December Views...Day 4 Bits and Pieces...

(My 'real-life' teddy bear...)

Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE my dogs? Oh, I do...they have such tender little hearts...

(Daisy...aka. The Divine Miss Jiggs)
Notice the dog snot on the window...perhaps I should do something about that one of these days...:)

(One of my first portraits...)


(Mess=Bliss...)




(Hey there...)


Hope you have a beautifully creative weekend...
xo

December Views Day 4~

Wandering these country roads today the world seemed infinitely...wild...open...
No sounds...other than the biting wind rushing through the grass, and whipping through my hair...The occasional click of my camera...and the crunch of my boots on gravel..



I paused on the hilltop...
Actually delighting at being alone out here in the prairie cold...
And I felt strangely...utterly connected...
To the long-ago abandoned church...


The distant snow covered Rocky Mountains...



These solitary trees...



I found myself touched by the impermanence of all of it...of everything really...The grey of the day hanging round my shoulders like a melancholy blanket...



So I wandered on home for a little tea...and afternoon karaoke...It was most definitely a Norah Jones kind of day...:)

December Views...Day 3

So this will be a pretty lame little post...:) We changed our internet and phone provider today, so I've been working out all the little quirks and kinks that go along with that, which can be exhausting if you're not very technologically savy.

All I managed today was a reference photo for a painting I want to do...but mostly, I just wanted to show off my new red hair...I've alway wanted to try being a spicy red head...and I'm lovin' it, and so is Jon...:)

Tomorrow my camera is going to go for a little adventure around town, but for now it's off to bed...'Night.

Oh, and my brand new email is...jonandceleste@shaw.ca

Jumping In...December Views...

(Three Wishes Anyone....?)


(Entangled...)

(My non-doubting daughter near Kaslo B.C. this summer...:)

I have been thinking a lot about doubt lately...How many of us have let it spin wildly out of control to the point where it we find ourselves spiralling into the pit of fear...

Do you doubt yourself? Do you wonder what you're really capable of? I do...maybe a bit too much at times. Deep down, I believe that human beings are capable of pretty much anything if we don't doubt ourselves. I do believe that everyone of us that contributes something positive to this world makes it a better place for everyone on it...but the same holds true on that negative flip-side. If we give doubt the power it can literally cripple us...emotionally...spiritually...physically...

This morning, I'm feeling very heavy, as I see what is happening in our world. I know there are philosophical beliefs that say there are no such thing as bad people...but how full of fear, and hate does one's heart have to be to commit such horrendous acts? I'm sorry, but this is a very hard concept for me to swallow. I also know there are many, many good things going on too...but I struggle with trying to understand it all...

Coincidentally, Rhianna and I had a little mom and daughter field trip scheduled at the Hindu temple in Calgary this Sunday with my yoga class. She excitedly mentioned it again this morning at breakfast...and it just made me smile. Something that Rhianna has been from the moment she could understand, is fascinated by other cultures, and people around the world. To see her craving knowledge about how they live...what they eat...what they wear...what they believe...well...it just does a mom's heart good. As I watch her grow...and love...and learn, I can see that she,and the millions and millions of other beautiful little souls out there, are going to keep on doing great things for this planet of ours...no doubt about it.:)

Happy Sunday...

(Yikes...time for Photoshop or some eyecream! :)

Hello you! :) I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since I've posted here. Many times I've sat down to write something...only to have my words vanish into thin air. I've been reading your blogs...and having a hard time expressing what I've wanted to say. This is a very busy time for me. I have really dove head first into my yoga teacher training program. It has literally been gobbling up almost every spare minute of my time with practising...and studying. But I love it, really love it. Learning the philosophy...physiology...and the hardest thing of all for me...to slow down and listen.

Today I promised myself I would make time for some painting...so of course, I whipped out my camera, and started fiddling around...:) I am the Queen of Procrastination...Jon bought me some awesome 30x36" canvases a couple of weeks ago,so I've been painting...BIG!

(My sweet Coots wondering when I'm going to get back to work.)

We also had our first 'real' snowfall today. Jon and I took the dogs for a long walk this afternoon. It was so still and beautiful...I absolutely love being outside in the snow when it's not too cold...

(View from my studio window...)

Today is definately the day for a big pot of veggie chili and homemade cornbread...I heart Sundays. I hope wherever you are, you are having a fantastic day...

xo

(Morning Alter...click for larger.)
At my last weekend of school, our Buddhism/Hinduism philosophy teacher spoke again of 'collective karma'...that force that seemingly brings complete strangers together out of the blue. She reminded us again that this path...this life shift that we are on together chose us...and not the other way around. I do believe this...there is a very definate feeling inside when you find yourself drawn so strongly to something. I know to some, this whole concept might seem a little esoteric, but really if we open our eyes to it...it is everywhere...of course...it's right here in our blogging world.

I have been sitting a lot with my feelings...and fears lately in my early morning meditations. Doesn't that sound self-indulgent? It hasn't been all that pretty...but the more I do it, the more I notice subtle changes...Joy is slowly shining her light in those darkest of corners. And so, in that spirit, here are some things I am throwing out here today...nothing original...mostly just a reminder to myself...

*Life's beauty is in every breath...every body... whether you are writing a novel...saving a life...sipping your morning coffee... or homeless pushing a shopping cart through the city streets searching for bottles. You might not see it or believe it, but it's there...

*Everyone has the right to their own ideas and beliefs...Not just you...EVERYBODY. And it's okay if someone's views are different from yours...it's actually a good thing.

*Keep making mistakes...just stop tripping over the same shit...

*Smile...especially to yourself, first thing in the morning...

*The greatest gift we can give each other is compassion...

*Giving of oneself breeds happiness...Need proof? Do it!

*It's okay to leave the dishes and laundry until later to do a little karaoke with the kids.

*LAUGH

*Twirl (Thank you Dar! :)

*Play

*and last, but not least, EAT YOUR VEGETABLES!

xo