Now that I am back to work, I am enjoying the little things, like taking the bus again. This may not seem like a big deal, but I have not taken the bus in over two years, due to the pandemic. I forgot how much I love it. It is a really relaxing way to start the morning. I enjoy the quiet half an hour ride, as it provides a cherished opportunity to read or practice French on Duolingo. It sets the tone for a great day ahead.
It is funny how quickly your body and mind adjusts to being back in the office. Within the first two days of returning, it felt like I had never left, but in a good way. It was so great to see my colleagues again. There were lots of coffee dates and opportunities to catch up. I am fortunate to work with some of the kindest, smartest, and values-driven people. I enjoyed reconnecting with them all.
All in all, it has been a positive week, and I am excited to see what opportunities lie ahead to do some meaningful work in the months ahead. #JoyBlogging
Although I have been divorced for six years now, I am fortunate to remain close with my ex-husband’s large, Irish family. I was a member of the Carrolls for over twenty years and our heart connections remain strong.
Over the weekend, I was invited to attend a farewell party for an elderly relative. He is moving to the United Kingdom to live with his daughter, and for many of us, this will be our final goodbye. It was a rare opportunity for the extended family to gather together: three generations of siblings, cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews travelled into say farewell.
The house was full of laughter and the table was teeming with food. There were many hugs, kisses and animated conversations with old friends. I looked around the party and I felt such gratitude to still have these wonderful people in my life. It is a gift that some things never change. #JoyBlogging
Cold water or “wild” swimming is something that I began doing during the pandemic, along with countless people across the globe. It has a many reported health benefits, including alleviating anxiety and depression, improving circulation and reducing inflammation. I appreciate that it gives me a regular excuse to spend quality time with my friends and I feel great for hours after I finish my swim.
In addition to the health benefits, I like that it is an accessible activity (you can do it most places and it is free), and you can generally find a community wherever you go. When I was in Ireland this spring, I enjoyed swimming in lakes, rivers and the Atlantic Ocean. Through word of mouth, I met some lovely people who kindly welcomed me to join their regular swimming groups. It was a fun and memorable way to explore the local landscape. #JoyBlogging
One of my favourite things about living on the west coast of Canada is spending time in and on the Pacific Ocean. I love to swim with my friends, year round, and experience the amazing health benefits of the cold salt water; and I really enjoy padding in my little kayak with my pup on a sunny afternoon.
It has been a beautiful, slow transition into fall this year, with many bright, crisp days; and this has given me extra opportunities to get out in my boat. Today, I ventured out with Lucky and we explored along the coastline. I loved peering into the shallow waters and spotting the sea life below. We passed over top of starfish, minnows, oysters and bull kelp forests. A heron stood guard on a rocky outcrop, patiently waiting for its prey. Sandpipers gathered in large groups and seagulls floated over head. It was peaceful and serene. What an exceptional gift it is to be able to immerse myself in this beautiful landscape. #JoyBlogging
For Paul Cézanne, there would have been no great painting, perhaps no painting at all, without the landscape of Provence. Cézanne has come to represent many things in art history — harbinger of modernism, proto-cubist, terminator of classical styles and preoccupations; but he was first and foremost a painter of several hundred hectares of rugged, sun-drenched earth in and around Aix-en-Provence.
In the early 1890s, after years of moving back and forth between Provence and areas in and around Paris, Cézanne began spending more and more time in Aix and environs, rediscovering his most important and reliable sources of inspiration. Around the middle of that decade, he launched what his biographer Alex Danchev describes as “the greatest period of late painting since Rembrandt.” He spent much of that time painting in Le Tholonet.
A persistent object of his attention was the ancient quarry at Bibémus, located a kilometre or so northwest of the village centre. Quarrying began there in Roman times and continued until 1885, roughly ten years before Cézanne started painting at the site. The relative isolation and solitude of Bibémus were undoubtedly attractive to him, as were the stunning rock formations, products of ancient geological forces and more recent centuries of excavation and cutting. But it was especially the colours in the quarry — complicated shades of ochre in the rock and the greens of the quarry’s trees and shrubs — that captured his imagination.
One warm summer evening in June, I spent several hours exploring this exquisite area, retracing the steps of the painter with a small group of hikers. Starting at Le Tholonet, we entered the Parc Départemental de Roques–Hautes, and walked until we came upon the Bibémus plateau. With a panoramic view of the limestone ridge of Montagne Sainte-Victoire, the air was fragrant with thyme, rosemary, lavender, pine and mint; and we were surrounded by the chirping of cicadas.
As we eventually descended into the village, dusk fell upon the valley, and pink and purples hues filled the sky. Live music rose from the festival stage on the pétanque court below, beckoning us closer. Darkness fell upon the valley, and we joined the crowd gathered under the broad plane trees and bright stars, soaking up the beautiful evening together. #JoyBlogging
I just spent ten days in Mexico visiting my step-dad, Bob. He lives in a small community in the countryside located outside of San Miguel de Allende: a city in Mexico’s central highlands, known for its baroque Spanish architecture, thriving arts scene and cultural festivals. In the city’s historic, cobblestoned centre lies a famous neo-Gothic church, Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, whose dramatic pink towers rise above the main plaza, El Jardín.
We enjoyed a lovely, quiet visit together, with a daily routine consisting of morning walks in the countryside with the dogs, afternoons of reading and writing, and evenings filled with good meals and movies. October is a particularly beautiful time to visit Mexico, as the rainy season is coming to an end, and the vegetation is lush and bright.
A highlight of our the experience was learning about the local cuisine together. During my visit, Bob and I enjoyed a number of cooking lessons, and I learned how to make authentic guacamole, quesadilla, enchiladas verdes and chile relleno. It was such a privilege to be taught many of these family recipes from Alicia, who grew up in the local area. Food is a beautiful way to meaningfully connect and experience a culture. #JoyBlogging
One evening while living in Aix, I was walking in my neighbourhood, and I happened across a little gallery opening taking place on a tiny side street. It was hosted by two Aixois artists at their studio, Espace Mer. The opening was mostly attended by friends and family, but they welcomed me in, and eagerly showed me their work. I ended up purchasing some beautiful jewellery pieces from one of the artists, Raphaëlle D’Auxerre.
During our conversation, I learned that Raphaëlle taught yoga classes at a local studio, Atelier 8, and she invited me to join her later that week. It was the start of a lovely friendship. Throughout the month of June, I attended Raphaëlle’s evening classes in a cosy pottery studio, located in an eighteenth century building, with two other students. We practised a mixture of hatha, vinyassa and chanting. Through the intimacy of the space, and the intention of the practice, Raphaëlle created a powerful energetic experience for us all to share.
As the weather grew warmer, Raphaëlle moved our class out to a local park, Promenade de la Torse; and during our first evening together, she invited us gather for a small picnic in celebration of the start of summer. As I sat there on my mat, on that warm provençal evening, sharing conversation, laughter, and a meal with these lovely French women, I was reminded that no matter where I travel in the world, I can locate community and friendship through pursuing my passion for the arts and yoga. What an incredible gift. #JoyBlogging
Today is my birthday and I am turning forty-seven years old. It is hard to believe that I am already closing in on the end of another decade. It seems like yesterday that I was turning forty. It reminds me of how important it is to appreciate every moment of life, as it really does go by quickly.
I am currently in Mexico visiting my step-dad for ten days. It is the final stretch of my sabbatical, as I start back at work in November. Returning to the ranch, I can feel my mother’s presence everywhere, despite her physical absence. It brings up a sadness and nostalgia for something that is gone, as well as gratitude for the beauty and love that we shared in our brief time together.
Bob has given me a special birthday to remember. We cooked a meal, featuring homemade guacamole and quesadillas, and he picked up a delicious chocolate cake from a bakery in San Miguel de Allende. We watched a really good movie, Dark Waters. It was a lovely day all around. His thoughtfulness and care is something that I deeply appreciate. It is the best gift of all. #JoyBlogging
This morning I participated in the CIBC Run for the Cure with my lovely friend, Carla. It is an annual fundraising event organized in support of breast cancer research. I ran in honour of my Aunt Charlis, who passed away at age fifty-four from the disease, as well as my Grammie, and my friend, Heidi, who continues to fight the good fight. Carla ran in memory of her father, who passed away from cancer. Through our collective efforts, we raised over $1000 between us.
It was a beautiful, sunny morning up at the University of Victoria. As we ran around the ring road, passing through groups of laughing friends, and children pushed in strollers tied with pink and white balloons, it was apparent how this disease impacts so many lives, both young and old: and yet, despite its destruction, people continue to show up, to love one another, and believe in a better future. #JoyBlogging
Today I watched as my dog, Lucky, discovered a sunny spot on the dining room rug. He settled in for a nap. He often does this in the afternoon. It reminds me of when I was a little girl, aged three or four; I would find a pool of sun, shining in through our sliding glass doors, and I would lie down, close my eyes, and enjoy the feeling of warmth on my body. It is these little things that fill us up. #JoyBlogging
During my time in Aix, a family friend introduced me to a wonderful French woman named Frédérique. Frédérique previously lived in Victoria and she maintains close ties with the west coast of Canada. She kindly offered to host me for lunch with her family and they warmly welcomed me into their home. We enjoyed a lovely meal together on the patio, over several hours, while she shared stories about her time living in Canada, and I shared about my experience living in France. Frédérique spoke French with me the whole time and she was incredibly encouraging of my efforts with the language.
The following week, Frédérique and her sister, Olivia, invited my daughter and I to join them on a day trip to swim in the Mediterranean at Istres. They took us to a quiet and private spot that used to be part of a quarry. The stone had been cut along a long flat shelf and it provided a perfect jumping platform. The ocean was warm and inviting; and we floated happily together in the highly salinated waters. It was a beautiful and unique experience: one that we enjoyed thanks to their generosity and knowledge of the local area.
One of the many gifts of travel is the opportunity to meet kind strangers who welcome you into their lives and community. Although our time was short together, I have formed a deep heart connection with Frédérique. She is a real kindred spirit and I know that she will be someone I stay in touch with for many years to come. #JoyBlogging
It was a beautiful, warm September evening for our community picnic and Meet the Teacher night at the school. Our Parents Advisory Council (PAC) executive came together and organized for pizza, drinks and The Ice Cream Truck to be on site. Families brought their chairs and blankets to put on the field to gather. It was the first time in over two years that we were able to come together, freely access the school, and meet the teachers and administrators in person. There was a lot of laughter and smiling faces. It felt wonderful to be a small part of making this special event take place. #JoyBlogging
Breath by Breath 