Happy birthday Cait! Hope your trip is lots of fun! I have noticed around my house that there are more hummingbirds and butterflies than usual! Whoot! Hoot! They must know how I have carefully tried to cultivate lots of sanctuary for them!❤️❤️💚💚🎉🎉
Thanks, Michelle! I'm sure it'll be lots of fun! Mostly hoping we get some sun, but you never know over here 🙃 and so jealous of your hummingbirds! They don't migrate through the UK, so I only see them when I'm back in BC! Enjoy!
Ah, how I love this! I’m on vacation this week after an insane week filled with an event at work and an event at church. I sort of don’t know what to do with myself to be honest but I’m leaning into the slowness and going with it! I do have a lot of decluttering I want and need to do for my peace of mind! During summer, things seem to stack up in my apartment and I’m in a major purging frenzy but the time has not been there so I do a little at a time.
As usual, your thoughts make me wonder. How did you learn it was safe to accept gifts from friends? I’m noticing I’m really having a hard time accepting when friends want me to go out with them and open doors for me. It’s so silly but yesterday I asked that they not wait on me, please. I think some of it is my body image and my awkwardness and another friend saying they told this other friend to wait on me. Since my divorce, I notice I feel like I have to prove myself. I’m a mess! Maybe counseling is in my future again! I am having a really hard time of just accepting and having fun when I had no problem in January with this same person.
Thanks for sharing your life with us and for making space for us to share about our own lives as well!
I'm not sure I can answer your question, Heidi, other than to say it's taken a long time! Both healing my own stuff, but also building this particular friendship. I know I can trust her, and so it feels safe knowing the gift comes with love and zero expectations of me. If counselling feels like an option for you, I know that's been really helpful for me ☺️
The month of June had me still adjusting to the passing of my father and still sorting through paperwork and things of his that need to be dealt with. I miss him terribly (Father’s Day was difficult) but each day gets a bit better. Grief is a process to slowly get through.
But moving on to you! 😊 I hope you have an absolutely wonderful birthday Cait! I am so happy for you and the life you have created in the UK. I recently reread Adventures in Opting Out (I want to make some changes in my own life and opt out of some things so I was looking to it for inspiration 😉), and it was interesting to read about your travels to Brighton and Paris and Scotland.
Thank you for sharing a bit of what's been true, friend. Grief is definitely a process, and comes in lots of waves ❤️ you're sweet to think of me, and thank you for the birthday wishes! If I'd kept typing out fruit, strawberries would've been my third ☺️
I’ve been wanting to plant snap dragons for a few years now. They are so pretty and bright and have lots of colors. I finally did this winter. They’ve been such a source of joy for me and my partner. I’m amazed that they are still around (they don’t like the heat and it’s been 88 F). Yesterday, I saw a bunch of hummingbirds which I hadn’t seen in a long time. It was so lovely and fun to watch them drink from the flowers. 😊
I love fruit! My favorites are nectarines, strawberries, and pluots (tart and sweet!). Though watermelon brings me back to my childhood in the summer. Hot humid days by the pool. Eating so much watermelon I feel a little sick from the sweetness. 🤩
Ohhh snap dragons are BEAUTIFUL, Mary! I see them in some people's gardens when I walk through town and they always take me back to being a kid and holding them between two fingers and making it look like they are "talking". (Do you know what I mean? haha) So glad you did this for yourself, and the birds and the bees! Your comment also reminded me of the nectarine tree we had in our backyard at my dad's house. YUM!
Hey Cait, I have a question about your forever annual subscription discount at the beginning of this post: my current subscription ends March 2026 so if I choose the forever discount will it take effect 03/26? Thanks and Happy Birthday!! 🥳🤩
Good question! I think we'd actually have to do something where I cancel your current sub/give you a partial refund, then you sign up again now. Would you like me to do that? I'm happy to! Maybe send me an email, so we can chat about it/make it happen ☺️ caitflanders at gmail!
Happy Birthday and many more to come. I'm happy to read that your acupuncturist finally helped your neck issues.
To answer your questions:
My favourite fruit is bananas, one of which I eat every morning with my breakfast.
As to what happened around our house and in our lives, well celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, finally selling my mom's house in Montreal (going to miss that place), and getting ready with our family to celebrate Canada Day tomorrow.
Enjoy your week ahead, my friend, and hope you gets lots of birthday presents.
Thank you so much, Rob! And ohhh you know I keep all things about TM private, but he loves bananas too! Eats more than anyone I know, hehe. Hope you've enjoyed all the recent celebrations, and that continues into this week too!
My June included major spinal surgery for my young adult, and having her live with me again this summer as she recovers. All went well, and I am loving having her 'home'.
I love blackberries. My littlest little loves raspberries. And my partner, who is taking all of this upheaval beautifully in stride, loves blueberries and peaches.
My peach tree had lots of little peaches, but the massive rains we had in April meant most rotted or were consumed by the little animals all around us, well before we considered them ripe. We did get to eat four, more than last year! The rest of the yard went bonkers with the heat and rain... I hope to find it in the fall.
Wow, I hope the surgery was "successful" however she defined it! I'm sure it's nice having her there, and it must be nice for her to have your support too. Sorry to hear about the weather affecting your garden, and especially those peaches. We had a peach tree at my dad's house when I was a kid, they were a real treat. Sounds like you're a family of berry lovers! 'Tis the season for it ☺️ oh and thank you for the kind birthday/move wishes!
Happy birthday week from South Africa where it is the heart of winter. My favourite winter fruit is an orange and my favourite summer fruit is also pineapple. But my favourite overall fruit is a Granny Smith apple which I eat year round. I always have an apple and 500ml of water with me 🍏
I love granny smith's too, Marcia!!! And sometimes feel like I'm the only one! We're in good company now 🍏🍏 and another fun fact: my biological grandfather was born in Johannesburg! That's a part of my ancestry I've never explored, but I think I'd like to come down one day ☺️
Cherries all the way!!! Although I do love all fruits as well, and my favorite fruit juice is guava ☺️ hope you have a wonderful birthday getaway!! And thank you for the discount, subscribed immediately 🥳
We grew up with cherry trees in our yard! And guava, NICE choice! Thank you for your support and the birthday wishes, Johanna! I really appreciate it ☺️
You did get it at the discounted price, Patricia (and thank you for your support!). The $50 thing is a weird bug in the automated emails Substack sends out. Where it's basically showing people what they signed up for, but doesn't seem to show the discounted price. I don't know how they haven't fixed that issue yet... but you'll never pay that amount!
Happy birthday Cait! Hope your trip is lots of fun! I have noticed around my house that there are more hummingbirds and butterflies than usual! Whoot! Hoot! They must know how I have carefully tried to cultivate lots of sanctuary for them!❤️❤️💚💚🎉🎉
Thanks, Michelle! I'm sure it'll be lots of fun! Mostly hoping we get some sun, but you never know over here 🙃 and so jealous of your hummingbirds! They don't migrate through the UK, so I only see them when I'm back in BC! Enjoy!
Well nothing compared to the BC amount! Hope there is a new Birdy at your new house for you to enjoy!🥰🥰🎉🎉
Ah, how I love this! I’m on vacation this week after an insane week filled with an event at work and an event at church. I sort of don’t know what to do with myself to be honest but I’m leaning into the slowness and going with it! I do have a lot of decluttering I want and need to do for my peace of mind! During summer, things seem to stack up in my apartment and I’m in a major purging frenzy but the time has not been there so I do a little at a time.
As usual, your thoughts make me wonder. How did you learn it was safe to accept gifts from friends? I’m noticing I’m really having a hard time accepting when friends want me to go out with them and open doors for me. It’s so silly but yesterday I asked that they not wait on me, please. I think some of it is my body image and my awkwardness and another friend saying they told this other friend to wait on me. Since my divorce, I notice I feel like I have to prove myself. I’m a mess! Maybe counseling is in my future again! I am having a really hard time of just accepting and having fun when I had no problem in January with this same person.
Thanks for sharing your life with us and for making space for us to share about our own lives as well!
I'm not sure I can answer your question, Heidi, other than to say it's taken a long time! Both healing my own stuff, but also building this particular friendship. I know I can trust her, and so it feels safe knowing the gift comes with love and zero expectations of me. If counselling feels like an option for you, I know that's been really helpful for me ☺️
The month of June had me still adjusting to the passing of my father and still sorting through paperwork and things of his that need to be dealt with. I miss him terribly (Father’s Day was difficult) but each day gets a bit better. Grief is a process to slowly get through.
But moving on to you! 😊 I hope you have an absolutely wonderful birthday Cait! I am so happy for you and the life you have created in the UK. I recently reread Adventures in Opting Out (I want to make some changes in my own life and opt out of some things so I was looking to it for inspiration 😉), and it was interesting to read about your travels to Brighton and Paris and Scotland.
My favorite fruits are apples and strawberries ❤️
Thank you for sharing a bit of what's been true, friend. Grief is definitely a process, and comes in lots of waves ❤️ you're sweet to think of me, and thank you for the birthday wishes! If I'd kept typing out fruit, strawberries would've been my third ☺️
I’ve been wanting to plant snap dragons for a few years now. They are so pretty and bright and have lots of colors. I finally did this winter. They’ve been such a source of joy for me and my partner. I’m amazed that they are still around (they don’t like the heat and it’s been 88 F). Yesterday, I saw a bunch of hummingbirds which I hadn’t seen in a long time. It was so lovely and fun to watch them drink from the flowers. 😊
I love fruit! My favorites are nectarines, strawberries, and pluots (tart and sweet!). Though watermelon brings me back to my childhood in the summer. Hot humid days by the pool. Eating so much watermelon I feel a little sick from the sweetness. 🤩
Ohhh snap dragons are BEAUTIFUL, Mary! I see them in some people's gardens when I walk through town and they always take me back to being a kid and holding them between two fingers and making it look like they are "talking". (Do you know what I mean? haha) So glad you did this for yourself, and the birds and the bees! Your comment also reminded me of the nectarine tree we had in our backyard at my dad's house. YUM!
I do know what you mean. 😂 that’s so fun. Definitely would have done this as a kid too.
🤤 a nectarine tree. That sounds incredible.
Hey Cait, I have a question about your forever annual subscription discount at the beginning of this post: my current subscription ends March 2026 so if I choose the forever discount will it take effect 03/26? Thanks and Happy Birthday!! 🥳🤩
Good question! I think we'd actually have to do something where I cancel your current sub/give you a partial refund, then you sign up again now. Would you like me to do that? I'm happy to! Maybe send me an email, so we can chat about it/make it happen ☺️ caitflanders at gmail!
Happy Birthday Cait! As for my favourite fruit - that's a tough one as I love them all. Maybe Mango, Grapes and cherries. And the list goes on. :)
Mmm I forgot about mango! So good! I'm just terrible at cutting them up!
Hi Cait!
Happy Birthday and many more to come. I'm happy to read that your acupuncturist finally helped your neck issues.
To answer your questions:
My favourite fruit is bananas, one of which I eat every morning with my breakfast.
As to what happened around our house and in our lives, well celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, finally selling my mom's house in Montreal (going to miss that place), and getting ready with our family to celebrate Canada Day tomorrow.
Enjoy your week ahead, my friend, and hope you gets lots of birthday presents.
Thank you so much, Rob! And ohhh you know I keep all things about TM private, but he loves bananas too! Eats more than anyone I know, hehe. Hope you've enjoyed all the recent celebrations, and that continues into this week too!
Happy birthday, Cait!
My June included major spinal surgery for my young adult, and having her live with me again this summer as she recovers. All went well, and I am loving having her 'home'.
I love blackberries. My littlest little loves raspberries. And my partner, who is taking all of this upheaval beautifully in stride, loves blueberries and peaches.
My peach tree had lots of little peaches, but the massive rains we had in April meant most rotted or were consumed by the little animals all around us, well before we considered them ripe. We did get to eat four, more than last year! The rest of the yard went bonkers with the heat and rain... I hope to find it in the fall.
Best wishes on your move!
Wow, I hope the surgery was "successful" however she defined it! I'm sure it's nice having her there, and it must be nice for her to have your support too. Sorry to hear about the weather affecting your garden, and especially those peaches. We had a peach tree at my dad's house when I was a kid, they were a real treat. Sounds like you're a family of berry lovers! 'Tis the season for it ☺️ oh and thank you for the kind birthday/move wishes!
Happy birthday week from South Africa where it is the heart of winter. My favourite winter fruit is an orange and my favourite summer fruit is also pineapple. But my favourite overall fruit is a Granny Smith apple which I eat year round. I always have an apple and 500ml of water with me 🍏
I love granny smith's too, Marcia!!! And sometimes feel like I'm the only one! We're in good company now 🍏🍏 and another fun fact: my biological grandfather was born in Johannesburg! That's a part of my ancestry I've never explored, but I think I'd like to come down one day ☺️
Such a good list. Sending you lots of love from the peaks.
Right back at you, my friend!
Cherries all the way!!! Although I do love all fruits as well, and my favorite fruit juice is guava ☺️ hope you have a wonderful birthday getaway!! And thank you for the discount, subscribed immediately 🥳
We grew up with cherry trees in our yard! And guava, NICE choice! Thank you for your support and the birthday wishes, Johanna! I really appreciate it ☺️
Happy birthday Cait!!
I love your writing and how aware you are of each gift of nature. I also LOVED the Year of Less.
Oh I'm so glad, Linda! And thank you for the birthday wishes! ☺️
Have a blessed birthday! May your move go smoothly! My favorite fruits are blueberries (frozen) and watermelon.😋
Mmm delicious choices, Louise! And thank you for the well wishes! ☺️
I just supposedly subscribed at the reduced price, but it’s showing $50 US. Is that right? Will this fluctuate with the exchange rate?
You did get it at the discounted price, Patricia (and thank you for your support!). The $50 thing is a weird bug in the automated emails Substack sends out. Where it's basically showing people what they signed up for, but doesn't seem to show the discounted price. I don't know how they haven't fixed that issue yet... but you'll never pay that amount!
Thanks, Cait.