Life is Remarkable

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inLiving Well, TransitionsTags:,

The Horizon

 “In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.”

William Blake

September has always been a time of new beginnings for me.   The air takes on a subtle crispness, the colours transition to a reddish-golden hue, the harvest is well underway and there is the urgency of knowing that winter, the time of rest, patiently waits its turn. Those who follow LadyBudd, know that I have taken a few weeks to go on an adventure with my family.  My son organized an “Industrial Revolution” tour that took us into Wales and England.  It was a remarkable time; we were on the go from morning to night without respite.  We visited cotton mills, travelled on steam trains, plumbed the depths of a coal mine and saw the Newcomen engine at work.  Every step was a history lesson, and a poignant reminder that our world is in unrelenting transformation.   We owe a great deal to those who witnessed and recorded these past events.  Without their voices, much of what we understand would have been forever lost.

Whatever reasons we have for blogging – and there are many – it is our legacy.   My blogs are letters to myself. They are thoughts that travel through my mind that allow me to explore humanity’s need to find meaning and purpose in the everyday. Writing is my way of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. We are finite creatures yet we live within the infinite. We plan and yet it is the randomness of our journey that provides the challenge and inspiration to live big, to love fully and shine brightly as we traverse the years. Blogging captures progress and positions the time and space of shared experiences. For in the end, it is about the connections that we make along the way that makes all of the difference.

Life is remarkable….

It is great to be back!

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.”
― Anaïs Nin

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

123 thoughts on “Life is Remarkable”

    1. I have often thought of Augustine of Hippo’s words: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” If anyone is living the travel experience it is you! Our lives are an outcome of our decisions – I am finding that gathering experiences is much more enjoyable than collecting “things.”

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    1. I have a great respect for synchronicity – there are no coincidences. I hope that you will include the speech in one of your upcoming posts! I’ll be looking for it….!!! 🙂

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    1. Thank you!!! 🙂 It is so good to be back! Have you ever noticed that when you go away and then come back, you never are in the same position as you were when you started out? New thoughts, experiences, ideas challenge our thinking. So we really can’t go back to where we were…at the beginning.

      And somehow that gives me great comfort!

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  5. What a wonderful idea for a tour! I hope you will be able to share some of your musings on some of those sites.

    The ending quote resonates deeply with me as a writer. I think I have a tendency to not taste it properly the first time though 🙂

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    1. I agree wholeheartedly. In my haste to embrace the moment, I somehow miss the subtle nuances that bring a deeper, fuller meaning. For me, writing can be compared to a photo, which allows me to linger over the details, to refresh my memory, and give substance and relevance to the experience.

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  8. “The only difference between an extraordinary life and an ordinary one is the extraordinary pleasures you find in ordinary things.” — Veronique Vienne

    Your trip sounds remarkable! And your reflections on change, temporal and seasonal, are lovely. 🙂 Hugs, Viv

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    1. Oh! What a lovely, generous quote! I have now added it to my collection and will place it on my fridge with a “sticky note.” It was a remarkable trip in many ways for it gave me a greater insight into the dramatic shift from hand production/cottage work to the machines and manufacturing efficiency. Progress was enormous, but it came at a cost. These past weeks gave me great insight into our own fast paced, ever changing global world.

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  10. So nice to see that you are back and obviously energized by your unique adventure. I’m really looking forward to hearing about your experiences. I totally agree about a blog being a letter to oneself. A letter that you generously share with the world. Welcome back, friend. 🙂

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    1. My dear friend, you have a wonderful way with words. I often think of Colette’s thought – ““What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner.” Inspires me to live in the moment, and then remember it with words! It is good to be back!! 🙂

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  12. Hey Clanmother, Nice to hear from you. 🙂

    I totally agree with your thoughts on blogging. Your holiday sounds fun…I love adventures!!
    Hope your haivng a great time. Hugs to you, Paula xxxx

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    1. Thank you so much for your visit and comments! I am looking forward to sharing some of the insights that I gleaned over the last few weeks. One thing is for certain – when you go on an adventure, were comfortable shoes! 🙂

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      2. You always make me smile! BTW, one of the goals of the trip was to go to “The Eagle and Child”, the meeting place of the Inklings. Did you know that they met every Tuesday morning? I thought for certain that it would be in the afternoon. Anyway, they called their meeting place “The Bird and the Baby.”

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    1. It was a life-affirming trip and one that adds to my knowledge of history as it relates within our current world situation. We face complex problems; even so, we can simplify our lives when we respond with kindness, compassion and generosity

      “If there is to be peace in our industrial life let the employer recognize his obligation to his employees – at least to the degree set forth in existing statutes.” John L. Lewis

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  19. I was wondering where are you. I envy impressions and experiences.
    Every journey changing of us. “Every fragment of reality lives due to the fact that it partakes of some sort of universal meaning.” B. Schulz
    I welcome you warm!

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    1. You warm welcome has filled my day with sunshine! “Some sort of universal meaning” resonates within humanity. As I progress along my personal timeline, I realize that I must embrace the moment, for it will never come again in the same way. The idea of collecting the “fragments” is a new concept to me – one that I will integrate within my daily interactions!!! Thank you!!! 🙂

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    1. One of the goals of this trip was to increase my “mobile” skill sets. Our technology allows us to connect, to transfer knowledge and build awareness of what is happening outside our location. I was in and out of WIFI so it became an exciting challenge to upload the photos. Enjoying your photos – learning a lot from your posts. 🙂

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      1. I’m traveling in a few weeks as well and am trying to figure out how to stay connected and keep posting on the go without blowing through the limited data on the international plan. 🙂 I have an iPhone and unlike my SLR I can’t have it take smaller sized photos. It’s one size and it’s big.

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      2. I know exactly what you mean. I just purchased an iPhone, after much deliberation, before I left with the intention of staying connected. The data on international plans are indeed limited, but I was able to find WIFI which made posting on Instagram possible. Posting on WordPress was more difficult, especially since we were on the go all of the time. What I learned – mobile will continue to grow. Have a wonderful time. Safe travels…

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      1. Thank you for visiting my blog too. We are back at home now, but I never have a chance to blog whilst travelling, as Internet tends to be very slow, so I publish them when we get back; that way I enjoy the holiday twice! (it helps fight the winter blues).

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      2. I agree – it is in the retelling that we grasp the significance of our travel. I always liked G.K. Chesterton’s thoughts on this subject:

        “The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.”

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    1. Thank you so much Cindy! It is good to be connected again. Being in and out of WIFI was an interesting experience. I am so used to being plugged into the internet that it seemed strange to be without that linkage. 🙂

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  26. Welcome back, Rebecca. You words are filled with the flow of a most excellent creative energy. Your time away and travels were obviously of the the very best kind, and nurturing for you! 🙂 xo

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  27. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and following. It always feels like an honoring when I receive that notice that someone has joined. So, Clanmother, i love what you wrote above: “Writing is my way of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.” This is really the main premise of my own blog, finding beauty in the ordinary. When we pay attention, deeply, so much more opens up….
    You mentioned somewhere that you went to Scotland but I couldn’t find anything on that trip in your blog. Am I missing it? I just spent two weeks in the Scottish Highlands last month and am hoping to find the time to honor that beautiful trip with a few blog posts.

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    1. I am looking forward to our ongoing dialogue! I have just returned from Wales and England, but several years ago I did travel to Scotland (where the name Clanmother took form). I look forward to reading your posts on the Scottish Highlands!

      “My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here;
      My heart’s in the Highlands a-chasing the deer;
      Chasing the wild deer, and following the roe,
      My heart’s in the Highlands, wherever I go.”
      Robert Burns, (1759 – 1796)
      Scottish poet. My Heart’s in the Highlands.

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  30. Welcome back, Rebecca. What a lovely trip you had. There is so much to see and savour in Britain. I love the quote. It is so true, and I often look back with fondness, at my written and photographed memories.

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    1. You are a constant amazement to me! How you are able to take photos, post, and read other blogs all while travelling – it truly remarkable! It was nice knowing that we were in the same part of the world. 🙂

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    1. How wonderful to hear from you! I will write about my recent travels in the coming posts. I’m sorting out my thoughts as I learned a great deal from looking back. We are always encouraged to “let go of the past” or “move on.” I am finding that looking backwards helps me to understand the present and move forward recognizing the gifts, triumphs, and sacrifices of those that came before. Thank you for your comments – very much appreciated!

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    1. So am I! They were precise and innovative. I found out that many of the men who built the machines were clock makers; they were accustomed to the gears etc. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting!!!

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  33. That the landscape of pages as fields can be the palette for future recollections or the short-round blog comment.

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  34. That sounds like a very interesting trip! I enjoy the autumn because it’s such a great time of the year for walking, but it always feels a little sad.

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    1. I agree – the weather is perfect for walking. Not too hot and not too cold. Autumn brings nostalgia with its falling leaves and hint that winter is fast approaching. I like what Yoko Ono said about the seasons:

      “Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence.
      Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance.
      Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence.
      Winter passes and one remembers one’s perseverance.”

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  35. Dear Rebecca,
    you have been in merry old England. It`s funny, Dina, our Bookfayries and me are going up North next week to visit places of old industries like lead and iron mining and slate quarries in the Lake District.
    I like your text about blogging: Blogging as a letter to oneself. Actually I blog about topics I want to undertstand better and writing a post helps me to get deeper into a subject and then, of course, the commentaries even more. It`s amazing how much knowledge is around.
    The Anis Nin quote is great! I always like to read her 🙂
    Have a happy weekend.
    Love
    Klausbernd

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    1. Dear Kausbernd!!! Your words, “I blog about topics I want to understand better and writing a post helps me to get deeper into a subject,” resonates with me! There is so much to know, experience, accomplish that I have always rushed from one “research project” to the next so that I won’t miss anything. Intellectually, I know it is a vain pursuit, but my emotional side says ‘go for it.” Blogging has helped me slow down, savour the moment, recognize the merits of solitude, and gain new insight through reflection rather than action. I agree, the commentaries are invaluable and give me perspectives that I hadn’t thought of before.

      I truly enjoyed our England and Wales adventures. (We did get to the slate quarries – incredible!!) You live in a beautiful country. Have a wonderful weekend! Many hugs coming across the pond!! 🙂

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      1. Dear Rebecca,
        thank you sooo much for taking your time writing such a long answer. I am kind of divided – two souls living in my chest – on one hand I love researching on the other I feel that I tend to go over the top and forget about relaxing. I have to watch that blogging doesn`t become too much of “a serious business” for me.
        Have a happy weekend.
        Love & Hugs
        Klausbernd

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      2. Thank you so much for your insightful comments, Klausbernd! I so enjoy our dialogues! It was suppose to rain today & now the sunshine has won the day! I’m heading out on an adventure… Hugs to all!!

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      3. Have a GREAT adventure. I am sending you lots and lots of sun. Here the summer is back, very sunny and warm and we will go for a holiday the day after tomorrow. Holiday pure without notebook, iPad and other gadges 🙂
        A big HUG from all four of us
        Klausbernd

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  37. Ein wunderbarer Reisebericht über deine Reise nach England und Wales, liebe Rebecca. Es muss sehr interessant gewesen sein, um auf den Spuren des industriellen Umbruchs zu reisen und ich merke deine Liebe zu diesen Ländern, Gegenden, Menschen, zum Leben und zu der Zeit, in der Du unterwegs gewesen bist.
    Ich bin so froh und glücklich, endlich wieder einmal etwas von Dir lesen zu können, zu merken – Du bist wieder da. Thank you so much. Ernst

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    1. Vielen Dank für Ihren Besuch und Kommentare, mein lieber Freund. Es war eine außergewöhnliche Reise – eine, die mich daran erinnert, dass wir alle Teilnehmer in einem riesigen timelime, die vorwärts und rückwärts erstreckt sind.

      “Der Fortschritt der Menschheit ist weder automatisch noch unvermeidlich … Jeder Schritt auf das Ziel der Gerechtigkeit erfordert Opfer, Leid und Kampf;. Die unermüdlichen Anstrengungen und leidenschaftliche Anliegen der engagierten Einzelpersonen ”
      – Martin Luther King Jr.

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  38. I love the idea that blogging is a letter to ourselves; what an enchanting idea. I will remember this next time I write a post. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip. I took an unplanned break from blogging and reading blogs myself (just life getting in the way of my creative pursuits as can happen sometimes!) so I’m delighted to read your words again.

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    1. I had been wondering where you have been, Letizia! I knew that you would have a book by your side wherever you were. I just finished reading “The Greater Journey” by David McCullough and am now reading a biography of Georgia O’Keeffe. So many books, so little time, but that is the best part. We will never run out of good books to read. Thank you so much for your visit and comments. 🙂

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  39. Love William Blake… whenever I hear his name, especially at summer birth, I recall his poem The Fly, I suppose because in those few words he personifies tolerance, and nature’s magnificent purpose of balance. And yes, as you say life is remarkable, and I love your words! JJ

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    1. That is a marvelous poem – especially poignant at this time of year. Thank you, JJ for stopping by – your comments are always so very much appreciated.

      Little Fly,
      Thy summer’s play
      My thoughtless hand
      Has brushed away.

      Am not I
      A fly like thee?
      Or art not thou
      A man like me?

      For I dance
      And drink, and sing,
      Till some blind hand
      Shall brush my wing.

      If thought is life
      And strength and breath
      And the want
      Of thought is death;

      Then am I
      A happy fly,
      If I live,
      Or if I die.
      William Blake

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  40. Ops sorry…”Little Fly” it is, as I so well know. I slip of the mind, linking it to a piece I wrote I called The Butterfly, which is in my last book of poems published last April.

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    1. Hi JJ! Would love to add that link to our discussion, if you would be willing!!! The weather in Vancouver today is magnificent – sunshine, with a cool breeze. Life is good, my friend!

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      1. If it pleases you, your wish is my command dear Rebecca.
        However I should preface it reflects what real life gives as well as what it takes.

        Here it is as it appears in my book…
        “Reflections” – of a probing eye –

        “ The Butterfly ”
        ~ not a frivolous fellow ~

        Butterfly fluttering,
        Leisurely floating
        Dressing the sky,
        Fitfully dancing
        Shifted in currents
        By breezes on high,
        Ever so pleasing
        You thus invent
        Gently trapezing,
        And softly you fly…

        On wings of grandeur,
        Your beauty defies,
        And rainbows pale
        To the colours you sail…

        Not a frivolous fellow
        This butterfly wonder,
        As soon he’ll not show,
        Deserting the sky
        When summer lets go,
        For here hewould die!

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  41. Love this post! I have just returned to WP myself and reading your post was a great reminder why I love being here! Sounds like you had a fabulous journey… well-deserved! 🙂 Welcome back and best wishes to you xx

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  44. Clicked you by accident; I was gonna reply to Tom S. about Bach, preferring smaller works e.g. the little fugue, art of the fugue, musical offering, cello suites and so on.
    Distracted, by this, I wandered around a bit and found the Blake quote. Never heard it before, love it. Was Blake a blogger before it was cool? I read on. I refer to my blog as illustrations (w/captions) for a never-to-be-written biography, that’s not that different from letters to self. Yes?
    The Blake–and the rest of the post–cheered me up. Thanks.
    [signed] an adjunct in suburbia

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    1. I do like happy coincidences! I have a habit of mixing up numbers – my best phone calls/conversations are with people who I have never met, simply because of a out of line digit. Blake would have been a great blogger. Can you imagine how many would follow his blog. What doors he would open!!

      “In the universe, there are things that are known, and things that are unknown, and in between, there are doors.”
      ― William Blake

      Thank you for your comments and presents – very much appreciated.

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