This year continues to fly by and we are already at the end of July. I had such big plans and high expectations for this month but none of it was to be. I’m still somewhat entrenched in my pity party, feeling unmotivated and uninspired since my cycling accident in June.
However, as I was reviewing my photo library for the month trying to scratch up some inspiration for the Changing Seasons post, I was surprised by how many pictures I had actually taken. Perhaps the month wasn’t a complete bust after all.
These are the images from my “lost” month of July.
- The chaos of a family gathering early in the month. Since this had been early days in my recovery and I had very limited use of my left arm, the guys took over on my behalf. What they lacked in organization, they made up for in laughs and we had a great time together. In other words, it was perfect.
2. Summer means Race Season for this family. With one son into obstacle racing and the other son into triathlon, we were busy spectators this month.
The *showers* post-race. I loved the clouds in this perfect summer sky.
The swim portion of Swim, Bike, Run at Ontario Place for the Toronto Triathlon Festival. I was told the water was very cold.
3. Walking in lieu of cycling. Hiking along the Rouge River near home. July has been hot, humid, and very dry. The grass actually crunched underneath our feet.
4. And July of course means the 6-day Friends For Live Bike Rally from Toronto to Montreal.
I was very sad to wave good-bye to the riders and crew as they headed off on this year’s ride. I was supposed to be going with them. Instead I am restricted to following their progress through social media.
I’m looking forward to more summer ahead, hoping I’ll be fully healed soon, and that August doesn’t fly by quite so quickly!
Changing Seasons is a monthly photo challenge hosted by Cardinal Guzman.
My Life Lived Full 
Your photo of the stream made me realize, you are maybe in pain but you still choose peaceful walking in nature and enjoying your place as cheerleader for your son, husband and others. Nicely expressed and display of courage and Grace under fire, Joanne.
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That’s really nice, Robin. I appreciate that compliment ❤
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It looks like your pity party has been filled with adventures even if you weren’t able to participate in the race. How’s the healing after the accident?
Obstacle racing seems pretty cool!
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The healing is coming along but sometimes I feel like I’m taking 2 steps forward and 1 step back. In other words, I’m very impatient
Obstacle racing is WAY more fun to watch than triathlons. When it comes to athleticism, these people really rock.
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what an exciting and busy month for your family. I love all the activity that I see. I wish you fast recovery.
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Thank you 🙂
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[…] https://mylifelivedfull.wordpress.com/2016/07/25/changing-seasons-the-lost-month-of-july/ […]
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I am glad you remembered some good times this month. Hopefully you are feeling better after the accident.
I tend to feel down a lot when I am stuck at home more than not. Then I look back on the hundreds of pics I still managed to take and realize I did have some good moments in my days. Hugs
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That’s exactly what happened to me too. I felt like the entire month was a bust … until I started reviewing my photos.
This Changing Seasons feature is a great way to look back on the month 🙂
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Glad to hear you are getting better Joanne. So much going on for your family in the summer, so lovely to see Dad and Son participating together. I bet you are the best cheer squad ever!
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I try to be a good cheerleader and get as many photos as I can. I learned however that clapping with a broken collarbone is a VERY bad idea. Ouch!
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Gorgeous photos and a packed month – looks like you’re finding plenty of silver linings in your cloud 😉
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ooooh – I love that turn of phrase “finding plenty of silver linings in your cloud”…. not one, but PLENTY!! I love that. Suddenly I feel so very fortunate ❤
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Joanne in some ways I am happy for you that the time is flying by. Each day a closer step to being fully recovered and getting back to the activities you love. I wanted to reach through the screen and give you a hug as you sent your cycling crew off on their ride. Such a disappointment for sure. Xoxo
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You are always so generous with your hugs … and I’m always a happy recipient. Many thanks ❤
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I can SO relate to having a schedule and carefully laid plans turned topsy turvy by an accident – they’re never convenient, are they? My husband and I were on an uninhabited island of Scotland (Staffa), when I stepped on a basalt column just wrong… my left foot turned completely inward, dislocating! My husband wrenched it back into place, but because it didn’t break, I was out for the count for nearly 6 months before it was completely well again. 😛 I hope your arm heals quickly, so that you can enjoy the rest of the summer!
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OUCH!! I’m not sure which part I cringed at more – the dislocating part, or your husband putting it back into place.
I’ve been told that dislocating a joint is
FAR WORSE than breaking a bone and the I’m not surprised by your long recovery time. UGH!!
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It is far worse, especially because it takes far longer to heal. If you want to details, here’s the link: https://stephaniehuesler.com/2015/07/20/i-got-staffad/ with a photo of the island; at the bottom of the cliffs on the right, where the wave is crashing, is where it took me down… fortunately it was during low tide. But I still had to walk back to the jetty and wait for a ship…:-p
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For someone laid up with a significant injury you’ve pulled together a mighty fine post! Actually, it’s a mighty fine post regardless. So kudos. 🙂
What’s in the Tupperware container on the table?
And when you and Jude decide to open the bottle of Bombay Sapphire, let me know and I’ll be there too.
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Thanks MOSY 🙂
The container is full of brown sugar … and no, I have no idea why it was on the table 🙂
Alright – we now have a party for 3 with the Bombay Sapphire! 🙂
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Yes I imagine it would take a lot to keep you down…so great that you can participate in your families activities vicariously. Hope you’re feeling the healing soon!
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I’m really quite proud of their passion for challenging themselves like this. The least I can do is provide support and encouragement and showing up to watch them cross the finish line is a *win* for both of us!
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Wow…for such a physically fit family, you sure can put away the booze! 😀 😀
July has gone way too fast…working on the house every weekend I take pictures but am too tired to organize a post. So, I’m just going to admire yours! 😉
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Wow! You did well as far as photos are concerned, all things considered! I’ve hardly taken any at all. It’s too hot for me 🙂
That ‘smorgasbord’ for the family gathering looks really interesting and tasty. Awesome shot of the CN tower …
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thanks – I was surprised at how much I had done in spite of being ‘disabled’ and reliant on others! Hopefully August will be even more action packed 🙂
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Well I am happy to leave all the running and cycling to you and your family, but I don’t mind sharing that Bombay Sapphire with you 🙂 Glad you are on the mend Jo. Take it easy now…
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Then I know what you and I will be drinking *when* we finally get together 🙂
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The party looks like the food and drink were delicious, and you were able to get out and enjoy your families activities from the sidelines. The images are priceless! I hope Summer lasts a good long while yet. I’m not ready to see it end either.
Take good care of yourself!
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Summer isn’t nearly long enough in these parts, so I’ll make the most of what I get!
One thing is for sure – there will be plenty of food and drink before this summer is over 🙂
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Wish I was closer for that! 🙂
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In Finland we often think that summer is over in August! Probably because schools start then and people return to work. But I think I will try to think like you and see summer as ongoing even in August 😀
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This year I intend to squeeze out summer until October if I can! 😉
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Easy now. It’s not yet the end of July …. It’s “nearly” the end of July. 😉 so sorry to learn of your accident, Joanne. Happy healing!!
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hahaha! Fair enough … I appear to be in a hurry to get rid of July 🙂
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“Slow and steady wins the race”. 😉 Sometimes, this is true for healing as well.
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I feel bad for you, Joanne. It’s tough to miss a season of activity, especially summer. I hope you continue to heal. Maybe summer will run well into September/October and give you a second shot.
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Thanks Dan.
In spite of my whining, I am trying to make the most out of this down time and as you say, there’s lots of summer still ahead 🙂
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You certainly have a legitimate claim to being sad. I spend a summer with one leg in a cast, it was very pretty tough in July.
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Nooo! That would have been brutal. ok – I’ll stop whining now. At least I’m not in an itchy cast!!
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We went to the New England Air Show at Westover AFB with me on crutches. Trust me, I whined 🙂
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ouch! you were entitled 🙂
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I agree – July is going by far too fast. We’ve been cool out in CA but it’s starting to heat up and with it, the air quality is going down. ; (
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Yeah, that’s another sad part about hot weather near cities 😦
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I know you probably hate being sidelined for all this action but I’m wondering if you have noticed or appreciated different things being an observer instead of a participant? Sometimes, I’ve found, that when I’m in the middle of something, I’m so focused on what I’m trying to accomplish that I miss the finer points. Still, July looks like it’s been a pretty good month, regardless.😊
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Nancy, you are bang on!
The biggest thing I’ve noticed is that because I’ve been forced to slowdown, any task I’m working on takes my total attention. I’m not already starting to fuss about the ‘next thing’ I have to get done, or beating myself up at the end of the day because so many things didn’t get done.
It’s been an excuse to stop and smell the proverbial roses.
When I look at it that way, it has been a pretty good month 🙂
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There’s your silver lining!😊
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Aw, Joanne… 😦 I must say, I’m surprised by that still-full bottle of gin on your table… now that was a very restrained pity party!
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nooo – it’s the empty one beside it necessitating a new one to be cracked open. Not to mention the near empty bottle of vodka, and the small bottle of whiskey.
We take our parties – pity or otherwise – very seriously 😉
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It’s the only way to go 🙂
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I know it must be hard to stay on the sidelines… but look at what great pictures you are able to take! Having now driven from Toronto to Montreal, I’m even more impressed at those who make the journey via bicycle! Wishing you continued recovery!!
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Thanks Janis … although I must say that I was feeling somewhat less disappointed about missing Bike Rally when I woke up this morning at 4:30 to the sound of thunder and pouring rain.
… it’s not so great in a tent – or having to ride on the wet roads.
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Nice photos of the river! 🙂
Poor you, but then, also, lucky you.
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Yes – it’s funny how there is always a silver lining as long as we choose to see it 🙂
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Gah, I feel your pain Joanne, in not being able to participate in the way that you would like to. I am not very good at standing on the sidelines either! Hoping you are mending well & will be back to your usual active self very soon my friend.
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Thanks Lynn. I’m definitely afflicted with FOMO right now
I’m feeling particularly pouty right now because I overdid it thinking I ready and now I’m suffering for it. Now I know what it’s said patience is a virtue. It’s because IT’S REALLY HARD!!
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It must be difficult to be injured during a month when there are so many outdoor activities going on. Although, I would think trying to get around in the snow with an injury would be even worse! How far along are you in your healing process? I’m sure you are going to be very happy when you’re 100% again!
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I decided very early on that an injury like this in the winter would be even worse trying to manage all the layers of warm clothes … not to mention the awkwardness of dealing with icy conditions!
I was told it would be about 7-8 weeks and I’m now approaching week 5.
Unfortunately, last week I was feeling really good and mistook it to mean I could do more than I probably should have. Now I’m suffering for it. Sigh. I wasn’t blessed with an abundance of patience.
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Oh yeah, I know how that is. I had surgery some years ago now and then it developed into fibromyalgia so it was hard to tell where one stopped and the other began. Even worse since no one diagnosed the fibro. I was constantly convincing myself I was doing something to prolong the healing. But enough about me…
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Really?! That sounds awful. Now I’m going to have to look up fibromyalgia!
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Oh no! You’ll drive yourself crazy!!
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… too late …
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Uh oh…
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I hope you’re making progress, and feeling better. Lazy guy that I am, it looks to me like you’re getting a nice break, not having to race in any of those triathlons.
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hahahaha!! Thanks Tippy for the laugh 😀
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Wow, what an active family you have! Sorry you have to sit this summer out, but I’m sure you will be back in it soon enough. That “family gathering” spread looks delish!
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I’ve only recently come to appreciate how active we are as a family. My husband and I have been involved in training and racing for years, but our sons are relatively new to the racing environment and we couldn’t be more proud of them 🙂
… and not surprisingly, our get-togethers usually involve discussions about training and racing!
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