Hi Folks: If you’ve read our posts you know that this is our 9th year of hugging tourists and locals down at Victoria’s inner harbour, and that so far we’ve hugged ambassadors from at least 77 countries. Outside of that, however, we lead pretty quiet lives … so we were both shocked and delighted to receive a phone call a week ago from Adam Sawatsky, who works with CTV News, Vancouver Island. At the end of their news broadcasts they feature short segments of good news and uplifting people, giving their viewers an opportunity to head into their evenings with a positive outlook. These segments are collectively known as the Sawatsky Sign-Off.
Category Archives: Spirituality
Names That Remain
Hi Folks:
So far this summer we’ve been keeping a pretty regular schedule going out hugging on Sunday afternoons. We’ve now hugged Ambassadors from 77 countries (that we know of); 55 countries this year alone! As we’ve mentioned, we’ve hugged people in sadness and we’ve hugged people in joy and everywhere in between. While we were out again yesterday, the previous Sunday (August 5) brought several things together for us.
The first was a blog post written by author Robert Fulghum, entitled “Names That Remain” (yes, we stole his title for this post). You can read it for yourself; we’ll wait. Continue Reading →
Happy Father’s Day!
To all fathers and those who have assumed the role: uncles, aunts, grandparents, siblings, friends and others, today we salute you for the monumental task you have undertaken. Remember to lead with love.
Hugs,
M&M
Father and Son
(look closely)
Remembering Father on Mother’s Day
Hi Folks:
Marcia first wrote this post in 2010, and much has changed since then. Marcia’s Mom and both of our Dads are now gone. At the same time, we welcomed our newest grandson – Beckett Vaughn Kempinski – into the world only nine days ago. His parents are celebrating their first child! And on we go…
Hugs,
M&M Continue Reading →
Reindeer on the Loose!!
Hi Folks:
Krinkles, Twinkles and Mrs. Claus
This is Krinkles and Twinkles, and Mrs. Claus, of course. Continue Reading →
Happy Holidays!!
Hi Folks:
Whether you celebrate Christmas or Festivus, Solstice or Saturnalia, the arrival of Sinterklaas or Grandfather Frost, Hanukkah, Mawlid Un Nabi, Kwanzaa or something entirely personal, we send you love. Create an amazing 2018!!
(Merry or Happy Christmas In Different Languages 🙂 )
Suffused
Hi Folks:
More than halfway through October and we have yet to do a Photo of the Month post for September… oh, well. A part of the reason for that is because we’re currently on vacation in northern BC. We’ll have more to share about our adventures as we go along, but just to give you an example, yesterday we took a walk along the Butze Rapids Recreational Trail outside of Prince Rupert. It’s a 5½ km trail, and most people would likely complete the loop in 1½-2 hours, but being photographers we managed it in just shy of 5 hours. As we walked along, racing the snails as we went, we were endlessly captivated by what we saw and captured with our cameras. However, as often happens for us, the longer we were there the more the forest seeped into us, suffusing itself into our Being and making us a part…
Tree House (photo by Marcia)
Suffused
I have been suffused.
It began with the rain, rounding off my hard edges, wicking away doubts and fears and forming a fertile ground.
For the roots that began to seek the cracks, crevices and hidden places, gradually separating my bones and joints…
And planting a tree in my heart; a great cedar that outraced the wind to the sky then settled, staid…
An elder, passing wisdom to the young and listening to the travel songs of the birds, gathered over millenia…
Then leaning, tired, finally coming to rest and drawing a blanket of earth over my skin to sleep…
Only to be awakened by the calls of the young, nursing themselves with the tenderness of accumulated time…
Complete once more.
Nurse Log
Hugs,
M&M
Alike
Hi Folks:
We’re stealing this short video link from Kalebra Kelby’s blog; we do so unabashedly for two reasons. First, it’s a wonderful film, and well worth 8 minutes of your time. Make sure you watch to the end of the credits. 🙂 Second, it gives us the opportunity to introduce you to Kalebra’s blog, which is filled with insight, humour and warmth (to name a few).
Enjoy!
Alike
Hugs,
M&M
P.S. After viewing this you may wish to visit our ‘Finding Validation‘ post for more feelinggoodness. 🙂 (that may not be a word, but it should be)
Flowers are Red fits in here too.
P.S. II, the sequel. Mike’s sister Liz passed away 22 years ago today. She would have Loved this movie!
Happy Holidays!
Hi Folks:
Whether you celebrate Christmas or Festivus, Solstice or Saturnalia, the arrival of Sinterklaas or Grandfather Frost, Hanukkah, Mawlid Un Nabi, Kwanzaa or something entirely personal, we send you love. Create an amazing 2017!!
