unsolicited opinions on random things
On this special Rembrance Day (11-11-11), I’m thinking of my Gramps, Ray Swartz. He was a squadron leader and bomber pilot for the RCAF during WWII. He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for his service, and was an amazing man.
Who are you remembering today?
This video has been circulating on some other blogs in the past few days, but I had to repost it. It’s amazing. Seriously, watch it.
PS: More information about the dancing flocks of starlings, aka murmurations. (isn’t that a great word?)
Today is National Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day in Canada. There are events taking place across the country to educate and support women who are considering their breast reconstruction options, or for women who have had breast reconstruction.
Two years ago, I had a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction as a preventative measure. I have a BRCA 1 gene mutation (aka “the breast cancer gene”), which gives me an insanely high risk of developing breast cancer (we’re talking 85% chances – yowser). I decided to have prophylactic surgery so I wouldn’t get cancer, and I honestly think it was one of the best decisions of my life.
Tonight, I’ll be participating in an event at Toronto General Hospital, where I’ll be “showing and telling” all about my mastectomy and breast reconstruction experience. If you know anyone who has breast cancer, or who is considering breast reconstruction, please share this website with them – it has all the details of all the events across Canada.
And, if you’d like to know more about my experience, I blogged the whole thing over at Diary of a Mutant.
We’re lucky to have so many green spaces in Toronto – it’s easy to get outside and feel like you’re miles away from the city. Yesterday Ian and I took the kids (that’s what we call our daughter and our dog – “the kids” or “the girls”) to the Evergreen Brickworks and Moore Park Ravine.
Walking along the ravine was gorgeous – Isabel went off-leash, and lots of other people were walking dogs or jogging (including Richard Florida and his wife).
Sunny days like yesterday are getting few and far between as we head into winter… try to get outside and enjoy them as much as you can!
[photo of the Moore Park Ravine taken on my iPhone using Instagram]
Today is Ian and I’s 5th wedding anniversary. I can’t believe it’s been 5 years already. Ian, I’m still crazy about you and love our life together. xoxo
[photo of us from our beach wedding at the Carlouel Yacht Club]
It’s Thanksgiving weekend in Canada, so today we’re getting things together and packing up, as we’re heading to Muskoka tomorrow morning to spend the weekend with Ian’s family.
The weather is supposed to be sunny and pretty warm, so we’re looking forward to taking Little C for a walk in the woods to see the fall colours. She loves looking at trees. I think she’s kind of mesmerized by the leaves moving in the breeze.
I hope you have a lovely weekend, whatever you’re up to.
[image above of Aspen trees near Vail, Colorado by Paul Hurd. Featured in Budget Travel’s roundup of 50 Stunning Fall-Foliage Photos]
Would you like to start a Pilates program? My AMAZING Pilates teacher, Carol Robbins, is now accepting new clients. She can take on anyone, of all body types and sizes, ages and skills. I’ve been working with Carol for years, and she has helped me immensely with recovery from major surgery, pre- and post-natal work, and general health.
Learn more about Carol (and find her contact information) here.
Seriously, you will not regret this.
Wow, what a whirlwind 2 months we’ve had. After visiting family, cottaging, and seeing what it would be like to live in Brooklyn, we’re back home in Toronto. We’ve had a wonderful time away, but missed our family and friends, our house and our neighbourhood. It’s nice to be home.
[photo of Ian and Little C, reuniting with Isabel the dog]
You may have noticed from the last post that I’m back in Toronto… but only for a moment! We’re in town until next Saturday, September 3, when we head back out again (to Brooklyn).
I have some photos and video to share with you from the last couple of weeks, when we were at a cottage we rented near Bancroft. I’ll put those up next week sometime. I also have some other random stuff to share with you all… just have to get it all together. Please be patient with me… everything seems to take so much more time to do than before I had a kid!
[image above: one of my favourite drawings by Marc Johns. If you like it too, you can get it as a temporary tattoo for only $5 over at Tattly]
Yay – it’s finally vacation time! Ian has just started his 12 weeks of parental leave, and we’re hitting the road. First stop – visiting my parents, then his parents. Then we’re off to the cottage we rented near Bancroft. We’re back in Toronto for 10 days at the end of August, and then to Brooklyn. It’s going to be a whirlwind, and as I’m sitting here with a packing list as long as my arm, I’m wondering if it’s all just a little too much. But I’m always game for an adventure, so onward!
I won’t be blogging regularly until we’re settled back in at home at the end of September. But I’ll probably pop online here and there to keep you updated, and share anything I find that I just can’t keep to myself.
Have a wonderful rest of your summer, whatever you’re up to.
