Wabi what?

Rewind to 2005....

It appeared to be the average non-event of a train trip from Belleville to Toronto.... but apparently it was not. In the seat pocket in front of me was the latest copy of the complimentary VIArail publication, Destinations. Amid the pages of hot boutique hotel ads, restaurant raves, must have travel toys and how the pretty folk spend 24 hours in "whatever" city--- there was one page almost lost amongst the clutter. The short, simple article introduced me-- and other dulled-eyed train commuters-- to a wonderfully humbling Japanese aesthetic.... Wabi sabi.

• Wabi sabi is the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.



• It is the beauty of things modest and humble.



• It is the beauty of things unconventional.



• It is the joy found in the art of impermanence.

So what does the dirty dog picture have to do with wabi sabi? Everything! This is my marvelous mutt Ms Skeeter. She is absolutely perfect in her imperfection!