caricature love

don't waste your time 

on someone who only wants you 

when your hair looks perfect

and your body just so 

and your clothes 

overpriced fashionable: 

they are so not worth it.

'Tis the season

It's time to decorate the tree!

Sweater Weather (Photo Booth)

Photos taken November 28, 2023

Music Monday

This week's song is from the Serendipity soundtrack. 

Bap Kennedy "Moonlight Kiss"

Sing along optional:

wish i could fall
on a night like this
into your lovin' arms
for a moonlight kiss

Waiting for the Toronto Santa Claus Parade (Photo Booth)

Photo taken November 26, 2023

My homemade pumpkin pie

I've been making homemade pumpkin pies for a few years now. 

To make your own pumpkin pie: 

You first have to clean and bake a pie pumpkin. Then, you turn the cooked pumpkin into a puree. You need a blender for this step. Add a few ingredients, including eggs and spices, roll out a pie crust and like magic -- you have a pumpkin pie! 

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

Have you heard about Canadian Pacific decking out one of its trains in holiday decor and lights? I think if I ever saw this train in-person, I would 'flip out' with excitement. What a wicked, cool train!

On a new journey

Today, I removed old photos from my picture frames, making room for new memories! 

Pictured above, empty picture frames 

The mistletoe is up!

mistletoe 

[noun]

a leathery-leaved parasitic plant which grows on apple, oak, and other broadleaf trees and bears white glutinous berries in winter.

mistletoe

i'm saving all my affection 

for my future boyfriend:

my lip balm, stocked. 

Music Monday

Tonight, I'm listening to one of my favourite Christmas albums: Barbra Streisand's Christmas Memories. Listen along with me! 

scent-sitive

I always appreciate when signs are posted -- encouraging people not to wear perfumes and other strong scented products like cologne in public spaces. Why? Because some people are highly sensitive to such smells. I know, because I am one of these 'sensitive' people. 

When out and about this holiday season, think about the fragrances you wear. While it may smell great to you, it may leave someone else with a terrible headache. So, please be kind. Everyone deserves a holly jolly, holiday season! 

I just got back from the cottage.

I sawed a few trees today. Some examples:

Tree #1. 

Tree #2.

6 weeks until X-mas

“What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. 

What if Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!” 

― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! 

My Last Bike Ride of 2023

Today, I pumped up my tires and went for a bike ride.

I rode for about 20 minutes to watch the sunset... 

...and the Canadian geese fly.

Photo credit: melissa fockler, 2023

Inspiration

Question/Comment

Are you going to the Toronto Santa Claus Parade?  

I love a good parade! If you live in Ontario, Canada, you can find a list of holiday parades here.

insert footnote

 The moment you realize

    everyone has left the room

    but you're still talking. 

Remember, and never forget

Today is Remembrance Day.

Please take a moment to remember the sacrifice of war. Please remember all those who died, the families destroyed, the mental health consequences, and the women who were raped (in the war). 

There are ongoing wars around the world today. Please support world peace. 

Photo credit: here

in the middle of nowhere

a strong wind 

brings down a tree 

its branches break 

roots upheave

soil stirs

cloud of dust

its life is in 

the rings 

its red leaves now 

brown

crumbling 

crisp 

crunch 

back to earth 

ready to grow again. 

   Photo credit: melissa fockler, 2008

Question/Comment

What did you learn today? Comment below. 👇

Yard Waste Tuesday (with a buddy)

I was raking up leaves this afternoon and a raccoon kept following me around, watching what I was doing. I snapped a photo!

melissa fockler (b. 1984)

The Curious Raccoon, 2023

Photograph 

Music Monday

Goo Goo Dolls "Iris"

Sing along optional:

And I'd give up forever to touch you
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now

This Old House (Part 4)

Today, I painted the quarter rounds in the bathroom. 

Okay, the big reveal!

Through My Eyes

In 2007, I spent a weekend touring the streets of Toronto. These are the photos I took: 

Photos by melissa fockler, 2007

Friday night snacks

What's on the menu: Carrots, celery, cheese, green tea, and homemade pita chips, popcorn and dip.

1 in a 1,000,000

all i want for x-mas is to find him

the man i'm going to spend the rest of my life with: 

clearly, a big deal. 

There cannot be relationships without care.