Three Random Thoughts #6 – Crayons, Trees, & Moments

Posted on April 4, 2021 by dfolstad58

Moments

Today is Easter Sunday – I send out good wishes to everyone this year. It’s our second year in a row that the pandemic has loomed over Easter, and broke up family traditions because of precautions being taken by avoiding get-togethers indoors.

It’s understandable, as no one wants to be responsible for getting someone else sick, especially those who are especially vulnerable as am I since I am on immune suppressant drugs for my kidney transplant. But we all miss those family moments, and we look forward to their return, and believe they will.

Reflecting back on moments – as a youngster my Easter Sunday was brightened by Easter Bunny deposits of jelly beans and chocolate.

The Easter Bunny had always vanished before I awoke, but his trail was visible because of the jelly beans and little treats scattered in the living room. In room corners and under pillows we found the bright coloured jelly beans, and under pillows were little chocolate Easter eggs (in boxes♥).

I also have lasting memories of Easter Eggs of a longer lasting type, and sentimental memories they are. My Ukrainain grandmother (Baba) taught me how to dye and paint eggs with wax. These are the memories you make when you are young and only later in life do you realize how priceless the moments were. How irreplaceable.

I share them here in a past post and such wonderful times they were and that now I appreciate even more.

Thanks for visiting! – David

Baba’s eggs – my simpler ones are visible also in purple, black, and aqua blue ♥

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CRAYONS

Keeping with the Easter theme, recently I rediscovered how pleasant it is to slow down and did some colouring with pencil crayons. My masterpiece is below♥

It actually was difficult to not be multi-tasking, or tapping on a keyboard/screen.

After while I concentrated and it felt nice to step back from electronics which seem to dominate daily life.

I thought it turned out pretty good. ♥

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TREES

Driving north from Penticton, there are multiple places to stop along the lake. I didn’t remember the name of this one but the view was spectacular from that spot.

I am glad I took the moment to stop and take some pictures when I was on driving “date” with my wife. Just a rolling date, buy some apples from a fruit orchard, drink coffee and spend time together. What a name for a park! Kickininee Park.

  • An extra treat while bike riding was finding these fancily dressed trees downtown.
Some trees and some reflections

Posted in family, FAVORITE POSTS - A Few of them ♥, food, Just being creative, okanagan related, South Okanagan Restaurants and Other Jewels, Three Little Random Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Three Random Thoughts – #5 Elephants, Memories, Deloreans

Posted on March 23, 2021 by dfolstad58

Thank you and Welcome to another post in the Three Random Thoughts category. Forgive me since today I was a bit verbose.

I sincerely hope you will enjoy each section and take a moment to add your comments or thoughts for discussion. – David

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A fun, charming and insightful book is this one from Alexander McCall Smith; another one that makes me chuckle out loud. I am reading page 124, halfway. It has already won my appreciation.

All these in the series are light reading, and enjoyable characters; nothing that will cause you to dream unless it is Mma Potokwane’s cherry cake. Don’t worry, she baked three and she will eat some with you and give you seconds. ♥

The main character is Mma Ramotswe who shares her understanding of life with simple truths, and her insights warm my heart and tickle my funny bone.

This is possibly the latest of the author’s “The New No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Series” – any of which I recommend.

Mma Ramotswe is a wise and charming “traditionally built” Botwana woman whose common sense and insights are uncommon.

Who doesn’t need a smile to perk up the corner of your mouth when you are reading – see if this book is available at your library.

“ It was not a complicated thing, kindness — we all knew how to be kind, and we all recognized it when we came across it.”– quote from How To Raise An Elephant

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There are places I’ll remember

All my life though some have changed

Some forever, not for better

Some have gone and some remain

In My Life – The Beatles

Nearly 30 years ago I owned a house in the city of Ladner, south of Vancouver BC. I have never forgotten the joy of coming down the stairs in the morning.

The front door had inserts of glass that I will describe as crystal-like. The front door faced east and the morning sun lit up the main floor with rainbows wall-to-wall-to-wall.

Sunny mornings when I came down the stairs I was positively affected by the sunlight and rainbows.

When the light shone through, it created beautiful colours, and it was so cheerful.

No wonder that I have never lost that memory of coming down the stairs.

I would say the same for certain people. Certain people are rainbow givers. These are the people you can close your eyes and see their faces, hear their voices, and they are unforgettable.

The rainbow on the walls I saw is like the lift those rainbow givers give your spirit when you spend time with them or maybe even think of them.

The Beatles – In My Life – Youtube video 2:35 – Watch Here

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My walks this winter meant my head was covered by a toque, and and my hands wearing mittens. Sometimes though I took pictures and listened this winter to podcasts.

I was listening to podcasts from CBC. There are two podcasts I have recommended to friends – sure bets. Don’t miss out on these two.

An old friend is how I think of “Under The Influence: Interesting stories, and trivia. I always learn something and am entertained.

 It premiered on January 7, 2012 on CBC Radio One and currently has over a million radio listeners per week as well as over 25 million podcast downloads.

I have discovered a new podcast which I am excited to share about called: We regret to Inform You. Fascinating stories about people you know.

Podcast description:

The fascinating stories of successful people who triumphed over debilitating career rejection.

And the insights those rejections provide.’

But it is their stories of rejection that are interesting, really amazing. Stories where over and over, dozens of times even they are rejected. After all those rejections all of them doubted themselves but still tried. Now they are household names.

Rejection – it was the best thing to happen, ask Lady Gaga! or Katy Perry! or Sara Blakely! Link is here.

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You might like this Rejection Podcast: Rejecting Back To The Future

Click the blue here to check it out. ♥Back To The Future sits proudly in the Library of Congress National Film Registry as a work of enduring importance to American culture.

But nearly 40 years ago when Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis first wrote the script, it was rejected. 40 times. Join us this week at the Twin Pines Mall as we tell the film’s incredible story. From being told by studios it was “too sweet” for the rebellious ‘80s youth to becoming a billion dollar franchise.

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Part 3 of 3: Clouds and Dreams

Posted on March 20, 2021 by dfolstad58

I usually forget my dreams within a few seconds unless they are unusual in some respect.

Who remembers the clouds they see during the day? They are all around us, but they are constantly changing, we admire them and move on with our day.

Dreams are like that to me.

Like clouds they move around my conscious when I sleep occasionally morphing into something meaningful, often not. Sometimes playful, sometimes serious the thoughts that come into our minds when our heads are often meant to recognize too deeply.

Sometimes people dream a lengthy scene that makes sense but last night I had three small snippets that grabbed my attention that I felt were dreams I could hold on to and interpret, as inspiration possibly for three posts and hopefully responses from my readers.

Dream #3

Description: This dream was also very quick, only a few seconds long. The setting was a soccer field and I am playing goalie. My dreaded position on a soccer team because the net is too wide, much too wide.

I must have been playing ahead of the net as the ball sails over my head and rolls to the goal line. I stop the ball just as it reaches the line but before it crosses. (Yay!)

I toss the ball down and awkwardly (I think) run and give the ball a really hard kick towards the other goal line. I can see it go and it curves toward the other goal.

Interpretation: This dream seems simple for me, maybe because it is almost dawn. Stopping the ball means never give up, no matter if it seems hopeless.

The kick to the other goal seems to signal to me that despite my skills I have a chance, so take the kick, don’t hesitate to try.

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Thanks for visiting my blog today. I appreciate your visit, and your attention. The first day of spring is just a few days away now, and I hope that you are looking forward to spring with optimism as I do when the days grow longer and the green of the grass is returning. ♥ David

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Part 2 of 3: Clouds & Dreams

Posted on March 19, 2021 by dfolstad58

I live in a valley that runs north to south. Lakes lie along the bottom of the valley like children holding hands on May Day linking different lakes north to south.

Valleys like mine are prone to wind streams that go either north or south. It all seems to depend on which way I am riding my bike. If I am riding north then the wind will come from the north, and vice versa – somehow it seems like that sometimes. ♥

The clouds are pushed along by the wind and as they travel they change, connect and disconnect, changing every few minutes.

Dreams are like that to me.

Like clouds they move around my conscious when I sleep occasionally morphing into something meaningful, often not. Sometimes playful, sometimes serious the thoughts that come into our minds when our heads are often meant to recognize too deeply.

Sometimes people dream a lengthy scene that makes sense but last night I had three small snippets that grabbed my attention that I felt were dreams I could hold on to and interpret, as inspiration possibly for three posts and hopefully responses from my readers.

Dream 2

Description: This dream seemed to last just seconds. The scene was of groups of two playing overhand catch with a white ball. The groups were all spread out, maybe 20 or so groups of two.

The two closest to me though were only three feet apart while the others were all much further apart. I could see that the two closest to me were having a hard time playing catch because they were so close together.

Since they stood so close together it was impossible for the person catching to respond quickly enough to catch the ball. In fact it seemed dangerous to be standing so close to the person throwing and they were not enjoying themselves.

Interpretation: I hope readers will add their thoughts on the interpretation.

Playing catch with my Dad growing up, and as adult with my son has always been a meaningful activity. When playing catch with a ball, frisbee type ring, or a football, the moments are relaxing and the activity is rewarding.

When you throw you are focused on the person you are throwing to and they are watching so they can follow the arc and catch the ball.

Playing catch is not a block to talking, laughing or the sharing of thoughts. When I am playing catch there is usually joking and laughing going on.

But for the persons standing so close together, the space was awkward, unsafe and tense.

I think I was thinking yesterday about people not always surrounding themselves with people who think identically culturally or about issues.

Standing in the same bubble as someone else is a preventative to the space needed to catch and evaluate the throw of the ball or the value of an opinion.

When we stand too close we have choice but to react. We need to be in a different space in order to respond in a way that is safe and interactive.

I think the dream is about making space to avoid reacting to events and instead allow a thoughtful response.

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Thanks for visiting again, this post will definitely go in my category called “Thinking Out Loud”. I hope you have a great day. – David

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Part 1 of 3 – Clouds & Dreams

Posted on March 18, 2021 by dfolstad58

As I sit here writing this morning, the sun is rising from the east backlighting the clouds. The sun is still behind the east side of the valley and the clouds along the lip are golden.

The clouds 30 minutes ago were blue streamers then evolving in that cloud manner that seems to happen the instant we look away.

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Dreams are like that to me.

Like clouds they move around my conscious when I sleep occasionally morphing into something meaningful, often not. Sometimes playful, sometimes serious are the thoughts that come into our minds. But like those clouds our dreams usually float by without being recognized too deeply.

Sometimes people dream a lengthy scene that makes sense without much thought, but last night I had three small dreams that grabbed my attention. I felt these were dreams I should hold onto and interpret. I am using them as inspiration for three blog posts and hopefully many responses from my readers.

Dream 1

Description of the scene: I am looking at a small hole in my chest and I see a slim brown tail poking out. It is not furry like a cat, or leathery like a rat but like a reptile; perhaps like a small gecko.

I tried to grab it but it is too thin and it disappears into the hole in my chest. I am forced to enlarge the chest hole to try to grab the tail. But I am unable to grab it until the hole in my chest is expanded and quite large like a shape of large book. Finally I can grab the creature which becomes a black and white creature that is cross between a fish and something less innocent.

It doesn’t twist or fight as I pluck it out and throw it away. Outside of me it lacks menace or effect. I never feel upset, or poisoned just irritated that I allowed this to grow inside of me as I feel it was preventable.

Interpretation: This is where I hope readers can help with responses.

I lay in bed and thought about this dream and wondered if it meant anything.

I wondered if this dream was about advocacy for myself. Whether that was an essential to having consistent health, or better health, or never complacent about speaking up, and instead rejecting anything that was not positive and healthy.

It is easy for something to take root that doesn’t belong, and I should be on guard.

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  • Okanagan lake looking north to Giant’s Head Mountain

As always I am grateful to you for taking the time to visit my blog. If readers weren’t a part of this, I would have stopped long ago.

A few recent pictures from the beautiful Okanagan valley and I hope you will enjoy your day – soon dream 2 will post. – ♥ David

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A COVID Christmas message

Posted on December 23, 2020 by dfolstad58

A true Covid story – please take one minute to read.

Jane Fritz's avatarRobby Robin's Journey

This is an unusual Christmas post, but then again this is Christmas in a year like no other. This season is a time that’s meant to bring joy, and this year we have to be especially creative in finding ways to do so while keeping everyone safe. I wish everyone a happy holiday; this COVID world is at least offering us the time to look for joy in the small things, if we only choose to take it. Let’s take advantage of that.

I think this blog post from fellow blogger Kavitha at Sunshiny SA Site is important to reblog in its entirety. It is a strong reminder of why the restrictions in place in so many of our regions are there for a reason. The story it shares has been replicated far too many times: in Canada, South Africa, the United States, the UK, EU countries, and everywhere around…

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