Hello and welcome to my blog! I’m glad you’re here. It’s week 34 in 2022 and I’m hosting Weekend Coffee Share linkup #84. Come on in for a coffee or tea, and let’s catch up.
The last weekend in August is a good time for me to reflect on my 2022 focus on Health, Home and Leisure. I was in two cities, Calgary and Toronto, this month. Here’s my monthly update for August.
Health
I continue my wellness routine throughout a hot August. To manage the heat waves in Toronto and Calgary, I drink a lot of water, wear sun protection, and go out earlier in the morning when it’s less hot. While I was in Calgary, I took daily walks on a trail near where I stayed.
In Toronto, most mornings I cycle along the shore of Lake Ontario, stop by a park and enjoy nature. I also go to the beautiful Toronto Islands to kayak and explore the many waterways. I love being enveloped by nature and seeing aquatic plants, waterbirds and turtles from my kayak.
Click on any image in the gallery to see its bigger version and caption.
Home
Family – Home in August is with my family in Calgary and Toronto. Calgary is in the western Canadian province of Alberta, about four hours by plane from Toronto. My flights to and from Calgary were both on time. I traveled with a carry-on so there was no waiting for baggage. It was my first time back in Calgary since the COVID-19 pandemic started and it was joyful to be with my family there.
Friends – After my trip to Calgary, I had some catching up to do in Toronto. My friends and I continued our Tour of Indie Cafés of 2022 and met up at Fahrenheit Coffee. Fahrenheit Coffee is within walking distance to St. James Park so we took our cappuccinos there and enjoyed our coffee chat in the lovely gardens. We hope to meet again in September and will end the tour once the weather gets too cool to sit outside.
Community – In August I volunteered for two events:
- The SuperPower race: Funds raised through the SuperPower race go directly to the Holland Bloorview hospital to help kids with disabilities.
- The Terry Fox Run: Funds raised through the annual Terry Fox Run support cancer research. Even though the Terry Fox Run is in September, there is work to do before race day. I’m happy to be sharing Terry’s message of hope, courage and determination and giving back to my community.
Leisure
Photography – I discovered many amazing artworks on my walks. Here’s a sampling of some of the colourful murals that I’ve seen. They depict Toronto’s urban wildlife with remarkable details and realism.
Which mural is your favourite?
Another source of joy is summer blooms in public gardens. August blooms include different varieties of bougainvillea, coneflowers, daylilies, dahlias, daisies, hibiscus, hydrangeas, marigolds, moss roses, sunflowers and more. The flowers in my header photo are Trumpet vine flowers. I’m sharing a sampling of some of the gorgeous daylilies below.
Which daylily would you choose for your garden?
Reading – In August, I read four books. Here’s my list by author’s last name:
- A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
- The Recovery Agent by Janet Evanovich
- The Chase by Candice Fox
- Donut Fall In Love by Jackie Lau
Writing – Before today’s post, I wrote three posts about my experiences in Newfoundland and Labrador. I’ve included the links for August’s posts in case you missed any and want to catch up.
- Eating Out in Newfoundland and Labrador
- 5 Scenic Walks in Western Newfoundland
- Postcard from St. John’s
Overall
Similar to July, August has been a beautiful and joyful summer month. I’m grateful for time with family and friends in Calgary and Toronto and all the good things that happened in August. Happy September!
Shared with #2022WOTYlinkparty, #PPAC61, #TheChangingSeasons.
Copyright © 2024 natalietheexplorer.home.blog – All rights reserved.
Natalie the Explorer 
Hi Natalie – so glad you could catch up with family and friends and start re-establishing some of your old rituals and habits. Loved all the water and flower photos and the murals were great (as always). The colours on the bird mural were absolutely beautiful.
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Hi Leanne, Life over here has been approaching normal this summer. Typically, it will be quieter as we move towards autumn then winter in the Northern hemisphere. I’m glad you liked my pictures. Lots of colours and visual interests around me when I go outside.
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You’ve had a wonderful August. I’m almost jealous, but not really. I like those murals, the butterfly calls to me. I read A Walk in the Woods and loved it. Bryson’s sense of humor makes me laugh. I look forward to seeing what you do in September.
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Ally, Bryson’s sense of humour made me laugh, too. I hope your August is going well.
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Sounds like you had a great August Natalie!
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Thanks, Shari. I hope you’ve also had a great August.
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I feel more peaceful even having read your post and viewed your beautiful photos. It is a nice reminder of the beauty around us and how to make sure to take time to do the things that nourish us and notice our surroundings. It is inspiring! Amy
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Thank you, Amy, for your visit and comment. I’m glad my blog post brings you peaceful feelings and inspiration. I hope you visit more often. Have a great weekend!
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Hi, Natalie – Thank you for linking up with our WOTY link party.
Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods remains my favourite book EVER! I hope that you enjoyed it.
The murals that you shared here are stunning — very well photographed!
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Hi Donna, I enjoyed Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods very much. His sense of humour made me laugh. I’m glad you liked my pictures of the murals. Have a great weekend!
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Sounds like a wonderful month! (and wonderful pictures, as usual) Glad you got to catch up with family in Calgary after the long, long pandemic.
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Janet, It’s been great catching up with my family and friends in-person this summer. Thank you for participating in my Weekend Coffee Share blog linkup.
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It sounds like you have had a wonderful August, and how wonderful to catch up with family again. I’m actually heading to Canada on Wednesday. Far from you though – Vancouver – for a family visit.
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Barbara, It’s been great catching up with family and friends in-person this summer. I hope you have a good flight to Vancouver and a wonderful family visit. I look forward to seeing some pictures from your trip.
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I enjoyed all of your photos, Natalie. Art-wise it’s a hard choice to choose a favorite. I love the sweet expressions on the bunny and deer, and the colors of the birds but they are all lovely. Such talent! Thanks for sharing with PPAC, Natalie.
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Marsha, Thank you for hosting PPAC. I’m glad you liked the wildlife murals that I shared. The artists did a wonderful job painting them. Have a wonderful weekend!
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I adore those murals – I think the pigeon is my fave – and A Walk In The Woods is one of my fave books. I’ve been a tad slack with both blogging and blog reading of late so will duck over and check out your Newfoundland posts.
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Jo, Bryson’s sense of humour in A Walk in the Woods made me laugh. I’ve been slower than normal with my book reading this summer. Have a wonderful weekend!
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I love those murals, esp the pigeon. And a Candice Fox! It appears everyone I know reads Candice Fox so it was def me! HA!
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I’d give The Chase 3.75 out of 5.
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I’m happy you were able to spend time with family, Natalie. Thanks for sharing! Your photographs are gorgeous! Love the murals!
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Thank you, Jill. Life has been approaching normal this summer. It’s been wonderful to see family and friends in-person. Have a great weekend!
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Hi Natalie I enjoyed this post and the pictures. I especially liked the contrast between the picture of the turtle because I loved turtles and the contrast of the city the bridges and the skyline a certain reminder that we have borrowed living space and share it. I had a shoulder replacement on my right shoulder and I am right-handed so after typing much of the day with my left hand I am using the voice app for these comments preparing for it retirement took more than I anticipated. So I have not been participating much and the way of reading and so also not blogging or not writing blog posts and so not participating in the writing I think I’m getting back into some kind of a rhythm and happy to be visiting here again thanks and blessings Michele
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Hi Michele, It’s wonderful to hear from you. Thank you for your visit and comment. I like your observation of the turtle mural that we’ve borrowed living space and share it with nature and turtles. I hope you’re well after your shoulder replacement and I wish you a full recovery. I look forward to hearing from you more often when you get back to your rhythm. Have a great weekend!
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Thanks very much Natalie. Good to be back.
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Looks and sounds like you had another wonderful summer, Natalie. This is so nice to read – and see. Who knew urban wildlife was this colorful!?
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Liesbet, This summer has been wonderful to me. The muralists did a great job highlighting some of the wildlife that exist in Toronto. I’ve seen all of them IRL except deer. I know where I may see deer, just hope for the right timing.
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What a wonderful month Natalie! I particularly loved the first photo of Toronto skyline seen from your kayak. You should print that one 🙂 Thank you for the coffee. Have a great rest of your weekend!
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Maria, That Toronto skyline picture from my kayak is one of my favourites this summer, too. It’s not just the beautiful view but also the wonderful feeling when I took that picture. I felt like nature was holding me close like a mother holding her baby. Enjoy your weekend!
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August does sound like it was a happy and joyous month for you Natalie. How wonderful that you finally were able to see your family after covid. I can’t pick a favourites mural as I love them all. I’ve been to Calgary but only as a stop on the way to Banff.
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Jennifer, Yes, lots of visitors fly to Calgary then drive to Banff. Being with my family in Calgary and catching up with friends in-person was wonderful. I’ll hop over to your blog shortly.
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It sounds like you had a wonderful August, despite the heat. Hope you are enjoying your weekend 🙂
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Thank you, Trent. Today’s weather is nice. I was out for a walk this morning and will be out again on the water this afternoon. Hope you’re enjoying your weekend, too.
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Glad you were able to get out and visit family. I’m impressed that your wellness routine doesn’t do the fly by in the summer. Mine sure does!
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I find it harder to resume my wellness routine when I have a long break than to keep going so I include fitness activities as part of my trip.
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Hi Natalie another fun filled month for you with a good lifestyle balance. Thanks for sharing your August with us at WOTY. Enjoy September, your last month of Summer xx
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Thank you, Sue. August has been great. I look forward to enjoying September.
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You had a great August and I am happy that you got to catch up with family. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
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Thank you, Patrick. You have a wonderful week, too.
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You’ve managed a lot of what is important to you Natalie in August. Such a great post reminding us of how important it is when we can connect in person. I am looking forward to that when we return to Sydney in early 2023. Visiting you from WOTY linky this week. Denyse.
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Thank you, Denyse. Our time and energy have limits so I focus on my health, family and close friends. It feels good to have some fun and gives back to my community through volunteering. I hope you’ve had a great August.
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You’ve had a great month Natalie.
Thanks for your continued hosting of our weekend coffee shares.
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Gary, Thank you for your participation and comment. Have a great weekend!
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Hi Natalie,
I Love your Coffee share and loving life in August! You have such beautiful photos its hard to pick my favorites. The coffee looks delicious and I absolutely love all the flowers. It is so wonderful you have been able to travel to see family, much like I did this month as well. I finished my coffee share this morning and I thank you so much for hosting the link up! Have a wonderful week ahead! ❤
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Diana, Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad you’ve been able to travel to see family. The summer is flying by, isn’t it? I’ll hop over to your blog shortly. Have a great weekend!
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I am so happy you got to visit your family in Calgary for the first time since the pandemic started. It sounds like overall you’re doing really well with your 2022 focus.
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Thank you, Astrid. Our time and energy are finite so I try to use both as wisely as possible.
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Visiting family is so important, Natalie! I know what you mean about the hot August days (all summer). You mange to keep busy with your hobbies and fitness routines and you set a good example for a wonderful life! I’m sure you are looking forward to what Autumn brings! Stay well!
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Terri, Thank you for your kind words. I look forward to autumn. The trees are going to give amazing colours and cooler temperatures are ideal for cycling and walking outdoors. Have a great week!
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Hi Natalie,
Wow. What a wonderful collection of photos, but above all catching up with family after a two year break must’ve been amazing. We still haven’t seen much of our extended family and now we’re heading into Spring, hope to extend ourselves further. We had a wonderful four day trip to Bathurst last week, and I’ve spent the last week recovering, although we really enjoyed ourselves. Hope you have a great week.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Hi Rowena, I’m glad to hear you had a wonderful trip to Bathurst. A change of scenery is usually refreshing. I’ll visit your blog shortly. Have a great week!
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I am happy you were able to visit your family, Natalie. We have always enjoyed visiting Calgary. You may have had the opportunity to visit the breathtaking Kanaskis region in the past. Great coffee is up there with great ice cream…almost. 😀I love your words “beautiful and joyful.” Can’t really ask for more. Thank you for sharing the gorgeous photos and your post. 💕
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Erica/ Erika, Thank you for your lovely comment that made me smile. I’m happy to have visited my family and returned to air travel in Canada. I visited the breathtaking Kananaskis Country before but not this time. I’m hoping to visit BC and Alberta again next spring. I hope this summer has been good to you. Have a wonderful week!
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Hi Natalie, it was so nice to read this post and catch up on what you’ve been up to! How lovely to have spent some time in Calgary with your family. I think you and I are quite similar when it comes to enjoying nature and art! I enjoyed all the murals and it’s hard to pick a favourite but I am quite drawn to the rabbits! Love all the flowers of course. Wishing you an equally fulfilling September! xo
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Hi Min, Thank you for stopping by. I’m glad you liked the rabbits mural and flowers. It’s lovely to catch up with you. Have a wonderful September!
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It looked like a fabulous month Natalie. You are lucky to have wonderful places to walk and cycle.
My favourite mural was the Heron. The flowers are so lovely.
So happy to have join in The Changing Seasons 🙂 🙂
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Thank you, Brian. I chose to live where I can walk and cycle (and count my blessings that I can do it). I hope to join The Changing Seasons again in September. Have a great week!
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Hope your week will be fab too Natalie. Looking forward to another good read next month 🙂
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