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What’s Been On Your Calendar – July 2025

Retirement Reflections

Looking over my camera roll, even I was surprised by how full-on this past month has been—no wonder I’m exhausted (content but definitely tired). From Canada Day festivities and birthday celebrations to book clubs (including our new book club podcast), my calendar has been ever-expanding. There were friend meet-ups, hikes, Art in the Garden, mini golf, and concerts—Chilliwack, Jim Byrnes, and Postmodern Jukebox.

Richard and I hosted home exchange guests for five nights while we camped in Tofino, which included a 5 km hike to the site of the 1945 Canso plane crash (highly recommended if you are ever in the area).

After camping, we caught up with close friends visiting from Beijing, spent much-loved time with our sons, daughters-in-laws, and grandchildren, explored Horne Lake caves, and tried to keep up with our regular Yoga on the Beach sessions—among many other things that didn’t make it onto my camera or calendar.

That was my July in a nutshell. August isn’t shaping up to be much quieter, but I have hopes for September. How was your July? We’d love for you to share in the comments, or link up with us here:

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Debbie, Jo, Sue and Donna

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Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

79 thoughts on “What’s Been On Your Calendar – July 2025”

  1. Hi Donna, it looks like you’ve a great month of fun activities with family and friends. I always look back over my camera roll too when writing these posts, it usually gives me more of an idea of what I did. Keep that lovely summer weather happening for a bit longer please!

    I’m really enjoying our book club podcast too, it’s a highlight of my month chatting books with you all and I hope others enjoy our discussion as much as we do!

    We’re off in less than 10 days now so my blogging will be sporadic over the next few months. See you soon xx

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    1. Hi, Debbie – It has been a very full month, and our weather is now at it’s warmest and driest. So far, September and October are both predicted to be mild. Hopefully that prediction remains and comes true. Either way, we will have a fabulous time when you are here. Safe travels and see you soon! ❤ ❤ ❤

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  2. you know…..in all the years I’ve lived here I’ve never gone to that Canso crash.

    I guess I’m more a nature guy.

    The people said that they were the most scared when a search plane fired flares to light the area up…..cause they all were drenched in fuel.

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    1. Hi, Wayne – If you ever wanted to do that hike, it is on a 2.5 km rough trail through a 1000+ years old temperate rainforest. So lots of nature on your way in and way out. I had heard that the rescue plane sending down the flare was a very scary/dangerous part.
      Our hike was made that much more enjoyable knowing that all 12 people in the plane survived. ❤

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    1. Hi, Sue – Thank you for this uplifting comment. My apologies for not being as present on social media this past month. Hopefully this post, and my Wellness ReImagined post coming up shortly, explain why. Thank you for being a great friend. Wishing you safe travels ahead! ❤

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  5. What a fun month you had with interesting places and people! And yes, I see why you would be exhausted. ha. We’ve been done some home renovations this month (which we never do!) so it’s been crazy for us. 🙂

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      1. I was very naive going into this! We’re *just* repainting and getting new flooring, but we might as well be moving because of all the work we have to do clearing everything off the walls and off the floors, which is basically EVERYTHING in a home! ha.

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  7. Hi Donna – a big month, but a joyful one too. I can see all the love in the photos and it’s always energizing and exhausting at the same time when we’re surrounded by friends and family – so much pouring in and out emotionally – and creating all those new memories. x

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  9. Oh, I am not just smiling looking at your current camera roll – I am looking forwards some twenty years to see you checking and looking and shaking your head saying ‘remember when . . . ‘ 🙂 !

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  13. What a wonderful round up of a very full and busy (in a good way) July. So many photos to share and I am so glad you take them or others do. If we are not capturing those memories then there may be little to share as others grow and change. Our grandkids especially like to see the pics! Thanks for cohosting the link up too.

    Denyse x

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    1. Thanks, Denyse – Although I would never (ever) call myself a ‘photographer,’ I have always been the one to take photos at gatherings with friends and family. As much as people often cringe when I start taking a picture (or two), it is amazing how often those same people ask for the photos afterwards. ❤

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  14. Such an interesting and intensely busy month for you! Holy smokes. And you think August will be better…🤣. I love all the family time you squished in there and 3 concerts in one month! That’s more than I will go to in 30 years!!! Thanks for sharing such a lot of awesome photos. I hope to join, but we have no internet, so will see if I can pull it together. Plus, leave in the am for 10 days camping.

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  15. Hi Donna. July definitely looks to have been a busy month. Your photos are full of family and fun. Hopefully September is just as much fun for you. I’ve also had a busy July, and it was over before I knew it.

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    1. Thanks, Jennifer – As busy as July was, Richard and I remain forever grateful that family and friends want to spend time with us. And as a few things that were scheduled for August snuck into July, that gives us a few gaps in the August schedule where Richard and I can hopefully catch our breath…at least a bit!

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    1. Thanks, Darlene – The Jim Byrnes concert was outside on the lawn of the Parksville Museum grounds. Jim is such a fascinating man and he did a brilliant job, as did his fellow band members, especially keyboardist, Simon Kendall (from Doug and the Slugs fame). It was an amazing concert all around!

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    1. Thanks so much, Neil. When I went through my July calendar there were only three days without something ‘major’ on, and zero days with nothing on the calendar. Richard and I are hoping for a couple of breathers in August and a quiet September!

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    1. Thanks, Laurie – Although our section of Vancouver Island is pretty mild year round, July and August are our only reliable ‘beach weather’ months, so everything tends to cram into there. Although Richard and I are tired, we wouldn’t have changed a thing. ❤

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  21. Summertime, and the living is easy. And busy. You have a full life, Donna. The saving grace here in NE Alberta was the cool, dry weather that resulted in much less grass cutting. Routine days were punctuated with a cousin reunion; attending a performance of The Lion King w/ my son & his family; day trip to Cold Lake w/ a friend, complete w/ lunch & a walk along the marina & beach; my cousin’s homecoming after a 4-mo hospitalization following a ruptured aorta (!!!); 2 celebrations of life for old neighbors; lunch & cards x 2 w/ friends; a birthday celebration; a bridal shower; 2 days w/ the neighbor little so out comes the kiddie pool, water guns & ice cream cones; a work group reunion at a lake complete w/ boat ride; saskatoon picking & pie making. Busy, but like you & Richard, I wouldn’t change a thing.

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  22. Hi Donna, What a fun-filled July you’ve had. I love the smiles in your photos. I read about the 1945 Canso plane crash; what a miracle that all people in the plane survived. Thank you for sharing your month. I added my link to the #WBOYC link-up. Happy August!

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    1. Hi, Natalie – Thank you for linking up with us. Sue, Debbie, Jo and I greatly appreciate it.
      I agree that all passengers/crew members surviving that plane crash was a true miracle. I don’t know that I would have wanted to do that hike if the outcome had been different.
      Wishing a happy August to you as well.

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  23. Isn’t it interesting – and contradictory – how we crave quiet times, but yet don’t want to miss out on all the excitement. And we can’t help but stay busy, even though relaxing would easy our mind and body. Anyway, I’m glad you’re staying healthy and happy with all your sense! July was quite busy for us as well, while Mark was in the US for three weeks and I stayed with Maya in Brazil, working, cleaning, walking, and doing chores.

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    1. Hi, Liesbet – You make a great point about how we often crave quiet times but continue to keep ourselves busy. I think it’s all about balance. For us, our winters are much quieter so we tend to cram everything in during the summer months when there is so much more happening and the weather keeps on beckoning us to come play! ❤

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  24. We seem to have bursts of activity then collapse, Donna. The heat does me no favours at this time of year but I’ll be shivering in the UK before too much longer. Have a wonderful August xx

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    1. Thanks, Robbie – July was wonderful…fast paced, but filled with family, friends and much joy. I celebrated a close friend’s birthday earlier today, and now am collapsed on the couch, tired but very, very content!

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  26. You have, indeed, been busy Donna. Judging by the photos, it looks like it was a lot of fun though. I can’t wait to see what August holds.

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  27. Donna,

    Busy is not an apt description for your July. I would call it a torrid pace, but you and Richard managed to pull it off well while making splendid memories. I would probably have to book a slow cruise to recover. It was neat to see your cozy camping set-up. I took a peek at the Horne Lake Caves page because I enjoy visiting Show Caves. Thanks for sharing…on to August. Enjoy! Joe

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    1. Hi, Joe – Thanks for checking out our camping set up and the Horne Lake Caves. Those caves are awesome, and offer different levels of tours depending on interest/ability level. Last time, Richard and I did the ‘entry level’ cave. This time, our grandson wanted us to join him in the ‘Action Packed Cave Tour.’ I would never have done it without that invitation, but am now glad that I did. ❤

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    1. Hi, Janis – I love a good balance of busy times and down times. July was full-on busy from start to finish without any down days at all. But it was all fun and filled with much-loved family/friends. The last of our July company left yesterday, I went to Yoga on the Beach this morning (there were 70 people there), then Deb and I celebrated her birthday at Cuckooos in Coombs this afternoon (we both love that restaurant). This evening has been sheer, glorious down time and tomorrow looks like it will be that way too. Yoga on the Beach misses you and Paul. Richard and I miss the both of you too! ❤

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  29. Wow. The crashed plane. I’m not sure what I think of that (as someone scared of flying, I’d be both fascinated and repelled).

    What a lovely spot. Looks like you had a great month!

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  31. Wow, Donna! You had a jam-packed July! As it should be! Lovely images of your family, friends and fun places. Nothing is better than spending time with family.

    I’m adding the link to Sunday Stills, but I might miss the inlinkz deadline by the time it post at 7am Sunday.

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  32. Pingback: July WrapUp and A Taste of Summer – Picture Retirement

    1. Hi, Suzanne – Thank you for sharing your link here. Unfortunately, I don’t organize the linkups so I can’t sneak your post in. But I greatly appreciate you joining us and adding your link this way. Wishing you a wonderful August ahead!

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  34. Hi Donna – I alway love reading your news … it inspires me to remember back in the day – life at the moment is fine, but not the simplest. I’ve never enjoyed caving … huge caves in SA – which are fine! Not the narrow ones – my mother went, I stayed behind!! Sounds like you’ve been having lots of fun – the best of days – cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi, Hilary – Thank you for reading and commenting. I am sorry to hear that life is not currently simple for you. Sending warm thoughts your way. And I am now clicking on your photo above to go off to your site for a catchup. See you there!

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  35. Pingback: Sunday Stills: An Adventurous #Taste of Summer – Second Wind Leisure Perspectives

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