Beneath My Feet

   “Who we are cannot be separated from where we’re from.” ~ Malcolm Gladwell The roots and limbs of our ancestry stretch far and wide like this tree. I've never been one to dig deeply into my own history, but am familiar with a few branches of my family tree. DNA testing has come up in several conversations of late. DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid ... I remember learning the long term in high school biology and now it comes in handy for the odd Jeopardy answer. That spiraling ladder holds our unique genetic information and makes us who we are -- our human features, personality traits and our talents. Friends who tried DNA kits had remarkably accurate results ... pinpointing their ethnic heritage and even the names of relatives. In one situation they were introduced to a nutty uncle they never knew they had!  The pieces of that story were put together. If I had been adopted, I would certainly be curious to learn of my biological parents and next of kin.  It is astound...

“In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” – Maya Angelou. If you read my last post you might be thinking that title "Same Same But Different" seems familiar. I used the saying in reference to changing up routines. And, don't we know that many will be back to routine soon, as I've heard that we don't like to be reminded of the other word --  school . Remember the annoying "Back to Skool" flyers that used to arrive in July? Anyway, interestingly, I ran across my idea notes for a rhyming children's storybook that I drafted about a year ago. Coincidentally, I had titled it ... you guessed it... Same Same But Different . (See excerpt below.) The message was inspired because of all the divisive attitudes in the world to which young children are being exposed. I look forward to  illustrating it one day, but my project ideas often get ahead of me. For now,  you can imagine what my illustrations might be!  Same Same But Different   Some like do...

How do we get stuck in a rut? Metaphorically, I mean. Spinning our wheels so that the path becomes worn and we sink deeper. If we become wedged in a crevice we are unable to find enough momentum to get out. Creating that ideal daily routine might be the very thing that entrenches us in a rut. Don't get me wrong, routines are great and necessary -- providing comfort, stability and hopefully healthy habits. (You likely won't catch me being a member of the 6:00 am wake-up club.) But, over time, when overly rigid, a steady routine can become an unrelenting Groundhog Day... feeling tired, bored, uncreative, unproductive with a rhythm that settles into ... rinse, repeat. What day is it anyway? Ironically, we may need to find ourselves in a rut in order to notice that things are not as we want them to be -- our work, our relationship, our living situation, our approach to living. The rut can prompt us to introduce variety and spontaneity back into our days. Recognize that peaks and ...

It has been over 3 years since I began this blog! A lot has changed and much has stayed the same. Thanks so much for following along, and even sending me photos of your wonderful feet or what lies beneath! I love it!  You might even see your feet in these pics.  I've come up with titles for some you sent. Can you match the titles to the photos below?   It's no "Small Feet" to "Explore Big Cities" especially where you might "Get Dirty"-- just be careful not to end up in the "Hospital". It is better to "Relax", "Eat Well" and enjoy "This Moment in Time" where it is possible for a "Caterpillar" to "Become a Butterfly".   1.  2. 3.   (digital sundial) 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

This spectacular rainbow was captured by my dear friend, Gwen.  We marvel at these shimmering colours on the ground. I am forever intrigued with these mesmerizing iridescent surfaces revealed in nature, on animals and other objects. Some that come to mind are: the feathers on birds such as a hummingbird, proud peacock or the ring around a pigeon's neck; a butterfly's wing and other insects like beetles; certain gemstones and jewels; a glaze on a raku-fired pot; a soap bubble; the interior of sea shells, especially the paua shell.  What creates this optical curiosity you ask? Obviously it is a trick of light -- the way its coloured wavelengths are being absorbed and reflected to meet our eyes. I learned that these iridescent surfaces are often multi-layered. When the light being reflected from a bottom layer collides with light reflected from a top layer it causes interference -- the result of this interference is magical.  The unique layers and colours of our own essence ...

After planting my garden I took a break in the adjoining park. Then it rained.  City Park, Saskatoon Spring comes Grass grows all by itself Here I sit Imagining in this moment That I have nothing to do I listen With all my senses Connected to the earth Yet amongst the yellow stars    

I met Larry a few times before I noticed his playful pedicure. Take a photo?  Gladly! He told me that decades ago his Girl Scout daughters were painting nails for a fundraiser. He decided to contribute his toes to the cause and why not choose a different colour for each? He has kept his feet alive with happy hues all these years. The technicolour toes were always a conversation starter and spoke volumes about his colourful personality and sense of adventure. A rainbow always brings a smile to a face! "Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud." ~ Maya Angelou Challenge: Next social gathering... wear a cheery item of clothing or an accessory that is a conversation starter... see what happens.