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Posts tagged ‘Ontario’

Memories

In looking through pictures I came across a memory from the early days in Second Life. A trip down memory lane is fun … Back then, the virtual world was new to me, I discovered that even the government was taking a look at this new world/technology.

Check out the old avatars… it was so much fun, the creativity was fascinating to me, remember when we built clothes with building tools… mesh had not arrived. It was a different world. The sign when I see it today, wow… it (SL) did offer a ton of opportunity, and those who stayed and grew with the “internet/pixel” technology… have a lot of good memories. Not to mention experiences of a lifetime.

Your feelings of appreciation become real when you express them.

Express your feelings of appreciation by actually saying “Thank You” out loud or by doing something to show how you feel. Not only will the person you are thanking feel good, but you will too, leading to better things in the future. (PL2014.21)

Oyashikiri

Saturday

The skies are full of the Canada Geese flying over head these days, headed for their summer residences, they are everywhere, the honking is loud and constant.

Use any result, good or bad, as a stepping stone.

All outcomes, whether positive or negative, are important experiences Let’s use them wisely for our future progress. (PL2012.10)

Reminder tomorrow the 11th, is Ancestors’ Day – service will be at 10 a.m.

Oyashikiri

konnichiwa

ogenki desu ka

Don’t give up!

Keep at it until you accomplish what you’ve started

The key to achieving something is to stick to it, If you are able to continue something from start to finish, you will be sure to accomplish it no matter how difficult the task is. (PL2014.5)


I drove to Toronto yesterday. I have never in all my years driven to Toronto on my own, NEVER. I have been there many times, even lived there years ago. But either I was with someone, or I took a bus, train, even plane, but never have I driven there.. it is a 5 plus hour drive, and Toronto is a BIG action packed city. Cars everywhere and going at amazing speeds… highways beside highways, criss-crossing , man, I was to overcome with the magnitude of my situation to even think about it, I just had to live it.

Sometimes we just need to live it. My trips to Japan, and my memories of the Chinatowns I’ve been in over the years had me wanting to be in a milieu that was “Asian”… In Toronto there are huge communities, marketplaces, shops, restaurants that have that “familiar” vibe. My “draw back” was I didn’t take into consideration the time change factor, the month, days are shorter, etc. I had rendez-vos at the start of the day so didn’t leave Ottawa till almost 9 and Toronto is a good 5 hour drive.

AND I had a place to be (which required me to be back home) for 8 pm. Let me tell you, I got to have many little chats with myself yesterday…. and to examin my need to do things as they pop up in my gray cells. Then the jewel on the crown, when I got home, the road was closed right in front of my house, I had no access! (well I did, but I had to be coming from the other direction, and it was a very small opening!!) and I have mentioned it was pitch black out, and had been since about 4:58 pm. ok maybe 5:15…

It is pretty scary when the guardian angel is the big white truck in front of you that has lights not only along the bottom of his truck, but at each corner of his truck at the top. I offered up a silent prayer to his guardian angel in thanks and to keep him safe. Those super highways are D A R K !!!

A big thank you to my nephew who came along as I was staring in disbelief at the big road closure fences barring my way home… He ran over and saw that by going around and coming down the street from the other direction, I could squeeze the car through and into my laneway.

I was blessed with friends who checked in on me along the way…. in spirit I was never alone, and I did have a sense of accomplishment when I finally threw myself on the bed to end the evening with a well deserved “sleep”… (Bedtime stories are heaven sent)

Oh and.. onStar (service in my car) guided me every mile along the way, I even learned a new way to leave the conservation area, to the Queensway (super highway here in Ottawa)….

would I go back.. yes that was a tease.. but I would time it better.

opportunities

When we travel the roads, we sometimes can step back in time. This was a now closed garden landscape concrete statues, benches etc. shop that is no longer operating. The land around the old structures was still being well maintained, and you can see that it was once vibrant and thriving. There are still reminders on the grounds, I would like to track down the former owner, some of his pieces were unique .. I have not seen them in the big garden centres in the cities.

We were in what would be called cottage country, not off the beaten track … but definitely not in a built up area. The small town was full of charm, and wore it’s history with pride. It was welcoming.. but reserved in a quiet fashion.

In life, we learn that there is always “change” we can’t stop the progress that happens all around us, but in small villages/towns , the feeling of “shared” community stands out. All along the streets, we saw the welcoming signs of “trick or treat” being displayed.

One of the Precepts in PL, #16 All things progress and develop, is so true, I was remined of how precious each moment in is. PL # 17 Grasp what is most essential … I was touched by the welcoming spirit of the streets and byways we explored. People we talked to were friendly and so welcoming, cars passing, drivers would wave a cheerful “hi there” … acknowledging the stranger capturing images of their town. There was pride in the way homes, farms, business were maintained.

Driving home later in the day, we crossed over to the Quebec side .. and drove home through the Pontiac (county) passing the most amazing show of colour on the hills/mountains that surrounded us. And the lakes, waterways … just awesome.. Canada still has a lot of wilderness. By then the sun was saying its goodnight, I couldn’t get pictures, but the views are etched in my heart/memories.

PL Precept #18 Each moment is a turning point.

Appreciate and enjoy each moment, don’t squander life.. .. There is a whole world out there to discover, and often it is in our own “backyard”.

Beachburg Village is in historic Westmeath Township, Renfrew county, It was built along a trail that led to the settlement of Miramichi (now Pembroke)

For more doors, please visit, Dan’s No Facilities site where doors from all over the world are presented for your discovery. https://nofacilities.com/2024/10/24/new-brighton-detour/

delicious

I am not a food blogger, however, yesterdays culinary adventure was simply delicious. In my travels I ended up in Merrickville, Ontario around the time my tummy was screaming for attention. Discover the Yellow Canoe Cafe on St. Lawrence Street.. they have a patio, but I ate in the restaurant .. I was lucky to be first in the door when it opened. …https://www.yellowcanoecafe.com/ I picked the Blue Beef sandwich and fresh garden salad. The blue is for the blue cheese married with tender juicy brisked beef.. the taste was awesome, I actually had to supress a groan of pleasure when I bit into a hunk of avocado with the beef.

Turn your intuitions into actions.

Appreciate each intuition you receive and take action right away. By doing so will invite good fortune. (PL2017.5)

btw, the Yellow Canoe Cafe is known for its scones.. I was not wanting to take away from the joy of my sandwich and salad so I skipped it.. but I’m told their baked goods are awesome.. yes .. they bake their breads. (service was efficient, and sunshine friendly.) NB* the little cafe filled up fast…

Have a great day!

Merrickville was one stop out of many. stay tuned.

samedi

Open road, clear blue skies, big fluffy white stratocumulus… there were numerous beauties framing the landscapes. The weather was balmy, sunny and picture perfect for a drive. I wanted to travel roads I’d not been on before. with the help of OnStar (a service I have with my Encore) I set out for a town over on the Quebec side going towards Montreal. I decided no radio… just the joy of allowing the thoughts to come and go… even turned the AC off and put the windows down.

What was startling .. and a realization that hit me, only as I was on my return drive… I saw few animals, I passed a “zillion” farms.. saw barns, out buildings etc. but not much activity, neither on the grounds around the farm, or around the many barns, silos, etc. A couple of times when I drove past small clusters of homes, or into and past a small village.. I saw the odd person walking a dog.. or jogging, and I did see two people on bikes, otherwise I was in a wonderland of pristine landscapes .. and weather that was perfect for my “adventure”

Look at this 1957 classic.. I had to stop and grab a photo… the owner’s wife was outside, she told me, her husband had just turned 57 and he had promised himself that on his 57th. birthday, he would celebrate by getting himself, his dream car. And voila! his pride and joy!

Let’s find the good in others and praise them.

All people have good qualities and bad qualities. Focus on the good in others and applaud them every chance you get. (PL2014.28)

Having been on the road since very early morning, I wanted to find a “casse-croute” “before I headed home, I found a roadside “bar” before leaving Quebec… Chez Meme (accents over each e)

Here I ordered French fries, steamed hot dog (all dressed) and a hamburger (just in case).. found out I needed cash.. had to find a bank.. only one for miles was a Desjardin.. in this very small village, it was a small kiosk in the diocese of the church that was on the main street. I got to be a grown up and try to use an ATM in a bank other than my own. LOL … I needed help. See.. one is never too old to learn.

Have a good day everyone…

Oyashikiri

When was the last time you took to the road for no other reason but to explore the world around you?

hoje

can you see me?

Be creative in your efforts

If something is not going well, take a step back and look at how you are tackling the problem. There is sure to be something you can improve on. (PL2014.16)

I realized this morning that yesterday I travelled through two provinces and followed along the St. Lawrence River and part of the American shoreline… the weather was amazing, ambiance and landscapes were picture perfect…. and I didn’t take one picture. Not one. Never even occurred to me I was so in the moment. Lost in the beauty of NOW.

Happy start to a new week everyone.

quinze

A charity rally yesterday, bikers ready for the start of the tour. It began in Plantagenet Ontario, and was going to end with a spaghetti dinner in Alfred later in the day. The weather was awesome for the ride, good showing, and hopefully a successful event for the fund raisers.

A cheerful smile and expression makes everyone around you happy.

When you do everything with a smile, not only you but the people around you will feel good. Always remember to put on a happy face. (PL2014.15)

There is a sense of freedom when you ride a bike that I’ve been unable to replicate over the years. I’ve toured before, years ago now, but the feelings that I acquired from the rides has never gone away, I still smile when I see another rider on a touring bike go by. Noted yesterday although there were a lot of couples who rode together on the same bike. Many of the ladies had their own ride. THAT was a pleasure all on its own. I was given riding lessons MANY years ago for my birthday… but I was never brave enough to follow through. I liked being a passenger. =^_^= Spent many happy hours on a Honda Gold Wing.. and a Tiger (Triumph)

Cheers everyone.. make today a day of SMILES…

Many of the riders were from the Hawkesbury Harley Davidson club… sorry there were too many bikers to get a full picture of all participants and the various clubs that participated. If anyone knows or has information, please let me know. There were all makes and models of bikes there.

Day of Peace

Day of Peace, 1st of each month. Ceremony is at 10 a.m.

hello!

As we age, we do see and live through changes, Some changes are life changing, and there is no going back. The reality is.. there IS NO GOING BACK… we can revisit the place, but not the time.

Oyashikiri

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