Category: Uncategorized
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bad ideas. good stories
I saw this truthy nugget printed on a coworker’s t-shirt on Friday (dress down for inventory). based on many experiences in my adolescence and early adulthood, it struck me as a very poignant reminder of how we become wiser and more cautious with age, but that we lose some of that reckless abandon that comes…
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Hairshirt North :: 2025
starting with a flat before we even rolled out of Meridian Place, delaying our start a little, allowing late-arrivers a bit more time to get ready and leave with the rest of the group after the puncture was patched up. heat was a factor today. 32c midday when we parked the bikes for lunch in…
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Jordy’s Three
Chris and I pedaled across town to celebrate Jordyn’s three complete trips around the Sun. we stopped by the Airshow to see several skilled and spunky pilot above the Bay and a few ignorant and idiotic spectators around the Bay. of course, most people were great and happy to share the spectacule in the sky…
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Wasaga Won Hundred :: 2025
the forecast for the fourth annual April fondo ride was looking pretty grim during the week leading up to it. late March and early April were mostly cold and a little wet and I really needed a pick-me-up; I was hopeful this ride would help me shake the blues. a pleasant surprise that Paul made…
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the Arborist’s wet dream
the horrible, beautiful ice storm disaster of Spring twenty-five… to a meteorologist, it’s a rarity to a tree hugger, it’s a crying shame to a photographer, it’s a rare spectacle to a property owner, it’s a liability to a mayor, it’s a state of emergency to a provincial premier, it’s a photo op to a…
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thin ice
despite the cold, grey, wet weather, Chris and I decided to walk about with Mikayla, Jordyn and Artie. the icy environment comes into sharper focus when seen through children’s eyes. the lights in our home had flickered several times before we left for our walk causing us to speculate there may be several branches down…
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eye to eye
Lily’s eyes are so striking. wide with wonder. blue as the great beyond. sparking with a spirit of spontaneity and joy.
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Nature. Always. Wins.
for millennia humans have been altering our environment to better suit our desires. we have developed a self-assured hubris that we can dominate and control the Natural world that surrounds us. yet, Nature proves to us time and again – think pandemics, hurricanes, wild fires, to name a few examples – that our hubris will…
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a spoonful of sugar
the wonders of modern medicine: this was all before Doc got me on the right meds. I’m much better now 🤪
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sticky
I biked to work this morning on dry roads but by noon wet sticky snow was falling. by evening, when I was forced to leave my two-wheeler at work and walk to Mom’s place and back, I experienced a cognitive dissonance as I was cursing the slippery, snow clogged sidewalks while simultaneously enjoying the beauty…
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Wintree
long after the colourful foliage of Fall has dropped from the branches that continue to reach for the grey Winter skies, I can’t help but look up in wonder. I marvel at the stark dendritic patterns that are silhouetted against the dark Winter sky above. often, these gnarly branches house a squirrel’s sanctuary high above…
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zero
walking with Artie on a morning when the temperature hovers around zero; hours before the thermometer will plummet. the last drops fall just before they freeze. yesterday, Mikayla was awarded for simply being who she is. the embodiment of kindness. like her Mom. like her Gramma. my recent clavicle image tells me the regular activity…
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Luci(fer) ~ 2011-2024
Luci. Little LuLu. Lucifer. Fkn Luci. Luzer, are a few of the many handles she carried in our house over the course of thirteen years. years ago, Chris googled how do you make a Chihuahua stop barking… “don’t get one” was the response. her shrill bark was like fingernails on a chalkboard. Luci was always…
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anachronism: Bell land lines
apparently nobody misses them… dozens of shredded copper pairs. you’d think Bell service techs would be all over it but apparently no one complains; it’s been like this for a while looks like a City lawnmower or snowplow got the better of it, LoL 😆
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happy new year
in twenty twenty five:• may your life be simple and uncomplicated• may you remember that the “little things” really do matter• may those little things result in a boatload of happiness and gratitude Magnificent Seven, the Clash
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sewer swirls
pre-Christmas views around the hood where Artie and I like to roam in the evening and Louie struggles with his saliva. Winter is officially here, whether we like it or not
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this month’s views
a dark, dreary December is illuminated by bright family faces and our neighborhood’s colourful Christmas decorations. these views help to buoy my mood as I struggle through the darkest days of the year. a few more days until the day’s light begins to lengthen…
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Remembrance Day
What I remember, vicariously, through my father’s and mother’s stories… Both my parents were Dutch immigrants to Canada in 1960. All my siblings and I were born in Canada. Growing up, we’ve heard many wartime stories (World War II), vividly remembered by mom and dad who were ten and twelve years old when the war…
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Autumn heralds Winter…
the Sun set early yesterday after work. the Bay was very cool and calm. the fountain no longer flows. Winter is on its way…
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my Fall collection
an unusually warm September kept the chlorophyll working longer than usual, thereby delaying and muting the cacophony of colourful leaves that usually fill our tree canopies. however, the warmer than usual weather also encouraged us to get outside and enjoy the changing season in what felt like an endless Summer stretching well into October!
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Lime Ricky ~ 1969
Oro is beautiful; whether I say so, or not. just warm enough today to sit outside the Oro Station General Store for a bottle of soda and Doritos. all’s I wore today was pyjamas and a bike kit. truth be told; it was a perfect day
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the unexpected
plans don’t always follow the expected path, but if we keep moving forward, we maintain our balance and ultimately reach our destination
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Lily James Kilroy
Chris and I were chilling on the back patio enjoying an evening visit from Cathy and Al in the beautiful late Summer Sun on Friday the Thirteenth. Rachel was due to deliver their little girl on September 8, so we knew we would be receiving a call at any time. well, after more than an…
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kickin around on a piece of ground in your home town
Chris and I enjoyed being shown around the hood by Harrison on this, the day his new sister was due to be born. he is a happy, humourous and thoughtful kid who makes friends easily, as demonstrated by his quick connection with sisters Caitlin and Caroline at the playground. energy to burn, that boy!
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Southwood Road Ramble :: 2024
postponed, postponed, postponed… and so, my August Two Wheels to Nowhere gran fondo became a September epic effort. wind warnings popping up on my Garmin early on, warned me the ride was gonna be a lot of fun. in one direction. 😜 a really strong crew ripped through the first half, leaving one rider to…
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Sylvia swims the Bay
one day a few weeks ago, out of the blue, my sister says she wants to swim across Kempenfelt Bay and asked me if I would help with a canoe escort. of course! now, Sylvia is not a routine swimmer but she keeps herself generally strong and fit. So, it was no surprise when she…
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August 🔆
a ride at Sunrise and a dip in the Bay, all before work! a fantastic fog blanketed our route. beautiful
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outa control
Jordyn turned two in June. our granddaughter comes by the curls honestly from her Mom and Dad. recent heat and humidity has her hair running outta control. we’ve had a lot of fun with her this Summer! It’s so awesome living so close to her.
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Hairshirt North :: 2024
as the Sun slowly edged up over the horizon on the North Shore of Kempenfelt Bay in a shroud of fog, I was so stoked to see seventeen riders rolling out of Meridian Place for our annual double-century Hairshirt North ride through the lakelands of Simcoe County. seven riders took the “Tank Top” 140k escape…
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week.end
windstill and warm waters were welcoming after a stellar ride along the north shore of #kempenfeltbay
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Barrie Air Show
an awesome aviation spectacle over Kempenfelt Bay on Sunday! Leah and Mikayla called me on Friday to invite me for a Father’s Day excursion on our bikes down to the north shore park, followed by dinner at their house. we watched my cycling buddy, Chris Herten, along with several other skilled pilots, entertain the crowds…
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let the good times roll
as we approach the Solstice, we roll into prime cycling season. early morning rides are such a great way to start the day. I love the Summer light and heat and frequent dips in the Bay, lazily splashing about as I cool off in the calm water, watching the Sun set between my toes
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lights out for the week
I had to go from my office back to the shop floor quickly, just before leaving work, to pick up some parts. the shop was dark and quiet as I made my way across the shop floor. as I walked back to the office entrance, l was struck by the abstract dark shadows cast on…
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Springtime tempest
wild weather on Wednesday evening led to calm and clear skies Thursday morning over Kempenfelt Bay
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morning wheels
my favourite weekly ride is occurring with regularity now. the BCC Sunrise Ride invariably delivers considerable comradery, stunning Sunrise scenes and an energizing entry to the workday. feeling great gratitude for where we live and who fills the spaces nearby
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some extra horsepower
I had some extra help on my ride recently. not sure how many watts these two beauties added, but it was about one horsepower or two times a half horsepower Oreo and Ember live not far from our house in Allandale with their human, Chris. All three of them were kind and friendly; gentle out-going…
Two Wheels To Nowhere 