Life Plan: A Thought-Provoking Quote

                                                     
"The shoe that fits one person pinches another. There is no recipe for living that suits all cases. Each of us carries our own life-plan, which cannot be superseded by any other."

                   

C.G. Jung

What do you think?

Are we all given one plan, one destiny for our lives when we are born? And then to spend the rest of our lives trying to ensure we have found the right plan/path/journey we are suppose to follow. I don't know if it is that simple or succinct.

On a completely different topic, this was the scene from our back porch last night.

You can see all of  the color and shape progressions of the sky that appeared in a period of only 5 minutes over at: My Poetic Path.

                        

I'm just glad I got my camera out pronto!  :<)

Word of the Week: Gems

I love what thoughts and possibilities the word: GEMS can conjure up!

Every day is a new opportunity to find hidden and unexpected "gems" in our lives. And in all the forms a real gem can take.

For me, some of my favorite gems are:

•  a treasured keepsake that brings wonderful memories to mind
• honest, kind people who are there when you really need them
• walking in a soft rain: the sound, the sight and the scent of the freshened air afterwards
• finding a long, lost beloved item again that seemed to be lost and gone forever 
• and as for "gem- gems": aquamarine, garnet, emeralds, peridot

to name but a few....

What comes to mind when you think of a  gem in your life right now?

I hope your week is filled with special and memorable gems of all kinds.

And maybe a great surprise or two! :<)

You never know where they might turn up!

***Photo courtesy of: Flickr. And speaking of finding gems, click over to this photo's Flickr page to read about the diamond shown here. Now that's my kind of freebie!

***

PS: And two new posts at my other blogs you might also enjoy:

Veggies, Yarns & Tails: Carrots: Can't Get Enough of Them (with soup recipe)

My Poetic Path: Haiku Reflections: Another Daisy Haiku

Free Box Finds. Oh What Fun!

I must admit, for a long, long time I was rather a snob when it came to books that I would own/read. I wanted shiny brand new ones or in a pinch, I would borrow for the library as a last resort. But buy, buy, buy...that was my book mantra for many years.

Well, I've changed in that respect and not just about books. Now, I get a real kick out of finding a thrift store "gem" of any kind, including books, clothes, jewelry...and it has a lot to do with thinking about the history of any particular item, especially when it comes to books. I love reading the inscriptions in books, consider the time that older books were written and the social "norms" of that era.What influenced the author to write the book that they did.So much to ponder and consider, over and above the book content itself.

The pile of books in the photo above is what I recently dug out of our library free bin. I hit book-gold that day!

And yes, I do add books/clothes to free boxes myself and on a regular basis. Love to do that.I hope my "discards" go on to be read and worn again and again too.

                       

Everything old can be new again! After a thorough airing in the sun for books. A wash and mend for clothing, natch!!

Giving a new life to usable items and yet another read to a great book. It's all good!


And some recent posts at my other blogs you might also enjoy:


My Real Life Reviews: Live Clean Argan Oil Hair Mask (product review)

Veggies, Yarns & Tails: A New Knitting Book to Check Out!

My Poetic Path: Haiku Reflections: Autumn In The Air

Word of the Week: Potential

                        

Potential! Such a positive word.

I particularly like the second definition below: having possibility, capability or power.

When I stand and look at a scene like the one above, that's what comes to mind. Potential. Anything seems possible when you can stand and "drink in" the beauty and majesty of nature, the mountains, the waterways, the plants and flowers....

We should all strive to reach our full potential in life. It's something that I don't think anyone should ever give up on, whatever the circumstances, obstacles or detours along the way. Gifts and talents give us the potential to do so much.

 I've been paying a lot more attention to these thoughts in the past few years. Trying to speed up the process of getting some long sought after goals either in progress or completed. It is a life long pursuit isn't it? But one that needs to be kept in mind. Time flies....and so quickly. 

po·ten·tial
adj.

1. Capable of being but not yet in existence; latent: a potential problem.

2. Having possibility, capability, or power.

3. Grammar Of, relating to, or being a verbal construction with auxiliaries such as may or can; for example, it may snow.

n.

1. The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being.

2. Something possessing the capacity for growth or development.

3. Grammar A potential verb form.

4. Physics The work required to move a unit of positive charge, a magnetic pole, or an amount of mass from a reference point to a designated point in a static electric, magnetic, or gravitational field; potential energy.

Definition: the Free Dictionary
                         

PS: And some recent posts at my other blogs you might also enjoy:

My Poetic Path: Obsessions (for OSI)
          
Veggies,Yarns & Tails: Mr. Cheddar Stops In to Say...

My (Happy) Novel Update and a ?? too

You may remember this previous post from July about my long-time wish/goal to write a novel. And the progress I had made up to that point, working on this book every week day.

I am happy to share that I now have over 120 pages completed! And what's even better, since I started typing the hand-written pages I have so far, it appears that the typed page counts are more than I had anticipated they would be. I had been guesstimating  about 2 written pages would equal 1 typed page. Well, the reality is, the pages are almost equal, given margins and double-spacing in the manuscript format I am using. I am thrilled with the amount (and not to brag, quality) of work I've accomplished so far! And oh what fun it's been...with the story is unfolding in unexpected ways (don't they always) as I continue to write. The process of working on this long-time book goal is even more gratifying, now that I have decided to continue on the computer instead of writing in long hand.

My question: I am using Word 2010 for the manuscript right now. I have chosen a book manuscript template, which has margins set appropriately etc. What I don't know how to do (and haven't been able to find out) is how to put each chapter into a separate folder?

The first chapter came up after the title page but beyond that, I don't know how to go about setting up each chapter of my book so that I can access them by clicking on a particular chapter/sub folder tab. The first chapter automatically showed up as a sub folder on the left side of the screen. I'm fairly well versed in all things Word, but I can't seem to figure this one out.

Any ideas/suggestions? I have searched online and on Microsoft help and tutorial pages, to no avail. If you can help, it would be most appreciated.

Happy Writing! :<)

Daisy Haiku: Smiling Flower Faces!

I came upon this group of "smiling faces" :<) at the park recently.

Daisies really do make me smile!


 I hope this photo/haiku brings a smile to your day too.

***

PS: And two new posts at my other blogs you might also enjoy:

Discover the Gift (book review) at My Real Life Reviews

Chicory: Basking In the Sun at My Poetic Path

If Your To-Do List....

....has a lot of boring, tedious tasks that just keep getting put back for yet another day, you might find this post over at the Positivity Blog useful. I find so many "gems" over at Henrik's blog; this was another one.

I am swamped with projects and tasks (now and it seems always!) and getting to the boring ones doesn't seem to happen often enough. It's so great to check them off the list though, when they are completed. I think the suggestions in this post are really going to help. I hope you find them useful too. Let me know and also any other suggestions you have that work for you!

On the other hand....When it comes to fun tasks I never tire of baking and cooking. Here's a new Spelt Bread recipe redo I just posted over at Veggies, Yarns & Tails.

Oh so Yummmmy...and definitely not boring!  Happy Tuesday! :<)

Word of the Week: Cool!

Seeking out cool water, shady places....has been a priority here this past week.

I'm basically useless in hot weather. Energy zapped, production down (and I LOVE being productive!)

Here's to cooler temperatures on the way soon.

 I hope you enjoy this cool haiku/photo from the My Poetic Path archives.

All together now. Cooooool....... Rain dance anyone?
                                     

PS:This afternoon,  I also write this Tau-Ku poem: Black Crow. The photo was taken on a recent day at the park, while trying to "beat the heat" .  I so seldom get the opportunity to take any bird photos that made for a nice change! Glad this crow was willing to pose! LOL

Nice to participate at OSI again too. Thanks for the reminder/inspiration Teri!

Mr. Cheddar's Got a Secret!

                           

                     

Mr. Ched, just a chillin....

                 

Mr. Big Bug!

                       

                          

Mr. Big Bug under cover!

                                                      

Too Big for Me Meowmie. Pleaaaasee...Make Him Go Away!

                                       

Although he may appear to be the strong, silent type, in reality, Mr. Cheddar is kind of a wimp when it comes to bigger (ie: more than 1/2 inch long)  bugs!

He jumps back out of their way, when they jump or move LOL, Tooooo funny.

So there's Ched's secret "bug-o-phobia " revealed.

                             

When it came to fearless though, here's another story....

My dear little Mitzi (click to see a beautiful photo tribute).

Many of you will probably remember Mitzi from my other blogs. She was such a tiny, delicate, little cat but in spite of that she loved to  go and get big, UGLY grasshoppers out in the yard and either bring them to the back door as a "gift" or munch them with relish (yuuuuuuck!) I still remember the sound of that crunching!!!!

BTW, I did check with our excellent vet about bug-eating for cats. Apparently in moderation of course, it's ok! With Mr. Cheddar, no worries!

***

PS: Some recent posts at my other blogs you might also enjoy:

My Poetic Path: Haiku Reflections, Orange Splendour!

My Real Life Reviews: The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs (book review)

Veggies,Yarns & Tails: My New (absolute) Favorite Organic Cotton Yarn!

Beating the Heat! A Late Summer Haiku

                                   

                      

                    

Hope this photo and haiku  helps a bit, with your own "beat the heat"efforts; if you are having hot, hot..weather where you are.

Here in BC, we had a very late start to the summer heat but this past few days, the temps. have soared and the heat has truly arrived, with a bang!

Too hot for my liking but what can ya do!!!

I found this lovely cooling scene yesterday while out and about, visiting our local park. A painting did come to mind. One that I hope to do myself, in the future.

In the meantime (try to...) stay cool and Happy Week!


PS: If you are looking for a wonderful (my new absolute favorite!) summer yarn choice for some late summer knitting or crocheting, you might also enjoy this new review over at My Real Life Reviews:  Patons Pure 100% Organic Cotton Yarn.

Word of the Week: Listen

To listen.

To truly and totally....

listen.

                       

How often do we think:

it’s the other person’s fault.

They aren’t listening.

They refuse to “tune us in”.

Shutting out what they don’t want to hear.

Or choose to ignore.

                

But it’s  always a "two-way street".

This listening game.

A lifelong pursuit

 of perfected and harmonious communication.

                        

Can it be achieved?

Is it something that we can sustain?

The answer: to be found in the words from our lips.

Or, from the ears that selectively hear.

                            

To listen.

To REALLY listen.

Worth the effort.

To be there.

Fully engaged.

In the moment and the meaning.

                                           

Listen…

Can you hear it?

                        

            

GHH/2009/revised 2011

                                                     

Something that I continue to work on and remind myself of. Being fully engaged and focused on the words and meaning, when listening to another person. Noting body language too.

I hope you enjoy the poem.

PS: On another unrelated topic...if you happen to be "drowning" in garden zucchini right now, you might enjoy this recipe post over at my cooking blog: It's Zucchini Time Again. Some popular recipes to help to put a "dent" in the harvest!!!!
                              

Photo courtesy of Flickr

And the Winners Are....

Here's the list of the winning entries in the Happiness Is....contest, which were chosen by a random number generator system.
                              

I loved reading all the entries and interpretations of what "happiness is...."to you. Here's the original post link if you missed them.

                                  

The Prize Winners in no particular order:
                     

                                 

IMAC: Teri's Painted Daisies notecard set.
                         

Margie: Paper Origami Set
                               

Raedi: Seltzer Novelty Cards Set
                               

Bronson Hill Arts: Not Just for Vegetarians cookbook
                                        

Lorraine: Cat Food Sampler
                             

Tammie Lee: Natural Cosmetic Beauty Book
                                      

Diana: Not Just for Vegetarians cookbook
                             

Cassiopeia Rises: Not Just for Vegetarians cookbook
                              

Cathy: CafLib Coffee Sub. Sampler Pack
                             

Simply Sydney: Stacy Garrett Apple Green Earrings
                                   

Ms. Pie: Catgirl Creations Revelstoke Earrings
                                      

Selma: Catgirl Creations Arabian Nights Earrings


***

If you have won a prize, please send your complete name and mailing address to:

takeahappybreak (at) gmail (dot) com
                                      

as soon as possible so I can mail out your prize!

All contact information will be kept confidential.

Thanks for all the interesting entries and congrats to the winners!

Have a Wonderful Week, G :<)


PS: If you are "broiling" in the heat wherever you are, you might enjoy this cool watery post over at My Poetic Path: A Tanka Moment: A Midsummer Day's Dream.

BTW, It's hot here in BC. Too hot for me!

Happy Weekend.  I'll be back on Sunday with a new "Word of the Week" post.