Everyone mothers someone, amiright? And everyone has a mother. So it’s a great day for everybody – enjoy!
This is my 3rd motherless mother’s day. I wrote about my first one here.
Mom, if you’re reading, I miss you and hope you are in a better place.
You’d be happy to see what I’ve done with my rooftop patio – I know you loved sitting out here, and now I’ve given it (with help) the spruce-up I’ve been imagining for weeks already. Behold:
View of newly fixed up patioSitting down view – Mizz J and her boyfriend helped me repaint my patio furniture last night. And IKEA helped with new colourful cushions, lanterns, and draperies.New for 2018 – a water feature!Kevin also helped craft these gorgeous Jasper tablecloth weights, symbolizing earth.More tablecloth weightsFire (fire pot, candle) and water!Wind feature (wind chime, created by Mizz J). Dragonfly plaque – my mom gave it to me, years ago.
Earth, wind, water and fire – this badass patio has it all!
Looking forward to many days and nights enjoying my outdoor space this season, starting this afternoon with my family.
Wishing you a lovely Sunday, however you choose to spend it.
Sign indicating where ziplining takes place over the Elora Gorge. I love how the stick figure has it’s arm flung out confidently and joyously. I imagine it going “Wooohoooo!” Or maybe that’s just my interpretation. Others might interpret the figure signalling for help, in a panic. I prefer my version. 😉
The weekend after our horrible ice storm weekend, I made it out to Elora Gorge where – although the weather had warmed up a bit – there was still plenty of ice and snow on the ground.
I found signs posted for a fun summer activity in the Gorge – well, actually over the Gorge. This gorge:
Peeking through the trees at the Elora Gorge – April 22
Ziplining!
Start having fun a-this-a-way!
Doesn’t this look cool?
This is on my agenda for Summer 2018.
What about you? Have you ever ziplined? Would you?
Aaaaand, that’s a wrap for this year’s A-Z Challenge! Have you guessed my theme yet?
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s theme reveal!
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!
The late, great Mizz Lucy, enjoying time outside in the summer. She was 9 years old in these photos.
There is just something about the warm weather that makes it more than OK to slow down and spend a lot of time doing nothing.
In olden days, they used to call it “enjoying time”.
Whatcha doing? Nothin’ much, just enjoying time.
Think about it. Not racing time or trying to beat time or fit more time into the day…just enjoying time.
Whatcha doing Mizz Lucy? Going in for DA LOVE and enjoying time.
Nothing but sitting and observing and enjoying life and simply being, instead of always doing. As I have mentioned before in this challenge, animals are great at this. We should all be more like our animals.
Keep going; don’t stop scratching my ears now!
And, if you start yawning and then find yourself drifting into a doze as the cicadas hum in the background, you, my friend, have officially reached the pinnacle of enjoying time: summer nirvana. Bonus points if you have a dog at your feet or a cat in your lap. Or a dog in your lap (but I hope it’s a small one, like Mizz Lucy…hehehe).
Let’s make a plan to enjoy time this summer.
Rock (and yawn) 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!
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.
Wheee! I’m doing it, I’m doing it!!!
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
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!
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:
Like this.Or this.And the exterior looks something like this, on my fantasy trailer.And then there’s the fantasy RV.Fantasy RV interior.
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
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!
Sunset on the Mill PondMontreal summer sunsetHeading for a nighttime canal cruise in AmsterdamSun setting at my sister’s place on Corry LakeAmsterdam August full moon
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
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!
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.
Newly finished rooftop patio in 2015Early morning coffee on the patioFirepot evenings on the patioEnjoying a cold one on the patioTrying 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
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!
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, 1964Tante (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.
Ready to run!The courseRace humourMom 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
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!
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.)
BIG Music Fest, July 2014Aerosmith, Sunday Headliner at BIG Music Fest 2014Monster Truck, BIG Music Fest July 2015Dave Navarro of Jane’s Addiction, BIG Music Fest July 2015The Glorious Sons @ the CNE, August 2015Junkanoo, Hillside Music Festival July 2016The 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 2016Mother Mother @ Riverfest Elora 2017
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
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!
There is something about the summer that just inspires laziness and overall enjoyment of life, doncha think?
The heat and the humidity tell us to slow down and spend some time on the porch or patio (or the hammock if you are lucky enough to have one), during the heat of the day or evening.
However, thanks to air conditioning, and the generally hectic pace of modern life, we seldom slow down anymore no matter how hot it gets. In this regard, we are going against nature.
Do you see animals working hard in the heat, of their own accord? Nope, they are lazing in some shady spot, eyeing us humans and no doubt wondering why we are acting so damn crazy.
Karen made a thought-provoking post on her blog, Profound Journey, a couple of days ago, regarding slowing down and doing nothing. Not only is the post worth a read (as all of hers are), but the comments are as well. Most of us are doing too much and feeling guilty, should we be doing “nothing”. Whatever doing “nothing” means to you.
For some of us it is anytime we are not doing “something” for someone else.
For others it is whenever we are not producing “something” or going somewhere to do “something”.
For most of us, it is when we feel we are not using our time efficiently – we are “wasting time”, doing “nothing”. Or “nothing in particular”.
We are being lazy, by doing “nothing”.
But what if we reframe this and call it something else? I just downloaded the digital version ($2.65 on Kobo!) of a book I borrowed from the library many years ago. This book opened my mind to the revolutionary (to me) idea that doing “nothing” is vital to creativity and the spirit. Back in the ’80s, when I first read If You Want to Write, this book was already old. It was first published in 1938.
I recommend this book, even if you are not a writer. Ms. Ueland was ahead of her time.
“So you see, imagination needs moodling, – long, inefficient, happy idling, dawdling and puttering.” If you want to write – Brenda Ueland
Moodling. What a great, old-fashioned word that needs to make a comeback! Let’s not call our lovely, empty days or hours being “lazy” or doing “nothing”. Why not write “moodling” or “moodle time” or “gone moodling” in your calendar instead?
I’ve grown to love moodling. And I hardly even don’t feel guilty about it, anymore.
And if you’re new to the concept of moodling, the long, languid days of summer are the perfect time to start working on your moodle game. Abandon any air-conditioned spaces and find a nice shady spot to stretch out in, with a good book and a cold bevvy. It’ll help start you on the righteous path. (You get bonus points if you doze off!)
Let’s make this the Summer of Laziness Moodling.
Rock (and moodle) 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!
