Wishcasting Wednesday

Today Jamie Ridler asks another penetrating question:

What do you wish to make time for?

I think that, more than wish, I need to make time for:

creating daily

weekly dates with my hubby

taking care of me

getting together more regularly with family and friends

It is so easy to let life take over and let the excuse of being tired prevent me from doing so many things. I just need to do those things first and put me and my needs first on the calendar.

As Jamie says:
"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog . Support wishes by visiting other participants. It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together."

Multitude Monday - Giving Thanks

Giving thanks and showing gratitude regularly is a practice that has woven in and out of my life. I have kept gratitude journals many times and I have found that when I keep it up, I am more upbeat, more optimistic.

While visiting several blogs recently, I discovered Ann Voskamp, the author of "A Thousand Gifts". The idea of creating "a list that never ends" really spoke to me and I have decided to join "Multitude Mondays", starting my list of what I am thankful for this past week.

I am grateful for:

1. my husband, who shares everything and always supports me

2. my children, who are independent, loving and kind and my pride and joy

3. my extended family of step-children and grandchildren and in-laws

4. our cat Fluffy, who at 19, is still going strong and is so much more affectionate in her old age

5. having a teaching job and still loving teaching after 30 years

6. a finished renovation project, as of yesterday

7. the gal from work who drove me Friday because my car did not start at all and to the mechanic who was able to fix it so quickly yesterday without a huge cost

8. the beauty of the fall colours and the gorgeous weather we have had in October



9. having time for art and reading



10. music and dancing

Be sure to link up with others here.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Last weekend the weather was gorgeous. I even heard of people having their Thanksgiving feast outside!

This week we are back to cloudy, rainy days. Fall is here to stay. The colours of the trees though are lovely.

Here are a few shadows I was able to capture with the sun.

Be sure to visit Hey Harriet - home of Shadow Shot Sunday, that super addictive meme created by Tracy.

Wishcasting Wednesday

Wishcasting Wednesday is a special place to share our dreams and wishes in a very supportive community. I have missed it lately - not just the wishing, but the support.

This week Jamie Ridler asks us:

What do you wish to do one day?

If I could envision my perfect day it would be one where I am able to create in my own studio; I have time with my husband and friends; I read a bit and I volunteer my time somewhere. I would also be teaching art to children, which is really my biggest wish.

As Jamie says:

#You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog. Support wishes by visiting other participants. It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together."

ABC Wednesday - L is For Doris Lessing

This week at ABC Wednesday it is L we focus on.

There were many people I could have chosen - Jack Layton was my first choice, but I have written on him lately and will again.)

I settled on Doris Lessing, the British writer who received the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature in 2007. One of her most famous books is "The Golden Notebook".

Here are several of her quotes, some you may recognize:

"A simple grateful thought turned heavenwards is the most perfect prayer. "

"Any human anywhere will blossom in a hundred unexpected talents and capacities simply by being given the opportunity to do so. It is terrible to destroy a person's picture of himself in the interests of truth or some other abstraction."

"Small things amuse small minds."

"Some people obtain fame, others deserve it."

"That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you've understood all your life, but in a new way."

"What is a hero without love for mankind."

"With a library you are free, not confined by temporary political climates. It is the most democratic of institutions because no one - but no one at all - can tell you what to read and when and how. "

Be sure to visit ABC Wednesday for different takes on L.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Time for sharing shadows, a most enjoyable pursuit. With the beginning of fall and cooler temperatures, my garden is ending its cycle. Here are a few shots from the garden this week.

We were at a wedding last Saturday and I happened to notice this lone shoe and couldn't resist the picture (shadow and reflection ):

Be sure to visit Shadow Shot Sunday, that special place for shadow chasers, created by Tracy.

Sky Watch Friday

It has been a while since I posted skies for Sky Watch Friday. I still photograph skies as much as possible - every day is a new vista it seems. Here are a few favourites from the past week:

Be sure to visit SWF for some awesome skies from around the world!