travel

Day 4253: Empathy

Posted on August 24, 2024 by Ann Koplow

I know I’ve written previous posts about empathy and I hope you have empathy for my decision to not spend time searching for those other posts now.

Last night, after I cried when I was stung painfully on my face and hand by an insect (a wasp?) moments before we started our long-awaited train trip through the Canadian Rockies, my son Aaron and I had a discussion about empathy.

Aaron said he thought empathy involved actually feeling somebody else’s pain; I disagreed and said empathy was rather the ability to understand how the other person would feel pain in that situation. By my definition, Aaron’s empathy helped me feel much better last night.

I have no Internet connectivity so I won’t be able to search for a definition or quotes about empathy. I wonder if you readers will have empathy if I can’t publish this post today and keep my 10-year-plus streak alive.

Do you see empathy in any of my images for today?

On our train ride today the views will be obscured by rain, but my empathy for those affected by the forest fires nearby makes me happy.

Thanks to all who have empathy, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism, travel | Tags: August 24 2024, Edmonton Fringe, the Daily Bitch Calendae, train ride through the Canadian Rockies | 15 Comments

Day 4252: Now

Posted on August 23, 2024 by Ann Koplow

Now I am writing this blog post from our hotel in West Edmonton, as my son Aaron and I prepare to spend the day at the Edmonton Fringe Festival and then board a train at midnight for a scenic trip to Vancouver.

Now I am telling my mind — which likes to anticipate and solve all possible problems — that everything will work out.

Now I am going to try to upload my photos and publish this blog post, despite the wonky internet connection here.

Now that the Daily Bitch has had her day, here’s what I find when I search for “now” on YouTube:

Now it’s time to express my gratitude for all who are here, now, including YOU!

Categories: original song, personal growth, photojournalism, travel | Tags: after the Democrat National Convention, Artificial Intelligence, August 23 2024, Banff, solving problems, The Daily Bitch Calendar, the West Edmonton Mall, Twitter, […NOW!] | 13 Comments

Day 4251: Poets

Posted on August 22, 2024 by Ann Koplow

On Poet’s Day, my son and I discussed William Carlos Williams’s poem about a red wheelbarrow as we looked at scenery that would inspire many a poet.

On our tour bus, the driver talked about black bears and grizzly bears, which reminded me of the poem/song lyrics I wrote about bears a year ago. After I showed it to her during lunch, she asked me to read it to all the passengers on the bus in the afternoon.

After a poetic dinner …

… I asked a question about poets on Twitter.

Here’s the amazing poet Amanda Gorman on Poet’s Day at the Democrat National Convention:

I wonder what poets we will encounter today.

Thanks to all who are here for this poets post, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism, travel | Tags: Amanda Gorman, August 22 2024, Banff National Park, bears, Poet’s Day, The Daily Bitch Calendar, the Democrat National Convention, The Red Wheelbarrow, Twitter, William Carlos Williams | 14 Comments

Day 4250: What were you thinking?

Posted on August 21, 2024 by Ann Koplow

“What were you thinking?” is something I ask myself, judgmentally, way too often.

For example, yesterday I asked myself “What were you thinking?” regarding (1) items I did and did not pack for my 9-day Canadian trip with my son and (2) a reservation I made, without thinking things through, for a difficult-to-reach restaurant in beautiful Banff.

I am thinking that I need to be kinder to myself regarding my constant wish to do the best/right thing for myself and others.

What were you thinking when you read these words and looked at my images for today?

Here’s what I find when I search for “what were you thinking?” on YouTube:

What were you thinking regarding how I might express my thanks and gratitude to you today?

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism, travel | Tags: August 21 2024, “Don’t Believe Everything You Think”, Banff, letting go of judgment, Lisa Penney TED talk, public art, The Daily Bitch Calendar, the Democrat National Convention, Twitter, what people are thinking | 14 Comments

Day 4249: I feel fine

Posted on August 20, 2024 by Ann Koplow

I feel fine, dear readers, despite sleep deprivation, a very long day of air travel with plane delays, and the natural consequences of aging, because I am in Calgary with my son Aaron at the start of our 9-day Canadian adventure. Also, I feel fine because we went to the very fine National Music Centre — which had a special exhibit about the Beatles — and also to a fine dining restaurant named Teatro.

Aaron and I had several fine conversations yesterday about how to feel fine despite the ups and downs of life. I feel fine that, with all my accomplishments, I’m particularly proud that my son is such a fine human being.

I feel fine sharing these images from the fine city of Calgary with you.

I feel fine that I haven’t seen any mosquitos yet in Canada, that we are going to beautiful Banff today, that the Democratic National Convention is off to a fine start, and that “I Feel Fine” is one of my favorite Beatles songs.

I feel fine that I have such fine readers, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism, travel | Tags: August 20 2024, Banff, Calgary, Canadian musicians, Famous Five Monument, Olympic Plaza, singing, Teatro, The Beatles in Canada exhibit, The Daily Bitch Calendar, The National Music Centre | 9 Comments

Day 4248: National Aviation Day

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Ann Koplow

Happy National Aviation Day, everyone!

I’m going to observe National Aviation Day with activities that might promote interest in aviation. I’ll be flying out of the USA at 6 AM and landing in Canada. My son will be observing the day by flying from Halifax to Calgary to meet me.

Here are my other images for National Aviation Day:

Here’s what I find when I search for National Aviation Day:

Thanks to all who are here for this National Aviation Day post, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism, travel | Tags: August 19 2024, bad poetry, Bad Poetry Day, bluefish dish, cats, flying to Canada, National Day Calendar, The Daily Bitch Calendar, Twitter | 6 Comments

Day 4246: Comfort Zones

Posted on August 17, 2024 by Ann Koplow

Last night, when I couldn’t sleep, I listened to Michael Singer’s talk about comfort zones.

I found that talk about comfort zones very comforting.

Yesterday, when I was thinking about going out of my comfort zones and visiting new places …

… I discovered that the second largest Fringe Festival in the world will be happening in Edmonton when my son and I are there next week. Because Fringe festivals are very familiar to us, now my comfort zone is easily expanding to include Edmonton.

Do you see comfort zones in my other images for today?

Because today is National #2 Pencil Day, that increases my comfort zone for sharing another joke from my Twitter feed.

Right after I publish this post about comfort zones, I’m going to get out of my comfort zone by watching and listening to some videos of me performing my original songs on June 1.

Thanks to all who increase my comfort zones, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism, travel | Tags: August 27 2024, “Step Out of Your Comfort Zone & Let Life Teach You”, “The Untethered Soul”, cats, Edmonton, jokes, Michael Singer, National #2 Pencil Day, The Daily Bitch Calendar, Twitter | 10 Comments

Day 3896: The Weird One

Posted on September 2, 2023 by Ann Koplow

When I was a child with a heart condition that put me in the hospital and made me different from my peers in many ways, I often felt like the weird one.

These days, when I feel like the weird one, it’s a source of happiness and pride, not shame.

As I create my last blog post for my first trip to Halifax, which image is the weird one?

On World Beard Day, I’m glad my bearded and wonderfully weird son is going to be staying in Halifax, a city which seems to embrace the weird ones.

Here’s what I find when I search for “the weird one” on YouTube.

Thanks from this weird one to all the weird and wonderful ones out there, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism, travel | Tags: 14 Bells Art Gallery, Eastern Tea Bar & Friends, Edna, Halifax, September 2 2023, The Alternative Polka, The Army Navy Store, The Daily Bitch Calendar, Weird Al Yankovic, weird and delicious chocolate mousse | 12 Comments

Day 3895: Get Settled

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Ann Koplow

When I told people about my trip to Halifax this week, I described it as “helping my son get settled as he starts a PhD program in math.” I realized very soon after I got here that I was mostly here to help MYSELF get settled about this new phase in our lives.

Get settled for today’s images as we continue to get settled in Halifax.

I honestly don’t know how to be a lazy mom, but I’ll celebrate ginger cat appreciation day by sharing this photo of the two ginger cats who will be helping Aaron get settled in his Halifax household.