nature – Beautiful Remade

Cold but beautiful

By: Just myself January 18, 2022January 18, 2022

Blog#building the life you want, #cold days, #healthy living, #living fully, faith, nature, photographyLeave a Comment

The day after the first big snow storm of the winter. It is very cold, but beautifully bright.

I had to drop my van at the neighbour’s to get some work done on it. I took the chance to get my exercise on the way home.

It is only about a kilometer but in the open areas the wind was bitter on my face, and my blue jeans offered little protection from the freezing temperatures.

I paused to capture some interesting shadows, and shapes that intriqued me, no conscious reason why.

Home by the fire, sipping hot tea. Happy to have filled my lungs with the clean crisp air, happier to absorb the heat back into my bones. Life is good!

Small victory, but a victory none the less.

By: Just myself January 10, 2022January 10, 2022

Blog#building the life you want, #small victories, fitness, hiking, nature1 Comment

This morning I woke up determined. It did not matter that the high for today was -14°C, that my foot pain has been well, still there, and I have fallen more out of shape,while not so patiently waiting for healing. I was going to conquer the cold, break from my desk, and go out in the rays of sunshine.

Luckily I was able to borrow some snow pants, and get my orthotics into my boots. I bundled up the best I could, set a timer, and off I went.

The snow crunched loudly under my feet, a sign of the winter cold. The air was so clear and fresh, I breathed deeply enjoying the burn on my lungs. There were birds flirting around, singing in delight at the bright sun. Beautiful, exhilarating day. But that sneaky wind, would come from no where and bite my cheeks, threatening to force me back inside.

No way! Not fast, not far, but 15 minutes out I did go.

I was not the only one out and about today, but at least for me I could go back to my fire at last.

The deer were certainly more advanced than me, this hill they climbed is nearly straight up from the river below me.

I stopped to observe the beauty on way back home. The sunshine streaming, made the red glow above the snow.

Not a long walk, but at least I followed through, and boldly crunched along outside in the snow.

Finally paddled the canyon

By: Just myself September 12, 2021September 12, 2021

Blog#building the life you want, canoeing, fishing, friendship, natureLeave a Comment

We live very close to one of the natural wonders of Ontario, Canada, the Barron Canyon. Crazy thing is I have only been there twice in the past nineteen years, once on the top, and now by canoe on the river.

Funny story, we talked about paddling the canyon (or any where) many times. I had loved canoeing when I was younger, but Tim had this friend that he had taken canoeing and let’s just say, she wasn’t the most stable person to ride with. A long time passed with no canoe trips. I lived in the shadow of a memory of another girl, lol.

Well I have finally broke free of the memory. We packed up a picnic, our friends, some towels, and the fishing gear and set off on a bright Saturday morning.

We arrived at Squirrel Rapids and got our flotilla unloaded and launched. We meandered along on the still waters, casting a line here and there and just enjoying life.

We came to the portage fairly quickly, but took our time exploring the little waterfall and catching and releasing a few bass and white fish.

The portage went fairly smoothly considering both Tim and I are struggling with pain.

Some of the kids took the opportunity to jump in a cool off before we continued on.

We had to take extra care here as the river is strewn with deadheads and rocks, still very navigable though.

We found we were not the only ones enjoying the fine September day, as we were delighted to see many painted turtles practicing their yoga poses and sunning themselves.

We decided to join up our flotilla and share a snack and some chat. The kids thought this was great. All to soon we continued on.

Sometimes we would playfully race each other, there was laughter and joy. My son Fred would greet almost everyone he met along the way.

We found a camp just on the edge of the canyon. We pulled into shore, stretched, used the rustic facilities, ate our lunch. The kids loved diving and jumping off the underwater ledge into the deep beyond. Tim enjoyed catching some little small mouth. I think all the kids cast a line here to “fight a bass”.

We surrendered our site to a family that wanted to camp over night. Packed up and launched off to continue our adventure.

I find it very hard to find words to describe the beauty and magnitude of the rock walls that surrounded us. There is something awe inspiring about the size of those cliffs and how tiny we are. I spent a lot of time trying and failing to capture it with my camera.

Soon we were to the other end and at the encouragement of my friend turned around and started our journey home. Funny thing was she thought it was later than it was, because she forgot she was wearing her sunglasses. Lol.

She was right though as after a long day paddling, the trip back was more challenging.

When we got back to the portage we learned what great friends we had. After a trip or two across the portage, Tim’s hip slipped and our friends helped carry across the last canoe. (I was not much help all day beyond carrying “stuff”, as my foot is still a mess.) Luckily lots of hands help. Team work at it’s best!

The last bit of the trip we were taking our time. The flotilla was stretched out quite far. Then the rain started and we hurried hard, dug in, made it to the landing.

I was sad to see the end of the day, but was certainly looking forward to falling into my bed after our adventure.

Seeking Solace

By: Just myself August 24, 2021August 24, 2021

Blog#building the life you want, #depression, #Journaling, #stress, faith, fishing, natureLeave a Comment

Last week was an unusually stress filled week. I was dealing with negative things I could not control. It was so negative, I actually went to the dentist just to relax!

I am usually a glass half full/overflowing type of person. I can distract myself with blessings and gratitude.

Last week I tried, I faked it, I reached for crutches, but really my insides just churned, and my body rebelled.

Saturday I was engaged with my daughter and her disc dog. That was fun. A bit of distraction.

Sunday the family headed for “my happy place”, Algonquin Park. Usually I can sit and reflect, and feel the love of God through the beauty of creation wash over me.

This week surrounded by nature I struggled to find that peace. In fact I was grasped by such depression as I haven’t felt in a long time. Hopelessness in fact!

How can one feel so negative when witnessing such stunning scenes?

My journal didn’t help. Despair came over me. It held me in it’s claws!

I know in my heart, “be anxious for nothing, give it to God in prayer, with thanksgiving.” Sometimes it’s really difficult to do. Even when your faith is strong, your circumstances on this earth can be trying.

The moment that finally broke through my misery was when God gave me a fish. The fight, the surge of adrenaline, the success. Wasn’t a huge fish, but it was a fun fish. My smile in that moment became genuine.

For awhile it felt good to be alive. The trouble disappeared from my mind, and I found myself firmly planted in the moment.

As we packed up to come home, we all agreed what a great day it had been. No one knew of my struggle.

Exhaustion set in, it was hard to stay awake on the trip back. Something I try to do, to watch out for the eyes of animals along or on the road. The moon guided our path.

I fell into bed, crashed for the night.

I woke up thankful for a bass, that for a while, brought my heart and soul back to the present moment and gave a little burst of joy, a moment of solace.

Little visitors

By: Just myself August 20, 2021

Blog#building the life you want, birds, gardening, natureLeave a Comment

Plenty of rain

By: Just myself July 28, 2021

Bloggardening, natureLeave a Comment

When it rains so much that your pickets start growing!

Living on the edge of Algonquin Park

By: Just myself July 18, 2021

Blog#building the life you want, #having a full life, #living fully, Algonquin park, canoeing, natureLeave a Comment

Feeling blessed to live so close to the park.

Able to load the kids up, throw on the canoes and go.

Pack a lunch. Grab the fishing poles.

Magnificent, spectacular, memories in the making.

This is truly living!

God is so good!

Beautiful distraction

By: Just myself July 17, 2021

Blog#building the life you want, gardening, nature, poetryLeave a Comment

Hustle, bustle, hurrying along.

What to do first?

Then you came along.

Everything stopped!

Then you fluttered along.

Creepy cool!

By: Just myself July 13, 2021July 13, 2021

Blog#building the life you want, afternoon musings in the garden, gardening, natureLeave a Comment

Found in a hole in my backyard 😳 I hope they take care of some pests in the garden

I understand their usefulness, but I don’t think I am totally over my arachniphobia from giant barn spiders in my grandparents front porch when I was a child.

Standing rule for spiders, stay outside! Inside you better hope that the kids are home to move you. (I do try to move some that get inside, but seriously, where’s my boot?)