/20/yale-peabody-museum/ so anyone interested please visit Dan’s No Facilities site… for more doors.

Today being the 21st. there is a Thanksgiving service (Day of Appreciation) at the church, service is at 10 a.m. If you are unable to attend in person, please, take a few moments around that time to close your eyes and spend a few minutes with us in prayer.

Your feelings of Appreciation become real when you express them.

Express your feelings of appreciation by actually saying “thank You” out loud or by doing something to show how you feel Not only will the person you are thing feel good, but you will too, leading to better things in the future.

PL2014.21

Life is what we make it folks.. I am fortunate to be able to say I am grateful for the friends in my life, and for knowing love .. and the blessing and rewards it brings to living on this earth.

Oyashikiri

Sunday

It was Q’s rez day yesterday (birthday)… I got the notice and realized that I had totally forgotten. I made time to go in to SL (Second Life) (virtual platform) to spend some time with her. Wow she first appeared in my life in 2007.. She was an adventure into a virtual world, there were a lot of lessons to learn. I had to learn to walk, sit, build, communicate with others. Basically exist in/on a virtual platform… I did it … over the years I have progressed and managed to move around and adjust to the many changes one faces in a virtual environment. Photography of course is one of my greatest loves and challenges. I have over 6000 photos on flickr documenting the many changes over the years. I am definitely someone who has learned to live conducting and using my creativity as an avatar to navigate part of my life. The big buzz these days is Ai … which has filtered into “today” world in/on all platforms.

Listening to my lessons, studies, I am getting to know just how much Ai is out there. My visits to the woodlands are more frequent with the changing of the weather, There is something very humbling about being a human standing alone in the middle of acres of land … where a young moose can wander past, or the a call of a patrolling wolf warning you of his/her presence…. joins the chatter of the critters coming to greet you … looking for the treats you’ve brought for them to enjoy. I am finding a balance… outdoors with nature, and indoors with a computerized world…. both take the need to be “present” as an important factor in balancing one’s waking hours.

You will notice that while Q was out, she saw a lot of Christmas decorations in shops she visited.. So yes, Xmas has arrived in her “personal” space. I noted looking out my window last night, that there was a fully decorated tree, with lovely lights on the balcony across the courtyard. Might be time I changed my fall bouquet (on my patio) to something more Xmasy…I won’t want to be out there trying to do something when the weather changes and we are in a full blown “winter” season.

Today’s calendar

Avoid being careless or overconfident

Even though you may have put your best effort into doing something you still may have made some mistakes, that is why it is important to always work with a prayerful mind.

PL2019.16

Oyashikiri

Q isn’t one who smiles much (like me) but she is happy and content in her world…. (like me) =^_^= contentment is a beautiful state of BEING.

Tag Cloud