Hello and welcome to my blog! I’m glad you’re here. It’s week 21 in 2022 and I’m hosting Weekend Coffee Share linkup #71. Come on in for a coffee or tea and let’s chat.
May is almost over and we’ve had a few warm days that felt more like Summer than Spring. The last weekend of May is a good time for me to reflect on my 2022 focus on Health, Home and Leisure to live a healthy and enriched life. Here’s my monthly update.
Health
In May, I continued my indoor exercises (meditation, language lessons, strength training and yoga) and outdoor activities (cycling, walking and playing disc golf). I’ve been cycling more often and longer distance.
I also took many walks to enjoy sunny spring days and May flowers. They make my heart sing and delight me with their beauty, colours, scents, shapes, textures and varieties.
Home
Family: I took the regional GO train to visit my sister. We had a good time together. It was my first time taking public transit since the pandemic started. I traveled during non-peak time and had the clean and comfortable car to myself. Currently, mask is mandatory and hand sanitizer is provided on the GO trains.
Friends: I continued my Tour of Indie Cafés in downtown Toronto. In May, my friends joined me at Boxcar Social at Harbourfront and Café 23 on Queen Street West. Both locations are wonderful for a stroll before or after coffee.
Boxcar Social: Cool interior designs and nice outdoor patio overlooking the skating rink/ pond and Lake Ontario beyond that. Quick service, delicious cappuccino. They use Subtext coffee roasters. In the area where the skating rink usually is during the winter, there’s a huge mural on the ground by artist Amanda McCavour based on her “Spirograph” art, consisting of joyful, colourful, and circular images.
Café 23: Behind the simple exterior is a stylish, Parisian-style café with chandeliers, artworks, books, mirrors, reading/ coffee nooks, and a charming two-level garden patio. Parisian-born owner Vanessa Sansonetti’s background in architecture, eye for design and love for plants influenced her choice of decor. Friendly, quick service, good selection of pastries sourced from local bakeries and delicious cappuccino. They use De Mello and Hale coffee roasters.
Leisure
Photography – I love exploring and photographing Toronto’s neighbourhoods, parks and the waterfront. Nature shows that changes are constant. I experience delightful moments and something new every outing. One example is this Canada geese family with fourteen fuzzy goslings!
Reading – I read six books (five easy and engrossing fiction books and one children’s book in the Dora the Explorer series). Here’s my list by author’s last name:
- The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
- The Heron’s Cry by Ann Cleeves
- The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth
- The No-Show by Beth O’Leary
- The Layover by Lacie Waldon
- Dora’s Camping Trip by Wendy Wax
Writing – I wrote three blogs and hosted three weekly Weekend Coffee Share linkups before today’s post:
Overall
May has been an outdoorsy and social month. Most pandemic restrictions have been lifted and the nice weather continues. I’m grateful for all the good things that happened in May. It’s also the month to firm up my summer plans. I’ll probably have less time to blog. I’m looking forward to enjoying June.
How has your May been?
Shared with #2022wotylinkparty, #TheChangingSeasons.
Copyright © 2023 natalietheexplorer.home.blog – All rights reserved.
Natalie the Explorer 
Hi Natalie, I totally agree about the walks in nature and enjoying all the flowers. May is a fantastic month – and so are all the summer months. I’ve had a good month of May with some nice walks in the area and lots of music. I hope June will be good for you.
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Susanne, I’m glad to hear you’ve had a good month of May. We can look forward to the next four months of warm weather.
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Hi Natalie – lovely seeing you out and about and enjoying the return to “normal” again with your train ride and also visiting those cafes. I think it’s great that you’re trying new places and keeping local businesses busy.
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Hi Leanne, Small businesses need all the support they can get so I make my small contributions by visiting them and taking advantage of the warmer weather to be outside and socialize.
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You had another lovely month, Natalie! I love the photos of your spring flowers collection and spiral art on the ground. I recently walked in the green belt of Boise and saw many disc golfers, so, of course, I had to think about you.
Covid is getting worse again in our circles. Most people I know, now have had it, including family members in Belgium and the US.
May has been very challenging for us. Dramas and transitions. One day, I’ll blog about them. For now, I hope June will be more relaxed and pleasant.
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Liesbet, I’m sorry to hear you’ve had a challenging May and most people you know have had COVID. I hope June will be much better and more pleasant for you. Thanks for thinking of me when you saw the disc golfers 🙂
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May truly is a wonderful month! I imagine your walks and bike rides being marvellous. This past week the air has been heavily scented with all the flowers in bloom. I too have been enjoying many bike rides in May, and it has been wonderful. Thank you for the coffee!
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Maria, I’m glad to hear you’ve also had a wonderful month of May. May weather is usually great for cycling, and nature gifts us with new growths and freshness.
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Indeed! Thank you!
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I love the month of May and your photos are proof of the reasons why. Thanks for sharing, Natalie!
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Thank you, Jill, for stopping by. I hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend and a lovely month of June.
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Oh yes I just love seeing all the colors and textures with all the flowers blooming now. How wonderful to have the whole train to yourself; they look quite clean too. Sounds like May was a lovely month.
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I hope you’ve also had a good month of May. It’s nice to have summer to look forward to.
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Your blog, as you know, is so much a part of my Saturday morning routine, and this post was just so lovely and uplifting. Love the geese…and you would love Wellington and its cafes and am sure would soon pick up on the different beans and roasts.
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I’ve read great things about Wellington and New Zealand in general. I’d love to visit one day, hopefully in 2023. I’m honoured my blog is a part of your Saturday morning routine. May has been very good to me and June should be lovely, too.
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You asked. May has been a difficult month for me. Mass murders, house renovations, and so much rain it looks like Ireland here. I don’t know what June will bring, but I do hope it is something light like your May. I could use some joy.
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Wow, Ally, I’m sorry to hear May has been a difficult month for you. I’m speechless about the mass murders, so terrible and terrifying to hear. I hope your house renovations are going well. I read that some states in the USA have been experiencing severe droughts, and some states have had so much rain. Both extremes are not good. Wishing you a much more pleasant month of June.
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Your May looks lovely – and a whole lot bluer than ours has been for sure! Love those spring blooms, indie cafes, but mostly I adore the goslings.
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Jo, Those goslings grow fast. They’re really cute to see as they try to follow and catch up with their parents.
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Baby geese–SQUEEE!! I also love the spirograph mural and the lovely flowers.
May has been a good month for me, but it’s gone by really quickly (all the months do that now… *sigh*). I hope you’re able to make some fun summer plans.
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The adorable baby geese grow big quickly. I see many of them by the lakeshore. I hope everything comes together for an epic summer.
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It looks like you had a very good month of May, Natalie. I love the photos and I remain amazed by your zest for life. I have to admit to being a little jealous of your train trip. I love traveling by train. May has been a good month for us.
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Dan, I’m glad to hear May has also been a good month for you. I take the GO trains occasionally when I need to go to neighbouring cities. They’re clean and comfortable. I hope you have a great weekend and a wonderful June.
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How lovely to catch up via WOTY linky Natalie. Loved reading and seeing your great images. And to get to go by public transport for the first time since the pandemic is a win! Denyse
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Hi Denyse, Life is gradually returning to pre-covid pace over here. The nice weather helps. I still do most of my activities outdoors and proceed with caution when I’m at an indoor public space. Baby steps.
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You have had a marvelous May. I especially enjoy your outdoor tours. Looking forward to June.
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Thank you, Antoinette. I’m pleased you enjoy my outdoor tours. The nice weather encourages me to be outside. Have a wonderful June!
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Those geese are so cute Natalie! It sounds like a great month for you, and your spring flowers are just beautiful. Enjoy your warmer months 🙂
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Hi Debbie, I definitely enjoy my warmer months. They go by fast 🙂 The geese grow big quickly. I saw them again yesterday.
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Seems like you’ve had a great May, mine hasn’t been too bad except I’ve had two colds! I had a week’s respite. Hopefully June will be healthier
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Alison, I hope you’re feeling much better. Take it easy until you feel well again. Have a healthy June!
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Thanks Natalie 😊
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Sounds like May was good to you. The world is coming alive after the winter and humans after Covid. I hope you have a fabulous June and a wonderful week ahead 🙂
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Yes, the pace of life has picked up over here. More people, more events, etc. I hope you have a great long weekend and a wonderful June ahead.
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I haven’t been on the GO train in years. Looks strange to see it empty though.
Café 23 looks like a lovely place to enjoy a cup of java.
Thanks for the virtual coffee Natalie.
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There may have been people in other sections or upper level of the GO train that I was on but a lot less than at rush hour before the pandemic. Cafe 23 is a charming place. The owner did a great job decorating it and the cappuccino was delicious.
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Hi Natalie! Good to meet you. I’m old/new here. Blogged on WordPress for years, left to take a job. Now I’m retired and it’s good to be back. Enjoyed your coffee share!
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Hi Rosemary, Welcome to my blog and welcome back to Weekend Coffee Share linkup. I’ve been hosting the linkup weekly since January 2021. I hope you enjoy catching up with ‘old’ bloggers and meet new bloggers at the linkup. Have a great weekend!
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Ping back: https://rosemarycarlson.com/2022/05/28/weekendcoffeeshare-71-come-on-in/
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I have been anxious about getting out now that most pandemic mandates have been lifted. I need to get over it!
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I still do most of my activities outdoors. I’m cautious and selective with indoor activities.
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I’m thrilled to hear more and more about covid restrictions being lifted. Like the flu, we may never see it fully disappear but you and I, our families and especially our kids, may yet get to experience a quasi-normal life. My kids are anxious to do so.
Thanks for another great peek at Toronto.
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Thank you, Gary, for stopping by. Over here, the warmer weather encourages more people to be outdoors and more in-person events return this spring and summer. The pace in the city has picked up.
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Boxcar Social looks wonderful Natalie!
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Yes, it’s a great coffee shop.
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Love the Spirograph, takes me back to the kit I had as a youngster. Thanks for coffee
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That Spirograph is cheerful to see. Thanks Alex for stopping by.
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I love the ‘let’s go for a walk’ photo with the family of Canadian geese, Natalie. So cute. It is lovely you could spend some time with your sister and as always your life is full and rich. Thanks for joining us at #2022WOTYLinkParty and I hope you have a fabulous June. xx
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Hi Sue, That little gosling on the left in the photo was really cute, trying to catch up with his/ her family. The weather has been mostly good here as we head towards summer in the Northern hemisphere. I’m taking advantage of the longer daylight hours and warm temperatures to be outdoors and socialize with my family and friends. Thank you for hosting the 2022woty link party. I hope you have a wonderful June, too.
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Looks like a wonderful May was had. I am so happy for you.
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Thank you Patrick. I hope you have a great weekend.
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Those cafes look really neat. I love finding new cafes and coffee shops to visit though I don’t often have time to do so.
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It’s fun to visit the different indie coffee shops. I do it twice a month this spring and summer. So far so good.
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I would love to visit coffee shops. Such wonderful surprises!!
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Yes, individually-owned coffee shops are unique. I visit them this spring and summer to support small businesses.
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Hi Natalie, What a busy month you’ve had. I’m glad you are loving life and living so much of it outdoors. Spring is wonderful, isn’t it? Your train pictures are again wonderful, so clean and modern. You really should be part of the Chamber of Commerce for Toronto. 🙂
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Hi Marsha, Spring is great for being outdoors and the pace of life has picked up here with more seasonal fun events available in the city. We’re expecting two hot days on Monday and Tuesday with temperatures rise to 38C (100F) and then back to normal temperatures the rest of next week. What I share on my blog about Toronto is not the usual touristy places so no Chamber of Commerce for me 🙂 Thank you for linking up in spite of your busy schedule.
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Your posts are so interesting, though. Each week I want to explore with you. Great job of being Natalie the Explorer. 🙂
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Marsha, What a wonderful compliment you gave me, thank you. I’m pleased to hear you find my posts interesting and you want to explore with me each week. So many wonderful places to explore, so little time (especially to do my write-ups, hehe).
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I know how much time it takes to put out a quality post like yours. Keep up the good work. Stay focused on the good task. 🙂
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Excellent advice 🙂 Thanks, Marsha, for your encouragement and support.
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You’ve now inspired me to see if I can find some sort of train trip for the school holidays! That might be an adventure in itself.
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If you can do train travel for the school holidays, it will add a fun element to the trip. I’d love to learn more about train travel in Australia.
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Through the pandemic, I’ve only taken public transit twice. Before that, I use to take it everyday to work. Since the pandemic, they have reduced the number of available buses and trains which makes access to public transit even harder. With my new commute, there is a bus but it takes a long time. Eventually there is suppose to be a light rail to get there. It will be a while, but hopefully by then the pandemic will be over.
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It’s a concern whenever public transit service is reduced or cut. People need to go to work or school and having more cars on the road is not a good solution in the long term (e.g. traffic congestion, air pollution, etc.)
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Hi Natalie,
I enjoyed your weekly update and photos. My favourite was the Spirograph Mural. So clever.
The weather here has suddenly gone cold and you should see us Australians running round looking like we’re at the South Pole at 18 degrees celsius, although apparently there’s wind chill factor involved so it feels colder than it is. It’s hibernation season now.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Hi Rowena, The Spirograph mural is colourful and cheerful. A sudden change in temperatures is such a shock to our body. Today and tomorrow, we have a heat wave here, 30 to 35 degrees Celsius, with humidity it feels like 38 C, which is hot for May. Fortunately, it returns to normal temperature by Wednesday. Have a great week!
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Thanks, Natalie. It sounds like the weather has been a rude awakening at both ends. I am certainly grateful for the heater, the dog on my lap and a warm jacket. However, I’m bracing myself. Our daughter was on close at McDonalds tonight and I need to head off soon to pick her up. This is true love!
Hope you have a great week and don’t melt,
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Rowena, All the best to your daughter. Have a great week!
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Glad to hear that you were comfortable with taking the train to see your sister. We still have to mask when indoors (including on public transport) – I think I feel safer this way.
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At this time, in Ontario masking is mandatory on public transport and healthcare facilities but only recommended in other indoor public spaces. I’m still selective with using public transit and fortunately I only need to use it occasionally.
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So not entirely mask-free yet. Singapore allows mask-off in the outdoors, but mask-on in all indoor spaces.
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Ontario will maintain current masking requirements in select indoor settings until June 11.
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