Sayonara

"Only death is perfect. It never happens imperfectly!" I heard it recently from the lips of Sadhguru. He is so right. The rest cannot possibly be perfect but it only can strive to do its best and fulfill its highest potential. And so we, the travellers in this journey called life, remain to strive to do our best for the rest of our days.

The 70's in our family

I am contemplating about issues of death and remaining because today my family has said goodbye to a very dear person. If I were to describe my memory of her i would use words like concerned about others, angelic, beautiful, gentle, giving, embracing, understanding, cheerful, tactful and did I say beautiful? She had a sweet soft voice and a great smile. I always looked at her from a distance and thought: "she is such a beautiful and graceful woman!"  And now this beautiful and graceful woman is gracing the spheres where angels and the Highest drink elixir of everlasting life. I think the scale has tilted irreversibly towards our disadvantage. Heavens vs Earth. We are loosing this race of  having the best people on our side. They are going too fast! But is has to be good there since nobody ever came back! So my favourite poem comes to mind again. Spieszmy sie kochac ludzi, tak szybko odchodza... Let's hurry to love people. They go away too fast...She has left us to meet her husband who was a very charismatic persona himself. I remember the last words he said to me. I was sitting in a car, driving away. He stood on the side of his driveway. He waved at me and said, "SAYONARA."  Today they sit together again hand in hand, soul to soul. They way I see them is on a boat that is floating on a very calm water. They sit together and slowly sip rum and coke. I see them smiling in perfect comfort and contentment...

We are left here without them. But we are not alone. We still have those around us to love, to cherish, to take care of, to hug, listen to and shower with attention. Ciocia and Wujek are still here with us, in our hearts and minds. Their lives in this world remind us to love the ones who remain with us.
My thoughts and prayers are with ciocia's immediate family. Her children, grandchildren, family and friends will have a hard time to fill the void. But we go on in hope to meet one day on that boat where they give out the best rum and coke you can find...Sayonara!

Close Encounters - Friday

I was sitting at Starbucks with a very good friend of decades enjoying a nice conversation and a cup of coffee. The story was very enticing and intriguing. My hands were in the air, my voice was loud, my friend was listening to me without a word when I said, "Yesterday..." All of a sudden there was a voice that repeated my 'yesterday', but in a more melodic, softer tone. I knew that tone. I looked at my friend's lips. They were not moving. I looked beyond the visible and commanding barriers of Starbucks. There was an older man in shabby clothes and a homemade walking stick. But he was wearing the most genuine smile ever which made him a beautiful, almost angelic person! I knew that melody he was repeating my 'yesterday' with so I made a quick decision to finish it for him and with him. We both sang,"Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away..." His lyrics was more guessed and mumbled, mine more pronounced. How could I ever forget this song. I sang it about a million times when teaching in Japan. You see, before any English class starts in Japan, students sing a song to practice and listen to how English words sound.  I think it is a great idea especially that it gives the students a bit of a culture dimension as well. But why does it have to be The Beatles song so often? I don't know. I remember singing Back Street Boys, Lady Gaga, Katie Perry, Stevie Wonder, The Carpenters, Mike Oldfield and Maggie Reilly. Yes! The good old times. It was fun when my partner in crime, creme de la creme ATL, my bestie and a co-worker, and I tried to reenact the meanings with our body language. I remember those teenagers getting a kick out of it. Good old times!

Kawase Festival, 2013

The man on the outside smiled in surprise that I knew. He stopped, leaned on the fence and began a friendly conversation. It was not about the politics, the money or rather the luck of it, the weather,  Donald Trump or like. He went full throttle, "Which of The Beatles is the best, my ladies?" Yikes, the man asked a hard question but we tried to tackle it anyway. My friend went with forever cute Ringo. I chose George Harrison for his Electric Light Orchestra and Traveling Wilburys work. But the man didn't not appreciate our originality. He made it clear that the best one of them, in his mind was undisputedly, the one and only, John Lennon.

My Daily Photography, Brickworks, October 2017

People don't talk about what is important anymore! We waste time on discussions about others and things that have very limited meaning to us. But what is ours, our feelings, opinions are being neglected. This conversation was such a nice break. I feel hoisted back to what is true and real. All thanks to this old man, and my loud and accidental 'yesterday'. I wish you all a lot of moments like that, my dear friends! Have a Happy Monday!

A Story with a Red Fox In It

A few days ago my son and I visited Royal Ontario Museum. We have a family pass so we go there every once in a while and visit one exhibition at a time. The last time we visited the Natural History corner with all the animals, insects and the story of fauna and flora. When we got to the part where they nicely displayed a beautiful orange fox of Northern Ontario I had a story to tell. My son listened carefully because after all it was his story as well.

In October of 2008 my husband and I decided to take a vacation. I had to take it that late because at that time I worked for Global Village Toronto and summers were and still are the busiest time of the year. No one was allowed to take vacation from June til September. In October, when the leaves changed colours and the temperatures went down considerably, it was my turn to get some time off.

I had arranged for with my brother to drive us to the Algonquin Park, leave us there for a week, and then come to pick us up. It was supposed to be a nature powered, freeing and relaxing time. Especially...especially because I was 8 weeks pregnant! We didn't tell a living soul, knowing that our families would not allow me to go on such a trip in that state. The plan worked perfectly. We Arrived at Mew Lake Campground in Algonquin. It was one of the smaller camps, but it had yurts and nice surroundings. There was a lot to do and see. We pitched our tent right by the lake, but also, not to far from the washroom, etc, etc. At breakfast and dinner we would feed birds right out of our hands. They would fly in and sit on us. Deer was not too shy. We were able to sneak up on then during our walks. The nights were truly arctic though. We would wake up with frost and ice on the inside of our tent but the sleeping bags kept us nice and toasty as long as we kept our noses in them.

Every day we tried to venture in on the shorter trekking trails. On one of those walks, at the Pewee Lake, we spotted a shy moose that disappeared leaving only tracks for us to photograph.  You could sense how the nature was getting ready for the deep sleep.  Another trek that we took, and that I remember so well, was a short walk that ended at a small lake on the Two Rivers Trail. I don't remember now but it could have been Bat Lake. It was a peaceful,  place with a small deck going into the lake. I remember we stood there for the longest time looking at the view. We admired the silence and the stillness of the water. We enjoyed the company of some birds trying to get into my cookie, so I shared. Then we stood in silence some more. I remember thinking about my baby that was inside my belly patiently waiting. We were all present waiting patiently for something. And it was a perfect place and time to contemplate on that topic.

When the time was up, the silence was beginning to overwhelm, and the pregnant woman got hungry. We turned around to leave when we noticed a beautiful orange fox on the other end of that deck. What an explosive moment it was! Was it a message of some sort? Was he bringing us some good news? The three of us stood in stillness for a good minute, simply looking at each other. I bet our hearts were racing as fast as our minds.  And as on that day at ROM, I told my son the end of that story, "the fox took a looooong look at daddy, me and then at my belly, because that fox knew you were there. He gracefully turned around its gorgeous tail and jumped off the deck. And he disappeared into the woods of Algonquin park."

8 weeks pregnant in Algonquin

I don't have heroic stories of war and saving private Ryan, but I think this is as good story to tell your son as any, don't you think?


'In Native American folklore, fox animal symbolism deals with two interpretations. One perspective (Northern tribes) observes the fox as a wise and noble messenger. The other (Plains tribes) views the fox as a trickster playing pranks, or worse - luring one to demise.

The fox encourages us to think outside of the box and use our intelligence in different, creative ways. The fox also brings us a message to try to approach our circumstances differently that we normally would. Be aware of some of our habits, and try a different angle of action.

The fox is also a reminder that we must utilize all of our resources (seen and unseen) in order to accomplish our goals. Sometimes this means calling upon some unorthodox methods. Furthermore, the fox is a sign to be mindful of our surroundings.Phenomenally effective shapeshifters and incredibly adaptable, the fox beckons us to not make too many waves but rather, adapt to our surroundings, blend into it, and use our surroundings (and circumstances) to our advantage.'  

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/fox-animal-symbolism.html

People Will Never Learn

Here is a thought: Why did people like Tesla, Van Gogh die in poverty? Both geniuses were not recognised during their lifetime. Both wanted to give their art and knowledge to the world that did nothing to cherish their talents but ridiculed, manipulated and ignored them. Why did I come to think about that? Recently, there has been a lot of talk about employment, resume and hiring techniques. I learned that very often when you send your resume in reply to an internet posting you must beat something called ATS to make it into human hands. This computer system sieves through all the applications by eliminating the ones that have the least of those who have applicable terminology. In other words, if you are a genius but use your own words to describe your talents, the computer will sent your resume into inner space, a black hole, eternal nothing. No matter how good you are, qualified for the job, and experienced you will not get the job. Your originality, ability to generate genius ideas mean nothing to the computer.

Brickworks Genius of the Past

My question is, are the hiring managers not afraid that they will miss the best person for the job? The  future's Gogh? My husband rushed to respond: "Yes! They humans will never learn! We are willing to take that risk! The best is not important because our own jobs, once conquered they become just jobs, means to an end. Also, we become like computers. We all begin to act like computers. As long as numbers add up, the machine works well.

Genius of Nature (can you see it?)

I am out of words. I hope this changes quick. Just think about it all the potential in the world that we could be aborting! Can you imagine the world without  art of Vincent Van Gogh? Inventions of Nicola Tesla? Then turn the coin. Think of the world we would have if people like Van Gogh and Tesla were recognised and celebrated during their life times? How much more interesting this world would be if they were given a chance to show their fullest ability? I know! I am a dreamer. A romantic. But hope and dreams five birth to something incredible!

Prescription for Everyday

We have so much to be grateful for. But there is something else that two wonderful women have pointed out to me recently. It is very important to see yourself in a positive light. To see what is good and strong about yourself. Most of us come from a culture that condemns self adoration and self-recognition. It is seen as a distasteful and improper behaviour to recognise that we are good at something and that our strengths overpower our shortcomings. I am not saying that being self-centred
and egocentric is a positive thing. However, we need to find a moment to see what skills and positive characteristics there are in us.

Finally finished self-portrait, September 2017

Stand tall every morning and look at yourself in the mirror. See the beautiful and wonderful person that you are. Acknowledge your skills intelligence and knowledge. See yourself through eyes of your friends and co-workers and you will see how giving and friendly you are. You will see a person that everybody relies on because they know how smart, funny, and skillful you are. They know that whatever the task might be you will manage it and succeed. They know the beautiful and gentle you.

My friend, you are inspiring me to be a better person. You bring out the thinking woman that should be ambitious, skillful and quick. You make me feel special and bring out all the best qualities in me for which I am indebted to you forever. Because of you I survived some of the toughest trials in my life. You carry me and others like me in your life on your shoulders. And sometimes it gets very heavy, yet you say nothing. You go on! Amazing you! Persistent, understanding, strong, faithful friend. Weather your hair is red, black or blond, you are always beautiful and elegant. You are like a warm spring sunny day that carries your name! The world without you would NOT be the same.

We ourselves are our own biggest enemies and the toughest critics. We are ruthless and cruel to ourselves. We dismiss our superlatives and ignore potential. Stop I say! Look, listen, feel and smell if you have to! Open your eyes and your heart to the new supersonic You! Apply this twice a day everyday for as long as needed. And this is the truth you should know and adopt in your heart.

Have a happy Tuesday!

To the Loo at Bentley Bar and Inn

It was a good day that ended on a nice patio with some of the top notch culinary experience. The company was amazing and the topics were light and entertaining. Most of all the three ladies had fun exchanging their views that most of the time ended with an echoing "Yeah! That is exactly what I think!" They sat there enjoying their wine and observing as groups of people marched to make it on time to the theatre. Ahhh yes! You could smell it everywhere around town! Shakespeare was in the air, earth and water!

But wine finished, the restaurant was about to close for the night so the ladies left the establishment. They walked along the main street. Every now and then they stopped to admire and point out interesting window displays. When they got to the towns souvenir shop they had to stop. One particular shirt caught their eye and captivated their minds. The would pick a phrase from a shirt in the window and scream it out for their amusement and others' annoyance. But it was not about the others that night!It was entirely about three girls having fun! "Out with his head!", "(Jealousy is) a green - eyed monster", "Good Riddance!", "Break the ice", " Come what come may", "Dead as a doornail", "It was Greek to me". It was fun and naughty in an innocent way! They kept walking in search of coffee. Their path led them to a bar with opened doors and windows. They just wanted coffee but when they saw a live bad getting ready to play, they ordered a pitcher of beer and stayed. One must not refuse a live band entertainment! RoadWolves fulfilled their expectations! Maybe next time they play P.J. Harvey perhaps?

https://photos.google.com/u/3/photo/AF1QipP_ppJd_D7M0wCGth0kO0L_a5WeyETSooif0l2k

One of the ladies spotted a sign. It was hard to miss as it was a neon sign on the edge of the wall pass the nook where the band played. But look again and they saw another sign on the left side of the place "TO THE LOO." It is always comforting to know where to go when you need to go. Especially when you need to go TO THE LOO!

In the loo there was no shortage of princesses that fixed each others' crowns and affirmed each others' God-given talents and gifts. An eternal atmosphere of female positive energy and friendliness. Ahhh what a night! WHAT A NIGHT! A night divine!

The only thing better than a night like this is a night like this with a sober driver, two passengers singing their hearts out to the tunes of Brathanki, and a sky full of stars! And that is exactly what they got! I am tipping my crown to you Ladies of the Ring!