U is for Uniform #AtoZChallenge

On April 24, 2018 By Widow BadassIn A2Z Challenge Post15 Comments

Summertime, and the living’ is easy.

And nothing is easier than wearing a summer uniform.

I have 2 pairs of short loose-legged pants…not sure what the proper term is…culottes, cropped pants? Whatever. I love them. But they are old. At least 10 years old. And I anticipate they won’t last much longer and I don’t know where to find their replacements, in terms of quality and fabric.

Love these cropped pants. I also have an identical pair in black. They are both in the wash every week in the summer. Also note the Birks – part of the ~~year-round~~ summer uniform.

These pants travel like a dream. They can be hand washed in a hotel room sink, wrung out, and be dry and wrinkle-free in the morning. I once spent 2 weeks on the road in California, Oregon and Washington State with only these 2 pair of pants, 2 tops, a sweater, and a jean jacket.

They weren’t anything fancy or expensive when I picked them up at the mall. Not touted as some techno-marvel travel pants. Yet that’s exactly what they turned out to be.

I also love these Crocs sandals. I wear them until the tread is worn so thin they are absolutely ~~life-threatening~~ dangerous to wear on a slick surface.

My second pair of this type. Needs replacing this summer.

And that is the state that this current pair is in. I hope Crocs are still making them because I want to purchase pair #3 this summer.

Any suggestions on where to get some light-weight, easy-care cropped pants for summer? What clothes/shoes make up a “summer uniform” for you?

Rock on,

The WB

Can you guess my theme for this year’s A-Z Challenge? All of my A-Z posts this month will be tied into my theme, which is represented by the title of a song that was popular when I was a child. Can you figure it out as the days (and posts) go by? Leave your guesses (one per day only, please) in the comments. At the end of the challenge, I will reveal the theme. Have fun!

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T is for Turtles #AtoZChallenge

On April 23, 2018 By Widow BadassIn A2Z Challenge Post, See the Beauty, The Great Outdoors12 Comments

I regularly walk down to a trail in the Village that follows the Speed River all the way to another town.

In the summer, I also regularly encounter turtles on this walk. Many, many turtles.

Some are actually on the trail.

Head on (in?) view. Likely a female, heading off to lay eggs or coming back from the same.

But most of the turtles I see are sunning themselves on logs and branches in the water. On the river, or in a pond across the trail from the river.

Only 2 on this log. I have seen up to half a dozen crammed here at one time.

And there are lots of turtles to be seen under the water as well, if you stand still and focus on small movements on the surface.

I just love seeing these ancient-looking creatures on my walks. I usually stop counting at around 40.

Indigenous people believe the 13 moons of the lunar calendar are represented by the sections on the turtle’s shell.

I feel blessed to be living in such a turtle-rich area.

Is there a wild creature in your area that you just love to see each summer?

Rock on,

The WB

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S is for Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Boards #AtoZChallenge

On April 21, 2018 By Widow BadassIn A2Z Challenge Post, Good Times, The Great Outdoors16 Comments

Look at me go. Can performing advanced yoga poses on the SUP be far behind? (Actually, yes. Very far behind.)

A couple of summers ago, I got to try out a stand up paddle board, at my sister and her wife’s place. It was their neighbour’s, who very neighbourly offered it for use when she wasn’t at her cottage.

I thought I’d find myself falling off the board and sputtering in the lake after about 5 seconds but that never happened. I guess I have more innate balancing ability than suspected.

Ever since then, I’ve had a hankering to do more of this. I have my eye on an inflatable SUP that is getting great reviews, from Costco. But maybe not this year. Unless I can sell one of my kayaks. Because people are starting to talk. 😉

Have you ever tried stand up paddle boarding? Have you tried an inflatable board?

Rock on,

The WB

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R is for Road Trippin’ #AtoZChallenge

On April 20, 2018 By Widow BadassIn A2Z Challenge Post, Goals & Dreams, Good Times, Retirement, Roadtripping23 Comments

In the summer, I like to hit the road. Whether for a few hours, a day, or a weekend – the long, temperate days and good driving conditions make it a joy to range further afield.

I have plans for taking much longer road trips, once I am retired. I wrote about that here (during last year’s A-Z Challenge), and also here.

I am still thinking about this almost daily and flip-flopping between a trailer to pull behind me or a small RV (when I am not calculating how many nights’ stay in motel rooms would come close to the cost of either of these options – even second-hand). 😉

I am fortunate that my home is zoned commercial/residential, which means I can park a trailer or RV year-round on my property, even though I am in town – I checked with the by-law officer a few years ago.

My fantasy rig has me road tripping in full-on glamping style:

And the exterior looks something like this, on my fantasy trailer.

So far my pros and cons list for each type looks something like this:

Small trailer Pros

Roomier
Can leave at campsite while using vehicle to explore surrounding area
Better for extended stays somewhere

Small trailer Cons

Have to learn to tow
Entering/leaving my driveway will be difficult (incline, and on busy street)
Need bigger vehicle than I currently own, in order to tow even the tiniest trailer

Camping Van Pros

Can fit in regular parking space
Easier to drive and manoeuvre
Better for trips in which only planning to stay 1-2 nights max in each place
Can rent one to try out before I buy

Camping Van Cons

Now I have to own and maintain 2 motor vehicles
Have to pack up the campsite every time I need to go to town or do some local exploring
Less space to move around in

I’m currently leaning towards the camping van, as I envision my first few years of road trips will be more driving around than staying in one place. Perhaps I could pack a bike or an electric scooter, for local exploring.

No matter what I decide upon, once I am retired I can chase summer year-round….Canadian road-tripping in the summer, and heading south of the border in the winter.

What about you? Is road-tripping your thing too? Any thoughts or advice to share? What would you choose – a trailer or an RV?

Rock on,

The WB

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Q is for Quiet Nights under the Setting Sun, Moon and Stars #AtoZChallenge

On April 19, 2018 By Widow BadassIn A2Z Challenge Post, Good Times, The Great Outdoors6 Comments

Ahhh, those summer nights!

Heading for a nighttime canal cruise in Amsterdam

Sun setting at my sister’s place on Corry Lake

And further to yesterday’s post about spending time on the patio:

Looking forward to those summer nights on the patio, once again

Summer nights are the best, for just being. What are your favourite ways to spend a summer night?

Rock on,

The WB

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P is for Patio Time #AtoZChallenge

On April 18, 2018April 18, 2018 By Widow BadassIn A2Z Challenge Post, Good Times13 Comments

My aunt and uncle’s incredible patio, in the Netherlands. Inspiring!

In the summer, I do a lot of living on the Badass Rooftop Patio.

Trying out new camping gear on the patio

I love patio life – anywhere, anytime in the good weather.

Montreal brasserie patio – with Mizz CJ and her pup (and beers)

In Cleveland, on a restaurant patio with my son and his girl.

In Barbados, overlooking the ocean at Butterfly Beach Resort

Do you enjoy spending time on the patio? Where is your favourite patio?

Rock on,

The WB

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O is for Open-Toed Shoes #AtoZChallenge

On April 17, 2018 By Widow BadassIn A2Z Challenge Post, Hmmm?19 Comments

In the warm weather, I like to wear open-toed shoes. I include sandals in this grouping.

I also really like shoes, and boots.

I decided to take a picture of my open-toed shoe collection today, since it is freezing rain out as I am creating this post, and the furthest thing from open-toed shoe weather as imaginable. As one does.

The whole open-toed shoe-bang, I think. I might be missing a couple of pair of flip-flops.

I get the feeling my staff think I own too many shoes. Whenever a package is delivered to me at the office, they hand it to me and say “Shoes?” Ditto if they see me at my computer with my credit card out. “Buying shoes?”

I didn’t buy these all in one season, you know!

What about you? How many pairs of open-toed shoes do you own?

Rock on,

The WB

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N is for Niagara Falls #AtoZChallenge

On April 16, 2018 By Widow BadassIn A2Z Challenge Post, Good Times, See the Beauty16 Comments

I grew up 90 minutes away from one of the biggest tourist attractions in the province of Ontario, dare I say in all of Canada: Niagara Falls.

My newly immigrated parents honeymooned at Niagara Falls, back in 1954. Their honeymoon consisted solely of a day trip to the Falls and stopping for Chinese food on the way home, because it was all they could afford. They didn’t even have a camera at that time so they could take photos.

However, when you are newly immigrated to Canada, and your relatives from the Netherlands (a different set every summer) want to visit, it means a lot of return trips to Niagara Falls and plenty of opportunities to take pictures.

So since their honeymoon, my parents managed to fill albums with photos of the yearly summer pilgrimage to the Falls. Here are just a few:

My mother and her mother at the base of the falls, 1964

Tante (Aunt) Bep (actually my grandmother’s cousin) and Oom (Uncle) Joe, at Niagara Falls 1968?

L-R: Tante Bep, Oom Joe, Baby Sis, Me, Lil Sis, Mom – in front of the Floral Clock. Dad behind the camera, natch. 1968?

Floral Clock Niagara Falls, 1980s? (based on jogging suit I spy, just right of centre)

Oom Henk at Niagara Falls, 1980s (based on acid-wash jacket)

I think I have been to Niagara Falls almost every summer since I have been alive.

There are pictures of me pregnant, pictures of me with the kids of varying ages, pictures of me with my ex, pictures of me with my last husband. And lots and lots of pictures of the Falls.

I’ve even ran a half-marathon at the Falls – in 2015.

Mom joins me to cross the finish line. One of my favourite shots of us. She wouldn’t finish out the year.

No doubt this summer I will be there again.

Do you have a place that you like to visit every summer?

Rock on,

The WB

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Just in case….

On April 14, 2018 By Widow BadassIn Uncategorized9 Comments

In case I end up being incommunicado this weekend…

I hope this historic storm is historic only in that it didn’t happen or wasn’t as bad as predicted, but I’m not taking any chances.

I have filled the house with food that doesn’t need cooking, taken cash out of the bank, parked my car away from power lines, removed my ice scraper from my vehicle, downloaded a couple of e-books, and charged up all my electronics and power banks. I guess I am as ready as I can be!

Rock on (and stay safe, fellow Ontarians!),

The WB

M is for Music Festivals #AtoZChallenge

On April 14, 2018April 14, 2018 By Widow BadassIn A2Z Challenge Post, Good Times, Music9 Comments

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, BIG Music Fest July 2014

I have loved seeing live acts since I was in my early teens. I love it now more than ever and I discussed that here.

And there is nothing I love more than music, in the outdoors, in the summer. Yep, the summer music festival.

The last few years have been amazing for summer music festivals. Acts are touring like crazy lately, in order to make money. And this widow is happy to take advantage. (I think it may have peaked last year but there are still plenty to choose from.)

Aerosmith, Sunday Headliner at BIG Music Fest 2014

Dave Navarro of Jane’s Addiction, BIG Music Fest July 2015

The Glorious Sons @ the CNE, August 2015

Junkanoo, Hillside Music Festival July 2016

The Temperance Movement, Toronto Festival of Beer July 2016 (OK, not technically a music festival but it still rocked!)

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Bloemendaal, The Netherlands, August 2016

The only downside (for me) of outdoor music festivals is taking your chances on the weather. I’ve been at these events where the temps were over 30 degrees Celsius and there was no shade to be had. I’ve also been stuck outdoors all day and night at 12 degrees Celsius, where the kids and I huddled together under our picnic blanket for warmth, while we watched the acts. I’ve also been rained on.

But the majority of music festivals I’ve attended have been in great weather. Which is why summer music festivals rock!

Rock on,

The WB