I’m waiting for my new passport. I’m sad to give up my last one, but there was less than 6 months left on it. The new passport is blank. No visas to China, Japan, India, Egypt. No stamps, and not sure if there will be any. Many countries do it all electronically, post-Covid, and I’m … Continue reading There is a Season
Sitting in the waiting room, waiting for the skin cancer biopsy reports. Nice lounge, recliner chairs and beverages, big screen TV with Netflix. Another new experience. Hospital waiting rooms are better in some ways, though, despite being crowded and plain, because if you’re there it’s an emergency. I’ve been in them enough this year to … Continue reading Contemplation in the Cancer Clinic
I didn’t cry this week. Oh sure, I got misty at memories, and wept a bit, especially when people offered condolences or talked about my son. But I didn’t cry. None of the sobbing, gasping, choking, can’t speak, can barely breathe, crying. None of the uncontrollable waves that would send me back to bed for … Continue reading Riding the Waves of Grief
I glance in the mirror, and I look old. And haggard. My last birthday, friends were still joking that I was doing a Benjamin Button, getting younger every year. 2024 has not been easy. My ruptured appendix in January, compounded by a melanoma, put paid to my surfing season and led to cancelling of travel … Continue reading Sorrow
Seven years ago today, I was on my “trip of a lifetime,” my first solo overseas trip and (I thought) one last big adventure before settling down on my well planned path to a comfortable retirement. Kowloon harbour on a water taxi. Despite having no words in each other’s language besides “thanks!” We communicated quite … Continue reading Riding the Wheel
It was overwhelming at first, but now the sort moves smoothly. List on Marketplace. Pack for BC. Give to charity. Leave for next tenant. Paddle boards back to Mary. Give spices to Neil, so he can practice after the cooking lesson I gave him last week. Drop off memory foam, coffee grinder and drying rack … Continue reading Leaving Barbados
I didn’t have a dance party on my 60th birthday. That had been the plan. Crosbie, whose standing joke was that I was his older friend (by one month!) was all for a joint party. We knew where (Moose Hall) although we hadn’t decided between the local band that did covers of 70s and 80s … Continue reading Keep on Dancing
We head north from Courtenay, on the way to meet Kymn, an old friend I haven’t seen for 4 years, what with life changes and Covid. We drive by the gas station another friend used to own. It’s the old fashioned type with a two bay garage. The paint is peeling, although the gas pumps … Continue reading Old, Old Friends
I finally made it back to Paris. I was here 14 years ago, with two (sometimes cranky) teenagers. Their joke is that their main sight of Paris was my back, as they tried to keep up with me. We had a schedule. Every day, pretty much every hour, was planned. We were staying in a … Continue reading Paris, again
I stand at the top of the Saddle, looking at the black diamond on the post by the drop off. I take a deep breath. “Ok. Let’s do this.” And over the edge I go. So that makes it sound like I’m a good skier. I used to be. On this trip to Whistler, however, … Continue reading Do You Still Ski?
Brave Travels 