“Just living isn’t enough,” said the butterfly. One must also have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. ” – Hans Christian Anderson


This week was a rollercoaster because both of my kids got sick. Nothing serious thankfully, just back to school crud.
But we still managed to squeeze in some time magnet fishing – something my kids had seen on YouTube. We made our own set-up by tying a magnet to a rope but the magnet wasn’t strong enough (or our lake doesn’t have enough metal stuff in it) to pull anything back up.


But we did enjoy biking there and back. Michelle Oram (Boomer Eco Crusader) recently posted a great post, The Benefits of Walkable Neighborhoods that included a link to a Realtor.ca site that will give your neighborhood a walking/transit/biking score. Seattle has a good scores for walking and biking: 87 on walking, 96 on biking.


While we were down at our little local lake on day 2 of our magnet fishing adventures, it became clear that someone was filming a dating show. First a shirtless guy paddled a girl (seen as a spec in the distance in the first photo) on his paddleboard to a nearby dock. And it wasn’t really a shirtless kinda day.
Then the two cameras and sound setup that we were wondering about started to make more sense when they clearly zeroed in on the couple. As my sister said, “Dating is hard enough. Who’d want to do it while being filmed?”


We trimmed some trees. Cooper helped. 🙂


The sign of the week. Maybe Mr. D is demonstrating the result of walking into a closet?
Always enjoy seeing the photos you share. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I appreciate your comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of all the things I miss from my life in Canada, my walk-in closet takes top spot. (after my kids and grandkids of course). I think I will tape this sign to my tiny little closet in my office. (I gave the small bedroom closet to hubby. He doesn’t have more clothes than me, his are just a lot bigger!) Magnet fishing looks like fun. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it, Darlene! How nice of you to give your husband’s bigger clothes the bedroom closet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that your neighborhood scored so well on the walking and biking tests- that lake seems like such a great neighborhood asset!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right about our little lake – we spend a lot of time visiting in one way or another! Thanks, Todd!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love Mr D in the tree. Climbing up in a tree … oh, man to be able to still do that! Ha ha.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Right! I just spot the tree climbers from the ground and call it participating! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Um, your secret is safe with me. Sounds like the perfect plan. Yea, yea, I climbed a bunch of trees with the kids this weekend. And no one else is the wiser. I like that approach. Ha, ha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see someone is trick-or-treating as the party ninja this year! 🥳🥷🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
The party ninja — I love it, Erin!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Living in a great walkable and bike-able neighborhood is worth its weight in gold.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so right, Jane!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I checked out the link and discovered, well confirmed really, that we live in a Car-Dependent neighborhood where almost all errands require a car. But here’s the thing: this is the most walkable subdivision I’ve ever lived in. There are literally miles of hilly curvy streets to walk on, safe and pleasant. I’m not convinced that the need to drive for errands necessarily means you live somewhere that isn’t walkable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very good point, Ally. Those sound like lovely streets to walk and probably way more pleasant than our neighborhood walks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Miss O made me LOL…she’s not wrong about her dating/filming observation…oh the wisdom. Give her a big hug! 🥰💝🥰
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sending big hugs back, dear Vicki! ❤ ❤ ❤
LikeLike
My neck of the woods is working hard to be bike friendly. It’s great to see families out and about. I’m glad yours got to enjoy the pleasure of riding, especially to a fun spot.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is fun to see people riding, isn’t it? Thanks, Belinda!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a beautiful quote Wynne. Hope everyone feels much better now. I’ve never tried magnet fishing but it sounds like fun. Your sister’s comment is spot on, I’d definitely hate to go back to dating days. I’m so grateful to be happily married. 💞💞
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh yeah – the dating days. Yikes! And you’re right – magnet fishing is surprisingly fun – even when we don’t catch anything!
LikeLike
Butterflies know their stuff, Wynne. I share their commitment to “extended living.” Love the sign (as always). I haven’t met a closet yet that could hold me back…even if the doors sometimes “jump up” to block my way…🛑
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m laughing, Bruce! Those darn doors!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those are great walking and biking scores! A beautiful location to be out doing both. Thank you for sharing and hope everyone is feeling better. Back to school crud is no fun!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I bet you’ve seen all kinds of back to school crud, Michele! Yes, we are making it through! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, I saw (and lived through) my share. You’re welcome and thank you, Wynne.
LikeLike
Wonderful photographs Wynne 🤗
Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Maggie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure Wynne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the last image of Mr D. And thanks for my weekly dose of vicarious fun Wynne. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like that one too. Thanks, Brad!
LikeLiked by 1 person
living in a walking and biking neighborhood is fantastic!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes!! thanks, Cristiana!
LikeLike
Love how y’all have fun on bikes and use them as transportation. What a ham Mr. D. Funny!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s fun way to get around! Thanks, Rebecca!
LikeLike
Thanks for linking to my post. Glad you got out for a bike ride! Love the walk-in closet sign. I think the key is to reduce the amout of crap we stuff into our closets. It creates an immediate feeling of spaciousness!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good point, Michelle!! Declutter!! Hope you have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. You too, Wynne!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Self-reflection at a lake – doesn’t get any better!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Self-reflection — that’s good, Mary! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahaha; enjoyed this one, Wynne; it’s great you’re out and about with the kids ; love that last photo 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, John! Yes, we usually do out and about pretty well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been hearing abot magnet fishing, I may need to try it for myself, sounds like fun. Filming for a dating show, that gives off a different vibe than the reality of the seasons… yup sounds on point for them! 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m laughing about that scene being on point for dating shows. Maybe so, but it was weird to see unfolding in person. It didn’t make sense at all. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure it must have seen very strange. One would think a reality sow would portray reality, but they create their own alternate reality instead!
LikeLike
I love the idea of magnet fishing, you never know what you’ll find and that’s kind of exciting. I have to admit, that at first I thought you were going fishing with magnets (for fish) and I wasn’t sure how that would work, so I thought a little more about it and then it hit. )
my take on mr. d. is that he is demonstrating one of those ‘wearing a lampshade at a party’ situations that adults sometimes have been known to do. perhaps a good halloween costume if you made eye holes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah yes – the lampshade guy. Great halloween costume idea, Beth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mr. D has got the perfect Halloween costume. Now all he needs are some eyeballs that spring out. I believe I recognize the Dollar Store aisle with its familiar theme of merchandise on the floor. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, you’ve got a good eye, Pete. That was indeed the Dollar Store! Eyeballs – what a great idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My earliest dating experiences were sufficiently uncomfortable that I probably wouldn’t have noticed a camera. Thanks to your sister for the reminder!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s an interesting perspective, Dr. Stein. Right!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the reflection photo! If the “date” was being filmed, it was all highly orchestrated, and probably scripted. Or so they say. Probably no date jitters, just performing for the camera jitters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh, that’s a good point, Gwen. Right, it’s all acting at that point! I mean even more than usual for a date. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely pictures as always, Wynne. Enjoy your Sunday!💕🌸
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Shaun! I hope you enjoy your Sunday as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!🌸
LikeLike
I had a laugh at the walk in closet sign. 🤣 Looks like Mr D as well!
I’m sorry they both are sick. I hate this time of the year and as we look ahead to the annual flu season. Hope they are on the mend and good luck with a less hectic week ahead!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, the flu season. Gah! Thanks for the good wishes. I think we’re getting there.
Hope you all have enjoyed your three-day weekend! Wuhoo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry you had two sick kids! I like the idea of magnet fishing. I’ve never heard of that before. Your sister is correct about wanting to date and be filmed at the same time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Elizabeth! We’re on the mend. And yes – dating and filming. Gah!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you’re on the mend!
LikeLike
Thank you for your post – I have to work on my closet today. It’s not a walk-in, but it needs work! I checked the walkability and bike-ability of my address and it scores abysmally. 13 and 36, respectively. I wasn’t surprised. There are other positives about my neighborhood but access to shopping and other things by foot is pretty sad. Despite being sick, it seems as though Miss O and Mr. D made it through the week and are ready for a new one starting tomorrow. Stay well. Peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny that you had to work on your closet, Clay. Isn’t that timely?! And interesting about your scores. It seems like that scoring system is intended for dense urban neighborhoods. Hope you are having a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love seeing photos of your activities!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lori!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a lovely glimpse into your family life. Those kids are so cute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a kind comment. Thank you, Deborah!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing your photos. Sorry the kids had the crud – my guys both went through a crud about a month ago. I love the idea of magnet fishing! I’ll have to try it sometime. (I wonder if iPhones are magnetic? 🙂 ) As for dating on camera, I don’t think being on any sort of “reality” tv is a good idea. I hope you’ve been having a good weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m laughing about “reality” tv — good point, Susan! I wonder if iPhones are magnetic. Sorry your guys had the crud. Hope you are all well now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The first time we looked at this house, we decided the neighborhood wasn’t walkable enough, so we crossed it off our list. Little did I know about the park, the trails, and all the easily accessible neighborhoods just a stone’s throw away. Good thing the original buyers’ offer fell through and we got a second chance!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, how amazing how it all worked out, Mark! From your morning pictures, you clearly take great advantage of the walkability of your neighborhood!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The signs are super funny. I think you should interview them so they can tell us how they come up with those because they’re hilarious. Cooper is an angel. The photos look wonderful, and I wish we had bike lanes in our neighborhood.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a great idea to interview them, Edward. I need to get right on that. Thanks for the great comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you are able to do that, tell them they’re bringing joy to people all over the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Just what the doctor ordered. Sunshine ,water fresh air and loads of fun and happy kids.☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes – love the way you put it!
LikeLiked by 1 person