Just Meechy.

Snow specs sparkled in the air and the early afternoon sun gave golden halos to the bullrushes. It was cold, but that pleasant, refreshing kind of cold. It was turning out to be a glorious hike filled with new sights and sounds and things for our eyes to delight in. That is, until I stepped in perfectly camouflaged puddle that had been iced over, and completely and utterly soaked my foot. We thought it best to turn back to avoid the possibility of frostbite. Le sigh. On another day, with drier feet, we will explore the entire length of trail. To be continued.

Monday Night Dinner

It is known in my house that I am not the primary cook, more of a sous-chef, if you will, superseded by my superhusband, who is a chef extraordinaire and spoils me daily with scrumptious home-cooked meals that rival the fanciest restaurants I’ve ever been in.

I frequently refer to myself as a “gong-show” in the kitchen, and get easily frazzled; things end up boiling over and my timing is always off. Many meals eaten in stages (or, more “courses” if I’m pretending I intended it that way) while the chicken strives to reach a less... pink... internal temperature... Furthermore, my disdain for measuring (rules shmules!) and lack of preparation never helped. So, lucky for me, I rarely have to inflict my gastronomic failures and kitchen chaos on anyone.

Loop? Scattered showers?

To me, the definition of a loop in relation to hiking, means starting and finishing at the same spot. And “scattered showers” is different both quantitatively and qualitatively from “torrential downpour.” We were prepared for scattered showers. We were anticipating scattered showers. Furthermore, we were anticipating an actual loop, not for the 9.3 “loop” to end 3.2 km from our car. I’m generally a glass half-full kind of person, and most of the time any hike is worth it, but this hike? Not so much. I truly wouldn’t want to repeat this hike. And I think that’s the first time I’ve ever said that!

The hike began well enough, and happily we did get to a lovely vantage point before the rains came. The Laurentians are beautiful old mountains, rounded by time, and make me feel so at home. Other mountains, with their sharp craggy peaks and astonishing heights are almost frightening in their awesomeness. But the Laurentians embrace you into their rolling beauty, and look especially inspiring when they fade through tints of blue and green as they recede into the atmosphere.

B+A #001: from pants to dress

Goodbye electric-blue pleated pants.

The idea for this dress was inspired completely by these startlingly awesome blue pants I found at the Salvation Army. Because the pants themselves were a little too big for me, I had enough material to play around with and make the dress. I was able to loosely use a pattern for the bodice, and pretty much free-formed the bottom; readjusting the placement of the pleats. Mostly, the process involved winging it with large basting stitches that could easily be removed. Which I did. Many times. Kind of a try, try again kind of deal. Odd, I don’t generally feel like I have the patience for that.

The belt is made from a thrifted bed sheet, the remains of which I plan to turn into a vintage-50’s-style apron. And the buckle I’ve had for years, not sure where it came from.

I was thrilled with the outcome, and thought I’d give it a little wash, operating under the assumption that most clothes found in a thrift shop—even those that are dry-clean-only—have been washed in the machine at least a few times. Sadly, no. Rayon in the washer? Bad idea. Classic Amberlea mistake. It went from nicely fitted, to skin-tight. NOT the kind of look I want to or can pull off. But I was able to stretch it out enough to wear it. Once.

Hereness and Thereness. Or: grass is greener.

Basically, Hereness is the quality of being present and living in the moment, and Thereness is when your mind wanders and explores the distant or recent past; the immediate or far future. Daydreams, memories, plans. Anywhere but here. And anytime but now.

Hereness is simple. It is only this moment, nothing else. It is awareness and appreciation of your immediate surroundings; often through the senses. It is real.



Thereness is more complex; it can be many things. It can be idealistic, used as a distraction to avoid thinking or doing something perceived as unpleasant. It can be dwelling on a positive (or negative) memory. It can be running through all the to-do items on your list. For me, most of the time, Thereness tends to the Daydream end of the spectrum, and is a yearning, a wanting to be There: Away. Where things are different, better somehow. Warmer. Brighter. Rose-coloured.