The weather is cooler these days, and the days are shorter ... September is around the corner and before you know it, Halloween and Christmas will be here. That's OK - the cooler weather signals a time for change, and change is good. It keeps life fresh and exciting.
I have really enjoyed travelling over the last few months. Our trips to Winnipeg, Montreal, Toronto ... Picton, Sandbanks, Kingston, Wakefield, have left me with many wonderful memories.
My volunteering experiences have been awesome. The Jazz Festival, The Blues Festival and The Folk Festival have helped me get to know Ottawa better, make new friends, and enjoy a lot of pretty fantastic music.
One of the best things about the last few weeks was being active. The many wonderful bike rides, volleyball games and walks with my sweetie really helped me enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.
Being Canadian means that winter is inevitable. Each season brings with it new opportunities. Soon it will be time to switch to indoor volleyball and prepare for the coming snow.
Now its time to get back to education and employment. It's all good.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Picton & Sandbanks
Last weekend, Janice and I escaped to Southern Ontario for 3 or 4 days. Janice saw that the weather was going to be hot and sunny, so we high tailed it to the Sandbanks area.
We stayed a nice little B & B in Picton that was fifteen minutes from the beach. This cute little town has a beautiful harbour ... our rear deck had a nice view of this, and it was a nice spot to have dinner or to sit relaxing for a bit after a day at the beach.
Picton also has several cool little shops and many old wonderful buildings steeped in history, with beautiful architectural details.
Sandbanks is on the North Shore of Lake Ontario. The beaches are in a Provincial Park that also has camping facilities and is a popular get away for residents of Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto and the surrounding area.
Janice and I returned after our visit a little sunburned, with sweet memories, refreshed and looking forward to returning here again soon.
We stayed a nice little B & B in Picton that was fifteen minutes from the beach. This cute little town has a beautiful harbour ... our rear deck had a nice view of this, and it was a nice spot to have dinner or to sit relaxing for a bit after a day at the beach.
Picton also has several cool little shops and many old wonderful buildings steeped in history, with beautiful architectural details.
Sandbanks is on the North Shore of Lake Ontario. The beaches are in a Provincial Park that also has camping facilities and is a popular get away for residents of Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto and the surrounding area.
Janice and I returned after our visit a little sunburned, with sweet memories, refreshed and looking forward to returning here again soon.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
the grass is always greener ...
I've never enjoyed mowing the lawn. I've always thought of it as a waste of time and energy. I am not a big fan of the typical North American yard expectations ... most people seem to have the mindset that grass is a standard expectation in one's yard.
From what I know of grass, it's mainly ornamental ... and doesn't really serve any other practical purpose. We maintain our lawns because we always have ... it's the norm.
I believe in diversity and creativity. I love seeing yards that have alternative ideas in ornamentation ... using rocks, plants, lights and fountains. When tastefully done, they look great and often require little or no maintenance.
In my last house, I was expected to cut my lawn in the back yard AND the grass between the sidewalk and the curb beside my house ... not my property, the city's, yet I was responsible for keeping the grass mowed.
In Winnipeg it was easier to maintain a decent lawn ... here in Ottawa we now have the strictest chemical laws in North America, AND there are these burrowing creatures called Grubs that make the lawns very lumpy and bumpy.
Some day I'd love to have a no - maintenance yard, but for now I will have to suck it up and cut the grass every 2 weeks. For consolation, I remind myself that I am lucky. I am lucky to be living here with a lawn to cut. I am grateful to have my cordless electric mower and the opportunity to get a little exercise and sunshine.
From what I know of grass, it's mainly ornamental ... and doesn't really serve any other practical purpose. We maintain our lawns because we always have ... it's the norm.
I believe in diversity and creativity. I love seeing yards that have alternative ideas in ornamentation ... using rocks, plants, lights and fountains. When tastefully done, they look great and often require little or no maintenance.
In my last house, I was expected to cut my lawn in the back yard AND the grass between the sidewalk and the curb beside my house ... not my property, the city's, yet I was responsible for keeping the grass mowed.
In Winnipeg it was easier to maintain a decent lawn ... here in Ottawa we now have the strictest chemical laws in North America, AND there are these burrowing creatures called Grubs that make the lawns very lumpy and bumpy.
Some day I'd love to have a no - maintenance yard, but for now I will have to suck it up and cut the grass every 2 weeks. For consolation, I remind myself that I am lucky. I am lucky to be living here with a lawn to cut. I am grateful to have my cordless electric mower and the opportunity to get a little exercise and sunshine.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
cycling adventures
Janice and I love exploring on our bikes. Yesterday we enjoyed a ride through Gatineau on the other side of The Ottawa River. Along the way, we stopped for a bite on a little island park.
There is nothing like the feeling of freedom, zipping around, exploring the world on bikes. you see, hear and smell things; the sunshine and fresh air make you feel alive, and get to know the world around us.Janice often takes her bike to work, instead of the car. Most of the city is accessible to us by bike ... it is a healthy, eco-friendly way to get around. Janice and I actually had our first date cycling around Birds Hill Park two summers ago.
Ottawa is very bike friendly, with a multitude of bike lanes and paths to explore ... along the canals and rivers, through the parks and neighbourhoods. We look forward to exploring many more wonderful rides.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
the journey vs. the destination
Janice and I just returned from Toronto, where we went to see Coldplay at Rogers Center. I have been a fan of this band for a long time, and was looking forward to hearing them live. Toronto is only half a day away, and I purchased the tickets three months ago.
Travelling between here and Toronto, we have a few options; we can take the fast route via the highways (like the 401), or we can travel the countryside on smaller highways that take us through
smaller towns ... the latter choice taking a bit longer.
The concert itself was a bit disappointing ... the acoustics from where we sat were horrible, and we didn't even stay until the end of the show. Coldplay put on a great show, but I suspect that Rogers Center is just not a great venue for music.
It was still a nice little two day getaway, with a decent hotel room, a cool trip on the subway, quaint little towns and picturesque villages. The weather was good, and we enjoyed the excursion overall.
I try to look at the bigger picture, and not focus so much on one bad thing wherever possible. I am lucky to be with Janice, and enjoy travelling with her, seeing the world together, experiencing fun and frolic here, there and everywhere. Not everything everywhere all the time can be perfect ... but dwelling on disappointment only makes things worse.
Travelling between here and Toronto, we have a few options; we can take the fast route via the highways (like the 401), or we can travel the countryside on smaller highways that take us through
smaller towns ... the latter choice taking a bit longer.
The concert itself was a bit disappointing ... the acoustics from where we sat were horrible, and we didn't even stay until the end of the show. Coldplay put on a great show, but I suspect that Rogers Center is just not a great venue for music.
It was still a nice little two day getaway, with a decent hotel room, a cool trip on the subway, quaint little towns and picturesque villages. The weather was good, and we enjoyed the excursion overall.
I try to look at the bigger picture, and not focus so much on one bad thing wherever possible. I am lucky to be with Janice, and enjoy travelling with her, seeing the world together, experiencing fun and frolic here, there and everywhere. Not everything everywhere all the time can be perfect ... but dwelling on disappointment only makes things worse.
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