Remembrance Day

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada; a day to honour those who have served and sacrificed for our peace and freedom. Many of us are enjoying the liberties we enjoy because of these individuals and I think we should be grateful to them every day.

WE REMEMBER

It�s been quite an emotional and stressful week for my American friends. Actually, the whole year has been thorny. But the last few days have been particularly difficult. I�m sorry that you have dealt with this conflict and continue to do so. My wish for all of you is that you come together as a country and work toward healing and harmony. There are people out there who are continuing to fuel anger and division. Why not be someone who promotes peace and unity?

Speaking of anger and division, I am really close to ending a friendship with a woman I�ve known since we were twelve. I thought I knew her. Turns out I really don�t. We are on opposite sides of the spectrum on many issues and that�s okay. What�s not okay is the bashing that I see on her Facebook page toward people with opposing political and social views and opinions. One of her distastes (or rather, revulsions) is liberals. I don�t care if she likes or doesn�t like the liberal mindset. What I do care about is the name calling. Things like: �progressive puppets�, �stupid liberals�, �dimwit liberals� and so on. Well, I am a liberal. And so are my daughters and many others I know. When she tosses those insults around in such a harsh manner, she also targets us in a harsh manner. There is no need for it. My circle consists of liberals, conservatives and everything in-between. And we get along - and will continue to get along - just fine, even while debating an issue, as long as we don�t resort to that kind of behaviour. Why can�t she state her opinion without all the name-calling? And how can we possibly remain friends when she feels this way?

Anyhow, I just finished my second cup of coffee, my slow cooker is plugged in, the sun is shining and the weekend is here. Life is good. I�m going to end this blogging week with yet another song that I hope I haven�t already shared. It�s �Stand by you� by Rachel Platten. Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

Read More

This and That

So how has your week been? And what�s new on your end? Have you seen any decent movies or read any good books or had any tasty meals or been to interesting places? Do share below.

We are enjoying some very mild weather. Some plants are still in bloom and the deciduous trees haven�t lost all their leaves yet. There�s even been grass mowing going on throughout the neighbourhood. It is quite remarkable. Of course this will all come to an end at some point because this is Canada and there�s no escaping the snow and the cold that will inevitably arrive.

This week I crossed paths with quite a few impatient and aggressive drivers, which is a little unusual for this area. Most people here are very courteous on the road, which is something that I enjoy tremendously since we moved here from the big city of Montreal where obnoxious and aggressive and discourteous driving is an every day occurrence. It�s something that I was very happy to leave behind. I wrote about it here: Small City Driving

I�ve noticed that I have new followers to my blog and that�s always a wonderful thing. What isn�t wonderful is that I can�t see who they are and/or if they have blogs. Once upon at time you could click on the profile photo on the list and see a link to that person�s blog. Now, not only can�t you see that link but sometimes you don�t even see a profile photo. You just see the number of followers going up with no further information. What�s up with that? I don�t know. If you are new to this blog, I invite you to leave a comment if you haven�t yet, so I can �meet� you and visit your blog if you have one. Come on, don�t be shy. We�re all friendly here.

On Monday, I used my slow cooker for the second time and I have to say that I am in love with it. What took me so long to get one? I�ve no idea. But it�s here and it�s great. This week�s recipe was a delicious potato soup found here. I made a big batch to freeze portions for another day. Oh, and speaking of delicious stuff, I also made Jenn�s apple pie, which she kindly shared the recipe for here. OHMYGOODNESS...so delicous! (Thank you, Jenn!) Have you met her yet? Go here to visit her wonderful blog. She�s such a cool blogging pal. Go.

I discovered another song recently that I�ve played about a bazillion times so far, give or time a few gazillion. That�s how it goes with me. I stumble across a new song that is really catchy and play it over and over and over and over again. I�m sharing it with you below. It's called "Story of My Life" and it's by the English-Irish pop band One Direction. My younger daughter has a friend who resembles one of the band's members, Harry Styles, so much so that I sent her a text message one day that said "Is it just me or does (friend's name) look a little bit like Harry Styles from the band One Direction?" She answered "yeah, he gets that a lot". It seems I'm not the only one that thinks so.

Anyhow, here's the song. And a happy weekend to all!

Read More

Another Week

This week zipped right by. It sure was a busy one. My younger daughter arrived Monday evening and stayed with us until last night. She has this week off from school and she was able to get a few days off from work. As soon as she confirmed that she was coming for sure, I did what I always do: I planned a whole day of cooking and baking. All that culinary madness took place on Monday. By the time we picked her up from the bus station at 8 PM that night, the fridge was full of lunches and dinners and desserts, and I had a meal to be placed in the slow cooker the next morning marinating in the fridge. I even packed a container full of white chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin muffins and lemon bread for my daughter to take back with her. All homemade goodies with healthy ingredients.

I don�t worry too much about her when it comes to nutrition because has good eating habits. She knows how to cook and bake, and she enjoys wholesome foods. Despite being busy with school, a job and a very active social life, she eats healthy. I love that she does this. With busy and hectic schedules, and a huge selection of processed foods available, it�s easy to eat badly. It�s frightening how many �food-like� products are on supermarket shelves with very little � if any � nutritional value in them. When we eat that stuff, we are starving our bodies.

Moving on from lecturing...

We got to spend time together and catch up, which was wonderful. I enjoy listening to her voice her opinion on things and I always love hearing about her news. She is so grownup and yet whenever I look at her, I still see the baby I cuddled, the energetic toddler I chased after and the young child I put on the school bus. All that came and went and POOF suddenly she�s in high school. And that came and went and POOF she's off to university. POOF again and she�s moved to another city with her own apartment, attending the second year in university and holding down a part time job.

What??? When did this all happen? She�s the baby of the family. My older daughter already put me through this a few years ago and I was hoping the younger one would slow down a little. But the clock keeps ticking and time keeps rolling along, pushing us all foward.

Can you think of a song with the word time in it? The first one that comes to mind for me is Cyndi Lauper�s �Time After Time�, which was released in 1984. Coincidentally, I was my daughter�s age that year, only 19.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

Read More

So Much To Be Thankful For

It is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. I have so much to be thankful for that I don't know where to begin. At the top of the list are the people I love most in this world: my daughters, my husband, my mom and brother. I couldn't ask for a more amazing bunch.

Then there are the usual suspects like living in one of the most beautiful place in the world, not to mention one of the safest, and having a roof over my head, clean water to drink and plenty to eat.

And in addition to all these blessings, I end up coming home with a gift basket like this earlier this week that made my day:

It was given to me by the wife of my hospice client. He is an elderly man that I look after each Wednesday while his family is away. I've been volunteering with the local hospice organization for the past 18 months or so, and for over a year I've been assigned to this wonderful family. The wife is the sweetest, kindest lady on the planet and she is always trying to give me something as a gesture of gratitude. In the beginning, she tried giving me things like gas cards and money, which I promptly refused. I explained to her that we are not permitted to accept anything that didn't fall into the organization's motto, which goes something like this: "If you can't drink it, eat it or grow it, you can't accept it". I explained to her that if I broke this rule, I would be dismissed and couldn't help her family anymore. She understood but because she's the type of person that needs to show appreciation, she decided to work with that motto. Since then, I've been sent home, now and again, with things like jugs of milk, butter, cookies, bottles of Bailey's Irish Cream, fruit juices, fruits, chocolates, candy and so on. When her son takes her shopping, she sometimes picks up something for me. One week, papayas were on sale and she got one for me. I swear. I've told her many times that all this is not necessary and to please stop because I don't want her spending money. She waves this away, bags whatever she has for me and sends me on my way. She is adorable.

This week she stunned me with the fruit basket that is filled with all these edible and drinkable goodies. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. It felt like my heart was being hugged when she handed it to me and said "just a little something to show you how much we appreciate all you do for us." I'm tearing up just writing about this.

Yes, I have so much to be thankful for. I am truly blessed. Especially because of the incredible people that I cross paths with in life. Including all of you!

Have a lovely weekend, everyone. And Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canucks!

Read More

Words Of Wisdom

Like we needed any more reasons to love Adele.

I grew up in a community where men were considered superior and women were expected to serve them. This was enforced in the households and in the churches we attended. For those of you who have followed my blog long enough, you just know that this nonsense didn't go over well with me and that I rebelled against it with every ounce of my being. It wasn't easy to stand against the status quo but it was necessary. I have no regrets and I would do it all over again if I had to.

Years later I was blessed with two daughters that I encouraged to expect nothing less than respect from the world around them, particularly from their partners. Equality was a common word in our household and sexism was a regular topic of discussion.

Both girls have grown up with a strong voice against a patriarchal society that, unfortunately, still exists today. But even though the fight for equality is not over yet, there are two young women that I've proudly brought into this world that are continuing to pave the road. And who do not respond to sexist, derogatory whistling; an objectification of women.

A terrific day to all!

Read More

Everybody�s Got A Story

Late Wednesday afternoon as I pulled up to a red light, I noticed a young man holding up a sign asking for donations. It went something like this: �Please help. I will take anything.� He was going from car to car showing his sign, barely making eye contact, his head down, his shoulders slumped as if they were carrying the weight of the world, his clothing dirty and faded, his eyes haunted.

He looked to be somewhere around my own children�s ages (19 and 24) and at the same time around 100. As if life had beaten him down so much that it had aged his very soul. I�ve never seen a sadder sight in my life. I�ve never encountered such a level of despair and helplessness in a person so young, someone that under other circumstances could have been a friend of either of my daughters; going to school with them, working with them, hanging out with them. It pierced my heart.

Living on the street under the constant threat of illness, exploitation, drugs and violence is no picnic. No one is born wanting this. Most youth are there because they have nowhere else to go. And I wondered what had transpired in his life that led to this. Was he a runaway? Was he suffering from a mental illness? Was there abuse in his home (a primary reason youth end up on the streets)? Was he dealing with a drug and/or alcohol addiction (self-medicating to cope with abuse, neglect, stress, traumatic experiences)? What was he eating? Where was he sleeping? Was he lost and confused and afraid? Was there anyone that worried about him? Missed him? Loved him? Where was his family? His parents? These and a thousand other questions went through my mind.

I was heading home with a car full of groceries that I�d stopped to pick up after I finished my hospice volunteer shift that afternoon. I was wondering what the most amazing man in the world and I would have for dinner. What movie we�d watch later that night. I was listening to music, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel and singing along. I was thinking that I should call my mom later that evening and text my brother to say hi. I was wondering what my older daughter was up to and wondering how the younger one was doing in her new job, her first couple of weeks of school. And then I saw this young man, this broken spirit, and the contrast between our lives and his could not have been more striking.

By the time I retrieved some money to give him, he was too far back, the traffic light had changed to green and I had no choice but to move forward. But I couldn�t go home. I circled through the neighbourhood and turned back to where he was, hoping for an opportunity to give him something and say a few words. Thankfully, the timing was right and I rolled down my window, waving to him. He ran over and I handed him a few dollars. �Please take care of yourself� I said. His eyes lit up as he smiled and said �thank you so much thank you so much thank you so much�. For a few seconds he stood up straighter and about 80 years seemed to melt right off his face. I could suddenly see the young man he was meant to be, hope struggling to stay alive inside him, a tiny flicker of light in the darkness that has swallowed him up.

This incident has haunted me ever since. Everybody�s got a story and there is no doubt that he has a very heartbreaking one.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone. And count your blessings.

Read More

The Weekend

And so it returns. This thing called 'the weekend'. How many of them have I enjoyed in my life? I'm 51, so if you do the math, the answer will be 'oh, so many'. But that's okay because it means I'm still here in this amazing world of ours. "It's plagued with problems", you say? Well sure it is, but despite what the media may have you thinking, there's a lot more good in the world than bad. With all this technology, the average person has more access to worldwide news and information...instantaneously. And what sells? The bad stuff. That's what we're bombarded with, smothered by, really. Don't let yourself get caught up in that. Step away from that negativity and search for some good stuff. It's all around us.

Any plans this weekend? It's Labour Day on Monday, so it's a long one here. Is it for you, as well? And how has your week gone? Has it been good to you? I sure hope so. And if things have been rough, I hope it all gets better. Here's something to make you smile:

Do you enjoy reading? I've been doing a lot of that lately. Right now I'm zipping through the novel "The Girl on the Train", which has also been made into a movie. So far it's quite interesting, although I do find the main character really flippin' a little annoying. Before this I read "Cell" by Stephen King. It's an apocalyptic horror novel about a mysterious signal broadcast over the global cell phone network that turns the majority of humans into mindless, vicious animals...or zombies. If such a thing ever happened, just about everyone I know would be affected. My mother would be spared and so would the most amazing man in the world. Both of them don't have cell phones. I might get away with it since I never talk on my phone. Just do a little texting. But if texting was an issue then I'd be one of the doomed. Anyhow, a movie was made of this book, too. And it's horrible. Not only is it a sucky film but it's much different from the book, making it double sucky. Don't watch it. It's a waste of time.

Well, that's enough rambling. I'll end this post with a song that I've been enjoying these days. I play it while I run walk on the treadmill, which I'm getting ready to do. It's quite an empowering tune. I hope you enjoy it. And I also hope you all have a wonderful weekend, long or not long!

Read More

September

Happy new month, everyone! September has arrived. Absolutely insane. I blinked a couple of times in April and WHOOSH here we are. Any day now we should start seeing Christmas decorations at the stores. I'm kidding. Or I hope I am.

Autumn is on its way. Do you like this time of year? I love it. Pumpkins, apples, nice weather...so many things to enjoy. And the beginning of a new school year! Oh, how I loved that when I was a kid. It was so exciting getting back to school and meeting up with friends. This time of year brings all that to mind. It also brings to mind all the priceless memories of my own two girls starting their first day of class around this time. Ooop...there it is again...my heart being squeezed.

The photo above was taken in 2002. My younger daughter on the left, Alexandra (Allie, Alex) was starting her first day of kindergarten and my older daughter on the right, Marie Amanda (Maria, Marie) was starting fifth grade. Fast forward to today and little sister is beginning her second year of university and living in Ottawa with 4 other students. Big sister has graduated from university, is working full time and lives with her boyfriend...and three cats! When did this all happen? HOLY MOLY...time flies.

What about you? Do you have any thoughts, memories, feelings about this month/time of year? Please share below. I'd love to read all about them.

Here's a song that instantly comes to mind when thinking of September:

Wishing you all a great month ahead!

Read More

Don�t Put Your Foot In Your Mouth

One of the dumbest things anyone has ever said to me is: �...at least you had some time together. If he�d had a fatal heart attack and died suddenly, you wouldn�t have had that opportunity.�

This was said to me at the funeral home the day before my father was buried. My dad was diagnosed with cancer December 2006, right before Christmas. Three weeks later, he ended up in the hospital with complications. During that period, which lasted for almost 21 days, he suffered through the inability to eat or drink or use the bathroom, painful tests, probing physicians and three heart failures. The third one killed him.

Watching him suffer and deteriorate daily was bad enough (he�d been a physically strong man all his life) but when he lost his will to live, it was unbearable. He�d always been an easygoing, witty (I got my humour gene from him) and upbeat person. And the disease took all that away from him. It literally broke him. And the people who loved him.

So no, that time with my father wasn�t a bonus. Or welcome. There were days when we wished his suffering would end. And there were moments that I believed that a fatal heart attack from the get-go would have been better for him and for us. But that�s not true. I know that if that had happened, I would have wished for the extended stay. Because what it comes down to is that there is no �good way� to lose a loved one. Grief is grief.

Hey, I get it; people don�t know what to say when someone dies. It�s a very uncomfortable situation to be in. But after losing two very close and beloved family members within four years (my father and brother), I�ve learned one thing: when you don�t know what to say, say very little, so you don�t put your foot in your mouth. And you don�t upset or frustrate the bereaved.

Keep it short and keep it simple. Use short phrases like:

�I�m sorry for your loss�
�My condolences to you and your family.�
�I�m sorry about (insert name/relation). Please let me know if there�s anything I can do.�
"I was deeply saddened to hear of (name of the deceased)'s passing. My heartfelt condolences."

Touch an arm, hug if you�re close. Then stop talking. Just stop. And move away.

If you can�t help yourself because you�re a chatterer, don�t talk about illnesses or suffering or death. Instead, share some happy memories of the deceased to show how much s/he was admired, respected and loved. Those types of stories are always appreciated and they help ease the grief.

But never, ever say that the people left behind are lucky because the way their loved one died is better. It's never better. Death is forever.

What is one of the dumbest things anyone has ever said to you?

Read More

If Only Genetic Research Could Do This...

Earlier today I shared a link on my Facebook page to a news article about the plan for 500 elephants to be tranquilized and moved to a larger preserve. This massive effort will be going on this month, next month and again next year. It�s a lengthy and tedious project, as you can imagine, but certainly an important one.

Apparently, conservationists are doing this to protect the threatened African elephant population from poaching and human encroachment. According to the World Wildlife Fund, there are estimated to be only about 470,000 of these beautiful animals left in the wild, down from several million last century. This saddens me. Angers me. MaKEs. mE. CRazY. Why can't humans just stop behaving like assholes and start respecting the planet and all living beings on it?

Now here's a thought:

With all the genetic research going on, wouldn�t it be wonderful if the asshole gene could be located and deleted from humanity? And the greed gene. Yeah, that one, too. Along with a few others. Can you think of some that could be removed to make this a better world? I�m sure you can! Go ahead and share them...

Read More

Young Or Old, It's All The Same

I don't know how many times I've heard folks around my age (I'm 51) and older complain about the youth. That they're selfish and lazy and irresponsible and rude and inconsiderate and...on and on it goes.

Well, talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Because that certainly hasn't been my experience. In fact, in all the years I've lived in this city, it's been quite the opposite. It's actually the older folks that have displayed those traits more often than the young.

Just this past month alone, I've witnessed some people from my generation and the generation before me being discourteous and demanding and impatient and brusque. I've seen them block entire aisles in stores and sigh with annoyance when someone attempts or politely asks to get by. I've seen them jump queues and pretend they don't understand the concept of taking turns. I've seen them interrupt servers and salespeople and cashiers while they are dealing with others because their needs have to be taken care of immediately. I've seen them being total menaces on the road and very unapologetic about it. And many who are working in customer service shouldn't be doing that type of work at all. They are bitter and impatient and annoyed at your very presence. They don't smile or say thank you or make you feel welcome.

On the other hand, many young'uns from the upcoming generations have been polite and considerate and accommodating and exceedingly patient. They have opened doors and apologized for blocking the way. They have been mindful of others and they have offered assistance, even to the bad-tempered, difficult and curmudgeonly older folks. They've smiled while serving and wished people a good day and been wonderfully gracious. They have been enthusiastic and friendly and pleasant conversationalists. They have brightened up my day more often than people my age and older.

Are all older folks cranky and snippy? Absolutely not. Some are as sweet as honey and packed with wisdom. And are all younger people full of sunshine and rainbows? No way. Some are pretty ill-mannered and self-absorbed.

My point is that positive or negative traits are not exclusive to any generation. Each one has its fair share of the good, the bad and the ugly!

What do you think? What has been your experience?

Read More

Cell Phones

Up until last February, I had a basic cell phone with limited capabilities. You couldn't even really text with it; that was a struggle. It was so outdated that people were really curious about it; they'd never seen that style before or they hadn't seen it in...like...forever.

Then my daughter upgraded to a new phone and new plan and I offered her some money for her old one. And I became a smartphone owner; part of the modern world, albeit slightly outdated.

Even so, I still barely if ever use this new gadget and only a handful of people have the number, mostly family and a couple of close friends. I don't even have a data plan on it; I pay as I go (only 10.00 a month!) and use free Wi-Fi when I'm outside of the home.

Something to make you smile!

I admit that having this phone is certainly handy for texting my brother and two daughters, especially the one that's away for university, but even that only happens occasionally. I'm determined not to get caught up in this cell phone addiction that seems to be plaguing humanity. There is a beautiful world out there and I don't want to lost sight of it!

What about you? Do you have a cell phone? Do you text a lot? Are you addicted to your phone?

Read More

Hometown Memories: Flowers On My Ass

Within the first month of my first year in high school, I realized that I had to make some changes thanks to a couple of crass girls that happened to be walking behind me one day on my way home from school. They were loud and obnoxious and making snide remarks about some of the kids walking along with us. Eventually they noticed me and made some nasty comments about the jeans I was wearing.

No more flowers on my ass after that incident,
but the cheesy home perms endured for many years!

They weren't bad-looking jeans, but they did have cutesy flowers on the back pockets, literally on my butt. And that�s what those girls poked fun at: the 'stupid' flowers on my ass. I�d never really thought of it that way but there it was. I had flowers on my ass.

I ignored them and they repeated the insults a little louder. Harsher. I still didn't answer. Eventually they got bored and moved onto someone else. I sighed with relief. The school was full of bad seeds and the last thing you wanted was to be the victim of bullies. Thankfully it was my one and only such experience.

I did get rid of those jeans after I got home that day, and never wore anything like that again. No more noticeable or whimsical designs. No more flowers on this ass.

Looking back now I laugh at the absurdity of it all. But it wasn't very funny at the time.

Have you ever had an experience with bullies?

Read More

Staying Sane In A World Filled With Madness

Yesterday I spent the day cleaning out tons of paperwork that was stored in a filing cabinet. It�s not the most exciting chore, but I enjoyed doing it because I was completely disconnected from the world during that period. Something I need to do every so often because I�m the type of person that keeps well informed about what�s happening around the globe. And this exhausts me. Because there�s so much crap going on all the time.

Greed. Hate. Cruelty. Exploitation. Destruction. Theft. Deception. Inconsideration. Rudeness. Manipulation. Corruption. Violence. UGH! As I get older I become more and more sensitive to all this negativity, particularly the pain and suffering that we cause the animals, many of which are headed to extinction because of us. What a rotten species we can be. Rotten. And barbaric. I often ask myself how I manage to stay sane in all this madness.

So, as a result of overloaded senses, I was in need of a break to recharge. It helped because I�m feeling better this morning. More like my usual self: optimistic and upbeat. There are good people in this world, I remind myself. Good people doing great things. And making changes. People with love in their heart.

Speaking of which, I�m ending the week with a video about love that will make you smile. When our heart is filled with love, there's no room for hate, and that makes for a better world.

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend. Remember to be kind.

Read More

World Mental Health Day

�Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all.�

- Bill Clinton -

Every year on the 10th of October, �World Mental Health Day� is commemorated. The objective is to raise awareness around the globe about mental health issues, and help end the stigma, the misunderstandings, the discrimination and the bullying that those who have a mental illness face every day.

Just like any other sickness, mental illness affects the physiology of the body and the brain. It�s not something to be feared. It�s not just a passing �phase�. It�s not a sign of weakness. It�s not a character flaw. It�s not something you �get over� or �snap out of�. It is a disease like any other.

Isn�t it about time that we understood this?

With proper treatment, individuals with mental illness can recover and lead normal lives. But the stigma associated with these �diseases� prevents many from seeking help and support. They worry that others will judge them. They worry about losing their jobs. And they worry about being ridiculed and even rejected.

Isn�t it about time that we changed our flawed perception and started supporting them?

A mental illness is what we have. It is not who we are. And it could happen to anyone.

Even you.

Let�s stomp out the stigma!


Happy weekend to all, and happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canucks!

Read More

Sunny Side Up

�With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.�

- Max Ehrmann, Desiderata -

So here we are at the end of another blog week, and I�d like to end it with something uplifting. Because the news is so full of crap all the time that you�d think there aren�t any decent human beings on earth or any good news. But there are. And there is. There are many good people in this world doing great things. We mustn't lose sight of that.

And this planet we live on? It�s spectacular. We need to remind ourselves of that regularly. So, slow down. Breathe deeply. Look around. Reflect. And be amazed by this beautiful thing we call life.

A couple relaxing by the lake as the sun sets. Things like this make me smile.

Need some more motivation? Here�s an uplifting video to help restore your faith in humanity.




Wishing you all a fantastic weekend! Enjoy...

Read More

Farewell, Summer, And Thanks

�There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.�

- Celia Thaxter -

You've left us, summer, and I didn't get a chance to say goodbye, or to thank you for all the amazing things you granted while you were here.

Like all the soul-soothing hours I spent in the beautiful garden I woke up to every day...

...and all the miracles that grew in it.

Like the furry and feathery friends that came to visit...

...all of which have left (or are leaving us) until spring returns. All of which I will miss. *sniff*

Like the friends that were made when out and about...

...big...

...and small.

Like the festivals...

...and road trips.

Oh, so many wonderful road trips.

Like the tranquil moments by the water...

...the breathtaking views

...and all the interesting, unusual and amusing sightings.

And, of course, the hours and hours of biking that produced most of the photographs taken while you were here.

So, thank you, summer, for all this and more. You were spectacular, and you're really going to be missed.

"Who loves ya, baby?"

Have a lovely day, everyone.

Read More

Living In The Present

�We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand ... and melting like a snowflake.

Let us use it before it is too late.�

- Marie Beynon Ray -

If I sit and think about days gone by, I can easily list a dozen things I wish I�d done differently. My list of regrets is even longer. But what�s the point? What good does it do me to wallow in the coulda, woulda, shoulda? I cannot change anything that happened. What�s done is done, and hopefully I�ve learned from my experiences, and become a better person for them.

And since I have no control over some things that may come my way in the future, there�s no point fretting about it. It is futile. Exhausting. And counterproductive. One day at a time is all I can handle. Whether I worry about it or not, the future will arrive in its own time, and in its own way. If it's meant to arrive at all.

I live in the present. In the day. In the moment. I do not worry about the future. Or spend too much time thinking about the past. There is no �what was� or �what will be�. Only what is.  The past and future are illusions; they don�t exist. And I don�t want the present being shadowed by them.

This is it. This moment. When my life is happening. And where I choose to be.

Do you live in the present? Dwell in the past? Or worry about the future?

Read More

And So The School Year Begins...

My daughter and some of her friends got together yesterday evening because school starts today.

�To celebrate the last day of summer break?� I asked.

�To mourn it� she answered.

Oh.

*grin*

Well, I can�t say I feel the same. Personally, I�m thrilled that school starts today. Summers are long, and the kids eventually get bored. Restless. And dare I say it? Annoying. Oops...I said it!

Did you like school when you were attending? I did. I loved everything about it in elementary school. So much so that when I missed a day, I cried a river of tears. With the exception of fever-induced delirium, there�s no way I could be kept home.

And even though I didn�t like all the academic stuff in high school, I loved the social aspects of it, and used to look forward to its return after a lengthy summer.

Around mid August I would begin feeling very excited about the upcoming first day of classes; a highly anticipated event. And when that day finally arrived, I practically floated to school.

I still get keyed up this time of year even though it�s been a long time since I was a student. The arrival of a new school year brings back so many childhood memories, and I reminisce about my school days; carefree and innocent times.

Those were the days, I tell you, and I�d go back and do it all over again if I could.

Did you like school?

Read More