Nature Needs to be Treasured

I’m reposting a portion of a post by Robin of Breezes at Dawn. Recently I posted the image below on Faceb00k because I interpreted it to mean that we are taught to worship God, who created our earth, who created all that Nature offers yet we destroy our nature with pollutions of various kinds.

 

The quotation Robin chose for her post today says essentially the same thing, I think. It’s very pertinent to how things are today.

“You carry Mother Earth within you. She is not outside of you. Mother Earth is not just your environment. In that insight of inter-being, it is possible to have real communication with the Earth, which is the highest form of prayer. In that kind of relationship you have enough love, strength and awakening in order to change your life.

Fear, separation, hate and anger come from the wrong view that you and the Earth are two separate entities, that the Earth is only the environment. That is a dualistic way of seeing.

So to breathe in and be aware of your body and look deeply into it, realise you are the Earth and your consciousness is also the consciousness of the Earth. Not to cut the tree not to pollute the water, that is not enough.

We need a real awakening, enlightenment, to change our way of thinking and seeing things. When we recognise the virtues, the talent, the beauty of Mother Earth, something is born in us, some kind of connection, love is born. That is the meaning of love, to be at one.”

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Advertisements

Fashionista

Melanie B Cee posted some new questions recently, questions she got from Rory.

It looked like it might be fun so here I go!

Q1] How important is colour in your life? Very important. Color is life. I like neutral walls and floors, with maybe an accent wall, but lots of spots of color is a necessity. Just as in my dress, I’ll anchor with neutral pants or skirts, but the top has to have some color or a brightly colored accent scarf.

Q2] What is most favourite colour to wear?  Blue. Any shade of blue. Purple. Red. Greens, any shade. Pink, but it has to be bright. Pastels are rare in my closet.

Q3] Is there a colour that you wear that brings the best out in you and in others – in so far as compliments? Probably blue. It accents the color of my eyes. But I pick my colors by what I like rather than what will get me a compliment.

Q4] Are you a person who likes to overdress for the day or are you a follower of the credo, less is more? I think I’m mostly less is more. Unless the mood to be a little outrageous strikes.

PQ5] What are five of your best items of clothing that you simply couldn’t be without? [and l don’t mean underwear/socks]  Best or favorite? Favorites are jeans, leggings (lined for winter), sweatshirts, long cotton shirts, an occasional bit of glitz.

Q6] Do you dress for the season, as in colour wise, or just throw on whatever is warm and practical?  I wear pretty much the same colors all year round. The weight of fabrics changes with the seasons.

PQ7] If you were going for an evening out and the dress code was ‘smart casual’ what is your ideal outfit and why? A maxi skirt or long pants, probably black, maybe with a collared shirt and wrap or shawl – with bright colors, of course. Because that would be comfortable and would meet my concept of smart casual.

Q8] If you were having to attend an important meeting or appointment and the dress code was smart – what would your outfit be then? In the days when I was working, that would mean heels (although as years went by, the heel height shrunk), straight skirt, blouse or, in winter, turtleneck, and blazer.

Q9] How many pairs of shoes do you own, and what is the breakdown [as in casual, smart, evening, leisure] I’d have to go count. Until a couple of years ago, I had probably ten pair of high heels – left over from my working days – the number because I’m hung up on color coordinating. Now, the closest I come to it are a few pairs of “smart but casual” wedged heels – two pair of ankle boots, another in a sandal. A couple pair of leather casual slip-on shoes. Several pair of sandals – that really need to be sorted through because I tend to wear only a couple pair of them. Probably some more that I don’t remember. Oh yeah, a pair of sneakers, a pair of clogs (sneaker-like), and a pair of cool (as in temperature) walking shoes. I don’t own any dressy shoes, because I don’t have a dressy kind of life.

Q10] Do you have classic clothing, or classic items in your wardrobe that you have had for years and never go out of fashion if so name three? That would again go back to my working days, when I had a variety of straight skirts, some dressier long pants, lots of turtlenecks and collared blouses, with blazers or other smart jackets. The closest I get to classic now is sweatshirts – largely tunic length, and tunic length collared shirts. Over leggings or jeans. Last year I bought several new items because I realized that most of what was in my closet was very many years old, and with my spreading girth not so well fitting anymore.

Q11] Are you into plain colours, wild colours or outlandish designs or a mixture and which do you favour more? A little of each, although very little of anything approaching outlandish, maybe only slightly trending.

PQ12] Do you have a favourite quote with regards fashion or design – if so what is it? Are there quotes about fashion or design, other than “less is more”? I guess that means my answer would be no.

Q13]  Knee high socks, ankle socks, shin socks or no socks? Seasonal – in winter, knee socks (preferably bamboo, soft), in spring and fall, ankle socks, in summer, no socks.

Q14] Can you see the connection between colour and music and if so does it influence your dress code for the day in any way? I’d never thought of this. I’d say no, I don’t, although if I were asked to paint what I thought when listening to music, I’d probably paint softer colors for ballads or folk music – some music would probably want me to go dark – happy songs would be brighter colors. Blues – soft, maybe even a lot of neutrals. Rock or hard rock or rap – don’t want to listen to it thank you.

PQ15] If you are going out somewhere special and want to listen to some music to put you in the mood whilst getting dressed up, what do you listen to? [Provide link please]  I don’t listen to music when I’m getting ready to go somewhere. I don’t listen to music all that often – it’s usually dictated by my mood – and when I do I’m usually ready to go back to quiet after a couple of hours.

Q16] How often do you buy new clothing for the season or the year? If I’m heeding the warnings my budget gives me, not often. I’ve over indulged a little in the last couple of years, so what I’ve got now needs to last for a long time.

Q17] Remember tie-dye from the 70’s was it a thing you followed, bought into or worse, how do you feel about it now? I think it’s fun, but I’ve never gotten into it. I looked, I touched, I walked away.

Q18] What is the brightest coloured item of clothing you have in your wardrobes/drawers? See my favorite colors above – blues, purples, greens, reds, some funky prints.

Q19] What is the most expensive item of clothing that you have in your wardobe? How often do you actually wear it? A pair of funky long pants I bought at a boutique when I was visiting a friend in Santa Fe, NM. They’re fun, meant for warmer weather, but don’t get worn as often as they should based on the price, which really wasn’t outrageous, except I’m a budget shopper – you know, Ross for Less and that kind of place.

PQ20] Are you deleting any questions, if so which ones? Not so far, and since there’s only one more, I think it’s safe to say no.

Q21] Is being ‘fashionable’ important to you, or is being comfortably attired  more so? Well, I’d rather not look stodgy or frumpy, but comfort is the primary concern now. Comfortable and as classy as I can be with my lifestyle and wardrobe.

To summarize, I don’t think I’m a fashionista at all.

Share Your World – 10-8-18

It’s a lovely blue sky day out there, especially appreciated because it was preceded by a mostly gray sky day – although that day was not bad, the temperatures were moderate and while I was out in it, it was kind enough not to pour down rain. This morning has been designateed by me to be the morniing to Share my World with Melanie and those who wish to share my world.

Do you prefer Apple (‘I’ products) or Android for your technology ‘fix’?   I used to be PC/Android products. Then I got a laptop with Windows 8 – I didn’t have it very long before it was replaced with an iMac – I already had the iPad. I continued with an Android phone for awhile, but when it came time to replace it, I really wanted all my devices to talk to each other, so I got an iPhone. Perhaps over-priced, the Apple devices, but for me there’s no going back.

What’s something on your personal bucket list? I really don’t have a bucket list. But I suppose if I won the lottery (without actually buying tickets), I could create a bucket list. Buy a home on the coast – but on a rise so it was above the high tide line by quite a bit – and it would be the Oregon coast because hurricanes are not a usual thing here. Although it is on the Pacific Rim, so. . .  After I bought that house, there is still some traveling I would like to do – First Class.

What would you name your boat if you had one?   The Unsinkable 3? The Please Don’t Sink? Your choice! Also, what would it look like? Do you want a motor yacht, a sailboat, or perhaps a dinghy? Well, that’s a question that has befuddled me. An ex and I had a boat for awhile – I don’t think we named it, but it became what many boats are for those of us who are not in the wealthy spectrum – a big black hole in the water that swallowed up $. I like being on the water, and a sailboat sounds like the perfect romantic concept, but a yacht would be a lot less work. I think perhaps the best solution for me would be to simply pay for passage on cruise lines or river boats (because I won the lottery you know), and let the companies that pay for the boats name them.

Which fictional character would be the most boring to meet in real life? See, now you’ve put me on the spot, and I can’t think of a single fictional character, boring or otherwise. Most fictional characters have quirks that would make them some kind of interesting, although there are characters that would be completely exhausting or frustrating or infuriating to be around. I am choosing to dodge this question.

And finally: 

What brought gratitude, a smile or laughter to your life this week? Waking every morning. Having my leisurely cups of coffee to start the day, during which I spend time with my bloggy friends, watch the critters outside my windows, then cuddle a bit with my furry girl, Shasta. Because she has a great need for attention. And she’s a good cuddler.

And so what all of this says is I have enough in my life. I hope you do too.

Change is Hard

But change is certain, I hope. (Thank you to Dawn for the use of her blog title and tagline).

Midterm elections are coming up very soon. I must confess it will be a relief when they are over, and I hope the conclusion of this election will reduce the amount of mail that appears in my inbox on a regular basis. That being said, I think it is important that everyone get out and vote – vote with your brain or your instinct, or whatever works best for you, but vote! Find that candiidate that you feel will best represent you and your district – true representation, instead of a search for power.

These past months have convinced me – if I was not convinced before – that we need term limits on our Congress. We need change. It will be hard to effect, but it’s necessary if we are going to survive as a country, as a society. I believe there are far too many members of Congress who have been there far too long and are far too beholden to someone, some entity/entities, other than their constituents. They are from another era, a time when women were meant to  be kept barefoot in the kitchen, or at least silent. No one person should have as much power as the leaders of each party in the Senate and in the House. That one person can determine what is voted on and what is set aside, and when these things happen, is not democratic. It is not the way a Republic should be governed. Perhaps our guidelines, our Constitution, should be reviewed. Perhaps it could use some updating. I don’t know – I do not claim to be an expert or particularly knowledgeable on the topic. But I do know this nation is more divided now than it has been in my lifetime and I do know that “together we stand, divided we fall”.

I believe we are at risk of falling. Please, please, stand up and be counted. Whether your beliefs coincide with mine or not. Read, study, think, with eyes, ears and heart wide open. And vote. Just vote.

What the Heck?!

What the heck is with WordPress – again? Awhile back it was refusing to let me “like” a post on several sites, and on those same sites if I chose to leave a comment, I’d have to sign in. Often, I would sign in far too many times within the period of an hour. Then it gave in to my whining and stopped being so dfficult. For long enough to make me feel quite comfy. Now. It’s. Back. To. Harrassing. Me. I’m certain it’s personal, and I am feeling quite affronted.

What the heck is with the screechy, unnerving wail on my phone at 2:18 (EST) yesterday? Yes, I do know what it was – I read the news – or at least some of it. But why? Why are we doing this? Didn’t there used to be some kind of the same kind of test on TV or maybe radio back in the dark ages? If this is supposed to be a warning of an imminent disaster, what about people who don’t have cell phones. And is it limited to smart phones?

What the heck is with the recipe I used last night for my dinner? It looked good – it has all the ingredients I like (beans, rice – mine was a rice/quinoa mixture – spinach, chili powder, cumin, and such. Sounded great – put together? Not so much. Recipe deleted. Maybe it needed some tomatoes.

What the heck is with my extreme laziness? I mean, lazy is not uncommon for me, but it seems lately if it doesn’t involve the kitchen, I don’t want to do it. What makes this extra strange is that it’s been many years since the kitchen held any real interest for me.

What the heck? You know how the commercials show kids throwing their toys into the toilet just to see what happens next? Or is it because they’re fascinated with that whirling water that makes things disappear? Well, this morning, my dog threw her bone into the toilet – just after I’d flushed it. Yep. I saw her juggling it around in her mouth, I heard the telltale clink, bone disappeared. OMG! Visions of plumbers, removal of toilet, $ signs. But sometimes life is kind – bone was easily removable, just out of sight. I told her an encore is not necessary.

Which leads to what the heck am I going to do today? Not that there aren’t things to be done – multiple things, truth be told. The real question is “what will I convince myself I really should do”? Clean up the kitchen, yes. Vacuum and dust? Maybe. But less likely. Laundry? Possibly.  I think maybe another cup of coffee is necessary for this decision.

My enemies

Share Your World – 10-1-2018

I’m sitting here this morning, this second grey day with intermittent light showers, loving the grey, the showers, the general feeling of contentment. The luxury of not having to do anything if I don’t want to. My furry girl and I have dinner in the refrigerator, and the level of dust on flat surfaces has not yet reached the point of making me feel I must do something about it. So – here it is – time to Share my World.

What’s your go-to for unwinding after a stressful event or day?   Can be someone or something – music, pets, family or whatever you choose.  A glass of wine (or a beer on a warm day), cuddling with my furry girl, silence. If the day has had a high level of stress, Alexa will play soft ocean sounds for me while I drink my wine (or beer) and cuddle my furry girl.

---

The plane you’re flying in is going to crash, no survivors.  If you had one song you could listen to before it happens, what would it be?  (credit to NewEpicAuthor for this one).  Please share the link to the song if you can. I gotta be honest here – I don’t think if I was on a plane that I knew was going to crash what I would be thinking of would be a song. I think I would be whispering – or maybe screaming – all those things I want to say to the ones I love. Because no matter how often I say I love you to them now, I know I will want to say that and probably more one more time.

---

What is one thing you’re really, really good at and not ashamed to admit it?  I worded that deliberately because aren’t we taught to be humble and not pushy about our achievements?  Celebrate your ability! Oh gosh. My instant response is to be humble and say things like being lazy or sitting in silence or – things that require no talent or skill. If I am less humble, I was really really good at being an escrow officer, and in the years before that and after, a secretary. I am really really good at being organized, except now that my rememberer is broken it’s a little harder.

---

Would you rather lose all of your money and valuables or all of the pictures you have ever taken? Since I have no money and the only real valuables I have are sentimental valuables, I think I would rather lose my money and valuables. My pictures are rather a history of my life, the joys shared with loved ones, nature’s beauty. All the things that feed my soul.

And lastly

What were you grateful for or something that made you smile during the past month? I am grateful the the fall season with all the spots of colors in my yard.

Listen and Watch a Voice of Sanity

Reblogging from Melanie B Cee’s Sparks, which she reblogged. Certainly worth listening to, then thinking about.

Beau of the Fifth Column: Let’s Talk about Kavanaugh