I took a little trek up Mt Work awhile ago on a Sunday for some exercise, to see if it was was still the same as I recalled it and to experience and enjoy the beauty and magnificence that is there.  I had been there once before. On another website I read that the elevation is 2238 feet or 682 metres. For sure there are quite a few steps to the Summit.

Location: Mount Work Park, Saanich, Victoria, Vancouver Island BC  A 536-hectare Mount Work Regional Park bordering on Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, situated in the Highlands area of the Saanich Peninsula.

Along the way I met several groups of people including some young bucks huffing, puffing and sweating the climb up. Although I would describe myself in better condition this time than I was when I climbed it before, it surely did not feel like it! It is quite a steady climb up and up.  A few spots level off and you go down a bit and that makes you think you have already reached the top but keep on going as that is just to fool you into thinking you have made it there.   I managed to get off the beaten track for awhile and that was interesting and a bit exhausting as I worked myself back to the path.  As if the climb itself was not enough.

Here is a clue to let you know you have finally reached the summit.  It even comes with it’s own naked tree.  I figure that is appropriate to keep it company way up there.

Near the summit are many naked trees, aka Arbutus trees. I call them naked trees because most of them are as they lose their bark and underneath.  They are so soft and smooth to the touch.  From Wikipedia:

Arbutus is a genus of at least 14 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae, native to warm temperate regions of the Mediterranean, western Europe, and North America.

These trees meander all over the place and are quite exotic and some even erotic.  Well hey, naked limbs all over the place.  This reminds me of one of my poems entitled My Friend. Similarities exist between the two but this was written from a different place and time quite a few years ago.

The view from way up near the summit is truly spectacular. It is well worth the trek up the mountain. You feel (the) spirit in all things and being part of it all and all there is.

Yes, the scenery around here is majestic, spectacular and varied from mountains, rain forest, mild climate and the sea. Is there any wonder I feel blessed to live in such a wonderful place!  That really is not a question at all.

May you be so blessed today and everyday.

Eugene

Sometimes it is easy to lose focus and fall into the “why me?” way of thinking.  Of course we are caught up in what we sometimes think as life rather than the reality that we have created for ourselves.  We lose perspective.

What can we do about this?  How can we make a dramatic shift?  For sure it can be done and sometimes it is just as easy as using 6 words to accomplish that feat.  Ok, what are those “magic” words you may ask?   Simply, they are

“In five years, will this matter?

Sean Stephenson has some ideas and tips on how you can make that shift and put things into perspective, how we relate to others and how they relate to us.

If you are looking for ways to improve your life and are searching for a way to put things in perspective, have a look at this video.  It is well worth it, IMO.

Many have more serious health, economic, political, mental and physical conditions than we have. I am all for expressing gratitude and appreciation for what we have in life.

Wishing you much love, peace, good health and prosperity.  You deserve it!

What are you grateful for today.  Whatever that is, please feel free to make a comment here to express it.  It is good to write it down, journal it or  tell someone about it.

I will start it off.  I am grateful for my Fuji point and click camera.  It has given me much joy and has produced many photos for me.  It is magical!

Eugene

I have been quite lax in posting here although I do have some things to say and some photos to come.

A few things came to me today that are excellent reminders that giving thanks is something to do on a daily basis.  Take the time if you will to view a couple of short videos. It is well worth the time.

What is Important To You?

This is a short video that I feel is important enough to share. It really brings home what is truly important in your life. Here is a great example of Expressing Appreciation for what we have.

What’s For Dinner?

Needing a short reminder just how good we have it?

This will give anyone pause to give thanks I imagine.
Plate of fried chicken — the Berlin Film Festival first place video.

Lydia is back posting on her Serenity Blog and posted about Thanksgiving.  Good stuff.

These videos and such are good reminders about just how precious life is and that can be taken away from us in an instant in a physical sense and of course there is the time factor that just seems to fly by and more so as we get older.

About a month ago I went to the store and the Olympic torch came running by so I stopped to take a few picture. The torch is travelling across Canada on its way to the 2010 Vancouver and Whistler Olympic Games right here in beautiful British Columbia.

Ok, will see if I can be back sooner to post something else.

Cheers,

Gene

Happy Mothers Day to all.  I managed to find a few special flowers along the way so I am passing them along to you and yours for this special day.

Without a mother, where would we be?  Yes I know that is one half of the equation, still it is Mothers Day so that it the focus today.

Thank you and love and appreciation to all mothers, everywhere.

Enjoy your day!

cheers,

genes creative ways.