august break no. 4

my new vintage table cloth

$2.99 @ St. Vinny's

LOVE

-simply jag

a teacher's final gift...

I looked grace in the eye today.
I looked wisdom in the eye today.
I looked impermanence in the eye today.
I looked love in the eye today.

And although that eye was her only way of communicating, those are the messages I received.

I had the blessing of sitting silently with a friend today.
She is in an end-of-life care facility... in the final stages of her cancer journey.
She has easily had three lifetimes worth of struggles in this one short life, and she has worn them with dignity.

I was nervous about going to see her.
I knew it was to say good-bye ...and thank you.
I was so nervous, I even Googled "what to say to a person who is dying".
(Yes, I actually did that!)
I was reminded that I didn't need to say much.
I could let my presence speak.
I could let my love speak.

As it turned out, that was all I needed.
She is beyond speech now.
Except for that one eye.

My nervousness soon dissipated and I felt...
humbled
by the experience
by her presence
by the gift.

She has been a teacher to me...
a companion on the journey of recovery and discovery
and even in these final days,
probably without even knowing it,
she gives.

Thank you, my friend.
Peace to you..

- simply jag

god's gardens...

Last weekend, as Hubby took to the Gatineau Park paths for his run, I took to the paths with my camera. I was amazed at the variety of wildflowers that I found in such a short distance! It reminded me of the endless beauty provided by the Master Gardener. Now, if only S/he could help out with the ones in my yard... :-)

And so, while the insects continue to feast on my gardens, I will feast on these. Enjoy!

simply jag

xox

more blossomtime...

More visual delights from Kariya Park, a small urban oasis in Mississauga, Ontario. Although I did bump up the colours a bit, I didn't change them. The surroundings truly were awash in pink & purple!

simply jag xox

blossomtime...

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

- Marcel Proust

With gratitude to simple sparrow who reminded me today that it's important to share the beauty we see through our lens...

simply jag xox

beautiful self...

I've been getting clear messages this past week, both from people who care, and from my own body: I need to s...l...o...w... d...o...w...n... I am juggling too many balls, all of them of my own choosing. I read something a while back that really resonated with me: "Some say that busyness is a form of laziness. Because you're too lazy to work out what not to do." (Michael Bungay Stanier) And so, I am in the process of making the difficult decisions about what NOT to do.

Last night, I chose NOT to go out to the theatre with a group of friends. My hacking cough would have been entirely inappropriate and exhausting. I stayed home and ended up playing with self-portrait! Dare I say it, I believe these shots are beautiful.

simply jag xox

beauty in the kitchen...

Here's a shot from my friend Judi's new Kitchen Studio. She is moving her home-based catering business, Credible Edibles, to a new space and has asked if I would sell her some of my photos for her studio! I stopped by today to check the place out and see what I could offer. I'm thrilled and honoured to play a small part in her exciting adventure.


Judi is an inspiring woman. She left her office job last year to focus on developing this idea of offering "nutricious, delicious, environmentally conscious" meals to the community. I look forward to seeing how this new space will develop... Way to go, Judi!! Oh, and thanks for the freshly baked mocha muffin. You can test out new recipes on me anyday. :-)

simply jag xox

beautiful tree...

I came home today to find Hubby - the marathon man - following along with a Rodney Yee yoga DVD. As I watched him do a tree pose, I was struck with how beautiful the scene was. Thanks to Picnik, I was able to salvage an otherwise technically poor shot.

simply jag xox

beauty in the heart of downtown...

I've loved this painting for close to 20 years. It stands two stories high and is located in the foyer of a hotel/commercial building in downtown Ottawa. I walk by it every week on my way to my meditation group. Also, it was in this hotel that we held our wedding reception 19 years ago this fall. I noticed the painting the first time I set foot there. How could I not?!

It really is beautiful to me. In the midst of all the hurry and scurry of the downtown workday, it invites me to pause and breathe and take in the sight, sound and smell of the ocean... even if it is only in my mind.

simply jag xox

street-weary beauty...

I first met John about four years ago when he was living on the street. He now rents a small room above one of the local drinking establishments, but he still pans at his usual street corner. He refers to it as his job and usually pulls one to two shifts a day.

John is street-weary beauty to me. He is scuffed up, and funny, and wounded, and wise. He always astounds me with his positive attitude and I am grateful he is on my Life path...

simply jag xox

beauty in the 'hood...

I don't need to go far to find beauty in my neighbourhood. I live in Westboro Village, a great community just west of downtown Ottawa. This photo is from the shoppe around the corner from my house. I often pause to gaze at the gorgeous window displays... The clothes are a little out of my reach, but a girl can dream, can't she?! :-)

simply jag xox

a new word for march...

B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.

A new focus for the month of March, thanks once again for Shutter Sisters' One Word Project. Time to focus on all things beautiful!

simply jag xox