What I Wish I Knew Before I Retired
Q: What happens when three bloggers (plus their spouses) get together? A: It's anything but silent! Below are pics of Janis (Retirementally Challenged), Kathy (Smart Living 365), me and our husbands spending a delightful afternoon on Protection Island (officially part of Nanaimo, BC). You can learn more about Protection Island here, here and here. Stay… Continue reading Silent Sunday: Protection Island
What what you do if you had all of the time in the world? Using the backdrop of our recent synchronistic camping adventure, Erica of Behind The Scenery, reflects brilliantly on this question. Be sure to watch her slide show with soul-inspiring music. It will immediately transport you to the calming beaches of Tofino, BC.… Continue reading “All The Time In The World”
Part One: In early April, Vancouver Island had its first blast of warm weather. Naturally, a (socially distanced) picnic celebration with my cohost was in order. Lunch with a View Here's what was on our plates: Fried Chicken, Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce, Potato Salad and Potato Chips. For dessert we had Sargento Balanced Breaks (cheese,… Continue reading What’s On Your Plate for May? The Outdoors Edition.
During the early days of the pandemic shutdown, a few groups of friends of mine began a regular Zoom chat. More than five months later, these groups have remained strong. Some of these calls are centred around a focus question. This past Tuesday, the topic was: If the group of us were arriving (without our… Continue reading Welcome to a Virtual Dinner
What do you do when a blogging buddy comes to call? You gather together nearby blogging friends so that everyone can join in the fun. Cardboard cutouts of Zoom Buddies, who sadly could not make this trip, are also packed along! You go chasing waterfalls... Even when it's raining! You search for the famous Jack… Continue reading When a Blogging Buddy Comes to Call
Early on, in our time of social isolation, a couple of different groups of my friends and family began to check in on each other via video conferences. These have been incredibly powerful. With many friends and family members living so far away, I wonder why we hadn't done this as groups before? One of… Continue reading Soul-Soothing Activities
Over the holidays, I wanted to focus on presence. I took a month-long break from blogging and significantly reduced my time online. Although the first series of images suggests that my primary activity was dining, I revelled in quality time with family/friends and am grateful for our time together. Our youngest son flew home yesterday,… Continue reading Where Have I Been? Where Am I Going?
Holland Creek Trail, in Ladysmith, BC, has been on my bucket list for quite some time. Today I finally hiked its 6.6 km loop. It did not disappoint. The trail is rated as 'moderate.' More accurately, it provides something for everyone. The north side of the creek offers relatively easy walking sections. The south… Continue reading Walktober — Holland Creek Trail
Have you ever thought about reaching out to someone...but then hesitated....and the moment was lost? If this incredible blogger had not reached out to say that her cruise ship would have a four-hour stop-over a short distance from my home... And if this engaging (and very observant) blogger had not asked if she could join… Continue reading The Importance of Reaching Out
Six years ago, when I was a Middle School Principal, I bought this ink drawing at a silent auction run by my school in Beijing. I didn't know the artist but knew that she went to our Elementary School. I immediately loved her work. The following year, I was visiting a second-grade classroom when I… Continue reading Aaliyah Annie
Retirement Reflections 