Confusing Halloween

Today is Halloween...

As I look at this picture of my granddaughter in her first Halloween costume - so many years ago - I'm struck by her look of confusion: what's happening here?!

Halloween is confusing! 

In a year or two she will be wondering: Why am I going out to knock on neighbours' doors to ask for candy?! 

In my working days, one of my colleagues shared the story of HER first confusing Halloween. 

She had left war-torn Lebanon with her two children, seeking a safe home for the three of them. She had arrived in Canada on ... Halloween!

When they got off the plane, they were greeted by people in strange, ghoulish costumes...

What kind of crazy country have I brought my children to?! She wondered in panic, ready to turn around and get back on the plane...

Her story is an example of how newcomers and tourists may be feeling today: What's happening here?!

Snow Mountain This Year?!

Every winter numerous "snow mountains" pop up near large parking lots all over the city. After every snowfall, snowplows push and pack the new fallen snow into piles - to clear the way for parked cars. This is how these "mountains" come to exist.

(These man-made snow mountains are a relatively new phenomenon. I once read that clearing snow from roads and city streets began in the 1920's in Montreal - about 100 years ago. At the time, automobiles were a relatively recent invention. Prior to that, motor vehicles were driven only in summer. When snow fell, they were put away. Horses and sleighs took over the roads. No need to clear the snow for them! And to think that this transition - from horse-drawn wagons and sleighs to cars and trucks happened during my parents' and grandparents' lifetimes!)

By the time spring arrives, residents wonder if these mounds of ice and snow will ever melt...They eventually do - usually in late June or early July. 

In our nearby college, last year's snow mountain is gone - but a warning sign remains - reminding the curious and playful to keep off the mound. They could fall off - or, even worse, fall inside. Snow is unstable and could collapse under their feet!

My Next Car??!!

On our way back from Toronto, Terry and I stopped at a "Timmy's" coffee shop in the town of Tweed. As we walked in, we passed this cute little vehicle...

I once saw an older gentleman leave this very parking lot, riding on a lawnmower...

I wonder if that same man has upgraded his lawnmower for this cute one-person EV?!

I love it! I could see the grandkids wanting to borrow it!

If I needed a small mobility vehicle to get me to the supermarket and back - I'd get one of these!

Cheese Boutique

Quite a few years ago, our daughter introduced Terry and me to a "Cheese Boutique" in Toronto. 

We were there on a weekend. The place was bustling. I remembered it as a crowded shop on a small industrial street, surrounded by trees.

I recently reminded my daughter of the place:  Is it still around?

Yes! 

Then, let's go back and see if they sell "chocolate cheese" - one of my favorite flavours.

They did! Also several other flavoured goudas I was curious to try. I bought chocolate, lavender, Dubai chocolate - and a very sharp "Old Amsterdam."

We then discovered that the Cheese Boutique had expanded into a bake shop and deli a few doors down...

....so we headed over.

Lots to choose from!

I wanted to try everything!.

After buying a few European-style Christmas treats, we sat down to rest in their outdoor courtyard attached to the bake shop - where we  could have bought a sandwich and coffee.

Maybe next time!

Hopefully we can come back soon!

Leaves are Falling!

First they turn colour...

Then they begin to fall.

That's the stage we're at now!

They're so beautiful - and then they're gone. 

All it takes is a strong wind to sweep them away!

I'm so thankful that I can watch this annual cycle of nature here where I live.

Missed It!

My son texted me this on Saturday evening...

Oh no! I missed it! 

I'm obviously not aware of everything going on in our neighbourhood! This is an event I would probably really enjoy!

Beautiful Drive Home!

On our return trip home from Toronto last week, we took the back road - along Highway 7 - through Tweed.

We wondered if most of the leaves would be down...

In some places there weren't many fall colours...

A strong wind must have passed through, pulling the leaves  off!

But by and large, the scenery was stunning!

Lots of trees and lakes...

It was a tranquil ride home.

Kingston Farmers Market

A few days ago, Terry and I passed through Kingston...

It was market day, so we stopped in at the downtown Farmers market.

Terry likes to chat with vendors, especially local maple syrup producers... 

Which is how we met Todd Vader, many years ago. Now we often stop by his market stall, whether we need maple syrup or not.

And finally, before leaving town, we enjoyed some White Mountain ice cream!

Breath of Fresh Air

There's a lot of politics in the media these days. I recently sat through half a TV debate of four middle-aged men running for mayor in our city. Nobody cracked a smile... Everyone was angry... None of them spoke as well as I had hoped.

That's why I was excited to read this story of a young man running for city counsellor in my former hometown, Kelowna BC.

His signs made me smile...

His instagram account was full of details of how he'd like things to change in the city.

He seemed approachable. 

(Hopefully his enthusiasm won't wane now that he's been elected.) 

He's a breath of fresh air in city politics... I wish him well!

Silver-Golden Beaches

My current daily exercise is (virtually) hiking along the east coast of Australia...

By virtually hiking, I mean that as I walk (here and there in Canada), my cell phone walking app counts my daily steps, calculates the distance of those steps and moves me that distance along the path I have chosen.

Much of my current trek has been through forest - though occasionally I head down towards the beach. 

The sand is a lovely silver-gold colour...

I am reminded that boat-loads of this sand was once transported from Australia to Hawaii - to cover the black volcanic sand that occurs naturally there.

When pineapples were shipped from Hawaii to Australia, sailors hunted for cargo to send back on the boats, to weigh the empty boats down. What better cargo than beautiful golden sand?!! 

This created an interesting connection between Australia and Hawaii: Many of the beaches in Hawaii are covered with golden Australian sand!

Critters!

Friendly looking little critters...

Babies almost ready to leave the nest?!

Cute - but not what I would want living in my garage roof!

October Drive - in Fall Colours

Terry and I recently drove down the back roads en route to Toronto.

The leaves were beautiful...

The day was sunny...

Sunlight gives fall leaves their translucent glow...

Like stained glass.

I find that going out for the express purpose of enjoying nature enhances my mood. 

As Terry once noted, we are happier when we are travelling! It's as though we're escaping our daily concerns. Even a day trip becomes a mini-vacation.

Balanced Life in Retirement

I recently came across this bit of wisdom about living a balanced and active life in retirement...

Whether we realize it or not, we do have structures to our day - regardless of how old we are or what stage of life we're in.

Mine begins at dawn - or even earlier now in our shorter daylight hours. I don't want to miss anything!

As I drink my first two glasses of water and then, the two cups of coffee that help me wake up, I read, reflect and pray - writing my prayers and gratitude in a journal notebook. I also note the weather for the day on my phenology calendar. 

At some point early in the day, as I think of it,  I write down what I'd like to accomplish that day. Terry and I, at some point early on, have a "meeting" - and talk about our personal goals for the day and make a meal plan.

Then we get up and start!

I should add that more often than not, I don't accomplish all I had hoped to do - but then, there's always tomorrow!

Craving Colour!

The past week has been rainy. So I pulled out a a few unfinished crochet projects and started working on them.

This multi-colour afghan pattern always cheers me up! I found two unfinished ones in my yarn stash - so here I go! (Ironically, the pattern is called "Apache Tears" - not "Apache Joy"!)

My mother, a high school home economics teacher, taught me this pattern in the 1960's. I love it! I have since made quite a few afghans - always with leftover yarn. The mix of colours adds an element of surprise.

 

After all these years, it's still my favourite crochet pattern - because of the many COLOURS! 

Still a Mystery...

I enjoy having houseplants, but even after dozens of years of indoor gardening, I feel that I really don't understand their needs. Of course, they all have different care requirements!

I bought a small Peace Lily quite a few years ago. It bloomed multiple times - but then stopped. 

I divided the plant into three - and added fresh soil. But only two have bloomed since then - and not very often. I know they need moisture and indirect sunlight...

But why does the one I keep under a small table have the glossiest leaves??! (Should I keep them all under tables?!)

I have absolutely no idea. I thought they needed - bright, indirect light! Maybe I'm wrong!