Mea Culpa

I feel like I owe an apology to all the bloggers I regularly follow.

This summer I have been largely MIA.

I have simply not had the time or energy to read blog posts, and even worse, as I look ahead at my calendar for September, it’s just as heavily booked as the past 3 months have been.

To be honest, it’s a nice problem to have, but the guilts are creeping in that I’m neglecting what I consider to be an important part of my life – the online relationships I’ve formed.

In my defence, you’ve been up against some very tough competition in the real world.

This is a small sampling of what my August looked like:

1. I’ve been doing some hiking in spite of a continuation of the hot and humid weather, but I’ve not let it slow me down much.

Elora Gorge Conservation Area

Elora Quarry

2.  I’ve spent time on my bike back on the TransCanada Trail, this time in the Montreal area.

Along the old Lachine Canal in Montreal

3. I’ve had opportunities to spend time on the water.

Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, Laval Quebec

Speed River, Cambridge Ont

4. I made another trip back to Mont Tremblant, Quebec for Son #1’s first full Ironman* race … on the starting line with his dad who was racing his 20th Ironman.

Ready at the swim start with Jordan, Gilles, and friend Trevor – also racing his first Ironman

They all did very well – even if they were somewhat fried at the end.  This is a race with a 17 hour cutoff. Jordan finished in 12 hours and 30 minutes, Gilles in 14 hours, and Trevor in 16 hours and 30 minutes.

5. I’m so blessed to have great friends in my life and this past month I’ve been thrilled to spend quality time with many of them – both long time friends and new ones.

Norm Frampton from Norm 2.0 on the Rivière-des-Mille-Îles in Laval Quebec

With Deb from the Widow Badass, at the Stratford Festival for a stage production of Rocky Horror Picture Show

6. I’ve spent quiet time with family sharing stories, laughing, and just enjoying each other’s company.

The quiet outside while everyone was in kitchen getting ready for dinner.

7. And in the midst of all that busy-ness, I managed to abandon the workspace I’ve used for the past 7 years in the dining room and setup my own private little “office” in the basement to explore some new creative avenues.

Perhaps the honest thing to do would have been to take a break from blogging for an indefinite period of time … but I’m not ready to do that yet.  We’re friends, so I know you will understand and I hope you are enjoying your own grand adventure of discovery.

I’ve squeezed just about all I can out of this summer but I will continue to ride this train for as long as my energy lasts.

On the South Simcoe Heritage Train with good friends, Barb and Lisa.  Riding an old 100 year old train in style … with the windows open.

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* An Ironman is a triathlon comprised of a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, and a full marathon run of 42.2 km (2.4 miles, 112 miles, and 26.2 miles respectively)

This post is in response to the monthly photo challenge of The Changing Seasons hosted by Su Leslie at Zimmerbitch.