Taking A Short Break

Hi everyone. As some of you are aware I will be taking a break for a bit.

On Tuesday I had a 'surprise visitor' return after four years.....

the 'silent migraine'.

It is called 'silent' in that it sneaks upon you causing visual disturbances

instead of the more well-known ones that produce headaches.

They are very physically disruptive as well and can cause confusion.

Saw a doctor last night and he said they can come and go....with years in between.

Hoping they aren't staying long.

An old CNR train at the Halifax Waterfront.

Reflections On A Walk

Can't beat a Nova Scotian autumn as was evidenced by a walk

 we had this past Sunday. Here is a portion of it:

Here we are in a downtown mall after brunch and going to get Sophie.

Let's take a look at a few buildings along the way.......this is St. Mary's Basilica.

Down along the waterfront in Halifax looking out to the Atlantic Ocean.

Building on a building.....

This is a new addition to the Waterfront Boardwalk,

the Nova Scotia Power Corporation offices.

A view of George's Island which is situated in middle of the harbour.

Just a few shots and more to follow.

Say 'good-bye' Ron!

Contemplative Monday

THE TRUTH ABOUT AGGRESSION

"If you're aggressive in your dealings, that's how you'll be regarded in the world.

You might smile and give generously,

but if you frequently explode in anger,

people never feel comfortable in your presence and you'll never have peace of mind."

Eclectic Tastes

For all you Northern Hemispheric people out there!
This may help us with the transition into autumn.

Jean in New Zealand and Davine in Australia,
you can enjoy it too!!

Neil Young's 'Harvest Moon'.

Saturday Morning post

A very good week for weather here in Nova Scotia......cool nights and warm days.

Terry Fox is a 'hero' here in Canada. He attempted to run across Canada in 1980 after 

having one of his legs amputated due to cancer.

He didn't quite reach his goal after running for 5373 km 

 (he died a year after he had to stop the run) 

but he certainly left his mark and has raised millions for cancer research.

Hibiscus blossom from our 'seasonal' plant.

Surfboard against fence.

One foggy day down at the boardwalk.

Cyclist at Point Pleasant Park in Halifax.

This gull kept a very close watch on Sophie who was swimming nearby.

This Golden Retriever just wanted to sit and cool off.

It's all downhill from here....

That same very foggy day......do you think I may long for a truck?

Parasurfer zipping back and forth.

Sophie was being SO good during her doggie bakery visit this week.

And it paid off big time for her!!

Yellow sailboat.

Refreshing trickle.

Getting To Know Me

Jumping... In More Ways Than One

Before we left Vancouver in 1982 we had gotten addicted to the 'new' craze of aerobics.

We were already fitness fanatics so it was a natural evolution of sorts for us to jump in!

We joined the 'Y' there and got the feel for this new 'thing'

and brought it back to Halifax where it was just being introduced.

So in 1983 we jumped on the bandwagon so to speak 

and opened our own aerobics centre.

We called it 'Cuvelier's Exercise Studio'.

Since Ron was working full-time and I had just taken a

year sabbatical from teaching to try this new venture,

the business was given my surname.

Nothing like jumping into something I had no idea about.....

business that is!! The aerobics side of it was easy to do

and we liked it a lot. But the business of it was all new to me.

Long story short (phew), we survived for just over two years.

We had a very large clientele. Met a lot of wonderful people along the way

some of which we still know today.

But the bottom line was that we jumped in over our heads

and didn't have a sound business plan. So we closed.

I have no regrets whatsoever. I didn't make any money

but gained so much more....debt (lol),

a respect for the 'business world',

and lifelong memories of a

a very exciting time in our lives.

We had a blast!

So back to teaching I went.

Part of our advertising was to have aerobics classes in local malls.

Here is Ron in black t-shirt up front instructing a class.

That is me to the right in the red t-shirt.

Down Where The River Meets The Ocean

Another gorgeous day yesterday.....cool but hey, won't hear me complaining!!

There were half a dozen 'parasurfers' honing their sport, 

 zig-zagging up and down the beach front.

Of course this sport is dependent upon the wind and it was there in force.

The colours of the kites/parachutes are always bright against the blue sky.

Here comes a giant butterfly....ready for take-off!!

Bench

Beautiful 'fall-ish' day yesterday.

Perfect day to sit somewhere 

and watch the world go by.

Taking A Bath Outside

There is a small area in the park we frequent that has survived the ravages

of the north Atlantic winds and was left pretty much unscathed by Hurricane Juan in 2003.

There is something very enchanting about a path into the woods, don't you think?

This one beckoned us '3 amigos'  last week.

And into the woods we went.

Almost immediately upon entry one has the feeling of calmness.

The Japanese have a term for this: Shinrin-yoku or 'forest-bathing'.

(Click on the above name.)

If you can, try this out for yourself. The best bath of your life!

Contemplative Monday

The following quote is from 'Heart Advice, Weekly Quotes From Pema Chodron'. (click)

NURTURING OURSELVES

"As adults, we begin to cultivate a sense of loving-kindness---by ourselves, for ourselves.

The whole process of meditation is one of creating that good ground,

that cradle of loving-kindness where we actually are nurtured.

What's being nurtured is our confidence in our own wisdom,

our own health, and our own courage, our own goodheartedness.

We develop some sense that the way we are----the kind of personality that we have

and the way we express life----is good, and that by being who we are completely

and by totally accepting that and having respect for ourselves,

we are standing on the ground of warriorship."

Eclectic Tastes

Came across this last week and it's guaranteed
to get you moving in a very gentle way.

Have a wonderful Sunday every one.

Saturday Morning Post

Potpourri of a week......

This is just about the size this spider really was at the park.

I have never seen a spider cross its legs before!

I bought a set of 12.....Royal Doulton 'Summer Song'.

Always waiting for Jim to catch up!!

Crab shell and seaweed.

Empty path through dune grass.

Not empty any longer.

A sign along the 'Atlantic View Trail'.

Nothing like a good SHAKE!

Going up....

Well worth the climb!

Berry cluster at the park.

Season pretty much over for this year.