Question Of The Day

Which mythical creature do you wish was real?

It was a little tough narrowing it down, but I’m going to have to go with beautiful and gentle Pegasus. Because how can you not love a winged horse? Particularly one that carries lightning bolts.



My second choice is an honest politician.

Your turn.

Chuckles and Chortles

Happy Monday, everyone. Was your weekend as spectacular as ours? It was like summer here. You couldn’t have asked for better weather. So we did what we always do on weekends like that --- we spent it outdoors.

Saturday we went biking on a nature trail in Sydenham, a quaint historic village north of our area.

What we see while we're biking along.

Yesterday we went...um...biking again, but closer to home. And stopped by Lake Ontario for the soul-soothing sights and sounds found near the water.

Greetings from Lake Ontario in beautiful Kingston.

And today we’re back to the daily routine, which I’d like to start off with some humour. If that's okay with you. It is? Then let's get to it...

Have a beautiful day, blogging pals!

Sunny Side Up

“With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”

- Max Ehrmann, Desiderata -

So here we are at the end of another blog week, and I’d like to end it with something uplifting. Because the news is so full of crap all the time that you’d think there aren’t any decent human beings on earth or any good news. But there are. And there is. There are many good people in this world doing great things. We mustn't lose sight of that.

And this planet we live on? It’s spectacular. We need to remind ourselves of that regularly. So, slow down. Breathe deeply. Look around. Reflect. And be amazed by this beautiful thing we call life.

A couple relaxing by the lake as the sun sets. Things like this make me smile.

Wishing you all a fantastic weekend! Enjoy...

First World Pet Problem

Even our pets have it too good...

The Lovely Village of Westport

The photos have piled up from the road trips the most amazing man in the world and I took this summer, and I will share some of them with you throughout the next few weeks, or rather, months.

Today it's all about the lovely village of Westport, Ontario.

We take walks around the neighbourhood while we're there to get a feel for the area.

Westport Harbour

This tiny hidden gem with a population of less than 700 is about a 30 – 40 minute drive north of where we live. It is a very popular tourist destination, and we visit it every summer.

Wonderfully dilapidated!

The irises were in bloom when we were there.

The first settlers to the area arrived between 1810 and 1820, and the village of Westport was incorporated as an independent municipality in 1904. It is one of Ontario’s smallest ones.

Being near the water is very soul-soothing.

Double trouble...

It is surrounded by waterways, which is the primary reason why Westport appeals so much to me. As my regular blog visitors know, I’m always happiest by the water.

A boat lover's paradise.

I could have stayed here all day.

The weather during this year’s visit was overcast with little to no wind; ideal for capturing reflections in the water.

The water was amazingly calm that day.

I find this little home so charming.

Visiting this enchanting and picturesque village forces you to slow down and relax. And we certainly do that every time we’re there.

Some fluffy clouds would have been the icing on the cake, but at least there was no wind.

This view made me smile.

We are very fortunate to have such a quaint and charming location nearby, and look forward to our next visit.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!

Farewell, Summer, And Thanks

“There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.”

- Celia Thaxter -

You've left us, summer, and I didn't get a chance to say goodbye, or to thank you for all the amazing things you granted while you were here.

Like all the soul-soothing hours I spent in the beautiful garden I woke up to every day...

...and all the miracles that grew in it.

Like the furry and feathery friends that came to visit...

...all of which have left (or are leaving us) until spring returns. All of which I will miss. *sniff*

Like the friends that were made when out and about...

...big...

...and small.

Like the festivals...

...and road trips.

Oh, so many wonderful road trips.

Like the tranquil moments by the water...

...the breathtaking views

...and all the interesting, unusual and amusing sightings.

And, of course, the hours and hours of biking that produced most of the photographs taken while you were here.

So, thank you, summer, for all this and more. You were spectacular, and you're really going to be missed.

"Who loves ya, baby?"

Have a lovely day, everyone.

Chuckles and Chortles

Happy Monday, everyone. Was the weekend good to you? I certainly hope so. We spent it on our bikes enjoying the outdoors. Both days started off looking gloomy, and threatening rain, but by the time afternoon arrived, they turned out sunny and warm. That’s good old fashioned Canadian weather; you never know what to expect from one moment to the next.

In any case, it was fun. We went to different places, saw interesting things and took a few photographs. Selfies, too. Again. We are becoming self-portrait junkies.

Ah well, at least we’re enjoying ourselves.

Now what do you say we laugh together? Yeah, let’s do that...

Wishing you all a wonderful day ahead!

You’re Probably Around My Age If...

...you remember where the expression “Up your nose with a rubber hose” comes from.

Yup, that’s right, from the American television sitcom ‘Welcome Back Kotter’ that ran from the mid to late seventies. It was about a teacher that returns to the high school he attended to teach an unruly group of students known as the “Sweathogs”. My brothers and I used to watch it regularly. It was definitely a favourite.

OHMYGOSH...he was so young. But then...so was I at the time!

The main characters included Gabe Kotter (wise-cracking teacher), Julie Kotter (Gabe's wife), Arnold Horshack (the class clown), Freddie "Boom Boom" Percy Washington (the athletic Sweathog), Juan Luis Pedro Felipo de Huevos Epstein (the tough one) and Vincent "Vinnie" Barbarino (a cocky Italian-American, and "unofficial official" leader and resident heartthrob of the Sweathogs) played by none other than John Travolta.

John Travolta first became known after appearing in this show, and his popularity with the box office hits “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease”. I had a wee bit of a crush on him those days.

For some reason, this show comes to mind at the start of a new school year. And then I find myself humming the theme song...



(I just know this'll stay in my head all day...)

Did you watch this comedy?

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Question Of The Day

What are some of your favourite sounds?

Where does one begin with this? There are so many sounds I enjoy. Here are just a few of them:

- crashing waves
- crunchy autumn leaves
- chirping crickets
- the crack of thunder
- rain lashing against a window
- the howling wind
- owls hoo-hoo-hooting
- snow crunching under my boots
- the clip-clop-clip-clop of horse hooves on pavement
- the chug-chug-chugging sound a train makes as it begins to pull away from a station...



...and on and on it goes...

What are some of your favourite sounds?