Day Tripping: An Enjoyable Way to Vacation

Here we are, half-way through summer 2024.  There are still sunny vacation days left to think about and where we might travel for a little excitement and change of pace. For me, this summer’s excursions were fun and not far from home.   

Being a lover of Shakespeare, dear friends treated me to the Stratford Festival where we saw the delightful, “Twelfth Night”.  Although it was staged in modern dress, we were whisked away to another era of fantasy and revelry.  It was a perfect day in late May to leave the city and spend time with loved ones in the theatre and parks of beautiful Stratford, Ontario. 

Sister Jean on the farm

A month later, I enjoyed an annual family gathering called “Moylan Mayhem” on my nephew’s 172-year-old farm near Seaforth.  My great grandfather officially leased the land in 1852 from the Canada Company.  Now, my nephew, his wife and their four beautiful daughters represent six generations having lived on the homestead. There is no better place to gather for a weekend with our tents and trailers to reminisce about days of yore, present times, and future plans. 

Next on my leisure list, was a glorious time at a cottage near Camlachie, only an hour’s drive from London. (Pictured below, Sister Florian, and a stunning Lake Huron sunset) Amid the rest and leisure, there was a visit to the well-known Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia.  It was uplifting, and delightful to attend the original cast and crew presentation of, “Sweet Soul Music”. Some were inspired to sway and dance in the aisles to the time-honored sounds of Motown music of the ‘60’s. After the performance, I was thrilled to meet one of the fine co-producers who was a student at Assumption High School in Windsor when I taught there in the 80’s. 

Finally, back at home, I realized that every venue I visited was no more than an hour’s drive from home.  Unaware of it, I was day tripping!  What a wonderful, economical way to experience the sights and sounds of summer.  I can rise early, pack a delicious lunch, hop into my car and enjoy day tripping. 

You too, might get the day tripping bug. Think of all the interesting places near home that you might want to visit or revisit at leisure.  There’s no need to hurry.  You can return home and sleep in your own bed or stay overnight or for a week, knowing that home is only an hour away.  I’m planning my next day trip to Huron County Playhouse in Grand Bend.  Maybe I’ll see you there! 

-Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ

A MEMORABLE VISIT

This summer I had an experience that I never imagined would come my way. For two weeks in July I had the marvelous opportunity of visiting the Northwest Territories (NWT). I was the eager guest of Sister Maggie in her cozy rented house on the banks of Hay River for which the town is named. Untouched by the forest fires are wooded areas that surround her home. Maggie is an avid gardener, and her variety of vegetables and bright flower plots attest to her creativity.  

Following a smooth flight, Sisters Maggie and Diane who have ministered in the North for decades, met me at the airport. After an enjoyable lunch with Sister Diane, in her Yellowknife apartment, Maggie and I set off for the five-hour drive to Hay River. Along the way, I had my first sight of a bison herd that was resting and grazing on the side of the road.  As we drove along the McKenzie Highway, I noticed stark evidence of past fires in the region. Thus began my introduction to the North.

Sister Maggie and Sister Loretta, 11:00 PM, Great Slave Lake, NWT 2023.

During my visit, Maggie, was the perfect hostess and tour guide.  Because of our travels, Fort Simpson, Fort Resolution, Fort Smith and Enterprise are no longer just names of which I have heard the Sisters speak.  They are localities I visited and was welcomed by people who call these places home.  As we travelled around the countryside, I was introduced to black bears and more bison. At one point, a magnificent caribou bounded across the road in front of us. Maggie who was always on the lookout as she drove, was able to stop in time for us to admire all these marvelous creatures as they made their way around or beside us.

The highlight of my trip was spending time with Maggie and accompanying her as she went about her daily ministries.  When at home, we sorted bundles of recycling, gardened, played with Ts’udaa, her entertaining cat, or just sat in the back yard and watched the antics of the birds and squirrels.

It was intriguing to look out the window at midnight and be able to enjoy the sight of God’s creation in the natural light of the summer sun not quite set. Unfortunately, because it was never really dark, the famous Northern Lights were not apparent in the night sky.

All too soon, two unforgettable weeks flew past, and it was time to bid farewell to Maggie and head for home. Because of the recent outbreak of a forest fire near Yellowknife, I had to rearrange my flight plans and fly to Yellowknife rather than having Maggie drive me. In Yellowknife, I bid farewell to Sister Diane and Linda and continued my memorable journey homeward.

I am grateful to my community for providing a wonderful opportunity to expand my horizons and visit the Land of the Midnight Sun.

-Sister Loretta Hagen, CSJ

Header image: Unsplash/Alexis Mette; all other images Sister Loretta Hagen.

Summertime

“Summertime and the livin’ is easy,”, croons Ella Fitzgerald from the 1934 opera, “Porgy and Bess”.  As July fades into August, this easy living is on my mind as holidays and the open road beckons me from the routine and tedium of everyday living.  As part of my personal summer renewal, I availed myself of the freedom and opportunity to visit family and friends after the long COVID siege.  Soon, I found myself packed and making my way north down the highways and byways to visit my sister and brother-in-law as well as planning a side trip to spend a little time with a dear friend.

My sister and brother-in-law’s home is always a haven of peace and serenity. We enjoyed tasty meals, relaxing days, and leisurely walks along the Saugeen River with its lush flora and fauna.  On our Saturday morning outing, we spied a magnificent blue heron with its long legs planted firmly in the shallow water, searching to surprise an unsuspecting fish.

On Saturday evening, stretched yoga-style on the living room floor, I felt on my back the silent, warm paws of gorgeous Sparky, the resident feline.  After a few steps, she stretched her purring self along the entire length of my back where she rested, and finally rolled to a waiting mat where she curled up and drifted off to sleep.  There, is a cat that knows how to relax.

Too soon, on Sunday afternoon I headed home after a wonderful summer visit. En route, I stopped to reconnect with a special friend from my teenage years. Linda and her husband Joe were waiting to greet me with open arms and a warm welcome.  What could be more refreshing than sitting under the shade of gracious maple trees sipping iced tea and eating oatmeal cookies? 

Soon their daughters arrived with children in tow to enjoy a swim in their beautiful backyard pool.  As we greeted each other and chatted, the young women were awed to realize that their mother and I had been friends for almost 60 years.  Even I was taken aback that six decades of caring and sharing had passed so quickly.

Driving home, I hummed a little ditty I had learned in elementary school: “Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other is gold.”  As the sun set on my weekend excursion, I thanked God for peaceful summer spaces, the gift of family, and the treasure of faithful friends.

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj | Sister Jean has been a Sister of St. Joseph for 54 years.

““Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other is gold.””

— old folk song

Ahhh…The Rest Nest

After three-and-a-half months of being grounded at the motherhouse in London, Ontario, four of us eager vacationers decided to honour our long-planned annual two weeks at the cottage and make a run for it.  No sooner was the trip confirmed than Sister Florian, a fine cook shifted into overdrive and baked enough cookies, muffins and loaves to last an entire summer.

On a bright sunny Monday, we headed first to Loblaws to pick up our pre-ordered groceries.  We were still in COVID daze and refraining from in-store shopping. Another restriction meant that we wouldn’t be leaving the Rest Nest area once we arrived there.  We had to ensure that we had enough supplies for the duration.

Upon unpacking our cache at our destination, we were relieved to learn that we had planned well, even if we were short on tomatoes and long on brown bread.

How relaxing it was to venture down the long, steep stairway to test the sparkling Lake Huron water and to sit in the shade of the leafy maples at the top of the hill.  There was treasured time for meditating, reading, or just “being” under bright blue skies where warm sunshine caressed us on every side.

We are all good cooks, so lingering at the table enjoying tasty meals was the norm.  Sr. Mary Raphael loves being sous-chef and like kids at an earlier age, we took turns doing the dishes.  Sr. Kathy brought a Canadian-themed jigsaw puzzle in a nod to Canada Day.  However, 1,000 tiny pieces were a challenge. One evening, as I was reading in my cozy room, a muffled roar arose from the first floor, followed by another outburst several minutes later.  Another elusive piece of the puzzle had been found!  Concerning other leisure activities, we were not much quieter playing cards.

Thus, ensued our lazy, hazy, precious holidays of summer.   Before we were ready, the calendar signaled it was time to head back to the city.  Returning home is also a joy.  Always, we are welcomed warmly as we embrace the shelter of each other and resume our duties with love and renewed energy.

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj

SUMMER

Summer days are upon us and we will kick back a bit and have a more relaxed posting schedule for our blogs. 

You will still see new content and some suggestions for some summer reading but we will very much be in summer mode!