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“Grandchildren give us a second chance to do things better because they bring out the best in us.” Unknown Author
I’m so enjoying my time with my 13 year old Grandson who is visiting me from Maryland this summer. He’s got an awesome disposition and is enjoying his time “out west” very much, but hates having his picture taken! He humors me, but won’t smile, so I have to try whatever I can to break that deadpan . . . almost got him here!
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“You simply have to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Put blinders on and plow right ahead.” George Lucas
This old plow is sitting in the north meadow on the family Stump Ranch in the Chilcotin – Central BC. We spread my Dad’s ashes here in 1986, a year after he died at the young age of 65. He loved this country so much that he retired to a 20 acre plot of land that has none of the modern conveniences that we take so for granted these days. He loved living as though he were a pioneer living off the land. He raised seven kids, worked a 9-5 job until he was 60 years old so that he could move back to the land he loved. Simple, understated, but so beautiful and peaceful. It does my soul good every time I visit.
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“You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.” Friedrich Nietzsche
This is the sign at the road entrance to our family Stump Ranch in the Chilcotin Country. I was inspired by another of my 365’ers to do this effect using PS.
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“I acknowledge the privilege of being alive in a human body at this moment, endowed with senses, memories, emotions, thoughts, and the space of mind in its wisdom aspect.” Alex Grey
I took this photo outside the old tack shed where Dad kept the feed and saddles etc for the horse. He also had cows and chickens. I am feeling so blessed to have had such a “free spirited” childhood. We didn’t have electronic devices and TV to entertain us. We had our imaginations and parents who let us roam and play. Standing here brings back so many memories . . . memories of experiences that have helped shape the person I am today. Thanks Dad . . .
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“Human memory is a marvelous but fallacious instrument. The memories which lie within us are not carved in stone; not only do they tend to become erased as the years go by, but often they change, or even increase by incorporating extraneous features.” Primo Levi
I’ve taken a little side trip a few hours north of Ruth Lake to the Chilcotin area of BC. This is where my roots are . . . as my father spent his early years up in this country as a Cowboy, and later brought his family (a wife and seven kids) out from Ontario, and later California, almost every year. I have been visiting this country since I was a baby. The year I married my first husband, Dad bought 20 acres which became known as the Stump Ranch which is literally out in the boonies. My kids spent many summers riding horses, swimming at the lake a mile away, chasing frogs and exploring the great outdoors. I am standing in the original cabin that was built many years ago before my dad bought this property. He and Mom lived in this cabin with no modern conveniences for about 5 years until he died in 1985 of lung cancer. In that time, he built a new log house – which he never go to live in. Mom was able to spend many summers here on her own but cannot do that any more because of her age (she’s now 90 years old). My youngest sister has just moved here, however. It’s nice that it will not be so neglected anymore.
I have many fond memories here . .
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“When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” Tecumseh
This morning I woke up in the little cabin . . . no bathroom facilities. I looked in the mirror and decided this would make a great 365 photo. Bed Head to the n’th degree! A small price to pay for waking up in Paradise . . .
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“So I’m just gonna sit on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Wastin’ time” Otis Redding
Yup – lazy day! Just gotta love moments like this because they don’t seem to last long. The weather has been rather unpredictable, with downpours when least expected. I managed a few minutes of relaxation on the dock, and set up this shot. It would not be difficult to sit here all day, if I had no other obligations in my day. So – I grab what I can, when I can . . . and appreciate every second of it. Moments like this fill me up . . . re-energize me . . . helping me move forward to the next task at hand. I am blessed.
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“Canada is a good country to be from. It has a gentler slower pace – it lends perspective.” Paul Anka
Happy Canada Day! We don’t really do fireworks here like the American’s do on the 4th of July. It was quite different for my Grandson – his first Canada Day and his first time being away from his parents over 4th of July. Luckily, weather co-operated. It’s been raining off and on for days, but it cleared this evening. We built a nice campfire by the side of the lake and spent the evening telling stories and roasting marshmallow’s for S’mores. I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate . . .
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“A lake is a landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.” Henry David Thoreau
I snapped this shot off the end of the dock with my point and shoot camera. I’m amazed at the clear reflection of the blue sky and clouds . . . it’s processed with a mosaic texture in Photo Shop.
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“A true friend is one soul in two bodies” Aristotle
My guy has been out on the lake in the boat with the boys fishing for the last two days. Finally, I get my few minutes with him alone in the boat. Ahhh . . . peacefulness! I love it when he turns off the motor and we just float in the quiet bay . . .disconnected from life as we know it . . . just us and the loons.
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Nurture Self 365 