Intention - the word of the moment for me.  It is a word which has many meanings; purpose, present, with emotion, meaning, follow through, purposeful, boundaries, mindful... and I could go on.

Intention can also bring connotation of more negative meanings such as rigidity but I believe it to be the opposite.  Intention means to be present in moments when they change, as they change, being able to read situations, live in them, just be.  

Today, in our little corner of the world, Noah must have been building an ark. We started with work that needed to be done, especially a dump run.  The weather for the past few days has been warm, with yesterday being especially so.  Today, as mentioned, the sky opened up and as we were at the dump, we experienced a very intense and beautiful lightening show.  As we made our way to town, the weather was not lifting but we had other tasks to attend to and so off we went.

As time passed, our appetites did not and we needed to eat something, and at the same time, wouldn't you know it but the weather did not clear but certainly slowed and held. So in the car, we decided we needed to get out for a bit.  We headed to our marina called Prince Arthur's Landing where we ate, walked, laughed and simply enjoyed the views.  

One stop was one of my partner's and mine favourite, Breakwater Taphouse.  This spot holds special meaning to both of us as this was where we went on our first date and even more special as they will be closing their doors at the end of September due to development of the building. It was a great treat to be able to share this with my partner's daughter and it didn't hurt that Euro 2016 was playing on the television.  

This year, it has been interesting in terms of how my focus have shifted but not changed.  My running, I had thought would be more prominent as in racing and goal chasing.  The reality of life and my focus to stay healthy and balanced means that running is not my be all and end all, it is an important part of me but not all of me.  I am far more then my pair of runners, races or times. With that being said, running, although maybe not so prominent, is just if not more important to me. This I learned far more clearly after we were struck my a drunk driver this month and I was unable to run.  The anger, the frustration, the guilt of feeling those things made for some interesting moments trying to deal with life that still went on and not having my running as an outlet.  

What has helped me navigate these moments, is my them of intention.  My intention is to be the best me I can be in any given moment, to be thankful for what I have and to move forward with good vibes.  

I am sharing some of todays moments shot only on my iPhone 6.  The videos I took with no intention to keep them but I decided to play around in iMovie to just play.  The song your hearing in the video is one my favourite Canadian musicians.  They are a married couple that goes by the name of Whitehorse.  He is a runner and I certainly relate to that but the music they make together is breathtaking.  The song is Mismatched Eyes (The Boat Song).    

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​Every time I attend a graduation, whether it be for kids that I teach, kids I am related to or kids that I know, my own memories of the feeling of the road ahead of me at that same time in my life come rushing back. 

Today I was fortunate enough to see my partner's daughter, Claire, prior to her grade 8 graduation dinner and dance.  Although Claire and I have not known each other as long as others, we have been figuring out this thing called life as the "four of us" for some time now.  Claire is a free spirited, adventure seeking, fun loving girl who has a kind and open heart and mind. She is fiercely loyal and wants nothing more then everyone to be good. Claire loves her family deeply, blood and other wise, and will not hesitate to help when someone asks.  She is always up for trying something new so much so sometimes it leaves me wondering if we should have really tried that!  

I would like to leave my words there with the understanding that not everything should be shared on this platform.  What I do want to say to all the graduates and students this year is remember your journey has just begun, oh the places you'll go!

​#ohtheplacesyoullgo   

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Oh, the Places You'll Go!
by Dr. Seuss

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself 
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, 
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And then things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

You'll be on y our way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.

You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don't.
Because, sometimes, you won't.

I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.

You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.

You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.

And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles cross weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...

...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or the waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for the wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That's not for you!

Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.

With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!

Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You'll be as famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don't
Because, sometimes they won't.

I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.

And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.

But on you will go
though the weather be foul.
On you will go
though your enemies prowl.
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike,
And I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.

You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up 
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's 
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never foget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
You're off the Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!

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When I think of my father, I find it hard to put into words the feelings I have about him. He is someone who, regardless of my decisions, life paths, and situations has always stood by me.  He has, as I would imagine any parent does, felt all my joys and heartaches as if they were his.  I know that I am fortunate to have him as my mentor, guide, parent and hero.  This year is a very special year for him as he will soon be retiring and this will also mark a new chapter in my life as well. 

When I think of other fathers, I know many and some very good ones at that, but there is one who has found and has my heart in his hands.  Sometimes, life leads you down paths that are meant to help you learn about yourself, help you grow and become who you were meant to be.  For some of us, we are meant to meet that one person later so that we are ready because we wouldn't have been before.  And still yet, goals that might have been true a lifetime ago change because life doesn't always deal a straight hand.  

So this Father's day, as with last, I am able to spend the day with not only my father but my partner who is a father to two amazing children. He is the kind of father I have dreamt about for my kids.  Caring, fun, affectionate, active, full of life, firm, consistent, reasonable, emotional, artistic involved and simply there for his kids.  He tirelessly works at making sure the house is clean, meals are made, lunches packed, laundry done all while making jokes and being silly.  He never complains or gets upset when accidents happen. He is my perfect partner.  I may not be able to share the experience of having children with him but I can stand beside him while he raises his children.  I can experience his legacy and maybe play a small role in their lives.  I have chosen them as I have chosen him. 

Life is not always a straight line but your path is there.  This I have learned.  #happyfathersday

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For those that know me, know I am a beer girl.  I am not one for sweet drinks but have broadened my horizons to cider and a very dry champagne known as prosecco (really it's sparkling white wine).  Beer, wine and cesars are my drinks of choice which has led to some interesting drink placements from wait staff over the years.  

Beer has also led to some of the best decisions in my life, most notably my partner.  We connected over local brew and never looked back.  Something about the craft brew and the lifestyle that goes along with it which attracts a certain type of folk.  Down to earth, live in the moment, get off from up to couch kinda people that I and we really relate to.  

Last year, I wasn't able to go to Brew Fest so I had high hopes for good weather this year and oh today didn't disappoint.  With highs that felt that they were in the 30's , water and lots of it was the first step.  The next was cool, comfortable clothing and then patience.  The popularity of the event proved to have a few hiccups but overall, after beer in hand, life was pretty mellow.  

The local food trucks didn't disappoint and served until the end.  There were vendors and collectors which had a variety of items from jam, gelato and even beer from Northwestern Ontario memorabilia.  

In true craft beer and I would say active community spirit, we walked to and from the event.  Of course most of the images I and Randy shot were from this walk but really, how could we have not.  

We needed to end off the night with a sweet treat and TJs had just the thing.  We picked up Claire and off we went.  Days that start with Pride parades and end with Beer Fests and ice cream should be remembered for cold winter nights.  Consider this day logged. xoxoxox

#timewellspent 

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Fridays near the end of the school year have a certain sweetness in the air, a certain restlessness that you can't quite put your finger on.  In our little corner of the world, summer is so oh so short and even uttering the word might mean that it will quickly slip through our fingers to not return.  So, I say such words in hushed tones in hopes that the weather Gods do not hear.  But today, today was a beautiful day.  

With a professional development day ahead of me, my intention for today was to have a productive day, get what needed to be done done and then to enjoy the weather with one of our brood who spent the day away from school.  Honestly, I couldn't wait.  

It started with ice cream, which for me these days means either lactose free or water based...not complaining, still so satisfying on hot days. From there, my massage therapy which I am receiving very regularly post accident has proved to through me for a loop almost exactly 24 hours from the appointment. I am told this is normal and too be expected with the type of injury and the location of the work that is being done on me.  Think toxins and old blood and you get the picture.  I spent a few moments on a lawn chair in the sun which seemed to be exactly what I needed.  

We decided that staying home was simply not in the cards, and so did our K9 friends.  Quickly plans came together to go to Centennial Park. I asked if we should take the cameras and of course the answer was a very quick yes!  

The drive, oh the drive.  I am certainly a driver.  I don't need to be behind the wheel, I just need to drive on nice days with music going, it truly is a happy place!  When I bought my first new car, I wanted the sun roof and sound package. I knew for me, this was something that I would truly enjoy. I am the type of driver who needs to drive around the block when she hears her favourite song, the sun roof is always open, the windows always over A/C and the music turned way up. 

Once we got there, we just started to walk, mostly I knew where we were going, mostly.  I feel I have a fairly decent sense of direction and when all else fails, there is always SIRI... As does most walks turn out, there is always something to photography, something to find visually appealing and always something to talk about, or to say nothing at all.  I for one love those moments.  We had lots of moments today. All of which I will cherish for these moments are what life is made up.  xoxoxo 

#lifehappenshere

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As I write this post, and look at the images from this day, I can't help but think about how much can change. This post has taken some time.  It was supposed to have happened about a week ago  but life can change in a year, 6 month, a day, a second or even a moment.

Mere hours after these pictures were taken, we were involved in a car accident where we were struck by a drunk driver.  Nearly a full twenty four hours after that, we lost our old boy 'Shane'.  Both of these events I would like to discuss in more detail but not in this post.  I do want to a knowledge that this day was meant to be just that, a day to explore our little get-away from home.  The pictures seem to be heavy with impending change and gratefulness that it was just that and not more.  

Grand-Marais Minnesota is a small community along the North Shore.  We love it for it's small town feel but big city vibe.  The eats are amazing and the drink is even better.      

  One of our favourite spots is The Voyageur Brewing Company. They recently opened last year and it is a small gem with big tastes.  They have a ever changing selection of beers and a rooftop patio that is dog friendly.  During the summer they also have live bands on the roof and inside they feature oversized Jenga bean bag toss in the brewing area.  The atmosphere is very relaxed and family friendly. Eats are simple but yummy bar finds. Our favourite is consistently the picnic platter with local and surrounding area cheeses, hand made bread and smoked fish.   

The biggest draw to our favourite little spot has to be the outdoors and proximity to trails and views.  We can stay and walk in the village or jump in the car for a short drive to a look out or landmark, the choices are really endless and the changing seasons mean that you never see the same view twice.  This day, we decided to stay close to home as it were and walk to break wall.  Hailey loved the extra time to relax and take in the sights.  The photos in the gallery are my partners. Because the day trip was very "all of a sudden" we only had one memory card so Randy decided to take charge of the lens.  I managed to grab a shot of Hailey and of course our food but then the job of capturing the day was up to him.  
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