A CANADIAN WALK IN THE PARK

Walking is an easy way to enjoy the outdoors. To a favourite park, along the street or if lucky a walk on the beach. Slow, fast or even power walking with weights are some of the milieu I have used. Taking a camera is a wonderful way to capture little and big images.

  Near a park can be a town street with interesting captures. Too early to take photos of spring flower beds but it will happen soon!

Of course my walk always includes going by my local pink library. The Central library in Richmond Hill with its windows and light for patrons. So what are you waiting- get your runners and your camera- get walking! Or running if you prefer!

MARCH MARCHED IN LIKE A LION

The beginning of March carries an optimism that winter is in its final moments. Even if it is cold and snowy, well, Spring is around the corner-really. However, there is a beauty to winter and the snow. On my walk to work yesterday, getting my feet wet trudging through snow with 2 inches of water underneath, I took in the beauty of the snow on the trees and fence. Wishing I had my camera to capture some photos for this blog. Snow on a chain link fence, I knew would be gone by noon was particularly pretty. Sometimes in the midst of life taking those moments to see the wonder around us keeps us in the present moment. Like picking up our grandsons at Day Care this week, with all the noise and activity of getting two children ready to leave, it was so pleasurable to be with healthy little children actively playing and having fun. After a day in the hospital where there can be so many sad stories, stopping and watching those little ones brought some joy. Whoever coined the phrase-stop and smell the roses had some real philosophical knowledge! So March, march in but help us to blend the season we are leaving and the one arriving! Remind us, we can enjoy and appreciate both, finding moments and time to look around us and reflect on what we see! Are you glad it is March? Are you tired of the winter? Or are you trying to pack in, one more day of skiing or skating? Honestly, I do not care about the month, I am just glad it is Friday!

LILLY PADS ON THE WATER

Water lilies are a lovely vegetation that grows on fresh water lakes in Canada. There are pretty flowers that can be seen from the shore or just clusters on a lake. Summer always brings so many beautiful images to capture with the camera. Even those simple places close to home!

#lillypads#ballpoint#ballpointmariposatownshipkawarthalakes#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#lakescugog

REGROUPING AFTER SOME EVENTS

July was a good busy month with activities and projects accomplished. A fun day trip to St. Jacobs Farmers' Market over the long weekend gave me a chance to capture some fun photos. Time now to regroup and organize some areas of my home and my life to be ready for the busy August ahead. But do you ever find it is a struggle in the summer to organize anything? I do. I get into a summer mood of moving slowly. Some activities just look boring! That's when it is important to push through the boredom and just get the jobs done! Maybe the reason for Fall cleaning- just leave things to the Fall. One massive cleanup- house, garden, and whatever else comes your way? Or little cleanups in August? Day trips and photographing the events do sound more exciting! Sitting outside reading! Leisurely walks in a park with camera in hand! Sipping a favourite drink chatting with family and friends! Or do I just work through the boredom- to do or not to do, that is the question?

EARLY MORNING- A TIME TO REFLECT!

I love to arise before 6 a.m. every day. On weekends and vacation days, I go for my power walk early. The quiet on the street and few people and cars make it very enjoyable. There are even no people walking their dogs. On a recent trip to Kingston Ontario, our hotel was right on the water by the 1000 Island Cruise boats. On the second day, arising early, I took my camera and coffee in hand and was able to  photograph the clear, calm water capturing  some reflections.

Early morning is a good time to think. The reflections in the water reminded me of the many reflections I can make about aspects of my life.

Some of the reflections are clouded, some calm and some a little wavy like the ones in the photographs. When you reflect about your life how would you describe the reflections? Is morning the best time for you or are you a night owl liking the late night and dark to think?

THE COMFORTS OF HOME

Can come in many shapes and sizes. Our favourite chair, the morning coffee mug, putting on comfortable clothes after work! The people we love. Bigger is not necessarily better. Having empty rooms where loved ones once lived can bring loneliness too! If you were asked what are the 20 things you would take, if you only could take 20, what would they be? Think about that elderly person moving from a house to a condo then to a retirement home- which is really a small suite! How stressful to give up a lifetime of things! I have many comforts- my camera of course, my albums, my antiques- well the list could go on.

What are your comforts? Is your home your safe haven from the storm? Do you have a cosy corner?