Dancing the Night Away

Elgol, Isle of Skye

Solitude

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. ~Henry David Thoreau, 1854

Lazy Summer Sunday

Busy summer, and using ancient laptop owing to Mac crash (yes, they do get viruses :/)
Hope my blog pals are well and having a wonderful summer!

Like water...

(waterfall near Bend, Oregon)

"Like water, be gentle and strong. Be gentle enough to follow the natural paths of the earth, and strong enough to rise up and reshape the world."
— Brenda Peterson

"Maj Vare Valkommen" (welcome blessed spring)

This is for all my rain drenched blog pals who are yearning for the warmth of spring! :)

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands...

The pic below was taken in Washington State, but it reminds me a bit of the Pennsylvania woods where I endlessly explored as a child. Happy memories for the most part, yet bittersweet as there was always a hint of emptiness following my dad's death when I was 6. So, where am I going with this....?
Childhood stories always had happy endings, right? Well, come to find out, sometimes life isn't always easy or turns out as we thought it would, shock! It's easy to get down on yourself and/or the situation of things, to feel alone. Though, in reading out in blogland, and talking with friends, there's stories that one can relate to, and we're reminded we're not alone. And, as my friend reminds me, it's always good to remember your circle of influence as to what you can or can't control; and to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Which sometimes doesn't sink in right away because I'm feeling stroppy.

Still, sitting here tonight, letting my thoughts wander....I remembered some basic rules on life that I read and really enjoyed; and then wished others would follow as well....which brings me back to the circle of influence.... ;D

The following is from a site that I googled for the 'all I really need to know':
(site credit)

"ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN"

"(a guide for Global Leadership)"

"All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at school.
These are the things I learned:

* Share everything.
* Play fair.
* Don't hit people.
* Put things back where you found them.
* Clean up your own mess.
* Don't take things that aren't yours.
* Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
* Wash your hands before you eat.
* Flush.
* Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
* Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
* Take a nap every afternoon.
* When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
* Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
* Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
* And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK."

"Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living."
[Source: "ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN" by Robert Fulghum. See his web site at http://www.robertfulghum.com/ ]


"You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life. "
Albert Camus

"Our character is basically a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconcious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character. "
Stephen Covey


Thoughts?

Mamma's love

Nature at its best. For a wonderful post on man's best friend, visit over at EasyPeasy. :)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
these pics came via email with this info:

I have never seen anything like this. This is a newborn offspring of Taskin, Gypsy Stallion
owned by Villa Vanners that was born in Oregon.

These pictures were immediately after his birth on April 6. The mare laid down and
then he trotted around and crawled right up into her lap.

Are you on Belay?

Over at James place there was a fun post with some funny comments. However, one of the commenters made a reference to 'not wanting to know how the story ends, which is why he doesn't want to die', but he 'didn't understand why Christians had a problem with dying'. This caused me to wonder about such a comment, and what I felt and thought about the whole thing. I only partly answered him there, assuming his prompt wasn't rhetorical. But that wasn't enough and I had to continue with this thought; so, rather than drone on there with something that not all might be interested in, I thought rather to put it here. The pic is not of me, but it well could have been me, albeit 20 years ago when I was still quite wet behind the ears and naive to the world! :)

So, my answer to D was this: I think the answer in part, is that the Christian is, human, in the sense of having that strong pull to cherish life, to be alive. Without this drive perhaps mankind would have given up, perished a long time ago.

Then I continued here in thought with this: I liken being a Christian to being on a rock climb. Cliche' maybe; but the climb up the rock is like your life, a combination of your willingness to dare, to plan, to maneuver combined with what the rock/life has to offer, the variety of holds, outcroppings there for you to grab, etc. What we are willing to chance makes for the climb; and, the belay rope (Christ) is there to catch us when we fall. Other religions have different beliefs, as well as those who choose no Creator. I respect that; and, am okay with it, so long as it doesn't impose upon my freedoms. I cringe when the Christian religion (or any religion) starts shoving rules down my throat, to be honest. For Chrisitanity, it's not supposed to be about that (but that doesn't help all those burned on the pyre, does it?)

As for the afterlife, I suppose the rockclimb applies as well. There was one particular climb that was a favourite of our climbing group, but it was a bit 'narly'. There was a point in the climb however many feet up, maybe 100-200 feet, where in order to proceed upwards, you had to side step around this massive projecting boulder. This sideways move involved absolute commitment; if you failed, there would be a pendulum type fall, if you were lead climber. The move was easier to do for the guys who were 6ft, as they easily had the reach to almost where the ledge was, merely a small jump, but for lil ole me (I'm only 5'7), the reach was more of a comittment to a careful lunge....all done blindly mind you...the rock you were on, you had to wrap yourself around it (to get around it), and couldn't see to the other side. You just had to trust that the ledge was indeed there, as you've been told. So, to the Christian, our faith tells us the ledge is there...but we still have to leap at it, blindly.

Is human nature ever completely comfortable with the unknown? History, to me, reveals persons who thirst for the truth, who are inquisitive, who want to understand and want a hands on with things. Maybe that's why having faith, especially in something intangible, can be so difficult a concept to grasp. Yet, the creation really does reveal the Creator, one really only need to pause and soften their heart to look.

Thoughts on Nature

(Fidalgo Island, Wa.)

Beauty and the Beast Nature is beautiful, quiet, and serene, nature is the forest, with its many shades of green. Nature is the birds, welcoming in the dawn, nature is a calf, struggling to its feet as soon as it is born. Nature is a salmon, swimming gainst the stream, nature is a volcanic geyser, venting off steam. Nature is a beast, kicking up a storm, nature is the trees all bent, and broken, looking so forlorn. Nature is lightning striking the ground, nature is a forest fire, consuming all around. Nature is a tornado, with its screaming roar, nature is a tidal wave, washing every thing ashore. Nature can be a beauty, and nature can be a beast. ~ Tango ~

(an Eastern Sierra stream)

Puget Sound Photos

We were out looking for eagles, and I heard and saw my first Bald Eagle; however, they're not as easy to take a pic when in flight. Captured a bumblebee pic, though....and a few "flowers".


More pics at SBH

Puget Sound Photos

Near Rosario Beach, Fidalgo Island

The trail down, and overlooking the inlet.





Click here for more adventures: Beer at the Barking Dog, and a lady named Lucy.

Puget Sound Photos

Near Anacortes, Fidalgo Island

















Mt Baker taken from small boat near Deception Pass, Whidbey Island






More pics of a fun day with TB

Exploring horizens

"I was like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me. "
Isaac Newton

The joy of focusing brilliantly on something is becoming a reality as my children are older, and more off to their own pursuits. What now shall I endeavor to behold? The ocean of possibilities lies before me. On the other side of it, what truths do we miss because we are so focused on the small things. Like blinders on a carriage horse, we can miss so much when we fail to lift and turn our heads and acknowledge the goings on around us. It's easy to get into a rut, think narrowly, stay safely to what we know. How do we limit ourselves to knowing and exploring the greater possibilities that lie before us? Just a thought, however brief, before I depart for work.
Until later, blog friends. Any thought on this?

Sierras in the Spring

We've been to one of our favourite haunts of late, the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains. It helps to have friends who live there. It also helps that hubby teaches an annual class on working in the wilderness with youth-at-risk; and, the family gets to join in (for the class week, and well, sometimes for basecamp). We usually get to play while he teaches, but then I'll make a big pot of chile con carne, and everyone is happy.

It's busy as ever here in the desert. We've had a wonderful visit from our Canadian friends of whom we haven't seen in years. The kids are wrapping up their (home)school year, as am I. We've had a milestone here....eldest daughter has graduated high school and starts college courses in the fall.
I haven't had much time for thought or should I say one continuous uninterrupted by a child, husband or puppy thought, though the feelings are there for writing something worthwhile (ie the weighted life). I've been enjoying other bloggers' ramblings and writings; lots of good topics and plenty to enjoy and mull over.

I'm still slowly recovering from the car/truck crash. Hard to believe that it will be a year ago August, should I add, that I almost died. Still chokes me up, thinking of it all. I am so thankful to still be here, walking and talking.

I want to recommend Yoga (flow yoga) to help with strengthening and stretching; and, believe me, it ain't fer sissies (nancies n' jessies for ya'll over the pond). Was even reading a while back about an 80 year old granny still doin' her yoga....there's hope yet! ;) Ciao for now!




"Soul doesn't pour into life automatically. It requires our skill and attention"
-Thomas Moore

Heartstopping trembler and toilet paper tantrum

What is with menfolk, children and changing the toilet paper roll? I think they just leave this chore for me to do out of the kindness of their hearts to help me feel special...

On a second note, there are some wonderful things about living in California. We get earthquakes, and sometimes at the most inconvenient times. Talk about rolls.

Winter Wonderland for a Day

The sky is falling!

BELAY THAT ORDER TO PROCEED. ALL SYSTEMS STOP!


IT'S ACTUALLY SNOWING!!!

Really, for sure, totally dudes!...it's snowing in Southern California. Awesome!


I have the proof...pics to follow....


Baby it's Cold Outside

Reflections

"We frail humans are at one time capable of the greatest good and, at the same time, capable of the greatest evil. Change will only come about when each of us takes up the daily struggle ourselves to be more forgiving, compassionate, loving, and above all joyful in the knowledge that, by some miracle of grace, we can change as those around us can change too."

-Mairead Maguire

Falling Forward!

Your Autumn Test Results

You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions. When you're happiest, you are outgoing and expressive . You love celebrations, and you enjoy showing off a little. You prefer change to come slowly. You need a long transition period when your life changes. You find love to be the most comforting thing in the world. You feel at peace when you're with your loved ones. Your ideal day is active and full. You like to keep busy with your favorite things, and you appreciate a routine. You tend to live in the moment. You enjoy whatever is going on, and you don't obsess over the past or future.

http://www.blogthings.com/theautumnquiz/

I know, I know, one of Those tests.
The weather is changing!! The long, hot, dry, dusty, windy days of live-in-an-oven summer are over!! It actually rained the other day. Just a light rain, mind you, but we all were outside lickety-split; me hobbling on my crutches as fast as I could go. Even the cat joined us in a game of chase and catch when the kids would throw things for him. (We would have asked the dog to join us, but she is not as good as the cat at playing chase and catch, unless it was after the cat, of course!)
Fall means sunny skies and brisk air, rainy days fresh and cool; yummy scents filling the house from things baking in the oven, warm fires and hot cocoa (with Baileys and Kahlua added for the grown-ups), my favourite sweaters/jumpers or a cozy cardigan, continued family adventures with snowshoeing, long horse rides without getting heat exhaustion, high electric bills from continued use of the air conditioner fading away into the sunset at last....ah, sorry, getting carried away here...!! :D
Don't get me wrong, I love our summer evenings just after sunset, sitting outside in our garden, sipping a nice Merlot.....
...well,.....It's all about attitude, I suppose....surely there's a handy quote....

"A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before the change."
-Earl Nightingale