Farewell Summer, Hello Fall

Happy Sunday everyone! 

Just like that, Summer is coming to an end. The days are getting shorter, the leaves are beginning to turn, the air has a little more crispness. Soon, we will leave behind the longer evenings spent outside and the sun-warmed days. It's that bittersweet time of year when we're about to close one chapter and make room for what comes next. 

Despite the cooler days, the wasps are buzzing around like they own the place. They also seem to have developed an obsession with our pooches' beautiful coats. They hover around like they're trying to decide which fluffy landing pad to book for the afternoon. It drives me crazy. A small inconvenience when we're trying to squeeze more time out on the deck.

And there's SEALOOK, the new Netflix series apparently made with our four-legged viewers in mind. So far, Merlot & Sherlock are not that impressed although they watched it outside with all the other distractions around. I suppose it's hard to concentrate on seal entertainment when there is a whole backyard to supervise.  I also think it would be better on the big screen, we'll try that in the Fall. It is a cute series though, with engaging colours and sounds. 

On Thursday, I had lunch with Lise and Diane, our annual reunion. We went to the RH Rooftop Restaurant in the new Royalmount complex. It was nice to get together and we had a LOT of catching up to do. 

Last night was the first pre-season Habs games against Toronto....the teams were split in two, one game in Montreal and one in Toronto. Beating the Maple Leafs once is great, beating them twice in the same night is ever better! 

That's my blog for today. Have a great week. Our weather is looking promising!   

The boys catching some warming
rays on the patio.
 

Merlot is, as they say, snug as a 
bug in a rug...he loves to snuggle.

Sherlock thinks the blanket looks
like a great spot to lounge.

Sherlock and Merlot think Sealook
might be over-rated or better on a
big screen.

A new addition to Edgewater Park...someone
made an Inuksuk.

Merlot's pre-dinner routine, a daily ritual now

Sherlock enjoyed the new maze - it was 

a breeze.

As usual, Merlot made fast work of the 

new maze.

Cooper and Spicy had a special way to share
backyard surveillance - this moment
captured September 14, 2022.

Never Forget

Twenty-Five Years Later 

It still feels like yesterday. I will never forget where I was on that day. I had just landed in Divonne-les-Bains, France, for a global HR conference. As I always did when I travelled, I turned on CNN as soon as I walked into my hotel room. Suddenly, the world I knew seemed to stop. I watched the television in disbelief, seeing the same horrific images that people everywhere were watching. At first, it was difficult to even comprehend what was happening. Immediately one thought took over: I need to call Russell.

Russell was at work, in Mississauga, where we lived at the time. I tried calling but the phone lines were overwhelmed. I eventually got through. Just hearing his voice was an enormous relief. Neither of us knew what was going to happen next.

The conference continued despite the unimaginable turmoil around us. There were people from all over the world attending. We tried to continue with our work but it felt surreal. Everyone was affected, everyone was worried about someone and everyone was anxious about getting home.

The airspace eventually reopened and I flew back to Toronto on the Friday. I was travelling with a colleague and we held hands as the plane took off. We were going home.

While I had been away, Russell had been living with a fear that I could only truly understand once I got home. He didn't know when I would be able to return. He sat in his office at work and watched the skies. They had become eerily quiet. That silence was terrifying.

When I finally walked through that door and saw Russell, the fear and uncertainty of those days seemed to release all at once. We were together again and the tears flowed. That moment stayed with me.

One cannot remember the horror and heartbreak of 9/11 without remembering the extraordinary people of Gander, who, in a moment of unimaginable tragedy, opened their homes and their hearts to thousands of strangers in need. Their compassion became a beacon of hope in one of humanity's darkest moments.

In 2016, Russell and I went to New York City and visited the 9/11 memorial site. Standing there was incredibly emotional. Time had passed but the memories hadn't disappeared. If anything, being there brought them back with a clarity we weren't prepared for. Below are a few photos that we took.

Twenty-Five years have passed. Some memories never fade...the television in my hotel room, trying to reach Russell, the uncertainty, the quiet skies, the flight home, the people of Gander.  Today, we pause to remember it all...the lives lost, the lives forever changed and the day we will never forget. 

"Reflecting Absence", the memorial for those
who perished on September 11th, 2001.

"The Last Column" holds the
messages, photographs and 
tributes from recovery workers
and families.

The 9/11 Birthday Rose program places a single
rose next to the name of each person lost in the
tragedy and it is done on their birthday and 
continues today.

Labour Day Ramblings

Happy Sunday everyone! It's a little cool at the moment, only 13 Celsius! It's not stopping me from writing my blog from the deck. There is something about that fresh, cool morning air. I'm bundled up and it feels good!

Labour Day always brings that nostalgic in-between feeling...the last long weekend of Summer. For many, it's about soaking in those simple moments before the everyday routine begins again. 

This past week, as always, went by quickly. We were busy and the days seemed to blend together. We kicked off the weekend on a high note by having some good friends over for lunch.  Yummy food, lots of laughs, great company....the ingredients for a fun-filled afternoon. Our boys were also the perfect hosts 😊

On Thursday, Myriam stopped by to show us the three puppies from Merlot's first litter as a sire. We sat on the front lawn and watched with awe the three pups roam around. Our boys couldn't go near them as the puppies are not fully vaccinated yet. What a delight it was to see them. On that note, Merlot's second litter was born two weeks ago....seven puppies in total. It seems that we have a very prolific boy on our hands!

Our Labour Day tradition is to fire up the BGE and cook ribs. We kept the tradition going last night. The ribs went on, the smoker did its thing and we did our best to be patient while enjoying the delicious smell drifting through the yard. I made a simple bruschetta which was the only accompaniment to the ribs. I have to give credit where credit is due....Russell did an amazing job with the ribs. They were, without a doubt, the best ever!

Merlot & Sherlock are doing well. They are such sweethearts and we simply can't get enough of them. They each have their own personalities and little quirks but both have one thing in common...they know exactly how to melt our hearts 💕

I leave you with random photos and videos that I took last week. One of the pics is of me cutting the frozen berry pie that I made for our lunch on Friday. I wasn't sure what knife to use so I went for the big one! 

Have a great week everyone! Cheers to rest, gratitude and making the most of this long weekend!

Sherlock and Merlot are usually
together and always happy and full
of playful joy.

Sherlock on his chair, a little sleepy
catching a few zzz's.

Fall sights and sounds...the boys 
heard that little chipmunk but
where is he?

Count them....7 little beauties, the puppy joy
that Merlot helped bring into the world.

I think we are going to need a bigger
knife to cut the berry pie...it was
delicious!

Merlot is truly a goofball as he routinely 

glides along the couch end to end face first.

Nothing better than a stroll and little sniff...

Sherlock didn't seem to mind.

Sherlock is a-mazing as he negotiated the 

cones.

Merlot has his own special style when on the 

course.

Our front lawn was a puppy playground as 

the pups Merlot fathered roamed around 

freely taking in the world and learning new

experiences.

Cooper and Spicy side by side on the deck...
one of their favourite spots...ours too...this
moment captured August 26, 2019.

Wrapping up another month

Happy Sunday everyone! Another quiet morning on the deck with only the sound of the birds and crickets in the background. This is my favourite time of day.

Summer is just flying by and somehow we're wrapping up another month. Even though time seems to be slipping by faster and faster, there is still lots of warm days to enjoy. Let's soak it all up while we can.

This past week was good. Once again, it was filled with political news, both at the federal and provincial level. We are now in election mode in Quebec. The signs are going up, the campaign promises are starting to fly and you can feel the political buzz in the air. It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds. 

Despite the political news, it's hard not to think about the heartbreaking tragedy in Nepal and all the people whose lives have been turned upside down. My heart goes out to everyone affected, especially those who have lost loved ones or are still waiting for news.  A reminder to be grateful for what we have right in front of us. 

The improvement in my hip flexors and overall mobility continues thanks to staying consistent with my daily exercises. I now see my physiotherapist every three weeks. Sign of progress. Our boys love nothing more than taking over my exercise mat so I simply work around them LOL! 

I picked up a few colourful Fall planters at Provigo. They were on sale and are truly gorgeous. They add a pop of colour to the front of the house. As we start changing into another season, so is my cooking. I am very much a seasonal cook and I find myself craving those cozy, comfortable meals. Tonight's dinner is a classic favourite...shepherd's pie, the Quebecois way. Don't get me wrong, I'm far from being done with Summer meals, I'm just slowly easing us into the next season 🍂

Merlot & Sherlock are doing well. Yesterday, we did some jumps in the backyard. It's an easy exercise, the hard part is to ignore the distractions. They both did quite well although it took them a little while to settle down. It was fun though! Russell is also doing well. He is now working on a short story about his maternal roots going back to Barbados. Fascinating stuff!

That's my blog for this last Sunday of August. Labour Day Weekend is just around the corner. Hockey starts soon...in 30 days! Football starts in 10 days. Have a great week everyone!

The boys on deck continue to watch
for intruders and they make certain 
that the giraffe and the bunny are 
always close by.

Sherlock standing proudly in front
of the refreshed Hosta garden.

Inseparable...here, joined at the hip.

Everyone needs a stretch buddy...
I have two and they enjoy the mat.

TV time...guess Russell lost his 
spot on the couch.

Merlot jumped the hurdles in record time.

Sherlock always puts on a display of his

fine jumping skills.

The squirrel got away but the boys 

always enjoy the chase.

Cooper and Spicy snuggle on the bed...a memory
that will always warm our hearts - August 3, 2017.

Golden beets and Summer cherries

Happy Sunday everyone! It's a cloudy morning, comfortable temperature although I am wearing "une p'tite laine" as my mom used to call it....a light sweater. We're on the deck and continue to enjoy these precious Summer moments. 

This past week was good although we found ourselves glued to the news as the Canada-US negotiations seemed to change by the hour. It was hard not to feel invested given how much is at stake. In the end, the negotiations broke off. As was said time and time again by many, no deal is better than a bad deal. Whatever one's politics, I have to admit that we felt proud watching Prime Minister Carney stand his ground. 

Other than watching politics, we didn't do much. It was an ordinary week and it was nice. One night for dinner, I roasted some golden beets that I got at our local outdoor market. They are our favourite, especially at this time of year. I also bought some cherries from the Okanagan Valley. We are obsessed with them. So very good 🍒 That's what I find comfortable about this change of season...the Fall bounty and its abundance. Simple gifts that nourish more than our bodies. Good for the table, good for the soul.

Our boys are doing good and are desperately trying to catch squirrels. No luck so far but they come close more often than not. It's exhausting to watch LOL! On the training front, I've been working on trying to slow Merlot down a bit when running a course which means learning to manage my own excitement. Giving him a quieter clue settles him down somewhat.

Yesterday was Family and Pet Day at Edgewater Park in Pointe-Claire. We didn't know until we got there. It gave our boys a chance to walk with tons of distractions around them. They did quite well although at times it was a bit too much so we drifted away from the crowd.

This is the last full week of August. How did that happen? I hope everyone is enjoying the last bit of Summer vacation before school resumes. In Quebec, some kids go back to school tomorrow. Yikes! Have a great week everyone!

BIG smiles from both of the boys as
they patrol the yard.

A leisurely moment on the deck
with the soft glow of the late 
afternoon sun on the Japanese
maple.

It is face time...Merlot is such a 
joyful free spirit.

A face that says it all with one 
glance...Sherlock is very expressive.

A little training with sit /down stay at a distance 

and then a bolt to reward.

Squirrel alert...these guys want the backyard

to be a squirrel free zone.

Merlot on the course...watch his pace...he has

slowed it down a touch.

Sherlock is always consistent and deliberate

in his approach to the course.

What more could you ask for ... a chin on your 

knee and a tail wagging...perfect.

Cooper and Spicy...stuck on each other as they
had an afternoon nap - August 10, 2018.

44 days to go!

Happy Sunday everyone! There is something about mid-August that makes me want to slow down and soak it all in. The days are still warm but the mornings are starting to carry that little hint of Fall. I'm not ready to let Summer go so I will happily throw on another layer, which is what I did this morning. That warm fleece came out of the closet and I'm enjoying the quiet outdoors. It's 15 Celsius, not bad at all but the air feels fresh. 

This brings me to Summer slowly giving way to, not only cozy mornings, but to hockey season. Just 44 days to go until the puck drops on another HABS season and the excitement is building. I'm looking forward to watching every game, following all the story lines and seeing what's in store for the Montreal Canadiens this year. Russell and I also have something special to look forward to...we will be at the Bell Centre on Saturday October 10 to watch the HABS against Detroit. We have secured the same tickets as last year. Can't wait!

This past week was good and somewhat predictable...I spotted Fall Mums at Metro. Same time every year. I couldn't resist and bought one planter for the deck. It adds a nice touch of colour.

The rain that we've had lately has given another boost to our grass. It is green again and growing fast. We are also noticing a lot of morning dew, more than usual. Merlot & Sherlock, of course, don't care and happily wander through the damp grass. By the time they come back inside, their legs are looking a little more than ratty LOL! Morning dew and two happy pooches make for a pretty combination. 

This week, I have another physio appointment and I'm thinking that I might only need a few more.  My hips seem to be responding to the exercises, which I do daily under the watchful eyes of our boys. I know that osteoarthritis doesn't go away but the exercises are helping with the joint stiffness. 

That's my blog for today. I wish you all a great week!

Merlot and Sherlock on watch...
new spot on the patio - same
vigilance!

Merlot and Sherlock watching me exercise, with 
background pillows of Cooper and Spicy 
keeping faithful watch over all of us.
It was a thoughtful gift from Lori.

Sherlock, true to form...my knee 
makes an excellent spot to rest
his chin...while Merlot surveys
the yard.

Merlot and his masters slippers...
he always seems to find a comfortable
spot to rest near to us.

Nothing better than rolling in the fresh scent of

newly mowed grass...Sherlock loves this!

...and the games continue, a morning ritual.

A cardinal and finch enjoying the Summer.

Just like the ebony and ivory of the keyboard,
Cooper and Spicy joyfully sat at the piano at
Edgewater Park, August 19th, 2022.

A soggy morning

Another Sunday has arrived and it's a soggy one although the sun is supposed to make an appearance later. We're sitting on the deck now, wrapped in the quiet of the morning with hardly a sound or a breeze stirring around us. That's what I like about Sundays....the stillness and the feeling of having nowhere to rush to. 

This past week was good and particularly special as I got to visit a beautiful litter of puppies. It made the moment even more meaningful knowing that our sweet Merlot is their proud daddy. Watching those tiny paws explore the world, seeing their little personalities starting to shine and knowing they carry a little piece of Merlot was incredibly heartwarming. I can't wait to watch Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh continue to grow. Elevage Amyla, you make beautiful puppies 💖

Our boys are doing well. I bought another set of cavaletti poles to add to their fun. I quite like mixing the poles with the cones. It adds a new element of amusement while keeping their minds and bodies busy. They each have their own way of tackling the course. Merlot charges through with enthusiasm, quick feet and very little time for overthinking. Sherlock has a more deliberate approach, carefully placing each paw as if there is a serious strategy involved. Different styles but the same results..and most importantly, they both have the same amount of fun.

Russell and I got some yard work done. I weeded, we cut the grass. Soon time for trimming back some perennials. We seeded another area of our yard and fenced it in as it's a high traffic zone for the boys. We'll see what happens.

Before ending this blog, I want to send our thoughts to the residents of British Columbia who are dealing with the worst fires ever. The province is under a state of emergency. We hope these fires get under control soon.

I leave you with some photos and videos taken last week. There is a bit of a chair theme going on, matching the memory photo of Cooper & Spicy. It was not intentional, it just happened that way 😊 

Have a great week everyone!

Sherlock has some unique ways to
rest his chin...ah this table works,
while sharing the chair with Merlot.

Merlot likes to perch on the Muskoka 
chair.

A table and the arm of the chair...
another spot to rest his chin...
Sherlock is unique!

Cute little Monet in her playpen just chilling.

Don't blink or you will miss the speedy one 

running the maze...way to go Merlot.

Mr. Deliberate - Sherlock takes it steady and 

carefully as he clears the maze course.

Mona and her pups....too cute.

Three darlings...all developing very well and

with Merlot's colouration.

Two on a chair with room to rest a chin...
Cooper and Spicy were like salt and pepper..
always together, August 1, 2021.

Hello August

Happy Sunday everyone! It's 6:30 am, we're on the deck and it's very muggy. The sky is looking a bit angry. Rain and thunderstorms are on the menu for today. 

There is something about the beginning of August that feels different. The mornings are a little darker now. If you're up early like us, you can sense that quiet hint of the seasons beginning to turn. This morning, we had to turn on the lights outside. Yikes!

Our garden is putting on a nice show. Our perennials are at their peak, overflowing with colour. The bees are busy going from bloom to bloom. Everything is full and abundant. For us, August is a month that invites us to slow down a little...to linger over a cup of coffee on the deck and soak up every warm, sun-filled day before Summer gives way to Autumn. Thankfully, we should have another three months of deck weather to savour. 

Our crabapple tree is going through its normal cycle at this time of year, mostly due to a fungus that seems to be affecting all the crabapple trees in the neighbourhood. It causes olive-brown spots on the leaves, then yellowing followed by early leaf drop by early August. We find ourselves raking them or the pooches bring them in the house. 

Merlot & Sherlock are doing well. It seems they have moved on from their fascination with the Brown-headed Cowbirds and have returned to their favourite pastime - squirrel chasing. Those little critters have made their way back to the crabapple tree trying to get the fruit. Yesterday, the boys must have burned a zillion calories just trying to catch a squirrel! 

Russell is doing good. He still keeps busy by being an "agitator" with the City of Beaconsfield. No doubt a few people at City Hall see him coming and think "here we go again" LOL! 

That's my blog for this first Sunday of August. We're having our family over for lunch today. It will be nice to get together. Have a great week everyone!

Sherlock and Merlot pause for a brief
moment during our walk at the 
Edgewater Park.

Sherlock is almost very relaxed
while on watch!

...now Merlot knows how to relax
while on squirrel watch!

Merlot and Sherlock believe our 
furniture is their furniture...here 
Merlot is enjoying the patio table.

Sherlock looking a little messy in the 
TV room after digging up the blanket.

 

Release the hounds...

The great escape...squirrel style...with the boys

in hot pursuit.

Always time for a little sumo-style 

wrestling.

A vista of blossoms....

Cooper and his bestie Spicy,
chilling on the patio...this 
moment, August 15th, 2019.

The Backyard Bird Patrol

Happy Sunday everyone! It's warm, sunny and the only sound is coming from the birds. We're on the deck now, enjoying yet another Summer morning. I can't believe this is the last week of July. 

It's that time of year when Mother Nature decides she's almost done showing off. The lush, emerald-green grass that made everything look like a postcard has been replaced with patches of straw-coloured grass. Our pooches, of course, couldn't care less. Every blade has a story. Their enthusiasm never fades even if the lawn does. Bonus...Russell doesn't need to cut the grass as often.

And then, there are those Brown-headed Cowbirds that have invaded our backyard. While Russell and I admire the goldfinches or cardinals, Merlot & Sherlock are obsessed with the cowbirds. They come in a flock, land on the grass then fly away as soon as our boys try to chase them. The deck transforms from a viewing platform into a launch station. I captured Merlot chasing them the other day. It's a very short video but if you look closely, you see the birds flying away. To say they are obsessed is an understatement. Not that long ago, the squirrels ruled their world. Now, they barely earn a second glance. One has to wonder what will be next LOL!

Merlot became a dad a few weeks ago...three beauties and they look just like Merlot did when he was a puppy. We look forward to seeing how those pups will turn out. It's exciting. I guess that makes us doggie grand-parents and Sherlock is an uncle (they are after all 3/4 brothers) 😍

Our boys got a new toy from their Havanese friend Tinker. They both enjoy it but Merlot is the one most obsessed with it. He can be such a goofball and he excels at entertaining himself. Sherlock is a bit more reserved, although he has his moments of craziness, especially around meal times LOL!

That's my blog for this week. I leave you with some videos taken last week and a few photos. I thought I would include one of Russell and I taken by our friends a few weeks ago. I quite like it. Have a great week everyone! 

Butt to butt...they are on
watch for the comings and
goings.

Merlot is a very proud father of 
3 gorgeous pups...all with his
markings.

A delightful lunch at friends and are
you taking a photo of me taking a photo of you?!

Morning wags...everyone's day should

start this way!

Merlot has not quite figured out how fast 

birds are...maybe he will one day.

Fun with the new bunny from Tinker....Merlot 

is a self directed ball of non-stop fun.

Sherlock is all smiles...particularly when it

is close to meal time.

Merlot and the maze...no short-cuts allowed.

Sherlock knows how to navigate these cones.

Spicy and Cooper reaching for the 
sky and they look for treats from
above...this moment July 13th, 2022.

Remembering my sister

  

Today, I remember my sister Lynn who passed away unexpectedly last week. She was my baby sister. As children, life was simple. We shared a world of imagination, laughter and the quiet certainty that we would always be part of each other's story. That wasn't meant to be.

Throughout the years, her life became such that it pulled us apart more than either of us probably wanted. Although we became estranged in the few years before her passing, I am reminded that while relationships can sometimes be complicated, love, loss and remembrance can exist together. 

Lynn brought two wonderful sons into this world, my nephews Sean & James, two of the finest young men I know. That is her legacy worth honouring.

I will remember Lynn as my little sister, the one who came along sixteen months after me, whom I looked out for long before either of us knew what that would come to mean. She was also my brother Francois's older sister. He is grieving her loss alongside me. 

Lynn can now rest. I truly hope she has found the peace that eluded her most of her life. She will always have a place in my heart.

Until next week's blog, take good care of yourselves and those you love. 

Two sisters...without a care in the world.

Savouring Summer before it slips away

Happy Sunday everyone! Another gorgeous morning in Beaconsfield. The forecast for this upcoming week is looking spectacular. We are making the most of these beautiful Summer days...spending time on the deck, eating outside, simply soaking it all in before July quietly slips into August. 

This past week was good. Russell kicked off the week on a cleaning spree...washing all windows, deck glass panels and even our kitchen light globes. He was on a roll and there was no stopping him. And before anyone asks, he's not for hire LOL!

I had my second physio treatment and it went well. My daily stretching program is now firmly part of my day. It feels good in the moment, although some of the exercises are a little challenging. It's all about making steady progress, listening to my body and celebrating the small improvements along the way. As my physiotherapist said, it's a marathon not a sprint. One day at a time. 

Our boys are doing well. Their daily schedule is full. Between walks, fun games and the endless excitement of chasing birds and squirrels, there's never a dull moment. They sleep well at night. On Wednesday, we celebrated their two year Gotcha Day. Russell and I were remembering, with a smile, what our house looked like for the first six months or so...gates everywhere, watching them like a hawk to minimize/avoid any marking. Having two intact boys comes with its challenges but we navigated through it. Merlot & Sherlock have grown into young adults, each with their own unique personality, quirks and special ways of keeping us entertained. They have completely taken over our hearts...and our home 💕

That's my blog for today. I leave you with a few photos from last week, some short videos and our weekly memory photo of Cooper & Spicy. Have a great week everyone!

With the giraffe in tow, Sherlock 
and Merlot maintain backyard
vigilance.

In the dappled shade of the crabapple, these two
seem to be shouting, can you see me now?

Sherlock and Merlot were intrigued by the 
sound coming from the wall mounted 
speaker.

Everyone has a place reserved at the 
table for our morning rituals.

Daisies in bloom and the Daylilies
emerging behind a lovely scene.

Merlot thought better than to jump 

through the cones to get to the bowl LOL!

Sherlock says come on mom, this is 

too easy.

Merlot and his sofa antics.

And, the chase in on....squirrel alert at the far 

end of the yard - yet another escapee.

Spicy and Cooper constant
companions and always in our hearts,
this moment July 31st, 2020.