Hello blog friends! How are you doing? I hope all is well with you. Forrest Gump’s expression “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get” came to my mind this week. If we were having coffee or tea, I’d share what made me smile and feel positive since my Trumpeter swan sightings last week.
It’s also time for the fourth Wellness Weekend link-up in 2020. The optional prompt is Water Sports. I hope you join me and my blogger friend, Leslie, to share what helps you stay healthy these days.
Family and Friends
I did my round of calls, email, and texts to my family, friends, and neighbours. Everyone has a story and I’m listening. Sharing our thoughts and updates was like sharing a box of chocolates. We were able to make each other smile or laugh out loud. I feel grateful that I’m with a group of optimistic people and everyone is well so far.
Family members and friends who are working shared their experience of working from home or how their employers arranged for physical distancing in the workplace. My nieces and nephews who are students shared their online learning experience and social life while schools are still closed. Friends who care for elderly parents shared how they’re managing it. My neighbours shared their early “senior hour” shopping experience.
Health
I’ve been diligent about my fitness routine to keep me emotionally, mentally, and physically healthy. Here’s what I do to stay calm and feel positive:
- Daily meditation, 15 minutes/ day.
- Deep breathing at meditation, yoga, bedtime, or any time.
- Outdoor walks with physical distancing 5-6x/ week, one hour each time.
- Strengthening workouts 3x/ week, one hour each time.
- Yoga 3x/ week, one hour each time.
My outdoor walks are like a box of decadent chocolates. I love my time by the lake where I see open space, hear the sounds of water and bird life, and feel what the weather brings. The birds and waterfowl are very active. Their antics and conversations made me smile.
Nature
Nature continues to show her best in spring time and delight me with her transformation from one day to the next. Daffodils and tulips started to bloom this week, adding more colours to the existing crocuses and hyacinths. I feel grateful to be able to walk outdoors with my senses all engaged.
Oh, I spotted a bunny in a bush. S/he moved slowly around for a while before hopping away. I live near the centre of the busiest city in Canada so seeing bunny in the wild is a rare sighting that made me smile. I usually see them in the suburbs or more rural areas.
Shopping
Grocery shopping has been like a box of chocolates. The grocery stores continue to tweak their directional signs, the queue location, and in-store procedures so every trip is a mini-adventure. The stock inventories are inconsistent. I never know what I’m going to bring home with me.
Example: No long grain rice from Thailand? Buy Basmati rice from India. I’ve never had such a colourful rice bag with a zippered top before. Now I own one. The rice was good, and I have two rice brands to choose in the future. I feel grateful to be home in my familiar surroundings while having opportunities to try food products from faraway places.
Water Sports
Being close to one of the Great Lakes means I’m close to popular outdoor water sports such as canoeing, kayaking, sailing, power boating, and stand-up paddling. The season usually starts in May and ends in late September.
The bright colours of the canoes and kayaks made me smile. They look like cheerful chocolate wrappings. Even though it’s still chilly to be out in the lake at this time of the year, the canoes and kayaks lying in the sun are like a promise of the summer fun to come. Something to look forward to.
How did your week go? What helps you stay healthy? I’d love to hear your comments.
Click here to join the Wellness Weekend link up and share your wellness updates.
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Natalie the Explorer 
The rice bag is so cool!
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That was my first colourful rice bag 🙂
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I love your rice bag! I’ve never seen one like that… it even has handles… wow!
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It has a zipper in addition to the handles and the usual thread sewn across the bag. I’ve never seen one like it until I bought it.
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The bright colors of the canoes and kayaks made me smile too, Natalie. So did the beautiful flowers! Like yourself, I’m staying very busy and enjoying spring. Thanks for sharing!
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Glad to hear you’re enjoying spring, Jill. I’m sure your writing keeps you busy all the time, in addition to everything else. Thank you for stopping by. I enjoy reading your #wouldyourather series.
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Love all your photos! Such beautiful flowers! ❤️
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So glad you liked my photos. The flowers look gorgeous in the gardens this week. Thank you, Diana, for stopping by.
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HI, Natalie – Gia Indian Basmati Rice is my absolute favourite. It is my usual ‘go to’ rice brand.
I recently ran out of my extra-large bag and have been stuck with emergency Minute Rice.
Horrors, I kmow!
Hope you are well!
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You’re my rice connoisseur, Donna. I never knew about Gia Indian Basmati Rice until I picked up my first bag. Minute Rice? It’s a real emergency 🙂 I’m well, thank you. Hope you’re well and enjoying the company of a Great Dane.
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So much to smile about. I know that I’ve said it before but I’m in awe at your commitment and balance. I know that I should be mixing my walks up with some strength work and she yoga but, well, it just doesn’t happen. I am, however, loving being outside so much at the moment – while the days are still warm the humidity has all gone and the evenings are blessedly cooler.
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Jo, From what I read on your blog, I think you have a full workload so it’s terrific that you make time for your regular walks. I’d be outside as much as possible during nice weather with low humidity, too.
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Despite of our battle for life with the corona virus, nature is still giving us signs of hopes. Flowers blooming are a good sign that we still got hope. Let us hold on to it until the end. That is what will keep us alive.
By the way, I am new in blogging and I just recently, I made a challenge to myself. I will be visiting at least 10 blogs a day for the next 21 days— (I am not on Day 10). I hope you can support me on this by visiting my blog. I have put your blog link on mine as well.
I followed your blog too.
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Thank you, Vanessa, for your visit and comment. I’ll visit your blog shortly. Thank you also for following and putting my blog link on your site. All the best with your blogging journey. It’s been fun for me.
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That lake looks like a beautiful place to walk. I definitely feel like our market trips are always an adventure. I’ve been telling my boys to think of the grocery list as more of a wishlist but I was pleasantly surprised to find everything this week. It is always a learning curve with the ever changing regulations.
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Hi Joanne, I’m glad you were able to find everything on your grocery list. It takes a lot of efforts to shop, prepare, and cook for a family, especially with teenager boys. Thank you for linking up on this Wellness Weekend with me and Leslie. I know it’s unsettling time and people may or may not feel like blogging or linking up.
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I love seeing the daffodils that are blooming everywhere. I haven’t seen tulips yet but I don’t think it will be long now.
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The daffodils and tulips are instant mood lifters. I started seeing forsythia this week. Thank you for stopping by Colline. I hope you have a relaxing weekend and the week ahead.
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You are blessed living by a Great Lake. There’s many small lakes near me, the two closest ones within walking distance, and I love walking along the shores. We usually take a walk along one of them every day. It certainly helps keep me sane. We have a favourite bench where we sit down and listen to the sounds. It is very peaceful. Thank you fro appreciating all the little things. They make a big difference. Thank you!
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I’m grateful to live close to one of the Great Lakes. Like you, I find walking along the shores and listening to the sounds very peaceful. Thank you, Maria, for sharing a glimpse of your week in Sweden. I greatly appreciate it.
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I love that rice bag! Good for you for sticking to a fitness routine during the crisis. I have been running more often, maybe to make up for the fact that my gym is closed and I can’t swim. I started doing a 21-day yoga challenge too, which I really like. The yoga is yin, very relaxing with good stretches, and the videos are only 10 – 15 minutes daily. It’s my kind of challenge! 🙂
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Good for you for keeping fit with your running and yoga. It’s a good combo. I find the fitness routine keeps me calm, feel positive and sleep well so I’m diligent about doing it. There are so many free online fitness and yoga videos that one can try, too. Thank you, Laurie, for linking up with me on this Wellness Weekend. Have a relaxing Sunday!
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Your week sounds busy and colorful! Thank you for sharing your lovely photos. They made me smile too. Even though I live in the middle of a suburban town, our yard is constantly filled with squirrels, birds and bunnies. In fact I’m pretty sure that a family of rabbits is living beneath our back deck! We so enjoy watching their antics especially now that we are trapped at home all day. We do take walks each day, like you and I too enjoy my yoga. It relieved the many kinks that come from getting older! Have a safe week and thanks for the “coffee!”
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Thank you, Nancy, for your visit and comment. Walking and yoga are so good for our mind and body. I’m glad you’re doing both, too. I see a lot of birds and squirrels where I live but not bunnies. Stay safe and well!
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Are you able to kayak? That would be a great way to lift mood and exercise. Not sure if it’s allowed tho at the moment here..
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I saw two people kayaked to go across the inner harbour a few days ago. This is one of the Great Lakes so it’s very deep and the water is still cold and can get choppy at this time of the year. Even though kayaking is not explicitly prohibited atm, people are advised not to go the cottage in case they need emergency assistance.
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Yes, We have this weird exemption for fishing. It’s very confusion what people can and can’t do here. #MLSTL
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It’s been cooler than normal here so few people go or stay outside, which makes my outdoor walks very relaxing. I hope it also stays quiet in May while we’re under stay-at-home orders.
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So many smiles in this post Natalie. Especially the gorgeous flowers and the bunny. Good to hear you sounding so positive in difficult times #MLSTL Sharing
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Hi Jennifer, Nature in spring is amazing. I so enjoy my walks outdoors these days. They keep me in good spirits. I just left a comment on your Next Phase in Fitness blog. I hope you got it as I had issues leaving comments there a few times before.
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I miss being able to go for a walk – hoping my foot continues to heal so I can take a walk by the beach again soon.
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Hi Vanessa, Wishing you good healing of your foot so you can walk to the beach. Take care and thank you for stopping by.
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I love the word diligent and it sums you up perfectly! Good on you for sticking with your exercise gaols and I love those tulips! #lifethisweek
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Hi Deb, Staying healthy is always important and even more so in a pandemic. The tulips in my neighbourhood are beautiful this week. I’m glad you liked them. Have a wonderful week and thank you for stopping by.
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Yes I’m staying active as much as I can Natalie and I’m actually more social than before with scheduled exercise sessions with family everyday. #mlstl
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That’s awesome for you and your family to exercise and connect with each other every day.
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That’s a good way to describe the shopping! It’s playing haywire with my thinking. I think we are lucky that we are coming into the sunshine and spring season to pull us through this lockdown.
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The spring season certainly helps me. The sunshine, warmer temperatures, flowers, and birds are good for our spirits. I hope you’re doing well. Thank you for stopping by.
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I am diligent about my 10,000 steps and having an active puppy to walk with definitely helps! I’ve started doing some zoom strenght classes with my trainer and it’s so much fun. And I hear you on the supermarket visits, these days it’s like a lucky dip, I never know what I’m going to find!
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Good for you for taking care of your health and your puppy. That’s what we can do and it keeps us in good spirits. Thank you, Sammie, for stopping by. Have a wonderful week!
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I figured this was going to end up on the Weekly Smile 🙂 I hope to be able to get out on the kayak in the next week or two
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I think kayaking is a good activity to do while physical distancing. Thank you Trent for hosting the weekly smile. Have a wonderful week!
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Oh, darn! You tricked me- no chocolates! 😦 But lots of sensible advice and bright colours. Thanks, Natalie! Have a great week 🙂 🙂
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Hi Jo, I had a photo of assorted chocolates that I removed from this post, thinking everyone had enough chocolates after Easter 🙂 I love the photos from your walk and dream of the nice weather in the Algarve. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful week!
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How funny! 🙂 🙂 We do actually still have one bar of dark chocolate in the fridge, so all is not lost. Thanks, darlin!
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It looks like you are keeping yourself busy and healthy. I keep active by walking the dog which is about the only thing we are allowed to do right now. Of course, I can do yoga at home, which I do. Take care and stay safe #SeniSal
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Hi Darlene, I know you’d also keep yourself active. I think of you and Georgina (Navasola Nature blogger) when I read the news about Spain. Stay safe and well!
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Hi Natalie, thanks for another uplifting post. We continue to adjust as the days pass. All shopping is now online, still cooking and eating too much, but doing a good job of offsetting with morning workouts. Still maintaining balance as best we can. Some signs of weariness beginning to set in. But we are healthy and managing day by day. Much to be grateful for. Take care.
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Hi Suzanne, I agree with you that we have much to be grateful for. I know you’re very good at maintaining balance. I just did a two-hour walk by the lake as it’s a cool and sunny day today. I had planned to walk one hour but got carried away by the beautiful scenery and photo opportunities 🙂 Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful week!
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Hi Natalie, It helps to be around optimistic people. And great how everyone is well. The pop of colour with the tulips made me smile. You bring up a good point about keeping all of our senses engaged. And to actually see the Easter Bunny…..what luck! My week: A roller coaster of emotions not seeing the children, yet always count my blessings. Stay well. You are a bright part of my week.🙂
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Hi Erica/ Erika, I’m sorry to hear you had a roller coaster week of emotions, missing your children and grandchildren. I read in the news that BC is doing well flattening the curve so hopefully you’ll be able to see them in person soon. I do try to keep all my senses engaged when I’m outside. One is to savour everything that nature offers, and two it definitely keeps me focused on something positive. Warm hugs to you.
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Hi, my name is crystal and my Cat’s name is Daisy Mae. I come to visit you via Esme’s Senior Salon. I love your pictures. Are those Crocuses in the one picture? I have flowers like that but don’t know what kind they are. I think they are Crocuses and seeing your flowers I have the same kind. Please let me know.
I hope you and your family stay safe and healthy.
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Thank you, Crystal, for your visit and comment. Yes, the flowers in the first photo are crocuses. I see some crocuses in deep purple, too.
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Hi Natalie just popping in again to say hello from #MLSTL. I have a bit more time available now so will link up to Wellness Weekend next time
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Hi Jennifer, It’s fantastic if you can join in May. I know you take good care of your health and can share your experience with us. The next Wellness Weekend link up is on May 17. The optional prompt is Commitment.
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Such a cool rice bag. We are surviving this. I missing going to A’s games but it is what it is these days.
Beautiful pics and sounds like that you are doing well and healthy. Keep it that way.
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Hang in there, Patrick. This too shall pass. Stay safe and healthy. Thank you for stopping by.
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Natalie, Forrest Gump, was indeed a brilliant film. I loved seeing it more than once. The tulips are a gorgeous colour, and the rice bag is so much better than the plastic.
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Yes to all your points, Suzanne. I can reuse the rice bag, another win! Hope you and the Squire are doing well. Thank you for stopping by.
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We are both well, thanks Natalie. Keep healthy too and keep enjoying all those spring flowers.
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Great to hear you’re both well Suzanne. I do my best to stay healthy and enjoy the spring flowers 🙂
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You are doing well 🙂
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Thanks for sharing these wonderful images of your ‘box of chocolates’!
It’s delightful to see you over at ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!
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Glad you liked my photos Betty. Have a wonderful week!
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Hi Natalie – loved your upbeat and positive post. A lot of this time in lockdown is about choosing our attitude and not letting the restrictions turn us into sad or bitter people. You are certainly ticking all the boxes still and your photos were lovely.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 😊
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Thank you, Leanne, for hosting MLSTL and your kind comment. I feel grateful for what I have and try to make the best out of each day.
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I love your description of the colorful kayaks like cheerful chocolate wrappings. I share your love of the water, I am a beach girl after all. Blessings, Michele
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Water and chocolates, what not to love 🙂 Thank you, Michele, for your visit and comment. You live in a very scenic area.
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A lovely colourful and oh-so interesting catch up. Yes, to the shopping and the ‘lucky dip’ or not of what you might buy. Our supermarkets are beginning to be much better supplied now but, strangely or not, flour to cook with is very popular and rarely any there! We are all doing more cooking now it seems!
Thanks for linking up for Life This Week. Next week, the optional prompt is 17/51 Life Stories#1 27.4.2020. Hope to see you there too. Denyse.
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Thank you, Denyse, for hosting LTW. Buying substitutes that I’ve never bought before and they turn out good makes me smile. Here we have a small supply of flour but no yeast in sight.
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What a lovely place to walk! Love the pretty flowers.
Happy Weds, Natalie!
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Happy Wednesday, Veronica! Glad you liked my photos. The spring flowers are lovely this month.
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The rice bag made me smile. Even though I’m from India and our rice comes in colourful bags, I haven’t seen one quite as fancy as the one you got.
Thanks for sharing all those lovely pictures of Nature. I’ve not been carrying my phone on my walks and besides since it’s summer here, it’s rather dry. Your pictures brightened my day.
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Hi Corinne, It’s a very nice rice bag, not only colourful but also with a zipper across the top of the bag and handles. We’ve had some rain this spring so the trees and flowers look happy. I’m glad my photos brightened your day. How are you doing in India? Have a wonderful week!
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I love your rice bag. We have mainly basmati rice but it comes in plain packaging without a zipper. I would love your lake walk as well.
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Thank you, Anne, for your comment. It’s the first colourful and zippered rice bag that I have. The walk by the lake is truly wonderful at this time of the year. It keeps me in good spirits. Hope you and your family are keeping well.
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Great photo of the kayaks, Natalie!
I’ve been keeping healthy with some audio fitness classes and walks in the park with my son.
SSG xxx
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Sounds like you’ve got a very good plan. Thanks, SSG, for stopping by.
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As I write this, we have the pool heating so it can be cleaned tomorrow and then we can begin to swim. Can’t afford to keep the heater on indefinitely but at least it will be toasty and comfortable for our first dip of the season.
How lovely to see a bunny and the rainbow colored boats and tulips preparing to bloom on your walks. We have really enjoyed walking, too. Discovered an abandoned and deteriorating air strip in the desert near our home. Not quite the same as your discoveries but interesting!
#WW2020….we still have 7 months!!
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Swimming in your own pool sounds luxurious. An abandoned air strip may have interesting history. Thank you, Leslie, for linking up with me on this Wellness Weekend. Stay safe and healthy!
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Hi Natalie, sorry I missed the link up last Sunday. It was our wedding anniversary and I’ve been quite busy with my course so not posting as often. I enjoyed reading your thoughts and what I’ve noticed during the last few weeks is the emergence of nature again. Butterflies are everywhere, the skies are clearest blue, the ocean is clear and the flowers are blooming. I loved the photo of the tulips and daffodils always make me think of my Mum. Thanks so much for linking up with us at #MLSTL and have a lovely weekend. xx
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Happy anniversary, Sue! I hope your course is going well. Nature has been amazing and yes, there are more wildlife sightings. Thank you for hosting MLSTL. Have a beautiful week!
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Thanks Natalie 22 years! I am on track to finish my course end of May so have been using my time in isolation to power through the assignments. Enjoy your week and adventures xx
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Hi Sue, 22 years is a huge accomplishment! Here’s to 22+ more years of happiness. All the best with your course. I know you’ll finish it with distinction.
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Your photos make me smile, Natalie. The bright colors are so cheery–even your rice bag. I’m happy you are able to get outdoors. I hear in some densely populated areas, you can’t be out walking around. We can get out as well, and it makes such a difference to my mood. When I see the spring flowers and trees budding and I hear the birds, it makes me feel hopeful. As far as staying healthy, I am doing some form of exercise most days (at least five times a week), but the intensity is down from what I was doing pre-pandemic. I have been focusing on eating a variety of produce each day and, of course, drinking plenty of water. My daily meditation has actually improved. It’s my lifesaver! Take care and stay safe! Thanks for sharing your “box of chocolates” from the week.
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Hi Christie, You’re doing all the right things to stay healthy. Signs of spring give us hope for sure. Where I live we can go outside to exercise (not to socialize) or for essential reasons. The city has been empty since all non-essential businesses have been closed and most office workers have been working from home. Thank you for stopping by. Stay safe and well!
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I LOVE this! I am sad to say I let my walking slip away, but just this morning I said to my husband, “It’s such a beautiful day I think I’ll go to the park and walk.” I haven’t been there since last fall, just before I fell and broke my finger. Such an excuse I have not to walk! LOL You are right, if I start up again I’ll feel much better about all of this. Thank you for sharing! Oh…and if I could see the lake, that would be something. Maybe soon we’ll be free and I can drive over there. I am 4 hours away from the other side of Lake Michigan from where I presume you are!
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Hi Dawn, I hope you go for a walk if it’s allowed in your area. Nature and mobility strengthen our immune system and lift our spirits. I’m by Lake Ontario. I’m glad you liked my post. Thank you for your comment. Have a nice day!
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I love the rice bag, it’s certainly very colourful, and the crocuses and tulips look so vibrant 🙂
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Thank you, Eunice, for your comment. I’m so happy to be in Spring time when the colours start to show up everywhere. The rice bag is a winner. Hope the weather is also nice where you are.
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Those tulips are lovely. Ours will be blooming soon and for that I am thankful! Like you I am enjoying the daily walks!
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Thank you, Joseph, for your visit and comment. Spring is a great time to go for walks and observe new beginnings in nature. I hope you take photos of the tulips in your area and share on your blog.
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I will I do a daily walk post on my blog just about every day and I follow a blogger name to see who does a flower of the day post challenge.
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The bright colours of the photo of canoes and kayaks made me smile too!
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Yeah, that makes two of us. Be bold, be vibrant, be happy that’s what those colours say to me.
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I am an enthusiast of yoga, meditation and gentle exercise liek walking too! None of the hard aerobic workouts for me. Well done!
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Hi Amanda, There are lots of exercise choices that we can do to stay healthy. I’m glad you found your favourites.
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I have been into Yoga for more than 35 years. Some years I have had to stopfir a whole but I am drawn back to meditation and Yogs. I always do a few rounds of sun salutations every morning. Our body’s love to stretch.
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I found meditation and yoga very helpful, especially during these challenging times. A few rounds of deep breaths and sun salutations bring calmness and positivity. Namaste!
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Namaste!
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The tulips and crocuses are beautiful. We have a lot of wild bunnies and deer here, so it is hard to grow tulips. The deer and rabbits eat them. They don’t like daffodils of crocuses though.
Jude
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Hi Jude, Yes, I remember seeing bunnies next to my Airbnb house and deer at a nearby golf course in Parksville when I was there last September. The spring flowers are blossoming here and they all look beautiful.
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