Lessons from the Animals

You cannot look at a sleeping cat and feel tense.

Jane Pauley, American television anchor and journalist

It has been a busy couple of weeks and I have been remiss with my posts. Let me catch up by beginning with the end of the week when I looked to Cat's wise example and spent much of the day supine. She reassured me that busy-ness can be overrated. 

There had been much ado around the office. During a rare quiet moment I caught a glimpse of an arabesque reflection.

Under the big top on Saturday, a friend and I watched the amazing performance of magnificent horses, their riders, and acrobats all set before stunning images of a global odyssey. While the human feats had me holding my breath, the powerful, gentle, playful beasts are without a doubt the stars of the show. The 'acrobats' in the photo were battening down the hatches before the thunderstorms brought torrential rains. When it hit, the rain pounded on the tent, yet the horses, as true professionals, remained calm and focused on their performance: a good lesson to take into the next week.

Forging Forth with Friends

Be a lamp, a lifeboat, a ladder.
Help someone's soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.

Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, Persian poet and Sufi mystic (1207-1273)

Good friends came to visit and since they had never seen Niagara Falls, I pretty much insisted that we make it a priority on their final day. As we gazed down, miniature (in the face of the Falls) boats regularly challenged the cascading torrent and treacherous currents. I got to thinking about facing challenges and having friends who shine a smiling light into the mists so that you know that you are not alone. Sincere thanks to each and every one of you out there!

Hang in There

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.

William A. Feather, American publisher and author (1889-1981)

In my early morning walk to the train station an unfamiliar profile crossed my path. A little further along, not sure what I was going to find, I stopped to wish the little fellow a good day.

Greeting Geese

If we all have as much sense as geese we will stand by each other, in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

Unknown

I received quite a welcome from a pair of geese on my arrival at work this morning. They trumpeted my approach. I thanked them for the greeting, although I suspect that their honking was more of a warning to stay away from their newborn hidden somewhere on the grounds nearby than a warm how-do-you-do.

Souls Blossom

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

Marcel Proust, French novelist (1871-1922) 

With blossoms emerging and pools newly replenished, the garden created by Lebanese landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic is coming to life from its winter dormancy. And the sight of it fills one with a breath of Spring!

Shamrock Green

For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver. 

Martin Luther, German priest and leader of the Reformation (1483-1546)

Summer-like temperatures over the past few days have summoned green to burst forth from what have long been barren branches. The wee park near my little abode shone gloriously in the sunlight with the shamrock green of Spring. The park is dedicated to the Irish immigrants who lived in the area, many of whom worked the rail lines upon which my commuter train now rests.