Beneath My Feet

This is one of our grand dogs, Hanna, happily dressed as a shark. (More on sharks later.) Photo and feet are Julian's. My Halloween tribute is to the pets in our lives. We invite them in, and open our hearts to them. Pets need to be stroked, cuddled and caressed, indulged, pampered and played with. Dote on them and they return the kind of devotion most of us can only dream about receiving... licks, purrs, wagging tails.   Cats are spontaneous and content to live in the present moment, but may not allow you to dress them as a shark.  (Am I showing my dog bias?) Animals are our spiritual companions, living proof of a simply abundant source of Love. None of us need to feed alone. ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach Now, all we need is a black Halloween cat. Ta da!  Photo taken while pet-sitting my sister's almost twin cats when one was actually on the floor!  Dashingly handsome  Basil or Manny? ... showing off his snazzy new hairdo.    Regina, 2018.

One of many small churches in Orotina, Costa Rica, 2014 As a ceramic artist, I have taken many photos of intricate tile work and patterned floor tiles. It is likely how my feet entered  into the picture , starting in temples, cathedrals, city squares and living spaces all over the world. Tiles are often very very old, even ancient. In time, ceramics may chip or crack,  but are amazingly durable... not unlike we enduring humans.  I think about all the people who have stood in this same spot decades, if not centuries ago, appreciating their dreams to build, challenges, and imperfections. Each human is unique. Luckily, the human pattern is never cast the same twice. "When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge."  ~ Tuli Kupferberg.

Cu Chi Tunnels  of Vietnamese War near Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 2016.  Surprise! That's my sweet hubby exploring a network of hidden underground tunnels .. any boy's dream. And, surprise it's his birthday today!  Cheers to Rich!   But, he is not too thrilled with it being a milestone year. He doesn't want to be reminded about his age. As far as I know, the elixir of immortality and the fountain of youth haven't quite been discovered yet. But, I think its foundations lie in the interconnected nature of the body, mind and spirit. The truth is, he is doing great overall, with a healthy body, a mind eager to learn new things, and a spirit as adventurous as ever. We all know that age is just a number, right? “We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.” ~   George Bernard Shaw P.S.  Along with him, let's celebrate getting a day older and hopefully wiser than we were yesterday... play in peace.  

               Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday. Its meaning is profound and not attached to any religion or culture. It is simple. Everyone can celebrate it, anywhere, without the trappings of commercialism. There are so many beautiful quotes about gratitude -- I love them all. "Appreciation is the highest form of thought; gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder".... "You cannot be thankful and unhappy in the same moment." ... "Don't wait for a special day to celebrate each special day."  I hope you are able to share a meal with friends or family this Canadian Thanksgiving... or meet virtually.  L et the people in your life know how much you appreciate and love them.  Thank you, my friend!  Photo: Our picnic with friends in ancient ruins at Ek Balam pyramid site,Yucatan, Mexico, 2015

Grassi Lakes hike, near Canmore, Alberta, 2014. (Kenzie's photo) I'm not one for heights. Healthy fear is underrated, don't you think? Rocks and rushing water below... hmmm. If you asked me to traverse this narrow bridge, I could probably do it. But, without the railing for support, it might be a bit tricky to keep my busy mind from messing with my balance. I'd likely find myself either swept away by the current or swimming against it.  Keeping balanced in life is also a tricky thing; but, it's good to recall what helped get you back on track the last time you fell off. Find your right support. Lean on family or friends, get a good night's sleep, exercise, create, or meditate. Fresh air, time in nature and hugging a tree-railing are all guaranteed to keep you upright!