An Update

It's getting a bit stale to start my next blog wit the phrase, it's been a while. But yes, it's been a while.

This is not to say I haven't been busy, including my writing. But more on that in a moment.

The past few months saw a flurry of activity. There was the last few rounds of golf as we (the we being my significant other and I) reveled in very summer like conditions in the Greater Toronto Area. That was combined with time spent in the garden, enjoying the fruits of my labour (tomatoes are a fruit, so both technically and literally correct).

More recently we returned from a trip to British Columbia. The primary purpose was to visit family, including a very charming young lad who is our grandson. Simply priceless.

We also took time to visit the interior of the province. We drove to Whistler, known throughout the world for its world class amenities, including incredible winter activities; perhaps best recognized by its hosting of the Winter Olympics in 2010. Either that or being the home of the 'Crazy Canucks'.

However, my takeaway from the Whistler area is more about the stillness, quiet and yes, forest therapy, that we were able to take advantage of from the moment we woke. We stayed in a friends condo, surrounded by trees. One morning, a Stellar Jay noticed the lights were on and was insistent on being fed. Every day (and thank you! the weather cooperated) we found hikes that took us further into the woods, past rivers and wondrous waterfalls that would have been a natural fit in a Tolkien novel. If I needed a reminder, and I don't think I did, Canada is a wondrous place. I've been fortunate that when I ran a national organization I was able to visit every province (though sadly none of the territories). Whether it was hiking in Gros Morne in Newfoundland, or in Banff, or for the first time in Whistler, it is a stark reminder of how lucky we are to live in this country.

But back to writing. Our flight to and back from Vancouver had the usual amenities, including free Wi-Fi. However, being somewhat technically challenged, I could not make it work for more than twenty minutes at a time. So, I took the opportunity to set up my laptop and undertake to do something I have not done in decades, mainly write a short story. Long story short (pun intended), I continued to work on it during our stay when time permitted, and again on the return to Ontario.

It was intriguing, and at times infuriating, but ultimately, very satisfying, like exercising muscles not used for a long time. There is an addendum to this particular vignette, which I look forward to sharing in the New Year.

Happy holidays - stay healthy and safe - and I look forward to sharing my writing with you in the New Year!

Fred