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Sea to Sky Highway Memories

January 29, 2023 by nancy Leave a Comment

This beautiful highway is etched in my memory. So grateful last summer my family and I took a trip out west to BC. We landed in Vancouver spent a few amazing days exploring with a family member who toured us around the city. We saw beautiful gardens, hiked Lynn Canon Falls, Grouse Mountain, biked around Stanley Park and more.

We then took the ferry to Vancouver Island and stayed a week at the most quaint little place ever, Maple Bay. Our sundeck looked out on the scenic Maple Bay with Mountains and the ocean at our doorstep. Highlights included, sailboats, sun, mountains, ocean and the most amazing sunsets. We toured around up and down the magnificent mountains and toured a lot of the island.

We went to Victoria one day, I love that place it is so beautiful. We parked the car walked around a bit, took a cool little boat / ferry from the docks of the coolest little colorful water houses across the bay to the oldest China Town in Canada and had a memorable lunch.

We took a lot of day trips from our base of Maple Bay and toured the West coast of the Island, stunning scenery making stops along the way to visit Botanical Beach and so many other little places along the way. Lots of hiking and stops to take photos, we will never forget the many sights including a baby cub & deer walking along the remote highways.

We came back to Vancouver and were sad to fly out the next day. My kids and I still reminisce about what an amazing trip we had. We still cannot believe how much we saw & did whilst we were there.

More memories include whale watching, time spent in Whistler for a week, going up the gondolas and walking down part of the mountain as we found out we were fearful of taking the open air down.

This trip was definitely was one for the “memory bank”, as my Dad liked to say. So grateful for such a wonderful time with so many incredible memories to last a lifetime. The photo is an encaustic photo collage I created from my trip to remember the beautiful adventure on that famous Sea to Sky Highway.

Talk soon ~

Nancy

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Adventure in My Backyard

June 3, 2022 by nancy Leave a Comment

My son and I pretended we were tourists in Elora / Fergus today.  We are so blessed to live in Wellington County with so many wonderful places to explore.  There are so many fun adventures to do literally in our backyard.  

Today my son Noah and I got up early, ok not so early he slept in as it was a PD day.  I semi planned out day prior to our adventures with a prebooking of a  timeslot at the Fergus Tennis Club for 11:30.  We are newbies this year to the club, we rallied the ball, sweated and had lots of giggles.   I have to say we did okay and are looking forward to our next tee time, oh wait that is golf.  

Our next stop was a last minute reservation to the Lafontanna Elora restaurant.  My son is a bit of a picky eater and I thought perhaps he would like a wood oven fired pizza.  He didn’t like it, he loved it!  Yeah for Mom, he also loved sharing our sausage & pasta entree.  

We had an amazing view, I called it the million dollar view.  Together we watched the swans, baby geese and even a blue heron fly over the beautiful grand river.  We giggled together watching the robin who was flying over us and nesting on the canopy nearby.  My son wanted to tell the table of women next to us about the nest but they were too busy chatting and not paying attention, we then giggled more when he loudly said, “mom look at that nest!”, trying to get a response from the women.

Dessert was simply sinful when a 7 or 8 layered chocolate plate arrived in front of us, more giggling as we split yummiest chocolate ever.  

After watching a canoe and kayak floating in the river we decided we would end our date with a paddle on the grand river.  A new canoe rental business, Elora Paddle Co. two doors away from us was the perfect ending to our day.

This is the view of our restaurant from the canoe ride, the weather was perfect with a sprinkling of rain when we got out of the canoe.  We went to the waterfalls by Bissel Park and then paddled our way towards the main bridge in Elora.  

One of my most favorite moments of the day was when my son Noah held my hand crossing the street and said, “thanks for a great day I love you Mom!”  This absolutely melted my heart, he is 12 and still wants to hold my hand.  I know this will not last forever as my Daughter who is now a high schooler does not like to acknowledge me when I drop her off at school.

I am going to hold on to this memory for a very long time. My Dad would say, “this was one for the memory bank” – PA

 

Talk soon 

 

Nancy

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Future Pilot

May 15, 2022 by nancy Leave a Comment

 

My Father always told me from an early age, “find something you love and you will never work a day in your life!”

My Dad didn’t just say this, he lived it.  He started his own construction business in his early 20’s than later apprenticed and became an owner/operator of standard bred race horses in his mid 40’s.  He was lucky to have two passionate ventures in his life.

I have tried many career pathways in my lifetime and have never seemed to follow a traditional pathway both personally or professionally. I am a bit of a late bloomer, still trying new things and finding out my likes and dislikes along the way; striving for more happy days.

Thanks Dad for your wise words.  I shared this with your Granddaughter Megs yesterday while driving home from the “Girls Can Fly Event” which took place at the Waterloo Regional Airport. 

My 15 year old daughter recently took a career and civics course in grade 10 this year and had identified an interest in becoming a pilot.  Wow, honestly how cool is that at 15 to think you want to be a pilot. 

I commend all professional career persons who have had the dedication, ability and support it takes to turn a dream into a reality.  How does that happen? 

Perhaps this is what her great grandfather Len Ariss a pilot had felt his calling at such an early age. He later went on to build the Guelph airport, a small airport which he owned and operated for over 50 years in the community. Many successful pilots learned to fly on the two runways, one of my childhood friends Susie lived out on the airport strip of houses.  She always knew she would be a pilot from a very young age.

Susie later became a fighter pilot and a graduate of the Royal Military College.  I have fond memories of looking up at her bedroom ceiling during sleepovers watching the glow of a space galaxy.  I watched her take all of the necessary steps to do all of the things she needed to do to achieve her goals.  I admired her tenacity, hard work and knowing what she wanted to do when she grew up from a very early age.

I find it so interesting to see how people find their paths.

Whilst talking with one of the captain women pilots at the event yesterday she said one of the most valued skills in piloting is common sense.  I shook my head in agreement as I would certainly want my pilot flying my jet in the skies to be well equipped with common sense.  I thought she would have said the most important thing would have been strong math and sciences, important but not more important than a good head on your shoulders.

I have always wanted to take my daughter to the event.  What a thrill to see the big smile of hers when she put on the captains hat and coat and stood beside the big jet to have her proud Momma take a photo.  Perhaps one day she will fly that plane and take me as a passenger what a thrill that would be for our family. 

I would also be happy if she stayed on land and worked a local retail outlet or whatever occupation she chooses that pays the bills and puts a smile on her face.  I honestly get what my parents have said to me all along.  They just wanted me to be happy with whatever I did!

Another sage piece of advice my Dad gave me along the way was “happiness is an inside job!”

I pray my children will be happy and healthy and will find their happy in whatever they decide to do.  They have our 100% support with whatever they do, I just hope they choose wisely.  I am now sounding like my Mother, I know this is something she would have said to me.  Funny how when your growing up you never want to be like your parents, and now looking back I am truly honored to have pieces of them in me.

Sadly both my parents passed away last year, their memories, advice and love shine bright in the stars above.  I asked my Dad shortly before he passed how would I know he made it to my Mom.  He took a few moments to answer and then said, “dancing with the stars.”  I didn’t really understand what he meant. 

I know without a doubt it is my parents dancing in the stars, they are reunited and are now dancing in the stars together.  

I hope you will enjoy your day either flying the skies or with both feet firmly planted in the ground.

Talk soon 

Nancy ~

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Spring Thoughts

March 27, 2021 by nancy Leave a Comment

When we think of Spring we often think of renewal, new growth and new beginnings.  This new season upon us has got me thinking of a lot of new things.

My world as I know it has taken on new beginnings and new meaning as I recently lost my Mother to cancer just two weeks ago on March 12th in the early Morning hours of about 12:30 am at Hospice Wellington in Guelph.

I was with my Mom as she took her last breath of air, she had terrible problems breathing this past year as she had lung cancer along with severe COPD, and emphysema.  My heart broke that day she took her last breath as any Daughter would. Thankfully she was not gasping for air in her final days and she was kept very comfortable.  I lost my best friend, confidant and mostly my MOM.  I keep saying to myself, “OHHHHH MOMMM”. 

I don’t know how I am supposed to behave now, what to do or even some days what to think.  Honestly I am just going with the motions.  I thought before this happened I envisioned me with covers folded over my head not wanting to escape my bedroom.  This has been farther from the truth of my reality. 

I don’t think I have slept in one day, perhaps it has been a blessing being so busy and not having a lot of time to think about the magnitude of loosing one’s Mother.

My Dad also has stage 4 lung cancer and COPD which he had been fighting now for four years.  Like my Mom he too struggles daily just to breathe.  Having not been feeling well this past Month we just found out this week his lung has partially collapsed.  I had him at the hospital for his Monthly immunotherapy treatment when we found this out from an x-ray.  Luckily he is on some heavy duty medications to help with the coughing, and lack of breath.

I haven’t felt a need or a want to write about any of the terrible realities of my life, however on this Saturday Night hanging out with the kids I felt drawn to dust off my laptop and type a few words after nearly a year of not feeling like writing. I have to say it feels rather therapeutic, even if only what feels like venting or moaning about what is going on currently in my life. I suppose that is what we are supposed to write about, things from your heart. Even if it is broken.

I can hear my Dad coughing upstairs, and my Son is now telling me to shut off the TV. Before my Dad retires for the night I have to check in on him one last time to make sure he has taken all of his nightly medications and give him a ventolin treatment to hopefully help him sleep comfortably. I suppose that is a sign to wrap up the writing of this post and tend to my current needs of caretaking.

Cardinals have been flying around the house a lot this Spring, especially the red cardinal along with a mourning dove coming to visit outside my parents bedroom window.  Usually they come in pairs, as they mate for life however there is just one by itself Morning and Night found on the telephone wire.  The other day I happened to look out and found both a red cardinal and a mourning dove sitting side by side. 

Thank you Mom, you have shown many signs to me since you passed and it has been such a comfort.  Perhaps I will share some of the signs with you in the future.  Maybe you have signs to share from your loved ones who have passed to the other side.

Talk soon~

 

Nancy

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: blogger, cancer, caretaking, daughter, dying, Family, hospice, losingmother, moms, motherdaughter, parents

Hope during the Pandemic

May 14, 2020 by nancy Leave a Comment

Sipping my first cup of black coffee this morning I stared out the window.  The birds bring me so much joy during these dark days of the Covid-19 Pandemic. 

My father gifted us a birdhouse when I moved into my new house last year.  It was his old birdhouse and he passed it along to me.  I have glued it once already, I really hope it will stay together.  I will forever hold a special place in my heart as my parents are birders. 

“A feeling of expectation and desire for certain things to happen” Oxford Dictionary

It may have taken me a pandemic to understand their fascination with these little fluttering creatures.  Perhaps a slowing down of life to truly appreciate the simple things. 

I have always loved the mornings, a time of quiet reflection before the day starts, the kids demanding my time.  It is just me, my coffee and the birds these early mornings.

Excited about my sightings I emailed my Mom with a photo of the red cardinal that I saw at the feeder this morning and I told her about the yellow finches I saw the day before.  My Mom replied, “you will have them all the time now”.  

Nature never ceases to amaze me, maybe I am getting old to be so awestruck by the birds and their plight.  Perhaps we could learn from them?

Last night after a bike ride around the neighborhood with the kids my daughter mentioned to me, “Mom where is the chalk, we should write something?” 

I may have muttered something under my breathe as I wanted to go in and turn on the TV as my legs felt a little like jello from the first big bike ride of the season.

Prior to this pandemic you rarely saw people writing on their driveways, but now it is commonplace.  My daughter quickly created beautiful hearts along with rainbows at the end of our driveway.  She also wrote a big Thank You in her beautiful handwriting. 

My contribution was the word, HOPE. 

We all need to be reminded to have hope in times like these.

Chatting with my Dad yesterday he let me know he will be most likely beginning his second round of radiation in the near future.  It was so good to hear hope in his voice.

He wasn’t supposed to be with us as his this long.  Three years ago he had his first round of chemo and radiation for cancer.  We are so grateful for everyday he gets out of bed and watches the birds with my Mom. 

He is an amazing strong man as is my Mother who is fighting her own battles.  They celebrate 58 years of marriage this July.  Together they have have weathered and endured many storms along with their share of rainbows and sunny skies. 

Music is so good for the soul, I found a beautiful song about hope.  Click on the link to listen, Michael Franti: HEY WORLD (DON’T GIVE UP), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01FE9cPXE3M

Together we are all fighting our own battles in these unprecedented times.  This invisible disease is lurking all around us.  We cannot see it, touch it, smell it and yet it is killing us. Quarantined in our houses, many unable to go to work, jobs lost or put on hold while we all try to social distance and stay safe.

When we first heard of this virus in early January which began in Wuhan, China.  Never in a million years did we think, (well maybe the Scientists knew) that the whole World would be shut down as the virus has traveled and spread so quickly.

Luckily I haven’t known anyone who has had the virus yet.  I say yet as the experts say most people may get it eventually.  We are 18 Months from a vaccine or maybe sooner if we are so lucky.

The World is slowly opening up again. Like other parts of the World, Ontario is announcing a Phase 1 reopening of our Province today, I am sure many of us will be glued to our TV’s waiting for news of our fate.

Hope is what we have for better days, for science to come up with a vaccine to help us get back to normal.  But will we ever be normal again?  What will the new normal be?

We will get back to our jobs, our family celebrations, concerts, events and HUGS. 

During this crisis we have seen amazing beautiful people caring in ways that seemed unimaginable just Months ago. 

Truth be told, I haven’t felt like writing much lately.   I am a freelance writer and a couple of the publications I write for told me they are not accepting freelance writers at this time due to the changes with COVID_19. 

Chatting with a good friend yesterday she said “how sad, people need stories more than ever these days!”  We all need friends to motivate us and encourage us to keep going and give us HOPE on those dark days.

I hope to share some upcoming stories of people, business and organizations helping others in the upcoming Months.  

Stay safe, stay together and lets have HOPE FOR BETTER DAYS!

Talk soon ~

 

Nancy

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Wandering Beyond Tagged With: better days ahead, Covid_19, hope, hopeforbetterdays, love, musing, pandamic, postive vibes, travelblogger, Wandering, wellington county

Fergus Resident Peter the Piper, Supporting Health Care & Front Line Workers

March 27, 2020 by nancy Leave a Comment

Local Fergus resident Peter Hummel, also known as “Peter the Piper,” can be seen playing his bagpipes nightly from his front balcony in Fergus.

Like many others he is one of many worldwide supporters in the movement to thank the front line health care workers. 

His family is very supportive of his passion, with his wife Sandie Thompson being the one that urged him to get on the balcony and play.

They are now sharing his nightly Live FB videos with local community groups.  The video to watch can be found here.

 

He is an avid bagpiper: a member of the Fergus Pipe Band and the Sporran Wild Bagpipe. He also teaches bagpiping.

*** This story was published with Guelph Today for the Full Article, Click this link, https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/peter-the-piper-shows-nightly-support-for-frontline-workers-in-fergus-2198438

Talk soon,

Nancy

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: bagpipes, Centre Wellington, Covid_19, Feel Good Stories, fergus, Healthcare, Helping, Peter the Piper

How Many Days Till Spring?

January 22, 2020 by nancy 1 Comment

How many days till Spring?  The answer today is 20 days and counting, (  I found a website that actually counts for you, https://days.to/spring/2020.

Perhaps you are like me and just done with Winter?  I have had enough of cold, blowing snow, dark days and just BLAH days.

Don’t get me wrong I like the festivities of Christmas, the decorating the time spent with family and friends, but come January and February I am completely done with “Old Man Winter!”

I like to have fresh flowers in the house, especially this time of the year.  It is one of my guilty pleasures is keeping my house filled with flowers. 

I also like to add more warmth using comfy pillows, blankets and lighting.  I love to have candles all over and little strings of white lights all over the house.  I use the battery operated candles so I don’t have to worry about any mishaps.

I keep my white lights up well beyond the Christmas season, to bring cheer to the outside of the house. Some will disagree with this, but I love the twinkle in the snow at night.

Here is a little tune called “White Lights”, from a new band I have discovered.  Check out the link below to watch this great band.

White Lights by The Rural Alberta Advantage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxRFf45knBo…

I really try to embrace all of the seasons since we are Canadian Eh!  However once January rolls around I know many others voice the same concerns about the length of our Winters.

So my top 10 tips for keeping positive in the darkness of the long days and nights!

  1. Chocolate
  2. White lights, candles, outdoor lighting
  3. Getting out to local events 
  4. Comfy blankets and comfort foods, and Movies
  5. Books
  6. Nature Walks with My Kids
  7. Naps
  8. Laughter
  9. Fresh Flowers
  10. Listening to music

 

Talk soon ~

 

Nancy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Travelling Thoughts, Uncategorized

The Polar Express Train Ride

November 22, 2019 by nancy Leave a Comment

 

The Waterloo Central Railway Village Station in St. Jacobs hosts some wonderful Holiday rides.  Walking towards the venue, you could see the glowing lights from the Christmas decor. 

Bells could be heard jingling in the darkness of the evening sky. One of the smiling attendees from the previous Polar Express train ride said, “Enjoy your time, you will love it, it was so amazing!” 

Entering the warmth of the building, there were Children dressed in pajamas clutching hands with their parents some were browsing the Polar express memorabilia and perhaps wondering what the night would entail.

The lights dimmed, smoke began to fill the room and our evening at the Polar Express began as actors began to tell the story of the popular Christmas book written by Chris Van Allsburg.

Entering train C, there were festive Christmas lights decorating the interior of the 1950’s old style train.  We were met with the actors in costume greeting us all with smiles as we found our seating arrangements. 

The conductor said, “All Aboard, we are embarking on a trip to the North Pole, please have your tickets ready!”

Rolling out of the station we all knew we were in for a special evening as the conductor began to inspect the golden tickets, walking up and down the aisle performing his golden ticket duties.

Attendees can enjoy a 1 hour train ride to the North Pole in the comfort of cozy seating while The Polar Express is read, hot chocolate and treats are served, carols are sang and everyone receives a gift and visit from SANTA. 

The acting was really well done along with all of the details taken in to account to make the ride so memorable for Children of all of all ages. 

Tickets are limited so be sure to check out the website and pre book your ride, Waterloo Central Railway, https://waterloocentralrailway.com/the-polar-express-train-ride/.

One of the last impressions I heard on the loudspeaker was, “What matter’s most is not where you are going, but that you got on!” 

This annual family fun Polar Express train ride along with the Santa train ride experience takes place from Mid November only until Mid December, so get ready to make one of the most memorable experience’s your family will have this holiday season.

 

Talk soon,

 

Nancy

 

Filed Under: Events, Uncategorized Tagged With: blogger, christmas, events, polar express train, santa train, st. jacobs, travel blog, Wandering, wandering wellington county, waterloo central railway

New Elora Luxury B&B Accomodations Inner Joy Getaways

September 5, 2019 by nancy Leave a Comment

An Elora couple has found a unique way to re-use shipping containers.

Will and Laura Feenstra are the owners of Inner Joy Getaways, just outside of Elora, where they have turned former shipping containers into luxurious suites.

Inner Joy Getaways 7.44 acres of land along four suites looking out onto the Grand River. Along the side of the property is Swan Creek which is a premium fly fishing spot on the Grand River.

“The property has acres upon acres of protected GRCA land and beside us is a small protected bush area.  You can tube right from the Elora gorge all the way to the property. The Wilson flats are just minutes down the road from us along with various other hiking paths,” said Laura.

She said they had been watching the property on the market for 1.5 years prior and they thought they would look at it just for fun. 

(This article was originally Published at Village Media, Guelph Today, see link below)

To read more, check out the link on Guelph Today, https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/elora-business-turns-shipping-containers-into-luxurious-accommodations-1671276

Talk soon ~

Nancy

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Bed and Breakfast, blogger, elora, Guelph Today, Inner Joy Getaways, Luxury Accomodations, Shipping Container Accomodations, Suites, Travel Bloger, wandering wellington county, wellington county

A Walk in the Park

January 8, 2019 by nancy Leave a Comment

pic11

 

One of my favorite things to do is take a walk in the park.  Anytime I am feeling life’s stresses or wanting to just take a few moments to remember what is really important, I love to walk around my favorite park in Guelph.  Riverside Park is my park, it is the Park I grew up in, it is the park I like to watch bridge to-bridge as my father calls it.  

I always love to think of the various conversations that take place on one of the many park benches I walk by.  I love the park in all seasons, with Winter just upon us, I love the stillness and the quietness of the image of this lonely park bench set amongst the river bank. 

When I take time just to spend 30 minutes in nature, I always feel better for doing so.  Why is so hard to get going sometimes, I often spend more time thinking of doing something rather than doing it at times.  This happens often on weekends when my paper arrives at its doorstep, coffee in hand and I plan my day.  My plans always include a little walk or two but often the day floats into night and I am still on the couch serving the internet or changing the channels on the TV.  

Why is so hard to get outside in the Winter weather at times when you know you will feel better after a little stroll around the block.  I put pressure on myself at times when the wind is howling and the snow is blowing to get outside for a little fresh air, as I know I will feel better for even the most basic of steps in the Winter months.  Clearing the car of snow, and oh the drag of shovelling can be overwhelming at times.

I am already counting down the days till Spring but know that we must first endure the quiet and stillness of the Winter.  Maybe just maybe I can be OK with not being so hard on myself this time of year to get outside more.  As it just looks so much prettier from inside.  The snow glistening on the fence, or the kids building a snowman.  

I have some gift cards for the ski hill which I know the kids and I would really have fun at.  I just have to find the courage to get outside and get going on those days when it just seems simpler to stay inside.  I used to ski but have not been in many years, and last year I had promised my Mother I would take the kids downhill skiing this season.  I guess I still have a few more months to accomplish this task.  Or maybe I could make it a fun outing rather than a task.  I guess it is all how you look at things.

Winter I LOVE YOU, I WILL EMBRACE THIS SEASON!

 

“When you change the way you look at things…. the things you look at change.” ~ Wayne Dyer

 

Talk soon~

 

Nancy

Filed Under: Travelling Thoughts, Uncategorized Tagged With: cabin fever, Riverside Park, skiiing, snow, walks, Wandering, wandering wellington county, winter embrace

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Meet Nancy

Wandering Wellington County developed from Nancy incorporating all her passions into one - travelling, writing & building connections within the community.

Nancy lives, works and plays in Wellington County along with her "little people". If you have an event or story you would like to share we would love to connect.

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