Walking Tall...

I have heard it said that “as a man walks, so goes his life” – which creates, at least in my own brain, the supposition that if someone has a bouncy stride their life’s rhythms are uneven as well.

What of people who saunter along with a gangly loose gait; or others like me who take two steps for everyone else’s one, just to keep pace…  Does a person’s inner self reflect in the way they carry themselves, as in “confident = walking tall” or  “slouching = shy”?

The first impression we interpret upon seeing someone for the first time is sometimes difficult to “undo” as we get to know them better. Appearances may not be a true indicator, nor conversation by telephone or e-mail – we simply form our thoughts based on experiences in the past.

A colleague who has joined our brokerage recently commented that I always seemed to be in a hurry…when in truth it’s because I walk quickly and don’t lollygag along!

A person’s manner of speaking, even the pitch and nuances of their voice can affect how we perceive that person as well. Sometimes the old adage “an empty barrel rings the loudest” proves itself true, conversely, a quieter person may not have more merit!

Yesterday, while window shopping at a large Mall, I moseyed into the shoe department – one of my favourite destinations. Espying a pair of thin stiletto dress shoes, I envisioned myself Walking Tall for a few short steps before coming back to Earth with a thud!

A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing...

Every once in awhile, regardless of how discerning we think we may be, someone else’s unexpected action or response may come as a real surprise! At such times the most natural thing to do is react…but isn’t there more to think about?

In this hectic and unrelenting world, where the buzzword is “24/7”, most people are running at full tilt. How other people cope with their stretched timelines and too many irons in the fire may be quite different than the way we personally might manage ourselves.

For myself, I prefer to refrain from reacting too quickly – and try to evaluate the motivation, even an underlying reason, that may have prompted a remark or comment that feels unsettling. There is, to me at least, a distinct difference between responding in a conservative manner rather than  behave as an antagonist. Some people like to argue or otherwise stir up the dust in the blink of an eye; others choose to fight the battles they can win and may be mistakenly perceived as a peacemaker. 

The old adage “a wise man forces his way with gentleness”  reflects the merit of civil discussion, a clear understanding of what’s being said, and a response rather than a reaction. You might ruminate aloud, with words so sensible, that  perpetrator  will slink away, confounded, if you’re the target of ambush by a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Hockeymania in Muskoka...

One of my colleagues is an enthusiastic, hair-pulling, encouragement-screaming, and very proud hockey mom!

Lines from Robert Frost’s poem Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening include the words “and miles to go before I sleep”… ‘Nuff said – the commitment of attending practice periods and games, tournaments and hopefully playoffs is a daunting task!

The star of this family’s hockey night adventures is a keen, swift and steely-eyed player who garners admiration from everyone everywhere who sees him play.

He’s a goalie extraordinaire – called up at the tender age of 9 from Double-B league to Triple A. He’s a pint-sized tornado of activity with a maturity beyond his years. Even sharing ice time with the other team goalie doesn’t dampen this eager beaver.

A weekend marathon recently racked up significantly more than 1,000 km on the family vehicle – piled high and stuffed tight with both gear and people. Just time to catch their collective breath and they’re on the road again.

Teammates extol his prowess and accomplishments too – just last week 36 saves in one game! Breathless agility and demon speed in the crease… I’m a proud supporter and thrilled to be a part, however small, of Bradley Webb’s career in the net.

Here’s Brad with NHL goalie Kevin Weekes who played with the Ottawa Senators™….

Simply Thunderful...

Over the past twenty-five years, more or less, there has been a proliferation of musical Nature Recordings which appeal to many listeners. Here in Canada, one of the pioneers was the late Dan Gibson who founded and produced the famous Solitudes Series which I believe numbered a staggering 157 CD’s in total.

Many other New Age Music artists are  renowned – offering  innumerable themes and instrumental combinations. I am an avid music lover of many styles, and seem to have trended from one type to another as years come and go. In the days of yore before the advent of CD’s, cassette recordings were the norm.

In the autumn of 2012, I remembered to take along one cherished cassette which has not been played very often; reason being that I’m supposed to save it for a certain someone’s Celebration of Life service - and it feels irreplaceable! Wending our way home along backrounds and sideroads, it seemed a perfect time to snap the tape into the dashboard player. I nearly held my breath in apprehension that it wouldn’t play; then anticipation as the sounds became audible.

The stirring, exhilarating, and very contagious Thunderdrums by Scott Fitzgerald very nearly made the windows shudder as I cranked up the volume. The effects were simply thunderful!

A Walk on the Wild Side….

When the freshness of Summer colour fired into a blazing Autumn, peoples’ senses seem more alert and the feeling is somehow expectant. Boat traffic and skinny dipping are decreasing activities,  curls of woodsmoke can be seen above the trees on a chilly cottage morning, and hikers appear in earnest!

I made it a point to stop at the Algonquin Park Visitors Center over the Thanksgiving weekend. No fewer than eighteen tour buses were evenly parked in the lot, and several more arrived in the few short minutes I was there.

On the chalkboard inside the main entrance one can decipher notations made regarding the time of day, date and location of specific wild creatures – such as “08:30  Oct. 8  Moose   near km. 13”.  This time there were only three sightings marked – but wildlife thronged nonetheless!

After despairing of even getting a toe inside the Gift shop – where the lineup stretched nearly to the main entrance of the building;  or having a munch in the overcrowded restaurant, I shouldered my way out to the Observation deck. Hunching short I was able to attain a place at the rail, scooting below innumerable elbows and long-lenses of impressive cameras. Smiles were everywhere despite the drizzle and stiff wind!

Never in one location have I ever observed such a varying collection of ages, sizes, and shapes of people; nor the stunning array of colourful outerwear. Everything from patterned zodiac-image leggings to spandex tights with bulky sweatertops reaching the knee! Puffy windbreaker jackets, hoodies clutched close, and even a parka with fur trimming! The excitement was palpable and brought a smile to my own face…reserving months ahead, arising very early to meet up with the tour bus, and travelling several hours from Toronto took a lot of determination.

It was indeed a walk on the wild side!

Which One Is Pesky, Which One's a Pest...

Within the past three weeks I had occasion to ask my family physician for a referral to a specialist. He would be more than happy to oblige I was quite sure; especially being that I am not a pesky patient!

In my business as a REALTOR® I know clearly the importance of following up with clients – especially by telephone, and  timing can be a sensitive issue.

Just by coincidence, because I wasn’t clear whether the specialists’ office would call me with the appointment or whether my own doctor’s office would call, I thought a follow up enquiry might be in order.  Turns out that the “bee sting man” had apparently not received the request…and their office was already booked for this entire month!

It’s a certainty that our health care system is overwhelmed, and my own small issue is not of paramount concern – after all – the probability of getting stung by another bee in the midst of a cool autumn seems unlikely. My quest to resolve which bee is a pesk makes me query now if I should have followed up sooner?

Nonetheless, my brain is buzzing! Nearly everywhere I look there are bees seeking shelter for the coming Winter months, and my timing brought stinging results.

I could’ve and I should’ve but I didn’t.

Which one is pesky, which one’s a pest?

Looking Brash and Flashy...

On a recent weekend foray out of my Muskoka area, I was looking forward to seeing a close girlfriend at a family rendezvous. It had been awhile and one of the greatest pleasures is to have a stroll, a “girl-talk” and generally vent our frustrations into the air.

Both of us know better than most that each other is each carrying a heavier-than-usual weight of concerns on our back; but realizing  that complaining accomplishes naught, we’ve soldiered on with the best of intentions.

This particular friend I hold near and dear to my heart – she’s a proven thoroughbred in her chosen profession and races with heart and determination. Always dressed to the nines and truly chic…she is a real head-turner for admiring women and salivating men! Not brash, not flashy – just radiating confidence!

A sense of anticipation flickered as the roads melted by;  rather than resignation that has felt too prevalent lately. Feeling a trifle worn with concerns, I knew that as soon as we laid eyes on each other it would all feel brighter and a few laughs would be such fun!

Over the years I have acquired a certain sense of tact – and generally avoid foot in mouth occasions – so imagine my horror when, at first glimpse of my friend – I reacted badly - exclaiming “Oh my goodness, you look like I feel!”…

 A long hug, teary eyes and crooked grins could not dispel the bald truth, when we feel overburdened and unable to transfer our load of trouble for even a short time, the effects are guaranteed to render anyone not looking brash and flashy!