365 Days of Gratitude - Day 77

My work day started with this sunrise, and ended with a text from my daughter with this awesome poem and photo from Instagram. What PERFECT bookends to a really good day.

In case you can't read the poem, this is it. Sorry, I do not know if the author is the person who posted on Instagram, or someone else. Either way, THANK YOU!

"Give me a shack,

on branches or stilts, hanging by it's teeth off a tree covered cliff.

Give me boards loosely fastened that whistle in the wind.

Give me a fireplace and a heavy blanket and a deck of cards.

Give me pancakes and coffee and a creek at the bottom full of rocks and salamanders.

Give me these things before the gated mansions that make me tired,

tired from watching all the people chasing their own shadows,

and buying the wind when it blows for free."

Feeling grateful,

Louise 

#365daysOFgratitude 

Sunrise from my room at Mom's place

Amazing post from Instagram - this is the photo

...and this is the poem :)

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 76

For the last 6 years I have lived in a forest, under a thick canopy of leaves, which makes me enjoy driving along country roads with big open skies even more. This morning I was headed to our park in Brampton which is about an hour and a half from my home. The sky was so entertaining I found it hard to concentrate at times. Finally I pulled over to snap this picture. 

Then as I sat at the side of the road a beautiful cardinal flittered about the brush on the other side of my car. These may be hardly noticeable to some, but to me they are gifts from Mother Nature and I am always filled with gratitude.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

Beautiful morning skies

A stunning cardinal

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 75

Feeling ever so grateful for relaxing days. 

Breakfast at our favourite 'greasy spoon' in Orillia (Paul and I are Sunday regulars). Catching up with dear friends on a wonderful hike the woods. And a lil relaxing and researching our next big adventure.

Life is good.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

Osoyoos BC

Hiking on a gorgeous blue bird day

365 Days Of Gratitude - Day 74

Oh my gosh, today I was so VERY grateful for Gortex.

It was a tad chilly working the launch platform of our Monarch Zipline in Stouffville today. -20celcius with the wind chill. So, yup, a lil chilly.

With a layer of wool, a layer of down, and that lovely wind-proof Gortex on top I was as snug as a bug.

Feeling grateful,

Louise 

#365daysOFgratitude

Thank goodness for technical clothing layers!

 

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 73

One of my greatest pleasures is catching up with dear friends and hearing about their adventures.

Today I managed to fit 2 such visits in. (And funny enough they were in the same small town cafe. I'm sure the waitresses thought I was a tad nutty playing musical chairs with their guests. Lol)

First I grabbed a coffee with my good buddy Mike and his beautiful girlfriend Angel. They filled me in on their adventures to Mexico, diving, Australia and more. We shared a few fun memories in between and I walked away with my heart feeling full.

Next up, lunch with my beautiful young friend Abigail. Columbia, Argentina, Panama, Patagonia... It was an awe inspiring solo trek through South America and I was mesmerized and inspired.

How lucky I am to have such incredible people in my life.

Feeling grateful, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Abigail trekking in Patagonia

Aussie Mike and his girlfriend Angel

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 72

Pictures say a 1000 words and I'm always entertained and inspired by them. Looking at photos is my favourite part of Facebook and probably why I love Instagram so much.

My daughter Sydney captured this photo last week. I can't stop looking at it, and I smile every time. It's one of those photos you couldn't plan if you tried, and most people would guess the dog is photoshopped in. Well he wasn't. Silly boy Hugo.

Feeling grateful, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Look at the sunrise silly Hugo

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 71

Today was one of those typical busy working days. Putting out fires; sifting through important vs not important issues; driving long distances; and attending critical meetings.

To every working person this is normal. And yes, there are a 1000 things I am grateful for in a day, even today.

Yummy lunch that I didn't have to prepare (or pay for); beautiful sunrise; flowing traffic; great conversation with my boss; and on and on...

At the end of the day I stopped into mom's and while she had dinner I sifted through emails, messages, and texts.

How absolutely amazing it felt to open and read a message from a friend expressing appreciation for my Lessons of Life, my posts, and my positivity; and a little story how it affected them and encouraged them to make positive changes in their life. Oh my goodness that note made my day even brighter. It was a perfect reminder that there is no greater meaning to my existence than making a difference in the lives of others.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

It feels good to be appreciated :)

P.s. This was my morning sunrise :)

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 70

I was getting a little work life balance today with a mid morning ride. My girlfriend Sara was telling me about a recent cougar feast sighting (dead deer carcass in a tree is a dead giveaway. No pun intended).

Then we saw the prints. Yup. Cougar in the area. It's both a little exciting (I LOVE nature), but also a tad nerve wracking given how much time I spend in the forest trails. Glad I'm up on my 'what to do if you see a cougar' skills.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Track differences

Definitely over 4" wide. (My photo from today's track)

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 69

I am very grateful for this crazy crew. I spent the day and evening with my fellow managers preparing for our season at Treetop Trekking.

It was an awesome day, a long one, but awesome nonetheless.

Feeling grateful, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Everyone skyping with head office in Montreal.

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 68

My girlfriend Debby asked for my assistance with a videography assignment today. It involved me riding a Fatbike. And talking about biking. 

Can't wipe the grin from my face!

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitide

My happy place :)

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 67

It's maple syrup season and I can't help but think of my father-in-law. His birthday was in late March, the season that the sap starts to flow. We celebrated his birthday for years by gathering at Sheppard's Bush in Aurora, ON during the maple syrup festival.

All 6 of his kids, spouses, and grandkids would bundle up and enjoy the festivities, including the pancake breakfast with fresh maple syrup.

Today I worked at our Treetop Trekking site at Bruce's Mill in Stouffville which is in full maple syrup festival season.

With a big smile on my face I thought of my wonderful late father-in-law the entire day.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Trees are tapped. Buckets are filling with sap

My husband Eric Paul and my son Douglas Eric posing in 2010 with my father-in-laws memorial rock in Aurora's Town Park

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 66

Spring equinox. Solar eclipses. And super moons. All things I enjoy, all happening on the same day. I love the massive energy shifts as I always attribute them to change, forward movement, positive thoughts, and manifesting good things.

All on all, an awesome day to be thinking about all the good in my life.

Feeling grateful, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

A super moon

365 Days of a Gratitude - Day 65

Today I earned my NFPA 1006 Special Operations Level 1 certification. Which pretty much means I'm a bad ass 52 year old female rope rescue technician. Hee hee. Pretty proud. Super tired, but pretty darn proud.

Seriously though it's been a lot of work. I started working on rope 6 years ago as a rescue guide for Treetop Trekking and I am exceptionally proud to have continued to this level. 

Also super proud of my trainers Kevin Bozzo, Jade-Adele Penham-Homes, and Courtney Payne for reaching this level as well. 

Too tired to write anymore :)

Feeling grateful, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Transfering patient to basket and securing the load

Jade on main line, me on belay

Pick offs, and rappelling off the main line

In class with instructor Dave

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 64

I'm back at my 'summer' gig as the Training and Risk Control Manager for a company called Treetop Trekking. This week our training and construction staff are busy getting our re-certifications for high angle rope rescue.

Simply put, we are up in the air, on rope, decending, ascending, and upgrading our rescue skills so that we are ready and raring to train our 30+ rescue guides.

It's hard work, but oh my we sure do a lot of laughing. I'm coming home at day's end with tired muscles, a tired brain, and a sore stomach from all the giggles.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Check us out: www.treetoptrekking.com 

Me inch worming up a rope with no mechanical assistance

Team one working on skills on a lower platform

These folks are responsible for my sore tummy muscles. So much laughing!

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 63

Eggs. I love eggs. And I really love the surprise of a double yoke.

Since the time my kids were little I have purchased eggs from a friend with chickens. The kind of chickens that are clucking and strutting about and you have to watch out for them when you drive up the lane. 

I always told my kids a double yoke was good luck because, quite frankly, it's something my mom always told me. Imagine my delight when my daughter Sydney texted me this photo of her breakfast in the making. My heart swelled with joy knowing those little things of childhood still bring meaning to my kids.

Feeling grateful, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Good luck for Sydney for sure!

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 62

I have a part time gig as a bike guide for a mountain bike touring company called Ride Guides. Today I took out a mother and son for an awesome ride through the Copeland Forest.

One particular trail (which only the locals know. Off winter maps if you get my drift) was more technical than they expected. The hard pack was narrow and everything else was soft and punchy. But it's super scenic as it runs along the top of a ridge and therefore worth pushing the envelope.

There were lots of falls. We laughed so hard our stomachs hurt. What a joy it is introducing people to fatbiking, and then watching their grins and listening to their laughter. 

Feeling grateful, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

P.s. Check out www.rideguides.ca 

Falling into soft snow is hilariously fun!

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 61

Spent the morning cleaning out the crawl space. Nothing feels more liberating, freeing, exhilarating, and cleansing than clearing out old stuff. 

It doesn't matter what you clean out. Basements, closets, old beliefs, habits, whatever; the act of cleaning out what no longer serves you in a healthy way is a pathway to allowing new elements to come in to your life. 

It's not book for book, or belief for belief. Dont get caught up on that thinking. It's more like clearing of anything makes room for something new, and it may be completely unrelated.

Regardless, I'm feeling fabulous. Hubs and I are headed outdoors now to enjoy the rest of the day.

Feeling grateful, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

The crawl space. May not be much to others, but to me it's a beautiful work of art. 

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 60

It's a rainy, cold spring day. Our power was out for a chunk of the afternoon (thank you mr. wood stove for keeping us warm). All in all a good day to snuggle under a blankie and watch a little tv.

I have developed a soft spot for British tv. Something about the story lines, the characters, and the actors that make it so much more appealing to me than most of what comes out of North America.

If you haven't given it a go yet, do yourself a favour and watch Mad Dogs. It had me hooked from the very first episode! Crazy story line. Fabulous acting. Funny. A heart-stopping, mind-boggling thriller. 

Feeling grateful,

Louise 

#365daysOFgratitude

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 59

Oh my gosh, where do I begin?

One - it's Friday the 13th. My lucky day. Met my hubby on a Friday the 13th. We celebrate them more than our actual anniversary :)

Two - I started the day with a 15km Fatbike ride with my bestie Marti. So, so, so perfect! No pictures though. Too busy riding :)

Three - I spent the afternoon teaching my final ski lesson of the year - to the BEST group of grade 8 kids ever! What an outstanding group of kids from Etobicoke, Ontario. My gosh they skied hard!

I'm sad my winter of ski instruction is over. It's been incredible waking up every day knowing I would spend it with the funnest instructors, in the best, most challenging, and most beautiful trails in Ontario! I skied, snowshoed, and fatbiked so much that my heart is full of contentment. 

Celebrated with a well deserved cold beer. Now bring on the spring!

Feeling grateful, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Me with today's school group. Aptly named Team Awesome

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 58

I have passed this tree no less than 50 times this winter. Sometimes I notice it, sometimes I don't.

Nature has a way of speaking to me. It soothes my soul, it calms my energy, it brings me into balance even when I'm not aware I'm out of balance.

Today was one of those days. I had spent 4 hours on trail with a wonderful group of students and after they left I hopped on the bike for a fast solo rip before my next tour. 

I could hear the pileated woodpecker before I even came to the tree. I hammered on the brakes. Stopped. Listened. Breathed the fresh scent of forest life deep into my lungs. Relaxed. Enjoyed the moment. Then snapped the photo and expressed gratitude for having been given the experience.

When I came home I looked up the meaning of the woodpecker. Today this resonates with me.

'You have the power of rhythm in your blood. You are tuned to the heartbeat of the Earth and the cycles that rule it. You have the ability to shake up the awareness of others as well as the ability to grab every ones attention with the simplest of words. You understand the power of your words and use them sparingly and precisely to get your point across. You are often the first to draw everyone’s attention to something that needs attending to.

When the woodpecker comes tapping into our awareness, it's also a signal to use our heads. Just as the woodpecker uses its head (beak) to hammer out solutions (food, shelter), we too can use our intellect in finding solutions to our own barriers.'

Feeling grateful, 

Louise 

#365daysOFgratitude

The incredible pileated woodpecker.

Me at the tree today.

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 57

I am grateful that at 52 years of age I still get to have (and enjoy) sleep overs with my best friend.

Janis and I have known each other for nearly 30 years. Back in the early days we found solace (and mental health) by meeting at 5:00am to run around the block a few times.

That led to marathon running, ultra running, road biking, mountain biking, kayaking, and any other outdoor adventure we could think of as an excuse to spend time together laughing and feeling free of responsibilities. 

When I moved away from the old neighbourhood our visits became sleep overs. After a wonderful evening relaxing in our wee chalet I was lucky this morning to be able to drag Janis along as a volunteer while I instructed grade 12 girls how to cross country ski. For 4 hours. It was the first time Janis had been on cross country skis in 30 years. She was nervous, but amazing! 

We finished up our visit with a beautiful 4km snowshoe in the gorgeous spring sunshine.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Beautiful spring day. In the afternoon the snow was soft and punchy.

In the morning the tracks were icy and fast, hence the wee pile up.

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 56

I am grateful I have so many good memories running through my thoughts. Today is the birthday of my late brother-in-law Doug Pullin.

You can't possibly think of Doug Pullin without chuckling. He had a wickedly off colour sense of humour. If it was politically incorrect, he would say it, and have us on the floor howling with laughter. Half the time at the joke. Half the time because we couldn't believe he said it. Kind of like our very own Chris Rock. No holds barred. 

This photo was taken the year our entire Smith family decided to vacation together in Mexico. My father-in-law, all of his children, all of their spouses, and all of the grandkids. 34 of us I think.  That year we just decided, what the hell, and we saved our pennies to go.

It was before Doug's cancer diagnosis. Before we truly got to learn what he was made of behind all that humour. He carried on through cancer with an incredible 'get busy living' attitude and inspired us all. 

Happy birthday Pully! We luv ya!

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Pully and my hubby Paul sharing a laugh in Puerto Vallarta. 

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 55

Grateful for workIng outdoors on GORGEOUS spring days like today - sunshine and +8 degrees celcius. It's like a reward for surviving working outdoors this past winter where we saw daily temperatures and wind chills in the -30's.

This group of school kids from Markham were learning about the Underground Railroad and the slaves who gained their freedom by fighting for the British Loyalists and were given small plots of land. This foundation is all that remains from one of those homes.  

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Stone foundation in Copeland Forest

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 54

Spring-like weather. Oh my gosh how grateful I am for this sunny warm day. Yes it means we're busy harvesting our icicle crop, but after a long winter of tending to it daily I am happy to see an end in sight.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

We love living in an old chalet even with the daily winter chore of icicle clearing.

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 53

Feeling ever so grateful this wonderful gal chose to immigrate to Canada from Ireland 40 years ago today.

That decision meant she would eventually meet and marry my brother, and become a very important part of our family.

We love you to the moon and back Mary! Happy anniversary.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

She's the non-pirate in the middle

Mary and daughter Kate (my niece) 

Mary and her son Adrian (my nephew) skiing at Lake Louise in January (with me)

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 52

Omg! While driving down the highway this morning a snowy owl flew right over my car. So close that I shouted, 'HOLY SHIT! A SNOWY OWL!'

I've seen them before, but such a majestic bird it's always a highlight.

Dr. Steven Farmer's explanation of an Owl animal totem.

"To find the answer you are seeking, it's extremely important to pay attention to signs - especially repetitive ones. These are clues you can see, hear, or feel around you. Sometimes they're subtle, sometimes very obvious. These messages may come through a conversation you overhear, a newspaper headline you just happen to glance at, a friend calling on the phone, or any number of other ways. The key is to be open at this most auspicious time for guidance in the form of omens.

    These are not random occurrences. Although they appear outside your own skin, they're responding to a call your soul is making, whether or not you're aware of it. These omens are manifestations of Spirit's directives, so it's important to keep an open mind and heart to the cues you're receiving. Don't over analyze them, but do heed them. By observing with all your senses, the wisdom of the natural world and even the human-made world will speak to you."

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

I did not take this picture, I was too busy driving.

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 51

Swapping stories, getting caught up, sharing lots of laughs, and practicing knots for the upcoming season of Treetop Trekking. Thanks for a great day Bozzo.

Looking forward to some great training sessions in the coming days.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Black fly season - hilarious picture of Bozzo from a training day last year.

Tying knots and catching up at my kitchen table

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 50

I had a particularly busy morning, which are often the times one neglects to pause, breathe, and notice  the inspiring things around us.

AND there are ALWAYS inspiring things happening around us. You just have to notice.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

The sunrise out my kitchen window this morning

Inspiring wall art in the medical office I was waiting in this morning.

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 49

Today I had a good chance to giggle at myself. 

You see, I'm indoors for the day convalescing as the doc ordered. I did the laundry. The dishes. A couple hours work on the computer. And then I had the brilliant idea of catching up on Downton Abbey.

Simple enough concept, except I'm not a huge tv watcher and have never mastered the remote, and we have three of the darn things. Luckily my hubby knows me well and trained me on the 4 buttons I needed to know and by the grace of god I remembered. Lol lol. 

Feeling grateful, 

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Some day these will be my remotes

Afternoon marathon of Downton Abbey

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 48

Surgery done. Back at home. Watching this gorgeous sunset out the livingroom window. Lots of wonderful notes from friends and family. Feeling loved. Life is good.

Feeling grateful,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

Skyporn