Saturday, 28 September 2013

Reflections!

This week was a busy one and the forecast for next week is even busier.  On Thursday afternoon I took advantage of a little free time to go out on the lake with my husband.  At first it was sunny and cool but soon turned cloudy and cool with some wind gusts.  As I wrapped up in my wool sweater and my husband's windbreaker I thought to myself, Was this a mistake?

In short the wind eventually died down and the sun peeked out, making it a perfect afternoon to relax and reflect. Having been in India this past year, I had forgotten the beauty of our natural world. The water, the rocks, the flora, the movement of the sun...all working together to take my breath away.

Fortunately I had remembered my camera and was able to "shoot" some wonderful memories.  Although the colours of autumn have not yet peaked, I was able to capture images of the beginning oranges, reds and pinks that surround the lake at this time of the year.

Below are just a few of those pictures that demonstrate the reason for my gratitude. If you would like to experience this in person, come on down!

Until next time,

Bee Rich

Heading out on the lake- cool and cloudy!

Our next door neighbours

Sailboats on the side

Sumac on our other neighbour's property

Love the pinky red tones. 

Orange- a favourite fall colour

Beaver home just down the lake

As the water stilled, the reflections were revealed

Trees and rock


Symmetry above and below the water line

Fishing boat, canoe and kayaks ready for a winter rest.



Friday, 20 September 2013

Taking the Plunge

I have spent the last few weeks embroiled in the decision making process. Yesterday, a final decision was made and, for better or worse, there is no turning back. Today I am philosophical about this decision and am relying on BrainyQuote.com to help me express my thoughts and feelings.

Change is inevitable (Disraeli).

The more things change, the more they stay the same (Alphonse Karr).

Things do not change; we change (Thoreau).

Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts (Arnold Bennett).

After a teaching career spanning 25 years I have decided to return to one of my passions- swimming. The opportunity for full time employment as the Aquatic Coordinator at a refurbished pool in a nearby town- tempted me to take the plunge. I was offered the job at the end of August and started working on the 7th of September.

Yesterday I formally resigned my role as an occasional teacher and look forward to the challenges ahead.

More details to follow!

Until next time,


Bee Rich

 Quote
I have taken the plunge!

Tuesday, 3 September 2013

A Tragedy-Why?

Christmas Party 2010!

Today my heart is sad.  The world has lost a beautiful young woman because of the crime of drunk driving. My heart is breaking for her husband, family and friends. 

My husband and I taught with Christa during our year in St. Maarten. She worked in one of the grade 6 classes and because I was teaching grade 7 I learned so much about her from the young people in my class. She was energetic, bright, positive, sunny, warm, caring and beloved by the students. 

She married her soul mate Ryan. They had what looked like a fairy tale wedding in Scotland just about one year ago. They were always together, supporting one another, spending time in one another's classrooms, hiking and participating in many other adventurous activities. 

In June the young couple returned to Canada from the Caribbean, probably to be closer to their families in the northern Ontario town of Sault Ste. Marie. On Saturday Christa was riding her bicycle when she was hit by truck operated by a drunk driver. She was killed instantly. A beautiful life was cut short by the ignorant actions of someone else. 

How does a family cope? How do her friends and colleagues come to terms with such a tragedy? How will her husband carry on his life? Why Christa? Why now? Why?

Some questions will never be answered. In the meantime, we are left to grieve the loss of a wife, a daughter, a sister, a teacher, a friend and a beautiful loving person. Rest in peace dear Christa. May you continue to live in our hearts.

Memories are precious. 

Until next time, 

 
Bee Rich






Grand Parenting is Grand!

This has been a good week! I am one of the most fortunate people on the continent!  Why? you may ask.


  • Early on Tuesday morning our little grand daughter arrived 
  • On Thursday afternoon I participated in a job interview for a position at a local pool
  • On Friday morning I was offered a job (more about that next time!)
  • On Friday afternoon we met our grand daughter and then spent all day Saturday with our grandson while his parents attended a wedding
  • Today was my husband's birthday and we heard from both of our children
  • Tomorrow is the first day of school and I don't have to teach

Any one of these events would normally be a cause for celebration; but to have them all fall in the same week is amazing.

Here are a few pictures of the highlights from our visit with the grandchildren:

Two years old and already a bro
Tickle time with Grandpa
A pile of Dodges


I am absolutely head over heels in love

Sleeping tight despite the family busy-ness

We are trying for the first family portrait

But someone had other ideas!

Totally un-posed!
Until next time,


Bee Rich