Part 2 of 3: Clouds & Dreams

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

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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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

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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Three Little Random Thoughts – X0X0X

Dwayne reached the top of the viewpoint, and found the bench.  He didn’t need to wake up as early this time of year to catch the sunrise. 

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At first the sky only lightened gradually, and so did his mood as he sipped his coffee from the thermal mug his Ruth had given him.  She was always with him he mused, as the sky changed from a mere glow to reflections of pink. 

The clouds seemed to hang lower in the morning and travelled slowly either up or down the valley,  he knew that they were called “stratus” clouds.  The clouds slipped along like long white train cars.

He sipped his coffee with the hazelnut creamer and enjoyed the cool breeze on his face. He was starting the day, and felt her absence and yet strangely peaceful. 

It was only a few days until Ruth’s birthday, Christmas Eve, and although he had decorated their home, it wasn’t decorated the same as it was when Ruth had done it every year.  Out of love for her family, Ruth bustled around before Christmas baking and decorating.  It seemed to him that she took one whole day  just to decorate the Christmas tree, but she never minded. The tree was her “thing”. 

Dwayne and Ruth had had their decades together, they had their inside jokes, and shared looks and contentment together. Now he was alone but he still felt her alongside and even watching him sometimes.

Ruth – her name means “mate, companion, friend” ♥ 

Dwayne had stood yesterday outside Ruth’s favorite chocolate shop. He stood gazing so long at a chocolate X’s and O’s boxed treat, the storekeeper had come and checked on him.  He had smiled and assured her that he was fine and was merely admiring the dark and milk chocolates.

The boxed treat was a reminder of Ruth.  On her birthday he had always woke her with a kiss and her favorite chocolate, which was almost any chocolate, he smiled to himself. The gifts were forgotten now, but her reaction was always the same when he asked her what she wanted for her birthday.   

Every year her answer was “more X’s and more 0’s” which were symbols for more kisses and hugs.  He would laugh, and give her one of each immediately.

Dwayne finished his coffee, looked at the sky and before he headed down the hill he looked at the sky, one cloud looked like a big X.    He touched his chest, his eyes were moist – see you tomorrow morning my love.  XXX OOO

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There’s magic in the air this evening
Magic in the air
The world is at her best, you know
When people love and care
The promise of excitement is one the night will keep
After all, there’s only one more sleep ’til Christmas

KermitOne More Sleep ’til Christmas – watch the song here

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Here is a memorable Christmas movie quote from a memorable 1965 special that never grows old in my opinion – You will probably guess it 🙂

Charlie BrownI think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel.

Lucy Van Pelt: I know how you feel about all this Christmas business, getting depressed and all that. It happens to me every year. I never get what I really want. I always get a lot of stupid toys or a bicycle or clothes or something like that.

Charlie Brown: What is it you want?

Lucy Van Pelt: Real estate.

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Thank you for visiting “Life and Random Thinking”. 

The little story about Dwayne and Ruth came to me last night to share with you. 

Thank you for visiting in 2020. I know your lives are full and I am grateful for your visits and comments.  Merry Christmas !

I hope your new year is filled with hope, good health and happy memories. – David

santa's turn

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Christmas in Penticton – 1905; Real History

Thank you for visiting “Life and Random Thinking”

Here where I live in Penticton, the public library and the museum are located in the same building. When I entered the building this week I saw and copied information posted by the museum.

What you read today is a true account of a Penticton Christmas in 1905. The story was printed up in the newspaper from museum archives.

It caught my eye because the city was just a baby then; people couldn’t have Christmas trees because most of them were living in tents.

The city site had been sold to the city by the cattle baron, Tom Ellis, whose cattle domain extended all the way to the American border. The information is from a newspaper article in 1958 (pictured also).

I hope you enjoy reading about Christmas in 1905 in what was then almost all a tent community.

The hearts of parents in making magical memories of Christmas seems to be timeless – ♥

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THE PENTICTON HERALD – DECEMBER 24, 1958

Christmas 1905 in Penticton Recalled

By Sugra D’Rial

It was a lovely November day, and I left the tent looking forward to my walk and to the visit I hoped to make later on.

Calling in at Schubert’s store to pick up the mail, I found Mrs. J.R. Mitchell and Mrs. Curtis, and as they had also been invited to tea with Mrs. Mather in the old Penticton Hotel, we walk-up together. We found Mrs. Latimer and Mrs. Coldwell there before us and we spent a most enjoyable afternoon talking about the homes and friends we had left, and how we were getting on in this new, and to us, barren land with its sagebrush, rattlesnakes and cattle, and no way out save by steamer.

LIVING IN TENTS

Then someone mentioned Christmas, only six weeks away. As all save one of us lived in tents, a tree was out of the question. Many suggestions were made and we parted promising to think things over and see if we had any ideas that could be used.

We agreed to meet the following Monday afternoon. This we did and Mrs. Mather said C.A.C. Stewart was more than willing to let us have the newly finished Travelers’ Sample room, which had been added to the south east corner of the hotel.

We also found that many signified their willingness to give money. We went ahead. One of the firefighters said he would bring us a tree, and they all gave money. No one gave less than $5.00 and some $10.00 and two gave $15.00.

80 CHILDREN IN ALL

We found that altogether there were 80 children in town, so we invited everyone to come on a set date, and many who couldn’t come gave us money. We bought all the toys Kidsen and Taylor had in their store and I sent out an order for toys to Spencer’s in Vancouver.

The tree looked lovely. We all had a few Christmas things to trim the tree with us, and with the peppermint candy canes. Lit candles and lovely star on top, our tree left little to be desired.

Mr. Brett, who opened a small tobacco, magazine and ice cream store on Front St., was our Santa Claus.

We had so much money, we had three toys for each child. My three-year-old got a spinning top, a trumpet and a wheelbarrow large enough for him to wheel his cocker spaniel and his kitty in. There were nuts, candles and oranges galore, with enough left over for the adults to have for themselves.

We sung Christmas Carols before the arrival of Santa Claus, who arrived with much stamping of feet and ringing of bells, and once again we watched the stars shine in the eyes of the youngsters as the mystery and wonder of Christmas took hold of them.

Then as the little ones grew sleepy we took them home and some of the “older children” took over and danced til the “wee small hours”.

Thus ended the first Christmas Eve after the S.O.L. Co.(South Okanagan Land Company)  took over the district from Mr. Ellis.

Background: Thomas Ellis was the first European settler in the area known today as Penticton, British Columbia. He was the biggest cattle baron in the South Okanagan area.  In the early half of the 1890s he entered into an agreement with the Penticton Townsite Company and he sold his land which became part of the City of Penticton.

If you want to learn more about this little city, where it is, and what the name means – click here.

Merry Christmas – and thank you for your interest in my blog. Best wishes to you! – David

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Unarmed, and Risking Their Lives

Thank you for visiting Life and Random Thinking today. – David

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After another freezing night, sleeping outdoors in a trench and wishing they were anywhere but where they were, the German soldiers stood up, and were instantly vulnerable to being shot in the winter’s dawn light.

Unarmed, and without the assurance of an official cease-fire the German men took brave steps towards the enemy’s trenches and they did so unarmed.

Calling out “Merry Christmas” in the enemy’s native language the Germans initiated the interlude of peace between warring nations on Christmas Eve 1914.

I am sure the Allied soldiers were worried it was a trick for an ambush but with hope and probably amazement they climbed out of their trenches and met the Germans in “no-man’s land” which was the space between the opposing trenches.

How strange, how amazing to have been a spectator that day. Dirty men from opposing sides in uniform singing carols, sharing food and even a good-natured soccer game.

For a moment of time the mortal enemies put down their guns because of Christmas. It was also an opportunity to retrieve their dead comrades whose bodies were in the no-man’s land and to be able so without fear of joining them in dying.

The war was relatively young, only five months into the outbreak so perhaps that helped, but this little miracle was never repeated again in World War 1 or in World War 2.

For a brief time the light of the Christmas spirit pushed away the darkness of war, and it is amazing for me to imagine.

Both sides were unarmed and risking their lives and what an amazing celebration, and inspiration for the world. Read more by clicking here.

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“Blessed are the peacemakers”

I learned at a young age how hard it is to reach out and apologize, but I also learned what a good feeling it was to be forgiven. I never forgot that feeling.

My best friend and I had had an arguement. We lived next door to each other, and I don’t remember the details. I do remember how good it felt to be friends again.

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Thank for visiting, I appreciate all the visits to my posts, and it’s a real pleasure to visit many of my readers blogs also. – David

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