What I Wish I Knew Before I Retired
Thank you to Janis from Retirementally Challenged for inviting me to Guest Host on her site. It is an honour to be part of her first Guest Host Series. Since the weather is good and Mother Nature is in all of her glory, why not join me for a Spring Garden Tour on Vancouver Island?… Continue reading Please Join Me at Retirementally Challenged
I had no idea what I would write (or if I would write) for this month's contribution to 'We Are the World Blogfest.' But...when Richard showed me the following article in our local paper, I knew that it was a topic that I wanted to share. (Click on the link to read the full article...and… Continue reading We Are The World Blogfest: Broombusters
'W' is for 'We Are the World Blogfest'...and 'Lessons Learned at the Wellness Spa!' Today, I have combined my 'A to Z Challenge' post with my 'We Are the World Blogfest' post. At the time of going live, It was Thursday, April 26 on Vancouver Island. But, it was already 3 am on the… Continue reading A to Z Challenge: Day Twenty-Three – “W”
'S' is for 'Support for the Self-Hosted (and other WordPress Users).' I am stoked to attend a WordPress Meetup in my area (Cowichan Valley) later this morning. The agenda for our session is to focus on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in a concrete, hands-on manner. Today will be my second time joining this Meetup group.… Continue reading A to Z Challenge: Day Nineteen – “S”
'Q' is for 'Quake/Emergency Kit.' Richard and I have now arrived back home from Boston. My 'adventure' today (after unpacking our bags and doing the laundry) is to organize our emergency supplies and 'grab and go kits.' Before leaving for our recent trip, Richard and I attended a lecture on 'Vancouver Island Earthquakes Past and… Continue reading A to Z Challenge: Day Seventeen – “Q”
'E' is for 'Exercise' and 'Enjoyment' In her recent A to Z post, Sue at Sizzling Toward Sixty, encourages us to explore movement-based activities that we enjoy, then schedule these activities regularly into our week. I wholeheartedly agree with Sue, as do most studies on this subject. According to researchers, enjoyment of exercise creates a… Continue reading A to Z Challenge: Day Five – “E”
The news article was simple. Only 103 words plus video. Its message was timely…and hopefully contagious. Earlier this week, Lily, a police dog in training, visited Eagle Park Seniors’ Residence in Qualicum Beach (on Vancouver Island, BC). Her first official police assignment? To spread pre-Easter cheer. Lily (a bit of a goofball) was joined by… Continue reading We Are the World Blogfest: RCMP Puppy Spreads Pre-Easter Cheer
Earlier this week, I published a Guest Post by Anabel Marsh on ‘Hidden Histories.’ Her thoughtful, provocative post led to much reflection, including “Who does your town/city honour?’ It’s a great question. Vancouver Island, where I currently live, is home to influential and well-known actors, artists, athletes, journalists, musicians, philanthropists, politicians, Prime Ministers, scientists, Nobel… Continue reading A Local Hero in Our Midst
On a warm summer’s evening last June, Richard and I gathered at a nearby beachfront enjoying drinks and appetizers with others who had recently moved to Vancouver Island. The air vibrated with everyone's excitement with their new (or relatively new) surroundings. As most of us had finally reached retirement, the air was also filled with… Continue reading Seize Life
I love you Vancouver Island. Truly I do. Although sometimes you behave like a ‘bad-boyfriend’...a really bad one! When I met you, many summers ago, you were charming like no other. I was smitten. When we began to go steady in the summer of 2013, our relationship sparkled with promise. When I moved in during… Continue reading Dear Vancouver Island….
Retirement Reflections 