tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2911431030334675202024-03-13T07:39:05.267-03:00Figuring it outA runner's quest to figure out what life's aboutJan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.comBlogger458125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-39440083478958912722023-12-30T16:37:00.008-04:002023-12-31T11:04:35.895-04:002023: Another Pandemic Year in Photos<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQ11VwDSEKT0NUvCaKDIFN-5a3F-CzDv4IGn0RZd1qoOcIqy1y5g0S6cQQMkiJ04bnQeTfbBc3hBvZ24AK8e325EAnneRrzCepUqkd-XJbi4m7md-Fx-4fOtuKAdGdw9SMOIIAMF6gF-_BY9Qwef4KbYC6fz591s9Of4MTAnN-VAY7RCBDhfIfhVzZUoo/s4161/8CF831A2-A2C5-439D-AC62-98A95CA88FA1_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3121" data-original-width="4161" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQ11VwDSEKT0NUvCaKDIFN-5a3F-CzDv4IGn0RZd1qoOcIqy1y5g0S6cQQMkiJ04bnQeTfbBc3hBvZ24AK8e325EAnneRrzCepUqkd-XJbi4m7md-Fx-4fOtuKAdGdw9SMOIIAMF6gF-_BY9Qwef4KbYC6fz591s9Of4MTAnN-VAY7RCBDhfIfhVzZUoo/w400-h300/8CF831A2-A2C5-439D-AC62-98A95CA88FA1_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from Cheticamp Island, October 2023</td></tr></tbody></table>There are many who believe the Covid-19 pandemic is behind us. I wish I was capable of that degree of self-deception but sadly I (mostly) live the real world, where the pandemic continues to cast a long shadow as a new wave of serious illness and death sweeps through Asia and across the US and Europe. To be honest, it often feels to me as if we're living through a slow-moving zombie apolcalypse. I find myself wondering whether society as we know it will continue to exist once a majority of the human population is too sick, exhausted, angry and/or cognitively impaired to sustain anything like normal social interactions. <p></p><p>My grim outlook on 2023 is partly informed by the time I spent nursing a broken wrist this year. While the wrist is mostly back to normal now, reflecting on the months after my surgery still makes me shudder. I'm sincerely grateful for the excellent care I received, but being so disabled - even temporarily - was deeply unsettling.</p><p>My outlook is also affected by memories of the series of downright apocalyptic weather events that hit our part of the world. After a polar vortex in February, unseasonably hot, dry weather in the spring, devastating wildfires in June, a massively destructive rain event in July, post-tropical storm Lee in September, and a series of nasty wind and rain storms through November and December, Nova Scotia is finishing the year a good deal more ragged than when she began it. Her coastlines are battered, farmers struggle to plan for the upcoming growing season, fishers warn catches are down all over, dozens of highways and bridges remain heavily damaged, and many of her residents are still waiting for homes to be repaired months after they were damaged. </p><p>In short, it's been a lot, particularly given the waves of Covid-19 that have swept through the province at regular intervals. </p><p>The weird thing is that looking through my photos from the past 12 months, the stuff that's dominating my memories of 2023 is mostly invisible. A photo like this one, taken one June evening in Queensport, Guysborough County, gives no inkling of the discomfort I felt while making it.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpAH0Dq9UgxpXtR14X0vGIQyfo5-yw93zTLdSHtGxobeue4ZyV3w8OYDKMupoH_w9a4sOs5znMPDFzRAW3jTGndXwJbv4mr18M0fjcqaCL9XKhxvdiuygaSeZGtUBQqO5rFSD_Snh8zqG3DpTWQp3PffEoSBpUZxhpWfuywPGlHDN6bUZoZglbjW4TOuq/s4473/270D9B42-BC26-4B78-BFF0-29F1A60BF131_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2516" data-original-width="4473" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpAH0Dq9UgxpXtR14X0vGIQyfo5-yw93zTLdSHtGxobeue4ZyV3w8OYDKMupoH_w9a4sOs5znMPDFzRAW3jTGndXwJbv4mr18M0fjcqaCL9XKhxvdiuygaSeZGtUBQqO5rFSD_Snh8zqG3DpTWQp3PffEoSBpUZxhpWfuywPGlHDN6bUZoZglbjW4TOuq/w400-h226/270D9B42-BC26-4B78-BFF0-29F1A60BF131_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queensport Light, Guysborough County</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We'd driven to Guysborough to spend time with an old friend who was in hospital there and spent our first night at the provincial campground nearby but it was so unbearably hot (in June!) we decided to try and find somewhere nearer the ocean to stay the second night. We headed down the road towards Tor Bay, which we'd very much enjoyed the last time we visited, but my wrist was too sore and the weather was too hot to travel far, so we ended up boondocking in a small parking lot beside the highway in Queensport for the night. It wasn't ideal - it was still uncomfortably warm, humid and buggy - but at least the skies werebeautiful at sunset, a cool breeze came up overnight, and we got to watch the fishers at work in the morning. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6h9DAUW_uwoOF9IvfDAvRQ0NZPoG8dU-1-RBlGn1dArWBxQUnUewksDxiIPzHJID-GoEVp_W4TpXpyjBI8XXPxjr0CG2IAkabV0fzzte3HeMVKSNzO4tMWW6mL9vXvcqwRTmnnT4O1xepfHPZ6K9TN7hOQzhsZkwJKoSesLLDORRtdfNmgeu4zrN-D1GK/s4064/C3992329-D177-4E1D-9C58-9CAD5438A6DA_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2286" data-original-width="4064" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6h9DAUW_uwoOF9IvfDAvRQ0NZPoG8dU-1-RBlGn1dArWBxQUnUewksDxiIPzHJID-GoEVp_W4TpXpyjBI8XXPxjr0CG2IAkabV0fzzte3HeMVKSNzO4tMWW6mL9vXvcqwRTmnnT4O1xepfHPZ6K9TN7hOQzhsZkwJKoSesLLDORRtdfNmgeu4zrN-D1GK/w400-h225/C3992329-D177-4E1D-9C58-9CAD5438A6DA_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Towards the end of the year, I took a few photos of Risser's Beach, which was devastated by Lee, but they don't come close to capturing the extent of the damage. </p><p>And maybe that's as it should be. Maybe it's better that my photos mostly recorded the happy moments and the beautiful places we visited this year. They certainly offer more comfort heading into another cold, dark pandemic winter than darker, sadder images would.</p><p>In any case, here are a few of my favourites from 2023. I tried unsuccessfully to limit myself to one per month. Hopefully, they'll lift your spirits as they did mine.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6419mCi2ys0yzTchZzWclStyUflBjk9BDn8wsHUbkHqq-l9vdP0MM28dhiOdZv4lqMzQlonBayMrfM0JTNwUh0IpVOq1s02rcck1u49yoSq5Rr7w1PXQe7hsJFVDK9IH1YuUq2n7OcF5X0E_d46ZgwTqt6Bz0dp3dStp8yDibnEW2G5nMdMdXAmB6dRi/s4137/0C254B84-370C-4BF4-B3CA-9A03D97CC080_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3103" data-original-width="4137" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6419mCi2ys0yzTchZzWclStyUflBjk9BDn8wsHUbkHqq-l9vdP0MM28dhiOdZv4lqMzQlonBayMrfM0JTNwUh0IpVOq1s02rcck1u49yoSq5Rr7w1PXQe7hsJFVDK9IH1YuUq2n7OcF5X0E_d46ZgwTqt6Bz0dp3dStp8yDibnEW2G5nMdMdXAmB6dRi/w400-h300/0C254B84-370C-4BF4-B3CA-9A03D97CC080_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From a walk on trails at Ross Farm in January</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJc2Uubxsgl3c4aXdUq3DlqBwz_if5yZIWkVQz_FyyauWmrTYBi4fPbAG4K0pl34WQjS27o1JR_i8AKtDF_er-0QLVJUsdSgP7VZNDZSDm5vfJfRuC_9PjrI8JVtPVLcL4HuY5cwUV6eU1ve4yDybXeOisk3GoTAYGv7ff25tUK6TkhL2lCQTv86u1ywr/s4444/726AABD1-2FFD-4B92-8228-6B5ECAE19A73_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3174" data-original-width="4444" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJc2Uubxsgl3c4aXdUq3DlqBwz_if5yZIWkVQz_FyyauWmrTYBi4fPbAG4K0pl34WQjS27o1JR_i8AKtDF_er-0QLVJUsdSgP7VZNDZSDm5vfJfRuC_9PjrI8JVtPVLcL4HuY5cwUV6eU1ve4yDybXeOisk3GoTAYGv7ff25tUK6TkhL2lCQTv86u1ywr/w400-h286/726AABD1-2FFD-4B92-8228-6B5ECAE19A73_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with abstracts in February</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomMLySIrilrW_69BS1bp0y2vYY2_D-iYPH12UEuJtbw4z3vXfQo0lJyhS8HMNnMUuDfOcbs5gqfoN3P6mpJaxszFFbi3wTbZ1QkBPlPwmrhgf7QTvpn7Oc-vsbAVUteSniqcXQoj3H7iB6-cI-xxRzcp-bAjtNxYJbSms0SlIQGNWZUKP5uN_ZPvOfjOm/s3770/8372E784-2E10-42E6-84CD-332C6DB5FEDC_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3770" data-original-width="2827" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomMLySIrilrW_69BS1bp0y2vYY2_D-iYPH12UEuJtbw4z3vXfQo0lJyhS8HMNnMUuDfOcbs5gqfoN3P6mpJaxszFFbi3wTbZ1QkBPlPwmrhgf7QTvpn7Oc-vsbAVUteSniqcXQoj3H7iB6-cI-xxRzcp-bAjtNxYJbSms0SlIQGNWZUKP5uN_ZPvOfjOm/w300-h400/8372E784-2E10-42E6-84CD-332C6DB5FEDC_1_201_a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From a snowy walk at Woodland Gardens in Bridgewater in March</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuGAQxS17oH3MjbWVFKSXSJLrtB3KkJ0zn2gNd_ZW9yLZeTRJR4kcIFDf59oz_6rdPQxIAqoMptU6vBNLRKMkuhCVqBF4QiejcicpadQR7Ecs7v6KQSuzS4Y_x73wbzrxeGXD5N3fTm9wZo5ssC17oAxjfOAX9nCgJTAHkyXRaNdvfubtL1bUnovkyZhh/s3588/9BC14C0A-C819-4ED7-8C47-1F5AB92A053A_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2691" data-original-width="3588" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuGAQxS17oH3MjbWVFKSXSJLrtB3KkJ0zn2gNd_ZW9yLZeTRJR4kcIFDf59oz_6rdPQxIAqoMptU6vBNLRKMkuhCVqBF4QiejcicpadQR7Ecs7v6KQSuzS4Y_x73wbzrxeGXD5N3fTm9wZo5ssC17oAxjfOAX9nCgJTAHkyXRaNdvfubtL1bUnovkyZhh/w400-h300/9BC14C0A-C819-4ED7-8C47-1F5AB92A053A_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From a wonderful hike to the end of St. Catherine's Beach at Keji Seaside in April</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2wCwzVARsOUPUo4Ue7o3v0w972Q_j0sJSb1OfIlLm5pjLGNOr4E73Ni2QLpcsSp1XOsVXqXb4jlsg6DvEBkHO99USIEV2fnyHSH1vSIyYXYB_8AxbkybPfJ3vakgskELWabpncD-ljQwtgnWuk__HhrVTwzKLaD2jqMfDlVTWIX0h6urATWeZpxN0gpS/s4116/B84AFBC2-0F9E-48F0-90FC-8BB1C90E1606_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3087" data-original-width="4116" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2wCwzVARsOUPUo4Ue7o3v0w972Q_j0sJSb1OfIlLm5pjLGNOr4E73Ni2QLpcsSp1XOsVXqXb4jlsg6DvEBkHO99USIEV2fnyHSH1vSIyYXYB_8AxbkybPfJ3vakgskELWabpncD-ljQwtgnWuk__HhrVTwzKLaD2jqMfDlVTWIX0h6urATWeZpxN0gpS/w400-h300/B84AFBC2-0F9E-48F0-90FC-8BB1C90E1606_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our lunch spot in La Pocatière en route to Ottawa in May</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBk0aPYOTF452q6zC7KsCzQjJinTvVzb-jCmSJxiC9tUNx-Xo1hGt04YDYn4zy0jQ8-aVEJiF5EbOAJZ-mZw099IN6Hmy_f0qaiHEAwP90XYuCYIxzL-ClPAZnRJc2L3gMSQroVQfjbu9l8uXZfQUJj74c-Rh1nVWxMac8AV5xmf9t3UISewAa_3ePmt-K/s4009/ADE04045-4D16-430C-9DFF-1DC35DB9756C_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3007" data-original-width="4009" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBk0aPYOTF452q6zC7KsCzQjJinTvVzb-jCmSJxiC9tUNx-Xo1hGt04YDYn4zy0jQ8-aVEJiF5EbOAJZ-mZw099IN6Hmy_f0qaiHEAwP90XYuCYIxzL-ClPAZnRJc2L3gMSQroVQfjbu9l8uXZfQUJj74c-Rh1nVWxMac8AV5xmf9t3UISewAa_3ePmt-K/w400-h300/ADE04045-4D16-430C-9DFF-1DC35DB9756C_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our friends' home in Ottawa, where we spent several days in May</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Kg_8J36qsw6xynMci1wxfWI0rempffPQHMjJEd1_nI1fQSlCsUtxO3SPXIbjKpDK_8MFPW5uOaaHAsK3WIY-KltYBegRsTxatORbOq008k6O2LDAm1XLFqaQf_j6QpZ0pHN5YAaXtpJ7jnf9wuNEYJi0SxogUXrKOkIoxoBUMVTCvtsTH7PWhbNLDeSz/s4856/5D32BB17-3E74-40C5-B639-3E116CF9D908_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="4856" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Kg_8J36qsw6xynMci1wxfWI0rempffPQHMjJEd1_nI1fQSlCsUtxO3SPXIbjKpDK_8MFPW5uOaaHAsK3WIY-KltYBegRsTxatORbOq008k6O2LDAm1XLFqaQf_j6QpZ0pHN5YAaXtpJ7jnf9wuNEYJi0SxogUXrKOkIoxoBUMVTCvtsTH7PWhbNLDeSz/w400-h266/5D32BB17-3E74-40C5-B639-3E116CF9D908_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A favourite image of the Onondaga, from our brief stop in Rimouski in May</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtruw1svlydUTyO1v3-4UM12qZy9kIlh4zmySHnVM7ofAs_JyT_9cMvjkNzU88XCprGEo7Hq1dlGJx_4Sbl1lB7zFKQ0vlCUX7Bw_8rSi7ZrkTLIcxHPeki7EWuTEqNutnkIigjICxMITvyQSQXvtwAYg_Q5B5HrgmtTc56QhcufJESBM7cl2_Y5Jq-k5_/s4098/4E892931-CCEF-4669-81F7-FFCD9B4A47C9_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2305" data-original-width="4098" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtruw1svlydUTyO1v3-4UM12qZy9kIlh4zmySHnVM7ofAs_JyT_9cMvjkNzU88XCprGEo7Hq1dlGJx_4Sbl1lB7zFKQ0vlCUX7Bw_8rSi7ZrkTLIcxHPeki7EWuTEqNutnkIigjICxMITvyQSQXvtwAYg_Q5B5HrgmtTc56QhcufJESBM7cl2_Y5Jq-k5_/w400-h225/4E892931-CCEF-4669-81F7-FFCD9B4A47C9_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mouth of the Petite Riviere, from the far end of Risser's Beach, in June</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicN7h1_Yu1JWCO7b0NHw_3xcyQWBWDBoB1U-oozlEFGULeyIpuN_inGjQwWyHlyAVIZH52garQULUiAIALAR-WKhR7dnqDXYlo7uhkQL_C4TiLnDDEpY5IOdoPrHMysPYJup6OhQSeJkCW9Qw9stEgbIkx8YpQy8XaoDQEVuUgpHTrnze50reSXkEc9iwa/s4592/4A91C98B-E7EB-4BC2-AE05-0DA1CB244D42_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3448" data-original-width="4592" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicN7h1_Yu1JWCO7b0NHw_3xcyQWBWDBoB1U-oozlEFGULeyIpuN_inGjQwWyHlyAVIZH52garQULUiAIALAR-WKhR7dnqDXYlo7uhkQL_C4TiLnDDEpY5IOdoPrHMysPYJup6OhQSeJkCW9Qw9stEgbIkx8YpQy8XaoDQEVuUgpHTrnze50reSXkEc9iwa/w400-h300/4A91C98B-E7EB-4BC2-AE05-0DA1CB244D42_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From a photo walk with my niece at Blue Rocks in July</td></tr></tbody></table><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCns981TTNsMxvtrly_kt8VWWKS2Zs-seAt5kXP_0S9nXEmDwguE3-DxXDEtOXUqa0ogAx0jqzvgFm-KMBrMSbIw7FkLJ0EhbSFU08ip4E6Gjdh7Si_AoP1UasFs2W108bXbnfI8jCq-zJ-wjWISlGbBEZx5iJ6QYqNOzVAtX_hwPWPIUv7uESIDcavDX6/s2157/D2C03552-2395-4BEC-955A-BD0D10CE5D14_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1618" data-original-width="2157" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCns981TTNsMxvtrly_kt8VWWKS2Zs-seAt5kXP_0S9nXEmDwguE3-DxXDEtOXUqa0ogAx0jqzvgFm-KMBrMSbIw7FkLJ0EhbSFU08ip4E6Gjdh7Si_AoP1UasFs2W108bXbnfI8jCq-zJ-wjWISlGbBEZx5iJ6QYqNOzVAtX_hwPWPIUv7uESIDcavDX6/w400-h300/D2C03552-2395-4BEC-955A-BD0D10CE5D14_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonrise over Port Maitland in July</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19SN6uIrNvq4bDaRedPswSdZGJ_YC8-LdqP9Qy-3gTrM8tMwfg2piiXoZuF-vqGhKnsBy7tijtlpqlUiEbwBPyTxISxjCh4iFbi3y4zuVuqpJ7iiVMhQBTLqjfguP6IreEvOU-Dg3oiF-N3V1ZCFfwv6yitXaVawsUu6Z7Pu2GVOVJL4hedSn-sSU4FJ3/s4785/353D90A1-C2DE-42F7-AE5C-CF478B9BABFF_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2871" data-original-width="4785" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19SN6uIrNvq4bDaRedPswSdZGJ_YC8-LdqP9Qy-3gTrM8tMwfg2piiXoZuF-vqGhKnsBy7tijtlpqlUiEbwBPyTxISxjCh4iFbi3y4zuVuqpJ7iiVMhQBTLqjfguP6IreEvOU-Dg3oiF-N3V1ZCFfwv6yitXaVawsUu6Z7Pu2GVOVJL4hedSn-sSU4FJ3/w400-h241/353D90A1-C2DE-42F7-AE5C-CF478B9BABFF_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From a morning photo walk on Stoney Island Beach, Cape Sable Island in August</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl15pPoThfl0k0QxUh0OOo3iIjTBD4DSzJyzmyJfYMrgkKukrM7UHPo3t5m2V3bxTXAl7CGY2Pp5a2Dwn7acalr6ercr8pemCvfYaaRSR_kMtSYsvecdjkK6eVboFdLz7Y8RXvX9JcZn8YhULEwg7pvaoRyUgj49laFYRtRfFHY4bNlnjNYm5bme3gklr4/s2014/79584588-0F39-4EC2-8763-257A690E1E3F_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1611" data-original-width="2014" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl15pPoThfl0k0QxUh0OOo3iIjTBD4DSzJyzmyJfYMrgkKukrM7UHPo3t5m2V3bxTXAl7CGY2Pp5a2Dwn7acalr6ercr8pemCvfYaaRSR_kMtSYsvecdjkK6eVboFdLz7Y8RXvX9JcZn8YhULEwg7pvaoRyUgj49laFYRtRfFHY4bNlnjNYm5bme3gklr4/w400-h320/79584588-0F39-4EC2-8763-257A690E1E3F_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A visitor to our garden in August</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCjnQdC7sFLX5i-ZFZrcH8ZbxAA5ZrLUjjIqfsic2K80lomBjx3WkhC8OClJOU_WeMzxuMCzU3NKQNCsmKwHzeOTviNf0RYHpv3lbn84v3WCF9Wl6oOgouc8lnS1vK9H9hW0MGOekqayGvlEAdbkPm7KeXIaHPQ12g137rYq4ZKrqr1COG_iQqA2DqGr2/s4443/5E9C37B8-AB09-4D55-9637-E528D0D80ABB_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2962" data-original-width="4443" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCjnQdC7sFLX5i-ZFZrcH8ZbxAA5ZrLUjjIqfsic2K80lomBjx3WkhC8OClJOU_WeMzxuMCzU3NKQNCsmKwHzeOTviNf0RYHpv3lbn84v3WCF9Wl6oOgouc8lnS1vK9H9hW0MGOekqayGvlEAdbkPm7KeXIaHPQ12g137rYq4ZKrqr1COG_iQqA2DqGr2/w400-h266/5E9C37B8-AB09-4D55-9637-E528D0D80ABB_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Risser's Beach, the day before post-tropical storm Lee came ashore in September</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnzY-p-tbn2GtHPyeIawDIvlG_xqicAYHiEQVquC2uI4Dl04m-JtfuArXBjdTWelF8vxvZ1d3QVvwk8eb0gJzCal_i_EUiooqUslTAo_ZGnXG6WBtg9CHFEXM6_sR_NvzYZR9e5zhD4VZnllklnZKaSWPUXjqqO_s8qAvIQ7-8yOd57DRabFZnDZPJBvG/s3316/7D1C515C-9639-4675-9970-161C2292BE40.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2653" data-original-width="3316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnzY-p-tbn2GtHPyeIawDIvlG_xqicAYHiEQVquC2uI4Dl04m-JtfuArXBjdTWelF8vxvZ1d3QVvwk8eb0gJzCal_i_EUiooqUslTAo_ZGnXG6WBtg9CHFEXM6_sR_NvzYZR9e5zhD4VZnllklnZKaSWPUXjqqO_s8qAvIQ7-8yOd57DRabFZnDZPJBvG/w400-h320/7D1C515C-9639-4675-9970-161C2292BE40.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">En route home from Blomidon in September</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesfyNxLdnmh5Ftp4em4PaoN43bPLYjLej14R4uEe0VVYROFFTb7LKmLUNvNLmudY4BLa_Fze3UpQKaIQfVmVEtBgYXGZQDzX8Vq9gM1HM2kef3ZnpLOD2UY25_8h-WOsW7vaLpH0jCY-t6qjkEfSmzA8BTaoD0tH45jYoa1OtpYX8KL0XBDT90Tg6vVtD/s4291/E457DDD7-488E-4FF1-B632-44B543F327CB_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3065" data-original-width="4291" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesfyNxLdnmh5Ftp4em4PaoN43bPLYjLej14R4uEe0VVYROFFTb7LKmLUNvNLmudY4BLa_Fze3UpQKaIQfVmVEtBgYXGZQDzX8Vq9gM1HM2kef3ZnpLOD2UY25_8h-WOsW7vaLpH0jCY-t6qjkEfSmzA8BTaoD0tH45jYoa1OtpYX8KL0XBDT90Tg6vVtD/w400-h286/E457DDD7-488E-4FF1-B632-44B543F327CB_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of Laurence's General Store in Margaree Harbour where we stayed in October<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBJzRDyjh0C_06izgNsFSYT7jHLX-H6PXMW1qkSsNz4rOT7M4xcvo16wIhrhYDpS06hQx0D7fTXzO-yjUHRZS6PDs64ncHvuHu3z2e_Z21rsWWOjhOX5GXHjoIN13jTc2ksParJfhKtTfGNpCVrFgpx6YgboqsF2BBsiJMYM2slGE0E3FpWWMy4VqeMpi/s2919/8ECE03C2-E286-4A6F-93E8-9E3DACBE28D8_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2335" data-original-width="2919" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBJzRDyjh0C_06izgNsFSYT7jHLX-H6PXMW1qkSsNz4rOT7M4xcvo16wIhrhYDpS06hQx0D7fTXzO-yjUHRZS6PDs64ncHvuHu3z2e_Z21rsWWOjhOX5GXHjoIN13jTc2ksParJfhKtTfGNpCVrFgpx6YgboqsF2BBsiJMYM2slGE0E3FpWWMy4VqeMpi/w400-h320/8ECE03C2-E286-4A6F-93E8-9E3DACBE28D8_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Castaway" taken on Whycocomagh Beach in October</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxb_zZVvLTOcmAlW8U2kLUgw7CdT-O5CTl6KOdCY56FOMJ_GS_sol-QGs0Pyg_Q3e_ne9YATHU8kUmagywlAyTPZBvnHyb6pgmVeU9KZ37ziTbYH0pHBZ47LpoG6siJ2eIjBF1MIVt1YJ5QFs2J3bc0HFGcwAV_NfuAE0Fl2ewYVZE_hlv3_blEXlADNW/s3288/D9F83CD8-27CC-4DA8-B2A7-25CF4F448F41_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3288" data-original-width="3288" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxb_zZVvLTOcmAlW8U2kLUgw7CdT-O5CTl6KOdCY56FOMJ_GS_sol-QGs0Pyg_Q3e_ne9YATHU8kUmagywlAyTPZBvnHyb6pgmVeU9KZ37ziTbYH0pHBZ47LpoG6siJ2eIjBF1MIVt1YJ5QFs2J3bc0HFGcwAV_NfuAE0Fl2ewYVZE_hlv3_blEXlADNW/w400-h400/D9F83CD8-27CC-4DA8-B2A7-25CF4F448F41_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving cactus blooming in November</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdEQfy2czVSunANogxWBrvADPxJeIL_DIOPk1ysGGPdBMZYhkcDSp-weAsWGJAOlgMxjL_aI_doCz817-VDnDxtHRomLX-Adbzip4dc9S77QewqG6YTeourNuE07WvuE7hzhOvO-eExPIFo5CCjzOOCCZBJ1bAHizzMm8hjtW0LM66kr8OQHqyxCH7CSX/s4306/3452504E-3FA7-41E7-AD98-A8180957524C_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2422" data-original-width="4306" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdEQfy2czVSunANogxWBrvADPxJeIL_DIOPk1ysGGPdBMZYhkcDSp-weAsWGJAOlgMxjL_aI_doCz817-VDnDxtHRomLX-Adbzip4dc9S77QewqG6YTeourNuE07WvuE7hzhOvO-eExPIFo5CCjzOOCCZBJ1bAHizzMm8hjtW0LM66kr8OQHqyxCH7CSX/w400-h225/3452504E-3FA7-41E7-AD98-A8180957524C_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke and Jackie on Risser's Beach in December</td></tr></tbody></table><div> </div><div>Until tomorrow, when hopefully I'll find more uplifting things to say about what I hope 2024 will bring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-41924177179170134382022-06-14T10:23:00.007-03:002022-06-14T13:48:53.540-03:00When people show you who they are, believe them<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJ5lE_OUJO1dQLQ1zlE9iekAun9sGgXq5hLwkALu8k1cYay1NLhz2Ieg5dJ1O17ytKClmexDN8vT9qu2XTiPu2WqWdTwgVo8y2oXtyMCbndnybUmZ9BxiDAre4OQpDAZwrxu9ZewXkeLwQfXQP5IwHCzmMXHElYvaAmKqux-5fY7Y1WXZOi3HPnNz4A/s4928/E0D717CC-FE3F-4F37-B90F-575B5F2CB275_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4928" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJ5lE_OUJO1dQLQ1zlE9iekAun9sGgXq5hLwkALu8k1cYay1NLhz2Ieg5dJ1O17ytKClmexDN8vT9qu2XTiPu2WqWdTwgVo8y2oXtyMCbndnybUmZ9BxiDAre4OQpDAZwrxu9ZewXkeLwQfXQP5IwHCzmMXHElYvaAmKqux-5fY7Y1WXZOi3HPnNz4A/s320/E0D717CC-FE3F-4F37-B90F-575B5F2CB275_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>As the pandemic stretches into a third year, I find myself more and more discouraged. Solutions for ending it exist, but few people seem interested in discussing, let alone implementing, them. The hardest thing now is coming to grips with just how selfish we humans can be - even people I thought of as "good people" - people I considered thoughtful, caring friends. It's been shocking to see so many disregard the safety and wellbeing of others at every turn, time and time again, for more than two years.<div><br /></div><div>I get it. I do. The pandemic has been hard on all of us. And we can't always do the "right" thing, the selfless thing. But it's disheartening to witness so many always put themselves first, even when it means imposing risks on others. It says a lot about our culture - none of it good.</div><div><br /></div><div>In this part of the world, governments are doing their level best to pretend the pandemic is over - or, at least, that high levels of infection, illness and death are inevitable. They're not, of course, but it seems most people prefer comfortable lies to difficult truths. We've gone from "we're all in this together" to "I won't be mildly inconvenienced to save anyone's else's life" in head-spinningly short order. It's soul-destroying in ways I find hard to express.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure how we make it through the next few years without complete social, economic and environmental breakdown. The one thing I do know is that, when this is over (if it ever is), the number of people I will continue to think of as friends is much much smaller than when it began. I can't ever unsee the raw narcissism, entitlement, and greed that has characterized so many people's actions and attitudes.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wish I could be less judgemental of others, more hopeful about the future, but, if I'm brutally honest, not much of what I've witnessed has surprised me. The people who now think nothing of boarding a plane a few days after testing positive for covid, or refuse to wear a mask at work, are the same people who've always put themselves first. I just never wanted to believe they were really that selfish, but I no longer have any doubt that they're exactly who they've always shown themselves to be. I could have saved myself a lot of heartache by accepting that sooner.</div><div><br /></div><div>The flipside of course is that there are those who've gone above and beyond to care for others over these past two years - especially those working in healthcare, education and retail jobs - and I'm grateful to count so many friends and family members amongst them. Those friends and family are more precious to me now than ever. When my spirits are at their lowest ebb, it's them I count on to renew my faith in humanity.</div><div><br /></div><div>So where do we go from here? Personally, I plan to keep lobbying for better from our politicians and fellow citizens, while doing all I can to keep myself and others safe. Hopefully, we'll eventually realize we're in deep doggy do and get our act together. If science comes through with better vaccines and treatments, and a few of our political leaders grow a spine and/or a conscience, maybe we can still find out way out of this mess. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sorry to be sharing such grim observations. I just really can't think of anything especially uplifting to say about all this, so here are a few soothing images from recent photo outings instead. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNU9Uto7Pe0GUq-cvyjpN5SKVJbL3ku2tiFfTmudwXI9-6Nad7maAR95c-Eo8MdGaA6c8gwoHl96lkigsE3qaQoFQFazEoIaJVHI9itTx9Sc6fjpqYX0c3f98LUlOwH7b06Mk1dcI6OP56GYcvhuwJg2yG2wwtUl0_nWbmrErwdoic75yZwiWH9yCiA/s4432/08FCE177-37AC-4C8B-9DC7-9B074CC75CE4_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2955" data-original-width="4432" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNU9Uto7Pe0GUq-cvyjpN5SKVJbL3ku2tiFfTmudwXI9-6Nad7maAR95c-Eo8MdGaA6c8gwoHl96lkigsE3qaQoFQFazEoIaJVHI9itTx9Sc6fjpqYX0c3f98LUlOwH7b06Mk1dcI6OP56GYcvhuwJg2yG2wwtUl0_nWbmrErwdoic75yZwiWH9yCiA/s320/08FCE177-37AC-4C8B-9DC7-9B074CC75CE4_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_z1RZxBXNIfVDfmss6ZelBJucnvRZ53mBhKXf8JMbVRomLaXiWW0JHJo8g_HAtzREwYs4NFXhzEgq71OFp9D59rpopbkFBHh7E7SHXLPViNjdlBBI2f9e-IpBoEUrnAWdUxjVxfvKsV27d4WGlia-VEzj0Pgiw6RZQKqJXipwywxsYsCg34u9JkLKWA/s4583/8A00DE80-6BC6-4578-9BBA-9C79FFBFE43D_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3055" data-original-width="4583" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_z1RZxBXNIfVDfmss6ZelBJucnvRZ53mBhKXf8JMbVRomLaXiWW0JHJo8g_HAtzREwYs4NFXhzEgq71OFp9D59rpopbkFBHh7E7SHXLPViNjdlBBI2f9e-IpBoEUrnAWdUxjVxfvKsV27d4WGlia-VEzj0Pgiw6RZQKqJXipwywxsYsCg34u9JkLKWA/s320/8A00DE80-6BC6-4578-9BBA-9C79FFBFE43D_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgI6ua_7ig7Rp5xj7wVLr4dQ9AdVvL5Mzh3T_NEU0yk3dDcH-LEo-dvq82xbyXVa2EL_WN5OrTqV50_G-Mwmxx6AAiGtJt10etEDicXhEj4JwxzJgfE-C7WPyMwkH6v28QbGs3ocisSM_vlh2aQ0jyIeXRutxSmlK3mvYkT4_nOexgH-2XCrY35ZS6YQ/s4895/4A9E2586-A5E4-4021-AC31-388E85E7C168_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3242" data-original-width="4895" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgI6ua_7ig7Rp5xj7wVLr4dQ9AdVvL5Mzh3T_NEU0yk3dDcH-LEo-dvq82xbyXVa2EL_WN5OrTqV50_G-Mwmxx6AAiGtJt10etEDicXhEj4JwxzJgfE-C7WPyMwkH6v28QbGs3ocisSM_vlh2aQ0jyIeXRutxSmlK3mvYkT4_nOexgH-2XCrY35ZS6YQ/s320/4A9E2586-A5E4-4021-AC31-388E85E7C168_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div>Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-87712745733506784142022-05-19T10:45:00.005-03:002022-05-19T13:55:42.978-03:00Bee-autiful Bees and Meadow Flowers<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDofGoVQg9epAZuaoykHfGYREsH4b6l_aV-0tvtvIwT-av9m59cNfXDz8BBBzIroGb5fKEuFDFAGaEPDRE6ss2ZluCnumURzGYfkm98ffxV3SPY6fLMH14Mzs3UNBK5UbGV5kEj9dd-iMT5MtwN3LSjHtZ2ER00cXVIotsxmX0hifV8Ubjiygo2mPhw/s2395/1DA424EC-70B0-494A-98D1-ABDBE47007D6_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1916" data-original-width="2395" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDofGoVQg9epAZuaoykHfGYREsH4b6l_aV-0tvtvIwT-av9m59cNfXDz8BBBzIroGb5fKEuFDFAGaEPDRE6ss2ZluCnumURzGYfkm98ffxV3SPY6fLMH14Mzs3UNBK5UbGV5kEj9dd-iMT5MtwN3LSjHtZ2ER00cXVIotsxmX0hifV8Ubjiygo2mPhw/s320/1DA424EC-70B0-494A-98D1-ABDBE47007D6_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It was a hard winter - what with covid still raging and Nova Scotia's new Conservative government. We've mostly stayed home in an effort to avoid getting sick. So far, that's worked, but I'm not sure we can avoid it forever. Fingers crossed better vaccines are available soon.</p><p></p><p>On the upside, spring has sprung and the meadow's returning to life. I got out and took a few photos earlier this week. I love that our yard has become a safe place birds, bees and butterflies. I haven't taken time to photograph the birds yet but here are a few of the bees I found buzzing in the azaleas.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuR8-EwImoujmKYmx0lwaCEEONxwuUjeGoSPINBBn10FFPt8dEs17jn8qp7-GzkAJIs9FeVI2IRTptHSIiV4X4jxGA9ZReO9RzDs7dTe_lTpmK8uDEp2ToFZN_1GHM1Git12sT2MN8IFLMS0nqzJGqEfzojgZXl2UHIkHLl6LbhRW-aZTTE61FnW5GUQ/s2163/9CA222F9-1F69-4B08-8FB1-5C76496C1250_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2163" data-original-width="1730" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuR8-EwImoujmKYmx0lwaCEEONxwuUjeGoSPINBBn10FFPt8dEs17jn8qp7-GzkAJIs9FeVI2IRTptHSIiV4X4jxGA9ZReO9RzDs7dTe_lTpmK8uDEp2ToFZN_1GHM1Git12sT2MN8IFLMS0nqzJGqEfzojgZXl2UHIkHLl6LbhRW-aZTTE61FnW5GUQ/s320/9CA222F9-1F69-4B08-8FB1-5C76496C1250_1_201_a.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4JIpSsQMw5pTlsrAfXYb7wHTmug_4OBcB5G_-YWreznbtbarvVQeV9Wr_UNOmw2IFqvGYfRvK1bWt1X1qLNU503XB5NKXOMzri-KtcVwll6aj7CjoKPVyy8T5tmVjgeDd23jid2r6i0Ns_wDmHVs7_uJCag0T5JofiDQeF4e2ypnitS2a9Er3imKQg/s3034/D0B48970-9626-4EFB-9BE4-1BBB8DA8894F_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2427" data-original-width="3034" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4JIpSsQMw5pTlsrAfXYb7wHTmug_4OBcB5G_-YWreznbtbarvVQeV9Wr_UNOmw2IFqvGYfRvK1bWt1X1qLNU503XB5NKXOMzri-KtcVwll6aj7CjoKPVyy8T5tmVjgeDd23jid2r6i0Ns_wDmHVs7_uJCag0T5JofiDQeF4e2ypnitS2a9Er3imKQg/s320/D0B48970-9626-4EFB-9BE4-1BBB8DA8894F_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnNlFGs4ep5vbsv_SPJArabrKeKP3kZ7muMRfeIeyAAdJ5RMk7W3EoMnzB2XndaH0UsC4DQ-CNIpDLXr-DAp4C2yzVHSavDlX4xB7BDX_m8pIPOGZBZgRfpVik4baZQgVipAf5usFtpbS1KK87J8uolQOyHt9cUHuRDDBzqtGaSqEZKzMtg7PTomsWQ/s1886/F15CD0A0-C773-47C7-8674-7D3FFCA69B3F_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1886" data-original-width="1886" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnNlFGs4ep5vbsv_SPJArabrKeKP3kZ7muMRfeIeyAAdJ5RMk7W3EoMnzB2XndaH0UsC4DQ-CNIpDLXr-DAp4C2yzVHSavDlX4xB7BDX_m8pIPOGZBZgRfpVik4baZQgVipAf5usFtpbS1KK87J8uolQOyHt9cUHuRDDBzqtGaSqEZKzMtg7PTomsWQ/s320/F15CD0A0-C773-47C7-8674-7D3FFCA69B3F_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The azaleas aren't the only things blooming. Here are a few photos of other flowers in the meadow at the moment. Many are quite tiny and don't make much of an impression from a distance but the bees love 'em just the same. As summer progresses, I should have photos of showier flowers to share - that is, if the deer don't get to them first. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUfzmKosXl0LYthwMpwGk4Fjb-1yb3Nh_FNvGR4jzDBHckW37y-Y2luuc-UJCTFnBC1JavcfJaKTqDVnRalhvuvu9SQBO60sEvtjkvkzyJdx9cCMlWQwWxEqYRF3HxOZC1_g1T3DmMfWMCj7FbgTCiQBPRZ_SfJauTDgJHPmKmbSjtXHUc2yENJWT8g/s1280/DSC_0408.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUfzmKosXl0LYthwMpwGk4Fjb-1yb3Nh_FNvGR4jzDBHckW37y-Y2luuc-UJCTFnBC1JavcfJaKTqDVnRalhvuvu9SQBO60sEvtjkvkzyJdx9cCMlWQwWxEqYRF3HxOZC1_g1T3DmMfWMCj7FbgTCiQBPRZ_SfJauTDgJHPmKmbSjtXHUc2yENJWT8g/s320/DSC_0408.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxl1O8EQDHYclVMyjcnSxMOyyMexQM-_2D1Xf1glF6QrRBFJDCj3PInT32zJBu1TeLzet1w04tiaxdhfYvJgR65pGPQbpHupE31OWXnNEx-6QZopGL4NJxaYWMgAlz6uD9YXnZvbPEPRpWdO8Z6xeLMoMrLXyPK7FF6a38ClqBAO9byO3o5geYELtjg/s1280/DSC_0410.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxl1O8EQDHYclVMyjcnSxMOyyMexQM-_2D1Xf1glF6QrRBFJDCj3PInT32zJBu1TeLzet1w04tiaxdhfYvJgR65pGPQbpHupE31OWXnNEx-6QZopGL4NJxaYWMgAlz6uD9YXnZvbPEPRpWdO8Z6xeLMoMrLXyPK7FF6a38ClqBAO9byO3o5geYELtjg/s320/DSC_0410.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhGRA-ZYcExf6CAwGbYU0SKOXbdYckAZCHhRogMbFO1lCC1dR6Nt2s1ms4T33VXqwaymRGcwWWvWJWUMgaekmCt-zTOIqyor2fdHaFgcsJ1CHwH0N6TdE9-MYNxetujQLN9bbGN5m-Wsc-AattXJ3Hl6_E8_wPTbyfxdTQ0hVm8Ba2zAz87cAE7ST7Q/s1280/DSC_0441.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhGRA-ZYcExf6CAwGbYU0SKOXbdYckAZCHhRogMbFO1lCC1dR6Nt2s1ms4T33VXqwaymRGcwWWvWJWUMgaekmCt-zTOIqyor2fdHaFgcsJ1CHwH0N6TdE9-MYNxetujQLN9bbGN5m-Wsc-AattXJ3Hl6_E8_wPTbyfxdTQ0hVm8Ba2zAz87cAE7ST7Q/s320/DSC_0441.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRG2sdzsWXfAYbCRK8fOALeBwlfT4uW4kRsTIKRKL0gP7uiNVzUp76b-FqXK4lYpwxcOgL5gMotbIetgMEvhEytChifC0C0W5-5PJmKIsjIsauiSUF4fXjWPNbTYg5uJG7w5dg9vzLijvt1dw8tDK2jAbcBODDTHVUqXeS6S-KD0NG6RfylTwKrOUebQ/s1280/DSC_0459.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRG2sdzsWXfAYbCRK8fOALeBwlfT4uW4kRsTIKRKL0gP7uiNVzUp76b-FqXK4lYpwxcOgL5gMotbIetgMEvhEytChifC0C0W5-5PJmKIsjIsauiSUF4fXjWPNbTYg5uJG7w5dg9vzLijvt1dw8tDK2jAbcBODDTHVUqXeS6S-KD0NG6RfylTwKrOUebQ/s320/DSC_0459.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrXMgIGULshZfNex0qRulfgw0MxOWalPzvdJ8dUqH6CSCY17m_vQ7bzOohWIL4ZwgC5sS3F1W3Ae29uvtImpFjRlHTVZ_LjFtKsgS9R37_S0-wzJTzk-8oKN5ECHCaIoXatZqUxo0GwXaEjQv7MLJonf--KR-VqNkNiexrfryc3ZO01PCMqc3_Ki1iw/s1280/DSC_0462.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1280" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrXMgIGULshZfNex0qRulfgw0MxOWalPzvdJ8dUqH6CSCY17m_vQ7bzOohWIL4ZwgC5sS3F1W3Ae29uvtImpFjRlHTVZ_LjFtKsgS9R37_S0-wzJTzk-8oKN5ECHCaIoXatZqUxo0GwXaEjQv7MLJonf--KR-VqNkNiexrfryc3ZO01PCMqc3_Ki1iw/s320/DSC_0462.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRZIl8jZ7ypfsKLGmuMBtVUEXZ1i8HMhuBt2j3aTy1uYlJFVM5FLW96Xumf0z0ykhVQ9beS1eWGpZSHTw82HfuqkmBkQYdlU6R6Mky-juVgfc1pPv2n6iOwkcI-o6GFweHAWnu9Cv5OBzBJm5AwjRKgjeMkjZPFwVS4jHKxcyGzjaJpgNfDnMvI37Tw/s1280/DSC_0465.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRZIl8jZ7ypfsKLGmuMBtVUEXZ1i8HMhuBt2j3aTy1uYlJFVM5FLW96Xumf0z0ykhVQ9beS1eWGpZSHTw82HfuqkmBkQYdlU6R6Mky-juVgfc1pPv2n6iOwkcI-o6GFweHAWnu9Cv5OBzBJm5AwjRKgjeMkjZPFwVS4jHKxcyGzjaJpgNfDnMvI37Tw/s320/DSC_0465.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nOnh_zVD6tsa0LkHY2xekSEI-m0ALZnGwjZH5p4i7bweIqBYczcSULpNkcptjhR02vlB4n8YXDOzyA3H_9jATtnTgXbK7e_Lx78g_WBYSthC4HEPHoZ4ozpfeCDGkP7fsq93XRIcLAE-SBhMpGMRLbzWEt9-a1LG8sZ14-ePxZK8q_36XedEv2Q5xA/s1280/DSC_0477.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="961" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nOnh_zVD6tsa0LkHY2xekSEI-m0ALZnGwjZH5p4i7bweIqBYczcSULpNkcptjhR02vlB4n8YXDOzyA3H_9jATtnTgXbK7e_Lx78g_WBYSthC4HEPHoZ4ozpfeCDGkP7fsq93XRIcLAE-SBhMpGMRLbzWEt9-a1LG8sZ14-ePxZK8q_36XedEv2Q5xA/s320/DSC_0477.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last but not least, here's a photo of one of our new little magnolia trees, just beginning to leaf out. The trees were gifted to us by a sweet gentlemen who grows them across the river. None is more than a couple of feet high yet so I'm thrilled they all made it through the winter. Fingers crossed they settle in nicely this year and love their new homes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedycpMzEDSLvHFiXKkaUAlbXRYgEBU7Myn9FClMxXmyY6ymtdnrjXQhow9uRx68W7EJGr5aTuJ3MfkhNB6C_pVFsKr6rEvNOSBY1B36Zi70Gbdf-Xu61QIRJQHFeiWh5a1MgPFZPLapu8IMZTYeufFIjpa1I4QqUyIxYZM-v0DziiJYsxb2e3ZzQqog/s1280/DSC_0479.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="848" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedycpMzEDSLvHFiXKkaUAlbXRYgEBU7Myn9FClMxXmyY6ymtdnrjXQhow9uRx68W7EJGr5aTuJ3MfkhNB6C_pVFsKr6rEvNOSBY1B36Zi70Gbdf-Xu61QIRJQHFeiWh5a1MgPFZPLapu8IMZTYeufFIjpa1I4QqUyIxYZM-v0DziiJYsxb2e3ZzQqog/s320/DSC_0479.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of magnolias, I photographed some beauties at the Halifax Public Garden a few weeks ago. Magnolias are my favourite spring flowers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNq2QDCqPUBawMWIymKH9c13v_C7YHd_Y641Tpk3YRZ6JM-lXt7Tjo8UAT-WThK1GcyXtAHhS9h1RWwGg1cJUr6_DQaMbEf4X_Vx1rsqWaM0YUILFCQkQP6UWsnbmcZL-RuGWMnpdA5ZdOVHyyahpQcNzxA-9KY3SAXPmyNx14QEC_x42QLO_VpiYyHw/s3006/69543FE0-E774-4919-B567-073AD83FC6ED_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2254" data-original-width="3006" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNq2QDCqPUBawMWIymKH9c13v_C7YHd_Y641Tpk3YRZ6JM-lXt7Tjo8UAT-WThK1GcyXtAHhS9h1RWwGg1cJUr6_DQaMbEf4X_Vx1rsqWaM0YUILFCQkQP6UWsnbmcZL-RuGWMnpdA5ZdOVHyyahpQcNzxA-9KY3SAXPmyNx14QEC_x42QLO_VpiYyHw/s320/69543FE0-E774-4919-B567-073AD83FC6ED_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYr_ly1cw3BtJkaeVTyV5DS7Yczm4b7jmrvc7yyVAbjGPGL7blYY9AatUoTL1ba8x3EuxkUvt9sZCeZ6VcSo5Ebx7TyURtAFizEeziHWvcZcnha5CW5ziygerUKNEGMDs_qkDgbUoukb2Hs0Ud-NeSKsStO0noh2pIzoFp4fsLq7Yqc_mI-JOcYj5AQ/s3935/6A857BD6-992D-4DA1-805D-896916BF1299_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3935" data-original-width="3148" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYr_ly1cw3BtJkaeVTyV5DS7Yczm4b7jmrvc7yyVAbjGPGL7blYY9AatUoTL1ba8x3EuxkUvt9sZCeZ6VcSo5Ebx7TyURtAFizEeziHWvcZcnha5CW5ziygerUKNEGMDs_qkDgbUoukb2Hs0Ud-NeSKsStO0noh2pIzoFp4fsLq7Yqc_mI-JOcYj5AQ/s320/6A857BD6-992D-4DA1-805D-896916BF1299_1_201_a.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's hoping summer brings good news - about covid, the war in Ukraine, and the climate crisis. We sure could use some. </div></div>Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-89717763643380711112021-11-10T10:09:00.001-04:002023-03-01T16:15:53.737-04:00Running lessons: Work with the weather<p>Yesterday was a ridiculously sunny, warm day for November - which made it relatively easy to to go for my scheduled run. It was so warm, in fact, that I shed the long-sleeved shirt I'd been wearing when I reached town, and ran the rest in just singlet. (Thank goodness, I was wearing my belly-covering Chicago marathon singlet, and not my usual running bra.) </p><p>When I arrived home, Husband was preparing to tackle the next chore on our list - garden cleanup - but I quickly put the kibosh on that, suggesting we go for a bike-ride instead. Being the good sport he is, he immediately agreed and got busy loading our bikes on the car so we could drive the 20kms to Lunenburg and bike the trails there. </p><p>Of course, we could have ridden the trails in and around Bridgewater instead but we were ready for a change of scenery and keen to explore the "rails to trails" system in Lunenburg. Also, we knew Lunenburg had more pub and cafe options if we wanted to stop for refreshments at some point. In the end, we only rode for an hour or so before making our way to the deck of the Knot - a favourite pub we hadn't visited since the pandemic began. It felt great to sit in the warm sunshine, sipping a tasty beer and snacking on sweet potato fries and wings - almost "normal".</p><p>Some might argue working in the garden would have been a better use of our afternoon but, given how glorious the day was, it seems to me to that taking time for a little fun was the very best thing we could do with it. </p><p>Working with the weather is important when you live in a climate like ours. When folks around here complain about the weather, you'll often hear someone reply "well, just give it a minute and it'll change". It's not at all unusual for us to have three seasons in a day. Given that, it's important to take advantage of the good and not-so-good weather when it happens. </p><p>The first few years we owned our current house, we mostly just stayed in it on weekends. I was still working in Halifax then, and we had a small place in Dartmouth, where we spent Mondays to Fridays. The day we moved in, we stacked a half dozen boxes filled with miscellaneous belongings in a corner of the dining room and I promised Husband we'd unpack them the first rainy weekend. As the months passed without a rainy weekend, the stacked boxes became a bit of a joke but I refused to give up glorious summer days at the beach to sort through them, so we just covered them with a tablecloth and ignored them until the weather finally cooperated. As I remember it, we finally unpacked them shortly before Christmas. </p><p>When I was running regularly, I worked with the weather in the same way whenever possible - modifying my training schedule to run when it was mild and dry. Of course, I wasn't always able to avoid running in rain, snow and/or ice, but I realized early on that running in better weather made it more likely I'd stick with whatever program I was following. I'm trying to do the same now to make my Return to Running a little less painful.<br /></p><p>The same applies to the rest of my life. Rainy days are ideal for tackling indoor projects so why not use them for that, saving the better weather for outdoor chores and the very best days for impromptu adventures? I find I can accomplish just as much with much less effort that way and, now that I'm retired there's no reason not to do things in whatever order makes the most sense. </p><br />Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-24181850352169433252021-11-07T16:59:00.008-04:002021-12-20T21:07:55.369-04:00Camper Adventures: Exploring the Fundy Coast<p>Our second camper road trip this summer took us to the other side of the Nova Scotia, where we explored the Fundy coast from Windsor to Advocate Harbour. It's a part of the province we hadn't visited in decades so we were curious to see what had changed since we'd last been there. </p><p>Our first stop was in Cheverie, where we paused to have lunch and visit a camera obscura we'd heard about. The camera was built by Dalhousie Architecture students nearly a decade ago and is still in good condition. You can can read more about how and why it was built <a href="https://www.dal.ca/news/2012/06/13/a-landmark-view-on-the-cheverie-coastline.html">here</a>. There are trails behind the site but we were on a mission to reach Burntcoat Head while the tide was low so didn't take time to explore them. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhVhbw8Fp7M/YYgHnIIxGII/AAAAAAAAO5E/yT1xr1RhnhMLNQGh_g1X9WSuTyW4NVrxgCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/00396E46-26D2-4A66-9090-D8AC2331DC86_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhVhbw8Fp7M/YYgHnIIxGII/AAAAAAAAO5E/yT1xr1RhnhMLNQGh_g1X9WSuTyW4NVrxgCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h266/00396E46-26D2-4A66-9090-D8AC2331DC86_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w4TOhYuGyVc/YYgHnBERY6I/AAAAAAAAO5I/UkuEcpjMEuwsC6qqJVQxVr0s92okH8MpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/26C21BBC-BBA2-46A9-9CED-C76F4CC14E52_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w4TOhYuGyVc/YYgHnBERY6I/AAAAAAAAO5I/UkuEcpjMEuwsC6qqJVQxVr0s92okH8MpwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/26C21BBC-BBA2-46A9-9CED-C76F4CC14E52_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Our next stop was Walton, where we couldn't resist a brief detour to check out the lighthouse and learn a little history of the area. Walton may be a tiny place now but it has an impressive mining, shipbuilding and transportation past that's well worth taking some time to learn about. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1YDAGWRfUI/YYgIVtYBlHI/AAAAAAAAO5U/JgyCrBEiU649WlMCGDFgftO6kf_LpGDaACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/06700B96-ECA9-4B6C-A1FA-EEAD3C1D26FE_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1YDAGWRfUI/YYgIVtYBlHI/AAAAAAAAO5U/JgyCrBEiU649WlMCGDFgftO6kf_LpGDaACLcBGAsYHQ/w265-h400/06700B96-ECA9-4B6C-A1FA-EEAD3C1D26FE_1_201_a.jpeg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQ4A0s2dbjY/YYgIVqWxs9I/AAAAAAAAO5Y/Hsrtb2yJxk0_9sWX3EWRKmH8kJ7LP-wlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/71963092-7FBF-49DD-919F-198E00A45596_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQ4A0s2dbjY/YYgIVqWxs9I/AAAAAAAAO5Y/Hsrtb2yJxk0_9sWX3EWRKmH8kJ7LP-wlQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/71963092-7FBF-49DD-919F-198E00A45596_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BB0vlnbPrHQ/YYgIV3tqXlI/AAAAAAAAO5c/FCxs9fIk8pwsa6aTB1DxTajnuXxQtxVLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C3E1789C-36D1-41F1-9A6C-BC750EF2A0E1_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BB0vlnbPrHQ/YYgIV3tqXlI/AAAAAAAAO5c/FCxs9fIk8pwsa6aTB1DxTajnuXxQtxVLwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/C3E1789C-36D1-41F1-9A6C-BC750EF2A0E1_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>After that, we were off to <a href="https://www.burntcoatheadpark.ca">Burntcoat Head Provincial Park</a>. I'd been wanting to visit for some time, and we arrived in plenty of time to explore the ocean floor. The tides at Burntcoat Head are some of the highest and fastest in the world, so staff are stationed beside the stairs leading to the beach to ensure visitors know what time they need to hightail it to higher ground to be out of harm's way. </p><p>The force of the water rising and falling so quickly has made for some truly remarkable coastline along this part of the Fundy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxBZrkyS6yo/YYgIytF9vWI/AAAAAAAAO5w/qujFG39OHeUJabsSsLhZ57ZAYzLwEhOsACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9E53D9FC-5EBC-4025-A5C5-53F4A662B912_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxBZrkyS6yo/YYgIytF9vWI/AAAAAAAAO5w/qujFG39OHeUJabsSsLhZ57ZAYzLwEhOsACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/9E53D9FC-5EBC-4025-A5C5-53F4A662B912_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBB-a69lya4/YYgIyliH-gI/AAAAAAAAO50/jW8YT2moTNss3BFNE8XxUR4PzbYL1nEygCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/048E0780-AD57-4A68-B457-74EE3BEEB2E0_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBB-a69lya4/YYgIyliH-gI/AAAAAAAAO50/jW8YT2moTNss3BFNE8XxUR4PzbYL1nEygCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/048E0780-AD57-4A68-B457-74EE3BEEB2E0_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URXBUYgWVjU/YYgIyoFkB-I/AAAAAAAAO5s/acuz-1TTtOM6c5AJj2vU6tsCFc87-IcJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/519576DF-DCCF-43CF-8481-EFCC86E1B115_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URXBUYgWVjU/YYgIyoFkB-I/AAAAAAAAO5s/acuz-1TTtOM6c5AJj2vU6tsCFc87-IcJgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/519576DF-DCCF-43CF-8481-EFCC86E1B115_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_B9Q7Y69rF8/YYgI1CCrsuI/AAAAAAAAO54/yv60_Pb53QcvNvt3Y0Tc-oIaXiRILmHzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/A732876A-06DB-4BDD-ADB0-B7ACF9DFE434_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_B9Q7Y69rF8/YYgI1CCrsuI/AAAAAAAAO54/yv60_Pb53QcvNvt3Y0Tc-oIaXiRILmHzQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/A732876A-06DB-4BDD-ADB0-B7ACF9DFE434_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7NbxuB6Slq0/YYgI1sPZaoI/AAAAAAAAO6A/7yRNrk0Hb0EdGVLtVv5BLgEUergusgvkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B7C56729-2F3F-4C5A-B519-50C2D807AE5E_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7NbxuB6Slq0/YYgI1sPZaoI/AAAAAAAAO6A/7yRNrk0Hb0EdGVLtVv5BLgEUergusgvkgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/B7C56729-2F3F-4C5A-B519-50C2D807AE5E_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>By the time we left the park, we needed to start looking for a spot to camp for the night. There weren't a lot of options. All the campgrounds along the way were fully booked so we paused in a parking lot next to the Lawrence House Museum in Maitland to cook and eat supper.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-peG_KnQMY_Y/YYgJFuzLVlI/AAAAAAAAO6Q/GvkFZxCYcnwx_2Tnh9q-ej4zEvY-VnfEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/61D30509-7509-4750-B910-E3163C0744D5_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-peG_KnQMY_Y/YYgJFuzLVlI/AAAAAAAAO6Q/GvkFZxCYcnwx_2Tnh9q-ej4zEvY-VnfEQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/61D30509-7509-4750-B910-E3163C0744D5_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The museum was closed and the parking lot had a terrific view so we'd have liked to spend the night there but signs warned us overnight parking wasn't permitted so we headed a little further up the road and found a less picturesque but quiet spot beside what looked to be a seldom used public tennis court. </p><p>Before sunset, we took in views from a newly refurbished public pier nearby and wandered into the village to marvel at the beautiful old buildings at its core. Most were in need of significant repair but it was still easy to tell Maitland had been a prosperous place at one time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhpqyah7RmQ/YYgJPp28K4I/AAAAAAAAO6U/GrQ60VHomw0MqTKIN-MXu8uwRsVPd1rlACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9BC73325-7E7A-4E40-974C-A9D11EF08CB4_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhpqyah7RmQ/YYgJPp28K4I/AAAAAAAAO6U/GrQ60VHomw0MqTKIN-MXu8uwRsVPd1rlACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/9BC73325-7E7A-4E40-974C-A9D11EF08CB4_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Our sleep that night <i>would</i> have been peaceful if we hadn't made the mistake of parking next to a marsh. We didn't realize the camper wasn't totally mosquito-proof so spent a good part of the night chasing and killing dozens of the little blighters. </p><p>From Maitland, we made a beeline for the far shore, by-passing the regional hub of Truro. Our first stop after Truro was Great Village, where we found a spot near the river to have lunch and walk Jackie. Then it was off to Bass River and the Dominion Chair General Store, where we purchased duct tape to seal a couple of small holes in our ceiling vents, which is where the mosquitos had gained entry. </p><p>When we last visited Bass Village 25 or more years ago, Dominion Chair Company was in full operation and a go-to place for folks wanting to purchase high quality tables and chairs. Those days are over, but the general store is still a fun place to explore if you're in the area. </p><p>From Bass River, we continued along the coast to Economy, where we stopped at the <a href="https://fundygeopark.ca">Cliffs of Fundy Geosite Welcome Centre</a> to pick up maps and information about the geological significance of the Fundy coastline. We only had time to visit a view of the designated sites comprising the geopark, but look forward to exploring more of them on our next trip.</p><p>Our base while we visited the area was Five Islands Provincial Park - a beautiful and well-maintained campground with fantastic views. Our first night - a Tuesday - was spent on a site near the top of the park, where we were mostly surrounded by trees and had only limited views, but we were lucky enough to snag a site with more impressive views for our remaining nights, when folks in a tent trailer checked out early to avoid getting caught in the rain. Fortunately, the skies stayed clear for most of our next two days on the site - though it was raining hard by the time we headed home on Friday.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFxpQlB4sfU/YYgJyOdY3qI/AAAAAAAAO6g/FrgSMjb9XLEvTXehG-fuB04ELHBSKDlgACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9581D7E6-4099-43AB-9094-848E6AE56FFC_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFxpQlB4sfU/YYgJyOdY3qI/AAAAAAAAO6g/FrgSMjb9XLEvTXehG-fuB04ELHBSKDlgACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/9581D7E6-4099-43AB-9094-848E6AE56FFC_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Wednesday morning, we were up early and headed for Cape d'Or, which I'd been wanting to visit since seeing friends' photos of the place. It didn't disappoint. The road to the parking area situated high above the lighthouse was a bit of adventure at times but well worth it. We hiked down to the lighthouse and spent an hour or more exploring, with mostly just seagulls for company. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_1f_FjIYes/YYgKfTn6f5I/AAAAAAAAO7M/LXOx19GTkHEaVD06ffMZCKuCxa7hR3yrwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/861D991C-8DFD-4BC9-9939-E227D5623BAB_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_1f_FjIYes/YYgKfTn6f5I/AAAAAAAAO7M/LXOx19GTkHEaVD06ffMZCKuCxa7hR3yrwCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h265/861D991C-8DFD-4BC9-9939-E227D5623BAB_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ICixr5K10jg/YYgQo1UzCgI/AAAAAAAAO_E/W_k7_VH0WYAIJAwMea6t-E0tWBiwmmxiACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/417F63E0-DF5D-42BD-8EBE-7E66ECFE6038_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ICixr5K10jg/YYgQo1UzCgI/AAAAAAAAO_E/W_k7_VH0WYAIJAwMea6t-E0tWBiwmmxiACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/417F63E0-DF5D-42BD-8EBE-7E66ECFE6038_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z88VyNMDBjA/YYgKe3iIcTI/AAAAAAAAO7I/mTFRbpGEBlEUR8potPkE0C7p6q9NZIsqwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/6DE6EBDF-9D85-4B85-80E4-B29E2C9829EC_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z88VyNMDBjA/YYgKe3iIcTI/AAAAAAAAO7I/mTFRbpGEBlEUR8potPkE0C7p6q9NZIsqwCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h286/6DE6EBDF-9D85-4B85-80E4-B29E2C9829EC_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HHzXBt_CyKk/YYgKdMzrYBI/AAAAAAAAO7Q/ActdpD9yuY4GPwAGw1Tp9pWWQF9LeCTCwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/418B9E60-C892-4538-974F-572A32C61EF5_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HHzXBt_CyKk/YYgKdMzrYBI/AAAAAAAAO7Q/ActdpD9yuY4GPwAGw1Tp9pWWQF9LeCTCwCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h265/418B9E60-C892-4538-974F-572A32C61EF5_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-LtlXxyXBQ/YYgKgw6ZKNI/AAAAAAAAO7Y/DNnTdV0P7JYCPRCDCt8AZByiTB_fLtx4ACPcBGAYYCw/s2048/C01943AE-115D-4F6D-8803-4328BC6EBD27_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-LtlXxyXBQ/YYgKgw6ZKNI/AAAAAAAAO7Y/DNnTdV0P7JYCPRCDCt8AZByiTB_fLtx4ACPcBGAYYCw/w400-h265/C01943AE-115D-4F6D-8803-4328BC6EBD27_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lGqWyHqQlmA/YYgKdinJdzI/AAAAAAAAO7M/xZzTKh5rI5wrqETgfy5e4_uQA4rRqa8mwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/09234BEE-2400-4159-A6F2-D5B1D82D895E_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lGqWyHqQlmA/YYgKdinJdzI/AAAAAAAAO7M/xZzTKh5rI5wrqETgfy5e4_uQA4rRqa8mwCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h265/09234BEE-2400-4159-A6F2-D5B1D82D895E_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7uRb0cii85I/YYgKdb_-WqI/AAAAAAAAO6s/CtB-xpIJt4UnT1oPhg27b-V1qF9MkRfEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/194917F9-3EF1-4432-9345-785AE7303293_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7uRb0cii85I/YYgKdb_-WqI/AAAAAAAAO6s/CtB-xpIJt4UnT1oPhg27b-V1qF9MkRfEQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/194917F9-3EF1-4432-9345-785AE7303293_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>In normal years, the cottages behind the lighthouse house a restaurant and AirBnB but, due to covid-19 restrictions, neither was operational while we were there. <div><p>After hiking back up to the parking area, we ate lunch overlooking the Fundy, then explored a trail along the top of the cliff, before heading into Advocate Harbour for a quick look around. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19g_ydhq1LM/YYgMVs_iXJI/AAAAAAAAO7c/b9AgwfpUPKk6hlz-p9eCr8UbPpMsPqrEACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/E8E5DED6-3BEC-4C36-9B17-CCD9258A63CF_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19g_ydhq1LM/YYgMVs_iXJI/AAAAAAAAO7c/b9AgwfpUPKk6hlz-p9eCr8UbPpMsPqrEACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/E8E5DED6-3BEC-4C36-9B17-CCD9258A63CF_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FoBtqlwh9Xk/YYgMVyRKjEI/AAAAAAAAO7g/AvvNNjuyhnw-cnTWHJX6J9_6oAKE4ltSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/E35266A3-67E7-4268-9A49-036F33B3EE14_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FoBtqlwh9Xk/YYgMVyRKjEI/AAAAAAAAO7g/AvvNNjuyhnw-cnTWHJX6J9_6oAKE4ltSQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/E35266A3-67E7-4268-9A49-036F33B3EE14_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>There's a wonderful restaurant in Advocate Harbour called <a href="http://wildcaraway.com">Wild Caraway</a>, where we hoped to have a meal, but unfortunately it wasn't open the day we were there. It's on our list for next time. </p><p>En route back to Five Islands, we stumbled on at a place I'd never heard of, Spencer's Island - a tiny community that was home to a substantial shipyard a generation or two ago. There's not much there now but a small cluster of mostly seasonal homes, a private campground perched where the shipyard used to operate, and a large stoney beach perfect for walking. Apparently, those familiar with NS's sailing past know it as the birthplace of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Celeste">Mary Celeste, a ship with a tragic and spooky history</a>. A marker beside the water outlines her story.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrlUiqwuFZk/YYgM7NubLHI/AAAAAAAAO7w/0WwDmH5hzdQpdWPIn_ZswTZ7MZthU4hxACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/0ADBA6BF-83AE-433B-B27B-7EFD0E70700C_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrlUiqwuFZk/YYgM7NubLHI/AAAAAAAAO7w/0WwDmH5hzdQpdWPIn_ZswTZ7MZthU4hxACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/0ADBA6BF-83AE-433B-B27B-7EFD0E70700C_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4wUdxTKXI60/YYgM6iwxS_I/AAAAAAAAO7s/-YQnWNmyOVo7ZvcRKpV64c1ue-CI-qTmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/0F6301EC-49A4-4F7E-89BB-BF0BF73A369A_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4wUdxTKXI60/YYgM6iwxS_I/AAAAAAAAO7s/-YQnWNmyOVo7ZvcRKpV64c1ue-CI-qTmgCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h400/0F6301EC-49A4-4F7E-89BB-BF0BF73A369A_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KOXlUqnHy_Q/YYgM7C1sxiI/AAAAAAAAO70/IXql14ZvDAw1R--mofTvYZFMptDdxXvEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/0FAD059C-0D3D-4330-A54D-8E22C333C558_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KOXlUqnHy_Q/YYgM7C1sxiI/AAAAAAAAO70/IXql14ZvDAw1R--mofTvYZFMptDdxXvEgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/0FAD059C-0D3D-4330-A54D-8E22C333C558_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQHFUOfE__o/YYgM8Axi62I/AAAAAAAAO74/duxi4pyyHa0w3YTevquWn5WNEG-G6D6zQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/514E6799-DD5D-4C51-BAD4-897E10DAD8B5_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQHFUOfE__o/YYgM8Axi62I/AAAAAAAAO74/duxi4pyyHa0w3YTevquWn5WNEG-G6D6zQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/514E6799-DD5D-4C51-BAD4-897E10DAD8B5_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wPlbxD9_j-E/YYgM8Ls07AI/AAAAAAAAO78/DxiL0DmjOOwsmI-K8H8655JL7YYfiDpdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/EAD0BD37-99E0-4472-8446-B2C2987FA2AB_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wPlbxD9_j-E/YYgM8Ls07AI/AAAAAAAAO78/DxiL0DmjOOwsmI-K8H8655JL7YYfiDpdgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/EAD0BD37-99E0-4472-8446-B2C2987FA2AB_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are a few public parking spots just beside the beach</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We arrived back at our campsite in time to take in a fabulous sunset before tucking in for the night. I took a <i>lot</i> of photos that evening but these are two of my favourites.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zlCxdDNFt34/YYgNMkAXbUI/AAAAAAAAO8M/AGa_N1GnoV8dvzWoBV_IQI3lBr0ujIHLACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AF8A6184-8966-4B1B-B91D-E55C4D5AFA65_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zlCxdDNFt34/YYgNMkAXbUI/AAAAAAAAO8M/AGa_N1GnoV8dvzWoBV_IQI3lBr0ujIHLACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/AF8A6184-8966-4B1B-B91D-E55C4D5AFA65_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aogZm00g_sM/YYgNMffX51I/AAAAAAAAO8E/WglkfK3wpV8L6YvUhIo6Yl0MsJ1cnlxZACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9AAB5A2A-C583-49DF-9F6F-80A0D6682CA2_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1639" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aogZm00g_sM/YYgNMffX51I/AAAAAAAAO8E/WglkfK3wpV8L6YvUhIo6Yl0MsJ1cnlxZACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h400/9AAB5A2A-C583-49DF-9F6F-80A0D6682CA2_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Thursday morning, we were up early to drive into Parrsboro, where we ate breakfast by the beach then headed out to explore various sites of interest nearby.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_uJMgw0IMQ/YYgNqaRMhUI/AAAAAAAAO8s/JBh2PVwU7HUspQ5SlEwx3lbAvdLCfbT2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C012918B-63E9-4433-9854-7146BE89DB25_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_uJMgw0IMQ/YYgNqaRMhUI/AAAAAAAAO8s/JBh2PVwU7HUspQ5SlEwx3lbAvdLCfbT2QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/C012918B-63E9-4433-9854-7146BE89DB25_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A morning view from our campsite</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ge7GGBALIns/YYgNpvS43YI/AAAAAAAAO8o/yiyozJQUGdc6NqHXd7kpuzGBiD-LhUF0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9D79B871-8871-45BC-AB6E-77017DC64268_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ge7GGBALIns/YYgNpvS43YI/AAAAAAAAO8o/yiyozJQUGdc6NqHXd7kpuzGBiD-LhUF0ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/9D79B871-8871-45BC-AB6E-77017DC64268_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gc9L5cZXFjo/YYgNoxUSb2I/AAAAAAAAO8k/4YTll50qMtQcrisvg5FGhFxmaJPaoahIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/71C87B45-5647-46AF-B725-54A4F33B670D_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gc9L5cZXFjo/YYgNoxUSb2I/AAAAAAAAO8k/4YTll50qMtQcrisvg5FGhFxmaJPaoahIgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h240/71C87B45-5647-46AF-B725-54A4F33B670D_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-05FcRGx9TxA/YYgNoqZDrAI/AAAAAAAAO80/np8QFeceKlgZIkF79wYIaZH3isv6HkTlwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/2279EB92-AF05-496E-A88A-AE843372953D_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-05FcRGx9TxA/YYgNoqZDrAI/AAAAAAAAO80/np8QFeceKlgZIkF79wYIaZH3isv6HkTlwCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h266/2279EB92-AF05-496E-A88A-AE843372953D_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Our first stop was Ottawa House Museum. The house has a long and storied history but it's best known as the summer home of a former Prime Minister, Sir Charles Tupper - quite a fascinating character, as it turns out. The museum, operated by the local historical society, is jam-packed with fascinating (if somewhat chaotically displayed) artifacts and memorabilia so we enjoyed spending an hour or so exploring it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64HXa8sXfT4/YYgODNKCxEI/AAAAAAAAO9U/2dZKu7clD04QrENTwGtkJKfI-Y25v0FewCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/D167618E-5DB3-49C1-A387-687539181B1E_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64HXa8sXfT4/YYgODNKCxEI/AAAAAAAAO9U/2dZKu7clD04QrENTwGtkJKfI-Y25v0FewCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/D167618E-5DB3-49C1-A387-687539181B1E_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Al87sOu9AA/YYgOBdPj25I/AAAAAAAAO9I/ZR0-CuhgANw_sVldrPxED1cJCNRqyZv2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1A875559-5C01-47EB-9C9F-1E5C6EA29E65_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Al87sOu9AA/YYgOBdPj25I/AAAAAAAAO9I/ZR0-CuhgANw_sVldrPxED1cJCNRqyZv2gCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h400/1A875559-5C01-47EB-9C9F-1E5C6EA29E65_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Gr9C40HAsc/YYgOBcaUzmI/AAAAAAAAO9E/xRusNdJQz_0i-9Nypj54P0iv1t8e6uLiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/511F4BDA-D701-4157-90F7-685C58E22501_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Gr9C40HAsc/YYgOBcaUzmI/AAAAAAAAO9E/xRusNdJQz_0i-9Nypj54P0iv1t8e6uLiQCLcBGAsYHQ/w266-h400/511F4BDA-D701-4157-90F7-685C58E22501_1_201_a.jpeg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsAVfIueweY/YYgOBj0ZMqI/AAAAAAAAO9M/RMNMM3APDc8Sy2ZO_SPTiibaXATyCkmawCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B514EABD-4F37-4D39-A51E-EC4820290E55_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsAVfIueweY/YYgOBj0ZMqI/AAAAAAAAO9M/RMNMM3APDc8Sy2ZO_SPTiibaXATyCkmawCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/B514EABD-4F37-4D39-A51E-EC4820290E55_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3z6v0bPDbLM/YYgOCnh9-gI/AAAAAAAAO9Q/wDH_Simjy_0RcuvWaxR7BfuG7aAlbpKswCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C0A582DB-B6E7-45F6-B3DB-715382996828_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3z6v0bPDbLM/YYgOCnh9-gI/AAAAAAAAO9Q/wDH_Simjy_0RcuvWaxR7BfuG7aAlbpKswCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/C0A582DB-B6E7-45F6-B3DB-715382996828_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The parking lot at the museum had awesome views too! <br />Too bad overnight parking was prohibited. </td></tr></tbody></table><p>Just up the beach from Ottawa House is Partridge Island, a site of particular geological and historical significance for local indigenous and settler communities. An eco hiking trail up and across the Island offered some spectacular views, as well as an introduction to the island's history.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3G5hGn6PPM/YYgOs5hhckI/AAAAAAAAO9g/60mBPW8YIWwixy4eJ9yyWP75ByzDtyBxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3812450E-E679-4060-8711-FC71B44A7AA8_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3G5hGn6PPM/YYgOs5hhckI/AAAAAAAAO9g/60mBPW8YIWwixy4eJ9yyWP75ByzDtyBxwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/3812450E-E679-4060-8711-FC71B44A7AA8_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6LtgIMrhQGk/YYgOs3SwU7I/AAAAAAAAO9k/rVGAwpsjzSQlax_Ekf0HQU8liowMo7MiACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6680FC60-93E6-4066-86BF-AA76AF3276DF_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6LtgIMrhQGk/YYgOs3SwU7I/AAAAAAAAO9k/rVGAwpsjzSQlax_Ekf0HQU8liowMo7MiACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/6680FC60-93E6-4066-86BF-AA76AF3276DF_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RqXiVJOcHRE/YYgOtNUDp7I/AAAAAAAAO9o/Y54qOFv5PD8k1tQacax-8k0-8pFyA0AlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8909A4DF-BD24-4055-A0B0-BF9888C51F94_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RqXiVJOcHRE/YYgOtNUDp7I/AAAAAAAAO9o/Y54qOFv5PD8k1tQacax-8k0-8pFyA0AlwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/8909A4DF-BD24-4055-A0B0-BF9888C51F94_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>As we hiked the beach towards Patridge Island, we were fortunate to witness Glooscap's grandmother's cooking pot in action. Apparently, as the tide comes in, air trapped in porous rocks beneath the water's surface is released to create a long strip of what looks like boiling water along the beach.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BreB-WOFSQ/YYgPAgQJayI/AAAAAAAAO98/PnfkcGQTaGUSUN5CoU6jJuRYrWcIlTboQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AC1E0C5A-175D-4057-8F0A-9B1F0D6E2552_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BreB-WOFSQ/YYgPAgQJayI/AAAAAAAAO98/PnfkcGQTaGUSUN5CoU6jJuRYrWcIlTboQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/AC1E0C5A-175D-4057-8F0A-9B1F0D6E2552_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84do2LHvE5Q/YYgPAYkFSTI/AAAAAAAAO94/awLu6AnsJVIEUFlDcF_vQWxUPHmUUJ3HgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/293635BC-8643-47BD-A326-1B697DF597C0_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84do2LHvE5Q/YYgPAYkFSTI/AAAAAAAAO94/awLu6AnsJVIEUFlDcF_vQWxUPHmUUJ3HgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/293635BC-8643-47BD-A326-1B697DF597C0_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>After our hike, we drove a little further down the shore to the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE), where we stopped for a bite of lunch, then visited the centre's permanent exhibits, which provide an overview of efforts to develop tidal energy technologies that are robust enough to operate reliably in the fierce waters of the Bay of Fundy. Storm clouds were beginning to form by then, which made for some dramatic views from the centre's grounds. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-voOEGmQAyMo/YYgPVYIvhnI/AAAAAAAAO-Q/MzfQPsIgE20nLekNwPJszD7n9C-FO-1eQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6A55E694-81FE-41A5-A8CB-516B9975C9B4_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-voOEGmQAyMo/YYgPVYIvhnI/AAAAAAAAO-Q/MzfQPsIgE20nLekNwPJszD7n9C-FO-1eQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/6A55E694-81FE-41A5-A8CB-516B9975C9B4_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7VJaY52apCM/YYgPU0nVioI/AAAAAAAAO-M/u9OutFXc3FkQtuEcKQlzsT0-B0TgpV6eACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/863D598C-6D27-48D1-A7B8-E013C6FC6597_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7VJaY52apCM/YYgPU0nVioI/AAAAAAAAO-M/u9OutFXc3FkQtuEcKQlzsT0-B0TgpV6eACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/863D598C-6D27-48D1-A7B8-E013C6FC6597_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-dqaaMe97k/YYgPUgeWgmI/AAAAAAAAO-I/_BlWwKGNFigxIoNJDOIoNt8XFiKe5DyQACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/EA324A67-DD58-4F9D-9F76-A5B063F450C8_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-dqaaMe97k/YYgPUgeWgmI/AAAAAAAAO-I/_BlWwKGNFigxIoNJDOIoNt8XFiKe5DyQACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/EA324A67-DD58-4F9D-9F76-A5B063F450C8_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Split, shot with my long lens</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We made it back to Five Islands just before dusk. With a major storm approaching, we realized it was likely our last opportunity to visit Lighthouse Park. Undeterred by thick clouds of mosquitos, Husband took Jackie for a last walk while I madly attempted to capture a few shots of the amazing light</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhUDjWMXrYo/YYgPowmXQnI/AAAAAAAAO-g/5vrg0QVhWMACrA58c5dTXhcqbXI0nYligCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2D5967AB-CA89-4728-A4CE-0F99EDAB2B21_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhUDjWMXrYo/YYgPowmXQnI/AAAAAAAAO-g/5vrg0QVhWMACrA58c5dTXhcqbXI0nYligCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/2D5967AB-CA89-4728-A4CE-0F99EDAB2B21_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxD0hFgsRBg/YYgPpstu5PI/AAAAAAAAO-k/Zy81RuW14EQShxC85PiNCCfMibNlyb2fwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/07E8D6FE-BBD3-46BF-B68E-CF3C367423D8_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxD0hFgsRBg/YYgPpstu5PI/AAAAAAAAO-k/Zy81RuW14EQShxC85PiNCCfMibNlyb2fwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/07E8D6FE-BBD3-46BF-B68E-CF3C367423D8_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtSotEGdwgg/YYgPqErEE_I/AAAAAAAAO-o/gOn3yp4tUqYfYS9SKYigD8KYjF8JdjN8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7090D7BA-5033-4ADB-9555-0C40E18968F5_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtSotEGdwgg/YYgPqErEE_I/AAAAAAAAO-o/gOn3yp4tUqYfYS9SKYigD8KYjF8JdjN8wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/7090D7BA-5033-4ADB-9555-0C40E18968F5_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HE7NovNN3gM/YYgPqZBmaJI/AAAAAAAAO-s/TXzJ589vOK4pHHeDUmeDGltD82Mjxb1UgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B40C0A20-174D-40E7-BC2B-77371542DAC2_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="2048" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HE7NovNN3gM/YYgPqZBmaJI/AAAAAAAAO-s/TXzJ589vOK4pHHeDUmeDGltD82Mjxb1UgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h263/B40C0A20-174D-40E7-BC2B-77371542DAC2_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clam diggers working quickly ahead of the storm</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Back at our campsite, we savoured one last sunset over the bay before tucking in for the night. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2tMeCFej-0/YYgP6VOE7OI/AAAAAAAAO_A/fKTVYPhxdyYdFn9RTkFyQGdc2dOPMIwCQCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/A1A1A395-81A8-4FEE-84AB-359AE4E8C41E_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2tMeCFej-0/YYgP6VOE7OI/AAAAAAAAO_A/fKTVYPhxdyYdFn9RTkFyQGdc2dOPMIwCQCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h286/A1A1A395-81A8-4FEE-84AB-359AE4E8C41E_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>As I've already mentioned, it was raining hard by the time we hit the road for home Friday morning so we only stopped briefly a couple of times and I didn't bother trying to take photos. </p><p>I hope we'll return to the Fundy again soon. There's lots worth seeing that we didn't have time for on this trip, and we'd love to explore more of the geo-sites that make the area so unique. </p></div>Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-33144733983698390922021-11-06T20:09:00.005-03:002021-11-07T11:03:06.967-04:00Running lessons: Wishing don't make it so<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhtnr_yf1sM/YYcJc99C69I/AAAAAAAAO38/48IAujg69OYB9ZAmUwQArgyjkLHk6qC-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6BA378D4-875D-48D4-A169-167ED919A25C_1_201_a.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhtnr_yf1sM/YYcJc99C69I/AAAAAAAAO38/48IAujg69OYB9ZAmUwQArgyjkLHk6qC-wCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/6BA378D4-875D-48D4-A169-167ED919A25C_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Week 2 of my "Return to Running" hasn't gone well. As I hoped when I wrote my last post, I made it out for a longish 7k run last Sunday evening after Husband arrived home - when the rain finally stopped and the sun came out in time for trick-or-treating. I enjoyed crossing paths with costumed kids wandering the streets - obviously happy the rain had let up in time for Halloween. It was warm enough that they didn't even need a layer of warm clothes under their outfits. </p><p>Unfortunately, running opportunities were few and far between the rest of the week. Monday morning, we loaded the camper for one last adventure and headed up the coast towards Halifax, following the old #3 Highway much of the way, with short detours around the Aspotagan Peninsula and out to Peggy's Cove and back. The weather couldn't have been better for November so we dawdled longer than planned at Peggy's Cove before heading into the city to spend the evening with friends. (The photo above was taken at Peggy's. There will be more images from that outing in a future post.)</p><p>After a late breakfast Tuesday morning, we spent a few hours tackling some long overdue shopping before heading home again. In theory, I should have run that evening but it was raining by the time we got back and I was tired from shopping so didn't have the energy.</p><p>The next two days were consumed by a visit with old friends, who travelled from Cape Breton to spend some time with us. I should have run Thursday afternoon or Friday, but wimped out again when temperatures dropped and the wind came up.</p><p>Finally, I got my butt out the door this afternoon. Then, because I'd run 7k last week, I decided to try running 8-9k - which is when I was reminded that "wishing don't make it so". I <i>wish</i> I was fit enough to run 8k with ease, but the truth is I haven't trained enough. In the end, I covered the distance but it wasn't pretty and I had to take more walk breaks than usual. Discouraging. </p><p>But never mind. The forecast for the week ahead looks perfect for running so I'll have no excuses. I just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and trust the process. Before I know it, 8k will feel easy as pie. </p><p>On my run today, I was thinking about how some of my oldest friendships have faded over the years, and how I sometimes wish I was able to revive them. Sadly, wishing don't make that so either. When long friendships end, it's mostly for reasons that can't be wished away. </p><p>In a few cases, the friend and I simply grew in different directions until we were no longer comfortable with one another. In others, stuff happened that was difficult to understand or forgive. In still others, I came to understand we were never really friends in the first place - that my "friend" saw me as little more than a means to an end. </p><p>The last was the hardest. No one likes feeling used. But the truth is there are people in the world who are so deeply narcissistic they only value others for what they can do for them. And, if I'm honest, my own tendency towards co-dependence has too often meant I'm attracted to such people.</p><p>I like to think I've finally reached a point in my life where I have the wisdom and self-awareness to mostly avoid such unhealthy relationships. But the truth is, they're not always easy to spot in the beginning, and, once in them, it can be hard to disengage. </p><p>I hasten to add that I'm <i>not</i> saying friendships shouldn't involve work. They nearly always do - especially the ones that last longest. And I'm certainly not saying friends can't have differences. Very often, it's differences that make friendships most worthwhile. I'm only saying that, when a friendship becomes toxic for some reason, wishing it weren't is seldom enough to fix things. Whether it's fixable depends on whether the friends in question are truly interested in working together to put things right. </p><p>In any case, as the philosopher Seneca said, "The comfort of having a friend may be taken away, but not that of having had one." As much as I may wish I hadn't lost some friends over the years, there's comfort in reminding myself that the sadness and loss I feel thinking about them is directly related to the special place they once held in my heart. </p><p>Happy running!</p>Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-73318106668406403032021-10-31T16:00:00.003-03:002021-11-06T10:06:24.720-03:00Running lessons: Practicing patience<p>Week one of my "Return to Running" went reasonably well - at least, until this morning, when I awoke to torrential rain and couldn't quite persuade myself to suck it up and go running anyway, though I knew I'd probably enjoy it if I did. </p><p>The forecast says the rain should let up around suppertime so I'm hoping to hit the road later, but it may not happen. Husband's been away visiting family in Ontario for the better part of two weeks and is due to arrive home any minute now. I won't want to head out for a run too soon after he gets in, but may be able to squeeze in 5 or 6 kms before supper. If not, I'll do it tomorrow morning instead.</p><p>None of my runs this week felt great but that's to be expected. Each time I started to feel discouraged, I reminded myself to "practice my patience", as my nephew used to say. Experience has taught me that even a few weeks of regular training make running feel more natural. I just need to be patient and trust the process.</p><p>In other news, the wind and rain over the past week brought down most of the remaining leaves, though there are still occasional splashes of colour to be savoured along the way. And I love the dry swish and scent of fallen leaves almost as much. Autumn really is the best time of year for running.</p><p>Here's another image from our visit to Keji a couple of weeks ago. Next October, I'd like to spend a week there exploring the park's wonderful network of trails. It's a spectacular spot. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2psoIwWs4Zw/YX7kJ1nlqmI/AAAAAAAAOwM/LMePixn9KqAXNFrX2wMQvMl1lT0conemQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7CD9620F-7C11-4126-B0A0-7BB99E2DE1D5_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2psoIwWs4Zw/YX7kJ1nlqmI/AAAAAAAAOwM/LMePixn9KqAXNFrX2wMQvMl1lT0conemQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/7CD9620F-7C11-4126-B0A0-7BB99E2DE1D5_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-30854653118708009202021-10-27T10:16:00.000-03:002021-10-27T10:16:04.424-03:00Running lessons: Hold on to hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qAJe6cv-H60/YXlQm8dBWUI/AAAAAAAAOs4/t0W3EUswbiUfFq2h6gBrsp97HqJgLsoNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/19807B39-D2FE-4CC3-BC5A-F4E5D227C633_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qAJe6cv-H60/YXlQm8dBWUI/AAAAAAAAOs4/t0W3EUswbiUfFq2h6gBrsp97HqJgLsoNwCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/19807B39-D2FE-4CC3-BC5A-F4E5D227C633_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>In the face of the ugly spectacle unfolding south of the border, not to mention news that climate change is happening faster than anyone predicted and species are going extinct at unprecedented rates, I find it hard to be optimistic these days. I hope I'm wrong but my gut tells me we'll be facing some pretty grim realities in as little as a decade or two. The track we're currently on leads leads more or less directly to an Atwood-esque dystopia.<br />
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On the days I feel most pessimistic, I remind myself that - as my dear father-in-law often said - "despair is a sin". Positive change can only happen when people have enough optimism to take action. Put another way, people need to believe positive change is possible to make it happen.</div>
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But too much optimism can be a problem too - at least when it becomes an excuse for inaction. Maybe humankind will find solutions for the serious environmental challenges facing us but that doesn't mean we shouldn't each be doing what we can now to walk more lightly on the planet. </div>
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I get why some people don't see it that way. After all, many of us are at a point in our lives where we only expect to live 15-20 years anyway so we don't see ourselves at significant personal risk. But what about younger people? You know, our kids and grand-kids? How will we justify our actions to them in a few years. "Yes, I know I didn't <i>need</i> to drive a series of ridiculous gas-guzzling vehicles, or fly halfway round the world for a vacations, or buy the newest versions of everything, but I worked hard to have those things and I <i>deserve </i>them."</div>
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"Deserve". How I hate that word. It appears in my Facebook newsfeed regularly as friends encourage one another to be self-indulgent. "Glad you're having such a great vacation, honey. You <i>deserve</i> it. Of course you should have that snazzy new car. You <i>deserve </i>it." Really? Last time I checked, "deserve" meant you'd done something to earn what you have. The reality is that most of what we Canadians enjoy we got just by being lucky enough to be born in the right place and time. If we'd been born in India or Nigeria or Papua New Guinea instead, chances are our lives would be very different.<br />
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No, I don't think the next generation is going to be too impressed with our assertions that we "deserved" to ignore the health of the environment and future generations to satisfy our horrifying addiction to over-consumption.<br />
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I know I sound angry. I am angry. And discouraged. There's a big part of me that sometimes wishes we humans wipe ourselves out sooner rather than later so that other creatures on this planet have a fighting chance to survive whatever awaits. In my darkest moments, I wonder why I don't just belly up to the trough myself and take what I can before all is lost.<br />
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I don't because I know that, if and when the worst happens, I want to be able to look into my nieces and nephews' eyes and tell them I did what I could to prevent it - that I valued their lives and futures as much as my own. Call me naive, but I think it's the least I can do. </div><div><br /></div><div>How does that relate to running and hope, you ask? Well, as dark and depressing as my thoughts are some days, I know the only way through is to hold on to hope - the kind of hope that energizes me to pay attention, believe better is possible, and work for change. Running helps with that by getting me out of my head and into the natural world, where I'm regularly reminded of the wondrous beauty and diversity of this little blue planet and the critters - including we humans - that inhabit it. They (we) truly are worth fighting for. </div><div><br /></div><div>The photos I've included in this post are from a recent outing to Kejimkujik Park - a good place to be reminded of just how beautiful our planet still is - particularly in autumn.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gPibP6yXX8s/YXlPYtIRazI/AAAAAAAAOsw/vmO6oABa1y4M2aJVpepPvRIbTEA52ufLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/A246A33B-42A0-4338-89AE-731720249247_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gPibP6yXX8s/YXlPYtIRazI/AAAAAAAAOsw/vmO6oABa1y4M2aJVpepPvRIbTEA52ufLQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/A246A33B-42A0-4338-89AE-731720249247_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-7485900024330058312021-10-26T17:13:00.008-03:002021-10-31T16:05:33.000-03:00Camper Adventures: Annapolis Royal Reflections<p>We spent a lot of time in our camper over the summer, visiting parts of Nova Scotia we'd not visited in a years. Our goals were three-fold: To identify any remaining mechanical or other issues with the camper, which we bought second-hand last fall; to get more comfortable with RVing, in particular boondocking (i.e. camping in public spaces without services); and to explore less populated areas of the province to see if we could maybe find a piece of land near the ocean to buy. </p><p>Those who live in Nova Scotia will remember we had a fairly significant lockdown in the spring when covid infection numbers increased dramatically so our first camper outing didn't happen until early June, when we headed to Risser's Beach for a couple of days. (More on camping at Risser's in a future post.) Soon after, we reloaded the camper and headed to Annapolis Royal for our first road trip. </p><p>Our original plan was to spend a day or two in the town, and another day or two hiking trails nearby. Once there, however, we realized we had an issue with our front tires so opted not to travel off the beaten track and spent the better part of three days in and around town instead.</p><p>One thing I've discovered is how difficult it is to find time for photography when we're traveling. There always seems to be too much else to do. I did, however, manage to break out my camera a few times on this trip. </p><p>The first opportunity came when, after exploring the area around Annapolis Royal in the afternoon, we settled into a parking spot on the waterfront for the night. A big advantage of traveling in such a small RV is that it doesn't take up much more space than a large pickup truck so we can camp pretty much anywhere. In this case, we stopped in a public parking spot just across the street from a museum that was closed because of the pandemic, snuggling in just in time to watch the sunset while we had supper. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4qexCqAE4Q/YXhPDeLnHeI/AAAAAAAAOkw/2vPAEE14BbUa7rfSIGqhUnpu6AjI6kOqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AA21BF59-1FC7-429D-9BE4-1AEAA0888DF0_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4qexCqAE4Q/YXhPDeLnHeI/AAAAAAAAOkw/2vPAEE14BbUa7rfSIGqhUnpu6AjI6kOqgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h320/AA21BF59-1FC7-429D-9BE4-1AEAA0888DF0_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sunset was something of a disappointment as it turned out, but I loved the warm light on the wharf, which I photographed from the shoreline just behind where we parked. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRw1YwTtmDg/YXhPDcCViSI/AAAAAAAAOk0/udszU4vgXJQFvW53kNh-0SmjxNSiW_JdACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/09864A59-BEA5-40C8-8627-5BDFDA7AEC0E_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRw1YwTtmDg/YXhPDcCViSI/AAAAAAAAOk0/udszU4vgXJQFvW53kNh-0SmjxNSiW_JdACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/09864A59-BEA5-40C8-8627-5BDFDA7AEC0E_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next morning, I got up early and went for a photowalk. The weather was gorgeous for early June and there was almost no one on the streets - at least until a group of geriatric yogis gathered for a class on the wharf. As you can see from these photos, it was a perfect morning to grab some reflection shots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWx2UfoXEUQ/YXhQZElQ96I/AAAAAAAAOlE/1QxiEw7OWTUuQACKNj_mjni_EVvpu80FQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3AA5920E-2F52-4D0F-9D61-8F18ECF99130_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWx2UfoXEUQ/YXhQZElQ96I/AAAAAAAAOlE/1QxiEw7OWTUuQACKNj_mjni_EVvpu80FQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/3AA5920E-2F52-4D0F-9D61-8F18ECF99130_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QynJGRavWCY/YXhQaBQcD2I/AAAAAAAAOlM/JlbGU7LgDlkUBMZLug7IjALw-74CGGaRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9EC056B1-F3BD-4B5D-924D-50B9ED0E274F_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QynJGRavWCY/YXhQaBQcD2I/AAAAAAAAOlM/JlbGU7LgDlkUBMZLug7IjALw-74CGGaRQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h320/9EC056B1-F3BD-4B5D-924D-50B9ED0E274F_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PAQci3s3l7k/YXhQZVZZICI/AAAAAAAAOlI/Xdngj2NGulIWkIl0Z_egVVurAMVjMPyiACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/66097D30-54CA-40FC-B596-2FF7D06E35C3_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PAQci3s3l7k/YXhQZVZZICI/AAAAAAAAOlI/Xdngj2NGulIWkIl0Z_egVVurAMVjMPyiACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/66097D30-54CA-40FC-B596-2FF7D06E35C3_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iiMPc1vzsTQ/YXhQaYQOwaI/AAAAAAAAOlQ/IAaGU4Y8tOELdkLcVTq7gjpUhfY97xy4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AB2FC68F-B4A3-4889-B2D1-264C2B2AA898_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iiMPc1vzsTQ/YXhQaYQOwaI/AAAAAAAAOlQ/IAaGU4Y8tOELdkLcVTq7gjpUhfY97xy4gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/AB2FC68F-B4A3-4889-B2D1-264C2B2AA898_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2pew6D6Fxs/YXhQigcyjpI/AAAAAAAAOlk/fOXgHDAErqQFN79zWnfp-fm70jsKGOHqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B9B81206-06EC-4EF0-886F-21384A9154B0_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2pew6D6Fxs/YXhQigcyjpI/AAAAAAAAOlk/fOXgHDAErqQFN79zWnfp-fm70jsKGOHqgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/B9B81206-06EC-4EF0-886F-21384A9154B0_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granville Ferry, a picturesque village just across the harbour</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zxkAWQLm7PA/YXhQb_2eweI/AAAAAAAAOlU/4H12lvI8LlIkqtyWwkvuCP7FdB2TfYgeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BB178A3E-4B7D-4A5B-A10C-7C4C4B576F62_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zxkAWQLm7PA/YXhQb_2eweI/AAAAAAAAOlU/4H12lvI8LlIkqtyWwkvuCP7FdB2TfYgeQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/BB178A3E-4B7D-4A5B-A10C-7C4C4B576F62_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qH8yoUQ8tLA/YXhQcLTanFI/AAAAAAAAOlY/tmoLsr97bzAYsvCL_03es4o36NS2gD9IgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C22D14F0-FD7F-4A2C-81C1-960D7252CE4F_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qH8yoUQ8tLA/YXhQcLTanFI/AAAAAAAAOlY/tmoLsr97bzAYsvCL_03es4o36NS2gD9IgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/C22D14F0-FD7F-4A2C-81C1-960D7252CE4F_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvXYpobJAsU/YXhQc9QQRuI/AAAAAAAAOlc/of6ElLVb6f0jHxsg_jFqWSBZM_kEYZFDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/E589C52B-9A32-4F50-9819-7C108F5EAEFC_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvXYpobJAsU/YXhQc9QQRuI/AAAAAAAAOlc/of6ElLVb6f0jHxsg_jFqWSBZM_kEYZFDgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/E589C52B-9A32-4F50-9819-7C108F5EAEFC_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgiKfjKU-Xc/YXhQZGzwyfI/AAAAAAAAOlA/beMD4N86ZlEVjDIJmS-W2CjEmPzOXe6iQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8F549802-F510-4C90-BB63-E2F33ADFD588_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgiKfjKU-Xc/YXhQZGzwyfI/AAAAAAAAOlA/beMD4N86ZlEVjDIJmS-W2CjEmPzOXe6iQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/8F549802-F510-4C90-BB63-E2F33ADFD588_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After wandering around town for a bit, we headed to <a href="https://foundershousedining.com">Founders House</a>, a local restaurant friends had been raving about, for a celebratory lunch belatedly marking our 31st wedding anniversary. What a treat! I didn't take any photos of the meal so you'll just have to take my word for it. If you find yourself in Annapolis Royal, do yourself a favour and go! The food, drinks and service were all terrific. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After lunch, we headed to the <a href="https://historicgardens.wordpress.com">Historic Gardens</a>, which we'd never visited. I took my camera along but didn't get many photos I was happy with. The light was too harsh. However, we both really enjoyed exploring the gardens - particularly the heritage vegetable and rose gardens. I was quite enamoured with the water lilies as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dwa6vSmEno/YXhTNXbwLjI/AAAAAAAAOnE/f09140XMgSQmUayFuoeZDTq1cO-FOsh9gCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/83A8E209-F4BA-470C-9E07-8B8FB7E1E4CA_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dwa6vSmEno/YXhTNXbwLjI/AAAAAAAAOnE/f09140XMgSQmUayFuoeZDTq1cO-FOsh9gCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h300/83A8E209-F4BA-470C-9E07-8B8FB7E1E4CA_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mFD3Gph7_nM/YXhTKEgm3dI/AAAAAAAAOmM/GEl0ESor6xc-PnUlI5j9cGRGt6o-XVV5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3B4AABA1-25F0-4AE0-960D-D9D469E093CA_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: left;">That evening, we parked near the town's old railway station for the night to avoid being in the way Saturday morning, when we expected downtown to be busier on account of the Farmer's Market, and spent a pleasant evening eating supper and playing cards until it was time to turn in for the night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before leaving on Saturday, we stopped by the market and visited a few local galleries, before taking one last walk along the waterfront - dreaming about a longer trip to Annapolis Royal next summer, when we hope to visit more sites and go hiking as we planned. The town may be tiny but there's plenty to keep a visitor busy for three or four days at least. </div>Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-43423171569375759182021-10-25T11:18:00.005-03:002021-10-25T14:34:05.895-03:00Running Lessons: Musing about motivation<p>As promised, I'm writing today to report back on yesterday's run. It was fine. Not awesome, but not bad, considering. And the weather couldn't have been better - dry, mostly sunny and cool. My time was nothing to brag about. It took me almost 48 minutes to cover 5.5 kms - but in my defence I stopped to take pictures a half a dozen times. I also took occasional walk breaks - though fewer than I usually do. All in all, not a bad effort.</p><p>While I was out, I thought a lot about what's motivated me to run in the past and what might motivate me in future. Over the years, I relied heavily on running to get me through tough emotional times. And raising money for causes I believed was hugely motivating. I've never been strong or fast enough to be truly competitive, but I enjoyed participating in races and collecting t-shirts and other bling. </p><p>When I think back over my running career, the thing that stands out most is how fearless I felt when I was training regularly. I'd head out on trail runs by myself, miles from anywhere - even in winter - and run through the city alone after dark. Friends who warned me it wasn't safe were met with a cheery "no worries, the bad guys have to catch me first". </p><p>My fearlessness wasn't as irrational as it sounds. The fact is I was in excellent shape and had terrific balance so rarely stumbled. I also made a point of not wearing headphones so I could stay tuned into my surroundings, and kept a sharp eye out for potential hazards. I can't think of a single time I felt really vulnerable on my runs through the city after dark, though I do remember wondering about the wisdom of some of my longest winter trail runs.</p><p>The question is what's my motivation now? It's hard to imagine I'll ever regain the level of fitness that enabled me to feel so fearless again - though I'd certainly like to try - and I've little interest in racing or fundraising.</p><p>Maybe it's as simple as this: I want to continue thinking of myself as a runner, as someone who makes the effort to stay in shape even as she ages, and is mentally and emotionally strong enough to bear the discomfort of taking on various physical challenges.</p><p>I once had a massage therapist who said he liked treating runners because they had a high tolerance for pain. I laughed about it then but he wasn't wrong. Anyone who's run distance knows the real limits on endurance are more mental and emotional than physical. Our minds often give up far more quickly than our bodies.</p><p>Whatever my motivation, it's clear I need a plan. To start with, I'll try to get back to running 3 or 4 times a week, and practicing yoga more regularly. I may have to hire a trainer and/or join a local gym as well. I've lost a lot of muscle mass over the past year or two, and the last thing I need is get injured before I've made any real progress. A trainer would help keep me accountable too. The tricky bit will be finding someone who knows about training older women's bodies. </p><p>That's it for today. I'll sign off with a few photos from an outing to Keji Seaside with friends back in April. Access to the far end of the beach is restricted in summer so we were thrilled we could visit on such a glorious day before restrictions came into effect. How lucky we are we to have such wild and beautiful places nearby?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PliXP9jp7d8/YXbEfBbP-pI/AAAAAAAAOj8/6Es4JRdgX_8yitwpWBmUboa5Rpx9laehgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/350A4A17-5F35-4747-BE57-4A1DAA5881A7_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PliXP9jp7d8/YXbEfBbP-pI/AAAAAAAAOj8/6Es4JRdgX_8yitwpWBmUboa5Rpx9laehgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/350A4A17-5F35-4747-BE57-4A1DAA5881A7_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0GtFEGW5AA/YXbDvBMhzxI/AAAAAAAAOjg/NQOw71DUuSwaiKMqUw2g6_9luk4oksT_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3FABDC78-B3F6-408D-9998-82DBF688CC4A_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0GtFEGW5AA/YXbDvBMhzxI/AAAAAAAAOjg/NQOw71DUuSwaiKMqUw2g6_9luk4oksT_gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/3FABDC78-B3F6-408D-9998-82DBF688CC4A_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T29VZPsrFr8/YXbDuxe_e6I/AAAAAAAAOjc/ZpFCmGGzaCs6kbI9gY4sK9MYhQmH6CjlACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B3A88F89-9B83-4CB0-BFB2-07949923E949_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T29VZPsrFr8/YXbDuxe_e6I/AAAAAAAAOjc/ZpFCmGGzaCs6kbI9gY4sK9MYhQmH6CjlACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/B3A88F89-9B83-4CB0-BFB2-07949923E949_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQJF4HmlKEk/YXbE2jkAeVI/AAAAAAAAOkE/WYKm_DMgBf8TmcwntXbwYftFnPKAPSfSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/11F8A1CA-080E-45E7-8347-008C60800CCE_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQJF4HmlKEk/YXbE2jkAeVI/AAAAAAAAOkE/WYKm_DMgBf8TmcwntXbwYftFnPKAPSfSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/11F8A1CA-080E-45E7-8347-008C60800CCE_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJ0FC2RCQV8/YXbDwG7bxtI/AAAAAAAAOjo/k1CQ6KcuT6sv2mRQxpRBADPX2C5BP4XoACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C098316C-B161-42ED-8F8F-E5A0D1C73E1B_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJ0FC2RCQV8/YXbDwG7bxtI/AAAAAAAAOjo/k1CQ6KcuT6sv2mRQxpRBADPX2C5BP4XoACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/C098316C-B161-42ED-8F8F-E5A0D1C73E1B_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFmlrdc6XMM/YXbDwy_QgEI/AAAAAAAAOjs/NFJ10PL0yuIMOpnXhuwq9Y_bn62S4x6KQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/D9657315-B498-49BA-9549-A3DF61908520_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFmlrdc6XMM/YXbDwy_QgEI/AAAAAAAAOjs/NFJ10PL0yuIMOpnXhuwq9Y_bn62S4x6KQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/D9657315-B498-49BA-9549-A3DF61908520_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5sMtlo7zOig/YXbDvS9NaHI/AAAAAAAAOj0/jUG2mmlXajQxZBin6iWkcVI2p6v72vb0ACPcBGAYYCw/s2048/226ED92C-13DB-44D4-B1C8-94D52B6C9500_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5sMtlo7zOig/YXbDvS9NaHI/AAAAAAAAOj0/jUG2mmlXajQxZBin6iWkcVI2p6v72vb0ACPcBGAYYCw/w400-h266/226ED92C-13DB-44D4-B1C8-94D52B6C9500_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-89455361179148155472021-10-24T11:15:00.002-03:002021-10-24T11:22:54.074-03:00Running lessons: Just StartGood morning, blogger friends. Here I am checking in at last after another long silence. What can I say? It was a incredibly busy summer and I was rarely home long enough to do laundry - let alone blog. <div><br /></div><div>However, Hubbie's on the road this week and I'm determined to use some of this precious alone time to get writing again. </div><div><br /></div><div>As it turns out, that's easier said than done. He's been gone four days, and this is the first time I've even attempted to write. There always seems to be something more important - or at least more pressing - to do, surrounded as I am by unfinished household projects.</div><div><br /></div><div>You'd think after 18 months of pandemic restrictions, every last project would be done by now, but no. Partly because we keep launching new ones, but mostly because it's been hard to stay focused. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the early days of the pandemic, I was totally obsessed with learning all I could about the virus and how to keep those I care about safe, and then there was the horrific mass killing incident that started in Portapique, and then the US election sideshow, and then a worrying outbreak and lockdown, and finally it was time to hit the road in our camper. Oh - and somewhere in there - I spent 8 months serving on the very dysfunctional board of directors for our local credit union before resigning in frustration. (As an aside, the rest of the board resigned soon after and the regulator stepped in to replace the CEO so I suppose it wasn't a complete waste of time but it sure felt like it.) So - yeah - I've been distracted. </div><div><br /></div><div>My fear now is that, as restrictions slowly lift, I'll be completely overwhelmed and the remaining projects will never get done. </div><div><br /></div><div>Which is why I'd like to get back to blogging. This was the place I used to go to figure stuff out, set priorities, and give myself the pep talks I needed to stay on track. Most importantly, it was the place I nurtured my motivation to keep running.</div><div><br /></div><div>Running. That's another story. It's been almost 20 years since I took up running and I loved it so much I was sure I'd never give it up and yet here I am - 10 pounds overweight and in terrible running shape, struggling to find the motivation to tackle 5 kms to town and back. </div><div><br /></div><div>With my 60th birthday just around the corner, it's easy to tell myself it doesn't matter - that I don't really want to run anymore - but in my heart of hearts I know that's not true. I still <i>want</i> to run. I'm just scared to try in case I can't. </div><div><br /></div><div>The answer of course is to just start. Don't think about it. Just lace up my shoes and get my butt out the door. Take walk breaks. Run slowly. Track my progress, celebrate every success and trust the process. Chances are my body's up to the challenge so long as I pace myself properly, eat sensibly, and get enough sleep. After all, it wasn't that long ago I finished a 13k leg of the 2021 Virtual Cabot Trail Relay. And I haven't been sitting around all summer - I've been walking and hiking lots, and biking occasionally. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, off I go. I'll be back tomorrow with a report on how it went. In the meantime, here are a few pics from our summer camper adventures. More on those in the weeks ahead. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MU5dqBmZvv0/YXVn1MomKZI/AAAAAAAAOhc/9YRyi35ywNE9LjPYHebyiXCrklrl_x3KACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/232DF39D-2C2E-414B-AD66-9A0A0A7BAB4A_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MU5dqBmZvv0/YXVn1MomKZI/AAAAAAAAOhc/9YRyi35ywNE9LjPYHebyiXCrklrl_x3KACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/232DF39D-2C2E-414B-AD66-9A0A0A7BAB4A_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning sun at Tor Bay Provincial Park</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iC9M4felLCo/YXVn1ogSGPI/AAAAAAAAOhg/_AaPGbNXOcoscEPlLmXP7qY1ph633u2JACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7090D7BA-5033-4ADB-9555-0C40E18968F5_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iC9M4felLCo/YXVn1ogSGPI/AAAAAAAAOhg/_AaPGbNXOcoscEPlLmXP7qY1ph633u2JACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/7090D7BA-5033-4ADB-9555-0C40E18968F5_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late afternoon at Five Islands</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gLUS5JKzGnA/YXVn02WqXWI/AAAAAAAAOhY/Z07mG1jCgmIi2dKwWxRRozFZAKo87seZACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4807032C-B070-47F0-8A57-CFF4EB7F92E7_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gLUS5JKzGnA/YXVn02WqXWI/AAAAAAAAOhY/Z07mG1jCgmIi2dKwWxRRozFZAKo87seZACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/4807032C-B070-47F0-8A57-CFF4EB7F92E7_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise at Gilbert's Cove Lighthouse</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCpGUd1jgSU/YXVn1yfDC0I/AAAAAAAAOho/QzOtK9aHD4U4Y2vLfZtFYrhkMW-IwCfqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/D522461D-EA1E-44FC-9FE7-03171F4A5941_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCpGUd1jgSU/YXVn1yfDC0I/AAAAAAAAOho/QzOtK9aHD4U4Y2vLfZtFYrhkMW-IwCfqwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/D522461D-EA1E-44FC-9FE7-03171F4A5941_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our camping spot on Bartlett's Beach</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SoRGa2HutJw/YXVr05aotfI/AAAAAAAAOiA/5QysfYglzl4coGeljDp9IKy8IOg0wlarQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/519576DF-DCCF-43CF-8481-EFCC86E1B115_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SoRGa2HutJw/YXVr05aotfI/AAAAAAAAOiA/5QysfYglzl4coGeljDp9IKy8IOg0wlarQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/519576DF-DCCF-43CF-8481-EFCC86E1B115_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking on the ocean floor at Burntcoat Head<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-72726114637564568712021-09-04T00:42:00.008-03:002021-09-04T14:03:30.207-03:00Riding the fourth wave<p>Once upon a time, words were my weapon of choice. I wrote quickly and effortlessly. I <i>needed</i> to write about the things that were on my mind. </p><p>I still feel the need to write sometimes - still <i>want</i> to write - but the words don't come easily any longer. At least, not the words I want to write - the ones that tell what's in my heart as well as in my head.</p><p>Riding the fourth wave of the pandemic, I wonder if there's any point in even trying. </p><p>But then I remember that writing used to bring me joy. And goodness knows we could all use a little more joy in our lives these days.</p><p>This week, I went looking for joy on the coastal barrens near Peggy's Cove. There's a reason Peggy's is iconic. The lighthouse is unremarkable, but the rocks on which it stands and the landscape surrounding it sometimes seem otherworldly.</p><p>These photos don't do it justice but they're the best of a bad lot. The light was harsh and I mostly used the wrong camera settlings. I'll have to try again another day. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fsUCw-4E5IY/YTLlvJYEJFI/AAAAAAAANFk/mgl9BoqjUYEtg7J5S_FNT_3A9UmhPyB-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2603E798-EC48-46E3-800F-288EEE3D8575_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fsUCw-4E5IY/YTLlvJYEJFI/AAAAAAAANFk/mgl9BoqjUYEtg7J5S_FNT_3A9UmhPyB-gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/2603E798-EC48-46E3-800F-288EEE3D8575_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GbpPc0UqeVQ/YTLlvOkqFXI/AAAAAAAANFw/daqp2b3tRHgg6makTgUvL5fxftAbdVQOwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/874CE7F6-574E-412B-8876-11DAA9177DC0_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GbpPc0UqeVQ/YTLlvOkqFXI/AAAAAAAANFw/daqp2b3tRHgg6makTgUvL5fxftAbdVQOwCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h225/874CE7F6-574E-412B-8876-11DAA9177DC0_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcU3JlsUjrU/YTLlaKIvFgI/AAAAAAAANFU/w6_cXH8g4AwRO-XPB5cgfu_Aj458x81MACPcBGAYYCw/s2048/33EFC20A-A6C6-40B8-A683-5078AFAD2940_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcU3JlsUjrU/YTLlaKIvFgI/AAAAAAAANFU/w6_cXH8g4AwRO-XPB5cgfu_Aj458x81MACPcBGAYYCw/w400-h300/33EFC20A-A6C6-40B8-A683-5078AFAD2940_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PHfwZfX4QMY/YTLlb2Cz9bI/AAAAAAAANFQ/iQ8J8ZVLups9Mh5za1FsnjAhJlzm05ZsQCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/55FA211E-31C0-4B66-8B7F-A972A459E60A_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PHfwZfX4QMY/YTLlb2Cz9bI/AAAAAAAANFQ/iQ8J8ZVLups9Mh5za1FsnjAhJlzm05ZsQCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h265/55FA211E-31C0-4B66-8B7F-A972A459E60A_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-81214355123859010872021-04-27T11:44:00.001-03:002021-04-27T11:44:08.243-03:00Because we could all use a little calm right now<p>There was more bad news on the covid front in our part of the world today so it seems like a good time to share some beach photos. There's something so soothing about ocean beaches. The combination of salt air, crashing waves, and wind on our skin connects us with whatever it was that created so much beauty. Keep believing and stay safe, everyone.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Usxe_yjU2XA/YIgiEYBNGRI/AAAAAAAAM6M/gJebGtYx3lsZCMsTIYcmuC-aSIxEELv1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/0E1DA0EE-06E4-4657-B872-BD3CBC8C27CB_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Usxe_yjU2XA/YIgiEYBNGRI/AAAAAAAAM6M/gJebGtYx3lsZCMsTIYcmuC-aSIxEELv1wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/0E1DA0EE-06E4-4657-B872-BD3CBC8C27CB_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQUVLn_SNlA/YIgiEF2f9pI/AAAAAAAAM6I/vQSlJPIYIsQrEfuz8sKH3nLmVj051RDoACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/54496634-DF2B-4EE9-B0A6-96189CF5AF6C_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQUVLn_SNlA/YIgiEF2f9pI/AAAAAAAAM6I/vQSlJPIYIsQrEfuz8sKH3nLmVj051RDoACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/54496634-DF2B-4EE9-B0A6-96189CF5AF6C_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pSTaaBNiQTk/YIgiF7kL1AI/AAAAAAAAM6U/33dj6xr6yvcnjQtEdmS9qBS_Hp4Oko_jACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/EF2889CD-BEA8-42CD-8864-72B0EAD3F61B_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pSTaaBNiQTk/YIgiF7kL1AI/AAAAAAAAM6U/33dj6xr6yvcnjQtEdmS9qBS_Hp4Oko_jACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/EF2889CD-BEA8-42CD-8864-72B0EAD3F61B_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xG9vk9X7ZXk/YIgiEfkT9gI/AAAAAAAAM6Q/3bv97dQaNXc6pNfjusVRu4XnjsV8Xr4IwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/A80FD2F0-8E0A-468B-9597-743222FD124D_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xG9vk9X7ZXk/YIgiEfkT9gI/AAAAAAAAM6Q/3bv97dQaNXc6pNfjusVRu4XnjsV8Xr4IwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/A80FD2F0-8E0A-468B-9597-743222FD124D_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HkXAy9H5Wk8/YIgigXorjcI/AAAAAAAAM6w/ndh4eqsKxFIOHOMxfPwcsdSKayEklfZswCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/F9FA847C-3F2D-4B4A-AE2F-34A96CEC716D_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HkXAy9H5Wk8/YIgigXorjcI/AAAAAAAAM6w/ndh4eqsKxFIOHOMxfPwcsdSKayEklfZswCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/F9FA847C-3F2D-4B4A-AE2F-34A96CEC716D_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-72033077482740221532021-01-23T21:29:00.004-04:002021-01-25T13:26:44.203-04:00Happy New Year 2021<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsIw0XH8eCU/YAzK0Y4tjWI/AAAAAAAAMWI/tvYq4cj466wFGuLdHcbYnR9pIVYpHczgACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6C588B51-9F03-4286-A6DA-7CE625021AC3_1_201_a.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsIw0XH8eCU/YAzK0Y4tjWI/AAAAAAAAMWI/tvYq4cj466wFGuLdHcbYnR9pIVYpHczgACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/6C588B51-9F03-4286-A6DA-7CE625021AC3_1_201_a.jpeg" /></a></div>As I look back at 2020 and, in particular, my post from a year ago, I'm reminded of just how far our world has shifted. And, though the pandemic still rages, and far too many are dying prematurely, I somehow feel an odd sense of optimism. Perhaps, because folks in our small corner of the world have done a relatively good job of pulling together to respond to covid-19 - which makes me more optimistic we can do the same to address the environmental and other crises we face. Or perhaps because so many have demonstrated strength, courage and compassion in the face of challenges that were unimaginable a year ago. I'm not sure, but in any case I cling to that small flicker of positivity to keep fear and anxiety at bay on the darkest days.<p></p><p>My word for 2020 was "lift" and my intention for the year was to work on lifting my own spirts and those of others so we'd all feel more optimistic about the future and our prospects for fixing our ailing planet. Looking back, I can't say I often succeeded in lifting anyone's spirits, but at least I did what I could to "flatten the curve" and support family and friends grappling with the impacts of the pandemic. </p><p>As we head into 2021, I'm keeping my intentions modest, in line with my word for the year, which is "healing". What I primarily have in mind is healing myself physically - given my body's been more cranky than usual lately - but also my heart and my head. There are a few relationships I'd like to heal too, and of course there are many aspects of our world in need of restoration as well.</p><p>Most years I set myself a few challenges in January to establish new patterns that will assist me in fulfilling my intentions. This year, I've set just one, which is to do 30 days of Yoga with Adriene. I always enjoy her online classes so am hopeful I'll complete the challenge but, in any case, the effort should get me doing yoga a little more regularly. </p><p>The only other challenge I've set for 2021 is to be kinder to myself. For example, I'm giving myself permission to do whatever exercise feels right for my body rather than trying to follow a particular workout schedule slavishly. If the sun shines and I feel like running, I'll run. If I feel more like going for a walk or dancing in the attic or playing tag with the dog, I'll do that instead. And I won't beat myself up about my choices. </p><p>The same goes for other things - like reading, writing and photography. Last year, I intended to read at least one book a week, which should have been easy to do, given we were stuck at home for the better part of 10 months. As it turned out, I <i>did</i> read a lot, but mostly online articles and documents associated with my various volunteer gigs rather than books. In 2021, I'll try to read more novels and short stories but, if I don't, that's okay too. </p><p>The same goes for other interests. I'd really like to spend more time on writing, photography, quilting painting, etc., and will certainly do my best to make that happen, but I'm not going to panic if it doesn't. </p><p>I suppose my 2021 intentions will seem unambitious to some, but 2020 was a reminder that nothing we have today is promised for tomorrow - not our health, our homes, our communities or our loved ones. Given that, my first priority this year has to be looking after myself, my family and friends, my neighbours and the planet. I'll get to the rest when I have the time, energy and inclination to do so. </p><p>In closing, very best New Year's wishes to you and yours. And here's hoping that by this time next year the worst of the pandemic will be over and we'll be well and truly on our way to healing ourselves and the planet. </p><p>Namaste!</p>Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-29027745915692139582020-11-07T23:07:00.005-04:002020-11-08T13:35:01.467-04:00God bless America!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3aC_z6m9PaQ/X6dgPNPuqnI/AAAAAAAALrE/kvnH81X9FN0s1PmMWuoITsi2xYKq-UtlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1784/9456B3D7-DB03-4ABA-8C09-07B68506D9F6_1_201_a.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1784" data-original-width="1427" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3aC_z6m9PaQ/X6dgPNPuqnI/AAAAAAAALrE/kvnH81X9FN0s1PmMWuoITsi2xYKq-UtlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/9456B3D7-DB03-4ABA-8C09-07B68506D9F6_1_201_a.jpeg" /></a></div>It's day 7 of NaNoWriMo so I really should be working on my novel, but I can't get on with it without first taking time to reflect on what happened in the US today.<p></p><p></p><p>Even before the dust settles, there will be some who argue the election of Biden and Harris as President and Vice-president doesn't matter all that much - that a Democratic administration will do little to address the challenges the country faces, let alone it's troubled relations with the rest of the world.</p><p>They may be right, but I hope not. </p><p>It seems to me something real has shifted in the US. For the first time in decades, millions of Americans reached across their differences, linked arms and voted - not just for Biden and Harris, but in support of one another and to protect the integrity of their democracy. </p><p>I don't know whether things will be different in the future - whether AOC Democrats can work with Biden Democrats, let alone Romney Republicans, to find ways to move the country forward - but I hope the last four years have at least brought home to them just how dangerous and destructive it is to forget their duty to govern for the benefit of <i>all</i> Americans - and not just themselves and their friends. </p><p>Bless Biden and Harris for taking on the challenge of cleaning up the mess DJT and his minions have left behind. And bless Americans for not giving in to cynicism and despair - for once again demonstrating faith in the promise of their country. For all its failings, the United States remains a beacon of hope for millions. </p><p>The road ahead will be difficult, so I hope they will take comfort and courage from knowing so many of their fellow Americans set aside their differences for the sake of the country and one another. I hope too that they understand just how many outside the US are anxious to support and encourage them as they set out on this new path. </p><p>Congratulations to Biden, Harris and everyone else who worked so hard to make this day possible. We are all deeply in your debt.</p><p>A Canadian friend</p>Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-19691609088691957542020-06-26T20:13:00.003-03:002021-01-03T14:32:54.947-04:00Pandemic life: Three long months and counting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've started a couple of posts since the pandemic hit Nova Scotia in mid-March but haven't got round to finishing them - largely because the drafts felt too negative or whiny somehow. Here's the most recent effort:<br />
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What I've learned from the pandemic: </u></blockquote>
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People's grasp on reality varies widely - even when they listen to exactly the same news reports - based largely on what they want to believe and what they see directly in front of them. </blockquote>
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The human capacity to normalise both good and bad stuff can't be overestimated. We are masters of avoidance and self-deception, and largely unable to come to grips with our own mortality. </blockquote>
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Greed, racism, misogyny, homophobia, and other blights manifest in endlessly creative ways. </blockquote>
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Even low levels of anxiety take an enormous toll when they go unrelieved for months. I no longer remember what it's like to wake up without a sinking sense of dread. </blockquote>
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Grief and guilt at being one of the "lucky ones" is sometimes more painful than fear. </blockquote>
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See what I mean?<br />
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It's not that there isn't plenty to be angry, scared and upset about. God knows, reading the news these days feels a lot like reading dystopian science fiction.<br />
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And it's not that I feel particularly obliged to be positive all the time. I don't. In fact, I often wonder whether all the memes, websites and self-help books flogging positivity are sponsored by people who'd prefer we not think too hard about the root causes of what makes life difficult for many of us.<br />
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I guess it's because blogging feels a little pointless. After all, if we're nearing the end of human life on the planet because of climate change, the coronavirus, and corrupt and incompetent governments around the world, what's the value in me sharing my few marginally coherent thoughts on a blog or anywhere else? It's not as if many people are going to read them.<br />
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But then I remember why I started this blog in the first place - which was, to motivate myself to think - <i>really</i> think - about what I ought to be doing with my life. Twelve years on, I'm not sure I've made much progress in that regard - though the fact I'm pickier about the topics I tackle may mean I've learned <i>something </i>along the way.<i> </i><br />
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As I write this, I'm sitting on our back deck at the end of what's felt like a long tough week. A moment ago, a robin caught my eye as it flitted across the sky to perch briefly on the lowest branch of a massive white pine that grows just behind our house, before dropping back to earth to resume his search for a pre-dinner snack. In the foreground, there's a small cluster of daisies swaying gently in the afternoon breeze. I'd like to tell you that all I hear is birdsong, the wind in the trees and lapping waves on the riverbank, but the truth is the road past our house is a busy one so those natural sounds are too often drowned out by cars and trucks roaring by.<br />
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Still, I'm glad there are so many birds visiting our property these days - where it's relatively safe for them, as well as for bees, butterflies, and other critters. In the ten years we've owned this place, we've never used pesticides, and are now working with a local company called <a href="https://helpingnatureheal.com">Helping Nature Heal</a> to begin transforming it into something even more environmentally friendly - a micro-sanctuary - by re-wilding most of the lawn, reintroducing a mix of native plants, and protecting and planting more trees. The project was inspired in part by a documentary film entitled<b><i> <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_biggest_little_farm">The Biggest Little Farm</a></i></b> and in part by a couple of books I picked up at the library, including <b><i><a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-living-landscape-designing-for/9781604694086-item.html">The Living Landscape</a>.</i></b><br />
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When we started, the space in front of our house was a dreary bit of ground dominated by an overgrown spruce tree and mostly covered in moss. With the initial work done, we're already seeing positive changes. For the first time in years, I caught a glimpse of a firefly the other night, and we seem to have a wider variety of birds and butterflies than in the past. Added to which, there's the joy of watching newly planted shrubs, trees, and plants settle into their new homes. Here are a few pics of the work done by HNH in the area we now refer to as "the Meadow".<br />
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So far, the biggest changes have taken place at the front of our property, which folks see as they drive by, and I have to say it's amusing to watch their reactions. Last week, a young man pulled into the driveway to ask if we'd like to hire him to mow. I said, "No, thanks, we're letting the grass grow on purpose", which I could see puzzled him. Others appear just as bemused and intrigued by it all. It's not a typical approach to landscaping for sure. And its not exactly neat and tidy, which is just as well since, outside my veggie beds, I'm an intermittent gardener at best.<br />
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Whatever the outcome, I'm glad we're using this pandemic time to make a small peace offering to Mother Nature.<br />
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So that's it for today, friends - a few rambling thoughts to let you know I'm still here trying to work out what's worth writing about. Hope you and yours are safe and well, wherever you are. Love to hear how you're coping through the pandemic.</div>
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Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-41902394533588466912020-01-22T11:27:00.001-04:002020-01-22T11:35:12.700-04:00Worth Reading: City of Girls<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I stayed up way too late finishing Elizabeth Gilbert's <u>City of Girls</u> before I went to sleep last night.<br />
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Mulling it over as I climbed the stairs to bed, I realized I found most of the characters and much of the plot completely improbable. Why then did I stay up so late to finish it?<br />
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To begin with, because it contains an assortment of wise and insightful passages like this one: <br />
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"When we are young, Angela, we may fall victim to the misconception that time will heal all wounds and that eventually everything will shake itself out. But as we get older, we learn this sad truth: some things can never be fixed. Some mistakes can never be put right -- not by the passage of time, and not by our most fervent wishes, either.<br />
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In my experience, this is the hardest lesson of them all.<br />
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After a certain age, we are all walking around this world in bodies made of secrets and shame and sorrow and old, unhealed injuries. Our hearts grow sore and misshapen around all this pain -- yet somehow, still, we carry on."</blockquote>
And this:<br />
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"This is what I've found about life, as I've gotten older: you start to lose people, Angela. It's not that there is ever a shortage of people -- oh, heavens, no. It is merely that -- as the years pass -- there comes to be a terrible shortage of <i>your</i> people. The ones <i>you</i> loved. The ones who knew the people that you <i>both</i> loved. The ones who know your whole history." </blockquote>
And I couldn't help but fall in love with the main characters, who, despite their many flaws -- or perhaps because of them -- radiated love and compassion for those around them. It seemed to me the story was one long lesson in the giving and receiving of grace - something the world could surely use more of.<br />
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Of course, since it's a Liz Gilbert book, all the earnest stuff is packaged in a rollicking good story, set in a intriguing time and place, lyrically told, which makes it perfect reading for a long winter's night by the fire, or lazy day on the beach. Highly recommended.</div>
Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-55973160461198250252020-01-21T13:56:00.000-04:002020-01-21T14:08:30.482-04:00Happy New Year - 2020! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I haven't blogged much in the past year, despite the fact I'm retired now and should have more time for writing. I'd like to think 2020 will be different but, honestly, I'm doubtful it will.<br />
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Still, I've decided to try writing something to kick the year off. After all, I used to enjoy blogging and it's a good way to exercise my writing muscles.<br />
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Over the past couple of weeks, I've spent a lot of time thinking about what I've been up to since I retired the end of January. In some ways, retirement's exactly what I expected. My retired friends told me I'd feel a bit lost and confused for a few months at least, and that's certainly been true.<br />
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It's also true that I've been far busier than I expected. I've picked up a larger share of household tasks, spent more time with the dog, completed a couple of short consulting gigs, tackled some long-postponed projects (such as sorting photos and other memorabilia, started a couple of new ones (including the Nanny Project), joined a local choir and a photography club, began swimming again, read a bunch of books, and volunteered time to work on environmental justice projects - all things I hoped to do when I retired from working full-time.<br />
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But there are a few things I really wanted to do that just haven't happened - for example, running and blogging regularly, editing the novels I drafted a few years back, playing my guitar, knitting, quilting and getting back in shape.<br />
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Running has been a challenge because my body got really cranky last winter and it's taken awhile to figure out what it needed to feel better. I haven't figured it out totally yet but regular chiropractic treatments, gentle yoga, and closer attention to my diet seems to help, so I'm hoping I'll feel up to running more regularly in the year ahead.<br />
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When I stopped to think about why I haven't written much, I was surprised to realize it wasn't that I had too little to write about, but rather that I had too much! I think about writing nearly every day and compose countless stories and articles in my head, but somehow I never get round to writing them down - mostly because I have no idea where to start.<br />
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There's another issue around writing for me these days, which is that many of the topics that interest me are damned depressing. I desperately <i>want</i> to participate in ongoing conversations about climate change, political populism, democracy, and inter-generational tensions, for example, but I'm only rarely able to summon the necessary emotional and psychological energy to do so. <br />
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So, then... where to go from here?<br />
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I'm not starting this new year feeling especially optimistic or upbeat. It's hard to feel good about the future with so much bad news coming out of Australia, the Middle East and elsewhere.<br />
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That said, I don't see much point in despair. It won't get us to be where we need to be to overcome the environmental and other challenges we face. As George Monbiot noted in a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/15/rebellion-prevent-ecological-apocalypse-civil-disobedience">recent piece</a> published in the Guardian, those already dealing with the impacts of climate change haven't the luxury of despair and soon we won't either. The same is true of cynicism.<br />
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Given all that, I've decided to adopt "lift" as my word for 2020. Lift as in "raise up", "brighten", "improve", "move to a higher/better place". My intention is to try lifting my own spirits and those of others so that we feel more hopeful about the future.<br />
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I'm still figuring out what I mean by that but I think it includes sharing good news about efforts underway to tackle climate change, being patient and supportive with those who are - consciously or unconsciously - dealing with their own environmental grief, finding things to celebrate amidst the deluge of bad news, taking and inspiring action, and filling my own cup so that I don't run out of energy before the job is done. <br />
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Here's a little doodle I made while meditating on the word "lift". I don't think it's finished yet, but it highlights many of the activities, interests and attitudes I intend to make a bigger part of my life in the coming year.<br />
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What about you, dear readers? What are your intentions for 2020? How are you coping with environmental grief? Have you adopted a "word of the year"? If so, what is it? Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below. </div>
Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-49569637995212807732019-06-22T19:06:00.001-03:002019-06-23T18:51:07.001-03:00Retirement Lessons: Harder than it looks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Nearly 5 months in, I'm just starting to get my head around what it means to be retired. It's harder than it looked before I took the plunge - mostly because the days aren't anywhere near long enough to do all I want to do, but also because things haven't unfolded exactly as I expected.<br />
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To begin with, I spend much more time doing household chores than I imagined - which is only fair, given that Husband did the bulk of them during my last few years of work. Still, I didn't anticipate how much time chores and puppy care would consume each week.<br />
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Then there were the all the long-postponed projects to contend with - clearing out the attic, disposing of unwanted items, planning renovations, organizing photos and memorabilia, researching my grandmother's life, etc. Each of them has taken far more time that I thought it would. I've made a good amount of progress on most things but I'm still a long way from finished.<br />
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Then there were the psychological and emotional challenges of my new status - glad to be retired but anxious to make positive contributions to family, friends and community and struggling to nurture good mental health in the face of seemingly insurmountable environmental, political and economic injustices.<br />
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And finally there were a number of physical issues to contend with. I'd presumed the aches and pains that had plagued me for years would disappear immediately once work was behind me, but of course that hasn't happened. In fact, some issues became more troublesome when I returned to regular exercise. As a result, I'm nowhere near as fit as I hoped to be at this stage - though I managed to run a 5 mile race in a respectable time this morning - and the arthritis in my hands, feet and knees is making everything more difficult. <br />
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Don't get me wrong. I wholeheartedly recommend retirement, and am deeply grateful I'm able to do this. It's just that I don't feel completely comfortable with it yet. Retirement feels a bit like early adulthood, in as much as the possibilities feel endless, but that there's a greater sense of urgency too - urgency that stems from realizing I have only a few years left and wanting to be selective about what I do with them.<br />
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Whatever the future holds, I hope I continue to appreciate the beauty, love and kindness that remains in this world. After all, it's the stuff that makes life worth living. <br />
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Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-391027306817066962019-01-03T08:53:00.000-04:002019-01-03T17:36:03.241-04:00Five Questions for New Year's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another new year and this one promises to be more interesting and fun than the last few given that, as of January 31st, I'll be embarking on new adventures as a retired person. I haven't quite figured out what I mean by "retired" but, with a bit of luck, I'll have plenty of time to do that.<br />
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On New Year's Eve, my friend Janet sent an email with five questions to reflect on as the year drew to a close, and I thought it would be fun to answer them here, then ask you to do the same.<br />
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<b>1. Best moment of 2018?</b><br />
There were plenty of great moments - seeing <i>Mamma Mia</i> at Neptune Theatre with my mom, sisters, nieces and friends, sleepovers with my sister's daughters, touring Ireland, hiking with another sister and her daughter in Canmore, visiting with good friends, enjoying beach suppers with my folks, and attending the King's Chapel Choir Christmas concert, to name just a few. But the moment that stands out is the moment when, driving down the highway just outside St. John's, Newfoundland, we received a text from our realtor telling us we had a firm deal to sell the city house.We were totally over-the-moon! It changed everything because it was the first step towards restructuring our lives so I could give up my day job and we could live in the country full-time.<br />
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<b>2. Best book?</b><br />
I had a hard time with this question because I haven't read much outside of work the past few months. However, looking back, I realized there were two books that really affected me - Jann Arden's <u>Feeding My Mother</u> and Nora Ephron's <u>I Feel Bad about My Neck</u>. Jann's book is a moving account of her efforts to care for her mother, who was suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, interspersed with recipes and photographs. I found it especially moving because I witnessed my father-in-law's struggle with the same disease. Nora's book was recommended by a friend. It too is an intimate little book, though much more light-hearted, filled with laugh-out-loud observations on what it means to be a woman of a certain age - of any age really. It especially affected me I only realized after I read it that Ephron had passed away 2012, which was hard to fathom. How could a person with so many advantages, and such humour, insight, and zest for life be gone so soon?<br />
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<b>3. Best lesson?</b><br />
This year was chock-a-clock with lessons - many of which weren't particularly pleasant. For example, I realized how vain I was when I got bizarrely stressed about having surgery to remove a small skin cancer from my cheek. And that age was winning when I suddenly developed arthritis in my hands and feet. Fortunately, there were happier lessons too - like how much fun it is to play theatre games, and how good Guinness tastes when it's properly stored, served in a fancy glass and enjoyed with friends in a small Irish pub. Overall, though, I'd have to say the best lesson this year was that the time has come to free up more time in my life for the people and things that matter most.<br />
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<b>4. Best buy?</b><br />
The truth is I bought very little stuff this year - not even running gear. Ever since we sold the city house, our focus has been on disposing of stuff rather than accumulating more. Given that, I'd have to say my best buy was our air tickets to Ireland. Those tickets provided months of joyful anticipation and heaps of happy memories that will last a lifetime.<br />
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<b>5. Wish for 2019?</b><br />
I have two. The first is that I'm able to create the new life I'm dreaming of - one that enables me to be more active, engaged, creative, and compassionate. The second is that, in the face of the environmental crisis, people around the world come together to take action before it's too late. Yes, I know the second seems a bit unrealistic. But - hey - we have to be able to imagine a better future in order to build it.<br />
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And what about you, gentle reader? How would answer these five questions? What books should I put on my reading list? What lessons did you learn? What are your wishes for 2019?Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-20463776550579685512018-08-06T19:05:00.001-03:002018-08-06T21:55:48.261-03:00A long, hot weekend<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boardwalk at Risser's Beach</td></tr>
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It's been an especially hot long weekend on the south shore (30+ degrees with high humidity making it feel even warmer), which made it hard to accomplish much. I did manage a short run into town and back early yesterday when it was cloudy but I was dripping with sweat by the time I got home so didn't attempt the same feat today in full sun. We also got some sorting and unpacking done yesterday while it rained. We've spent the rest of the weekend resting at the beach or on the back deck, cooking, reading, watching Netflix and playing with Jackie Blue.<br />
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I'd hoped to spend a few hours playing with my camera this weekend but ended up taking just a few shots when we took Jackie to the beach for a long walk Saturday morning. The rest of the time, it's been either too hot and sunny to be outside for long, or I was busy doing other things. The great thing about our walk on Saturday morning was that we had the beach pretty much to ourselves. Apparently, other people don't like the fog as much as we do.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old wharf at the end of the beach is a favourite spot for stalking snails</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The remnants of the wharf</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petite Riviere from the back beach at Risser's</td></tr>
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I had a really hard time taking good photos of Jackie in the foggy conditions. She moves so quickly, most were out of focus, and she looked far too serious in many others. It made me realize just how difficult it is to capture her joy when she's doing something she loves. Here are few that almost do it. In the last two, she's waiting for Husband to throw her favourite toy (a rubber ring) so she can chase it down the beach.<br />
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After our walk, we popped up the road for a bite of lunch at t<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Westdublinwaterbuffalo/">he Ploughman's Lunch</a>, before returning to the beach for a couple of hours of reading (Husband and me) and snoozing (Jackie Blue). The fog never lifted entirely but that was okay because it helped moderate the air temperature.<br />
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We spent most of yesterday at home but did a quick run to Mahone Bay for a bit of shopping in the afternoon. En route back, we popped in for a pint of excellent micro-brew and some live Celtic music (including a bagpipe) on the patio at Saltbox Brewery. It's a puppy-friendly place, so we took Jackie along and, as you can tell, she loved it!<br />
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Today, we headed back to the beach in an effort to escape the stifling temperatures at the house. Unfortunately, it was nearly as warm there and the beach was packed so we didn't enjoy it as much as we hoped to. On the upside, Jackie got some exercise, we squeezed in a short visit with my folks (who were camping nearby), and I got to take Patti for a spin. I have to admit it felt good to be back on my motorcycle - so long as I didn't think about too hard. I'm far too aware of my mortality to enjoy riding as much as I once did - especially in the heat!<br />
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I mentioned we watched Netflix this weekend. That's new for us. We're not big TV watchers and gave up cable years ago so have had limited options since. Very occasionally, we'd rent a movie on iTunes, break out an old DVD, or watch a TV show online, but mostly we just read books instead. Now that we have a Netflix account, that may change. There are heaps of movies and TV programs I've been wanting to see, and, as part of our big move, we've just set up a cozy den that will make watching them a lot more comfortable.<br />
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Speaking of our move, I have to say I've been a bit horrified to realize just how much stuff we've accumulated over the past decade. For much of that time, we had two or more "homes" and our belongings were spread out amongst them so we didn't really notice how much stuff we had. Consolidating everything to one house has been eye-opening, to say the least. We'll be months disposing of things we no longer need, and it will be challenging to find good homes for some of it, but we're determined to be ruthless so we can return to living in a relatively uncluttered space.<br />
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And that was our long weekend. It's back to the coalface for me tomorrow. Hope your long weekend was good, wherever you are! Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-13370401714827636672018-08-02T10:34:00.000-03:002018-08-03T12:38:47.370-03:00Still here and blogging...<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
...in my head, at least. Unfortunately, I rarely have time to write these days and, when I do, I usually spend it catching up on email. </div>
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What’s got me so busy? A good question. I wonder sometimes why life feels so hectic when I don’t seem to do much besides work and hang out with Husband and the critters. I never watch TV, rarely go out, and train only sporadically. The trouble is I’m so tired that, even when I do have a little time, I’m not inclined to spend on my laptop. I’m more likely to pour a glass of wine and play tug with Jackie Blue. </div>
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Life is especially tiring at the moment because we sold our city house a few weeks ago and I’m commuting 200k a day to work and back. I only drive about 150k of that since I catch a bus at Tantallon but the round trip eats up 3 hours of each day. I’ve been using the time on the bus to read novels, which makes it feel a little less like work, but all that travel still makes for a longass work day. Fortunately, I’ll only be commuting for a few more weeks. I've lined up an apartment to rent in the city starting the beginning of September.</div>
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The decision to sell the house was a bit spur of the moment. At the time, I thought I might be giving up my job and the housing market was hot so we decided to take the plunge and sell the house while we could get a good price for it. However, things at work have improved to the point that it now makes sense to stay in my job awhile longer and see how it goes. It would be nice to end my government career on a high note instead of leaving earlier than planned out of frustration. </div>
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Moving's not the only thing that's been consuming time and energy. Husband and I went on a wonderful trip to Newfoundland and Ireland in late May/early June, which I hope to blog about in detail eventually. In the meantime, here are a few photos to wet your appetite.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In addition, we've had a regular stream of visitors since early July. Most booked their time with us before we decided to sell the house so we didn't feel we could postpone, and anyway we've enjoyed having them. It just made July that much more hectic.</span><br />
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The other issue for me has been the heatwave we've had over the past few weeks. Normally, I enjoy hot weather but not this year. Coupled with regular hot flashes, the very warm temperatures have kept me from getting enough sleep.</div>
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Fortunately, I've booked two more weeks of vacation in late August so it won't be long until I get some proper rest. In the meantime, I'm doing my best to pace myself, eat right, drink plenty of (non-alcoholic) fluids, and cut myself a bit of slack on the training front. </div>
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At the moment, the most I can manage is a couple of short runs per week and I often end up having to walk parts of them on account of the (internal and external) heat. It's frustrating but I remind myself that it's better to do some training than none at all. Once I've moved into an apartment in the city, I should have more time for running (and blogging) since Husband plans to stay in the country with the critters most weeks.</div>
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So that's the news from here. Hope you're having a good summer, wherever you are. If you're a female runner of a certain age, I'd love to hear how you manage hot flashes when you run (and the rest of the time, for that matter). If you're a long distance commuter, how do you spend so much time on the road without feeling totally exhausted at the end of the day? Love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!</div>
Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-47039799085591525172018-05-20T21:56:00.000-03:002018-07-04T13:02:48.887-03:00Race Report: Bluenose Marathon Weekend - Boyne Clarke 15k<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm snuggled in by a fire tonight recovering from my first race since last fall - the Bluenose 15k, which I ran this morning in just over 1:38. I haven't downloaded my Garmin data yet so I can't tell you precisely how much elevation was involved but, judging by the way my legs feel, it wasn't insignificant. (Not surprisingly, organizers avoid highlighting elevation info on the event website. Halifax is no place to come for a Boston qualifying time.)<br />
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The day started early because we hoped to be on the road by 6:15 to make it to the city in time for my 8:15 start. I woke up at 4:00 to pee, then laid awake listening to rain pound on the roof until the alarm went off at 5:30. By then, the rain had let up some and temperatures were mild enough that I resisted the temptation to bail and scurried to get ready, while Husband made coffee and fed the critters. We scarfed down over-sized pieces of mum's delicious blueberrry pie before finally hitting the road at 6:25.<br />
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The drive to the city was largely uneventful - though the rain got worse as we headed downtown. After a quick stop for a pee at a gas station on Quinpool Road, we lucked out and snagged a parking spot a kilometre or so from the start line. Amazingly, I stopped twice more to pee before lining up! Apparently, nervousness is a diuretic. Who knew?!<br />
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As we waited for the gun to go off, it was still pouring rain so I kept my jacket on, figuring I could take it off and tie it around my waist if the rain let up and I got too warm - which is exactly what happened just a few kilometres in. Next time, I'll take the risk of being a bit cold and leave my jacket with Husband.<br />
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Once the race was underway, I was pleasantly surprised at how good I felt. I had tapered thoroughly over the past week, running only a few kilometres in all, and made a conscious effort to run an easy pace for the first few kilometres so that I'd have plenty of gas in the tank for the long hills ahead. I also resisted the temptation to check my Garmin since my only goal was to finish "upright and smiling". Instead, I ran "by feel" - running "easy" up hills, and as fast I felt like running down them.<br />
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The route took us around Citadel Hill and along Agricola Street to North Street, where we made a right turn and headed downhill for a couple of blocks before starting the first climb up and over the Angus L. MacDonald Bridge. I hadn't run across the bridge since it reopened to pedestrian traffic a few months ago so it was fun checking it out, and of course I enjoyed the long descent to Wyse Road on the Dartmouth side. Unfortunately, after Wyse, there was a series of longass climbs up Nantucket, across Slayter, and up Woodland before we turned to run down a steep hill past Mic Mac Mall to Lake Banook. My legs were tired and tight by the time I reached the relatively flat path that took us around the lake, but I got a wee break when I stopped for one last pee just past the 9k mark. (I know! I've no idea where it all came from!)<br />
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As we circled Lake Banook and headed back towards the harbour, I was in familiar territory since I run there regularly, and the long descent to the water gave my legs a chance to recover a bit before it was time to tackle four last hills en route to the finish line. The first took us up Alderney Drive to Wyse Road, where local race organizer and photographer, Tim Chesnutt, took this shot. I look much happier than I actually felt at that moment.<br />
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The second hill took us up and over the bridge, the third up a steep block from the base of the bridge to Gottingen Street, and the last up Brunswick Street to the finish line. I had to walk for a minute at the top of the bridge, which gave me the chance to grab this quick photo.<br />
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Fortunately, having previously run 4 other Bluenose events (the 5k, 10k, half and full marathons), I knew better than to sprint to the finish line. The last time I did that, I came perilously close to losing my breakfast. This time out, I focused on covering the last 300 metres as quickly as I could without inducing vomiting, and crossed the line in a chip time of 1:38:12 - not bad at all, given all the hills and my minimalist approach to training. Here's a pic of me with race mascot, Myles, after the race.<br />
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My takeaways from this experience? First, running "by feel" really seems to work for me - especially on hilly routes. I'm a decent downhill runner so can make up a lot of time on descents as long as I don't push too hard on the climbs. Second, Husband's help was invaluable in getting me to the start line - and I don't mean just today. With one thing and another, it's been tough to train this spring, and there's no way I'd have managed it without his unwavering love, support and encouragement. (Thanks, honey!!) Third, race volunteers are awesome. Hundreds of them braved miserably wet and windy conditions and gave up huge chunks of their long weekend so that a few thousand runners could do what they love, raising hundreds of thousands for charity in the process. It's wonderful that so many people are willing to help year after year. Hats off and sincere thanks to all of them!<br />
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It's too soon to say what my next race will be. Husband and I are heading "across the pond" to Ireland on vacation soon and I don't expect to run much while we're there - though we hope to do plenty of hiking. Added to which, I may soon have exciting news to share - news that will have major implications for all aspects of my life, including my training. More on that when/if things come together.<br />
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Until then, happy running and writing, friends!Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-23784546313717845562018-03-30T19:28:00.000-03:002018-04-02T14:24:44.192-03:00Happy birthday to me!<br />
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As of today, I'm officially in my late 50s. It's better than the alternative, I know, but I can't say I'm thrilled about it. Of course, it doesn't help that it's a dreary grey day, and my back is aching. (Long story short, I had a minor altercation with a bus this week from which I'm still recovering. On the upside, it's a four day weekend, my Facebook feed and inbox are flooded with birthday wishes, and I'm fortunate that I landed beside, and not in front of, the bus.)</div>
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It hasn't been a particularly productive day. I slept in this morning to recover from a busy work week, then headed to Mahone Bay with Husband for coffee and treats at <a href="https://www.thebarncoffee.com/">The Barn</a>. We enjoyed our stop there immensely. It's an awesome little place with a terrific vibe so we were in no hurry to head home when the time came - except that this little guy was waiting for us. </div>
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While Husband took Jackie for a long walk in the drizzle, I noodled over the menu for our official birthday supper. Husband's birthday is just a few days before mine so we agreed we'd celebrate them together tomorrow night. He requested duck so I've settled on duck breast with a port and cherry sauce, rissotto with artichokes and oka, and a tossed salad. The rissotto will be a bit of an experiment - my attempt to recreate a dish we had at <a href="http://www.thedartgallery.com/picnic-at-dart/">Picnic</a> a few weeks ago. Fingers crossed it works out.<br />
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So - back to the subject of aging. It ain't for sissies, that's the sure. Lately, it feels as if it's one thing after another. Husband's has had three trips to the dentist to deal with broken teeth and failed fillings, along with visits to the audiologist and optometrist to be fitted for hearing aids and glasses. I've just ordered my first set of progressive lenses, am still recovering from plastic surgery on my cheek, and am creeping out of bed like an old lady on account of my aching back. If we weren't otherwise so fit and healthy, it would be downright depressing.<br />
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Of course, the really hard thing about aging is coming to grips with the reality that there are some dreams it's just too late to pursue. At some point, it doesn't matter how much you want something or how hard you're prepared to work, it's simply out of reach. The answer, I suppose, is to dream new dreams, and/or get busy pursuing those that are still possible, but it's hard not to be discouraged by all the closed doors.<br />
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What say you, dear reader? Do you still dream new dreams? When is it too late to pursue them, and how do you know?Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291143103033467520.post-85371108277075882532018-03-24T14:29:00.001-03:002021-05-16T15:37:28.664-03:00Lots of reading and a little running<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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It's taking awhile to get back to training regularly but, now that my face is healing nicely, I'm determined keep at it. Last week, I only ran twice but both runs were a reasonable length (7k and 8.5k) and felt good throughout so I seem to be making <i>some </i>progress at least.<br />
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This week, I'd been hoping to run at least 3 times but Mother Nature had other ideas. We had another nor'easter mid-week that kept me from running on Thursday as planned. I may still manage three runs if I take puppy for a short run this afternoon before my longish 9k run tomorrow.<br />
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I didn't used to be such a wimp about running in bad weather but these days I struggle to head out in less-than-ideal conditions - and there seem to have been a lot of them lately. We haven't had as much snow as we usually do this winter but the winds have been fierce and bitter. The massive tree limbs littering the yard at our country place are testament to how nasty it's been.<br />
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On a more positive note, now that the time has changed, evenings are longer so I should be able to make a habit of taking Jackie for short runs at Shubie Park after work. We've made it out a couple of times recently, and have used the time to practice things we're learning in trail training classes at <a href="https://www.oceanmarkresort.com/">Oceanmark K9 Resort</a>. It's amazing to see how quickly Jackie picks stuff up when her people to a better job of communicating what they want. And, so far as we can tell, she loves the chance to show us what she can do.<br />
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Of course, the best thing about trail training is how tired Jackie is afterwards. There's not much cuter than a tired puppy and I get lots more snuggles after we've spent an hour or two on the trails together.<br />
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In addition to working, running and hanging out with the critters last week, I managed to do a fair bit of reading. On the weekend, I finished Nora Ephron's <i><b>I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman</b></i>, which was by turns hilarious and moving, along with Mark Manson's <b><i>The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck</i></b>.<br />
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I'm not sure what to make of Manson's book. Clearly, he's no intellectual heavyweight and, at just 34 years old, he's not old enough to be credited with much wisdom. On the other hand, he does a reasonably good job of repackaging insights and wisdom from other sources and the book's an easy and entertaining read.<br />
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In particular, I liked his critique of self-help approaches that insist people should try to be positive all the time. To his mind (and mine), that's just dumb. Bad stuff happens and it's completely normal and healthy to feel crappy about it. The important thing is to be thoughtful about how you respond and to do so in ways that are consistent with your values.<br />
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Speaking of values, I like that Manson talks about them. It's not something a lot of people do these days but he encourages readers to identify their values, and consider whether they will lead to "a good life" in the long run. By his definition, a good life isn't a life without struggles but rather a life with struggles of your own choosing - a notion that certainly resonates with me.<br />
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Okay, okay. Enough about the book. It really isn't that good - though it did offer some interesting questions to noodle over while I work out when and how I want to move on from my current day job.<br />
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My other big accomplishment over the past couple of weeks was capturing a few more decent photos of Nemmie. She such a beautiful kitty, it's a shame it's so hard to get good photos of her.<br />
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I plan to spend much of this weekend following what's happening at the <a href="https://runningmagazine.ca/need-know-barkley-marathons/">Barkley Marathon</a>. There are at least two Canadians running - one of whom is an accomplished distance runner, well known in the local trail running community. Of course, the whole world is cheering for Gary Robbins after his heartbreaking finish at last year's Barkley - me included. But I'll be cheering just as loudly for Jodi Isenor, who completed the 3 loop "Fun Run" at Barkley in 2014 in 36:36 - an incredible accomplishment for a first timer. <a href="http://trailbugracing.blogspot.ca/2014/04/my-spectacular-failure-at-barkley.html">Here's</a> his account of that run.<br />
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Speaking of which, it's time to sign off and get on with my day. Hope the weather's cooperating with whatever you have planned this weekend. Are you following Barkley too? What's your take on adventure races and the people who attempt them?<br />
<br />Jan Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01882825000995177531noreply@blogger.com1