My latest LinkedIn post. #truestory #wordstoliveby The key to success is having no qualms about failure! (Read that again. Let it sink in.) |
Friday, April 19, 2024
Q IS FOR QUALMS
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
RED SKY SKUNK PATROL
One of the prettiest morning sunrises I have ever experienced at the house (no filter) TAKEN: OCTOBER 21st, 2023 |
You can imaging that the last thing we needed was our three
dogs getting sprayed when out for a pre-dawn pee, so that weekend we put up motion censored spotlights
around the yard and I purchased a 2000 lumen hand held spotlight so that I
could survey for eyes glowing in the yard before the dogs ventured out.
We've lived in our home more than twenty years and this is only the second time I have seen a skunk at dawn. The last time was more than ten years ago. I know they surround us but until this fall, our 6 a.m. schedules never crossed.
Anyway, this morning I had been out with the pups before my husband left for work and after pouring my second cup of java, I spied the most beautiful colours rising on the horizon. I grabbed my phone and headed back outside alone.
The colours were muted at first but as the sun rose higher, the colours intensified. It was absolutely breathtaking.
As expected, social media filled up with similar photos around Muskoka of the beautiful morning sky with the 'red sky at morning' reference.
Though I expect my red sky/skunk patrol will continue indefinitely, I don't expect to witness another sunrise as I did this morning for a very long time but there will always hope.
Speaking of hope, I hope we never cross path with them rascally striped smelly varmints we have been patrolling for every single morn...
Wish us luck on both counts!
Monday, April 17, 2023
N IS FOR NOT
At the beginning of my A-Z challenge this year, I came across a poem by Erin Hanson.
As an aside, I began never worrying about how I am defined by others after my father died.
Yet, the poem is so relatable by so many, I immediately knew it needed to be my 2023 letter N.
To my electronic friends... Stay strong and always know your worth!
Reading (with some friendly company) at Poppa's Camp TAKEN: Lake Temiscamng ~ Summer of 1996 |
NOT ~ by Erin Hanson
You are not your
age,
nor the size of
clothes you wear,
you are not a
weight,
or the colour of
your hair.
You are not your
name,
nor the dimples in
your cheeks,
you are all the
books you read,
and all the words
you speak.
You are your
croaky morning voice,
and the smiles you
try to hide,
you're the
sweetness in your laughter,
and every tear
you've cried.
You the songs you
sing so loudly,
when you know
you're alone,
you're the places
that you've been to,
and the ones that
you call home.
You're the things
that you believe in,
and the people
that you love,
you're the photos
in your bedroom,
and the future you
dream of.
You're made of so
much beauty,
but it seems that
you forgot...
When you decided
that you were defined,
by all the things you're not.
Saturday, April 8, 2023
G IS FOR GRANDPARENTS
Seen here with my dads parents, my truly amazing grandparents. My Mommy knit my sweater. I LOVED that purple thing. This photo confirms that I was clearly born to be a Prince fan! TAKEN: Spring 1973 |
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
D IS FOR DECISION
Well, a killer Black Friday deal made my birthday trip decision a no brainer this year. With the intention of only ever going once, I landed in Las Vegas today.
For just over six hundred dollars each, a suite with an Eiffel Tower view overlooking the Bellagio fountains was the purchase, and for the second year in a row I have Air Canada to thanks for a crazy amazing birthday deal.
Landed about 2p.m. today and home Saturday evening about 10p.m., we have a fun fill trip planned.
Heading to TopGolf this afternoon, Cirque du Soleil Beatles ONE at the Mirage tomorrow night, renting a Slingshot to head to Red Rock Canyon and the Hoover Dam Thursday, then Freemont Street for the day Friday.
Lots to talk about and some great pics to share the rest of the month for certain.
Another 'Happy Birthday Trip' but more importantly another passport stamp for yours truly.
Feeling very blessed, as life is good!
Photo courtesy of booking.com |
Friday, April 24, 2020
Sunday, October 6, 2019
REALISTIC RHON2theDEE
Truth of the matter is, during that period, every time I sat down to write there was another item much more pressing on my list of things to do, in need my attention.
Even my coffee was SHOCKED how crazy my summer was! TAKEN: AUGUST 24, 2019 |
You see, my husband had surgery the first week of August which was followed by an eight week recovery stint. It was his third procedure for the same ailment, so I knew what to expect as far as him getting back on his feet. Though he’s weathered another storm, yours truly is absolutely exhausted.
Factor in that I’ve had my busiest year at work to date, and the lethargy thickens.
Top it all off with the fact that I am on a mission to lose weight, and I feel the need a power nap just typing the words. What’s a girl to do?
To shed some light, I read somewhere that realist is someone that has gone through hell and been purified. A pessimist is someone that's taken a similar path and been burned.
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
G IS FOR GENEROSITY
Thursday, January 25, 2018
ONLY YOU CONTROL YOUR SHINE
I also wholeheartedly believe that great friendships, and relationships to some extent, never actually end. Instead, it’s like they go into hibernation until both are ready to participate again. That, or until the overall effort is placed into a folder labelled life lessons learned; only for you to reflect upon when your life calls on you to verbalize to yourself about what NOT to do.
A cool streetlamp pic as I am walking to carpool TAKEN: JANUARY 23th, 2018 |
In the end, she'd shared that her relocation & personal injury meant they had lost touch about two years ago. We finished our lunch, returned to the office and went back to business.
I couldn't help but continue to think about what she'd said. I grabbed my phone and walked over to her office. I showed her this picture, telling her its premise was to compliment a post I have been working on that speaks to exactly what we had discussed at lunch. I followed that with a very enthusiastic (picture the pompoms and cheerleader outfit folks)... "Get in touch with your friend. You never know where they are at in their life."
Any/all friendships & relationships are about finding a balance, and more importantly trust. I have a plethora of acquaintances in my day to day life, too many to name, and just a handful of true friends. You know the ones, that would unconditionally do anything for the other?
That may read a tad arrogant but I think Ed Sheeran explained it best in an episode of Carpool Karaoke, when he admitted that he had a cellphone for a about two weeks then no longer bothered to charge it. He said he would wake in the morning to fifty plus messages and none of them would simply say: ‘hey, how are you?’
I have honestly stopped communicating with certain people because it became all about what they needed and nothing about overall balance. All they seemed to do was take take take. There would always be bait disguised as care, but their personal agenda was very evident.
In the end, I share with those I surround myself with something called 'my shine'. Truth be known, I stole the label about a year ago from my lunch mate today.
Though her personality makes mine look like an introvert, she's taught me a number of very valuable life lessons in a very short period of time.
I'm not bragging or anything but she & I are in true friend territory!
...and it's not just because we both like soup.
Sunday, May 7, 2017
AN INVESTMENT IN MYSELF
Rockin' our public school stage! (Dr. M didn't perform in this play.) TAKEN: APRIL 1977 |
When they wheeled me into the OR, he wasn't far behind. Once we were finished our pleasantries, he lifted the sheet covering me to inspect my feet for swelling. He acknowledged my pedicure and moved toward the top of the sheet telling me he needed to listen to my heart. When he moved the stethoscope for the third time, I quietly asked, '...is it still there?'
His response was genuine: 'Rhondi, there was never any doubt!'
I was obviously very nervous, so as he prepared to administer my dug laden cocktail into my intravenous, I felt the need to break the ice. 'Listen...' I said.
I'm going to show you something here today and it's not gonna be my tits.' I continued. 'I popped those puppies out for Betty over in diagnostic imaging a couple of weeks ago!' ...Everyone in the O.R. burst into laughter.
Jokes aside, do yourself a favour and get tested for every single one of our silent enemies. It may be a tad humbling but you need to make that very specific investment in yourself.
Because just like yours truly.... You're worth it!