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2019 Goals

January 2, 2019 by nancy Leave a Comment

The New Year is here, it is January 2nd, with just a few days into the year. I have been silently thinking of some goals for the New Year. Since I am not one for setting New Years Resolutions I thought it would be a good idea to perhaps jot a few of my plans for the New Year.

1. More Contentment

I want to be more contented with my everyday activities. I want to feel more grateful, and be happy for what I have in my life today, rather than scrambling around trying to fill that emptiness or that void in the soul with more stuff. I am not sure how or what I will do but this is just something I am throwing out there into the universe. I was reminded of this statement when my favorite New Years Eve host Anderson Cooper said he wanted more contentment.

2. Get more Active and Fit

I am turning a certain age this year, and really want to focus on getting more fit and more active. Mmmmm… that late night gobble of that 3 pack of Lindor last night may need to be kept out of sight. Trying to fall asleep last night, tossing and turning I remembered that I had a small red 3 pack of those delicious Lindor chocolates which where in my stocking at Christmas. I slowly devoured all 3, I did my best to melt each one slowly in my mouth to make that feeling of late night chocolate last longer. Mission accomplished I know don’t have any chocolate left in my room, now I have to actually walk downstairs to get a bite. This will allow me to become more active as stairs are a good way to get some cardio in.

3. Read More Books

I really want to read more books. I have a bad case of staring at my phone too much, looking up useless information and causing endless google searches which amount in a whole lot of wasted time. I want to delve into more books which are sitting in my box just waiting for me to take me out of myself and transport me to another world. That is the power of books and I am so grateful when I find a good book as it is such a great escape from reality.

These are my TOP 3 GOALS……….. What are yours for the 2019 Year ahead?

Talk soon,

Nancy

2019 Goals for the New Year

Be Kind to Each Other The World Needs It!

December 20, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

The busy holiday season is upon us with just one week before Christmas Day. Lunch hour came and went however the memory of what made the day still lingers. Much can be accomplished on a one hour lunch break, thoughts of going for lunch with friends, last minute shopping or a walk around Riverside Park in the sunshine.

Choosing the latter option was a great chance to stretch the legs and clear the mind with a little time in nature. A favorite path at Riverside Park which has been referred to the, “Bridge to Bridge walk”. The walk started from the East side of the Speed River walking trail accessed from the Speedvale Ave. Bridge towards the Woodlawn Bridge. As the footsteps rounded the pathway just meters from the low lying woods near the Woodlawn Bridge, there it was glittering in the sunlight.

The beautifully decorated 3.5 ft. small pine tree was easy to spot just to the left of the path. Tiny red bows, a set of battery operated colorful lights, and a few ornaments adorned this tree in the woods. Underneath the tree lay a few presents marked with a Christmas tag which read, “To: You, From: Secret Santa” A card dangled on the tree in a plastic sleeve marked, “PLEASE READ ME!”

Looking around to see if anyone else was around besides the birds flying above. Nostalgic feelings of past Christmas’s were brought up which brought a smile. The card read, “Season’s Greetings to EVERYONE WHO READS THIS…..” It spoke about random acts of kindness and Christmas being a time of giving. “If you receive a gift, please enjoy it and consider doing a little something to pay it forward. I hope it brings delight to all who notice it.”

The world can be such a very busy place, Thank you to the kind soul who took the time to leave this very thoughtful message. “Be as Kind as you can as the world needs it!” This certainly made the day and helped to restore joy in the holiday season. Hopefully many will benefit from this beautiful Act of Kindness!

Talk soon,

Nancy

In Conversation With Santee Smith

November 8, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

The River Run was very lucky to have an Internationally recognized Indigenous performing arts leader Santee Smith to launch the new, Miijidaa Life Stories speakers series. Entering the Cooperators Hall you could sense it would be an intimate evening filled with insight into the life of a creative soul.

The stage was set with beautiful costumes and 2 chairs one which was guest, Santee Smith and the other was taken by host, Cameron Smillie who wears many hats in both the corporate and the performing arts world. The night began with host asking Santee a few questions about the very beginnings of her life. Here is a link to one of her past performances, https://ca.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcasa&p=santee+smith+performances#id=1&vid=dc32e16c556d47d42d02114c9a408845&action=view.

Santee shared with the audience that she is from the Turtle Clan, Six Nations of the Grand River, Haldimand Treaty territory. She shared with us that she is a proud Mother to a 20-year-old daughter who is currently studying at the University, and like most parents could not believe where the time went.

It was hard to imagine what the early years of life were like for the beautiful women who took centre stage. She had endured much hardship in the early years and mentioned many of the events she did not remember. At age 3 she had endured the first of three accidents which left a major impression on the life of such a young soul.

At the young age of just 3 years old she was run over in a car by her Grandmother. She endured many injuries and was hospitalized for over 3 months and many weeks of rehabilitation to learn to walk again. Then recovering from this injury she was riding on a bicycle with her father who was at the time a carefree 20 something year old riding down a hill with his baby girl strapped on the back of his bike with a homemade carrier and by the time they had made it down to the bottom she had somehow fallen off the bike with her ankle caught in the spokes of the wheel facing the opposite direction.

With three accidents at the age of just 3 years old she needed to regain strength and with her dancing ability at such a young age she began her journey of entering the world of ballet. She shared with the audience that thru her natural talents and her dedication she was accepted in the National Ballet School at age 11. So at that preadolescent age she left home and studied. Her close-knit family would call her and tell her she, “She could come home at any time, that they would just come and pick her up”. However by the end of the call she shares she would feel better and carry on with her love and passion of the dance world.

Dance and the performing arts was Santee’s whole world and left little for much else. She finally became disillusioned with the dance world, and left at Grade 11 to explore other options. She didn’t realize there was another world outside of dance until she began exploring what every other young women at the age explores, which she giggled and said “included a few parties along the way!”

She ended up going back to school and entered University and gained a degree in Kinesiology and thought she would work a physical therapist until she entered the profession and realized it was not for her. Her love of psychology that she minored in allowed for more schooling and she eventually realized that she wanted to return back to the performing arts.

We watched 3 short films which showcased a few of Santee’s work. The audience could gain a better insight into the creative force who sat in front of us, with the host describing how Santee’s ability to process the start and finish of each production with all of the elements such as idea, dance, choreograph, design, execution many times are the sole work of the multi talented artist.

When asked what is next by host you could tell that may take a whole other evening of conversation with Santee to delve into her world and share her vision for the future of her arts, including the Kawa:wi Dance Theatre which has served as a vehicle for Smith’s practice for than a decade. She founded the theatre in 2005, Kaha:wi means “to carry” in Mohawk.

She was available for a VIP experience of post show Meet & Greet which took place in the Sleeman Atrium. Here is a link with some of her students at her performing arts centre, https://ca.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcasa&p=santee+smith+performances#id=5&vid=921d0693d8a508735bff8388abea67f5&action=view

I look forward to more performances at the River Run Centre, here is a listing of upcoming “WHAT”S ON”, http://riverrun.ca/events/whats-on/?event_search=&event_month=&event_category=river-run-presents

Talk soon ~

Nancy

Jason Raso “Funktet”

October 27, 2018 by nancy

I attended my first Jason Raso performance last night, and I can tell you it will not be my last. What a wonderful intimate evening with local Guelphite Bassist, Jason and his “Funktet”, http://riverrun.ca/whats-on/the-jason-raso-funktet/. They kicked off the Borealis Music Series at the River Run Centre last night to a full house of Jazz loving attendees.

My daughter Meaghan who was my date for the evening, is in grade 7 and just starting her musical journey. She chose the trumpet as an instrument to play in her music class. She was watching the 6 piece band playing and I knew she had her eye on the trumpet when she nudged me and whispered, “Mom could I get my own mouthpiece?” I gave her a hug and whispered back, “of course Meaghan!”, being that I played trumpet in the high school band I knew the importance of having something of your own in the musical instrument world. I secretly can’t wait for her to come home for the first time carrying thru the door her school loaner trumpet for the weekend.

Jason the bassist lead guitar player and his band, include a trumpet, keyboard, guitar, saxophone, and a drummer. They began their first set with the spotlight on the trumpet soloist. Band leader, Jason Raso began strumming along, slowly introducing all of the 6 piece “Funktet”. I had always wanted to attend one of Jason’s performance’s. He has been performing for crowds for over two decades and is very well-respected within the local community and is a very busy professional playing worldwide. Check out his website here, https://www.jasonrasomusic.com/.

Memories of my first live Jazz performances came flooding back during the night. My first real introduction to live Jazz was in Montreal nightclub, I will never forget the first time I sat and listened to a bluesy live jazz performer in a smokey club in Montreal. My mother’s love of Diana Washington & Ella Fitzgerald playing loudly in the background of my youth also helped to in grain the love of Jazz.

One of my favorite songs of the night titled Eviction, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DET6ZZf3NoY . He shared with the audience his inspiration for the writing of the song came from a photo he saw of a beautiful shiny expensive guitar sitting in a room of what looked to be someone who was down on their luck.

During this song I had visualized a troubled soul who had to choose to sell their instrument at a pawn shop just to survive. This image along with the haunting sounds of the band conjured up feelings of loss and sadness of long forgotten dreams. Oh, the power of music to paint such a vivid portrait of the human condition.

Later in the evening he dedicated a song to his father. Pointing him out in the audience he joked that the last time he had done that his father had excused himself to the facilities, the audience roared. These comments and others felt like you were part of his family and maybe sitting in his living room watching the live performance, which I am sure many of the attendees in this cozy venue would agree upon. If you ever get a chance to attend or listen to his music I highly recommend that you do so.

Talk soon,

Nancy

5 Reason’s We Need Little Breaks

October 21, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

Lets face it, this life can get really busy at times. Being a Mom to young children can get really crazy at times, busing the kids around to their various activities, packing the lunches, bathing them, washing the clothes, making the meals, shopping. Oh my, I didn’t realize how glamorous all of the motherhood duties sounded until I wrote them down.

I don’t know if you are like me? Sometimes I have to admit, I am not always excited about making their lunches day in day out, or sitting in a cold arena watching my son’s hockey game, as I hear other parents screaming at their kids to do better.

I have to admit I like to daydream of far away places at times, and think of perhaps the last time I treated myself to vacation or a girls night away. OK maybe I do indulge in a few girls night’s away. I must say I am rather lucky to have a wonderful support system for my kiddies. I know lots of women with or without children, who could certainly use a much-needed break from the everyday demands of living in this fast paced world.

Don’t get me wrong, I am in love with my 2 little people, and I LOVE THEM TO THE MOON AND BACK! But being an older Mom, I truly appreciate “little breaks” and some time off from my duties to recharge and relax a bit.

Here are 5 reasons we all need a little bit of a BREAK.

1. Recharge your Batteries

2. Perspective

3. Gratitude

4. Take Care of Yourself

5. Have Fun

These are my top 5 reasons why a little break from the ordinary is needed. What are your 5 tips for taking a break from reality, I would love to hear your tips. Stay tuned I am in the process of creating some cool excursions to help busy people like yourself take a little break, and have a little FUN!

NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST

Talk soon ~

Nancy

Cirque Eloize Saloon

October 15, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

The performance of the Cirque Eloize Saloon was riveting for all in the audience who were lucky enough to attend a sold out performance at the River Run Centre in our Royal City. The theatrical musical acrobatic play began with the sound of a train coming into town with just the sight of a headlight in the darkness, centre stage was a cowboy hat western musician playing the banjo. It certainly set the tone of a good ol Western frontier with all of the elements you would expect a saloon, train, horses and unlike a lot of Westerns an amazing cast of acrobatic performances who’s performance left you on the edge of your seat.

The Montreal based Cirque Eloize has been entertaining crowds since 1993. The inspiration for this award-winning leading contemporary circus is lead by ringleader Jeannot Painchaud, who is President and CEO of this amazing group of over 100 individuals who make up this talented touring show. Mr. Painchaud said in an interview once, “I got into the circus because I used to dream of traveling the entire globe. It’s the most accessible, most beautiful way that I’ve found to do it.”

Watching the audiences reactions I noticed a middle-aged man in front of me, who had a smile and an almost child like grin on his face the entire time during the performance. This was the magic of the 90 minute performance it transported you to another world, the Wild West Circus world!

My 12-year-old daughter belongs to the Centre Wellington Children’s Drama Club, performed a play called the Great Canadian WEastern last year and she shared with me this brought back memories of her Western play. She nudged me on a few occasions and commented, “Wow, they must really trust each other”, as the amazing artists displayed impressive strength and agility when they performed the many acts.

We watched a performer twirling inside a Cyr wheel, which was invented by co-founder of the Cirque Eloize and graduate of the Montreal’s National Circus School. I cannot imagine the sheer strength & many hours of perfecting their trade it takes to maneuver the many moves they did, with the Arial straps, Chinese Pole, wooden planks and juggling.

My girlfriend who attended the performance with me said one of her favorite parts was the slow motion reverse and forward which was all in perfect timing during their saloon fight scene. The performance included much of the Canadian history of building the railroad, gold rush, infused with lots of humor and don’t forget every Western needs a good romance too. The entire show included live music with banjo, fiddle, guitar, piano and amazing vocals.

This performance is the first of The Wooly Pub Family Series, check out the River Run Centre for a full list of all of the performances taking place this 2018-2019 season, http://riverrun.ca/.

Talk soon ~

Nancy

Fergus Highland Games

August 12, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

This community is so amazing there is just always something going on! Centre Wellington was once again hosting the Annual Fergus Highland Games this August weekend. I had the privilege of attending the opening ceremonies on the Friday evening.

Ahhhh… the sound of those bag pipes, it was truly soul-stirring and when the Tattoo began, my heart seemed to have skipped a beat. I found myself getting rather emotional, almost in tears which surprised me, however I don’t think I was alone in my thoughts as I looked around everyone was standing still and appeared to be just as in awe as I was.

I had the honour of meeting and chatting with Graham McTavish, the Scottish Actor who portrays Dougal MacKenzie in the popular Outlander series. Check out my chat with him on my FB social media, https://www.facebook.com/wanderingwellingtoncounty/?hc_ref=ARQNbIui3YV67rLi_OYe7MeqChO8gLxPQwWHonNU2InD-bhxNFeaiHNgHhgw6PeBSig

Last year when I attended the Fergus Highland Games I had the opportunity to meet the popular author of the Outlander series who was a special guest, http://www.dianagabaldon.co m/ Diana Gabaldon. She was full of grace, elegance and appeared humble amidst her immense popularity. Meeting both of these two talented public figures I believe is definitely the universe’s way of sending a message; it is time to dust off the book I had purchased at last years event and delve into another world.

Another bonus of attending the Festival, is of course learning more about the culture and customs of different countries. When one of the speakers shared some of his insight into the various clans in attendance, it is like I had a light bulb moment! I am rather embarrassed to admit this, however I had never seemed to fully comprehend the meaning of the Scottish Clans. He explained it in a way I finally could understand a little more about this interesting culture. Clans as I understood it for the first time in the Scottish context is another word for family. If you are like me and need to understand a little more about the definition of the word, here is the Wikipedia definition below.

A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship^[1] and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clan members may be organized around a founding member or apical ancestor. Clans in indigenous societies tend to be exogamous, meaning that their members cannot marry one another. Clans proceeded more centralized forms of community organization and government, and exist in every country. Members may identify with a coat of arms or other symbol to show they are an independent clan. The kinship-based bonds may also have a symbolic ancestor, whereby the clan shares a “stipulated” common ancestor that is a symbol of the clan’s unity. When this “ancestor” is non-human, it is referred to as a totem, which is frequently an animal.

The word clan is derived from the Gaelic clann^[1] meaning “children” or “progeny”; it is not from the word for “family” in either Irish^[2]^[3] or Scottish Gaelic. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word was introduced into English in around 1425, as a label for the nature of the society of the Scottish Highlands

As I sat at a table with people watching the Tattoo, I felt more welcomed as the night was nearing its end. Perhaps this is a glimpse into what the Scottish call a Clan, as it felt like we were part of a family.

As I have learned this life, there are various types of family, not always blood. What ever you call it, I love my “CLAN”. You know who I am talking about, “those people who get you!”, “they have your back, they fight for you, they cry with you, they are family, they are your clan!”

Sláinte or until we meet again!

Talk soon,

Nancy

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

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

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