spend more time outdoors

On days that I’m at my placement, I get an hour for lunch. There is always plenty of time to spare after I’ve finished eating, and a couple of weeks ago, I decided to use that time to walk the complex grounds. Apparently the Sisters of St. Joseph own not just the building Lawson is in, but a sizable piece of land out behind it as well. I’d heard that the walk was scenic; several of the Lawson staff take advantage of the pretty surroundings themselves, from time to time.

The area is lovely. The river is wide, and takes an almost dog-leg bend right there, so for a while along the path it is visible running both straight ahead and off to the left, into the distance. It’s a popular place too! I saw a large turtle, sunning himself on a rock jutting out of the shallow river, a wee baby bunny hopping along the top of the riverbank, and a big fat groundhog waddling from one patch of thatch to another.

Since that first walk, I’ve made a point of strolling the path during almost every lunch hour, enjoying the few minutes of natural calm and beauty, and recharging my batteries for the afternoon.

Camping in Ontario’s beautiful north is always fun – doesn’t matter that it rained 80% of the time, or that my ole body was screaming in pain after a night’s sleep in the tent. I woke up both mornings to the sound of a woodpecker going to town on some poor tree. I roasted hot dogs over a campfire. I played peek-a-boo with bashful chipmunks. And I stood at the very edge of the dock, watching the wind on the surface of the water until it tricked my senses into believing I was floating away.

I didn’t have nearly as much time as I’d have liked, but I stopped by the labyrinth on campus yesterday. The wind was gusty and noisy and cleansing, especially high up in the bare tree that stands at the centre of the labyrinth. I liked it up there.

Someone had tucked a folded piece of paper under a stone at the base of the tree. I was so tempted to pick it up and share in their secret, but something prevented me. It’s just a tree surrounded by stones, but the place felt sacred and the note like a confession or a journal and I couldn’t bring myself to expose it.

Yesterday was a beeeeeautiful day for a walk, so after I popped a small roast in the oven, I walked over to the bank. There was evidence everywhere I looked that spring has sprung, and oh boy, are we all ready. Seemed like EVERYONE was outside, pushing strollers, walking dogs, shooting hoops, and skipping rope.

It’s damn near impossible to feel blue in spring, I think :o)

My fella took me to the Ponds this morning, for a much anticipated stroll through the woods. The early part of the day was cold, but bright and sunny. Along the path we chatted about this and that, slid down all the icy slopes we happened upon, and paused briefly to watch what we thought might turn into a goose gang rumble.

Good times.

I just woke up from a glorious snooze in the hammock – swaying so gently with the breeze, dappled light dancing on my belly & legs, the life in my backyard noisily – and silently – carrying on all around my sleepy self. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

and more. We had such a lovely time. And the lilacs? Their scents pick you right up off the ground and float you through the dell.

People of the world – call your travel agents, pack your bags, and come to Ontario, to the RBG. It is so beautiful, so restful yet so invigorating – can that be?? It is!! I promise.

I’m heading out in an hour to visit the Royal Botanincal Gardens’ annual Lilac Festival with my Mom and our friend, Miss Anne. I’m so excited – I love the RBG any time – I always feel my chest open and my head clear when I’m there, but I especially love it when the outdoor gardens are in show – you can walk for miles, soaking in the scenes and scents and sounds of a true Ontario wonder.

We’re heading up north for the weekend, leaving in about an hour. I’m pretty happy to be going camping, though this isn’t quite the experience I had in mind (pitching a pup tent beside a trailer that has all the amenities, including a television that I’ll bet dollars to donuts is on the entire time we’re awake). I can’t pre-judge how this weekend will go, but I remain ‘cautiously optimistic’ that it’ll be enjoyable.
I’ll return on Monday with photos and stories to share. Happy long weekend my friends!

Spent over an hour on the deck on Sunday afternoon, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine and some chit-chat with the SO and his folks. Sure felt nice to be out there again, making garden plans and dreaming about naps in the hammock. C’mon Mother Nature – you bring the fine weather, I’ll bring the cocktails!