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

HEY, DAYDREAMER!

I admit it. I'm a daydreamer. Now there are certain times that make for better daydreaming than others. January, for one; at least in Canada. After all the hoopla and holiday frenzy of Christmas and New Years, daydreamers shut their doors. Too snowy, too icy and definitely too cold out. Let's grab a blanket and the dog and stare into the fireplace. 

Summer's slower pace is also excellent for daydreaming! 

What's this? You are too methodical, too rational, too busy for daydreaming? Well, let me give you a few tips! 

While walking and even biking make for reasonably safe daydreaming, driving not so much. Please, move over to the passenger seat and muse away! 

Turn off the TV.

This hobby is not usually a group activity. In fact it is better on your own. Your family and friends will not appreciate you off in another space or time zone when they are expecting your undivided attention! Having said that, if you find a soul mate who is just as happy to daydream as much as you are and you can quietly sit in each other's space, your may be very close to Daydreamer's Nirvana.

"What if" is better than "if only". "What if" allows you to think big, dream big, expand your imagination. "If only" will sit you likely in the past, mulling over regrets and missed opportunities.

This summer, take some time out and daydream. Even God himself challenges you to try and out-dream Him! "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him."

So come join me in the Revery and Dream a little Dream with me.

THE BUSINESS OF LIFE

Right outside my front window, I've been watching the journey of two Robins. They started by meticulously building a cosy nest. I watched them fly back and forth, back and forth with bits and pieces creating a perfect home, amazingly with nothing more than a couple of beaks and a few claws! Then mom just sat there - a lot. She would only leave briefly wherein dad would stand on watch. I was getting concerned she was sitting on duds! But finally they were returning to the back and forth routine, this time with fat juicy worms and stuffing them into little beaks. Today, I see the nest is vacant and no doubt those little teenagers are tucked away somewhere getting a feel for their kick at the can. 

Hard work, this business of life! Raising a family, working together, building, fighting, loving. 

My parents celebrated their 60th Wedding anniversary this past week! 

They can tell you a thing about the hard work the have put in together. They bought and sold houses, they struggled with money and job ups and downs, they had great parties!

They raised four children, and can I just point out that my baby brother was a bruiser and nearly the same size as me (sitting on his left). 

They felt the unfairness of pain and grief as one of their children died before her time. My sister Heidi, on the left side of my dad, lost her battle to cancer at only 25 years old. 

Now, 60 years later, they work through the final leg of the business of life; managing aging bodies with various ailments and the slow trickle loss of independence. 

My hat is off to both of you and I love you deeply. I know your journey has not always been rainbows and lollipops, but you have stuck it out and "persevered." 

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!