Sunday, August 10, 2025

Cats, Hope, Joy and Living in the Moment!

 Hello dear friends and fellow bloggers! It is such a joy to see you here today! Thank you so much for taking the time to come and visit me!

Here are today's selections, which I hope you will all enjoy!

Raphael Vavasseur Art


It's the friends we meet along the way that help us appreciate the journey.
White Ribbons of Peace


To me, cruelty is the worst of human sins. Once we accept that a living creature has feelings and suffers pain, then by knowingly and deliberately inflicting suffering on that creature, we are guilty, whether it be human or animal. - Dr. Jane Goodall
                      Today in Science History


Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway. - Unknown
Di Riseborough


Terry Runyan


Always remember that there is a strength within you that is greater than any storm.
Princess Sassy Pants & Company


Shelagh Duffett


I had been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It's not. Mine had me trained in two days. 
- Bill Dana  :)
Invisiblyme


When you're tempted to be upset, as yourself, "Is this worth giving up my joy?" - Joel Osteen
Incredible Joy


Even the tiniest ray of hope is a very powerful thing.
Karen Salmansohn


Sending lots of love your way! Have a wonderful day! :)
White Ribbons of Peace


May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.
Natural Life


When things feel too overwhelming, remember...
One day at a time, one task at a time,
One thought at a time, one moment at a time.
Sketches in Stillness 


Your life is a result of the choices you make. If you don't like your life now, it is time to start making better choices. - Unknown
Bedeempled Brain


To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides. - David Viscott
Purrs of Wisdom with Ingrid King


We know what we are now but not what we may become. - Shakespeare, Hamlet
The Cat Site Inspurrational Quotes


There are two ways to be happy: change the situation or change your mindset towards it.
Positive Energy+


It is impossible to keep a straight face in the presence of one or more kittens. - Cynthia E. Varnado
The Honest Kitchen


Self-care the crap out of life and you'll get through okay.
The Latest Kate


The following photos are mine which I took in July on my walks. You can click on each image to see a larger view. 
This first one is special because you will note that the bank's name is in English, not French. I took this particular photo in Westmount, which is a fairly expensive area of the city...as well, many English speaking Montrealers live in this area. I took this photo not just because of the English sign but because there is an emblem of a ship above the bank's name. I just found it appealing.

Since I was taking quite a long walk, I decided to stop at a Dairy Queen (DQ) and treat myself to a strawberry-banana smoothie with a little dollop of whipped cream. It was very good!  :) And yes, this was also in Westmount.

I found this yellow store front attractive (also in Westmount) and I decided to take a photo of it.

This sign is to show where parking is available for the Queen Elizabeth Health Complex. Note that the French text is first...and larger! Then the English is beneath and a smaller font. This is typical of what you can find in Montreal.

This following sign...notice it is in Westmount, is also bilingual...with the French text first. However, notice that the text size is the same in French as it is in English, unlike the above sign (which is in Montreal). It is important to mention that while Westmount is part of Montreal, Montreal decided to merge many smaller municipalities or boroughs together many years ago. Some boroughs, and Westmount here is one of them, decided to de-merge. This may be why there is a difference. The above sign is in N.D.G. (Notre-Dame-de-Grace) which is still part of Montreal and never de-merged. Please do not quote me on this, because the French language is in all of Quebec, not just Montreal.
Since I am showing you the sign for Victoria Hall, the next photo will show you the front of the Victoria Hall Building.


The front of the Victoria Hall Building, Westmount

The following photos are a continuation of my lovely long walk in Westmount! Of course for the most part I really don't know what kind of flowers they are, I just loved the look and colours.  :)










The following video is a Just for Laughs Gag (Juste pour Rire in French), done here in Montreal. Enjoy!

I found this adorable! Lamb named Bee has lost her way.  :)


Hallelujah on a Harp: Leonard Cohen Tribute


Thank you all so much for visiting me here! You can leave a comment by clicking on the comment link at the end of my post. Please do not put any hyperlinks or website links in your comment. Please note that comments are moderated to deter spam, which is why your comment will not appear immediately.

113 comments:

  1. "Sing anyway." Will do. Thx, I needed that!

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  2. Hi Linda, I am here from Shug's blog about Sundays. You were the comment above mine.
    This is such a delightful blog post. I enjoyed all the different things you posted and Yes, we need to "Sing Anyway" even when we don't feel like it.
    Sue

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  3. Love all the quotes and photos, Linda! Those cats photos are so adorable and as always I love the flowers that you captured on your camera.

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  4. Great post, as usual. From pretty flowers (I never know the names, either, but just enjoy them), to cats (LOVE cats), to pranks and sweet harp music. Thanks! :)

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  5. Thanks for giving me a smile today!

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  6. Love the flowers and the yellow store too!

    ""There are two ways to be happy: change the situation or change your mindset towards it."" Love this.

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  7. I loved all the cat memes, especially the one about training the cat.
    Your walks are beautiful!

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  8. i have shared meme's from sassy pants, they are always fun and supportive!! these are always fun to read...the flowers (my favorite part) are beautiful!!

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  9. I like seeing your Montreal photos. The building in Westmount looks similar to a building at my uni in Guelph.

    Great gag this week.

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  10. Those blooms are so gorgeous! Love the inspiring quotes too, Linda.

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  11. We love Leonard Cohen. The flowers are stunning, it looks like you walked through a Botanical Garden! My favorite quote is the Bill Dana one. I remember him well.

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  12. Wonderful pictures and nice blog

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  13. Your walk beautifully captured both the charm of local details and the subtle stories they tell about language, culture, and community

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  14. I agree. Friends are what ... who! keep us going. Sad to lose some on the way.
    Cruelty is the opposite of being brave, just look at Put#n...
    I had Adriano Celentano by my side singinga lot recently :-) And... a bit scary... King Frog was yesterday´s fairy tale!!!! (I do not watch "on demand" but what was there since... "ever" and that is Sunday´s fairy tale on ZDF).
    Sadly I will never find out how long it would take a cat to train me. Seconds?
    To a wonderful day, dear Linda! Maybe we meet some day in person...?
    I made some choices. Hope they were "OK".
    Your smoothie looks good! Even to someone who mostly does not like sweets.
    To colors!!!
    Oh. I need to refresh my French! But then... I only need to enjoy your flowers (and I understood well enough).
    To a good week, dear friend!

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  15. A beautiful post to kick off the week!

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  16. There is a strenght within us, I agree on this, Linda :-) I like Shelagh Duffett's painting: it's so colorful. There are many shops of the French retailer L'Occitaine also here in Italy. Their front doors are all yellow and they sell body and face products.
    Have a nice new week

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  17. A vida é feita de pequenos nadas.
    Valorizar todas as situações é uma forma de encarar melhor a vida.
    Abraço de amizade.
    Juvenal Nunes

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  18. Love all the memes, the just for laughs was a good one as I'm still smiling. Your photos are good too and informative, the lamb..lol. That harp is gorgeous, love the sound of harps.
    Take care, Linda.

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  19. Jane Goodall la conosco bene, conosco bene cosa ha fatto !
    conosco altrettanto bene Leonard Cohen, un grandissimo cantautore, in italia Suzanne è stata tradotta ed interpretata dal grande Fabrizio De Andrè.... io sono spesso qualche brano di Neil Young. Un abbraccio dall'italia.... da vicino a Monza per la precisione !!! Hola !

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  20. Wonderful thoughts and beautiful photos!
    The yellow color of the website exudes the energy we need to feel joy!
    Aren't these flowers echinacea? Next up is morning glory...
    Best regards. Have a great week. Thank you for visiting, and please come back often!

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  21. Lovely quotes !
    Have a shinny week !
    Anna

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  22. Lovely quotes and photos, Linda.
    The flowers are very beautiful!

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  23. Lovely quotes and photos!
    It's true that cats do get us trained :)
    Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen played by the harp is just divine!
    Have a lovely week!

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  24. Great selection of memes. The picture of that church reminds me of the one that my husbands daughter got married in.

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  25. Bill Dana's cat comment made me laugh.
    It's interesting that all signs in Toronto I saw to be in English and French, but from what I've seen from Montreal, French dominates and English signage is much more more optional.
    Victoria Hall is a handsome building, and your flower photos are lovely.

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  26. "Self-care the crap out of life..." is my favourite!

    I love seeing the pics you take on your walks, Linda. Thanks for sharing and have a lovely week. I hope you have air conditioning to deal with this latest heat wave! 🥵

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  27. Funny quotes ! I live in a mini country (Belgium) where we also the language fights. French first or Flemish (Dutch) first ! Sometimes it is so ridiculous. But the people of both languages are getting well together, the majority anyway !

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  28. What a lovely way to start the day. Hope, joy, and the quiet wisdom of cats.

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  29. The cat art and inspirations are so beautiful! I'm in full agreement with Jane Goodall. Oh, those flower picture are gorgeous and I love the yellow storefront too. Have a wonderful week, Linda!

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  30. Wonderful and beautiful sayings and cute videos. Have a blessed day.

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  31. I loved all the cat memes :) Have a nice week! 🤗🧡

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  32. Good morning-this one was special for me-thank you-That one building looks like a church-did it used to be a church? Lovely flowers
    Have a good week-did you ever get rain and cool down? hoping so hugs Kathy

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  33. Hello,
    I love all the kitty images and the wise words and the Jane Goodall quote is my favorite. Lovely flowers and photos. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

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  34. The best quote for me is the one about cats :)

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  35. Good ones -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com

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  36. Love the quotes and the umbrella one the most. Montreal looks like a fun place to be!

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  37. I like this:
    "I had been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It's not. Mine had me trained in two days.
    - Bill Dana :)"

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  38. Your smoothie looks delicious 😋🤤
    I would like it
    Thank you for showing us what westmount looks like. I would enjoy walking around westmount though I would need to use translate app to understand french words. 😊

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  39. Jane Goodall was a very wise woman. Looks like you had a lovely walk and found so many interesting things to photograph.

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  40. There are lots of cute kittens in this post and I love it. Also, that smoothie sounds delicious.

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  41. Linda all your cat sharing makes my heart light. I have one stray kitty now called Skeeter - I used to have five but they have all passed away. So really enjoy seeing your kitty sharing. As always your quotes and videos make me smile. Hope you are having a lovely day friend. Hugs!

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  42. So much to enjoy in today's post. Your Westmount photos are lovely, escpecially the flowers.

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  43. Everything you've chosen is so beautiful, and Montreal is also beautiful, always looking at the photos. A completely different world, and yet we are one as people in the world!
    Have a lovely week! Hugs Elke

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  44. Cats, Hope, Joy and Living in the Moment! - love everything

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  45. Your sweet blog is always so uplifting, Linda. Readers can always count on you to put a bit of spring in our step for the day. Much love for that, Andrea xoxo

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  46. Happy New Wek Linda,

    Lovely quotes and pictures, thanks for sharing the funny videos, I follow their YouTube channel.

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  47. Me gusta la serie elegida, tanto de cuadros como fotos con su explicación correspondiente.
    Feliz semana.
    Saludos.

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  48. All the kitty memes made me smile, Linda. Thanks for all the inspiration you have for us each week. Blessings!

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  49. Good morning Linda - first time here and I love your blog. So encouraging and I love the graphic art. I'll be back. And thanks for visiting Gail-Friends.

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  50. I loved the one in which the cat trained the human so quickly! Ha!

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  51. Boa tarde de segunda-feira. Com muita paz e saúde Linda. Tenho uma prima que é apaixonada por gastos. As fotos ficaram maravilhosas, gostei e gostaria de conhecer esse maravilhoso lugar. Grande abraço carioca.

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  52. Oh very cute photos
    Very inspiring

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  53. I totally agree with the text about suffering of all the living creatures. That's why I don't understand hunters and I constantly protest against the farms of chickens, geese, foxes etc. And truly, I would gladly hang people who mistreat cats or dogs. By their balls, if possible.

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  54. Friends are so important in life even the ones we never meet in the flesh. I don't understand cruelty to people or animals, anyone that does it must live a very sad life. I know the yellow store and have a few of their products, very nice. Hugs Angela xXx

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  55. Lots of nice quotes and cat memes. Such a great way to begin a new week.Have a wonderful week, Linda.

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  56. A strawberry-banana smoothie... Mmm..., Linda! The video 'Fancy man' -> makes me more than smile...!
    Lie(f)s.

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  57. Always sing! True, true and also true.

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  58. Such a beautiful post and the harp at the end so beautiful!

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  59. All so good but especially the food deliveries to the port-o-potty!

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  60. Hallelujah on the harp is very soothing!

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  61. Thank you for another fun post! Enjoyed the smiles, the videos and your lovely photos. Jane Goodall was a favorite as she has been ever since I knew of her when I was young. A lovely look and read dear friend. Have a great week!

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  62. These are wonderful quotes and great photos. Cats are the best, I have 6! That Goodall quote is so good. Animals, insects and all creatures deserve a right to life. :-D

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  63. What a lovely post! Nice walks, quotes and cat pics! Hugs!

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  64. Hello Linda
    Many thanks for another brilliant selection of quotes, memes and photographs and videos.
    That little lamb is adorable.

    Enjoy your week.

    All the best Jan

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  65. Train a cat, 😂🤣 it's definitely, cats train us. Mine have me trained well 🐈🐈‍⬛ Thank you for so many cats 😺 to brighten my day.

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  66. Lindas e fofas as citações cada uma mais doce uma do que a outra bjs.

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  67. I like that yellow store front too.
    Enjoyed all the photos and sayings. What gets me through rough times is knowing that God is in control and He will see me through it. :)

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  68. I love Dairy Queen. Your post got me craving one of their blizzards. LOL.

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  69. Those are all wonderful but that Raphael Vavasseur art is really special.

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  70. I quite agree with Dr. Goodall. I know for a fact that all creatures feel pain. The yellow store front is so nice and bright. It made me smile.

    God bless.

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  71. Wonderful quotes and beautiful pictures...Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind words...I hope you have a great week!!
    Hugs,
    Deb
    Debbie-Dabble Blog

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  72. some really good messages in these memes. So much beauty in the flowers. How about a bright yellow store front? I would say this catches attention.

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  73. I can't decide which quote I like best today. They're all great.
    I did especially like the gag with the pizza delivered to the Porta-Potty.
    And Hallelujah on the harp. 💗💗💗💗💗

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  74. leuk filmpje verborgen camera
    Heerlijk drankje

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  75. The yellow store front is so cheerful.

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  76. Esses irmãos de quatro patas são realmente fofos! rsrsrsrs

    Nova tirinha publicada.😺

    Abraços 🐾 Garfield Tirinhas Oficial.

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  77. Bellas palabras y bellas imagenes, amiga

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  78. Hello Linda, sister Canuckian here from Edmonton. I love your positive and fun blog! Shelagh Duffett of Halifax was a fave folk artist of mine and I have that exact image on a postcard! She passed away just a few years ago which was very sad. Her art was always so vibrant. Also, I love that video rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" -- and of course, he was Montreal's favourite son, wasn't he!

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  79. beautiful cats, I like them very much too

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  80. beautiful photos and interesting videos as always....
    love the quote from David Viscott:"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides."

    Thank you for sharing...

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  81. I love all these quotes, Linda. And those illustrations remind me of greeting cards I would see in the bookstores. Beautiful flowers. Enjoy them before fall!

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  82. Hi Linda, that is a lovely walk with colorful flowers. Yummy strawberry smoothie...

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  83. What a lovely town, the photos are beautiful! And that cat training quote - LOL! - I've never really had a cat, mostly just visitor kittens, but I am sure that quote is 1000% true!

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  84. The top image of the two cats snuggling remind me of my two cats when they aren't hissing and chasing each other! Beautiful photos.

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  85. Such an enjoyable and positive post. I enjoyed the quotes (especially the ones about cats!) and the walk through Westmount!

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  86. Vou destacar as citações com gatinhos e a que diz: " um dia de cada vez, uma tarefa de cada vez..." Meu elogio as tuas fotos de flores!
    Beijos! 😘

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  87. I enjoyed all of those, but the one by Terry Runyan really touched my heart!

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  88. I absolutely loved the blend of beautiful quotes, art, and positive energy. The messages about kindness, living in the moment, and the joy of animals (especially cats!) really touched my heart...

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  89. What pleasure to visit you dear Linda 🥰
    I enjoyed each bit of your sharing thoroughly 🤗♥️♥️♥️
    Your clicks are captivating 👌
    I specially love the video last one particularly is lovely 🥰♥️
    Blessings to you and yours my friend ♥️🙏

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  90. Hope, joy, friendship, and positive energy—these aren't just things we lean on during times of loss or adversity. They're essentials for everyday life, helping us move forward and find meaning in even the smallest moments. Thank you for sharing!
    I have friends living in Valleyfield, so I understand re French signs :-)

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  91. Oh, what a treat to have a smoothie in summer!

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  92. Hello Dear Friend, I do love all that you shared. I had to chuckle about the little saying how the cat trained her person in two days. Hee Hee!

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  93. love and joy to see your memes.... memes of cats...
    Thank you for sharing.....

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  94. bonjour chere amie, merci pour votre gentille visite sur mon blog, et messouvenirs de l'ile Maurice, excuses je ne pratique pas l'anglais ! compliments pour votre agreable blog , je connais un peu votre beau pays que j'ai visité de Gaspé a Vancouver ! cinq de mes petits enfants vivent et travaillent au Quebec , merci pour votre visite, je publie une fois par semaine, mes souvenirs de voyage, ou de ma vie actuelle, en France où je suis retraité, agé de 98ans !! j'ai remarqué que vous aimiez les chats, j'ai avec moi un beau chat noir comme fidele compagnon ! merci encore de votre visite , je reviendra avec plaisir vos visiter, portez vous bien amities XX...

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  95. Boa tarde e uma excelente quarta-feira, com muita paz e saúde, minha querida amiga Linda.

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  96. You take really nice pictures.
    I remember Westmount from when I lived in Montreal eons ago. Can't believe it's been almost 65 years since I graduated from McGill. Things seem to have changed a lot since then as far as the signage. Back then it was all in English.

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  97. We have a Dairy Queen just a few blocks from our home, needless to say, we visit them often!!! Hope you're enjoying a good day!♥

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  98. Beautiful photos and some inspirational and funny memes! Hope you are having a great week! :)

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  99. Love all the quotes and memes-totally true about the cat training lol. Love all the flower pics and fun videos.
    Carol x

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  100. The Dairy Queen smoothie looks really good. So many really good ones.

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  101. I love flowers but there are not many here that I could name.

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  102. Love all the beautiful flowers. Great inspirational quotes and funny memes. :) Have a great rest of the week.

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  103. Dear Linda, so many good quotes, such cute kittens, beautiful photos from your walk, even a delicious smoothie and videos that made me smile (the lamb is truly stunning ✨🥰🐑) - it was lovely to visit you again!
    All the best from Austria,
    Traude

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  104. Hermosísimas tus frases y tus fotos

    Paz

    Isaac

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  105. Lindos os cartões com as mensagens dos gatinhos!!
    Gostei de ler cada uma delas!!
    Mas o mais especial foram as imagens das flores e dos canteiros: que delicadeza!!
    É sempre bom conhecer mais um pouquinho de você Linda!!
    Abraços de sua amiga do Brasil que já a admira!!!
    Maravilhosa semana!!

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  106. Lots of loveliness but that Hallelujah was just what I needed today!

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  107. Your post radiates such gentle joy. The mix of thoughtful quotes, playful cat humor, and your lovely snapshots from Westmount creates a peaceful little escape. That yellow storefront is pure sunshine, and the smoothie stop sounds like a sweet reward for a long walk. I especially appreciated the reminder to embrace each moment—your selections always seem to speak to the heart. You've created a space that feels like a soft place to land.

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  108. The dog walking picture (Princess Sassy Pants & Company), reminds me of my Lucy and her pink raincoat 💕

    Your smoothie looks yummy - I might need to make one, tomorrow 🥤🤤

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Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me and for your comments. All comments are moderated to deter spam, so for this reason comments will not appear immediately.

Encouragement, Stress, Cat Paintings

  Hello dear friends and fellow bloggers! A very warm welcome to you all! Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope that today's picks w...