Detachment

My new BF Jane Fonda taught me about detachment and how important it is to accomplish as one ages. She became my NBF after I read her latest book, Prime Time.... or as I call it The Third Act. The other day, I picked up the phone to call my son who lives 3,000 miles away in Toronto. Before I could dial, the phone rang and it was him. In a panic. "I've got bed bugs!!!!" he screamed in horror. Mother's instinct kicked in after the necessary OMGs. With my blood pressure and heart rate raising, I quickly scanned the web, and fired every known step, product, strategy about getting rid of bedbugs on to him. But despite the panic, there wasn't a whole lot I could do. and, being an adult, he actually dealt with it and I actually made myself detach from 'the horror'. Thank you Jane for pointing out the health benefits of detachment.

Canada Day

July 1 was my 65^th Canada Day. When I was in my twenties, I thought my life would be centered on the rocking chair at this age – if I thought of being sixty-five at all. So – this is what sixty-five looks like. Got up, put on my yoga gear, then jumped in my leathers and we motorcycled to Qualicum Beach where an outdoor yoga class was held looking out over low tide – absolutely spectacular. Then later in day, we bicycled into the village, wandered around and ended up at the Legion listening to a rocking blues band whose main draw is a howling woman who must be at least in her sixties – it is so good to have role models! Later it was down to Parksville for more music and a terrific fireworks display. 

Not a bad for my 65^th Canada Day!

Diversity

Diversity is a word of our era. Diversity of city neighbourhoods – low density mixed with high density, diversity of people racially and culturally. Every morning I am amazed at the diversity of nature that surrounds me: changing weather patterns, deer, rabbits, bear, cougars, seals, whales, sea lions, a plethora of bird life: eagles, herons, hawks, owls, robins, thrushes, hummingbirds. And now, I realize diversity even extends to retirement. Here I constantly hear people spontaneously exclaiming, ”Who would have thought that retirement would be such fun!” or “I feel so blessed not to have to work.” Then, when I am back in the city, the tune often changes… “Retirement is highly overrated.” “I never intend to stop working.” “I am working on my PhD and want to start working in my new field before 70!” My problem is I swing from the one camp of thought to other - I want it all.

tic toc

Last ten days were a whirlwind. Camping at Campbell River – highlight was lunch at April Point – fantastic wild environment. Back home for a day or two, then off to Ucluet and the stunning Black Rock Resort – our patio stretched out over the ocean. Enjoyed an exciting eco tour to the Clayquot Sound hot springs. Back home overnight and then into Vancouver for a 65^th birthday (another one bites the dust!), a birthday celebration with our daughter and an opportunity to listen to some Vancouver Jazz fare AND visit Ikea  (how fantastic is that?)! Now we are back home. Everything is a wild blur. Perhaps life, like fine wine or food, should be savoured slowly. But is that possible when you hear the clock ticking …tic (do it now) tock (time is running out)…..

I’m Baaack…

Two and half years since we moved to Vancouver Island. Two and half years since I wrote on this blog. Two and a half years since I stopped working. I really thought I would never quit working….that I if I did, I would become be irrelevant to society and hence totally invisible. So, unwittingly, on a whim, we bought a house in Qualicum Beach – the home of the oldest population in Canada! I still cant’ believe we did this – afterall, I firmly preach the necessity of diversity – diversity of age, race, sex – everything! Well my world has been turned upside after two and half years … I have no regrets.

Simple Life

Milner Gardens at Christmas. The gardens are open at night for a Christmas display. We decided to check it out. Parking at the side of the road (because it is busy) we make our way into the gardens. It’s dark. The paths are hardly lit and what light we have is supplied by a rather simple display of multicoloured Christmas lights and the stars. I’m still a city gal. I can’t believe they aren’t worried about lawsuits if someone trips and falls. There are old folks, little kids, teenagers and families walking in the darkness. The display is pretty basic … no flashing lights, no innovative lighting hotspots – just coloured Xmas lights. And everyone is delighted. It is so simple and peaceful. No carols, no piped music. We find Santa and Mrs Clause in a cabin in the ‘forest’ gently talking to youngsters – surrounded by parents, darkness, stars and quiet. In another building, a woman is reading a story quietly. Kids are lying on the floor listening. No twitching, no whispering… they are engrossed. My husband thinks we have been transported back 50 years to another era. And then we walk in the darkness and the silence back to the car. I’m certainly not in the big city anymore. I just seems so simple. And, people seem to enjoy it. Can I adapt?

4 more sleeps

Four sleeps to go before the big move. Walked the dog at Ambleside beach in West Vancouver – the most civilized dog park in the world. Big winds, high waves. Kite boarders dancing across the wave tops. Surfers waiting to catch a wave. Very unusual for Vancouver. Fantastic dramatic sky. First snow of the season highlights the mountain tops. Then over to Whole Foods. Love the store, the displays, the music…. the civility. OMG what am I doing? No looking backwards. No regrets. Four more days and I will be in my new life.