Happy New Year 2011

There is a light which cannot ever be extinguished.
It is inside of you. It is you.

Let your light so shine upon the world that the world will
know Who You Really Are -- and its people will know
why they really are as well, through the light of your
example.The darkness of our world awaits you -- not to engulf
you, but to be transformed by you. During this Season of
the Light, be its Source for all those who search for Joy.



Everyone have a safe and happy holidays.
And peace and joy to all.
Let your light shine brightly.

Tom

Nothing has to happen immediately, this minute ,
or "right now."

It's okay to pause for just a moment. Just take a breath.

Then go quietly inside. Ask the Spirit to lead you to
your best outcome.

There's nothing you have to do, really, except get out
of your own way.

The world is so much brighter, so much better,
because you are in it.

If only you knew all the gifts that you bring to others.
You would never feel sad again, but only rejoice in
how wonderful God has made you!

Some summer colour might cheer you up a little

Tom

Life was meant to be FUN! It's hard to believe
sometimes, but it's true. It's all about point of view.

Even our most difficult moments bring us gifts.
And so life may call upon us to be a bit
"philosophical" now and then; to embrace
the "lows" with the "highs."

The trick, of course, is gratitude. Therein will you find
both your peace and your joy.

Ewwww…that clean energy is made from WHAT?

Today, I wish you a day of ordinary miracles:
a fresh cup of tea you didn't make yourself ...
an unexpected phone call from an old friend ...
green stoplights on your way to wherever ...
the fastest line at the grocery store ....
a good sing-along song on the radio ...
your keys found right where you left them.

I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,

I danced for the scribe and the pharisee,
But they would not dance and they wouldn’t follow me.

They buried my body and they thought I’d gone,
But I am the dance, and I still go on.

I’ll live in you If you’ll live in me -
I am the lord of the dance, said he. (wiki)

Glorify who you are today, do not condemn who you were yesterday, and dream of who you can be tomorrow.

Tom

Tom

Wild flowers

Tom

We went to Kingston yesterday for some shopping and a quick stop at Costco, picked up a couple of 11 x 14 prints I had ordered online a couple days ago, they seem to do a good quality job and their prices are so reasonable only $5.98 for both prints.

And then of to Gananoque for a visit with our friends, had a good time catching up and enjoyed a delicious dinner they had prepared.

Wow it is not raining today, it seems to make such a difference less depressing, did a couple of honey do things I had promised to do sometime ago. Got a take out coffee this afternoon which I'm now enjoying while updating my blog.

Tom

Another rainy day, a good morning to be at Starbucks enjoying a hot beverage while updating my blog.
I included a fall picture taken in Gravenhurst.



Tom

Another picture from our trip to Gravenhurst as I promised in my last post in late September. October has been here and gone, And a lot of things have happened since my last post including the sudden passing of my brother.

I'm going to try to update on a more regular basis.
That's all for now.

Tom

Visit to Gravenhurst

Hi everyone just taking a brief vacation, were having a good time enjoying the colours there beautiful.
Anyway more later,I included a picture

Tom

Board Walk

Tom

"Happy Birthday Linda"

September 11/2010 We will celebrating Linda birthday, We won't reveal your age. Linda have a great day, you know your family and I all love you.

Picture number 1, Linda
Picture number 2, Linda, Caroline her sister, her Mom.

Tom

Out House

Out house at the Frink Centre.
Tom

Old Paint

Tom

Massassauga Point

Insane Wakeman Solo

Decaying Log

This birch log is slowly decaying away back in to the ground, you can spot new life starting to grow,and feeding from from the decaying log. And so life goes on.



Tom

Vanderwater Park

Another photo from the Vanderwater park adventure



Tom

Vandewater Park

Linda and I spent the day at Vanderwater park, To me it has always been a haven of peace where I would be able to wander the world much as I believe God intended it to be. (This is quote from their web site.)

It is always a great place to just wander around with a camera in hand, and just enjoy walking the trails it is like meditation for me.

Tom

Walk in the woods

Tom

Taking a break

Sabbath

Some keep the sabbath going to Church
I keep it, staying at home
With a Bobolink for a Chorister
And an Orchard for a dome

Some keep the Sabbath in surplice
I just wear my Wings
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church
Our little Sexton-sings.

God preaches, a noted Clergyman
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to Heaven, at last
I'm going, all along.

- Emily Dickinson (Amherst 1860)

The Organic Underground Is Now Closed

The organic under ground cafe closed its doors for good in downtown Belleville, many of the former customers left photos and comments posted on the showcase window.
One quote kind of stood out for me was by C.S. Lewis.

"The world will not end with a bang, but with a chai latte."



Tom

Abstract 2

Tom

Abstract

Tom

What really goes on in church and Sunday school:

Quote

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.

Meister Eckhart

"Church Sign"

Love will keep us alive

Finding Joy

A little peanut humour

"Leading Lines"

Leading lines, a challenge I did with our photo group,we meet once a month and critique the results we come up with.

This picture was taken in Stirling behind the stores on main street.

Yesterdays photo taken in Ottawa, a store wall in the ByWard Market area.


Tom

"Leading Lines"

Tom

Crab Apple Blossoms

Crab apple blossoms are in full bloom in front of our town house
I always enjoy them, they only last for such a short time.

Tom

Drill Baby Drill

Tuesday April 27,2010

It is quite cool this morning we even had some snow last night. I'm at Starbucks enjoying a hot cup of Pike place coffee while listening to K-Love an internet radio station. Linda is doing some shopping, while I'm putting this blog together.

Sunday afternoon our friends in Gan. invited us to their home for an annual piano recital , about a dozen folks attended, everyone enjoyed the pieces they chose to play.

Tom

Project Red

A small group of photographers who meet once a month, decided to take the subject red for a project this month, a short walk down town I saw lots of red.
Here three pictures.





Tom

This won't happin to me???

An elderly Floridian called 911 on her cell phone to report that her car has been broken into.
She is hysterical as she explains her situation to the dispatcher: "They've stolen the stereo, the steering wheel, the brake pedal and even the accelerator!" she cried.
The dispatcher said, "Stay calm. An officer is on the way." A few minutes later, the officer radios in. "Disregard." He says, "She got in the back-seat by mistake."

Quote

live with intention.
walk to the edge.
listen hard.
practice wellness.
play with abandon..
laugh.
choose with no regret.
continue to learn.
appreciate your friends.
do what you love.
live as if this is all there is.

-mary anne radmacher

Tom

Ivanhoe Camp.

Ivanhoe standard church camp ground, nicely tucked away in the woods, a late fall visit last year, and strolling amongst the cottages and tabernacle, I could almost sense the singing and worship during a summer nights service.

This dormitory with different colour doors appealed to me.



Tom

Birthday Celebration

Last night we celebrated three of our grandchildren birthdays Bethany,Mackenzie, and Joseph. "Happy birthday guys"

Internet

Harry & Bess Truman

Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He probably made as many, or more, important decisions regarding the United States' history as any of the other 42 Presidents preceding him. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.

The only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence, Missouri. His wife had inherited the house from her mother and father and, other than their years in the White House, they lived their entire lives there.

When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an 'allowance' and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.

After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service following them.

When offered corporate positions at large salaries he declined, stating, "You don't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale."

Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, "I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise."

As President he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food.

Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, many in Congress have found a way to become wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale (viz. Illinois).

Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, "My choices in life were either to be a piano-player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference!"

I say dig him up and clone him!!

Hat

Found this hat in a down town antique shop.

Tom

Canada's broadband lag

If we do not act with haste, the innovations that could employ our future work force could well pass us by

In the economic race among nations, widespread Internet access, and its fast, reliable and cheap provision to the most people, is a prerequisite for success. And Canada is falling behind. If we are to compete, it will take new policies, new vision from corporations, the federal government and its regulators, and a national collective will to compete.

The wake-up call comes from a new study on broadband practices and policy around the world. It was conducted by Harvard University's Berkman Center for the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, which is releasing a national plan to ensure high-speed Internet access is available throughout that country.

One passage should puncture Canada's complacency: “Canada … is often thought of as a very high performer, based on the most commonly used benchmark of penetration per 100 inhabitants. Because our analysis includes important measures on which Canada has had weaker outcomes – prices, speeds and 3G mobile broadband penetration … it shows up as quite a weak performer, overall.”

Almost no Canadian home can tap the ultra-fast speeds offered by, say, fibre-to-the-home services, which are available in 44 per cent of Japanese households. Canada ranks with Poland, Hungary and Mexico as laggards in the availability of 3G, which allows the distribution of video content over mobile phones and to new devices such as Apple's iPad. Canadians are already familiar with the expense of most Internet access services.

John Babcock

John Babcock, the last known Canadian veteran of the First World War, died on Feb. 18, 2010, at 109.






Babcock, shown in this 1920 photo, enlisted as a soldier at the age of 16.

"The passing of Mr. Babcock marks the end of an era," Harper said in the statement. "His family mourns the passing of a great man. Canada mourns the passing of the generation that asserted our independence on the world stage and established our international reputation as an unwavering champion of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law."

Shap Dressed Man

On the way home from shopping today a song by ZZTOP came on the radio I used to have a cassette tape by this group, you may not like this song, but in case you do I included the lyrics, so can sing along.

Clean shirt, new shoes
and I don't know what I am gonna do.
Silk suit, black tie,
I don't need a reason why.
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
cause every girl is crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

Gold watch, diamond ring,
I ain't missin' not a single thing.
cuff-links, stick pin
when I step out I'm gonna do you in.
They come a runnin' just as fast as they can
cause every girl is crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

Top coat, Top hat,
And I don't worry cause my wallets fat.
Black shades, white gloves,
lookin' sharp, lookin' for love.
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
cause every girl is crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

Your Valentine's guide to vehicular sex

Bucket seats nearly foiled the act of love, but Cupid and cars are still compatible, says Andrew Clark
Prior to the 1960s, cars were the perfect vehicle for the transit of Venus because they had bench seating up front. Picture a twin bed behind a steering wheel. You could literally drive, park, slide over and seconds later be making out in the front seat. Hence the Greatest Generation. Bench seating turned cars into love machines and was responsible for the Allies victory in the Second World War and subsequent baby boom.

Conservative Bible Project

This isn't from the Conservative Bible Project, but presumably when they see it they will want to use it:

Avatar the Movie

Linda and I went to the movies tonight and saw Avatar in 3D, the 1:30 movie time was sold out so we bought tickets for the 6:00 PM movie. We both enjoyed amazing 3D effects. I included the trailer below.



Tom

J.D. Salinger Died at 91

Superficially the story of a young man's expulsion from yet another school, The Catcher in the Rye is in fact a perceptive study of one individual's understanding of his human condition. Holden Caulfield, a teenager growing up in 1950s New York, has been expelled school for poor achievement once again. In an attempt to deal with this he leaves school a few days prior to the end of term, and goes to New York to 'take a vacation' before returning to his parents' inevitable wrath. Told as a monologue, the book describes Holden's thoughts and activities over these few days, during which he describes a developing nervous breakdown, symptomised by his bouts of unexplained depression, impulsive spending and generally odd, erratic behaviour, prior to his eventual nervous collapse.

However, during his psychological battle, life continues on around Holden as it always had, with the majority of people ignoring the 'madman stuff' that is happening to him - until it begins to encroach on their well defined social codes. Progressively through the novel we are challenged to think about society's attitude to the human condition - does society have an 'ostrich in the sand' mentality, a deliberate ignorance of the emptiness that can characterise human existence? And if so, when Caulfield begins to probe and investigate his own sense of emptiness and isolation, before finally declaring that he world is full of 'phonies' with each one out for their own phony gain, is Holden actually the one who is going insane, or is it society which has lost it's mind for failing to see the hopelessness of their own lives?

J. D. Salinger, who was thought at one time to be the most important American writer to emerge since World War II but who then turned his back on success and adulation, becoming the Garbo of letters, famous for not wanting to be famous, died on Wednesday at his home in Cornish, N.H., where he had lived in seclusion for more than 50 years. He was 91.

Apple Tablet

Apple's new multimedia tablet device, with a 10-inch touch screen that is expected to deliver video, text, navigation and social-networking applications, is trying to change the way much of traditional media is delivered.

Democracy At Work

Red Light

Were to go from here ???



Tom

It's- Complicated

Last night we went to the movies with our friends to see It's Complicated, a great movie we all really enjoyed.
Staring: Meryl Streep,Steve Martin, and Alic Baldwin

Jane is the mother of three grown kids, owns a thriving Santa Barbara bakery/restaurant and has - after a decade of divorce - an amicable relationship with her ex-husband, attorney Jake. But when Jane and Jake find themselves out of town for their son's college graduation, things start to get complicated. An innocent meal together turns into the unimaginable - an affair. With Jake remarried to the much younger Agness, Jane is now, of all things, the other woman. Caught in the middle of their renewed romance is Adam, an architect hired to remodel Jane's kitchen. Healing from a divorce of his own, Adam starts to fall for Jane, but soon realizes he's become part of a love triangle. Should Jane and Jake move on with their lives, or is love truly lovelier the second time around? It's--complicated.