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Remembered moments
One of the first exercises I learned in a writing class was an exercise of memory: remembered moments. With a series of prompting questions I had to list as many details as I could to recreate the scene (for the class it was a childhood car trip). The more details the better: the people I was with, what I was wearing, any conversation or other sounds, the texture of my seat, my mood. The idea is to transport yourself back to that moment. For the exercise I could only close my eyes and do my best to recall these details, but a journal or a photo are a great help…
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Ramblings in Madrid
My evenings are reserved for vermut, my days for walking and exploring the streets of Madrid. I discover the neighborhoods (barrios) of Madrid are as varied as the vermut. I love the elegant streets of Las Letras (or the literary quarter) which is where some of Spain’s literary greats lived, such as Miguel de Cervantes and Lope de la Vega. There are quotes from these masters embedded in the streets. Meaningful and poetic no doubt. It’s a test for my high school Spanish. I do not pass! But I still enjoy stopping to read the words. Luckily my Spanish is good enough to ask for a table (una mesa) on…
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Drinking in the ambience
I am sitting outside on a terrace as the sky turns deep blue. The sky darkens and the ornate sconces turn on, adding a soft glow to the weathered plaza. The air is warm. Church bells ring. A man walks his dog across the cobblestones. It’s quiet but for the animated chatter at the tables around me. At the table next to me sits a family with three little girls. Their three scooters, nestled together, are leaning on the table. It’s getting late. Except this is Madrid. The night is young. This scene seems to repeat every night. People of all ages come together for drinks, a tapa, a meal.…
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Canine University
I don’t like to brag. I don’t want to make a lot of noise, or howl, or stick out my chest (except for a belly rub). But listen up. I know things. Life affirming type of things. You may have heard that having a dog can make you happy. Do you know why? I do. I live by it. It’s me Caramel. You haven’t heard from me in a while. Sorry about that. I would say I have been busy, but that’s not true. I’ve just been living. Quite happily. This is why it’s best if I take over today’s post: how dogs make you happy. For starters, I will…
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White trail markers
I do enjoy an outing that combines a walk with a tasty destination. A Bruce trail hike PLUS a winery EQUALS one fine day. On one of these fine days, I was looking quizzically at a Bruce trail marker (cover photo) trying to figure out which way to go. I heard someone holler, “Are you looking for the trail?!” Well yes I was. The gentleman kindly pointed me in the right direction, which also happened to be the driveway to a winery: Locust Lane Winery. Perfect. The trail head was at the end of the winery’s driveway. From there, the trail passed by abandoned vines, alongside a small pond, across…
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Forest bathing invitations
“Place your feet firmly on the ground and feel the connection with the earth. Think of all the roots twisting and stretching out underneath you,” says Beth in her soothing voice. I am sitting in the forest on a collapsible stool. Beth is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy guide. Our small group has paused here, among the trees, to sit, close our eyes and allow ourselves to open up to the forest. She encourages us to slow our breathing and take note of any smells and sounds around us in the breezy forest air. It’s like we are prepping our senses, getting them ready to engage with the forest.…
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Bellissima
Gosh the peaches and nectarines have been excellent this summer. We have eaten baskets and baskets of these delectable stone fruits. Freestone. Clingstone. Baby gold peaches. White nectarines. Give me a moment please to wipe the nectar off my chin. To make the most of the short season I have taken several trips to Niagara’s Twenty Valley. I like to get close to the source. The fruit out there is beautiful. Rows and rows. Acres and acres. Bunches and bunches. Oh hang on. Let me have a closer look. I suppose peaches aren’t the only reason to drive out to Niagara. The vineyards are at their peak! The vines are…
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A tour of Europe in Bronte
To feed my travel appetite I have been listening to Travel with Rick Steves from time to time as I walk. In his entertaining weekly podcast he talks to tour guides, travel writers and other travel enthusiasts. It’s fun to hear their stories, get inspired and discover interesting travel themed books (this is how I heard about Eric Weiner’s Socrates Express). There are hundreds of episodes and I have merely scratched the surface. Anytime I listen though, I am ready to book a plane ticket to Europe. Maybe not right now. My appetite for travel inspired foods however, can be satisfied. I love trying the local cuisine when I travel.…
