Author: 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.
Link Ups, Photography, Reflection

White Reminds Us….

Retirement Reflections

A celebration is about to begin.Beidaihe, Qinhaungdao, Hebei, China.October 2004. Liberation is found in being our true selves.Cody in Beijing, China.October 2005. If you want a new friend, make one.Community Park, Parksville, BC.February 2021. Play is good for the soul.Winnipeg, Manitoba.January 2019. Stand apart from the crowd. Boardwalk, Parksville, BC.Feburary, 2021. Enjoy nature in its… Continue reading White Reminds Us….

Link Ups, Uncategorized

Bloggers with a View: MARKET DAY

Retirement Reflections

.        Come join us on a trip around the world with stops at markets in France, Oman, Australia, Singapore and Canada. Thank you to all who participated in this month’s ‘Bloggers with a View’. A special shoutout to Sandy for putting it all together.  Update: Please use this link for the full sound version. Thank you for stopping by!

The Sandy Chronicles

The vlog for MARKET DAY is ready for viewing !

Many thanks to the contributors who shared Market Day scenes from around the world. We have scenes from France, Oman, Australia, Singapore and Canada. I had great fun pulling it all together and learned much about posting to YouTube. Now I know allsome of the annoying tricks vloggers do to their videos but I promise, I will restrain myself!

And for the bloggers behind the scenes …

Many thanks to

Toronto, Canada. February 2021

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Books, Link Ups

Rosy Red / Cozy Read

Retirement Reflections

I love playing with words. I love reading and discussing books. I've also recently discovered how much I enjoy photography and computer graphics. Thanks to Terri-Webster Schrandt, this week's #SundayStills challenge has given me the chance to experiment with all of the above. Let's start with word-play, shall we?1. If we take this week's theme,… Continue reading Rosy Red / Cozy Read

Uncategorized

Bloggers with a View – Path

Retirement Reflections

.          I was delighted to be able to join this virtual walk around the world. A huge shoutout to Vero from My French Chronicles for putting this all together. We’d love for you to have a look!

My French Chronicles

“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.”

―Rumi

Saturday… come rain or shine, I’m at the local library. Well, when I say local, I mean the city library – one-hour drive away from home. That’s where I get my weekly fix: people, books, culture, life…

As usual, I bring back what I’ve borrowed the previous week, collect what I’ve reserved, have a look at the magazines, check the sewing and cooking books then take everything up on the 3rd floor, settle at my favourite table to read or write while watching the people around me. If available, we always take the table in the back corner – it’s usually for 1 (in honour of one of the numerous Covid rules) but the lady in charge in this area know the three of us belong to the same family so it’s no big deal if there…

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Link Ups, Reflection

Fallen

Retirement Reflections

[ faw-luhn ] (1)Verb, past participle of fall.(2)Adjective• Succumb; Propelled into a new place, state or position. Fallen AsleepMilner Gardens, Parksville, BC Fallen Prey To...Outside our Living Room Window, Vancouver Island, BC. Fallen for their Tricks (as they tried to steal bites of our sandwiches)Strathcona Park, BC Fallen Apart at the SeamsMt. Washington Alpiine Village, BC Fallen… Continue reading Fallen

Hiking, Link Ups, Trying New Things, Vancouver Island

#SundayStills: Parallel Landscapes

Retirement Reflections

This past January 5, I began walking the 299.4 km Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Ironically, I didn't give this challenge much thought before starting. I just kind of jumped right in. (I know, who is this and what have I done with Donna-the-planner?!) Below are a few postcards that I somehow managed… Continue reading #SundayStills: Parallel Landscapes

Link Ups, Vancouver Island

Sunday Stills: I’ve Looked at Clouds that Way

Retirement Reflections

How do you view clouds? Are they the main event? Craig Bay, Parksville, Vancouver Island, BC. Or are they in the background as surround sound? Qualicum Beach Airport, Vancouver Island, BC. Do they upstage a more interesting story? Coombs Trail, Vancouver Island, BC Or are they far more subtle? Quadra Island, BC Let's ask Joni.… Continue reading Sunday Stills: I’ve Looked at Clouds that Way

Link Ups, Vancouver Island

Desperately Seeking Glacier Blue

Retirement Reflections

This week, at #SundayStills, a colour challenge was posed: "Find and photograph glacier blue."According to http://www.classiccolors.com, glacier blue "reminds you of deep, arctic waters. Unlike warm, turquoise waters at tropical beaches, this blue water is light but looks cold. You could almost imagine the chunks of ice floating in it. This cool, greyish blue has… Continue reading Desperately Seeking Glacier Blue