I’m finally getting around to writing my second blog…where has the summer gone? I started off with the intention of doing this monthly or at least bi-monthly, but somehow I never seemed to make time for it this summer. I guess on a positive note it is because we have been busy meeting lots of new and wonderful people and also enjoying the numerous events and activities that seem to be going on all the time in Niagara-on-the-Lake! (to see a list of upcoming events click here) Am I the only one that thinks the summer has gone by way to fast? Ah, but I do love the fall! I think it is my favourite time of year, an opportunity to enjoying the beautiful colours of the season and enjoying pulling on a favourite sweater and going for a stroll. And now that we have fire-pits and hot-tubs for both ourselves and guests to enjoy it will be even better!
I must thank a couple of recent sets of guests that motivated me to make the time to write. Firstly, we had a young couple stay with us that were doing a 1 year round the world trip – exactly what Explorer House hopes to inspire – the desire to learn about new and different places, to explore this wonderful world of ours. We felt so honoured to be a small part of their amazing trip. The other couple inspired me by asking about when I was going to write the next blog. I never really know if anyone is reading the blog so it was nice to know someone had been and enjoyed it. Thank you to both couples for the inspiration!
Hearing about our guests’ travels and adventures only inspires us to want to explore and experience additional places we have not been to. Instead of our “bucket list” getting shorter it has been growing as we meet new guests, which leads me to ponder what can I call this list other than a “bucket list”? I have not come up with a name for it yet but would love to hear your suggestions. It is not just about going to a place and crossing it off a list, it is also about really experiencing and exploring it. As I went looking for ideas for what this list could be called, I came across these two quotes which I liked, so thought I would share them:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr., P.S. I Love You
“How To Be An Explorer Of The World
1. Always Be Looking (notice the ground beneath your feet.)
2. Consider Everything Alive & Animate
3. Everything Is Interesting. Look Closer.
4. Alter Your Course Often.
5. Observe For Long Durations (and short ones).
6. Notice The Stories Going On Around You.
7. Notice Patterns. Make Connections.
8. Document Your Findings (field notes) In a Variety Of Ways.
9. Incorporate Indeterminacy.
10. Observe Movement.
11. Create a Personal Dialogue With Your Environment. Talk to it.
12. Trace Things Back to Their Origins.
13. Use All of the Senses In Your Investigations.”
– Keri Smith, How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum
Happy Exploring! Deanna
Maybe a little obvious…Explore List?
Possibly obvious but I like it 🙂 Had thought of “exploration list” as well. Happy to hear of any other suggestions or ideas.
We had such a lovely stay at Explorer House, thank you again! We’ve reached our final stop in Montreal, can’t believe tomorrow is the last day of our adventure! We were equally inspired by your beautiful house and plan on displaying photos from our trip back in our own home 🙂
Hope to hear more about your adventures! I’m betting your last day has come all too quickly. Safe travels home.
Wow this place is gorgeous, stayed here years ago & found the decor so blah, beige and boring. Like IKEA.
So worldly looking now and fantastic style.
I don’t like the image that comes to mind with the word “Bucket List” so I use a simple “Wish List” which is rather fluid and changes often. After living 71 years I am busy planning trips, both near and far for the coming years. 2018 includes: winter stay on Sanibel Island Florida, 3 week Road Scholar French Immersion Program at the University of Quebec at Trois Rivieres, Malice Domestic Mystery Conference in Bethesda, Maryland, Back to Back Road Scholar trips to the Canadian Maritimes and Newfoundland and a visit to Niagara-On-The-Lake during the Shaw Festival (in the planning stages). This past year I did a Smithsonian Journeys “Living in France” program with a month stay in Aix-en-Provence. I’m planning on doing their “Living in Italy” program in 2019 with a month stay in Florence. Life is good!