Category: Trying New Things

Friendship, Hiking, Link Ups, Trying New Things, Vancouver Island

What’s On Your Plate for May? The Outdoors Edition.

Retirement Reflections

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.

Lifestyle, Link Ups, Trying New Things

What’s On Your Plate: Mediterranean Smashed Chickpea Salad with Tzatziki Aioli

Retirement Reflections

Thank you for joining us for our official kickoff of What's On Your Plate. If you missed the original invite posts, you can find them here and here. In quick summary, fellow blogger Deb and I will be hosting a virtual monthly dinner party (Tagline: No Suit Jacket required)! The goal is to spread meal… Continue reading What’s On Your Plate: Mediterranean Smashed Chickpea Salad with Tzatziki Aioli

Link Ups, Photography, Trying New Things

Emerge…From Lockdown

Retirement Reflections

∞ What will it look like when you emerge from the current pandemic? ∞ How will you rise from the challenges faced? ∞ When restrictions are lifted, what is one of the first things you will do? I asked these questions to nearby friends. I encouraged them to have fun with their answers...and to be… Continue reading Emerge…From Lockdown

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

Travel, Trying New Things

Revising our Travel Bucket List: Vancouver Island North

Retirement Reflections

It's that time of year when Richard and I have often been walking a Camino Trail ...or at least planning to do so (2010, 2016, 2017, 2019). During our recent sheltering in place, I longingly reviewed my Camino photos. Many of them tended to look like this: This got me thinking. We already had the… Continue reading Revising our Travel Bucket List: Vancouver Island North

Blogging, Travel, Trying New Things

Write Drunk, Edit Sober: What I Learned in My Travel Writing Course

Retirement Reflections

Earlier last month, I mentioned a five-week travel writing course that I had enrolled in through Vancouver Island University. A few commenters asked me to share key takeaways. Here's what resonated. 1. Sharpen Your Hook Think: Title, opening sentence and accompanying photos. A great hook captures your readers’ attention, draws them into your story and… Continue reading Write Drunk, Edit Sober: What I Learned in My Travel Writing Course

Blogging, Travel, Trying New Things

Your Travel Wishes Granted Here

Retirement Reflections

Okay, so it turns out that I can't actually guarantee your wishes will be granted. But, I can confirm that they will be openly received and shared with the Universe. That's the next best thing, right?! Today was the first day of my 'Travel Writing' course. Somehow, when I signed up, I thought that I… Continue reading Your Travel Wishes Granted Here

Trying New Things, Vancouver Island

Why We Slept in Our Car…And Probably Will Do so Again

Retirement Reflections

A few weeks ago, when our island town was still crowded with visitors, I spotted this vehicle. I admit that it's not a great shot. But it does capture what I wanted to know. This 2-berth, Dodge RV, by JUCYUSA, is advertised to provide all that you need to sleep and cook for two people.… Continue reading Why We Slept in Our Car…And Probably Will Do so Again