Small Decisions

Every once in a while, I wonder if  I need to develop new interests in retirement. Have I gotten into a rut?!

A while back, I enjoyed going through The Artist's Way - a book about creativity. The suggested exercises were fun. Maybe I should read the book again...

I pulled it off the shelf...

At the same time, another book I bought more recently caught my eye... I started to read it, but didn't get far. I'm not sure why...

But I like the subtitle, The Sacred Art of Finding Your Way...

In the introduction, I read: "... When we make a decision, even a small one, it expresses something about our fundamental values... " Even little decisions like "how I use my time and spend my money... express my values as much as the really big life decisions do."

I also read: "... God's path for our lives is constantly being developed. It rises within us and is something we develop in partnership with God as we learn to see and understand more clearly. With this seeing and understanding, we find the courage to step into the future."

Reading this, I realize we were never meant to stagnate... Whatever stage of life I'm at will only be satisfying if I embrace new challenges and opportunities...

Fun Memory!

Sometimes an out-of-the-ordinary event pays dividends - in terms of memories...

Here is a picture of Terry and a giant subway sandwich...

We ordered it for his birthday quite a few years back. (Not as much grey in his beard at the time!)

When I emailed our children the photo,  asking if they remembered the event, they all replied: Of course!!

I guess we didn't order three-foot (or was it six-foot?!) sandwiches often. There were more mouths around to eat it then...

A fun, memorable sandwich!

When everyone comes home, it would be fun to order one again!

I Give Up on Growing Tulips!

Years ago, I planted dozens of tulip bulbs all over the yard. The problem is, I didn't plant them deep enough... I realized my error when I saw squirrels digging them up and and eating them!

But the bulb isn't the only part of the tulip squirrels like... Every year, they snap  the flowers off  the few that survived.

I sprinkled paprika all over and around these tulips... Several buds were bitten off before they even bloomed - and two were removed the day they bloomed. The last one to bloom lasted two days - then it too was snapped off and lying on the ground.

As I look at the flower on the ground, I wonder why! What is the attraction? What part did the squirrel actually eat?!

Staying Connected While Social Distancing

These days of physical (social) distancing  to avoid spreading the COVID-19 virus, it's easy to feel cut off from friends and family.

Fortunately, we can phone, email, message, skype and FaceTime to stay in touch.

I think it's important to talk to a few friends every day... We're in this together.

Most days one of my kids sends me a funny video.

But I was also happy to receive a phone call from our church community, asking if we needed anything...

I'm so glad they are doing that! It's easy to feel forgotten and alone.

My New Favorite Walking Path: In Claudette Cain Park

In recent weeks, my favorite walking trail goes through Claudette Cain Park on the east side of the Rideau River. Years ago Terry came here often to watch our youngest son play soccer.

During this COVID-19 lockdown, we  have returned again and again - just to go for a walk...

There are lovely views of the water...

And a bridge that took a long time to build.

Several companies worked on it, but went bankrupt before it was done...

Eventually it was completed...

We could walk all the way across and wander through the conservation area on the other side.

But so far we haven't ventured over.

The path we take circles a playing field, a children's play area, and the parking lot.

It's never a long way back to the car.

Tidying Garden Beds

Last week I spent a few hours every day tidying the stones that surround some of my garden beds.

To prevent grass from growing between the stones, I folded up old newspapers to lay underneath.

I was happy with their new look...

Now I wonder how much energy I'll have to weed the flowerbeds inside the bricks!

Looking Back...

Today is Terry's birthday...

Going through some old photos, I found these...

Terry and his brothers on vacation. Terry is five... His brother Kelly (in the left) about two years younger. Then Barry (in the middle) the youngest at the time... Their sister wasn't born yet.

And here he is around the time we met...

Long hair! No beard...

Time changes us all!

Hope today is the best!