tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362387132007-01-22T09:42:02.991-05:00jkraleBlogger51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36238713.post-53297644486453072142007-01-22T09:35:00.000-05:002007-01-22T09:42:03.057-05:00It's been a while.<br /><br />A couple of months actually. Christmas, New Years, my wife's birthday, my oldest daughter's birthday. All these have past since my last post.<br /><br />I'm very thankful for the life I've been given - my family, my friends and community, my job. All of these blessings give me a full life.<br /><br />Life is Busy...and life is good!jkraletag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36238713.post-49008640036224693662006-11-12T21:14:00.000-05:002006-11-12T21:23:42.191-05:00This past Remembrance Day was a busy one for me - more on that later.<br /><br />I was, however, given the opportunity to see a moving video of <a href="http://www.hlookoff.com">Shawn Hlookoff's</a> "<a href="http://www.hlookoff.com/soldiervideo.html">Soldier</a>"<br /><br />Have a look at the video and take some time to think about our Canadian military who are serving our country as well as the many who have died for our freedom throughout Canada's history.jkraletag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36238713.post-1162572776572999792006-11-03T11:49:00.000-05:002006-11-12T21:13:34.983-05:00“<a class="sqq" href="http://en.thinkexist.com/quotation/when_we_get_too_caught_up_in_the_busyness_of_the/166756.html">When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another - and ourselves</a>” - Jack Kornfield<br /><br />I really need to reconnect...<br /><br />...with my family and with myself.<br /><br />I recently read about a pastor's experiences when he went to a monastary for a "Silence" retreat. Seven days of complete silence - only listening to your own thoughts. This concept seems more and more welcoming as every crazy week goes by.jkraletag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36238713.post-1161877520020320972006-10-26T11:35:00.000-04:002006-11-12T21:13:34.403-05:00<p><img hspace="4" src="http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/tree%20sparrow%20180_tcm3-30385.jpg" align="left" />While my kids were waving good-bye to mom this morning, as part of their morning routine, a sparrow flew into our window.</p><p>We all went out and checked on the little guy and moved him away from our front door. He seemed okay but everyone was quite concerned (except for Lucas who's 16 months and probably wanted to put the bird in his mouth).</p><p>Despite the drama of the moment, it was hard not to recognize the beauty in this small part of creation. What a beautiful creature.</p><p>Still, I just hope he's gone when we get home tonight. I don't want our nature lesson to turn into a life lesson.<br /><br /><br /></p>jkraletag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36238713.post-1161179753296817702006-10-18T12:55:00.000-04:002006-11-12T21:13:34.099-05:00My New Blog.<br /><br />As an exercise in exercising my creativity, and partly because it seems like I'm the only person in the world not doing this, I've decided to start a blog.<br /><br />And lucky you - you've found it!<br /><br />As you'll see from the variety of my posts (if you stick around that long) that my interests are varied and many of them - photography, woodworking, gardening - are considered creative.<br /><br />This blog will hopefully allow me to improve my creativity with the pen...or the keyboard as it were.<br /><br />I hope you return and if so, please leave a comment or two.jkrale