He motioned for me to lean against his wiry frame, as he took my shoeless foot and cleansed it with river water. Flooding had encased his village and much of his homeland in water and mud. I took a wrong step and ended up knee-deep in that mud. When I pulled myself out of the …
Continue reading Breaking down barriers, one journey at a time
I came across this quote the other day: "Always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting.” It’s attributed to Brian Tracy, a Canadian-American motivational public speaker and self-development author. It struck a chord with me. It’s basically saying, “don’t keep score”. I think it’s a mantra worth subscribing to. It would definitely help avoid …
I don’t have a photo, but the most people I’ve ever seen on a motorcycle is six. Picture this: Dad driving with his young son standing between his legs. Mom sitting behind dad, holding two babies, one in each arm. Another young child, a daughter, standing in between mom and dad. This was in Indonesia …
Personal reflections from my time on the ground She’s a little girl. Still in diapers. Blonde. All wrapped up in warm winter clothing. And she’s carrying a bag of diapers almost as tall as she is. This is the image that stays with me when I think of what the people of Ukraine have endured …
Continue reading Ukraine: The Trauma of Just Wanting to Help
My love-hate relationship with Valentine’s Day Things I love about Valentine’s Day (I’m thinking) (I’m still thinking) (Nope, can’t come up with anything) Things I don’t love about Valentine’s Day Commercialism Pressure Increased prices So much pink! So, it seems I don’t actually have a love-hate relationship with Valentine’s Day. It’s 100 percent a day …
Hands up those among us who can say they’ve willingly volunteered to be a pooper scooper of elephant dung. Exactly what I thought – few and far between. I have been there and done that – and it still ranks up there as one of the highlights of my life. I didn’t join the circus. …
“I can bet on over 780,000 games every year.” “The latest live odds are on your screen now.” “You can do it anytime, anywhere in Ontario.” “Want more? You got it.” Sound familiar? If you’re a sports fan, you will undoubtedly recognize the above commentary in the plethora of gambling ads that are taking over …
Showcasing our authentic selves - even when we're not on vacation Me: Hi. Where are you from? Them: Edmonton. You? Me: I’m from London. The other London. The one in Canada. Have you been here long? Them: Just a few days. Me: How long are you staying for? Them: We’re here for a week. Hopefully …
Deciphering the incessant babbling of a fur baby I’ve never been called a “chatty Cathy”; that’s Cathy spelled with a “C” which brings up the old running joke among the C(K)atherines of the world about which spelling is correct. I’m guessing you’ll be able to figure out which way I lean. The term “chatty Cathy” …
Closing 2022 on a high note
Finding my blogging voice after years of remaining silent
Močiutė. Kind of said like “mo-chu-tay’. That’s what grandmothers are called in Lithuanian. I had a močiutė, but I knew her as Grandma. And I lost her far too young. She was only 73. I was only 10. It was just before Christmas. Decades of smoking had caught up with her. She had a heart …
It was a lonely plane ride. The earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011 had knocked out power to a large portion of the northeastern coastline of Japan, including the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. Very few people were travelling to the country where concerns of nuclear radiation leaks were high. I was one of the …
“The silence was deafening.” How often have we heard that? How often do we experience it? How often do we allow ourselves to experience it? Is silence something we welcome? Or, in these days of never-ending connectivity, is it something we subconsciously fear? Relishing the silence Pre-COVID-19 and while on holiday in Mallorca, Spain I …
My random pandemic partner My dreams about COVID-19 are back. And they’re vivid. I woke up this morning after sleeping a whopping 9.5 hours (who can sleep that long?!), trying to make sense of what my subconscious mind was trying to tell me. In my dream: There were about 50 people milling about in different …
Giving thanks. Is it something we practice daily or only according to the calendar?
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, featuring the world's longest freshwater beach, is a family-friendly destination for summer relaxation. The town offers a mix of chain stores and beloved eateries like The Beacon, known for its burgers, and Lorna Dune, famous for its soft serve ice cream. Activities include volleyball, car rallies, and movie nights.
During a staycation this winter, I focused on self-care and productivity, tackling my needle and honey-do lists. I enjoyed time with friends and embraced the beauty of winter, appreciating both accomplishment and the season's magic.
"Road trip!" How many times have you shouted that as you and your friends pile into your beat up car and hit the open road? If you're like me, you've been bitten by the travel bug and begrudgingly endure being herded like cattle onto a plane destined for a faraway land. Or perhaps a ride …
Continue reading Traveling Near and Far: Finding Beauty in Every Journey
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