“While the world is full of wondrous sights, inner peace comes from staying home.” The Tao Teh Ching


We returned from our week on the road. Seeing the Starbucks building always makes me feel like I’m in Seattle. And I don’t even drink coffee!
The cat didn’t bother to jump up and greet us. After all, she’s a cat and has an image to maintain.


Cooper on the other hand was so happy to see us that he pinned Miss O down. I think that’s his strategy so we won’t leave again. Miss O assured him that our roots are at home!


Miss O was able to join Mr. D’s summer sandlot baseball team so they are teammates for a few weeks and loving it! The featured photo above is the gorgeous old tree at one of the baseball fields. Nothing like summer time blue sky and early evening baseball.


I was walking Cooper early one morning this week when I was shocked to see this huge snail. On second look, it was just a compostable bag and a paper plate. But you see it too, right?
And the sign of the week is a little shocking too!
Do you have a landmark that makes you feel like you’ve arrived home?
You got me! I thought it was a huge snail too. How cool the kids are on the same baseball team. It’s great to travel but always good to come home. When I see the Tim Horton’s at the Vancouver or Calgary airport, I know I’m home. (even if for just a while)
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Ahh yes! Timmies. So Canadian!!!
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So fun!
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Tim Horton’s! How fun! Love this answer, Darlene!
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LOL on the “snail”. Yes, I did a double take on that one too.
For us the landmark is always the huge Schneiders time and temperature billboard on the side of the highway about 15 minutes outside of our region. Schneiders is a Canadian meat packing brand that was based here in Kitchener. The company has been sold to Maple Leaf Foods, but the brand—and the sign—remain. For as long as I remember, that sign signalled “almost home” to people in our region.
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That’s a good one, Michelle! Isn’t it amazing we come to attach that meaning to a sign or a place? I love hearing other people’s!
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It really is! When Maple Leaf Foods bought Schneiders we were concerned they’d get rid of the sign. But instead they refurbished it.
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I was shocked to see how giant Cooper looked in the photo and the snail, oh glad it wasn’t real, and the cat, well, that’s who cats are, right? love that the kids will share a team for a bit!
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Cooper is a big boy! I passed by the “snail” again today and chuckled again. Have a great weekend, Beth!
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Homecoming is one of the best feelings life offers us when wedded to a sense of security.
Twice in my life it was also attached to Mahler’s Symphony #3, the first music I heard on the radio in the first case, and on the second return (also from the East Coast), a concert at the Ravinia Festival of the same composition.
Mahler described the feelings attached to the finale as “what love tells me.” Both times, it was a perfect greeting on coming home.
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What a powerful answer, Dr. Stein. A perfect greeting of coming home – what love tells me – and wedded to a sense of security. I’m smiling just thinking of it!
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I definitely saw giant snail, too!
How fun the two can play in the same team!
Lovely images, Wynne.
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Thank you, Dale! I realized Miss O hadn’t played any team sports before this one so it’s a really fun opportunity!
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That makes it all the more fun 🙂
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I enjoy your weekly photos and the dash of joy I receive. Thanks Wynne.
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What a lovely comment, Brad. I’m so glad these brings a dash of joy!
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Me too. 😃
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Wynne , I love seeing your photographs .
That snail is big 😁 and Cooper is saying “I missed you so much”.
So lovely.
Thanks for sharing.
My landmark is Edinburgh Castle 🤗
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Edinburgh Castle – wow, that must be fun! Love this comment and you are so right, Cooper knows just how to communicate. 🙂 Thank you, Maggie!
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My pleasure Wynne.
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Welcome home! 😊 Cats only come out and say hi when they need to be fed. And just like that, my cat literally just jumped on the table with me. 😂
I was just reading earlier this way about Starbucks anchoring their bases at Seattle and Toronto and making senior leaders relocate to one of two locations. Another thing that connects us, Wynne! And I gotta say, that head office looks really intimidating! 😂
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That’s funny about your cat. It’s all about timing. And connection as you said so well!
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Your photos ooze the appreciation of ‘coming home’ Wynne. The children look so happy, the cat displaying her tummy 😻 and Cooper looking ecstatic 🥰. The security of home! Only this week I commented on another post about a feeling of not always wanting to leave the security of home, even for a holiday. Those things like the distant rumbles of the motorway traffic or the trains and the planes flying overhead. Some complain but for me it’s reassuring noise as it’s home. 🏡 ♥️
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You make such a good point about the security of home. It really is comforting, isn’t it? Thanks, Margaret!
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Totally looks like a snail! Or a condom. Glad it wasn’t the latter.
Great sign! That one cracked me up. As far as landmarks go, not really…all we see on our approach to town is corn, corn, and more corn.
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Ah, so corny! I’m glad it wasn’t the latter too!
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Just seeing my apartment complex, with all its flaws, makes me feel at home. Cooper is huge!
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Ah, yes, the sight of home! You’re right – Cooper is huge!
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They do have “an image to maintain.” 😸 That sign!⚡lol
Thanks for sharing your precious photos.
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What a perfect emoji, Michele! Yes! Thanks for stopping by!
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Glad it worked out! Thank you, Wynne. It’s always a treat to read your posts.
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What a huge tree! It probably was around when just Native Americans roamed the area.
We just had to cut down a landmark tree like that. It was a sad time. It rotted from the inside out, and then carpenter ants took up residence. I’m still not used to seeing just the stump when I look out.
How awesome that the kids could play sandlot ball together. Memories that will last and shape them from now on!
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Hi David!! Oh, how sad about the tree. They are such amazing presences, aren’t they? Memories that last and shape them – that phrase is going to stick with me. Thanks for stopping by, my friend!
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That snail seems to be working for all of us! For me, returning home is seeing the St John River come into view. Being home is the best!
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The St. John River – that sounds like a wonderful landmark!!
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Welcome Home Wynne! Great photos and I know what Mr. D wants for Xmas. Love the Cooper pin.. he even looks bigger than when I saw him. That sign has me chuckling for the day! 💓😂
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Oh my goodness – it took me a minute but I got it!! Ha, ha, ha!!
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Yayyy 🦷🪥😬
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Cheers to making some vacation memories, now it looks like it’s time to make some at home too!
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Some at home too – exactly right!! Thanks, Mary!
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Your kids always look so happy. My favorite shot is the one of Miss O with Cooper. We are also big dog lovers.
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They are pretty happy kids and I’m grateful for that. Yes, big dogs are great, aren’t they? Even when they pin us down. 🙂 Thanks, Pete!
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When I’ve flown out of town, seeing the Space Needle makes me feel like I’m getting close to home. But because I also feel at home on the East coast, when I cross the bridge onto the island where my family has a little cottage, it’s home too. Hearing the hum of the tires on the metal grate takes me back.
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Oh, I can just imagine that sound. How cool, Susan! And the Space Needle is a good one too. It’s funny how well it stands out! Have a great week!
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Ha. Shocking, love it. There is no place like home. Traveling is fun and exciting, but there is no place like home. I watched the tail end of the Astros-Mariners game this morning and you guys won. I always loved the greeting I got when I came home from the dogs, but we’re empty now 😦 – It was always great to see them get out out of the car and sniff and run. I knew we were home. Enjoy your week. It’s summer. Peace.
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Oh yes – the greeting of dogs. So good, Clay! No place like home – isn’t that true?!
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The fake snail looks like a real one, so funny! I usually come home by plane and when I put my feet in the airport building, I know I’m home. Nice photos of the kids!
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Feet in the airport building – that’s a good one, Cristiana!
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Cooper became gigantic while you were away!!! Wowza! 😜
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Oh no, he’s been that big for awhile. He just likes to pose as if he’s small. 🙂
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When Cooper wants to take up space, he knows just what to do, doesn’t he??? Love it! And he clearly missed Miss O. A lot! 🥰
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Thanks Wynne, for sharing both, the joy of travel and the joy of coming home. Pets certainly have their own attitude about their family being gone and coming home, don’t they? Our normally quiet kitty cat used to greet us with non-stop meowing for the first day or two back home, as if she was catching us up on all the happenings while we were away… 💕
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That’s funny, Rose! Like your being away sparked a monologue. How cute!
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Love the snail picture! My husband and I have loved traveling and seeing all the wonderful sights our country has to offer. This year we realized we cannot do any more long trips (old age) but we have found it is also true there is a joy to be found just being home and enjoying the home we have made for us.
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There is so much goodness to being home, Barb! Absolutely!
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It’s such an amazing to arrive home after a vacation. I love the anticipation of going on a trip, but I think returning home is just as nice.
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I couldn’t agree more, Elizabeth! Both are so great!
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I’m looking for both in a month!
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Wuhoo!
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Wonderful quote, photos, and that sign is a bit shocking, Wynne. 🙂 And I thought ‘snail’ too but got a good laugh. Glad you had a great time! Cooper looks super happy!
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I love that you thought snail too! You’re right, Cooper is a happy boy! Hope you have a great week, Lauren!
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that Starbucks building sure is stunning in its design ; and that snail pic: it looks as though the snail popped up to say hello with its big cheesy grin 🙂
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big cheesy grin — that’s so good, John!
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Love this, Wynne. For me, it’s this old bakery sign near our street, which doesn’t even sell anything good anymore lol, but it still feels like a welcome home sign.
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I love it, Ritish. Funny how signs do that – even if they don’t sell anything good anymore!
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Yeah, they do.
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Oh, after a quick glance, I thought it was a snail too. Cats… you’ve got to love them. For me, it’s the bridge over the Mississippi River connecting Iowa and Illinois. When I go to Puerto Rico, it’s El Morro (the old Spanish fort) in San Juan. It’s good to be home.
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Yes about cats!! Those are some pretty amazing landmarks, Edward. I love it!
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Thank you, Wynne. We’re debating whether to get a cat. I like their attitude, and I think they’re introverts, so we’ll get along well.
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Well, seems like a good fit then! 🙂
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Wonderful .
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Definitely looks like a snail. 🙂
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