Picking Up Where We Left Off

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British Columbia, Canada, Diana Schwenk, family, friends, growing up, health, Hump Day Chronicles, joy, laughter, living in the moment, love, memories

On April 20th I boarded a plane to visit a dear friend and celebrate her birthday. Sue and I first met in 1981 when we were neighbours on Rue Narcisse in Chateauguay, Quebec. Our thirty-seven year friendship saw us cross paths many times over the years, from Montreal to Kamloops to Calgary, with Sue eventually leaving for Vancouver to stay. Our friendship, in all honesty feels more like we are sisters.

The last time I saw Sue in Vancouver was during a business trip in 2009, and then we planned a Thanksgiving trip in our old stomping grounds in Kamloops in 2012, even making time to drive up the mountain to Pinantan Lake where we both lived until Sue and family moved to the mainland.

The really cool thing about a friendship like ours is that it doesn’t really matter how much time or distance comes between us, we pick up right where we left off when we finally see each other again.

Pinantan Lake, BC in the late 80s

While there, on this recent visit, I also had an opportunity to catch up with other friends, like Stephanie who was a teenager when we met at the Mustard Seed. And Scott, who also hails from Chateauguay, and Marie whom Sue first met in Montreal, and I later met in the late eighties in Pinantan Lake, British Columbia.

Stephanie, me and Sue – April 2018

It was so wonderful to sit around a table sharing meals and memories with these wonderful people. And walk around Sue’s neighbourhood, including a five kilometer hike to the falls in Golden Ears Provincial Park. I’m also very grateful to Scott for giving us a tour of the Fraser River on his boat.

Marie, Sue and Diana

Scott, Diana and Sue

On the Fraser River

Golden Ears Provincial Park

The air in the rain forest is so rejuvenating

Who knew that three days with old friends in beautiful British Columbia could be so energizing and good for the soul?

Thank you my friends for your over-the-top hospitality. I’m already looking forward to the day when I can visit again!

~ THE HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

There’s nothing more precious than friendship.

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What gives your life meaning? What helps you to remember it?

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200 words, Calgary, caring, compassion, courage, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, Louise Gallagher, love, mission, Purpose, Relationships

Symbols can be so beautiful, sometimes.

Kurt Vonnegut Jr

Yesterday I had the pleasure of Louise Gallagher’s company. It has become a tradition for us to meet each year before Christmas. And I always leave our time together re-energized.

Among the many topics we cover, we talk about Louise’s current move to a new home. I imagine, because of Louise’s creative soul, she must have lots to pack as she’d be inclined to keep things that might be used in a future art project.

“Yes I do,” she affirms, and holds up a print out saying, “I look at this and wonder how I could use it for art.” She goes on to tell me about an empty container she keeps that reminds her to ‘hold space’ for things she cannot change, like the hurts she has caused others, or others’ have caused her.

I pull a black, shiny stone out of my pocket – an Apache Tear – and tell her when I feel it in my pocket I remember those whom I have lost in this life, and those who still struggle.

Do you have a meaningful object? What does it remind you of?

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

Fall Again

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Alberta, beauty, Calgary, Canada, changing seasons, creation, Diana Schwenk, fall, nature, peace, Tourist in my own city

There is treasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but Nature more.

Lord Byron

There is nothing quite as centering for me as nature, and one doesn’t have to travel to the middle of nowhere to see it. Nature, it seems, regardless of how we dispose of it, comes back again and again.

Below, photos I took last Sunday during my urban walk…

It’s fall again…

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

#RideForRefuge Well I Did It…Kinda

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Alberta, Calgary, community, compassion, Diana Schwenk, Fundraising, generosity, Gratitude, Hump Day Chronicles, laughter, Life's like that, living in the moment, Oxford House, passion, Purpose, recovery, Relationships, Ride for Refuge, thank you, world issues

Post registration, pre-ride photo.

WE HAD ANTICIPATED WARMER WEATHER, 19c/67f degrees to be exact, but in Calgary, it is hard to predict weather beyond 48 hours. On ride day, it seemed nice enough outside early in the morning, but it got quite windy and cold after the riders were sent out. And I swear, that no matter what direction the route took, the wind was blowing cold and full blast, into my face. Coupled with that, having gained at least 15 pounds since last year’s ride, I ended up having to dismount, a couple of times, part way up hills, and walk them.

I can laugh about it today, but another thing I did on ride day, was miss the 10km turn off, so I unwittingly rode about 5km more than I signed up for,(probably a good thing, seeing as I have gained weight), but I took two others with me! So you’d have to ask Earl and Kellie how they felt about me misleading them – sorry guys!

None of that is important when compared to the benefit that resulted through the compassionate efforts of the riders, walkers, donors and volunteers, who all played a role in raising over $20,000 for Oxford House. Practically speaking, this means that eight men or women in recovery, will have a home, and support in their recovery, for an entire year!

I personally want to thank those 20 people who supported my ride – together we raised $1,335! Also, I want to thank the 12 people who joined my team  who along with you, fundraised $5,460 in total for Oxford House.

My team, the Riders for Recovery

(L-R) Diana, Earl, Kellie, Tracey, Trish, Dean, Michael, Leanne, Ava and Pat. And missing from this photo are: Jaidyn, Ziyan, Karim and Donald

Who says you can’t goof around and work hard at the same time?

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

 

Say What You Will About Millennials, But…

Tags

Alberta, Calgary, Canada, community, Diana Schwenk, generosity, Homelessness, Hump Day Chronicles, living in the moment, millennials

…on Sunday, I hopped on my bike, knowing that there aren’t that many bike-riding days left until winter hits Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

I planned to do my usual ride to St. Patrick Island, but first I wanted to stop at the alley between 4th and 5th Street.

You see, there’s been construction on 17th Avenue, and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t cursed about a lot in the last year. But I was intrigued when I heard they were closing the alley to cars and opening it up to foot traffic so that local businesses could create a space in the alley.

A bar set up a grassy area and picnic tables, the pet food place set up booth and an apartment building laid down turf and set up lawn bowling and other games.

The City of Calgary also had an information tent and that’s where I met Kate. Say what you will about Millennials, but I love them! They’re bright, creative and love to build community.

The alley idea is a pilot project, Kate explained. To see if it would work to open up alleys in other blocks as 17th Avenue construction works its way to 14th Street over the next three years.

We got talking about other cool projects like the Red Boardwalk Project on Rue St. Denis in Montreal and the Skyline Park in NYC. And we talked about ways to build community; community that would even welcome homeless people! I asked her if she was afraid of, or uncomfortable around homeless people and she said it depended on the person. But, she had “a very cool story to tell me, something that happened just last night!”

Kate is an urbanite, and like most neighbourhoods in the core, her backyard borders an alley. And over time, she met “Tom.” Tom is homeless and collects recyclables from the alley behind Kate’s home. Kate and Tom chat a lot and she saves her bottles and cans for him.

Well the night before, Tom surprised her with a gift. There’s a street artist named Raven who paints native art and Tom chose, and bought a piece from him for Kate.

I felt my eyes moisten as Kate told me the story, and you can say what you want about Millennials, but I just love them.

On my way to the alley, I heard the thunder of motorcycles. Turns out “The Distinguished Gentlemen” were riding for men’s health.

The alley pilot project

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~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Diana Goes to Washington, DC

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Diana Schwenk, life, living in the moment, sightseeing, Travel, United States of America, Washington DC

On Thursday, August 31st, I boarded a plane for Washington, DC via Toronto, with Board Chair of Oxford House Foundation, Debra Johnstone, to attend the 19th Oxford House World Convention.

It was both inspiring and educational! While there, Debra and I took the opportunity to tour the National Mall. I have to say that the White House is smaller than I imagined it would be, but just as guarded as I had imagined. And the Lincoln Memorial which I have always wanted to visit, was grander than I’d ever imagined. In total we walked about 13km, and believe me, I was feeling it the next day!

Here are some photos I took at the National Mall and around our hotel.

If you would like to see a video of my finger and a group of people gathered to support and defend DACA, play the video below.

 

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

#Canada150 #yyc

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#Canada150, Alberta, Calgary, Canada, Canada Day, Canadian, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, Tourist in my own city

I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.

― John G. Diefenbaker

Yesterday, I rode my bike downtown to check out the Canada Day celebrations.

I took some pictures to share with you. Also, I would like to wish all my fellow Canadians a very Happy Canada Day. We live in a beautiful country and I feel so blessed to be Canadian.

The old picket fence and beautiful wild rose bush outside my front door

I had to get off my bike on Stephen Avenue due to high pedestrian traffic.

An Aboriginal man sketches the couple seated in the chairs.

They graciously let me take their picture.

I asked Jake if I could take his pic and he said sure!

Jake, originally from BC, is “breaking in on the busking scene,” he told me.

St. Patrick Island is my favourite cycling destination this summer.

Island Inlet

Nope. Not a statue.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

Meeting Flynn And Other Things

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200 words, Alberta, community, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, dog, family, Life's like that, living in the moment, Red Deer, Relationships

The distant soul can shake the distant friend’s soul and make the longing felt, over untold miles.

― John Masefield

Well good morning everyone!

Listen I know I’ve been kind of MIA on here lately. I’m not sure why; low energy or maybe I am just not feeling it. Hopefully, I’ll snap out of it soon.

I’ve been checking in though, reading your posts every now and then and I want you to know that I very much appreciate you and this beautiful WordPress community.

Also I want to share a couple of things with you:

1. I got an email the other day informing me that 23 and Me got my DNA sample. So in 6-8 weeks, I’ll be able to tell you if I’m a Viking or not – I’m excited to get the results!

And 2. Last weekend, I finally got to meet my grandpuppy Flynn and visit with my beautiful daughter Michaela and her amazing boyfriend Werner at the infamous Peter’s Drive In in Red Deer Alberta.

I’m a dog person and I especially like big dogs and at 10 weeks old, weighing in at almost 30 pounds, Flynn’s gonna be a BIG dog!

Photos from our visit below.

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~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

May The Road Rise Up To Meet You #yyc

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#yyc, 17th Ave SW, Alberta, Calgary, community, Diana Schwenk, St. Patrick's Day, Tourist in my own city

This hard-working Leprechaun and lovely gentleman and lady graciously allowed me to snap their picture on 17th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

(traditional Gaelic blessing)

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! ❤

Diana xo

#YYCRocksforRecovery – A Huge Success!

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#yycrocksforrecovery, addiction, Alberta, believe, Calgary, community, compassion, courage, dancing, Diana Schwenk, Events, Fundraising, generosity, giving, Hump Day Chronicles, joy, kindness, Kings Head Pub, music, non-profit, passion, Purpose, recovery, Relationships, TLB Group

Wow – YYC Rocks for recovery raised $4,300!

Enough to provide a safe and sober Oxford home for two individuals for more than a year!

The energy and support at King’s Head Pub on Sunday, October 16^th for YYC Rocks for Recovery was palpable. 

Personally, and as a representative of Oxford House, I am so grateful to the TLB Group and its many volunteers who manned the door, sold wares, ran the auction, emceed the event, and who knows what else; King’s Head Pub, who provided all the food for volunteers; the Twenty-eight super talented bands who rocked the house down all afternoon and into the early hours of the morning; the amazing sponsors, the silent auction donors, and those who attended.

What a night!

I mean, how often can you get to see such high quality talent from so many musicians for $10 at the door these days? And each and every band played for free, played for Oxford House, played for the love of their craft – many sticking around after their set to support their fellow musicians.

Tracey, my coworker and I volunteered for a shift at the door early in the afternoon. The TLB volunteers were so welcoming and took the time to explain what we needed to do. It didn’t take me long to hand over the cover-charge-taking and tracking duties to Tracey who is the Financial Coordinator at Oxford House and way more proficient at these things than I am. That left me free to do the hand stamping, free haircut coupon distribution and the directing of musicians and volunteers to where they needed to go. The volunteer door shift was a blast.  One could feel the good vibes that came in with attendees.

Much to my pleasant surprise, my long-time friend Carmen whom I ran into by chance the day before on 17^th Avenue, showed up with her niece Stephanie to support the event. Carmen bid on several auction items, the last of which lit her face up like a Christmas tree when she won it. She can’t wait to take her friend from Montana on a guided fly fishing tour on the Bow River.

Mike Robertson, who donated the package for the auction stopped by to chat with us and was thrilled that Carmen was so happy about her upcoming fishing adventure. “I’ve been in recovery for thirteen years,” Mike told us. “And when I heard about YYC Rocks for Recovery I just had to do my little part.”

And that same spirit of generosity permeated the entire event. I was so blown away by everyone involved – it was ‘community in action’, coming together as one to rock the world of individuals in recovery.

Enjoy the photo gallery below

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And now a little taste of the stage and people thoroughly enjoying themselves on the dance floor…

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

For more information on the TLB Group

For WAY more photos and videos: YYC Rocks for Recovery Event Page

For more information about Oxford House