This past week has been Bird Week here in my part of Australia and twitchers, birders, birdwatchers and ornithologists all over have been out and about identifying and recording bird calls and sightings to go into a national count. Run by the group Birds in Backyards, even amateur bird lovers such as myself are encouraged to download the app and sit in their back yard and listen and watch for 20 minutes whilst recording the number and species of birds that they observe. This enables the group to compile a report on the changing habitats and habits of our little feathered friends.
So the past week has seen me with phone and field guide in hand ambling around my garden or seated in our outdoor entertainment area observing. Continue reading
peace
Today I will….
When we went road tripping last year with our friends, we made a comfort stop in a little town called Blackbutt at the top of the range.
Whilst the men headed across the road to purchase drinks, my friend and I wandered the street looking in the stores.
I found a little house that was brightly painted and converted into a shop. I was drawn in by the brightly coloured dresses hanging on the porch. Inside was filled with crystals, knick knacks, candles, books and other assorted items. In a basket marked ‘To Clear’ was a little red book entitled “Today I will….” by Carmen Warrington. Continue reading
Wishing you Joy
It is Christmas Eve here.
I have much to do today beginning with picking up my DIL shortly to go to the local Christmas market. Then it is home to put the finishing touches to everything that needs doing.
Unfortunately that also means cleaning the bathrooms! *sigh*
At this time, I would wish you all the joy of this season. Continue reading
Off to see Santa
There is too much heaviness in the world right now and so here is my effort to lighten the mood.
As I sit listening to the Pandora Christmas station, I was inspired by Cybele to play around in photoshop once again. I haven’t done this in quite some time but it is always a fun exercise. Continue reading
Weekend Recap
Last Sunday, our little family was invited to lunch with some lovely young friends of ours at their current place of residence (and the property that they manage) at the base of Mt Barney.
Since we had been promising each other for years (i.e. each time we bumped into each other doing our grocery shopping at Coles in town) that we would get together for a BBQ, we finally made good on the promise. Packing the cheesecake and slice I had made the afternoon before, we set off late morning toward their home. It was a beautiful Sunday. The skies were clear from the winter storm of the previous evening and the weather wasn’t too cold at all.
Continue reading
M is for Meditation
I am not qualified to write a huge discourse on meditation, so I won’t.
I will say that I meditate most days (there are days that I forget which is a bit naughty).
I am no expert. I am just an ordinary person trying to get some peace in my life. Continue reading
Peace and Stillness
I purchased some posters a few months ago on Peace and Zen Living and I have put a few up in my craft room and the spare room. The Tween finds some of these sayings funny.
The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step
Lao Tzu
She read this one out and said “Well duh. You can’t walk anywhere unless you take a step first”. By jove I think she’s got it!
We cannot see our reflection in running water
It is only in still water that we can
Taoist proverb
To a Tween who has difficulty in keeping still and is always pirouetting or doing high kicks around the house, this was something she had difficulty in grasping. Looking at it literally she said “Of course there is no reflection in running water because it keeps moving”. I tried to explain its meaning but I don’t think she got it.
The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear
Zen saying
The Tween response to this “Well that’s obvious. If you don’t shut up, you won’t hear anything”. I think she’s got this one too. 🙂 With that in mind, I’m not sure though that she will get the saying about Peace in my graphic.
How difficult it is to remain peaceful and calm when all around you is noise – particularly at this time of the year. The pace tends to become so frantic as people rush to complete things before year’s end. Add in the social engagements and other commitments and it begins to spiral out of control at times. Take time throughout the coming days to take a few deep breaths, calm your heart and close your eyes and be still.
Have a blessed day 🙂
In love and peace – blessings for this week
I am blessed. I truly am. I am surrounded by people who love me. (They also laugh at me and tease me but I’m okay with that). I live in a lovely home. I have food in my refrigerator and pantry (I really should date check some of that stuff 😉 ). I have a cat who loves me and shows affection in her own unique way. There are birds outside who call and squawk. Kookaburras have been visiting this week as well. I have almost finished the squares for my new quilt (my first quilt really). My home is beginning to look like Christmas is coming (I’ll post pictures when I’ve done it all). We have had beautiful rain this week and the grass is green once more. The Tween had orientation at her high school yesterday and she thinks she will like it. (Apparently she loved manual arts). We have her primary school Christmas concert this evening (her last ever). The sun is shining today and the sky is a brilliant blue. I feel as if I am in a great place right now. The weather is not too hot and not too cold. I am breathing. I am alive (my back lets me know that every time I move right now).
Life is good. I am blessed. I am loved.
Have a blessed day 🙂
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