“Explore the earth, soak up her beauty, and let it feed your soul. Love her like your own, and then leave her be.” – April 2021 Alive magazine
Deep verdant green and fragrant gardens draw me most days to paths winding like a fairy tale beneath clouds of falling petals. Plaintive crow young hidden amid an explosion of new leaves are a constant chorus punctuated by the prehistoric squawks of adult herons hovering over their own offspring – happy harbingers of the warmer season to come, feeding my soul each day…
May has unfolded between the latest restrictions to stem the tide of the pandemic in year two and a newly cautious embrace of some kind of normalcy resulting in busy weekends and much quieter days during the week as folks begin to move around once again.
Throughout the pandemic I’ve been keeping my eyes out for breadcrumbs leading back to past pleasures and was thrilled to come across a note advertising a free art exhibit at one of my favourite gallery spaces downtown.
I haven’t ventured downtown very much in the past year having only seen a very small showing at the same venue last summer. This exhibit’s title was a nod to the restrictions in place here in our province – Essential Travel, an artful voyage. This yearly exhibit (ParkerArtSalon.com) is usually held in the artist’s own homes in the east end of the city, an outing I’ve often longed to go on!
I was the only patron and enjoyed a lovely wander through curvy sculptures, colourful abstracts, serene landscapes and a haunting work of Marilyn Monroe (travelling back in time!). With face mask on and strategic hand sanitizer stations, my time inside the airy gallery felt very safe. As I was leaving, I was delighted to see an eager young couple enter on what turned out to be the last day of the exhibit.
That last day ushered in a mini-heatwave and I found myself taking my latest read and a thermos of tea down to a bench beside a friendly tree with jewel-like hummingbirds and noisy flickers to keep me company. With the lagoon just steps away and the sun shaded by leafy green, I imagined a plethora of summer days spent on various benches throughout the park or above the seawall overlooking the sparkling ocean. Other afternoons I retreated to Veranda Cafe beneath a lush green canopy, sitting at a shiny red table with warm sunlight creating delicately moving shadows upon two intersecting neighbourhood streets – a perfect spot to watch the world go by with a cup of jasmine green tea fragrantly steaming or a frothy almond milk hot chocolate waiting to be sipped.
On my way one day to my outdoor table I came across a young couple standing on the sidewalk – the father cradling his newborn daughter face up to the bright sun and when I noticed how tiny she was, he said they had been given a prescription to bring her outside to receive some sunlight. When I heard this, I thought – what a beautiful gesture for their family doctor to make and how joyous it would be if we all could find ourselves open to receiving this grace and healing, feeding our souls and forever taking in the beauty that surrounds us.



Every time you post Kim, I fall a bit more in love with Vancouver. I’ve always heard it’s a beautiful city. I’m glad you’re finding peace, beauty, and breadcrumbs to lead you back home.
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Vancouver has a beauty that takes your breath away…it’s a joy to share it with you…now that some of the restrictions have been lifted, I hope to explore my city again and be even more inspired!
Thank you so much for leaving such a lovely comment and I love the “breadcrumbs” analogy, Brad!
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Sounds lovely sitting in the shade and next to the ocean, Kim. Slowly we are heading back to ‘normalcy’ or more likely, a ‘new normal.’
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There’s a lovely ocean breeze wafting in at the moment, it’s sorely needed on this very warm day!
Our “new normal” feels a bit too busy…the beaches were overflowing this past weekend and it felt like “masks off” were the theme of the days.
Thank you so much for stopping by, Eliza, I hope your “new normal” is unfolding well!
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I really love how you write! Such an inspiring post! I love nature, the sun, and the pandemic has given us a lot more appreciation for the beauty of the world!
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Thank you so much! Your very kind words have brightened my day…
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Your writing soothes me into the beauty and peace of nature. The pictures feel as if I am there because of how your words took me there. The tree at the end is so amazing!
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Our urban forest is awash in beautiful trees, each visit shows us something new or interesting as well as offering peace and tranquility.
It’s lovely to see your words here and I can hardly wait to wander over to your site and do some catching up! X
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Smiles always from my heart to read your words always, and look forward to the happiness of your visit anytime you find your way with ease :)))
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I really feel that your walks in nature as well as your surroundings feeds your soul…it is truly reflected in your words as you describe the wonders of life that you see and experience. Your magical words and elegant descriptions paints a magnificent picture in the minds of everyone who is lucky to read your posts. Thanks for sharing this Kimberlee!!!
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Some days find me at the edge of darkness and a walk through my neighbourhood or a wander through the lush forest never fails to show me the light and feed my soul.
Your words are a treat, Mark and they’ve made me smile (big time!), in fact, I’m still smiling!
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What’s funny Kimberlee is that I feel the same way too. For me, sometimes a walk outside is what I need to reset myself in order to tackle life’s many problems.
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The sun is shining and after practicing some yoga, a walk through the park with an Italian gelato is all I need before the heatwave we’re expecting heads our way!
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Love that. I should get some gelato myself cause it’s hot and humid where I am.
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It feeds our souls…
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I’m so glad you shared about meeting the couple with their baby and the doctor’s prescription for some sunshine. Isn’t that wonderful. It’s been a hard year, but there is still so much goodness and hope. Happy Summer, Kim. A beautiful post. ❤ ❤
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Thank you, Diana, your words are a beautiful balm!
It’s a pleasure to go out into the world and share some of it with you all…
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I love your communion with nature. Your soul dances with its every sound. Thank you so much for another inspiring note. Love Terry’s photo of the nursing tree. 🥰♥️🌹
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Hello, dear neighbour! I’m so glad you enjoyed this latest offering, it’s been lovely to spend some socially distant time with you sitting at Michael’s shiny red tables…
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We must do it again. Thanks for the care package on my door. You are too sweet. ♥️🥰🌹
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It’s a joy to share and surprise you…I hope this note finds you keeping cool on the eve of an historic heat wave! X
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This was a prose poem for sure! I love the description. For the 2nd year our trip to Abbotsford, BC has been cancelled. We are counting on next year (third times a charm). The plan was to visit Vancouver… I really am looking forward to it especially after reading this post!!
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Yes, I hope three times is a charm! Our part of the world is slowly opening up as more folks get their vaccines if they are able…our beautiful city needs visitors, we miss their energy and wonder…
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What a beautiful post, Kim! I am so happy you were able to venture out and enjoy the exhibit. Since Bonnie lifted the travel restrictions last week, I zipped over to Vancouver this past weekend and strolled down Robson and enjoyed the sights. I was masked but it just felt good to be out and about and off Vancouver Island for a spell. I love it here but I was feeling a bit cooped up. The week ahead is going to be a beautiful one…I hope you enjoy every second!
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It’s lovely to read your words here and know that you were strolling down Robson St. not too long ago!
Summer is here and I hope you enjoy every minute too!
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This is beautifully poetic Kim, like a stream of consciousness right from your senses as you walk us around your world.
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Your beautiful words have brightened my summer afternoon, I hope some of my sunny wanders will inspire more poetic offerings this season, Andrea!
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you never fail to walk me through exactly the same spot you walked through Kim.. i love this one.. and I hope one day I can visit Vancouver as it seems to be a beautiful place to visit… keep safe in there…
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Thank you so much, Mich! Each time I post I hope to bring someone along…we are doing our best to keep safe (it’s challenging at times!) but feel very blessed to enjoy this beautiful city and continue our wanders…
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I love the prescription of sunlight for the new babe. We all need that and let’s add in a walk through a forest too.
Thanks for the uplifting post.
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Thank you so much for stopping by and enjoying the read, Ali! A forest walk sounds good right now especially after a rainfall…
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your posts never fail to delight … do pray your were safe from the fires and didn’t melt in the dire heat we heard you were having!
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Your lovely words warm my heart (always!), Kate! We survived the historic heat dome but are currently experiencing our third heatwave this summer with smoke from the many fires burning in our province making it challenging to keep cool and hydrated…don’t get me started on year two of the Hemlock Looper Moth infestation plaguing our beautiful forest (apparently it’s a 4 year cycle, yikes!).
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sounds like it is very challenging time right now, the smoke alone would be, let alone the heat waves and moths … but you are a resilient strong lady! Hang in there and spoil yourself as often as possible coz you sure deserve it 🙂
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Thank you so much, Kate!
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thank you Kim
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Beautiful post and photos Kim. Obviously since you wrote this a few months ago the heat has intensified Kim. Nature is so unpredictable. You have a wonderful way of finding beauty everywhere and transporting the reader. Keep on looking for those breadcrumbs. 💜
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Fire season has settled down somewhat, our part of the world is feeling more normal temperature wise and fall is just around the corner…thank you again for your lovely comments, Miriam…it’s a joy to read your words here!
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