Perhaps….

Complaining seems to be as much a virus as Covid-19 and, although not fatal, can be debilitating. I know I am just as guilty of complaining from time to time as the next one, but experience has taught me that it is not good for my mental health and, since my mental health impacts my physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, not good overall. And who likes to sit and listen to somebody who is given to whining and complaining? Not many people. As the saying goes, ‘misery loves company but company does not love misery’. Ain’t that the truth? It is so easy to get trapped into a cycle that can quickly become a downward spiral into depression. At least that’s been my experience.

 I have been making a concerted effort to pay close attention to my thoughts and to guard against negative thinking. It’s not easy at times such as these when there are so many unanswered questions concerning the corona virus and its impact on life as we’ve known it. Yet, life itself is so fragile. Not one of us have a guarantee we will be here tomorrow. There is so much we have taken for granted in the western world. ‘First world problems’ is a phrase I often see bandied about. Such things as not being able to visit the hairdresser or go to a concert or out to dinner.

Perhaps this virus will help us learn more about ourselves, about our values, about what is truly important to us. Perhaps it will help us learn that social connection is much more important than we’d previously realized and treasure time with loved ones and friends much more deeply. Perhaps we will learn that care of our health and the health of others is more important than that trip to the hairdresser or to see a movie. Perhaps we will learn that life, all life should be valued, including that of the planet itself. Perhaps it will help us turn over a new leaf, to realize we are not the be all and end all of the universe. Perhaps we will become less self-centered and less selfish. Perhaps it will make us all better people, more caring, giving, and loving. Perhaps this is a golden opportunity for self growth and growth of society at large. Perhaps …..

“There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder.” – Ronald Reagan

“A battle lost or won is easily described, understood, and appreciated, but the moral growth of a great nation requires reflection, as well as observation, to appreciate it. – Frederick Douglass

Serenity Sunday: Back to the mountains

These photos were some I took driving out of Canmore, Alberta in May of 2016. It was a beautiful day. I feel so blessed to have been able to stand and gaze at these impressive peaks in the foothills of the Rockies.

Clouds kiss the mountain tops

A little bit of snow hangs on

in higher altitudes snow stays late into spring

which makes Banff a favorite of skiers

Three humps…. a different angle

It is so awe-inspiring as we drive out of the mountains. I took this one looking back from where we’d been and where we cannot wait to go again….

Close up …

Awesome views!

Glaciers carved furrows into the land

Further down the highway and ponds are plentiful

Even from a distance the foothills are beautiful

Farewell to the mountains, until I can come again….

Wildlife surprises

Over the past month we were traveling to Lac La Biche so my husband could have his dialysis treatments after a massive flood in the city caused water issues at our local hospital. It’s a three and a half hour drive to get to Lac La Biche through countryside, most of it wooded. It’s a beautiful drive, though I am glad we no longer have to make it three times a week! I always take my camera because you never know what you might see. Most of the wildlife I have been fortunate to see disappear quickly into the brush. But on a couple of drives I was lucky enough to capture a few shots of deer and a coyote. I was pretty excited and the quality is not top notch. Nevertheless here they are:

These deer were in a farmer’s field near Lac La Biche and it was such a joy to stop and watch them for a while

A doe, a deer, a female deer

There was a group of maybe a dozen deer, but this one was less alarmed by my presence as others

Such beautiful animals

Wile E. Coyote

This guy wandered out of the woods and loped along seemingly undisturbed by my presence

Lots of swampland and small ponds where beavers have been at work

Duck and geese have returned to hatch their eggs before returning south again

Although I waited patiently there was no sign of the beavers who built the dams

I have been hoping to capture an image of a black bear but have yet to see one this year. When I do I hope it will be while I am in the car and not while I am walking the nature trails that crisscross the city. In the past I have also seen red fox, but again not yet this year.

Spring blessings of birds

I took a little walk this morning and captured a few photos around a pond not far from home. I was a little disappointed that were not more variety of ducks and birds but I did enjoy what I did see and hear. I especially love listening to the song of red-winged black birds, although I love them all. Thought I’d share these for your pleasure (at least I hope it is a pleasure for you all).

This little sparrow was very active flitting among the reeds around the pond

So quick and so busy on this windy but warm spring day

I love the sheen of colors and he had lots to sing about too

Grackles were plentiful around the ponds

Red-winged black birds seemed to be in competition with the grackles

Their wings are so vibrant!

Mr. blackbird added his harmonies to the cacophony of song

While a pair of ducks took in the symphony and grabbed a bite to eat now and then

Beauty disguised

Conflicted

Wanting your praise

Even as I reject it

Needing your approval

Even as I strive to do without it

Hating being objectified

Like some ‘thing’ of beauty

And craving affirmation

As I am

Feelings of never being enough

Not good enough

Not smart enough

Not pretty enough

Not thin enough

Not wise enough

Not quick enough

Not enough

And then you left

Without apology

For feeding my insecurities

And I faltered yet again

Threw away everything

 that reminded me of you

And it is only now,

Today,

That I came to know

I am enough

Just as I am

And you . . .

You were so wrong

So misguided

So blind

And I pity you

For never seeing

Never recognizing

Never knowing

The truth I hold

In beauty disguised

For Brittany

I never really knew you well

But I remember the young girl

With the bright, wide smile

Speaking poetry with a put-on accent

That made us grin and giggle

You were a delight and a total ham

Drinking up the accolades with relish

No false humility there!

It has been many years since we met

Yet, that one meeting had an effect

And you are remembered fondly

I know you now through stories told

By those who know you much better than I

Of your struggles and your pain

And of how you’ve soldiered on

Through it all

May you marshal your courage once again

To meet this new and foreign terror

That has swept the lands

And invaded your every cell

I think of you as you were then

And pray that young girl that lives within you

Gives you strength to beat this thing

Be well, young friend, be well

_____________________________________________________________________________

Over the past weekend we learned that a young woman who has struggled with type 1 diabetes, kidney failure, and other health issues has been diagnosed with Covid-19. She has been through a lot in her young life and if you will, I invite you to join me in praying for this courageous young woman for her recovery and for good health. May God bless Brittany.

Serenity Sunday: Guelph, Ontario

Riverside Park

These are photos I took at Riverside Park back in 2012. If you happen to be in Ontario this is a really pretty park with an antique carousel and a miniature train as well as floral gardens with a floral clock. The Speed River flows through the park and the gardens include a waterfall feature. The park is a delight for the young and young at heart alike.

Can any child resist a carousel, even today?

A floral clock is one of the features of the gardens

Flowers of many varieties bring color and splendor to the park

A scaled down model of the first house built in Guelph in 1827 by John Galt

Flowers, flowers, everywhere

Stone pathways lead visitors through serene surroundings

A variety of shrubs and trees add to the beauty

Waterfall features add to the peace and calm

Side view of the waterfall

Strange and beautiful tree roots add interest

A miniature train carries visitors on a tour around the park

Personally, I prefer to walk the paths through trees and shrubbery

Or visitors can cross the bridge that crosses the river and feast their eyes on another vista

The Speed River flows through the city of Guelph and through Riverside Park

People are not the only visitors, water fowl seem to love the park as well, like this Canada Goose

Beauty everywhere since 1955 when the park was first created for the enjoyment of citizens and visitors alike.