Next Summer ...?

After a couple of little road trips this summer,
I am thinking that maybe SWEETBEE (my Camaro)
and I might take to the open road next summer
and perhaps head out to visit family and friends
in Saskatoon & Winnipeg. 

[If I can resist the temptation of escaping
somewhere warm this winter ;-) ]

a lucky man

I am very fortunate. Life is good these days ...

I live in a lovely house, in a wonderful neighbourhood, in an excellent city, in the best country in the world. Our standard of living gives us cleanliness, safety, healthcare, resources and support systems ... we've got it pretty good.

Being born in North America and living here, it can become very easy to forget how lucky we are and take life for granted. It's often immigrants that truly have a real appreciation for what we have here. I was reminded of this at the barber's during my last visit.

Imagine escaping from a country where struggle, poverty and war are constant challenges; and landing in Canada, where freedom allows us to enjoy all that we have.

I am lucky to live the life I am living ... a life that includes travel, creature comforts, a wonderful home, the opportunity to earn a living doing work I enjoy ...

I am grateful for caring people in my life ... friends, family, co-workers and of course Janice. To have a caring, supportive, intelligent partner who enjoys the same the same things is the greatest gift of all.

I am not wealthy in terms of money. I do alright - the bills are paid and I have more than enough toys around me to play with,however I am no Donald Trump, but in some other respects I am very wealthy ... I am healthy, happy and in a wonderful loving relationship ...

life is wonderful - and I am very thankful for all I have.

Happy Canada Day

It's Canada's 142nd birthday today.

I'm lucky to live here and proud to call Canada my home.

We live in the second largest country in the world. For me, it's beauty and diversity have always kept this country an exciting, warm place to live.

During my three day trip to Ottawa from the prairies in December, I remember the rugged Canadian Shield and the friendly people I met on my journey.

I have been lucky enough to see much of this beautiful land, and have fond memories of seeing many wonderful places.

Canada is a wonderful place to work, play and live. I cannot imagine living anywhere else, and love it here.

Happy birthday Canada!

it was a wonderful drive

I was really very lucky ... the weather in this part of Canada in winter can be pretty harsh, but I happened to take my trip at a good time. The roads were clear and dry, the days were sunny ... it was a nice journey.

Yesterday's drive was sweet. I was on the road at 9:00 am and loved the scenery. Around 11:00 am I pulled off the trans - Canada at a small community called Coniston for breakfast. There were two large tables of locals debating current issues over coffee at this older coffee shop ... it's nice to get a taste of the real community.

At about 3:00 pm, at Deep River, my radio started picking up Ottawa FM stations ... I knew that I was not far away. Just before 5:00 I found the traffic getting thicker, and before long I was in downtown Ottawa. I knocked on the door of my baby's hotel room ... when she opened the door I proclaimed "Honey - I'm home!" and enjoyed a hug and a kiss.

I love driving across this beautiful country. I am proud to live among the beauty and warmth of Canada. When I say warmth, I'm talking about the people ...

Janice and I will be here for about another week ... the movers should arrive with our belongings around the 2nd or so.

I look forward to living here. It's a beautiful city, and it is so nice to be with Janice live and in person ... Over the past few months she has been in Ottawa, and I have been in Winnipeg, and we have used the webcam to stay in touch ... Now we can move in to our house and begin a new wonderful chapter in our lives together ...

northern Ontario

Driving through the Canadian Shield makes this trip a real joy. The rugged beauty can take your breath away.


On this second day of my journey I found myself taking so many pictures that I probably arrived at my motel ninety minutes later than I intended. I couldn't help it ... I found myself going "wow" and just had to share some of the beauty through pictures.

I took almost 200 pictures today ...
here are ones I thought were worth sharing