Hello blog friends! How are you doing? I hope all is well with you. Last Sunday it was sunny here with the high temperature reached 21C (70F). Then during the week, it was cooler than normal which made my walks relaxing. Cooler weather and walking in non-peak hours mean less effort required to keep physical distancing from people.
Life This Week
If we were having coffee, I’d share that Ontario, my province, started allowing a few seasonal businesses to reopen on May 4. All other non-essential business closures continue so my mostly stay-at-home routine continues. Every day is full of simple pleasures that make me feel positive and grateful.
I take time to appreciate sunrise, deep breathing, quiet meditation, a bowl of warm oatmeal sprinkled with cinnamon for breakfast, ripe-just-right fruit, a good cup of coffee, OK two cups of coffee, birds chirping outside, cheerful spring flowers, lots of daylight, moving at my own pace, a walk to the lake, a hot lunch, getting things done, a cup of tea, hand clapping with neighbours for carers, dinner at home, sunset, relaxation, and rest.
Some of the things that I got done this week made me smile:
- Congratulated my nephew who graduated from university with honours this month and promptly accepted a very good full-time job offer in his field of study.
- Completed my daily meditation, 5 outdoor walks, 4 yoga sessions, and 3 workouts.
- Tried a dance workout on YouTube to spice up my fitness routine and had fun.
- Walked to the Toronto Music Garden and saw many beautiful spring flowers, including cherry blossoms and trillium.
- Did my grocery shopping in non-peak hours and got most items on my list.
Advice From A Tree
If we were having coffee, I’d share that the trees that I’ve seen on my walk this week inspired me to think about Ilan Shamir’s poem Advice From A Tree and the Tree pose in my yoga practice. I’m sharing the poem (text in italic) and some of my photos below:
Dear Friend,
Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter
Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!
I enjoy my walk so much. I always come home with a smile and feel renewed. Nature inspires me to think about the Advice From A Tree poem and the Tree pose in my yoga practice. If you practice yoga, you know the Tree pose requires and improves our focus, balance, and strength.
During these uncertain times, I choose to focus on the positives, work on finding a balance in my day, be flexible, and stay strong. Once in a while, when anxious thoughts occur, I take a few deep breaths and think about the trees. This week is another good week. Thank you for coming along with me. I hope you enjoy our virtual walk.
Wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day weekend!
How did your week go? What good things happened? I’d love to hear your comments.
Linking here.
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Natalie the Explorer 
Thanks for sharing Ilan Shamir’s poem…I love it! As usual, your photos are stunning, Natalie. Enjoy your weekend! ❤
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Thank you, Jill, for your kind comment. I’m glad you liked Shamir’s poem and my photos. Have a nice weekend!
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Beautiful blossoms on the tree. Are they apple or cherry blossoms?
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The cleft on the petals makes me think it’s a cherry blossom. We have a spring tradition to visit Toronto’s High Park and see the pink flowers on Sakura (cherry blossom) trees. The park is closed during the peak bloom due to COVID-19 pandemic for public safety reasons. The City set up 24-hour Bloom Cam so we can do virtual blossom viewing. The Sakura trees are blooming this week, just beautiful.
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Oh what a great idea for the city to set up a webam, so you can still see the cherry blossom. I had no idea that they bloomed in such spectacular fashion elsewhere. One always just thinks of this as being a Japanese phenomenon.
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We got the cherry blossom trees as gifts from the city of Tokyo. You can view the Toronto’s cherry blossoms at High Park virtual tours and Bloom Cam here : https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/cherry-blossoms/
Enjoy before the bloom period concludes!
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Oh great, I will take a look. Many thanks!!
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Natalie, beautiful poem and accompanying photographs. Simple pleasures….
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Thank you, Suzanne, for your comment. I greatly appreciate simple pleasures these days. I read the news in Florida and think about you. Hope you’re all well. Have a nice weekend!
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Thanks for the coffee and yes the poem is wonderful. Enjoyed the walks and all the BEAUTIFUL flowers this Spring has to offer. Wonderful photos and I hope you have a beautiful weekend. 😀❤️🥰
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Thank you, Diana, for your kind comment. The beautiful spring flowers lift our spirits, don’t they? I’m glad you liked the poem and my photos. Have a wonderful weekend!
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I absolutely LOVE the Spring flowers! I can’t seem to get enough of them as they make me smile and lift my spirits. So thankful for Spring! 🌹🌺🏵️🌻
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Same here, Diana. I like the soft colours of spring flowers. They’re such a welcoming sign after winter season when things are mostly grey or white.
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Wonderful post! Cheers.
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Thank you, John and Susan, for dropping by. Hope you’re well in Colombia.
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HI, Natalie – I love how your days begin and end by being grateful for Nature (sunrise and sunset). Your gratitutde is contagious. And, your photos are stunning!
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Thank you, Donna, for your kind comment. Every day is really a gift and flows well when we go with the natural rhythm.
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Hi Natalie, I do agree with you how the highlights of my day are the simple pleasures. Huge congratulations to your nephew! A beautiful poem and a perfect reminder.
Natalie, I have always enjoyed your photos. This week your pictures are extra stunning! Thank you for sharing a beautiful post and a wise philosophy ‘balance…flexible…stay strong.’
Have a great Mother’s Day weekend.xx
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Thank you, Erica/ Erika, for your kind comment. I think the light at this time of the year makes my photos look better. That’s my amateur diagnosis 🙂 I’m glad you liked them. Enjoy the weekend!
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I adore that poem – and the blossoms. Mostly I loved the simple philosophy through this post. Thank you.
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When the external world is chaotic and complicated, it helps to have a simple internal world 🙂 That’s one of my strategies to manage this pandemic time. Thank you, Jo, for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend!
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The poem is so lovely, and so is your positive, inspiring view of life. Best wishes for your weekend and coming week! Congratulations to your nephew!
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Thank you, Maria, for your warm wishes. Nature continues and I try to follow her cues 🙂
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❤
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Thank you for sharing that poem. I love it! And the reminder you’ve given us, especially at this time… to slow down and appreciate.
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Thank you, Pat, for your kind comment. Since we have an opportunity to slow down, we may as well take advantage of it. There are also lots of simple pleasures to appreciate every day. They make me feel better 🙂 Hope you’re doing well. Have a wonderful Sunday!
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Hi Natalie, I had not read that poem before and love trees. My wife likes to quip to others about me that, had I found a way to do so, I would have created an outdoor museum of trees. Now that I think about it, Ontario may already be that museum. Thanks for sharing both the poem and your photos. Wonderful.
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Gary, I’m glad you liked the poem and my photos. I hope you have a few of your favourite trees in your backyard. Thank you for stopping by.
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Just lovely!
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Thanks, Lydia, for your comment. I greatly appreciate it.
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And #MLSTL. I love those tulips!!
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I have more tulips to share 🙂 They’re really gorgeous here at this time of the year. Thank you, Lydia, for stopping by. Have a great week!
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What beautiful and much needed advice for this time. And it came from a tree! Brilliant!
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Thank you, Antoinette, for your comment. The trees are beautiful at this time of the year and the poem is a nice reminder.
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That poem is just perfect Natalie! I always love your positive take on things and those spring blossoms are looking fabulous! Lovely photos #lifethisweek
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Thank you, Deb, for your comment. Hope you’re doing well in Australia. Simple pleasures are comforting and nature is inspiring me 🙂
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Yes I agree Natalie, it’s simple pleasures all the way for me too! #mlstl
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What a beautiful poem! ‘Embrace with joy the changing seasons…’ a reminder that times will change and the sun will shine on us all again.
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Thank you, Pamela, for your visit and comment. Nature continues and yes, the sun will shine on us all again. I’ll visit your blog shortly.
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Who knew that trees gave such good advice? Remember your roots and be flexible – I need to remember that, along with reflect the light from a greater source. Lovely photos, Natalie!
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Thank you, Laurie, for your comment. I’m glad the trees reminded me of the poem and its wise words and that you liked my photos. Have a great week!
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Thanks for walking with me, Natalie! I especially enjoyed the cherry blossom videos that you shared for Amanda. What a special gift that is! And wonderful to have so much green space in a city. 🙂 🙂
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Hi Jo, The cherry blossom trees from Japan to Toronto are truly special and long lasting gifts. The City’s Forestry staff take such good care of them. I watched the Bloom Cam and admired the beautiful cherry blossoms from my comfy chair this spring. We do have lots of parks, gardens, and ravines in Toronto. High Park is about half the size of New York’s Central Park so it’s big.
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🤗💕
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The poem of the tree really says it all. Something we should all take on board. I needed that this morning. Thank you xx #SeniSal
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You’re welcome, Bree. We all need a gentle reminder from time to time. Thank you for stopping by. Have a good week!
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I loved that poem and as always your pictures are stunning! I must say I am really getting into my iso-groove and am finding so much to be grateful for. The weather here is getting cooler and I am enjoying the autumn sunshine – it’s great to get outside isn’t it?!
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Thank you, Sammie, for your kind comment. I’m glad you liked the poem and my photos. Being able to get outside helps me a lot during this lockdown time. Autumn is a beautiful month and ideal for walking. Enjoy your outings with Teddy!
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What a lovely poem. I agree that walking and generally spending time outside is restorative and brings so much joy. Now I just need to learn how to meditate!
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Thank you, Katerina, for your visit and comment. Meditation and deep breathing have a calming effect on me and I’m hooked to do them every day 🙂 I just popped over to see your blog. Your food photos and recipes look awesome. Have a wonderful week!
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Hi Natalie, what a beautiful post to start my Wednesday. I loved the poem and agree we can learn so much from trees and nature. The Tree pose in Yoga is one of my favourites also. I’ve been doing a 30 day Yoga Challenge with Adriene and feeling so good mentally and physically strong. Thank you for sharing at #MLSTL and I will share on SM. Have a beautiful week.
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Hi Sue, I’m glad you liked the poem and the Tree pose in yoga. Good for you to do the 30-day yoga challenge with Adriene. Her videos on YouTube have had a huge uptake during this pandemic. I love all the benefits that yoga brings when we practice it regularly. Have a wonderful week!
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What a wise tree and a lovely poem, thank you for sharing. Beautiful pictures too.
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Thank you, Michele, for your kind comment. I read the poem a long time ago and somehow the trees on my walk reminded me of it. I’m glad to share it and my photos on my blog.
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Very sweet and wonderful advice. Thanks for sharing it. #MLSTL
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Thank you, Patrick, for your comment. I greatly appreciate it.
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I love your positivity Natalie! And the feeling of reinvigoration you get from your walks and from nature. I’ve not been doing enough (ie. any) exercise or walking and I keep telling myself I will.
Having said that, this week my goal is just to do 5000 steps a day. I’m only on day 3 but managed it so far. Small steps…. (though not literally!)
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Hi Deb, Start small is the best strategy. Congratulate yourself each time you complete your goal. I started with simple goals and gradually increased them over time. I’m actually writing a post that touches on this for Sunday May 17. Have a wonderful week!
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A very busy week for you! I’m loving your spring flowers and the tree advice!
Your corner is beautiful this week! Thanks for sharing it at the ‘My Corner of the World’ link up.
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Thank you, Betty, for hosting MCoW and stopping by. I greatly appreciate it.
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I have been walking outdoors as well. I have been enjoying the daffodils and tulips. The leaves are just opening up here, and I love the bright green of new leaves. I was unfamiliar with the Advice From a Tree poem, it was lovely. Thanks for sharing that!
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Hi Michele, I’m glad you liked the poem and that you’ve been walking outdoors. Spring brings many new beginnings and nice changes in trees, plants, and animals. Have a wonderful week!
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Hi Natalie – isn’t it great that things are slowly moving forward again? They’re about to free up intra-state travel where I am and I’ll get to see the kids again – YAY! Congrats on your nephew’s uni results and new job – excellent work on his part. Loved the advice from a tree and your photos.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 😊
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Hi Leanne, It’s great news that soon you’ll be able to travel intra-state and see your kids again. In my province, we can travel from one town or city to another although people are advised to stay close to home and with the same family unit as much as possible. Thank you for hosting MLSTL and sharing. Have a wonderful week!
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Love the poem and gorgeous blossoms on the tree.
Beautiful post, Natalie!
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Thank you, Veronica, for your kind comment. I greatly appreciate it.
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beautiful trees in your parat of the world. We had spring budding but this morning it snows. Not fun at all.
Take care, stay safe.
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Thank you, Nature Footstep, for your comment. We had some flurries a couple of days ago but no snow accumulation. Hope you have a wonderful week this week.
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It’s nice to see you have managed to accomplish quite a few tasks.
Those trees are so lovely. How could they not be inspiring!
I have been locked-in like most people in the world, except for those occasional excursions to the neighbourhood provision store to get the essentials and for the morning walks.
Take care, and thanks for this lovely blog post. Felt so good reading it.
#MLSTL
My latest blog post: Mask shaming
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Thank you, Pradeep, for your visit and comment. I hope you have a nice place for your morning walks. Nature is inspiring when we look. I’ll visit your blog shortly. Have a wonderful week!
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Dear Natalie, Your post made my day. I’m so grateful to you and the glimpse of your beautiful spirit. I love nature and the poem rings true to me. Visiting at #MLSTL and wishing you a beautiful day. Will share on sm.
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Hi Nancy, I’m so glad you enjoyed my post and the poem. Your kind comment made my day. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful week!
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What a beautiful post Natalie! That poem gives me goosebumps – it’s beautiful! Love your photo’s especially the blossoms, and your gorgeous positive attitude is as inspiring as ever. Thanks for sharing some of your walk with us! xo
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Thank you, Min, for your kind comment. The cherry blossoms were beautiful at peak time. I was so happy to see them on my walk. Have a wonderful week!
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Glorious nature helps and teaches us so much. This was an uplifting post Natalie. Thank you! I am still watching Anne with an E and enjoying the seasons seen in such stark contrasts unlike those of where I live in Australia. The trees with no leaves standing strong are wanting me to draw them!!
Thanks so much for linking up for Life This Week. Next week, the optional prompt is 20/51 Share Your Snaps #4. 18.5.2020 and I look forward to catching you linking up there too. Warm wishes, Denyse.
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Thank you, Denyse, for your kind comment. Nature is an amazing and inspiring teacher. We have a lot of maple trees in my neighbourhood and their seasonal transformations are beautiful to see. I hope you draw the trees and share your drawings on your blog. Have a wonderful week!
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Beautiful poem and, yes, great photographs. Ain’t nature something! #MLSTL
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Thank you, Enda, for your kind comment. I’m glad you liked the poem and my photos. Walking outside in nature gives me ideas. I hope you and your family are doing well.
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Your gratitude infused routine will get you through these turbulent times. And you’ve inspired me with Shamir’s Advice From A Tree. Thank you for sharing this wisdom. I downloaded your article right before we set out for an internet free passage and am enjoying your words at anchor. I will post this when we sail past a tower.
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It’s great to hear from you, Lisa. I love how you describe the process of downloading and reading my blog as you sail and anchor. I read the poem a long time ago. Somehow the trees that I see on my walk connect my thoughts to the poem. Walking does that to our brain 🙂 I hope all’s well with you and the Captain. Stay safe and healthy. I look forward to your next journey updates.
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I love seeing all the flowers in bloom – it definitely brings a smile to my face 🙂
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Yes, the flowers that I’ve seen on my walks have been beautiful and make me feel great. Thank you, Colline, for stopping by.
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My week went pretty well, and here it is already Tuesday of the next week!!! We had snow last week for one day, and this week we have had 3 days of rain…much heavy rain and flooding nearby. Not so good, but it has now stopped and we may get 3 or 4 days of sunshine! I hope so! Love your trees.
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Hi Dawn, Time seems to fly. I watch the weather forecast and whenever it’s not windy or doesn’t rain heavily, I make sure to go outside. I hope you have some sunshine this week.
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Such beautiful trees. Glorious.
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Thank you, Leanne, for your comment. Have a great weekend!
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Natalie, I’m happy to see that Spring has arrived in Ontario, and am sure that everyone who has been staying at home is glad to have nice weather coinciding with the opening up. Our state (Kentucky) is in the process of a “staged opening,” which I know must eventually happen, but at the same time, I’m fearful of another spike in infections. Ultimately, I think that at-risk folks will have to be extra careful and take care of their own health until a vaccine is developed.
In the meantime, our trees are fully leafed out, and in fact, are picture perfect. In a few weeks the shade will be a welcome relief. Take care of yourself and keep enjoying your walks. ~James
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James, I’m thankful that the lockdown is in the spring when the weather is nice here. The long hours of daylight and nice trees and flowers make it easier to manage the pandemic-induced stress. My province has staged opening, too, just started Stage 1 and we still have infection spikes. Thank you for stopping by. Stay safe and healthy in Kentucky.
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