september theme song

Took my first dip at the Sherbrook Pool this afternoon. In early July, inspired by our trips to the lake and by the free swimming offered by the City, I bought a suit and goggles.... and promptly got sick. Promised O that I would take it easy today. Still in recovery mode (though I'm a bit in denial about it!) and get fatigued if I do too much, so limited myself to 3 laps and some random floating around. Was in and out of the water in 15 minutes. But it was a great 15 minutes.

The Sherbrook Pool is my kinda place. Dingy, old, small, quiet and most definitely a neighbourhood pool. Very much reminded me of the beloved old YMCA that I grew up with in Brandon in the 70s. Plus, I recently found out that my Grandma Taylor learned to swim there when she was in her 50s, which is pretty cool.

Going to go to the free Friday swim until I'm somewhat employed again and then I'll get a pass and start going to the lane swim. Was a bit of a crazy free-for-all today!

june theme song

Yesterday my mom and I were talking about the interview with Nora Ephron that was replayed on Q. Specifically, we were talking about this quote, from her book I Feel Bad About My Neck:

If anyone young is reading this, go, right this minute, put on a bikini, and don't take it off until you're 34.

This afternoon I was tying up Lexi outside the bakery and I kid you not,  a young woman wearing only a bikini and flip flops strolled by. It was a fairly modest bikini in navy blue and she looked totally good BUT STILL..... The two women who were having coffee on the patio, and were probably in their late 50s, gave me this "did you see that?!?" look. I gave them the "oooooh ya" look back.

So in honor of that girl....

jane's walk

Spent a cloudy Sunday afternoon on my first Jane's Walk. The one I chose was located just a few streets from where I live and featured a stop at my community garden. The walk was hosted by a local blogger and history buff, Christian, who has nicely put up a history of Burnell Street and lots of photos on West End Dumplings.

It gave me a totally new appreciation for my community. I had no idea there was such a strong Icelandic influence in the way it was developed. Some of the gorgeous old buildings are the only ones that have ever stood in that spot and were built on what was once pasture or a dairy farm. Others, such as Greenway Elementary School have been built and replaced multiple times. And speaking of Greenway, the modern school patrol system started there. Who knew?!?

I am now a huge fan of Jane's Walks and I'm sure this will be an annual event. O is still a bit limpy and didn't join me but I'll be dragging him out next year!