PEACE IN THE PARK

 There’s something very peaceful about time spent by the water. In fact many studies justify and confirm the calming effect on our body, mind and soul. 

Like many communities, ours has a beautiful body of water that we tuck up against. When I have time in the morning before work, I take a bike ride around the trails by the Bay. The air is still tinged with the coolness of the passing night as I glide along the path.

There are lots of inviting benches to stop at. Apparently when our mind is calm and allowed to wander, it unlocks our best problem solving abilities. So the next time you are trying to surpass that mountain, please, take a seat and stare at the water for a bit. 

As I gain speed and pass underneath the bridge the pigeons are cooing and checking out their best echos under the massive concrete pillars.

I pass a heron posing on a lone rock

And, a gaggle of goslings off to school - the school of life that is.

Most of the boats are all still sleeping in the harbour. But a few people are up and about. I pass a young woman with a black poodle, trimmed in the classic French style. There are two elderly men walking together; one tall, one short. There is a tiny elderly woman alone taking careful but determined little steps. She’s adorable and gives me a quick little smile. 

This is the dog park  and if I were a dog, I’d be pretty excited about running amuck in there myself!

Time is ticking and my day job (and a cup of coffee) is calling. I can hear the train whistle in the distance and pick up the pace to get across the tracks before I get caught having to wait. 

Back home, with my coffee in the garden, I’m grateful for these simple pleasures: a bike ride, a body that still works well enough to ride it, a cup of coffee, the beauty of a summer morning and peace in the park. 

#QUINTE COMPASSION

 I follow a local Facebook page that focuses on our community’s local history. It’s filled with amazing photos, stories, facts and memories. I read one about a woman during the depression who lived near the train tracks. She would have coffee and sandwiches on hand for hobos. This opened up a thread of so many in our community, including my grandmother who ensured there was food to hand out when they would come to the back door. 

My husband tells me one man who drops off deliveries at our house and always leave a dog treat on the top of the box for Lulu. 

And what about all those porch drop offs of food and little pick-me-up gifts during the pandemic? 

The Latin meaning for compassion is “co-suffering.” We relate to another’s situation and sympathize with them. We are moved to help and do what we can to relieve suffering. It involves kindness and mercy. 

I value compassion deeply and love to see it expressed. The other day when we stopped down at L’Auberge de France, a little French restaurant downtown, they had a bowl of water outside for thirsty dogs

Thank you L’Auberge for this small act of kindness!

On my bike ride home there is this bin outside of a house:

Thank you resident on Charlotte street for showing compassion to others in need!

There is an international movement called “Compassionate Communities”.  In Canada it is led by Pallium and you can read about it here: https://www.pallium.ca/compassionate-communities/

Wouldn’t it be great to create a culture that values compassion? That teaches our children the importance of considering others and showing kindness to all living things, including animals? What if we honoured our weak and vulnerable, protecting them and doing what we can to help? Something as simple as putting water out for the local dogs?

Maybe we can avoid in the future, such tragedies as the loss of 215 little children, pulled from their homes and families.

I want to acknowledge those in our community who show kindness and compassion. If I hear or see something I will #QuinteCompassion and celebrate it! I encourage you to join me or let me know and I will give them a shoutout. 

I WANT A REPLAY ON MAY!

 Well, it’s May 24. Only 7 days left in the month of May, one of my favourite months. 

I want a replay, a round 2, a do-over. 

Let me state my case...

Gone is the sharp, biting cold wind. I’m greeted with May’s gentle honeysuckle and lilac scented caress. 

I gather this abundance into not one but three vases

It has a Mother’s Heart. Through my open windows I can hear baby birds squawking, and mother robins chirping warnings and precautions. “Stay in the bushes Junior - don’t go on the lawn!”

There are trees the colour of fuchsia

We can eat “al fresco” on the back deck

And Barbecue Everything

I spend a lot of time in the garden; digging, weeding, planting, potting. Then I have coffee every morning enjoying the view and all my efforts. 

In 7 more days, May will be gone and June will sashay in holding the summer banner high. 

I will have to wait another 11 months for another May. 

Can’t we rewind and have a replay on May?

ALWAYS

I always love flowers, anytime of the year. 

I always give the dish soap an extra squeeze to create little bubbles in the air

I always feel a little sad when I see an old ancient tree being taken down

 I always pray at all times for all things

I always have a hard time letting go and saying goodbye

I always love the smell of campfire

I always feel everything deeply but rarely show it

I always give the dog some extra loving when I put her leash on for a walk (cause I’m down there anyway)

I always do some of my best thinking when I’m walking

I always ignore people honking when I’m walking (cause I’m thinking)

I always try to keep the peace, I always try to see the good in people

I always listen to the bird songs and try to identify them in my head 

I always want to keep learning

I always like red wine when it’s cold and white wine when it’s warm

I always long for home

And I, will ALWAYS, Love you

Thank you for letting me be a Mom!

LET THE WILD RUMPUS BEGIN!

 In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, it’s nice to have some constants!      

Like Spring!

It shows up and boots winter out the door just like a mother. Mind you this past week winter had a little tantrum about that and took one last kick at the can

But we all knew the gig was up. Someday I HOPE I can say that about this Pandemic!

Revved up lawn mower engines can now be heard through open windows along with the bird songs.

The periwinkle is winking underneath my old pine tree and the daffodils are nodding to the sun.

The trees are getting fuzzy on the edges like a lockdown man’s unshaven face

Let the Wild Rumpus Begin! 

HONOURING SMALL BEGINNINGS

 I’m honoured to introduce you to Evangeline Louise, my latest grandchild! 

She arrived a week early but healthy, strong and perfect. Born in the midst of a pandemic, it is an auspicious beginning and I wonder what is ahead as she begins her life journey. 

Little Angel here (that’s what I call her) is already growing and gaining weight. 

See those chubby little arms, and little belly? Getting bigger every day

Our hopes, dreams and plans all start somewhere. Many begin with just small thought, maybe even ignored. But they begin to grow, take shape and expand! Small beginnings can become the greatest, life changing experiences! 

When you walk into the house that you know is meant for you.

When you talk to the beautiful girl for the first time that will someday be your partner for life. 

When you plant these little tiny seeds and little sprouts arrive with the promise of flowers to come!

Jesus arrived on this earth a vulnerable baby, a very small beginning indeed. But his destiny and plan was to offer life and hope everlasting to the world. And when He hung on the cross and cried “It is Finished!” The earth quaked, the graves opened and the curtain separating man from God was torn from top to bottom. 

He offers us all a new beginning! A life not devoid of pain and suffering but one that promises He is there to carry us through it all and that He will be with us even to the very end. And when we die, we will start a new beginning again where He will wipe away every tear.

I wish you all a beautiful Easter and hope for the future of new beginnings, small or otherwise. 

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN

 Some songs just never leave you alone. They are always lurking in the memory banks. The Boys are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy came out in  1976....we are pushing almost 50 years ago now, and I STILL can sing it word for word! 

It came to mind recently as I start to see signs of spring showing up:

"Guess who just got back today, 

Them wild eyed boys that have been away. 

Haven't changed, haven't much to say

But Man I still think them Cats are crazy"

The Birds are Back in town the Birds are Back in town! 

Chickadees, cardinals and bluejays that have been holding down the fort all winter are now joined by their kin: Robins, Red-Winged Blackbirds, Doves, song sparrows, and swans!

I went for my first spin on the bike this evening and came across these beauties. 

Birds and bikes are sure signs of spring. And here in my garden the Daffodils are pushing through!

Tonight as I type this up, my window is open and the air is spring fresh, erasing the house's shut up fusty winter smell. Soon I will hear the buzz of insects, tunes blasting from teenagers cars with rolled down windows and the soft swish of new baby leaves ticked by the wind.

"That jukebox in the corner blasting out my favourite song

The nights will get warmer and won't be long..

Won't be long til summer comes, now that the Boys are here again"