We’re moving from Ottawa to Calgary in August, so my attendance here has been spotty for a while and will likely continue so. But I still see stuff . . .
Like faces. (Scroll all the way down if you want the version with the decoding legend.)
Like reflections and clouds and a teeny-tiny sundog.
Like reflections of clouds.
Like the Shabbat candles I sometimes light at home on Friday night.
In Jewish practice, we light candles to mark the start of Shabbat, the Sabbath, at sunset on Friday night. Shabbat itself is still something I’m exploring, but one way I think of it is as a set-aside: one day in the week to be set aside from my regular work, my normal routine. A day to stop running and doing. A day to rest and to be refreshed. A day to be.
I’m not good at it yet; I may never be good at it. But I can light two candles more-or-less at sundown and then just let them be. And that’s a start.
Not everyone appreciates these specific things: seeing faces in tissues, standing in the traffic lane in parking lots to get a reflection shot, and lighting candles Friday evening. But maybe everyone can appreciate that moment of surprise when our brains show us something we weren’t even looking for. That moment of unexpected beauty that finds us wherever we happen to be. That moment of choosing to relax into life’s mystery.
Legend: arrow #1 points to the left eye; arrow #2 points to the lips.
I caught the face without the arrows! I will never look at a tissue box the same way again.
I love the reflections, especially in the car. Spectacular!
The idea of lighting candles to mark the beginning of a day of rest strikes me as a valuable ritual I should adopt. Taking one day “off” from my busy routine is a kind of moveable feast. But the marking of that day with a specific act will help me to “keep the Sabbath” whenever I do.
Moving is a very big deal. My thoughts are with you as you walk through this transition.
Laurna – 🙂 It’s a good thing I don’t tend to paranoia, or I might feel that everything (as well as everyone) was watching me. I appreciate many of the rituals I’m learning. Saturday comes whether I do anything or not; Shabbat comes only with some investment of attention/intention on my part.
Nice eye for the image!
Something as simple as kleenex and you find a face, your cloud reflection collection is growing with great “shots”.
…A day to rest and to be refreshed. A day to be.”…. something that would be good for us all regardless of your faith. But as you say, finding time to have a day of rest is hard to do
Hope your move to Calgary goes smoothly.
Jim R – Many thanks. Yes, a day of rest is an element of many faiths, and for good reason. Thanks for the good wishes.
Isabel
Will those faces follow you to Calgary?
All the best with the move!
Tom
Tom – Thanks! As for the faces, I expect so. 🙂
We’ve moved 13 times since we were married, and although we’ve slowed down, I’m sure we’ll have more to come. It definitely has its moments but also seems like a “do over” and a clean slate, which I kind of enjoy ♀️
I know that anyone as organized as YOU will do it with ease! And it will be nice to have you back in Western Canada.
Alison – Yes, there’s some niceness to starting over, as well as some sadness. And just the plain amount of work – whew! But we’ll get there.