Winter is Coming…

Since my last post – the glorious days of Summer and the thought that covid 19 was going to end – we are at the beginning of the predicted second wave. Somehow though, the universe has been on our side, weather-wise, especially this last week. We’ve been able to ‘keep calm and carry on’ – outdoors. How long that lasts is finite, but as most gurus would say, ‘One day at a time’ is probably the best way to live right now. As I write, we’ve all been doing that waiting for the final results of the US election, which is probably why I got up at 5:30 am and immediately grabbed my phone to see if it had been called. I’m sure most of us have been doing that this week. We are living in strange times. I’m glad I have my dog to take for walks, my camera to document the beautiful Fall days and the luxury of food in the fridge and a roof over my head. Let’s hope next time we meet, we have peace in the US, and our lives are back to some semblance of a new and better normal. In the meantime, get outside, enjoy this glorious gift of warm weather in November, cuddle your pet or kids and enjoy the good things life currently has to offer, as small as they may be.

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Wherever You Go, There You Are

I’m sure many of you know this saying. Originally coined by Confucius as, ‘Wherever you go, go with all your heart’, it is a slight variation and more well-known by the mindfulness guru, Jon-Kabat Zinn – as both a book, and a philosophy. To me it means you can’t escape your life by seeking out new adventures or distractions. You just have to deal with your baggage – period! It’s been easy to apply this to Covid life though. Even though we are ‘all in this together’, it’s been a fantastic opportunity to escape the city. Covid in Summer means no festivals or live music or concerts or outdoor eating (in the way we know it). So why not explore the beauty of wherever you are? For me, that’s Ontario, including my backyard – Toronto. Yep, it’s a hustle bustle city, but there are plenty escapes. And when you have a dog in tow, you get creative. I was lucky enough to be able to get out to cottage country on a few occasions to ‘beat the heat’, as well as enjoy some of the summer on water, and hope you did too. Wherever you are, go explore!

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Covid Life…Extended Play

There’s an old colloquialism we use for when we’re reaching a deadline or time limit. We say, ‘I finished it at the 11th hour’, right? Well, here we are at the 11th week. Gah. Who knew? Not me. While things have ‘relaxed’ a bit here in Ontario, we are still shopping with masks on, physical distancing and isolating. I’m guessing that’s still happening in most places. 2020 has, so far, been a time of slowing down, self-reflection and also some stress. But another old saying I like to apply is, ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade’. Actually, I never say that. Lol – But when you’re stuck in a situation that everyone else is also in, you have to make the best of it. For me and some pals from my ‘year’, 2020 was a milestone for us – we turned the big 6-0. The best laid plans (oh there’s another one of those sayings) of celebrating fell through to Zoom chats and sneaking in the back yard of a friend’s for a distanced celebration. Definitely memorable, if not what was on the agenda! Regardless, this will be a time for the history books. For me, that’s included walking Dre (a lot), finding new trails and nature perks, perfecting Zoom (yoga, book club, Euchre nights, work) and eating far too much. Life could be ‘much’ worse. I am grateful for the opportunity to pretty much live this out in comfort, if not in clothes with buttons and zippers. Waiting for the world to return to normal isn’t what most people want, and when the time comes to open the door, it’ll be interesting to see how we’ve changed, what we will change and how we will make the world a better place. It really needed a breather from us. I’m actually enjoying this strange journey. Tripping around without the usual traffic, crowds and noise, is pure joy!

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Covid Life

I can’t believe I haven’t posted anything here since my trip to Peru. I wish I had as there was plenty to cover before we all got hit with the incredible news about the coronavirus.  I’ll have to save that for another blog when the world returns to ‘normal’ – if and when.

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