I had a busy day broken up by two nice walks, with Abby in the back 40 and later, with Julie and Ocean and Charlie at Cable Bay.

And I think I should qualify busy. The idea of being busy has become a badge of honour: it has become equated with prestige or even being a good and useful person. I used to believe that but I no longer subscribe to the concept. I think there is enormous virtue in taking time to reflect and to just be.

Yes, I like to tick things off my list – but I get them out of the way so that I can spend the rest of the day being lazy.

At any rate, I did get a lot done and I did walk and took photos and hung with Abby. And I did think of a lot of things, mostly about love and accepting the things that are. I can’t change a whole ton of things – they are way out of my control. But I can be in charge of my responses and reactions. That’s where I choose to put my efforts.

I got a card in the mail today from a friend: a card filled with such joy and love, fills me with wonder – and I feel blessed.

Tomorrow, I plan to take Abby to the Westwood Ridges. I think she’s going to enjoy a real hike – not a long one – but a real one.