Beneath My Feet

  Some art on the beach at Nerja, Spain, on Mediterranean Sea. 2018 While reading, you can catch yourself not really reading the words anymore. The mind begins to wander.  You might be fatigued, in need of a break, or distracted by worries or 'to do' lists.  Pay attention. Focus. Concentrate .  Did you hear that as a child?  But, is this ability to direct our mental effort something instinctual and natural, or is it something taught and improved with practice? Our attention can be drawn away by mental thoughts, emotions and physical senses such as sounds, smells, colours. Keeping focused is easier said than done with so much to interrupt us... especially our phones. I've started wearing a watch again, as the phone wants to show me more than the time!  Different types of meditations can help develop concentration, where you aren't necessarily trying to sit with eyes closed in silence. You are encouraged to gently focus on something like the breath, the cent...

Journal writings of Van Gogh projected onto the floor and walls at Imagine Van Gogh Art Installation, Saskatoon, 2021. Enthralled with the creative process, I find thumbnail sketches on napkins, or the jotting of rough ideas in journals as interesting as the finished works. Immersed in ceiling to floor images, one connects with the vibrant palette of hues and thick energetic brush strokes of Vincent Van Gogh. Sadly, Van Gogh's art was never appreciated during his lifetime. So it is with many things over many lifetimes; what is thought strange or impossible at one time can later become a reality, newly respected, or even revered as genius. 150 years ago Van Gogh's depressed state and manic episodes of painting were misunderstood. Today, as we learn more about diversity, mental health issues, the effects of trauma, addictions, and so on, stigmas are somewhat lifted. The fear of asking for help becomes easier as we grow to accept our uniqueness, weaknesses or imperfections. Vince...

Photo, foot and writing by friend Gwen Jones. 2021 Grasslands National Park is beautiful. The sky views are endless. The bison are huge. They leave 'Buffalo chips' wherever they go, which have their own beauty. I broke one open with the toe of my boot and discovered that the inside was just brown powder. These chips were fuel for the Native Americans and settlers that lived on the treeless prairies.  ~My friend Gwen sent this peculiar photo and had me guessing what it might be. Thanks for this info and finding beauty in everything! I'll just leave it at that. 

At the roots of Saskatchewan's largest tree  near the banks of North Saskatchewan River, Oct. 2021. The anchored tree bends with the wind and withstands much. Roots reach deep into the soil; its stream of energy is grounded in the earth that we, too, take nourishment from. ~ Cecile Miller Thank you Mother Earth and trees. Happy Thanksgiving!  The giant cottonwood is over 160 years old! (circa 1850)

  Random marks on the floor of the historic Pumphouse reminiscent of an eye, Saskatoon 2021 We are so fortunate to have seen so much.  We take our eyes for granted until there is an issue that causes pain or threatens our vision in some way. Like many of you, I've had eye surgery to retain or improve my sight. Undergoing the procedure, thoughts of possible vision loss are scary because we rely so much on our sense of sight. But, we put our trust in science, our body's ability to heal and restore us to health.  Our eyes raise awareness in our capacity to see things for what they are and in being seen by others. We look for the eyes and make eye contact or avert our eyes. With our eyes we convey messages, communicate and connect. We see and hope to be seen.  You've finished reading this post. Thank you eyes.