Tag Archives: creativity

One Lovely Blog Award

Posted on September 25, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I write about reciprocity in community which I find is just as real, albeit different in the digital world, when I get a chance. I appreciate those who follow, comment, and share their lives in small ways each day. Please take a few minutes and visit the links below.

I am behind acknowledging nominations for One Lovely blog Awards I recently received. I apologize for the way I am doing this, but since returning to school and with other things on my plate time is at a premium.

I would ask those who follow my blog to take a few minutes and check out these wonderful sites. They are great examples of well-done and eclectic blogs. I begin by thanking those who nominated me: Cimplicity Rocks, Mishmash, Nizy’s Life Compendium, and Poetry Blog of Mine.

The rules for the award are straightforward and I believe help us create a virtual community.

1. Give credit to the awesome person who nominated you.

I take this time to thank these lovely bloggers, Cimplicity Rocks, Mishmash, Nizy’s Life Compendium, and Poetry Blog of Mine, for honouring me with the nominations. It is deeply appreciated and I am grateful for the wonderful examples of the ways social media are used for in today’s world and make it better; one post at a time.

2. Describe 7 things about yourself.

I was born and raised in Western Canada and am a life-long Albertan and British Columbian.
My family traces its Canadian genealogy for over 20 generations.
The first descendant we traced in my Dad’s family was a master barrel maker and member of the local militia in what is now Quebec City.
I coached ice hockey for almost 35 years.
Kathy and I met in a bar in Prince George BC.
I might be related to Steve Prefontaine who was an American distance runner at the 1972 Olympics. We still do not know what connections there might be.
I played goal in hockey which many people say explains my eccentric nature.

3. Nominate 15 other bloggers.

Katz Ideas (I nominated Kate before, but she only had a few followers. Take a moment and visit her site. It is a wonderful place of poetry and words.)

What I see, what I feel, what I’d like to see… (I know long title, but worth a visit with Todd)

Simple. Interesting (Cristi shares great images and his love of Bon Jovi music)

Deep and Wonderful Thoughts (Lisa shares a wonderful, deeply spiritual view of the world)

New Providence Daily Photo (Josy shares images around her local community in New Jersey

PositiveBoomer (Renée shares quotes, poems, and health advice)

Pieces (Neeraj is a wonderful poet with an occasional and quirky sense of humour

GC Himani (GC contributes to the world by paying forward to our children with inspirational quotes)

The World Through Rum Eyes (The author seeks beauty and shares it through his pictures)

Grandmother Musings (This grandmother shares her little slices of wisdom gleaned in her life)

Tiny Lessons Blog (A multi-faceted person who shares their multi-faceted experiences)

C’est La Vie Annie (Annie shares a life with worth living through words and images)

The Future is Papier Mache (Richard is a photographer and artist who shares life he comes across)

Ooggetuige (Willem shares his photos which is his creative gift)

Watchoot (A site with wonderful pictures and some descriptive text)

Merlin Spielen (Stephen is a playful wizard hence the name of his blog)

Violet Gallery (A gifted artist who shares the gift with us)

The World According to Dina (Dina is a wonderful photographer who shares the northern hemisphere with me)

Rendezvous with Renée (Renée writes in a variety of forms and would love to hear from more of you)

4. Include the blog award image in your post.

There are two of them, so take a pick.

26 Comments

Posted in Awards, Blogging, Community and tagged awards, blogging, community, conversational journey, creativity. Bookmark the permalink.

A Half a Dragonfly Is Better than None

Posted on September 21, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I took this picture with my PDA at the retreat last weekend on one of my walks. This picture turned out better than the one I deleted. I took that one of the sidewalk. I had trouble with the sun over my shoulder; pretty good excuse. Initially, I was disappointed because this dragonfly posed and was cooperative, but, in retrospect, the title says it all.

The retreat was a great experience. I reminded my self that it is OK to be imperfect. I am human with that. The dragonfly showed up and shared a quiet moment with me and for that I am grateful.

He lit down oh so gently

He posed oh so perfectly.

I heard him say;

I really did!

“Take my picture please

My time almost done

This serves as my memorial.”

I took his picture

He stood so still

Posed gratefully.

Once done, he took his leave

Both our jobs nearly done.

3 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Nature in All Its Glory, Photography, Poetry and tagged creativity, Mindful Practice, nature, photography, poetry, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

A Visitor

Posted on September 21, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I had just started on a conference call to Seattle last night and this fellow showed up on the back deck. He seemed curious and I took the picture with my PDA through the window. When I did open the door, he was gone before I even got open a crack. I think it is a western northern flicker woodpecker, but am not 100% sure. It is the first time I recall one showing up in my backyard. The ashtray served as a landing-place. It is not used for anything else.

Today, a visitor called

Briefly paused and rested on the stoop.

He seemed uneasy

Still, made himself to home.

Furtively, glanced about

Perhaps, hoping he would go unnoticed.

He seemed likeable

I moved to greet him

Suddenly, he slipped away

Gone, as quickly as arrived

I wish him well on his journey.

6 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Nature in All Its Glory, Photography, Poetry and tagged creativity, Mindful Practice, nature, photography, poetry, teacher as transformer, woodpecker. Bookmark the permalink.

The Bridge

Posted on September 18, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Kathy and I enjoyed our break at the retreat this weekend. I feel a little under the weather, but during the retreat itself that simply found a backseat in the peaceful environment we were in all weekend.

When I attend spiritual retreats, I find part way through I question myself. We often talk about compassion in these settings, but I struggle at times to be kind to those who I feel have offended me in the past. I am sure it is human nature. This weekend, I recognized there is worth in the small offenses, I find the good as I turn a little on the circle and shift my senses. I can see the world slightly differently. It is the bridge I need to walk across the abyss that appears, but it is only visible one step at a time. I trust my judgement and that of those who help me take those steps.

I know some might look at this picture and say,”That isn’t much of a drop or bridge.” I am so afraid of heights even this was a challenge the day I crossed.

I stand on the edge

The abyss yawns

Take the first step

The bridge is safe.

Built on compassion

Crafted from wisdom

Supported by community

It will carry my weight.

If only I trust my self

Take the first step

Trust my instincts

And those who travel with me.

18 Comments

Posted in Community, Mindful Life, Photography, Poetry, Reflective Moments, Uncategorized and tagged community, creativity, Mindful Practice, nature, photography, poetry, spirituality, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Open Heart; Open Mind

Posted on September 12, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I walked out of the house and looked up at a clear sky. The Moon stood out in the sky and just below was a morning star. It is not a great picture, but it reminded me I live in a metropolitan area of over 1 million. I find my self rewarded when I take the time and see nature in that place. They are there; I only have to look for them.

See what I want

Hear what I choose

Instead, open my whole self.

Behold nature’s gifts

Hold close to the heart

Hidden only when I choose.

Nature waits for me

Quietly reveals its self

Open my whole self.

6 Comments

Posted in Community, Haiku, Mindful Life, Nature in All Its Glory, Photography, Poetry, Reflective Moments and tagged creativity, Mindful Practice, nature, photography, poetry, teacher as transformer, Wendell Berry. Bookmark the permalink.

September

Posted on September 10, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I walked the path along the North Saskatchewan River yesterday. The valley is changing as nature takes its course and readies us for autumn.

Leaves fall by the path.

New colours slowly emerge

Nature paints herself.

Summer slips away

Seamlessly meets the equinox

Harvest our bounty.

5 Comments

Posted in Haiku, Nature in All Its Glory, Photography, Reflective Moments, Uncategorized and tagged creativity, haiku, nature, north saskatchewan river, photography, poetry, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

A Time of Rest

Posted on September 8, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Kathy took this picture last weekend. They finished a day cleaning the farmhouse and it is livable. The sun, after a dreary day, appeared and the sky was awash with golden rays. I feel this way in the classroom. I love what I do. I am whole and find voice. I am a learner, a teacher, and the two are inseparable, but I remind my self to be mindful and give thanks.

Fleetingly framed

Trees against golden skyline

Nature paints day’s end.

Glorious moment

Sky awash with golden light

I am fulfilled.

8 Comments

Posted in Community, Education, Haiku, Mindful Life, Nature in All Its Glory, Photography, Poetry, Sabbath and tagged community, creativity, education, nature, sabbath, school, spirituality, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Tern, Tern, Tern

Posted on September 8, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Kathy and I walk in the North Saskatchewan River valley 3 or 4 times a week. As we walked today and came across this scene, it reminded of the Pete Seeger melody Turn, Turn, Turn using words adapted from Book of Ecclesiastes.

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven.

6 Comments

Posted in Nature in All Its Glory, Photography, Poetry, Reflective Moments and tagged creativity, Mindful Practice, nature, north saskatchewan river, photography, poetry, spirituality, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

The Sun Set Tree

Posted on September 5, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Kathy took this at the farm the other day. She called the Sun Set Tree. The sun briefly reached out and shone some rays down on an otherwise dreary day.

Blurry silhouette

Unnoticed against leaden backdrop

Feel so lonely.

The sun smiles gently

Shares tentative rays.

I receive its warming glow

Gather strength.

Reveal that hidden among shadows

Stretch boldly.

Smile with Brother Sun

A sacred moment.

7 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Nature in All Its Glory, Photography, Poetry and tagged brother sun, creativity, Mindful Practice, nature, photography, poetry, spirituality, sun set, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

The Booker Award

Posted on September 5, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I compare the world of blogging to living in a small community. We meet each and acknowledge each other. We get to know some people better than others, but recognize something unique in each other.

Mimi from Waiting for the Karma Truck recently honoured me with The Booker Award and I am grateful she recognized me.

I look forward to Mimi’s each day. She shares various gifts and lessons from life, work, and, family. She provides wisdom drawn from those sources through her blog, public presentations, and writing.

The fun and challenging aspect of this particular award is to list my five favorite books. Similar to Mimi I can’t do that, but I offer five books which I found compelling at some point. I enjoy reading and this list is sorely incomplete. I read very few fictional books, but that is a product of the doctoral journey I undertook.

The Alchemist – Paolo Coehlo (actually any book by this Brazilian author is a worthy read).

To Kill A Mockingbird – Harper Lee (I cheated and left this on from Mimi’s list, but it was and remains an outstanding social justice reminder).

The Executioners – John D. MacDonald (I read almost anything by this author. This book became Cape Fear, but he is famous for a pulp fiction character Travis McGee).

The Courage to Teach – Parker J. Palmer (I first read Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak before returning to university for my education degree and read this author extensively.

Why I Wake Early – Mary Oliver (I could have included a number of this poet’s books or books by Wendell Berry, Billy Collins, Robert Frost, etc. I love poetry).

I nominate others who I hope can add into our libraries and expand our literary worlds. I tried to expand and move beyond those who received earlier awards from me. I think their blogs are diverse and we will receive a range of new ideas for our ‘cosmic library.’

I tap into the libraries of:

Elizabeth’s Ramblings

Practical Practice Management

Sylver Blaque

Elke Teaches