Dan went on his annual golf trip last week. He and his golfing buddy went down to the southwest corner of the province to play Whitebear and Kenosee for three days. He took a few photos for me.
Since he has been back he has been getting busy around here. He replaced the springs on the garage door, which was a pretty impressive accomplishment. He also got the tires changed on the boat trailer. That was not quite as impressive, but it needed to be done.
I have not been too busy but I have been walking my dog every morning. I have also been puttering around the yard, picking fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchinis.
Zucchini brownies made from scratch – with our own homegrown zucchini.Our peppers are huge but not turning red yet🤷We have enjoyed quite a few tomatoes but a lot more to come if the weather holds for a few more weeks.Cucumbers, carrots and peppersEver producing Hungarian peppers.
Retirement is the best! There is nothing like starting the week with a walk in the park and flowers blooming in our yard.
Walking with Kat💞We were joined by a fine feathered friendDay lilliesThe petunias are a bit lacking this year but still nice to have.Miniature Sun FlowersI can’t believe I saved this geranium!These look like miniature pansies. I don’t know what they are or where they come from but they pop up in all of our flower beds🤷 One little brown eyed SusanTwice as Nice!
It is hard to believe how busy one can be doing very little of consequence. In my quest to putter around to keep occupied – without actually investing a lot of effort into my mission – I managed to snap a few random shots to share.
Our Brown Eyed Susan finally bloomed 🌞Our lillies are still bloomingPuff the Magic Dragon 🐉Dan refinished another garden ornament – originally a hummingbird feeder from Jennifer.Wednesdays with DomA painting from Genie – I love the colors and the ELEPHANT! 💗Peace is my path 😉
When I married Dan 21 years ago, I had two sons and a daughter from a previous marriage. Dan had never been married and had no children. He was better to my kids than their own father had ever been – especially to my daughter, who was fifteen at the time.
A few years later, my daughter became a mother and we became first time grandparents.
Grandpa, Genie and Casey
Dan and I were in the delivery room with Jennifer when Genevieve arrived. They stayed with us for nine months, by which time Grandpa’s shoulder had become Genie’s go to place, in good times and bad. After Jennifer and Genie moved out, they were often back to spend time with us. Genie was always excited to see Grandpa and would spend hours entertaining him while she searched out and played with the many ladybugs in our garden. She soon became his little ladybug. 🐞
Grandpa’s little ladybug, Genie
When Genie was about nine, Dan and I went on a vacation to Ontario. While we were at Niagara Falls, Dan got his one and only tattoo – a small ladybug on his left shoulder – as a reminder to Genie that no matter how big she got, he would always have a place on his shoulder for her.
When Genie saw Grandpa’s ladybug, she decided that when she was old enough, she would get a ladybug to match – to show him that she would always be there for him as well.
A couple of years ago, I was able to arrange for Genie to get her ladybug tattoo on her sixteenth birthday. Our tattoo artists do not typically work with anyone under eighteen, but my boss’s son agreed to do this one for Genie.
Genie turned sixteen on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, we could not make the tattoo happen right away and by the time we were able to, Covid-19 had temporarily closed all of our tattoo shops. Recently, they reopened and Genie was one of the first in line to book an appointment.
Genie – Getting her tattooGrandpa and his ever loving ladybug, Genie
It is finally done! Genie and Grandpa happily showing off their matching tattoos 💞
This weekend we had the pleasure of spending a few days with son Dan and his family – Amanda, Gabby, Lucas and Cason – celebrating my 65th birthday.
Cason & Lucas helping blow out the candle on the cake son Dan made. German chocolate sour cream – amazing cake!!Gifts and card. *The cookbook is a copy of one that I used throughout my children’s childhood. I gave the original to my daughter years ago when she started her own family. My husband took me on this lovely trip, gave me a beautiful card, took me shopping for a couple of new outfits and bought my birthday supper (Chinese – totally delicious!)Buddha Board from Genie – my talent does not do it justice. It is very relaxing and therapeutic. (Husband Dan decked it out with the river rocks)Dan, Cason, me, Amanda – back row. Gabby and Lucas in frontBacardi, Cornelius & KatTaking a scenic detour homeSon Mark took great care of everything at home while we were gone.
All in all, it was a lovely few days away. I came back a year older but that was to be expected. 🙄
Nature makes peace and harmony and tranquility appear so easy. When I look at a bed of ferns and and clover, I see peace. When I see trees, I see peace. When I look up to a crystal blue sky and watch fluffy white clouds drift by, I see peace. When I see gentle ripples on a body of water, I see peace. When I see a perfect blossom, I see peace. I can hear and see and feel peace throughout nature. More than anything, I want to look within my mind and body and soul and find peace. I am a part of nature. It should be so easy. 🤦
I hope that today, whether you look without or within, you find what you are looking for. 🕊️
Dan was working days this weekend so I spent a lot of time relaxing and wandering around with Kat. I wish summer would last forever!
Saturday afternoon – the weather Channel said Regina was sunny and clear🤷Roaming along the storm channel behind O’Neil High SchoolCattails along the storm channelBusy blue skiesElphinstone StreetWild flowersFerns in a city park
Now that I have my grandson every Wednesday, I am on the search for nearby playgrounds. The one we went to this Wednesday had an abundance of great equipment for him to enjoy. The only problem was that the walk was a bit much for Dom. On the way there he asked me twice if we were still in Regina and on the way back he asked if we were still in Canada. 🙄
I do not think the park I went to this morning even had a name but it was a relatively short walk with a few points of interest for Dom along the way.
I had to go under the overpass.Through some treesPast some picnic tablesBeside a splash pad – it has four jets like this.Basic monkey bars and swingsDom loves slides!Of course there is always a police car, complete with lights and sirens, on the adjacent Lewvan. Canada Post out delivering the mail.And a train heading over the underpass.
I think this walk is worth a shot with Dom. The worst he can do is clutch his heart, drop to his knees and tell me he is not going to make it. That is a whole other story. 🤦
Have a great day. I hope you our enjoying the same beautiful weather we have today!
Probably the most iconic landmark in Regina is the Albert Street Bridge. The Albert Street Bridge is the longest bridge over the shortest span of water in the world. It is situated off the entrance of our beautiful Wascana Park and the Saskatchewan Legislative Building grounds.
One end of Albert Street Bridge – this entire section is south of Wascana Creek.One of several buffalo sculptures that decorate Albert Street Bridge.Decorative pillars line both sides of the bridge.Saskatchewan coat of armsLooking west off of the Albert Street BridgeAlbert Street Bridge as seen from Rotary Park trail.
I hope you have a beautiful day to get out and do some sight seeing today. In these days, when travel is discouraged, there are sights worth exploring close to home.
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 