Life in General

REFLECTION: About five years ago, we redesigned the pond in our backyard garden. Moved it further out into the yard. Increased the size. Changed the shape. Added a creek and waterfall. We, and the birds, have enjoyed it greatly.

However (and don’t you love the sense of foreboding in that word?), for the last couple of years, the water level kept dropping. We’d top it off, and a few hours or days later it would be several inches lower. The pond never went completely dry. It just dropped 8 or 10 inches and sat there – thumbing its nose at us (or at least that’s how it felt!). 

And so the problem solving and experimenting began. Check for evaporation. Not at that rate. Check for leaks in liner. Nope. Check for wet, swampy areas around the hose connections. Nope. Shore up creek walls. Problem continued.

This spring, with the problem not having resolved itself over the winter (so much for wishful thinking), it was apparent the time had come for a major deconstruction. And, so that’s what I did on the weekend. 

I ripped the creek bed apart from waterfall to pond basin. And what did I find? (more…)

Allow me toot my own horn ever so slightly by letting you know that on May 7, at the recent Saskatchewan Women Entrepreneurs’ Annual Provincial Conference, I was honored by being named Business Of The Year for 2009 in the Existing Business category.

The award is presented annually to a woman entrepreneur who has been in business for more than three years and who has exhibited the following criteria:

-expanded her business and contributed to the economy

-changed, grown and refocused in response to emerging trends

-shown long term financial viability and profitability

-contributed to entrepreneurship in the community

It was a delight to be recognized in the company of my family and business peers- a very validating and encouraging experience. The Lou Chrones painting that I received will hold a place of honor in my office.

My congratulations to other award winners honored the same evening: Kim Weimer of Fastener Warehouse and Rachel Mielke of Hillberg and Berk.

If you are interested in the comments I made on receiving the award, read on. (more…)

REFLECTION: Many of you are smack dab in the busiest years of your lives – with work, family and community obligations filling your hours and days. In mid-life when you find yourself trapped in the midst of the busyness, it can be a challenge to reach out for help.

A couple of years ago, I dropped in for a visit with my dear Aunt Eileen. At over 80 years (or at any age for that matter) Eileen was one of the most loving, supportive and accepting individuals I’ve ever known. By that time in her life, she had lost her husband, faced several health challenges, and after a lifetime away, relocated to her home province. Here she was surrounded by family, but short on friends. In a word, she was lonely. (more…)

It may be slow – but it certainly is sure!

Spring is slowly crawling its way into existence on the prairies.

I did spot pussy willows along the ditches last week. But here, now, my very own backyard garden is showing signs of life.

The beauties just needed me to get the rake out, dust off last fall’s leaves, trim back last summer’s growth, and show a little faith.

Maybe that’s the way with more things than just the garden.

Could be that to see more of life’s everyday potential, we need to spring into action, dust off the remains of the day, and be ready and willing to look more closely to discover what’s already growing right under our feet.

In the world of curiosities, this definitely qualifies. A strawberry so eager to reproduce itself, that it gives the next generation a head start. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it. That’s for sure. A strawberry plant growing out of the top of a still juicy berry, with another small berry on the plant itself. Maybe it got tired of waiting for spring and warm weather.

Thanks to eagle eyed Mom, for spotting this little multi generation critter.

REFLECTION: Love Leadership. It’s an odd juxtaposition of words not commonly paired together. And, no, it doesn’t describe how to take the lead in improving life with your significant other. Love Leadership – What The World Needs Now is the title of a book on organizational leadership authored by Gregg Cochlan. 

In short, Gregg’s message is that in contrast to the old-style command and control style of leadership, letting colleagues know they are loved and cared for is a major step towards driving fearfulness out of the workplace. When fearfulness ‘leaves the building’, people no longer tremble in the corner or cower in their boots, preoccupied with assuring their own safety. Instead, they face challenges and step forward with confidence. As a result, performance, engagement, and satisfaction grow significantly. (more…)

These snow men and women sprang to life many miles from each other. Still, they share the same DNA and an indefatigable spirit of playfulness.

We encountered this Snow Siren in Vancouver in January. She was just barely hanging on to her dignity in the face of the rising west coast temperatures.

This couple proudly greets passersby here on Saskatoon’s Seventh Avenue.

Clearly a couple of characters out for a good time!

This will be the fourth year that I’ve contributed a painting to the Women’s Mid-Life Health Centre fund raising art auction. Dr. Vicki Holmes and her colleagues do a wonderful job of delivering mid-life women’s health services all year round; and the art auction committee delivers a lively annual event and an incredible selection of art.

This year’s auction is scheduled for Saturday, April 4th. If you’re in the Saskatoon area, be sure to check it out.

What you see here is a preview of my 2009 contribution: The Sun Seekers. It’s a bit of a departure from my usual style. Read on for the backstory to the painting…. (more…)

REFLECTION: So here we are in Vancouver, strolling along the walkway on English Bay near the Sylvia Hotel, headed to catch a ferry to Granville Island. Although it’s an overcast day and a bit on the cool side, there’s no rain and very little wind. It’s a great day to be alive and a fabulous day to be at liberty.

No sooner do I lift my eyes to the sky in appreciation, than … whack…smack…splat!  I’m assaulted full on (hair, cheek, chin, and neck) by a king-sized slimy torpedo of sea gull poop.

Apparently the gull was travelling at Mach One. The impact resembled a high-velocity stealth attack with a soaking wet dishrag. Any of you who recall having fought with siblings while you were supposed to be washing the supper dishes know exactly what I’m talking about!

It took me by surprise, to say the least. Sure, I’d noticed there were plenty of gulls in the air and pigeons in the trees. The possibility that one of them might have a contract out on me had never crossed my mind. (more…)

REFLECTION: This week’s Pause message is a bit of a departure from the usual directions. Dave and I are taking a mid winter break, spending a few days in Vancouver, celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary.( I know! I know! Where did that time go?)

Normally, I’d take a break from Pause on an occasion like this, but when I posted last week’s message, giving notice slipped my mind.

So here we are. You’re expecting your regular Wednesday message, and I’m committed to delivering one.

As I walked the seawall around Stanley Park, I pondered what to write about – eventually settling on what we’re focused on this weekend – celebrating relationship.

35 years is a long time for any kind of partnership – marriage, business, or otherwise. And, for what it’s worth, here are ten of the relationship lessons we’ve learned so far. (more…)