Inner peace

05 Sunday Oct 2014

Posted by in community, Health, pets, therapy

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I need frequent reminders on feeling inner peace and not being influenced by the anger and horrible acts of the outer world.

InnerPeaceQuote

2013 Zen Calendar page now reminder poster

“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.” — Dalai Lama

I heard that phrase or variants several times during performances at the Friends for Peace Day in Ottawa last weekend.  For the past few years, I have made it a habit of attending, to enjoy performances, chat with acquaintances – and new friends, and make bids on silent auction items that appeal to my constant need for reminders for inner peace, quest for wisdom or acts of whimsy.

Being an introverted type and moody middle-aged mother, I prefer to attend non-competitive, calmer public events. 

I enjoy the Friends for Peace Day musical performances, especially those with children singing or playing instruments together. Tears well up when I hear voices joined in harmony, offering comfort, nurturing peace or celebrating joy.

A short time after last weekend’s event, I received the call that a couple of my bids had won.  I ventured out after the work day by city bus to pick up my winnings.

This lovely lotus cushion may have to stay in its plastic wrap for a while lest it becomes embedded with cat fur.

LotusCushionWrapped

Lotus embroidered cushion

Its image reminded me of an ASCII art work and Haiku poem I created during a difficult time.

Lotus Haiku TAJ 2007

Lotus Haiku TAJ 2007

Next was a Zen Alarm Clock.

ZenAlarmClock

Zen Alarm Clock

I have wanted one of these for a long time, wishing to have a gradual waking up process – other than me reaching over a cat every ten minutes, hitting the snooze button on a digital alarm clock radio tuned to Majic 100 or The Jewel 98.5. Eventually, one of the cats will succeed in waking me to serve breakfast. The “pounce on the bladder area” technique often works.

One of the young folk commented that it was odd for a Zen alarm clock to be framed by a triangle shape, alluding to it looking like something from the Illuminati.  The other made a joke, stemming from a theme in a popular sitcom.

Someone remind me why I still feed and shelter these wisecrackers? 

While I was testing the alarm, the cats did not seem to like the sound. Miss Tabby displayed an annoyed look with her ears twisted back.

Annoyed Tabby Cat

Miss Geneva Tabby is annoyed by the Zen alarm clock chimes

I turned the alarm off.  Peace was restored.  Fur now.

CatsCouchSundayMorning

Cats Snoozing Sunday Morning

Have a lovely, peaceful Sunday – however you celebrate it.

T

Canada vs ISIS: Ten things to know about the combat mission in Iraq

04 Saturday Oct 2014

Posted by in Uncategorized

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Distracted and considering the long term influence of this decision, how it can feel so close to home.

Feeling anger at reports of barbaric, misogynistic acts by dark forces purporting to represent a belief system of Peace. Canada is sending our people into a hornet’s nest with factions fighting within factions. Keep our people off the ground in this mission to fight the good fight, to support a “just battle”.

My heart, my thoughts, my nonbeliever prayers go out to the ordinary citizens, the women and children caught in the middle.

642 Things

28 Sunday Sep 2014

Posted by in writing

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It’s not like I have a shortage of things to write about – it’s more a matter of having enough spare time!

I happened upon this piece at a local book store while I was ooh-ing and aaah-ing and pawing at the journals. It grabbed my attention.  I leafed through its pages and chuckled at some of the writing prompts.   I acted on impulse and bought it – along with a few journals, of course.

642thingscoverI now own a copy of 642 Things to Write About by the San Francisco Writers’ Grotto.  You can buy one too.  Here’s a handy link to one of the online book stores:  http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/paper/642-things-to-write-about/9781452105444-item.html?langtype=4105

The purchase decision may have been influenced by a subconscious response to a recent question from a writing friend.  This lovely person is reading my novel and complimented me on it so far (yay!) and asked me what else I am working on.

pen and paper

Hmmm.  Not much except the occasional deep blonde observation on life, lifestyles and other people’s children’s social behaviour.  Other than that, I haven’t written anything worth the time and tears it takes to share via traditional publishing.

If ever I run out of ideas, I know where to turn. Apparently, they have another book out already titled “712 MORE things to write about”.  Goodness gracious!

If you’re looking for some bittersweet Canadian fiction, you can get a taste by downloading a sample of The Year of the Rabbit ebook from Smashwords.  Hop on over to the Facebook page and give it a like.  If you happen to read the entire book, please submit a wee review or add to the readers’ comments.  Flo will be tickled pink.

Thanks for dropping by.

T