Karen Toews
Scripting Vibrant Living Beyond An Empty Nest
Category: Mindset
Feeling the Distance, Missing my People
When we moved to Nova Scotia in 2007, other than our realtor and the neighbours next door, everyone was a stranger. This was going to be home; intent on meeting people, I’d strike up a conversation with practically anyone: at the grocery store, on… Continue Reading “Feeling the Distance, Missing my People”
Grateful for my Body. Today.
A couple weeks ago, clear as an audible voice I heard: “Karen, are you grateful for your body?” Though the question caught me off guard, answers fill pages in my journal where “so help me God”, the truth hits the page. Thoughts and laments… Continue Reading “Grateful for my Body. Today.”
Treasures and the Tide
The summer of 2022 in Nova Scotia gave us exemplary, spectacular weather. September raised the bar with beautiful warm days, leaning into its East Coast pattern of saving its grandest days for the fall season. To soak in the ocean’s warmest time capsule of… Continue Reading “Treasures and the Tide”
A Turnaround Week of Wonder
Merriam-Webster defines wonder as “a cause of astonishment; to feel curiosity or doubt, rapt attention or astonishment, at something awesomely mysterious or new to one’s experience.” My curiosity about wonder uncovered synonyms like: marvel, phenomenon, caution. What’s the big deal about this six-letter word… Continue Reading “A Turnaround Week of Wonder”
Rescripting Life With The Pain
In January I wrote Life Disrupted: My Season of Wintering and never imagined that here in May, my life and physical activities would still be so restricted by pain. A short reprieve in February gave me an injection of hope – thank you! –… Continue Reading “Rescripting Life With The Pain”
A Photo-Blog: What’s in a Flag
The Canadian national flag was inaugurated in a public ceremony on Parliament Hill, Ottawa on February 15, 1965. Before this, our national flag was the Union Jack and the Canadian Red Ensign flew from government buildings: both emblems attached to our British heritage. In… Continue Reading “A Photo-Blog: What’s in a Flag”
Life Disrupted: My Season of Wintering
It was like any other morning. I pulled back the covers, swung my legs out of bed and stepped down, ready to rock and roll. Whoa! Pain in my right hip triggered a nerve to go berserk down my leg, stopping me in my… Continue Reading “Life Disrupted: My Season of Wintering”
Family Moving to Nova Scotia: A Dream I Didn’t Even Think to Wish for
When I get messages from my kids – texts, emails, phone calls – they’re special news bulletins I read or pick up as fast as they come. Text April 11, 2021 “Hey Mom, are you and Dad available tonight? I’d like to chat about… Continue Reading “Family Moving to Nova Scotia: A Dream I Didn’t Even Think to Wish for”
Do first Solo Campout – 2021 ✓
My wish to do a solo campout had simmered long enough. This was the year I made it happen. Conditions were right: I had a beautiful destination in mind (important detail to me), I could easily explain my whereabouts to local hikers, and ‘warm… Continue Reading “Do first Solo Campout – 2021 ✓”
Sole Sisters Hike Mont Mégantic
Winter, 2021. I was on a Zoom call with my husband’s sister. She and her husband live in another country two time zones away, share life in a communal family household, and were then working from home. Not surprising that we rarely connect; my… Continue Reading “Sole Sisters Hike Mont Mégantic”
Karen Toews 