Happy Holidays and a Healthy New Year

Opening the New Year 2025 means skating on the Rideau Canal.  It was the longest skating season in history on the world's longest skating rink. It is always a bit of magic on the canal in our winter wonderland.

Mom and Ellen

Maiden trip to Amsterdam

May brought Dutch flowers with the mother-daughter trip to Amsterdam.  We had a glorious trip with fine weather, friends and great touring.  For more pictures, see Maiden Trip to Amsterdam

Every canal was a photo op

Festivities at the Stratford Festival

Trying on a new persona.  
Should It be "Pamme" with an "e"?

Donna and I were excited to get upgraded
to the Romeo and Juliet suite

Four poster bed
big enough for the whole book club

Extra fun potential
found in the night stand

Found this in the night table in Kingston.  
Donna suggested that the two contents
should be combined
so you'd have someone to look up
to share the fun. 

Canada Day in Ottawa

A downpour threatened a rainy concert for Canada Day

Enjoying Canada Day concerts in the Nation's Capital with Val

Cottage Life - therapy by the ocean

I never get tired of the views at the cottage

Uncle Bob clearing the weeds.  
Maybe he knew visitors were coming?

Seems like everyone wants a little peace 
centrally located in the middle of nowhere.  
Super yachts are showing up every year.  
How have they found our secret?!  

A visit from Jeff and T

Jeff and T on the Big Rocks
Eventually I will learn to feel the joy
with the cold water plunges T!  

Family photo with Mom, Dad and Steve

Farewell until next summer

Outstanding!  The movie

It was an exciting night out for the movie screening based on Sandra Perron's book, Outstanding in Her Field.  It is the story of Canada's first female infantry officer and the challenges she faced.  Read the book and watch the movie.  It really is Outstanding.

My Pepper Pod tribe and actor Nina Kiri

Fabulous evening with my
Pepper Pod tribe at the NAC!

It's been 20 years since I saw Kate.  
So many wonderful people to see, 
no time for selfies!

This red carpet
is a lot of fun

People near and dear

It is always about the people.  No matter what.  They are the ones who give meaning to life.  I am blessed with amazing friends and family in my life. 

Celebrating Bev's birthday with Angela

The Easter Egg hunt has begun

Always fun doing a wine gig with Louise.  
She is so angelic,
 she has a halo over her head

On the other hand,
 I have the trident over my head.
Tasting wines of a lifetime.  

 

Baby Spice and Sporty Spice (aka Priya)

Rocking with Laura
at the Sarah McLauglan concert

I look over to the other aisle
and Krista is sitting there!
We've been friends since '79!

Ellen's birthday celebration
with Aunt Corry

Arturo and Valerie

Rozita and Jean-Francois.  

Great to catch up with Denise

Celebration of life ceremony for my Uncle Leonard.  

He was 91 and lived a full, 

humble and adventurous life 

with many hidden talents. 

Aunt Irene and Linda

Rosella, Joanne and Michel
So wonderful to see cousins.

Surprise sighting of Rebecca

Hiking with Renee
in Gatineau Park

Visit from Francesca

The look of love for Delisa 

Pamela in Panama

The weather is miserable in November, a yoga retreat in Panama was just the ticket.  Fourteen of Marla's yogis followed her to Santa Catarina for a week of ohm and zen.

We were up for early morning meditation
and also for evening sunset

The yoga deck

Our guru Marla

A most relaxing and magical gong ceremony

The fabulous massage therapist
  combining Thai yoga massage,
RMT techniques and advice. 

Anthea, Shannon and Nathalie

Cynthia and me

Prankster Mireille who was always 

willing to pull my finger

Best social marketing scheme ever to motivate positive behaviour change.  
Fill up the bag with beach garbage
and get a free beer.  
Judith had a bar tab! 

A fun afternoon surfing

A little drama with an earthquake of 4.5.  

Definitely a very weird sensation.  All the animals scattered. 

A day spent at Coiba National Park.  
We snorkelled with beautiful fish

The Panamanian wildlife is BIG

Glad its not a bed bug

Very carnivorous insects

The agouti -
a rabbit sized cross between
a squirrel and a guinea pig

Skittering iguanas

The hermit crabs leave
beautiful trails in the sand 

A curious bird of prey
watching our lunch

Careful of being too curious....
take a look

What's the difference between
 an alligator and a crocodile....

wait for it....keep scrolling...

Lunch on the beach

Beautiful vista in the park with beautiful souls

Mireille and I playing in the waves

The difference between an alligator and a crocodile is:

 one will see you later and the other in awhile.

Helen, me, Ellen and Adrian
Magic in the Halifax Public Gardens

 

The year in photos wrapped up 

Wishing you happy holidays, a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with peace and joy.