Driving on Two-Lane Highways – It Feels Awesome

As you may or may not know, one of the most therapeutic things for me in life is to drive and I like it very much. I especially love to drive on major Highway/Freeway Arteries, big and small, long and short. When I drive, it is very relaxing to me. I remember when I got my G2 drivers licence, I began driving on highways in Ontario, Canada, especially the Highway 401 going back and forth to Montreal from Toronto, and when I used to go up to my cottage in Tweed, Ontario on Highway 37 which is a two-lane highway in some parts. Then after I got my full G licence, it felt awesome taking control and having that experience to drive all on my own from Montreal to Toronto, which is about a 5 hours drive. I loved it. Listening to the radio/cd’s, Myself, my car and the road. It was so peaceful and incredible.

With that being said, I absolutely love driving on two-lane highways as well. I feel like I am driving out in the country, different lifestyle, seeing farmers, pick-up trucks, old cars, overlooking trees, scenery, farmland, agriculture, fruit and veggie farms, animals, a house or 2 within a few km’s away from each other, followed by passing pick up trucks, big trucks/rigs on opposite side of the highway, then seeing solid lines, then broken lines for cars that are able to pass at that moment, say if there is a very slow moving vehicle in front of you, then quickly merging back into your lane, of course when it is safely to do so. I love road-trips like that, and I have to be the driver, but I am not the one who can stay in a car for more than 8-10 hours. That is my maximum limit. Anymore than that, I would rather fly somewhere.

I know sometimes driving in rural country/county township highways take longer to get to places, depends on where you are going, but it feels incredible to see greenery more and to get up close and personal with nature as you drive along.

Do you usually drive in the family or when you are amongst your friends? Or do you like being a passenger a lot more? I am in the mix between both, but I am the one who likes to usually drive. I cannot sit in a backseat of a car. I feel uncomfortable. I have to either drive or sit in the front.

Do you have a driving memory or story?

The Importance of Water – Our Natural Resource

Water is so important in our lives and vital part of it, and where water is scarce, some people in the world do not have clean drinking water, who do not have access to showers on a daily basis, in other places water is limited and come from wells, and replenished by trucks.

When I was in California when we were driving through Visalia, Tulare, Bakersfield, Fresno, on Highway 99 and inland of California plus other places, I saw big signs saying “No, Water, No Jobs”, and the crops, vegetables, trees, grass, fruits that are shipped across North America are crying for water and are crying for rain. I can see how dry the land is, grass and some trees have turned blonde/yellow and desperately need rain to liven up the soil and crops. By the time the produce makes it to us, the flavour and freshness changes a lot. There is a lot of farm land in California and passed by hundreds and thousands probably.

We are very lucky to have our water resources, where other places are in desperate need. In areas of California they are so strict about watering lawns, taking long showers, continuously keeping the water on while washing dishes, washing cars, and driveways. I heard they authorities are fining people if caught. I have always heard the severity and the shortage in California, but actually witnessing it in person is absolutely terrible.

Keep showers short, turn off the water when brushing your teeth, Do not keep the water running in the sink when using the washroom (people do that and I have seen it in public restrooms), and do not use it to water your lawn much. If you know it rains in your areas, Let mother nature take its course.  Inform your family and friends and always remind them to use water wisely.

Use water responsibly and do not waste it. It is a very precious resource of our world. Water is life.

Spring Forward – Excited about More Daylight

After a long, depressing, freezing cold winter, I am excited, anticipating, anxious and thrilled about more daylight. I Can’t wait to hear the birds to start coming out and chirp, when the sun comes out early in the morning and sets after 9pm, the beautiful flowers start blooming, the trees become green once again, the warmth in the air, the beautiful colours of spring and summer. With Spring just around the corner, I feel so good with that transition from a long harsh winter. I love to wear lighter colour clothing, and just enjoying the beauty of this season and more. Just to enjoy life, stopping to smell the roses, and just enjoy the beauty of a vibrant season.

I want to take up walking and go to the malls a lot more, visiting friends and family a lot more, being outdoors all day, finding activities to do, probably go camping and enjoying nature.

I have many plans for the spring and summer months. I have already ironed out some of the places I want to go as well as of course hanging out with my family, friends and just going out and getting fresh air that we really do need. We are so cooped up indoors from all the freezing weather, and snow we endured since Beginning of November and now that we are approaching half way into March, I am excited to be opening up windows, and breathing outdoor air. It feels incredible. I do not plan to stay home and try to go out and do a lot of things.

I absolutely love giving water to the flowers, washing the cars from all the snow, salt and winter debris that is left on it, as well as washing down all the salt left on the car mats and so much more. I am jumping for joy. I have never liked winter and I never will. That is how excited I am.

What do you like about transitioning to spring and warmer temperatures? Have you planned your days yet? What do you enjoy most about it all?

Bring on the daylight savings time and lets spring forward shall we?

***Remember to turn your clocks forward 1 hour March 8, 2015 at 2am in the morning, so before you go to sleep to change the clocks***

 

Have a wonderful season and best wishes.

How Electricity Plays a Huge Role In Our Lives

As you may or may not have heard in the news in last few days, Toronto, Canada and areas outside of Toronto was hit with a crazy  Ice Storm, that left the city and a lot of areas without power, knocking down tree branches on wires that connect transformers for power. As much as over 360,000 customers or more were without electricity and it can take anywhere around 72 hours and as much as a week to restore power in some areas. This Ice storm is known to be one of the worst weather disasters in history for the city of Toronto and areas. For the past 24-48 and even more hours have been left without power and all the food in peoples freezers and refrigerators have become spoiled and whoever started with their Christmas Dinner preparations, I am so sorry that they are going through all that and I surely hope that those peoples dinner plans will not spoil and that they will be able to salvage the food for their Christmas Gatherings in their homes.

It is times like this where people really think about how essential, important and how valuable electricity is to all of us.

I am so Thankful to the Hydro Electrical workers of Toronto and areas for working around the clock, and taking time out of their Christmas vacations that they had planned with their families to ensure that everyone gets power back into their homes as quickly as possible, so that others can have a Christmas, so that others can have electricity back. Whatever the cost of a hydro maybe every month, I can say it is well worth it, because some people do not realize that electricity is one of the most important things and which make life easy for us all with basic things like doing Laundry, cooking, listening to music, which keep our phones charged, which keeps our computers turned on, that heat up our water supply, which keeps our lights on, heats the house and so much more.

Let us take this time to really appreciate, and keep with the Christmas spirit and always be grateful for what we have and lets be thankful to the Hydro workers who are working extra hard to get everything going again. Reach out to those and lets help each other get back up on our feet. God bless and I hope everyone gets power soon. My prayers, thoughts are with those effected by this Ice Storm.

The Toronto Ice Storm and Areas Around – Be Careful Out There

On Saturday December 21st, 2013, on the first official day of winter, a terrible ice storm hit the City of Toronto, GTA, and areas around, where over 300,000 homes were and are still without power, knocking down tree branches, trees, sparks from hydro electrical wires, and making it very dangerous for driving and being out and about. Many places have closed stores, restaurants and even churches were cancelled as Sunday approached. Many trees and other surfaces have thick layers of ice due to the rain, freezing rain and ice pellets that hit the ground.  Many people have put their skates on and started skating on the roads and on their driveways in the city, many pictures show that trees have been toppled on cars, driveways, and roadways creating havoc, blockage and so much more. Winter has hit Ontario, Canada very early this year and it has been a month of active weather with snow, sleet, and very cold conditions. We are officially in winter now, and we still have about 3 more months to deal with this all. This is the first time Toronto has been hit with an ice storm and it is the worst in History as it has been reported on television today.

Hope that people can get electricity restored in time for Christmas. This is not something people want to deal with before Christmas begins. Hopefully food in peoples fridge does not get spoiled, and hopefully people’s plans will not be put on hold. I pray that everything goes back to normal. Electricity is something that is so important and of value to people. I cannot imagine how people used to go without electricity back in the olden days. I want to say to people to stay safe during this active winter weather, and if you do not have to drive out if its not so important, please stay indoors, keep warm, and keep off the roads, and if you know any elderly people who live around you or have elderly people in your family, do keep in touch with them to make sure they are okay, and if they need anything or need to be with anybody right now, its a good idea to look after them and as well as anybody else who needs anything.

At times like this it truly shows peoples great heart and love for others to help them during this difficult time in this terrible ice storm. Its very great to be seeing people helping each other on the news on the residential streets, and giving each other a helping hand with clearing off the tree branches from the streets, and so much more. Hope all goes well and things will workout for the better in the end.

Spring Is Almost Here! Excited For That. Are You?

After the many months of winter, this is the moment I always wait for, I really like this time of year when it becomes Mid March, I really enjoy it when our weather gets warmer, and when the winter is behind us in a way and almost time when the trees start growing its leaves again, when the grass gets greener, the roads are washing away from the salt and snow, when everywhere gets thawed out, mild temperatures start and increase by day, when the flowers start to grow again, colour and life comes back after the cold, dark, wintry days, the tulip and other spring  flowers blooming, the spring air and smell of mud, dandelions start to grow, the smell of top soil, garden centers open, outdoor furniture, barbecues, outdoor equipment starts coming back into the stores, spring colours, clothing and bright vibrant colours come back on our store shelves,  the sunlight shines, birds start chirping, animals come out of hibernation, the geese fly back north. I just love this time of year when life comes back. I am so tired of winter, snow and having to bundle up every time I go out. I’d love to go somewhere for 5-6 months of the year and not see snow and be part of the cold freezing weather and not wear layers outside.

I also like spring because it gives me a time to wash the cars and I love washing my car, washing the car mats, detailing and getting rid of the winters salt and sand they put on the streets, and taking care of it. I also like to wash out my driveway and clean up my garage, having to put the shovels away, and just enjoying the whole process of getting rid of winter. It is my favourite.  I am a person who loves vibrant colours, who loves warmer weather, the beautiful sun shining, and among when the days get longer. I really didn’t enjoy when the days get shorter and it would be dark before 5pm. I really enjoy it when time and daylight time increases. In June and July it is still sunlight after  8:30 and you would still see a bit of light after 9pm too. those are the days I love, plus you don’t feel that the night is dragging on so long and plus it gets brighter earlier in the morning and its so refreshing and you start your day earlier and you appreciate the daylight and days. I also like getting rid of the boots and jackets I wear and pack them up for 5-6 months of the year.

I really enjoy sitting on the patio, I like driving with my windows down, listening to vibrant music, going camping, and I enjoy leisure time away too.

What season do you like? Do you also enjoy spring and summer months? What do you mostly enjoy when the weather starts getting warmer? What activities do you like doing outdoors? Would love to hear form you. Happy Spring!