I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.

-Georgia Okeeffe

I have SO many books. I thought, why not have some fun with them? I wanted to see if I could combine their titles together to make poetry (or something resembling poetry.)

Here is my first go at it. My theme today is travel.

Has anybody else tried this?

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.

–Thomas Merton

Peace between countries must rest on the solid foundation of love between individuals.

–Mahatma Ghandi

This Memorial Day weekend, I’m thinking about the people we care about who live in the U.S. We were warmly welcomed during our recent trip by family and by new and old friends alike. As a Canadian I may not agree with certain U.S. government policies (especially around intervening in other countries), but I love and appreciate individual Americans.

Appreciation, gratitude, affection — these are the qualities city folks bestow on their parks. Beauty, serenity, tranquility, majesty — these are the rewards they reap in return.

Adapted from Landt Dennis

On this sun-drenched holiday weekend, I’ve been fortunate to spend time in a beautiful green space that lines the Humber River in Toronto. I shared the park with people of all ages, engaged in walking, cycling, picnicking, playing, and dreaming.

We all know from our own experience that being in such a space can lift our spirits, heal our woes and rejuvenate our flagging energy. But many studies have confirmed that time spent in nature relieves mental fatigue specifically by restoring the ability to concentrate and pay focused, effortful attention. The sights and sounds of nature absorb individuals effortlessly. Through rest, concentration is renewed.

With my camera around my neck, I am drawn to the sparkling light, the multi-hued green, and the gestures of the folks enjoying the space separately and together. I try to capture a slice of this in photographs.

Looking at life through my lens bestows on me great gratitude, appreciation and affection for this city park.

Not all just beaches in Miami, Coconut Grove’s waterfront also top attraction – CNN iReport.

The time has come to leave Windsong II and head back to Canada.

She’s safe and secure “on the hard” and will be well looked after until we return to her when hurricane season has come and gone.

I’m not overstating it to say that it has been pure joy to spend time sailing her, motoring her and living aboard her these past few months.

We are truly, truly sad to say good-bye. I personally did not think I could get so attached to a large inanimate object, 😉 so I have learned something. I’m sure part of the love, respect and attachment I have for Windsong II has to do with the fact that I am oh so  aware that I am trusting my life to her.

The only really hard part of this whole time away has been missing family and friends. For those of you who have come along for all or parts of our journey to find Windsong II and then get to know her, it has been a pleasure to share the sights and sounds of our experiences with you through these 52 posts on the blog. We have deeply appreciated your generous good wishes and kind comments. Thank you so much for being there!

Hopefully, this is only the beginning of many more years of travelling with Windsong II.

Until next time….WIndsong II…over and out.