The end of August is also a time of reflection for many of us. The summer months always fly by. But do we ask ourselves if we spent them constructively? Did we enjoy new experiences? Meet new people?

My summer was a mix of many things and very different from other summers when we usually take a few short breaks away. It did, however, begin with a delightful one in May for my birthday when we enjoyed a lovely dinner and a night in the penthouse suite of a downtown Victoria hotel. After that, however, we had a series of medical appointments which took up a lot of June and July. As my husband is fond of saying “once a doctor gets hold of you, they never let you go! They test everything.”  That is not a bad thing, I insist. We were fortunate to find caring physicians when so many people in Canada are without a family doctor.

I’ve also lost people this summer. Not to death but to retirement. I lost my long-time hairdresser (a very big deal for a woman!) but fortunately have found another one who is almost as good. My optician retired and I guess I will get used to the new one who is very pleasant and checks my slow-growing cataracts. At least I have finally grown accustomed to my hearing aids this summer! Growing old is the pits and not for the weak. My advice is to always retain your sense of humour. Growing old in reasonably good health is a gift and we are lucky.

My ‘losses’ were nothing when compared to those who lost their homes and sometimes their lives in the devastating forest fires across Canada this summer which also changed many holiday plans. Global warming is happening, folks, in a big way. Something must be done before it is too late.

I have continued to read and review many books for BC Reviews this summer which I love doing. And by far the best thing for me is that I have been working on another novel which hopefully will be released soon. It has been my therapy during the bad days.

Although this book is fictional, it is the story of a real person who lived in Victoria, British Columbia, from 1853-1904. She was one of the first white babies born here. She was a strong woman whose name is barely known today—Constance Skinner Davie—but from a humble beginning, she broke barriers in the political arena at a time when women were mostly “seen and not heard.” I hope my book gives justice to her many accomplishments and you will enjoy her story.

Meanwhile, I hope you will relish these last days of summer. In Victoria, British Columbia, we only have one more long week-end holiday, Labour Day weekend, before the children return to school and another year begins. Here in Victoria and Saanich August 30^th to September 1^st will be filled with events like the Saanich Fair and the Victoria Labor Day Picnic. The Saanich Fair is one of British Columbia’s largest agricultural fairs and is held in the Saanich Fair Grounds. The Victoria Labour Day Picnic will take place in Memorial Park.

So, there is still time for fun and a little reflection before we head into “the new year.” I know my reflections on this past summer are full of gratitude, joy, love and hope for the coming year.