Author: Margaret Murray

2016 arrived with glorious hours of warmer temperatures than last year. Sunshine peeking through our blinds creates a sense of wonder for both of us and signals us to get dressed and head out on the crescent. Many runners brush past us as well as happy dog owners briskly walking their buddies. We all exchange the familiar words “Good morning” and soon we reach our weekend coffee destination. There are many families enjoying moments of conversations with their little ones and I love these moments because I surround myself with the weekend Free Press while Darryl enters a few thoughts and drawings in his journal.

December 31st brought many familiar faces together at a popular local establishment on Grosvenor and Stafford known as The Grove. Darryl and I perched ourselves at one of the high tables and cheered on the Jets. However, our Jets managed to wrack up a few key penalties and we slipped to the Coyotes. Coach Maurice’s expression said it all. Friends Joann and Rod joined us and we indulged in on the New Year’s eve celebration and rung in 2016 with some of the locals and The Grove’s staff. Cheers of joy and smooches were present. Walking home in the neighbourhood without a stir was glorious.

One  idea that crosses my mind is how we define holiday moments that are noteworthy. Well, we delight in each other’s company when we head to the local establishments in the neighbourhood and we nestle ourselves at the bar for an hour or two. Often we treat ourselves to a frothy cappuccino drizzled with chocolate flakes or taste a creamy latte.  A glass of Malbec or an Anchor Steam beer goes well while cheering on our Winnipeg Jets hockey team. We have met several people at these places and it’s these individuals that enjoy moments of time with friendly Manitobans.

Whatever we do in life one needs to acknowledge the small improvements. Success for me is defined not by being the best that I can be but rather striking that balance of happiness, good health and job satisfaction.

Happiness is shared with our families, friends, colleagues and people we meet at cafes, on our travels and in our neighbourhood who exchange smiles and share stories of interest. One newspaper columnist recently said that he listens to how individuals speak about stories and then he leans in to hear how those wonderful words are expressed. I thought this is brilliant and once again intriguing stories become written and shared.

Health is important to me and I motivate myself daily to workout at our gym and also we walk several kilometers on the weekend. Recently, I was interviewed by a local newspaper reporter about strength in resolutions. Daily workouts are crucial to one’s healthy lifestyle. It’s a life commitment and that’s why fitness has been a success for me.

Job satisfaction is finding the balance. Engaging high school students in reading and writing is what makes my job rewarding. When I provide choice in reading to my students they are less likely to find classroom life less important.

December winter beauty is now upon us and the cold crisp air never stop us from walking to one of our coffee destinations…Thom Bargen or MAKE and of course Starbucks. During the autumn season, we took time to walk to cafes in our neighbourhood. Many Saturdays were filled with the beauty of fall colours as we walked Wellington Crescent and Assiniboine Park. Inhaling fresh air and sipping many different varieties of cafe style coffees brings warmth to our hearts and lingering special memories.

The past few days of  endless summer have been delightful. Today it topped 30 degrees and I decided to stop for a coffee and ice water at Starbucks and finally I walked to the park and read from my iPad. Seeing young and old strolling by the Duck Pond and gazing at the ducks was peaceful.

Darryl and I have been gearing up physically to run a 10 k race in early September. Since April we have logged over 55 miles of running outdoors. Running is an amazing way to empty the mind and enjoy the outdoors.

Today is the last day of being 55…emotional and it’s reality…that my next five years will be age 60+. Truly, I am a positive woman who loves the idea of looking at life this way: seeing the sunrise marks a new day filled with fresh ideas and then seeing the sunset where I reflect on my day. I welcome the idea of being appreciated and treasuring those special moments I spend talking to mom and looking at ways to brighten her day through conversation and news that I gleam from online reading.

It’s a gorgeous stunning day…drove to Lockport to sit by the water at the Half Moon Diner…serene and calm. August 27th brings us 26 and pure sunshine. Indulged in my favourite ice cream cone…pralines and cream. Kim and Werner cycled from Birds Hill and we sat at the picnic table to indulge in some snacks. Oddly enough, I checked my notes and I was celebrating my 2012 birthday by the water and it was 29 degrees that day.

While driving home my 2015 favourite song was playing on Hot 103…Photograph by Ed Sherran. Tears fell down my cheeks…we keep this love in a photograph…we made these memories for ourselves..we won’t ever be alone…that’s all I can say…what a beautiful day.

Darryl and I enjoyed an evening walk to Corydon and treated ourselves to some gelato.

While on the island, each morning I would wake up and walk the boardwalk at Charlottetown Harbour. Seeing the calmness of the water and hearing the chirping of the birds was so refreshing.

What a beautiful way to begin the day…Kim and I walked a brisk pace on the crescent. Runners kept a steady pace because temperature dropped to a chilly two degrees. Both Kim and I exchanged holiday stories. Kim’s trip to the mountains and Vancouver were filled with rich memories. Kumar’s parents who are in their early 90s hiked daily with Kim, Kumar, Siena and Maya.

Later in the day I sat on our deck and updated my school daybook. A calm experience was treasured and every few minutes acorns would make a thud to the ground.

Also walked to Folio Cafe…peaceful moments were spent reading and reflecting on our summer of 2015. 21 years on August 26th Darryl and I met…also I will soon turn 56 on the 28th. I had a few tears in my eyes thinking about what the next five years might look like. I hope to be blessed with happiness, love and great health.

Darryl and I signed up to participate in a hot sauce fermentation class at Fort Whyte Alive centre. I walked an additional 4k to the destination. Wow the stretch of Shaftesbury and McCreary Rd was insanely busy with 5:00 traffic. Our hot sauce class was enjoyable and everyone left with two-three small mason jars filled with thai hot sauce.

While walking to Folio Cafe I stopped and listened to the scampering of those crazy squirrels leaping from tree to tree and also admired lean bunnies hopping from garden to garden trying to scrounge some greens. However, it’s rather fascinating to see all of this happen right before your eyes but also I am amazed of how many of these creatures are so tiny.

I arrived at my destination 40 minutes later. I ordered a tall Americano with room just like a Starbucks brew and a grilled scone lathered with homemade strawberry jam. The best scone ever! I had my choice of outside tables and benches so I nestled myself by the nature pond. What a glorious way to spend an afternoon sitting outdoors and reading from my iPad. The only sounds heard were from young kids practising their running skills with a coach right on their heels.

Later in the evening Darryl and I challenged ourselves to run 5 miles. We passed many  runners, walkers with dogs and cyclists along Wellington Crescent. Everyone was out enjoying the coolness of the evening with that ray of warmth from the evening sun. A pleasant evening was enjoyed by all.