Happy New Year!

Congratulations! You lived through another 365 days. Now, you get to start again. Day 1 starts tomorrow. Make every moment count! You have the gift of another year. 

Photo credit: here

Who are you kissing at midnight? (Countdown to 2025 starts now)

Dermot Kennedy "Kiss Me" (acoustic version)

Sing along optional: 

So just kiss me the way that you would
If we died tonight, if we died tonight, yeah

Baking Sunday (My homemade jam tarts)

It's raining outside. It's Boxing Week. But none of that matters to me. I turn up the music and bake. 

"A scene from my baking adventures" 

Why I haven't dated for 2 and 1/2 years

I'm built for attachment 

commitment

I'm loyal as a lion

the problem is 

men I've met 

openly tell me that they 

don't want attachment 

commitment or loyalty

they are only interested in a 'good time':

and I'm not interested. 

Still dancing in 2024

A friend sent me this song. It left me speechless.

Dax "A Real Man"

Sing along optional:

Realest story ever told
Can't have a man who's makin' money always home
Heart like a truck, that's why he's always on the road
Providin' everything you need to live the life you say you want

Christmas Eve

"Me, wearing a Christmas sweater"

Photo taken December 24, 2024

My homemade Scandinavian cookies

This afternoon, I baked some cookies. Main ingredients: flour, plant-based butter, brown sugar, chopped walnuts, an egg yolk. 

To top off these cookies, I used raspberry jam with 40% less sugar. 

December 21, 2024

The truth stings

What does being in love feel like? Three winters, without love... makes you forget.  

 Benson Boone "Beautiful Things"

Sing along optional: 

I found my mind, I'm feelin' sane
It's been a while, but I'm finding my faith
If everything's good and it's great
Why do I sit and wait 'til it's gone?

So, this is Christmas

To be entirely honest, it doesn't feel like Christmas. I have decorated the Christmas tree, listened to Christmas music, and baked Christmas cookies. But I can't seem to shake the feeling.

Today, I bumped into a friend at the grocery store. I mentioned to her that it doesn't feel like Christmas and she turned to me and said, "It feels like Christmas whenever I'm around you."

My heart smiled. 

Photo credit: here

wishful thinking

I'm not looking for the bad boy

I want the 'good guy': 

    his idea of a party is 

    cuddling on the couch with me. 

collaborations

Coldplay collaborated with Dick Van Dyke. Check out the video here.

Coldplay "All My Love"

Slow dance alert

I have been playing this song all weekend long. 

Post Malone and Morgan Wallen "If I never knew you"

Sing along optional:

If I never held you

I would never have a clue 

How last I found in you

The missing part of me 

untitled

I think the hardest thing

about being single is knowing 

that you're not missed - 

no one is thinking about you

right now 

or wanting to kiss you passionately 

right now

embrace you, as if it were 

the last time

no one is thinking about

your eyes or wanting to

hold your hand or

dreaming about your smile 

and when you flatline 

no 

one is 

there. 

I don't have a boyfriend. But who needs heartbreak?

Men have broken my heart, over and over again. The same old pattern. Hmm... you can understand why I'm hesitant to date again.  

Turn up the stereo. Post Malone is on the radio!

Sing along optional: 

I knew for a night, girl, I'd be drinkin' 'bout you
But it's years gone by and I'm still dreamin' 'bout you
Cross my heart 'til I die
I swear to God, I woulda never done what I did
If I knew that I'd be missin' you like this

It's about time

As I sit here, listening to Barbra Streisand's Christmas album, I'm thinking that it's time I start decorating for Christmas. After all, I have to start my Christmas baking soon... Nova Scotia gingerbread is on my baking list!

"My shoe & purse tree ornaments" 

Music Monday (on Tuesday)

 Ed Sheeran "Photograph"

Sing along optional:

When I'm away
I will remember how you kissed me
Under the lamppost
Back on 6th street
Hearing you whisper through the phone
"Wait for me to come home"

For your information

I'm 

back 

from 

the 

cottage.

Single life comedy

Photo credit: here 

Music Monday

I'm still sick. But music is a blessing. I've been listening to this song a lot over the past week. I dedicate this song to my future boyfriend... whoever he is... wherever he is tonight. 

Thomas Rhett "Blessed"

Sing along optional:

Making my heart beat out my chest
I can't count the times I've heard
People say I'm lucky
But lucky ain't the word, oh, I'm blessed

Update

My throat is still sore. My nose is stuffy. I'm up most the night. But I'm alive. 

When I'm sick, I reflect a lot. 

I realized that in the past two years -- I've been heartbroken and had Covid twice. Please, if there is a God, let me have a little happiness before I die. 

Photo credit: here

Oh no, I'm sick. (I have Covid, again)

I woke up this morning with a really sore throat. If I talk more than 2 minutes, my throat burns for hours. You know how much I love to talk! Oh no, this sore throat is silencing me!  

I'm in so much pain.

Music Monday

Every year, I acknowledge Remembrance Day. It doesn't matter where I am or what I am doing. Every November 11th, I stop at 11 am and give thanks. 

War is a dirty word. It is connected to human suffering and sacrifice. Today I acknowledge the many families that have been torn apart due to war. I also recognize that my freedom is the result of many, sacrificing their lives to protect Canada.  

Thank you. May we always remember. 

Vera Lynn "Travellin' Home"

Sing along optional: 

Traveling home, traveling home
I'm like a stone that's been rolling too long
Winds that have blown me on my way
Blow me right back to harbour

Dose of cuteness

When the world seems dark, find pockets of cuteness. 

Photo credit:here 

Spend the day with me! (November 24th)

Jingle bells, jingle bells... Too soon?

I'm trying to organize a fun outing. The Toronto Santa Claus Parade is on November 24th. Would you like to go? Let me know! 

Photo credit: here

This week's challenge

You often hear people say: "What's wrong?" I know I'm guilty of asking this question.

This week, the challenge is to flip this thinking. Instead of asking, "What's wrong?" try asking "What's right?" 

Photo credit: here

Election Night (Party)

I have my party snack ready! Greek yogurt topped with walnuts, fresh pineapple, and apricot chunks.  

Catfishing

Being single, I want to form an emotional bond with someone. But how do I learn to trust? And where do I meet other single people? 

It's hard to meet 'real, genuine people' - online or in-person. Recently, I stumbled on an interesting read. Anna Akbari exposes the issue of catfishing and manipulation in her book, There is No Ethan. 

Wednesday Wisdom (updated)

November, already? Where did the year go?

Photo credit: here

Trick-or-Treat

Happy Halloween everyone!

Have a safe and spooky Halloween! 

"Halloween Treats, No Tricks"

P.S. I'm home

A picture from my trip:

When you see the 'ONroute' plaza in Barrie, you know you're headed north. 

"ONroute - Barrie, Ontario, Canada"

Just a heads up

In a few days, I'm going to the cottage. I'll be there for a couple of days (or more). At the cottage, I don't have access to the Internet. So, I won't be posting on my blog. 

If you want to tell me something before I head north, send me a comment below. 

Photo credit: here

October feels like summer

How was your day?

Oh, I had a good day. I finished my 5th article, and started writing my 6th. Then, late afternoon, I sat outside and read a few chapters from one of my favorite books... Pure bliss.

Melissa's Adventures in Nature

I was up at the cottage the other day and I took a stroll down the driveway. The leaves were down and the trees were naked.

So, this happened

Something happened yesterday. I won't get into details, but let's just say my life flashed in front of my eyes. 

Photo credit: here

Wednesday Wisdom

In a fast-paced world, nature is our greatest teacher. 

Photo credit: here

Thanksgiving -- Cooking highlights

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon in the kitchen - cooking. Some of the highlights:

Peeled and chopped sweet potatoes 

Oven ready - roasting sweet potatoes, onions and garlic

Roasted chicken, salad, cranberries 

Oh, pass the stuffing!

Apple Blueberry Loaf

It's Thanksgiving weekend. That means, it's time to get my baking on! Today, I tried making a new recipe: an apple blueberry loaf. Ingredients: flour, cinnamon, blueberries, diced apples, milk, a touch of salt, baking powder, vanilla, and no sugar! 

Verdict: It tastes great (and healthy too)!

Long weekend adventures

Picture it - me, on a park bench, watching a blue crane move ever so slowly through the water... 

"A scene from my travels"

i kid you, not

i need a man who loves

hockey, me,

and the occasional cup of tea.

Music Monday

Alicia Keys "Girl on Fire"

Sing along optional:

Everybody stares as she goes by,
'Cause they can see the flame that's in her eyes. Watch her as she's lighting up the night,
Nobody knows that she's a lonely girl,
And it's a lonely world,
But she gon' let it burn, baby, burn, baby.

Pre-thanks-giving

Be thankful for how far you have come and the people that have helped you get there. 

Photo credit: here

Hello, it's me (update)

Oh, the last few days were very stressful. I had a computer problem. I was updating my computer operating system (on Thursday morning) and the update froze mid-way. It locked me out of my computer. I could not access any of my files or documents. It felt like my world was ending. Let's just say, I didn't sleep Thursday night. But with the help of the amazing tech crew at Staples, my computer was up and running again by late, Friday afternoon. 

To sum it up: What I learned is that things can go very badly. It can feel like the end of the road, no return. But there is hope in darkness. 

Photo credit: here

Bad to worse

I am having a really, really bad day. If you want to make me feel better, post a comment below.

This week's challenge

It's easy to be complacent, to fall into routine, to keep doing the same old thing. This is something I write about a lot in relation to teaching. So, this week I've posing a challenge:

Take a risk -- do something differently, think differently or try something new. 

Inspire others! Share your 'risk taking' adventures in the comment section below.  

Photo credit: here

Music Monday (on Tuesday)

On the weekend, I was watching Elvis' classic 1968 comeback concert. I was cooking and dancing to Elvis (I do that by the way - dance while cooking). Anyway, the music slowed and Elvis belted out a beloved tune. I'm sharing it with you now. 

Elvis Presley "Can't Help Falling In Love"

Sing along optional: 

Wise men say
Only fools, only fools rush in
Oh, but I, but I, I can't help falling in love with you

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

I acknowledge that the land I live on is the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and other First Nations groups. I recognize that forced residential schooling has caused intergenerational trauma and emotional and physical pain for Indigenous Peoples and communities in Canada. I value and respect Indigenous pedagogies and epistemologies. 

Kent Monkman, The Scream, 2017, Denver Art Museum 

Books, anyone?

The weather was gorgeous today. Thanks, Mother Nature! So, this afternoon I biked around my neighbourhood and dropped off some books to the Little Free Library. Bike riding and donating is the best combination! 

"Book donations"

Saturday Reflections

Tell me about your day:

1. One thing that surprised you. 

2. One thing that made you happy or sad. 

3. One thing you wanted to do, but didn't. 

"A scene from my travels" 

Single on Date Night

I never watched Sex and the City. But maybe I should. Sarah Jessica Parker plays Carrie Bradshaw, and she has some rad advice for single people. 

Photo credit: here

Say his name, three times.

I haven't been to the movie theatre in ages. Is that still a thing? 

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has hit movie theatres this month. As a sequel to the original 1988 film by the same name, this movie brings 1980 fun to 2024. Beetlejuice was my favourite cartoon back in the day. Time to get nostalgic! Maybe even go back to the theatre... 

Blog vigil

On Monday evening, Julia Cleveland was walking with her partner in Toronto, when a car struck and killed her. Tonight, I am holding a blog vigil for Julia and all other pedestrians killed by motor vehicles every year. May they rest in peace. 

gif credit: here

Behind the scenes (Secrets of Melissa)

Every night, after dinner, I usually eat a salad and drink a green tea. What are your daily habits? Share below! 

September 24, 2024

Music Monday

Tonight, there are fireworks going off in my neighbourhood. Weird or what? I guess it's time for a music break! Tonight's song is Dermot Kennedy's "Lucky". 

This song makes me cry... In my lifetime, I hope I'm lucky. 

Sing along optional:

If you're so lucky that she lets you know her heart
Be careful how you hold it
If you're so worried that the afterlife is dark
Then make sure that she knows this

She is loved, she is loved, she is loved (loved, loved, loved, loved)

Pre-season hockey begins today

Photo credit: here 

Saturday reflections

How can you resist the feeling of 'not being good enough'? And start feeling 'good' about yourself? 

Photo credit: here

Friendly faces

When you're sad, feeling like you're all alone in the world... a friend stops by. 

"My chipmunk friend visiting me in the garden"

Book Sale (Happy Reading)

This week, there is a book sale at the Toronto Public Library. I have attended this sale a lot over the years. It's a great place to find good books on the cheap.

If you plan on attending, let me know. Comment below!

Wednesday wisdom

Push boundaries, test out ideas, and find beauty in difference. 

melissa fockler (b. 1984)

      Fire in the night sky, 2007

Photograph 

Fall On Me

According to the calendar, it's still summer. But the trees are saying otherwise. 

September 17, 2024

Music Monday

All-4-One "I Swear"

Sing along optional: 

By the moon and stars in the sky
I'll be there
I swear

Ouch.

A hornet stung me. The pain is intense.

Photo credit: here

Let's do a wellness check

Question: How are you feeling?

My answer: Not great. I've been feeling blue. I'm at the point where I don't believe love exists. I mean, heart pounding, 'only want you' kind of love. The 'need you' to get through the day kind of love. The type of love based on unconditional love and care. I got to this low point yesterday, then I saw this couple. They were in their late 80s and holding hands. It was so beautiful. Seeing this made me think that maybe this 'love' thing does exist. Maybe... 

'A scene from my travels'

unholy thoughts

i'm not religious 

but i'm waiting for a miracle:

for him to find me 

in a world of plenty. 

Sunday Night Photo Booth (No make-up, no filter)

Photos taken September 8, 2024