Animal with Home Value

  Today was a full-body kind of day—the kind that leaves you feeling strong, clear-headed, and quietly proud. I started with two weight sessions totaling 68 minutes and 46 sets, pushing through each rep with focus and intention. My doctor recently recommended two to three strength workouts per week, and I’m already ahead of the curve. After the weights, Dixie and I hit the pavement for a 5 km run. She kept pace beautifully, and I could feel the rhythm of the day settling into my stride. The energy didn’t stop there. I rolled that momentum into a deep clean of the house—vacuuming the night before, then mopping floors, scrubbing toilets and sinks, and picking up scattered papers. There’s something grounding about tending to your space after tending to your body. It’s like syncing the inside with the outside, clearing clutter both physical and mental. I didn’t rush it; I moved with purpose, letting the satisfaction build with each task. I’m feeling good—really good. The doctor’s adv...

  A good walk with my dad “We snapped a photo right at the start, where our walking routes met in the park—a shared midpoint from both our homes. The park was alive with others walking, and we even crossed paths with the same man twice: once in the park, then again on the road. It’s almost a game, seeing who collects the most hellos. My dad offered two or three greetings, while I, lugging a 30 lbs. pack, didn’t manage a single one. That kind of weight makes you weezy, more focused on breath than banter.” That’s such a vivid slice of your walk, Nigel—starting with a photo that marks the moment of connection, two paths converging in a lively park. The social rhythm of walking—passing familiar faces, exchanging greetings—feels almost like a neighborhood ritual. I love the idea of it being a game of hellos, with your dad racking up a few wins while you, understandably, were focused on breathing through that 30 lbs. pack. “Weezy” is the perfect word—funny, honest, and totally relatable....

Walk to the Fire Hall This morning’s walk with Vince and Dixie was a perfect blend of fresh air, good company, and quiet reflection. We wandered through the neighborhood, passing the fire hall, chatting about how well Dixie has matured—staying close even off leash, a far cry from her puppy days at the Coaldale dog park when she’d bolt and ignore every call.  The weather cooperated beautifully: a brisk 14°C for our first stretch, climbing to 25°C later, but I managed to beat the heat by heading out early. After 5.7 km and about 75 minutes of walking, Dixie is now sprawled by the air register, soaking up the cool air, and I’m left feeling grateful for the time spent with Vince and my father-in-law—simple moments that mean the most. This week’s walk was a bit more intense than usual — I strapped on a 14 kg weight (about 30 lbs) and took it with me for the entire route. It added a satisfying challenge to the pace, and I could feel the difference in my stride and breathing. Carrying th...

Last Cohiba   After more than a year resting in my humidor, the last cigar finally had its moment. I’ve told the story before—how it lingered, waiting for the right occasion—but this time, the occasion was simple: I needed the space. So I unplugged the humidor, not with ceremony, but with quiet resolve. That final smoke wasn’t just about flavor or nostalgia; it was about closure. A small ritual to mark the end of a chapter, making room for whatever comes next. This afternoon’s cigar came with a surprise bite—literally. While tossing the ball for the dog and enjoying my final smoke from the humidor, a bug decided to make its mark. I smacked it, no luck, so I brushed it off and carried on. The dog, soaked from a playful run through the sprinkler—one of the last before autumn fully settles in—was content to dry off out front after our walk and ball-chasing session. She’s well-behaved, even when wet, and I sat back, cigar finished, watching her bask in the fading warmth of the season. ...

Each photo marking a step forward, a mood, a moment. First a walk, then a hike—who knows, maybe a mountain summit next. 🏔️ 🌥️ Dark clouds rolled in this morning, but I still kicked off the day with purpose. First stop: a quick oil change. Then I grabbed the leash and headed out with the dog for a riverside walk along the park path. It wasn’t a long trek—just 1.4 km in 16 minutes—but I had a 30 lb pack on my back, which added a solid challenge. The excitement to get home (and retrieve the drink I’d left in the vehicle!) made for a brisk pace. 🎥 I’ve been switching things up on the blog lately by adding more video content. Here’s a clip capturing the energy as I hit the trail—short, sweet, and full of motion. Just realized that the dates are mixed up here it's not the 25th it's the 15th. 🌬️ It was a mild +17°C this morning, with that kind of warm-cool breeze that makes you second-guess your layers. I grabbed a cold drink thinking I’d warm up during the hike, but ended up ...

  Walk with my dad on 911 This week gifted me something rare and beautiful—three walks with my parents, the first since spring. One morning, my dad pointed out fences meant to keep deer from feasting on his flowers, lamenting how they’ve been nibbling his onions while birds sneak off with his garlic.  We crossed a bridge under the sun, and I found myself quietly soaking in the moment, realizing how these small exchanges become lasting memories. There’s a kind of love in simply walking side by side, listening, noticing. Today, I’m hoping to share that same warmth with my father-in-law—another walk, another chance to connect. This morning greeted me with a crisp +12°C breeze—perfect walking weather. I clocked just over an hour on foot, covering 5.2 km and burning 627 calories, though I forgot to stop my watch for five minutes once I got home (classic move). Most of the walk kept me in the easy heart rate zone, with just under five minutes warming up. I kicked off the day right w...

  Got to walk with my mom 4.32 km in 56 minutes plus 19 Celsuis Today’s walk with my mom felt like more than just a stroll—it was a quiet moment of connection wrapped in the soft rhythm of rain. As she walked ahead over the bridge, I found myself thinking about how these paths we take together can feel like metaphors for life: moving forward, sometimes uncertain, but always meaningful. The leaves along the trail were in full transition—some still green, others blazing yellow, and a few scattered at the edge of the path like memories left behind. It’s a beautiful time of year, and I’m grateful for every step we shared today. This morning’s walk was a solid effort—I ruckered with weight the whole way, aiming for 5 km and landing just shy of it. Still, I’m proud of the numbers, and it meant a lot that my mom joined me before work to walk Dixie. She needs those early steps to feel settled, and I know how anxious she gets when the day starts to slip by without a proper outing. It’s ...

  My mom and I go for a walk, longer than expected.  we discuss that once you get out and plan it is the hard part but walking it is the easy part 🌳 Summer Surprises and Sweater Weather While walking with my mom, she pointed out a fallen tree and remarked on how much the trees have grown this year—thanks to all the rain we’ve had. I was expecting drought conditions after such a heavy snowpack, but it’s turned out to be a surprisingly decent year for water. We ended up walking 2.5 km in 32 minutes. What started as a simple stroll to the park turned into a detour to the fire hall, and then a little further down the back lane so the dog could go off leash. She’s always happier running free than tugging on a leash, so it was a win for all of us. It was around +15°C when we headed out—sweater weather at first, but warm enough to shed layers by the end. 🚶‍♂️ Tracking the Walk, Sort Of We kept a steady pace—about 13 minutes per kilometer—with me carrying my rucker weight a...

Two Days, Two Walks, and a Bit of Autumn Magic 🍂 After a smoky, sweat-drenched hike yesterday, today felt like a gift. The air was cooler—plus 15°C in the morning, dipping to 10°C and climbing to a high of 20°C. A chiller day, and a welcome one. Kim and I managed to get out for a walk together. That alone made the day feel lighter. She took the day off to get a cortisone shot in her elbow—something she was nervous about, but it turned out okay. Easier than a thumb injection, she said. She’s a trooper, no doubt. Dixie was thrilled to have company besides just me. She was on a trail of smells, nose to the ground, tail wagging. A bird hopped by the path, but she barely noticed—too busy decoding the forest’s scent messages. It’s funny how she tunes into the world. Kim snapped a photo of me and Dixie that genuinely impressed me. She didn’t even bring the camera she wanted, but still managed to capture something special. Her eye for composition is sharp, even when the gear isn’t ideal...