Love the Life You’re In

Some messages bear repeating and so I am pleased to reblog this.

Please take a moment to absorb and think how you could in some degree improve your life and avoid a regret in life.

Life After 50

Despite our best efforts to embrace each & every day, some days can be more difficult than others, in seeking gratitude for the life we have been given.

To love the life we are in.

In a world where we are inundated daily with images of people seemingly living much richer, happier & fuller lives, it is easy to fall into the mindset that we are somehow missing out.

But the truth is that challenges come to all of us in some shape or form.

Life is not perfect.  For anyone.

Nor does it last forever.

Recently, I have sadly been reminded once again, of how very precious each & every day we are given in life is.

How one moment we appear to have an infinite number of days to embrace the dreams we hope to fulfill, only to suddenly have that option taken from us.

How important…

View original post 110 more words

Put aside your worries, and do something that makes you smile

http://wp.me/p19pY3-wd

Me Caveman, You Neanderthal

I think I was in Grade 7 when my science teacher, Mr Steele, at Sir Matthew Begbie school in Vancouver introduced to us students the versions of humans that had been discovered before including Neanderthals.

Interestingly I thought I would never again hear “Neanderthals” mentioned again, with the possible exception when my family talk about my taste in music. I’m not Neanderthal! The truth is, I like 1960 & 70’s music, and uncouth beasts they have forgotten that Neanderthals are way older than me, they would have to be aged 62 at least by now, not aged “39” (ahem) like moi. Pardon my math Mr Steele!

Ahem, I digress obviously.

Now you might be surprised to learn nearly all of us homo sapiens still carry the Neanderthal genome, , some of us up to 5%, and I suspect a few more than that.  See here

Potentially this could be something I can use, an excuse possibly to slouch? or order extra meat on my pizza? Walk around barefoot and wear a leopard loin cloth?

Just thinking about this makes me want to beat my chest, howl at the moon and grow my hair long and wear coveralls again.

This Neanderthal genome could come in handy! 

Thanks for reading! Comments always welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

Like to read? Introducing Serena Jones

I have been reading it seems all my life, ever since I was knee high with comic books. It is both a pleasant pastime but also a useful skill.

I added the category of Reading/books so I could share my thoughts on authors.

A new author I have enjoyed is Sandra Orchard. She is an award winning author including being the five-time Canadian Christian Writing awards. Learn more about her books which include different series and characters at www.sandraorchard.com

The series that I started into is “Serena Jones mysteries” and the book was “Another Day Another Dali.”  I enjoyed it immensely, a fun book, not too serious, and not silly neither. Serena Jones is an FBI agent who specializes in art theft cases, and you won’t want to miss a single brushstroke.  

I suspect this author will be like grilled cheese sandwiches to me, a yummy treat from time to time.

I hope you check her out, Sandra Orchard, at your local library and let me know your thoughts. Toodles ! 

My Top 20 Inspirational Quotes

Which quote will you write down or memorize?

Damon Ashworth Psychology

20. “A Year From Now You Will Wish You Had Started Today.” — Karen Lamb

19. “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” – Maria Robinson

18. “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

17. “Instead of condemning people, let’s try to understand them. Let’s try to figure out why they do what they do. That’s a lot more profitable and intriguing than criticism; and it breeds sympathy, tolerance and kindness. ‘To know all is to forgive all.'” Dale Carnegie

16. “Rules for Happiness: Something to do, Someone to love, Something to hope for.” – Immanuel Kant

15. “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” – Jimmy Dean

14. “Though philosophers have traditionally been concerned with the…

View original post 371 more words

Can’t Take That Away from Me

 Bruce walked down the path, just plain packed earth .  The path wound through a light forest,  absorbing his steps and so he moved silently.

Sunlight patches here and there were like stepping through hot wading pools at the ocean.  All around him, birds twittering and squirrels chirps but none of this smashed the peace and calm of his surroundings.

It was moments like these that Bruce recharged upon. The serene peace in the forest somehow lifting his spirits effortlessly, calming his thoughts. lifting up moments.

It had been three years since the funeral, all the stages of grief just speed bumps in his past. The memories of moments shared now had no sting, or not much.

Funny the little moments that tweaked his face into a grin. When they had a flat tire in the rain and she defused the situation with a song and dance while he changed the tire.

Then there was the one time she came to his work in a gorilla suit and delivered flowers and sang “Dancing in the Rain” for his birthday.  He pretended to be embarrassed, but inside his heart sang – he loved her for it.

The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No, no they can’t take that away from me

 

The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off key
The way you haunt my dreams
No, no they can’t take that away from me

Bruce left the path and sat down on a beach log to watch the waves, and ducks, always in pairs. With a deep sigh, after peeking around to check he was alone – he sang the Frank Sinatra”s Can’t Take that Away from Me.”

Recharged he rose and headed back to the car,  feeling refreshed and smiling. A little laugh on his lips. She loved the oldies, and let him sing in the car, no matter how flat and off key he was.

But time to mosey forward, so Bruce took off this memory cloak and tucked it away for another path, and another beach.

He knew he can float through memory land again anytime because she is just there, Just a breath away,  he won’t forget the way she smiled just so.

No, no, They can’t take that away from me, 

 

Thanks for reading, if you want to enjoy Sinatra croon this song, click here Comments always appreciated.

Isn’t it nice that we have the moments tucked away inside us?  Life only has one direction but so many little things do trigger my memory of loved ones past, and I’m thankful for the memories, secure in my heart.

Getting Back on the Horse

There are many enjoyable bloggers, and I am happy to “reblog” any post that I especially appreciate.

Has life been giving you a bumpy ride? Read on, Read on.

Shootin' the Breeze

I confess that I have been bucked off many horses, many times.  I have been bucked off other things as well.

There is a saying that gives me some comfort.  “Ain’t a horse that can’t be rode; ain’t a cowboy can’t be throwed.”

Unless it is a bronc at a rodeo, who bucks for a living, and you are not allowed to get back on, there are two important reasons to get back on after being bucked off.

One reason is very simple.   If you don’t get back on, the horse won and will think that it can get you off whenever it wants.  So, for training purposes, and for the horse’s own good, you want it to learn that it can’t get away with it.  You want it to learn that you are boss; that you are in control.

The second reason to get back on is for your…

View original post 380 more words

A Book can be a good place to visit

I have been known to read more than one book at a time, some books I read are not for entertainment, but instead for thoughtful absorption of the thoughts they share.

Not so with the book I just raced through and read overnight. The author, Alexander McCall Smith, I have spoken before praising his The No. 1 Ladies  Detective Agency series, which I still love and could reread and endorse it. Smith has a plethora of books and I stopped reading them because they didn’t live up to the No. 1 series. But this book of his, My Italian Bulldozer, was so fun and easy to read, I barely put it down.  It has different flow from the detective series and was light hearted in its own way, I loved it.

THE STORY:    In the book, Paul is a food writer who after being heartbroken in Scotland, he turns to Italy for a working holiday in Tuscany to find inspiration for his latest book and his broken heart.

The only transportation he can find is, yes you know, A bulldozer.  You will see how the bulldozer opens doors and slows Paul down to enjoy his trip.

The bulldozer and Paul embark on a 3 week escape into the Tuscany way of life, you are welcome to do what I did, escape to Tuscany with Paul. 

Loved it, and I hope you do also.

 

Needing a laugh, but ending up with a song running through my mind all day – I watched this youtube video – Click here, for a video inspired by Flamingos !

Unexpected Benefits of Toastmasters

Why is Toastmasters worthwhile? beneficial, fun? The answers are varied. Suffice to say, the organization continues to grow more than 91 years after it’s birth, helping people be the best they are able and having fun doing exactly that. How many people? Right now over 345,000 members; over 15,900 clubs in 142 countries and millions over the decades! If you have never visited a club, maybe you should, guests are free to visit.

The Bob Angle

Back in the spring of 2006 I joined a local Toastmasters club, and in retrospect, this was probably one of the better decisions I’ve made in my life. I should have joined much sooner.

My dad first told me about Toastmasters when I was in my mid-20s. He said that he was a member when he was about my age, and found it tremendously helpful. I thought to myself: “Wow – when my dad was my age, I didn’t think that humans had even developed language – never mind organizing themselves into social groups and creating public speaking clubs!”. He went on to say that one of his first dates with my mom was a visit to his Toastmasters club during which he delivered a speech, and that she must have been impressed because they eventually got married. Therefore, I owe my very existence to Toastmasters!

He couldn’t recommend it…

View original post 1,145 more words

HOW TO GET A HUMMER TO LAND ON YOUR FINGER

I have not been successful with attracting hummingbirds but this photographer friend certainly has. In his video our will be amazed of his success. I am going to try again, I’m inspired.

Welcome to Tofino Photography

I’ve noticed that the Hummers go into a feeding frenzy near sunset.I suspect they do it at sunrise too but I’m too lazy to find that out?

I wondered If I could get one them to land on my finger? Hummers have to be one of the most skittish creatures out there! The slightest movement can make them take off in a blur!

So I tried to think of a way I could get one these beautiful creatures to land on my finger?Holding ones arm out is difficult after a few minutes.So you need a brace for your arm.I used a monopod but you can use a tripod or a pole.

I’ve noticed over the last few nights that they go into a feeding frenzy around 7:45pm.So I set up some lights for filming earlier & waited.

Once I saw them starting to “flock”I turned on the camera & placed…

View original post 106 more words