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A crafty lesson
I have been making notebooks lately. Thanks to the Globe and Mail craft club. It was an enjoyable way to spend an hour on a Tuesday evening as Catalina Sanchez shared her step by step instructions on how to craft homemade notebooks. Ever since I have been stitching together these little notepads with random paper I have in the house. I tend to go through phases with making crafts. A few years ago I was obsessed with sewing tote bags. I had discovered an old sewing machine in my family, a 1954 Singer. It’s a dapper little machine, shiny black with ornate gold trim, that folds neatly into a carrying…
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Happy tweets
March 20 is the UN International Day of Happiness. As I wrote last year, it’s all about spreading the message of happiness and kindness (and I had some inspiration from a kind friend to do so!) The day is designated by the United Nations to recognize “progress should be about increasing human happiness and wellbeing, not just growing the economy.” I continue to enjoy the daily little nudges from the Action for Happiness app to remind me of ways to be happy everyday. Today’s message is “Celebrate the International Day of Happiness“. So happy International Day of Happiness! One topic that comes up frequently in the daily nudges relates to…
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Connecting with Nature
International Day of Happiness
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Walking and Philosophy
Most of my walking this past year has been on the familiar paths of my neighbourhood streets and woodland trails. However, I do let my mind wander at times to other destinations, say a craggy Greek landscape. Instead of cold wind whipping at my face and geese honking overhead, I imagine sunshine warming my cheeks and bees buzzing in thyme and lavender bushes. This particular image comes to mind after reading about Aristotle’s school (Lyceum) in Athens. Aristotle liked to walk with his students (called peripatetics) while deliberating his philosophies. Of the many topics Aristotle deliberated, human happiness was a biggie. He believed the goal of human life was happiness…
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Simplicity
Simplicity. This is the name of our Christmas tree this year. (Our local garden centre attaches a name tag on each tree to add a little whimsy to the tree selection experience.) The tree fits nicely in our home. It’s not too tall, so there’s room for the star on top. The bushy green branches are well spaced to host our assortment of well-worn ornaments. We chose the tree for its pleasing shape and size rather than its name. But the name fits quite well too. Wizard, Joey or Audi would not feel right this year. In a year where good health, family and a comfy home are appreciated more…
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Happiness two ways
“It’s 1992. I’m in Genoa on the hunt for pesto.” I tell my family. “We can’t find the restaurant in our guidebook so we ask this man for directions.” “And it turns out he is the owner,” my daughter rolls her eyes. “I know, I know Mom. We’ve heard the story, like a thousand times.” Fair enough. In my defence, we are eating spaghetti with a zesty pesto I made with the Genovese basil from my garden. With the fragrant plates in front of us, it was the perfect setting to reminisce about my youthful backpacking story. My family was forced to travel along with me. Granted the story is…
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Alone Time
Imagine you are in Florence. In the popular Uffizi gallery. Standing in front of Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus. It’s the one with the Goddess herself standing nude on a large scallop shell casually covering her unmentionables with her arm and flowing auburn hair. The painting is famous. People come from all over the world to see it, or buy a replica on a souvenir. There is generally a crowd gathered around the masterpiece. Necks stretched to get a peak. In this instance you are completely alone. The room is empty. Serene. This a moment in Stephanie Rosenbloom’s book, Alone Time: Four Seasons, Four Cities and the Pleasures of Solitude.…
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A happy souvenir
There are so many wonderful things about visiting a wine region. The glorious sight of rows upon rows of tidy grape vines. The musty smell of grapes as you tour a winery operations. A fun tasting with a friendly server. However there is one feature I am most appreciative at this moment: the tangible souvenirs you take home to enjoy later. And that is exactly what I am doing now. Savouring a memento from one of my visits to the Twenty Valley this fall. If you are imagining me sipping a wine, this is completely understandable. A fragrant rosé or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc are excellent choices on a warm…
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Spotting painted rocks
Do you have painted rocks in your neighbourhood? Neighbourhood walks are the norm these days. Local is very local. So finding a new discovery on a familiar path really brings joy. Words of kindness. Cute creatures. Pretty flowers. Inspirational messages. The rocks are tucked along the path amongst shrubs, resting on stumps and nestled in tree trunks. Hidden just enough to make you slow down and take a closer look. Some have simple designs. Others are more intricate. They all make me smile. I don’t know who has planted these thoughtful ornaments. Thank you for sharing your positivity….and artistic talents! I hope you have these little drops of kindness in…
