Dear My Gorgeous Pretties,

I’m sitting here sipping my tea, minding my b, as per youjsh (sound it out!), and for a second I got super excited thinking this was our 40th edition birthday! But then I remembered we actually started this thang on substack and there are 26 editions over there for your viewing pleasure. So, alas, this is just another regular old tale about a gal adventuring across the Canadian countryside. But my excitement got me reflecting on the beginning of this journey and remembering why The Weekly Woosah began in the first place. Since I am a sucker for celebrations, I'll have you know we did cross our 2 year milestone this summer. HooRAH! HooRAH! 🎉 But no matter where you are on your journey, it’s important at times to take a step back and remind yourself of why you started so that you understand why it’s imperative to keep going.

Ultimately, we alone have to live with the choices we make in our lives. Yes, our choices may have a direct impact on others, good or bad, intentionally or unintentionally, but at the end of the day, we alone are responsible for our actions. In one of the meditations in 3 Magic Words, U.S. Anderson writes, “I alone decide what I will think, thus, I decide my entire life.” This idea is reiterated throughout the book and meditations, and by other fellow spiritualists and thought leaders alike. Not everything you think is true. Not every thought that crosses your consciousness is one that you have to choose. You can simply observe your thoughts, examining each of them as they pass by, and then let them go, neither accepting nor rejecting. “On and on the thoughts come, and I ask myself, ‘Who is this that observes this?’ And I hear the answer: ‘Thou that art, always has been, and always will be. Thou Observes.’ And I understand.”

And in your healing journey, you also come to understand that a lot of people don’t understand. A lot of people simply think that by reposting Bible or Qur’an verses, or motivational quotes and reels that they’re “doing the work” without actually implementing any self-observation, accountability, awareness, or true understanding of the principles upon which any of these ideas were founded. Bless their heart. But their actions always reveal this truth, for these are the people who are still gossiping about any and everyone. Including you! Just listen to how they gossip about others to you. Best believe they gossiping about you to others! These are the same people who will label you as “crazy” or “delusional” because you have implimented boundaries and will no longer feed into their delusions, or because you simply stopped associating with them altogether. Suddenly you’re being “problematic” but you’ve removed yourself entirely so please explain how there is still a problem? Exaaaaaaactly. People would rather be comfortably fed a sardine can of lies than have to go fishing for the Red Snapper of undeniable truth. But your actions will—inevitably—reveal the truth about you too. And the truth, with all its retribution, never misses its target.

I bring all of this up because it’s important to understand that there will always be people trying to butt into your path, into your good works, to deter you, distract you, or get you to quit altogether because they see how other people respond to you, and instead of wishing you well on your path, sum-ting evil in dem want it for demselves.

My mom used to tell me all the time when I was younger—there was always some evil witch tryna pop shih because I was smart, gorgeous, brilliant, talented, and fabulous—that Allah will magnify your bounty in the eyes of the disbeliever. (And a disbeliever is a disbeliever no matter what religious identity they hide behind!) Meaning, even if I go to school eating a tuna fish sandwich on wheat bread, they’re gonna look at it and see an Ahi tuna steak with a freshly made sourdough French baguette with a lemon beurre blanc. Or, even if you’re wearing 5 year old hand me downs from somebody’s giveaway bag, they’re gonna look at it and see Jean Paul Gaultier Runway Spring/Summer 2014 Haute Couture.

*Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2014 Couture. (I just chose a random year but how icooooonic & apropros, amirite?!)*

I started The Weekly Woosah because I wanted an outlet. I wanted a place of my own to share all my delectably delightful favorite things from food to fashion to freedom and savoir-faire, the just because-ness of life because we all need a safe place to vent and to share our happiness. Something which, in hindsight, I probably did contribute to allowing that little piece of pie to be taken from me. But this right here is my joi de vivre. And I shall do with it as I so please. And so too should you. Read, share, and enjoy, or go partake in someone else’s views. But at the end of the day, the buck stops and starts with you. So which path will you choose, my gorgeous little Bippity Boppity Boo? The road less traveled, or the one that’s ran through?

I was so sad to leave Banff. Idk that I’ve ever become so instantly smitten with a place before. Ok well aside from London. That was instant love. Plain and simply. An iconic love story that continues to unfold. And there shall never be anothuhhh replacement. But Banff came close. In a different way. When I escape to the countryside, the fresh mountain air, the rushing rivers, something in me comes alive. Perhaps because I was born in the northeastern country of New York. Banff was definitely giving Woodstock energy. Artsy fartsy, eclectic, and iconic. But with no accommodations available for another night I headed back to Calgary, to their HI 👋 Canada sister location in downtown City Centre and stayed there for the remainder of my stay in the city.

Now listen, I know what your gonna say, “Pics or it didn’t happen!” and I promise you, it really did! But after becoming completely enamored with the sensational cabin in the woods architecture of their Banff property, it was really hard for me to get excited about being in the city again, despite their plethora of amenities (which I’ll get to in a minute). As we city guys and gals know, as soon as you leave the country (or the burbs) you are, without a doubt, going to be sacrificing the amount of space you have. On top that, sometimes, you just want to be able to experience a thing without having to document your every waking moment. And after running around for pretty much 2 ½ weeks straight, I needed a break. And so did my phone, honey, lemme tell you! Ya girl was ti’ed. But peruse the link above for pics of their downtown Calgary property.

Conveniently located in the East Village, it was truly central to everything—the library! (first thing’s first), the river, park, restaurants, bars, shops and grocery stores. No restaurant in this property, but they did have a spacious kitchen (2 sides) with common area seating for you to cook and enjoy homemade meals for the extended stay travelers. Complimentary coffee and tea were provided daily all day. On that same entrance floor they had couches to relax and/or work, a storage room for luggage, and an outdoor patio/recreation area with corn hole, a mini soccer setup, a patio with tables chairs, and picnic tables, and plenty of grassy area for the local bunnies to hop around.

They had a very nice computer & rec room on the lower level with comfy chairs, tables and chairs for working & a pool table and 50+ inch TV for movie nights, complete with a vending machine just outside the door for your movie munchies. And just across the hall was the laundry facilities. Huge perk for those of us there for a significant stretch. The top floor offered a more quiet work/study room with sofas, loungers, built in desks, a mini library selection and an outdoor balcony overlooking the lower level patio and city scape. This location also offered both single room & dorm style room accommodations, and again just keep in mind, regardless of which you choose, being in the city means you are compromising on space. BUT with so many things to do in and around the area, this takes a back seat. I will add that the events coordinator—I hate that I’m forgetting her name but she was very kind!—had a robust schedule of events planned for the week.

I joined the festivities on an excursion to nearby St. Patrick’s Island (luck o’ the Irish 😉), just around the river bend. Literally. Ok, well technically it was across the river, but same difference.

*George C. King Pedestrian Bridge across the Bow River connecting the East Village and Bridgeland neighborhoods.*

Just a quick 10 minute walk around the corner and across the river took us to this quaint little inlet. Although it was apparently “unseasonably” warm during my time in Calgary—a whopping 86 degrees this day!—the water was quite cold so there was no itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini for me. It was roll up the sweats and dip ya feet in kinda party. But the kids were out to play and you know whenever the babes are out frolicking and laughing, it’s bound to be a good day.

After a quick flick of our own to document the affair, we continued on around the relatively short trail to take in the rest of the views.

*Paid actors, me, & HI City Centre event guide, Tamara? Tell me her name. Tell her I said thanks!*

After the fellas showed off their impressive rock skipping skills, we made our way along the Vision Place trail, admiring the vision.

This poor little osprey hop/landed at the shore, wings clearly soaked and unable to fly. But then it kept doing the strangest thing, repeatedly “washing” itself in the water. To all my Nat Geo friends, anyBuddy know why?

“Bloom” by Montreal-based artist Michel de Broin. Constructed from steel and repurposed highway street light poles arranged to resemble an exploding starburst or a blooming flower, this public art sculpture stands 75 ft tall and the “branches” feature working lights that illuminate the park at night.

A nice walk and a little art therapy was a great way to end our escapade. Having worked up an appetite I made my way to nearby Blush Lane Organic Market to try their icoooonic in-store eatery, Garbonzo’s.

I’m so sad I found this place on one of my last days in town. The East Village is probably exactly where I would live if I moved to Calgary, and this is most definitely where I would be grocery shopping. Lunch on the river? Yes please! Except the winters. Ooooooooo. Nevermind. Uh uh. Let me rephrase, if I was summering in Calgary, the East Village is probably exactly where I would live, and Blush Lane is most definitely where I would be getting my groceries. Fresh produce, international food catering to their richness of all cultures, olives, olives, and more olives, lol. Ok that’s probably the lynchpin for real. But top it off with Garbanzo’s & the $2 Americanos???? Fuggetaboudit!

Delectably Delightful Dining of the Week Award goes to….who else?

*Garbanzo’s* *Falafel Bowl: falafel, turmeric rice, golden garlic hummus, fries, pickled veggies, salad (add olives because?) and topped with tahini.*

The garlic fries were a nice touch. It gave it a “loaded” bowl feel and honestly it ended up being the perfect amount. I was left perfectly satisfied, not too full and not feeling like maybe the portion could’ve been a bit larger. 10 outta 10 *HIGH KEY* recommend. A delightful option to grab something on the go or take home with you after a full day of grocery shopping. If you’re in the area, make sure to give them a try, and do grab yourself a cuppuh while you’re at it, and tell them Queen from the NE says hi 👋

We’re going to include in this edition some Honorable Foodie Mentions that weren't previously reported in my adventures. Again, sometimes you just wanna enjoy a thing, but then when that thing is really really good, why not share the love? After leaving Jummah I stumbled upon this Vietnamese gem, Satè.

A very unassuming joint, you’ll easily walk right by it. In fact I did, but something caught my eye and told me to give it a try. When I saw her making it, I knew it was about to fire. And was!

*Perfectly savory & marinated tofu Bahn Mi. Yes, yummy, yummy yummy! 😋*

A stroll with my peeps in Chinatown led me to my other favorite place. Of course I found them on my last night! Def have to come back.

I got some veggie dumplings and spring rolls and ate them outside in the coolness of the night. We’ll get a pic next time. You’re coming with, riiiiiiight? 🙇🏾‍♀️

Coffee date with Dad found us at the top floor of the Edison Building with downtown city views.

Quaint cafe, workspace that you’d never know about unless you know about it. And we love anywhere that causes a little commotion for the art, ok??

And we ended the day with a little sunset bike ride along the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway

*So pretty out here. So iconic, my dear.*

*I think I could get into cycling for real. It might be my new fave extreme sport. Ok, fuggit. I’m doin the Iron Man. 💪*

On my last evening in the city, I took one more stroll along the river and parts unknown, venturing over to The Confluence, where the Elbow meets the Bow.

*Just over yonder, beyond those hedges is where the rivers meet. This outdoor rock museum touches on the area history.*

The parks here do a really great job. Keep up the good work! Outdoors for all. Truly patriotic. Well preserved lands. Truly icooooonic.

Heading back to the hostel I stumbled along a farewell to me concert. How sweet of them to send me off on a bon voyage with some sweet tunes.

Did I play this for you already? Too bad. Listen again, Schweet HaHt.

I think they like me. They really really like me.

My for real last morning I took one more stroll along the riverwalk and grabbed a cuppuh from, Sidewalk Citizen, this cute bakery I had been meaning to stop in, catching a waft of baked goods every time I walked by. I loved the architecture of the building, a converted old mattress factory turned multi-space restaurant, cafe, & coffee shop.

The inside didn’t disappoint either.

So naturally I hadta try the sourdough.

*Just a lil somthin light for the road.*

SO good. Ugh. I love fresh baked bread, don’t you, My HaHt? I really shoulda got a full loaf and took it with me on the plane, but I had already overpacked, and well, just gives me—us—an excuse to come again.

*Opposite side of the building with another coffee sho*p *and restaurant.*

I didn't get to immerse myself in the fullness of the building. There’s an upstairs and a roof top deck, but the industrial style with the exposed brick and steel pipes were giving modern & spacious, while the contrasting solid wood floors and beams did a nice job warming it up, so as not to feel so cold and blasé.

Pawse fa da art. I loved this piece.

*I call it “Bitties in da Bay” lol though I’m sure it has another name :)*

Welp, My Gorgeous Pretties, our time in the Canadian countryside has come to an end. I would like to take this moment to say thank you to Calgary, Banff, and all of Canada really for being such a sweet friend. I had the most delightful affair. I’m glad that I’ve had the opportunity to share, and I caHn’t wait to come again. There’s so much I haven’t seen and you better believe I am not passing up on my hot date with Lake Louise! Until then, I must say merci, merci, merci beaucoup and bid you all a slightly prolonged adieu. It is now time for a brief pause from the Weekly Woo. But fret not! We are just taking a quick breather before our next adventures reconvene stateside. We’re going, going, back, back, to America, America. 😝

Whoever you are, wherever you may be, 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. I hope you have the most spectacular rest of your week, and more! Until we meet again. As ever and as always, from the bottom to the tippy top of my pretty little haHt, thank you for being a true friend. The kind a gal can always count on through thick and thin and in between. See yous real soon yea? Stay blessed out there, and of course, God speed.

Love Always (& besitos!),

Stayin on my blessed behavior

THE CONFLUENCE

Heartbeats, Front & Center