Sometimes you get a warm feeling that wraps around you like your favourite furry blanket. It comes from inside. Unexpectedly. Happily.

It can be the thought of something that makes you happy. A memory. Or an expectation of things to come. Looking into your dogs eyes. Talking to your parents. A rush of emotion in a moment.

We love the feeling even if it’s fleeting. It’s a natural high.

Is it possible to get a fix more often?

I believe that the love rush can be experienced on demand; the key is making the time and taking the time to let the feeling in. In a hectic life filled with traffic, schedules, appointments and drama, we don’t make room for the emotions to be welcomed in. Retirement unlocks life’s daily grind and provides the freedom of thought to embrace gratefulness. This is where love lives. In a grateful heart.

Count your blessings everyday. Let love flow.

In the holiday season we often reflect on the past … fond memories and fun times. We also slip into melancholy remembering people and places that are painfully absent. All the more reason to get a love fix as often as possible.

This year the annual holiday rush won’t have the same panic and frenzy. I have the time to take it all in. Let’s see how that works out.

Loving every minute of it. 💖

I just had an impulse to jot this down. Random.

My neighbour had a health crisis this summer. She’s fully recovered and back to normal. Except for one thing. Poetry. She now has bursts of creative expression through poetry. She says it hits her like a bolt; words just popping in her her head without warning or trigger. If she doesn’t get right to it, the words torment her until she commits.

Her modem is Facebook. Her poetry is published for her friends to enjoy. The only problem for me is that her writing is in Ukrainian. Facebook wants to translate but the words are odd and often non-sensical. We have laughed about the weird translations of her verses. Her messages are usually distorted. There’s only a few lines at most and I wish I could read her language.

But today her poem was translated just fine. And it made me sad. It was a bleak message about snow and being alone. I was channeling Farley Mowat. I made a comment on her post; I said it made me sad.

Her response was instantaneous and amazing: sometimes there is beauty in sadness.

I’m just going to ponder that for now.

What’s not to love? Crisp weather (well except for the 28C yesterday), a riot of colours, crackling fires … fall is here.

Better than all if that is the endless walks with my furry friend. I was tuned into a trail app (thank you Leo and Sandy) called All Trails. You can pick from hundreds of trails in your location of choice. It has ratings and distance and even reviews. What a clever tool to see the area around you. Wherever you may be.

Yesterday was the Osler Bluff Trail just off of the Pretty River Park above the ski hills. What a stunning assortment of fall splendour. Molly was handling the terrain like a pro. Me not so much. But the views were a great excuse for frequent pit stops. We concluded with a lounge in the meadow. Does it get any better!?

Our usual jaunt is Nippissing Ridge. This is a serene forested trail near our house where Molly can enjoy her favourite hobby – chasing squirrels. Followed by a refreshing dip in the flowing creek. Sometimes we run into other humans and their furry friends. The sentiment is identical – there’s nothing like forest therapy.

We are really fortunate to live in an area where outdoor activities are encouraged on so many levels. Beginners or pros will all find suitable outlets for their energies.

Today we tried something slightly different. A stroll around old Collingwood (heritage district) Which concluded at Gibson and Co. – a new hip coffee and adult beverage hang out. (Note: new for me … Rudy has been imbibing post workout for a while now … his secret is out!). All coffeed out, beers were in order. A quick detour to SideLaunch Brewery for a pint. Which turned into 2 when the buss dropped off a group of nurses hosting a team building. Rudy was on the verge of a medical emergency. Kidding. Not.

The new Session Seven IPA is noteworthy. And since dogs are welcome at the brewery, Molly got her fill of compliments and rubs. The special touch of a nurse is all you need.

Cheers!

Girls are different than boys. We like to hash things out and beat up a topic until we are completely sated. There’s no better forum to see the art of women at their finest than a girls weekend.

Rudy was planning to attend the annual Youngstown State reunion golf event and homecoming so it was the perfect opportunity to organize a girls weekend at the bay. There were six of us in total all 50 or 60 something’s and all with a lot on our mind.

No topic is off limits and no comments are judged (per se). It’s a free for all that may start with the recipe for manicotti and end up on the fringe of personal pleasure devices. The conversation can often be a group all out “who can talk the loudest and be heard” to stunned silence when something truly profound is revealed. You never know where the wind may take the verbal ship; but it’s never dull.

And the best part is the laughter. Who knew that Airport Road and homemade Italian food could be so hilarious. Or finding the perfect bra so liberating (I heard a rumour that the beige ancient cross-your-heart larger than life slingshot model was going to be burned). Or that Blues could be enjoyed in a tent or not. Or that a happy massive house cat could con so many into extra food. Laughter really is the best medicine.

A close second is dancing. Start the music and there’s nothing more exciting (or terrifying) than a group of women bopping and twirling with abandon. As I looked around the bar there were so many couples simply watching us. Some were slightly chair dancing. And I bet every one of the ladies would have happily ditched her partner for a chance to let loose with other girls. It’s so refreshing.

That’s the benefit of friends. Simple and uncomplicated. A disorganized team that, in fact, is super organized. Meals appeared. Kitchen cleaned. More drinks and discussions.

Thanks for the memories ladies! I hope we can do this for many more years to come.

Thirty years ago, in an unplanned frenzy, we eloped to Las Vegas. Looking back, it would now make for reality tv fodder. At the time, however, it was more dreamlike than reality. A true elopement is like a train off the rails. Speeding and reckless. No route to follow just the stampede of momentum.

Luckily, in spite of every bet and forecast to the contrary, this train somehow found a new set of tracks and continues to roll along 30 years later.

Since there was no formal celebration (read wedding reception) we decided at the ten and twenty year mark to stage a vow renewal. Ten was great – we were established and living in a country home and family members joined us to renew our vows (yes, we did say I do in front of a clergy person in Vegas) our friend Victor Chan who had recently been ordained as a Baptist Minister officiated. Our dog Spike joined in too.

At twenty we celebrated again. This time family was joined by my dear friend Sharon who had been recently called to the bench as a judge. Not only did she bring her gowns and a lovely oratory she also provided the music – her son Zach (now a pilot in training) played the cello. The setting was on the lower deck of our dream home (built in 1999) nestled privately on 100 acres.

At thirty we decided (for many reasons mostly logistical) to return to the scene of the crime. Viva Las Vegas.

Rudy made the arrangements (I think he was secretly happy not to have to renew the vows for a fourth time) and we were off to Paris. In Vegas.

The trip was unusually smooth – no delays at the airports, no issue with transportation to the hotel and simple self-checkin. Time for a beer. It was109F in the desert. Paris offers a rooftop beer garden complete with dozens of draft options, sports on several huge TVs and a misting system to keep things cool. We opted for the tasting flight and relaxed.

Dinner was booked at the Eiffel Tower for 4:30 pm (which was actually 7:30 pm Ontario time) and we enjoyed a pre-dinner cocktail marvelling at the sunny view of the Strip. Our table was at the window overlooking the famous dancing water fountains of the Bellagio. The food and service outdid the views. All I can say is wow. The wine was exquisite too. It was, literally, perfect.

We returned to our room to find a bottle of champagne chilling and a card from our friend Bails. It was the icing on top.

Between long walks and the extreme heat, we were glad to enjoy the pool. Nothing like a refreshing dip when the heat is on. Not a cloud in the sky and Labour Day crowds = busy pool area.

Dinner for our actual anniversary was booked at Hugo’s Cellar in downtown Vegas. We started the day by exchanging cards and read our sentiments aloud. (A personal vow renewal?) and ended the day with a delicious meal served in the old-fashioned steakhouse way with a rose upon arrival and table side service. And if course another stellar bottle of wine.

Our anniversary gift was an evening with JLo at Planet Hollywood. She is nothing short of amazing. Her show is spectacular and earns an 11 in the wow factor. The show starts with a fairy who flies on to the stage which is a million twinkling lights. As the fairy waves her wand and sprinkles “dust” (more lights and effects) we listen to JLos voice telling us that this is her dream and since a child she has wanted to perform.

Sitting next to the man of my dreams after 30 years of rolling along our journey I could relate. We are going to keep rolling. A new journey has just begun.

Seems like back to school fever has started in earnest. I used to love this time of year. Both as a child and through my working years, September brought a fresh start. A new beginning.

This year there’s no “back to school” for the first time in over 30 years. It’s weird.

All I ever wanted to do was be at school. As a kid I used my dads garden shed as a makeshift school house during the summer. Neighbourhood kids joined in for unofficial ( yet surprisingly rigorous) lessons in reading and math and other subjects. “Tests” were handwritten by me and “copied” using scrap carbon paper from Beaver Lumber where my mom worked part time. We laugh about it now looking back. My sister thought it was torture. Deep down she loved it; she was a keener in disguise.

Flash forward to my chosen career: adult training. For over 30 years I worked in a school setting helping adults (mature students) get a job skill in a variety of vocations. Since 1996 the focus was culinary arts.

Like my early school years, the career school was rewarding and fulfilling. There’s something about teaching someone a new whatever and seeing their pride that is priceless. So many graduation ceremonies and success stories to remind me that learning is in fact a lifelong process.

Now that time is my new friend, I wonder what my next learning curve will be. Nothing like a tranquil view and a few sips to get the juices flowing. The possibilities have no bounds.

I’ve never bothered to contemplate the notion that if I had more time, I would …. I’m going to use my schooly imagination and see what develops. No pressure.

The trip has come to a close.  We spent 7 days exploring Ontario Provincial Parks and on the last two days we were headed for Sibbald Point near Sutton, ON.  As it happens, my sister has a place in Keswick and she offered to put us up and forego the campground.  Rudy jumped on the opportunity (just a little too eagerly I might add) and so we pulled into my sister’s driveway and parked the beast for our final two nights.

There is something to be said for a ‘real’ shower and toilet facility.  Relief.

After work, my sister and brother-in-law joined us for a BBQ dinner.  Luckily we had some provisions in the RV and were able to cobble together some cheeseburgers and coleslaw.  Even that was a welcome break from the rigours of camping.  Everything is a process that takes time and patience and a bit or organization.

Here are some thoughts from the week at large:

Disruptors:  There are a few things that we can reflect on that were disruptive.  In no particular order

1. constipation – don’t underestimate the power of routine and familiar settings to deregulate the most regular; next time I will be armed with provisions (Senna Tea is my go to remedy) to deal with this nasty inconvenience
2. wifi – while some campgrounds may offer this service, we were not so lucky and as a result got the dreaded notice/text from our service provider to let us know we were reaching our peak usage.  Seriously???
3. rain – I can never live in Vancouver.  Being wet is one thing.  Everything you own (and then some) getting soaked is NO fun.
4. laundry – admittedly I am the queen of the laundromat and take pride in my washing, drying and folding! there is nothing worse than needing a good laundry moment and not having the loonies and quarters required to operate the machines; note to self:  pack a roll of change

All in all a great trip.  We visited some of the most scenic spots including Craigleith (our least favourite), Inverhuron (our favourite of the bunch), Point Farms (great because we had a surprise visitor!!), Earl Rowe, Balsam Lake (make sure you book the sites on the water!) and finally Lake Drive in Keswick (not really a camp out, but fabulous none the less) …. We did make use of our reservation at Sibbald Point to handle the pump out (aka Shitter’s Full!).

I think we are prepared to try camping again some time …. now we have the know-how and the gear.

Before we sold our home, we agreed (as in several years past) to let our good friends use our weekend getaway during 9 days of August. However, in May 2018, the weekend place became our home and so, for the agreed upon week, we would be homeless.

Various notions crossed our minds as to what the week would look like. But invariably we knew we would have to find a solution that included our baby (dog) Molly.  Hence the decision to camp.

We booked the RV rental in June. August seemed so far away.  A 25 foot Ford sonething or other  would be our home for the week.  Feeling very adventurous and bold we also booked our campsites.  Opting for provincial parks (to  appreciate our tax dollars) we mapped out a route.

Knowing our adventure could have an iffy start, we booked a camp ground 5 km from our house  – go ahead and chuckle- so that items inadvertently missed from our list could be easily obtained

We picked up the RV without incident and loaded our belongings including the kitchen sink (almost) and the dog

We were off and feeling pretty good  until the smell overwhelmed us.  Rudy looked at me (suspiciously) while I opened the window.  I fully expected “fresh country air” — not so   The smell (shit) was in our RV.   I immediately called the rental company  to find out what to do (top of the option list was bring the dann thing back!) He calmly suggested that we find a Walmart (really?!) and get the RV septic solution.  Luckily we were camping at a place near our home and knew exactly where yo find the Walmart.  The solution worked  and we were in fresh air camping mode!

Thanks for joining me on our meandering retirement path.  I used to think that retirees who said “I don’t know how I ever had time to work” were a bit, well, kookie.  But since May 2018 I have been eating crow.  I take it back.  There is no way to describe the liberation of not “working” when your new focus becomes leisure.  The first few weeks were like being on a holiday.  Although, mind you, business ownership is such that you never really get a break; you are on duty 24/7 even if you are away from home.  Sunday nights were (and still are to some degree) the best!  We would literally pinch each other as we celebrated not having to set the alarm for work on Monday morning.  The time of year for retirement has been a bonus since we are awakened every day with the sunshine streaming into the bedroom window.  A bright and cheerful reminder that a new day is ahead.  What are you going to do with it?

We decided that we would take the summer off.  Something that we hadn’t had the pleasure of since being kids!  Being carefree and un-scheduled is a feeling for which there are no words.  Rudy, my husband of 30 years, says he retired with mixed emotions: Joy and Happiness.  And then take the first year to settle in.  Would we be bored after a while? Would we have enough income? Would we ….. so many questions without the experience to reference.  One of the earliest things we found out is that no two retirement plans are the same: everyone has an opinion based on their personal experiences (or that of someone they know).  There is no right or wrong; there simply is.

As you wander with us perhaps you will find some answers, too.  Or just enjoy the ride.

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

Photo:  taken on Lake Ontario from our former boating days aboard “Sippin Thyme”