I’m happy to say that “any rumours of my demise are greatly exaggerated” which is a complete theft from Mark Twain.
Hello, I hope you are enjoying your day.
Thank you reading today and for reading my past posts. I began this blog to see if I could do a blog and gratefully I found friends in the blog world who read my posts and so I continued. I never meant to take a break, but life intervened and then I found myself having “cold feet” per se about what to say to you.
My blog has a number of different categories and I tried to make it meaningful to you, the readers. I thought that a blog must have something of worth for the readers.
I think there is part of me that wants to keep trying new ways to be creative, and challenge myself. I have always been trying things and I recommend it to everyone. Yoga, tai chi, 10 km running, and more.
The world isn’t static, our lives are changing so let’s keep learning and challenging ourselves. What are you doing now to challenge yourself?
I have continued as a Toastmaster but I have added new elements to my routine like making jewelry, and I am taking online educational courses albeit only spending a short time each day.
I have resumed a routine of regular reading to focus myself, I found that social media was destroying that ability I used to have of being swallowed by a book and speaking of books, and reading….
The last words (almost) of the book, Three Against the Wilderness that I finished reading today are:
Something attempted, something done.”
It’s was a succinct ending to the book that perfectly summed up a 30 year biography of a fur trapper in the British Columbia (BC) wilderness.
That ending and quote certainly reflects also the part of me that want to stay active.
The wilderness was truly wilderness in the 1920’s when Eric Collier arrived in BC. Eric and his wife Lillian set out where there was barely a trail with a wagon, tools, and two pack horses to build a one room cabin and survive on their own.
Now, and after having spent five long days in the saddle, skirting the edges of the marshes and following the deer paths through the forest, and in all that time glimpsing no other furbearer’s track except those of the coyotes (their tracks were everywhere, I summed it all up by declaring,
“It’s hopeless.”
Lillian was staring into the flames of the campfire. With a sudden impulse, she looked up at my face and said quietly,
“Eric, I never want to hear you say that word ‘hopeless’ again.
We may not have much of anything here in this wilderness.
But the one thing that we’ll always have plenty of is ‘hope.'”
I was fortunate to find a copy of this book but it has been printed at least eleven times. It must be a classic because when I went to a used book store, they knew at once what I sought.
My copy is signed by a previous owner in 1970. I don’t know how many people have read and shared this book, as I surely will. It has at least 56 years worth of appreciative readers.
Eric Collier wrote this single book, printed in 1962.
It contains his story that he concluded so succinctly.
Perhaps you will be fortunate enough to find a copy to read for yourself. ♣
This is not…
This is not a “check in” like you may have received at Christmas time wherein I will list the places I have visited, trips taken and so on.
I wanted today to let anyone wondering about me that I have not forgotten about my blog, but time has slipped away as I have diversified so I don’t sit at the desk as much.
I am doing my best to be healthy, and enjoy my priceless gift of being born.
I celebrated being SEVEN this year.
I celebrated in April of this year my seventh anniversary of my kidney transplant with dear grandson and granddaughter.
When I woke up in Vancouver General hospital more than seven years ago I had no inkling that I had such a wonderful job ahead of me being a “Pop Pop”♥
There is nothing like the eyes of a child who is happy that you are there.
Another gift that my kidney donor gave me.
I am daily a grateful person.
If I fall behind in posts again, please imagine me riding my bike, or reading to my grandkids” .
I value your encouraging words, and thank you for your blogs, and inspiration.
I hope to hear from you ♥ David
Life and Random Thinking 
Wow, that sounds like a great book about an interesting life, David! Love that you celebrated 7 with your grandchildren. Your hope and gratitude shine through. Good to see you!
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Hi Wynne, thank you for your comment, and you cut to the heart in understanding. I stood tonight on the inside looking out at sunset and it looked beautiful and I admired it. Then I slid the doors open and went out on the deck and then I could feel the breeze on my face and arms. The sunset had more colour and I could see the clouds moving.
The internet exposes me to so much, but it’s like being behind the glass. As long as I am able I want to feel the wind.
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”Something attempted, something done.” Words to live by for sure.
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Isn’t that the truth Greg. Words to live by, and I still am learning the lesson. Have a great week.
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I did wonder why I haven’t heard from you David? Good to know you are enjoying …..your second life!
Just keep having fun and that’s just about all I can ever really hope for!
cheers
Wayne
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Gee thanks Wayne, I think of you in Tofino and would like to come visit and meet you in person. I admire your photography and I am sure there are countless stories behind the photos. Thank for understanding my absences, and reading when my posts do pop up. Stay well. sincerely, David
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Love this post & the picture …. & it’s just good hearing from you again.
It is easy these days to get our heads pushed under the tsunami of posts on social media & so delightful when we decide to step back & try to remember what life was like in the BEFORE TIMES. I miss that … & I miss the country I grew up in & expected to always be there & especially for our grandbaby who is 4 now.
I suddenly realized there are things I can fix & things I can’t, so now I’m doing what I KNOW I can do. There’s less stress with that.
SO MANY CONGRATULATIONS on your seventh anniversary. It is a milestone. And survival is the greatest reminder that every day is precious & that we are blessed.
I enjoy reading your blog whenever you write one.
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You are so dear and understanding. Thank you for your understanding. You understand how the internet can be a black hole on time. My grandson will be for in August, and I see him almost daily which is a huge gift. I spend time with him, have breakfast and get him dressed for preschool. I am glad to be there for him.
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Nice to hear from you! I’ve been negligent in my blog too over the past year – but still pop on to read.
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Dear Joni, I am excited that you read my blog and commented. I find there are so many talented bloggers and I admire their creativity. Hugs to you, be well.
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good to hear from you!! thrilled your life has opened in new interests and directions!!
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I have enjoyed delving into new interests. My Mom was so creative and did painting and much more; she would be happy to see me try to be creative. thank you for your kind comment.
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How wonderful to hear from you, David. There is nothing like reading a good book and sharing it with others. I’ve heard of this book but have not read it (yet). I’m glad you are enjoying your role of grandpa! Take care, xo
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Thanks Darlene, it was interesting reading and I was astonished reading that book. He was such an accomplished writer and yet he wrote only one book. The narrative style was factual and polished and never felt exaggerated. I think he must have kept a journal. The role of Pop Pop is so priceless, and hearing their voices call out when I arrive each morning is like the best chocolate to my heart.
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Good news that you are alive and well and just stretching your earthly wings.
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Thanks Linda, a smile flooded my face seeing your comment. It is good to stretch !
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Glad to hear you’re doing so well! I totally understand why you wanted to take a break!
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Dear Debra, you made Friday even sweeter when I saw your message. Thank you for being understanding. Sometimes we need to step back. I hope your writing is going well. Smiles and hugs!
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