Intentional living
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El Présente
“You think of it, all you have is the present moment. The past doesn’t exist anymore, the future hasn’t happened.” I was chatting with a gentleman I often see on my lakeside walks. It was a brilliant sunny late February day, a canoe out on the lake. The gentleman I was talking to is in his eighties, an avid walker, always greets me with a smile, and I learn in this conversation, a fan of Marcus Aurelius. He has a well worn copy of the Roman emperor’s personal essays that he’s consulted over the years. We were talking about the Stoics and the almost mind bending challenge to live in…
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Happier Together
Today, March 20, marks the UN International Day of Happiness. This year’s theme is Happier Together reminding us that “lasting happiness comes from feeling connected and being a part of something bigger.” I feel more grateful with each passing year for my relationships. My family, my friendships spanning decades and my newer connections. I have not always been great with maintaining some relationships and I am trying to be better. This was an important take away from a Happiness Habits course I took (and enjoyed immensely) in the fall with Action for Happiness. It’s a six week course and relationships are one of six topics covered (others are gratitude, self-care,…
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Musical moments and memories
The other day I put on an album I hadn’t listened to for some time: Natalie Merchant’s Ophelia. By “put on an album” I mean stream on my iPhone. Back in 1998, the year it was released, I would have removed the shiny CD from its case, placed it on the tray of my CD player, gently pushed it shut, then pressed the play button. Click. I loved that CD/cassette combination player with matching boxy speakers. It took up a large portion of the living room shelving unit in the house I rented in Ottawa with two roommates. We played that CD often. It was in regular rotation along with…
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Andy the Architect
It is the year anniversary of the passing of my dear father. Sharing this short piece (in the style of G&M Lives Lived) in his memory. I miss him and proud to call him my Dad. Andrew Scott Bruce: Architect. Family-man. Skier. Cottager. Advocate for heritage conservation. Born June 10, 1939, Toronto; Died January 6, 2023, Oakville, of health complications from Alzheimer’s; aged 83 Andrew Bruce was always known as Andy. And Andy always knew he wanted to be an architect. This ambition was set in Grade 7. By the time he was in high school at Runnymede Collegiate in Toronto, he was doodling designs in his textbooks. Andy was…
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International Day of Happiness
Musical moments and memories
Walking and Philosophy
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Go with love
The first stop on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago is Roncesvalles. It feels momentous to arrive in this small village. You’ve made it over the Pyrenees, left France behind and arrived in Spain. It’s Buenos Dias and Buen Camino from here on out. Another momentous occasion in Roncesvalles is the pilgrims mass in Iglesia de La Colegiata de Santa Maria. This intimate gothic church has exquisite stain glass and fantastic acoustics. The church fills with locals and eager pilgrims from all over the world embarking on the 800 km walk to Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrims may set out from home on an individual journey but quickly become…
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Whole-hearted Caramel
I love to go for walks. The scent of squirrel in the air, grass to tickle my paws, sticks to pick up. So many things get me excited to bounce out the front door. There’s also a practical necessity for a walk but we don’t need to go there. TMI. Do you know one big reason I love walks? If you have ever met me on the street, you do. I LOVE people. My tail wags vigorously when I see a nice two legged person. My tail does not lie. This is not pretend joy. It comes from my heart. Tail wagging lets them know I am happy. Friendly. It’s…
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Wildlife encounters at the cottage
Four hummingbirds were fighting over the last dredges of sugar syrup this morning. When the battle was over I refilled the red plastic feeder. Third time this week. A steady stream of tiny shimmering birds have been zipping over for a snack. It’s so popular they knock each other out of the way. Even without any sweet enticement I have been fortunate this summer to spot plenty of wildlife at our Little Straggle cottage. On a walk in the woods, I had a staring contest with a lone fox. He spotted me and stood utterly still in the forest. I admired his lustrous red coat and full bushy tail before…
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The sage owl
I spotted this owl on my walk the other day. Someone had carefully shaped pieces of bark to form a body, wings and tufts of feathers above the head. Two acorn shells mimicked the distinctive round eyes of an owl. The woodsy owl blended in with its environment. It’s easy to miss. As I looked into its acorn eyes for the first time I imagined the owl thinking “Well, it’s about time you saw me.” You see, I have walked this trail many times and never noticed it before. I only spotted the owl because I had stopped to sit on a stump. Refreshed, I stood up and turned around.…
