Let Us Ask Ourselves

Let us not lose the memory preserved by the elderly, for we are children of that history, and without roots, we will wither. They protected us as we grew, and now it is up to us to protect their lives, to alleviate their difficulties, to attend to their needs and to ensure that they are helped in daily life and not feel alone. Let us ask ourselves: “Have I visited my grandparents, my elderly relatives, the older people in my neighbourhood? Have I listened to them? Have I spent time with them?” Let us protect them, so that nothing of their lives and dreams may be lost. May we never regret that we were insufficiently attentive to those who loved us and gave us life.

Source: World Day for Grandparents and Elderlies

Photo: Dear My Friends Korean Show

Catch me if you can

“I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” David Bowie

Mask not mandatory. Smile optional.

I just wear it.

That way I don’t get the “You’d be prettier if you smiled” comments.

And no, I wouldn’t be. It would take a lot more than that.

It’s free. Any takers?

When was the last time you accepted a hug or given one?

What’s it like to be a Canadian

~ Ninety percent of population is massed within 100 miles of northern American border.

~ Seems not to mind that one of its provinces has turned almost entirely French.

~ Excessive politeness only makes sense as cover for something truly sinister. But what?

~ Citizens seem strangely impervious to cold.

~ Decriminalization of marijuana and acceptance of gay marriage without corresponding collapse of social institutions indicate Canada may, in fact, be indestructible.

~ Has infiltrated entertainment industry with singers, actors, and comedians practically indistinguishable from their American counterparts.

~ Consistently stays just below cultural radar yet never quite disappears.

~ Parliamentary government and common-law judiciary appear to function acceptably yet remain completely inscrutable.

~ Never had a “disco phase.”

~ Seemingly endless supply of timber, donuts, and Scotch-plaid hats with earflaps.

~ Keeps insisting it “has no designs on America” and “only wants peace.”

~ Plays a mean game of pond hockey.

According to McSweeney: REASONS TO FEAR CANADA

by SEAN CARMAN

Forget-me-not

Still here.

Forget-me-nots are the first spring flowering plants in the garden.

P.S. Re-learning how to use the new and improved site with my old iPad, see how long this site will allow me to use an old IOS.

Presto

Monday, we meet again.

On a scale of 1-8, how was your weekend? Was it full of pizzazz!

What We Became

You should be writing!

This is the constant nagging I say to my sister, Susan. No need to write a book. Blog it! As it turns out, I became the secretary taking notes of bits and pieces of her stories. What’s helpful to draw the words from her mouth is to provide her questions.

1. How did your devotion to Sto. Nino start?
2. What about the Infant Jesus made your faith deeper or changed for the better?
3. Can you share 1-2 he has done in your life?
4. How do you share your devotion to Sto. Nino to Others?

In a way, these questions helped and I have to put the story around according to her words. I’m just the record keeper.

How did your devotion to Sto. Nino Start?
I was born and lived in Davao. My devotion started when I was younger, visiting the Shrine of Infant Jesus of Prague in Davao City. I also carry a mini statue of Infant with me to keep Him close to my heart.

What about the Infant Jesus made your faith deeper or changed for the better?
My mother moved us to Manila to further our higher education. As for me, I followed the footsteps of my mother as a professional dressmaker. Even though my hands are busy sewing, my thoughts are with Infant, having a constant conversation with him.

One of my dreams was to go abroad to Canada. I prayed to the Infant to make it possible. And He did. This is how I came to Canada in 1970. In 1972, two years later, I married Larry, a Canadian. On our wedding day, instead of carrying a bouquet, I held the mini Infant in my hand and a bible in my other hand. Soon I became a citizen of Canada.

Second was to bring my mother and my six siblings to Canada. But I can’t without owning a house. My husband and I purchased a house in Burnaby to accommodate them. With a constant prayer to the Infant, it happened. They arrived in Canada in 1976.

Third was to have children, even just one. No matter how much my husband and I tried, it was hard for me to conceive. With the intercession of Infant, my lovely daughter was born after nine years. My only child. My faith in the Infant is so deep and couldn’t be any better. I carry Him in my soul.

Can you share 1-2 he has done in your life?
The events above are already a miracle for me. To come to Canada, married a faithful husband, bring my family, and have a child. Personally, my devotion to Infant made me calm, cool and collected. Joy replaced fear. When one is joyful, no matter how challenging the situation is, it becomes manageable.

For example, I failed my driving test four times. I needed to pass it because I have to help my husband to drive. On the fifth time, I prayed to the Infant to help me pass the driving exam so I can visit Him in Prague. I did! Subsequently, I applied for an international license because we would travel to Europe for the first time. Imagine me driving at the autobahn all over Europe at a lightning speed of 160 km/hour! This is the start of my beautiful journey with Infant Jesus of Prague in 1998.

In Prague, I met Fr. Jerome, assistant of Fr. Anastasio. The nuns are the guardians of the Infant. They are the only ones who can touch and change the garments of the Holy Infant. However, the Holy Spirit touched their hearts and allowed me to touch Infant. The first time I held the Infant, he felt very much alive as a real child. He was glowing. On other occasions, I was allowed to change his clothing.

Holy Infant Jesus of Prague, Susan Papas Hauck and The Guardian

How do you share your devotion to Sto. Nino to Others?
When I returned to Canada, I started a group devotion to Infant Jesus of Prague at Guardian Angels Parish in Vancouver, where we instilled the first Holy Infant Jesus of Prague statue. I travel to Prague two or three times a year to obtain a replica of the Infant for other countries such as the Philippines, Brazil, Mexico, USA, Tobago, Peru, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Malta, Trinidad, Tanzania. Due to Covid restrictions, traveling is on hold. Uganda has to wait. I also bring the statue of Holy Infant to sick people at the hospital and their homes

As a note taker, this helps my sister write personal information for other ministries in promotion faith sharing on Infant Jesus of Prague.

You may also want to visit these posts:

1. I Have A Dream
2. The Power of Tiny
3. Let The Children Play
4. Interview Dec 12/13 2020 Virtual Conference In UK

Blessed Days To All.

Sacred Day

Boxing Day is a sacred day for cats.

Boxing Day

Christmas Time

Stonehenge, UK.

Today is Winter Solstice marks the beginning of winter. It is the shortest day that celebrates light triumphing over darkness, and as the day ends, we prepare for a new year.

In 2018, we welcomed the winter solstice at Stonehenge, UK. We said goodbye to long days of darkness and rejoice in the coming of Christmas.

Lights of Hope

Let there be Light of Hope is the message of St. Paul’s Hospital Church. It’s the time of year that we remind the Star of Bethlehem shone brightly to light up the path for the three wise men. This year, the Star of Bethlehem will be visible on the horizon. Jupiter and Saturn will align in the night sky on Dec. 21, also referred to as the “Christmas Star” — marking the planets’ closest encounter in nearly 400 years. The two planets may appear as a bright light point that will be easily visible in the night sky.

Christmas Decorations

Every year, my sister sets up Christmas decorations for the children equipped with Santa’s workshop, electric train, angels, snow, christmas carols. Here’s little Jimmie is so proud to show off his twinkle toes.

Little born Henrik

To see a baby snuggly ensconced with a knitted baby blanket smiling in his sleep is the centerpiece that makes the Christmas atmosphere peaceful. But in reality, we were all gogo-gaga around Henrik, making noises to wake him so that we can all take turns to carry and play with him.

We are a family

Family: A crazy bunch of people who deeply care for each other, who live, laugh, forgive, dance and love together.

Mother

I think this is the last Christmas photo of my mother. Christmas for us is all about celebrating the birth of Infant Jesus.

Susan Hauck at the Church of Nativity, Holy Land

My sister is a Jesus freak in a good way. Here she is at the Church of Nativity carrying Infant Jesus. She managed to have her photo taken before the guardian of the church said to the crowd that the statue is off-limits to visitors. Too funny, that she was the only one who got away with holding the infant. When it comes to telling me the story, it’s really difficult for her to share stories of miracles about her experiences as a servant of Infant Jesus.

The center of the holiday season in my family is Christ-mas. It’s all about the birth of Jesus whether we lose faith, we always return to Him.

On Christmas, we gather around telling tales, jokes, memories, eating, drinking, singing. There is one great story of my sister Susan on lost and found.

One thing that I find miraculous is when I lost my mini statue in Mexico in 1997. While in Mexico, I went to church daily and prayed to Our Lady of Guadalupe that I want my Baby Jesus back. I was so heartbroken leaving Mexico without him. Many years passed, in 1999, my friend contacted me if I am interested in receiving bales of clothing coming from Montreal for free. My first thought was it would be great to sell them for fundraising to pay for Novena booklets’ production. So I accepted 19 bales of clothing. I discovered when I opened the bales, they were second-hand clothing and not brand new. I was disappointed, left the clothes for three months, and did not do anything about them. My daughter and her friends opened two bales just for fun to check them out. My daughter found some clothing for her and left it on the kitchen table. I moved the clothes to another area of the house, and something fell off. It was a mini statue of the Infant, and I just put it with the rest of my alter. This happened on Holy Thursday. On Easter Sunday morning, I was praying the rosary. When I reached the 4th mystery, The Presentation of Child Jesus at the Temple, I heard a voice: “I came back to you.” I ignored it and returned to my prayers. As I recited the 5th Joyful Mystery, “Finding Jesus in the Temple,” I heard the voice again: “I came back to you. Remember, you’ve lost me?” When I listened to this, I remembered the statue that fell off from the clothing, and I quickly went down to look at it. When I honestly look at the figure, my Baby Jesus I lost in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, three years ago. I checked all the clothing tags to appease me, and it said: “Made in Mexico.” With the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Baby Jesus came back to me.

Christmas 2019

From my family to yours, we wish everyone a Blessed Christmas. We made it this far!

.

Naughty or Nice

Dear Santa, my other sisters are the naughty one.

When will I see you again?

When will we share precious moments?

Write. Read. Wrong?

Write. That is a complete sentence — a full statement.

Having learned how to write, it becomes an obsession. I still prefer longhand writing using the old cursive loops. Sometimes, I can’t write fast enough as fast as I think. I can’t write them all. Just as well, maybe it’s not that important. Yet, writing to me is a compulsion. I am a compulsive obsessive writer. Sometimes, I write on white space using my breath and a window. It leaves no trail. Poof.

white space

There is a box full of spiral notebooks accumulation of my writings. I don’t read them. I write my thoughts to make room for more thoughts. I am not a writer. Nor do I want anyone to read my innermost thoughts. Hence, I started purging. Again.

Lucy obsess with my torn up writings.

If I had written negative about somebody else, and then they surprised me by behaving completely differently to how I had characterized them, I might say, “Well, they made me eat my words” (in hindsight, this may embarrass or even pleasantly surprise me. Should it’s embarrassing, I have to take back whatever negative remarks I made about them). Is it better to put my foot in my mouth or to eat my own words? Idiomatic.

Nowadays, most of my writings consist of groceries or a things-to-do list.

End result of purging my writings served on a plate.

Nothing has been written that hasn’t been said before. So I use some writings as a quote and unquote. Quotes are better.

I recently used a quote and posted it as a comment on Donald J. Trump’s Facebook page.

"The SCOTUS isn't insane enough to be on Trump's side. 
He will lose again. This makes me happy. 
Trump is a horrible human being."

Note that this was posted previous to the SCOTUS decision. I truly have no idea how the Rule of Law will swing nor how SCOTUS will respond.

Much to my surprise and amazement, this comment received more than 1.5K replies, all inflammatory directed at me. Aside from that, I received messages via Messenger. Some visited my personal public FB page, left a trail of laughing and angry emoji. Some were bold enough to write comments. The good thing is that FB is smart enough to filter their comments. All I have to do is delete them. Easy peasy.

Read! Doesn’t anyone know how to read at all? It’s a quote. Geez.

One exception. One person read. One person really knows how to read. And I quote:

*Daamnn its sad over 1000 people never heard of quotation marks…youre almost famous now lol”

Wow! Wow…wow…wow…you actually caught the quote. You are the only person that paid attention to what I posted. If this is a lottery, you won the jackpot. I responded.

“Ya…it looks like [they] were screwed tho.” He responded.

Write. Read. Wrong?

You Should Be Writing

Recently, WordPress sent me a happy anniversary notification. Wow. At least someone remembers me. After that, I was notified that my Personal account is set to expire on January 15, 2021. Thank you again, WordPress, for the friendly reminder.

You Should Be Writing! I see this all the time from another site that I subscribe to, Writing about writing. This is another fun place that I spend time reading, not writing. 

Yep! Been busy writing. Writing comments (my opinion) on FaceBook. I know I can be opinionated objectively. I am not a hater. I do not attack. I do not post emojis or GiFs (god, I hate those!) because I should be writing.

BAMM! Haters and spammers, beware. Haters receive vitriol awards while spammers are reported to FB admin with a reply “spammer reported.” Oh, they easily remove their content. I go further and check out the rest that they replied to all commenters. I received applause, thank you, like, and love from commenters. This is just something to do while I entertain myself during Covid times. Desperate measures in desperate times bored to kingdom come.

BAN HAMMER

Since FB has difficulty banning hate speech on posts and commenters, I am taking this matter and using Thor’s hammer. I wonder how many users I can block? I’ve lost count.

Goodness. I do receive some good responses and people with a sense of humor. Those are the best. For example, I respond to this comment when our good doctor decided to prohibit all religious sites from having services for the next two weeks. (This news did not go well) Anyway, the conversation goes … thread.

SN: It baffles me too. Restaurants, bars, and even schools remain open, but you can’t attend church! This is starting to look like the government take over!

Me: SN, I posted the same thing on different media. Churches have been good in the prior mandate of 50 max attendees; they use masks, and only two people in a pew every other row. Transits, trains, restaurants, bars, cinemas, malls are high traffic. If the government has to mandate, it has to be objective and universal. The media’s first focus was the temples, now the Catholics. What’s next?

Someone chimed in:

PM: The government will place an agent in your house, and you’ll be prevented from any form of worship. This happens on Monday. Afternoon.

Me: That would be really nice. I hope the agent is not allergic to cats.

PM: hahaha. I hope he loves cats.

Me: I sure hope so; cats are gods. I worship them. Tee hee.

PM: I like them, but my dogs take exception to cohabit with a cat(s). My dogs discovered eBay and sold the cats.

Me: Laughing hard. This is way too funny. Dogs are just way too smart than the masters, I want to have a dog, too, but my cats insist on total loyalty.

PM: my dog is smarter and better looking than I ever was. (Sent me a picture of his dog.)

Me: Well, but wisdom comes with age and good humor. This is one handsome canine. This dog reminded me of my Doberman many years ago.

We both had a good conversation outside a sensitive topic.

Back to writing about writing. I did make one contribution to the community, and it went very well amongst the writers.

WordPress: Please do not feel neglected. I am still you’re number one fan. I love it here; feeling secured from spammers and the community of bloggers is tremendously wonderful.

FaceBook: You could do better.

Goodreads

As much as I enjoy writing, I prefer to read the fine prints.

A good chair, books and beverage are ways of promoting literacy in this area of Gastown. These are permanent fixtures for art lovers. Most folks bring their own reading materials and use the char.

This one is my favourite step in Lonsdale Quay. It reminds me of the book I give to my nephews or nieces once they graduated from high school. I bought one for myself.

Sidewalks are perfect for finding Goodreads. I am not sure if this is my photo I found on my iPhone.

My Daily Objectives

It’s really simple. When I open and close the door,

When I enter the hallway.

When I am in the living room.

When I am in the kitchen.

And finally, life is DILL-icious.

Cultivating Creativity

Most of my topic is about gardening. Gardening involves a lot of cultivation that includes my whole being. It’s my way of being creative. Planting a seed and let it bloom is the best part.

Manobo boy and his Kudyapi

Don’t even think that this is Picasso. No siree. My brother painted this originally on a canvass. I challenged him to paint it on my leather jacket. And he did and not doing it again for anybody. I proudly wear this jacket and advertise his work.

Hills Where the Lord Hides

My brother and I seems to get along well when it comes to being creative in our own ways. He paints and sends me photos of his work-in-progress. I take a good look at his work, critique and provide my observation. I enjoyed writing about this piece “Hills Where the Lord Hides.”

Me: Beautiful landscape with blended colours that makes us follow the solid ground towards the Hill. Magnifique.

Him: Thanks for noticing, good eye!

Me: One has to really think and feel what the painting is for me, not just the eye. I could easily say something simple which is boring … tee hee

Him: It’s the eye that senses the painting. Then you feel and think.

Me: Not to mention the horizon is stunning that complements the rest of the painting. A cloudless sky and the sun has just set.

Him: Now you have pointed it, yes, a cloudless sky and the sun setting. Thanks.

I wrote a Haiku on this:

My reason for going
Chuck Mangione played to death
Hill Where the Lord Hides

The following day, he told me this piece is SOLD to the highest bidder in Thailand!

Dan S. Siglos, Painter

Currently, my brother is creating a comic style painting of our family. We are enjoying this activity as he paints from the oldest to the youngest in a huge canvass and I create a blurb. The blurb stays between me and him. Or maybe I will share it later.

This is Dan S. Siglos self-portrait (not Picasso), stepping on a snake. The snake is the symbol of evil. My brother is fearless. The meaning behind this is “Fear No Evil.” I understand what he means knowing what he has gone through.

I shall update and post more of the comic painting next time.

It dawned on me

To be under the sun, first one has to see the dawn

Mount Sinai

With my cats, I am contented in my sanctuary.

Lesson No. 1: A cat is quite content to be a cat.

“If you think long enough about what you see in a cat, you begin to suppose you will understand everything, but its eyes tell you there is nothing to understand, there is only life.” Leonard Michaels

My cats helped me define myself, just to be, to have inner peace. Every since I started living on my own, without companionship, I will be suffering on my own. Being with the cats, they are very sensitive to my needs in such a way they will just sit beside me saying “Here I Am.”

Looking back in my old post, I want to include this to remind myself that the Earth is a sanctuary.

Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with a new light.
Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer from memory.
Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young.
Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone.
Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky.
Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall.
Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.

An Ute Prayer via Education for Justice

The Philosophy Of Mental Illness

I haven’t written about mental health for a long time not because I am healed. Far from it. It’s because there are so many people feeling some grade of mental illness due to the COVID pandemic. The opening sentence “We’re all mostly insane” made me laugh. In retrospect, I really could use a dose of insanity to put some humor in my life.

Banter Republic

We’re all mostly insane. I visited a family once and I must say that even though insanity didn’t run in that family, I’m convinced it strolled through, taking time to get to know each of them personally. I should have known. The first warning sign was that they all talked at the top of their voice. This one time the dad was speaking to me, and I had to remind him, in the most respectful manner, that I was only just five feet away, and that I could hear him clearly. He paused for a bit and increased the volume. Crase

What is Mental illness? Mental illness in it’s purest form is shaving off your entire eyebrows, only to draw them back on with a pencil. It doesn’t get more accurate than that. A close second will be shaving your entire hair and then proceeding to prance around in…

View original post 504 more words

Lazy days of summer

Lazy as a dumbbell.

Forget Me Not

Cherry Blossom at Metrotown

My reason for going
Err in the side of caution
Sakura spring blooms

It’s so beautiful to see the Cherry trees in full bloom in spring. Japan Sakura Festival is one of the significant events in welcoming the arrival of a new season, a new beginning, a new life. Here I stand, in an empty parking lot at Metrotown, celebrating spring. The fragrance of the flowers permeates the entire lot—no exhaust fumes to contend with.

Bonsor Pipeline skate rink.

You are limitless
Grown-up man springing along
Lone never lonely

It was exciting to watch him rolling away all by himself in the skating rink. Usually, this place is pack with people. The weather is mild and overcast, a typical spring day. There are so many ways to continue your daily activities on your own as long as we practice self-distancing.

Vancouver Art Gallery’s Offsite exhibition in 2010 located at the Wild Bird Trust sanctuary

Shangri La to Shangri La
Community of squatters
Springtimes and sweaters

Forest bathing at Wild Bird Trust Sanctuary is a perfect spot to go thoreau-ing. “I love to see clear crystalline water flowing out of a swamp over white sand and decayed wood, spring-like.—Journal, 18 July 1852.” A breath of fresh air, birds friendly enough to eat on my hand, red and green buds emerging from the branches and twigs, plenty of room for a quiet reflection and contemplation amidst the turmoil what this new virus brings about. The meditative journey gave our inner self to expand and make room to focus on what is essential in life.

Forget Me Not garden

Forget Me Not fleurs
A gift that keeps on giving
Spring twenty twenty

Out of the blue, this plant suddenly appeared in my garden. I let it stayed. Two years later, I am delighted to see how beautiful it is to have a mass growing in the garden this spring.

Legend said that God named all the flowers except for this one tiny plant. As God was about to leave, the plant cried out: “Forget me not, O Lord!” The Lord decided, “That shall be your name.”

“I would like to use this little flower as a metaphor. The five petals of the little forget-me-not flower prompt me to consider five things we would be wise never to forget….first, forget not to be patient with yourself…second, forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice…third, forget not to be happy now…fourth, forget not the why of the gospel…fifth, forget not that the Lord loves you.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Forget Me Not

 

Plant your own garden, Decorate your own soul

Layla Pie and Miss Pretty planting the hydrangea

After a while, you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesn’t mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promises. 

Weather forecast for the first day of summer. Rain.

And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open,
With the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build all your roads on today,
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain.
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

Lavender Harvest. A good day. Rain the following day.

After a while, you learn that even sunshine
Burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate
Your own soul, instead of waiting
For someone to bring you flowers

Flower girl.

And you learn that you really can endure…
That you really are strong,
And you really do have worth
And you learn and learn and learn.
With every goodbye, you learn.

 

Note:
I originally posted this title on June 13, 2013, here. According to Dear Abby, it was a poem AFTER A WHILE by Veronica Shoffstall. Much to my surprise, this is my top post and most visited. As a curious person, I wonder who Veronica Shoffstall is?

In my searches, I cannot find a reliable source to indicate that Veronica is the real author. In the Urban 75 forum, this question Who is Veronica Shoffstall came up. Apparently, it was a Spanish poem written by Jorge Luis Borges. With the help of google translating it to English, much to my surprise (again} so it was his poetry.

I really don’t know whether it was plagiarism. That is not for me to judge. I just want to throw some more light into the validity of who I am quoting.

At any rate, it’s still beautiful poetry.

 

Canadian Loon vs American Eagle

A loon defends itself against a swooping bald eagle. (Jon Winslow)

Beaking news … fatal clash between a bald eagle and a loon protecting its chicks, Canada’s loonie mascot stabbed America’s national bird through the heart.

We know conflicts between bald eagles and loons have soared in recent years as a result of the recovery of our eagle population. We are seeing more and more eagle predation on loon chicks and even adult loons. Who would think a loon would stand a chance against such a powerful predator? (Blogspot)

To create a story

We create stories, fact or fiction, war or peace, love or indifference, poetry or ballad. What is more compelling in all that we created, there is always lessons to be learned, hope and charity.

In the end, the child raises a very pertinent question, “Why did it take a virus for the world to become a better place?”, to which the poet answered, “You have to get sick in order to get better.”

Epic Lines

In the galaxy far, far, away … someone said this epic line:

“May the force be with you” became a famous line on the 4th of May. Hence, we sometimes use this line “May the 4th be with you!”

The Star War saga has so many lifelines that we can use as tools to improve the human race namely:

• Once you start down the dark path, forever it will dominate your destiny  – Yoda on Fate
• Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering – Yoda on Consequences.
• In a dark place, we find ourselves and a little knowledge lights our way. Yoda on Problem-solving
• The fear of loss is a path to the dark side – Yoda on Anxieties
• Who’s the more foolish; the fool or the fool who follows him? – Obi-Wan Kenobi on Obedience
• The ability to speak does not make you enlightened. Qui-Gon Jinn on Silence
• I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die. Qui-Gon Jinn on Inaction
• Your focus determines your reality. Qui-Gon Jinn on Perception
• Let go of your hate. Luke Skywalker on Freedom
• Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is essential to a Jedi’s life. Anakin Skywalker on Compassion

And of course, this the famous line I use all the time:

Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.

Bloom where you are planted

At the Manor, there are 48 suites with two or one-bedrooms and bachelor suits. Most of the people who live here are immigrants from the Chez Republic, Bosnia, India, Ireland, Iran, Korea, Japan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, Yugoslavia and other countries that I can’t think of.

I am one of them.

The Birdhouse took over by bees.

Now, we are citizens of Canada. We made The Manor our home.

“O Canada, our home and native land” is the first line of our National Anthem.

Front entrance rock garden.

The residents here are lovely, approachable and pleasant. We enjoy chatting from the balcony, window or entranceway as I potter around the garden. I must admit the garden is an icebreaker for many, even from passersby.

Bloom where you are planted.

One of the tenants took up photography and had a field day taking macro shots of all the flowers in the garden. The end product was framed and gifted to our lovely manager of the building.

When I cut flowers from my hard-earned gardening, these go to the manager as well.

Our Doors.

From single to couple to third-generation residency, I’ve witnessed them. Most of these people love to have their family around living in the same roof. It’s good to see a couple having a child or two and be able to bring a surviving parent to add the responsibility of taking care of their children.

Of course, I get to play with the children when they were younger in the garden.

The Blue Room

Kindness plays a big important role in living in this community. If you are unkind, who else will help you but your neighbour?

I must admit I find myself special because the manager allowed me to paint my suite when I had one of my episodes on mental breakdown. The activity kept my focus away from living in my head.

The end result was brilliant.

Pistachio green paint in the living room, kitchen and hallway. A hint of a rose colour for the bathroom.  Skyblue for my bedroom to calm me down.

Oh, these little things, I am grateful.

The Good That We Do

For small hands, the best musical instruments for kids to learn are drums, xylophone, pianos, handbells, etc.

For adults, simple pots and pans, spoons, or carpenter’s saws are just as good as a violin in having a jig.

The question is: who is first and foremost instrumental in providing this innovative music lessons? The parents, family, adults, teachers, of course!

Yesterday, I mentioned that my nephew is a music teacher. He has to go beyond teaching in front of the students by providing a recorded lesson plan.

Watching him perform solo with no audience is so inspiring. And this was his introduction:

(Piano introduction)
Good morning. Good afternoon. Good evening, boys and girls.
Welcome to music class, distance learning style.
We miss you all very much.
We wish we could see you in person and experience music together.
It’s so much fun.
But for now, we will be learning music this way.
(piano playing)
In a very different way.
(piano playing)
But, the cool part is, you get to experience it with your family.
Maybe even alone, which is also just as much fun.
Now, when you listen to music by yourself,
sometimes you hear things that you may not catch when with a group.
Those are the best thing about music.
(piano playing)

 

Whispering Hope

I have written about the c-word here. Some commented on what it means to them.

The ‘C’ word is synonymous with another ‘C’ word, I believe…and it’s a Catalyst for change….. personally and collectively. In the long run, humanity as a whole may evolve to a higher level of consciousness, I opine. But Change can also be Crippling if one is unable to adapt.

Catalyst. Change. Collectively. Consciousness.Crippling. Profound c words from the passion for truths.

For me, there is one c-word that controls my whole being for it has been known by many other people before me how their life changed amidst suffering.

Quora asked this question and what it means?

 ” I am the way, the truth, and the light, nobody can come to my Father except through me” in John 14:6

“ricercare et trovatà,” one answered.

Search and you will find.

Reaching her dreams.

Beginning today I will no longer worry about yesterday. It is in the past and the past will never change. Only I can change by choosing to do so. Nothing can stop this young lady from reaching her dreams. Source: Academic … Continue reading →

Stay With Me

I never knew the name of the song, so I titled it `Leave all your blues in your shoes at the door.

I am a man without envy
No roof, no walls to defend me
Hoping someday you’ll be friendly
And take my troubles away.

Walk with me, talk with me
Tell me all the good things you’ve done
Stay with me, pray with me
Leave all your blues in your shoes at the door.

With the power of the internet, my post reached other parts of the world. I received a comment from “chrisrushlau” on May 31, 2016 at 4:22 pm about the song on YouTube:

Thank you, Chris.

 

via Leave all your blues in your shoes at the door.

I got you

As I was writing this post, a bee entered into my sanctuary. All the buzzing and the cats chasing it, I said to the bee “hang on” and let me finish what I’m doing. Nope. With all the commotion going … Continue reading →

Let the game begins

When a child starts to discover little things, they are full of wonders.  One game I love playing with a child is: 

“Where’s your belly button?” 

“Show me your belly button.” 

Since the child does not understand words, the game turns into a “show and tell”. 

Exposing my belly and say: “See, belly button”. 

Doing it for at least three or five times, the child mimics and starts looking for his own belly button. 

 And the game begins….

 

 

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/03/21/rdp-saturday-loking-within/

Hello Dali

A bigger than life bronze sculpture is exhibited at Downtown Vancouver sponsored by Chali-Rosso Art Gallery. A faceless woman to symbolize all women. The height is 360 centimetres equivalent to more than 11 feet. It weighs 500 kg equivalent to 1100 … Continue reading →

I survived

This pansies help me get through life. As if it’s the death of it to being resurrected.   https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/02/24/rdp-monday-resilience/n

Family Day

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On this day, the third Monday of February, in the province of British Columbia, Canada; we are celebrating the family day. In Canada, I realized that there are so many meanings of what a family is to them. I noticed … Continue reading →

Feeding my soul

 

Sometimes life just simplifies things for you. A slow healing foot and a clunky cast means: no running errands, no snowshoeing, no major home or studio projects, no trips, no February studio sale, not even very many crow walks around the neighbourhood. But what there is, waiting for me every day, is the garden. And […]

via Simple — The Urban Nature Enthusiast

I’ll catch the sun

I’ll catch the sun

It is better to light just one little candle,
Than to stumble in the dark!
Better far that you light just one little candle,
All you need is a tiny spark

Living for something bigger than myself

to live the words of the prophet: “I, the LORD, have called you…I have grasped you by the hand…I formed you…and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations” (Isaiah 42:6)

 

via A view from the kitchen window

Meanwhile in Vancouver

It’s wonderful! Swimming along in ragtag community

Best Friend

Daffy Duck’s best friend https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/01/15/rdp-wednesday-daffy/

Old time favorite

i always return to Linus to remind me what Christmas is all about. Peace and Goodwill to everyone MERRY CHRISTMAS

Show me your true color.

We live beneath so many layers like an artichoke. Before we can get to the heart, we have to peel off so many layers. As I was walking by a ground covered with Ivy, a red mound was protruding between … Continue reading →

While they are not looking

People are taking more pictures of other people than ever, candidly, while they are not looking. I am guilty! Ever since I was given an iPhone, I take shots indiscriminately. Sometimes as a shred of evidence, most of the time, … Continue reading →

Pretty Lights.

Have you ever heard of the saying blinded by the light or experienced seeing dark after looking at the intensely bright light of the sun? It’s blinding, and we see dark. It’s the exact opposite that darkness cannot drive out … Continue reading →

How to catch precious pets

As part of our assignment on precious pets, today,  I spent the better of the day at Downtown East Side where homeless people live. Even though they are homeless, some of them would prefer the company of their pets. One … Continue reading →

Common Ground

For those who have sight, our ability to see is our common thread, yet we have a different perspective, different points of view, different angle. The gift of sight and mind are incredible. It is my dream to be able … Continue reading →

Old Town Road

We are cashing it in here in Old Town Road, Sicamous, BC, Canada. Thanks to this song. It’s a street sign that was stolen twice since this song became a Number #1 billboard hit. No problem, says the Mayor of … Continue reading →

Ear worm

Oh baby baby baby Heaven is a place on Earth I can’t seem to stop humming this song!

Heaven is a place on Earth

As I walk on a mild summer day, my mind wanders, when my surrounding is a bit dreamy, an atmosphere of heaven is a place on earth. The sail summer camp season is on full steam ahead. There are many … Continue reading →

Weather Report: Blue Skies

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In reality, Vancouver is mostly cloudy with intermittent rain at night or morning during this week. It’s remarkable that the temperature is warm and I could soak the tepid rain. No need for umbrella. Temperature July 11, 2018 Now: 21Celsius … Continue reading →

Choiceless

I choose you. All of you for gracing me to see the world through your lens., for opening my mind,  for expanding my heart and soul. Needless to say, choiceless. Thank you! For fun, the tag lines for the past … Continue reading →

Houston, we have a problem

  Knotty problems or is it the way it is! Let me count the ways … Otis is using the raspberry container as his litter box. Computer is in the clinic. Trying my best to post using iPad and iPhone … Continue reading →

My Fav … not necessarily in this order

A good joke. I could use a great laugh, especially on my mugs all given to me. Notice that Starbuck’s mermaid has a belly button. This mug has been discontinued it’s not politically correct. What a joke. When I am … Continue reading →

In Perfect Harmony

The sea, land, sky, and air are in constant perfect harmony. A glorious day walking along the Spanish Banks of Vancouver. It feels that winter is over then but not yet. A group of us walking together as one called … Continue reading →

One Singular Sensation

Yesterday, my brother and I attended Art Vancouver 2019 with a theme of uniting nations from all over the world through art. There was an explosion of colors using different media such as oil, watercolor, alcohol ink and others that … Continue reading →

Couldn’t Resist

Creativity comes in many forms. Happy Easter. image by Julia Quinn

A feast for your eyes!

You can look but you cannot touch. You can touch but you cannot bite. There are some people that are just so delicious to look at.  Look, that’s just about it and feast with your eyes. Here, little Jimmy was … Continue reading →

Dare to be something different

I’ve kept these shots for the longest time and just don’t know when to share it. Now I dared myself to show and tell about my cousin, Jesse, taken when we were younger. The photos reminded me of Arnold Schwarzenegger … Continue reading →

Forget Me Not

30 days has September, April, June and November … April showers bring May flowers … Meanwhile, claimed there would be a Royal Mint collection of coin designs based on emojis … April fools joke. Honestly, today, April 1, 2019, the weather here in … Continue reading →

A light exists in spring

A Light exists in Spring Not present on the Year At any other period – When March is scarcely here A Color stands abroad On Solitary Fields That Science cannot overtake But Human Nature feels. It waits upon the Lawn, … Continue reading →

No man is an island.

Around the neighborhood, The Habitat Island, an island was created as part of the development at Southeast False Creek, site of the 2010 Winter Games Athletes Village. It’s an urban sanctuary not just for people but as well as birds, insects, … Continue reading →

To Whom It May Concern

My nephew sent me a copy of a letter from a ten-year-old girl who is interested in architecture. It has been her dream to become an architect since she was eight-years-old. What is life like to become an architect of … Continue reading →

On Friendship

Pleasant speech multiplies friends, and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies. Let those who are friendly with you be many, but let your advisers be one in a thousand. When you gain friends, gain them through testing, and do not trust … Continue reading →

“You are so cute”

Radka sent a photo of her children to Remy’s FB of her children talking to her daughter. She spoke her first full sentence in English, her third language, “You are so cute.” For all we know, Remy is linguistic since … Continue reading →

It’s been a long week …

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Friday, we meet again.  Actually, we only had four working days this week. Monday was a statutory holiday as we celebrated Family Day. This is a bonus for the month of February after all the frenzy of stat days on … Continue reading →

Leave your shoes at the door

  Have you ever entered a house that you are allowed to wear your shoes inside the home? Footwear is dirty and rightly so, the homeowner prefers that we leave our shoes at the door.  Therefore, we respect their wishes … Continue reading →

“I asked my reflection, How did you get there?”

“The Gift-Wrap & The Jewel” by Wanda B. Goines

I looked in the mirror and what did I see,
but a little old lady peering back at me
With bags and sags and wrinkles and wispy white hair,
and I asked my reflection,
How did you get there?”

You once were straight and vigorous and now you’re stooped and weak,
when I tried so hard to keep you from becoming an antique.

My reflection’s eyes twinkled as she solemnly replied,
you’re looking at the gift wrap and not the jewel inside
A living gem and precious, of unimagined worth
Unique and true, the real you, the only you on earth.

The years that spoil your gift-wrap with other things more cruel,
should purify and strengthen, and polish up that jewel.

So focus your attention on the inside, not the out
On being kinder, wiser, more content and more devout
Then, when your gift-wrap’s stripped away your jewel will be set free,
to radiate God’s glory throughout eternity.

 

Original news you may read here.

Scratching the surface

Painting the surface of the building is one way of repurposing a blank space. The wall becomes a wall of art bigger than life itself that makes me chime for “who’s afraid of the big bad wolf, the big bad … Continue reading →

It’s been a long week

The polar vortex came to Vancouver like a freight train in full speed ahead. As Vancouverites, we are blessed with mild winter. When a 10 cm snow is in the forecast, people panic. The caretaker of the manor shakes his … Continue reading →

A letter to Mom: Do you love me?

Victoria Easter 1991

no matter how old she is,
no matter how far she is,
no matter where life takes her,
she always loves her Mom.

To The Rescue

The effect what my cat companions to me, words cannot describe it. There is scientific evidence that petting animals reduce blood pressure. As for me, it provides a medicinal nature that drugs cannot. I know I would not do without … Continue reading →

Black Mother

Someone told me to read the lives of the saints to help me in times of the dark night of the soul.  Not just the saints but as well as people who had the courage to come back.  These are … Continue reading →

Family Portrait

A mother and a baby camel were lying around, and suddenly the baby camel asked, “mother, may I ask you some questions? The mother said, “Sure! Why son, is there something bothering you? Baby said, “Why do camels have humps?” … Continue reading →

How to Age Gracefully

Advice from an older person to a younger one. My favorites: No matter what anyone says, stay weird. Go easy on the makeup. You’re not as ugly as you think. Always be kind to your family. You’ll need each other … Continue reading →

Be Known

I Know of Beauty That no one has ever Known The question is:  “what would you do if you could do anything?” I would like you to see what invisible means.

Teachings

  From animals … to family portrait … to Meanwhile in Vancouver … to In Other Words … to It’s been a long week … to Lens Artist … to Sunday Snippet … to Mental Health, I managed to maintain … Continue reading →

As Painter Paints the Language of Sphere, Color, Line and Form

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To see what a painter paints, one has to look at the unexpected form that jumps out of the canvas and not to look into his mind. Art is not escape, but a way of finding order in chaos, a … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk. A friendly reminder you’re allowed to talk about your mental health.

I am talking about mental health to support Bell Let’s Talk Mental Health Awareness Month. It is no secret that I live with mental illness diagnosed with major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder and generalized anxiety. For years, I have … Continue reading →

Your Best Self

To commemorate the occasion of Jean Vanier turning 90, he released a YouTube video laying out his “ten rules for life to become more human” by sharing his thoughts on life and on growing older. He speaks about success, vulnerability, listening, fear … Continue reading →

Can You Be My Partner?

  He’d never had a partner in all his time alive. But Lucy came into his life. Can I be your partner every night? “I… I’m not a very good partner,” he lied. “I want a partner – someone I … Continue reading →

What is your story?

Instead of asking my friends “how are you?”, I ask them “tell me a story.” This way, it eliminates a simple response of “fine” and starts hopefully a better conversation. This is Jean Vanier, a Canadian, founder of L’Arche, home … Continue reading →

It has been a long week

Four, five, six, seven, eight … hit it Weather-wise, we have no complaints Dry, sunny, no snow, high temperature Climate change is here to stay Should I be dancing to bring on the snow?

Batters Up!

I hate to burst your bubble. Today is the last day of Christmas. It’s time to put all those decorations away, The manger of tiny figurines of the three wise men, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus All go in the box. … Continue reading →

The House of Belonging

This is the bright home
in which I live,
this is where
I ask
my friends
to come,

this is where I want
to love all the things
it has taken me so long
to learn to love.

This is the temple
of my adult aloneness
and I belong
to that aloneness
as I belong to my life.

There is no house
like the house of belonging.

The House of Belonging- David Whyte ©1996

Mexicans Will NOT Pay For The Wall

Meanwhile in Vancouver ….

A Filtered Year

Photography is life through a filter. They say what you see is what you get. Is that true? The central exercise and experience of using photography are to capture the images more for my benefit, mental wealth, interest, an extension of … Continue reading →

Eyes Inspire

How do I describe Dali? One word. Intriguing. A bronze sculpture of Dali sitting on his famous lobster phone and melting clock. The melting clock means it is losing its power in the passing of time of the dream world. … Continue reading →

Reflection on one candle at a time

I keep my eyes and thoughts focus on one candle at a time reflecting the subtle meaning of each as it’s was being lit for the past four weeks. To make meaning out of them, I needed to know what … Continue reading →

Time is running out …

  Time is running out when we only have five days more before Christmas HURRY up should you have not crossed off all the things to do before the event Time is running out with an unclaimed million-dollar lottery ticket … Continue reading →

The Perfect Cone

Mayon Volcano is an active volcano of the Philippines with its perfect cone. This photo was taken by my nephew, Cyril. The last time it erupted was on January 14, 2018. With the help of new technology, they can predict … Continue reading →

Quarter Past Six

To remember the exact time my cousin Jessie was born, he made sure it’s permanently fixed on his skin. I thought that is very original. There was a man who had a tattoo of his birthdate, a hyphen and blank … Continue reading →

Wreath and Five Candles

This past Sunday was the first day of advent, the first day of the liturgical year in Christian tradition for the new year. Our church is decorated with Christmas wreath with five candles representing one candle per week that we … Continue reading →

Where the light leads me.

To shed some light on a photo, I can’t help but tell a story. The air is crisp, the sun is out and the day is breezy that pushes the clouds away.  Light is brighter in the dark as I … Continue reading →

After the War: Remember The Living

To see these boys together as responsible young men celebrating a baptism is worth remembering to tell a story down the road for Greg’s firstborn son initiation into Christianity. They grew up together, some studied at the same school, prayed … Continue reading →

The Great Pumpkin

THIS ONE! I want this BIG one. Layla pie, as small as she is, found the legendary great pumpkin, judging from her big beautiful smile, Happiness is ….

Of Public Places and Spaces

Public arts abound on alleyways and bus boards in Vancouver.  Local painters and writers creative works are shared for the public to enjoy. It astounds me how much imagination a person has from painting to writing. Putting them together create … Continue reading →

What the world needs now…

The world needs another humble laborer, animal activist, compassionate giver, a friend of lepers, a servant leader. Apply to God directly. I have done what is mine to do, may Christ show you the work that is yours.  

Where is Thelma?

Finding Thelma is just like looking for Waldo. She is all over the map and too tiny to see. Tiny is an understatement. She could be standing in front of me and not see her within my eye level. I … Continue reading →

A is for Angel. A tough act to follow.

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I could send him a birthday card today, but instead, I will feature him in Daily Inklings. Besides, the best way I could get his attention is on Facebook and sticking my head out from my balcony and see if he … Continue reading →

Missing You.

In this video, the cat is viewing his master who has died a long time ago. I can only imagine that the cat does remember and has feelings. Who says cats have no emotion?