A life for life. A wonderful ending.

Listening to my elders, sharing their war stories fascinates me. I enjoy knowing the gory details and understanding how they came to live a full life after the war. My Uncle “Tito Jess” is the best story-teller ever. In my … Continue reading →

Photographs and Memories

Happy Canada Day!. I am celebrating indoors. Allow me to repost how wonderful it is for me to live in Canada. Today, on July 1st, I have to go to the big city … downtown Vancouver. My goal is to … Continue reading →

The only way to celebrate.

When it comes to birthday, we do not wait for anyone to remember our birthdays. We make sure that everyone knows it. This is a Filipino tradition. Traditionally speaking, we throw our own party, invite as many people as we … Continue reading →

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 →

A Man and His Donkey

In my pilgrimage to the Holy Land, we walked down the narrow streets to enter Jerusalem, reenacting the Palm Sunday Walk; the heat was sweltering.  I saw a man and his donkey sheltering from the heat. Being today is Palm … Continue reading →

A Paradox

Why did the little girl cross the street? I still have yet to find the real answer.

Good. Better. Best.

Now, that’s Better.

The Door is Open

This is no ordinary door. It is a place where they serve FREE hot breakfast, hot meals, sandwiches, coffee, juice and desserts to complete a full meal for the hungry, especially the homeless with mental health and addiction issues. They … Continue reading →

My bad.

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A quote to lighten things up for April Fools: “He was the first one in the world to break all of the commandments at once”

To Fjord a River

Never have I seen such clarity that this water is teeming with life. The river bed is crystal clear. The shallow water can easily knock me off my feet should I am not careful will all the rocks.  I do … Continue reading →

Touchy subject

Stay on the yellow line, please, I said to the fellow behind me standing so close to me.   https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/03/24/rdp-tuesday-delicate/

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 →

The Power of One

“The amazing thing is that chaotic systems don’t always stay chaotic,” Ben said, leaning on the gate. Sometimes, they spontaneously reorganize themselves into an orderly structure.” ― Connie Willis, Bellwether All it takes is one to start a commotion or chaos on … Continue reading →

Done like dinner

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Just finished bathing my self     https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/03/17/tuesday-rdp-clean/

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 →

Right Under My Nose

I remember my mother used to tell people that her greatest treasure is her children. She is right, I am one of her thirteen children. Without children, there will be no future in this world. On a low tide, combing … 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

Skinny legs and all

Skinny or narrow homes are now back in style and in demand. The land is getting expensive, population booming, the rate of single dwellers are some of the changes in the real estate market. Gone are the days of mega … Continue reading →

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 →

Small Step for Mankind

For the future to take root, first, you have to plant a seed. When a seed is buried on the earth, it may sound it’s the death of it. In reality, this is our hope for the future. Eventually, it … Continue reading →

People, People Who Need People

I would like to think that Vancouver, BC, Canada is the capital of British Columbia since this is the city with the major airport hub for international flights. Also, in 2010, the Olympics was held here. This larger than life … Continue reading →

Color Blind

We all have something in common Red, the color of our blood Pulsating through our veins That keeps us alive I may have a different shade of skin tone I may not live in an upscale neighborhood I may come … Continue reading →

Pilgrim Progress: The Road I Travelled

Little do I know that the road I travelled in 2017 will become the theme for unity in the Christian world this year. Malta. Photos taken were stored, collecting dust. Now, I am revisiting the pictures I’ve made and reflect … Continue reading →

Later …

  Moving on … Source: Facebook

Meanwhile in Vancouver

It’s wonderful! Swimming along in ragtag community

“How long should an engagement last?”

Ask me a question, and I will answer accordingly. In social media, Aleteia started its post by raising this question: “How long should an engagement last?” It sounds rhetoric to me. I am more interested in the question rather than … Continue reading →

Best Friend

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

My Point of View

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When it comes to the window, I have two points of view: The actual window and the virtual Window 7 Am I looking in or looking out. As it turned out, when I opened my computer, a message popped that … Continue reading →

None the Wiser

A joke is going on around my family that Three Wise Women entered into the scene at Epiphany. I knew that way back in 2017. I happened to meet them in London at Christmas. I have their photo to show … Continue reading →

Old time favorite

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

With Love from London

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It was the year 2017 that London called me to spend Christmas with my niece. She lives in the UK and her family was going for a visit. Off I went for a ride. As it happened that year, London … Continue reading →

Photographs and Memories

The rainy season is here. It hasn’t stopped for a week now, and I longed for a place where the sun shines in other parts of the world, from December to January. My mind wanders to some places where I … Continue reading →

What do you see?

Most of my photos are edited using what is provided on my iPhone, as simple as that. I, for one, do not have any apps. What you see is what you get. However, my brother, the painter, not an artist … Continue reading →

Frozen in time

On top of the mountain plateau in Norway, close to Dyranut Turisthytta, is a place seems to be frozen in time even though it’s summer. The land is covered with snow and ice with a single shack in the middle … Continue reading →

Be Not Afraid

What is it that most people are afraid of dying, death and the dead? There’s really nothing to fear for the celebration of the deceased since death is for the living. When I was in Thailand, volunteering for the AIDS … Continue reading →

Two for the road

Two for the road, we’ll travel through the years, collecting precious memories, selecting souvenirs and living life the way we please” – Henry Mancini Alone but never lonely. Foster two cats, never just one.

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 →

U Frame It

When I see a person carrying a real camera, I am always intrigued by what they see that warrants to be in a frame. During the Mural Festival, frames are provided that give us an idea of what to shot … Continue reading →

Photographs and Memories

Rannie recommends 10 Celtic attractions in Scotland. I’ve only visited one since there is so much to see in this small country: that is the Isle of Staffa, Fingal’s Cave. Staffa means “Pillar Island” from Norse derivation, an understated description … 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 →

Let me frame it this way

Even if you are not a coffee drinker, a toast to all participants of Lens-Artist, especially to Tina, Amy, Patti, and Leya for keeping our imaginations active in so many ways. Thank y’all! And I wish for everyone to share … Continue reading →

Correction to the fake news

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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 →

Off The Wall

When traveling with a group, we are shown beautiful sceneries, taken to historical places, impressive architectures and told stories to tell. That is all good. For me, I want to add flavor to my journey, take the good together with … 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 →

I’m on a break.

Sometimes, when it’s coffee break time, I just sit in my cubicle for 15 minutes and do personal stuff which is not really a good thing. Coworkers will come to me and start talking business. And I would say: “I’m … Continue reading →

Remains of the Days

Thinking of sea, a form of a heavenly body, it comes in waves.  Here in Vancouver, we love to just sit on the beach and watch the sunset. When the tide is low, we could walk and walk for miles … 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 →

“The Things I Do For Love”

“The Things I Do For Love”; who said that? I would in a good way but this quote came from Game of Throne (GoT) loaded with dark humor which I will not touch upon the details. With me, I went … 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 →

I can only imagine

What does serenity look like? I can only imagine. Can we tell the sex of the baby during pregnancy without checking the ultrasound? Do I use blue or pink when I knit a baby blanket? “Lord, grant me the Serenity … 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 →

Leafing Out

If you are a tree hugger, you just have to wait for these trees to grow older, bigger, and taller to withstand your bear hug. These are the trees that I have in my own backyard. A mature maple tree … 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 →

Where the wild things are

The Vancouver Stanley Park Zoo housed many animals such as black bear, polar bear, monkeys, goats, seals, whales, raccoons, wolves, emus, bison, kangaroos, penguins, beavers and much more.  Most of these animals were moved when the zoo was officially closed … Continue reading →

In One’s Element

It is such a fantastic campsite that they look forward to spending the week together every year. It’s a tradition that we started when the children were younger. This area is surrounded by mountains, lakes and trees. All five elements: … Continue reading →

Handle with care

In poetry what is not said and yet gleams through the beauty of the symbol, works more powerfully on the heart than that which is expressed in words. Symbolism makes the very style, the very artistic substance of poetry inspired, … Continue reading →

Off The Wall

Where can I find a blessing seeing the wall of Bethlehem that is now covered with street art that speaks volume?

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 →

Search Me

“I want my work to disappear into the landscape and then take a viewer by surprise. After he gets over the shock of being fooled, it becomes an emotional discovery. Then he owns the sculpture. People often revisit their favorites. … 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 →

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 →

The nature of Emerald Isle

“It’s the one place on earth heaven had kissed with melody, mirth, and meadow and mist.  ~ Irish Proverb.” Never have I seen so many shades of green in this rolling hills of Dingle Peninsula. According to the song Johnny … Continue reading →

Pilgrim Progress

Here I am, another Sunday, another sacred space of faith and spiritual journey, more memories and reflections. There are times I don’t want to understand the course of our actions that affect other people similar to a “butterfly effect.” Still, … Continue reading →

Family Portrait

SO when the kids finished their higher learning, feeling all grown up, want to be independent, get a job and have an actual relationship outside their home. Two got married, two playing house with their partners, one living close to campus … Continue reading →

It’s been a long week

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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 →

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 →

Burrow of a crawler

It never fails to amaze me how Lucy loves to burrow and crawl under the blanket. The minute I start changing bedding, she’s the first one to go under the blanket. What else can I do but smile and join … Continue reading →

As light goes in, shadow falls

“Newgrange is best known for the illumination of its passage and chamber by the winter solstice sun. Above the entrance to the passage, there is an opening called a roof-box. Its purpose is to allow sunlight to penetrate the chamber … 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 →

It’s been a long week

In or out, out or in. That’s what cats do best and sometimes they can’t even decide. They love boxes, too! This cat knows where he belongs, in an outbox. Meet Remy. Before I tell you about Remy, two cat … Continue reading →

Of Ads and Sods

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Have you heard of Sod’s Law? It’s also known as Murphy’s Law that if anything would go wrong, it will. It could be humorous, facetious and inconvenient. If it does happen, it isn’t funny. To me! It started with a … 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 →

Pig Personality Test

Gong Xi Gong Xi Ni Ya. Congratulations, Congratulations and Happiness to you. It’s Chinese Lunar New Year. It’s the Year of the Pig. For those people born in this Chinese zodiac calendar, may you be happy and prosperous! As for … 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.

Photographs and memories

Ireland is a country of Gaelic people and mystical land. I could not understand their thick accent unless I ask them to speak slowly. I don’t know which one has the best accent: Irish or Scottish? There is a Gaelic … Continue reading →

The man in the sycamore tree.

“If you want to identify me,” he says to the British officers who are questioning him, “ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I think … Continue reading →

‘Tis the season for Red

Mark your calendar, February 5 is Chinese New Year. Red lanterns will be floating all over the place, red packet of envelopes, red dress, red dragons, anything, and everything red. 2019 is the year of the Pig. I did find some … Continue reading →

It’s been a long week

Warm weather and sunny skies permeate the Vancouver City while some parts of Canada is living the extreme weather condition. My sister went to visit Toronto, and she is stranded due to poor weather condition. In the meantime, I wake … Continue reading →

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 →

In Search of Mental Wealth

Keep Your Mind in Shape. Today, more than ever, people are aware of the importance of physical fitness to good health, but it’s important to remember that a healthy mind and body go together. Make mental exercises part of your … 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 →