Normal Magic

Lillian is the host of Open Link Night on dVerse Poets Pub and one of her sayings is “Normal” is a setting on a dryer.(lillian) Which got me to thinking about my own sayings that I use a LOT right now. One of which is: “Average is a mathematical equation; normal is an illusion.” (JPP). So in honor of all the times people have said to me “this is the new normal” only to hear “normal is an illusion” I give you …

Normal Magic

They call it the new normal
for me it’s another day
of masks and social distance
and, really, that’s Okay

Normal never did mean
all that much to me
it’s just a grand illusion
whose source I cannot see

So I walk my path alone
isolation’s not so tough
for I have magic in my veins
and for me that’s quite enough

Secret Garden – Nocturne (Lyric Video) ft. Anne Takle

Til next time ~Peace ~JPP

2020picoftheweek — Fire and Rain

For Maria Antonia’s 2020picoftheweek challenge my prompt:  What a Sight

Evacuation time, fires in Oregon, yes that’s smoke not clouds!

Rain off the coast of Kauai

“And the prophecy spoke of a witch grown of the earth,
transformed by fire, shaped by water,
and carried on the currents of air.” ~ Xerephenia

Elements – Lindsey Stirling

Til next time ~Stay safe, stay sane, stay sanitized ~JP

Sunday Stills – Home is where the heart is

Terri’s Sunday Stills theme this week is Home.

Home means so many things to so many people. For me it has never been a place but a feeling. To quote Dory “I look at you … and I’m home.” This is the first time in many years I have stayed in one place for this long (over a year). RVers say “Home is where we park it” for me home is anywhere my love and I are together, from a hotel in Shanghai to a Winnebago in Colorado, home is not a place, it is not walls or land, home is truly where my heart is. Je t’aime mon coeur.

Here are a few places I’ve called home.

Looking out the window of our Winnebago, Bayfield, Colorado

Just down the street Hart Ranch, Rapid City, South Dakota

“The Remarkables” as seen from our window in Queenstown, NZ

Heading “home” to Zion — Springdale, Utah

“Even as I wander
I’m keeping you in sight
you’re a candle in the window
on a cold, dark Winter’s night”

I can’t fight this feeling any more ~REO Speedwagon

Til next time ~Stay Safe, Stay Sane, Stay Sanitized ~JP

Sunday Stills – Leisurely Awakening

Dawn near Kapaa

Awakening

Slowly stretch and yawn
rising up to greet the dawn
fire breaks through the sky
awaken the magic before my eyes
leisure days of sun and sand
far away from the things of man

For Sunday Stills — awakening of leisure

Leisure is one thing I’m feeling the lack of lately. Most of my leisure activities, you see, involve traveling. As in, long distance traveling. One of my absolute favorite leisure activities is staying on a little stretch of beach near Kapaa on the Island of Kauai in Hawaii. There each morning we rise early to watch the awakening of the day. We stand and soak in the glorious ambience of sun and sea.

Aloha Oe — Teresa Bright

Til next time ~Stay safe, stay sane, stay sanitized ~JPP

Sunday Stills — Mother Earth

Sunset in the Black Hills area of South Dakota

Sky above
Earth below
Peace within 

Moment of Peace — Lord of the Rings Return of the King

For Sunday Stills — Mother Earth 

Til next time ~Peace be with you ~JPP

What Day Is It Anyway? – One Liner Wednesday – Coping with COVID

For Linda’s WDIIA and One Liner Wednesday and my own Coping with Covid-19

“In my defense the moon was full and I was left unsupervised.”
~Unknown but probably adapted from Lee St. John

Coping with COVID-19 – day 6 — Errand Day

It’s been a busy day. We ran errands, yep, put on pants, drove to town and used the drive thru pharmacy. Woohoo!! Take THAT boredom! Seriously, I don’t really have a problem with being bored but I do get stressed about running out of important things like vegetables …. and coffee …. and chocolate. So, I asked a friend to pick up some frozen veggies and eggs for me next time she goes to the grocery, ordered more coffee from Amazon. I’m still staying away from stores. My “case nurse” from the health insurance company called last night to make sure I’m getting my meds OK and asking me to “stay out of public as much as possible.” I’m touched by their concern … no really I am. I’m a high risk patient; they know it and they don’t want me to get sick … like they REALLY don’t want me to get sick $$$$. 😉 So after the grand excursion I’m taking some good advice and keeping my mind occupied. I’ve done my chores (lots of sanitizing). It’s raining/snowing so no outdoor walks today, yoga however is still on the agenda, trying to stay active.

Sleepy Santosha – Grounding Practice

Til next time ~Namaste ~JPP

Monday Windows – Imperial Windows

For Ludwig’s Monday Windows do pop over a see some great windows.

At Shugakuin Imperial Villa in Kyoto, Japan. At the pinnacle of the upper garden and grounds lies a simple pavilion structure of multiple rooms where emperor Gomizuno could view the panoramic views. Construction began in 1655 and Shugakuin remains one of the finest displays of shakkei (the Japanese garden art of “borrowing scenery”) to be found. Here at the Emperor’s Pavillion you see the extensive use of tatani mats. Note the elevated platform where the Emperor would sit. The paper windows let in light at different times of day and these large “lift out” windows let in the summer breeze.

One of many views from the Emperor’s Pavilion

Summer Breeze – Seals & Croft

Til next time ~Peace ~JPP

2020 picoftheweek # 3 – Greenery

First of all, let me apologize. I truly meant to keep this challenge up every week. Unfortunately, surgery, pain meds, and well … sleep have interfered. Bare with me while I catch up Week 3 of 2020 picoftheweek from Maria Antonia my prompt is: Greenery

“The kiss of the sun for pardon,
the songs of the birds for mirth,
one is nearer God’s heart in a garden
than anywhere else on earth.”
~ Dorothy Frances Gurney

The Leaves that are Green ~ Simon and Garfunkel

Til next time ~Peace ~JPP

3.2.1. Quote Me! – Balance

Rory’s 3.2.1. Quote Me! prompt for today: Balance

Guidelines: 3.2.1 Quote Me!

Post 3 quotes on topic
Post 2 pieces of music on topic.
Display one image which represents the topic in your eyes.

“Some days I eat salads and go to the gym. Some days I eat cupcakes and refuse to put on pants. It’s called balance.” ~unknown

“Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astair did but backwards and in high heels.” ~Bob Thaves

Balance is an illusion. Stand on one foot, feel the muscles in your foot and leg shift to keep you upright as your mind wanders or the wind blows. You adjust, you stay balanced. This is life. It’s a thousand tiny adjustments, every day. ~Me to my yoga class

Picoftheweek 2020 – It’s Cold Outside

Maria Antonia has opened her 2020 picoftheweek challenge. This week my theme is “It’s Cold Out” since it is -5f this morning that’s -22c for those of you on Celsius brrrr.  If you’d like to join in or just see all the great shots this week, do pop over to Maria Antonia’s site and join in the fun.

Christmas Morning in South Dakota – this shot was taken about 2 blocks from my home, note the frozen fog on the wire fence

Snowy Branches shot from underneath the tree

Snow Kisses

Snow flies like tiny fairies
dancing in the winter air
shivering in the bright sun
as snowflakes tickle my lashes
little fairy kisses
melting on my tongue

Hazy Shade of Winter – The Bangles

Til next time ~Peace ~JPP