Writing – Tea & Paper

WQWWC :: Relax

July 22, 2021July 22, 2021Photography, Writing18 Comments

Relax. Pockets of ‘me time’ during the day, sometimes not easy to find room for self-care in the middle of the daily business, but it’s a must to be able to do so. Early ‘me time’ sometimes starts with morning pages and a cup of coffee, other times it starts with a run by the river.

Either way, these are moments for relaxing and organizing my thoughts before getting ready for the day. As an introvert, it isn’t easy to be in contact with people and socializing at the work place. I need down time, to think and recharge.

Your calm mind is the ultimate weapon against your challenges.
Bryant McGill

My garden is my private paradise. Taking care and admiring the flowers and the vegetables or just sitting down and looking at the sky and feeling the breeze washing over my face and my hair. When at home I make sure I have a garden walk at least 3 times per day, generally after each meal.

Nothing more relaxing than spending a hot summer afternoon with a book and a refreshing drink.

Ah! There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort.
Jane Austen

Sharing with WQWWC, this week’s theme is Relax. And you? What you do to relax during the summer?

WQWWC :: On my way

July 7, 2021Inspirational, Photography27 Comments

On my way to 5K! I’ve been training to run a marathon in October. I wake up early everyday and go out for a run. I love the fresh air and all the beauty I find on my path. Having a goal is important to keep my mind and body synchronized. I’d tried to keep fit many times, but I always let it go. My son run a 20K last year, and I saw many people of all ages running, each one at his/her own speed. Then I talked with my family about it, and they like my idea of joining the marathon.

Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.
Tony Robbins

I have a treadmill at home for the snowy months, but nothing compares to the outdoors for exercise. My neighbourhood has many beautiful places to walk/run. I enjoy the view and I always find some excuse to stop and take a photo.

You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.
C.S. Lewis

Noticing the little things on my way decreases the stress in my legs and inspires me to keep going. It’s incredible how the mind and the body are connected. As the years go by, I can feel how this connection plays a role in my health.

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”
Ashley Smith

This week’s WQWWC is free theme. Terri from Secondwindleisure is hosting the challenge while Marsha is busy getting her new AirB&B ready. I’ve chosen on my way as a theme. Hope you enjoyed it!

Tanka Tuesday :: Longing

July 6, 2021Photography, Poetry24 Comments

Holidays are always tough on me. The memories and dreams are vivid, it’s like I can touch them, the feelings are all over the place, urging to make new memories and at the same time keeping the old ones in the background of my mind.

Tanka Tuesday this week is poet’s choice. So, due to the holidays’ mood I wrote this double Senryu and added this photo that I snapped during in the weekend. I would call it a Haiga, but I’m not sure if a double Senryu can be used for it. Let’s see what Colleen has to say 🙂

Hope you had a great weekend and the holidays weren’t tough on you!

WQWWC :: Freedom

July 1, 2021Photography, Poetry, Writing24 Comments

This week’s theme for WQWWC is Freedom. Well, freedom has many meanings and possibilities. It depends on who is claiming it, who is experiencing moments of freedom or the lack of it.

No one outside ourselves can rule us inwardly. When we know this, we become free.
Buddha

This sidewalk drawing was on my way this morning. I was running and thinking what should be my take on this prompt. And voila! Freedom was there to be seen! I stopped and couldn’t believe it! That feeling that the universe has my back. I took the pic with a smile on my face.

None but ourselves can free our minds.
Bob Marley

I decided to go simple, a few words to describe Freedom. An acrostic poem is perfect for it.

Fierce as it can be
Resilient upon to the right time
Elusive and inspiring
Emancipation to the needed
Divine in respect
Observant in silence
Meaningful to all

Freedom lies in being bold.
Robert Frost

WQWWC :: Vacation

June 23, 2021Journaling, Photography19 Comments

This week’s theme for WQWWC is vacation, well for a long time I haven’t had a vacation. I mean going out in the world and trying new things. It was impossible to travel last year, and I don’t think it will be different this summer. So, my best option is to travel inside my province.

It isn’t how much time you spend somewhere that makes it memorable: it’s how you spend the time.
David Brenner

I’m also planning on a staycation! My city has many parks and downtown has lots of nice spots for exploring. I want to walk on the streets and take photos of buildings and people for practicing my photography skills.

If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.
Napoleon Hill

Being at home and doing nothing with a schedule is another thing I’m looking forward to. I’m craving free time to work on my journals and paintings. I’ve a few unfinished projects I started last year while in quarantine that I want to finish.

A wise man travels to discover himself.
James Russell Lowell

The most important part of a vacation is being away from the daily routine. It’s refreshing for the mind!

Enjoy the vacation without going; enjoy the conversation without talking.
Debasish Mridha

WQWWC :: Heat

June 18, 2021Photography, Writing11 Comments

This week’s theme for WQWWC is “heat”. I decided to go a little bit sideways and post about the heat from the soul, my inside heat that needs to come out in the form of creativity. Not sure if the word heat is the best, “fire” is more appropriate. For many years I’m using paintings and collages as a vessel for expression. Poetry is another form to let out what is in my mind. And of course, I couldn’t forget to mention the journaling practice that is a constant form of expression for me.

Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames.
Rumi

Abstraction is my favourite kind of expression, both for my painting and my poetry. Recently I had my poems featured in a poetry book, I’m quite pleased with myself, you can check it here.

The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.
Ferdinand Foch

I always write about my feelings before starting any piece of art. I need to check what my soul needs at that moment, what is the fire, the energy igniting my creativity at that moment that I need to put out in the world.

Energy is the key to creativity. Energy is the key to life.
William Shatner

The poem below is one of my favourites when I need to express my feelings through art.

In the heat of heat
The heat is so hot
My body takes control
In the heat of heat
The heat gets so hot
My passion overloads
James Harris III

WQWWC is a challenge that I’ve recently joined, I’m loving to be part of it! Marsha is the host and the prompts are great. Check it out if you want to see nice posts or joining the challenge.

WQWWC :: Hope

May 27, 2021May 26, 2021Photography, Poetry, Writing26 Comments

Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.
Emily Dickinson

Joining Marsha’s Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays Writer’s Challenge. The theme this week is HOPE.

Well, this word always brings me back to one of my favorite poems of Emily Dickinson. Hope is the thing with feathers …

Here is my version of Hope! I hope you enjoy 😉

Expectation
Desire
Believing in the magic
The impossible turning into possible 
The only tool to keep us going
When nothing else makes sense
A wish
A silent prayer
The soul talking to the mind

Tanka Tuesday :: Petal

May 4, 2021Photography, Poetry33 Comments

the words come and go
where can I find the anchor?
unbounded moments
the softness of a petal
thoughts and pen falling apart

Tanka Tuesday – poet’s choice

Noticing # 87

January 31, 2021Journaling, Morning pages, Photography9 Comments

Noticing how my handwriting follows my mood. This morning is loaded with scattered thoughts and as I result I have messed up pages. Transferring from the mind to the paper, questioning and making sense of myself.

Noticing # 81

January 23, 2021January 27, 2021Journaling, Photography8 Comments

Setting priorities and glueing pieces together this Saturday morning. Thoughts turn clear when words are written on a blank page. We make them concrete, we can fix, edit and at the end make sense of what was deeply hidden inside us.