Walking and Surprises
Each and every week I think that the next one cannot possibly be more interesting or eye-opening or full. This week has been full to the brim and I am still trying to process it and all of its many facets. While walking is the focus and high-light of many of my days, sometimes interesting things happen along the way. Katie and I did two big training walks this week and totaled 15 1/2 miles in two days with lots of hills. We were both feeling very, very good as we rounded the corner for the final mile and who do we bump into but former President Clinton and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, author Louise Penny and a whole host of secret service and R.C.M.P. . President Clinton was interested in Wyke and vice-versa. Wyke couldn’t take his eyes off the former President and sat there as patiently as a well-behaved dog can. Our picture was featured in the news and local newspapers as well as on-line. Even reporters like beautiful dogs.
A New Trail to Wander
The week continued with more walks and was capped by an incredible walk with my sister up to the location for the new hiking trail in St. Catherine de Hatley. The ribbon cutting was attended by more than 200 people and a few dignitaries, no the Clintons had left town but I am sure they would have loved the hoopla. Wonderful welcome speeches and a couple of drum songs by our local Abenaki First Nation folks who have supported the building of the trails in our area. My sister and I not only walked the three miles there and back but also walked the new trail which is absolutely gorgeous and not flat. The trail is called George’s Loop in the Wardman Sector of the Massawippi Trail. It is named for our neighbor who donated the land prior to his death two years ago. His wife and son cut the ribbon to open the trail today. The reason for the sign, the family lives in Bermuda. The trail wanders through woods and in some areas is accented by beautiful ferns, some very steep climbs, a set or two of stairs, and a lovely spot with a bench to sit and rest. In addition, deep into the trail you will see an interesting sign. We loved it. The total round trip was 8.09 miles or in Canada 13.2 kilometers. Add that to the 7 mile walk with my brother that I did the day before and I have had a perfect weekend of walking.
Wyke had a great week too and got a chance to play with his friends Millie and Sage up on the Scowen Trail.
Tea and Extra Virgin Olive Oil
In the middle of the week I was invited to a high tea luncheon at a local museum called Uplands. The luncheon was for ladies who had attended a school here in the Eastern Townships. It is not often that I get a chance to have a real tea with the cucumber sandwiches and the scones and clotted cream and strawberry jam and delicious small cakes. We were able to be outside in the garden and we sat there for over two hours sharing stories of school days and lots of memories.
As it turned out I was sitting with an alumna, Jill Pacaud, who imports extra virgin olive oil. So, along with school stories I received a wonderful lecture on olive oils and the health benefits of polyphenols. I have spoken about olive oil before and feel that I now have an even better understanding and a broader sense of what makes olive oil good and what doesn’t. Also, I need to learn more! Her website is youtastethetruth.com and you can find her oil in a number of Quebec locations including our own local grocery store LeBarons. Here is a link on how to buy great olive oil from author Tom Mueller. One of the unique things about her olive oil is that it lists the polyphenol levels in the olive oil. The higher the level the better it is for you. She actually has one that is over 1000. I have looked at my other oils and they do not list the polyphenol content on the bottles. Needless to say, I will be buying some to take home with me. More on polyphenols at a later time but in the meantime you can click on this link to read some more about the incredible health benefits of consuming olive oil on a daily basis.
Family and Summer’s End
Summer is drawing to a close. My brother and his family head back to the city and my mother will go back to her home in Montreal in a week. We have had an interesting summer that has really gone incredibly fast. My father died 44 years ago on the 21st of August. At that time my siblings and I were pretty young and we became a support team with my mother at the center. It has been ever so since then. Mum will turn 93 in October. She has been a little under the weather this summer but she is still a strong person and determined. She has eight grandchildren and after this years crop of babies arrived, nine great grandchildren. Everyone in this picture is a grandparent. How about that? It has been three years since we took a picture of the four of us and by chance we were all together, briefly, so we grabbed a camera and got this photo thanks to my brother-in-law who professes to know nothing about cameras. He did a good job!
Recipe
I have tried to make Hummus any number of times and it just doesn’t taste the way I think it should. I keep trying to find a better recipe and each time I hope that I have finally found THE One. Not sure if this is it but but it sure is simple and easy give it a try and get the best Extra Virgin Olive Oil you can find. It’s worth it.
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