Wellington County Archives - Page 4 of 7 - Wandering Wellington County

Adventures In My Backyard

June 22, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

Why do I sometimes think I should travel far & wide to discover more about myself? With the end of the school year upon us and the kids beginning their summer holidays, I pondered this thought. I was brought back to reality when after the kids were safely on the bus, I stepped out onto my backyard which has a forest like feel & look to it. It is in on the outskirts of the City limits and we are moving shortly to a new home.

I know already how much I am going to miss this fabulous backyard, but thinking of the new place, it does have a pond close by and I have always wanted to live close to the water. I am getting closer I guess, although it is an irrigation pond and it located by the kids playground area. I did discover one of my favorite birds flying overhead as I was walking around the pond. It was the Blue Heron(s) who were flying back and forth and may live in the vicinity.

Summer officially began yesterday, (June 21, 2018) and with that came the longest night of the year. My mother was eager to inform us, that yesterday had 15 hours and 36 minutes of daylight. She then said, “After today the days are going to get shorter”. OH no, not shorter days already, we just had winter with blowing snow and cold. OK back to today, it was a gorgeous summer day and night!

I sat on the sidelines of the CW Sportsplex along with my parents cheering my 11-year-old daughter, who truth be told needs a few soccer tips. I was a proud Mom, as this is the first sports team she has ever wanted to join. She is building her confidence and is blending into the group nicely. I am becoming a sports Mom cheering her on the sidelines. She is getting a little older now and when we arrived she immediately got out of the Jeep and went over to her team, not even a see you later. It seemed as if she didn’t want us to even be there, but we had to say a few cheers when she kicked the ball. We tried to respect her coolness factor and not make a spectacle out of her or us.

Her grandfather and I chuckled and I understood how she must have felt, I was that preteen girl not long ago. Ok maybe it was quite a long time OK, but who is counting? That one who when I got dropped off at high school dreaded the thought of my father and brother blowing the horn and yelling out the window “Bye, Have a Good Day at School Nancy!”

AHHH….summer so darn short and sweet, the sky looked like a photo from a postcard by the end of the night. The thought of wanting to travel to far away lands disappeared because when I looked around I realized I had everything I needed, right in my own backyard!

Amazing what a little perspective can do, and sometimes it can be a little more economical than booking an airline ticket. Although they just introduced a new economical airline flying in Canada this June. That’s another story.

Talk soon ~

Nancy

Wellington County Festival & Events Guide (Summer) 2018

May 28, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

WELLINGTON COUNTY FESTIVALS AND EVENTS GUIDE

EXPERIENCE WELLINGTON COUNTY Welcome to Wellington County. Get to know us better as you explore our back roads, visit our quaint towns and find your escape in our rural Ontario countryside. We have food that will require a second helping, breathtaking natural landscapes, an arts and culture scene to be envied and some of the coolest people you have yet to meet. Visit, visit again and make yourself at home. Show us your Wellington County. Get social and use hashtags for your chance to win. #experiencewellington

CULTURE HIGHLAND GAMES WHERE TRADITIONS ARE TRADITION. You may feel like you have been transported to another time or place, but don’t worry there are many opportunities to experience remarkable events in Wellington County. Find your festival at Visit the Experience Wellington Website Gather, compete and celebrate at the Scottish Festival and Highland Games in Fergus, Ontario.

FOOD AND DRINK FOODIE FEST THE TABLE IS SET and the food is ready. Pull up your chair, we have a place waiting for you. In Wellington County we turn ingredients into adventure, find your new favourite and taste your way across the County. The Taste Real Local Food Fest celebrates all things food in Guelph and Wellington County.

Visit Visit the Taste Real website RURAL ROOTS ON THE FARM A NEW EXPERIENCE can be found at each bend in the road. Wellington County offers a chance to plant your feet, breathe in the fresh air and see what life on the farm really means. Let the Taste Real Local Food Map be your guide. Get yours at Visit the Taste Real Website Take part in the Spring and Fall Rural Romps, self-guided farm and food tours.

NATURAL LANDSCAPES GET OUTSIDE A MORNING OUT on the lake, an afternoon hike through the forest, or an evening under the stars. Wellington County gives you time to slow down, reconnect with nature and escape your everyday. Guelph Lake is one of five Grand River Parks in Wellington County, Visit the Grand River Website MUSIC FESTIVAL FAVOURITES THE SOUNDTRACK in Wellington County is rich, diverse and eclectic. Find the beat and be prepared to have the music take you away. This summer plan to attend Hillside Festival, Riverfest Elora and Elora Festival. Check out Visit the Experience Wellington Website

CHARM COUNTY TREASURES SPEND SOME TIME roaming through antique shops, strolling village streets and cruising County roads. Stay over in a charming bed and breakfast and beco • Elora Culinary Walking Tour • Elora Sculpture Project • Fergus Grand Theatre • Grand River Raceway, Elora • Harriston Town Hall Theatre • Headwaters Stable Tour, Erin • Hillsburgh Heritage Walking Trail • John Webb Gallery, Harriston • Minto Arts Gallery, Harriston • Mount Forest Museum and Archives • Norgan Theatre, Palmerston • OLG Slots, Elora • Ontario Steam Heritage Museum, Puslinch • Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum • The Gorge Cinema, Elora • Wellington County Museum and Archives SEASONAL • Aberfoyle Antique Market Sundays, April 29 – October 28, Puslinch • Donkey Sanctuary Sundays, May – October, Puslinch • Drayton Festival Theatre May 16 – October 14, Drayton • Elora Skyrider Zipline June 2 – September 30, Elora Gorge • Lynes Blacksmith Shop By appointment, June 1 – September 30, Kenilworth • McClintock’s Water Ski School May 15 – October 15, Puslinch Lake • Monster Month October 1 – 31, Downtown Elora • Strom’s Farm Harvest Fun Area September – October, Guelph Eramosa • Simple Pleasures for the Summer Wednesdays, July 4 – August 29, Wellington County Museum and Archives •

FARMERS’ MARKETS • Erin Farmers’ Market McMillan Park, Village of Erin FRIDAYS, June 22 – September 29 • Rockwood Farmers’ Market and Live Music, 112 Main Street, Rockwood WEDNESDAYS, June 13 – October 3 • Elora Farmers’ Market Bissell Park, Elora SATURDAYS, May 5 – October 13 • Elora Farmers’ Market, Paddock Building, Grand River Raceway, Elora SATURDAYS, October 20 – December 22 • Minto Farmers’ Market, Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum SATURDAYS, June 2 – August 25 • Aberfoyle Farmers’ Market, 23 Brock Road South, Aberfoyle SATURDAYS, May 26 – October 27 • Wellington North Farmers’ Market, Victory Community Centre, Mount Forest FRIDAYS, May 25 – October 5 Dates subject to change. Please visit Visit the Experience Wellington Website APRIL • APRIL 6 National Tartan Day Concert, Fergus Grand Theatre • APRIL 8 Gallery Concert Series, Wellington County Museum and Archives • APRIL 8 Tartan Day, Downtown Fergus • APRIL 8 Tartan Day Historical Walking Tour, Downtown Fergus • APRIL 14 – 15 Elora Vintage and Antique Show, Elora Community Centre • APRIL 20 – 22 Guelph and District Kennel Club Dog Show, Centre Wellington Sportsplex, Fergus • APRIL 20 – 28 Musical Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, Grand River Raceway, Elora • APRIL 26 Wordfest, Elora Centre For the Arts • APRIL 29 Grand Taste, Grand River Raceway, Elora MAY • MAY 3 Flutters, Frocks and Flowers, Main Street, Village of Erin • MAY 4 – 6 Elora Festival Annual Giant Book Sale, Elora Curling Club • MAY 4 – 6 Spring Rain Weekend,Belwood Hall • MAY 6 Dollhouse Miniatures Show and Sale, Centre Wellington Sportsplex, Fergus • MAY 6 EW-CS High Tea and High Heels, St. Andrew’s Church, Hillsburgh • MAY 6 Elora Writers’ Festival, Wellington County Museum and ArchivesMAY 9 – 11 Fergu •

JUNE

6 – 8 Canadian National Fly-Fishing Champships, Centre Wellington • JUNE 9 Doors Open Erin, Various locations in the Town of Erin • JUNE 9 Drayton Kinettes, Super Hero Soiree, Ag Hall, Drayton Fairgrounds • JUNE 10 Donkey Day, The Donkey Sanctuary, Puslinch • JUNE 14 Aberfoyle Agricultural Society Chicken Barbeque, Puslinch Community CentreJUNE 15 Mapleton Custom Rodders Car Show, Moorefield Ball Diamonds • JUNE 16 Rotary Club of Erin presents “Ribfest”, McMillan Park, Village of Erin • JUNE 16 Doors Open Fergus and Elora, Various Locations across Fergus and Elora • JUNE 16 Doors Open Historical Walking Tours, Fergus and Elora • JUNE 16 Subaru Triathlon Series at Guelph Lake, Guelph Lake Conservation Area • JUNE 16 Touch a Truck, Harriston and Minto Community Centre, Harriston •

JUNE 20 – SEPTEMBER 1Insights, Wellington County Museum and Archives • JUNE 21 Sensational Elora’s Fabulous Fergus Pub Night, Four pubs throughout Fergus • JUNE 23 Puslinch Lake Alive Living Home Tour, Old Marina Restaurant, Puslinch • JUNE 23 Palmerston Handcar Races, Palmerston Railway Museum • JUNE 23 Party in the Park, Palmerston Lion’s Heritage Park • JUNE 24 Local Food Fest, Ignatius Jesuit Centre • JUNE 24 Celebrate Sunrise Summer Fundraiser, Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre, Puslinch • JUNE 24 Fergus Horticultural Society Garden Tour, Various locations across Fergus • JUNE 29 – 30 Clifford Classic Truck Show, Clifford Rotary Park • JUNE 29 – JULY 2 Arthur Optimists Canada Day Weekend Celebration, Arthur Fairgrounds and Community Centre • JUNE 30 Drayton Kinsmen Wing Night and Concert, Drayton Fairgrounds

JULY

Orton’s Annual Canada Day Celebration, Orton • JULY 1 Get in Touch for Hutch, Arthur Community Centre • JULY 1 Puslinch Canada Day Pancake Breakfast and Fireworks, Puslinch Community Centre • JULY 1, Canada Day Fireworks, Centre Wellington Sportsplex, Fergus • JULY 1 Dominion Day Elora, Downtown Elora and Bissell Park • JULY 1 Canada Day Celebration, Crossroads Life Church, Harriston • JULY 1 Canada Day Fireworks Display, Drayton Fairgrounds • JULY 2 – 6 Arthur SU Sports Camp, Arthur Community Centre • JULY 4 – AUGUST 29Twilight at Templin, Templin Gardens, Fergus • JULY 5 Music at the Museum, Wellington County Museum and Archives • JULY 6 Annual Wiener Dog Race, Grand River Raceway, Elora • JULY 6 – 15 Elora Community Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park, Bissell Park, Elora • JULY 7 FEDS Annual Special Needs Soccer Festival, Victoria Park, Fergus • JULY 7 – 8 Black Sheep Contemporary Textile Festival, Elora Centre For the Arts • JULY 8 Conestogo Lake Annual Fishing Derby, Conestogo Lake Conservation Area • JULY 12 Music at the Museum, Wellington County Museum and Archives • JULY 13 – 15 Hillside Festival, Guelph Lake Conservation Area • JULY 13 – 29 Elora Festival, Various locations in Elora • JULY 19 Music at the Museum, Wellington County Museum and Archives • JULY 20 – 22 Mount Forest Fireworks Festival, 514 Main Street North, Mount Forest • JULY 26 Music at the Museum, Wellington County Museum and Archives • JULY 28 Fergus Ghost Walk, The Bookery, Fergus • JULY 28 Fergus Medieval Faire, Downtown Fergus

AUGUST

AUGUST 2 Music at the Museum, Wellington County Museum and Archives • AUGUST 3 – 5 Jeff Davie Memorial 3-Pitch Tournament, Palmerston and Harriston Ball Diamonds • AUGUST 4 – 6 Pirate Fest, Marden Park • AUGUST 4 Sensational Elora’s Film on a Plate, The Gorge Cinema, Elora • AUGUST 6 Grand River Raceway Industry Day, Grand River Raceway, Elora • AUGUST 9 Music at the Museum, Wellington County Museum and Archives • AUGUST 9 Pipes, Plaid and Pageantry Parade, Downtown Fergus • AUGUST 10 Fergus Ghost Walk, The Bookery, Fergus • AUGUST 10 – 12 Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games, Centre Wellington Sportsplex, Fergus • AUGUST 10 – 11 Fergus Scottish Festival, Downtown Edition!, Downtown Fergus • AUGUST 10 – 11 Fergus Scottish Festival, Historical Walking Tours, Downtown Fergus • AUGUST 10 – 11 Psychic Fair, The Bookery, Fergus • AUGUST 10 – 12 Drayton 161st Fair, ‘Best Pickin’ in Mapleton, Drayton Fairgrounds • AUGUST 11 Fergus Ghost Walk, The Bookery, Fergus • AUGUST 11 Downtown Harriston Street Party, Savour in the Street and Street Dance, Elora St. S, Harriston • AUGUST 17 -19 Riverfest Elora, Bissell Park, Elora • AUGUST 18 Spirit in the Hills Family Fun Day and Classic Car Show, Main Street, Hillsburgh • AUGUST 18 – 19 Classic Ford Truck Show, Arthur Fairgrounds • AUGUST 18 Mount Forest Agricultural Society 159th Annual Fall Fair, Mount Forest and District Sports Complex • AUGUST 22 – 26 Annual Palmerston Fair, Palmerston Fairgrounds • AUGUST 24 – 25 Grand River Truck and Tractor Pull, Grand River Raceway, Elora • AUGUST 24 – 25 Campin’ and Jammin’ in the Park, Drayton Fairground • AUGUST 25 Alma Car Show, Wallace Cummings Park, Alma • AUGUST 26 Antique and Classic Car Show, Wellington County Museum and Archives • AUGUST 26 Tri Kids Triathlon, Centre Wellington Sportsplex, Fergus

There are over 200 festivals and events in Wellington County every year. Visit Visit the Experience Wellington Website, https://www.wellington.ca/en/business/resources/TasteReal2017/PDF-Files/2018-Festivals-and-Events-Guide—Accessible-Doc.pdf.

Talk soon,

Nancy

5 THINGS to Do this WEEKEND

May 17, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

Hey Canada … It’s the official May 24 weekend upon us! Yeah… for me and many more Canadian’s that always signifies the unofficial start of the SUMMER. I hope you enjoy your long weekend and the many adventures which await you this start of the season ahead of us. Perhaps your jumping in your car heading to your cottage or camping at one of the local provincial parks. Or maybe you are hanging out locally and just chilling. Here are some great local events going on in Wellington County this weekend.

Elora PLEIN AIR : http://grandandgorgeous.com/event/elora-en-plein-air/

Grand River Raceway Fireworks: https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/index.cfm?page=detail&itmno=3272

2Rivers Festival: https://www.guelphmercury.com/events/8594070-701051-2rivers-festival-2018/

The Royal Wedding at the Secret Garden Tea House: http://www.thesecretgardenteahouse.com/upcoming-events

Hillsburgh Garden Club Plant Sale: http://www.erin.ca/whats-on/details?id=ff84113f-e7f2-41b5-974b-d4024b9b1466

Happy Birthday Queen Victoria!

Talk soon ~

Nancy

Chatting with, Lisa Browning – 2018 Guelph Y Women of Distinction Honoree

April 16, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

WHO ARE YOU?

Name: Lisa Browning

Birthplace: Toronto

Where do you live? Guelph

Career: Assistant Manager, Graduate & Professional Programs, Ontario Universities’ Application Centre

PLUS

Owner & Publisher, One Thousand Trees

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU, TO BE A “2018 GUELPH Y WOMEN OF DISTINCTION?”

It means the world to me! Being selected as a Woman of Distinction has given me such a feeling of acknowledgement.

It’s funny … at first I felt very uncomfortable (those old “Who do you think you are?!” messages were loud and clear!). But I’ve challenged those messages, and now, to be in the company of so many incredible women, my co-honourees, is such a blessing! I am deeply grateful to those who nominated me, and to the selection committee for having chosen me for this honour.

“IT TAKES A VILLAGE”, is this year’s theme. Describe who / what your village is like?

I am blessed to have a community of like-minded people, who have been through their own struggles, and because of that, are passionate about empowering others, and spreading the message that there is always light after the darkness.

WHERE do you find Inspiration?

I find my inspiration in nature. I walk my dog twice a day, on a trail through the wetlands surrounding my subdivision. It is there that I find peace, and that ideas and inspiration just naturally come to me. The energy of the trees is amazing, and it gives me peace. When my mind is quiet, I am able to dream.

Favorite quote / and or a favorite person?

This one is easy! My favourite quote of all time is by Marianne Williamson:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others”.

WHY did you choose this career, or did it choose you?

When I started One Thousand Trees, I had planned for it to be only a monthly on-line magazine, even though my background is in publishing. But one thing led to another (as it always does when we are doing something that we are passionate about), and the company has taken on a life of its own. I know that my purpose in this life is to empower others through telling their stories and speaking their truth, so I think I can say I chose the career, but it also chose me.

Tell us something people usually don’t know about you?

Hmmm … that’s a tough question. I think I’m pretty transparent.

WHAT did you want to be as a child?

VERY interesting question! (Or, perhaps, my answer is very telling!) I went back and forth between two different things: a writer, and a psychologist. (Maybe not as a young child – for the psychologist for sure – but certainly by high school.)

The interesting part is that now my passion is empowering others by telling their stories! I guess I’ve melded both of those aspirations!

Contact Information: * (Where can people find your business/organization)

Email Address: lisa@onethousandtrees.com

Website: http://www.onethousandtrees.com

Phone: 519-362-5494

Thank You Lisa for taking some time out of your busy schedule to chat with Wandering Wellington County!

Lisa is one of the twenty women who you will meet May, 3rd at the River Run Centre, Guelph Y 2018 Women of Distinction Honorees at the Fundraising Gala. Please join us at this great fundraising gala for the Guelph YMCA/YWCA, here the link for more information.

https://www.guelphy.org/en/community-events-and-programs/women-of-distinction.aspx

Talk Soon ~

Nancy

Every Women Needs a Day Out to Celebrate Spring!

April 10, 2018 by nancy 1 Comment

Have you ever heard of this type of event, A Ladies Day Out? I had been invited to attend this event, and I wasn’t sure how long I would plan on staying as my day was a busy one. If anyone knows me, I often am a late arrival. I like to think I am fashionably late. My daughter and I checked out the event schedule at registration and having walked thru the hallway of the scheduled 2 or 3 different workshops we chose the workshop about, “Color Trends of 2018” which was starting in a half hour.

My eleven year old daughter Meaghan and I settled into the comfy chairs at the Cutten Fields. We were immediately transported into a world filled with colour and beauty from the soft-spoken workshop presenter, owner Volumes of Space. This presentation brought on a renewed excitement about how colours can play such a big part of your everyday world! Moving along into the day we collected our thoughts and our gifted bottles of shiny new OPI nail polish and headed over to our next stop, the vendor market.

Entering the room next door which housed the many vendors of the day, the sight of rustic wood containers immediately caught my eye and I knew I had to have one before the day was out. I kept walking along and found the perfect little colourful primrose plants for my container and then checked out the various vendors. Maybe it was the smell or the funky colours but I spotted another item I needed, a sampler package of local handcrafted soaps. Next stop was the friendly registration table to check out what time the afternoon sessions would be starting.

Maybe it was the rumble of our stomachs or the aromas from the main dining hall which were calling our name, along with, “Mom I am hungry, can we eat lunch now?” Lunch was served and it was a very delicious lunch indeed. My daughter was thrilled at just how fancy everything was, “Oh … Mom, look at that, and ohhhh Mom deserts too!” The presentation was lovely and the taste of the salad bar & chicken were excellent, just perfect for a “Ladies Day Out!”

I sipped on a freshly brewed coffee and watched as my daughter browsed the desert bar. The next item of the day was the lovely fashion show from Tsuga Boutique showcasing their latest Spring collection. Later we strolled the beautiful raffle table and purchased some tickets to try our luck.

Speaking of workshops, my daughter and I had an amazing afternoon with full bellies creating at the, “Make & Take” project. We made some really cool rustic barn board frames with the cutest little succulent plants. This was our last workshop of the day. Proudly carrying our finished creations we decided to stop by the raffle table to see if the winners had been selected as of yet.

My daughter has just started horseback riding and when she turned to me and said, “Mom I won the picture of the horse on from the raffle table, I couldn’t believe my eyes, her name was listed as a winner on the picture!” We had to borrow a box to carry our 6 raffle items we won, along with our Make and Take Crafts, and our beautiful Tulips Centrepiece we purchased with proceeds from the event supporting Michael House Guelph.

A big Thank you to Karen, who was the event organizer for the “Inaugural Celebrate Spring, Ladies Day Out!” We had such an amazing day out! Next year we are going to arrive earlier in the day to take advantage of the full day, and to take part in more workshops.

I highly recommend you attend this event next Spring, and also check out Karen’s website for future events coming up, http://joynusevents.ca/michael-house/. This woman who wore a smile on her face all day, really knows how to host an event which will sure to create a lasting impression on you.

Talk Soon ~

Nancy

JUST GIVE IT ALL YOU HAVE!

March 25, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

Sometimes in life your kind of cruising along, then you hear something that just sticks with you. You know that light bulb kind of Eureka moment?

I was out with an old friend last night, which I had not seen in a while. You know the one who shares the ups and downs on this road called life! We went to the https://medieval.academy/ in Guelph, as I had heard how much fun it was to throw AXES and KNIVES around.

I must admit I was feeling a little nervous after we had signed the waivers; especially when they reviewed things like, “Don’t swing it this way, because if you do……”. Well I will not go in to details, but you can imagine? We had these metal pointy things in our reach, I took the smallest one in my hand, I was a little shaky. I could smell the newly greased edges on the blades and watched them glisten in the light with marks left from past patrons.

I glanced at my friends face and her eyes where lit up and she squealed with delight, “I really like this!” She had just thrown this huge metal object at the bulls-eye marker, and she had struck it right in the middle of the marker. I think she found a new favorite sport, or as they say properly “Activity”.

What happened for me last night, was a light bulb moment of sorts. I looked at her as she swung the axe and asked her, “How do you do that?” She said, “JUST GIVE IT ALL YOU HAVE!” MMM… isn’t that just so true. I took the big axe in my hand as she suggested big is better and I swung it like it was the last thing to do before I took my final breath. You know what? That bloody thing hit the mark.

Just like that, I was in the moment AXE in hand and just, “GAVE IT MY ALL”; man what a freeing feeling! At that moment nothing else seemed to matter. You know those things like laundry, work, aging parents, kids, and the everyday aches and pains of life.

Who knew throwing these weapons could be so bloody freeing. I joked with her, “this is better than therapy?” We both laughed and nodded at each other. It was the kind of nod only shared with an old/new kind of bonding experience of hanging out on a Saturday night without any expectations.

We knew then, (or maybe it was just me who finally figured it out), that this life stuff is better when you share, not only your tears but also those cool vibes with your tribe.

Sometimes it isn’t those big things in life, but rather those quiet times, that just kind of make you smile, and you know in your heart, “THANKS, I get it now!”

PS. Thanks Kim, for braiding my hair at my grade 8 graduation, and being that sister I never had xxx.

Talk Soon ~

Nancy

Dreaming of Far Away Places

March 9, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

It is the start of March Break, and this is one of the first years in a while my daughter and I are not going South. I know what your probably thinking, BOO HOO. I just spoke with my daughter and said, “Are you excited for March Break?” Her response was, “OH yeah… March Break…” I think the little people will probably be happy just to stay home and take a break from the day-to-day busyness of school life and extracurricular activities.

It is always nice to go away for a little adventure and a little break from reality if even for a day or two. When I read this little gem of a quote, it really made me pause and reflect. Today I choose HAPPY wherever I am and today. I am in Guelph at work. Tomorrow I will be in Fergus for the weekend, and then Guelph for the work week next week. You know what, that’s OK, because, that is where I am supposed to be for the time being. You know what I am kinda of excited the workday is almost over.

I have a night to myself. My plan is to put the Tea Kettle & Fireplace on, grab my cozy blanket, light my candles and watch a few episodes of my current favorite Netflix series, “Grace & Frankie”.

You might catch me dreaming of faraway places this weekend; climbing mountains, discovering little treasures on the beach, or drifting off into the sunset holding my daughters hand in a hot air balloon. Or maybe that was Grace & Frankie carrying on with their antics?

Life is good!

Talk Soon ~

Nancy

10 Favourite Travel Quotes

March 5, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

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A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu

Beyond the East the sunrise, beyond the West the sea,
And East and West the wanderlust that will not let me be;
It works in me like madness, dear, to bid me say, good-bye!
For the seas call and the stars call, and oh, the call of the sky.
~Gerald Gould, “Wanderlust,” c.1905

Too often travel, instead of broadening the mind, merely lengthens the conversation. ~Elizabeth Drew

Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe. ~Anatole France

These are the joys of the open road —
For him who travels without a load.

~Bliss Carman, “The Joys of the Road,” Songs from Vagabondia, 1894

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on

his old, familiar pillow. ~Lin Yutang

Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind. ~Seneca

The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes “sight-seeing.” ~Daniel J. Boorstin

It is not down in any map; true places never are. ~Herman Melville

What you’ve done becomes the judge of what you’re going to do — especially in other people’s minds. When you’re traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don’t have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road. ~William Least Heat Moon, Blue Highways

Writers Workshop

March 5, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.
– Barbara Kingsolver

March is one of my favourite months of the year. One of the reasons I like March is the beginnings of Spring. Along with Spring, I always feel inspired when I attend the University of Guelph Writing Workshop. This is my 3rd year, and it was a whole new experience bringing my 11-year-old daughter. It felt as if I was looking thru the lenses of a young beautiful blossoming women about to become an adult.

When I glanced over to my daughter beside me, I didn’t see a young girl quickly jotting down her thoughts, it was that of a young women soon to be a University student. I sat there and had to shake my head in disbelief, this could be her reality in a mere 5 years from now. Silent thoughts of, “OH…. how exciting for her, to have a whole world ahead of her, so many new and fun times ahead.”

I was really trying hard to focus on the workshop, with all these overwhelming thoughts entered. “What did the teacher just say?” “Does anyone know what a style sheet is?” “The question is, “Why is it so darn hot in here, Why did I drink so much coffee earlier, how long until break, Where is the bathroom?” “What should I write about?” The biggest thought going thru my mind was, “HOW DID MY DAUGHTER GROW UP SO FAST?”

My advice if your interested for next year, is to register early. Registration opens in January and fills up quickly, it is open to all ages and you don’t have to be a student of the University. It is a FREE event, thanks to the sponsors Guelph Downtown Association, CFRU, Bookshelf and more. I had an opportunity to chat the Event Organizer, Jody Salter, who works with the McLaughlin Library at the University of Guelph, check out this link for the #UGWriters. https://www.facebook.com/wanderingwellingtoncounty/videos/1018516074990890/

One of the classes we were part of was, The Art of Journalling. Jennifer, the instructor shared her love of writing on any item including napkins. She reminded us you don’t have to write on lined paper, you can write on any spaces, and add stickers, cut outs, funky paper, anything to personalize your journalling activity.

Jennifer shared how she chose to burn her old journals when she was done with them. A lot of people looked around and nodded, perhaps they had thought about doing that too? She later explained it was healing for her to get rid of them. She said it gave her a sense of ease, knowing that no one would discover her personal writing, and that now she could send them off to the universe.

Leaving the class I felt an immediate sense of comfort. I had been struggling a lot lately what to do with a box of old journals, from a relative who is no longer with us. I left the workshop confidently knowing what I will do with that little shoe-box of personal words which were just meant for the writer.

I was lucky to meet one of the presenters, Kat McNichol, of Dreamers Creative Writers, we chatted about the many theraputic benefits of writing. Here is the link of my chat with her, https://www.facebook.com/wanderingwellingtoncounty/videos/1020332101475954/

I wonder how old the youngest attendee might have been this year at this year’s workshop, maybe an aspiring writer named Meaghan, who will be 12 this August. “Love you Meg, I want you to know that, just in case your reading!”

Talk Soon ~

Nancy

“People on the outside think there’s something magical about writing, that you go up in the attic at midnight and cast the bones and come down in the morning with a story, but it isn’t like that. You sit in back of the typewriter and you work, and that’s all there is to it.”
– Harlan Ellison