Category Archives: family

Reaping rewards after the stinky Summer of 2026

29 Tuesday Sep 2026

Posted by in Art, community, creativity, family, Food and Cooking, gardening, Health, photography, reading, therapy, Travel, writing

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I have accepted that I have no control over world events or the weather. I am just maintaining personal health, nurturing relationships, contributing to local community causes and charities of choice.

The following photographs and thoughts may be of interest to the general reader. If not, they will serve as memory care records after my brain succumbs to old age.

So, buh-bye, stinky summer heat! We are winding down gardening season and reaping small rewards.

In the Lee Valley Vegepod, sifting stones from houseplant pots (playing in the dirt)
Empty containers (possibilities for next year)

Cooking and experimenting

The weather in the Ottawa region recently has been perfect for comfortable outdoor activities, and indoor kitchen cooking projects. Even prior to the official autumn equinox, I was practising with preparing some favourite comfort foods.

First pot of chili con carne (a weekly go-to for winter cooking)
Farmer’s Market apple pie (a favourite Sunday dinner dessert)

On Sunday I tried a combination of two internet recipes for stuffed spaghetti squash. It received mixed reviews. I don’t think I will try this one again.

Stuffed spaghetti squash (I used the garden tomatoes and basil ingredients)

Balancing decadence with support for an immigrant friend

A couple of weeks ago, I treated myself to hotel stay downtown in preparation to attend as a guest at a friend’s Canadian citizenship swearing in ceremony. It was scheduled for the early morning next day and I did not look forward to commuting by bus or taxi. At the ceremony, I observed 74 new Canadians swearing in, some were entire families with small children. It brought tears to my eyes. Afterwards, I treated my college classmate to a gift bag of Canadiana goodies (maple sugar concoctions, a shiny souvenir) and a lunch at a posh downtown restaurant.

If my budget can allow it, I plan to do more of these downtown stays, scheduled around cultural events, meetups with friends and old coworkers.

bubble bath in a posh hotel (luxury and relaxation)

The room with a bath also offered two Queen size beds. I used the many pillows to build a nest in one bed, to curl up in while snacking like a kid and exploring 100 channels on the wide screen TV. It was great!

LAC view from hotel window

Although I lost the “river view” option by requesting a room with a bathtub, I gained a view of a quiet street, what looked like a government building going through renovations, and the Library and Archives building (LAC) in the distance. I have an affinity to the LAC and fondly remembered the Doors Open Ottawa tour I took in June.

I have been testing my social anxiety limits and entertainment budget by:

  • Lunching out and catching up with friends.
  • Participating in Rotary club events to raise funds, socialize at lovely locations, and occasionally attend a lunch meeting in person.
  • Attending an Ottawa International Writer’s Festival event with a friend who holds a season pass. That required commuting to and navigating busy downtown Ottawa by foot, observing crowds of people attending events for the city’s 200th birthday and Nuit Blanche – all under a full moon. The author interview was good but the church pews were not comfortable for long sits with short legs. After ten minutes of searching the underground parking garage for my friend’s car, she kindly gave me a ride home. I appreciate the generosity of folks with vehicles who can transport me to and from places.
Book cover of Agrippa by Robert Harris and OIWF 2026 fall schedule

The Author warned us that his latest historical fiction contained some acts of cruelty and violence, a common trait of the ancient Roman elites. We drew many parallels to the current US administration.

Planning for the cooler months

  • Volunteer in person at the library, at Rotary club and community association events (I appreciate that I can perform the majority of tasks online).
  • Set up the DayLight lamp in the living room / home office area.
  • Continue the seasonal wardrobe organization, phase II (keeping a few summery outfits in case we get a warm Thanksgiving).
  • Get new Winter boots.
  • Try more comfort food recipes for sharing with loved ones, focusing on the healthy options.
  • Move that body!
DayLight Lamp on a kitchen counter above a dining table

I like to think that the DayLight Lamp supports positive feelings during the dark mornings of winter. That’s when I do my best writing. Well… you be the judge.

Thanks for dropping by. See you in a few weeks.

T

Bloomscrolling and nostalgia

27 Saturday Jun 2026

Posted by in activism, community, creativity, family, Health, philosophy, photography, therapy

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Puttering in our small garden brings me joy. It helps me focus on beautiful things while acknowledging humanity’s challenges with natural disasters and oppressive regimes.

Upward view of Scarlet Runner Beans and silhouette of a fly resting on a leaf

I comfort myself by remembering my monthly donations to humanitarian organizations responding to disasters and medical emergencies. It’s the most I can do on a retirement income and limited energy from my quiet and safe corner of the world.

Odd little flower growing from the patio stone crack under the compost drum. Floribunda Petunia apparently.

We can cheer on the little guy, the refugee and oppressed as they rise from the rubble in a display of determination and beauty.

The first zucchini flower

We can hope for a modest harvest to celebrate our nurturing efforts. We can only provide so much support, love and patience for the late bloomers struggling to establish their place in our world.

Scarlet Runner Bean blossoms under the watchful eye of the garden owl

We should reflect on how nostalgia holds us back from what can be, for our descendents and the natural world ahead. It is important to respect traditions, but recognize what to let go of and what to embrace as we move forward in support of future generations.

Growing Scarlet Runner Beans and encouraging their climbing vines is one tradition I hold onto in honour of my parents and the summer gardens at the old homestead on Georgian Bay. I hold onto the nostalgia of growing up in a small town, free to roam the yards, forests and waters, oblivious to the risks.

Thank you for stopping by. What are you growing in your gardens?

T

Capturing the good things that happen

22 Sunday Mar 2026

Posted by in community, family, Food and Cooking, Health, pets, Travel, writing

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It has been a while since I posted here. I had no energy to write and had no useful thoughts to add to the noise.

It has been four months since we said farewell to the elderly Tabby Cat. She had a good life with excellent care from her human servants for 20 years.

It has been a difficult winter in Eastern Ontario. Christmas and New Years arrived in a blur. To tackle the effects of winter depression, I set out on a mission: I subscribed to a 12-week weight-loss plan, installed an app on my phone and embraced the daily text chats with an AI coach. When the weather conditions allowed, I pushed myself to get out for frequent walks and grocery runs with friends. The app and AI coach appealed to my OCD tendencies so I obediently logged everything I ate and drank, and acquiesced to take longer overnight fasts. I met my target weight goal (shook off 14 pounds) three weeks before the April 1 completion date.

Key points:

  • Eat healthy
  • Eat less tasty snacks
  • Increase body movement
  • Drink more water
  • Fast for overnight periods longer than 12 hours
Simple weight-loss plan progress February 2026

Unfortunately, I have been hovering above my target weight this week due to icy conditions not conducive to walkies, plus stress eating after listening to the news. Aside from that, I am seeing better results than with last year’s attempt at losing weight.

World events have been getting me down, and the cruelty and corruption of the US administration makes me angry. These are things beyond my control but it’s reassuring to know that there are kind people and organizations who protest the injustices, challenge the bullies, and protect the downtrodden.

January brought some reassurance while listening to Canada’s articulate and calm Prime Minister Mark Carney speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. I have listened to his WEF speech many times. What a breath of fresh air compared to the lying windbag to the south who is constantly criticising established world organizations and threatening tariffs on trade partners. Puppet master Putin must be pleased with the progress. Let us have hope and trust in the calm and cooperative middle powers who are already establishing trade agreements with each other.

Then there’s the US-Israel war on Iran. The orange dictator and his minions were willing to aid in the unwarranted attacks, the constant bombing of the Iranian infrastructure, murdering political-religious leaders and innocent citizens. They kicked a hornet’s nest and are causing economic disruptions.

Yep, it’s all beyond my control. I keep my focus on doing good deeds around home and in the broader community.

As I did in 2025, I started gathering receipts, ticket stubs and small pieces of notepaper as records of good things happening in my small corner of the world. A large pickle jar is filling up with good things.

Good things that happened in 2026 jar

I added notes about pushing my social anxieties and aversion to noise by participating in philanthropic activities, fundraising events and attending a much-anticipated concert.

William Prince in concert at the National Arts Centre March 20, 2026

I had purchased the William Prince tickets in January and had the March 20th target date in my view as something fun to look forward to over the next two months. That tactic has gotten me through many a dark winter with the plan, the hope for an enjoyable experience to come.

One more Good Thing I can soon add to my jar is the fact that I got to cat-sit for neighbours who took a March Break road trip with their kids. Checking on the energetic and cute feline a couple of times a day brings me joy. Cleaning up after her reminds me about the mess, cost and responsibilities of pet ownership. I congratulate myself that I can return to a clean and quiet home with no intentions of bringing in another furry creature. I wish to travel more this year without the worry and costs for accommodating a pet. I am satisfied with caring for our houseplants.

Christmas Cactus blooms in March

I hope you are managing well as we navigate challenging times, and look forward to a slow, gentle spring. My next post may be about the joys of gardening in my peaceful little corner of the world.

Thanks for dropping by. Stay healthy and kind.

T