Not the post you were expecting…

I fear trying to compile all the stats for my quarterly goal review is beyond me at the moment so I’m postponing that part of Reader’s Choice Week until Sunday July 19 when I have hopefully recovered from my move. Anyone who lives with chronic pain or illness knows that when we push ourselves too much, as I did with this move, we will inevitably crash and burn in epic fashion. Picture me trying to keep my eyes open until at least 8:00 p.m. so I can go to bed. 🙂

Not having home internet until last night (Wednesday) didn’t help either. Apparently, when they were renovating the apartment someone cut the cable inside the wall so it was a long, convoluted journey getting that fixed! I used a hotspot connection (which turned out to be unreliable) every day to catch up with comments but I was worried I’d exceed my data limit (not sure if the techno lingo is right. Bwahahaha!) And, really, is it any surprise that out of all the apartments in the building I could have chosen (there were six at the time) I ended up with one with the technical difficulties?

So, I thought I’d catch you up on the move and sneak peek at my new digs and neighbourhood. Which prompts me to explain the turtle crossing sign. I am literally in the heart of the city but surrounded by nature including a pond that is home to turtles and a heron (who is camera shy, so no photos unfortunately). I had no idea the pond existed and stumbled upon it on a morning walk. Apparently turtles are active between May and September (think it’s mating and egg laying season?) so cars and pedestrians are asked to proceed with caution! Here’s the pond:

And yes, that’s someone’s back deck. Can you imagine the views they have? Not only are there turtles (and a camera shy heron) but there are oodles of toads so, of course, in the spring there is a Toad Brigade of volunteers who ferry the toads across the road to the pond so they won’t get squished by cars! I read a report of their endeavours in the local paper but now I’m left wondering if they ferry the toads back across the road in the autumn? I must do some research. But gardens in the area have excellent pest control – Brrrribbittt!

And the pond runs into the canal with a beautiful parkway with lots of walking paths….and Canada geese. Lots and lots of Canada geese.

And if I choose to walk in other directions I get to enjoy tree lined streets

with lots of beautiful gardens.

Hardly anyone has lawns and I love seeing the different garden designs.

I won’t show you my poor little balcony garden just yet. It needs some work since I’ve spent all my time unpacking and organizing the apartment the past week. I’m on the third floor and have a magnificent view of trees out my window which will be gorgeous in the autumn.

Of course, my Trixie Belden books needed a place of honour in their new digs.

In case you ever try to create double rows of books in a glass door bookcase, you might want to check to see if the doors will actually close before filling all the shelves. Sigh. I had to undo a whole morning’s worth of work and start over again. (Ignore the clutter on all flat surfaces, I haven’t done any decorating yet.)

And here’s the other side of the bookcases:

I’m in a studio apartment and I love the cozy bedroom nook I’ve created with the bookcase wall. Still need to add pictures and other decor but I’m pleased with the overall space. I really downsized a lot and there’s oodles of cupboard space so I’ve actually managed to find a home for nearly everything. I won’t show you the living area yet because that is where the pictures and curtains and wall hangings etc are piled so it’s not visitor ready quite yet. 🙂

Oh, and here’s a gratuitous pic of the Move Day Supervisor, Mr. Gatsby (grand puppy) He kept us all on task.

So, I’ll spend Friday updating my TBR book (it was in the last box I unpacked!) Usually I add titles and authors and pertinent info as I read the comments but I couldn’t take time to do that this week between the unpacking and not having a proper internet connection so I’ll be backtracking tomorrow and making sure my want to read lists are current for the coming months! I’m also planning on catching up on my record keeping of books read and reviews from the last week. So many to do! It’s making me quite anxious. And then, come Saturday afternoon it will be tallying time so don’t forget to check back on Sunday for the Reader’s Choice Week – Summer Edition – Winners Announcement.

Happy Reading!

34 thoughts on “Not the post you were expecting…”

    1. I’m thrilled nature’s bounty around me. I knew the houses and gardens were beautiful – lots of historical buildings too but I had no idea about the random parks and ponds tucked in all around. And benches a plenty so I’ll definitely be taking lunch and a book to a park now and then. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  2. Thanks for sharing the peek into your new home and the awesome beauty outside your door! I can only imagine how tired you are physically, along with the mental strain of technical issues. I pray you can recharge today (Friday)!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Narelle. Gardening makes me happy so being surrounded by so many beautiful ones helps me not miss the one I left behind. And there are so many streets yet to be explored! 🙂

      Like

      Reply

    1. Definitely in slow-mo this morning which is what I needed. Now to play catch up with all the great summer releases everyone has been talking about this week. Must keep myself up-to-date on all the bookish wonders ahead!

      Like

      Reply

  6. I’d be in heaven just with the walking. Give yourself time to rest and decorate the apartment. Glad everything got there in one piece.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes, I’m a walker and having some place lovely and safe to walk in was a must. When it’s hot I go out at six a.m. and I feel secure in going out that time. Oh — and there’s a dog park just two blocks away so I can get my fill of fur babies whenever I want too.

      Like

      Reply

  7. Your new apartment looks great! Beautiful flowers to visit too. I have those same vintage Trixie Belden books. My mom got them for me at a garage sale when I was about 9 and they are what inspired my love of reading and mysteries!!!! I knew we were kindred souls.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. The vintage Trixie editions are my treasures. Have had them since I was a kid eons ago. I keep looking for them at used book sales but they seem to be hard to come back now. Trixie has been lurking in a closet library in my last house so I figured she should get to see the light of day here. 🙂 Gleeps, who knew we were Bob Whites of The Glen kindred spirits?!

      Like

      Reply

  8. Good morning, Kav! Such a pretty new neighborhood. I love your apartment and all the natural light coming in. That was a great idea to separate your sleeping area with your bookcases! I’ll be honest, I enlarged my screen to read all the titles that have made it onto your keeper shelves. A walk through Kav’s library is like a silent recommendation 🙂 Mr. Gatspy looks like he did a good job supervising.

    I’m very sympathetic about your pain issues and the internet too. I’ve had the same things going on last week, except your internet problem was my cell phone. Did without one for a week after changing carriers, finally got it fixed but still working on getting the bill corrected. But we press on!

    Take a breath and just enjoy all that you’ve accomplished in the past 2 weeks, really the last 6 weeks you’ve been packing and downsizing. I applaud you!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. My apartment is north facing so I am thrilled with the amount of light coming in. My plant babies are happy. That bookcase is like a literary patchwork quilt now that it’s done, but there are hidden layers too so you can’t see all the books. Fun fact: I have more H authors in my collection than other letters in the alphabet (Irene Hannon may have something to do with that.)

      Gah – technology can be so annoying when it’s not being brilliantly useful 🙂 And then sorting the billing is a whole challenge on it’s own. I was so thankful I had such accommodating technicians who came to fix the problem. Took ages to actually get a human on the tech help number but once I did the service was wonderful. I am not a fan of AI phone bots.

      I think I’m going to settle down with a physical book this evening to celebrate my move in. It’s been over a month since I read a book (lots of audio listening, of course). Anchor Cove by Toni Shiloh is calling my name!

      Like

      Reply

  9. So glad your moved in. Now the fun part comes – figuring out where you want things and decorating to make it YOUR space. Sounds and looks like you picked a beautiful and perfect place to land. Love that you have critters and nature all around you. It would be this photographers little bit of heaven.

    I, for one, definitely understand dealing with medical issues and pushing oneself too hard. The good part, is the hard work (moving) is behind you. The rest, you can take you time on. That means with the blog too. I was wondering about the quarterly event and your move all at the same time and had been praying for you.

    It’s my understanding that we are going to forego the Goal Review selections post right? Works for me with all you have done and yet to do and I’m sure everyone else will agree too.

    May today bring you smiles and your new home bring you happiness!

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I soooo wanted to get a picture of the heron to share with you, Kay. Clearly I don’t have your photographic talent or patience. I’ll keep trying though.

      Honestly, I dithered about when to hold this quarter’s RCW but I didn’t want to leave it too late and it was easy enough to schedule all the posts (except the goals one) way ahead of time. They were done at the beginning of June. What I didn’t count on was not having internet fora week! That threw me for a loop! We will have a Goal Review day but it will be next Sunday, July 18th as part of our Conversations with Kav day since I’m posting the winner announcements this coming Sunday. Hope that makes sense.:-)

      Like

      Reply

    1. The Canada geese are so much fun. They can be feisty though, especially around their young. The goslings are gawky teenagers now and really look funny but they are still under the watchful eye of their parents…or appointed Geese Guardians…and woe be the clueless human who ventures too close.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  12. Hello. So glad to hear that your move has been going well. Take care of your self. Many other things can come as you feel better and more able. There is only one you!! Thanks for sharing about your new home and its space. I love it and it looks like it will be a lot of fun to live in.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes, pacing is the key which I’m usually good at doing but moving day through me into a frenzy of ‘must get everything done now’ which lasts a few days longer than it should have. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  13. Groooaaannn… I had a couple of paragraphs typed on the beauty of your new place & my PC crashed! I should’ve copied what I had already written, but was almost done. That being said, thanks for sharing your stunning pics & hosting this wonderful week of book talk that was very therapeutic for me! I foresee many lovely walks in your future & much contentment in your new apartment. Glad you’re taking a much needed break!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Gah — you and me and technology, right, Diane? If it can go wrong it will just because. Bwahahaha! I’m getting potting soil delivered tomorrow so I’m going to putter on my balcony garden for a bit and then I’ll have a cozy place to sit and read! So excited about that.

      Like

      Reply

  14. Good morning Kav, Thanks so much for the peek into your move and new place. Boo for technical and pain issues on top of the move….but it looks like you’re doing a remarkable job of settling in to your lovely new home! Get lots of rest and recovery and enjoy your weekend.😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. You know, I think the chaos of unpacked boxes and things out of place was as discombobulating as the pain and fatigue. I manage much better with order so I’m not sorry I went at the unpacking at the frenzied pace I did, even though I’m feeling the results now, I also feel much calmer, which is beneficial too.

      Like

      Reply

  15. Congrats on the move! Did you move within the same town or neighboring town or was it a far distance? How exciting to be so close to such beauty. I hope you have been able to find a church, especially one that can be a support for you on those days when the chronic illness is interfering with life.

    I don’t have wifi at home either, so I use a hotspot for my online school, digital design, etc. And I write and read on my very smaller than normal phone (2020 SE)! So I understand the struggle of waiting for things to load, dealing with crashes, etc. Very stressful during timed quizzes for school!

    I am so happy for your getting a new place. I hope it’s everything you are looking for! Give yourself grace and allow yourself to rest in Christ. God’s mercies are new every morning for you Kav!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m in the city — hoped right into Centretown instead of west end of downtown. Oddly enough, for all the parks and the canal etc I’m much more urban than before. I’m going to try a new church on Sunday. There are a huge number all around me — even a Quaker meetinghouse! So interesting that there is such a selection in a relatively small area of a big city and that doesn’t include the churches meeting in schools or other alternative spaces I don’t know about.

      Yikes, internet crashing during a critical quiz would be a nightmare. I was worried I was going to go way over my data amount and it would cost me a fortune but I didn’t come close so that’s good. I didn’t know about hotspots until this week. Handy to have in a pinch though.

      Thanks for the reminder about God’s mercies – his hand has certainly been on this whole process and I’m praying for guidance in finding the right church community for me.

      Like

      Reply

  16. It looks like your place is coming together nicely! Love all the outside pictures, thanks for sharing with us! The most important thing is for you to take care of you! Take all the time you need, you can only do so much, and it’s best to rest when you need it. Have a wonderful weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Cindy. I’m always overestimating how much I can get done and then I act like I have a deadline to meet which is just plain silly. Slow and steady wins the race…like the turtles crossing the road. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  17. This was the highlight of the whole week! So nice to get a glimpse of areas never traveled and no chance of such. Such a beautiful area! And you have such a flair for cozy decor. I know you also like to peruse tag sales and antique shops. Hoping you will be very happy in your new location!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 🙂 It’s such a lovely neighbourhood and I didn’t share anything about the boutique style stores, bakeries, coffee shops and book stores (yes, plural). Haven’t explored those yet, partly because I’ve been busy and also because it’s been too hot to wander around the shops. Ohhh and I counted three plant shops. These are my kind of people. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment