Dear My Gorgeous Pretties,

If anyone can get me out of a funk, it’s definitely MJ. Last night I finally watched Michael, and it was a beautiful reminder that true artists are and always will be the revolutionaries of the world. There will never be another like Mike. Truly heaven sent. And his gift and his light illuminated the world. That is what happens when you shine the way that only you can. And it was a reminder of the interconnectedness of us all. Music and dance is a universal language that everyone, even if you can’t understand, can feel it.

First of all congratulations all around to the cast and creatives. Jaafar Jackson, you were simply stunning, daHling. Truly. A beautiful reflection of the legacy that continues on. Antoine Fuqua, kudos for the beautiful and magnetic storytelling that captured the essence of the life and careers of the family that built an empire and a monolith, and highlighted the way that music, artistry, dedication, and storytelling can change lives and thus, the world. A reminder that when you use the gifts that God gave you to heal yourself and others— when God Himself has His hand on your life, you will shine, regardless of what anyone else has to say about it. Thank you all for your offerings. Who’s bad?

*Jaafar Jackson, in the titular role of* ***Michael***

Blue Sky City, aka Calgary, has left me so inspired. I absolutely je’dore it, omigoodness! It has been an absolute wonder & whirlwind and I still haven’t seen all it has to offer. But PapaH has shown the kid some of his favorite jaunts that have too become my favorite so I must share them with you all. The nature lover in us both lead us to Inglewood—how ironic 🙄—Bird Sanctuary, a gorgeous safe haven in the heart of the city that, since its inception in 1929, has attracted over 270 species of birds. My Pretties, how do I convey to you the beauty of nature in mere mortal words? ‘Twas so peaceful, so serene, so utterly pristine, I could literally spend all my days here. Shall I heretofore just become a forest fairy? I think I shall because no place brings me so much comfort and joy as the great outdoors. I feel at one with myself and the Lord. Ugh. Magic.

Nestled along the Bend of the Bow River, the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of this beautifully enigmatic city, allowing you to disconnect from the world and reconnect with the wonder of nature.

You can enter the sanctuary directly from the outdoor Forest Bathing Trail, the first in the city’s kind—known as shinrin-yoku in Japanese, but you’ve heard me speak of this several times before. Of course it felt iconically symbiotic—but then you’d miss the gorgeous Nature Center which houses all the information you need to get you started on the path!

*Floor to ceiling graphics to blow your mind*

Complete with an information desk & museum-like displays, a meeting space, outdoor classroom, & bathrooms, you can easily spend an hour in here before you even get started on the trails.

I appreciate how everywhere you go, there is always a reference to the indigenous people who came before & continue to occupy the land. As legend has it, if you don’t know your history, your life will be a mystery…

*A little blurry for artisti*c *license 😉*

Now let’s skip to the goodie part…

Occupying 36 hectares (or ~89 acres) the Santuary offers a number of diverging trails, including the Winged Wisdom Trail—an interactive indigenous exhibit—leading you through Chinese Gardens, towering trees, fields of flowers, grazing deer, Colonel Walker’s House, and of course the rushing river. Surrender your senses to the great wide somewhere. We stayed here all afternoon and my only regret is that we didn’t stay longer.

*Chinese Gardens currently undergoing regeneration.*

*Iconic scenes just around the riverbend*

*Though we can’t control if the wildlife eat the signs, do not feed them from the human kind*

*Vicia cracca, aka, tufted vetch, cow vetch, bird vetch, blue vetch, boreal vetch, or gorgeous betch.*

*Caragana arborescens, aka, Siberian peashrub or Siberian pea tree. So cutie.*

*Zoom in for a little surprise, something of the Bambi kind*

Do ya maybe wanna go river rafting with me?

And now time for a riddle: When a tree falls in a forest, who is there to hear it?

ANSWER:

*A little guess where we’re off to next week? Ohhhh I just finished the most wonderful story about a beanstalk, and an ogre…*

But first, coffee!

Dad knows all the hot spots. He’s kind of a legend around here. Everywhere we went, everyone wanted his autograph. Did I miss something, PapaH? Anywho, we were on go nonstop. He’s truly quite the expeditioner. We went to this iconic building around downtown, a kind of hidden gem shopping center/office space within an unassuming architectural masterpiece. I was scrambling with my storage—we’ve since remedied the situation—so unfortunately I didn’t get the exterior of the building, and the name escapes me at the moment, but look at these lovely lion door knobs

Once inside we had 2 levels of shops, but most were closed for the day, all but for a handful of office spaces and this quaint coffee shop. Join me for a cuppuhhh if you so please!

*Complete with a bakery just across the hall though I forgot to snap a pic! She was busy cooking it up tho…*

I absolutely love finding hidden gems whose vibe speaks “I could get some work done here,” but sadly most coffee shops play lyrical music and my brain simply does not allow me to compute my thoughts with chatter interference.

Another day another adventure through the streets of downtown yielded us at this public outdoor art installation, Wonderland, an impressive 12 meter tall bent wire structure of a young girl’s head by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. Located at the iconic Bow Building, the most recognizable in the Calgary skyline, this installation symbolizes youth, growth, and most obviously, sheer joi de vie.

We marched on past the Calgary Tower, though we didn’t go up for a view…

And then on down 8th Ave to say hello and adieu

*And pause for the art all over the city walls*

And since it’s bean a while since we’ve done a Pretty of the Week, we must do a Prettiest of Them All!

This month for Pretty of the Week, we shall have a Pretty On My Feet, and the award 10 toes down, no horsin’ around, goes to John Fleuvog.

This place was like the Willy Wonka of shoe stores. I entered amazed and exited utterly obsessed.

I’ve never been to a shoe store that was simultaneously store, museum and house of fun all in one. Truly icooonic.

The downstairs gallery was closed, but the first level of the shoe shop was a sight to behold. Designs that honed in on and yet somehow defied the ever-changing times, I would literally wear everything it was so hard to decide. So we headed upstairs to the Fleuseum to get a sneak peak into the mastermind, and oh my gosh you guyzzzzzz…

Who is this man, and how does my father know about him? 🤔

*Those stripes are totally giving Wonka…*

*And I love the incorporation of original sketches and ideas. It gives you a glimpse into the creative artistry and the inclusion of indie artists. Love that!*

*We could all use a little fluffing peace, if you so please…*

I feel like his work speaks for itself, but I do hope these pics are conveying at least a semblance of the level of awesomeness I felt experiencing it. I’m trying my best, honey!

@addytok2022 🤍

Alright, alright, we’re headin’ out. Just a few more…

*And one more from the mirror, mirror, that we so adore je’dore*

And with a flick of the wrist and a Flue-rish, I must bid you adieu. We’ve got a lot more to share, but for now it’s à tout à leur, á bientot! See you later, alligator, or so the story goes. I wish you all the most fabulous and similarly iconic rest of your week. You could be anywhere in the world, but here you are with me. And I love that for you. And I love that for me. Until we meet again, próxima semana, stay blessed out there you PYT’s, and of course, God speed!

Love Always (& besitos!),

Livin la vida bonita

Who’s bad?

Recipe for a beautiful life