Humans, like other animals, naturally seek and thrive through social connection. A flock of birds, a school of fish, a pack of wolves, and so on – we’re created to be social beings born into a family and socialized into communities. I reflected on this during a brisk, late afternoon, bike ride with T toContinue reading “Birds of a Feather”
Category Archives: nature
Swimming at Nigadoo Falls: An Off the Beaten Path Oasis in New Brunswick
Often times, the best activities are those known to the locals. At the top of T’s list to do during our annual summer visit to his grandparents in Beresford was to swim at Nigadoo Falls. It’s a beautiful, rocky and fresh water spot tucked in the woods, off the unassuming Rue du Moulin in Nigadoo,Continue reading “Swimming at Nigadoo Falls: An Off the Beaten Path Oasis in New Brunswick”
Nature is Healing for Neurodiverse Kids
A beautiful sunny t-shirt weather Spring Sunday gave T and I the recharge we needed. After breakfast, we practiced reading two chapters in his latest book then headed to one of our favourite nature spots: Rouge Park. I feel blessed for this urban oasis near our home. I appreciate the government recently adding a boardwalkContinue reading “Nature is Healing for Neurodiverse Kids”
Exploring Flowerpot Island and the Grotto at Beautiful Tobermory
We kicked off T’s summer with a camping weekend filled with nature at beautiful Tobermory. The highlight was Flowerpot Island at Fathom Five National Park, known for its rock formations, scenic caves and lighthouse. Our ferry ride to the Island on Sunday morning started with a tour of sunken shipwrecks along the Tobermory coast. TContinue reading “Exploring Flowerpot Island and the Grotto at Beautiful Tobermory”
Ignite the Night and Let It Shine
We started T’s summer with fireworks. On Canada Day last Friday – T’s first day of summer break – we headed off early morning to Tobermory for our first camping trip since 2018. Once we got past city traffic and into the country, the scenery was beautiful, including plentiful fields of golden yellow canola. IContinue reading “Ignite the Night and Let It Shine”
The Giving Tree
A scary thunderstorm downed a tree and created unexpected treehouse fun for neighbourhood kids. Saturday started off like any other Saturday – with T getting up earlier than my brain and body was ready for; playing dead no longer works. After lunch, as I was about to head out for groceries, Environment Canada issued aContinue reading “The Giving Tree”
Into the Unknown
Step by step, the unknown becomes known… Our adoption was finalized five years ago between Valentine’s and Family Day and is now always celebrated between these days. On this Family Day, we went for a morning hike at Hilton Falls Conservation Area. It was a beautiful sunny day and 1 degree compared to yesterday’s -12.Continue reading “Into the Unknown”
14 Days in India
It was an unforgettable trip across four cities and two states in a beautiful and spiritual country. As we lament another pandemic winter and the prospect of a return to virtual schooling after the holidays, I’m taking a detour from the daily grind and venturing back to November 2012. It’d be another 3.5 years beforeContinue reading “14 Days in India”
Golden Hour
Nature reminds us that magic exists before and right after the darkness. Golden hour refers to the hour after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is softer and redder compared to when it’s higher in the sky. Also called magic hour, it is a photographer and filmmaker’s dream. I first noticed this in aContinue reading “Golden Hour”
Orenda: Nature’s Invisible Energy
I recently learned the word, Orenda, a spiritual energy believed by the Iroquois to exist in natural objects. Lately, I’ve been listening to the music of Ferry Corsten. His uplifting songs resonate with me during these challenging times. T is familiar with electronic trance music or as he calls them: songs with no words. ForContinue reading “Orenda: Nature’s Invisible Energy”
Resting Like Royalty
As Canada celebrates Victoria Day long weekend, the two queens in T’s life are focused on recharging. The hubby worked on the garden today. I didn’t even pretend to help. I love gardens, especially ones I don’t have to tend to! Instead, T and I went for a nice long hike at Rouge Park, anContinue reading “Resting Like Royalty”
Finding the Roaring Spirit of Adventure in Thunder Bay
We arrived in Thunder Bay close to 10 on Sunday evening. T screamed, “Why does it look like this? Where’s the thunder?!” The scenic adventures that unfolded over the following three days of our Summer 2020 family roadtrip more than made up for his initial lack of enthusiasm. First stop on Monday: Beautiful Kakabeka Falls,Continue reading “Finding the Roaring Spirit of Adventure in Thunder Bay”
Family Roadtrip to Explore Northern Ontario
We were determined not to let the pandemic take away our summer tradition – the family roadtrip. In August, we always take two weeks off to visit the hubby’s parents in New Brunswick, two provinces East of Ontario, and add a detour. This year, we hoped to visit New Hamsphire. It goes without saying theContinue reading “Family Roadtrip to Explore Northern Ontario”
A Rejuvenating First Nature Hike Since Lockdown
A family of swans, Canadian geese, ducks, and a deer feeding from afar. My family basked in a feast of nature this afternoon, our first outing since lockdown began three months ago. It was a beautiful Saturday. Sunny and a comfortably cool 16 degrees for t-shirt and shorts. A steady breeze. We headed for LyndeContinue reading “A Rejuvenating First Nature Hike Since Lockdown”
