Category Archives: libraries

The bucket list

23 Sunday Jun 2024

Posted by in Art, Food and Cooking, libraries, photography, Travel, writing

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Is it safe to assume that most adults have a bucket list of things to see or do before they die?

My bucket list is very tame, containing no extreme sports or other risky activities. I had one item on my list in 2020, to visit East coast Canada and dip my toe into the Atlantic Ocean. I had already accomplished the west coast and Pacific Ocean toe dip during a trip in the spring of 2017. As you may remember, the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022 cancelled travel plans for many people. I was heart-broken. Perhaps you were too.

Enter the cold, dark days of winter 2024 when I started dreaming about spring and reviving my east coast plans. One sister offered to join me on a VIA Rail train journey to Halifax Nova Scotia, to spend a few days as walkabout tourists plus obtain photographic proof of my primary objective.

Those with little patience can skip to the recommendations section. I hope you will enjoy some of the photographs along the way.

My Atlantic Canada trip objectives

  • Dip my big toe into the Atlantic Ocean
  • Tour the Halifax sites of interest by foot
  • Visit the Halifax Central Library
  • Consume East Coast food
  • Purchase souvenirs and gifts for loved ones
  • Have catch up chats and creative times with my sister
  • Enjoy train travel

Main objective: Touching the Atlantic Ocean

Woman in sun hat dipping her toe into the shore waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
On June 17, 2024 I dipped my toe into the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It was a balancing act to admire as I toddled over rocks near the shore.

We toured sites of interest – within walking distance

We only got detoured twice during our visit to Halifax although we had printed maps and my sister followed the questionable directions from Google maps.

Halifax seaport cranes - Point Pleasant Park
Shipping cranes at the Halifax Seaport as viewed from Point Pleasant Park. They look like robot giraffes!
Park benches at the Halifax Public Gardens
Park benches at the Halifax Public Gardens. I never saw so many Rhododendron bushes. The park was colourful and dreamlike.

Visit the Halifax Central Library

We were impressed with the Halifax Central Library building exterior, interior, as well as the rooftop patio view of the harbour. We visited TWICE. I would go back again but maybe fly down east instead of taking the train. How would one compensate for contributing to polluting airline emissions?

Halifax Central Library building
My first encounter with the Halifax Central Library building. I was immediately attracted. I wanted to visit this building since it was opened in 2014.
Blonde tourist beside the big L of the Halifax Central Library building
Theresa posing with the giant L of the Halifax Central Library building
View of the Halifax seaport harbour from the rooftop patio of the Halifax Central Library
View of the Halifax seaport harbour from the rooftop patio of the Halifax Central Library during our second visit. This was my favourite part of the site seeing activities.

Enjoy east coast foods

After a disappointing second walkabout to the near-deserted wharf and nonexistent Farmer’s Market, we enjoyed an early lunch of the award winning lobster rolls at Tomavino’s. We enjoyed other foods but I don’t want to burden readers with the photos. That’s what Instagram is for 😀

Award winning lobster rolls at Tomovino's Halifax
After a disappointing second walkabout to the near-deserted wharf and nonexistent Farmer’s Market, we enjoyed an early lunch of the award winning lobster rolls at Tomavino’s.

Quality time

My sister brought water colour pencils and special paper for us to create renditions of the seashore photos we took during the daytime tours. I chose instead to do a painting of a black cat in the style of Maud Lewis with influences from Bill the Cat (Bloom County).

Watercolour painting black cat in the style of Maud Lewis, influenced by Bill the Cat
Theresa’s painting of a black cat in the style of Maud Lewis with influences from Bill the Cat (Bloom County).

During our walkabouts to Spring Garden Road area, I picked up many souvenirs and gifts from local shops, especially items with reprints of paintings by Nova Scotia’s darling, Maud Lewis. I can relate to her and some of her life struggles in many ways.

Travel options

We took the ViaRail “Ocean” train tour from Montreal to Halifax with intentions of walking to sites in the area. The train trip was supposed to take one day and one night (21 hours). It took us much longer travelling through eastern Quebec where we had to drive slow to avoid derailment on heat-buckled rails or poorly maintained CN Rail tracks.

This was NOT in the travel brochure!

Next time, I may choose to fly.

ViaRail sleeper car cabin on The Ocean line between Montreal and Halifax.
An example of a ViaRail two-person sleeper car cabin (in daytime seating mode) on The Ocean line between Montreal and Halifax.

Recommendations

  • If you plan to travel by VIA Rail and you choose the pricey sleeper cabin option, confirm with the provider that your car built before 1970 has working air conditioners.
  • Even if travelling with a companion, choose the Cabin for one option so you each can have your personal space. There will be plenty of opportunities to socialize in the lounge / service car, the dining car and seats of the cooler coach car. Make sure you are wearing your “Multi-pass” bracelet.
  • Get up and walk around to encourage circulation, especially when stopped in major stations and you’re not bouncing off the walls due to the rocking motions.
  • Bring the Gravol.
  • If you are a smoker, be prepared for only 3 stops of 15 minutes to step outside to satisfy your addition.
  • Chat with other passengers, get to know where they’re from, where they’re going and why they are taking this trip. You can meet many interesting people.
  • Bring a book and a hobby to keep your hands and mind busy.
  • If you plan on doing most of your destination tours by foot, wear comfortable shoes, pack a jacket, water bottle and map. Pack some curiosity, patience and empathy too.
  • Get to some of the beautiful, natural places in your country before they are spoiled by the effects of climate change.

Thank you for reading this far. Keep practising kindness and patience with those you encounter along your life’s journey. I have to keep reminding myself of that.

Feel free to share some of your east coast travel experiences in the comments below.

T

What was I thinking?!

03 Tuesday Jul 2018

Posted by in Health, libraries, pets, writing

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On New Year’s Day, I made a list of goals and priorities.

This has become an annual event along with reviewing accomplishments from the previous year.

Some 2018 items were general categories like health, relationships, career and financial well-being. Some items were specific like getting my drivers license.

Just before the Lunar New Year I caught the flu; I lost a week of work, socializing and getting out for provisions. My youngest adult child dropped off necessities from the grocery store. My closest friend brought me lozenges and herbal tea.

I had time to rest, wallow in self-pity, watch trashy Netflix shows and reflect.

Black cat in front of TV

Cat on Lap watching trashy Netflix shows with me

I used some of the recent recommendations from the Year of the Dog Feng Shui workshop to rearrange my living space, to revisit my personal space and time. According to our instructor, this coming year would be a good one for career and education.

black cat in front of documents and tablet

Cat on lap helping with Lunar New Year cleanse preparations

It could have been the haze of the flu lifting but I had a vision of where I would like to be in five years, let alone one. I revisited and embraced information about an early love, the love of libraries. I registered for a college program as a part-time student.

Coming out from under the winter funk, I felt motivated to move my body more and soon put some goals into action. I pushed myself to the end of April, as I studied for the written test for the drivers license.

Black cat in front of screens

Cat on Lap helping me study for the written test

I passed the test and earned my G1. Yippee!

In early May, I started attending night classes for two courses in a college program. By late June I was wondering “What was I thinking?!”. The stress of work demands and school assignments was starting to peak.

I felt a great relief by last weekend after delivering a successful presentation in one class and completing the midterm exam in another.

Now enjoying a wisely planned vacation week, I can relax and muster up enough energy to get me through the next six weeks of school (plus that work thing and weekend volunteer shifts…)

I am continuing with my morning walks because my physical and spiritual health are important to me.

I am planning to take driving lessons this fall and winter so I can pass the road test by next spring. I look forward to being independently mobile for future travel.

I think I’ll only take one night class this fall though!

We’re half-way through the year. Whew!

Thanks for stopping by. If you like the black cat’s appearances, you can see more of him and the Fat Tabby at this blog. If you like my writing style, you might enjoy reading my novel from 2011.

What’s your opinion of setting annual goals? Lifelong learning?

T

 

Change of seasons and art

12 Sunday Nov 2017

Posted by in Art, community, Health, libraries, therapy, writing

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While passing by an urban park in Ottawa recently, I noticed something I loved had been taken away. 

One of my favourite spots for work day wanderings and pondering had been painted over.

park bench painted

Favourite Bench at Dundonald Park with new art

The new art work looked like bare tree limbs against a multicolored sunset. Either that or some artistic feather design.

I noticed a few other benches had been painted over too.

park benches painted

Dundonald park benches painted anew

It had been a while since I took a lunchtime walk up here but this change must have occurred just this autumn. I am sure I will eventually find out why someone did this but I’m still processing, reeling from the change to favourite park bench’s art. I had become fond of the previous artwork and what it represented to me as I approached a wonderful new discovery in 2015 and rekindled relationships.

park bench painted spring

Dundonald Park bench 2015

It will take me a while to accept the new design. But … as in my professional and personal life, I have learned to adapt to change, to accept the changes that are beyond my control.

At least my two favourite trees have not changed – except for losing their leaves again in preparation for winter’s sleep.

Two tree tops touching

Two tree tops touching Nov 10 2017

I was consoled and delighted to see something new – a little book lending library.

lending library book box

Lending library box

It was a sign of sharing and trust in this eclectic downtown park. I hope it survives the winter and disturbing elements that sometimes occupy the area.

Thanks for dropping by.

T