ODE TO MY MOM!

Mom, this one's for you! This past week we celebrated my Mother's 80th birthday. 80 years and looking fabulous!

Her birthday request was to celebrate in a Yurt and since she has never really asked for much in this life it's what we did.

It was a beautiful day with a hint of coolness and not a bad way to celebrate 80 years if you ask me.

We took a small hike in the woods and happily we all came back in one piece.

I like to think I've inherited a number of my Mom's great qualities: her graciousness, independent spirit and tenacity are a few. 

In fact, these have been passed down to my own daughter  as well. 

When my mom was still just a teenager she packed her bags and left her parents and brother in Kalamazoo, Michigan to move to Canada (talk about gutsy). 

In the little hamlet of Ameliasburgh, she met my Father. They married and my mom spent the next 10 years or so raising a family of 4. Eventually, she went back to full time work using her gentle spirit and creativity at a Daycare. She is a gifted artist and musician. It is my personal suspicion that my brother, a musical prodigy, inherited the knack from my Mom, even though my Dad's side is incredibly musical. She carries with her the painful grief that comes from losing a child, my sister Heidi, who died at 25 from cancer. 

Her life has not always been easy. Even to this day, living in chronic pain,  my Mom is not a complainer nor does she play the victim role. Heck, she wanted to take a hike in the woods for her 80th birthday!

Happy 80th Birthday Mom! Thanks for all you do and all you taught me. Much Love, Cyndi!!

519 REASONS

I posted a pic on Facebook of Sheldon hoisting our food up to distract the wildlife from the two humans sleeping in the tent. One of my friends asked if I was on 519 (as in camping site) and another said "519 reasons to NOT like camping?" 

So, with all due respect Rob, I know camping is not your bag, but I love camping and let me state my case! I'm not about to give you 519 reasons, but I can name a few! 

1) Camping mornings

Peaceful, calm, beautiful!

2) Camping Food!

What could be better than cooking over an open fire? Like these two slabs of fish??

3) A Good Camping Dog

This was a shocker. Lulu is a bit of lemon in the dog category. But she is the Best camping dog I've ever had! Great in the canoe, quiet, no trouble in the tent, doesn't wander from the campsite and looks pretty good when seated in a throne of Canadian Shield rock!

4) Playing Pass the Pigs

This here is a "Double Snouter" and worth 20 points. The only time we play "Pass the Pigs" is when we go camping. It's easy and small to pack in. You just roll the pigs and how they land will determine your points. But don't get too greedy...roll to many times you can lose all your points depending on how they land!

5) Canoeing

I love the schloop, schloop sound of the oars dipping into the water and spotting the loons on the lake!

6) The History

Generations upon generations have been coming here and making memories, including "Jax Dad". The first time we ever took the kids interior camping (Adrian 3 and Randi was 6), was to this very lake about 3 campsites away. 

I'm just getting started! I love everything being so manual and everything being so simple. I love afternoon naps in the tent. If the site is remote I love the clothing optional option! I love swimming! 

If Camping is not your thing, I get it (sorta). But it speaks to my earthy nature and I hope to keep on camping till I'm 92ish. 

Turn up the volume and enjoy the sound camping!

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

I would guess that most of you reading this have been living in your own skin for some time now.

You probably have a set perception of who you think you are by now. As an introvert, I've spent my life internally assessing my actions/reactions. 

See?

Even as a baby you can see the questioning in my eyes. 

Why am I here? Who are you? Who am I? Anybody got a cookie??

Recently I got a new dress so I thought I would try something new - a selfie like the kind I see on the internet!

This I found out - this is NOT me. 

So, who do you think YOU are?

When we were in Banff I was gawking out at the  morning view. The clouds were sweeping by  majestic mountain tops.

"Look at that!" I said to my son-in-law Dan. "Aren't those mountains incredible? I mean they are awe-inspiring."

"Mountains!" scoffed Dan. "Just look at me! That's just a big rock!" 

So I looked at him with his bed-head hair wearing a t-shirt and track pants and you know what, he was right. Humans are amazing creations that can think, create masterpieces, love, and overcome obstacles of all kinds! Let's see a big rock do that!

One morning as I was walking the dog, I came around the corner to see the most beautiful sunset. I mean it took my breath away. I whispered to God - Nice Work! and he whispered back "You are more beautiful to me than that sunrise." 

So, who do you think you are? Well my friend you are so much more. 

GATHER ROUND THE TABLE

We humans. Such a curious lot: a conundrum of emotions, abilities, frailties and strengths. But there is one thing we have in common with all the other species we share this earth with and that's celebrating a good meal. 

"Come on kids!" roars the Lioness. "Dad and your Uncles are bringing home Gazelle for supper - gather round!"

My son and his wife were in town for a whirlwind visit from BC so I hit up the grocery store, prepped, and called la famiglia together to gather round the table.

Just-picked beans, corn on the cob, salads and pot roast were on the menu with fresh berries, tarts and flourless chocolate cake for dessert. 

Even the youngest Who in Whoville knows this is a celebration to be enjoyed!

But a celebration around food doesn't have to be a whole crowd; sometimes it's just two! After we saw the kids off at the airport, Sheldon and I spent the day in Niagara-on-the-Lake. 

Only two of us but still a celebration centered around a good meal. 

We made quick work of this cheese board at Zee's restaurant! 

So whether it's two or twenty, a gourmet affair, mac and cheese with weiners or gazelle, connect with your loved ones as you gather round the table. 

COTTAGE TIME INSIGHTS

I'm back from my week at the cottage! I'm tanned, caught up on some reading, got numerous bug bites and swam, and swam and swam. 

But I also spent a lot of time doing nothing, nothing at all...just staring at the water and watching the clouds roll by. 

In that rare, languorous time I discovered the universe is always sending out insight when you sit long enough to listen.

First thing I noticed, Moms are always on duty - always. My daughter and Prince Soren were with us and she is in the thick of it. 

I watched this mom swim by with her gaggle of ducklings in tow; probably dropping them off at the sitters on her way to work.

Some treasures, like these blueberries, are small and well hidden. They are there, you just have to look for them. 

Sometimes, just go ahead and over indulge. Vacation time is a good time to do that! Or, if it's your birthday, stuff your face with cake. 

On the stillness of an early summer morning, the lake is like glass. But somewhere a fish leaps, or a loon dives, or I stick my toe into the water and swish it around. Ripples appear and begin to travel, spreading further and further out into the lake. The smallest act can radiate out and impact well beyond what you can imagine. Knowing this, I will try and make those impacts to be positive ones: a kind word, a prayer, an offer to help. 

Enjoy your holiday time if you have it - swim, read, indulge, be kind. And in the down time, listen. Just listen.

GREEN MEANS GO!

I'm biking home from work. The air is hot and thick, like some large fire breathing dragon is huffing and puffing down on me. I stop at a busy intersection for the red light and I can hear the intro to AC/DC "Thunderstruck" playing full blast though the open window of the white pick up truck beside me. I try to behave but the jam takes over and I'm bopping my head to the guitar riff. I kinda hope the light stays red so I can enjoy the tune! 

The light changes; green means go! At the next intersection I stop again. Seems a good looking young lad in a car is checking me out. He's not. Beside me is a leggy blond with shorts shorter than mine on roller blades and born about 40 years after I landed on earth. The light changes and off we go, me on the bike, leggy blond in the short, short shorts on skates.

Still summer is when I got game! I thrive in it. 

I'm warm from fingers to toes

The sun comes out to play earlier and likes to hang out longer.

Every week seems there is a gift from the ground of fresh produce.

At a local farm stand there are local cherries. I have only $10 left of my allowance but I gladly spend $5 of it on some of these ruby red gems.

Strawberries took a while to get started but they are here now. I pop one in my mouth, warmed from the sun and juicy-sweet. It confirms what I've suspected for sometime; that there are strawberries in heaven and my sister Heidi is quite likely enjoying them. 

Dinners involve salads and fresh vegetables and at all costs, eaten outside.

Fireflies blink, blink in the twilight, playing their version of Marco-Polo! in the garden.

My Mini Cooper MiCi is warm and responsive. 

It's Summer time. It's a Green time and Green means go!

MY HOME AND NATIVE LAND

Today is Canada's birthday! This part of the earth I call my home and native land is celebrating 152 years as a nation. It is a breath taking, beautiful, rich and free country I'm honoured and humbled to call it home. 

We recently did a quick trip out to Banff Alberta to spend a family vacation with the children together. We rented a condominium and a big van and took in the amazing sites of the region.

It was cold hiking up the mountain but oh so beautiful.

Of course, I had to get a pic with Soren with this historically Canadian background!

Up the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain will get you views such as these:

But back at home in Ontario, there are charms that can be just as endearing.

I caught the tail end of my first roses blooming from the garden.

And the strawberries are at their peak

We spent Canada Day at Wellington in Prince Edward County where we took in the local parade

The small town charm and Canadian pride could be found everywhere; the crowd sporting red and white in abundance

In the basement of the United church  strawberry shortcake was enjoyed, like it has for the past 100 years or so.

It was a big hit with Soren too, taking in his first official Canada Day!

If you are fortunate to call yourself a Canadian, bedeck yourself in red and white and celebrate! This country has so much to offer and should not be taken for granted. 

Oh Canada, My Home and Native Land