I love this monthly process of reviewing photos and reflecting on the month-that-was. Sometimes I see a pattern or a story, but usually it’s just randomness. I guess that’s life.
This is one of those months when all I see is a lot of randomness.
Some of it I’ve already written about this month – like our trip to Quebec City for my father-in-law’s burial,
…. the Fashion History Museum’s Tango Tea,
…. or the unusual outdoor gallery of statutes at Screaming Heads.
The weather changed this month – rather abruptly – from the steamy hot days to nights that were outright chilly. We had a 20C temperature change in less than 24 hours, from the low 30s to the low teens (high 80s to low 50s in Fahrenheit). I’ve never seen such a short turnaround from air conditioning to the furnace.
These are some of the highlights from my September. Click on any photo to enlarge and scroll through the gallery …
My last kayaking trip – this time to the shores of Lake Huron to paddle a section of the Saugeen River.
Jungle Cat World outside of Toronto in the small town of Orono. I had some serious reservations about this visit since I’m not a fan of seeing animals in captivity. I was however pleasantly surprised.
I love cats both big and small and this adorable gang did not disappoint.
We got a blast of wild and windy weather, but thankfully not as bad as the severe tornado damage in Ottawa.
The pool is now closed and the backyard sadly looks one giant leap closer to being ready for winter.
We still aren’t seeing much in fall colours yet, but the signs are there as everything starts to get that past-expiry-date look.
I feel a tiny bit of melancholy as the tinge of yellows and browns intensify in the neighbourhood, but I won’t grieve. This summer was amazing and I’m already starting to lay the foundation for surviving the coming winter.
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This post is in response to the monthly photo challenge Changing Seasons hosted this year by Su Leslie at Zimmerbitch.
I love the transition to fall — the colourful leaves and the crisp cool air. I even don’t mind the onset of west coast rain.
Jude
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Especially after this long uncomfortably hot summer. The cooler temperatures feel like a reprieve.
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How interesting this post is very easy to read and understand the comparison to another bog it is very
good and attractive thanks for sharing this post.
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Our leaves are supposed to be at their peak on the 20th-30th. I’m hoping that the rains that keep showing up move away for a while so that I’ll be able to get out and enjoy the changing of the seasons. We don’t have a pool, but my mother-in-law does and my husband closed it up for her. It really does feel like you’re saying goodbye to summer when that happens. Sorry about the canopy! Sometimes it’s crazy how powerful wind can truly be.
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I’m heading about 3 hours north of Toronto today hoping to catch some good autumn colours. Unfortunately the weather continues to be so gray and overcast it doesn’t make for the best picture taking, but I’m going now while I have a chance. Hopefully most/some of it will have survived the winds we’ve been having too.
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Yes, there is something sad about summer’s end. And having lived in the Northeast USA, I know that twinge of melancholy from seeing Autumn’s first colors. On the other hand, my wife and I would have been thrilled to see a lot of color on our recent trip up there. We saw some moderate colors, but unfortunately we arrived pre-peak. I misguessed the timing, but we still enjoyed the scenery and cooler temperatures.
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I was wondering how your trip went. I hope you’ll be writing about it and adding in some photos.
This is my favourite time of year. The cooler temperatures feel like such a relief after the summer months of heat and humidity.
There’s still not much colour in the city but I hope I can get north this week and see some pretty displays of nature.
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Our trip was great and the scenery was beautiful. We were in the very far north of New England. We made it within a mile of the Quebec border, but I forgot our passports, so we didn’t do our little planned foray into Canada. We saw a lot of color, especially at the higher elevations, but it wasn’t quite at its peak yet. But I imagine by now it is at peak.
Yeah I think I may do a few photo-based posts in the coming weeks.
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I was sorry to hear you hadn’t made it into Quebec. I was looking forward to reading about your adventures, but photos from New England will also be spectacular!
As an aside – I’ve been having a lot of problems *liking* and commenting on blogs for about a month now. Your blog is one that is proving particularly challenging. I contacted WP and so far they haven’t been very helpful.
Do you close comments on your blog after a week or two? I’m wondering if that’s part of my problem since I’m often late and trying to catch up.
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I just checked my settings and they were set to close comments after 7 days. So I changed it to 21 days. But don’t worry Joanne. Heck, blogging can get stressful when a person tries to read and comment on every post, so I understand when someone doesn’t get around to me. I do this for fun, and I hope that’s what others get out of blogging, also.
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Yes! – I can work with 21 days.
Now I’ll just tell you that your post on fixing the faucet in the bathroom was HILARIOUS. At one point I snorted coffee from my nose.
Ouch 🤣🤣🤣
I have issues with the whole leftie-rightie, loosie-tightie thing … or however it goes … but when it happens to someone else, it’s really funny 🤣
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It’s funny, but very embarrassing. It’s a rank amateur’s mistake. But sometime’s this brain of mine insists on putting me in rank amateur status.
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I know the feeling 🙂
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Too bad about the canopy but as you say it could have been much worse. As you look at your leaves thinking about turning colour you can console yourself that we had almost 40cm of snow this week. Well the skiing should be good right? 🙂
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I know! I felt so badly for you. Snow at this time of year is just wrong!! I hope this isn’t an indicator of what’s to come this winter.
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May our summer memories keep us warm in a few months. You surely had some great summertime fun. It’s been fun being there with you. xo
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Im catching up on reading my favorite blogs… and what a delight to be reading you again.
Oh that does sound like a rather brutal fast drop in temperatures. Those are hard, not enough time for the body to adjust!
I am like you…I dislike seeing animals in captivity. Zoos depressme. I can’t help but wonder why these cats are where they are. Were they rescued perhaps?
The kayaking looks glorious…”Screaming heads”? I’ll have to check that post out pronto.
Peta
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What a lovely compliment, Peta! Thank you so much and the feelings are mutual!
The kayaking I did this summer was, without question, the highlight (after my son’s wedding of course 😉). If I wasn’t before, I certainly am now completely smitten.
I’m sure that as a yoga enthusiast you can relate to the importance of keeping our bodies flexible and nimble. Getting in and out of a kayak is a major part of the exercise 😉 Going forward I will be looking at it as one of those benchmark activities – like balancing on one leg while I put my shoes on – of how I’m maintaining my core and flexibility.
I don’t know the history of Jungle World but I do believe that some of these cats were rescues. I do know for sure that although they don’t have a breeding program, nature is nature and they’ve had several cats born in captivity – like little Aurora who is now 4 months old.
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May I ask you a question about kayaking, please? Do you have to have a special permit to kayak in particular lakes and rivers? Or do you just show up and go for it? Inquiring minds.
[Guess I assumed you’d say yes to me asking a question here. Cheeky girl, aren’t I?]
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Ooooo – I love questions 🙂
Nope – no permit, no license … at least not in any lake or river I’ve encountered yet. If I went into a conservation area, or provincial / national park, I’d have to pay the entrance fee to the park but that’s all I”m aware of.
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Ok. I’ve always wondered. Thanks.
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Sorry about the storm damage. The cats look so fantastic. What a neat opportunity to see those. I would have loved to see the clothing museum. The shoes look so unique.
It’s beginning to be nippy here, and we’re seeing fall color, and leaves are dropping. Soon our mountains and foothills will be green again which I love seeing more than the golden hills of summer.
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Fall is such a great time of year … well, unless you live in hurricane territory.
We’re having a cool, rainy week and I’m just hibernating – for now. It feels pretty good actually.
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Pity about the storm damage, but everything else looks good to me 🙂 Especially the ditch where fall weeds out!
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Doesn’t it look gorgeous?! Thanks 🙂
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Looks like September provided a wonderful capping off to your amazing summer. Nice post, Joanne!
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Thanks Donna. September seemed to just slip away without any fanfare at all and here it is October already.
We are settling in for a soggy week of rain so hopefully that means I can catch up on some indoor stuff 🙂
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I didn’t know you had a pool in your backyard. You kept that quiet. I am super jealous now. Why bother with a garden when you can have a swimming pool 😀
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I must admit that it’s a very nice thing to have during those hot and humid days 🙂
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I was lucky to have one when we lived in Johannesburg – sooo lovely to have a swim each morning and the kids adored it when they got home from school Cheapest Christmas present ever was a pool play kit – net and balls. Kept them amused for hours.
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[…] Joanne at My Life Lived Full […]
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I’m sorry for your loss Joanne.
I love reading these monthly round-ups; it’s great so see what other bloggers are doing, but they’re also a window into how we see our worlds and how we make sense of them.
I’m so glad you have started painting! I am a bit obsessed with creativity at the moment and saddened by how so many of us are discouraged from exploring our creative sides. I actually heard a woman at an art workshop a couple of weeks ago apologise for being there because — she said — “I’m not creative.” Aagh!
If you can do a class, I think it’s a good idea. Not only because you learn techniques (which means you’ll probably like more of your work faster and be encouraged to continue), but more importantly because they can be a great way to develop confidence. I have a friend who runs classes and I’ve watched some of her students absolutely blossom.
Sorry about the rant. It is something I am passionate about.
Hope your autumn is kind and you have lots of opportunities to get out and explore (if only to find inspiration for your paintings 🙂 )
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Thanks Su. You have no idea how much your words help me. I’ve been waffling on this for a few weeks now and it’s highly encouraging to hear words of support.
I’m really good at talking the talk about how, as adults, we need to relearn how to express ourselves creatively without inhibition. There is no good or bad work if the process brings us joy. Unfortunately, I’m really awful at applying that logic to myself.
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I know exactly what you mean. Those inner voices are so deep in our heads and so adept at sneaking through the tiny spaces.
My friend Claire, who teaches art and is a very talented artist herself said something once that I really took onboard and hold dear while I’m working. She said that if you look at every single thing you create and find just one thing about it that you like, you will not only feel better but learn something. Even if it is just one little corner where colours have blended in a really nice way, or one eye that looks good in an otherwise wonky portrait. She physically cuts out “the good bits” and either puts them in her journal with notes about what she has done and what she likes, or re-purposes them in other work. I’ve done both of those things too, and those journal pages are great to go back to when you are doubting.
I hope you find your creative voice and let it sing out your songs — whether through a class or not.
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What a cool idea!! Thanks for the tip … I’ll have to start doing that too.
btw – I did register for classes today. I’m just waiting for confirmation that I can start on Oct 15th.
I waited too long to register to the place I wanted to go and they were sold out. I spent literally hours today trying to find another studio with a suitable class and was thrilled to find one with a program even more exciting than the one I originally had.
… and now I wait with my fingers crossed 🙂
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I hope your new class is all you hoped it would be. 😀
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Thanks! I’m so excited for today’s 1st lesson 🙂
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Hope it went really well.
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Yes!!! 🎨😎
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Yay!! 😀😀
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I enjoy your wrap-ups, Joanne, though they seem to come so fast! The months are speeding by, aren’t they? I’m glad you’re filling yours up with fun. 🙂 Happy October!
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They are speeding by so quickly. I can’t believe it’s October already! … and dare I say it? Christmas will be here before we know it 😕
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Nice post and thanks for the Fahrenheit conversion (ha!) The temperature is finally dropping here and I’ve signed up for 2 months of formal drawing lessons to get me part way through the winter months. After the first lesson, I’m so glad I did.
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I’m getting so much positive feedback in the comments to this post about taking lessons. Thanks so much for adding your voice to chorus.
All I know for sure is that the time I spend with paints and brushes seems to go by in a heart beat and I look forward to the next block of time when I can do it again. I guess that tells me I should make the effort to learn more 🙂
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It’s a charming review, Joanne. It feels comfortable and happy. Thanks for sharing that. That cub biting the fence is adorable. Hugs!
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That cub was the cutest. From what I gather from the trainer, she’s a bit of a handful so I can only imagine what she’ll be like when she hits her ‘teenager’ years 😉
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There’s definitely a nip in the air here too, but I can deal with that. On the whole I think I like autumn best out of all the seasons for the beautiful colours.
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I only wish that autumn was much longer. I would happily exchange a few months of winter for more autumn!!
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Me too!
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Sorry about the canopy, that must have been some wind!
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In all the years we’ve had a gazebo, this is the first time the winds have been so bad that they tore the canopy. It looks like we’ll need to get a new one next spring.
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I love these monthly recaps as well: in writing them as well as reading all of yours!
It is been quite a month for you! Sorry to hear about your father-in-law: it is never easy to lose someone.
I am always amazed at how tiny shoes are centuries ago … for that matter, the clothes as well!
Hope your fall is turning our super, so that you don’t miss summer too much!
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The clothes I can understand because people today (shamefully I count myself in that category) simply eat so much more than I predecessors did. The feet I simply don’t understand. For someone my height, I simply shouldn’t have size 10 feet.
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I think it is a good exercise to look back and reflect from time to time, especially as the seasons change. At least you get a beautiful fall in your part of the world before the winter sets in!
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As much as I may whine about our winters, the truth is I love the seasons. It’s a rhythm in nature I’ve always known and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere without those deep distinctions from one season to the next.
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With all your running around this summer, did you ever get a “free afternoon” to enjoy the pool? 😀
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Oh yes. Because it was such a hot and humid summer, I was very grateful for the pool this year.
When I was a child, I always fantasized about having a pool and I would start every day with a swim. In fact now that I have one, it’s actually the other way around. I tend to end the day with a swim. It’s a great way to then go to sleep 🙂
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Loved seeing your month in review Joanne!
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Thanks Lisa. I do enjoy preparing these month end reviews 🙂
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You had a great month, and I’ll look forward to hearing about your plans to surviving the winter. I’m thinking you either figured out how to take up one of your sports inside or you have a new hobby on the horizon. 🙂
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Oooh – you’re good!!
I have a new hobby on the horizon 🙂 I’ve been tinkering with painting and stretching my creative muscle. I think I’m ready to take the next step and get some formal training rather than just continuing to wing it.
I haven’t quite made the leap yet to register for the classes that start in 2 weeks. Sometimes even I have difficulty stepping outside of my comfort zone 😏
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Nice post, Joanne! Yeah surviving the winter…for me it means getting outside whenever the sun is shining, no matter the temperature, having plenty of indoor projects for when it’s not, and hightailing it to a tropical island for 2 weeks for an escape!
Deb.
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I can relate to all you’ve said although I’ve never embraced the whole get-out-of-Dodge routine. Not that I haven’t thought about it 😉
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It seems to me when looking at your lovely photos of September you had a great variety in your experiences. Your positive outlook on life is certainly based on the saying ‘Variety is the spice of life’. Best wishes! Peter
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Thanks so much, Peter. I really like learning and exploring and doing different things. I like to believe it keeps me ‘agile’ 🙂
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The stupid have to be protected from themselves–haha! I was going to ask the same question about petting the ‘little one.’ **Hey, Joanne–I think I can almost reach him!** Yeah….. 🙂
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omg – you have no idea how deeply entrenched that instinct is to reach out and pet a cute animal. Obviously I’m one of the stupid 🤣
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Imagine the two of us together…. 😀
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Sounds like a wonderful month! My whole summer feels like it was random. We had the same temperature change you had. It has gone bad to 70 but it’s different. Summer is over.
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I had an informal agenda this summer that involved a lot of cycling and kayaking. I’m rather proud of myself that I actually made it happen rather than just talking the big talk and then cocooning inside.
Now I feel a little unanchored because I don’t have a plan for the fall, but I think that’s might be exactly what I need right now.
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A small amount of cocooning isn’t bad. You will bounce back and conquer the world again!
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I’m not sure about the conquering part, but I hope I can rattle it a little bit 😉
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What!!! You have monster feet too? Good to know! I don’t like animals in captivity either and refuse to go to a zoo or circus -if they have animal acts.
I am looking forward to autumn this year. It was too hot for too long and I enjoyed the first nights with an open window tremendously.
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Sadly, yes. There is nothing delicate about my size 10s.
I love fall temperatures. Cool at night, pleasant during the day. As you say, it’s even more enjoyable this year after such a scorching summer!
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Yeah, we can trade monster-feet shoes anytime 🙂
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Don’t you just hate it when someone offers to lend you a pair of shoes – and they have like size 7 feet?!! Sheesh.
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well i heard size ten are good for balance and an anchored disposition – ha
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bwahahaha! That’s what my mother always used to say 😆
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🙂
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Size 10 clearance rack is always full with bargains. Looking at the bright side here 🙂
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I don’t know about your part of the world, but the size 10s in the clearance rack here is always full of really scary stuff. I mean 6-inch heels in an animal print kind of scary.
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sorry for your loss – and my month was a bit random too – oh and those shoes are so cute… and not for every foot – that is for sure – and cheers to october
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I actually owned a pair of shoes similar to those just after I graduated from university. They were purple suede and I wore them until they practically fell apart.
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that says a lot when we wear down a pair of shoes – I have a couple of pairs that were like that for me – but it is not always the case….
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So true!
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When I first started a blogging – an Indian blogger wrote a poem about a pair of his shoes he had to toss. – If i find it I will come back and share it = it was delightful
—
and the pair I miss the most – was a pair of Clarks clogs.
They had a balanced heel – so there was height – but even from the front foot to the back – if that makes sense – and then it was just enough to help me have a nice gait –
and the leather around my foot felt good – the best part was i could teach in them (taught art at the time) and on busy days I could turn a corner with ease in those shoes – and they went with so many outfits.
they also had shock absorbers – so I could do a ten-hour day and not feel it.
In contrast, last week I wore some gray slides – only five hours and my dogs were barking – and sometimes it could be us and age, but it always seems to happen with those shoes so they just went Bye-Bye
– oh and I have tried other clogs but they change their designs and I have never found a pair like that model.
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Just when I think I’ve found the perfect shoe, the design gets changed – sometimes ever-so-slightly, but enough to make the feet whiny 😕
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I like that term – whiny –
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😁
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Spring, summer, fall, I could totally leave out winter, but I do like defined seasons. We should get some nice colors with all the rain we’ve had. Those cats are beautiful! I, too, have a hard time at zoos, I don’t like seeing caged animals. The cub looks especially soft, but oh, those claws!
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My cat is really good about controlling his claws when we play, but even he gets too excited sometimes and I end up a bit worse for wear. I can’t imagine how much damage this little one could do!! … but she was adorable!
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You had a great September (and one more day to make it even better!). Those shoes are so small, I wonder if they were comfortable… I’m thinking not. How did you stop yourself from sticking your hand in the cage and giving that cute cub some ear scratches?
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Oh – I seriously wanted to!!! I think they have a lot of experience with ‘cat people’ because there were double fences – about 3-4 feet apart – around all the cat compounds to stop people from sticking their fingers in the cages. The stupid have to be protected from themselves 😉
We talked to the trainer about the cub who seemed very agitated. The trainer said she had been raising the cub since the little one was born and the cub was agitated because she wanted to play. When we asked why she (the trainer) didn’t stop to play with the cub, she explained that even at 4 months, the cub has all her teeth and claws. “Play” is VERY painful 😏
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