The other day, I walked 1.7 miles from Toronto General Hospital to Number One Yonge Street.

The offices of The Toronto Star are located there, where I write from time to time as a freelance.

I had a meeting with my longstanding editor Brandie Weikle. It was a quick cup of coffee, more than a meeting. We like to keep in touch.

Walking lifts my spirits…

Best of all, I love walking around Toronto. I’m a passionate walker. With or without my dogs. Walking lifts my spirits. Keeps me in touch with my body, which as you probably know, is not a a source of pleasure for me right now.

Introduction

Unlike almost everyone in Canada, this weekend Marty and I are not gorging on turkey, stuffing and all the other traditional Thanksgiving delicacies that celebrate the annual harvest.

Marty has a terrible cold and is living on chicken soup with matzah balls. I’m walking the pooches, eating whatever we have, whenever.

In short, we’re here.

As for my protracted “break from blogging,” all I can say is I’m otherwise occupied. Concentration isn’t the greatest at the moment and I’m not in terrific shape in terms of my mental health.

Just returned from the gym and a good workout. I walked there and back. It’s a glorious day. Blue skies, spattered with feathery clouds. It’s 25 degrees Celsius or 77 degrees Fahrenheit. How can one complain?

Also, it’s October. The best month of the year. I was born in this month and here in Ontario, autumn is breathtaking. Stunning. Dazzling.

The landscape is replete with all my favourite colours as the leaves change. Oranges and yellows and burnt amber and bright reds. My dogs are happy because they can walk in this weather, though it’s a bit warm for them today. They’re cold weather dogs, preferring sub-zero temperatures and snow to heat and rain.