Well, so much for a bike ride this morning. I'm up early, raring to go for my 10km bike ride, load up the bike with my camera and..... flat tire. Not just a little lost air, totally flat. Sh*t!
I don't have an extra tire, nor any bike tools, so I guess this morning when the stores open, my bike will be going into the bike shop. Now, I could just get another tire and repair it, although I've never done it before, but ever since my chain came off, my bike has some odd noises that need to be addressed.
In essence, it needs a tune-up. It's been a lot of places and through a lot of gravel dust and rain, as well as having fallen over numerous times, that it definitely needs a bit of TLC to get it back to it's former glory. I'm also seriously considering buying another bike, one that is lighter. My current bike is a mountain bike/cruiser hybrid and exceedingly heavy. Add all my camera equipment, and it's no wonder I have to pedal so hard.
I'm disappointed that my bike ride's been delayed, as I'd planned on riding down by the river again, just to check out it's depth. I've been documenting the river levels as I've been riding and posting the photos on the local community page. The local newspaper contacted me to ask if they could use my photos - of course the answer was yes!
Here's the river about a month ago. I was actually standing under the bridge on the river bed and you can see there is very little water in it.
It's getting a bit scary to be riding by the river though, as it only has a couple of feet before it'll breach it's banks. All the sloughs are absolutely full, and dangerously close to spilling over onto roadways. I have to admit to not being too comfortable riding through the foot of the farmer's field, right along the riverfront, with the path being only five feet from the edge of the riverbank.
Here's the river this past Monday.
And here it is on Thursday evening. Yikes!
Once I've dropped my bike off at the bike shop, I guess I'll go to plan B and wander the wetlands, provided that it isn't flooded. As much as I'd like to think I'd get my bike back today, I'm pretty sure it'll have to be in the repair shop a few days or a week before I'll see it again. Ack! Of course, I could just buy a bike tire and attempt to change it myself, and leave the tune-up, except that it really does need one. I wonder if they have 'loaner' bikes like they have loaner cars when your car is in for repair? lol.
I'm thankful that the bike tire is flat while I'm at home and not when I was out riding somewhere. I've had the bike a number of years now and never had to change the tire, so I guess it really doesn't owe me anything. I do need to learn how to change a tire myself and purchase a small bike repair kit to take with me on rides. One other thing I really need to get is a rear view mirror for the bike handles. Although I don't ride on busy roads, it'd still be handy to see what's coming up behind.
This is what I'm missing on my ride this morning. Pout. Pout.
Don't you hate it when you have something all planned out in your head and life steps in and laughs at you?
I've written a little about my bratty fjord x, who in actual fact, saved my life. I won't go into that, but how, a few years later, I was able to pay it forward by rescuing a thoroughbred mare.
The ad in the paper said $500 so, for some reason, I went to see her, even though I didn't have the funds to purchase her. It was our typical cold, rainy November weather, and she stood, her neck parallel to her withers, her head down, her eyes dull. Her coat was long and rough, and as I ran my hand down her side, my hand easily slipped between her ribs to my middle finger. Her hip bones stuck out, and she stunk of the pond she had to wade through to get to her shelter.
The owner, a small woman, said she was pushy and refused to feed her because of it. Um, I'd be pushy too if I was starving. I asked all my horse friends to go look at her, as I sensed something wonderful about her. No one wanted her. She had no energy to canter, and one trainer said she didn't have the right gaits.
I asked my daughter's British trainer to come look at her, and she said yes, she had beautiful conformation, but a 'pig' eye (small) and was at a point of using her muscle to feed herself. She felt she was worthy of a $500 investment, and I arranged with the owner to pay him in three instalments and took her home.
The first thing I did was throw a blanket on her, and let her and my daughter's thoroughbred get to know one another over a fence. It was love at first sight. Alfie (my daughter's horse) was thrilled with the new arrival. They went into the same paddock with free choice hay, my mare only interested in the food.
I couldn't think of a barn name for her, her registered name being one that was so far from what she was at the moment, there was no way I was using it. After spending time with her, Moka became her barn name, her personality a little sweet, a little spicy.
Through that winter I brushed her morning and night, trying to get the stink of the pond out of her. Gradually she put on weight, her neck and head lifted and her eyes became bright. It seemed to take forever, and one day in April of that year, it seemed that when I took her blanket off, that all her winter coat came with it. There stood proudly before me, a gleaming dark bay beauty.
Over the winter, I'd taken her across the street to the riding arena and lunged her on a long line, teaching her to walk, trot, canter on command. She'd get so mad at herself when she'd pick up the wrong lead and kick out and capriole mid air to change leads. Her athleticism was astounding.
My daughter took her to a cross country event in June, and everyone asked where we'd gotten her, she was so beautiful, including the trainer that said she didn't have the right gaits. Moka smoked it in dressage, her canter was so even and rhythmic. She loved to jump and had to be held back rather than pushed on. When she saw a jump, her ears perked forward, and her attitude was 'hang on, because I'm going.' There was no hesitation with her whatsoever.
I did all the ground work with Moka, as I knew she was too much horse for me. I did get on her a couple of times, and her canter was so smooth, it was like riding a rocking horse. She was so athletic and talented, she had no hesitation in doing anything that was asked of her.
Moka continued to thrive, and her and Alfie became inseparable, mirroring each other's movements, laying down at the same time in the same position, looking like bookends. There was something so similar about their eyes, and when I researched Moka's pedigree, found that they'd had the same grandsire.
The first time I let Moka (and the other two) out into the field after that long, cold winter, her and Alf raced down the hill to the back of the 10 acres, kicking, bucking and squealing. My favourite memories are at dinner time, shaking the grain can calling them in for dinner, and watching them race each other up the hill, Nick trailing behind.
To be continued.
Do you ever look at your life like someone else may look at it? Do you ever take yourself out of yourself, and look at your life from a different perspective? As if you aren't you? Like looking at yourself through a camera lens.
I do that sometimes. I remove myself from me, from all the emotions and ego, and just examine what I've been paying attention to. And I ask myself, is this worth putting any energy into? If my attention is hooked, then I've invested some kind of energy - positive or negative. If I devote any energy to it, then I must care about it in some way.
Let's face it, if we don't care about something or someone, we simply don't devote any thought or energy to it. It doesn't hold our attention for one second. It's like this blog. Have I hooked your attention? Enough to read it? If I have, then you've devoted some energy to it. Now, I can ask you, what did you feel about it? Anything? If I hooked your attention enough to read it, if it's meaningful to you, you will feel something about it, hopefully something positive.
If it's not meaningful in any way, you may feel I've wasted your time. And then you will forget it. A fleeting moment lost. But perhaps you're angry that I've wasted your time. So you write a nasty comment, venting your anger at my blog. And thus, I have hooked your attention enough for you to care to elicit an emotion and to make a comment. And if I respond to your negativity, then you have hooked my attention enough for me to care and perpetuated that negative energy.
But sometimes that camera that we look at life through, has a very narrow lens perspective on it.
I know there's a quote by Maya Angelou that says something to the effect that people may not remember what you say, but they always remember how you made them feel. Now, I do have a bit of an issue with this, because no one can 'make' us feel anything we don't choose to feel. But people do remember the energy one emits. And it's up to us, whether we choose to emit positive or negative energy. If the energy one emits is always negative, then it isn't any wonder that other's don't want to be around that kind of energy on a consistent basis.
In widening our focus, we get to see so much more than the pithiness of ourselves. That as much as our lives are about us, our own dramas, our own plays, our own tragedies, our own comedies, they really are about living wider than our own narrow perspective. About loving and accepting ourselves enough to be able to share that with others. Not in a way of trying to control what they think, do, say, or believe, but in a way that benefits them - giving them what they truly need. When we help others, we help them believe in themselves. Of course, the payoff is that we get to feel good as well.
And I truly think that's what life is about. Not hoarding who we are - but sharing ourselves. Not seeing what is wrong with everyone else, but seeing what is right. Not concerning ourselves with what others do wrong, but only in our own goals and what we can do 'right'.
And I think that's what optimism is. Living wide. Seeing life through a wide-angle lens. Seeing that everyone has something of value to offer, even if it's to teach us what we don't want in our lives. To help those that actually want and need our help. Being able to 'scan' with the wide angle lens, and then narrow the focus only on those things and people that are worthy of hooking our attention, emotions and energy.
I don't think it's ever too late to learn how to live wide. To change one's focus and perspective. To not only feel good oneself, but to help others feel good about themselves. And it's up to us whether we want to focus on the positive or negative.
We all deserve the abundance that this life offers and to share it. We all deserve to be happy and feel loved. We all have value and deserve to live the fullest life possible.
Open up the lens as much as you can. Live wide open.
In following my blog from yesterday, I figure life is like horse riding. That it can be a great ride if I want it to be.
That sometimes your ride it at a full out gallop, fearless.
And others, it's an enjoyable smooth canter and over way too quickly.
Sometimes it's a choppy trot, but worth the experience.
Others, it's a slow, peaceful walk.
Sometimes you voluntarily dismount.
Others, it bucks and rears and you experience an Involuntary Dismount.
I learned it's not how you get off or on that matters.
I learned it's whether you do or not.
I learned that those Involuntary Dismounts taught me the most.
I learned that it wasn't how I landed, or whether I was injured or if my pride was just hurt or bruised.
I learned it was whether and if, I got up and got on again, and how I acted about it that mattered.
I learned it was how I acted that made a difference in whether the ride was enjoyable and smooth, or whether it was rough.
I learned that it's up to me to change my actions, to change the reaction and/or consequences.
I learned that dirt wasn't one of the four food groups, but that whatever dirt I ate, that sometimes, it was just part of the ride.
I learned that whining about it and blaming my horse didn't win any sympathy, respect, or friends, nor did it change the results of my actions.
I learned that my horse's behavior and personality mirrored my own.
I learned that what goes in, comes out.
I learned that there's always sh*t to shovel, and that whatever you pick up, it's easier to just dump it and focus on something else.
I learned that flinging it only leaves a mess and the likelihood of wearing it.
I learned that just because I carried a whip, didn't mean I had to use it.
I learned that sometimes using a crop was necessary, but brutality never was.
I learned that most times, a crop isn't necessary, but listening to what your horse is trying to tell you, is.
I learned that my horse was always glad to see me as long as I had treats.
I learned to leave any bad mood at the barn door.
I learned that if I could completely control my horse as long as I could control myself.
I learned from watching others, that you can beat a horse into submission, but they'll never respect or trust you and you'll never get their best performance, and that you can never trust them.
I learned that no matter how much I learned, that my horse could teach me more.
I learned that even the worst ride is better than no ride at all.
I've learned that the smell of a sweaty horse after a glorious ride is sweeter than the most expensive perfume in Paris.
I learned that in life, just like in riding, you just have to cowboy up.
What holds a relationship together? We all know that communication is the key to keeping the relationship alive - but what kind of communication? That doesn't mean talking at him or her and disregarding the other person's input. Communicating with your partner and understanding their perception of reality is the key.
What a concept. How does that work? We all have our own perception of reality, and no matter how close we are to another person, it's highly unlikely that any two people will see reality in exactly the same manner. Understand your partner's perception of reality and communicate with them on that basis.
What else? To me, kindness, honesty, self-awareness and a sense of humour are some of the most attractive qualities a man can have. Those are the values that are most important to me in any relationship.
Knowing yourself, your values, your issues, and what is and is not important to you is going to assist in any disagreement and how you respond. It's not about being right or getting your own way, it's about why is there a disagreement and how can it be resolved so that both people are satisfied with the outcome?
The biggest one? Putting your ego aside. That doesn't mean to put yourself second all the time. It means realizing that a disagreement is your partner's way of letting you know their needs are not being met. The biggest assumption that partners make in a relationship is that they need to be shown love the same way that we need to be shown love.
Me? I enjoy a touch on the arm, a hug around the shoulders, a kiss on the neck, top of the head or forehead. Any little touch that lets me know my partner's aware of my presence. Birthdays and holidays, I love gifts and flowers. They don't have to be expensive, simply a token of my partner's appreciation. And yes, I want to hear those three little words.
Not everyone likes to be acknowledged in those ways. Perhaps my partner does not like PDA's and their way of receiving love is spending quality time with their partner, words of affirmation (I love you), or acts of service (eg -making your partner their favourite meal). Once you understand how your partner prefers to receive love, a deeper trust and intimacy can be formed with less chance of disagreement through miscommunication and misunderstanding.
However, honest, sincere communication entails a significant degree of trust, but also releasing the need to control either a situation or another person. We all have control issues, and it's paramount to a successful relationship to understand which ones we have, and how they are manifested.
I'd bet that almost everyone has said, well, the partner I want is going to be ......, and thus ensues a list of wants. What it comes down to, though, is what are we bringing to the table and what are we prepared to give? Personally, I love spoiling my mate, provided I feel cherished, loved and respected. That doesn't mean I want a clone of myself in any relationship, as I think it's really important that people retain their autonomy in pursuing their own interests and hobbies. Conversely, it's equally important to be able to share some interests and hobbies - balance. Some people want/need to spend all their time with their mate - and that's fine provided each person's needs are being met.
It seems almost an oxymoron to say that the key to a good relationship is self-awareness. But without being aware of our own issues, how can we possibly expect to nurture a healthy relationship with anyone else? When we become self-aware, we also can become more giving, more accepting, and more understanding of others.
Mastering a perfect partnership means mastery of being the perfect partner, from both people.
Well, that was an interesting morning. It started off at 6:30 am with me having to wear my 'good' pale pink hoodie to go bike riding as I'd forgotten to put my grey one in the dryer. Okay, I'm not planning to get down on my belly for photos, but, if I do, I'll just take my hoodie off. No problem.
I decided to take the route a lady had told me about the other day, which is probably about 15-20km (8-10 mi). I start out going west from my house, along the edge of some fields lined with Douglas Fir trees next to a stream.
The first part of the trail can be followed in a loop back to my house, or on a country road next to the slough. I chose the slough, checking to see if there were any beavers or wood ducks visible. Nothing this morning. Carrying on past the home where I'd taken photos of the flowers the other day and down a dirt road towards the river.
Once at the river's edge, I could see where I could go left, but going right under the bridge seemed questionable as to how well travelled the path was. Deciding I could always turn around, I rode down a small hill with grass growing sparsely through the packed gravel.
A slight curve, hidden by bushes and trees revealed a well worn path towards the bridge. Riding through this tunnel of foliage, the fragrance of the cherry trees mingled with the scent of freshly mown grass. Breathing deeply of the cool morning air, everything seemed so fresh.
Near the bridge, a weathered bench made from 2x4's and small tree trunks overlooks the river, a fire pit just off to the right of the bench. Riding under the bridge, I came out where I usually park my car and walk down to the river bed to take photos.
I won't be doing that for awhile, as there's no riverbed there anymore. With the warmer temperatures and beautiful weather this week, spring thaw has begun and the river has risen, covering the entire area where I would sit.
Along the dirt road, barbed wire fencing protects the lush hay fields, grasses bent with the wind. On the river side, tall, blooming cherry trees mixed with sundry deciduous trees follow the arc of the road, their white blossoms backlit by the rising sun.
Stopping numerous times to take photos, pulling unseen blackberry vines away from my butt, I was enthralled with the play of light and shadow. I don't know how well the photos will come out, as the wind was significant, the flowers bobbing in it's gusts.
As I took photos further down the lane, despite having my bike on it's kickstand and 'checking' it before taking photos, the wind was enough to unbalance it and blow it over. Damn! Righting it, and moving it into a more secure position, the darn thing fell over again. Good thing I have my lenses in lots of padding. My old camera in my basket fell out both times though, but I don't think it was enough of a jolt to do any damage.
Finishing the photos, I righted my bike again and realized my bike chain had come off in the last fall. Believe it or not, I have never had to replace a bike chain onto a bike. My first thought was 'sh*t! guess I'll be walking home.' And my next thought was, nuts to that, I'm still quite far from home, I can do this.
It took me quite some time, with a LOT of grease on my fingers, to finally get the chain back on my bike. Wiping some of it off with dirt and nearby leaves, I headed towards home. There are a few noises that were not there before, so I'll take a look at it later today, as I may have to put some WD40 on some areas.
Of course, despite being extra careful, I got some grease and dirt on my 'good' pink hoodie, but I'm sure I'll be able to get that out with some Dawn dish soap and soaking. I feel pretty good that I replaced the bike chain, and although it's not a big deal, it is if you've never done it before.
There's a first for everything, I guess. lol. I still had a glorious morning, despite the minor setback!
I've learned a lot from my horse over the years. He taught me to be patient and to learn 'his' language in communicating with him. And he's taught me how to take responsibility for my actions. That whatever reaction I get from him is a direct result and consequence of my actions.
I learned that in riding him, he was more than willing to accommodate what I wanted, as long as I was clear with it, patient and kind. When I first got him, I spent a lot of time with him on ground manners, teaching him to respect my space while we formed an unbreakable bond of trust.
After creating this bond of trust and I was riding him, I learned how to communicate with him with my body and hands. I learned that I could just think walk, trot, canter or halt, and he would do it. I learned he could feel whatever mood I was feeling.
One time, after learning a new training method, I tried it on him. He pinned his ears at me, indicating he was not happy. I was told to continue on with him, even though my gut instinct told me not to. He reared and struck out at me, striking a glancing blow on my thigh with his front hoof. I received just a slight bruise, but I learned that no one likes to be bullied, and he was no exception.
Another time, I was frustrated at something. I can't remember whether it was him or me, but I took the crop to him several times. He stood stock still for a moment, as if in shock. He then took off like a bat out of hell at a full tilt gallop, completely out of my control. I learned to control my temper and not to take my own issues and lack of communication out on him.
I used to ride him every day through the equestrian park, 8 miles around. I've fallen off of him numerous times in that park. Involuntary Dismounts. So many times that I thought that dirt was one of the four food groups. Sometimes it was from something that spooked him. Although chunky, he was quick. And you never had any warning of what he would do.
With the thoroughbreds, they always let us know when there was something that they were afraid of and what they were going to do. With Nick, not so much. You could be riding along without a care in the world, and he would all of a sudden drop his right shoulder, throwing you off balance, and then spin to the left. Hellooooo ground. Involuntary Dismount.
I never got mad at him for that, and he never ran away from me. He'd always stop and look at me as if to say, what are you doing down there? And I always realized that there had been something that had frightened him, that I hadn't noticed.
One time, out at a cross country field, my back was really tight, and I kept spurring him to move on. With my back tight, it tightened his back, and it was almost impossible for him to move. Finally he got pissed off and bucked. Hard. I was ten feet in the air before I landed on hardpan. Ouch. I looked like I'd been in a car accident I was so badly bruised. Involuntary Dismount.
But, I knew it wasn't his fault for my own lack of riding skills and fear. I learned to master the fear, and relax my body to go with his movement, so that he could move.
I learned how to stay centred on him by sitting up straight and using my seat to urge him forward, along with squeezing my legs instead of leaning forward and kicking my heels. I learned to tell myself that I was a good rider and that I was going to have a great ride and focus on how I wanted that ride to go. It's common knowledge in riding that wherever you put your focus, is wherever you'll land. If you're afraid, so will your horse be. Thus, I learned to overcome my fears by facing them.
Isn't that just like life?
Intense morning light pours into my kitchen through the patio doors, illuminating it with a warm glow. Bouncing off the glass patio table top, I'm drawn outside to partake of my morning coffee in one of the comfy blue & white striped cushions on the chairs. The towering peak and presence of Mt. Cheam gleams brightly as rays stretch from behind a mountain range, exposing it's ragged edges and previously shadowed crevices.
Although unseen, I can hear the distinctive skree of an eagle, overhead. A soft green haze covers a neighbouring budding tree, partially hidden behind a cedar hedge. Birds trill and flit to and from said tree, perching briefly on limbs. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves of shrubs surrounding my patio, tickling my bare legs. Sadie kitty emerges from her prowls under the hedge, rolling contentedly on the warmth of the aggregate patio.
Oh, that wondrous first day of sitting outside in one's nightclothes, sipping hot coffee, one's inner being as burnished by spring's radiance as much as one's surroundings. An exceptionally glorious day to be alive!
I've been asked why don't I write about deeper subjects, and my reply is, I have. I have over 1200 blogs on another site from ten years ago that chronicle my journey through a very bleak and black period of life, immersion in self-help and self-improvement books, and a quest to be the best I can be. Although the mission is still very much alive, the urge to share is not as great a need. I have found that place of contentment, of choosing to be happy, and ever so grateful for where I am today.
Without those dark places, would I appreciate the vividness of today? Without those many people and authors that touched my heart and pointed me towards the brightness, would I have recognized those issues that required me to examine and deal with them?
I no longer am looking for love, as I found it within myself. I don't need anyone to 'complete' me, as I feel entirely whole. A partner would be nice, but it's not a necessity, and if one shows up, it'll be wonderful. If not, it'll still be wonderful.
After tension, drama and overwhelming stress, I'm so appreciative of the area and home I never thought I'd have, that's what my focus is. Enjoying life. Squeezing every last drop out of it, and sharing the wonder and beauty I see when nature draws me into her arms. How my camera has changed so much of my perspective to the point of taking risks and facing fears I'd otherwise never attempt.
My journey in learning photography has not been as quick as I'd like it, and has been, to say the least, frustrating at times. It's also been extremely rewarding. After just reaching level 2 in our club, last night's exhibition rewarded me with a 9 out of 10 for one of my photos and the highest mark in level 2, winning first place. W00t!
I'm the newest member in level 2, and this is only my second exhibition, so I'm pretty stoked, considering there are a lot of members in that level. Of course, photography is like any artistic endeavour, and it all depends on the adjudicator. She had some awesome tips for me for another photo, which I'll utilize later.
So yes, I could write on my favourite self-improvement authors, which books led me to the most enlightenment and why, and perhaps, in time, I might. What I did learn is every person has their own journey, and it's not a contest as to where you are on your climb up the mountain. We're all climbing together, and it's not how you get there, it's whether you do or not.
In closing, I'll add the photo that earned me top place last night. It's a reflection of tree trunks in the water, when I sat on the edge of a bank for hours, watching the ducks through my camera lens, and as the sun began to set, cast a golden tint over the slough. Reversing the photo and bumping up the colour turned it into an abstract that some love, and many won't.
This has not been my week for electronics, that's for darn sure. Twenty years ago, I developed an all natural anti-inflammatory and topical pain reliever that I ended up marketing (with endorsement from a pharmacist and naturopath) after completing my degree in graphic & web design. I now have three online businesses, which, of course requires me to download my orders from the internet. Mondays and Fridays I've allotted to taking my orders across the US border to mail. After screwing my previous computer up because USPS wouldn't let me use their site unless I upgraded, and the upgrade trashed my computer, I had my Friday already pre-planned.
Friday morning, turn on the computer, get coffee, and.... can't get online. Okay, do all the things you're supposed to, then phone the company. Problems in the area - oh great. Fortunately, my phone is with another carrier and I was able to get my orders with my phone. But of course, I still couldn't use USPS to purchase my postage.
Frustrated, the day didn't get any better, with a lineup to cross the bridge due to construction, a lineup at the border, and a lineup at the post office - none of which are usual. Returning home, I diverted from my usual route to take a walk in the wetlands, partaking of some meditation, exercise and relaxation.
Of course, I didn't take my camera with me, although it was in the car. I just didn't want to pack the extra 10-15lbs of camera equipment in my backpack. Of course, you knew I'd see something unusual didn't you? Two bright yellow canary type birds I've never seen before. As best as I can determine, they're yellow warblers, although the birds I saw had red heads. Yeah, if only I'd had my camera - or even my phone.
One of them even posed for me on a branch overlooking the bridge. Sure. Tease me. Brat.
On my way back, a family of Canada geese was walking purposefully towards me, the first goslings of the year. Eleven of the fluffy little babies scurrying along between Mom and Dad goose. As I was close to the car, I managed to grab my camera, follow them down the path at a respectful distance and get some shots of them.
Returning home, over 12 hours later, and still no internet. Phoning the company yet again to find an ET of repair, it turns out the fibre optic lines were vandalized and cut in three places over 200 yards. The outage affected tens of thousands of homes and hundreds of businesses. What the heck is wrong with people these days? You don't like the internet? Don't use it. Don't like the company? Don't use them. Pretty damn simple. But to affect everyone else is beyond ignorant and self-centred.
This is my last day before my summer farmer's markets start up again after a five month reprieve, which, this year has been wonderful! Previous years I've had so much going on, it was nice to have the time to update one of my websites this year, although the main business website still needs attention.
A beautiful day today, I've already been out for a 10km tour around the farmlands, and after coffee will load up my car with all the paraphernalia requisite at a farmer's market. Hopefully, tomorrow will equal today, weather-wise, which will translate into $$, as people always spend more money when the weather's nice.
It's a fallacy that meditation has to be done while sitting on the floor trying to empty your mind. (Although some people's minds appear to be quite empty, these days - lol - just an observation, not aimed at anyone here). Meditation is the act of being present in the moment, and that's what biking or walking in nature and photography do for me.
I kind of feel like I'm in the starting gate, preparing for the season, appropriate for the day, seeing as today's the Kentucky Derby.
In the announcer's famous words "And they're off!"
Recently, there's been a huge turf war here in BC in regards to the Kinder Morgan pipeline that they want to put through BC to fill oil tankers to ship to China to be refined then back to us.
Firstly, I have no idea why we don't build our own refineries and employ people in our own country, other than they can get it done cheaper overseas without the environmental impact. Secondly, it's bizarre to think that we're going to stop using oil when we use it for absolutely everything, including to run the factories to make those environmentally friendly products.
What do people think is going to take the place of heating homes? I've had electric furnaces, and my bills have been absolutely horrendous in the winter, trying to keep a place warm, and that includes my recent condo. I'm now in a house with natural gas heating, and both my heat and electric bills are minimal. I absolutely, unequivocally have no desire to go back to electric heat.
Also, the way people talk about electricity taking over for gas, how is that going to happen when there's already a drain on the amount of electric power used, and people don't want any more hydro-electric dams put in place to feed the growing demand and population?
Electric cars are a fantastic idea, provided you don't have to travel any great distances, or through mountain passes, or in the winter. Everyone knows that cold drains batteries, so how is that going to work when you're stuck on the Coquihalla Highway in winter due to an accident, and the cold drains your battery? Or you can't make it through the passes because your car doesn't have enough juice to make the whole trip. Or you have to overnight somewhere, an added expense to make it to a destination that you previously made in one day.
I'm all for finding alternative means of energy, but so far, nothing is as reasonable as natural gas for heating homes. I have zero intention of ever having to use electricity again to heat my house. Until electric cars have the 'guts' and staying power that my current gas engine has, I'll stick with my gas engine. Anyone that thinks the current rechargers for cars are going to remain free is living in lala land. We don't fill our tanks for free, or heat our homes for free, and the hydro companies are not going to continue to provide free charges for your car indefinitely. There will be a fee to recharge your car sooner or later, and my guess will be sooner.
When, and if, in my lifetime, that alternative energy is as efficient as what I enjoy currently, then I'll gladly change. Electricity isn't it. So at this time, put the damn pipeline in, because absolutely everything we do, eat, and wear, relies on oil either in the manufacture of it, or in getting it to us.
All these protesters that are protesting the pipeline. I wonder how they travelled? Where and how their clothes and shoes were made and of what? What heats their homes? How their groceries got to them? How their groceries were manufactured?
Yup, I could go on. But you get the point.
What better way to start the day than with a bike ride in the early morning hours? I love being out and about while people are still sleeping. It's so quiet and peaceful, the only sounds those of nature. Travelling east, my first stop is the tulip lady's house, her beautiful Japanese plum tree in full pink bloom.
Continuing on my journey, the scent of freshly mown hay wafts on the soft breeze, long lines of cuttings damp with dew, left to dry in the sun, Mt. Cheam towering over the valley.
Cycling south, the pavement comes to an abrupt end up over an incline, a gravel road taking it's place. Blueberry fields stretch to the west, a robin perching on a numbered post indicating the row. Two old rubber boots are upside down over a couple of posts, an indication of something to the owner.
An occasional house and riotous vegetation hide the slough to the east. An abandoned house, broken windows with plywood coverings and sagging doors in a state of disrepair, blackberry bushes almost to the height of the second floor, is the last house.
Just past a barrier of tall alders and poplars, an large field is home to hydro towers. At this early hour, as the sun starts to peek above the mountains, even the towers take on a certain beauty, metal girders glowing as they reflect the first fingers of light.
Continuing on my journey, the gravel road continues towards the bridge and the old ferry landing. Wild cherry trees intermingle with other deciduous trees, their white blossoms contrasting with the new growth of spring leaves.
Of course, my penchant for macro photos had me paused there for quite some time taking the 'perfect' shot of shadow and light on the milky, fragrant blossoms. A challenge, as this close to the river, the wind is always a little stronger. Of course, gusts of wind play games with one's attempt at macro photography. I believe I did manage to 'win' this contest, though. lol.
Stopping at the bridge and the former road to the ferry landing, solar rays danced light across the river, breaking through the clouds behind the indomitable Mt. Cheam. Too many clouds for a colourful sunrise, the shadowed scene filled me with a sense of wonder and peace.
Riding under the bridge, the riverside bench greeted me. I can just visualize people sitting there, watching the former ferry traverse the river and dock on either side. Perhaps watching the pleasure boats in the summer, large plumes of water arcing behind sharp turns, waves slapping the shore from their wake.
Through a narrow path and vegetation that threatens to take over along the riverfront, the path opens up to a gravel lane, blueberry fields bordering both sides. Dodging potholes and mud, asphalt greets me at the first massive domicile, following the path of the slough. A heritage home sits at one corner, it's multi coloured orange tulips with sculpted petals beckoning me to photograph it's allure.
The owner of the home was out walking, a rosary in her right hand, greeting me with cheery hello. We discussed the height of the slough, already high with spring runoff, and the resident beaver she hadn't seen in awhile. I mentioned that I'd seen one there the evening before but it was too fast and too dark for me to take a photo.
...continued....
As part of a photography group, we have monthly assignments that challenge us to photograph different subjects and step out of our comfort zone. This month, Fractals in Nature is the theme, and our photos have to be in by Wednesday at midnight.
Of course, I've been out on numerous occasions, looking for the perfect fractal to photograph and submit. Fractals in Nature, are, essentially, repeating patterns. Ferns are a prime example and my favourite subject for fractals.
Choosing the wetlands to hunt for fractals, on the particular day that I chose to take photos, as I stood at the top of the hill and looked across the lake, I squinted my eyes at the distant gorge down the mountain, wondering if that was water I saw cascading off the cliff.
(In the above photo, this is where I stood to take the photo below. The 'seam' you see running down the mountain is where the mudslide occurred). Putting my zoom lens on and aiming it at the area, sure enough, it was water and chunks of snow tumbling over the edge.
Thinking it was just spring run-off, I headed down the hill to lake level, crossing the marshes and back into the woods. Walking through the poplar and alder trees, an odd roaring had me looking up into the trees, wondering what it was. As the wind had picked up, I assumed it was just the wind in the trees.
The gravel path loops around the beaver pond, which I have yet to see a beaver in. Ferns grow in abundance in the area, the fiddlehead greens unfurling in the deep shade under the evergreens. The wetlands are made of up of open areas that are largely populated by alder, birch and poplar trees and abruptly end in dense forested areas of Douglas Fir and Cedar trees, where the ferns reside.
Walking through the poplars, a snail on one of the saplings caught my attention. A perfect fractal with the spiral on it's shell! Although I hate bugs and slimy things, behind a lens, everything takes on a different perspective. I spent a long time photographing that snail from numerous angles, and was rewarded with it crawling out if it's shell to move down the slim limb.
Next, the ferns. As dusk's fingers crept in amongst the evergreens, it was time to head home before the park warden closed the gates. Logging on to my computer to download my images, someone had posted on fb that a mudslide had occurred and did anyone see it?
I realized then, that the roaring sound I'd heard had to have been the mudslide, about 10 minutes after I'd taken the photos of the water running off the cliff. Too bad I'd had no idea, or I would have waited a few more minutes and captured the actual slide. The next day, I went out to the bottom of the gorge and took photos of the after effects of the slide.
All in all, a pretty exciting and worthwhile outing. Speaking to another photo club member, noting that the pussywillows had interesting patterns when they went to seed, I told him that in going to the wetlands, I'd been in fractal heaven!
LadyImp Blog (98)
