At This Point In Time

Well, it’s been almost one month, a big four weeks more or less, since I’ve posted anything.

Yes, we were on vacation for the first two of those weeks and unfortunately, I’ve been back at work for the last two weeks.

To be honest here, the thought of creating any type of content(of any description) literally would ramp up my already throbbing anxiety new and really exciting levels of distress.

So, no new posts in a month or so.

And the reality is, I’m not sure of there will be anything of creative writing substance coming from yours truly in the near future.

I really do feel burned out in the blogging realm.

Not so much in the writing world of things, but exceedingly scorched as it relates to the blogging universe.

As I look back, I’ve created over 900 blog posts(and yes, some of them are updates and re-posts), but nevertheless those 900 have in many respects drained the tank.

I will admit that this feeling of burnout isn’t entirely due to simply blogging and writing. Much of it I suspect falls of of where I’m at in my life at this moment.

Which in many ways feels like burnout…….which it probably is.

So, what happens next?

I don’t have an answer for that, other than to say we’ll see what happens as time marches on.

I have decided at this point to point “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt” on an extended “leave of absence” so to speak.

I really do appreciate and have a heart full of thanks to the many, many of you who participated perhaps just once or often on a weekly basis or somewhere in between in making “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt” a wonderful exercise in creativity(on your part) for over a year.

I don’t think I’m at the point yet of completely abandoning my blog and blogging altogether.

I am really proud of what I’ve accomplished in the wonderful and often frustrating world of writing and especially in terms of “justabitfurther” as an entity within the blogosphere.

Writing, blogging and creating poetry has forced me to look very deep within myself and often having to come to grips with what is/was hidden within the crevices of my soul.

This isn’t goodbye post or anything close to that(at least I don’t think it is).

What I think it ultimately is or will be……is simply part of the evolution of “justabitfurther” as a blog “organism.”

Life moves on and changes are part of that process we call living. This is part of it.

So, not goodbye….but how about I’ll catch up and talk to you all later.

— as always with love —

— get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself —

Wilderness Art – Whimsical Lighthouse and Beach

It was been a long time since I’ve picked up my brushes and watercolors and painted a scene.

I’ve been sketching a bit more, but not so much on the “line and wash” side of things.

On a positive note, Lynn keeps encouraging me to paint more and to figure out what my “style” is or what inspires me. I do like really abstract wash techniques that require the viewer to “think about it” a bit.

Anyhow, this isn’t one of those abstract wash/free flowing scenes.

Although it is “abstract” in that lighthouse generally don’t’ look that way, nor do lobsters.

Nevertheless, it was inspired from a painting I saw recently. It very well represents many beach locations found throughout the Maritime provinces, especially Prince Edward Island.

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The picture on the left is the “line” portion of the painting, while the picture on the right is the finished “wash.”

There are a couple of things I would do differently, including making the beach shed a darker shade of blue and making the beach sand darker as well, with more shadows.

Overall, it was a fun piece to do.

Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt – Vacation Edition

Good day to all of you that take time out of your busy schedules to participate in our weekly “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt.”

The past number of weeks have been a challenge in terms of responding and reblogging all of your wonderful gifts in terms of writing for the prompt.

It seems that work, home life and life in general keep getting in the darn way.

In addition, I still find myself in a writing slump that has been difficult to shake.

And now, Lynn and I are on vacation.

So, for the next couple of weeks, “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt” will be on vacation as well.

I will work at reblogging the your submissions that have been sent in, mostly since Week 51(I think) over the next few days.

We hope everyone of you whether you’ve participated in the prompt just once, several times or are simply seeing this now, are doing well and keeping fine.

Until the next time.

— as always with love —

— get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself —

The Worn Path of Souls, poetry written by Glen Mckenzie at Spilwords.com

My latest poem was published at Spillwords Press as a “Featured Post.”

Why not click on over for a read and press the “little heart button” if you like it.

Thanks.

 

Spillwords.com presents: The Worn Path of Souls, poetry written by Glen Mckenzie, a +50-year-old hiker; canoe tripper; outdoor enthusiast …

Source: The Worn Path of Souls, poetry written by Glen Mckenzie at Spilwords.com

Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt – Week 55

Here we are at the end of the month….well pretty much at the end.

Nevertheless, it is Tuesday and that means “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt.”

Art(including pictures and images) should evoke an emotional response in those who are viewing them. That’s why art can leave such a long-lasting and poignant imprint within the depths of our psyche

Your challenge or writing prompt is this:

• what emotions or feelings get evoked or aroused in you when you look at this photograph taken by Lynn

Remember, the goal isn’t necessarily to tell me and others exactly what the picture is.

The creative goal for all of us is “what does the picture evoke in you; what emotion; feeling; memory or whatever it may be – what does it arouse in you and to share it that with others.“

We headed back to the east coast of Canada once again. It must be a subliminal thing going on here of needing to move east. Nevertheless, Lynn took this photo in the tiny back harbour harbour portion of Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia.

A few points to help along the way:

• write a post on your own blog and create a pingback to link back to the original post(this one)
• I’ll reblog your post on my blog when I get the notification
• write an original story; perhaps your own thoughts; maybe some poetry or even a simply one word response. Maybe even post that says “it does nothing; means nothing”
• regardless, whatever you write must encapsulate the emotion or feeling evoked or aroused in you from the picture
• no limit on the length(I guess)
• keep it a “family friendly” as possible(not looking to delete or not approve stuff)

Be sure to tag your responses with:

#lynntuesdaypictureprompt or

#ltpp

Looking forward to your thoughts!

— get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself —

Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt – Week 54

It’s still June out there folks. I don’t have a snappy opening line today. lol

Nevertheless, it is Tuesday and that means “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt.”

Art(including pictures and images) should evoke an emotional response in those who are viewing them. That’s why art can leave such a long-lasting and poignant imprint within the depths of our psyche

Your challenge or writing prompt is this:

• what emotions or feelings get evoked or aroused in you when you look at this photograph taken by Lynn

Remember, the goal isn’t necessarily to tell me and others exactly what the picture is.

The creative goal for all of us is “what does the picture evoke in you; what emotion; feeling; memory or whatever it may be – what does it arouse in you and to share it that with others.“

We’ve headed back to Ontario this week, after having spent the last couple of Tuesday’s out on the east coast.

This is a wintery picture taken a few years ago at Walters Falls, located about an hour away from us. The black/white photo captures the old sawmill and dam. The actual falls would be just at the front of the picture. In addition, there is a lovely country inn located just to the left of the pic.

A few points to help along the way:

• write a post on your own blog and create a pingback to link back to the original post(this one)
• I’ll reblog your post on my blog when I get the notification
• write an original story; perhaps your own thoughts; maybe some poetry or even a simply one word response. Maybe even post that says “it does nothing; means nothing”
• regardless, whatever you write must encapsulate the emotion or feeling evoked or aroused in you from the picture
• no limit on the length(I guess)
• keep it a “family friendly” as possible(not looking to delete or not approve stuff)

Be sure to tag your responses with:

#lynntuesdaypictureprompt or

#ltpp

Looking forward to your thoughts!

— get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself —

Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt – Week 53

Wow, the month of June is rushing by pretty quickly and I can’t believe we’re into the third week already.

Regardless, of how fast June is going, it is Tuesday and that means “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt.”

Art(including pictures and images) should evoke an emotional response in those who are viewing them. That’s why art can leave such a long-lasting and poignant imprint within the depths of our psyche

Your challenge or writing prompt is this:

• what emotions or feelings get evoked or aroused in you when you look at this photograph taken by Lynn

Remember, the goal isn’t necessarily to tell me and others exactly what the picture is.

The creative goal for all of us is “what does the picture evoke in you; what emotion; feeling; memory or whatever it may be – what does it arouse in you and to share it that with others.“

Week 53, also takes us back to Prince Edward Island on the east coast of Canada. The picture is of an old abandoned fishing dory filled with a few fishing or lobster trap buoys. The funny thing about this is, it wasn’t located near the ocean. We found it at the end of a rural driveway out next the road.

A few points to help along the way:

• write a post on your own blog and create a pingback to link back to the original post(this one)
• I’ll reblog your post on my blog when I get the notification
• write an original story; perhaps your own thoughts; maybe some poetry or even a simply one word response. Maybe even post that says “it does nothing; means nothing”
• regardless, whatever you write must encapsulate the emotion or feeling evoked or aroused in you from the picture
• no limit on the length(I guess)
• keep it a “family friendly” as possible(not looking to delete or not approve stuff)

Be sure to tag your responses with:

#lynntuesdaypictureprompt or

#ltpp

Looking forward to your thoughts!

— get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself —

Short and Sweet – Algonquin Park Bound

Lynn says and often with prompting from yours truly, that I have many fine and noteworthy traits.

One quality or aspect of my personality which really isn’t so fine, is I often have difficulty making decisions. Deciding what to have for dinner and although it is not necessarily a life altering decision, it can and often leaves me in a somewhat perplexed state. And hungry.

On occasion, the inability to make a decision falls out of my own mental wellness situation during those times. In other instances – who knows.

I can take far too much time, weighting all the pro’s and con’s regarding something I need to decide about, that I never get around to making the freaking decision. In these circumstances, I can often talk myself out of what I may have wanted to do in the first place.

So, why Algonquin Park?

In its infinite wisdom, Ontario Parks hence the government of Ontario(aka “The Doug Ford Dictatorship”) has made it free day use at all Ontario Parks(Monday through Thursday) from May 1 to the beginning of September.

So, if you decide to go to Algonquin Park “with the fam” for the day on let’s say a Sunday, a single one day pass is going to set you back $21 per car. Not much in the big scheme of things, but $21 is still $21.

Seeing as I don’t what to spend $21 on a Sunday, Lynn and I are going tomorrow(Monday when its free) and spend our $21 on something else.

What does this have to do with decision making or lack thereof?

Oh, and here’s a few Algonquin pics…

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It took me a long time and much angst to to make that simple freaking decision.

My process to get to this point included these, plus a host of other considerations that are so trivial, I weep thinking about them:

• what about the weather?
• what about the bugs?(this is a legitimate concern for June in Algonquin)
• when will we leave in the morning?
• you have to work on Tuesday – so don’t be late getting home(not a concern for Lynn)
• what to bring to eat?(food you dumb ass or buy something or do both)
• what will we do?
• I think that’s enough for now

I get that the post seems and has a slight funny/humorous tone to it.

But, my inability to make simple decisions isn’t funny.

Last night(Saturday), I couldn’t decide what get for take-out food for dinner. So, we didn’t have dinner. It felt me feeling exceedingly defeated, depressed and yes – hungry.

Now, I get that where we live, we don’t have a ton of decent restaurants. Other than major chain restaurants and fast-food places.

We got take-out a few weeks back from a locally owned pub/restaurant to help support them during our most recent lockdown – and it was the shittest burger and fries I’ve ever had. It was like they put no friggin’ effort in to making it.

I get that many restaurants struggled and are even now struggling to stay afloat during whatever pandemic restrictions they find themselves under. But, really if you want folks to patronize your establishment, even if it is was take-out during a global meltdown, a bit more effort wouldn’t hurt.

But, that can be another post for another day.

So, on a positive note – we’re Algonquin Park bound for the day tomorrow(Monday).

As much as it is an outing for hiking and exercise. I’m also giving seeing it as a “win” in the mental wellness column.

We’ll let you know how it went!!

— as always with love —

— get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself —

Thoughts From The Wilderness – Bloom Where You Are Planted..Is That True?

Last week, I wrote a piece called “Flower In The Lily Pads.” You should go a take a read of it first, because it helps to set the stage for this post. And it would also make me feel good that you did. Two excellent reasons to read it.

The “Lily Pad” post was in a way, a somewhat simplistic look at blooming where you’re supposed to bloom. I gave a couple of examples along the lines of, if you’re called to write, then write like there is no tomorrow.

Although, the illustrations in the post from last week may not the best analogies, I think “blooming where you are supposed to bloom”, is entirely different than “bloom where you’re planted.”

Source: Google Images

Let’s start right off the hopper here, this isn’t a post to poop all over the phrase, “bloom where you are planted.”

But realistically, more often than not, we hear “just bloom where you are planted” as compared to “bloom where you are supposed to bloom.”

Nevertheless, I could go on at length, on the spiritual and biblical significance of the phrase.

Simply search “bloom where you are planted” under Google Images and you’ll get back more quotes, pictures and images to fill a lifetime.

A very simple and overview of the phrase from a biblical perspective suggests the following:

Bloom Where You Are Planted can mean various things depending on its usage

– to be fruitful, blossom, and to become all you were created to be

– make the best of what you have when life throws you lemons

– do what’s right, even when its hard

All of those three points have scripture to back them up.

Okay, I get that you’re likely thinking at the moment, “where is he going with the post or perhaps what is the point of this?”

And for very early on a Sunday morning, that’s a fair enough question.

My point is and it is more of a question to throw out there and it is entirely my own opinion of thought.

Does “bloom where you are planted” set a person up to settle for something less than they are meant to be?

To be honest, I don’t have a clear answer to that. Although, I do have in the pit of my stomach a nagging sense that it does.

Okay, is that is so what is the alternative?

Having given it far less thought than it deserves, because in reality I do think this is a fundamental question surrounding the human condition. So, my perspective leads me to think this:

Are we not supposed to “bloom where you are supposed to bloom?”

“Blooming where you are supposed to bloom” screams of life and living. That there is a true meaning and reason of what we are supposed to be; what is purpose for my life given the short time I may occupy space on this tiny blue planet. “Bloom where you are supposed to bloom” yells out or should yell out, “life isn’t meant to be lived shuffling along, always wishing or thinking – what if?”

It means, find out where you are supposed to bloom; get there and bloom the fu@k out of it.

On the other hand, “Bloom where you are planted” to me suggests, “just make the best of the situation;” “there’s not much if anything you can be about”; “be happy where you are.”And that in many ways from where I am, all of those statements or thoughts, reek of a defeatist smell.

So, there you go.

A question for a Sunday morning.

• Bloom where you are planted; or
• Bloom where you are supposed to bloom

Ideas? Thoughts?

— as always with love —

— get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself —

Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt – Week 52

It’s been a full year since starting the prompt. Perhaps in hindsight, I should have picked something to honour the occasion, but I guess that wasn’t the case. I do want to give a big thanks to all that have taken the time to participate over the past year.

Each one of you have added so much depth and soul to these pictures. So, thank you.

Nevertheless, it is Tuesday and that means “Lynn’s Tuesday Picture Prompt.”

Art(including pictures and images) should evoke an emotional response in those who are viewing them. That’s why art can leave such a long-lasting and poignant imprint within the depths of our psyche

Your challenge or writing prompt is this:

• what emotions or feelings get evoked or aroused in you when you look at this photograph taken by Lynn

Remember, the goal isn’t necessarily to tell me and others exactly what the picture is.

The creative goal for all of us is “what does the picture evoke in you; what emotion; feeling; memory or whatever it may be – what does it arouse in you and to share it that with others.“

Our Week 52 picture was taken on our first trip to Prince Edward Island back a few years ago. The picture, is pretty much as it looks. A older model Volkswagen van, decked out in colours and a paint job that could very well have been from 1969.

A few points to help along the way:

• write a post on your own blog and create a pingback to link back to the original post(this one)
• I’ll reblog your post on my blog when I get the notification
• write an original story; perhaps your own thoughts; maybe some poetry or even a simply one word response. Maybe even post that says “it does nothing; means nothing”
• regardless, whatever you write must encapsulate the emotion or feeling evoked or aroused in you from the picture
• no limit on the length(I guess)
• keep it a “family friendly” as possible(not looking to delete or not approve stuff)

Be sure to tag your responses with:

#lynntuesdaypictureprompt or

#ltpp

Looking forward to your thoughts!

— get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself —