Changing Seasons – July 2018

My home city of Toronto seems to be going to hell in a hand basket this year.  There has been an unusually high number of gang-related shootings, innocent people being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and now a mass shooting in an area where I used to live.   It’s like the city has gone insane.

Meanwhile Northern Ontario is burning with over 100 fire forests triggered by the hot and dry summer we are having.  Too many of those fires are still out of control.  Every day on my FB feed I see photos posted by family and friends of smoke-filled skies.

If all that isn’t bad enough, our newly-elected provincial government makes me grind my teeth in frustration at their narrow-minded thinking.

All of this is to provide some background flavour to July in Ontario this year.  Every day the news has been filled with dire stories of tragedy and questionable political direction.  In the midst of all of this, I’m trying not to feel guilty that I’m having a wonderful summer.  Truth is, I’m typing this in my ‘whispering voice’ for fear of jinxing it.

My July has been full of family, friends, and outdoor activities.  I’ve golfed, cycled, kayaked, walked, swam, and just laid about doing absolutely nothing at all.

It doesn’t get much better than this.

Treetop Trekking and Ziplining

With Gilles

It was right about this time that the heat started to really affect me.  I wondered if they ever had anyone faint on the tree walk.  For a few head-spinning minutes, I was afraid I would be “that” person … but I’m thankful for the miracle of hydration!

Did I mention caves and crevices?  We did those too.  Our group leader enthusiastically guiding us down into the cooler temperatures.

Kayaking 

I’ve had a couple of kayaking adventures, including a date with my sister casually cruising the Nottawasaga River admiring the homes and cottages along the shore.

You are welcome here!

A very un-Canadian thing to say.

Only serious people need apply.

 

My sister, Tina … just enjoying the day.

Golfing

My friend Judy and I are back to our weekly golf evenings.  Fresh air, a pretty country setting, great company, and questionable golf play … all a highlight of my week in spite of the stifling humidity and inevitable insect bites.

Walking

With Helen away, my hikes have been solitary contemplative strolls … well, almost solitary. What should have been a quiet walk in a park on this day felt like a foray into enemy territory.

Did I ever mention I HATE Canada Geese? – nasty, disgusting blights on our green spaces.

Cycling

Summer isn’t summer without bonding time with my bike.

It’s rare for me to have someone to ride with, so when I do, it’s going to be a highlight.  This month it was on the Waterfront Trail near the Quebec border with our long-time friend, Scott.  Incredibly, he thought it would be fun to cycle with me at my poke-along speed.

He particularly liked the part about leaving painted rocks behind.

 

The beaches were so inviting on this hot and windy day.  A painted rock was left behind here.

Nope – not this one.  It was left at a different camping site.

This has been my July – so far.  There are still a handful of days left in this month and my calendar tells me that each one of those days is going to be full.

Perfect.

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Changing Seasons is a monthly photo challenge hosted this year by Su Leslie at Zimmerbitch.