by Heather Plett | Apr 13, 2005 | Uncategorized
I got back from Toronto late last night. I just have to say… if you’re ever looking for a place to lay your weary head in downtown Toronto, check out Mulberry Tree Bed and Breakfast. It is delightful! It’s in a hundred year old house, with lots of antique furniture and artifacts from all over the world. I had a wonderful night in the Ochre Room – comfy and relaxing and so much better than all those cookie-cutter hotels I usually stay in!
And if you take my advice and end up there, be sure to check out Spring Rolls just around the corner on Yonge Street. Very yummy Pad Thai, topped off with deep-fried bananas and coconut ice cream for dessert! To die for! (Though, I have to admit, the walk back to the B&B was a little uncomfortable, ’cause my stomach was complaining about the way I’d abused it with shameless over-consumption.)
I don’t know why it has never occurred to me before (duh! I’m a slow learner!), but since I travel a fair bit, I should start looking for more B&B’s instead of just your run-o’-the-mill hotel chain. So if anyone has suggestions for interesting B&B’s in Canadian cities, I’m listening…
Note: I have received no remuneration for advertising on this site, but if anyone WANTS to give me money, feel free 🙂
by Heather Plett | Apr 10, 2005 | Uncategorized
Julie was getting a little frustrated with her umpteenth attempt at learning to ride a bike. In an attempt to console her, I told her EVERYbody has trouble learning to ride at the beginning. “Even Jesus?” she asked. “Yes,” I said, “if bikes had been around in Jesus’ time, I’m sure he would have had trouble too.”
It painted a nice picture – put it all into perspective for awhile. Mary trying REALLY hard not to get frustrated as Jesus made yet another attempt at riding his two-wheeler. Jesus blowing up occasionally, when Mary gave unsolicited advice yet again. “Try it THIS way, son.” “But I don’t WANT to try it that way! I’ll try it my OWN way!” “But it works better if you keep your eyes OFF your feet and focus on the road ahead of you.” “Mom! I’ll do it MYSELF!”
It turned out to be a fruitful exercise this afternoon – Julie can now ride her bike! But in order for her to learn, I had to learn a little mommy-lesson first. I had to let go, and let her try it HER way. We have the same nature, her and I. We’re both quite convinced OUR way is the RIGHT way. So, needless to say, we often butt heads when I’m trying to help her learn something. Well, this time, she was quite determined to learn without my help, and for a change, I backed off and let her, even when I was convinced she’d have more success MY way. We agreed to try it my way for 5 attempts, but after that failed, she went back to her way, and, of course, that’s the way she finally succeeded. I celebrated both her victory and mine (as I ate a small slice of humble pie 🙂
You should see my “Julie learned to ride a bike” dance! It puts Michael Jackson’s moon dance to shame!
by Heather Plett | Apr 10, 2005 | Uncategorized
This morning I was feeling really blue. I’m not sure why, but I just felt stuck in a serious state of inertia. It felt like NOTHING in my life was moving along – I was stuck in a rut everywhere. At work I have way too many big projects looming over my head, and, since “beginnings” are the hardest part, and they’re all kinda overwhelming me, I’m just spinning my wheels and accomplishing nothing. At home, I’m behind in everything. The laundry has gotten out of control again, every room in the house needs some serious Spring cleaning, I haven’t done our taxes yet and the deadline is in sight, the yard work needs to be done, and now that it’s getting nicer out, I’m reminded that I only painted HALF of the exterior of the house last year so the other half needs to be done. I could go on and on… I’m not getting a handle on this overeating thing like I’d hoped I would, etc., etc.
Well, this morning I felt like all I wanted to do today was spend the day in bed. Given the fact that I had to play “Mommy-chauffeur” most of the day, though, didn’t allow me that opportunity. So I got moving, and only had the luxury of a short nap while the oldest two were at a birthday party and Maddie napped. After that, though, I finally got enough energy to clean the living room, and then headed outside for some fresh air – first taking Maddie on the tricycle, and then going for a bike ride with Nikki.
The fresh air and exercise did me WONDERS, and now my perspective on life is getting a whole lot better. Sure I’m behind on stuff, but it’s not the end of the world. The sun is shining, I can wear sandals outside (yippee!), I have a fun (and short, thankfully) business trip coming up which will give me a nice opportunity to regroup while I spend a quiet evening in what looks like a lovely Bed and Breakfast, and at least my living room is clean! Life is pretty good after all.
by Heather Plett | Apr 8, 2005 | Uncategorized
You open the door and the sounds of classical music greet you. Mingled with that are the warm muted tones of a myriad of voices – booklovers and café visitors – reverberating gently from the book-covered walls. A sigh escapes your lips as the aura wafts over you. You slip inside the room like a foot into an old slipper. Books stand sentry at the door – some familiar and comfortable, others new and intriguing. You pick one up and flip through the pages. The feel of the book in your hand awakens a piece of you that you hadn’t noticed had fallen asleep.
You walk past the stairway winding around Christopher Robin’s tree. You touch the rich wood of a bookshelf – it grounds you like a touchstone. You pick up a few books and find an empty chair – a big soft one in a quiet alcove. You curl up in the worn chair and let the tension in your muscles slowly drift away. You open the book on your lap and lose yourself in the pages.
You have found it. Sanctuary.
Yes, I got to enjoy a beautiful, uninterrupted, unencumbered hour at my favourite bookstore last night. (No, it wasn’t the same bookstore that contributed to my faith crisis a few months ago. This one is SO much better.) Those hours are few and far between, so when they come, I savour them like expensive chocolate. And when I left the store at closing time, I carried a book home with me and continued to relish it, curled up in my bed.
And what did I take home? Well, last night I needed an old friend in comfortable clothing, so I took home Anne Lamott. She’s writing about faith again, and that’s JUST what I needed. She’s like an old friend, and there are few people I’d rather curl up in bed with than Anne. She didn’t disappoint either. I didn’t get too far into it before my eyes refused to stay open, but I enjoyed the first couple of chapters. I fell asleep, peaceful and inspired. She lifted me up above the din.
by Heather Plett | Apr 7, 2005 | Uncategorized
…come traipsing down the stairs with about a cup of hand lotion plastered all over your hands and arms and pajamas and say “Mommy, I have some soap on me.” And then, when I go upstairs to find MORE hand lotion all over the walls, the stair rail, my bed-side table, the door knobs, and the bottle of lotion, say “But it was just an accident. Accidents happen, you know.”
