Late night baking (Baby it's hot outside)

If you're in the neighbourhood, stop by. I made a double batch of oatmeal cookies last night!

what's a hug anyway

Oh, it's raining 

or 'cuddle weather':

let me grab my pillow real quick.

Music Monday

It was a sweltering, hot day. So, tonight I'm sharing a hot, new music track. I couldn't stop playing this song all weekend long. Click play and let's get dancing!

 Post Malone ft. Luke Combs "Guy For That" (2024)

Sing along optional: 

I'm pretty good at breakin' down a heart
But pickin' up the pieces is the hard part
She's searching for someone who's gonna build it back
But I ain't got a guy for that

Pretty as a picture

My bike is fixed. So, you can imagine my excitement! Today, I layered on the sunscreen, put my helmet on, and pedalled around town. One spot I stopped was here... The shade was a blessing. 

Photo taken July 28, 2024

Saturday Grocery Shopping

Oh my goodness! Today, I bought peaches. I'm thinking about turning them into a peach pie. What do you think? 

Photo taken July 27, 2024

Question #30

Question: Your past romances -- when did they start? What time of year?

My answer: They largely started in the Fall/Winter... never the Summer. Maybe my next romance will start this Summer and last a lifetime. A girl can dream! 

Photo credit: here

Walking weather

I'm feeling better. Anyone interested in a 'walk and talk'?

My friend, the chipmunk 

Oh, no!

We are experiencing a lot of hot weather here in Ontario, Canada. I don't normally get headaches. But I have a terrible headache tonight. 

Enough about me. How are you feeling?

Photo credit: here

Music Monday

Walk the Moon "Shut up and dance"

Sing along optional:

"Oh, don't you dare look back
Just keep your eyes on me"
I said, "You're holding back"
She said, "Shut up and dance with me"
This woman is my destiny
She said, ooh-ooh, shut up and dance with me

How was your weekend?

My bike tube blew yesterday. So, today I went shopping for a replacement. 

I 💖 my bike.

Single girl problems

I had a bad day. And I don't have a shoulder to cry on. When you're single, you have to learn to deal with the burden, weight, sadness on your own. Sometimes, it's too much... 

Photo credit: here

it's a verb

Received an email 

from a friend today, 

saying that they miss me:

It's nice to be missed. 

Home sweet home

Today was a weather day for the books. I hope you arrived home safe. Come and sit with me awhile... We can listen to Dean Martin.

Sing along optional:

Everybody finds somebody someplace
There's no telling where love may appear
Something in my heart keeps saying
My someplace is here

Sunday Sunshine

A fun fact about me: I don't like to go shopping. I don't like shopping malls. I prefer to be outside with trees, birds, nature surrounding me. That's when I'm most at peace. 

Today before the rain, and after I did some basic bike maintenance, I went for a short bike ride. It was hot and humid. But the breeze made it enjoyable. 

"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike." 

– John F. Kennedy

Photo taken July 14, 2024

Question #29

Question: Kevin Costner starred in a movie called, Message in a Bottle. Inspired by that film, I'm wondering what message you would put in a bottle? 

My answer: If I was drowning, would you save me?   

Photo credit: here

Hello, guess who?

Late this afternoon, guess who hopped by to say hello? An Eastern Cottontail Rabbit. 

Nature is so incredible.

Pictured above, An Eastern Cottontail Rabbit

Photo credit: here

networked

Spent the afternoon 

helping my parents 

setup a new wifi network:

I need a green tea.

Music Monday

 The Verve "Bittersweet Symphony"(1997)

Sing along optional: 

'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, that's life
Tryna make ends meet, you're a slave to money then you die

Sunday Baking

This afternoon, I made a healthy chocolate cake. I have made this recipe before. But this time I topped it with Greek yogurt, dark chocolate, unsweetened shredded coconut, 100% Canadian maple syrup with a side of freshly cut pineapple.

Verdict: The cake was moist and the toppings made it delicious! 

My Saturday Adventure

I'm happy to see bike lanes installed in my community!  

Also, I'm delighted that the Canadian Geese have their own crosswalk. We're all pedestrians -- some just have feathers! This crosswalk was in high demand today. 

Photos taken July 6, 2024

If you miss me, send me a comment

Dear Blog Readers:

For the next three days (July 3-5), I won't be posting a new blog post. I will only be replying to comments. This is an invitation to check out my blog. Take a tour and comment on something you like (or don't like). 

I look forward to hearing from you!

Kind wishes,

melissa 

Photo credit: here

The debate

You may have watched the Trump-Biden debate last week. Yes, I tuned in. What happens in the United States effects Canada. The results of the debate re-started a discussion that has been surfacing for awhile now: political polarization. I mention this polarization in an article I'm currently writing. 

In the past, I've been told not to share my political opinions, or share only with those who have the same opinions. This is the definition of an echo chamber. Check out the reading: "How Politics Got So Polarized" by Kolbert (2021).

I support democracy and social equality. If we don't talk, how will we ever move forward, change the world, and dare I say "transform"? 

Photo credit: here

This week, try to remember: