Should We Stay or Should We Go

Yesterday I had a free day so John and I picked up my youngest brother, Ricky, and decided to take an old-fashioned Sunday Drive - on a Wednesday. We had a plan. We were going to take a scenic drive along Lake Ontario, stop at a few of our favourite waterfront spots and then head up the Niagara Escarpment.  It wasn't an ambitious plan, but it sounded like a nice way to spend an afternoon together. Ricky has Down Syndrome and lives close by, so I like to see him as often as I can. Outings have become a little more challenging now as he uses a wheelchair. There are only so many places we can easily go, so sometimes a drive and a few accessible stops can make for a pretty great afternoon. We’re Pretty Lucky Around Here Oakville sits along the western end of Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes. For anyone who isn't familiar with them, the Great Lakes are Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. They are enormous freshwater lakes along the Canada–United States border. I...

After a busy month of writing for the blog challenge, 31 posts in 31 days, I think my brain is a little fried. And then there was last week. I spent five days at a crafting retreat in a beautiful country setting, surrounded by friends and, of course, lots of crafting supplies. It was a relaxing week, but I also went with a mission. I wanted to make a dent in my ever-growing pile of pictures. And I did. I sorted through pictures, created scrapbook pages, and came home with a smaller picture pile than the one I left with. There is something very satisfying about looking at a stack of photographs and actually seeing it get smaller. But perhaps my brain and body decided that enough was enough. For the last couple of days, I haven't had much motivation to do anything. My craft supplies are still sitting by the front door waiting to be put away. The laundry is waiting beside the washing machine. The house could definitely use some cleaning. The garage is still filled with all the items w...

For years, we saw retirement as the destination. We counted down the days until we no longer had to set an alarm or plan our lives around work, family schedules, and other commitments. We talked about all the things we'd finally have time to do. Travel. Hobbies. Spending more time with family and friends. Sleeping in. The list seemed endless. It is easy to imagine retirement as the finish line. It is the place we've been working toward for decades. For much of our lives, we have been running the race. But after retiring, I've come to see it differently. Retirement isn't a destination. It's a season. Like every season of life, it changes over time. When we first retired, there was a wonderful sense of freedom. There was no schedule to follow unless we wanted one. Mornings were slower. The days stretched out in front of us, full of possibilities. It almost felt like being on a very long vacation. In fact, that's exactly how our retirement began, or at least how we...

  One of the things I was looking forward to on my drive to this week's crafting retreat was making a small detour to the West Montrose Covered Bridge - also known as the Kissing Bridge. The bridge is only a short distance away from where we're staying. It is in Woolwich Township, right in the heart of Ontario's Mennonite country. Unfortunately, this wasn't meant to be the visit I had planned. The West Montrose Covered Bridge has stood over the Grand River since 1881 . Designed by local bridge builder John Bear and constructed by John and Benjamin Bear, it is the last remaining covered bridge in Ontario . The bridge was enclosed for a practical reason rather than a romantic one. The roof and wooden siding protected the heavy timber structure from rain, snow, and sun, allowing it to survive for well over a century while most uncovered wooden bridges disappeared long ago.

Welcome to the very first Tea & Chat! Once a month, I thought it would be fun to take a break from my usual posts, pour a cup of tea (or coffee!), and simply catch up on what's been happening. So settle in, grab your favourite drink, and let's chat. Looking Back Over the Last Few Weeks Last month was a busy one on the blog as I participated in the Ultimate Blog Challenge, writing 31 posts in 31 days. I settled into a good writing routine, so it feels a little strange not to be racing to publish another post every day. Life suddenly seems much quieter, and I'm enjoying the slower pace. While it was rewarding to push myself to write daily, it also took a lot of mental energy . The challenge reminded me why I started this blog in the first place. I love sharing the places we've explored, and capturing the little moments that might otherwise be forgotten. More than anything, it helped me rediscover the habit of writing, and that's something I don't want to lose....

Photo by Amelia Bartlett on Unsplash Well, that's a wrap on another Ultimate Blog Challenge! Thirty-one days ago, I challenged myself to write 31 posts in 31 days,  and I'm happy to say I made it. More than anything, this challenge got me back into the habit of writing consistently. It reminded me how much I enjoy writing and sharing our travels, life in retirement, and the everyday moments in between. I also have a much clearer idea of where I want this blog to go. One of the best parts of the month was connecting with so many fellow bloggers. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, left a comment, or offered encouragement along the way. A special thank you to Paul  for hosting another Ultimate Blog Challenge and bringing us all together. So, what's next? My goal is simple: keep the momentum going. I'll continue writing about life in retirement, family, and travel - and this fall I'll be lucky enough to combine all three as we head off on another family advent...