Some Essential Soul Work
This retreat was a first of it’s kind for me.
Guided healing, cleansing and sharing, (not so good at this kind of stuff). Emotionally exposing ones self, and getting into some deep rooted soul work, also something i truly suck at.
I laughed, I cried, and I opened up to women I just met. It was terrifying, humbling, and liberating all at the same time.
Marilyn, the facilitator of this healing retreat, created such a loving safe space for us to to all come together and dive into some soul work
She is also the owner and operator of her business Soul Essentials offering healing modalities from Reiki to chakra healing. Here is her link on Facebook
The retreat was held at this stunning 2 storey walk out over looking Echo lake in Qu’Appelle Valley.
The lake view from the back of the retreat lake house
Kitchen in our private little cabin
My good friend Rox and I decided to rent a private cabin for our weekend stay. We arrived the day before all the festivities. It was a short drive from the retreat location, and gave us some quiet time away from all the action to regroup and just do our own thing.
Because i’m rarely in front of a camera , here are some cell phone snaps below ~
A little wine, and a sunset dip.
Yours truly, taking a sunset swim in Echo Lake Qu’Apelle Valley - Video compliments of the lovely Rox
Waiting to Rewild with some ecstatic dance.
A bowl of pre-rolled joints being passed around to help ease the journey into some ecstatic dance.
Completely complimentary and voluntary.
Cana butter portioned out on spoons
The ladies of Soul Essentials Retreat June 2023
These beautiful souls have a piece of my heart
Jillian G.
Ah the whirlwind season of Graduation. If your a photographer who does grad sessions, you know.
June should be spelt Gune
Jilli bean, I have known this nugget since she was around 5.
So graduation photos for this lady was slightly surreal, in a how the hell is she adulting already way.
She’s wicked smart, artistic, funny, and kind. A true beauty in all the ways.
Luckily Jillian and I are a great match on the creative side of things. This shoot was beautiful and brilliant.
As you can see she’s a natural.
Boyfriend Beckett was a gem at going with the flow. - Thanks for your patience Mr. B
A quick little drop in by some of her besties, was such a blast. What a fun group!
My COVID Chronicles
Last week
McDonalds at lunch time in Saskatoon. This photo was taken March 19th, approximately 5 days after the government started requesting people self isolate and practice social distancing to help slow the spread of the COVID- 19 virus.
Thursday March 19th. Photo’s of an overly quiet, 3rd Avenue, downtown Saskatoon.
Ayden Kitchen and Bar on 3rd and Little Bird Patisserie over on Ave. B are just a couple of restaurants here in Saskatoon posting signs on their door explaining their closure due to the COVID- 19 virus outbreak.
These are scary times my friends. As of 5 minutes ago my last scheduled job on the calendar cancelled. For good reason. I completely understand, and I know I’m not alone.
Still, It’s terrifying thinking of what will, or could, happen next. My foreseeable financial future is non existent at this point. They are predicting months of this and let’s be honest, here in this quiet and relatively safe little corner of the world we are just starting to see the wrath of this thing.
On that note of doom and gloom (your welcome) I will switch gears.
I am going try to focus on good things. Quality time with loved ones. Time to work on long set aside projects. Good people and good times yet to be had. Making plans. Appreciating the little things and moments this “down time'“ has given us.
Friday March 20th - I was out for some necessary items, and ventured into Shoppers. I was feeling slightly anxious, about it all.
Some tape on the floor specifying how far back one needs to stand when in line to check out at Shoppers Drug Mart- Saskatoon Sk. Friday March 20th, 2020
Signs taped to the doors give customers the heads up they are out of toilet paper, antibacterial items, gloves, and most other items that fell into the anti viral protection category, and were easily stockpiled when this world wide pandemic started creeping into our part of the world.
The green tape on the floor lays out where customers need to stand when going through the check out line.
Cashiers are just a few of the professions dealing with the public, on the front lines. The floor tape gives some boundaries from the public, and wearing rubber gloves are a small sense of security when handling frequently touched items.
A big thank you and huge respect for those who are working out in the trenches with the general public. From health care and emergency workers, and kind souls delivering groceries and medical supplies to the isolated. To the cashiers and shelf stockers at the grocery stores, and the Pharmacists, doling out medical advice and medication. And everyone else in between.
On the front lines in every sense of the word. Thank you.
This has been a crazy couple of weeks. I know I’m not alone in having to take some time, to slow down, rethink what’s important. Get back in touch with what is. Whats working, what isn’t…
I would love to hear how you’ve been coping with this global shit storm. How have you been keeping been. Really. Don’t be shy..
Feel free to leave in the comments below, or don’t, either way, just know I will be sharing thoughts and photos through this whole thing. I will talk to you soon my friends.
Stay safe wash your hands.
xo td
.
Mr. Connor McDavid - The Dog
Connor’s family happens to be some of our best friends. They live too far away for my liking but when we get together we make up for time lost.
When we visit Connor McDavid not only does he put up with our (haven’t seen my best friends in forever) shenanigans.. but he also graciously obliges me shoving a camera in his face. Sometimes I think he even appreciates the fact there is a human rolling around on the floor with him.
Here are a few pictures made of this slobbery - big teddy bear - heart of gold, fur turd self.
❤️
New York City Oct. 2019
Well it’s been a while since I’ve been to the land of blog. But here is what happened lately.
First view of Central Park coming into the big apple.
This trip, unfolded mostly on the streets of the Big Apple. It was me and 2 girlfriends from Saskatoon. There was much walking, lots of touristy sightseeing, and some quiet moments with myself, sidewalk crowds, historic buildings, and my camera.
On foot adventures aside, there was also some mostly successful subway navigation, and an Uber ride or two. But the majority of our exploring was on foot.
The lovely and delicious Joanne Trattoria served us up some Italian food, in house made pasta, and great wine. Below are some shitty photos taken with my cell phone of a stained and empty wine bottle, and an awkwardly positioned cannoli- sum up my wine consumed evening where photography skills were discarded for gluttony and visiting.
We stayed in China town - no photos
Walked a bit in Central Park. Indulged in martinis and charcuterie from Tavern on The Green The bartender turned into a raging lunatic when i requested a separate bill. I guess thats not a thing in New York?
Until next time
xo
td
