tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184358462024-03-07T10:46:30.880-08:00Herbal ConnectionEssays About Living A Life A Little Off-CentreMarionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.comBlogger376125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-15852472824049058652013-05-22T06:10:00.000-07:002013-05-22T06:10:12.927-07:00Victoria Update<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgDpH6HqnfDFwgosS-9_d_-EAN3wVCXzAhHPSEXJq5LlkcRySlksXV5M7ZEafzNP0oLZIxsODCnQD5ZZwgZoYPlQONoPj-xBPtexRFPUq1ar24zb3y2qnIzwbikMAd4rDBcpCOg/s1600/IMG_0187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgDpH6HqnfDFwgosS-9_d_-EAN3wVCXzAhHPSEXJq5LlkcRySlksXV5M7ZEafzNP0oLZIxsODCnQD5ZZwgZoYPlQONoPj-xBPtexRFPUq1ar24zb3y2qnIzwbikMAd4rDBcpCOg/s400/IMG_0187.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">An Eagle parent giving life lessons to his youngster in another Tree</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Any one reading this blog must have wondered if I had fallen off the face of the Earth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It felt like I did...the move precipitated a complete upside down turn around in my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the reasons may be the amount of solitary, quiet moments I was accustomed to in the Cariboo has been curtailed, here on this busy corner. I love the busyness; I have not yet tired of the constant slice of vibrant life which occurs on this three-way corner of road. It completely obscures quiet meditative walks<span style="font-size: large;"> and thoughts with honking horns<span style="font-size: large;"> and screeching tires.</span> But, oh! how very entertaining it is!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have seen <span style="font-size: large;">D</span>ogs completely outfitted in mo<span style="font-size: large;">tor<span style="font-size: large;">cy<span style="font-size: large;">cle gear, riding on the back of the motorbike with all the ease in the Worl<span style="font-size: large;">d. I have watched <span style="font-size: large;">a Rolls Royce go by with a <span style="font-size: large;">very stra<span style="font-size: large;">ight-laced Dog in the passenger seat. A <span style="font-size: large;">black standard Poodle, that <span style="font-size: large;">D</span>og could give lessons on good posture.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is a Woman who wanders down <span style="font-size: large;">the street singing at the t<span style="font-size: large;">op of her lungs a<span style="font-size: large;">n operatic piece, with the most perfect pitch. <span style="font-size: large;">When Lucky and I <span style="font-size: large;">go for walks, quite often we will hear piano music floating through the Tree tops...it seems <span style="font-size: large;">many people practice their piano lessons <span style="font-size: large;">during our <span style="font-size: large;">walking times. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is completely magical. And <b><i>so</i></b> different from my last home. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwpWoWwzHKZEtlYwxm1UFls4Raq8BjWQmmpYKSsEEmwzRvIV-OhDZvOA5dvYLFfhwh6smYBW7cLUML76nGhdjtUVVHp7MZA4pJEG1M-MSTy_yJ8WFbhJihwdcBZuE6lMHaMA64g/s1600/IMG_0376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwpWoWwzHKZEtlYwxm1UFls4Raq8BjWQmmpYKSsEEmwzRvIV-OhDZvOA5dvYLFfhwh6smYBW7cLUML76nGhdjtUVVHp7MZA4pJEG1M-MSTy_yJ8WFbhJihwdcBZuE6lMHaMA64g/s400/IMG_0376.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beacon Hill Park in Victoria<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have had to come to grips with renting...I find I have a completely different mindset towards our home. I no longer have the ability to do what I want with regards to the home and garden...it<span style="font-size: large;">'s taken me aback.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">At first, I thought that would be a good thing...I was tired from the move and the renovations we had done on our previous home. But as time goes on, I find I like <span style="font-size: large;">having projects<span style="font-size: large;"> and moving plants and building garden beds.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">And so, we have decided to buy a home on the Saanich Penin<span style="font-size: large;">sula. The reasons why are varied and we may move again, in ret<span style="font-size: large;">irement, but right now, our life is here. It makes sense to put money into a home, rather than w<span style="font-size: large;">aving <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jA7KW2_cX6G4JOPAhBKUMGA3QjJz9475THOgYESIMElpCVlq9CItP_C_h7Yw57IgDtwZc6qPxyEWkGedROeDgsfWaUnBTE3H4JGxZuN-1xpMYLWt6UcLP4xD5Yqty5XaVYMF5g/s1600/IMG_0398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jA7KW2_cX6G4JOPAhBKUMGA3QjJz9475THOgYESIMElpCVlq9CItP_C_h7Yw57IgDtwZc6qPxyEWkGedROeDgsfWaUnBTE3H4JGxZuN-1xpMYLWt6UcLP4xD5Yqty5XaVYMF5g/s400/IMG_0398.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magical afternoon in the Park...</td></tr>
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goodbye to the rental monies.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wrote many posts during my time away, chronicling some of the stranger event<span style="font-size: large;">s</span> here which occurred, but when it came time to actually publishing them<span style="font-size: large;">, events <span style="font-size: large;">happened</span>, over and over, <span style="font-size: large;">in th<span style="font-size: large;">is strange place we call our World which effectively made my words seem</span></span></span> insignificant.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I find it <span style="font-size: large;">has become much more difficult for me to focus on my own little World, when so much is happ<span style="font-size: large;">ening in the outer. And most of that is very unsettling<span style="font-size: large;">...<span style="font-size: large;">waking up is <span style="font-size: large;">hard to do.<span style="font-size: large;"> I use discernment, but most of the garbage which is coming to the forefron<span style="font-size: large;">t, even in MSM, is disgusting.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ91__DTZKvZS2NKm9-eNqUwhUHCYdaoDRK8hTBzhymD24XY1kDKIq6me_rXwfMk6qmSKVjuhn0fJb9e0fcCCNqh_RZ8ZHnaYU0WDRiHn5DNCy5zB_ASopW-CyHDojcW8ztDn-qQ/s1600/IMG_0422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ91__DTZKvZS2NKm9-eNqUwhUHCYdaoDRK8hTBzhymD24XY1kDKIq6me_rXwfMk6qmSKVjuhn0fJb9e0fcCCNqh_RZ8ZHnaYU0WDRiHn5DNCy5zB_ASopW-CyHDojcW8ztDn-qQ/s400/IMG_0422.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charming, flowery hillock in Beacon Hill Park</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">And what is even more dis<span style="font-size: large;">concerting</span>, to me, is the length of time humanity has<span style="font-size: large;"> allowed itself to be duped. I am having trouble accepting this ability of keeping eyes closed<span style="font-size: large;">,</span> thereby retaining the status quo<span style="font-size: large;">, no matter how bad it may be. I am as guilty as anyone...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm trying to change that<span style="font-size: large;">. I want to be a part of change for the betterment of all, as limited as <span style="font-size: large;">my partic<span style="font-size: large;">ipation</span></span> may be.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">For the <span style="font-size: large;">second time in my life, I've become involved in the problems of the day. The first time was way back in the movement of the sixties.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnp28gGgcb4OlR1SyOYsx625gvfEGmDsrblX-CcUDd6t1WHPgPNzEiERp7MmUov3pgpS3PMaauprf6MM3FDWsr2wnOzaGyIRu5f9lFJ2u_UiUfYg2sA6yCWyjVK-9Xm8nQpgdbQ/s1600/IMG_0454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnp28gGgcb4OlR1SyOYsx625gvfEGmDsrblX-CcUDd6t1WHPgPNzEiERp7MmUov3pgpS3PMaauprf6MM3FDWsr2wnOzaGyIRu5f9lFJ2u_UiUfYg2sA6yCWyjVK-9Xm8nQpgdbQ/s400/IMG_0454.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our resident Lady Hummingbird</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I find my new change in direction hampers the time I have to blog. As all things cycle, this will turn back, as well<span style="font-size: large;">, in time.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wonder<span style="font-size: large;">ful time is spent exploring the Saanich Peninsula. I am eternally grateful <span style="font-size: large;">we ended up here; it is possible to source all foods required for daily sustenance right here, within a few miles. <span style="font-size: large;">From <span style="font-size: large;">Seafood <span style="font-size: large;">and Meat to Vegetable<span style="font-size: large;">s and Fruit, right down to the Wine...every<span style="font-size: large;"> possible food is available. It is a food-lover's dream!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are stories to tell about the Wind Storm that took out part of the courtyard fence. An<span style="font-size: large;">other wild Wind drove a branch through the window of my car, making it look very much like it had been stabbed through the <span style="font-size: large;">Heart...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWXxfXfPlOf9QvtksZDEfpgMqCyEN4mFifxGQDEEKZFUYfkUBooT4DdWTH6DDmALw5CQr6WUB8ey6JROfo9azKMU_F1VcQobsSSFDw58msCu9-DYv1jIr9IznWNRPwVU22GAqVw/s1600/IMG_0467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWXxfXfPlOf9QvtksZDEfpgMqCyEN4mFifxGQDEEKZFUYfkUBooT4DdWTH6DDmALw5CQr6WUB8ey6JROfo9azKMU_F1VcQobsSSFDw58msCu9-DYv1jIr9IznWNRPwVU22GAqVw/s400/IMG_0467.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tiny hummingbird eggs staying warm </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The<span style="font-size: large;">n, too, there are the Animal stories. There is one about a patriarch Eagle trying to teach his youngster how to fly<span style="font-size: large;">...and how not to be frightened to the po<span style="font-size: large;">int of complete <span style="font-size: large;">immobility</span> <span style="font-size: large;">at the sight of Crows</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have a <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hummingbird nest in the Butterfly bus<span style="font-size: large;">h, right at eye level. There are two tiny <span style="font-size: large;">Eggs within...I will follow this story as it develops. Lady Hummingbird has li<span style="font-size: large;">ned the nest with Lucky's hair...those two little <span style="font-size: large;">Eggs look very cozy!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stories upon stories...all very pleasurable and truly joyful. They keep me going, my <span style="font-size: large;">Animal friends. And the Tree collective...their voices are growing ever louder, and I feel very strongly their stories are clamouring to be told.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAqvVtltnRkJRr2EHXUb7Pq2qmuxs-p6y5pUxUkL_TW9GKartmFv4WPSnKbaEjTfWESTkiSVDLoT7vqQB-9FqP66L2gITZpFThRVk8Xd-Jo8_xjmudI9cpKutGVIMfItlUuQVhg/s1600/IMG_0437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAqvVtltnRkJRr2EHXUb7Pq2qmuxs-p6y5pUxUkL_TW9GKartmFv4WPSnKbaEjTfWESTkiSVDLoT7vqQB-9FqP66L2gITZpFThRVk8Xd-Jo8_xjmudI9cpKutGVIMfItlUuQVhg/s400/IMG_0437.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring has arrived in my own little park...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">For my <span style="font-size: large;">birthday, I received <span style="font-size: large;">the most brilliant camera ever...it zooms out so far I get quite unsteady. <span style="font-size: large;">I have spent much time practicing with it, and have only sc<span style="font-size: large;">ratched the surface of the things this amazing camera can do.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So. As life develop<span style="font-size: large;">s</span> for me, here in Victoria on the Saanich Penin<span style="font-size: large;">sula, </span>I realiz<span style="font-size: large;">e</span> <span style="font-size: large;">there</span> was much more going on <span style="font-size: large;">in the real World when compared to the quiet life I led <span style="font-size: large;">further</span> North.</span> So many shock<span style="font-size: large;">s and upheavals made me seek answers. I haven't found many, but I believe I have found a measure of balance t<span style="font-size: large;">o see me through these trying<span style="font-size: large;">, difficult times.</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is a tentative<span style="font-size: large;"> balance, to be sure<span style="font-size: large;">. An<span style="font-size: large;">y <span style="font-size: large;">new<span style="font-size: large;">s story <span style="font-size: large;">giving<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYqy_N57oI7knCbffleLftIntKOeYnVzmyJtl4oVBtE_LNwzC0Yc1Daiy3Aexolte9Kc680h-3Vb6WcmXwht0_gP9P-QA3bEm3EPAnu2rL6Gbvpx5JZ8D-9ApDgtg0o6M51l9cQ/s1600/IMG_0438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYqy_N57oI7knCbffleLftIntKOeYnVzmyJtl4oVBtE_LNwzC0Yc1Daiy3Aexolte9Kc680h-3Vb6WcmXwht0_gP9P-QA3bEm3EPAnu2rL6Gbvpx5JZ8D-9ApDgtg0o6M51l9cQ/s400/IMG_0438.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iris blooms wildly on the street corner.</td></tr>
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updates on disastrous weather or human <span style="font-size: large;">induced catastrophes wavers that balance. I find talking to and t<span style="font-size: large;">ouching</span> the many Trees surrounding the <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">property</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> helps enormously...the old Maples and Cedars and Firs here have seen many crises.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">And <span style="font-size: large;">they <span style="font-size: large;">have </span>never given in to fear.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We</span> have great landlords. They underst<span style="font-size: large;">an</span>d my need to dig, to feel the <span style="font-size: large;">black, crumbly Soil dribble between my fingers. Real <span style="font-size: large;">dirt</span>, not just potting <span style="font-size: large;">Soil.</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And so, they have suggested I pick out the new Shrubs which will be planted in the front of our home. And I even get to plant them!! I am so grateful for kind and understanding gardeners who are also<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>landlords...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoz7edlVIwAyA_dlu2QrBANFkNfFt1dHqALiuDxyyQYSwl50u92vTxXTfAPd3Bo21tTEoPTrBxxC8cVeU0hAf6AnLF-ksiVR-AT1CjzqfLF_OdedP6cF3Qz8Gdqf2w03K0w2yABg/s1600/IMG_0440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoz7edlVIwAyA_dlu2QrBANFkNfFt1dHqALiuDxyyQYSwl50u92vTxXTfAPd3Bo21tTEoPTrBxxC8cVeU0hAf6AnLF-ksiVR-AT1CjzqfLF_OdedP6cF3Qz8Gdqf2w03K0w2yABg/s400/IMG_0440.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhodies in full bloom everywhere in the garden</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">That's where I'll be, for the next while. Hugging <span style="font-size: large;">T<span style="font-size: large;">rees, walking the Beach, visiting nurs<span style="font-size: large;">eries and digging holes, watching <span style="font-size: large;">Hummingbirds and Eagles<span style="font-size: large;">, visiting family...and taking lo<span style="font-size: large;">ads of photos!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">And one thin<span style="font-size: large;">g I know for sure...I may be distracted for awhile, I may<span style="font-size: large;"> go off on tangents and not be seen on the blogs for months on <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXACSbieNwJGLkd220_2ADj2hrzj-neowrr94gq-rjbC5HMh3xVgPkEXpzUyahLfs3KnjQageuItodBkEPgZbzZnbB1RSca-Xx3heHUkj26WB93pNuzKLfgQzs_GOQQVoR-Y4BQ/s1600/IMG_0439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXACSbieNwJGLkd220_2ADj2hrzj-neowrr94gq-rjbC5HMh3xVgPkEXpzUyahLfs3KnjQageuItodBkEPgZbzZnbB1RSca-Xx3heHUkj26WB93pNuzKLfgQzs_GOQQVoR-Y4BQ/s400/IMG_0439.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome blooms!</td></tr>
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end...but I will always be back.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">For me, I really <b><i>would </i></b>have to fall off the face of the E<span style="font-size: large;">arth to stop writing...</span> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-59619454749720914212013-02-17T09:03:00.001-08:002013-02-17T09:03:34.952-08:00Familiarization<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have lived in Victoria for <span style="font-size: large;">almost five</span> months. And it seems <span style="font-size: large;">as if <span style="font-size: large;">the move occurred just</span> yesterday. I must admit I remember little of the ordeal; <span style="font-size: large;">one day after another required some detail, some mundane t<span style="font-size: large;">ask <span style="font-size: large;">r<span style="font-size: large;">elated to movi<span style="font-size: large;">ng, that absolutely took pr<span style="font-size: large;">iority o<span style="font-size: large;">ver any time to myself.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuayJjBHfDICw1LgEIMpQl_-YVQhXnlXF62R9_vVDl0RyiU_raPsK09s9Hzx5ZNuXGNnrLRXdI0ElTetEQ5gnRsWR9CafKMojBontEXmhWKUFJRQUe6afeHGjLkJjT8JuzwXlww/s1600/IMG_7123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuayJjBHfDICw1LgEIMpQl_-YVQhXnlXF62R9_vVDl0RyiU_raPsK09s9Hzx5ZNuXGNnrLRXdI0ElTetEQ5gnRsWR9CafKMojBontEXmhWKUFJRQUe6afeHGjLkJjT8JuzwXlww/s400/IMG_7123.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Service shed across the road</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last tie to the Cariboo was broken, when we sold our home there within a couple of days of<span style="font-size: large;"> listing</span> it. Again, I felt con<span style="font-size: large;">flicting emotions...even as the climate attacked my body, I loved it there<span style="font-size: large;">. I am so grateful for the opportunity I took years ago to live in that wild<span style="font-size: large;"> land of contrasts<span style="font-size: large;">, where I learned so much. But...it is done.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">And so<span style="font-size: large;">. Now I go on.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7faeG2WeFUmtdRaiX7QGGVlZROaW9bVi34jj6u5WcryHMwG47AMdFITVdsA0aIcdqsbKFbLkcHPnVaRuRQnfFGqIz7V2Hzk25DXW9fc5s0i100OdGStE_zb7yItDq2SBuvcxAw/s1600/IMG_7126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7faeG2WeFUmtdRaiX7QGGVlZROaW9bVi34jj6u5WcryHMwG47AMdFITVdsA0aIcdqsbKFbLkcHPnVaRuRQnfFGqIz7V2Hzk25DXW9fc5s0i100OdGStE_zb7yItDq2SBuvcxAw/s400/IMG_7126.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Water everywhere...this feeds ou<span style="font-size: small;">r</span> little Stream</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is as if I have moved to a different dimension. As I write, the garden is filled with the greenery <span style="font-size: large;">of rising <span style="font-size: large;">Bulbs...oh! so many<span style="font-size: large;">! <span style="font-size: large;">It is a delight, one filled <span style="font-size: large;">with surprises, since I<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">am not familiar with this Garden<span style="font-size: large;">. I greet each sprig of green with <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">celebratory</span> happiness...up North, Mother Earth <span style="font-size: large;">will still be sleeping for a few months yet...and, on the Saanich peninsula, Spring is making her slow way there, by <span style="font-size: large;">touching</span> the land here <span style="font-size: large;">with a fine brush first, as the consummate Artist she is.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSC8YYP2x2DzHJIN3edeZNtgAvO1wGxa85-QUYYAA2356Worlz5lz3jHqlzOVauxFbh7zQpWucjOFuwYdA3doMV3ZCeJGp36Lt5SXE6KOs3ZzIXbwB5NcicPIdJIRpulvu_hJgg/s1600/IMG_7128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSC8YYP2x2DzHJIN3edeZNtgAvO1wGxa85-QUYYAA2356Worlz5lz3jHqlzOVauxFbh7zQpWucjOFuwYdA3doMV3ZCeJGp36Lt5SXE6KOs3ZzIXbwB5NcicPIdJIRpulvu_hJgg/s400/IMG_7128.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are Puddles everywhere on this morning's walk</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once again, I have Moss, <span style="font-size: large;">a great <span style="font-size: large;">companion for me from the Plant Kingdom, growing everywhere, in a glowing<span style="font-size: large;"> green that touches my heart and cra<span style="font-size: large;">cks it a bit, leaving lovely streaming green tendrils...<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is one <span style="font-size: large;">of the earlie<span style="font-size: large;">st of Plants to show new growth in the Spring and I have always considered Moss to be a true <span style="font-size: large;">herald. I lo<span style="font-size: large;">ok <span style="font-size: large;">out over the little garden shed roof, which is covered in <span style="font-size: large;">Moss,</span> from <span style="font-size: large;">the</span> porch and marvel at the tiny Worlds that <span style="font-size: large;">inhabit each so<span style="font-size: large;">ft pillow of growth.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ciht7j-z-eIaQ4i44QFfTCtYKHa9HdwGN_9AeQYCjLn02vBAOf-62fuXTVYYSOyNK3qEWdvCSXXHe6HMHY6c3J79eMwhD3kpRPdWe0xCezYjy9e6k_dhc8HoI5o4FpMXjOlgCg/s1600/IMG_7129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ciht7j-z-eIaQ4i44QFfTCtYKHa9HdwGN_9AeQYCjLn02vBAOf-62fuXTVYYSOyNK3qEWdvCSXXHe6HMHY6c3J79eMwhD3kpRPdWe0xCezYjy9e6k_dhc8HoI5o4FpMXjOlgCg/s400/IMG_7129.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cross fencing and Blackberries</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">All Winter long, Lucky and I go for our morning walks, only missing a few cold<span style="font-size: large;">er <span style="font-size: large;">days. We <span style="font-size: large;">do not beat any time clock, the two of us, since Lucky will insist on sniffing every Leaf, Log or <span style="font-size: large;">'</span>sus<span style="font-size: large;">picious Thing<span style="font-size: large;">',</span> in our path. But I don't mind. I take not<span style="font-size: large;">e of the changes each day, becoming a part of this place, knowing it.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW21o043Syw0Qd56mMhCl5WuXV1jPyAsgNfm-3iR2Pb2YQbPD9cEJGBBNfAWb3FlNCLu-27rlrv35I1GwtE-ujBKKyIYvOFQUf6TRl3gppElj6HuxFAHWZ_ghGb-COpA_YKsB7lA/s1600/IMG_7130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW21o043Syw0Qd56mMhCl5WuXV1jPyAsgNfm-3iR2Pb2YQbPD9cEJGBBNfAWb3FlNCLu-27rlrv35I1GwtE-ujBKKyIYvOFQUf6TRl3gppElj6HuxFAHWZ_ghGb-COpA_YKsB7lA/s400/IMG_7130.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Greening Fields and<span style="font-size: small;"> red Barns and White Fen<span style="font-size: small;">ces</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We greet the Horses from the training school. One, who<span style="font-size: large;">se colouring is very similar to Lucky's, thereby establishing some sort of bond, gives a soft nicker each day<span style="font-size: large;"> when she sees us and wanders close to the electric fence. She places her nose as close as she can to the fence, her nostrils widening as she takes in our scent. She knows us now, too.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many of the Bird <span style="font-size: large;">species we had visiting our Bird <span style="font-size: large;">feeder <span style="font-size: large;">North of us <span style="font-size: large;">have been here all Winter.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Listening to the Bird song in the late afternoon takes me away to the late May days of recent years, when just this sound had my heart soaring. It still soars...it is just, joyfully, earlier in the year.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyIXzdkcSvNEKBeKYf_PNCIIG2oDK_lIEc4FUkIPK4Xgt3V2oB0zUggJQOm2Uc6RJtzapMIZ5Mq5GbMpvPSE4tOFoY8uJTB7xgTaenNGjaURkZRi0yPTL6Ec_98svjf1WS91KjA/s1600/IMG_7134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyIXzdkcSvNEKBeKYf_PNCIIG2oDK_lIEc4FUkIPK4Xgt3V2oB0zUggJQOm2Uc6RJtzapMIZ5Mq5GbMpvPSE4tOFoY8uJTB7xgTaenNGjaURkZRi0yPTL6Ec_98svjf1WS91KjA/s400/IMG_7134.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Horses next door waiting for breakfast</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of soaring, Eagle has made his pr<span style="font-size: large;">esence felt<span style="font-size: large;"> in many ways. I smile as I write this. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">At first, I was <span style="font-size: large;">s<span style="font-size: large;">o entranced.</span></span> Eagle would fly over at around the same time each morning and settle himself at the tip of one of the giant Firs growing right next to our home. I would watch him watching us and the surrounding World, until duties called when I'd leave him to it.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5UHWhO0k4n_doww3Q_guSTc4nQI9aLJeK6pkShcIa1VHhxcykBaX3Y_geeYX-6qGGdruucG4g_VL63il8muzXpuzz7SF2qgMQz1GlyzToAywr09AhaxyyraOd_RbSfnMwGva9A/s1600/IMG_7135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5UHWhO0k4n_doww3Q_guSTc4nQI9aLJeK6pkShcIa1VHhxcykBaX3Y_geeYX-6qGGdruucG4g_VL63il8muzXpuzz7SF2qgMQz1GlyzToAywr09AhaxyyraOd_RbSfnMwGva9A/s400/IMG_7135.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">More Blackberries...closer to Home now</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">But then, I discovered the <span style="font-size: large;">gifts he left behind. On the cobbled stones, the cars<span style="font-size: large;"> and even splashed against the gate were the amazing results of an Eagle's digestive system. They were all quite awesome renditions of abstract art...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also di<span style="font-size: large;">scovered <span style="font-size: large;">once <span style="font-size: large;">all those splashes<span style="font-size: large;">, a few indicating fur and tiny bones, dried...they hardened<span style="font-size: large;">. It required some scrubbing to remove them from the gate and stones<span style="font-size: large;">. And I imagine I can look forward to m<span style="font-size: large;">ore of this exercise...just this morning I found a new 'paintin<span style="font-size: large;">g'!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">For those who are interested, I found a <span style="font-size: large;">website wherein the author <span style="font-size: large;">explains about Eagle<span style="font-size: large;">'s habits in this regard. You can find it <a href="http://www.mnbound.com/bald-eagle-blog/2012/4/24/look-out-below.html">here</a>. I had no idea Eagle<span style="font-size: large;">s</span> "shoot thei<span style="font-size: large;">r poop", for one thing...No wonder the gate managed to be targeted!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Camellia Bush, outside the fen<span style="font-size: large;">ce,<i><b> was</b></i> filled with <span style="font-size: large;">Blossoms. I had not seen so many on any <span style="font-size: large;">Bush</span> in <span style="font-size: large;">years and each day, I would marvel anew...until the morning arrived whe<span style="font-size: large;">n suddenly, there were hardly any. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">De<span style="font-size: large;">er and I have <span style="font-size: large;">begun our as<span style="font-size: large;">sociation in a bad way</span></span>...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's<span style="font-size: large;"> all about who you know, I've been told. In my case, </span>I know their larger cousins, the Mule Deer from the Cariboo <b><i>very, very</i></b> well...and I am not above calling <span style="font-size: large;">for reinforcements</span>. I warn off these <span style="font-size: large;">tiny Island <span style="font-size: large;">Deer,</span></span> <span style="font-size: large;">i</span>n my imagina<span style="font-size: large;">tion, at any rate!</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The message will be <span style="font-size: large;">received...and I will look forward to <span style="font-size: large;">Camellia <span style="font-size: large;">Blossoms next year. Ever the optimist<span style="font-size: large;">!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xXqNuAV95a8_82D81Y24EPHF_BQuK_iODoBrOABJ0w2ILzBZTVUKsMqxIVIoxJ1T9978J0U4mWvYnYCSsRtFOPZA7Ih5cAIVU-TE3B_DbQWSS_P9NZwsCAcvrmx-GFpjW3sNvA/s1600/IMG_7136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xXqNuAV95a8_82D81Y24EPHF_BQuK_iODoBrOABJ0w2ILzBZTVUKsMqxIVIoxJ1T9978J0U4mWvYnYCSsRtFOPZA7Ih5cAIVU-TE3B_DbQWSS_P9NZwsCAcvrmx-GFpjW3sNvA/s400/IMG_7136.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lucky begins to drag his feet...Home is just around the corner</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">By the little <span style="font-size: large;">Stream, Frogs are beginning to croak and sing<span style="font-size: large;">. I hope <span style="font-size: large;">Water in the <span style="font-size: large;">Stream-bed</span> will continue to flow long enough for any </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Eggs <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">to hatch. What a treat that w<span style="font-size: large;">ill be for the grandkids!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">In this di<span style="font-size: large;">mension, we visited the family in Port Alberni for lunch last week. Next week, we'll go to the twin's birthday party.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">In this paradigm, M<span style="font-size: large;">ilk is delivered once a week...<span style="font-size: large;">in glass bottles. A<span style="font-size: large;">nd there are farm stands up and down the road, selling everything and anything...even bags of<span style="font-size: large;"> aged H</span>orse manure for the garden!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">When<span style="font-size: large;"> we moved <span style="font-size: large;">North, many of the conveniences which were a matter of course were no longer available. We grew <span style="font-size: large;">accustomed to it...and so now, I am <span style="font-size: large;">amazed at <span style="font-size: large;">the quality <span style="font-size: large;">a<span style="font-size: large;">nd amo<span style="font-size: large;">unt of service available here<span style="font-size: large;">, in an urban setting.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here, there are old friends to connect with, visits to arra<span style="font-size: large;">n<span style="font-size: large;">ge. Life is busy, in a different way...a more social way, perhaps, than in previous years.</span></span> </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0bzfy6zYrpWnxUNx9YyHEnaDAEuzQtQTGq0X90F67M1N-jdEv0t8gJkqdS4pda-b58q8XTwgYtvXazpG5XHeVooi54OV8JOZHNYw5Ngt9whzEkF7IxWg0F9n2Vrg0hbQpkOt-w/s1600/IMG_7137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0bzfy6zYrpWnxUNx9YyHEnaDAEuzQtQTGq0X90F67M1N-jdEv0t8gJkqdS4pda-b58q8XTwgYtvXazpG5XHeVooi54OV8JOZHNYw5Ngt9whzEkF7IxWg0F9n2Vrg0hbQpkOt-w/s400/IMG_7137.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mossy Maples across the street from Home</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over the past five months, <span style="font-size: large;">pain from Fibromyalgia and Arthritis has greatly dim<span style="font-size: large;">inished. The extremes of pain, the knuckle-under kind, have disappeared, and in its place, a rather benign kind of pain has surfaced. Sounds strange, I know, but <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">what</span>ever it is<span style="font-size: large;">, I am intensely grateful for it!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">And this is how it is. Day by day, I know more and more about this latest <span style="font-size: large;">transition in my life<span style="font-size: large;"> and understand more and more why it has occurred.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's time<span style="font-size: large;">, now, to rejoin the living. Time to play, time to find out who I am and what I want <span style="font-size: large;">to manifest further in my life. I'm careful with my thoughts now; thoughts are creation and very quickly, too!</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">L<span style="font-size: large;">ife is good.</span> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-88215696252131258352012-11-05T08:31:00.000-08:002012-11-05T08:31:14.695-08:00Slow Down and Enjoy...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZnZ5VdgqpHHDIgOzFP9wdvDQNj0-nl6TbD5Lwep0Vtt6CPElC0ydnFNpe3v1gKUC3vTjUO0-t6ZNMaO_NxVT8pv2aye_In4w8UbDhG_oaFtyYtKVCEf8lPYA8BlXSDI-JqK0EA/s1600/IMG_7052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZnZ5VdgqpHHDIgOzFP9wdvDQNj0-nl6TbD5Lwep0Vtt6CPElC0ydnFNpe3v1gKUC3vTjUO0-t6ZNMaO_NxVT8pv2aye_In4w8UbDhG_oaFtyYtKVCEf8lPYA8BlXSDI-JqK0EA/s400/IMG_7052.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The Stone fence is well fortified</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How strange it is to live in an area where there is so much traffic. It is difficult to explain the <span style="font-size: large;">road configurations where I live...there are four stop signs on th<span style="font-size: large;">e corner where <span style="font-size: large;">our home <span style="font-size: large;">is situated. If a <span style="font-size: large;">driver is not paying attention, he might miss one of those stop signs...and then, if cars are coming from <span style="font-size: large;">one of the other roads that intersects, two of which have no stop signs...there is more hon<span style="font-size: large;">king and vile language issuing forth th<span style="font-size: large;">an I have heard in a long time.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4gHZh6EtQUxyrZJy4x8STVfjZHQdt2_kH93-yoaIKWYq9Pgp0YjlOvFo1wOIlLe6Jrz69vELqy5-BDqSIkqtkqBbqGoL1iphV_9-6ewKbroFeJ8owdtPkV3PSfW5yUgiiBFlCA/s1600/IMG_7061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4gHZh6EtQUxyrZJy4x8STVfjZHQdt2_kH93-yoaIKWYq9Pgp0YjlOvFo1wOIlLe6Jrz69vELqy5-BDqSIkqtkqBbqGoL1iphV_9-6ewKbroFeJ8owdtPkV3PSfW5yUgiiBFlCA/s400/IMG_7061.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">This fence is built behind the first Rock Garden, divided by a gravel walkway</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rain, <span style="font-size: large;">a weather anomaly which residents here should c<span style="font-size: large;">ertainly be a<span style="font-size: large;">ccustomed to, makes the road, covered in <span style="font-size: large;">Leaves and Needl<span style="font-size: large;">es from the Trees <span style="font-size: large;">everywhere, slippery. One large white truck came barrelling do<span style="font-size: large;">wn the main road and <span style="font-size: large;">tried to make the rather sharp turn to one of the feeder routes, and ended up <span style="font-size: large;">slamming against the <span style="font-size: large;">Rock Garden outside of our<span style="font-size: large;"> Rock-fortified</span> fence.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are some might<span style="font-size: large;">y large Boulders making up that Rock G<span style="font-size: large;">arden. And it was a mighty large <span style="font-size: large;">crunch I heard when the truck hit the <span style="font-size: large;">Rocks.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So it was with some trepidation that I wandered through the gate to have a look at what had just occurred. A<span style="font-size: large;">s I did, I saw the white truck back up<span style="font-size: large;"> from the <span style="font-size: large;">Boulders</span></span>, with <span style="font-size: large;">quite a</span> large, new dent in the side door, and <span style="font-size: large;">take off very quickly, down the road. I imagine he was hoping no<span style="font-size: large;"> one had seen him, <span style="font-size: large;">since</span> he did not want to pay for any <span style="font-size: large;">other damage than what he had inflicted upon his truck!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I went to see what the damage was to our Rock Garden. Three large <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">B</span>oulders had been displaced, but not badly. The main damage appeared to be on the truck, which came out the worse by far!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">What amazes me the most about the intersection is that it has bee<span style="font-size: large;">n <span style="font-size: large;">as</span> it is for years. There is nothing new, which might confuse drivers. The problem, as far as I can see, is that people drive far too fast on these small country roads. There are signs everywhere to slow down, take a wide turn around <span style="font-size: large;">Horses and their riders, watch for <span style="font-size: large;">D</span>eer, children<span style="font-size: large;"> crossing...one would have to be blind not to see all those warning sign<span style="font-size: large;">s.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoM58DI1Un5u85whq_zRl_TO7LbRZi26C-kDhaIvnbdPrQi9Q9mhRmze6KjUARJnfHImMtJufMO-TYibMNIf8eaax6vkF9YcaRS_t1XCxme-Jba3fo8s0rEME95c6200LmPXMjg/s1600/IMG_7057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoM58DI1Un5u85whq_zRl_TO7LbRZi26C-kDhaIvnbdPrQi9Q9mhRmze6KjUARJnfHImMtJufMO-TYibMNIf8eaax6vkF9YcaRS_t1XCxme-Jba3fo8s0rEME95c6200LmPXMjg/s400/IMG_7057.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Golden Maple Leaves shine in the misty light of Dawn</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is even a sign that tells drivers to slow down and enjoy the <span style="font-size: large;">many varied farms in the district. Slow down and enjoy...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I <span style="font-size: large;">drive by that sign about on<span style="font-size: large;">ce a week, as I drive to a pet store that has the treats Lucky can't seem to live without. And the part about slowing down and enjoying the sights, scenery and just life...well, that part has hit home with me.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The slow down part, at least.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">For the last few months, I have been going at top speed. I have ignored pain<span style="font-size: large;"> and all the rest of the goodies Fibro and Arthritis <span style="font-size: large;">can give<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">;</span> sleep became elusive, and <span style="font-size: large;">tiredness was<span style="font-size: large;"> just a part of every day.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I find <span style="font-size: large;">I am out of energy now. I can't find any more. Most of the time, las<span style="font-size: large;">t week, I found myself sitting down often, staring into space.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I <span style="font-size: large;">don't have the<b><i> time</i></b> to do this!</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVt_PH6QyqeW9025sTvawPGjzaZigNLsb1egaKDVf0v7tHeYN5ScQWs3A2ngjCEW2w2tV8j6VZt1SJ_Lg2Je6AUfeccN1yzrIXEqJtMv-oJ5zQs56JlaqqDf3PLJicxg0zir4gA/s1600/IMG_7051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVt_PH6QyqeW9025sTvawPGjzaZigNLsb1egaKDVf0v7tHeYN5ScQWs3A2ngjCEW2w2tV8j6VZt1SJ_Lg2Je6AUfeccN1yzrIXEqJtMv-oJ5zQs56JlaqqDf3PLJicxg0zir4gA/s400/IMG_7051.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Apples from a grafted Tree in our backyard...three varieties!</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are still boxes to open, the family room still needs to be put together, doctors and dentists to find...and oh! things <b><i>do</i></b> have to be or<span style="font-size: large;">ganized!</span> This, on top of doing other activities I've promised myself...including writing more often, interaction on the web, visiting scores of places here in Victoria where I have not been for years<span style="font-size: large;">, signing up for art courses, finding new <span style="font-size: large;">plant nurseries to wander in...the list goes on and on.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yet, <span style="font-size: large;">I can find no inclination to do any of them.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want someone to take my hand, o<span style="font-size: large;">pen a box for me, unwrap the first innocuous item<span style="font-size: large;">, and then tell me it goes on the third shelf <span style="font-size: large;">i</span>n the <span style="font-size: large;">left</span> cupboard<span style="font-size: large;"> in the hall.</span></span></span> My decision making is at an all-time low.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I do recognize this feeling, though. In <span style="font-size: large;">one way or another, I've gone through them b<span style="font-size: large;">efore<span style="font-size: large;">...after divorce, after Katrina's death, and after moving<span style="font-size: large;"> to a completely different part of the province. All very stressful times, some worse than others, of course, where one must get through the <span style="font-size: large;">Storm using every last bit of energy one can find.</span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsCp9BRAz20J1uF5u0ZgcvPGway_5hZxwB3uU0-kqrZsMirEXXkWBRY7EFvZ6H9GBoL2Ow7Dv_Mapvsvo-Bo3yJny1yZnrpdYMv4SZXCXfLfvb7skNoXdJWrH1cbFzFX0iLyqaw/s1600/IMG_7045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsCp9BRAz20J1uF5u0ZgcvPGway_5hZxwB3uU0-kqrZsMirEXXkWBRY7EFvZ6H9GBoL2Ow7Dv_Mapvsvo-Bo3yJny1yZnrpdYMv4SZXCXfLfvb7skNoXdJWrH1cbFzFX0iLyqaw/s400/IMG_7045.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">There is a small creek somewhere under the Leaves! </span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then, the clean-up begins...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">But before the <span style="font-size: large;">clean<span style="font-size: large;">-up</span>, before the rebuilding of self or home,</span> there is a time where the heart and <span style="font-size: large;">mind</span> catch up with each other. Heart tells <span style="font-size: large;">M</span>ind to settle down, open up and receive the love pouring in from every corner, smile, laugh and dance.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mind <span style="font-size: large;">tells <span style="font-size: large;">Heart there are things to be done. Laugh<span style="font-size: large;">ing and dancing in joyful abandonment <span style="font-size: large;">are not appropriate at this time...damn it, finish what has been begun...</span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Most of the time, since all this began with our move, Mind calls the shots. Keeping my Mind on the work to be done was all I d<span style="font-size: large;">id for the last few months. Very little time was spent in feeling <span style="font-size: large;">Heartful.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was mo<span style="font-size: large;">stly <span style="font-size: large;">Mindful.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Heart, very recently, has begun to demand equal time. Time to miss our old home and friends left behind in the Cariboo, time to miss the first Snow and Cold there ( yes, even this!), time to mourn a little. Time to feel gleeful, as well, to have found a place to land that is uncanny in its familiarity. Time for spir<span style="font-size: large;">itual practices, time to talk to the Trees and Shrubs that grow here with such abandonment, time to go visit the Beach.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibm8_S4GsNnqa9WSHT1VCCKwqrIWzfmM0ci37YmmuATzs_ilIHLQVaQNEHmqPh-iw_agRTTB0Tdb6itZZokQ-Xhp5RNSHtPnjy6OAEl68YyNnhYLSbg_N6vDTO8Gqu5VuuQVBtcg/s1600/IMG_7043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibm8_S4GsNnqa9WSHT1VCCKwqrIWzfmM0ci37YmmuATzs_ilIHLQVaQNEHmqPh-iw_agRTTB0Tdb6itZZokQ-Xhp5RNSHtPnjy6OAEl68YyNnhYLSbg_N6vDTO8Gqu5VuuQVBtcg/s400/IMG_7043.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The Horse Farm, seen through the back fence, on an early showery Morning</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Heart, left to its own devices<span style="font-size: large;">, would say Begone! to all the niggling, <span style="font-size: large;">mundane things left to do<span style="font-size: large;">, whereas Mind<span style="font-size: large;"> would say those <span style="font-size: large;">other fanciful things will be there when <span style="font-size: large;">the practical <span style="font-size: large;">work is done.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last week, I was balancing the <span style="font-size: large;">two, along with resting <span style="font-size: large;">my Body, which aches a little more than it did when I first arrived.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have no schedule, really. I can do as I like. W<span style="font-size: large;">hen the family room becomes too much of an irritant, I will do it...I will <b><i>feel</i></b> like it then. And I have decided<span style="font-size: large;"> that every day I will do something to feed my Heart's requirements. Remembering Balance is what I needed.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">And today, outside with Lucky, I he<span style="font-size: large;">ard two cycl<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">ists</span> riding by. <span style="font-size: large;"> </span> (There are many cyclist<span style="font-size: large;">s here. <span style="font-size: large;">I see groups of them riding every day. The wind<span style="font-size: large;">ing</span>, narrow Tree-lined roads are perfect for them.)</span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqhOQqMBt4Hn6dP8dQuGBrljQeTH9AU3jjRyeQ9G4J5rh6gIttUsvCbfsB1JWpYA4xggXZDojGHv3lfAaT1XcG-Fr2TxWALt5UfHIEVRDI8NS4LvaBaLDhmhIgb_lKHJ4L8bkZw/s1600/IMG_7055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqhOQqMBt4Hn6dP8dQuGBrljQeTH9AU3jjRyeQ9G4J5rh6gIttUsvCbfsB1JWpYA4xggXZDojGHv3lfAaT1XcG-Fr2TxWALt5UfHIEVRDI8NS4LvaBaLDhmhIgb_lKHJ4L8bkZw/s400/IMG_7055.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Super place for small children to play on their bikes!</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">One sa<span style="font-size: large;">i<span style="font-size: large;">d to the leader...I have no energy <span style="font-size: large;">at all</span>...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">And the other said...Yeah. I'm not doing the whole route today...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'd guess that's me. I<span style="font-size: large;"> don't think I'm going to </span>do <span style="font-size: large;">the whole route today.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm going to try the first part of the title to this post...<span style="font-size: large;">the slowing down part today.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">And tomorrow...I'l<span style="font-size: large;">l <span style="font-size: large;">begin to enjoy.</span></span> </span> </span> </span></span> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span> </span></span> </span></span> </span> </span></span></span></span> </span> </span></span> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-40480091809261132702012-10-16T14:11:00.000-07:002012-10-16T14:11:02.749-07:00A New Home<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hyphenhyphen9eR9XFzeMkBHLulHoaK_dZ54j6r8GyQ_tbSthEQIE2rUthtFJgXbpdSUdNtMq5eEcykzH_8bgnMFoAQtXbtU1N6gcft7rP-2KEybshFQxrbDRIVyo8BHDDn5wEgOPTtx3K5A/s1600/5506+Oldfield.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hyphenhyphen9eR9XFzeMkBHLulHoaK_dZ54j6r8GyQ_tbSthEQIE2rUthtFJgXbpdSUdNtMq5eEcykzH_8bgnMFoAQtXbtU1N6gcft7rP-2KEybshFQxrbDRIVyo8BHDDn5wEgOPTtx3K5A/s400/5506+Oldfield.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our New Home</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes, when Lucky and I go for our <span style="font-size: large;">M</span>orning walk or when Graham and I go for a leisurely drive...I want to pinch myself. I must surely be dreaming a lovely, lucid dream...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The decision made, the employment accepted...those two things spun my life around for a few months. I'm so glad, now<span style="font-size: large;">, </span>I had th<span style="font-size: large;">at</span> time, yet <span style="font-size: large;">the period</span> before we moved seemed never-ending.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Somewhere amongst all the decluttering, the garage sales, finishing bathroom renovations, placing our home on the market, finding renters when it did not sell in our two week allotted time period for a sale...somewhere during that time we took a trip to the City of Victoria to find a home to rent.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDF7C8kIGUlchFV78dSuB0X75qvcw4MSW0dmDra7XchHjnG9GGOZhSZNM3V-OhBFXQSSKhprHK-h95efByRITgwhi8Pk2F-NhMNWE2q3AKwmo3dntqIBsPdHdi4YpCSH4mTXCWBw/s1600/IMG_7013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDF7C8kIGUlchFV78dSuB0X75qvcw4MSW0dmDra7XchHjnG9GGOZhSZNM3V-OhBFXQSSKhprHK-h95efByRITgwhi8Pk2F-NhMNWE2q3AKwmo3dntqIBsPdHdi4YpCSH4mTXCWBw/s400/IMG_7013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the stained glass windows and wood ceiling</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, <b><i>my</i></b>! What we had considered reasonable rent turned out to give us very old, non-updated, rather unsafe homes. In one place, we were advised not to turn on one appliance with another...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We had given ourselves two days to find a home. Graham was still very busy wrapping up work at his previous employment, so our time was at a minimum. No longer hopeful our home in the Cariboo would sell before <span style="font-size: large;">Winter, we decided to find a larger home than we at first anticipated, since we would not be buying a home <span style="font-size: large;">elsewhere for awhile. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the first full day of looking, trying to find addresses in a very busy City ( I don't recall Victoria being so large, and busy and vibrant, when last I often visited fifteen years ago! It has grown enormously...) we were both discouraged, tired and hungry...not a great combination.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNdypC1OJ8hUWXzNE8A7DXpVKUOphRQX9abJe8Kx9d8K3PwhQcym3ugb3Gp0XosGxvI-SZ1392OWefL1DzI2-PTVEEuKO6bfLbYXyCsj4e6dW3g7tgyjvvscyjYIMReAEv6a35g/s1600/IMG_7015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNdypC1OJ8hUWXzNE8A7DXpVKUOphRQX9abJe8Kx9d8K3PwhQcym3ugb3Gp0XosGxvI-SZ1392OWefL1DzI2-PTVEEuKO6bfLbYXyCsj4e6dW3g7tgyjvvscyjYIMReAEv6a35g/s400/IMG_7015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A lovely cozy nook, where I'll while away rainy afternoons</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At that point, my lowest, I think, I didn't care if I ever left the Cariboo. My home there had been updated to the nth degree; why was I trying to go backwards? Ah, me...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We considered paying higher rent. And we considered looking at another rental list...one we had not tried. The consideration about paying more rent did not bother me a great deal, but it was certainly bothersome for Graham.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Had we not had that day of looking at lower priced rentals, he would not have so easily accepted paying more. As tiring as that day was, it had its purpose.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Graham looked at another list, with a higher rent in mind, and almost instantly found our present home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I looked at the photos on display and knew, deep inside, it was ours, even before the call was made to view the home...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAO0YfzE8wet2u1qJKc4LiDTyZUkDGDzKfDPpKz2Jae7Av1YS3YpSE8vyDYqh8XUbcro54zo22t0PgUgAUDcZlV9F25NgowUbB8oYw1Lq7pjeiflYzCklEnwtKPPpv97aFX1U-Qg/s1600/IMG_7021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAO0YfzE8wet2u1qJKc4LiDTyZUkDGDzKfDPpKz2Jae7Av1YS3YpSE8vyDYqh8XUbcro54zo22t0PgUgAUDcZlV9F25NgowUbB8oYw1Lq7pjeiflYzCklEnwtKPPpv97aFX1U-Qg/s400/IMG_7021.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Partial view of the front of The Church House</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It <b><i>felt</i></b> like home, you see<span style="font-size: large;">, the photos <span style="font-size: large;">showed a home <b><i>so</i></b> famil<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">iar</span> to me <span style="font-size: large;">I could have been going home to dinner rather than a first viewing. I had enjoyed many dreams previous to this home-finding <span style="font-size: large;">trip<span style="font-size: large;">; most of them involved a home much like this one. I<span style="font-size: large;">'d dreamt of an old red gate<span style="font-size: large;"> with much <span style="font-size: large;">S</span>hrubbery surrounding it<span style="font-size: large;">...I had been looking for that old gate for most of the day...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">That first viewing left me in awe. The home is a renovated church...I believe it was built in 1916 and move<span style="font-size: large;">d to its present lo<span style="font-size: large;">cation in the '70's.</span></span> It was bought by its present owner around 1996<span style="font-size: large;">. With pavement right up to its doors, our landlord had to b<span style="font-size: large;">reak up all of it before he could begin building his vision.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">And what a magical vision it was! So many different <span style="font-size: large;">W</span>oods make up the exterior and interior I spent many hours, after moving in, trying to identi<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">fy</span> each section.</span> There are two lovely stained glass windows, one depicting a <span style="font-size: large;">Sunrise, the other <span style="font-size: large;">a Sunset. The entry <span style="font-size: large;">and our loft bedroom <span style="font-size: large;">are graced <span style="font-size: large;">with dancing light each <span style="font-size: large;">Mo<span style="font-size: large;">rning when Sun is present.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIkk8GQdcb0u1ukqQhGnUXQf-8TraOeX05ygij1Zd9T4l3PK538PjXG2i-RtBGyJDUun_bU_CfRQUk_VjSEQI0sHusZ8piuPu0sETIQxirnyeuuilopg-4Ql_sVs1y3vDg8HBTA/s1600/IMG_7026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIkk8GQdcb0u1ukqQhGnUXQf-8TraOeX05ygij1Zd9T4l3PK538PjXG2i-RtBGyJDUun_bU_CfRQUk_VjSEQI0sHusZ8piuPu0sETIQxirnyeuuilopg-4Ql_sVs1y3vDg8HBTA/s320/IMG_7026.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Teak Door...</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We left the first <span style="font-size: large;">viewing with Graham saying he wanted to sleep on it and me knowing full well I <b><i>wouldn't</i></b> sleep until the papers were signed...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">But Graham loved the home just as much as I did and the next morning, papers were signed and the home was ours. <span style="font-size: large;">When we arrived, we parked our car on the other side of the home...and there, right outsi<span style="font-size: large;">de <span style="font-size: large;">the car window was the<span style="font-size: large;"> 'red gate'<span style="font-size: large;"> that had appeared in my dr<span style="font-size: large;">eams.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was hanging off its hinges when I first saw it<span style="font-size: large;">, as it was in my dreams. It <span style="font-size: large;">has b<span style="font-size: large;">een fixed since and is no longer a gate, but part of the fence</span></span>, now that we've moved in.</span> It is a red Cedar gate, <span style="font-size: large;">very like the faded red gate surrounded by <span style="font-size: large;">S</span>hrubbery which I visited fairly often <span style="font-size: large;">in dreamtime.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The second visit cemented the idea of living here even more strongly. I wandered through on my own, <span style="font-size: large;">loving</span> the feel of this place, where people prayed and celebrated, where children learned ( for a time, the home was a Montessori school) and where music was a prevailing hobby.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlYCGfHSp3d-yfRaUVvnJe596KTcXKnAeE2fnEOSYMffwmJxCKaFkvnnAyLOkgUbp3FLJJoF0H4MMWBxdH3hk7CX6MBm3-sJEAN27-y7dlDbjD6d2p32Zq3pSYWwuMzBNV1-GaA/s1600/IMG_7027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlYCGfHSp3d-yfRaUVvnJe596KTcXKnAeE2fnEOSYMffwmJxCKaFkvnnAyLOkgUbp3FLJJoF0H4MMWBxdH3hk7CX6MBm3-sJEAN27-y7dlDbjD6d2p32Zq3pSYWwuMzBNV1-GaA/s320/IMG_7027.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">...leads to the backyard deck.</span><span style="font-size: small;">..</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Music is ingrained into all the <span style="font-size: large;">W</span>oodwork which is so prevalent in this home. The piano that was used <span style="font-size: large;">remains here still</span>, and once in awhile, I'll play Chopsticks<span style="font-size: large;">.</span> Sometimes, in the deep silence of Night, I imagine I hear children with their voices raised in song...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We went back to the Cariboo tired but satisfied with <span style="font-size: large;">the</span> home we had rented and ready to face the last hurdles before our move on September 25th.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Again, once our possessions arrived...the ones we <span style="font-size: large;">decided not to</span> sell at all our sales...I was so busy trying to find where I wanted to place everything I don't think I was aware of anything much the first few days.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had made a decision, when our move from the Cariboo became real, not to use the computer other than email. It helped enormously...my focus went entirely to our move.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKaIsp5UVZeoX4AHUNE5HjOsm72-HrvP_6MjJSpXJHYYSDEOo-2BX6_1ZJBgW13tRlzhSot8_gUBDm7C3Mv76Oh1E3WZdEjFVTyIMNUAhi860g_8vmy0oOeG0IS9NiALOUB24rQ/s1600/IMG_7028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKaIsp5UVZeoX4AHUNE5HjOsm72-HrvP_6MjJSpXJHYYSDEOo-2BX6_1ZJBgW13tRlzhSot8_gUBDm7C3Mv76Oh1E3WZdEjFVTyIMNUAhi860g_8vmy0oOeG0IS9NiALOUB24rQ/s400/IMG_7028.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">...and one of the back gates.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Although I was not distracted by the computer, I missed my cyber friends more than I can say. I so appreciated the emails I received giving me encouragement and will remember to return the favour if ever anybody else goes through a time like this.</span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We've even already had overnight visitors! How wonderful it is to live close to family and friends and how lovely it is to know that in a </span>couple of hours I can be in Port Alberni, where my family lives. As a matter of fact, I will be travelling up Island on the weekend, just to look after Graydon, my grandson. Oh, joy!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is Raining today...buckets of Rain, the kind of Rain which, when I lived on the Island, would have made me cancel appointments. I loved Rain then but not with the appreciation I feel now. After living in a semi-desert environment for five years, I am <b><i>relishing</i></b> each huge drop of Water that falls. I can feel its nourishment against my dry skin and I know each and every Plant on this Peninsula is loving it after the long, warm dry spell we've enjoyed since moving here.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Iaez4MnfB9hE6ECDDMZDBTFK9Mdhws84PGf89OEpLGrNlnutsE93NLUXZaPJdPxgc6lPz4JCoBI3Ep0AJhnC18WGq5W3PmoAdp7OcJ5xdJnMY51gYk4mG6Rf8EdxbO7CQK-M4A/s1600/IMG_7022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Iaez4MnfB9hE6ECDDMZDBTFK9Mdhws84PGf89OEpLGrNlnutsE93NLUXZaPJdPxgc6lPz4JCoBI3Ep0AJhnC18WGq5W3PmoAdp7OcJ5xdJnMY51gYk4mG6Rf8EdxbO7CQK-M4A/s400/IMG_7022.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Depiction of Sunrise using Wood...so beautiful to look at in the early morning!</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lucky is one, however, who does not remember how he once loved Rain as he raced through the wet, muddy <span style="font-size: large;">P</span>uddles five years ago. And he certainly has no appreciation for this funny wet stuff. He is accustomed to Rain in the form of Snow...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will<span style="font-size: large;">, strangely enough, truly miss the extremes of weather in the Cariboo. There is something large and grand in Nature's fur<span style="font-size: large;">ious Storms there<span style="font-size: large;">,</span> where she will leav<span style="font-size: large;">e</span> a silent, sparkling carpet of white, her fury spent<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">; but assigning deep Cold <span style="font-size: large;">throughout</span></span>...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvPllKKCQRfhxoU5vvxaiUnX7K8f0QCYMrRlS2yEP8DRiVujdQ8OdB80F6CIP2cwKsvpYwvvMTOVJyfZdS52Ixx6shagtXPKBvw932MBmvwoxy5iuoin1gvx1KFP-ccftBz9AYw/s1600/IMG_7036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvPllKKCQRfhxoU5vvxaiUnX7K8f0QCYMrRlS2yEP8DRiVujdQ8OdB80F6CIP2cwKsvpYwvvMTOVJyfZdS52Ixx6shagtXPKBvw932MBmvwoxy5iuoin1gvx1KFP-ccftBz9AYw/s320/IMG_7036.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Three huge Trees guard our <span style="font-size: small;">entryway</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It<span style="font-size: large;"> was a<span style="font-size: large;">n unforgettable experience, and one I shall cheri<span style="font-size: large;">sh.</span></span></span> But it is time now, in my daughter's words, to experi<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">ence</span> the Urban, rather than the <span style="font-size: large;">Country.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">And if this is all a lucid <span style="font-size: large;">dream? It seems to be a vibrant and welcome one, and if it is lucid, I guess I can choose to live it.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">After all, I do believe it is one of the best dreams I've<span style="font-size: large;">, so far in this li<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">fe</span>, experienced...</span></span></span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span>Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-69597729043490541102012-07-29T08:45:00.000-07:002012-07-29T08:45:33.085-07:00Moving with Raven<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Time stood still as we waited for confirmation about our relocation. Over and over, I began to write...and over and over, I closed the computer when sitting in one place became too anxiety-producing.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kyo3fROa50q1SY0mPWzm55u02HRS8mFNQNZW8Vqb5cg4cNL0Y01HqIyjLpMRA4UVkECIaHckPVYN2ZhTOlP9GAoq2yXfEd_-AvPurbt5DTn99n_eh8AHW4fodQ-t-h4Muj_N9g/s1600/IMG_6806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kyo3fROa50q1SY0mPWzm55u02HRS8mFNQNZW8Vqb5cg4cNL0Y01HqIyjLpMRA4UVkECIaHckPVYN2ZhTOlP9GAoq2yXfEd_-AvPurbt5DTn99n_eh8AHW4fodQ-t-h4Muj_N9g/s400/IMG_6806.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">I love the patterns in the bark of the Interior Fir Tree</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been pacing for a couple of months, now. It's good exercise, at any rate, and does seem to lower tension a bit. And I've realized, during any chaotic period in my life, that I paced through it all. Not that this is a big epiphany or anything; it is only an interesting thought!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I imagine my pacing will accelerate over the coming months. We are moving to Victoria, B.C.; Graham will begin his new job on October 1. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure I quite believe it. Victoria is one of my favourite cities. Never in a million years did I ever believe I would actually live there. But it appears as if, for the next four or five years at least, that is exactly where I will be.</span></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWVSMygjaQjle75v2zGi1c1sKE5IAXhEv_QtXivjYFcIOItBK7IRhwPdqp1YwvhRbCpPvPaIIXxOUzWdytOYaD6mRLHKOQG8BuKcQ75FyrI1TrcXy728VH3yfE1TaU2pV2wEZOA/s1600/IMG_6810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWVSMygjaQjle75v2zGi1c1sKE5IAXhEv_QtXivjYFcIOItBK7IRhwPdqp1YwvhRbCpPvPaIIXxOUzWdytOYaD6mRLHKOQG8BuKcQ75FyrI1TrcXy728VH3yfE1TaU2pV2wEZOA/s400/IMG_6810.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Poppies everywhere!</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This will be as much of a transition for me as moving from Qualicum Beach to the Cariboo. As I write this, traffic sounds and other city sounds have become completely foreign to me...yet in a couple of months, I will have to acclimatize not only to a noisier environment, but also to the change in weather.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Driving the highway into the city of Williams Lake has prepared me for anything. City driving will not bother me, especially since I already am familiar with Victoria, having had relatives there over the years.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Victoria is surrounded by Ocean...the Universe obviously listened carefully to my plea about wanting...no, needing...to live by Ocean and her Beaches. You can believe my first walk on a Beach will be something to write about...I will have come home.</span></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIhSRG4TZOqOwVE0xDhPA0oRo99qhKQOMRhukXXPdjMRg6DBPNyzZrHvAbPwX6QolHxMchY2ZB39Bo8F7TDVzbsIMMd1UVkjTgvaGRt-wLuBcO_wMGxTK00LhhkoilxbccB2kjw/s1600/IMG_6862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIhSRG4TZOqOwVE0xDhPA0oRo99qhKQOMRhukXXPdjMRg6DBPNyzZrHvAbPwX6QolHxMchY2ZB39Bo8F7TDVzbsIMMd1UVkjTgvaGRt-wLuBcO_wMGxTK00LhhkoilxbccB2kjw/s400/IMG_6862.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Our young friend Raven </b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last couple of months of interminable walks and garden work has allowed me to say goodbye to our home here. Many tears were shed, believe me. I love this home, this place, the Animals...yes, and even the extreme weather. But I will love the memories just as much, perhaps even more, from afar.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We will be <b><i>so</i></b> much closer to the family! Day trips are not out of the question...Port Alberni, where family lives, is about two and a half hours from Victoria. It is a small hop, as compared to the vast distances we traveled in the Cariboo.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And as well, we plan on buying our retirement home/weekend retreat in Port Alberni. I am so excited over traveling up Island to garden in a home I know I will not leave again.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIPF6HJ4BU0GCC_PS1_id6jDXbEkJDl2PustMddoKoxUPFyGXi5BR6BCuXATDdDKRzP83mktauWCDFdLF0Tg7Md1gzB19lcpTN-q_XQxHENKOfdHHFM-Q2j9iT1QuSMmF3tf-zA/s1600/IMG_6816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIPF6HJ4BU0GCC_PS1_id6jDXbEkJDl2PustMddoKoxUPFyGXi5BR6BCuXATDdDKRzP83mktauWCDFdLF0Tg7Md1gzB19lcpTN-q_XQxHENKOfdHHFM-Q2j9iT1QuSMmF3tf-zA/s400/IMG_6816.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>These Poppies will bloom until Frost</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are many unknowns. I try not to trouble myself over them. Our house here will sell, in the time allotted. The garage sale will be organized; movers will be contacted, excess furniture will be sold. All those things, taken one step at a time, will be done, one after another. Worrying over them will not get them done any faster, in fact, it may hinder the whole process.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So say I...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finding a place to live in Victoria is my main objective, right now. Something inside me needs to know I have a place to go to...to arrive at...to be. It will settle me down. We will rent and there seem to be many, very expensive homes but few in what I consider a reasonable price range.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgcR7eOeCHE78zT5LmXanlanmT0rFBZHtJoHi7XC0ZEPQDd3WNvValBza38z2OOnPoRA4y3j6a0vKKYv_yCDUXkJGeGKlOv9RszthWqrj1_QN6N7Wr5MOsL4_WYN2moRY_u2AYQ/s1600/IMG_6813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgcR7eOeCHE78zT5LmXanlanmT0rFBZHtJoHi7XC0ZEPQDd3WNvValBza38z2OOnPoRA4y3j6a0vKKYv_yCDUXkJGeGKlOv9RszthWqrj1_QN6N7Wr5MOsL4_WYN2moRY_u2AYQ/s400/IMG_6813.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Delphiniums a little the worse from Wind damage</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But then, the last time I rented any home, was way back in the early seventies. Things have certainly changed since then!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">An apartment/condo would be ideal for Graham and I, but we have another member of the family to consider. Lucky may not do so well with long hallways and elevators and an inability to go outside at will. And so, hopefully, we will find a house which appeals, yet does not cost an arm and a leg...a daunting prospect!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">September, in my mind, has forever been the time of new beginnings. This year, certainly, will be one of the more memorable ones.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will have time to harvest my garden, to watch the Perennials bloom a final time. Lucky and I have met a Raven who follows us on our morning walks. Having just made his acquaintance...and an odd acquaintance it is!...I want to study him a little more, before I leave.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He has a message. As yet, I haven't deciphered it, although somewhere inside me, I know what it is. It is only a matter of removing the blockages I've put in place, long ago, in order for me to hear...</span></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbGNQnqmprJdJ6MwMx9S6BBI0_7a20Lyh9N_L9BJBJrA1FHldsAu-4EArquBO4VAfqwVWC-0xMC6wOciyKlpGqhZSue5uHXn1apfHi_n3iNVbzJ-5vz7iudF_T3hKlpK2TL965g/s1600/IMG_6859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbGNQnqmprJdJ6MwMx9S6BBI0_7a20Lyh9N_L9BJBJrA1FHldsAu-4EArquBO4VAfqwVWC-0xMC6wOciyKlpGqhZSue5uHXn1apfHi_n3iNVbzJ-5vz7iudF_T3hKlpK2TL965g/s400/IMG_6859.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>One morning, he sat here for a long time, contemplating...</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, Raven appears to be listening to my concerns, inserting the occasional gurgle or squawk, as Lucky checks out the overnight visitors. He flies from Branch to Branch, Tree to Tree, as I walk...bobbing his head at me, cocking his head when I speak. He is a young Raven. I imagine he is as curious about me as I am about him.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will miss him, as I will miss seeing all the wildlife I have made friends with over the years. I am so eternally grateful to have had the opportunity.</span></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvG_kIVZNJOa86MU0rNYOLJ3qeHUc9YPZ3Dp9HNASZuo7h1sxWc574i_gXksau7sZYoCfkib5L8hwzyrVVg50_x_K8dtlPUjQDwjK_o7aBR3XqCLxcgrxLT5TzZ2YB26to4Dtdw/s1600/IMG_6832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvG_kIVZNJOa86MU0rNYOLJ3qeHUc9YPZ3Dp9HNASZuo7h1sxWc574i_gXksau7sZYoCfkib5L8hwzyrVVg50_x_K8dtlPUjQDwjK_o7aBR3XqCLxcgrxLT5TzZ2YB26to4Dtdw/s400/IMG_6832.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Lilies are smaller than usual this year</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A new stage is beginning. There will be much to do before I can see the finish line for this particular stage.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know more tears will fall, when I leave. A piece of my heart will always reside here in the Cariboo.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is the way of it... </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-3007368378217163002012-05-25T05:30:00.000-07:002012-05-25T05:30:42.771-07:00Searching for Answers<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRU_7Y69kinkJLhGVe5KFb8zYhRCAt-zm8bai74oSiLtFg46hoaeAD-PoMut75Mc1BLg3KfHh4X8gqr6yJqSPfP_oSUqCCc7ezF2UuDgugxEAUWm-QUvnNPN-j0bB_t_-pYIzgYQ/s1600/Marion's+Drawings+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRU_7Y69kinkJLhGVe5KFb8zYhRCAt-zm8bai74oSiLtFg46hoaeAD-PoMut75Mc1BLg3KfHh4X8gqr6yJqSPfP_oSUqCCc7ezF2UuDgugxEAUWm-QUvnNPN-j0bB_t_-pYIzgYQ/s320/Marion's+Drawings+002.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Comedian</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">When Spring bursts upon the Cariboo, when She really settles in, I can actually watch the Perennials in the garden take great leaps in growth each day. Sun stays out longer during the lengthy Spring days, which keeps the surface of the Earth warmer...so even if the nights are still quite cool, Seedlings and Plants seem to enjoy some protection from Frost.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I have finished the general tidying up required after a long Winter...the branches, leaves and garbage have all been raked and piled. I've seeded the Vegetable garden with Spinach, Mesclun, Lettuce, Chard, Carrots and Radishes. I have had good success with direct sowing here...Plants grow so quickly!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">It feels, these days, as if I am on a bullet train traveling faster and faster...destination unknown. I feel rattled...the train is not a smooth ride. Readying our home for the market, even though I am as ready as I'll ever be, is still bittersweet. I keep myself as grounded as I can by working in the garden, touching Boulders, sifting through the sandy Soil...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">And by drawing the continual Faces which appear in the early Morning... my familiar Faces of the Night.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVcuI1C6xwQFpptFAz1iGUnTJBuRTuhvZofgCCSSSAbYuFyRFjsqwp3mygyk4JVpGFF-7dglcQtYh6URTFl3JfN_Hzr1Mx0aow3Bqk45n0kpsPFirsQtPOX9VFbfBLdr-48mGxw/s1600/Marion's+Drawings+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVcuI1C6xwQFpptFAz1iGUnTJBuRTuhvZofgCCSSSAbYuFyRFjsqwp3mygyk4JVpGFF-7dglcQtYh6URTFl3JfN_Hzr1Mx0aow3Bqk45n0kpsPFirsQtPOX9VFbfBLdr-48mGxw/s320/Marion's+Drawings+008.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Grandfather</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I have had many dreams lately which are very different from my usual. These ones seemingly have no conclusion...and what is strange is that I am willing to accept them as such. As if...I am being tutored, taught in these new dreams, given information.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">About <b><i>something</i></b>...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">And in the Morning, I draw the Faces of the Ones who are my teachers. As I go along this dream course...this Ascension 101, perhaps, the Faces change, become stronger, more odd, from the Humanoid viewpoint. But still, all the Faces exude such positive, loving energy...some, I have trouble stopping, I want to continue on and on, drawing with my pen, overdrawing...staying in their wonderful energy for as long as I can.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I remember the relevant parts of the dreams...usually the last part, the part just before I awaken, where I ask a question which I will remember later...a question that feels very important to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwka9357Gu2Ca2VFSxScYZ2t5m7WGEq1sCPO5MziKiv_-7jjICpqcJYWUuzVhLUIwP4E2SBprcw3omswUP9VFVTBZCiiZZNCHr14KIFULUkmE-TXojRzw0OUfXTJDGB4_npI09Q/s1600/mail.google.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwka9357Gu2Ca2VFSxScYZ2t5m7WGEq1sCPO5MziKiv_-7jjICpqcJYWUuzVhLUIwP4E2SBprcw3omswUP9VFVTBZCiiZZNCHr14KIFULUkmE-TXojRzw0OUfXTJDGB4_npI09Q/s320/mail.google.com.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hunter</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">There have been five dreams in all, up to this point. The first one pointed the way the others would go, I discover, upon reflection.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">After seeing the unexplained lights in the Sky during last Summer and Fall, I have become fascinated with these visitors, our Star brothers and sisters. But even taking this fascination into account, I could not have imagined this particular dream into being.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">During the dream, I found myself in a large room, having just arrived. It felt as if I had just awoken; I felt heavy and tired. There were others there, and I seemed to be the focus of many sidelong glances, although all tried very hard and politely not to stare.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">There was no semblance of lucid dreaming, no observations from on high. I was completely in and part of this dream.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO1nLcBSYuGeesTrWjRmPcl_sjtu4c1WpMkbKhUkikcHrFEmgoI8GPJ6hK_GeKhGvMum8yB3CI8t6lyCjslZz08I9ESskA_W_cKxLmCSSM9NpA28uiwbaCZ0jNccLrRsvULtPGQ/s1600/drawing+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO1nLcBSYuGeesTrWjRmPcl_sjtu4c1WpMkbKhUkikcHrFEmgoI8GPJ6hK_GeKhGvMum8yB3CI8t6lyCjslZz08I9ESskA_W_cKxLmCSSM9NpA28uiwbaCZ0jNccLrRsvULtPGQ/s320/drawing+2.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Guide</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">The large room wherein I found myself was dark and shadowy, but in no way frightening. As I began to awaken more fully, I noticed someone very close beside me, someone who was directing me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">He led me, as if I were a small child, to the large expanse of window in front of me...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">And there...oh! There was the night Sky, but it was like no other I have yet to see. I held my breath, as I stared and stared at the sparkling jewels laid out in front of me. It was immense, the Stars had no end, and each was as brilliant and bright as the last. I found myself staring far out into the Universe...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I felt so <b><i>good</i></b>! I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, as joy flooded through, over and over. It was as if the Universe was laughing with me, as if it loved my reaction to seeing these luminous Stars, which blinked and twinkled before me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMq7W7HO-baXMazQXsr7YAmL2VV4Ek0IsAwj8nFO0Uwu2hembTIPID1IgihOSiw0sfc1dWCTL35wr-WzH6Jgq669ecC_Mj09HNXLnWMVRosiu3-nD8txCGajgeAYWjKrM9kJW9Q/s1600/Marion's+Drawings+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMq7W7HO-baXMazQXsr7YAmL2VV4Ek0IsAwj8nFO0Uwu2hembTIPID1IgihOSiw0sfc1dWCTL35wr-WzH6Jgq669ecC_Mj09HNXLnWMVRosiu3-nD8txCGajgeAYWjKrM9kJW9Q/s320/Marion's+Drawings+003.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Healer</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">The others in the room left me to myself to stare in complete wonderment. I have looked at the Night Sky many, many times...I have yet to see anything remotely like this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">The Sky was a deep, velvety purple, with indigo streaks throughout. Stars were everywhere, so thickly strewn it looked as if they each encroached upon the other. And the light! So strange...light and dark all at once. Was the brightness inherent throughout the Sky coming from the Stars alone? It seemed impossible, yet I saw no other source...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">In complete and utter awe, I felt more than saw my guide approach. I must have been told it was time to go, since I found myself backing away from the window, my eyes never leaving the expanse of Stars.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I was told to enter into this small vehicle, which may have been what I arrived in. It felt familiar, and I remembered the white, leathery, comfortable seats. Still, I felt no fear, only sadness that I was leaving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">In a small, earnest voice, I asked my guide..."Will I still see the Stars?"....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I was assured I would.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPtoGQ-DZ-h-5dG-KbbW8kKL4nWIWOIKRpcKtantf9myzTw5oVwwYzHbDlEPm7Ve6iGc2uyzsOzL2dD_Li3uLdokjR5JgH3GWeyv7z02gA_nm9sKORDn9sMfC89Uw910crOaR4A/s1600/Marion's+Drawings+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPtoGQ-DZ-h-5dG-KbbW8kKL4nWIWOIKRpcKtantf9myzTw5oVwwYzHbDlEPm7Ve6iGc2uyzsOzL2dD_Li3uLdokjR5JgH3GWeyv7z02gA_nm9sKORDn9sMfC89Uw910crOaR4A/s320/Marion's+Drawings+014.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master of the Barn Yard</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">And with this answer, I awoke. For some reason, I felt it was important to look at the time on the digital alarm clock. It was 2:22 AM. The beginning of a new cycle, in numerological terms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">In my last dream, once again I found myself at a desk ( I have had the schoolroom dream numerous times) with my instructor seated across from me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">In my dream, he looked and felt completely human, yet when I awoke, I realized he was vastly different.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">In the dream recall, he had a mane of hair running down his back, straight back from his forehead. His face had soft, fine hair covering it, with well defined eyebrows and vaguely feline eyes. I attempted to draw him, as I feel I know this person well, but it was difficult...I did him no justice.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMPip7-_oJz0OSXB171_DALrK-4xmPYVuz50yxUUzk1-Q_wV1KwmcRRartyceSC0tUQBmmyTzyR4YPp_3cCkE_6yo_lDLKQXAk4W87ygBD0-TIh-ocPvAEppCFVr3PCRaU6zF0g/s1600/photo+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMPip7-_oJz0OSXB171_DALrK-4xmPYVuz50yxUUzk1-Q_wV1KwmcRRartyceSC0tUQBmmyTzyR4YPp_3cCkE_6yo_lDLKQXAk4W87ygBD0-TIh-ocPvAEppCFVr3PCRaU6zF0g/s320/photo+11.JPG" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Instructor</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I recall the intensity of our conversation, although I don't remember one word, as yet. But as I untangled myself from the desk chair in preparation for leaving, I asked the important question, as if I were wrapping things up..."So, we are all transitioning, then?"...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">After hearing the answer in the affirmative, once again, I awoke. This time, I forgot to notice the time. But I awoke hearing the word Ascension as if someone had just spoken it into my still rather doubtful ear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">The World is in upheaval, to put it mildly. So many indiscretions are being revealed...every day I read about a new invention, more medical breakthroughs, human heroism along with falling governments and some fairly evil craving for power amongst a few people.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"> I hear Mother Earth urging us to join her in her own Ascension, of which we are all a part. I feel the intense pressure of the solar flares, which affect me in myriad ways.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KeJh1IkQHbwEy_qWBfAXDBxfPEBHLRw1ROWAKpdC_LsJoOApRp1K4daQoYXjvvH0EKr7rlkMCYmkk-slquo1GjyizQikHy9Bam25d8s0HqW2vizBG4Z9pd9P9i8Na_nURanQtw/s1600/drawing+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KeJh1IkQHbwEy_qWBfAXDBxfPEBHLRw1ROWAKpdC_LsJoOApRp1K4daQoYXjvvH0EKr7rlkMCYmkk-slquo1GjyizQikHy9Bam25d8s0HqW2vizBG4Z9pd9P9i8Na_nURanQtw/s320/drawing+3.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Dreamers</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I feel that I am being guided in these dreams. For what, for once I don't know. I am not in control of much these days...the weather does what it wants, governments go awry over the simplest things, I'm not sure where I'll be at this time next year...but I feel peaceful, if one can feel serenity in the midst of a roller-coaster ride.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I am being taught to be an observer, more than a part of the action. This is a little different for me...I am accustomed to wading in with both feet. But I feel I am going somewhere I am not supposed to plan for, to control, to force my outmoded ideas upon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">In the words of John Lennon and Paul McCartney... </span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me<br />
Shine until tomorrow, let it be<br />
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me<br />
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be </span></i></b><br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And that's what I'll do...I'll let it all be.</span></div>
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As the song says...there will be answers...</span></div>
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<br />Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-82896599819936424852012-04-22T09:44:00.000-07:002012-04-22T09:44:32.178-07:00Warmer Winters<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBRyh-byNBr9t2wPEXTrbv7IKPue2hG5kNYz9Xpw374Em8NPkQ_S25Oe6axTT-dHMBNfpkWF1WSL-RTbke6kKWYC2IV_PFf18uAcAjP4jS_e75NMJMuqzjRa6R26DFG4joZSGzA/s1600/IMG_4092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBRyh-byNBr9t2wPEXTrbv7IKPue2hG5kNYz9Xpw374Em8NPkQ_S25Oe6axTT-dHMBNfpkWF1WSL-RTbke6kKWYC2IV_PFf18uAcAjP4jS_e75NMJMuqzjRa6R26DFG4joZSGzA/s400/IMG_4092.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Dreaming of Flowers</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even if the temperatures are still below freezing each night, Snow and Ice have melted completely. Any Snow which arrives now will disappear quickly during the warmer daytime hours.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">During the last month, when it seemed Winter would never release his hold on the area, for the first time since we moved here, I felt like a prisoner. Depression hit for a time...I could not enjoy the outdoors in any way because of the Cold. I could not write, had no inclination to do any of my hobbies and projects...even my appetite disappeared.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There have been times in my life where I have felt like this...usually in response to some crisis or other. But this low feeling I have only just released was something new...I felt at odds with everything, even Nature.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a long Winter. Were I healthy, I suppose the length of it would not bother me as much, since I would still be able to be active. But the amazing Cold stymied me completely this year...physically and mentally.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLiY7ksTbR7faoIzjhGcK-GB5ZZ6pNKAIUAaJYiyIRT0UUAGDL-8_yCNFIeHl1rT9TzC6zdQ9XtxtdnLDnuch7DPChjmQ2kkl5eqBOqkUtZjhleSck7ul1lHjAh2S6FGZeHHFHw/s1600/IMG_4460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLiY7ksTbR7faoIzjhGcK-GB5ZZ6pNKAIUAaJYiyIRT0UUAGDL-8_yCNFIeHl1rT9TzC6zdQ9XtxtdnLDnuch7DPChjmQ2kkl5eqBOqkUtZjhleSck7ul1lHjAh2S6FGZeHHFHw/s400/IMG_4460.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Cabbages grow so well here!</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Cold attacked my arthritis, which was further irritated by fibromyalgia. I felt as if I were one round ball of pain, each and every time I braved the weather for a walk with Lucky. It could take hours for the pain caused by the Cold to go away, yet I felt the need to be outside, to stay connected and grounded to Nature.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But after awhile, that need disappeared, as well, especially when a flu Bug found me. During the infection, there was no more energy then to brave anything...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But now, Spring has come to stay. I cannot say it is as warm here as it was on the Island during our Easter holiday visit, but every day seems a little more temperate. And of course, now, the garden requires my attention.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Working in the garden has healed me many times over the course of my life, and I expect it will do so again. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Change may be in the offing for Graham and I. Our intention is to move back to the Island this year, one way or the other. At the moment, we are contemplating the options we have; nothing is concrete.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTKRM3PQ8MCkoOs6UKkmVzGXMwUStVrkm4gRE7BDSRei3PSCVHeXGwZcJd3teoiGJdtOHSe3ZXMXoRa7MzctkPFws6TLYvo16_U9BK6c0fMFBtHJM4W_JVsTTjRsJtoXMCZgTBw/s1600/IMG_2534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTKRM3PQ8MCkoOs6UKkmVzGXMwUStVrkm4gRE7BDSRei3PSCVHeXGwZcJd3teoiGJdtOHSe3ZXMXoRa7MzctkPFws6TLYvo16_U9BK6c0fMFBtHJM4W_JVsTTjRsJtoXMCZgTBw/s400/IMG_2534.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I will miss my friends the Mule Deer...</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And so, this Spring, my garden will be set to rights with the thought of another gardener working in it next year. Instead of building more gardening beds, I will concentrate on dividing perennials and filling up the beds already in existence. If our house goes on the market this summer, I want it to look good, to look as if it is the easiest thing in the World to turn out a pretty garden in this arid, cold climate.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gardens are what I look at, when I am buying a house, and I assume, quite wrongly, that others look for the same. When Graham and I were on the Island looking at homes, I cannot remember the houses we looked at, but I can remember their gardens. I am grateful that Graham rarely looks at gardens... the house and the way it is built is his primary focus.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMGDkn93EI2gs6hnQcITkxEB0RJZeQHQO-t6SAU8ROxY_gLws93DuhVr8QgCiT6uHLoSE1uDoyCVGDZMiQGpdFdzJxJvJxmi58sruk0PL5j9Q-92Bg-Fi-KQfdnMlUfZsDKHYcg/s1600/IMG_2586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMGDkn93EI2gs6hnQcITkxEB0RJZeQHQO-t6SAU8ROxY_gLws93DuhVr8QgCiT6uHLoSE1uDoyCVGDZMiQGpdFdzJxJvJxmi58sruk0PL5j9Q-92Bg-Fi-KQfdnMlUfZsDKHYcg/s400/IMG_2586.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">This fellow appears every Spring...I have a multitude of photos of him!</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Between the two of us, perhaps we can find a balance between great gardens and properly built homes...my intent is to find a place for sale which has both.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will miss the Animals. Living here, there is no way to not be part of the wild Animal world. I will miss the sounds of the many, many Birds, the howl of the Wolf and Coyote, the call of the Eagle, Hawk and Raven...and the screech from the Bobcat and Cougar.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A few weeks ago, when dirty Ice and Snow were still compact on much of the driveway, I ventured outside onto the part of the road bed which had cleared. Lucky, of course, had little trouble traversing the icy pathways, and bounded ahead of me.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx__AVQU4q4t7R7-3QWct0Y-v8zcg-2BtQp0tBOdEKJZnwXRp6Sl8EsZM1A0JKQQCTg_TGY5-pAF2YH24HwS8w4ZK5Bb6v7AImkWjLtb6D6iUMpnxOKx-s4QS-HJx0Uex7kQRRBA/s1600/chickadee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx__AVQU4q4t7R7-3QWct0Y-v8zcg-2BtQp0tBOdEKJZnwXRp6Sl8EsZM1A0JKQQCTg_TGY5-pAF2YH24HwS8w4ZK5Bb6v7AImkWjLtb6D6iUMpnxOKx-s4QS-HJx0Uex7kQRRBA/s400/chickadee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Chickadees are prolific here...and stay thru the Winter.</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He was behind the woodworking shop, out of my sight, when I heard the scuffling in the deep Snow. Lucky began to ferociously bark and howl...but beyond that, I heard a big Cat's indescribable snarl...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had no way of arriving where Lucky was any quicker than I was already going, desperately calling Lucky with each careful step I took. Lucky, and then Ozzie, the Dog from next door, continued their frenzied barking, so I assumed he hadn't been attacked. As yet.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've heard the big Cat's cry many times here, but I've not always been sure whether it came from a Cougar or a Bobcat. This time, as close as I was, I could tell it was a Bobcat, but I didn't know where it was. I could not see behind the shop, where Lucky was creating such an extreme ruckus.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wnG5DwXq6pFcVs57_pmass8iJvrBH6y9GVxtszc1p1w84me_lRBpYY-lg4xEMtSCrGUnqRp8rDIJw7UqkdTUpsdHlkmc1dqy71EPl2Wy6CRksx5tknGSlDzHeIhPQXIzmRk4vA/s1600/raven+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wnG5DwXq6pFcVs57_pmass8iJvrBH6y9GVxtszc1p1w84me_lRBpYY-lg4xEMtSCrGUnqRp8rDIJw7UqkdTUpsdHlkmc1dqy71EPl2Wy6CRksx5tknGSlDzHeIhPQXIzmRk4vA/s400/raven+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Our Raven steals many of Lucky's bones...</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I came around the corner of the shop, moving very carefully...not wanting to come face to face with an Animal of this nature. Lucky had his front paws up against a Fir Tree, howling his fool head off. Ozzie also decided to join in, and in no time, neighbourhood dogs from across the valley were united in their outrage against the interloper...the din was incredible.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I looked up. Yes, there he was, staring down at Lucky from his perch on the Tree branch. It's the closest I have ever been to one of these wild Cats...it was frightening and wonderful, all at the same time. I wanted to remain there and study him...but I was not completely sure he would not attack Lucky at any moment.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGFkyGQQ8iXo9pz9Ci7niKiyZLcIVBOUJdHA6GNb7SgyAyT14HOnYAjd5ApMlzhVwyIEtE29f-b1IzT5UUPavdq130VeuBy0VJ84lW4yJAvqhXfySIwDpEq4cw4H6uBpDTXuj7g/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGFkyGQQ8iXo9pz9Ci7niKiyZLcIVBOUJdHA6GNb7SgyAyT14HOnYAjd5ApMlzhVwyIEtE29f-b1IzT5UUPavdq130VeuBy0VJ84lW4yJAvqhXfySIwDpEq4cw4H6uBpDTXuj7g/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Look at his huge front paws!!</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After calling Lucky's name over and over, finally projecting what I call my ugly voice towards him, he heard me, glanced my way, wavered and then finally came, with the biggest grin on his face I've ever seen.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I grabbed his collar, and made my way back to the house over the Ice, my neck prickling all the while. I could feel those beautiful feline eyes on me, even if I didn't think he could still see me for the shop... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lucky was so proud of himself. I cannot begin to tell you.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My heart pounding, we made it into the house. I waited a moment or two, until I heard Ozzie stop barking, and then I let Lucky out into our fenced area. By then, I felt our visitor had left his perch. Our Lucky, though, lay on the deck all day, watching that particular Tree...reliving his moment of glory when he vanquished a big Cat.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is interesting and synchronistic, since I bemoaned the fact I did not have my camera with me quite vociferously, is the next day a co-worker of Graham's was driving on the highway just below our place when he saw two Bobcats, one sitting on a concrete highway barrier...and was able to snap a photo of him, which he has graciously allowed me to use.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have no doubt it is the same one, even if I did not get a good, long look at him. There are no co-incidences, after all. And I've heard since, during mating season, Bobcats will travel in two's...</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOK7iKRYf0vAjTXOZ26QtbUt874H81qsT2BMEPZsUa39AqQ3jHHQcG4BjVfzF1193s7bfkT2qqgetDWYbyTeACUIcWPsbdvYwC28mxi7_VF8YVfVL-ZsE_7GI2SpYavpR_UoA1w/s1600/IMG_6586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOK7iKRYf0vAjTXOZ26QtbUt874H81qsT2BMEPZsUa39AqQ3jHHQcG4BjVfzF1193s7bfkT2qqgetDWYbyTeACUIcWPsbdvYwC28mxi7_VF8YVfVL-ZsE_7GI2SpYavpR_UoA1w/s400/IMG_6586.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Where did that big Cat go?</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder where his mate was, while I stood staring at him? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think our Dog was called Lucky for a reason...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will miss these kinds of encounters. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to live here and will miss it tremendously...the Cold and Winter notwithstanding.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">During my time of introspection, when depression knocked softly, I realized the large distances involved in travelling back to where I consider it to be home were becoming more and more difficult to do, as the years go by.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Realizing and accepting my limitations, when I am not accustomed to having to take those into consideration with respect to where I <b><i>live, </i></b>made me re-evaluate. I'm taking my age and have come to an understanding I want to live the rest of my time closer to family and more accessible medical care. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And warmer Winters.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Photo of Bobcat courtesy of Roger Hollander...Thanks, Roger!</i></span></span><br />
<br />Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-28456840371504045702012-03-10T13:55:00.001-08:002012-03-10T13:55:54.284-08:00Tea With Spring...and a Broom<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am so delighted to report Spring has graced me with a few lovely visits over the past few days.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zdW0BiHe_Y_n-rHbpQRg8vAY4F3XX9Cx2DicewNc4dt9S0wx5A36Bu-RClVHzp3SWsbHGeSQ2vvORajlUfOjmIl5bbI0zcw2qxzTQUgG9nIP3Fe_me2rC0Gtgc6WN9Zr4SKcGA/s1600/IMG_6573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zdW0BiHe_Y_n-rHbpQRg8vAY4F3XX9Cx2DicewNc4dt9S0wx5A36Bu-RClVHzp3SWsbHGeSQ2vvORajlUfOjmIl5bbI0zcw2qxzTQUgG9nIP3Fe_me2rC0Gtgc6WN9Zr4SKcGA/s400/IMG_6573.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">My broom defying gravity...</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Waking to the sound of dripping Water...not the silence a Snow Storm brings...but the sound of <b><i>Water</i></b>...at four o'clock in the morning is incredible, after such a long time spent in a frozen landscape. The gurgle and drip of Water running through the gutters and downspouts was wonderfully soothing</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Later, that afternoon, it doesn't seem to matter to me that I can't see the garden beds, still under a two foot blanket of Snow. There are only a few Birds around, all busily feeding at the Bird feeder. The Squirrels who have dodged the resident Hawk all Winter are beginning to make themselves known by their chittering scoldings, but their number is still small.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And it doesn't matter at all.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhZADyPp0-iwK7Pr87F6UrnkcNe4H3xzm0EH4SieEJN3zVAU0q58590PdtU4MONvjb2ahbYriEzm3_o3QjN6OgeE8H6r034GVW3DVXS0CuGEXqWgxnARFYbM_yjJ0iNDM52PnNA/s1600/101-0163_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhZADyPp0-iwK7Pr87F6UrnkcNe4H3xzm0EH4SieEJN3zVAU0q58590PdtU4MONvjb2ahbYriEzm3_o3QjN6OgeE8H6r034GVW3DVXS0CuGEXqWgxnARFYbM_yjJ0iNDM52PnNA/s400/101-0163_IMG.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">A photo from an old garden...here, it is yet Snow-covered</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Spring has dropped by. We share a lazy afternoon on the front porch, she and I, drinking copious amounts of Tea. This is a time of great transition for me, yet again. I ask her advice on what to focus on, on which item to give my complete attention.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She does not seem surprised, as she listens, contentedly and at peace. Each time she moves her hand to drink from the Tea cup, a warm breeze caresses my cheek. It gives me soft comfort.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I listen to the gurgle of the melting Ice and Snow, mesmerized by a Beetle of some kind, making his way drowsily and slowly, along a Sun-washed board.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Spring whispers to me...she tells me there are forever changes, always...that is the way of it. And never more than in the Springtime, when blood warms, bodies move and waken and Mother Earth re-blooms. She tells me I am prepared, as much as anyone can be, for the changes in my life I am currently facing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilOipfCY7J6KPpeumVXJhvef6f4HMArwsl6E-LyrVTElMPUTZDrdPowBdkWToW59n5QXkcBjYjKHaZrQLwxQjIrqEBV-UNxKXlTeqnkgTZ3KQPyx-Q3hSDtrq9PlEAq-veKDk8Q/s1600/IMG_0447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilOipfCY7J6KPpeumVXJhvef6f4HMArwsl6E-LyrVTElMPUTZDrdPowBdkWToW59n5QXkcBjYjKHaZrQLwxQjIrqEBV-UNxKXlTeqnkgTZ3KQPyx-Q3hSDtrq9PlEAq-veKDk8Q/s400/IMG_0447.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Foxgloves...again, a former garden</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She tells me this year Humanity's discontent with the way things work in this World will bring about huge change, an enormous transition, from where we began. Along with my own personal adjustments, I must practice balance throughout the swirling emotional revisions all of Humanity faces.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I tell her I was once interested in what this year will bring, it being 2012 and all. And I am still...yet my own personal life has superseded the World's situation. It is beginning to overwhelm me...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMR7zVDxEKQG7YzsrY3WAHFX8pwBMHXWBq86vuYC4oEz3wDSmrN_L2taMfo8RRDuJA75kC6FUrE9rz6Ugw_xJHEl2rX5zzpD38g3vLmH_of5xUEWUQYZOVEErUIsa17MKQbCgjQA/s1600/IMG_0478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMR7zVDxEKQG7YzsrY3WAHFX8pwBMHXWBq86vuYC4oEz3wDSmrN_L2taMfo8RRDuJA75kC6FUrE9rz6Ugw_xJHEl2rX5zzpD38g3vLmH_of5xUEWUQYZOVEErUIsa17MKQbCgjQA/s320/IMG_0478.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Rose Hedge from my last garden</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She laughs...a musical, tinkling sound, which makes Water, now flowing strongly from the eaves of the house, splash even more happily into the large puddle forming at the base. I notice nothing bothers her...not anything at all.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And I wish, rather futilely, I think to myself, for that enormous balance and peace Spring shows so definitively within herself, during our Tea drinking marathon. I can easily pick up on her joyous outlook.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Spring hones in on my thought, just as soon as the wish disappears into the ether...and quite suddenly, I <b><i>do</i></b> feel grounded and balanced and yes...at peace with it all.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She giggles, delightful, musical notes which inexplicably remind me of Lilacs. She tells me...Yes. It is just that easy. It does not take longing and wishing and wondering...if you want balance and peace, <b><i>take it</i></b>. It's yours.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hmm. Another reminder to keep it simple.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyK5OQm5-34OACj2hb58-uw_weeCZn3VcDO6xTRooeN_qqHoSzUjDmpoDk8Ruh16GN-j5WILrYQ265pHwL3F87yzHmnYkU8nUeRsrIKWjlis9kIj8aj8jPZhsr-52C6uDjm9ACGw/s1600/IMG_0314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyK5OQm5-34OACj2hb58-uw_weeCZn3VcDO6xTRooeN_qqHoSzUjDmpoDk8Ruh16GN-j5WILrYQ265pHwL3F87yzHmnYkU8nUeRsrIKWjlis9kIj8aj8jPZhsr-52C6uDjm9ACGw/s400/IMG_0314.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">An early double Tulip, grown on the Coast.</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We sat in complete and utter harmony, Spring and I, that afternoon, until North Wind nudged my legs and Winter once again crept in.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And she began to fade...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Spring assured me she would be back, of course, as she is each and every year, never mind the swirling scenarios around 2012. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And she whispered to me, just as I was convinced she had never arrived, just as North Wind began to voice his loud opinion...she told me...The Deer will leave your Tulips alone again this year...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I laughed. I had been convinced I would not see many Tulips, with the Deer herd in residence.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As I entered the house, I thought to myself how wonderful it was I would be able to see, once more, all the hundreds of Tulips I had planted throughout my time here. With Spring overseeing the whole operation, I was assured of a lovely show.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I will practice balance by keeping everything a little more simple, I think. With the true arrival of Spring, changes will be quick, some of them harsh and strange.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">An example...does your broom stand up on its own? Mine does...here's a link about the story.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.theprovince.com/technology/Regina+sees+broom+defy+gravity/6280300/story.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+canwest%2FF228+%28The+Province+-+News%29&utm_content=Google+International">Brooms defy gravity</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My broom doesn't even have a straight bottom...and it's been standing there on its own for awhile now. It seems to have no problem balancing...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqaQZ3dooGRi5b8Vz_rukkrVBvTrie3mjSyiZntGGtwHmIyBv-tMabHFA3v-o1h3DJx3LhRPTyXevU_3HkYY_S-s0o4D5euIjhFC-UX0-gQrfHAyr0YmwX6Ajg9SC6fXd-njZJw/s1600/IMG_6574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqaQZ3dooGRi5b8Vz_rukkrVBvTrie3mjSyiZntGGtwHmIyBv-tMabHFA3v-o1h3DJx3LhRPTyXevU_3HkYY_S-s0o4D5euIjhFC-UX0-gQrfHAyr0YmwX6Ajg9SC6fXd-njZJw/s400/IMG_6574.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">I shall be dancing with it next...</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Just another thing to grow accustomed to...brooms taking on a life of their own. What better thing to happen to a self-proclaimed hedge Witch?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I tell myself to remember Spring's advice...if I want to be balanced and peaceful, take it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Just take it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-30020476749507453382012-02-25T14:45:00.000-08:002012-02-25T14:45:39.893-08:00An Odd February<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSOSmYEWCMo1bUo4aey3XGIWFlouT8tj5Ic7V5ZtUv8zDFtA1tv86FBSM8WI7Ocyv30PBvLsp6KxBVrbwGFjIRKvrt0Vcu1elAYxLuAFRdJ7cf7lw1Y2YV6KsDDoIithjG2f53g/s1600/IMG_6547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSOSmYEWCMo1bUo4aey3XGIWFlouT8tj5Ic7V5ZtUv8zDFtA1tv86FBSM8WI7Ocyv30PBvLsp6KxBVrbwGFjIRKvrt0Vcu1elAYxLuAFRdJ7cf7lw1Y2YV6KsDDoIithjG2f53g/s400/IMG_6547.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pink light-filled Sunrise</span></span>...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What a strange month February has been, in the way of weather and also, in other ways. One day we are experiencing Arctic temperatures and the next, I'm listening to the music of melting Snow and Ice.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Animals, as well, are confused, I'm thinking. Lately, Deer have decided to make our property their home. Herds of Deer...I am surprised on quite a few days by Deer resting somewhere on the property. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This morning, I inadvertently awoke one who was resting underneath a large Tree, close to the deck. Uncurling himself slowly, with blinking eyes, he stretched his limbs, looking for all the World just as a child might upon awakening. He turned his head and looked at Lucky and I watching him, shook his head up and down, and then wandered off into the deeper Forest.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrX-1sbTPkF18UYbfmFL0_DFP0be4gSXHKk38c_zQyz3d8ebcxqBxLPBSch61yjWbMvk4BG2q_gRQNedrzcQj1CB5ZuuZ-OrFu_wjw_XIudaLhWaxv3MNJ13h-y8YnHR2FXE86wA/s1600/IMG_6535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrX-1sbTPkF18UYbfmFL0_DFP0be4gSXHKk38c_zQyz3d8ebcxqBxLPBSch61yjWbMvk4BG2q_gRQNedrzcQj1CB5ZuuZ-OrFu_wjw_XIudaLhWaxv3MNJ13h-y8YnHR2FXE86wA/s400/IMG_6535.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Early Morning Sun looks inviting...but it's very, very deceptive!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lucky, a Dog who is accustomed to these Friends from the Forest, no longer wants to chase, especially through three feet of Snow. But I didn't realize how <b><i>truly well</i></b> accustomed he is...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One afternoon, Lucky and I were watching a Blizzard from the front porch. I love to watch Snowflakes fall; I find it meditative and certainly soothing. Lucky sat beside me, no doubt wondering at my proclivity for watching a blowing Blizzard.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In this peaceful state, I was abruptly brought back to Earth when a Deer appeared, from the trail leading to the base of the Draw, not twenty feet away. I felt Lucky stiffen somewhat, so I took hold of his collar, but I truly felt he had no intention of going anywhere. I felt a tremor of fear inside myself...I cannot arise quickly, with stiffened joints made even worse from the Cold. And Deer have been known to attack, some in quite random circumstances.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYySAp7lnWqhAP2IK6H7YHzayN6R00_mP8SnePlPFUM_eL0S0U3vaKKHviulnaviFq2kbVGEnOHfuY80agy2o3FNYOGDlMbyPIQCv1P1QDtndgeHGOAjdosxLOV_QVjbcWYX-5A/s1600/IMG_6560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYySAp7lnWqhAP2IK6H7YHzayN6R00_mP8SnePlPFUM_eL0S0U3vaKKHviulnaviFq2kbVGEnOHfuY80agy2o3FNYOGDlMbyPIQCv1P1QDtndgeHGOAjdosxLOV_QVjbcWYX-5A/s400/IMG_6560.jpg" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Two of the herd at rest, just off the deck.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But this Deer was as startled as I was, although she did not take flight. Rather, after the initial halting of her progress towards the driveway, she seemed <b><i>interested</i></b> in who Lucky and I might be. Her ears flickered back and forth as she drew in our scent, her eyes glued on mine.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And then, another Deer appeared behind her, and then another, and another, all in single file. The first Deer found purchase on the ploughed driveway, and wandered off up the driveway, sniffing at the new Snow. And the others, after a glance or two our way, followed her.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lucky and I were entranced. Fear had long gone, with delight and awe replacing it...it was as if these Deer, who take flight at the slightest thing, were teaching me something rather profound. Perhaps Fear of people, places and things should be relegated to the past, when I didn't know any better.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHGaW3GptGbmhNydiNB6Goo4j4ZSET3v2vaVnKPQBTE2xJKy6-v0mRr02J2dVBWoKkSiRQgB8wVgjPP1_8tEv3XYaU4xgFsjRbDkdE77Aycs_FIxHwdb5NQWm2b-gNpEYiolPQw/s1600/IMG_6558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHGaW3GptGbmhNydiNB6Goo4j4ZSET3v2vaVnKPQBTE2xJKy6-v0mRr02J2dVBWoKkSiRQgB8wVgjPP1_8tEv3XYaU4xgFsjRbDkdE77Aycs_FIxHwdb5NQWm2b-gNpEYiolPQw/s400/IMG_6558.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">What's up, Mom?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As we watched the Deer file up the driveway and across the road, another Deer, a laggard behind the rest, came up the trail, and I felt something different...a different type of energy...from this one. This one did not have a youngster/female type of energy signature...his was of a hardened, more mature, male Warrior type. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lucky shifted, at the sight of this last Deer. He sensed the difference in this Deer, as well, although there was no resistance to my hand on his collar. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This Deer stopped. He was much larger, far more imposing than the rest. I can still feel the apprehension in my chest as he took us in...Lucky and I huddled together on the porch steps.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYmkM8-Rpx5q_RG3pwmDZwIq9A7uO5QJA-n2LcRKAIv0yMBlbQG8TfKEeRw_KKj4Oou6XRy20abaHCyKF7cRYCzIvZhSVRY_nDoTfJ_ozovMLpGcE-sg9RbwqQKQjpMRye6Is9w/s1600/IMG_6532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYmkM8-Rpx5q_RG3pwmDZwIq9A7uO5QJA-n2LcRKAIv0yMBlbQG8TfKEeRw_KKj4Oou6XRy20abaHCyKF7cRYCzIvZhSVRY_nDoTfJ_ozovMLpGcE-sg9RbwqQKQjpMRye6Is9w/s400/IMG_6532.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Roses for Valentine's Day!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It felt like a sign of grace, a pulse of light, a beam of loving energy as we sat there under the gaze of this incredible Animal, who has made our home his. I cannot describe it any further than that...and it really needs no more description, at any rate.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Slowly, he showed me what majestic looks like, as he made his way towards the rest of the herd, some gathered at the top of the driveway, watching the tableau being played out below between three different sets of Animal.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Different, perhaps, but still One.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">February, too, has brought a certain awakening, definitely within myself, if not in all. My fascination with the Sky began when I saw those small objects in the Night Sky a few months ago. And it appears I am not the only one...there are many, many videos on YouTube that document these inexplicable objects. I've included this link which includes some incredible sightings...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <a href="http://ascensionearth2012.blogspot.com/2012/02/galactic-federation-of-light-ship-over.html?spref=bl">Ascension Earth 2012: Galactic Federation of Light Ship Over Several U.S...</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And too, the sounds from the Earth or the Sky, depending on who describes them...those are simply fascinating to me. I know people who have heard them and oh! how I envy them! They tell me the skin crawled up their necks and they were covered in goose bumps. The sometimes melodious, sometimes horrendous sounds reached deeply inside each person...one actually found himself gritting his teeth. Here's another link to some sounds in Finland...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://ascensionearth2012.blogspot.com/2012/02/strange-sounds-fill-skies-over-finland.html">Strange Sounds Over Finland</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In my daily musings, I wonder how it all fits together, what it all means. And I usually come up with the thought that there is little I can do to change anything during this year of evolution...anything outside of myself, that is. And I find I am doing that...I am letting old things, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">things I didn't even realize were still hiding within me...I am letting those odd little bodies of pain go, each and every one. With my blessings and forgiveness of self and others...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1B4F1lvwMAmpgLo3G4KIzRaQI7Wc0nSnDfD5G0XIzN0yz4sDWNtZ49qY9TsCbDs36_swt60d4-dmL5L9lxivgRcCnGenhHnBedUiq1uJ7Zdj71AQ1cwvvx7LeZQeU2YvaWSl65w/s1600/IMG_6501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1B4F1lvwMAmpgLo3G4KIzRaQI7Wc0nSnDfD5G0XIzN0yz4sDWNtZ49qY9TsCbDs36_swt60d4-dmL5L9lxivgRcCnGenhHnBedUiq1uJ7Zdj71AQ1cwvvx7LeZQeU2YvaWSl65w/s400/IMG_6501.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The driveway seems longer than it is, when it has to be ploughed!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And, with the thought that Spring will eventually come, I have been cleaning and purging my home, as if someone were arriving, with that exact feeling of anticipation and excitement...even the fridge and freezer are full, in preparation...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am not expecting anyone. But one can never tell, during these days of 2012, who might pop in and I want to be ready.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even if our perceived Visitor of the future is only a Deer or two... </span></span><br />
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<br />Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-5308602703669808212012-01-28T10:09:00.000-08:002012-01-28T10:09:02.864-08:00Cat and the Shed<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHm7Zsr18qLwNh-S_Rp4fWY33-302qobeAH17hJGR_UrywZtH_B82trbOgw0VJPHuvDjpl4e1XTWlFSB22bfwlHqmSZVSIya-FT6ekHBk8UyZiivBcOF0uMaUDKdY-sltQfoYvZQ/s1600/IMG_6508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHm7Zsr18qLwNh-S_Rp4fWY33-302qobeAH17hJGR_UrywZtH_B82trbOgw0VJPHuvDjpl4e1XTWlFSB22bfwlHqmSZVSIya-FT6ekHBk8UyZiivBcOF0uMaUDKdY-sltQfoYvZQ/s400/IMG_6508.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">A feral cat lives under this garden Shed in our front yard.</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Snow is falling in sheets in the pre-dawn darkness...large, pure white sparkling sheets. Since it is not too cold, I sit on the front steps, well wrapped up, and watch as Lucky checks out who visited in the night.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I believe we have a feral cat living under the little garden shed. I can't say for sure. I have only seen her once. But judging by the amount of cat prints around the driveway and the shed, she certainly visits often...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IyH_yYd5lY7gCkScZ-GaRpq2LWjPgh5p1icGxRB_6IBa89R0cU-Woq7wl-Ek5Pyx8tLCGeIVkCEW4NtoCY5GNzMSWG6diWCqsNcVZzE8eBSOG8h536Zmy3Z4-Q0Np5_QB-SMAg/s1600/IMG_6509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IyH_yYd5lY7gCkScZ-GaRpq2LWjPgh5p1icGxRB_6IBa89R0cU-Woq7wl-Ek5Pyx8tLCGeIVkCEW4NtoCY5GNzMSWG6diWCqsNcVZzE8eBSOG8h536Zmy3Z4-Q0Np5_QB-SMAg/s400/IMG_6509.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>This is where Lucky found the trail to come up from the Draw, down behind the pile of Snow.</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I saw her one morning, as I stood by one of the front windows, sipping my coffee. She was sitting in Sun's rays, in a golden circle of light, and she was washing herself. It's been a long time since I have seen a Cat really groom herself. I had forgotten how intent they seem upon the act, yet they are instinctively alert to any seeming danger.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She looked like a Coon Cat, but it was difficult to say. She was grey and black, long-haired and <i>large</i>! This was one wild cat who looked as if she had no trouble looking after herself.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiM180dK6nyDkia0BE2MJD8YozfJneP6dgC3762QfXApqidn_QMHKy3aGXmRazfy8aF4fmzjt6kHxVT7FmgAhpfBFepZlqMd2ds_UcnFACS2Dp_UKdrt9pqi1wTNdFNH7CELzvw/s1600/IMG_6510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiM180dK6nyDkia0BE2MJD8YozfJneP6dgC3762QfXApqidn_QMHKy3aGXmRazfy8aF4fmzjt6kHxVT7FmgAhpfBFepZlqMd2ds_UcnFACS2Dp_UKdrt9pqi1wTNdFNH7CELzvw/s400/IMG_6510.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">There will be much ploughing and shovelling today!</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And then the thought struck...perhaps she was so large because she was pregnant? Oh, oh.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lucky, covered in Snow and looking like a large, furry, <i>white</i> dog, with bits of red hair showing, makes a bee-line to the bottom corner of the shed. Sniffing once, he makes the decision...the Cat was <i>in</i> there!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Stiff-legged, he walks around the shed...and I immediately hear a soft, muffled yelp as he misjudges a Snow drift and falls down into the Draw...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As I come around the corner of the shed, he was already dusting himself off at the bottom of the Draw. It is <i>really</i> dark back there behind the shed and I can't see well, but I know he will find it difficult to come back up from where he's fallen.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrQeehUJpMtDQRexskyM5Z0u39D5_CyMURIH1tHkasW4CM33I9M9b2VV7dasLUfeq48kKu3hkUa2F87VENC3LV45nAbIhLkvwXMPuv6pX_vsUrjHHoY9YxRI9Fa-eEOb1WFwTXw/s1600/IMG_6511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrQeehUJpMtDQRexskyM5Z0u39D5_CyMURIH1tHkasW4CM33I9M9b2VV7dasLUfeq48kKu3hkUa2F87VENC3LV45nAbIhLkvwXMPuv6pX_vsUrjHHoY9YxRI9Fa-eEOb1WFwTXw/s400/IMG_6511.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">It is so very, very DARK in the Draw...</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lucky tries to climb back up over the fallen logs and branches, and quickly gives up. I walk over to another area, further from the shed, where I have some light from the porch. There is an old trail there...I hope Lucky can find it in the dark and the falling Snow.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This whole thing is becoming ludicrous.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am covered in Snow, it is dark as Hades, and I am becoming aware that it is also cold. It is 5:30 AM...what on Earth am I doing outside in pyjamas, in the Cariboo Winter, trying to coax a Dog back up from a deep, dark Draw?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Oh well. It is where I am at the moment. And the Dog is Lucky...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GdsQKBPt55MyQvnKqktlkwjc9_nRToLd2N4jG8NmbNApmA1zgQR3OvxZlh5ys0kjLPkr-5qS7R-svCiqrjAPPt7eDaWQ4R73NkzLGstRwvedQS74BnKsHvt1bnlEcfYqVMzYwA/s1600/IMG_6512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GdsQKBPt55MyQvnKqktlkwjc9_nRToLd2N4jG8NmbNApmA1zgQR3OvxZlh5ys0kjLPkr-5qS7R-svCiqrjAPPt7eDaWQ4R73NkzLGstRwvedQS74BnKsHvt1bnlEcfYqVMzYwA/s400/IMG_6512.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>That Orb is following me around...</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He is having trouble traversing the bushy, Branch-strewn area and it is slow going for him. I glance around and am startled to see two golden eyes fixated upon me, from the hole in the Earth around the bottom of the garden shed.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I stare at them, those golden eyes as mesmerizing as the drifting, falling sheets of Snow.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The sound of Lucky clambering about in the Snow falls away, as quick thoughts chase through my mind. Is it a Cat? Are those eyes not too large for just a small Cat? The hairs at the back of my neck begin to rise...and not only because it is cold.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_5iC-4kg-TDcH04KzmkXRAPo1SfQyurvN7m9gCTnCpQjUonaBGc8S_HZN0Mk8HimO0qXA1VWlH6OZJJLzSEIgoeOyySmHMI6PLy5zakLP-hdf4E70R0OTUV0tsjsPtyblFehUQ/s1600/j0262845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_5iC-4kg-TDcH04KzmkXRAPo1SfQyurvN7m9gCTnCpQjUonaBGc8S_HZN0Mk8HimO0qXA1VWlH6OZJJLzSEIgoeOyySmHMI6PLy5zakLP-hdf4E70R0OTUV0tsjsPtyblFehUQ/s400/j0262845.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Doubtful, but in the dark?...</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Coming back to myself, I find that Lucky has found the trail, not any the worse for wear...and that the smell of Cat has grown intensely for him. I look around and find the eyes no longer there. But Lucky is back to his intense sniffing, where it seems like he wants to snuffle up the contents of whatever it is under the shed.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is a safe place for a feral Cat to over-Winter. Now that I am back on the safety of the porch, I have found my common sense and courage, and am sure it is a Cat. So close to the house, it is unlikely a predator would bother to dig for <i>this</i> prey, ensconced so cozily in the Earth underneath the little green shed...giving another measure of safety. I wonder again if she is pregnant.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I go into the house and grab a towel. Our boy Lucky is wet and covered in Snow, with a few scratches here and there, and I want to brush him off before he comes into the house. I brush myself off as well...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdv8KlhBnkUyrmpsodbVID_01-jtPxmVUmAYokrDnfv1GsXk6PLBt7FlGz7CCfjK5y_Z14l-ccszkXvnERh_RXRg4m90OKk1fqYSA0rMJwwwAlBlYba2Yi1CKk46dM6HTVDPCQA/s1600/j0262806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdv8KlhBnkUyrmpsodbVID_01-jtPxmVUmAYokrDnfv1GsXk6PLBt7FlGz7CCfjK5y_Z14l-ccszkXvnERh_RXRg4m90OKk1fqYSA0rMJwwwAlBlYba2Yi1CKk46dM6HTVDPCQA/s400/j0262806.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Not my photo, but reminiscent of those golden eyes!</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lucky comes to me reluctantly, when I call him. As he trots over, I see those eyes, from underneath the shed, again. I send thoughts of safety and well-being to those wonderful, golden eyes, so much wiser regarding life in the wild, than any I know.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lucky and I go in, grateful for the warmth. As I sit here, I battle with myself...should I go out with a little food for our feral Cat? I know the rules...no feeding wildlife, even if it is a Cat. But there is a Blizzard blowing...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I warm up, my limbs becoming less stiff. I ponder and wonder. I shake my head, knowing what I will do, even as I argue with myself. What if the animal is <i>not</i> a Cat?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiCo9yf6cd4Y7Q4RCbzUQsTu-XhO1p_Kt4dU5YoOry1eLDlHgnlqHU36NVm63YIEii-HJ1YxPlL5G8bE7i7t9lqyUpYTr-m_AaZITvJ7L2IFqzRhGPcJnOSPaq_Vluf55VkuCkA/s1600/IMG_6521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiCo9yf6cd4Y7Q4RCbzUQsTu-XhO1p_Kt4dU5YoOry1eLDlHgnlqHU36NVm63YIEii-HJ1YxPlL5G8bE7i7t9lqyUpYTr-m_AaZITvJ7L2IFqzRhGPcJnOSPaq_Vluf55VkuCkA/s320/IMG_6521.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>A Keeper of Animals</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I put finishing touches to a drawing of another face, another unknown somebody to add to the piles of other unknown faces. The face I am finishing at the moment is a gentle one, a youngish lady, a Keeper of Animals. I hear her words, as I stare into her eyes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She tells me all things, wild and tame, deserve a break now and again. She asks me to put myself in the Animal's place, under a shed, in a Snow Storm, with Snow drifts much higher than a small Animal. She asks me...have I ever known <i>real </i>hunger and thirst? Suddenly, it no longer matters if the Animal is a Cat.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And there <i>is</i> a tin of Tuna in the cupboard...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4z7sy8ezypnQVWIe_gEcdYgHo0oMPMA9WLptz4uJBWQUJt-OibXx-YNBjVgBTcpeFvOyr3jWOb67fQdONID3spX0EolEqZMCsqpDvDR92eJZvO57LihtLojhvqCzXmf30Lyfvw/s1600/IMG_6529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4z7sy8ezypnQVWIe_gEcdYgHo0oMPMA9WLptz4uJBWQUJt-OibXx-YNBjVgBTcpeFvOyr3jWOb67fQdONID3spX0EolEqZMCsqpDvDR92eJZvO57LihtLojhvqCzXmf30Lyfvw/s400/IMG_6529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Soul-Searcher</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I put on the layers of clothing required to go outside in a Snow Storm. I take the bowl of Tuna and, as I step off the porch into the suddenly very deep Snow, I realize I should have worn boots, as the indescribable cold Snow satiates my shoes and feet...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Too late now. My feet are already blocks of Ice, so at least there is no feeling there. I consider it will not take long to place the bowl of Tuna where the Cat will find it easily, but I have not taken into that consideration the quickly falling Snow and how deep it is becoming.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I go around the back of the Shed, where overhanging branches from the Fir Trees keep Snow away. Usually.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is becoming light now, Dawn has arrived. I place the bowl of Tuna close to the only opening left at the bottom of the Shed...others are completely covered by Snow.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi8PsroVvc67K-foz2BcwmDYtvNefsPIUX19SLzU53XLPessg3uWyt3OcISNZXfzN8FIBDP6O21NSwnzBSg6CoNIl4goXdeje8UNVf0EVwjbGSJy81DUCgif85oZfdskaNH_t7g/s1600/IMG_6527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi8PsroVvc67K-foz2BcwmDYtvNefsPIUX19SLzU53XLPessg3uWyt3OcISNZXfzN8FIBDP6O21NSwnzBSg6CoNIl4goXdeje8UNVf0EVwjbGSJy81DUCgif85oZfdskaNH_t7g/s400/IMG_6527.jpg" width="347" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Judge</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I see where Lucky made his mistake in the dark and avoid the area, but as I turn away from placing the bowl of Tuna, Snow is driven by Wind directly into my face. I stumble and fall.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I fly face first into a huge drift of Snow, which also breaks my fall. I have so many layers of clothing on, as I hit the Snow, I hardly feel any pain, but I know it will surely arrive later. Fibromyalgia does not like face plants into Snow in the cold. However, I continue to lie there, catching my bearings.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I wonder how long it would take before I am completely covered in Snow. Not long, I'd wager, since there is at least a foot that has fallen since Lucky and I were first outside. When Snow falls like this in the Cariboo, many things are covered which don't see the light of day until May...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So far, I find lying here in the Snow comfortable, other than freezing feet. As I turn my head to breathe better, I glance over at the bowl...and see a grey Cat head withdrawing back under the Shed, as she sees me moving.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As I stiffly gather myself back up, I am glad I saw her. I am glad, as well, that I braved the Snow and cold and brought her a little sustenance, on a day like this, when she may not be able to go out to hunt for food.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJHeFNQdcK0V_u4jGTBPyYYUpk0Md5rP81RMYiNqdlOxmj5TLCBq2zqaudLDWVO5KJfGlvxlgnVkLbs-6D-dkz5x8OfRCct17Op9UrgSKo91APFkzPS30vwVvPBZMBXSEwnfYhA/s1600/IMG_6528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJHeFNQdcK0V_u4jGTBPyYYUpk0Md5rP81RMYiNqdlOxmj5TLCBq2zqaudLDWVO5KJfGlvxlgnVkLbs-6D-dkz5x8OfRCct17Op9UrgSKo91APFkzPS30vwVvPBZMBXSEwnfYhA/s400/IMG_6528.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Nurse</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I brush myself off and as quickly as I can (which is rather slow...there is Ice beneath the Snow, and conditions are very slippery) I seek the warmth of the house and hot coffee.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The day has begun with a bang...and it is not even 7 AM yet. Good grief...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As I watch the falling Snow, I wonder what the rest of the day will bring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If it is up to me, it will be spent with feet propped up in front of the Fireplace and perhaps, drawing another face, another somebody with wisdom to impart...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-55032723065786572722012-01-14T11:04:00.000-08:002012-01-14T11:04:24.097-08:00Dark of Winter<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6wOGJaeCcriiN_663td4b5krpyIafV3vdClmMI137JYgUWQlGOlNOc_hDc2zGXnmWKec72Lu00wGqWouuC0GHZwMnEuylXq4V2hXuj5iktnux9mWCXfo138Vg4n4fLLYDfzC9g/s1600/IMG_6458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6wOGJaeCcriiN_663td4b5krpyIafV3vdClmMI137JYgUWQlGOlNOc_hDc2zGXnmWKec72Lu00wGqWouuC0GHZwMnEuylXq4V2hXuj5iktnux9mWCXfo138Vg4n4fLLYDfzC9g/s400/IMG_6458.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">January's Icy Driveway!</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The dark of Winter has enveloped my corner of the World. Twilight arrives very early...sometimes lights never go off during the day.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It has not been terribly cold...the temperature dipped to -20C a few times and every number in between, but we have had very warm days, as well. Day in which I felt an instinctive urge to garden, were the ground not frozen solid...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Snow blankets every thing. It is astonishingly beautiful, sometimes blindingly so. The landscape can be harsh, depending on the lighting and the time of day, but it can also be meltingly soft and inviting. The Cariboo is a land of extremes; I do not find it easy to live here, yet I love the stunning views, the never-ending Sky, the very <b><i>feel</i></b> of the place.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>No Saskatoon Berries Left! Awwww.</b>.</span>..</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Animals are behaving strangely, I have noticed, lately. They seem to huddle near this house, during their resting periods. The other day, Lucky and I were taking our usual walk, when I noticed something...<b><i>different</i></b>...down in the Draw.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had to take more than a few glances at the dark pile that looked as if it belonged, but wasn't there yesterday. That dark pile turned out to be one of the largest mule Deer I have ever seen.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She was lying against a small Birch Tree, not more than a few feet from the house and visible from the Office window. Lucky, because of Wind direction, did not smell her and his eyesight is bad, in any case. He seemed agitated, somewhat, but he did not catch sight of her.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">A Mule Deer's Bedroom</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'd heard Wolves howl very early that morning, under the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_moon">Wolf Moon</a>. I wondered if she'd been chased, and had taken refuge in the deep Draw, close to Humans. Or perhaps she'd actually been hurt...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I stood at the top of the Draw. I tried to take photos, but it was cold that day and my camera would not work properly. Since I could not zoom in, these photos here are the best of the bunch.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She knew I was taking photos. She knew I was there and that Lucky was there, as well. Her eyes half closed, she seemed completely at rest...but what if she was not? What if she'd been injured? How could I find out?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I thought I would stop projecting my what-ifs into the ether and let sleeping Deer lie, after a bit of time where I went into a tizzy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For two days, the Deer chose that spot for her resting place. During the one afternoon, she did not go far...I spotted her browsing across the road, at one point. And she was there again the next morning, completely at ease. Then she was gone...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>She decided we were no threat to her at all...</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Deer is a blatant example of Animals seeking refuge here. There are many places where I find Vegetation and Snow trampled down in the shape of an Animal who has slept there for awhile. The Squirrels have their favourite branch of the Fir Tree outside our bedroom. They will rest at any time of day, in full view of our comings and goings, looking very cute and peaceful.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since about two thirds of our property has been left in a wild state, and since even here, wild pieces of property are becoming increasingly rare, I imagine there are many Animals who call this place home, deep in the Forest. And as I rarely go into the very wild places, preferring not to come face to face with a Bear or Cougar or Wolf, Animals would certainly find safe homes there.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But these resting spots I have found are very close to the house. The feeling is strange, but it is as if they are seeking the security of being close to...a Human? If I were an Animal, possibly the last place I would want to be is right beside a Human's home.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOcchKwYmkPd_qn9wxYdOK1do3m2b2szmlYcsgQllGwkctU2UMezvlv1qtIS-NI_ahyphenhyphen9ew4NE8rQ97QsI6rSpRsZAhUOrXRxYHvYLiKl-cVr9a9CZrZgvzpEfYxp4MSwgmBh52g/s1600/IMG_6459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOcchKwYmkPd_qn9wxYdOK1do3m2b2szmlYcsgQllGwkctU2UMezvlv1qtIS-NI_ahyphenhyphen9ew4NE8rQ97QsI6rSpRsZAhUOrXRxYHvYLiKl-cVr9a9CZrZgvzpEfYxp4MSwgmBh52g/s400/IMG_6459.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">I wonder when the Ice will <i>melt</i>!!! It could be months...</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But times...they are a'changin'. And Animals are far more in tune with Mother Earth than Humans are.There is an odd feeling of contentment within me in having Animals feel comfortable enough to enjoy the surrounding peace here.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">January has me more house bound than usual. The trip into Williams Lake can be iffy, depending on the ever-changing weather. I am very grateful that I have a vehicle which takes road conditions, whatever they may be, with panache and ease.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With the constant melting and freezing, the bottom of our driveway has turned into a frozen Pond. I have not been able to go for my usual walks; I am terrified of slipping on this great expanse of Ice. Graham's small commuter car takes on a mind of its own, when he goes to the office.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But the Torrent, a small SUV, has no problems with the Ice whatsoever. I know I can <i>drive</i> out of here, at least...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAJkvypRnwIltXlNJhl-KaW33kthjZh77DQCPfXT49H6NvZhxb9nFeZemp66St18tuUX0mANdPHDrUzZDIBZbHfokozcWKej2wVAdFX9CLkxSY3uz_EXON0pa51-HGwZLB_WxuA/s1600/j0313865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAJkvypRnwIltXlNJhl-KaW33kthjZh77DQCPfXT49H6NvZhxb9nFeZemp66St18tuUX0mANdPHDrUzZDIBZbHfokozcWKej2wVAdFX9CLkxSY3uz_EXON0pa51-HGwZLB_WxuA/s400/j0313865.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Welcome home!</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I rarely do, however, preferring to buy everything I need in town about every two weeks or so. Especially in the Winter. Walking anywhere, be it here on our property or in the City, can be treacherous...Ice lies on every road and sidewalk.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The only time inclement weather bothers me is when we must travel for medical reasons for Graham. Twelve hour round trips to Kelowna can be so much more difficult in Blizzard conditions. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've learned to take the time for quiet activities...ones which usually have me dozing in my chair. I sleep far more in the Cariboo Winter than I ever did on the Coast. And I find long-time residents are surprised at my realization...it is the way it is here and it is expected.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrFzfiYtUhTgdcahnLsreWOeUDzYBfoLa76pTjJYKUx1_gdsxqLgmSjfZrGH0Un-EWcvSLj29zRQsKSEv4cgP4nvhtHedwv0eSn4PgHBpEQhBCJY6AGJ_eEsKOVhFwvZJhqAOrA/s1600/j0428631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrFzfiYtUhTgdcahnLsreWOeUDzYBfoLa76pTjJYKUx1_gdsxqLgmSjfZrGH0Un-EWcvSLj29zRQsKSEv4cgP4nvhtHedwv0eSn4PgHBpEQhBCJY6AGJ_eEsKOVhFwvZJhqAOrA/s400/j0428631.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>This little home is so welcoming and charming in the deep, purple twilight!</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All I know for sure is...no matter how much sleep I receive during the night, I still doze each time I attempt any 'quiet activities'.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And what better time to give in to those delicious little dozing moments than in the Dark of Winter?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"</span></span><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">And something born of the snowy desolation, born of the midnight and the
silent grandeur, born of the great listening hollows of the night,
something that lay 'twixt terror and wonder, dropped from the vast
wintry spaces down into his heart—and called him."~~Algernon Blackwood </span></b></i><b><span style="font-size: small;">The Glamour of Snow</span></b><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">
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<br />Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-57157049419547315202011-12-30T08:01:00.000-08:002011-12-30T10:29:15.992-08:00Gardens of the Future<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKu6ZaWb7ExaqLW1ehnjhpLyDdGg09hvs-clkN6JKuHvjigT0Jjqa4NlBpHd9g2ONIH-qUA800E8t_wivh7nZ0-noWGYlnIxmn8TJ9N1NoMoDh_mUW3RciosEwuA8xk7xw0aOEA/s1600/IMG_6411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKu6ZaWb7ExaqLW1ehnjhpLyDdGg09hvs-clkN6JKuHvjigT0Jjqa4NlBpHd9g2ONIH-qUA800E8t_wivh7nZ0-noWGYlnIxmn8TJ9N1NoMoDh_mUW3RciosEwuA8xk7xw0aOEA/s400/IMG_6411.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The light from the camera's flash in the perfect place...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We left the family two days ago and it already seems like forever. It was the best Christmas...I suppose other Christmases felt just as good at the time, but this one had just a little more added to it. It seemed there was just a little more loving energy, felt in all manner of ways.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Graydon and I became dentist and assistant as we played with his play-dough dentist kit. I made the teeth and placed them in Mr. Towell's cavernous, plastic mouth and Graydon drilled, made fillings and pulled any tooth that looked suspicious. And eventually...they all looked suspicious!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was his favourite game...he even dreamt about being inside someone's mouth the night after we'd played hard with the toy. Perhaps he will become a dentist in future years...he may be surprised to learn, however, that not all patients want every tooth in their heads pulled!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0wsXwDkjTP-wcGaTSeCuBivL1FQ_rG4tUp5BPVzdVOzsjf_ngr1ASMq0jS6jRNhNlOcAiK1CKANjHAXGpEO2LfQmDGlbvbHBERUDPBxNkm7FEn7ug5zcsm0ibT4MLT7pAC-_hw/s1600/IMG_6435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0wsXwDkjTP-wcGaTSeCuBivL1FQ_rG4tUp5BPVzdVOzsjf_ngr1ASMq0jS6jRNhNlOcAiK1CKANjHAXGpEO2LfQmDGlbvbHBERUDPBxNkm7FEn7ug5zcsm0ibT4MLT7pAC-_hw/s400/IMG_6435.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandson Graydon pulling one of Mr. Towell's teeth, completely intent...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brianna and I went shopping together on the Internet this year. She and I would go peruse the actual stores so often, when I lived close by. This year, we decided to try and shop together on the web and it worked very well. She found her items and I bought them...could there be any better way for a seventeen year old girl and her grandmother, who do not live near one another?</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo0mkUjqAKSUM2OSgSBI1T3nd6AktYzJBpo1QsEOlQf42TP1unUhWSckMdex1MW7uKSSjM8RORoOhk986msG4U6nCVHqXEEWrGDphbxcRTF6RN-WQ9uzEbLbs5wGUJKH11dXKIg/s1600/IMG_6421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo0mkUjqAKSUM2OSgSBI1T3nd6AktYzJBpo1QsEOlQf42TP1unUhWSckMdex1MW7uKSSjM8RORoOhk986msG4U6nCVHqXEEWrGDphbxcRTF6RN-WQ9uzEbLbs5wGUJKH11dXKIg/s320/IMG_6421.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our granddaughter Brianna, looking angelic, but do not be deceived...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She also modelled her graduation dress for us. Oh, my goodness! So many thoughts raced through my head as she stood before us in the glimmering, shimmery white dress! How could the baby I'd held in my arms, just yesterday, it seems, turn into this brilliant butterfly? I wanted to take a photo, but that will wait until the actual date. Suffice it to say, tears ran freely... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I enjoyed watching my super efficient daughter Heidi cook for the hordes of people who forever required food. I <i>did </i>make the stuffing for the Turkey...oh, and I made some butter tarts...but that was all I contributed this time to the holiday feasts.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LEc3-lqiTDIRLZVtgmpvdYi-jC_nIlnq5pRbEqXOlsY_J49tcYSQ9TlZIX8BSb0CzYJZUrA4zhBbflEWnBaxWZ35w7WdSNAdD1CsPbTbkU5iXnLtXVRIG2-doBZnplvJHzXbbQ/s1600/IMG_6410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LEc3-lqiTDIRLZVtgmpvdYi-jC_nIlnq5pRbEqXOlsY_J49tcYSQ9TlZIX8BSb0CzYJZUrA4zhBbflEWnBaxWZ35w7WdSNAdD1CsPbTbkU5iXnLtXVRIG2-doBZnplvJHzXbbQ/s400/IMG_6410.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter Heidi washing the inevitable dishes...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Years ago, my daughter refused anything to do with cooking. She was sure it was not something she had any interest in whatsoever. But after a few years with her family, she's an amazing, passionate chef and loves to experiment with unusual ingredients. And after a summer spent in renovations, even her surroundings in the kitchen reflect her passion for foods. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8VluLcrPdQJ8WFVrzFysVkSoUTV5KoK_69PMe15f4NKL3tbUCLmiAC7Sf6EkmCyzDrPrA97UQE49fwqV7XJI938ip0y8_8Q5eGoGdnQL6Ym655yXiKvrjACjmg0iYTysXek_LA/s1600/IMG_6418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8VluLcrPdQJ8WFVrzFysVkSoUTV5KoK_69PMe15f4NKL3tbUCLmiAC7Sf6EkmCyzDrPrA97UQE49fwqV7XJI938ip0y8_8Q5eGoGdnQL6Ym655yXiKvrjACjmg0iYTysXek_LA/s400/IMG_6418.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A treasured ornament...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am, once again, in awe at how the Universe works. You see, I am waiting for another surprise that is, most definitely, in store for her, another passion which will shock her with its intensity.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She will become a gardener. There are hints of it showing now. I want to chuckle; it is so obvious to me...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once someone becomes passionate about cooking, about using fresh ingredients instead of canned or prepared foods, about finding out and realizing how many pesticides and hormones come in foods...one becomes interested in searching out the freshest, most local of foods. </span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibC3WhB30_qde2Q60tN-_jlFrn8wYfejq_BZQt-YnyAKJuE5yclMN2buzRuP1IiueQkOwcTHLDgDsQ7gTga0xEIjWAY0Pzvbt89O_qs2GtGy-E3g2c9SnaxflP2qUivqDx76EEQ/s1600/IMG_6396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibC3WhB30_qde2Q60tN-_jlFrn8wYfejq_BZQt-YnyAKJuE5yclMN2buzRuP1IiueQkOwcTHLDgDsQ7gTga0xEIjWAY0Pzvbt89O_qs2GtGy-E3g2c9SnaxflP2qUivqDx76EEQ/s320/IMG_6396.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy, cheesy biscuits...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At first, it is to showcase one's Art of Cooking. After all, one cannot show off a lovely salad with wilted Lettuce. But soon, interest turns to the <i>taste </i>of these foods. Surely, a row of Lettuce grown with love and care from <i>one's own hands</i> will reflect that love in its taste?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And this is how one thing, one passion leads to another...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Heidi, at some point, will become interested in the Soil and what it can produce for her, and I will be delighted to stand by and watch and offer advice, needed or not, heh, heh...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With extended families there is not always as much time as one wishes to have. We only spent an afternoon with our ten month old twin granddaughters...not nearly enough time for me to even distinguish the two with any certainty. I discovered, however, that they are intensely huggable, never mind which one it is...Kaleelah or Keauni.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0qYGCAfFGh5o10yqHqYtulqJdGHGS_0Fl4tc6524dPyPfJjQIAKQQHyWIGpdgkkP0MgMLTugva95PasyCEMEaFaR42Z2mA2bymo6Cp5dw8JzT-VMwoUxPQnd005nB-0kwcQwNA/s1600/IMG_6437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0qYGCAfFGh5o10yqHqYtulqJdGHGS_0Fl4tc6524dPyPfJjQIAKQQHyWIGpdgkkP0MgMLTugva95PasyCEMEaFaR42Z2mA2bymo6Cp5dw8JzT-VMwoUxPQnd005nB-0kwcQwNA/s320/IMG_6437.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another suspicious tooth...yes, very slimy and disgusting, for sure!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Graydon was counting the days and nights we had remaining to our stay every day. When the time came to leave that little boy, my heart bled, as I know his did as well. It is the hardest thing for me to leave my family, all of them, knowing there are many things I will miss as they go about their lives.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAgzLRnnq54RCBgRlP2qR5YEyObHyyBHzecXP9Jgiuh_O1GZuiMSIbGddwwAokaXlE8mrweHBXmASMBWhKiJYb2ETUna9c1BvxRFM-IHjgMJoB4U_s3fw731CxltUMN3vq3_eUg/s1600/291217_10150934141845184_702840183_21276349_1526081125_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAgzLRnnq54RCBgRlP2qR5YEyObHyyBHzecXP9Jgiuh_O1GZuiMSIbGddwwAokaXlE8mrweHBXmASMBWhKiJYb2ETUna9c1BvxRFM-IHjgMJoB4U_s3fw731CxltUMN3vq3_eUg/s400/291217_10150934141845184_702840183_21276349_1526081125_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granddaughters Kaleelah and Keauni...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But. I am so grateful I am able to have great quality to our relationships, even if there is not much quantity. All of us in my family have worked hard to keep our contact with each other close, no matter the distance between us.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I find I <i>love </i>being a grandmother. I find it is, perhaps, my passion. It is so <i>great</i> to watch these little people grow into adults, with no more requirement on my part than to listen, advise and love, and with no expectations. What will be, will be. How different from parenting!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And so. Now I am at home, picking up the threads of my own life. What will be ahead, in the coming, tumultuous year?</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBLgXizuxaDgjK4dn-miKq2SvUF-zVUnqyQVXr1K5z6hn_ZD357VUwHvNOEH2CZBF9nypyjjcuHZvERi3X7gGA5kKcszmOjdgHwZPmyelN6ydb0z2LqtFl5hY3T1cBNbmoCNh6Q/s1600/IMG_6392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBLgXizuxaDgjK4dn-miKq2SvUF-zVUnqyQVXr1K5z6hn_ZD357VUwHvNOEH2CZBF9nypyjjcuHZvERi3X7gGA5kKcszmOjdgHwZPmyelN6ydb0z2LqtFl5hY3T1cBNbmoCNh6Q/s400/IMG_6392.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young mule Deer welcoming us home, back to the Forest...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">No matter. I will live life day to day, as I have practiced doing for the last few months. I am becoming better at it; the difficulty is with knowing which day it is in the mundane World. Living life in the now, this instant, has its drawbacks, at times.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wish all of you, those of you that have taken time out of your busy lives to read this long essay and those of you that haven't,<i> all</i> of you...a happy and healthy and abundantly, loving year in 2012. May you all experience balance and serenity and joyful, peaceful energies in the year to come...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR! </span></span><br />
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<br />Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-82336827174571616942011-11-30T14:13:00.001-08:002011-12-01T16:03:02.277-08:00Faces<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrBIfeiURnW383l0CmUI8UDeCOYdGBdkkcse3DrbTLouYIiPbs8A0OxZPL36lyGprt8BMIDOvuEcqe4CbbRTeLttirPgLuU1YkQXy4qG0XyvJiauedktQdrga-cq8Y12fwQeyGw/s1600/Sketches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrBIfeiURnW383l0CmUI8UDeCOYdGBdkkcse3DrbTLouYIiPbs8A0OxZPL36lyGprt8BMIDOvuEcqe4CbbRTeLttirPgLuU1YkQXy4qG0XyvJiauedktQdrga-cq8Y12fwQeyGw/s400/Sketches.jpg" width="371" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Gardener</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last month has been rushed; with Graham not up to par, me becoming ill with a particularly vicious little bug who did not want to let go, there has been little time to write. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once, not so long ago, I would have taken any opportunity to write. I would surmise circumstances do take a toll, as one ages and gains a little wisdom from the results of pushing oneself too early into responsibilities, after a flu bug strikes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is one thing, however, which has given me peace and has kept me balanced... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over the last while, for perhaps a couple of months, I have felt the increasing urge to draw faces. Of whom, I have no idea. But the urge is strong and I find myself drawing a face each and every time a pen and a piece of paper present themselves.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is something very new to me. I am a painter of landscapes...drawing something is not a thing I have explored, letting alone drawing faces of people only I can see.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-8P65vwpaKJv_gtm284AXsxnFwPHlqzrDeRn6zNAOXMTqxn6HNveuceUsMFEb6q7HsK6pXbZPfz2DoG5ul-in6cYaofaMB05AXg0Wf5mho5lcNwu5R4Q5uWtXZci9HStMyYliQ/s1600/Sketches+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-8P65vwpaKJv_gtm284AXsxnFwPHlqzrDeRn6zNAOXMTqxn6HNveuceUsMFEb6q7HsK6pXbZPfz2DoG5ul-in6cYaofaMB05AXg0Wf5mho5lcNwu5R4Q5uWtXZci9HStMyYliQ/s320/Sketches+03.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Teacher</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am a doodler; a sketcher of wishes and dreams. The faces displayed here have been scanned. It seems blue ink does not scan as well as black and so much of the detail is lost. But there is much more character...lines and shading...to the faces than you see here.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And that is not something I would have thought I could do...fine detailing such as I have been doing would have been anathema to me, even just a few months ago. I did not have the patience.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But since the portals opened on October 28 and November 11, the urge to draw these fantastical faces, some of them, has grown stronger, if that could be possible. I find myself lost in time as yet another character appears beneath my pen.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8V38kAWRcKJgeQQWXhxsTTbiaipi0iUWJX_cj8CBWNwMd2sxigiqs-yGfT4Okx50nWb3Tes1zGXciESmt8GU2n8p85cYAMj1WQvF4VCdYhnDJJxUkVqxhLYHnvm7cjXRADGt2HQ/s1600/Sketches+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8V38kAWRcKJgeQQWXhxsTTbiaipi0iUWJX_cj8CBWNwMd2sxigiqs-yGfT4Okx50nWb3Tes1zGXciESmt8GU2n8p85cYAMj1WQvF4VCdYhnDJJxUkVqxhLYHnvm7cjXRADGt2HQ/s320/Sketches+21.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Librarian</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And as well...I must tell you about the dream...one that has been recurring over and over for awhile. In the dream, I am in a classroom. The mood is joyous; it seems the entire class has passed a test, one that was particularly difficult. I do not feel as if I am singled out...I see my classmates and the figure whom I take to be the teacher, although he is vague. The dream becomes one so familiar, I find myself sliding into it easily two or three times a week.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the last dream, as I sat in my desk, putting papers away...it was one of those old wooden desks we had in our elementary school, with the slanted top, pencil grooves and paste container hole, with scrolled metal sides...someone leaned over my shoulder. I remember being startled. No one had spoken to me before this.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I did not see him but I did feel his energy. He told me...<i>Make sure you keep the drawings</i>...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I did not think to ask why or what he was referring to. And in any case, I almost immediately woke up.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEKXlEqm_OfeQCAf9tQ84Uo_AnKnG7XtFLkta8utK6NMb1m9waNWo_uz4dF7YZrfrDiS8gGTecekiDu82WUamD4MYi4yvsoZnHLSQRa4c9OLeVr273Z_lq9vKYBUm_csssJ-SCA/s1600/Sketches+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEKXlEqm_OfeQCAf9tQ84Uo_AnKnG7XtFLkta8utK6NMb1m9waNWo_uz4dF7YZrfrDiS8gGTecekiDu82WUamD4MYi4yvsoZnHLSQRa4c9OLeVr273Z_lq9vKYBUm_csssJ-SCA/s400/Sketches+12.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Keeper of the Hearth</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After a cup of coffee, consultation with Graham and a very cold walk outside with Lucky, I concluded the fellow in my dream meant the faces I'd been drawing. There were no other drawings the dream man could have meant.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had not been keeping any of the faces in order. They were everywhere...it took some time to gather them all up, learning to treat them with some respect, and scanning them. As I did this, I was astonished at how many there were.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was as if I had drawn all these unknown faces in a dream, or at least without conscious effort. I had certainly not been giving them any respect...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I believe this is a lesson I had to re-learn. Once upon a time, years ago, I painted...mostly landscapes, as I've mentioned...and I took college Art classes for two years. It took almost six months in the class before I could take compliments on my work. Criticism was not difficult to take, but those who praised my work received short shrift.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaznoBi1NFR-tEjoYsYpTTj_77AHplfJjCqSI6MWrJeXPRaUNv9j63wcmVdb3as6uwJMS_yb_B4sABZ__lQx1WQLfTXqD7ry8QkkjsmP-PRzzUhhG-bGLn7btvcjmiXLgI3X6YQ/s1600/Sketches+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaznoBi1NFR-tEjoYsYpTTj_77AHplfJjCqSI6MWrJeXPRaUNv9j63wcmVdb3as6uwJMS_yb_B4sABZ__lQx1WQLfTXqD7ry8QkkjsmP-PRzzUhhG-bGLn7btvcjmiXLgI3X6YQ/s400/Sketches+24.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Poet</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I knew I was not any good, you see, at painting. I took the classes only because I loved Art. I thought the people who actually paid money for my work were deluded.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This state of mind has its roots in a former high school Art teacher, who once told me I did chocolate box paintings...no creativity there whatsoever. What I forgot, after a talk with the professor of my college Art classes, is that the high school teacher and I were at each other's throats, for much of the time I spent in his classes. And on a day where the World seemed too much for him, perhaps...on that day, he decided to lash out at his recalcitrant student.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I made an effort, after the talk with my professor, to look at my work with different eyes. I succeeded to a degree...but again, there was now someone in my life, my ex this time, who did not like my paintings or the time it took to do them, time taken from him...and once again, I let someone else decide the worth of my paintings. It was a very easy thing to do...I had not entirely shrugged off the </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0p7V-8et6BFz-1VYLSh1fu8BViBP69f_IwbXndSwlPFkhD1Tahx2XcGF70Ers3G4PxutVRJKk1WrA5LjnvMePGJQ8Z-WcMAQlR8Npohhq72JTNPqlopTYIQohNa1u7aQ1VsP0A/s1600/Sketches+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0p7V-8et6BFz-1VYLSh1fu8BViBP69f_IwbXndSwlPFkhD1Tahx2XcGF70Ers3G4PxutVRJKk1WrA5LjnvMePGJQ8Z-WcMAQlR8Npohhq72JTNPqlopTYIQohNa1u7aQ1VsP0A/s400/Sketches+25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Forester</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">idea that my paintings were worthless, even then. Having somebody corroborate that idea...well...you can see how easily I slid backwards.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After the dream, I remembered my conversation with the professor; I decided to let the feelings of worthlessness...because really, that is what it is...fall away. It was time to let garbage like this go. For good and all.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It really doesn't matter if the faces I draw are any good or not. <i>I love drawing them</i>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCwAoXTeg66CxqkgOriMKq4m-4gh_AvDc8q2zGwHB-9X5Nfl_vhXuRm01JvfT51c4Unz9C3bVEvaH8e3wTWzvEi0BdEHEM0X6IXyrVfmHzjswKiUdd1IcWeBseDECncvhAHVcEw/s1600/Sketches+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCwAoXTeg66CxqkgOriMKq4m-4gh_AvDc8q2zGwHB-9X5Nfl_vhXuRm01JvfT51c4Unz9C3bVEvaH8e3wTWzvEi0BdEHEM0X6IXyrVfmHzjswKiUdd1IcWeBseDECncvhAHVcEw/s400/Sketches+04.jpg" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Baker</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't know who these people are. They are figments of my imagination. It doesn't really matter...perhaps one day, I will actually meet someone who strikes a chord, someone who looks a little like these drawings.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Universe works in strange, truly creative ways.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Without the dream, I know I would have continued to draw, but I would not have kept them or had any attachment to them. They would have been relegated to a pile somewhere, anywhere. I would not have recognized the passion I have only just re-discovered.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdmkXK4UYWDMCxRGZGATmD9XxesWk-SjRofVzBh50E5vWwquXQ0vcTqMXuoyX8N9Mwu9kurFq8VJfgGKOlHKrlj7e0boqRdZAU5yg_uDf-jyXiSUKaG-P_B3zg9lr-vGlu7iMbg/s1600/IMG_6338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdmkXK4UYWDMCxRGZGATmD9XxesWk-SjRofVzBh50E5vWwquXQ0vcTqMXuoyX8N9Mwu9kurFq8VJfgGKOlHKrlj7e0boqRdZAU5yg_uDf-jyXiSUKaG-P_B3zg9lr-vGlu7iMbg/s400/IMG_6338.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Photographer</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps I will have another dream...one which will tell me who these faces belong to.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">These days, I wouldn't count that idea out...</span></span><br />
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<br />Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-61747498049871434682011-10-30T07:54:00.000-07:002011-10-30T07:55:08.022-07:00Mysterious Skies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwu0UtLzSsspen-eIBjCEyeP5whZtKs1Y_Dmo7JlI8iTmRAFTREUpDLfcmo_fGMtu9YMjEkdho26v9YN68A-Oakey0XGupk4P34zs0AJV6M-5Gm7qU7WkEw8YMP2GvGg7EokbQA/s1600/BD19089_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwu0UtLzSsspen-eIBjCEyeP5whZtKs1Y_Dmo7JlI8iTmRAFTREUpDLfcmo_fGMtu9YMjEkdho26v9YN68A-Oakey0XGupk4P34zs0AJV6M-5Gm7qU7WkEw8YMP2GvGg7EokbQA/s400/BD19089_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Graham has been really ill over the last month. It began with bronchitis, which turned into a lung staphylococcus infection. He collapsed during our visit with the family and was taken to hospital by ambulance for an overnight stay. The infection cleared within two weeks, yet Graham still wheezed and coughed and could not get Air into his lungs.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once again, he was hospitalized, where he was given Oxygen and ventilizers and other medications. His stay this time lasted for four days...and his doctor suspects his illness is COPD. In a few weeks, he will see a lung specialist for confirmation.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We hope, in this case, his doctor's prediction is wrong, of course.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbP_gu3PbjFV6P7k1IKt8ex9e1xzmnBhDpQQwXzRWByrFWNfIz-rhjXI9H_3F_cD0esH-Ye7d3FmY3afV0HRaNrNY0SriuVVQAU9qhKaro8bxFKHuiDtqNHiSouLJFqAFIQxozQ/s1600/j0255566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbP_gu3PbjFV6P7k1IKt8ex9e1xzmnBhDpQQwXzRWByrFWNfIz-rhjXI9H_3F_cD0esH-Ye7d3FmY3afV0HRaNrNY0SriuVVQAU9qhKaro8bxFKHuiDtqNHiSouLJFqAFIQxozQ/s320/j0255566.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">During all this upheaval, I found I could do very little. I wandered from one thing to another and I was no longer able to voice my thoughts. It was as if I were living in an empty space...a void...where nothing could intrude.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But I discovered something that<b><i> did</i></b> intrude, something that is awe-inspiring, miraculous and exciting.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is a<b><i> lot</i></b> of activity in the Skies these days.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I discovered this one night about a month ago when I took Lucky out for his last walk of the day. Each time it is around eight PM and of course, it is very dark around that time. There are no lights of any kind that intrude where I live; flashlights are the order of the day (or night) when Lucky and I venture outside.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am accustomed to seeing satellites crossing the night Sky, and falling Stars and Meteors. On certain nights, it seems as if the heavenly bodies hang by a thread...it seems as if I could reach out and touch them. The atmosphere is so very clear here; one can see for miles into the deep, black Universe. There have been many nights when I have wished for a telescope for the ability to see farther into the Universe than the human eye ever could.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBnOhGOCOX1H7OKjInirCDwt3NbtjjnM9uSz4O3ALo4MmfGOzpHbw-j10Kb7jS_zxeArkPQiE9CeX623ZFdkuidnqCvbwLRe-6xaRFrNl6Ni3Xqm3wmnVP7vLg4fi0BGpOBdk0A/s1600/j0406661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBnOhGOCOX1H7OKjInirCDwt3NbtjjnM9uSz4O3ALo4MmfGOzpHbw-j10Kb7jS_zxeArkPQiE9CeX623ZFdkuidnqCvbwLRe-6xaRFrNl6Ni3Xqm3wmnVP7vLg4fi0BGpOBdk0A/s320/j0406661.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am not looking for UFO's the first evening I spot them, as Lucky and I venture outside. I am only looking up, and marvelling at the Stars. To my astonishment, as I stare at a vivid little Star, a tiny round bit zips away from it, sending out an especially bright green flare. It flies South, then West, then back North again...back to its original "Star".</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What was that!...I say to Lucky, who perks his ears.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The tiny UFO flew so fast...if I could only describe how fast!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think my eyes must be tricking me...tiredness and emotional stress over Graham must surely have taken over...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But then the little "bit" zips away again...this time, heading South in a winking, wavering line until it is out of sight. There are one or two flashes of an...electric type of green and pink. I am not sure I have described those unearthly flashes correctly...they were quite unlike anything I've seen before in the night Sky. Even Northern Lights pale in comparison, and are very dissimilar in any case.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-QLYw0girT3e5wZesbLr0G5qG0sHeggwvhlbCUjEIJJXhB3lMpsExTOrswYc4gMd3FdM9W59Btzj1VI6FxVOYSmssxezvpsiN3biwhnWl74FPINtSbyb7rlwiAJARiDMy1fveg/s1600/PH03966I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-QLYw0girT3e5wZesbLr0G5qG0sHeggwvhlbCUjEIJJXhB3lMpsExTOrswYc4gMd3FdM9W59Btzj1VI6FxVOYSmssxezvpsiN3biwhnWl74FPINtSbyb7rlwiAJARiDMy1fveg/s320/PH03966I.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I tell Lucky...They must have forgotten their toothbrushes...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For many reasons, that first sighting, and the ones subsequent to these, fill me with a joyful expectancy. I feel as if I have been washed clean and clear throughout, with a loving feathery touch.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I become addicted to watching the Sky, feeling quite out of sorts when it is cloudy. But one night, expecting Snow, I look up in time to see a Cloud light up with that unearthly flash again. This time, the brilliance was of many colours, although it did not have any lasting effects on the Cloud. The Light was there and then it was gone completely.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfJ0Ze-yLfE8BjDsHotuMC2imh2WTDI6WBsMm3SSVcj226YobkVIoBB4S1b41e7Hvz_jRr0YQJNw6Pc1xg50ehcCUFDPHdStp0eQs-izLJq794bCEDjpNOr8O8qAzLz68Xk3UwQ/s1600/PH03948I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfJ0Ze-yLfE8BjDsHotuMC2imh2WTDI6WBsMm3SSVcj226YobkVIoBB4S1b41e7Hvz_jRr0YQJNw6Pc1xg50ehcCUFDPHdStp0eQs-izLJq794bCEDjpNOr8O8qAzLz68Xk3UwQ/s320/PH03948I.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another night, it had been Raining. But, right above me, Clouds had parted in a circle, leaving heavy Stars to hang in the void. I was looking North, above our house. I see three tiny UFO's chasing each other, making impossible configurations. Again, they seem to be attached to a larger "Star".</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I stare at the bigger "Star", keeping the little ones in my peripheral vision, I notice it is different from what an ordinary Star might look like. It looks and feels harder. The brilliance of it is digital and static.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfsbjLKvRZj0WZL0AgSqwqQjCrVCDg5UM7NOY9OdhsJeY2jcMgH2Hn-JEt9Skm2by6Lylbkq3jlxUFKmcsOVkvNAa1NDLLfglTk5L6xZkTBg9OhYhGQavVfiMDu4_lVvMCsmFEw/s1600/PH03563I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfsbjLKvRZj0WZL0AgSqwqQjCrVCDg5UM7NOY9OdhsJeY2jcMgH2Hn-JEt9Skm2by6Lylbkq3jlxUFKmcsOVkvNAa1NDLLfglTk5L6xZkTBg9OhYhGQavVfiMDu4_lVvMCsmFEw/s320/PH03563I.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I keep my eyes on the fantastic display above me, there is a flare from the Star, which I feel more than actually see, if that makes any sense. And then, as I watch in complete wonder, I see pulses of some kind of energy wash slowly away from the Star, towards the protective ring of Cloud cover.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can find nothing anywhere that tells me what those slow pulses might have been. They were slower and more precise than those a pebble dropped into a pond might have made, but very similar.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1FEekbcQ_f1LpuFDxJj_AkmuZrdPiWQekKo8WTtgeiuZMOwKjC0uNg0p4-AoE7Vf5zZKD9RuIJTrHZ5JPCTwjdMeg_1yJ4Ws1VmP6a350NeOn2kED1GLz_AOc2hkG5CsM70N6g/s1600/j0289228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1FEekbcQ_f1LpuFDxJj_AkmuZrdPiWQekKo8WTtgeiuZMOwKjC0uNg0p4-AoE7Vf5zZKD9RuIJTrHZ5JPCTwjdMeg_1yJ4Ws1VmP6a350NeOn2kED1GLz_AOc2hkG5CsM70N6g/s400/j0289228.jpg" width="258" /></a><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I watched three emanate from the "Star", before I became aware of how cold I was. Lucky, who had become quite excited as the pulses washed over us from above, had been at the door for awhile. The neighbourhood Dogs, who had began to bark and howl, when the first pulse appeared, had quietened, seeming to accept the consequent pulses or rings of muted light.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I decided to go in and warm up. Later, I went outside again, unable to resist. The circle of Cloud was still there. I watched for awhile, seeing nothing, but just as I was about to go in, the burst of Light occurred again...and again, there were the rings emanating from the "Star".</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wondered if those strange, intermittent pulses would continue all night. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The incredible activity in the mysterious Sky has stopped. It has been at least two weeks since I saw the last strange Lights. I feel rather bereft...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jF1ugHnI46gDDH_f6W4XFqIlg-CvHhC89NjqSbd1a2-tmeUMEkhG88ptZIsaz4FqVk7HFua6gDoLHuYBKEYi0E56SJV2Kq-wN4a7fouyp2VLYWybSwyJWyle6GaDTFo5-lon6Q/s1600/j0316912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jF1ugHnI46gDDH_f6W4XFqIlg-CvHhC89NjqSbd1a2-tmeUMEkhG88ptZIsaz4FqVk7HFua6gDoLHuYBKEYi0E56SJV2Kq-wN4a7fouyp2VLYWybSwyJWyle6GaDTFo5-lon6Q/s320/j0316912.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm grateful for my time with these tinkling, teeny Lights in the night Sky. They took my mind off the daily stress I was experiencing with Graham's illness. Strangely, they gave me hope.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Look up on a clear Night and study the Stars. Watch for the ones that move...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-20293264938299040782011-10-05T06:01:00.000-07:002011-10-05T06:01:55.119-07:00Bubbles of Joy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6zu5j6J9cwvw_yiIKM70CYmFSH3qje-VPa3uEpr7G2UyfhcFfFVDrYcQ4j81PXpIhuvqGI9YdUO7soKDlBlU1-MGjDPmhCjhS05FtZW_EGGhb8Qz9yyBt8_3jClmFXSt3J2gWw/s1600/IMG_6162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J3j_eLT8lHTcNaJ6YfX15e29cjbjz27f-DJI5uwydhxbGAprIYLsEccHbnv1uPSJHA_xuyHMz1DGH8Ij1Ji6NbGsNRbCbnqjLUC1rkDLLIPv3f9MQAno2ZxfZJhvadl5m9CvoQ/s1600/IMG_6135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J3j_eLT8lHTcNaJ6YfX15e29cjbjz27f-DJI5uwydhxbGAprIYLsEccHbnv1uPSJHA_xuyHMz1DGH8Ij1Ji6NbGsNRbCbnqjLUC1rkDLLIPv3f9MQAno2ZxfZJhvadl5m9CvoQ/s400/IMG_6135.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the bridge over the Fraser River</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I find it so incredible that Thanksgiving is once more just around the corner. Where did the last months of 2011 go?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Soon, it will be Christmas! And then New Year's Eve...and the year 2011 will drift away into the past.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Years ago, when I was in my teens, I wondered where I would be when I was in my sixties. I didn't realize, at that age, how quickly the years pass...and that I would be <b><i>here</i></b>, in my dotage, before I knew it.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaF2mI_wanYvYJs_Ueo9vKISFaA4Kn9xjgVnRqSvyYDIp00G9X8gmOiJRLjtCb-6_GNCo-pfG-0XnoqkPjyDaiQBv9-9s1ZyPTg3kt5HQTt559f0Zd9jIkVlPzl6e9Jdf0j_WdNA/s1600/IMG_6130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaF2mI_wanYvYJs_Ueo9vKISFaA4Kn9xjgVnRqSvyYDIp00G9X8gmOiJRLjtCb-6_GNCo-pfG-0XnoqkPjyDaiQBv9-9s1ZyPTg3kt5HQTt559f0Zd9jIkVlPzl6e9Jdf0j_WdNA/s400/IMG_6130.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Williams Lake Stampede Grounds</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And really,I couldn't grasp the fact that each <b><i>day</i></b> would quickly recede in my memory, into the mists of Time. In my youth, I truly thought I would remember each and every <b><i>moment</i></b>...of heartache, grief, intense joy and anger.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I do remember the dramatic, life-changing occasions...yet the details, the fine-tuning that occurred, what I <b><i>did</i></b> to learn the lesson that had been presented to me...those have mostly left me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGoLXReJ5ci_kPgMtVki2AGNs0xc2DfIlkXpbCI4hOUD3LieSey3d9JeZ6zLF1xTkc5yoAyuMygO8Eq3RJuhse-ISeYYUmWD_pHpZ9FL69di2sey3eyN8jkIoti4QxCMiZANDyA/s1600/IMG_6123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGoLXReJ5ci_kPgMtVki2AGNs0xc2DfIlkXpbCI4hOUD3LieSey3d9JeZ6zLF1xTkc5yoAyuMygO8Eq3RJuhse-ISeYYUmWD_pHpZ9FL69di2sey3eyN8jkIoti4QxCMiZANDyA/s400/IMG_6123.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Williams Lake</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sometimes, something will come up, however, in conversations or events that jog pieces of memories I've buried deeply. Dreaming also reminds me of choices I might have made throughout the moments, days and years of my life.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Not all of those choices were correct...in fact, many of them weren't. And these are the ones that come up, during quiet or even not so quiet, moments. It seems quite strange to me...I thought I had put the past completely to rest.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qHbTearFwSVrTMdnrSpRo2gm3eNTJjdoewAM9-irDUaNy1al1qmsrE_Stn3WKbLz3zCxpE_E9lkeONVAylLG_MURaltV57MtBLPC2o3RR0y7Z6Qsyj_AP4wJ6wDWDKpgBOqz9w/s1600/IMG_6158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qHbTearFwSVrTMdnrSpRo2gm3eNTJjdoewAM9-irDUaNy1al1qmsrE_Stn3WKbLz3zCxpE_E9lkeONVAylLG_MURaltV57MtBLPC2o3RR0y7Z6Qsyj_AP4wJ6wDWDKpgBOqz9w/s400/IMG_6158.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful, green Chilko River</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But every once in awhile, a sharp dagger inserts itself into my heart...a dagger which reminds me a former decision may have had severe consequences...maybe not so much for me, but for others in my life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is quite like an awakening.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTnvkiXWUIBZjjVns_6KM2fu0w15I2yUFJIzS8Acb7mZB2F7FXCOXYpojO3yeQyAv8od0buuqChzruMV13c_2Adcpg5CYjminBtygKrosEEmNVCTLfynFyPsN-4Zhm7F-FicHyw/s1600/IMG_6163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTnvkiXWUIBZjjVns_6KM2fu0w15I2yUFJIzS8Acb7mZB2F7FXCOXYpojO3yeQyAv8od0buuqChzruMV13c_2Adcpg5CYjminBtygKrosEEmNVCTLfynFyPsN-4Zhm7F-FicHyw/s400/IMG_6163.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pelicans! Photo taken from information booth</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've learned something, though, with all these old thoughts and decisions I made years ago trumpeting their way back into my mind. This time around, when those past actions return to haunt me, I actually am able to face them, to unravel them, to allow the hurt to appear, to forgive others and myself, and then to let them go.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Something I quite obviously did not do the first time around, when these events actually happened. I'd guess the actions required to reach forgiveness were not done at the time.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6zu5j6J9cwvw_yiIKM70CYmFSH3qje-VPa3uEpr7G2UyfhcFfFVDrYcQ4j81PXpIhuvqGI9YdUO7soKDlBlU1-MGjDPmhCjhS05FtZW_EGGhb8Qz9yyBt8_3jClmFXSt3J2gWw/s1600/IMG_6162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6zu5j6J9cwvw_yiIKM70CYmFSH3qje-VPa3uEpr7G2UyfhcFfFVDrYcQ4j81PXpIhuvqGI9YdUO7soKDlBlU1-MGjDPmhCjhS05FtZW_EGGhb8Qz9yyBt8_3jClmFXSt3J2gWw/s400/IMG_6162.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Information Booth</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It seems to me, during this flood of folderol which moves through my senses, I am happier after I've let some relatively small thing go...and so, as these past events assault me now, I have learned travelling to the other side...the forgiveness side...well, it might be difficult for a few moments, but once it's done...there are bubbles of sheer joy which flow throughout.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So even if time passes so quickly and memories fade with its passage, it seems events which turned out badly, if they haven't been dealt with, will come back...at the age of sixty, or seventy or even older.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuARDfqGVnnkrVZvPZbGQqq1sH6VEdgvp3rS2FpApouQl7a63IYn28AWtqOAMc28rOwYCfmOD2PIvidE4VzT_oiOHuVYWbhceebBlgUp6M9MbOn4SHT11CNooRFZcCPD6ME_SZJA/s1600/IMG_6147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuARDfqGVnnkrVZvPZbGQqq1sH6VEdgvp3rS2FpApouQl7a63IYn28AWtqOAMc28rOwYCfmOD2PIvidE4VzT_oiOHuVYWbhceebBlgUp6M9MbOn4SHT11CNooRFZcCPD6ME_SZJA/s400/IMG_6147.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hay field in the Chilcotin</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I know a lady who is 95 years young, with an inoperable cancer. She told me she lived her life in pure denial. Every time harsh words were spoken, every time an accident occurred, she would take the words or the accident and shove them deeply inside. So deeply, in fact, that more often than not, she never thought of them again.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Until now. With a laugh, my friend told me it was impossible to get away with anything...those deeds that were hidden in a bottomless void in her mind eventually caught up with her.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At the age of 95.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thanksgiving, of course, returns each and every year. As I write this, I try and remember past holidays, specific things about Thanksgiving. I cannot. They all meld into one. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MDjbN6gZDCAODgSm9TvWDS_uxHEYtEjgTegWkoJdQzogtex34eyP0SC_fpHXCVefvJ_v41fRZ1MZWih3LyuPLye8i54DwtR3CiyZ9Q1SYiV4XvLGq4cAQvhopNJAQ7nxw0gpZg/s1600/IMG_6150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MDjbN6gZDCAODgSm9TvWDS_uxHEYtEjgTegWkoJdQzogtex34eyP0SC_fpHXCVefvJ_v41fRZ1MZWih3LyuPLye8i54DwtR3CiyZ9Q1SYiV4XvLGq4cAQvhopNJAQ7nxw0gpZg/s400/IMG_6150.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old barn in the Chilcotin District</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is the thing, though. I am not in control of when the troubling past returns for me to deal with. I wish I was...hurting thoughts, from the past, can engulf me at the most inopportune moments. And then, I can find myself reacting to something in an angry or emotional manner. I find my reaction is fuelled from a past event...and not the present one at all.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's a really good thing to know...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I feel much <b><i>lighter</i></b> these days, those bubbles of happiness much more prevalent. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This year, we will travel to the Coast for another Thanksgiving with the family. This year, I will go with a little more awareness of what makes me tick.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The years pass by so quickly, as if life were all a dream.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxM-uo0I4PdfwF4q-2ykvK7gMSzcvfdduCucRfrX6_5J7ChU0U2il-84NIGGXvUVmjbfyLNvxowcMlxySIhJwi4-sViiyT1LJQ_fvVAX6IlgTiwcWpa_-afHSBaWeekdypfSXTlA/s1600/IMG_6198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxM-uo0I4PdfwF4q-2ykvK7gMSzcvfdduCucRfrX6_5J7ChU0U2il-84NIGGXvUVmjbfyLNvxowcMlxySIhJwi4-sViiyT1LJQ_fvVAX6IlgTiwcWpa_-afHSBaWeekdypfSXTlA/s400/IMG_6198.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sun, Clouds and a green Orb!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Perhaps one day, in the near future, I will awaken completely, to a life no longer held back by dark, slimy sludge.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sounds pretty good to me...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happy Thanksgiving! May your day be filled with <b><i>good</i></b> thoughts, from the past and the present!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span>Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-78856663903952401462011-09-18T07:05:00.000-07:002011-09-18T07:06:29.369-07:00Bird Talk<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsUVv0UHUBeJ-vRARcAw0Nrm19fDnKSsgINvhT5XWiFPrw9ARN60N4Z7LldmQ3w14k0r0OOB3EYfBOrt4tkvaLZvS0plYhoJTSlQt2OOJ6i8uG0mWBPeGZvy9w3HPWgMu8Bfpxw/s1600/j0437182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsUVv0UHUBeJ-vRARcAw0Nrm19fDnKSsgINvhT5XWiFPrw9ARN60N4Z7LldmQ3w14k0r0OOB3EYfBOrt4tkvaLZvS0plYhoJTSlQt2OOJ6i8uG0mWBPeGZvy9w3HPWgMu8Bfpxw/s400/j0437182.jpg" width="263" /></a><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been experiencing and enjoying some odd events over the past few weeks. I have no explanation for any of them; strangely, the urge to find a reason for them has gone. Acceptance is the order of the day. It makes my life so much easier.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I must confess I wake up each morning with a certain wariness...What will occur this day to make me feel unbalanced and anxious? So much is happening in the World...even a 6.7 Earthquake, along with many minor ones, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island hardly makes the News, when there are hugely terrifying events occurring elsewhere.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I feel Mother Earth is re-balancing herself, ridding herself of eons of negativity and pollution the human race has placed upon her. I am not making light of the terrible Floods, Fires and Quakes which keep happening...I send Oceans of Light and Love each time I hear about another Flood, another Fire, another Earthquake. It is about all I can do, at this time.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtS1c5wLDEx3aDN3NWtEJnI7AHtvcz8H3Ugd5q-qFaoRZgRfqjkIeiKsaIwu_FdiFmu2bTMJ6Jg1W-zB8j4OOn-3uVYiC49otTjgcHCMjQ8hCbsESr0vUF68cFsQwEQ4mb8oH7Q/s1600/IMG_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtS1c5wLDEx3aDN3NWtEJnI7AHtvcz8H3Ugd5q-qFaoRZgRfqjkIeiKsaIwu_FdiFmu2bTMJ6Jg1W-zB8j4OOn-3uVYiC49otTjgcHCMjQ8hCbsESr0vUF68cFsQwEQ4mb8oH7Q/s400/IMG_0228.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I find safety here, surrounded by the Forest and its creatures.With tall Trees ringing the entire property, the World and its problems so easily disappear from mind.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lucky, my dog, and I, go for long walks around the property each morning. I check out the garden and Lucky checks out who visited overnight. It is not uncommon for me to go out in my pyjamas and slippers...this is a reward for living on acreage in the country. There is no one to see and judge and shake their heads.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is peaceful and calm in that early morning hour. Last year, throughout the Forest Fires and the Smoke, many Animals and Birds converged here in this Forest, seeking safety. This year, there are not so many. The extremely wet Spring took care of any Fires which might have caused chaos and even though we experienced a heat wave recently, the nighttime temperatures are becoming frosty. The likelihood of any big Fires this year is decreasing daily.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And so, I have not had occasion to visit with as many Birds as I did last year. But there are a few...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chickadees. Oh my, there are Chickadees. Let me tell you a story about those Chickadees and Lucky and I.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was standing beneath the only Birch Tree inside the fence-line, beside a garden bed filled with flowering Plants, all seeded directly into the ground in late Spring. I was marvelling at how lovely it looked, after all the Rain we experienced over the last Spring. The Plants were still lush and wildly flowering; my attention was focused completely on the pinks and blues, reds and oranges of the different kinds of Poppies, Bachelor's Buttons, Daisies, Digitalis, Coreopsis, Cosmos...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">By this time, Lucky was waiting for me to open the gate and continue on our walk. But I heard a Chickadee in the Birch Tree just above me. I looked up, and without a thought, I mimicked his voice...<i>Chick-a-dee, dee, dee</i>...over and over. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It seemed as if he answered me and then his head tilted from side to side, as he watched this two-legged creature try to speak with him.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2ea8RH__Z2wnZ3zb5f_BPpkioHndc8hYSAoHRaNJungntvwlSsFqPcgSy3KK0cWLSP6ihY1ZQBIYW64cQfgDQbNAV_AFKnPr9fEH12X6SyXeYtme-JKSVj7Gil93N2eD3eduOg/s1600/IMG_1728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2ea8RH__Z2wnZ3zb5f_BPpkioHndc8hYSAoHRaNJungntvwlSsFqPcgSy3KK0cWLSP6ihY1ZQBIYW64cQfgDQbNAV_AFKnPr9fEH12X6SyXeYtme-JKSVj7Gil93N2eD3eduOg/s400/IMG_1728.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I noticed another Chickadee settle on a branch...then another and another...until the whole Tree was covered with the small, fluttering and hopping Birds! Each one's attention was entirely focused on me and my continuing bird speech...<i>Chick-a-dee-dee-dee, Chick-a-dee-dee-dee...</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lucky was becoming aware something odd was happening. Whining, he looked up at me, as if to say...<i>Stop this! Who knows which kind of Bird will appear next!...</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I stood there in awe, still calling. More and more Chickadees flew in...the Tree was alive with them. I stood there for a good half-hour, sometimes speaking bird speech and sometimes human. I have no idea whether any understanding was reached...I certainly had no idea what the twitterings and chirpings, chips and calls meant.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But the energy surrounding us...the Birds, the Tree, me and the Dog...was warm and loving. I wanted to stay all day in what seemed like a comfort spot. But Lucky became restless, wanting to continue his walk and wanting to go as far as possible from the Birch-Bird Tree, which was just too odd in his mind.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrilVuNWsFSo_i2jq2g4Dve7-Zb0D8P7VWo2mxDG5Q6XpYepQXqqZ1qChmL1OHYDygywFgFPg7gAgOhVqWTbwMthyphenhyphenvAQaXd1-3VjXNUEkSFOcASSFal9LFU5OmDYwwPuikwaYow/s1600/chickadee2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrilVuNWsFSo_i2jq2g4Dve7-Zb0D8P7VWo2mxDG5Q6XpYepQXqqZ1qChmL1OHYDygywFgFPg7gAgOhVqWTbwMthyphenhyphenvAQaXd1-3VjXNUEkSFOcASSFal9LFU5OmDYwwPuikwaYow/s400/chickadee2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't know how to say good-bye to all the little Chickadees who had graced my morning. I didn't want to leave them, either. But I raised my hand, said a final Chick-a-dee-dee-dee, and walked away.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And the Chickadees flew off, as well, to do their daily foraging, I imagine.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I felt like a child on Christmas morning...what a gift Creator had seen fit to bless me with! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lucky cannot forget what happened that day. When an Eagle flies overhead, most times they will call...and now, I try and copy the eerie sound they make. Lucky goes ballistic. I'm sure, in his mind, all he can see is Birch Tree filled with Eagles.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He has problems with the Raven who lives in this Forest, as well. Raven and I have had many conversations, his usual call being quite simple to emulate, although it can hurt my throat. The other day, though, Lucky had occasion to go outside, just as Raven was filching some of Lucky's marrow bone. Lucky rescued it, of course, and Raven flew up onto the Birch Tree. When I came outside, after watching the kerfuffle from a window, Raven began the most awesome speech.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwt6jKScuZP0AKgftHaQbhsJJhRHlMz0uzgMc3db4TiNzAkfPyc6blqtCLFmO277Y9G8Y0JHXxsVKqXINs9Dywi6sT1S0TI1wuXNx-l8F1RhzZghWnUQ8_bdxOTLdC4FxphTeFpg/s1600/raven+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwt6jKScuZP0AKgftHaQbhsJJhRHlMz0uzgMc3db4TiNzAkfPyc6blqtCLFmO277Y9G8Y0JHXxsVKqXINs9Dywi6sT1S0TI1wuXNx-l8F1RhzZghWnUQ8_bdxOTLdC4FxphTeFpg/s400/raven+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He made glottal sounds, burrs and purrs, sounds like a motor running...Raven had quite a repertoire. His head bobbed, around and up and down. His long, black wings were spread at times, to give him balance, as he danced along the branches.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to answer him, in Raven speech, but could not mimic his sounds. So I spoke to him in Human speech...and it seemed as if he listened. He would stop his movements when I spoke. He would tilt his head towards me, and when I had finished what I had to say, Raven would continue his awesome talking.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At first, I wondered what he was saying. But then, I noticed that warm, loving energy again...and I found it really didn't matter...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But our Lucky is not so cavalier. He has taken to watching the Skies as well as the immediate surrounding areas, just in case I might decide to call another Avian. And when I tease him, by imitating Bird song emanating from the Forest, he becomes super excited, searching the Sky and the Trees.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6A7fI8SLbjGhZMN3OK-8SGvitW55p-ttmMnDTnZCMNVkvLqKv8HZrY1S4CykcKg0khzlKWllGHOAGmxT7kpJFzaKweU51ive3idjyqrR57p5UKL9iMXXVv6_TqvQCzswVQKTRJQ/s1600/raven+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6A7fI8SLbjGhZMN3OK-8SGvitW55p-ttmMnDTnZCMNVkvLqKv8HZrY1S4CykcKg0khzlKWllGHOAGmxT7kpJFzaKweU51ive3idjyqrR57p5UKL9iMXXVv6_TqvQCzswVQKTRJQ/s400/raven+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was interesting to hear from an acquaintance of mine, just after the Bird episode I experienced, how she was convinced that a Deer who visits her home every day seems to hold a conversation with her. She shook her head, as she spoke with me, telling me it was not a good idea to be that friendly with a wild Deer, but that she could not seem to help herself. She tells her Deer friend about her day, what she is having for dinner, etc. She tells me she swears she can tune in to what the Deer tells her, in return. And she says she only feels a little strange about the whole thing, although she also concurs that she rarely tells anyone about her Deer episodes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I smiled. Welcome to my World, I say...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I find more and more people tell me about odd occurrences involving Animals. I believe it is because I don't judge, I only accept. If they say a thing is so, I know it is.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After all, it happens to me, more and more.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HHzyUaWHzSpS7-y4DHfRZRG3B6kFbIda6QxRvmbuAP24pFZqC5TQWONk6ZMGF3f8Xzjj_dHSl-cYyS0zw9ALhjUpdMPHLfoj5HB0Qg9vtPQKAGp-HIxBy6LMmzUuCbpARhZ6QA/s1600/j0430847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HHzyUaWHzSpS7-y4DHfRZRG3B6kFbIda6QxRvmbuAP24pFZqC5TQWONk6ZMGF3f8Xzjj_dHSl-cYyS0zw9ALhjUpdMPHLfoj5HB0Qg9vtPQKAGp-HIxBy6LMmzUuCbpARhZ6QA/s400/j0430847.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I feel the times are such that waking up wary is acceptable...it keeps me aware...the World and her re-balancing will go on for awhile.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is nothing I can do other than accept this is the way it is, right now. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Acceptance and learning Bird speech or Animal talk, even if Lucky disapproves, will see me through.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Animal species knows a lot more about Mother Earth than I do... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-14900430452089044912011-08-30T12:47:00.000-07:002011-08-30T12:47:26.757-07:00Leo and Me<span style="font-size: large;">One of the gifts Graham received for his recent birthday was a gift certificate to a book store. The two of us whiled away some time perusing all the titles before one of the books Graham (and I, heh!) chose was <a href="http://www.georgianicols.com/daily/">Georgia Nicol's</a> book <b><i>You and Your Future</i></b>, a book on astrology.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-C9ew4yil72zame_iwlF28aoiZTCyogBDuTm8hm1sscp5pIlFTsSDg-lkycy39jhj7SBByKfuqpffqyUMuFp6qnY7hiDrefm87Ku_YpsDZupMVCums2lUT9Eiu2N4in5UOq6RtQ/s1600/j0403330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-C9ew4yil72zame_iwlF28aoiZTCyogBDuTm8hm1sscp5pIlFTsSDg-lkycy39jhj7SBByKfuqpffqyUMuFp6qnY7hiDrefm87Ku_YpsDZupMVCums2lUT9Eiu2N4in5UOq6RtQ/s400/j0403330.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Both of us watch Georgia on Global News on Sundays and have enjoyed her sense of humour and her accuracy. But I had no idea she would teach me something as profound as the Rising sign.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Rising Sign is based on the <b><i>time</i></b> of day you were born, as opposed to the Sun Sign which is based on the <b><i>day</i></b> of the year you were born. Most of us know our Sun Sign...be it Pisces, or Cancer, or Taurus, etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Georgia writes that the Rising Sign is my persona. It is how I project myself <i>outwardly</i> to the World, with my appearance and my personality. She tells me it's the style I use to get what I want, now and in the future. It indicates to me how I will make things happen in my life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I have always been happy with my Sun Sign of Pisces. It seemed to cover most of the peccadilloes in my personality. It sat <b><i>right</i></b> with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Georgia says my Rising Sign shows how I survived in my family. Upon looking back, had I only had Pisces in my sign, I would have been swallowed whole in my family group, instead of only <i>some </i>parts of me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Keeping Georgia's warning in mind about her Table of signs as being too simplistic (she suggests using an astrologer or Googling the Rising Sign Calculator in order to find your accurate Rising Sign), I found my Rising Sign to be....Leo!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ouch. Leo was my mother's Sun Sign. It was not until a year or two before she died that I grew closer to my mother, that I began to understand her. I wonder what my mother's Rising Sign was; there is no way to find that particular nugget now. Leo has never been a favourite sign of mine, keeping my mother's persona in mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And in looking up family members' Rising Signs, I find Brianna, my granddaughter, and Graydon, my grandson, have Leo Rising, Graydon and his Dad both have Aries in their makeup (one as a Rising Sign and one as a Sun Sign), that Graham has Pisces Rising, and Heidi, my daughter, is a Pisces with Libra Rising. The twins are Pisces with Aries rising.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How very strange to find how intertwined we all are, in the eyes of Astrology!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I find the section on Leo with trepidation. I know quite a few people whose Sun Sign is Leo; I've liked and even loved them. I wondered what the negatives were in regard to Leo...had my mother been stuck in that contrary area?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And sure enough, the pessimistic words flew off the page on the negative qualities of the Leo archetype. Arrogance, pride, extravagance, ostentatious, egocentric, patronizing, opinionated, didactic, and uncompromising...all of these fit my mother well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then I think...do all these words fit me, as well? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But according to Georgia's book, Leo's are also generous, principled, honourable, warm-hearted, forthright, energetic, brave and intelligent. Certainly my mother's <i>friends</i> thought so of her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Georgia presents three broad qualities of the sign of Leo. She states the sign of Leo is creative, generates warmth, radiance and generosity, is a leader with a need for recognition.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">AAAargh!!! The last part...the need for recognition...that part does not sit well with my Piscean sensibilities. But oh! did my mother ever require recognition! There were never enough compliments to make my mother happy, and I cringed each time she sought them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Suddenly, in a strangely obscure way, I understand why I secretly love compliments, yet spurn them when they arrive as unimportant (Piscean)...and why my granddaughter, a Sagittarius with Leo rising, loves recognition, accepts compliments with grace and loves to create happy situations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> My mother loved to create situations, as well. However, many of hers were not as happy as <b><i>I</i></b> might have liked...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I think about all this, I realize I have much to thank my mother for. My mother had many tough times, many crises in her life. She chose to become embittered; her choice led to my being strongly averse to living my life in that way. I watched her as a child and later a teen, at home, and I made a very strong, conscious choice to use optimism and hope, instead. I made the choice to work my Leo aspect in the most positive manner I could, even though I didn't realize how important Leo rising in my sign was, at the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Leo is the sign of the Sun. Leo is the Lion. I learn, by reading Georgia's book, that Leo can be timid, but will rarely show it. How true that is...I will face down any situation with a roar, yet tremble inside the whole time I do it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Georgia went a little further for me, after I'd written to tell her how much I'd enjoyed her book. She actually drew out my Natal Chart and sent it to me, along with the other signs I need to read. She also told me I had the stronger Leo aspect, while my mother was the 'authority' in my life...and Georgia says...<i>Of course you would clash!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course! I wish I'd known this years ago!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Georgia also advised me to read all twelve signs with reference on How to Be Happier Chapters. Within the first few paragraphs on the Piscean chapter, I find familiar waters. I find, more than any other sign, Pisces people have the strongest ability of all the Astrological signs to manifest their core beliefs. Whatever Pisces thinks about their World becomes reality. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For example, were I to wear rose-coloured glasses, as I try to do, most of the time, the World becomes a wonderful, magical place. Yet, were I to believe the opposite, I could become my own worst enemy...because the World, or at least my World, will become whatever my negative thought patterns conjure up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">No kidding.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A happier Leo, on the other hand, should forego their</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">pride and arrogance...so much a part of this sign. I hope my Sun sign of Pisces will help me achieve the positive parts of pride and arrogance. Georgia, in her book, explains the difference.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EWozvY-9_x7SLItBdxjyxTSIa9OstAckiOSVsNP63LsXDxFXNFhvb5Zvejj7Ehwy1uVnbDhpTPt4tIjy7wnE5ZbEoa_yojHXXV8-xLqzcm-96F4DvwiAkPra6kJhR295_Yqh5A/s1600/Solar+Fire+Natal+Chart.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EWozvY-9_x7SLItBdxjyxTSIa9OstAckiOSVsNP63LsXDxFXNFhvb5Zvejj7Ehwy1uVnbDhpTPt4tIjy7wnE5ZbEoa_yojHXXV8-xLqzcm-96F4DvwiAkPra6kJhR295_Yqh5A/s400/Solar+Fire+Natal+Chart.gif" width="391" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I've heard Georgia say many times, on television, that astrology is all about math. Looking at my chart, I believe it...it looks like some mathematical test I failed at some point in my school years...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Astrology is great fun for me...I check where the stars and planets are every morning on the Cosmic Calendar. I have the added bonus now of having two signs to help me make sense of my day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Even in times of angry disputes with my mother, a Leo, somewhere inside, no matter how ridiculous her assumptions, I knew where and how she had arrived at her conclusion. Somewhere inside myself, I understood her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Georgia's book was really cheap at the price, if it means I move that much further along the completely convoluted journey of life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm so glad I was with Graham, when he went shopping for his birthday gift...</span><br />
<br />Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-57567772817559223202011-08-24T10:02:00.000-07:002011-08-24T10:02:11.493-07:00Strange Times<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNP0DuLEqTfsZlyKhMUd5WEUw4qp_X5ZFF9glh_nim59J4C3S0P_xwLCyaG6u7PvVUEc7cSrFhlqlUvIgx9RK8muoXqToE6sLoiEDsrE6Ve0HJ2Bty8DdKbOUdzmltjwIjvbjgCw/s1600/Jack+Layton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNP0DuLEqTfsZlyKhMUd5WEUw4qp_X5ZFF9glh_nim59J4C3S0P_xwLCyaG6u7PvVUEc7cSrFhlqlUvIgx9RK8muoXqToE6sLoiEDsrE6Ve0HJ2Bty8DdKbOUdzmltjwIjvbjgCw/s400/Jack+Layton.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Jack Layton and his granddaughter</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I asked my Muse this morning to help me write something...anything. I seem to have no...oomph...for writing these days, and it seems the Muse doesn't either, since she hasn't stimulated me for some time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I believe it is the events the World is experiencing at the moment. One cannot turn on the news without some catastrophe just waiting to pounce, just waiting to destroy any peace I may have gathered through the night.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I could list them. But it would just exacerbate the whole thing, magnifying them in my mind.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The one thing I will mention, however, is how Jack Layton's death from cancer, at the age of 61, affected me. He was the leader of the Opposition in the House of Parliament, a New Democrat.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJB5MUsAQXiHb7SDz5ji7uX-d7xrFJtVPvks2n9g20_6gdBjys1NLf2HYp5QSDqPFZop5Z61ZXeRWmEFPOtigWm4F1vYh6xRr62cvOe5dF2NsqeekGuNGRuITsDppWaMMqzDs5Rw/s1600/Jack+Layton+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJB5MUsAQXiHb7SDz5ji7uX-d7xrFJtVPvks2n9g20_6gdBjys1NLf2HYp5QSDqPFZop5Z61ZXeRWmEFPOtigWm4F1vYh6xRr62cvOe5dF2NsqeekGuNGRuITsDppWaMMqzDs5Rw/s400/Jack+Layton+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Jack Layton, with his granddaughter Beatrice, and his wife, Olivia Chow</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> How odd that a man I have never met, a politician of and for the people, could have me in a state of mourning, along with, seemingly, the rest of Canada, no matter their political bent.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was in a state of shock the morning I heard about his death. I had known he was ill, of course. I saw him making his last announcement, when he said he would be back in September. As ill as he looked, I believed him. I thought he would be back in Parliament, holding all the rest accountable, as he had done for his whole life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To me, he was like a Terrier or a Bulldog, worrying and tearing at the Conservatives without restraint. With a four year term of a majority Conservative government, I felt so much better in knowing Jack Layton was the leader of the Opposition. I felt, if anyone could, he was the one who would hold the Conservatives to account.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDk589Mm_rbVeEjNwbACEU4ZbtCyWTZVWP44KF7tvabUvfFrCJBHeG6gl18Fs8ehWz4Uk78q_aakTjAipwRTPy7E76ktxOqfoFJ8hL9LnJrJrQv7PdtZ8TV_YrzNv2kxs-2zNXqw/s1600/death+of+Jack+Layton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDk589Mm_rbVeEjNwbACEU4ZbtCyWTZVWP44KF7tvabUvfFrCJBHeG6gl18Fs8ehWz4Uk78q_aakTjAipwRTPy7E76ktxOqfoFJ8hL9LnJrJrQv7PdtZ8TV_YrzNv2kxs-2zNXqw/s400/death+of+Jack+Layton.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flags fly at half-mast</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The strange thing is I am not terribly political. When I vote, I usually vote for the person and not specifically the Party he or she is leading. But Jack was and always will be a man for the people. For him, it was forever about the people and their well-being in Canada. And I understand that...it is how I hope I would be were I in politics.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I felt he had our backs. And when he died, I felt bereft. Who could possibly take his place?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was astonished when I cried, really cried, for him, for his wife and family and grandchild, and for Canada. And I was truly amazed at the wave of emotion that overcame the Country. I'm not sure I remember this ever happening before.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He wrote a <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/62831500/Jack-Layton-s-final-letter-to-Canada">letter</a> to Canadians the day before he died. In his very personal letter, he urged all of us to remember not to let others say we can't do a thing our minds are set upon. He addressed his Party, his caucus, other people suffering with cancer, the youth of Canada, Quebecers who believed in him enough to vote in huge numbers to give him the opposition Leader's seat. And he addressed his fellow Canadians.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the end of his letter, one that must have been so difficult to write, he wrote..."<b><i>My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful, and optimistic. And we'll change the World." </i></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder if I could have had the fortitude to write something so eloquent if I faced death<b><i>. </i></b>This man remembered the people of Canada, knowing well his time was at an end. This was the kind of man he was...and the words above were words he truly lived by, in all accounts.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As the World enters strange times, where nothing seems certain, where Earthquakes, Tornadoes, terrible accidents and civil unrest seem almost the norm...I will take Jack Layton's words and enter them deeply within my soul, never to be forgotten or misplaced.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let us, indeed, be loving, hopeful and optimistic. Let us not give fear the upper hand. Fear is a destroyer...love and hope fill the heart, giving more strength I believe we will all require in the coming months and years ahead.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTy80hq_8JzPGIxTl3_UtV_jWlmymFhr7xM2ZiLr9cVVno4ySX_9NORsymhbu48TcksmA86Ee2oLZvpMeoDRtejbwS9EM3p5ra2Nhon_x8loXlCyE9UYHZu9fEmHK4VKa-iaoumw/s1600/j0400159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTy80hq_8JzPGIxTl3_UtV_jWlmymFhr7xM2ZiLr9cVVno4ySX_9NORsymhbu48TcksmA86Ee2oLZvpMeoDRtejbwS9EM3p5ra2Nhon_x8loXlCyE9UYHZu9fEmHK4VKa-iaoumw/s400/j0400159.jpg" width="395" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jack, I will miss you and your smiling face. I will miss your witty, sometimes even snide, comments. I will miss the love you projected to us all, even though I never knew you personally. It does not seem to matter, to my complete and utter astonishment.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are living through strange times. I do not blame myself for not wanting to write about despair and fear. As odd as it seems, Jack Layton's death opened the hearts of people as nothing else might have done.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzs5TcCryEXs3hjl4TD7sxIrNHRZ6a7Td4SxYZXTEJmwsVaQjcRz5p0Ul20yvyMuBXw4SYVTGJB_GTF1Rmu9876LDgnxyyhjwqg5E6IQEpH3DCwdIyEy1ZyM5muTB2tHZAgQ9YA/s1600/j0390491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzs5TcCryEXs3hjl4TD7sxIrNHRZ6a7Td4SxYZXTEJmwsVaQjcRz5p0Ul20yvyMuBXw4SYVTGJB_GTF1Rmu9876LDgnxyyhjwqg5E6IQEpH3DCwdIyEy1ZyM5muTB2tHZAgQ9YA/s400/j0390491.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And perhaps, this is the point. This heart-opening, this outpouring of love, the collective astonishment that this could be so for a politician's untimely death...this taught us all to be more open, more heart-centred.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Imagine the possibilities... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This morning, I had a conversation with my Muse, the wondrous lady who sits on my right shoulder as I write.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And she did not let me down.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rest in the greatest of peace, Jack, your time on Earth has ended too soon. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is time, now, to take up the cudgels, the loving truncheons, on your behalf.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I will.</span></span><br />
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<br />Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-14977055320782562042011-08-14T09:03:00.000-07:002011-08-14T09:03:05.916-07:00The Road Less Travelled<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBR9o4pGA2ovvA1_PIztSw8-_jOEMlIAoiGRwSJqCC9oBKftY_nPa5WuGeguG-N3jq3Na3-flYB1pNC3QTeHgsCHzkvlpX9X4tXQKTC69NjfEYQBmci-8dPdYv0d5rPsu8VptEA/s1600/IMG_6010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" id=":current_picnik_image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBR9o4pGA2ovvA1_PIztSw8-_jOEMlIAoiGRwSJqCC9oBKftY_nPa5WuGeguG-N3jq3Na3-flYB1pNC3QTeHgsCHzkvlpX9X4tXQKTC69NjfEYQBmci-8dPdYv0d5rPsu8VptEA/s320/IMG_6010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Duffy Lake Route to the Coast...long and curvy!</i></span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3V8ZrnM6zsJYg-n1n3UhUHJjzZywcHLI3Amn11HXzZbdMdVjRU_yeB2pV5V-cfB3Sw-WvRunTQQGYh65HGef8Bmin-QioHrY5LlSU-k8q8wUdnlTqOshn1A0T1xQB78nhfPWBg/s1600/IMG_6012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3V8ZrnM6zsJYg-n1n3UhUHJjzZywcHLI3Amn11HXzZbdMdVjRU_yeB2pV5V-cfB3Sw-WvRunTQQGYh65HGef8Bmin-QioHrY5LlSU-k8q8wUdnlTqOshn1A0T1xQB78nhfPWBg/s320/IMG_6012.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>One of the many old Log Cabins one finds anywhere in the Cariboo..</b>.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNbrRDDfQBExZeDr6SIx-75Y0PqJvN-UPw2-J9htbJBqw_-CrlDTVIPixKwEQrmTjdQ_7ihmGWGWJNjS3GJ5exCOGSAXgsA3zwD5VqZpHOGhYkcf2Y0eRwmHOPJirR4zoIuoVBQ/s1600/IMG_6027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNbrRDDfQBExZeDr6SIx-75Y0PqJvN-UPw2-J9htbJBqw_-CrlDTVIPixKwEQrmTjdQ_7ihmGWGWJNjS3GJ5exCOGSAXgsA3zwD5VqZpHOGhYkcf2Y0eRwmHOPJirR4zoIuoVBQ/s320/IMG_6027.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Did I say long and very curvy?</i></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We took a different route to the Coast this time. The Duffy Lake Road </span>would be treacherous in the Winter</span>, </span>in my opinion...there are many curves and cliffs along the way...but it is well worth taking in the Summer. So many wondrous views!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My daughter and her family were in the middle of renovating their home...the kitchen and two bathrooms were being ripped out a</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">nd re-done...and so when we arrived it was to controlled chaos.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyMhqL33kthtU73Tw2OeO3s-JzErmqgHbO4KKa6QN4xRZiG4sm7d7ckS-UExRPmJXBMP6RsNLTmUhnuVzLx1VeU-MpHQTL2ugTAoz7Xx-usnN-6MTm9eMFk9GqRAWCUXV1AE66w/s1600/IMG_6036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyMhqL33kthtU73Tw2OeO3s-JzErmqgHbO4KKa6QN4xRZiG4sm7d7ckS-UExRPmJXBMP6RsNLTmUhnuVzLx1VeU-MpHQTL2ugTAoz7Xx-usnN-6MTm9eMFk9GqRAWCUXV1AE66w/s400/IMG_6036.jpg" width="376" /></a></i></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>At the Water park, it was difficult to capture Graydon in a still moment...</i></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Graham and I have renovated many times before; therefore we completely understand the process. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8s2BsnTV2jDfMBvJ3iwUD9CW1iZBCd9s46on2Gg_AxtrfM9umRirsBPo-XtzXfABT1Cm_dTMQY1VNZhDiuoac4hDBeCW-8QjIJAbKYNfk7tXLgJ-sRSfvy7dtBWGNTKV67ANXQ/s1600/IMG_6045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8s2BsnTV2jDfMBvJ3iwUD9CW1iZBCd9s46on2Gg_AxtrfM9umRirsBPo-XtzXfABT1Cm_dTMQY1VNZhDiuoac4hDBeCW-8QjIJAbKYNfk7tXLgJ-sRSfvy7dtBWGNTKV67ANXQ/s400/IMG_6045.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>But I managed..</i></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After a restful sleep, we left the construction workers to their jobs and visited the Roger Creek Water Park...it was a truly lovely, warm day, which I really appreciated, it being quite chilly and wet in the Cariboo up to that point...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHDOQla2T3rZoDdR7gglDtDgvbr4V9iWrzZXtW5gkoukxEhj_up9H8Cbf1KSFGqefy6ATBLm2EgVFq5wr1VR8u1RxJw5OUrBYzgbIrPgbWYDRJireLX2bGGDz6ORjNVna3-37uw/s1600/101-0198_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHDOQla2T3rZoDdR7gglDtDgvbr4V9iWrzZXtW5gkoukxEhj_up9H8Cbf1KSFGqefy6ATBLm2EgVFq5wr1VR8u1RxJw5OUrBYzgbIrPgbWYDRJireLX2bGGDz6ORjNVna3-37uw/s400/101-0198_IMG.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Brianna at the grand old age of three...</span></span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I watched Brianna, my granddaughter, go a little further along the path to adulthood and maturity when she was picked up from home by one of her friends who drove. No longer is there any need to beg rides to the Lake from her parents...although she doesn't as yet have her own driver's license, many of her friends have theirs.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Ahhh...independence!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It brought back memories of when my daughters found freedom from requesting a ride from parents. It was bittersweet...on the one hand, I was grateful and on the other...well, on the other, this was the beginning of their own independence, further away from me, so many years ago.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqslPJeZe1y-cGp_IkGbPCIDOrz4jL6sHMzQ2x260_mtNpRXf7B7k22wW3Mus39w7M1EO8AwKTNockoRnyGXjgW0tahE2nGNfGUkxSu8L9pME5DUiLCKmVs0EsQfEKRNZKEjP9Q/s1600/IMG_6087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqslPJeZe1y-cGp_IkGbPCIDOrz4jL6sHMzQ2x260_mtNpRXf7B7k22wW3Mus39w7M1EO8AwKTNockoRnyGXjgW0tahE2nGNfGUkxSu8L9pME5DUiLCKmVs0EsQfEKRNZKEjP9Q/s400/IMG_6087.jpg" width="262" /></a></i></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>He's so active! Pictures turn out fuzzy.</i></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Brianna is well on her way. She's in Grade 12 this coming year; she is maturing in leaps and bounds...way too fast for this grandmother!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What happened to my little girl?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And Graydon, too...He and I have <b><i>discussions</i></b>, now. No longer does he take everything someone says as complete and utter truth. He questions everything. He tells me the folks around him don't always like to be bothered by his questions, which centre around the "why?" category. So I countered his nonsense Why's with Why not? Given that scenario, he loved to pass on his knowledge by answering the question himself...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0Hm0v5Z8mXEYyo9UfWrhtmmKxiIvJxLO77v1mr-fftsPBL7_dRpm1XmOUHbWDK4ZQVqCzcYX7Itvrr2sfLpqCnMZrTvdtLeNFhKZbbPkl41VOH5Zrv8P4Av9tvED-yKXRM908w/s1600/IMG_6062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0Hm0v5Z8mXEYyo9UfWrhtmmKxiIvJxLO77v1mr-fftsPBL7_dRpm1XmOUHbWDK4ZQVqCzcYX7Itvrr2sfLpqCnMZrTvdtLeNFhKZbbPkl41VOH5Zrv8P4Av9tvED-yKXRM908w/s400/IMG_6062.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Maple Trees in the Park entwined for eternity...they look like they are dancing a wonderfully slow waltz...</i></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Park was crowded. There were children everywhere. I noticed there were young parents there whom I knew many years ago when they were youngsters themselves. Wasn't that only yesterday?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At a younger age, when my daughters were small, I never noticed the shrieks and shouts of children. Those sounds were part of my World. I'm much older now; I find myself sneaking away at times to seek some peace.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUP86YjOEj6WUC9L6MQQp7GfGzhxhEAnYIW3i-7ayPxSHc8GfiiRrdz1eduyme2F8JqfWnJUrNmahZLOCNtK3yvB5aBOcD18yXztTIvCmRERbcxuos_kfQ7GkqBKrhdAY0PZ1LQ/s1600/IMG_6059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUP86YjOEj6WUC9L6MQQp7GfGzhxhEAnYIW3i-7ayPxSHc8GfiiRrdz1eduyme2F8JqfWnJUrNmahZLOCNtK3yvB5aBOcD18yXztTIvCmRERbcxuos_kfQ7GkqBKrhdAY0PZ1LQ/s400/IMG_6059.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>A favourite spot, in the centre of the two Trees, for hide and seek!</i></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I remembered Roger Creek Park. It was a favourite venue for weddings and photos for special occasions. It was a park I went to when I needed the comfort the large Maple Trees give the human population.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And so I wandered away with my camera for awhile, renewing old acquaintances, still there after all these years.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26-eM7CgcLN1DsJjasy8WBYqi0f9mZURuBI7JBM-50k9G0TyDFgK4m-kfKta7XnXq54qyvwykXHAOH0ZpJjIb2YIPeG5zz8qh0SQFEXOvldHzu8Kae65FRbBax_3Bzj7nrbQnYg/s1600/IMG_6077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26-eM7CgcLN1DsJjasy8WBYqi0f9mZURuBI7JBM-50k9G0TyDFgK4m-kfKta7XnXq54qyvwykXHAOH0ZpJjIb2YIPeG5zz8qh0SQFEXOvldHzu8Kae65FRbBax_3Bzj7nrbQnYg/s400/IMG_6077.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;">Still Waters capturing reflected Trees and Sky.</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The River was low and still. I remember it as being rushing and busy. But it is Summer and the River is called Roger <i>Creek</i>. And my memory is not what it once was. I think, too, my memories can get confused with other Rivers, other Creeks... all melding together in my mind.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ME-jBAleuW65LTJtLp40WA37-gcHxYWTWHgJhnVGtYYv1g4HYdBTKf1S-jzBDpvgiHNHWg-cz8VSpMQgF8ULuPHzqoPPyjXVvLEpaqNE_LzwDEVspRSreFqwPzUg6vJNi6ac3g/s1600/IMG_6078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ME-jBAleuW65LTJtLp40WA37-gcHxYWTWHgJhnVGtYYv1g4HYdBTKf1S-jzBDpvgiHNHWg-cz8VSpMQgF8ULuPHzqoPPyjXVvLEpaqNE_LzwDEVspRSreFqwPzUg6vJNi6ac3g/s400/IMG_6078.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Serene and peaceful Ponds...lovely, lovely Water!</span></b></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But it was exactly what I needed, regardless of the Creek's stillness. I sat and stared at the Water for a long time, letting my tired body receive satiation from Mother Nature and allowing my mind surcease from problems.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When I felt the urge to go back to the playground, I felt refreshed, as is always the case when Mother Earth and I connect.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PRR00C-vSTu-LqzAKd03OBpOa2vaCDE6D6SgttVEGojHZpuHjF0U5i625zq5hlojkTaNnxGDZFhGkAsZeUY2oXFiVal-c9M6NXBH3luK0jNIWAtkpfRnrsaCy5AEL2kRqq0AAw/s1600/IMG_6094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PRR00C-vSTu-LqzAKd03OBpOa2vaCDE6D6SgttVEGojHZpuHjF0U5i625zq5hlojkTaNnxGDZFhGkAsZeUY2oXFiVal-c9M6NXBH3luK0jNIWAtkpfRnrsaCy5AEL2kRqq0AAw/s400/IMG_6094.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Back to the laughter of children!</i></span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The rest of our vacation passed in double quick time, as it always does. We travelled back on Hwy. 1 through the Fraser Canyon...the Duffy Lake Road made me a little dizzy with its twists and turns. It is a great alternative route, though, on the way to the Island, as it is a good hour shorter than Hwy. 1.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At least in the Summer, this road, which is less utilized than the other, more up-to-date routes, will be one we'll choose more often.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It is good to shake up complacency, sometimes, by taking a road less travelled...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span>Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-55552328736057664942011-07-20T08:13:00.000-07:002011-07-20T08:13:30.880-07:00Double the Fun!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VK3XkLEe_HJdqCejbo3e8u0ClUfD4ISbL7Ngikz-Ntq5pJ-hHUaJANO1PYDV1lqI4_IyJUG-waCpwJ7lAJ5UgI6DV-lMjWIt4CIDUJX_K9Qf5_sM38tFQEf9SesOWasBbkh6dQ/s1600/IMG_5930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VK3XkLEe_HJdqCejbo3e8u0ClUfD4ISbL7Ngikz-Ntq5pJ-hHUaJANO1PYDV1lqI4_IyJUG-waCpwJ7lAJ5UgI6DV-lMjWIt4CIDUJX_K9Qf5_sM38tFQEf9SesOWasBbkh6dQ/s400/IMG_5930.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaleelah finally grabbing a few zzzz's in Granda's arms</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With great anticipation, Graham and I awaited the twins' first visit to the Cariboo.The trip from the Island took a long while, what with Kimeesha feeding two voracious, growing babies and having to stop each time. The trip took twice as long...and must have seemed as if it would never end.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But finally, in the waning hours of the day, the family arrived, safe and sound and hungry once again...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiOm80PqffDkq3t4UuDEBKv1s5O6tdANrClTQkt367gDnYXAp46Ye53__upbVxILvBF7Rk90GEYi9VWgPsSeTspsZ4P1lL5fWecsx8Ai3-3gZ6owgCWG0uMD1xX43j09U4HKV7w/s1600/IMG_5911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiOm80PqffDkq3t4UuDEBKv1s5O6tdANrClTQkt367gDnYXAp46Ye53__upbVxILvBF7Rk90GEYi9VWgPsSeTspsZ4P1lL5fWecsx8Ai3-3gZ6owgCWG0uMD1xX43j09U4HKV7w/s400/IMG_5911.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone turn the page!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'd been looking forward to walks in the garden with the babies; with Rain and Mosquitoes the order of our days for the last two months, my wish was not granted. But I'm not sure the twins minded in the least...they were kept busy, with either Graham or myself holding one or the other. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkW3TaJ2KxM_uvaLe_aKJyw7ic8UO7GMGhrciPRi5Atqr01bn2nkOtFQuz3YcJaDL7yOuproeEl3lZ5mY8OYZEkqUpY1mODobNU07H6WBKS4-wL2iNLjfMoUIbop_8RdMRhpwYw/s1600/IMG_5914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkW3TaJ2KxM_uvaLe_aKJyw7ic8UO7GMGhrciPRi5Atqr01bn2nkOtFQuz3YcJaDL7yOuproeEl3lZ5mY8OYZEkqUpY1mODobNU07H6WBKS4-wL2iNLjfMoUIbop_8RdMRhpwYw/s400/IMG_5914.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaleelah in green and Keauni in yellow</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Both of them are such sturdy, little bundles. Both smile and chuckle freely, at almost five months...it was a bonus for me when I was able to make both of them laugh at the same time. Double the fun! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In these photos, I find it easier to tell the differences between them, but in the flesh it is not so simple. The only way I can tell which of the twins I have in my arms is because Kaleelah has only one pointed ear, while Keauni has two...an inheritance from their maternal grandmother. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKerd_bcEDsa1uG4Gt4WCOL6joAlCMD6xueysuIlzH1Yn5-O1bq7xDJ4UmJTZ1iCk1IyvEtkqng9kPypyvgMbGm3XaThxETh7vaZ1-Wi9iMyl585VVn8qghGkO2psw8o5PjwWHbQ/s1600/IMG_5926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKerd_bcEDsa1uG4Gt4WCOL6joAlCMD6xueysuIlzH1Yn5-O1bq7xDJ4UmJTZ1iCk1IyvEtkqng9kPypyvgMbGm3XaThxETh7vaZ1-Wi9iMyl585VVn8qghGkO2psw8o5PjwWHbQ/s400/IMG_5926.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very busy Keauni</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm told Kaleelah is more demanding, while Keauni is calmer and more accepting. I was amazed...Kaleelah sleeps very little, preferring to remain awake rather than enjoy her naptime. I believe she thought there was just too much going on...she did not want to miss a thing!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love those baby grins...their whole bodies curl, their shoulders rise...they put everything they've got into those wonderful, crooked smiles... </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAM-rt1oZa0Ck1xfCRSBApWejbEPxW-tc99hHLZaylAsZyQDGZI8-_lYrZdup0DZw9xdHlhPYGPjYdaW0xQXpq9Nf8lShSt6w8zRUOwepbOxArxC1PP2brd3dXA8Z76zBM5hgtdw/s1600/IMG_5932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAM-rt1oZa0Ck1xfCRSBApWejbEPxW-tc99hHLZaylAsZyQDGZI8-_lYrZdup0DZw9xdHlhPYGPjYdaW0xQXpq9Nf8lShSt6w8zRUOwepbOxArxC1PP2brd3dXA8Z76zBM5hgtdw/s400/IMG_5932.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to change positions...</td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was the best gift...to see this young family doing so well, after a bit of a rocky start...nobody expected twins. It took a bit of time to become accustomed to the thought of double everything.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm so pleased with both of their parents...calm, quiet and sure, they do what is required without complaint or fuss. I know quite well that I could not do as well as they, especially if both babes cried at once. That would rattle me, but Kimeesha takes it one step at a time.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamh0bPnQUBsAu6lytNLQuaSZJIp2ALvd-w2z6VIYby2DfzoQcSLRMVtydGLTenbePL_dls9qWAHOZHoCMdabLYQZxwdpfGnHy64uoliMt23bsappBajJt2oSK8gZDxHjrBk0wbQ/s1600/IMG_5933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamh0bPnQUBsAu6lytNLQuaSZJIp2ALvd-w2z6VIYby2DfzoQcSLRMVtydGLTenbePL_dls9qWAHOZHoCMdabLYQZxwdpfGnHy64uoliMt23bsappBajJt2oSK8gZDxHjrBk0wbQ/s400/IMG_5933.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to change positions NOW!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was not too difficult this time, to say goodbye. We are travelling to the Coast this week, and will have more time with the babes then...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll be visiting with my granddaughter Brianna, who along with her soccer team is off to an event in Manchester, England next week. Her Dad will go along as one of the chaperones. And of course, my daughter and I will have much to catch up on. Graydon has been counting the number of sleeps before we arrive...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And so have I! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40o1Ix33dgLfSYZmrVLunEyTXlvwSVMTpWt6WZafsCb3We8Tv20ZB3pKVFlbXJOKioZi38DPfEuT2aLi9tZ8xob-LhTw_iAChCxcpBdEZMxl3E1yzo_INSR7j065tigKYsvB6Bw/s1600/IMG_5944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40o1Ix33dgLfSYZmrVLunEyTXlvwSVMTpWt6WZafsCb3We8Tv20ZB3pKVFlbXJOKioZi38DPfEuT2aLi9tZ8xob-LhTw_iAChCxcpBdEZMxl3E1yzo_INSR7j065tigKYsvB6Bw/s400/IMG_5944.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peonies blooming despite the monsoon-like downpours!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4v2AF62yHuxjHYHld2w28TZaEbig7Zm_LVkDu38cokJmZNtu4b2P7FHjfnT8faO3WsPZFloYI4FqifgoomUYxWfcApSoqZgQg83FNCJHDr8Nfk4hgVMQR8J38iFIrfgP0UXq7eA/s1600/IMG_5947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4v2AF62yHuxjHYHld2w28TZaEbig7Zm_LVkDu38cokJmZNtu4b2P7FHjfnT8faO3WsPZFloYI4FqifgoomUYxWfcApSoqZgQg83FNCJHDr8Nfk4hgVMQR8J38iFIrfgP0UXq7eA/s400/IMG_5947.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poppies love this climate and are in full bloom...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0WT5-AaQHbWVURyYg6ucbq7hSHMMcaf2pgrDjn0j2mDwX3oFjCX1H40UksB05e5EKRPdZf95G2ud3w5hhpc2WMoxYwupsPpsRKaip2rjO8jfrKcnWOQour1jUolzBYaSRxQImw/s1600/IMG_5952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0WT5-AaQHbWVURyYg6ucbq7hSHMMcaf2pgrDjn0j2mDwX3oFjCX1H40UksB05e5EKRPdZf95G2ud3w5hhpc2WMoxYwupsPpsRKaip2rjO8jfrKcnWOQour1jUolzBYaSRxQImw/s400/IMG_5952.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers on this Black Elder are usually quite pink...it almost looks as if Rain has faded them!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope everyone, despite the weather, be it Rain or Heat Waves, has a very happy week, just as I surely will!</span></span><br />Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-42448124151453635052011-07-10T10:31:00.000-07:002011-07-10T10:33:37.169-07:00An Enchanting Day<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePB_kzX2MhePuQfhUggpuDUrsmZq7eBTOTC21voi2FGtfP0qQEh1tRs-nuUXMhmndilzZiLjYWcnRP-HDNn7uSOcrB7o168G-COocfSCDok3WtvBjHtZAc_xLhR6i6nKNR92Ktw/s1600/IMG_5717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePB_kzX2MhePuQfhUggpuDUrsmZq7eBTOTC21voi2FGtfP0qQEh1tRs-nuUXMhmndilzZiLjYWcnRP-HDNn7uSOcrB7o168G-COocfSCDok3WtvBjHtZAc_xLhR6i6nKNR92Ktw/s400/IMG_5717.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely Hosta!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On some days, when Lucky and I are wandering through the garden, something I can only call a state of grace descends.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For no particular reason I can discern, meaning I am not meditating or doing anything other than just being, I feel as if life has expanded. I feel as if my heart is open and filled with love.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPWoSpZIHAiC66VB3Ug6G5WcbFc-xAGNG_1i6vmiBohg8maQZAW4ZSQo8tWCOeMFqmsWhOd5uB77TsLft72qrP9v0K0P_e8Lkt3bDcENuDW7X47HazpyH783XUSFN3gw2MGCqbA/s1600/IMG_0662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPWoSpZIHAiC66VB3Ug6G5WcbFc-xAGNG_1i6vmiBohg8maQZAW4ZSQo8tWCOeMFqmsWhOd5uB77TsLft72qrP9v0K0P_e8Lkt3bDcENuDW7X47HazpyH783XUSFN3gw2MGCqbA/s400/IMG_0662.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grasses soaking up Sun's rays...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The day takes on a certain bright quality, luminous and much more pronounced...each Plant becomes a shining beacon, each Boulder takes on a distinctive personality, each Tree, each Leaf glimmers with a certain intensity.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My hearing becomes more acute...instead of a cacophony of shrieks, twitters, and calls from all the Bird life, I can differentiate between each one, even finding the Tree from which the Birdsong emerges. The chatter of Squirrels suddenly has some meaning...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNtkZYOKDmIMSBRCeylOysuyjxij9kO5vsNL7skgs-ATRMpqwcAgcNB_3n1WjLC7MVXtKHY585NeC7YoGxoyiI0b-OzH8S4Hk-WtB1U6gpiEX1Wp7DuIxbiSxqhbBmOiLwKhO6w/s1600/IMG_0678+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNtkZYOKDmIMSBRCeylOysuyjxij9kO5vsNL7skgs-ATRMpqwcAgcNB_3n1WjLC7MVXtKHY585NeC7YoGxoyiI0b-OzH8S4Hk-WtB1U6gpiEX1Wp7DuIxbiSxqhbBmOiLwKhO6w/s400/IMG_0678+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo from a past garden</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I visit Grasshopper, who has taken up residence in the Sweet Grass patch. He looks up at me, rubbing his back legs. I look into his eyes and the connection between us happens very quickly...Grasshoppers do not take much time in communing with humans, before they are off again...doing whatever it is that Grasshoppers do during a long, warm Summer's day.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The warmth of the Sun and the love that is stationed in my heart gives <i>such</i> a shimmer to the day! Lucky and I wander here and there, with Lucky searching out scents that excite him, bringing out the Puppy who still resides within him.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrE9RIOc4JRsl5JDRhxE7KS31aZd880ag7wyg7HJWqq_wyOWRWwRyGn069fNqxfwy2qb_qSXPThN0uzAoMKXa_yEWMq54LyWurT1d1YuBkcvKke2mjVZOoAjR9oNeTDEPbHKIK2Q/s1600/IMG_5744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrE9RIOc4JRsl5JDRhxE7KS31aZd880ag7wyg7HJWqq_wyOWRWwRyGn069fNqxfwy2qb_qSXPThN0uzAoMKXa_yEWMq54LyWurT1d1YuBkcvKke2mjVZOoAjR9oNeTDEPbHKIK2Q/s400/IMG_5744.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Begonias are three times this size since this photo was taken.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We find a large, black Spider. She looks as if she is mostly body...I only see her legs when she moves. But she has the <i>largest</i> eyes! She twists and turns, keeping her eyes glued to mine. What a strange experience...it seems I am communicating with her, as she dances on the ledge of the deck.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She is a Spider I would not want to meet in the dark of night, but she is beautiful now, in the shining Sun. Even her black, furry back reflects and glows from Sun's rays. She keeps her eyes on mine, and I can't look away. I feel a further rush of warmth run through my body...did it come from her?</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRFd4IvRlBgAEK_YEKcR203OyQL-SExtAc30LdUzTrWWhwGNe5tTXPQamnw8gK57px9NVRPJq4w-8e1RC9DE0iK2ktoZomGwXSkUZzQB9CfJz7MUPZMnbJ4wtKyAZgtvfxujg_Q/s1600/IMG_5706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRFd4IvRlBgAEK_YEKcR203OyQL-SExtAc30LdUzTrWWhwGNe5tTXPQamnw8gK57px9NVRPJq4w-8e1RC9DE0iK2ktoZomGwXSkUZzQB9CfJz7MUPZMnbJ4wtKyAZgtvfxujg_Q/s400/IMG_5706.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Poppy about to burst its pod.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We leave Spider to her day and continue on to the Seeded garden bed, which has bounced into life. There has been much Rain here, a very unusual amount for the Cariboo. As a consequence, greenery is much pronounced, although flowering is still spotty. But this little garden bed has Baby's Breath beginning to show her lovely, white blooms tucked here and there. And Poppy is running rampant.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I bend down to look at the Flowers about to come into bloom, I feel as if a hand has descended and is stroking my hair. I am startled for a moment, until I discover it is the Birch Tree which sits right beside the garden bed.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4D5pVlD6u3Z6HMiiddV2YRE1V9rVogdn4ONBj3swlirGgb_2S2eGwfYosrHpjrW_cEOYnEmDXIwhfIshmdV9W4GzYcXxLuaeXQvQewqYAz24HyvOjpoxmIqt9FmUbVJH7VWl9A/s1600/IMG_5773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4D5pVlD6u3Z6HMiiddV2YRE1V9rVogdn4ONBj3swlirGgb_2S2eGwfYosrHpjrW_cEOYnEmDXIwhfIshmdV9W4GzYcXxLuaeXQvQewqYAz24HyvOjpoxmIqt9FmUbVJH7VWl9A/s400/IMG_5773.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally time to put out the deck furniture! Graham's workshop in the background...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And then, I am even more startled, as the realization hits that this Tree could not stroke my head...how did her branch reach down this far? I am not tall, the branch is far above my head and there is no Wind. How odd...but still, she moves her Leaves back and forth on my head for another moment, before her Branch is once again above me. I feel another surge of what can only be described as receiving doting, deep affection from another...in this case, from a Birch Tree, one of many here.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOE9fhDOLCrlkbBMGu4PokZOn2s0dJIueZs4hR5A47mLf62Ia4dKsb2ElxRr9K_9nMxfmP0L2GowSKXudYpmHYtBXxbeuYdKYICPyCHzQhvq7QZbT33_7PuK9FeokcRpDvq9Gxg/s1600/IMG_5678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOE9fhDOLCrlkbBMGu4PokZOn2s0dJIueZs4hR5A47mLf62Ia4dKsb2ElxRr9K_9nMxfmP0L2GowSKXudYpmHYtBXxbeuYdKYICPyCHzQhvq7QZbT33_7PuK9FeokcRpDvq9Gxg/s400/IMG_5678.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucky, just after his bath and before he was trimmed!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I feel as if the whole place has become enchanted. I stroke a Boulder who has many times grounded me, when I feel scattered and in need. I will sit on him, during those times, and I will immediately feel a strong connection to Earth, calming me instantly.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqSRv9R8pkCrks9v_lEXgoM8wV1pVyli3z4dagZhYYKbI7nyR1W5YJpo5PoCoD5FzmG4eCRvLpO7S02IrfWWgPjem8p5007WkBiLI3ie5uPo8GeMOgY_ywa5A5kylyyLKvBrU7g/s1600/IMG_5750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqSRv9R8pkCrks9v_lEXgoM8wV1pVyli3z4dagZhYYKbI7nyR1W5YJpo5PoCoD5FzmG4eCRvLpO7S02IrfWWgPjem8p5007WkBiLI3ie5uPo8GeMOgY_ywa5A5kylyyLKvBrU7g/s400/IMG_5750.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Raspberry patch, now full of blooms and the beginnings of Berries</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today, this Boulder, warmed from a Sun bath, looks as if he is smiling. His face, usually wreathed in a runnelled, thoughtful pose, seems to have changed to one of contentment and pleasure. I wonder if the shadows from the bright Sun has anything to do with it...and then, just like that, I accept the change in Boulder's countenance. This day is not one where I try to find what others consider real.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is mid-morning...not a time when I would ordinarily see any wildlife. And yet, as Lucky and I wander on, completely relaxed, my bones and muscles feeling fluid, Lucky stiffens and growls. I grab his collar, knowing the signs, feeling the presence of another. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpWxmGLpRwZRRvPr19i1jt2vlaAjsw8Qc0hQrBz-ILK4JlzjjUJclOkDbMSGERDrdrOBS4Fh7HBeGftjti9JGMrxKT0B1ULu4MEndbP9U1egKaySeD5DBZnakeUxRjeHJj0WO8g/s1600/IMG_5693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpWxmGLpRwZRRvPr19i1jt2vlaAjsw8Qc0hQrBz-ILK4JlzjjUJclOkDbMSGERDrdrOBS4Fh7HBeGftjti9JGMrxKT0B1ULu4MEndbP9U1egKaySeD5DBZnakeUxRjeHJj0WO8g/s400/IMG_5693.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petunias love the hot, dry climate here</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And yes...there ahead of me, working on a fallen nurse Log, is a Bear. He is unbelievably large and old...I know him, he has been here before. He is some distance from me. I know I can reach the door of the Workshop before he can reach me, but strangely, this day I feel no fear, only caution.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lucky is very alert, watching. As am I...this Bear is <i>big</i>!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdKj-wgmr2AmFerHFXHp-aRWNjetcWlswCKrssSwJ5wVyzWBqDXZE7n2eKPuD2zMSRHDcfZX0FxdoMGzKvSkDOTZK2xotYWvfPSLJ-sAEKi05DOEP1WS10_ddjGwB0gOCyYYxdg/s1600/IMG_1963_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdKj-wgmr2AmFerHFXHp-aRWNjetcWlswCKrssSwJ5wVyzWBqDXZE7n2eKPuD2zMSRHDcfZX0FxdoMGzKvSkDOTZK2xotYWvfPSLJ-sAEKi05DOEP1WS10_ddjGwB0gOCyYYxdg/s400/IMG_1963_edited.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another photo from another time</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He turns his head and once again, I feel that certain warmth rush through my body when his eyes meet mine. He grunts, seems to consider continuing on with tearing at the Log, and then turns, slowly meandering along on his way, melting into the deeper Forest.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lucky is beside himself, now. The Bear is gone, leaving no trace. I find myself missing his huge bulwark of a body...I find myself thinking of the stuffed Bear which once comforted me as a wee child.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvh0vDDw9AWOszCB33hcnWL4Wl1QquvOX_asg0nkjEYvLOsGRl9nhe1QVT40nvdOV4YihXTcy1DJ5-hCcZZm7r_kFvQi-ZoyZb86-6WRKYFm6cbqnsuW4Wl2u4cPYHE1YPzHa4g/s1600/IMG_1942_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvh0vDDw9AWOszCB33hcnWL4Wl1QquvOX_asg0nkjEYvLOsGRl9nhe1QVT40nvdOV4YihXTcy1DJ5-hCcZZm7r_kFvQi-ZoyZb86-6WRKYFm6cbqnsuW4Wl2u4cPYHE1YPzHa4g/s400/IMG_1942_edited.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose shines in the Sun</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I let Lucky go. I know he will go no further than the Log; Lucky has changed much since Nate died. He listens well; he no longer chases any wildlife, preferring instead to stay by my side. But the smells from the Bear are too good for Lucky to resist...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ66GuorFFwGadJCPYYmi3PYu-CMz_8mdQABmIbZM0sV42mFz8Kt_6428nEiic2FlABwVIIxEzco2U0VQzwIeOhY9rUczmL1u98YJ_IGYF5UWDnBvc7hedpGegisB2m_525ppWew/s1600/IMG_0379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ66GuorFFwGadJCPYYmi3PYu-CMz_8mdQABmIbZM0sV42mFz8Kt_6428nEiic2FlABwVIIxEzco2U0VQzwIeOhY9rUczmL1u98YJ_IGYF5UWDnBvc7hedpGegisB2m_525ppWew/s400/IMG_0379.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferns in my former garden at the Coast</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I continue to be in awe. Quite suddenly, the thought comes that I want the whole World to experience this unbelievably fascinating entrancing day. I feel a strong urge to send Reiki blessings to the Universe, to everyone and every insect, every animal, bird and fish.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And so, while Lucky 'hunts', I do.</span></span><br />
<br />Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-36985972319302133722011-06-24T09:03:00.000-07:002011-06-24T09:06:23.858-07:00Manifesting Parsley<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXa4hnjXTSJ-kuEKsVGQceZnhShZLlsfZQfxLnH4qspnhCkTheh2E7GfLQjj6JP3j1a0KFpaDOPAQdZMuk5Zx2Ev-FjyHBcda5uDpu2Iddt222GtxT3Be21wISM5jR9FKtZ2r6Q/s1600/IMG_5712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXa4hnjXTSJ-kuEKsVGQceZnhShZLlsfZQfxLnH4qspnhCkTheh2E7GfLQjj6JP3j1a0KFpaDOPAQdZMuk5Zx2Ev-FjyHBcda5uDpu2Iddt222GtxT3Be21wISM5jR9FKtZ2r6Q/s400/IMG_5712.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The soft, seductive scent of Wild Rose is everywhere...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm not a physicist. In fact, it is a subject I have forever thought I had little interest in whatsoever. But recently, I'm once again reading about parallel universes and guess what? Now I really wish I had a physics background in order to understand what I am reading and experiencing...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But my wish for that kind of background will not happen, now. And since my interest in why and how the string theory works is not huge, I guess it doesn't matter at all. What matters is how quantum physics affects me...and so I feel all I am required to do is enjoy in absolute wonder the remarkable incidents which are happening more and more. </span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XyJ3SWR-DzrFxkitpvC-GWcokGG7_30Zt14YuluC46rBTb-AD5nl1W5W2-ce6bcwSaXCqQfFJQcJAwvO5Y-5QkUc3zymZ3awDefEmjl4fOd0rjbzANR41AYMQDR-GGHYG2DQZw/s1600/IMG_5711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XyJ3SWR-DzrFxkitpvC-GWcokGG7_30Zt14YuluC46rBTb-AD5nl1W5W2-ce6bcwSaXCqQfFJQcJAwvO5Y-5QkUc3zymZ3awDefEmjl4fOd0rjbzANR41AYMQDR-GGHYG2DQZw/s400/IMG_5711.jpg" width="362" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I gave up counting the Buds on this Rose!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As an example, the other day I was searching for Parsley bedding plants. I attempted to grow these from Seed, and did have some very weak Seedlings growing in the greenhouse. I use a lot of Parsley; being impatient, I wanted to have plants ready for use in as short a time as possible.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is late in the season; most nurseries here have little in the way of Herbs or Vegetables left. I went to a department store which has a seasonal nursery. As I'd suspected, there was a section with some very sad looking Vegetables and Herbs...plants which should have been transplanted into the warm, deep, loving Earth a long time ago.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But there was no Parsley anywhere.</span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtRPEg1qjBQT_i4MDhFvFgdjz72uSJECil2ujwsRm7_BZU7duPUnoFHjJH0ZO93rcWMXeOPCiftbF_DscE87ym81tnpgz20vu8WnQMLhgeXQ7JW-NmH_5-1JeexZSLldupeaDqg/s1600/IMG_5672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtRPEg1qjBQT_i4MDhFvFgdjz72uSJECil2ujwsRm7_BZU7duPUnoFHjJH0ZO93rcWMXeOPCiftbF_DscE87ym81tnpgz20vu8WnQMLhgeXQ7JW-NmH_5-1JeexZSLldupeaDqg/s400/IMG_5672.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Purple Crabapple Tree also has an unbelievable amount of blossoms!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I asked the clerk in attendance whether they had any Parsley left. She said no, they'd had other people asking for it, and perhaps the next shipment would have a few plants. But there was none in the store at the moment.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hmmm. But being in the nursery meant that I had to take a bit of time to check things out and besides, I needed some Bark mulch.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I can never just go into a nursery and turn around and leave...who can?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I felt that funny, familiar feeling I have in my gut, where my intuition lies, as I wandered the store. It told me to go back to the Vegetable aisle...perhaps I had missed something? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I ignored it for quite a time. I told myself not to obsess, not to be silly, not to expect a thing when I've been told over and over it isn't there...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEVqiUYnt2Hgp5QtiSGj7-xNwmCXDUIQHZwmEEucJqDswA7FGPMHV_M-hXTSAlxbFWdgnaP-iI9-grV2Ds5ObFcCc0bHcu8g0sn2Mxh3bT_lwpjA9tV2NUAWpO3ElQViDOhjWBw/s1600/IMG_5768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEVqiUYnt2Hgp5QtiSGj7-xNwmCXDUIQHZwmEEucJqDswA7FGPMHV_M-hXTSAlxbFWdgnaP-iI9-grV2Ds5ObFcCc0bHcu8g0sn2Mxh3bT_lwpjA9tV2NUAWpO3ElQViDOhjWBw/s400/IMG_5768.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our deck, far above the Field, in the Trees...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Just before I went to the check-out to pay for my mulch, I gave in. Alright, said I to myself, okay, I'll go one more time to where the Vegetables are situated.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For whatever reason, I get annoyed when that 'voice' kicks in. By now, I know something is going to happen I have no explanation for, no control over...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I walked down the aisle. I could feel what I call my intuition almost giggling with anticipation. Is this not the strangest thing?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And there, sitting right beside the Rosemary plants which I had searched through just a while ago, was a six-pack of the most gorgeous Parsley plants anyone could ever want. Just one six-pack, beautiful and lush and glowing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I laughed. What else could I do? That six-pack wasn't there earlier. I had searched this whole area really well.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OPRG4nehQo6juHqETUa0nT6LCY98NnauLPsqpaBsTURlgePhXd2YGx71yT8Hrbp0lSnnlzOlpLml9_bS8dTVJE5ZIIi-n1OPwffBaEdFMqQO5iNCYQDSxTX0bTv213P2PhWYnA/s1600/IMG_5765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OPRG4nehQo6juHqETUa0nT6LCY98NnauLPsqpaBsTURlgePhXd2YGx71yT8Hrbp0lSnnlzOlpLml9_bS8dTVJE5ZIIi-n1OPwffBaEdFMqQO5iNCYQDSxTX0bTv213P2PhWYnA/s400/IMG_5765.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I awaken to the scent of the Wild Rose each morning...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was early in the morning...there were no other customers about. I thought perhaps someone had returned this one six-pack, while I was perusing the aisles in the store.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">No matter...I was happy to see it there. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I took the Parsley and the mulch to the cashier, the same lady whom I'd asked earlier about the Seedlings.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She looked askance at the Parsley. She said...Where did this come from? After you asked for it, I went and looked for it myself. There was no Parsley there...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I told her I had no idea, that there wasn't any Parsley there when I searched earlier either.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UeBBGkvRP_lfl422cNTRTO4P3Ggch0urbauaLSybFSP_8V3I4gKMGsO76RaYHsRm-Q7MwoJx1l9VxWfCSU5J6ifxAetlntK8YPMqO4VDc9WvzW_0J41Ojs2GJh_zvbyPmX_Gow/s1600/IMG_5724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UeBBGkvRP_lfl422cNTRTO4P3Ggch0urbauaLSybFSP_8V3I4gKMGsO76RaYHsRm-Q7MwoJx1l9VxWfCSU5J6ifxAetlntK8YPMqO4VDc9WvzW_0J41Ojs2GJh_zvbyPmX_Gow/s400/IMG_5724.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marguerite showing her cheerful, loving faces.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We discussed the oddity of the whole thing for a time and then she said...Maybe you walked into an alternate Universe, one where there is really great Parsley, and by wanting it, you manifested it in your reality...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And she went on to explain, in very convoluted language, how this could occur.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I understood little of it. I went home and researched, finding myself going deeply down the rabbit hole, finding myself completely confused. I asked Graham, who explained it again. While he was talking, it made sense...as soon as he left, none of it did.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I've decided it doesn't matter. As I've stated before, my mind doesn't wrap itself around scientific matters, especially not something as difficult to comprehend as Quantum Physics.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0z0mvTXjTBzNU-ddSoEESpzPjzEzai57ccLKDb9PU6fWaDKNP6CmbEMOkufusBFyokBSwvr4XHala8T8EkGw_IKHnOga3euARlQCBY3ZfWW_ScZMRobOjm7CD_9RvZniMlbwPZA/s1600/IMG_5764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0z0mvTXjTBzNU-ddSoEESpzPjzEzai57ccLKDb9PU6fWaDKNP6CmbEMOkufusBFyokBSwvr4XHala8T8EkGw_IKHnOga3euARlQCBY3ZfWW_ScZMRobOjm7CD_9RvZniMlbwPZA/s400/IMG_5764.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scent of Wild Roses will remind me forever of the very beginning of School Summer holidays.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Parsley wasn't there...and then it was.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's only one example of manifestation...it is very much the same as entering a full parking lot, knowing I will find a space, even when the sign states there is none. Or searching high and low for a utensil, only to find it in its proper space a short time after. Or having someone call whom I've only just thought about. Or knowing that around the next aisle will be the person who has just popped into my mind...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I take all these examples in my stride, smiling to myself when they happen, happy with my small miracles.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTtnf8N8c4go46TDXF56ru1ywxdYddeKvXG6jrOXG-YRyWbdvTaZp0jBh0ipvwqu4_ixhfnKhK39S1exCBFaiIO_Fc1YURfxCgLQVDtV98gTkbZdWZfppbBX9owHEMLWHAse7pA/s1600/IMG_5734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTtnf8N8c4go46TDXF56ru1ywxdYddeKvXG6jrOXG-YRyWbdvTaZp0jBh0ipvwqu4_ixhfnKhK39S1exCBFaiIO_Fc1YURfxCgLQVDtV98gTkbZdWZfppbBX9owHEMLWHAse7pA/s400/IMG_5734.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't capture the other-worldly blue of the Flax, dotted here and there all over the property.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If I was a physicist, I would feel impelled to find a reasonable, logical explanation for these events... </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As it is, all I am required to do is believe.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span>Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-76888848831972092762011-06-12T07:40:00.000-07:002011-06-12T07:40:43.281-07:00Accidents<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4E8VzVEkpD6Tyz0AJf329UHyYuarO5_wlnzgtrgwL87gE6-tt6QIfDPH_NTuxrRcM44gPd0nRdX7wGpTdNyehzUK3L0YqzrCXTEWTJfPAvZGkohR7wIKO-wXt4CuJq1PwoOv1wA/s1600/IMG_5541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4E8VzVEkpD6Tyz0AJf329UHyYuarO5_wlnzgtrgwL87gE6-tt6QIfDPH_NTuxrRcM44gPd0nRdX7wGpTdNyehzUK3L0YqzrCXTEWTJfPAvZGkohR7wIKO-wXt4CuJq1PwoOv1wA/s400/IMG_5541.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Finch drying off in unplanted deck planter </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After an accident with a cleaver last week, wherein I almost sliced off the tip of my finger, I find I still have quite a few plants yet to slip into the warm and welcoming Earth.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was trimming and cutting Carrots, my mind elsewhere in the stratosphere, when the accident occurred. The Carrots were juicy, making my hands wet and orange, when the knife slipped and became <span id="goog_2023839884"></span><span id="goog_2023839885"></span>embedded in my fingernail.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I stared down at my finger, which still had the cleaver inserted in the nail. I became aware of a huge pain in my shoulder and chest...vaguely, I wondered if I was having a heart attack.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shock is an amazing thing. There was no pain...as yet...from the finger impaled by the cleaver. I was more concerned about the pain emanating from my shoulder and chest, telling myself to remain calm...just in case.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0S1o1ESNQLqz24tR08PuAYnvYgBDV28vvAtbE0KEY9Z92AXP2Ip56TGnoJ4T5xY-3oXIRlqBSADUd1PO2KFdh8oKDu7bQnbx4xb61kwWNqWYfnlLirsOgmylagM5_x5uLNF9VQ/s1600/IMG_5577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0S1o1ESNQLqz24tR08PuAYnvYgBDV28vvAtbE0KEY9Z92AXP2Ip56TGnoJ4T5xY-3oXIRlqBSADUd1PO2KFdh8oKDu7bQnbx4xb61kwWNqWYfnlLirsOgmylagM5_x5uLNF9VQ/s400/IMG_5577.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sparkling white Saskatoon Berry bushes glimmer throughout the Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The sharp twinge in my shoulder receded, although the aftermath was still unpleasant. It was time to deal with the cleaver.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This all occurred in seconds. It astonishes me how many thoughts and ideas occur, racing through the mind, after an accident. Would the tip of the finger be salvageable, where was a towel to stanch the flow of blood which was sure to spurt once the cleaver was removed, would I need to go to the hospital, would I need to call Graham?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The only reason the cleaver was still impaled in my finger was because of the nail. Had it only cut flesh, it would not have stayed stuck.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwO_rsS_mauROzFdrk1ncT2jzL-f0sM7-Y4i5NYMtj7ZaWqo1JPz65x2I3CuJDI1rK5H3HhkiubSyHQRrhR9TaZXMwpcotXEHo6QOs6HcbRLwq2DhnQWywykxJTDlUkeK_K_3d1w/s1600/IMG_5667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwO_rsS_mauROzFdrk1ncT2jzL-f0sM7-Y4i5NYMtj7ZaWqo1JPz65x2I3CuJDI1rK5H3HhkiubSyHQRrhR9TaZXMwpcotXEHo6QOs6HcbRLwq2DhnQWywykxJTDlUkeK_K_3d1w/s400/IMG_5667.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulips did really well this Spring!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Blood flowed freely once I rescued my finger from the cleaver. Once I removed it, that's when the pain from the deep cut just above the quick of the nail hit. That's when I forgot about the pain in my shoulder and chest.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I managed to clean and bandage the slice, happy to find my fingertip still attached. Truly, this cut bled an unbelievable amount and I wanted to make sure it bled out of the nail and not underneath, where I knew it would be a mess if I had to release old blood later.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was unbelievably painful. Cleaning up after the fact with one hand and a sore shoulder and chest was not pleasant, either. Because my chest and shoulder pain worsened when I moved them, I decided I was not experiencing a heart attack, only another muscle pull.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzQe_nSoq1YY8aZgliD_M7pC48_x_lrYG5had5EF2UtBDM9TPgtrN_2ulIFi3LnqfoSblD8-6garXY5zMHlCWRp6g_TberP00cOQXdlw_XmeMCDXH_epjvAO3PKpfcakv5igPjg/s1600/IMG_5669_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzQe_nSoq1YY8aZgliD_M7pC48_x_lrYG5had5EF2UtBDM9TPgtrN_2ulIFi3LnqfoSblD8-6garXY5zMHlCWRp6g_TberP00cOQXdlw_XmeMCDXH_epjvAO3PKpfcakv5igPjg/s400/IMG_5669_edited-1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilacs thrive in this climate</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> It was not until later that I realized I had effectively stopped any idea I had of continuing to place bedding Plants, for the next while.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And I had to face the fact that I was not able to type very well either, so writing on the computer was put on the back burner. I apologize to all my bloggy friends for not commenting for a time...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Time is travelling on; it is now almost the middle of June. My bedding plants are still not all in their respective places. Because of a bandaged hand, I am unable to work very fast...and planting with one hand hampers the whole thing further.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But here, in the Cariboo, Sun shines very late into the evening, and rises very early. One thing I've learned, living here, is that gardens, be they Vegetable or Flower, bounce...one can almost see them grow. The plants not yet placed will catch up to the others in no time.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMckP8wQsDgl42-o2VdLA-mWBnhrt0mawMy6Dem5fimktgXA5wM1MQeP474hmkXjLD9y7_6AjgH86tIgTtMEvf6bZfSedHJJQifPS2QL8u85jeRrRa-fE2xm3ZMb4wxHuZuwGbVg/s1600/IMG_5660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMckP8wQsDgl42-o2VdLA-mWBnhrt0mawMy6Dem5fimktgXA5wM1MQeP474hmkXjLD9y7_6AjgH86tIgTtMEvf6bZfSedHJJQifPS2QL8u85jeRrRa-fE2xm3ZMb4wxHuZuwGbVg/s400/IMG_5660.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Deer didn't find these!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've also strewn a great amount of Seeds directly into the ground this year. I experimented with it last year, never dreaming of the lush, perfumed growth that occurred in August. The climate is so dry here, the Earth forms a deep, dry crust and in my mind, it would be difficult to keep the Seeds wet enough to germinate.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To my astonishment, germinate they did! And I believe they did better than any of the greenhouse grown Seedlings. This year, my Seeds germinated just fine, but the cool weather has held their growth back.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWNKDAkKIL6PoGIf31A_G_B1A4wJEfUxBdYJ7_J6KzDHYMhOVqTecLN7NZM6moKIQUVLTbX7Rsqoa8Lz9nB8X6s2fITN4QxPsBPQQwOiP5MHAlhP2G3jWqhHQR6ly32tZIrRUXQ/s1600/IMG_5613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWNKDAkKIL6PoGIf31A_G_B1A4wJEfUxBdYJ7_J6KzDHYMhOVqTecLN7NZM6moKIQUVLTbX7Rsqoa8Lz9nB8X6s2fITN4QxPsBPQQwOiP5MHAlhP2G3jWqhHQR6ly32tZIrRUXQ/s400/IMG_5613.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing colour combo...yellow and red Tulips!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The weather lately has reminded me of coastal climates. It has Rained a great deal, making Vegetation prolifically luxuriant, keeping the Dust down and if I'm not mistaken, keeping the Pollen from bothering me as much.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Rain and Thunderstorms we experience at this time of year have helped with my impatience to work outside. As much as I love Rain lashing against windows by Wind...it takes the pleasure out of gardening, for me, at any rate.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even if I were well, it is doubtful I would be outside in stormy weather.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was a small, irritating accident. It came out of nowhere, when my mind was involved in something else, other than what I was doing.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADiGwoV2UKMtvr_PquroT6f-uVib7zJsCycUXcYlux4EjfXwfVA3sI1liG9zJTX1HfYW83CZRU6f6L4htD87ARX2Xgkj56DDDUTZR_ljKYLIoYP9-RbIW2WaQLBIL0OUWAm7fJg/s1600/IMG_5638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADiGwoV2UKMtvr_PquroT6f-uVib7zJsCycUXcYlux4EjfXwfVA3sI1liG9zJTX1HfYW83CZRU6f6L4htD87ARX2Xgkj56DDDUTZR_ljKYLIoYP9-RbIW2WaQLBIL0OUWAm7fJg/s400/IMG_5638.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the young Kits from our Squirrel family</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My mother, early on in my life, would constantly admonish me to watch what I was doing, where I was going. She knew I was not one to keep my mind involved in the task at hand.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You would think I would have learned that lesson by now.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-24723795540549197222011-05-16T09:13:00.000-07:002011-05-16T09:13:24.655-07:00A Wee Bit o' Reality<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6ifTP35YdwmX8_A3Z9xw_3tr6_dcJS97whrZKjRz6rSjiZEstW5zkKX5YJyzCXAqYSP0Jf6GxlOugtzwPmMhsBrs4XvNz6hszp6HEc36B9l4uTl_55CASkRiwK9pmxgQzzjx_Q/s1600/CG8721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6ifTP35YdwmX8_A3Z9xw_3tr6_dcJS97whrZKjRz6rSjiZEstW5zkKX5YJyzCXAqYSP0Jf6GxlOugtzwPmMhsBrs4XvNz6hszp6HEc36B9l4uTl_55CASkRiwK9pmxgQzzjx_Q/s400/CG8721.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I received a call from my doctor's office the other day. The receptionist told me that the doctor had requested I come in to his office. I felt this was strange, since I'd only just been to see him a week or two before this call. Everything checked out well, at that time, and he had not sent me for any tests.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I questioned the receptionist as to what the reason might be; she mumbled something about a medical review. Even though I had no idea what the doctor might be reviewing, I allowed myself a small bit of hope...had they perhaps found a new treatment for Fibro I hadn't heard about?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIx2V81tqc9uyMxlHBvkWzzhnPUykL8xca-XqPtL2Zz0yg02MvtJ3wQzVCJEHORgFxgGAos-SKW8ZTy05bBlsBKSIBlYQsEWQ8RZiunQLgDE8UXEyjR2faV7KBS9yZ2xyLKdHFw/s1600/j0399798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIx2V81tqc9uyMxlHBvkWzzhnPUykL8xca-XqPtL2Zz0yg02MvtJ3wQzVCJEHORgFxgGAos-SKW8ZTy05bBlsBKSIBlYQsEWQ8RZiunQLgDE8UXEyjR2faV7KBS9yZ2xyLKdHFw/s400/j0399798.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since I didn't know what the whole thing might entail, I cancelled one appointment, as a result of having visitors that week. I thought, when I phoned and cancelled, that the receptionist ( a different lady, this time) sounded a little knowing. When she realized I didn't know what the appointment was about, she changed the subject to how cool the weather has been.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't think much about The Appointment...it was just another thing to do in an already busy week ahead.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqW9KWyBVhrhPwm6W8KuhXcz1NP1U1oBoz1oTJSrb1CGOQ_s9Bq4LHv5cvqHjTzD3jH-Sq9jahPXubeAFP09BJnWmButXx9ku6zzguVfW6viVnlFU9cZSVCyzOe0QtvsGR1SZVbA/s1600/j0182730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqW9KWyBVhrhPwm6W8KuhXcz1NP1U1oBoz1oTJSrb1CGOQ_s9Bq4LHv5cvqHjTzD3jH-Sq9jahPXubeAFP09BJnWmButXx9ku6zzguVfW6viVnlFU9cZSVCyzOe0QtvsGR1SZVbA/s400/j0182730.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was still not thinking about what the doctor might want, out of the blue like this, when I settled myself in his office. My mind was on a whole cadre of different tasks I had ahead of me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After the preliminary greetings, my doctor said...I guess you're wondering why you're here?...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I began to be aware that he was a wee bit nervous. And that made me focus more on where I was and...why <b><i>was</i></b> I here?</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3Vaxn3Bs_VEnqWeSQuqGJCjqT3dNUQN620Bmj8v07U6L6pZn-R5UQ_rEiYJGOkWJg9xRhxkHfHbDYhjQ2mMt569V7gT8p11tS01QNlWdnK0__B_2KTaamGT8riu98muf78N4MA/s1600/j0227683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3Vaxn3Bs_VEnqWeSQuqGJCjqT3dNUQN620Bmj8v07U6L6pZn-R5UQ_rEiYJGOkWJg9xRhxkHfHbDYhjQ2mMt569V7gT8p11tS01QNlWdnK0__B_2KTaamGT8riu98muf78N4MA/s400/j0227683.jpg" width="263" /></a><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I could see him thinking...In for a penny, in for a pound...and, with a little grin, he told me that since I was on a couple of medications for Fibromyalgia that could cause either Alzheimer's disease or dementia, that Fibro itself can cause them, he felt, at my age, that I should be tested for those two conditions.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All I heard was Dementia, Alzheimer's and...test. A <b><i>test</i></b>!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good grief. My eyebrows shot up and I stared at him, wide-eyed.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8etC6U9i_lKbnyRk2kYf-ba8Tw4l61aUIBrd8RSi1a8BanbqUOFubnsJp_vtbLET9TjMIf1P6x-Xoq32ZkOIhQfgv_chIfYEZd5MGfOUHN4b-zcdSW-kiWvmPyvzUo_s-yogY0w/s1600/j0402365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8etC6U9i_lKbnyRk2kYf-ba8Tw4l61aUIBrd8RSi1a8BanbqUOFubnsJp_vtbLET9TjMIf1P6x-Xoq32ZkOIhQfgv_chIfYEZd5MGfOUHN4b-zcdSW-kiWvmPyvzUo_s-yogY0w/s320/j0402365.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My doctor, who reminds me of one of my granddaughter Brianna's friends...he <b><i>seems</i></b> about that young...began to giggle nervously. For him, I suppose, it must have felt as if he was facing his grandmother. I could see and feel his apprehension at what he was planning on doing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He quickly explained. My doctor felt that aging was one of the things the medical profession was ignoring. He is all about prevention, he said, and since I'd just turned sixty, he felt he had to talk with me to make sure I knew what aging was all about.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Excuse me?</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ab2FkYrFX0xD913pr0DrajwVkznRgbtpf0YaMEfDUnfXd1E8lclsIVMfv8N8cysCRVb4_Wds1kgvf5kRv1Twj65rvd_cKBwnN-_NMWJjl_ehki7txViR08L-uyM2H_bTNMsMNA/s1600/passion+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ab2FkYrFX0xD913pr0DrajwVkznRgbtpf0YaMEfDUnfXd1E8lclsIVMfv8N8cysCRVb4_Wds1kgvf5kRv1Twj65rvd_cKBwnN-_NMWJjl_ehki7txViR08L-uyM2H_bTNMsMNA/s400/passion+flower.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then he went on to state statistics...on average, women die at the age of 75 and men at the age of 72. Women usually get Alzheimer's and dementia more than men, who statistically die of stroke or heart attack. He hurriedly explained, as I was about to fall off the chair, that these were only statistics...most people live much longer.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I kept thinking...they must have gotten those figures from <b><i>somewhere</i></b>!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I began to laugh...my usual reaction to shock. Some perspective arrives, after I let out inappropriate and nervous, forceful energy in laughter. Usually.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My doctor watched me. My laughter took on a nervous edge...was he already thinking I was demented?</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VlAuwDEZB07AsC1gdlEGjUQj2b8dSe3_DBsGim3nIK0zin-AW0qhvUQTQ0hfLeeLU5CnfPptAlMBuXFl1oi4NqaIPZLVHx2C4oTH9FUZ0v3AMx0UTwPQ3jMv4xUIFRSm8rGzkQ/s1600/j0406556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VlAuwDEZB07AsC1gdlEGjUQj2b8dSe3_DBsGim3nIK0zin-AW0qhvUQTQ0hfLeeLU5CnfPptAlMBuXFl1oi4NqaIPZLVHx2C4oTH9FUZ0v3AMx0UTwPQ3jMv4xUIFRSm8rGzkQ/s400/j0406556.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I told him I couldn't pass the test...I could hardly remember anything. I told him I had recently joined Lumosity.com and that I was doing brain exercises every day. I told him I took my dog for walks every day, that I worked hard physically in the garden. I told him I could not pass tests...even an eye examination has sweat pouring down my face.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I tried to come up with as much as possible, to prove I was still mentally coherent...anything, just so I wouldn't have to take that test. I caught myself almost begging...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The doctor ignored it all. He told me the test was very simple, it was not about the questions so much as how I dealt with them, my body language, and so on. And that there was much that could now be done to help with dementia/Alzheimer's.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well. If one knows one is to be tested for losing their minds, then perhaps one can visit the doctor in a better, more prepared frame of mind, one not shut down by shock and stupefaction, at the fact that statistically, at the age of sixty, there may only be fifteen years left to one...</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoLJjJ4LxOfj6rDCaXkRdkeK-_EMGkQozLAFtSLXVxcGtC5q1K25IZhqk_3CMFHEia3_MWSAC6pJiZBQXRsfBZMtHPkopJFbOkLtHyFc1nfZoeLWiwLurI8d-FrVMxYsYhI1Jdg/s1600/j0407051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoLJjJ4LxOfj6rDCaXkRdkeK-_EMGkQozLAFtSLXVxcGtC5q1K25IZhqk_3CMFHEia3_MWSAC6pJiZBQXRsfBZMtHPkopJFbOkLtHyFc1nfZoeLWiwLurI8d-FrVMxYsYhI1Jdg/s400/j0407051.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have never contemplated how much longer I would have to live. I knew about those statistics the doctor rattled off to me. I just had no idea they applied to me. I have forever held the opinion I would live to be 104. But, even if I lived to be eighty or ninety, there are only twenty or thirty years, conceivably, left to live.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Time goes very quickly, these days. The last ten years have gone by in a flash...</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvklEw2n0jfBNHkoeIPcJCRLXAdAHcCRxVs0HgEZhyP1dbDLJkeXHu1ME53S0xKSHH0waqC4HH0lldbR78jZujt-kpbRHZYWCe4w-9vJ7j9TmPNNXcghzWiNSgxRWANjJmZKdfA/s1600/j0407298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvklEw2n0jfBNHkoeIPcJCRLXAdAHcCRxVs0HgEZhyP1dbDLJkeXHu1ME53S0xKSHH0waqC4HH0lldbR78jZujt-kpbRHZYWCe4w-9vJ7j9TmPNNXcghzWiNSgxRWANjJmZKdfA/s400/j0407298.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He began the test. He asked me the date, where I lived, what country I was in, where his office was. He asked me to remember three things...apple, table, and penny. Except he has a South African accent and penny came out of his mouth as pain.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He looked astonished as I recited apple, table and pain back to him, when he asked what three words I was to remember. He mentioned it again, again I heard pain. He tried to describe the penny; he said it was a coin, a round metal object you pay with. <b><i>Still</i></b>! I heard pain. I could not think what pain had to do with a coin.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Addled, I watched him take his wallet out and hold up a penny. Oh! Oh! A <b><i>penny</i></b>!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I just knew I would be the first person declared demented because I couldn't understand an accent.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGhjxOhYsdEzj4fddvRa1a5iLIcm4TK7f0_4_8t-zNP8cxy7M_gpPViDgf-iqbdgDmDJj353k7bnqDebsAUyVrCwDT-Q8Rg2mgOO4hvApdvX2zCl9PpWak61SgTLEnY5XAGJg5g/s1600/j0401697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGhjxOhYsdEzj4fddvRa1a5iLIcm4TK7f0_4_8t-zNP8cxy7M_gpPViDgf-iqbdgDmDJj353k7bnqDebsAUyVrCwDT-Q8Rg2mgOO4hvApdvX2zCl9PpWak61SgTLEnY5XAGJg5g/s400/j0401697.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After that, I was asked to write a sentence, fold a paper and place it on the floor, and subtract seven from 100, then seven from 93, etc.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It all caught up with me in the subtraction. After 93, I no longer knew who, where, what or why. I stared at the doctor, my mind a complete blank. Were there other numbers? What was a number? Oh, my goodness...</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBAtgoqmFpmudw-MJPZ5dPNSijcDr4diRXAWtZLGxP4l37Ug21rqJZK3wnIo8Rh3tDf0_zjjp3VQYCfIJ2132hGNh2hBhuD33F8qiWEci5DrIDGql8LWuudvUXc92wvgiIqBk2w/s1600/j0401689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBAtgoqmFpmudw-MJPZ5dPNSijcDr4diRXAWtZLGxP4l37Ug21rqJZK3wnIo8Rh3tDf0_zjjp3VQYCfIJ2132hGNh2hBhuD33F8qiWEci5DrIDGql8LWuudvUXc92wvgiIqBk2w/s400/j0401689.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For just a second or two, I learned what Alzheimer's might be like for those so afflicted. For just that moment, my brain felt like a hole, like there was only Air where my brain should be.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The doctor watched me; suddenly, I could tell he <b><i>was</i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> a doctor, albeit young, and a good one. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He was aware of my struggle and so, I didn't try to hide it. I showed my astonishment, for only a moment, and then, closed my eyes and concentrated like never before...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After what seemed like hours but was really only seconds, I was able to visualize the numbers once more. I was able to <b><i>think</i></b> once again.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After the questions were completed and after the doctor told me I passed the test in the high percentile, we discussed the moment where my mind went completely blank.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1F-9fsJn2JVzggmczt20DaoWQxOyxScqe0QbuaFOvkb8aNLtpZctnfCENo6xhVt95jayEYw3xZQmBINdN1KTp3JBvrAzswmo-JgdqlVAzU5ZIfCiT0EvZCqIp8bB7Qj9MWrhJOg/s1600/j0402030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1F-9fsJn2JVzggmczt20DaoWQxOyxScqe0QbuaFOvkb8aNLtpZctnfCENo6xhVt95jayEYw3xZQmBINdN1KTp3JBvrAzswmo-JgdqlVAzU5ZIfCiT0EvZCqIp8bB7Qj9MWrhJOg/s400/j0402030.jpg" width="318" /></a><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He told me this occurs more often in the aging brain. He explained why...something about blood flow, lack of exercise and a few more ditties I have stuffed away until I'm ready to really have a good think about them.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He warned me about lack of acceptance of aging; he'd seen too many people become angered and embittered at themselves and their partners/families because of impatience and fear of increasing age-related problems.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is the way it is...he said...I am concerned that here in this country we ignore aging, we try to stay young. Any signs we might be getting older are hidden. And then I see the elderly not getting the respect they deserve, only because their bodies and minds cannot keep up with the young...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He looked so earnest and so young as we chatted. He knew I worked with elderly patients; he was somewhat surprised at my shocked reaction to the test. He said...You are a senior, after all.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And therein lies the rub. I have not, as yet, considered myself a senior. Nor have I ever considered how many years might be left, in my life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A wee bit o' reality is a good thing, for the Queen of Denial.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAD214RI84bLawj-uGbhfZtTH9X2aY5VE3kdyOFxIJ7H3pYIlW3_6XiS-uS6VqHqmjlTEiJsESsQwxkyBjFrxQQwh3aLoZ4F42E9Kl4sv57M8Ox8eR1wagftjoU-PhQlR6QD-bPA/s1600/j0427789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAD214RI84bLawj-uGbhfZtTH9X2aY5VE3kdyOFxIJ7H3pYIlW3_6XiS-uS6VqHqmjlTEiJsESsQwxkyBjFrxQQwh3aLoZ4F42E9Kl4sv57M8Ox8eR1wagftjoU-PhQlR6QD-bPA/s400/j0427789.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the drive home, I tasted the word <b><i>senior</i></b>, as it applied to me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It felt good. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Actually, it felt <b><i>right!</i></b></span></span><br />
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</span></span>Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18435846.post-47482654592802584782011-05-08T07:10:00.000-07:002011-05-08T07:10:26.458-07:00A Thoughtful Spring<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-0tTgCTEYa7WWY0AzjTMJLlBPsVUFE9wLJv0b8PRqYWiki1K3bodh1G5Xva8IGncXgBOZzqImTTMOXxg4gst31pOQphFdOKWO2F5J4QdKgDDRWljl5V33pZ0ylTL_ZQsOcsk4A/s1600/IMG_5469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-0tTgCTEYa7WWY0AzjTMJLlBPsVUFE9wLJv0b8PRqYWiki1K3bodh1G5Xva8IGncXgBOZzqImTTMOXxg4gst31pOQphFdOKWO2F5J4QdKgDDRWljl5V33pZ0ylTL_ZQsOcsk4A/s400/IMG_5469.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graydon and his tongue! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It feels like ages since I've written...and when I look at the date, it is. Time is speeding up these days; there doesn't seem to be enough of it to get every last item on the to-do list struck off.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And...Spring has not let coolish weather deter her. My old friends...Ligularia, Hosta, Poppy, Tulips...are not growing as quickly as I'd like, but growing they are. Today, after a long wait, after a period of time where it only Snowed, it's been Raining. I love every precious drop!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I felt <i>so</i> homesick after our last visit to the Coast at Easter. We had such a great time, seeing all of them...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPfuJgid7tjdEiev7MFXcgOuApmLUAVWFlF8_g7oeyvq7L6SQobywE1TjFf9Wd7A3I9kmxdCanaz0R1cHbwfZNH6mCV4RKxNztBC1WWBCwKXCB5gfEaHc5Y1ohjsIF4utQH8_Gw/s1600/IMG_5465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPfuJgid7tjdEiev7MFXcgOuApmLUAVWFlF8_g7oeyvq7L6SQobywE1TjFf9Wd7A3I9kmxdCanaz0R1cHbwfZNH6mCV4RKxNztBC1WWBCwKXCB5gfEaHc5Y1ohjsIF4utQH8_Gw/s400/IMG_5465.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretending to choke...ahh, Graydon! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The family is, every one, doing well; we missed Barb and Bryan, who were off on a Hawaiian cruise. Brianna began her new job last Saturday and has really applied herself to her school work. Graydon...ahh, Graydon! He rarely smiles for the camera anymore; instead, with his eyes dancing, out comes his tongue. Each and every time! What else would a four year old boy do? I find him very handsome, regardless.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCuICnZFPdm6SQG7jJ3vm15exauGkMBR2FfZKIruRuA1TOz5HImGLmrvOcxFp0YzARZ5niQYVhCdkbJ32sPw4_4FO_BfyRCx2L2RTpzSo4q5iotEJXRKaDJ44udoZsFNwGJPdWA/s1600/IMG_5488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCuICnZFPdm6SQG7jJ3vm15exauGkMBR2FfZKIruRuA1TOz5HImGLmrvOcxFp0YzARZ5niQYVhCdkbJ32sPw4_4FO_BfyRCx2L2RTpzSo4q5iotEJXRKaDJ44udoZsFNwGJPdWA/s320/IMG_5488.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brianna and Keauni (I think!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The whole family descended upon my daughter and son-in-law's home for a superb Ham and Scalloped Potatoes dinner for Easter. The twins were adorable in their first Easter dresses...yellow and beribboned! I was so impressed with my grandson Graydon...there was absolutely no sign of jealousy, as he gently stroked baby arms and legs. At that moment, he fell in love with Kaleelah and Keauni, just as all the rest of us have.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgb16M-P-aDlgK9_tinviyLPAvp1APPKu3K7hNMYc7J2zfIvJWUO4dsHkPPUT7l6pmsnZvCfYNGR1sO1u1j_U8DPL48cfkKWrkbROqx4CpFBHDzG6NTkrbHAl1ZTIbB33r1S-LA/s1600/IMG_5490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgb16M-P-aDlgK9_tinviyLPAvp1APPKu3K7hNMYc7J2zfIvJWUO4dsHkPPUT7l6pmsnZvCfYNGR1sO1u1j_U8DPL48cfkKWrkbROqx4CpFBHDzG6NTkrbHAl1ZTIbB33r1S-LA/s400/IMG_5490.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our sad Lucky with his Bear</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Upon our return to the Cariboo, we found Lucky sleeping on furniture, trying to find comfort, I imagine. He's never done that before. He also confined himself in the garage, by nosing open the door, and did a fair bit of damage to the car parked inside and the door...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Poor old Puppy. I knew it was much too soon to leave him after Nate's death; yet plans had been made. It will take him awhile to relax again, to not have his nose stuck to my jeans..</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09S6Y57BU_MTJhVUfXQC8FPVcfHwR7LQ0eMWJ1kve-8JUvUsYsun70KSr1NmtQTEjX2y3wGEBYhBAI2p7jqahmaA43DdN__7NDZvizxpnCCHhP7bilXEDMEcy0GUxgqxS2ZDyLw/s1600/IMG_5499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09S6Y57BU_MTJhVUfXQC8FPVcfHwR7LQ0eMWJ1kve-8JUvUsYsun70KSr1NmtQTEjX2y3wGEBYhBAI2p7jqahmaA43DdN__7NDZvizxpnCCHhP7bilXEDMEcy0GUxgqxS2ZDyLw/s400/IMG_5499.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anybody remember the But an' Ben?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We welcomed visitors from Scotland shortly after our return from our Easter holiday. It took me only a short while, this time around, to tune my ear to the Scottish accent and sayings. We were the lucky recipients of a book as a hostess gift...Maw Broon's But an' Ben Cookbook. I'm not familiar with Maw Broon, but I listened to the memories the book brought back for Graham. In perusing it, I find many Scottish folk tales within, not to mention some great recipes such as Nettle Soup, which requires a glug o' cream...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbx4gGQ9j2YozodRAeKh1OCxK7UggERcVpH47HUjJV9fxN7I6N89Rm0dBWVVrt0ngtBKmgEreTgKd3TcbE3AykBHN1KCZ4RpuzyHTiuURvj3ChqrJR2fTjg53dgcZVeBWr_7mQZw/s1600/IMG_5506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbx4gGQ9j2YozodRAeKh1OCxK7UggERcVpH47HUjJV9fxN7I6N89Rm0dBWVVrt0ngtBKmgEreTgKd3TcbE3AykBHN1KCZ4RpuzyHTiuURvj3ChqrJR2fTjg53dgcZVeBWr_7mQZw/s400/IMG_5506.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nettle Soup!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It feels to me like change is in the Air...more change than only transitioning into Spring. Do you feel it? It was so difficult to leave the Coast...not just the family, but also the Ocean, the gardens and Flowers. The green.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is time, now, to make plans to move back home. Heartache for something so much a part of me...the Sea Coast and family...is coming to an end.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is no rush, heart soreness notwithstanding. We will look carefully at all options, this time, before we leap. I am anticipating the planning, sometimes so much more exciting than actually doing the event. I am aware of the amount of work moving entails...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But there is more than just a change of residence, I think, within me. For instance, I have recently undergone a long dry period wherein I could not read anything of any content.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSGNZpPXdv8JHHkvzCPPxD7olfUez2cp3fkTAQNf4pv4UEQU2ssyvz9ZBEharvLjCl22qy6p4asjOJq4BnnLBRvMcXnvkyOjVV18m4zwqgK3S579EKhqjk2OlSQxYuuo4JIZxpw/s1600/IMG_5507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSGNZpPXdv8JHHkvzCPPxD7olfUez2cp3fkTAQNf4pv4UEQU2ssyvz9ZBEharvLjCl22qy6p4asjOJq4BnnLBRvMcXnvkyOjVV18m4zwqgK3S579EKhqjk2OlSQxYuuo4JIZxpw/s400/IMG_5507.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's interspersed with stories and cartoons</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I found myself reading magazines, anything of little matter, to lull myself to sleep at night. Yet, I continue to buy books...the pile of unread books on my night table is growing taller...in the hopes that soon I might want to actually read one.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I believe this odd behaviour on my part might be coming to an end. I have recently finished reading two books...The Room and Little Bee. Both of these are gifts from my daughter and both were difficult, in an emotional way, for me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But both seemed to open the door for further reading.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGH4WOIdnhwtO1U4ZTc42_nx5V3ZH5BnJn7OU-_93YuNAQ6Tcj2OTN7K0jAUdYX8v5qjYZRtXkZX_iZU0fH51dPDGEuakXDN1x6Wy2KVgNP0fU3-zHAQohFvMnlnYbOJRc4gmzJQ/s1600/IMG_2388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGH4WOIdnhwtO1U4ZTc42_nx5V3ZH5BnJn7OU-_93YuNAQ6Tcj2OTN7K0jAUdYX8v5qjYZRtXkZX_iZU0fH51dPDGEuakXDN1x6Wy2KVgNP0fU3-zHAQohFvMnlnYbOJRc4gmzJQ/s400/IMG_2388.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaleelah and Keauni asleep (1 mo. old)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Not reading concerned me. It was such a transition from my usual conduct...I have always found time to read. Books were my salvation; they allowed me to live in a different World, in a different way. Books saw me through so many parts of life from which I wanted escape.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was actually terrified I would go through the rest of my life reading seed catalogues and People magazine. This last period of not being able to concentrate for long on any written sentence was a lengthy one.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And I am so glad it appears to be over! But quite incidentally, the other day I met an older friend in a bookstore. She was looking confused, which, if you know my friend, is a strange departure from the normal for her.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She looked at me...What should I read? she asked with some anxiety...</span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I suggested any number of titles to her. None seemed to interest her. Now, my friend once loved reading and writing...one begat the other, she'd tell me, over and over.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRpYO-sawRth8sWvUg4EXj5SmsQ66_Rtcat8NgqHIwNBeV7G0n2H-j_Nq5ua4xENmOZb4nhwg7g5utTQmYzazUEaLOrC37sgVQrzzsy8IpF8gIZUovupa_eO6vdsnAU3MrNCRZA/s1600/P1013098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRpYO-sawRth8sWvUg4EXj5SmsQ66_Rtcat8NgqHIwNBeV7G0n2H-j_Nq5ua4xENmOZb4nhwg7g5utTQmYzazUEaLOrC37sgVQrzzsy8IpF8gIZUovupa_eO6vdsnAU3MrNCRZA/s400/P1013098.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keauni? Heh!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>I</i> was becoming confused. Finally, she admitted to me that she'd recently found no interest in reading. She would pick up a book, she said, and find herself still with the cover closed a long while after she'd sat down to read.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I told her my story. We looked at each other, perplexed. She said...I wonder if it is because of all the short snippets I read and write on the internet? All that instant messaging and stuff? Short bits, here and there?...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I thought about it and finally, had to say I didn't know. I do the same on the Internet. But I know many people who don't let short bits of information from the Internet stop them from reading books with meaty content.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It's just a stage...I told her...A stage in life with too many other things on your mind. It feels like that with me. It feels like I can't settle...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fJKh4aA0ZPYViMWzSv492LHI_wtfVxWt4Uyj8FHL2uYiavulxbG-bR96ij1bI-n-AA3v7VLap2JspNHbWrQ7bPRkCg0pAq15hMgOMwClDsBqW8Hfaastn5bm7GDNqy74mPBPLQ/s1600/IMG_2528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fJKh4aA0ZPYViMWzSv492LHI_wtfVxWt4Uyj8FHL2uYiavulxbG-bR96ij1bI-n-AA3v7VLap2JspNHbWrQ7bPRkCg0pAq15hMgOMwClDsBqW8Hfaastn5bm7GDNqy74mPBPLQ/s400/IMG_2528.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaleelah and Keauni</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She wasn't convinced. She left the bookstore with a pile of magazines and said she was happy she could still concentrate on those. Later, after I'd thought about our conversation, I was sure she felt her age was also to blame.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And there's another transition. Sixty was a turning point for me...all of a sudden, I have more confidence than I've ever had. And I can't explain that, either.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Change is a part of life, of course. Many times throughout my life a sojourn I feel comfortable on comes to an end and another begins. I can't foresee any of it. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UZ2h6PgmEq4PNwovFetn8OLmpf6z9qcP6zB6GJEfYjYJhXt-d9_A_JMB1s-c4ugNL5JPIInl_NWLAFPKCa4W6UBqYm8SJTHfQAcqLTu6xDNIauG0eE51ZQ3bpfHX6YEsHzZYLQ/s1600/IMG_2507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UZ2h6PgmEq4PNwovFetn8OLmpf6z9qcP6zB6GJEfYjYJhXt-d9_A_JMB1s-c4ugNL5JPIInl_NWLAFPKCa4W6UBqYm8SJTHfQAcqLTu6xDNIauG0eE51ZQ3bpfHX6YEsHzZYLQ/s400/IMG_2507.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple suits the two of them!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For me, the best thing I can do is accept each day, each change as it comes. If I can't concentrate on the written word for awhile, well, there are other things, other hobbies which get me through.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And, perhaps, the story in my head and the story in my friend's head is much more interesting to me and she than anything we could read. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is a whole lifetime there, in our minds, after all.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span>Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.com19