Friday, April 26, 2013

Surprises



A wise old shaman said to me one time:

"There's a surprise in every day, you just have to look for it."

I concur. But sometimes life itself gets in the way of spotting them when I'm cranky, irritable or have too much on my plate.

The longer I live the more I look for them though. This year I deliberately cast aside the distractions of my day and I just get out in the air and find new pathways, new byways, new trails. And surprises.

Today Ansa and I walked on an old road, long abandoned. If you look carefully, said a very old resident, you'll find the faintest trace of wagon wheels for this was a coach run back in the day. I didn't see the trace of wagon wheels but I did see what I thought were the faint imprint of long dead horse hooves. It was only afterwards I thought: moose prints, of course. It's a haunted old road alright. Daughter had explored it last year and had the eerie sensation of being watched and hurried on out. High trees on each side, that wonderful indescribable smell of forest, and creaking old tree trunks chattering along beside me into the almost tangible silence. I must bring the camera there to try and capture the other- worldliness of it.

Then I went to my mailbox and inside was a large package from a beloved Toronto friend. I literally gasped when I saw what was inside. I had told her recently of my upcoming debut as a seanchai and she had thought to send me a debut outfit. I was staggered both at its beauty and its me-ness. She sure knows me and my style. A black top and skirt with multi-coloured lace ribbons dancing all over it, even from the hem and sleeves. A French designer label. Something I could never, ever afford or even venture into the shops that would carry such luxury.

And for the first time in years I thought: you know what would look good with this? Sparkling high heels. Maybe pink, maybe red. High heels. Sheer stockings. You need to honour these gorgeous clothes.

And there will be pictures. Promise.

I just love surprises but my favourite of all is when I surprise myself.

24 comments:

  1. You certainly got your surprise and what a nice one it was. I can imagine your joy at receiving it. I would have been thrilled beyond words. Now you will be properly attired when you tell your tales and what a superb impression you will make. I would love to be witness to it, but maybe it will happen in a next life.

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  2. That sounds like a lovely outfit. Waiting for the pictures!

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  3. A seanachai in sparkles and red high heels?? You'll have to forgive me---but have you lost your mind? It must be that I have a very old fashioned idea of what an seanachai was and wore. Your must be the new, 21st century version! I also picture a traditional seanachai with a pipe hanging from his lips and a soft tweed hat on his head....red high heels?? Can't get my head around that!
    Which isn't to say that I don't wish you lots of luck!

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  4. Yes I would very much like for you to be there Irene. Virtually is second best!
    XO
    WWW

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  5. Nick:
    I'm hoping I will do it justice!!
    XO
    WWW

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  6. Molly:
    Seanachies have evolved with the times too. I've seen women in Ireland doing the bit and also with Comhaltas when they did their tours always had a female seanachie.
    And truly, who says they have to piped and shawled? I am personally going to drag a brand new style into this brand new century!!
    XO
    WWW

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  7. Go wow them, Girl! I'm looking forward to the pictures!

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  8. Oh good - I was going to say you must pist pictures. What a lovely, thoughtful gift.

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  9. I absolutely insist on being shown the pictures. Absolutely insist!

    In fact, in order not to miss it/them I have put you into my blogroll.

    I often miss your posts because I don’t come blogging every day but I’ve just caught up again.
    It took me a fair time and until a ripe old age to believe in myself, but now I do- well, ..ish. A bit of advice we could all follow, particularly the old crone variety of female.

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  10. You not only have to look for the surprises, you have to recognise them when they appear. There are so many every day that we take for granted, but surprises they are if we care to spend time on them.

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  11. GM:
    I wish you were there, like the last time, to give that lovely support and understanding!

    But yes, this outfit has to be seen by MILLIONS. LOL. Just kidding but it is gorgeous.

    XO
    WWW

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  12. SAW:

    This friend is so gracious she always insists, loudly and sincerely, that I bring more to the friendship than she does and I do her a favour in accepting her gifts.

    XO
    WWW

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  13. Something I notice on my walks is the great difference in how people walk their dogs: most walk them according to their own (i.e., the humans') wishes and habits, but a few give the animal a leading role and are happy to go where it pleases, within reason. The latter is much more conducive to surprise.

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  14. How true Stan and also I find I get introduced to all sorts of objects as she is so investigative.
    Although she never chooses to swim, I find her delight in her dog paddles makes my day, she lifts her head and grins to the sky in her joy.
    We need to learn from canine behaviours.
    XO
    WWW

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  15. Oh how I wish I didn't live on the other side of the country, so I could attend your storytelling event!

    Perhaps one day it could be filmed and posted to your website? You know, for those of us who are geographically challenged?

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  16. Hi Izrea!

    Yes, that is in the cards as I try and prune the blog perhaps and develop an all wncompassing "persona". I have to be so careful here, it's a very small province and I've told many stories, all pseudonyms of course, but perhaps recognizable if I went public as the curiosity of NLers knows absolutely no bounds. I thought Ireland was bad but NL takes the world championship!
    XO
    WWW

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  17. The part where you promise pictures? Do not be a liar, woman. Must see this.

    I am so with you in wanting there to be surprise in every day. I want new sights, sounds, paths, too.

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  18. Jocelyn:

    If I can block out my face in Photoshop or some such programme, there will be pictures. Promise.

    XO
    WWW

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  19. Oh please don't Photoshop yourself out, let there be beautiful complete unedited pictures... after all, there was a present in the mail, doesn't it call for a change!?

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  20. Udita:

    Not to would mean I would be in a lot of trouble due to the personal nature of this blog. :(

    XO
    WWW

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  21. Computer came on for a minute :)
    I checked what I have missed.
    I smile
    how wonderful
    the gift.
    How beautiful
    you will look...

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  22. OWJ:

    Oh how I hope you get plugged in yet again and find out what is wrong with your laptop!!

    XO
    WWW

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