With thanks

15 Wednesday Oct 2014

Posted by in Health, pets, photography, therapy, writing

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We recently breezed through a Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.

We didn’t venture far except a few of us who took a walk around the neighbourhood for fresh air, sunshine, to shake down our pancake brunch and work up an appetite for the evening’s feast.

We each took turns saying our personal pre-dinner grace and expressing our thanks.

Golden tree top autumn 2014

A golden tree top tickling the clear blue October sky

I am thankful for many things lately: 

  • One of the young folk made it home for the long weekend;
  • Our crowded yet cozy home;
  • Other people who prepare the big dinners;
  • Relatively good health;
  • Pets who unwittingly provide examples of how to relax, help us project our humour, attitudes and neurosis.
  • One of the fledglings hooked up the Xbox to the TV so’s Ma could watch her Netflix shows;
  • Vacation;
  • Leftovers;
  • Free time to write lists of things.
cats on the balcony

Miss Geneva Tabby and Mr. Snuggles on the balcony

Wishing you a week of relaxation, learning and gratitude – if you can get it!

Thanks for dropping by.

T

Small yet significant

05 Sunday Oct 2014

Posted by in Art, Health, Mythology

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October 10 is World Egg Day 2014.

One may think that the egg is such a small and insignificant object to have its own day.  If you step back (and search the web) you will discover the egg’s significance to many cultures as the World Egg and the Cosmic Egg (not the band) – or Orphic egg.  Then there’s the significance during Easter celebrations in the Spring.

To me, an egg represents:

  • Creation
  • Sustenance
  • Balance
YinYanEgg1998-1

YinYegg 1998 TAJ

It is quite impressive that something so small can have such enduring meaning and a positive impact on human wellness. Even with our wonderful advances in science, there is a part of me that respects the primitive explanations for creation, the stars and the cosmos.  Way back then, we had no microscopes nor telescopes; we just needed to soothe our children, our communities with some explanation for things and celestial events.

Here are more photographs of a Yin Yang egg “YinYegg” that I created in/around 1998.  It was quite a feat to create a 3D model while suffering from a snotter of a cold shortly after reading about Feng Shui and its philosophies.

YinYanEgg1998-2 YinYanEgg1998-3

You may be intrigued to know that eggs make an appearance during a tearful celebration in The Year of the Rabbit – a Novel about Fate, Family and Forgiveness.  So does a respectful exploration of different belief systems.

I like to learn about different traditions, mythologies and belief systems.  I do not subscribe to any although I was born and strictly raised in one.  In a nostalgic vein, I am hopeful for the Catholic Church to evolve with the times on some of its doctrines. With the new guy at the helm, walking the talk, setting a course, I think they just may do it.

Thanks for dropping by.

T

 

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