The past couple of weeks have brought small, joyous celebrations with friends to help me mark another orbit around the sun.
I am constantly aware of the struggles and injustices happening outside my little corner of the world, reassuring myself that I am helping in a small way with occasional charitable donations to humanitarian movements.
This birthday doesn’t mark a notable milestone in age yet it marks the completion of one year being retired from full-time work. What a year it has been with enjoying slow mornings, walks around the community, volunteer activities with purpose, and afternoon naps.
My favourite response when people ask how things are going with retirement is: Less responsibilities, less stress, and … less income.
During my birthday month, I have enjoyed light meals and catch-up chats with old work colleagues, Rotary club volunteers and close friends.
My favourite birthday gift: F*ck it blank journal and fine tip markers
At my advancing age, I don’t need more “stuff” yet some of the lovely birthday gifts have brought me joy, laughter and an obligation to release the inner artist child.
One of the best ways to help me celebrate is to share in a meal, tasty treats and engage in meaningful conversation. Getting out for “fart walks” after meals is also appreciated – depending on the comfort level with walking companions.
A bench in the evening haze near the Nepean Sailing Club walking path along the Ottawa River
When the weather conditions are kinder, I like to get out for walks around the community, walks with friends or solo walks that are longer than the usual grocery run. When I get too comfortable on the couch for too long, I motivate myself by repeating a fun quote to get up and “move it, move it”, to get the blood flowing while performing light housework and chores.
Tabby Cat peering out from her home office cubicle
Sometimes, when I am planted in the wee corner office at my laptop, the old Tabby Cat likes to observe and supervise me from her various perches or hiding places. Her timing is impeccable during Zoom meetings, mewing loudly and demanding attention.
What about you? What are you doing to ensure a healthy and enjoyable retirement?
Today I am celebrating one year of retirement from full-time work. What a year it has been with less responsibilities, less stress but less income, all while embracing the simple pleasures in life.
While following the international news about inhumane treatment of people in Gaza and the United States of America, I am proud of our Canadian politicians and our King fending off the demented challenges to our nation’s sovereignty and economy over the past few months.
In this beautiful but troubled world, I appreciate the flexibility and freedom of my weekly schedule to enjoy life and community service, using my skills in volunteer roles. I believe that acts of kindness and compassion can ripple throughout our population and across borders.
I suppose Canada Day is a good day to share my appreciation for our basic rights and freedoms.
Happy Canada Day. Please enjoy this interview with “elbows up” Mike Myers. There’s nothing wrong with peace, love and understanding. Being kind is not a sign of weakness.
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
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.
Shipping cranes at the Halifax Seaport as viewed from Point Pleasant Park. They look like robot giraffes!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?
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. Theresa posing with the giant L of the Halifax Central Library buildingView 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 😀
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).
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.
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.
Deep Blonde Thoughts 