The Dance

It is so much fun to watch these two interact, at the beach or any where for that matter.

Ta da! Thank you very much!

An Early Evening Walk in December

The other evening just before supper we jumped into the car and headed to the beach.

The sun was just beginning to set and with cameras in hand we went over the dunes.

The water was rather calm and the light was a soft pinkish pastel.

It's times like this when I wish I could put a 'hold' on life

and just stay in this scene/setting for an extended period.

I soon lost that notion remembering that it was December

and we were walking along the North Atlantic Ocean in winter.

The cold breeze having snapped me out of my trance, 

I continued to follow Ron as he set out onto the beach with Sophie.

The lines and light really played off of each other and I had this real sense of space.

This combination of sky, ocean, beach and space enlivens one, yet is also calming.

We are both aware of how fortunate we are to have access to this space.

It is not always as 'friendly' as it was on this particular evening last week.

  

But even when it is inhospitable here, there is an innate beauty.

Oh, it's getting dark...better get home for supper.

Contemplative Monday

The following passage is taken from:

'Heart Advice, Weekly Quotes From Pema Chodron'

TRAINING WITH UNCERTAINTY 

"Many of us prefer practices that will not cause discomfort,

yet at the same time we want to be healed.

But bodhichitta training doesn't work that way.

A warrior accepts that we can never know what will happen to us next.

We can try to control the uncontrollable by looking for security and predictability,

always hoping to be comfortable and safe.

But the truth is that we can never avoid uncertainty.

This not knowing is part of the adventure, and it's also what makes us afraid."

Pebbles on beach at sundown, December 16,2012.

Eclectic Tastes

This song goes out to all the children we know and love,

and to the ones we don't know.

As well to the child that lives within us.

Have a very peaceful Sunday everyone.

Saturday Morning/Mourning Post

Yes the coverage of the tragedy that occurred in Connecticut yesterday

will be everywhere for the next few days.

It is horrifying to imagine the grief that is taking place in that town.

At this point it is necessary for all of us to stop for a moment 

and ask how and why this happened.

Hopefully in a short period of time our governments will 

show wisdom in their decision and to listen to their citizens 

as to how to stop this violence against innocent people.

Baking 101

I am sure I have mentioned here the fact I always loved to help my mother when she baked.

These are some of the most vivid memories I have as a child.

One of my tasks was to 'line' the cake/loaf pans with parchment paper

to help prevent the cake or loaf from sticking to the pan.

Last week while helping to clear out my parent's house, the kitchen

was 'my room' to sort out. Much to my surprise and well-hidden

way in the back of a bottom cupboard were these two pans.

These were the ones on which I learned to grease and line!

I thought these were long gone. 

The round one is made of tin I believe and is your basic cake pan.

 I can only imagine how many birthday cakes were made in this one.

There is nothing fancy about it. I used it the other day

and baked the family birthday cake....it came out really well!

The loaf pan is a little fancier with its pressed design. After a good

scouring it too will be ready to try out with a 'date and nut' loaf.

As was suggested by Ivan in Normandy, France 

using a tin pan can make all the difference.

Right again, Ivan. And thanks.

A Visit

This is Cameron, my great-niece.

Here she is with her mother Jami. They dropped by yesterday for a visit 

while they were in town for a few days.

It doesn't seem that long ago when I was crawling around on the floor

trying to get a few good photos of Jami when she was this age, nine months.

Cam was infatuated with Ron from the gitgo. She wouldn't keep her eyes off of him.

 Ron has always had a way with kids, they really like his calm but enthused energy.

As you can see, Sophie became very submissive around Cam which is not like her at all!

Cam is used to dogs but not this big! So Sophie was a GIANT in her eyes. 

They got along very well.

A little lick here.....

And a 'get together' on the floor.

A grab at Ron's foot......

And a few tugs....

And a 'That doesn't look like Daddy' second look....

Sophie figured it was okay to share her Dad with this little munchkin.