Brief Race Brief...

The sun has barely cleared the horizon, although we can't see it behind the clouds. It's cold. And windy. And close to 10,000 runners have are lined up along Ben Franklin Blvd. to run a marathon, a half-marathon or an 8K (5-miler). First to go are the marathoners & half-marathoners. The theme song from Rocky blares out of the loud speaker and the crowd roars as the start of the race is signalled.

And thus began my day... Well, actually, my day began a couple of hours before the 7:15am race start time. Much to my surprise, I was even awake! :-)

I am happy to report that I successfully completed my first 8K race! I felt quite good throughout and could even have pushed a little harder. However, I wasn't sure if I'd have enough juice to get me to the finish line, so I ran at a cautious pace at the beginning. My final chip time was 51:43. I met my first goal of getting through in less than an hour, and just missed my second - more silent - goal of trying to finish in 50 minutes. The scary thing is after it was all over, I found myself thinking "Hey, if I can run 8K, then I can probably run 10K..." But not this week! Perhaps it's a good goal to set for the spring. Originally, I had thought I could run a 10K race this fall, but I hardly ran all summer. This opportunity to run 8K presented itself and it turned out to be a good stepping stone.

I'm proud to report that Hubby successfully completed his 11th marathon! The official results haven't been posted yet, so we don't know his exact chip time. However, he believes it will be around 3:45:00. His Boston Qualifying time (BQ) remains elusive and he looks forward to trying again next year for Boston 2009. He experienced problems with his hip flexor and ended up having to walk approximately 4kms; that's a guaranteed slow-down. He finished strong though, running the last 5kms. I managed to see him and cheer him on twice on the route.

Due to the unseasonably cold weather, we didn't stick around for long after he crossed the Finish Line. I had already been waiting around outside for close to 3 hours. After a few minutes to allow Hubby to quickly change into dry clothes, we walked the 2 km back to our hotel.

Needless to say, the rest of our afternoon in our "little apartment" was pretty relaxed. We went out for dinner and are back in for the evening. Tomorrow is our last day to take in some of what Philadelphia has to offer. Yesterday, we took a city bus tour and that really gave us a lay of the land. Now that the race is over, we can use this time to stretch our legs and feast our senses...



pace e bene,

Welcome to Philly...

"Railway termini are our gates to the glorious and the unknown. Through them we pass out into adventure and sunshine, to them, alas! we return." G. K. Chesterton

Spirit and body have survived the 14-hour + train trip to Philadelphia! We arrived just before midnight on Thursday. I look forward to seeing Philly's 30th Street Station again on Tuesday when we leave; I was just too tired to take in its architectural glory last night.

We got an unexpected treat in Montreal on Thursday morning. Due to a change in the Amtrak schedule, we had to go to Montreal the night before in order to be sure to catch our train. As a result of that, I was able to connect with my cousin Sylvia who lives in New Brunswick and was arriving in Montreal for a conference. We only saw each other for a few minutes, like passing trains, but it was enough to get a hug and quickly catch up. It wouldn't have been possible without the change in Amtrak schedule - sometimes, the reason for things is not immediately revealed to us. :-)

The trip from Montreal to NYC went by pretty quickly actually. We were stopped at the Canada/US border for about 90 minutes though. The US border patrol guys came on board and basically took over the train until every single person's ID had been confirmed and intentions cleared. It was quite interesting to watch them do their work. The guy who questioned us didn't crack a smile once! I know they have to remain serious, but even when his words appeared to be tinged with humour, his facial expressions remained deadpan.

If, for whatever reason, they wanted to question you more, you were sent to the Dining Car for further "inquisition" (my word, not theirs). I felt bad for a woman travelling with two small children. English was not her first languange and, from what I could gather, she didn't have proper ID for her children. Before leaving Montreal, information was given to us clearly stating that it was up to us to ensure our documentation was in order. If not, we risked being let off the train at the border. All I know is that the woman was sent to the Dining Car, then came back to retrieve all her luggage. Oy. I said a silent prayer for her...

The trip was quite uneventful. We'd get up every now & then and walk around or stretch. The views were beautiful sometimes and unspectacular much of the time. It was a true November day: grey... wet... with bare trees etch-a-sketched against a cold sky.

Our train leaving Penn Station in NYC was delayed by about 10 minutes. Interestingly, there is no seating in the waiting areas, so we sat on the floor or stood around - like everybody else. Finally, our train arrived. By then, my body was expressing its disagreement with sitting yet again. I was so fidgetty and restless and sleepy during this last leg of the journey... I was thrilled to arrive in Philly.

Our hotel is perfectly located in the downtown core, just across the street from City Hall. Our room is great - like a little apartment really. Reading Terminal Market is just a couple of blocks away, so I've already stocked up on veggies, yogourt & humus. (BTW, I'm SUPER impressed with this market. I'll no doubt have more to say later. In the meantime, see a short video here.)

Today, we went to the Race Expo to pick up our race bibs and a few souvenirs. We're both beat so Hubby is napping on the couch and I'm here, blogging. I'll add pics to the blog post when I get back. Unfortunately, I forgot the cable required to do that. Tonite, we're just going to relax in our little "apartment" and get to bed early. Race day begins before the sun rises, so we need to ensure we get plenty of rest between now and then.
View from our bedroom window - 21 floors up!
So, for now, I'll bid you farewell from Philly!
Pace e bene,

First stop...

...Montreal.

We arrived on the evening train to a dark and wet Montreal. Since the hotel was only a few blocks away from the train station, we decided to walk. Little did I suspect that we'd get caught in a downpour! But we made it...

We had dinner at a place called Reuben's Diner on Saint-Catherine. I wasn't overly hungry, yet I still managed to pull a muscle in my jaw while eating. What the heck is up with that?!

There you have it. Our adventure is only a few hours old, and I've already pulled a muscle and walked through puddles resulting in soaking wet feet. Isn't Life grand?!! :-)

Hubby & I haven't taken a vacation together this year. Yet. This is it and I'm thrilled...

Next stop... Philly (via NYC)!

Pace e bene,

On your mark... Get set...

...and a new adventure begins!

We leave for Montreal tomorrow, stay overnight, then it's a morning train to Philadelphia (transfering in NYC). That's a LOT of hours on a train! Luckily, I love train travel. It's just so civilized. I only wish train travel in Canada could be as affordable as it is in Italy or even in the US. Round trip tickets for two, from Montreal to Philadelphia, cost us under $300 - total! We can't even get to Cobourg (3 hours away) for that price... It's absolutely ridiculous.

While in Philly, Hubby will be running the Philadelphia Marathon and I'll be doing the 8K race. Send good vibes our way! Remember, I'm running for one boy, one van. I'll likely post once or twice while we're away, just to stay in touch. :-)

Other than that, here is a cool site that will feed the hungry AND make you smarter. Thanks to fellow Mad Chatter, Ted, for passing this one on!

And many thanks to Sis for providing an answer to my long-standing question about pomegranates. Who knew it could be so easy?!

Pace e bene,

Running on...

Something really weird and - dare I say it - exciting happened to me during my run today. For the first time that I can remember, I felt like I could keep on running! I was out during my lunch hour, so I had a set route and timeframe. When I reached the end of my run, I was disappointed that I had to stop... What's THAT all about?!! Usually, I'm struggling to get to the end, but not today. I guess the energy was simply available to me. I'm grateful for that feeling...

I had a wonderful run of about 35 minutes. I'm so fortunate to work downtown, with access to such beautiful running routes. I ran across the river to the Quebec side and followed the Voyageur Pathway to the Museum of Civilization. Then I crossed back to Ottawa with the amazing view of the back of Parliament Hill. I slipped down to the Rideau Canal Locks, crossed the Canal and headed towards the National Arts Centre. You can see exactly where I ran here. (I don't know who this photographer is, but I appreciate that he pretty much photographed my run! :-)) From there, I simply set out along Albert St. towards Bridgehead Coffeehouse, my final destination. See a map of my full route here.

All this bodes well for Philadelphia next weekend... and for Geordi and his van.

Pace e bene,

Small joys...

Sometimes it doesn't take much to make me smile and feel content, despite feeling tired. Here are two things that made me smile tonite:

Laverne & Shirley: I've discovered that they're back... in re-runs of course! This was one of my favourite shows and I've long been on the look-out for a DVD set of this show. Evenings at 6:30pm, I know what I'll be doing... By now, the tune is probably already playing in your head. Go on, admit it. You don't know what they say after they count either! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8... Shlamiel... Shlamozzle...

Andy McKee: I discovered this guy while traipsing around YouTube one day. I bookmarked this particular video and have often gone back to listen in amazement. Treat yourself to a four-minute break and listen for yourself. I wish I could make my guitar sing like that! I s'pose some gifts are simply meant for others to have... and for us to enjoy.

Pace e bene,

What Love Does...

There's just something about Love...

I spent the weekend with 300 friends and, by the end of it, I was high on Love. I don't mean romantic love, I mean the kind of Love that connects us at levels we rarely pay attention to... the kind of Love that we don't like to talk about because it sounds too "corny" and it makes us squirm... the kind of Love that gives meaning to human interconnectedness... the kind of Love that makes romantic love possible in the first place... the kind of Love that comes without conditions.

I have the pleasure of belonging to a spiritual fellowship that is guided by twelve simple steps. Simple, but not easy. Whenever I spend time in the presence of people who have the courage to follow this way of life, I am replenished by that unconditional Love. There was a time when I didn't really have enough Love to give to those around me - or to myself. I was deeply wounded and had lost touch with unconditional Love. I truly believe that my Friends in Fellowship loved me back to health. This past weekend reminded me of that gift.

A couple of years ago, I was at a 2-day workshop on Leadership. We were asked: "What gift are you withholding?" I still remember my answer: Love. Well on the road to recovery by then, I believed - and still do - that we withhold Love at our peril. This message was reinforced by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his recent public talk. He spoke of the two keys to a truly global citizenship as being the development of a holistic mind and a compassionate heart. To me, this means the development of our interconnectedness and our willingness to Love.

When I remember that my Life overflows with unconditional Love, even the darkest days offer a glimmer of hope...

Love does that.

Pace e bene,

Running for a van...

"When the solution is simple, God is answering." -- Albert Einstein.

...and the answer I received is "Get out of your own head and take a look at what's going on around you." Simple solution indeed.

I was inspired by several stories I read in the newspaper this past weekend. One in particular moved me to take action. Stick with me on this...

Amanda George is a local woman, a single mom (widow) raising two kids. Her youngest one, Geordi, has special needs. Geordi was born with severe cerebral palsy, scoliosis, an abnormally small skull and a seizure disorder. As a result of unbelievably tight muscles and dislocated hips, his body does not bend. He has a wheelchair that allows him to always be reclined. Problem is, the chair doesn't fit in a car. To go anywhere, Amanda George has to carry her 12-year old son. Amanda George needs a van... and she's gathered up the courage to ask for help.

As I went for a run on a beautiful Sunday morning, the story of this gutsy family stayed with me. I reflected on how difficult it has been for me to get motivated to get out and run. The motivation just wasn't coming from within... so I decided to get out of my head and give myself a reason to run. Are you still with me??

I'm registered to run an 8Km race in Philadelphia on November 18th. (Hubby is running the marathon.) I've never run 8Km before... and I'd like to run this race for Geordi's Van. I want to finish the race in less than an hour. I run 5Km in about 30 minutes at race pace, so factor in fatigue, and I think that's do-able... if I train and build up my stamina. For every minute BELOW an hour, I'll donate 10$ to one boy one van. Can you see where I'm goin' here?!

Will you join me? Not in running :-) but in helping Geordi and his family get their van. You may choose to pledge an amount per minute below an hour, as I have done. Or, you may prefer to simply make a donation. If you can't participate in this way, please keep us all in your prayers... especially on November 18th!

Read the story the inspired me here.
Find out how to donate here.

Pace e bene,

Finding joy in Anne...

"I am well in body although considerably rumpled up in spirit, thank you, ma'am."

Ah yes, no one can tell it like it is quite like Anne Shirley... Anne (spelled with an e), otherwise known as Anne of Green Gables.

While in Italy this past summer, I met a lovely woman named Ann; she was from Oslo, Norway. When she found out I was from Canada, she immediately said: "Anne of Green Gables! This is my dream, one day, to go to Canada and visit Green Gables!!" I was struck with the intensity of her desire. I think she planted a seed... it would soon be time for me to rediscover the charm and exuberance of the little red-haired girl from PEI.

I picked up the book on the weekend and devoured it, almost as if for the first time. It truly is a laugh-out-loud kinda book, and as I began to read some of the familiar stories, I would giggle in anticipation of what I knew was to come. How can one forget Diana getting drunk on the "raspberry cordial"? Other long-forgotten stories came as a surprise and I took great delight in becoming reacquainted with them.

Next year is the 100th anniversary of the publication of Anne of Green Gables. Lucy Maud Montgomery's writing is timeless... as alive and colourful today as it was a century ago. If, like me, your copy of Anne has been gathering dust on a shelf somewhere, do yourself a big favour. Take it down, brush it off, grab a comfy blanket and settle down for a wonderful read.

Allow me to leave you with a sampling of my favourite phrases...

"There's such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I'm such a troublesome person. If I was just the one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable, but then it wouldn't be half so interesting."

"Oh Marilla, I'm so glad to live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn't it?"

"If you'll only call me Anne spelled with an e I shall try to reconcile myself to not being called Cordelia."

"I'm so glad my window looks east into the sunrising. (...) It's new every morning, and I feel as if I washed my very soul in that bath of earliest sunshine."

"Isn't it good just to be alive on a day like this? I pity the people who aren't born yet for missing it. They may have good days, of course, but they can never have this one."

Pace e bene,

Swimmingly...

Today is another day, and I am encouraged to honour where I'm at. For today, that means in a place of low energy and indecision. Thanks to those of you who sent messages of support. I am reminded that I can choose to be alone - I may even feel alone at times - but I'm not. Like the fish who is unaware of the water around him, I swim in a deep ocean of love & friendship. And for that, I am grateful.

I'm posting a couple of photos that make me smile. This is Sis & me. We had our photo taken by a professional photographer, Bonnie Findley, as a gift for my parents' 45th wedding anniversary. We had so much fun during the photo shoot... I just have to look at these and I can hear us laughing and giggling as Bonnie prompted us to "work it, girls!". :-) We'd just look at each other and burst out laughing. "Huh? Work it?! How the heck do we do that?!!" It was a fun time...

Pace e bene,

Being where I'm at...

Yeah. I know. It's been a while...

I've been laying very, very low lately. My energy cycle is at a low point and I've been limiting my activities to a minimum. I'm not quite sure how to deal with it, or talk about it, or even be OK with it. I've gotten into some bad habits and am trying not to be overly judgemental about it. Thing is, are these really habits truely "bad"? Or, are they where I need to be right now? Are they simply choices that are not in my best health interest right now? Or, am I being over-analytical about how I'm spending my time? (I suspect this last one to be truest...)

What are these so-called "bad" habits, you may wonder? Probably not-so-bad, actually. But I know they are not supportive of a return to full health and energy. Habits like:

• skipping my regular grounding practices, such as meditation and exercise...
• procrastinating on commitments I've made to others - and to myself...
• not checking email for fear of what I might find there (ie. more stuff I need to do)...
• sitting in front of the TV for hours at a time, watching something - or nothing...
• isolating myself...
• not blogging regularly (ie. getting out of my head)...
• eating copious amounts of potato chips...
• not sticking to my optimum diet (ie. eating things that I know are toxic to my body)...

A while back, a friend of my sister's shared some wisdom she had received and wrote this on her blog:

Fatigue can do many things including making us feel old and spent when really we're not. When really we're vibrant, beautiful and ambitious, yearning for the excitement and challenge that feeds our soul. When really all we might need is a few good nights' sleep, nutritious food to replenish our bodies (preferably prepared for us by someone else!) and walks along the Canal. When really we could use unscheduled, free time to explore possibilities, be, and dream up our next adventures. Yup ... fatigue will curb that in a flash!

Those words ring so true for me...

Whether I call it fatigue, low energy, low-grade depression, or whatever, one thing I know for sure. It sucks. And I need to trust that this too shall pass...

Pace e bene,

Chickens of Autumn...

I know I've raved about Savage Chickens before, but this goes above & beyond anything Doug has done before: Savage Chickens in stop animation! Give yourself a 3-minute break and check this out.

In the meantime... All hail the arrival of regal Autumn! I really can't imagine living anywhere that doesn't offer the amazing spectacle of trees changing from greens to fiery oranges and reds. I love the Fall. This week may have lulled us into believing it is still Summer, but it's time for Fall. Bright cool days with cozy sweatshirts and corduroy pants... bring it on!

Fall is a great mentor. Supporting the theme from my retreat this past July, Fall is a living testament to the ever-present cycle of Losing & Finding, Finding & Losing. Fall teaches by example. The leaves float to the ground, knowing their life as fully lived and their purpose, served. The tree lets go willingly, knowing it will celebrate the finding of new growth in the spring.

THE RED LEAF OF AUTUMN

If I must compare myself
to an autumn leaf,
then I shall be a red one,
clinging tenaciously
to the tree of Life,
sporting my hue
in a golden ray of sun.

I will dance in crimsoned glory
upon a lively breeze,
beneath a sky of brilliant blue.
When winter fades my color,
I shall glide like a snowflake
to my place of final rest,
with a grin upon my face.

"She lived life to the hilt,"
they'll say,
"and never was she old."

~Copyright © 1995 Ruth Gillis

Pace e bene,

Creative fun...

Let's have a little fun today... My cousin Mel sent me a picture of her son, Rylan. Immediately, I thought this photo would be perfect for a "Creative Caption Contest"! OK, so here's how it works:

• look at the picture...
• come up with a creative caption...
• share your caption by using the Comments function OR by sending me an email and I'll post it for you.

The great thing about this "contest" is that everyone wins! We all benefit from tapping into our creativity and capacity for fun & laughter... I've started the ball rolling by including my caption. Ha! See if you can top that! :-)

"Hmmm, I thought she was supposed to take me OUT of the shirt before hanging it on the line."

Thanks to Mel for her permission to use this wonderful photo!
Pace e bene,

Pop Quiz...

QUESTION: What do you get when the force of gravity brings together a ceramic tile bathroom floor and a Murano glass ring, purchased in a small shop in the Piazza del Duomo, Firenze, Italy?

ANSWER: A grown woman on her knees, scrambling to pick up shards of glass while moaning: ooohhhh noooooooooo.... noooooooooooooo....

LESSON LEARNED: No matter how rushed you are, take the time to remove your glass ring prior to washing your hands in a ceramic-tiled public washroom.

Pace e bene,

Me and... math?!

The universe may be a mystery, but it's not a secret. Each of us is capable of comprending much more than we might realize. A vision of mathematics different from that which we were taught at school holds an accessible key to a nearby world of wonder and beauty.

And thus begins the Introduction to A Beginner's Guide to Constructing the Universe: The Mathematical Archetypes of Nature, Art and Science (A Voyage from 1 to 10), by Michael S. Schneider.

Hm... intriguing, you may think. Or perhaps you're thinking: JAG, what the hell...?! Since when do you read about math?!!

Well, there's a first for everything. Admittedly, I'm not drawn to math. I'm not a numbers gal; I'll take words over digits any day. The beauty of this book, however, is the language used to bring mathematics - and more specifically, geometry - to life. Ponder the following...

In ancient Greece the advanced students of the philosopher Pythagoras who were engaged in deep studies of natural science and self-understanding were called mathematekoi, "those who studied all". The word mathema signified "learning in general" and was the root of the Old English mathein, "to be aware", and the Old German munthen, "to awaken". Today, (...) it's a shame children are exposed to numbers merely as quantities instead of qualities and characters with distinct personalities relating to each other in various patterns. If only they could see numbers and shapes as the ancients did, as symbols of principles available to teach us about the natural structure and processes of the universe and to give us perspective on human nature. (p. xvii)

T'is a shame indeed! Using only the three classic tools of the geometer (compass, straightedge and pencil), so far I have discovered the spiritual power of the monad (1), the birthing power of the dyad (2) and the unmistakeable harmony of the triad (3).

Take a moment to think about the number 3, for example. In our daily lives, the pattern of the triad is pervasive: yesterday, today and tomorrow... breakfast, lunch, dinner... red, yellow, green lights... morning, noon, night... ready, set, go!... three strikes, yer out!... going once, going twice, sold!... easy as 1-2-3... three cheers for... Do you see it now? Three represents wholeness. Two is not enough and Four seems superfluous. Three is perfect. It's also a pattern that most world religions have tapped into in some way, shape or form. (Yikes, there it is again!! :-))

Anyway, this book is nothing short of miraculous - it's has gotten me interested in numbers... and I'm only up to 5! It encourages first-hand experience with these patterns and, before I even knew what was happening, I was making circles, vesicas pisces and constructing three-dimensional shapes out of scrap paper (see accompanying photo). My next task is to create my own set of Borromean Rings.

Who knew there was a world of wonder hiding beneath the intimidating and boring world of mathematics? Or perhaps you consider yourself a math atheist. :-)

Pace e bene,

Surrender...

My fever seems to be pretty much gone, but my body remains achy and tired. And so goes my Spirit. Achy & tired.

I'm in that space - again - where I doubt what my own body is telling me. Why is it so hard for me to listen?! Perhaps because I don't like what I hear... I hear fatigue, and I thought he and I had parted ways. For good. But I guess that was wishful thinking. It was naive of me to think we'd never be together again.

I can only hope that there is a clear reason. When it comes to my health, I am comforted by reason. Mystery is not a welcome guest. If I can attach causality to this bout of fatigue, then I know for sure that this too shall pass. Yes, I suppose running a fever means my body has been doing battle, and that might be enough to invite fatigue. My body has been doing what it is naturally programmed to do, and I need to get out of its way.

Body and Ego are at odds. I've danced this dance before. Ego needs to surrender and let the Body find its guilt-free rest.

Pace e bene,

Feels like home to me...

"Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to come back to." - John Ed Pearce


This sentiment certainly rang true last weekend. Last Friday, Sis & I hit the road before 6am and headed home to New Brunswick for the long weekend. I've lived in Ottawa for 22 years now (more than half my life), yet NB will always be home to me. There's just something about it... The ocean sounds salty and the air smells of green. It's intangible, yet unmistakably there. And it is ripe with music.

Home is Pont-du-milieu, halfway between St-Louis and St-Ignace. We headed east to attend my parents' 3rd Annual Music Jam. They simply issue an invitation to all their musical friends to come and spend the weekend. And come, they do! The yard becomes a campground and a large tent serves as a stage. The fire-pit becomes the epicentre from which much of the activity radiates.


It's become clear to me now: my parents are cool. And it happened without my even noticing!

Music has always been a part of my parents' lives, but nothing like it is now. They are both retired and, to me, seem to be having the time of their life! The most beautiful thing is seeing my Mom blossom and grow into a confident musician... singer... person. Although she's been singing at family parties ever since I can remember, she started performing on stage at small gatherings about three or four years ago. Now, she's known as having one of the most beautiful voices in the area and is sought out to perform at other musical jams.

As of this year, she can even call herself a "singer-songwriter". She blew us all away last weekend by performing an original song she wrote for my Dad to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. Needless to say, I got quite teary hearing her sing that. When I asked her if I could have the words, she replied that they were all in her head! This woman is phenomenal and, as I've said, just downright cool.

The music was just one of the highlights of this trip. The other major blessing is the time shared with my sister. Although we talk on the phone about every second day, we spent the first six hours of the trip talking non-stop... I am so grateful that my sister is also my friend.

And so, with this wonderful weekend, my summer is coming to an end. It's been a full, full summer and I now need time to settle into a routine once again. I look forward to time in this home: time doing something... time doing nothing... I hunger for those practices that keep me centred, practices which have gone by the wayside all too often. I look forward to the ordinary.

Pace e bene,

p.s. Here are a few more images from my weekend down home...

Surprise at my door...

Last night, I arrived from the 2nd Annual Sisters on the Road Trip to New Brunswick to find a dead cat on my doorstep. It was Twinkles from the house across the street. At first, we thought he was sleeping - he looked so peaceful. I should have known something was wrong when he didn't skeedaddle at the sound of the car pulling into the driveway.

Our house seems to be quite the magnet for neighbourhood cats. I think it has to do with the fact that our lawn - at times - feels like a jungle to them. I watch them as they slowly and carefully make their way through the tall grass, like a tiger on the prowl. Our yard must trigger their primal instincts or something. We don't encourage them to stay in any way, but we don't scare them off either.

A few years ago, a friend who lived with us for a while said we had at least one cat ghost in our house. He had seen it on a few occasions. I believe him. Our house is almost 100 years old - why wouldn't it have a ghost?!

So, although I'm not a cat person myself, I feel kinda honoured that Twinkles chose our front porch as its final destination. Somehow, after being hit by a car (from what we can tell), he found the strength to make his way to my front door. He lay down and didn't get up again.

Here's to you, Twinkles... and feel free to let your spirit roam around my house as much as you like!

Pace e bene,

p.s. I have all kinds of wonderful memories of our Road Trip to NB to share. Stay tuned!

Laughing out loud...

I like to watch TV, but I don't like to watch commercials. Quite frankly, they annoy me. They're loud and often just plain stupid. Like the current commercial for Rogers Bundles: I want this... I want that... I want more... I want it now... I want it faster.. and I want it all cheaper. Sheesh. I want what I want and I want it now. To me, this speaks loudly of the sorry state of the consumer society that we live in, a society of entitlement and greed. Sad.

But every once in a while, I don't quite get to the mute button in time and the unexpected catches me off guard. Tonite, I found myself laughing out loud at this silly Arby's commercial. Three cheers for the dancing chimps! (Who cares about the sandwich?!)

Here's wishing you a great long weekend, wherever you may be. Sis & I are heading to the Maritimes for the weekend... I'm looking forward to the roadtrip as well as to the sweet promise of family, music and salty sea air.

Pace e bene,

Healthy Choices...

Three cheers for my Mad Chatter friend Judi, who launched her company's presence on the web today. And what a presence it is! I'm so inspired by her energy and her values-based way of living. Being a mom to five kids just isn't enough, I guess. She also wants to make my life easier by offering me healthy food choices. Check out Credible Edibles (...slow food for fast lives). You'll never want to make your own lunch again... :-) Way to go, Judi - I'm so proud of you!!

Healthy lunches will become all-the-more important once again, as I start with the running after being away from it for over six weeks. I ran 3 times this week. Oy. The thing is, I didn't miss it. Running. I don't need it or crave it like some people (ie. Hubby & Co.). I could just as easily do without it. And I did. For over six weeks. Yet I know that I benefit from it. I like feeling fit and strong - it's a first for me! So I know that exercise will be key to that. And diet... oh boy, the diet. I've been diverging from my diet and converging towards those foods that I know are toxic for me. I can feel it too: the low energy... the poor digestion... Why is it so hard to do what we know to be healthy?! Oh well, at least my teeth got rave reviews from my dentist this morning! He praised me on how well I care for them. (Cheeeeeese!) So I guess there is hope...

Exercise? Check!
Diet? Contact Judi at Credible Edibles and continue receiving deliveries from Life Organic!
Sleep? Better!
Teeth? Check!

OK. I think this is officially what they call a "rambling post". :-)

Allow me to end on a strong note: an across-the-miles SHOUT OUT to my cousin Sharon who is competing as a finalist in Star Acadie, a singing competition in my native New Brunswick. She has been wow'ing us since she was just a youngin'. See her for yourself here. The finale is this Thursday. Bonne chance, Sharon!!

Pace e bene,

Good reading...

Every once in a while, I like to pop into one of Ottawa's great magazine shops and pick up something I've never read before. My latest acquisition was geez, a quarterly magazine coming out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. I had heard snippets of an interview with the editor on CBC Radio a while back and was intrigued.

The full title of the magazine is "geez: holy mischief in an age of fast faith" and the web site describes it as follows:

Geez Magazine has set up camp in the outback of the spiritual commons. A bustling spot for the over-churched, out-churched, un-churched and maybe even the un-churchable. For wannabe contemplatives, front-line world-changers and restless cranks.

How could I possibly resist?!

This ad-free magazine was a real treat, filled with stories, poetry, photography, quotes... I really enjoyed it and will certainly buy it again. In the spirit of reducing consumerism - an issue that geez magazine holds dear to its heart - I'm ready to pass my copy on to someone else. Let me know if you're interested!

In the meantime, check out some of geez magazine's social campaigns: De-MOTORize your soul (all about breaking our addiction to oil) as well as the perfectly-timed Buy Nothing Christmas.

Pace e bene,

Where the Heart is...

Ahhh, there's no place like home... there's no place like home... I thought I would mark my return to jag e*space by celebrating the success of two people who are special to me.

Hats off to Hubby for completing the Edmonton Marathon earlier this month! Finishing in 3:33:46, he feels he had a strong finish to this, his 10th marathon since 2003. The Boston qualifying time remains elusive but is well within his reach. Perhaps Philadelphia will be the place? I'll let you know in November when we get back! Way to go, Babe...

Kudos also go out to my friend and modern-day mystic, Sean Zio. He was featured in this article in Ottawa (X)Press and I am so thrilled to watch him thrive in his vocation. My heart rejoices for him... Sean has been a companion on my spiritual journey for some time and never fails to bring a smile to my face and a song to my heart. Unfortunately, I haven't had the pleasure of seeing him perform live. Yet. I trust that it'll happen. I have fond memories, however, of him rehearsing some of his earlier works at my home... and of trying to help him find that perfect word to describe the texture of a woman's breast. I've heard Sean described as "muse", "joy", "radiant Love"... He is one of the most honest and creative people I know.

I'd like to leave you with one of his poems:

HOME ON TURTLE ISLAND (Sean Zio)

I want my life
To be slow.
I want to sit here
At this desk
With a mug of tea
And the certainty
That my days are ordered,
Principled upon the
Quiet sewing of my
Grandmother
Who patches the quilt of my life.

When my mind starts reeling,
Starts demanding problems
To be solved right this minute,
I turn to her and I see her patiently
Pulling out her needle from a block of fabric
And she says,
“Sean, I am working as quickly as I can.
You need to trust me,
You need to trust that my skill takes time,
That I am working out of the fullness of time.”
And I relax, knowing she is telling her whole truth,
Knowing that she needs to rest,
To eat well, and to
create slowly
In order to manifest this beautiful
Covering of warmth and love.
She has my whole life for this work.

I want my life to be slow,
To sit hereWith my cat in my lap,
My beloved pursuing his dreams,
And the afternoon sun plotting out
Another day.
I want to practice this
Patience
So my afterlife will be
the sum pleasure
of these,
My heart's blessings.

Pace e bene,

Retreating...

It's likely to get pretty quiet around jag e*space for the next several weeks.

If you're curious, join me and my companion-on-the-journey as we meditate our way across Tuscany & Umbria. See you at Meditalia... (Blog-formerly-known-as-Twoonies-for-Tuscany :-))

PAX,

Story lost. Story found.

I can still remember the moment I first felt compelled to write. I was sitting on a train at Union Station and my brain was suddenly filled with thoughts and observations that simply needed to come out in words. I scrambled to find a piece a paper and started writing... The year was 1994.

Several computer crashes later, I thought I had lost that story forever. Lo' and behold, today I found a hard copy tucked away in a folder. And so, in its first ever public appearance, I give you...

STORIES ON A TRAIN

Five-twenty-three. Seven minutes to departure time for VIA train no. 46 en route to Ottawa from Toronto’s Union Station. As I wait to begin my journey home, I look around me taking in these unfamiliar sights and sounds.

Across the platform, on the next track over, another train awaits its departure time. This one is a two-tiered GO train, filled with commuters.

Each person on that train represents a story to be heard – some happy, some sad, some stories much like my own. Who are you? Are you glad to be heading home, or does a dreaded situation await you? What kind of day did you have? Did you make someone feel good about themselves today? Did someone pat you on the back when you desperately needed it? Was it another fruitless day of job searching, or did you jump on that unexpected opportunity? Do you feel alone and troubled, or are you at peace? Do you have family? Friends? Who are you?

So many faces, so many stories. So many people just like me, so many people nothing like me. They’re just sitting there – waiting for the train to pull out… bringing them somewhere, or nowhere.

Finally, the GO train moves, heading off with its human cargo. As it slides away, it reveals, on the next track over…

…another train, filled with commuters. Each person on that train represents a story to be heard – some happy, some sad, some stories just like my own.

For some reason, this strikes me as funny. A never-ending parade of faces and stories, layered here in the tunnels of Union Station. As this second train moves away, it reveals on the next track over…

…another train, filled with commuters. This one faces the other direction. “Even funnier,” I think to myself. "A mirror image of the first two – destination unknown."

My view is suddenly interrupted by the arrival of another train on Track One. This one is different – it’s empty. It has come to feed itself on the eager commuters who offer themselves freely as they pass through its beckoning doors. Again, faces, stories, people carrying secrets… But I won’t see this one fill up; it’s my turn to move on. The show is over – for now.

My journey continues, uneventful. Suddenly, a train going in the opposite direction zooms by. With our combined speed, it takes but a split second. Just inches separating these carriers – carriers of people, or stories, of secrets…

WHAT IF?... for some miscalculated reason, these two trains were to collide? For that violent instant, we would all share one terrifying story. Our lives would forever carry a common element, one of fear, one of prayer. Just inches… But I count my blessings and look around me. This train, VIA no. 46 from Toronto to Ottawa, is filled with passengers.

And each person on this train represents a story to be heard –
some happy,
some sad,
some stories much like my own.

PAX,

Expressing my gratitude...

!! HAPPY CANADA DAY - BONNE FÊTE DU CANADA !!

May I never, EVER forget just how blessed I am to live in Canada...
With wishes of Peace & Gratitude,
JAG

Twoonies for Tuscany...

Well, I changed my mind. I have created a blog specifically for my trip to Italy. It's called Twoonies for Tuscany and I've added it to the list of Links I Like on the right hand menu. I decided that I'd like to have everything in one spot, and blogs are handy that way. :-)

Feel free to join me, albeit virtually. The countdown has begun...

PAX,

Reframing Fear...

For many years, Fear was a constant companion. Rarely conscious and all-consuming, but ever-present and insidious. I've recently reframed this label I sometimes carry all too willingly and prefer to acknowledge that I simply lack experience and confidence in certain areas. So, instead of saying "I'm afraid of riding my bike with traffic on city streets.", I'll tell myself, "I'm uneasy about riding my bike with traffic on city streets because I'm inexperienced." This frees me from the judgement that accompanies Fear and invites me to go forward and get the experience I need to feel more comfortable.

This is one way I've been working through my fears, bit by bit. I suppose if that doesn't work, I could always try this.

PAX,

Only Once...

If there was ever any doubt as to whether I was a morning person or not, just know that today, I found myself pouring decaf coffee on my instant oatmeal instead of hot water. 'Nuf said. (p.s. much to my surprise, Mocha Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal doesn't taste too bad at all! :-))

After finishing my 5-day course today, Hubby & I spent a wonderful evening together. It started with me hopping on my bike and accompanying him on his 13.5km run. Then we went to see a movie. Hubby somewhat hesitatingly reminded me that it was my pick tonite, since the last time, I had given in to his choice. I think he was afraid of a repeat of the Travelling Pants experience, but I give him credit for keeping his part of the deal (a deal I had totally forgotten about, BTW).

A last-minute decision at the box office led us to a fantastic movie that I recommend whole-heartedly! Once is unlike anything I've seen before... I knew absolutely nothing about it - had never even heard of it before - but was intrigued by the poster. In this film, the music is as much a character as the two leads. In fact, I don't even think we get to find out the names of the main characters. In the credits, they are simply listed as "Guy" and "Girl". The storyline reveals itself as one of those "slice of life" episodes where we are priviledged to join the characters for a short time on their journey. This is one of my favourite film formats...

This film was perfect for me tonite. Following an intense week, it was very healing to be transported by the rhythms and engaging accoustic melodies. This film is unpretentious and simple. The good news is, Hubby liked it too. I think I may have redeemed myself. :-)

PAX,

The price of learning...

So this is what "deconstruction" feels like. I am physically & emotionally exhausted. What's going on, you may ask? Nothing much, just intense learning. And it's not easy.

I am attending my fourth course towards obtaining my Certificate in Organization Development from the NTL Institute. Since one of the main tools in OD work is the effective Use of Self (ie. how I behave with groups that I may work with and the impact of my actions on them), a lot of learning is around self-awareness. And that's rarely a comfortable process.

Towards the end of today's class (Day 3 of 5), I shared that my energy was elsewhere. My fatigue was obvious. Afterwards, one of the instructors came to ask if I was OK; her genuine concern was like a permission given to let the tears flow. It's not the first time that the intensity of this course has brought me to tears. She asked if I was familiar with the theory of "deconstruction". Since I wasn't, she explained that, in times of intense learning, we can experience a destabilization that can cause great discomfort and questioning. It's as if all that I think that I know... the assumptions, the theories, the beliefs that guide my work, are ripped apart - and away from me - in order to allow for the successful integration of new information & experiences. But before this integration takes place, there is a period of great un-knowing, of self-doubt, of intense realization of how little I know about myself, or about anything else for that matter.

My current learning seems to be revolving around leadership, power & influence, control/surrender and the impact I have on others. This is quite fascinating to me... and this de-stabilized feeling comes as a surprise to me. However, I need to continue to trust the process. What gets DEconstructed integrates the new learning and eventually gets REconstructed. In the meantime, I can be patient, gentle and grateful for my instructors & fellow students - a learning community that offers me a safe place to do whatever learning I need to do.

I am spent. And it's all good.
PAX,

Letting go...

Last month, I wrote this post about a friend who was battling cancer. Her suffering has come to an end; she passed away last Thursday. I wasn't able to attend her funeral, but a mutual friend was there and shared what a beautiful celebration of a life-well-lived it was. I wanted to share the poem that was given to friends and family - to me, it reflects what I would want to say to loved ones left behind. So powerful a message...

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rights in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little but not too long,
And not with your head bowed low,
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take,
And each must go alone,
For it is all part to the master's plan,
A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely or sick at heart,
Go to friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds,
Miss me, but let me go.

PAX,

Countdown to Italia...

In exactly three weeks, I'll be in Pisa, Italy, making one of my dreams come true. It's beginning to feel more real now, because my companion-on-the-journey and I are getting down to many of the final details.

I suspect you'll be reading more about my preparations as our departure draws near. I thought about starting a new blog just for the trip, but I've decided to keep it all here at jag e*space. I don't know how often I'll be blogging from Italy, since our purpose is to "meditate our way across Tuscany", as we jokingly put it. Although I'll likely seek out internet cafés at times, I have no desire to spend hours in front of a computer when the Tuscan & Umbrian country side will be inviting me to explore her delicious treasures!

To be honest, I have very little expectations about this trip. This is all pure gift. I have done nothing to earn or deserve this, other than be open to the abundance in my life and trust in God's Love. By leaving my expectations behind, anything and everything will be new and worthy of my attention.

La pace sia con te,

What to do with a post-it note...

Sometimes my sense of humour can be, well, unusual. Case in point: Savage Chickens (my newest daily chuckle).

If I had to pick a favourite, it might be this one... or maybe this one... hmmm, p'raps this one? Nope. I'd have to call it a tie between this and this and this.

Then again, I haven't read them all. Yet.

So tell me, what makes you laugh out loud?

PAX,

Westfest-ing...

The big Westfest weekend in my neighbourhood got off to a troubling start. As I was walking home from the bus stop on Friday evening, I noticed that the top of my street was blocked off... Nothing unusual there, in light of the street closures and festivities that were to come. But somehow, I didn't remember them using crime scene tape and police cruisers last year. Metal barricades had seemed to suffice. I arrived home to find out that there was a hostage-taking in progress at one of the shops just around the corner. Whaaat?! That sort of thing just doesn't happen here!

I'm happy to report that it ended without tragedy, however I can't imagine the pain (of the suicidal hostage-taker) and the terror (of the shop owner) that must have been felt. In the end, the shop owner convinced the knife-wielding man to let him walk out and even tried to talk him into walking out with him, assuring him that the police would not harm him. Once the shop owner was safe, the hostage-taker started using the knife on himself and the police stormed the shop and took him to safety.

The most amazing part of all this is that the shop owner was back at his store for the Westfest events the next day. He was quoted in the paper as saying that he knew a lot of people were worried about him and he needed to let them all know that he was OK. Yikes. What a start to the weekend!

Here are a few things that caught my attention on what ended up being a most gorgeous weekend...

PAX,

Inside Out...

I had lunch with a friend today. As part of our catching up, I shared that I was feeling a little "superficial" (although I don't think I used that word). I find I'm in a doing phase lately, and I haven't really been focussing much on my being. In reading my blog posts over the last while, I notice that they're very outward-looking, especially when I compare with some of my earlier posts. It's not that this is a bad thing, it's just an interesting observation, I think. Her response made me pause. She said: "If you're mostly focussing on outside stuff, it must mean that you're feeling really good on the inside." Hmmm, I think there's some truth to that.

One "outward" thing that I'm enjoying these days is re-discovering my camera. I haven't really looked at the world through a camera lens in quite some time. Last fall, I bought a small digital camera and, for the first time in many years (or so it seems), I'm really looking at what is around me. Where is the unexpected beauty? What is unique about the built environment that surrounds me? Where can I find art? What is my art?

I still need to make sure I stay centred, and I suspect my seven-day meditation retreat in July will only nourish that. Except, perhaps, for the distracting surroundings. Have I mentioned that my retreat is in Tuscany?? :-) Only 30 days away...

Finally, I just need to say a huge THANK YOU to our Ottawa Senators for a wild, wild ride. Although Stanley's Cup didn't make it home (this time), this city really showed up for the effort. À la prochaine!

Woman of Inspiration...

She was a New York City socialite.

He was a country boy from small-town Vermont.

She was twenty-two years old.

He was almost nineteen.

He knocked at the door to her cottage, selling kerosene lamps.

She shoved the door open so forcefully she almost sent him - and his lamps - flying off the porch.

The year was 1914 and first impressions could not have foretold that theirs would be one of the greatest love stories of the 20th century - a story that would transform the lives of millions of people around the world.

His name was William G. Wilson, now known to his friends simply as "Bill W." She was Lois Burnham Wilson, his greatest love and supporter. Together, they experienced a living hell wrought by the devastating disease of alcoholism... and from that pain came the fellowships of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon Family Groups.

For a most inspiring read, check out The Lois Wilson Story: When Love Is Not Enough by William G. Borchert. A lot has been written about Bill W., the co-founder of AA. However the contributions of his wife, Lois, are not as well known. What an inspiring woman! She died in 1988, having lived and loved until the ripe age of 97 years.

Lois has a lot to teach us... about love... anger... faith... despair... humility... generosity... loneliness... humanity.

I am blessed to have found such a teacher.

PAX,

Lois & Bill Wilson

Painting the Town (SENS) Red...

Last evening, we took our bikes and ventured downtown to Ottawa City Hall to watch the start of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals on the big screens set up for this very purpose. In case you hadn't heard, the Ottawa Senators are BACK IN THE GAME!!! This, thanks to a 5-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks (who used to be the Mighty Ducks, but after Disney sold them a while back they are no longer Mighty. Now they're... umm... well, just Ducks.)

Thought I'd share a few pictures, although they are sorely inadequate when it comes to conveying the energy and the enthusiasm of the thousands of red-clad people roaming the downtown core.

We also happened to be driving by Scotiabank Place a couple of hours before the game. The buzz was gearing up there too! Alors, voici...

p.s. Let me know if all these photos make it tedious for you to download this page. I'm still experimenting with digital pics and can make adjustments if needed...

PAX from JAG

(especially to the guy sitting behind me who is surely nursing a nasty hangover today! :-))

Being part of a Ripple...

Here's a neat thing...

I was invited to be a Guest BLOGGER on The Ripple Effect blog. I first met Steve Harper (no, not THAT one) through, well, blogs. I enjoyed his stories, his engaging writing style and I admired the courage he demonstrated in taking this idea he believed in so strongly, and running with it.

We struck up a conversation and are now building a delightful online friendship. I also know that, if life ever brings me to Austin, Texas, the Ripple is already in effect and I'll have someone I can call upon.

When asked if I'd Guest BLOG, my first reaction came from those ancient & deeply-engrained patterns and beliefs that are still are part of me. "Me? Um, what do I possibly have to say that could be of interest to anyone who doesn't know me?!" Thankfully, those kind of thoughts & reactions don't have the final say anymore. Plus, Steve's book reminds me that the one thing I have to offer that is unique and that no one else can possibly duplicate is... me.

I'm really enjoying this process of putting myself out there. It's not so much how people receive me, it's more about the journey of continuing to define who I am and how I walk in this world. As I've said here before, I truly have a life of abundance and I know that my way of seeing & experiencing my reality is a big part of what allows me to recognize this abundance - and to accept it with gratitude.

For me, the Ripple Effect encourages me to grow in awareness of the impact of my actions, and to make healthier choices - healthier for me and for everyone I connect with.

As Steve would say, Ripple On!
PAX,

Mural Art in Westboro...

Not much progress on the Westfest mural today. The artist, Sean McInnis, had limited time to work on it, so I thought I'd offer a photo essay of some of the other murals that this talented man has contributed to my neighbourhood. Other than the first one pictured, these murals are all at least 10 - 12 feet tall. Enjoy the tour! PAX...

This is on the side of a local restaurant, Milagro's. The bricks on the left are real - everything else is painted.

This is on the side of a florist shop at Richmond & Edgewood. The only things that are real are the window, the door and the light above the door.

This is on the side of a commercial building at Richmond & Athlone Ave. The crate is real; the rest is painted on the doors of the - can you guess? - delivery entrance!

This can be found on the side of a commercial building at Richmond & Roosevelt. This is entirely painted. If you look carefully, you can see the door knob of the closed door (painted to look like an open door!).

This is on the side of a commercial building at Richmond & Churchill. The only things that are real are a few bushes and the stairway.

This one is near the former Firefighters' Credit Union on Richmond Road.

A Visual Celebration...

The commercial building at the corner of my street had its main east-facing wall painted black this weekend. Black. Black?! What could possibly have possessed them to do such a thing?, I wondered. Well, now I know... and I'm absolutely thrilled!

Meet Sean McInnis, an artist who is single-handedly dotting my neighbourhood with amazing murals. His latest masterpiece features Westfest, a free community celebration of the arts. Entering into its 4th year, Westfest is coming up June 8 - 10, 2007. The heart of this festival is, literally, at the end of my street. Should be fun!

I admire Sean's work every time I stroll through Westboro. I had been thinking of taking my camera along and capturing the great artwork around here. When I saw Sean working on this newest piece, I took the opportunity to stop & chat. Quite a friendly guy with a distinct east coast accent... My goal is to stop by daily and see how the mural progresses. I thought it would be neat to share its progress here. So, here are a couple of images from Westfest Mural: Day One.

PAX,

The Fever...

I think I'm coming down with a Fever... Stanley Cup Fever. Yes, it seems even a non-pro sport fanatic such as myself can be swept up in the hoopla! It's pretty amazing to live in a town whose NHL hockey team will be playing for Lord Stanley's Cup. I said to Hubby: I think we need to get something for the front of the house - a flag for our front porch would be nice!

Yesterday's game was excruciating to watch (and this is why I don't get into sports too much - I can't handle the stress! :-)). Mom & Dad are in town for a 5-day visit, and Dad, Sis and her boyfriend went to watch the game at a bar on newly-dubbed Sens Mile located downtown along a portion of Elgin Street. Mom, Hubby & I watched it at home. Mom & I missed the first period, opting to go shopping for a bit. Even the local chocolate & gelato shoppe had the game on their TV. It was everywhere!

It'll be fun to see how this city responds... Just how much spirit will Ottawans be able to muster? Will we come out from the shadow of our bigger cousins, Montreal & Toronto? Will the rest of Canada finally discover that there's more to Ottawa than government & hi-tech?? I suspect that a lot of people will discover what we already know: Ottawa really is the best and we wouldn't trade it for anything!

GO SENS GO!!!

PAX,

Congrats to...

Congrats to...

Hubby, for posting yet another personal record (PR) at the Mississauga Marathon - 3:25:19. Although he didn't qualify for Boston this time 'round, he still shaved about 8 minutes off his previous PR and finished in the top 12% of a field of 1,428 runners. Before we had even boarded the shuttle bus from the finish area back to the hotel, he said: "I'm still booking a hotel in Boston. I can run two more marathons before then, and I'm confident I'll qualify in at least one of them." I am too, Babe.

Congrats to...

My friend Stuart Hickox, for being named as one of three Community Award Finalists for a Canadian Environmental Award in the Climate Change category. As founder and executive director of One Change and the Project Porchlight campaign, Stuart has been a visionary and a true community leader. He turned a startling statistic about energy efficient lightbulbs into a grassroots call to action, empowering us to affect change on the environment - one bulb at a time. I'm proud to know you, Stuart!

Who, in your life, deserves to be congratulated today??

PAX,

Give yourself a break...

Here's something interesting to think about on May 15th. Although there is always room for improving ourselves, what would happen if - just for today - we admitted that we are totally OK, just the way we are?! What if we let go of our ideals and illusions of perfection? Our energies just might be directed towards whatever is right in front of us, at any given moment... be that a task or a friend or maybe even a stranger in need.

“If I can forgive myself my imperfections, I can forgive them in others.
If I can forgive them in others, I can be more loving and at ease in the world.
If I can be more loving and at ease, people will delight in my company and be grateful for my presence.
If people delight in my company, than what need have I for perfection?” - Lauren Rosenfeld

Happy Freedom from Self-Improvement Day, Friends... Remember, you may not be perfect, but you are excellent!
PAX,

Mission Accomplished...

I did it! I actually did it!! Just as I had hoped, the adrenaline of a real race atmosphere propelled me towards my goal of finishing in under 30 minutes. My final chip time? 29:30.1 Not too shabby for my first race of the season, huh?! My previous personal best was 31:38.3 from a race last September.

I felt great throughout the run. Hubby laughed when I told him I could have gone faster, but there were too many slow people ahead of me on the narrow running path. :-) This was also my first race where all finishers received a medal. I have my first running medal!

Needless to say, I am thrilled with my results. I'll no doubt be running a few more 5km races this season, and I'll be working towards my new goal: completing a 10km run this fall.

Tomorrow, it's Hubby's time to shine... They're calling for ideal weather and he seems ready to give it his all. I'll let you know how it goes!

PAX,

Off & Runnin'...

Well, we're off & running this weekend. Literally. We're heading to Mississauga on Friday, where Hubby will be running the Mississauga Marathon on Sunday morning. This is the one where he's running to qualify for the Boston Marathon in 2008. He's trained hard in the past 6 months since New York and, if everything comes together as planned, we'll soon be planning our trip to Boston! For most of us, the very thought of running 42km is enough to just make us go back to bed. But somehow, for some people, it just clicks. He's just one of those people.

I'll be running the 5km race on Saturday evening. It's my first official race of the season. My goal for this season is to run 5km in under 30 minutes. It would be great to do that in Mississauga, but I honestly don't think I'm there yet. I'll let you know how it goes!

So, send good thoughts our way this weekend...
PAX,

To swap...or not to swap?

I went wild at a book swap today. Some of you may know that I am on a self-imposed book-buying moratorium. I have only slipped twice since last September, both times buying books related to my new career path. The main reason for this moratorium is that I already own many, many books - including a large number that I have never even read. I figured if I focussed on reading the books already waiting for me on my shelves, I could save a bundle. Plus, the clutter. Oh, the clutter! Did I really need any more?? Indeed, it seems I had problems walking out of a bookstore empty-handed.

The transition has been easier than I expected. I use the public library more, and I seek to borrow books rather than to automatically buy them. And of course, there are still all those un-read books of my own. However today, at work, they organized a book swap. You could bring in books that you no longer wanted, and pick up books given by others. All for the price of a non-perishable food donation for the local food bank. What a great idea! All those months of non-acquisition mode were wiped out in a single 20-minute period. I walked out of there with 12 books, some of them for me... some to offer to others. Here's a sampling:

• Lucky Man: A Memoir by Michael J. Fox (got this one for Hubby - I've already read it and I loved it...)
• Farriers' Lane by Anne Perry (I'm not much into the mystery genre, but I do enjoy the Charlotte & Thomas Pitt stories by Perry...)
• Safety and Security for Women Who Travel by Sheila Swan & Peter Laufer (in preparation for my trip to Italy in July...)
• The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (because I'm told it's a fun summer read...)
• September by Rosamunde Pilcher (for mum-in-law...)

and the award for "Most Unusual Title" goes to...

• How to Shit in the Woods: An environmentally sound approach to a lost art (for Sis and her boyfriend in preparation for their upcoming camping expeditions... :-))

All that, and more. All in all, a very good haul! Now, about that clutter...
PAX,

Sadness...

My heart is heavy. I found out today that a friend is in hospital, cancer running rampant throughout her body (lungs, kidney, bones...). She is being given only a few months to live.

Although this woman is not a close friend, I have been touched by her strength, her generosity and her great sense of humour on many occasions. She is loved by many and her illness is a cause of great pain for other friends of mine.

Yes, tonite, my heart is heavy with sadness...
PAX,

Abundance...

Every day, my life spills over with blog fodder! I have written many, many posts over the past couple of weeks. In my head. I just don't seem to have time to sit at the computer, coax the stories out through my fingertips... to the keyboard... to the screen... to your eyes. Indeed, I am blessed with an abundant life!

So, if you notice that I go a while without posting, you'll know that I'm busy filling my life with new experiences. Experiences like listening to Ray Zahab talk about running across the Sahara desert... or researching accomodation options for my trip to Italy... or working on my new model for diagnosing organizational health (inspired by the Serenity Prayer!)... or gathering for meaningful conversation with The Mad Chatters... or spending quality time with Sis... or going for a run with Hubby (warm-up for him/work-out for me).

Here's wishing you a life blessed with abundance - just for today!
PAX,

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day to youuuu...
Happy Earth Day toooo youuuuu....
Happy EARTH-Day dear stewards-of-this-woooorrld...
HAAAPPY Earth Daaay...
Toooooo....
Youuuuuuu!

At long last, the environment has become a media darling. But it's up to us to make sure it stays there. This can be no "15-minutes of fame" scenario.

This past week, the government of Ontario announced its intention to ban the sale of the archaic energy hog: the incandescent light bulb. Sure, it's easy to draw, but the time has come to say our good-byes. This announcement was welcome news for my friends at Project Porchlight. In fact, this successful campaign was even mentioned in the press release. It's amazing where ONE CHANGE can lead...

We can all do our part to support and heal Mother Earth. It can be as easy as changing a lightbulb... or it can be easy as taking any one of these actions.

PAX,

Loving it... again.

Prompted by yesterday's post, I watched The Red Violin. Again. I can confirm that it is still one of my all time favourite movies. The story winds its way through space & time following the thread of a common, haunting melody that seems to tie it all together. This film is a real treat for the senses!

PAX,