This is one of my favorite posts I've ever read!!! Ever!!! Thank you so much for taking us on your walks through your neighborhood. For every time I feel like saying humans suck, I see things like these and realize we don't all suck.
PS: The landlord one really resonates as I prepare to leave my home of 7 years and the most incredible landlord ever. Also, my late son's name is Curtis. And you're right, we do love hearing the names of our lost loved ones ❤️❤️😊
Kristi, at the very moment you were writing this comment, I was sending you a personal message. How cool is that? I remember your post about your landlord. And I am gld to know that your son’s name is Curtis.
This post is Testament to a truth that can be hard to grasp but terribly important— the way I like to say it is perception is 9/10ths of reality. We can look at the middle finger the dog’s owner left behind or at the gift of fruit and hope.
or fourth date with a guy. Our plans had somehow changed. I can’t remember what happened. I suggested we take a walk. “ look at all those stars,” I said. “ God, there is so much bird shit on the ground,” he said. I knew then we were not meant to be. :)
What a wonderful thing to share, Rona. The nest rescue in a can with the note is just the kind of thing my late mum would have done. She was the local hedgehog rescue lady.
She also used to attach a sign to the pear tree each summer to warn anyone entering the yard to ‘Beware the falling pears.’
I loved my mum, too. Much as I miss her, it is observations like this that remind me of her.
Reading through a few of your wonderful essays, I’m also reminded of discovering How To With John Wilson on TV recently - his observations as he walks down a street just being curious about people and objects and goes off at tangents are so revealing.
We…mostly me…sing “our house is a very very fine house” all the time…changing the line with two cats in the yard to whatever number is current (from a high of six to the current two). Life used to be so hard…now every thing is easy ‘cause of you…I need to sing him that bit more often.
A perfect Sunday morning read, a diversion from the unrest that abounds, this is a soothing retreat, offering glimpses of the goodness of humanity and encouraging us to dwell with acknowledgement and understanding.
During Covid lockdown, I would often see a lady from my neighborhood walking the length of our street, using a grabber tool to pick up trash. She did it slowly and quietly, one piece at a time, with a little smile on her face. You can be in heaven anywhere if you have the heart for it.
I hope this post inspires every reader to walk in search of newness in the sameness instead of being on auto-pilot. Our neighbours walk the exact same trails as I do but somehow miss the emergence of tiny puffball mushrooms on Huron Passage. They don't see the evidence of the pileated woodpecker who has made his way into the pithy core of the cedar by the free little library. They didn't know the beaver was back despite the sharpened pencils left in his industrious wake. Whether it's fresh river otter scat or a free apples in a downtown water fountain, it's interesting what people fail to see.
Years ago in Venezuela, a guide stopped to point out a tiny poison dart frog (smaller than a domino) tucked below a fern. A woman said, "How did you see that?"
Awwww…. So you sweet Rona! Canadians are absolutely the kindest with hearts right there to be seen! The fact that it took in these loving details touches me so much. I recall visits to downtown Toronto years agoto see rellies no longer with us. Ooops…off topic! I adore your photos …say so much on their own. I think the apples left for passersby is my favorite. Thank you for this refreshing look at the everyday life of everyday people… nudging me to do a better job on my walks. I adore your writing …have been lost in notes about the weekend/Kamala …delighted it was restacked so much I wouldn’t miss it! Brilliant writing and caring as always, my friend! ❤️🥰🫶Thank you!
Thank you, Joan. As a dual citizen who spends lots of time south of the border, I've found Americans to be just as kind--including those whose politics are not mine. I could create a similar album in St. Pete, where we've spent many winters. Seek and you shall find.
Rona, your blog name, Amazement Seeker, couldn't be more apt. What a lovely walk, and over the course of a few years, as if your pictures made time stand still. How many people would walk by and not make those connections? Most, I think. Which is why your doing this is more than just musing...it's imperative. 💕
Ramona, making connections is a joy for me and does have the power to stop time, if only for a moment. I’m delighted that you noticed and appreciate your continued encouragement.
This is one of my favorite posts I've ever read!!! Ever!!! Thank you so much for taking us on your walks through your neighborhood. For every time I feel like saying humans suck, I see things like these and realize we don't all suck.
PS: The landlord one really resonates as I prepare to leave my home of 7 years and the most incredible landlord ever. Also, my late son's name is Curtis. And you're right, we do love hearing the names of our lost loved ones ❤️❤️😊
Kristi, at the very moment you were writing this comment, I was sending you a personal message. How cool is that? I remember your post about your landlord. And I am gld to know that your son’s name is Curtis.
Wow, the universe conspired 😊
As I read Rona's piece, I thought of your landlord story. 💖
Neat how some things tie together so easily 😊
These synchronicities are a joy.
This post is Testament to a truth that can be hard to grasp but terribly important— the way I like to say it is perception is 9/10ths of reality. We can look at the middle finger the dog’s owner left behind or at the gift of fruit and hope.
or fourth date with a guy. Our plans had somehow changed. I can’t remember what happened. I suggested we take a walk. “ look at all those stars,” I said. “ God, there is so much bird shit on the ground,” he said. I knew then we were not meant to be. :)
Oh, Holly! He did you a favor. What a perfect example of attention shaping reality.
Some couplings are oil and vinegar or (more telling) stars and bird shit!
Well, at least you can make something with oil and vinegar. I love Holly's anecdote and will try to remember it.
There's a t-shirt design in there somewhere!
Stars and bird shit! I want that to be a title of something!! 🌟💩🦤
Ha! Me too.
What a wonderful thing to share, Rona. The nest rescue in a can with the note is just the kind of thing my late mum would have done. She was the local hedgehog rescue lady.
She also used to attach a sign to the pear tree each summer to warn anyone entering the yard to ‘Beware the falling pears.’
I love your mum. Of course, people could have stood under the tree and waited for a pear to fall into their hands.
I loved my mum, too. Much as I miss her, it is observations like this that remind me of her.
Reading through a few of your wonderful essays, I’m also reminded of discovering How To With John Wilson on TV recently - his observations as he walks down a street just being curious about people and objects and goes off at tangents are so revealing.
This is so uplifting, thank you.
I’m also *reminded* of, that should say! I wish we could edit our comments!
You can, Wendy, but not on the app.
Aha! Thank you! Fixed on my desktop!
Oh to be the local hedgehog rescue lady!
We…mostly me…sing “our house is a very very fine house” all the time…changing the line with two cats in the yard to whatever number is current (from a high of six to the current two). Life used to be so hard…now every thing is easy ‘cause of you…I need to sing him that bit more often.
I hope he loved it and sang along, Kit.
A perfect Sunday morning read, a diversion from the unrest that abounds, this is a soothing retreat, offering glimpses of the goodness of humanity and encouraging us to dwell with acknowledgement and understanding.
That’s exactly why I posted this now. Thanks, Kim.
Thank uou for the reminder that joy, love, and compassion surround us every day. All we need to do is pay attention. ❤️
It's a spiritual practice for me. The opposite of love, love and compassion are screaming for atteention.
So agree. It's a question of choosing where to focus, and then we see what's been there all along, quietly waiting for us to notice.
During Covid lockdown, I would often see a lady from my neighborhood walking the length of our street, using a grabber tool to pick up trash. She did it slowly and quietly, one piece at a time, with a little smile on her face. You can be in heaven anywhere if you have the heart for it.
I love this woman and have seen a few others line her. Heaven does take heart, I think.
It does. It's not a gift I always have, but people like her help bring it out.
I hope this post inspires every reader to walk in search of newness in the sameness instead of being on auto-pilot. Our neighbours walk the exact same trails as I do but somehow miss the emergence of tiny puffball mushrooms on Huron Passage. They don't see the evidence of the pileated woodpecker who has made his way into the pithy core of the cedar by the free little library. They didn't know the beaver was back despite the sharpened pencils left in his industrious wake. Whether it's fresh river otter scat or a free apples in a downtown water fountain, it's interesting what people fail to see.
Years ago in Venezuela, a guide stopped to point out a tiny poison dart frog (smaller than a domino) tucked below a fern. A woman said, "How did you see that?"
His reply was frank, "Because it was there."
What beautiful observations, Jules.
What a lovely idea! I am enamored with this and feel inspired to tune my attention to these types of things in my own neck of the woods.
Thank you, Jesse. These discoveries await in the most unlikely places. One day I’ll get to the parking lot in West Texas.
Awwww…. So you sweet Rona! Canadians are absolutely the kindest with hearts right there to be seen! The fact that it took in these loving details touches me so much. I recall visits to downtown Toronto years agoto see rellies no longer with us. Ooops…off topic! I adore your photos …say so much on their own. I think the apples left for passersby is my favorite. Thank you for this refreshing look at the everyday life of everyday people… nudging me to do a better job on my walks. I adore your writing …have been lost in notes about the weekend/Kamala …delighted it was restacked so much I wouldn’t miss it! Brilliant writing and caring as always, my friend! ❤️🥰🫶Thank you!
Thank you, Joan. As a dual citizen who spends lots of time south of the border, I've found Americans to be just as kind--including those whose politics are not mine. I could create a similar album in St. Pete, where we've spent many winters. Seek and you shall find.
I shall! Thanks for the nudge! 🥰
Rona, your blog name, Amazement Seeker, couldn't be more apt. What a lovely walk, and over the course of a few years, as if your pictures made time stand still. How many people would walk by and not make those connections? Most, I think. Which is why your doing this is more than just musing...it's imperative. 💕
Ramona, making connections is a joy for me and does have the power to stop time, if only for a moment. I’m delighted that you noticed and appreciate your continued encouragement.
My absolute pleasure, dear Rona.
Pitch perfect writing, Rona! I loved it.
Thank you for joining my walk, Jeffrey.
Oh, Rona. I love this walk around the neighborhood. It’s all about paying attention, and you’ve done it so well. Thank you for the delightful read.
My pleasure, Mary.
love love love this and your big beautiful heart -- for it takes a big heart to see a big heart.
Thanks, Nancy. I’ll try to live up to that description.
I love this, how so much can be seen and felt in one little walk with the dog.
The walk is never the same twice. Thank you for joining me, Deirdre.
So much beauty here! Thank you.
My pleasure. I’ve wanted to do this for months.