A REFUGE

 Have you ever been caught in the rain without an umbrella so you start looking around for a big leafy tree for refuge? I sure have. In fact happened today! While attending a church picnic in the park we watched the wave of rain making its way across the bay heading towards the picnic tables. Scrambling ensued and I snugged up to a tree trunk while my cherries, guacamole chips and peach muffins took the brunt of it. No time for that "no food left behind". 

A refuge provides protection where we can relax, let our guard down, feel safe and comfortable.

We just got back from a week at the little cottage. We been fortunate rent this slice of heaven since our kids were teenagers. 

This is a refuge for me. A place of peace, safety and letting my guard down. Makeup? Please...Alarm clocks? Spare me. Bra? well....maybe.

My garden is my go-to refuge from May to when the temperature drops too low to manage with just a blanket. 

Then we switch to the big comfy chair by the fire which can be popular so I have to share it with Lulu.

Camping is high on my refuge list! Canoeing, campfire and a cosy tent by the water

Sometimes refuge comes in the form of a person. Someone who can make you feel safe and protected. 

If you have a faith, you can find great comfort in Psalm 46, a beautiful song of comfort

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

And sometimes, you can be the source of refuge for someone else. 

We all need safe places to land. I hope you have a few tucked away yourself. 

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

 

Just look at these flowers...are they not gorgeous? 

A sight for sore eyes? 

They were given to me as a thank you from someone I helped support during a difficult transition. 

I am beyond appreciative of the gesture; especially now, in the last grasp of winter's long, cold, and dare I say stubborn resistance to step down. 

And like a breath of fresh air, their scent is clean and spring-like.  

I'm sorry winter, but your days are numbered and we have all had enough of your shenanigans: your third and fourth rounds of snow, your surprise bursts of bitter arctic air, your "don't put those winter boots away yet" sarcasm and especially your insistence to continually ice things up to a treacherous level. 

Fuss and fury all you like but the snow is melting faster than you can pile it up again, the robins are singing love songs and the sun is getting warmer and stronger.

Just ask Jett as she is heating up her black satin fur coat in the sunbeams

No matter how bad things look, there is hope ahead for better days. 

So take heart my weary, winter/world-worn companion!

 "Hope humbly, then; with trembling pinions soar;

Wait the great teacher Death; and God adore.

What future bliss, He gives not thee to know,

But gives that hope to be thy blessing now.

Hope springs eternal in the human breast:

Man never is, but always to be blest"

Excerpt from Essay on Man by Alexander Pope

LOOKING FOR GOOD FRUIT

 We are having a good ole fashioned winter in Ontario this year. 

I've shovelled and shovelled until the snowbanks at the end of the driveway are higher than me.

I had to make a path off the deck and into the back yard for Lulu!

And yes I admit, it's pretty, but I've had enough! The unending onslaught of snow and frigid cold is wearing me down. 

Much like the news - the unending onslaught of anger, violence, chaos, confusion. It's wearing me down. I've had enough of the sneering, condescending broadcasts that pick apart to make their righteous point, stamping their feet and yelling I'm Right and You're Wrong. 

So, here's my plan: as far as winter goes, like Tom Petty, I won't back down. Already, the days are getting longer, the sun a wee bit warmer. Eventually, winter will lose its' grip. The whole of Ontario knows it. 

Meanwhile I do things that bring good results. 

I pulled out the leftover bacon fat in the fridge and rolled it in some bird seed. Then I hung it up in the tree for the sparrows, juncos and cardinals to enjoy.  

As for the news, I try to find a broadcast that just gives the facts, without all the hyperbole. 

And I look for the good fruit: love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self control, patience. Because a good tree (character) produces good fruit. And it goes without saying a bad tree (character) produces the opposite: hate, anger, chaos, violence, impatience, self-centeredness - you get the picture. 

Right now, the season seems long, cold and unending. But it will. And in the meantime, I will practice things that produce good character, like feeding birds in the dead of winter. 

Even a small act of kindness can make difference.

 

WHEN I WANDER OUT THE WINDOW

 Happy New Year - welcome to 2026! I've passed through a lot of 365-day cycles since landing on earth in the 1960s and seen a lot of changes. 

Especially out the window. What window? Usually the one I'm staring out, my internal thoughts wandering and coalescing into plans and conclusions. 

Take this window for example:

This is the one I stare out of while I have morning coffee. It almost always involves a winter scene because from spring to fall coffee is in the garden. But winter finds me in the big comfy chair with the fireplace on and Lulu curled up. I'll wander around between prayer, plans for the day and throw in a few hopes and dreams. 

Now this window is at work in the kitchen. Not a great vista, just overlooking one of the parking lots around the mall.  

But this window is a mental health break for me. The office is one big maze of "pods" and windows can only be found at the front door, in certain big wig offices and in the kitchen. 

I've wandered out this window for over 25 years: 

I've let off some steam and stress from work

Grieved here after saying goodbye to coworkers and loved ones who have moved on or died.

Met people who are woven into the fabric of my life 

Waited impatiently for the clock to hit closing time before a big vacation. 

Planned and mentally ticked off a hundred things that needed to be done for weddings or holidays or just what to make for dinner or accomplish on the weekend.

Considered and decided to retire. Considered and decided to return and continue to work casually! 

All the while this window was like that movie The Time Machine as I watch the seasons and the style of cars change. 

Lived through the COVID years when the empty office had 6 feet distance signs on the floor and red tape like some murder scene. 

I watched a solar eclipse from that window and a Derecho - one wild thunderstorm that left the whole city in shambles with broken trees and downed hydro lines everywhere. 

Yup....a lot of history with this window! 

So the year begins with another winter scene out the window(s) I wander to. I'll sip my coffee at home or watch the seasons change at the office. I'm praying a year of favour is ahead for you and for me. And who knows - if I stick around long enough, maybe I'll  see flying cars as I wander out the window!

SAVOUR THE SEASON

How is your Christmas season going: hectic, stressful and chaotic? Is your To-Do List maxed out? Or maybe you have nothing at all on your list and no one to share it with. Christmas is a lonely and even painful time. 

I land somewhere in the middle. I have presents to buy, baking, events etc. but I also have have a very quiet home with one husband, one dog and two cats - all very entertaining but sometimes I miss the youthful energy of having kids around.

So here's my strategy - I'm going to take the moments and live them, enjoy them - really savour the season. They are gifts especially for me.

Making Christmas cookies with my grand babies. Who cares if they plaster them with sprinkles and I spend the next month vacuuming up little sugar balls?? 

Up and out the door first thing in the morning to make a snowman.

After a lot of cello practice, I participated in a Christmas concert. What a gift to create music with other musicians and share it as well. 

I spent an afternoon at a friend's house making wreaths. Food, fun and laughter! 

Making Christmas treats to share like these rum and pecan balls are a way for me to show love and appreciation.

So, in these moments I find Joy, I find Peace. The very things the Christ Child came to earth to bring:  

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven and on Earth, peace to those on whom His favour rests." (Luke 2: 13,14)

He came to bring a New Kingdom; one made up of righteousness, peace and joy (Romans 14:17)

That is my wish for all of you too. That you can find these moments in the midst of Christmas and savour them.

Moments of Joy and Laughter

Moments of Peace and Righteousness

IN PRAISE OF THE BLACK CAT

 

At the end of September we picked up a new kitten. Except for a small patch of white on her belly and a couple of white hairs on her chest, she's jet black. 

So, I called her Jet! 

Jet was born to feral parents and faced a life of scavenging on the streets. But a friend at work supports a cat rescue group known as "a.r.k" and managed to trap and secure Jet along with her brother and mom. 

Now, she's well settled into our home: a loving, practically boneless (she goes limp when you pick her up), nonstop purring machine. 

She's great company for DandyLion who has been pretty lonely since we lost Sasha last Christmas. Not that they were fast friends! In fact Sasha rarely paid any attention to Dandy. Still he missed her. Now Jet is a shadow boxer and they play constantly. 

Now you may wonder, why would I choose a black cat?

Statistically speaking, they are less likely to be chosen as your next pet and make up the majority of those waiting in shelters. There are lingering superstitions around them being bad luck or evil.

But my experience is she is nothing but sweetness and love. She is great company and her antics, whether with DandyLion or on her own are always entertaining. 

So next time you are looking around for a new cat, check out the little black one with the amber eyes! 

She might be a  black cat, but she's an angel on my shoulder!

THE LATE BLOOMERS

 

The hibiscus in my garden (called the Hawaiian Punch) has decided to be a late bloomer. Here we are in October and it's still coming out with a KAPOW!  

My vegetable garden, was an under achiever all summer. Here's what's left my harvest: 

One measly tomato and a handful of basil. 

I attribute this to the heat, chronic lack of rain, and my ineptness. But lately a few things have decided to go the distance before Jack Frost waves the frozen flag: strawberries are beginning to blush red, peppers are sprouting and Mrs. Rosemary and Mr. Thyme are happily flourishing.

They are all late bloomers, paying no heed to the seasons or the time. 

Do you know who else were "late bloomers"? Frank Lloyd Wright, Grandma Moses and Michelangelo who really didn't come into his own until his 70s. 

You might have hidden talents yet to be revealed. Maybe you've had an inkling to try your hand at water colours, photography or kick boxing. It wasn't until I was pushing 50 that I published a book, learned how to play the cello and checked out classes in modern dance. 

This is Gepetto, my garden rabbit. He tends to hide and move around for the benefit of the grandchildren. He also keeps an eye on the little chained waist watch in his hand, always anxious about time. 

Maybe all your time and energy is focused on family, raising children or your career. 

But that's OK. Just ask Gepetto - time flies and before you know it you will be able to focus your energy elsewhere. So keep checking out new things, experiences and ideas.

There's nothing wrong with being a Late Bloomer!

A TALE OF 3 CAMPING TRIPS

I love camping trips - I really do: the planning and the prep (appeals to my administrative side), the hiking, canoeing and setting up. How it takes a couple hours just to make a meal, campfires, vimming (birthday suit swims). And the scenery!! Come on!!

This summer I was able to fit in 3 camping trips and each had a different flavour but the best way to describe them would be if Goldilocks was on board.

The first one was too hot, the second one was too wet and the third one was juussstt right!

We had a long hot stretch of rainless weather in Ontario resulting in total fire bans. So, on the first trip with Sheldon and Lulu to Bon Echo the humidex was pushing over 40 celsius. All three of us ain't younguns' anymore and portaging our gear to the water probably took a year or two off each of us. 

Poor old Lulu Belle

The second trip was a glamper at Presquille. Randi and the kids came along and this was Eva's first camping trip. We were not too sure how she would do as she is a total Princess, but apparently she is a warrior Princess!

Still a Fire ban on, but we enjoyed a break in the heat and did a couple of hikes

But that night the heavens opened and we finally got the much needed rain....a lot of it....and our tent which is also long in the tooth leaked like a sieve. Clothes, sleeping bags, Lulu, my forehead, everything was WET. 

Finally the last trip was back to Bon Echo with my adventurer friend Kelly. Now this trip.....this one was jusssttt right. 

Perfect weather

Amazing sunsets!

Fire ban was finally off!

Everything tastes better outside: Melted a hunk of Brie over the fire with crackers, veg, chicken, apples and Naan

My Goldilocks trip!

Third X the Charm!

WOULD YOU LOOK AT THE TIME!

What is the deal with Time? Why is it such a big player? 

Time’s up or we have all the time in the world. 

Time flies, and occasionally time slows down.

Time to go to work, time to get up, time to sleep, time to eat, time is money and I could go on…(but I’ll run out of time!). 

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated my Dad’s 90th birthday. 

Wow! 90 years is a fair bit of time on this earth and Dad has certainly made the most of it. His insatiable curiosity led him to a lifetime in the newspaper business as a reporter: meeting people, checking out events, going places and always asking who, what, when, where, WHY. 

I don’t know if I’ll see 90 years but I have put over 60 on the clock so far and it’s true the years seem to go by faster and faster. One minute you are reading to your one year old and suddenly you’re reading to your grandchild. 

I try to focus more on the moment and take time in small portions to appreciate and savour this life. True, there are moments of great pain and grief but there are many beautiful moments that I don’t want to miss. 

The colours of a sunrise, the smell of spring in the flowers, the warmth of a cup of coffee in my hands are all moments I’ve enjoyed just in the past couple of days. 

Spending time with people I love and enjoying moments of connection with laughter or a good meal together. I want all my senses attuned: what can I see, hear, taste, touch and smell. What am I feeling? 

I can’t stop time or even rewind it, but I can look at the time and know I’ve used it well, not a moment wasted. 

BACK TO MY ROOTS

How is everyone doing out there? Lots going on out there…lots going on. I hope you have a few fail-safe pressure release valves to access. I know I do. 

One of mine is time in the kitchen. I get in there and start chopping, mixing and seeing what I can create. 

This past week I felt it was time to get back to my roots so I called my Dad to review the family’s Cornish pasty recipe. This would be from the Welsh side of the family of course! Cornish pasties are meat and veg pies in a sturdy crust. The edges of these little pies are crimped with a fork. Miners, way underground, would have these for lunch and use the crimped edge as a handle for dirty hands. 

Our family recipe is very basic: steak, potatoes, onion, kidney, salt and pepper and butter.

Normally, we are a strictly No Onion household as Sheldon does not like them so I’ve learned to not cook with them at all. But I really wanted onion in mine so I made some with and some without and I added mushroom to both. I did skip the kidney because it never found any in the grocery store and I’m a bit iffy on kidney. 

When I was about eight we were having steak and kidney pie for supper. I sucked off all the gravy from my kidney pieces and lined them up nicely on my plate. My Dad proceeded to pop them in his mouth until it dawned on him these were pretty dang clean.

“Did you suck these kidneys and put them back on your plate??”

I was busted. Dad was disgusted. 

Well I started the assembly line for my pies: a layer of sliced potato, couple piece of steak, a bit of mushroom, salt and pepper, onion for mine and a dollop of butter. Then fold and use a bit of egg wash to seal the pies. I decided to mark the tops as well - “X” for no onion and “O” for onion (made sense to me). Baked for about 40 minutes or so at 350 and I think my Great-great grandma would have approved!

Along with a fresh salad, they make a nice hearty meal on a cold night. 

With the world feeling a little out of control it’s good to feel grounded, and in familiar territory.  

Maybe it’s time to get back to your roots.

 

WINTER STILLNESS

It was snowing outside this morning. The dancing snowflakes creating a diffused, hushed silence; a winter stillness. As I watched from my living room I could hear nothing but the tick, tick of the clock over the fireplace and Lulu’s soft rhythmic snoring. After a morning walk and a full belly from breakfast she curled contentedly up in “her” chair to nap. 

I happen to like stillness and quiet. It’s one of the perks winter offers and it’s good for my soul. But it feels like the house has been sealed up too long and needs a good airing out.

I’m ready to open a window, and hear the birds in their symphony. To hear the wind blowing in the trees and the rustle of leaves. I want to watch my curtains breathe and billow in the fresh air and smell the rich muddy earth as the snow melts. 

So, thank you winter, for the rest and the stillness. Your etchings in black and white. But I’m ready to open the windows up and let in the fresh scents of spring! 

MEETING JOHN STEINBECK

“Still got a cold - no biggy.” That’s what my text said to a friend. But for all my bravado the “no biggy cold” was kicking my butt. So after popping some cold meds I found myself in bed by 8 o’clock on a Friday night. 

Last year when I retired the plan was to utilize the library. No more buying books (unless it was a Really Good Book). I can pick them up at the local library and drop them off with no increase to my general goods. But I felt crappy, the bedroom was cold and my E-Reader offered a plethora of books to buy with one click. 

And that’s how I met John Steinbeck. His book “Travels with Charlie: In search of America” was only a couple of bucks and on my reading list. Click! I had a Nobel prize winning author to read on a cold winter’s night. 

After conquering Dick and Jane books I soon moved onto Dr. Seuss. From there I devoured the school’s whole library. The magical world of reading opened up for me about the same time John Steinbeck was finishing his journey on earth in 1968. 

Travels with Charlie is about Mr. Steinbeck’s road trip across America with his poodle, Charlie. It is full of wit, humour and a keen perception  of humanity. I’m ashamed to say I’d not introduced myself to Mr. Steinbeck until I reached my 60s! 

It’s January, a good time to read. Fantasy, fiction, history or if you must romance. Grab a cup of tea, get cozy and check out a classic. The pleasure of a good book on a cold winter’s night will cure all that ails you - including butt kicking colds. 

A SECOND CHANCE

 Have you ever wanted/needed a second chance? 

A second chance at: A Challenge? A Mistake? Love? Life?

Of course you have - we ALL have! Not only is it great to receive them, it’s great to give them too.

At the Last Supper Jesus tells Peter his faith will fail. Peter says “No Way! I’m ready to go to both prison and to death.” But Jesus says “this very night you will deny me three times before the rooster crows.” Later, as Jesus is led away, Peter stays close by in the courtyard with the servants. They begin to focus on him and say he was one of Jesus’ disciples. He insists he is not - never met the man. He denies this 3 times. The rooster crows. Just then, Jesus turns and looks directly into Peter’s eyes across the courtyard and Peter remembers what Jesus had said. Feeling the full burden of shame and betrayal Peter leaves and “wept bitterly.” This is a guy who needs a second chance.

After Jesus’ death the women who had gone to prepare the body come back with an incredible story! Jesus’ is gone! The tomb is empty and these dazzling white guys said He had risen! The disciples thought this was crazy, some idle tale, but Peter ran back to the tomb. He had to see for himself, maybe a second chance was possible! 

Later, Peter and a few other disciples are fishing. Who do they see on the shore but Jesus tending a fire! After an uncomfortable breakfast, Jesus asks Peter about his love for Him. He asks 3 times wiping out the 3 times Peter denied Him thus offering a second chance to acknowledge his love and loyalty. 

As we start a brand new year maybe you need a second chance. There is mercy new each day for those. Or maybe you need to give a second chance. With wisdom, I hope you can find the grace to do so. 

Here’s to 2025 - may it be a year of joy, peace, health for you and occasionally, when you need them, a year of second chances. 

FINDING KITCHEN NIRVANA

If your idea of a good time is puttering in a kitchen, cooking, creating and testing out new recipes, then you are my people. So when my friend Sharon suggested a cooking class with Enid Grace in Hillier it sounded like a great way to spend an afternoon!

With Sharon, ready for action

                                                           

Myself and another friend, Cathy, were the first to arrive. Enid’s cooking classes are held in a renovated old Quaker Barn that also used to be a blacksmith shop. 

And there I was, in Kitchen Nirvana, stirring Risotto!

A happy little wood stove for warmth, Christmas music, fresh ingredients all laid out, wine and snacks to enjoy, and all the kitchen necessities you could want. Enid has a wealth of knowledge around cooking and baking. 

Making the Turtres

We delved into Italian cuisine in the Dolomite region, prepping dishes in several stages which Enid masterfully brought together. The small class of 7 ladies all took turns trying techniques and prepping. 

Of course….there was lots of eating too! 

Canederli in Brodo, a beautiful bone broth soup with little dumplings topped with crispy butter fried fresh sage. 

Turtres, little pastries filled with ricotta and spinach and quickly deep fried in a light oil.

Risotto with fresh squash, Enid’s homemade sausage and porcini

 and for dessert, Apfelstrudal with almond custard. 

We all brought home leftovers and lots of new tricks and tips. So if you are looking for a relaxing afternoon of creativity and fun, I recommend checking out Enid’s classes! 

You can find them here: https://www.enidgrace.com/mytable

Like me, you may find yourself in Kitchen Nirvana!