On an Afternoon Walk ~ Reflections in Blue

Although the prairie sky has been 

muddied with troubled clouds, 

clouds gifting arid land with moisture, 

they may have overstayed their welcome

yet when I looked up I was in awe ~ 

the azure brilliance of clear skies 

stayed dampened and clotted with gray

while great blue glass office buildings 

reflected their tint into the sky

to join with nature’s softness.

“No house should ever be on a hill or on anything. 

It should be of the hill. Belonging to it. Hill and house 

should live together each the happier for the other.”

~ Frank Lloyd Wright, architect

On a Park Stroll ~ Watchers

Before me I watched 

soothing autumn colours

and gently rippled water

while

my shadow watched

behind me to see

calm waters and reflections in

the shadow of the bridge.

“Shadow is a very 

intelligent creature; 

he always finds a way 

to get our attention!”

     ~ Mehmet Murat Ildan

     (from goodreads.com)

 

Tomorrow and Tomorrow

Past lives stacked up ~

reflected in furnishings and furniture

still room to grow ~

to build on the before

to learn the more to come ~

today is tomorrow and tomorrow.

“Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind.”

~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

Sci-Fi Reflections

Temporal anomalies spiral 

from many paths of learning,

from dreams floating through

nights and days and nights,

beckoning toward shifts in time,

 ~ drifting in time with

experience, memory and longings.

“Forward movement is not helpful if what is needed is a change of direction.”

~ David Fleming, Lean Logic: 

A Dictionary for the Future and How to Survive It

Always Qualified for More Knowledge

“You’re overqualified 

    for this job.”
I didn’t know what that meant.
I didn’t agree.

“You’re overqualified 

    for this job.”
Years later, I know.
Today I do agree ~ in a cynical sort of way.

Not curious enough then to question.
Another’s opinion is only that.
Another’s opinion.

Curious enough for occasional reflection
Years later, ‘overqualified for this job’ 
Makes sense? ~ I had higher education about addictions.

Policy and procedure sets limits of time and task.
Today, expanded knowledge outside such a box
Also makes sense

Working well within policies and procedures
Requires artful expression of expanded knowledge
Not an empty box.

“Your mind will never be dull, if you remember 

there is never enough to learn for it to be too full.”

~ Benny Bellamacina, Philosophical Uplifting Quotes vol. 2

Author's note: Edited January 21, 2024

Sunny Reflections

Tulips, faces turned to the sun, have no other purpose than to be cheery and bright.

Tulips, growing in sun, shade or foggy mist, bow only briefly to wind or heavy weather.

“Growth demands a temporary surrender of security.”

~ Gail Sheehy

Re-post with addition from Oct. 22, 2012 - A Question of Politics

Politics is a funny thing....
Not an amusing sort of funny, but curious.

Today (Oct. 12, 2012) in Victoria, there was a protest of thousands giving voice to the local grassroots concerns about the Northern Gateway Pipeline.
On tap on TV was the third and final U.S. Presidential debate.  
Topic?  Foreign Policy and all the nuances of two disparate party policies. 

This week of October 2014 in Canada, terrorism came brutally to Ottawa………..

The political layers for both of these sorts of events
weave throughout our societies via
personalities
principles

Where do the layers start ~
At the grassroots and grow up
Or at an economic top and trickle down
What about those folks in the middle who live and work whether
someone wins or someone loses?

Which issues come first ~
personal and daily 
local and scheduled
regional and broader
national on an even broader scale
global and beyond my limited understanding?

And whom do we believe ~
politicians
developers
protesters
media
colleagues
neighbours?

What parts are played by ~
culture
religion
gender
education or illiterate
housed or homeless
illness or health
art, music and literature?

Behind the images and reflections that we are given to look at,
what events have already occurred below the surface?

Curious isn’t it?
I wonder ~  is there a principle to guide all of these things?

“In dwelling, live close to the ground.  In thinking, keep to the simple.

In conflict, be fair and generous.  In governing, don’t try to control.

In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.”

~ Lao Tzu

Author's Note: Edited December 29, 2023

Nuances of light

reflections of shadowed sun

on cloud and water 
monochromatic 
depth of meaning

edged in blue and green.

“Subtle nuances, fine finishes and 

overall quality are most important.”

~ Bruce Montgomery