Ready. Set. Go?

I'm considering delaying my retirement even further due to Covid, torturing myself with should I stay or should I go. It reminds me of sailing, with storms on the horizon, staying in port until more favourable weather comes.

How bad is the storm, how much longer will it last? Should I just reset my sails?

Maybe change the destination.

I am very thankful my employer  and colleagues are understanding and tolerating my indecision.

I wake in the morning and my first thoughts are to go, but then my rational mind starts working to keep me on the job. Security in uncertain times.

I had a certain scenario in mind... retire, head out to Costa Rica for 6 weeks, come back and settle in to a new beginning. 

Life is what happens when you are making other plans.

Reality now is risky travel, Covid variants, restricted gatherings, cancelled concerts.

But it has also been comfy times at home, yoga, virtual gatherings.

Retirement will mean more time to do the things I love. Popping in on friends who are also not working, shopping during off hours, long walks in the afternoon to no place in particular. 

Kurt Vonnegut — 'Enjoy the little things in life because one day you`ll look back and realize they were the big things.'

Costa Rica

Part of my retirement plan was to head off to Costa Rica in January for 4-6 weeks. We bought the tickets in November but I ended up cancelling this week. Plenty of people are still heading south but it just didn't seem the best decision right now, given the new Omicron variant.

Never got around to booking the accommodations.

It would be good to do a tour with a group for 7-10 days to travel the rainforest, cloud forest, beaches, volcano, thermal springs and towns. Then settle in somewhere for a couple of weeks to soak up the sun and surf at a more leisurely pace. Pura Vida.

Next year.

Winter Solstice 2021

Earlier in the month I sent a note out to some of my kindred spirits that I wouldn't be holding a solstice celebration this year. I missed the camaraderie, poetry and spirits of years past.

To observe the longest night this year, Rob and I took a drive up to Old Skugog Road in Bowmanville to look at Christmas Lights. There seemed to be hundreds of cars with the same destination, enjoying the phenomenal displays.

Later we took a trip down to the BPYC clubhouse to watch the waves and gaze at the waning moon in the sky overhead.

More light will fill the days ahead.

illustration by Lizzie Spikes

Full Cold Moon - December 2021

It was a clear night with a beautiful view of the full, rising moon.

Just the day before, several announcements to bring a chill to the air about COVID. The new variant is starting to spread here in Ontario and as a result, restrictions are once again being tightened. My return to work date has shifted to March 31. Scarborough Uke Jam cancelled in-person sessions at the Stone Cottage. Dinner with friends was cancelled on Saturday night, and we Sunday we sent our regrets for a birthday party. The BPYC Board decided not to open the Sunday afternoon bar in the clubhouse.  And so it goes.

No lockdown yet but a very strong feeling of deja vu.

On cue for the holiday season. 

The last full moon of 2021 reached peak illumination on Saturday, Dec. 18, at 11:32 p.m. ET

Master Gardener in Training

I was accepted into the Toronto Master Gardener program, so now am a Master Gardener in training!

I am thrilled to play a part in inspiring home gardeners all across our wonderful city. 

Tending even a small patch of green can do wonders for the environment, for neighbourhoods, and for the gardeners themselves.

As an avid home gardener since 1990, I’ve developed a keen appreciation for native plants, while cultivating a haven for birds and pollinators in my front and back garden.

Being a longstanding member of the Toronto Botanical Gardens, I’m a frequent visitor and enjoy attending presentations, listening to speakers, and learning about horticulture.

I’ve been writing and blogging about my garden (and other topics) since 2008, including some of the gardens I’ve visited on my travels.

When I retire I will have the time and energy to devote to the cause.

I'll also need to upgrade my knowledge of horticulture. I chose the University of Guelph courses and have already signed up for the first of three required online courses: Soils and Plant Growth.

Father Joe

Father Joe is a Catholic priest and Iyengar teacher who founded the Kripa Foundation in India. 

The foundation works with those suffering from addiction, including sex workers and AIDs patients, to introduce them to the healing powers of yoga and encourage practice. Father Joe was mentored both by BKS Iyengar and Mother Theresa on this spiritual journy.

I'd heard of Father Joe, and learned a bit about his mission in a documentary about Iyengar. One night I saw something in my Insta feed that there would be a three day workshop starting the following day and signed up right away. 

Each session was two hours. Poses were held anywhere from 1-5 minutes and were all supported. The sequences demanded concentration and physical effort, while the support helped to sustain the poses. I felt myself drawn inward as I explored effortless effort. Often the sequence would be designed to help you go deeper,  for example with uttanasana and dandasana. 

One phrase that stuck with me - Don't "work out" - work in.

Have already incorporated some of these into my morning routine.