Goals!

The strawberry season has been cut short in the area due to the extreme heat.  My goal was to get one more batch of jam made so Ron and I headed to the berry patch first thing this morning.  We were in the line waiting for it to open.  When the gate opened, we parked and grabbed our two baskets and jumped on the wagon.

From our view, the berries looked good.  When we actually got picking, it made me a little sad.  There were so many berries but most of them rotten because of the heat.  We worked our way down the rows and managed to fill our two baskets.  

This made it so that we had enough for one more batch of jam and lots to eat.

I made a dessert thanks to Kylie sharing her recipe with me.  Sooo good!

In the evening, we took a little motorcycle ride into Napanee to pick up a few groceries in case we have a camp fire tomorrow evening.  We have a great place to watch the Canada Day fireworks and a s’more is an excellent treat while you wait for the first explosion.

Hopefully, we will be sitting around the fire tomorrow night, if the mosquitoes leave us alone and the weather cooperates!

I had another goal besides making jam.  I wanted to have 2,000,000 steps for the year so far by the end of June .  I had to work hard to achieve and I did it!

It’s good to have goals…next goal, new running shoes!

Biking Friends and Birthday Celebrations

Yesterday the day started with a coffee on the porch with cloudy skies.  Later in the morning, the skies opened up and we got a downpour and then the sun came out.  It wasn’t long and the roads were dry and the temperature was up.  We headed into Napanee on the motorcycle.  Our old friends had just purchased a  spyder motorcycle and we decided to go for a ride. Ron led the way.

There are so many nice motorcycle roads around here but nothing beats the road to Westport.  We had a break at the beach.  Ron even went for a swim.  The breeze off of the lake was so nice.

After feeling refreshed, we continued towards home.  We stopped at a butcher and picked up steaks for supper.  We had a simple dinner and enjoyed some visiting. 

One of the nice things about moving back to Ontario is reconnecting with old friends and feeling like we haven’t been gone.

It was a beautiful way to spend the day.

Today, we are off to church but even before I get out of bed I need to say Happy Birthday to Denise!  

Happy birthday girl.  I hope you get spoiled!!

A Day To Smile

Today was another day on the road.  Ron and I left early for Ottawa and Sarah had a sister date in Kingston.  Abby and Sarah had lunch at the mall and then shopped.  She sent me this beautiful picture and it kept me smiling all day.

Our trip to Ottawa was to an endocrinologist.  A few years ago I didn’t know what that word meant, let alone be able to spell it.  It was through a long, frustrating trail of doctors that I found the endocrinologist in Calgary that saved my life.  Prior to this wonderful lady, I had been to a doctor that didn’t want to talk about the choking feeling that I had in my neck.  I went to a specialist who told me “that you can’t blame all your problems on your thyroid” and a second opinion doctor, who told me “to go and have a nice life.”  Dr. Adjala, from the LMC clinic in Calgary took my concerns seriously.  She did ultrasounds and then biopsies and told me that I had thyroid cancer.  My body knew that something was wrong but I had to find the right doctor to diagnose it.  I was referred to a surgeon and shortly after my thyroid and some lymph nodes were removed.  

I had regular check ups in Calgary to make sure that the cancer didn’t return and that I was on the right meds to regulate my body now that the thyroid was no longer there to do its job.  When we were moving to Ontario, I was concerned.  I still needed to have regular check ups and knew that I wouldn’t have a doctor right away.  My wonderful Calgary doc referred me to an LMC clinic in Ottawa.  I met this doctor last year and she worked throughout this past year to make sure that I was on the right medication.  Today, I had an in person appointment.  She was happy with the bloodwork and felt that finally we had the right dosage.  She said that she wouldn’t need to see me again and could release me to my family doctor.  Seven years post cancer and I’m good to go!  The smile that I had from seeing Sarah and Abby together grew a little bigger.

Time to Pause

After a few days of extreme heat and an exhausting day yesterday, I slumped in the chair with my coffee.  I didn’t even make it out to the porch this morning.  We have another appointment filled day and Ron wanted to get the grass cut before the rain comes.  I picked up my iPad and went to our emails.  I like to read the devotional that comes there every morning.  I wanted to grasp a new truth that God would give me to face the day.  Life has been busy and hard and we know that we aren’t alone.  Looking around we see families with problems, couples hurting from cancer diagnosis, grieving people…and so, what would today’s message for me be?

“Is your soul feeling empty or running low on joy today? Take some time to pause. Sit and stare at the radiant beauties of the Lord, and allow Him — all of who He is — to freshen and fill your soul.” From Proverbs 31 Ministries

Well, I think He nailed it.  I am feeling like I am running on empty.  So this morning I took a pause.  I am thankful for the coffee that Ron prepared for me and I am enjoying every sip as I put my thoughts down this morning.  We have to get ready to go soon but what better way to enjoy “the radiant beauties of the Lord” but to post a few good memories.

These two are what keep me going most days…yes, they like their meals made and laundry done 🫣 but it’s much more than that!  When one little turtle needs saving on a hot road, they jump into action.

Whether I need a sounding board, a good laugh or a new plan to be heard, this is where I call.  Spending time with these two is like a restart.  

My country cousins have become such great friends.  Adventures, music, games and lots of laughter!

I am so thankful to be living in the “Land of Lakes” region.  There is nothing more soothing than the calm waters.

And then there is Bon Echo…my happy place.  Yes, I have a few Happy Places but this one is packed full of good memories, great scenery and a wonderful beach.

I could go on and on but the time is slipping away.  I need to grab my second cup of coffee and get ready to go.  I haven’t had time to fully mention the many places that we have lived, the wonderful friends we have made, the great church family and the list continues…I guess that is all for another day when I need to sit and pause and know that life has a lot of good things.

Grade 8 Graduation 👩‍🎓

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we could not attend Emma’s graduation but we still wanted to share how much we love this girl!

Congratulations Emma! ❤️

She Did It!

Sarah came to live with us at the beginning of this semester.  

She has worked so hard at school and has done so well.  When we went early in the year, for teacher interviews, we heard such positive comments about her.  Her English teacher referred to her as a “model student” and moved her up from applied to academic.  Her Health teacher talked her into taking Biology next year even though Sarah had stated that she would never, ever take another science class again. She poured herself into assignments and prepared for tests. She wrote her last essay today which brings Grade 10 to a close.

We have been proud of all of her hard work.  We were excited that she received an award for putting in the effort.

She has been a blessing to us.  She has such a sensitive heart.  These six months have been full of school work, traveling, making new friends and keeping in contact with old ones. She enjoys the little moments and celebrates the bigger ones.

Way to go Sarah!  Nanny and Grandpa couldn’t be prouder of you.  Keep working hard.  Keep looking up!  Keep doing what you have been doing….❤️

Early Morning Paddle

When the heat keeps coming and you don’t want to stay inside all day, you get on the lake by 7:00 am.  That was Ron’s idea yesterday and I decided to drag myself out of bed to join him.  He put my coffee in a carry cup and we were off.

Even when we unloaded the canoe, we could feel the heat.  We slid the canoe into Sharbot Lake and I set up my breakfast table.  

There was a gentle breeze already as we paddled around an island.  A Blue Heron proudly stood at his post as we paddled by.  He stayed long enough for me to snap a picture of his stature like pose.  

The sound of the loon set my breathing just right.  Their haunting song which is sometimes called a yodel is one of my favourite sounds.  I should make it clear that I like the sound of a loon yodeling but for humans to do it, it just sounds loonie!

A little otter swam by and stuck his head out of the water watching us, curious to see who was disturbing his morning swim.  By the time we had canoed around the island, the heat was on us.  The sun had broke out and the humidity was high.  

I could see the beach ahead of us and we both knew today was going to be a swim day.  The water felt so good.  We dipped in the lake before we loaded the canoe and nice more after.

We got home just before 10:00 am and Sarah was still sleeping!

Today is another HOT one and Sarah has her last exam to write and then she is off for the summer.  What adventures will we have?

HOT! 🥵

We have had a cool spring and then the summer solstice arrived and wow, did summer do a jump start!!  We are currently in a heat warning with the air conditioner running non stop.  We noticed that in Pincher Creek the conditions are quite the opposite.

The forecast warned us that the heat was moving in so I snapped some pictures of my flowers before they wilt.

The gardens will need a good soaking tonight when I manage to step outside in the heat.

I miss being outside but I did get my steps in today by going on the treadmill.  Until you have experienced the Ontario humidity, it’s hard to explain.  One of my favourite places to be is sitting on our front porch, usually there is a gentle breeze but not today.

Our little Alberta Spruce is probably not enjoying this hot, humid weather but we will give him a good drink tonight.

Stay cool!  😎 

Roller Coaster vs The Swan Ride

Life is a roller coaster of ups and downs.  I hate roller coasters!  I haven’t ridden on too many but I have always wondered why people like them.  This is how I describe that horrible ride.  I would stand in line waiting and watching.  The line is long and usually it’s a hot day.  People around are describing the excitement and horror of what awaits at the front of the line.  I turn my eyes up and see the “lucky ones” that have made it onto the ride.  As it begins, people have the look of expectation, fear and bewilderment.  Slowly, the car goes on the track up the fake hill.  I wonder how safe really is that?  As the ride comes to the top, hands are thrown up in the air and the yelling begins.  Some yell from the thrill, some from terror and some because everyone else is doing it.  I look back down and realize that the line has moved forward and I’m getting closer to the thrill that I don’t want to experience.  Just before the stairs to climb to the starting point is the moment that I come to my senses.  Why would I put myself through that?  I don’t like having my stomach being thrown up to my mouth!  I don’t need to do that?  I turn out of the line and head to the swan ride.  The line is much shorter and the ride calmer.

Life happens around us.  I dislike those jolting moments where I feel terror and unrest.  I don’t seem to have control over the outcome and I feel like my emotions have been thrown around like the sudden turns and unexpected drops of the roller coaster.  🎢 I had a thought today while Ron and I were canoeing.  

I can’t control life around me but I can choose how I ride it.  What about instead of getting whip lash from the experience, I take the gentle ride.  I can’t promise that I won’t have those uncomfortable moments but what I would prefer to do is take the gentle approach.  Enjoy the good things.  Make good memories.

Since writing is like therapy to me, I will use my blog to share the happy moments of life.  I’ve noticed that even in the darkest days there are good times and memories to make and hold on to.

Here are a few from today…

Stay tune for more of life’s special moment…Swan Style!