Five Years Later

Today, Tuesday May 14, marks the 5th anniversary of my first post on Seventy In the City. So I thught I would write about some highlights and experiences that we have had together.

Looking back over those last 250 or so posts, I see a few tupos, I mean typos. I must explain that I am a fast reader and tend to skip ahead, reading only what I think should be on the page. Readers have been very kind not to point out all these errors. And I have found a way to correct most of them before they get published, by reading word for word, with a magnifying glass. There have also been some errors in content. The most obvious was when I wrote that the Blue Jays won the World Series in the 1970’s. Of course, the Rogers Centre wasn’t even built then!

Reading back through the posts, I notice a definite change in tone during the pandemic. The topics I wrote about were pretty banal – countless stories about decorating the garage for parties, and walking walking walking. I made enough mentions of Sunnyland, Peter’s favourite fruit and vegetable market, that one reader actually drove to our neighbourhood to see it.

Over the years I have tried my best not to be too political, but I did write 2 posts; one about Trump and another about Ford. It was the least I could do. Recently Peter and I ran into another politician working the room at a Liberal party event. There was only hand-shaking and photos, no political message to pass on, but it was fun to meet him in person.

Most places that Peter and I have visited on our Friday adventures have been worthwhile, but about a year ago I wrote about The Well, an up-and-coming lifestye village near Spadina and Wellington, and I told readers it was not worth visiting. Well, we did go back recently and found a big change. There is now a large shopping area surrounded by buildings, (but no roof) where a number of interesting boutique stores and restaurants are popping up. The big draw is Arcadia Earth, an “immersive multi-sensory journey” about our planet. It’s very high tech and you need to take somebody young with you to help navigate.

One of the posts that got a big response was the one about losing my wedding ring. Several people wrote to ask what I was wishing for my ring if I could not have it back. I hoped for a special person to find it: a single mom with 2 kids and no job, an immigrant unable to find housing, a disabled person living on government subsidy. I just hope that an addict didn’t smoke or drink it. There are so many needy people in this large metropolis.

Another widely-read post was the one about the book club meeting in my house, where a guest fell on a tiny step and sprained her ankle badly. I am glad to say she has recovered, although it did take time. We had a family council meeting afterwards, where we heard suggestions about dealing with this nasty step: installing a hospital ramp, ripping up the entire floor and laying a new one, 3 centimeters higher, or the most practical: just close the da– door and direct guests to enter the sun room through the dining room, where the step is visible.

The most common question I hear by far is “Where do you get your ideas?” I read the Toronto Star, I follow Blog TO, and I browse through local magazines. But most of my ideas come from wandering about, going on adventures with Peter, taking strolls in the neighbourhood. In short – just by being out in the world where things are always happening.

As for carrying on with this blog, one thing is sure: when I turn 80, then I definitely can’t be writing Seventy In the City. Unitl then, I sincerely thank you, dear readers, for your ongoing support.

Sue

PS The photo under the title was taken on May 14, 2019