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What are your favorite animals?

By Tracy Schruder

My favorite animals are those that dwell in the depths of the ocean. I’m amazed by their incredible abilities to survive in such extreme conditions.

Complete darkness surrounds these creatures, and the temperature of the water is often just a few degrees above freezing.

The mystique of their bioluminescence fascinates me to no end. I’ve never been diving, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to try it someday. I’ve discovered these amazing creatures by watching documentaries such as Blue Planet and television shows like Shark Week, and National Geographic. I can’t forget to include David Attenborough’s nature documentaries.

When I think of being in the depths of the ocean, it sends shivers down my spine. A delicate mix of excitement and fear beckons me to explore the depths.

Some of the creatures that possess bioluminescent properties include:

• The Anglerfish (Ceratia holboelli): Found in the mesopelagic zone (200-1,000 meters deep), these fish use a bioluminescent lure on their head to attract prey.
• The Vampire Squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis): Living in the oxygen minimum zone (500-1,500 meters deep), this squid uses bioluminescent spots to confuse predators and communicate.
• The Lanternfish (Myctophidae): These small fish (found 200-1,000 meters deep) have bioluminescent organs that help them communicate and camouflage.
• The Gulper Eel (Eurypharynx pelecanoides): With a massive mouth and bioluminescent organs, this eel (found 500-3,000 meters deep) lures prey into its jaws.

These creatures are just a few examples of the incredible diversity of life in the deep ocean. Their bioluminescence is a testament to the incredible adaptability and resilience of life on Earth.

As I wrap up this post, I’m left wondering what other secrets that the deep ocean holds. The creatures that inhabit this realm are a testament to the incredible diversity and adaptability of life on Earth. Their bioluminescent glow is a reminder of the magic that awaits us in the uncharted depths of our planet.

Maybe someday, I’ll get to experience the thrill of exploring the deep ocean for myself. Until then, I’ll keep exploring through documentaries, books, and the imagination.

The depths of the ocean may be mysterious, but one thing is certain – they’re full of wonder and awe-inspiring beauty.

Beach or mountains? Which do you prefer? Why?

By Tracy Schruder

I have always been drawn by the mysterious allure of the mountains. Unlike many people, I’ve never been one to spend copious amounts of time on the beach; the mountains serenade me in a language that’s both primal and soothing.

My fascination with mountains began when I first started painting. I was learning how to paint with oil paints using a Bob Ross tutorial. I was able to create my very first mountain scene oil painting. (Picture above)

I felt a warm nudge inside my chest and I knew, I was hooked – the process of bringing a mountain landscape to life on canvas was exhilarating.

I went on to paint several more ‘imaginary’ mountain scenes, but I soon realized they lacked a certain je ne sais quoi. When I tried to sell them at art shows, customers would ask about the location or inspiration, and I’d confess they were born from my imagination – solely created from intellectual inspiration. Sadly, no one seemed to want to pay for a piece of my mind. It was then that I understood – art connoisseurs crave authenticity, a sense of place that only comes from witnessing nature’s beauty firsthand, in a way that can only be understood by the artist and speculated about by the buyers. This is what made buying artworks so much fun.

As I continued to hone my craft, my fascination with the mountains only grew. I began to dream of visiting the Klondike mountains, Kilimanjaro, and Mount Shasta – of walking down dusty trails forged by gold miners, of breathing in the crisp, moist air, and tasting the sweetness of wild freshwater streams.

I long to stand amidst a sea of mountain pines, awestruck by the majesty of nature’s curves and dips, with a blanket of Christmas green stretching as far as the eye can see.

In time, I will trade my easel for a more adventurous companion – a fold-away easel and trusty metal painting case, with which I’ll venture into the mountains, painting en plein air, soaking up the sights, sounds, and scents of these majestic giants.

Until then, I’ll continue to draw inspiration from the images I find online and the stories I hear from others, but I know that nothing will compare to the thrill of painting the mountains, in situ, with all my senses ablowing.

What are your family’s top 3 favorite meals?

By Tracy Schruder

In our house we generally have difficulty agreeing on what to eat for dinner. We often do this old family tradition, that we lovingly picked up from my mother-in-law, called “point”. It’s a process by which the person in charge of preparing the meal opens up the cupboard or freezer and points at the ingredients for our next meal. For the busy days in our household this works great. However, oftentimes, there’s always someone who wants something else. Those times we generally just make whatever we want and break off into our own sections of the kitchen to make it for ourselves.

We have an extremely flexible meal plan in our house.

Although, the top three meals that always brings everyone to the table are breakfast for dinner with all the fixings; toast, eggs, bacon, sliced fruit or cucumber, home-fried potatoes with sweet onion, juice, and jam for the toast. It’s an all-time favourite, especially on particularly busy days.

The second one is Spaghettini with sauce and breaded or grilled chicken. I put sautéd red pepper, baby tomatoes, sweet onion, and garlic in my sauce.

The third meal is Slow Cooked Pot Roast with russet potatoes and carrots. During the day, this meal tickles the tastebuds of everyone in the house because it smells so good. By dinner time, everyone is looking forward to the meal with salivating mouths.

“I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I have just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well“. 

Dianne Ackerman

By Tracy Schruder

I’m absolutely captivated by Dianne Ackerman’s A Natural History of the Senses—it’s a sensory masterpiece that completely transformed my approach to writing. Her exquisite exploration of how we experience the world through sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell is like a key unlocking hidden doors in my mind.

I’d love to meet her, not just to thank her for the gift of her writing, but to explore the world alongside her.

I Imagine wandering through a foggy, frosty morning with Dianne, where the air is so thick with mist it almost feels alive.

The world is hushed, every sound muffled, and the light filters through the fog in shimmering silver threads.

The ground crunches beneath our feet, the cold seeping into our toes as we breathe in the icy air.

The light flickering before my eyes. The trees, skeletal and etched with frost, stretch toward the soft radiance of the rising sun. Every branch, every twig, is tipped with diamonds of ice, shimmering like a thousand tiny prisms.

The sky is a pale, watery blue, and the world feels suspended in this fragile, crystalline moment.

Red, blue, yellow waving along the tree line… The colours are muted now, but as the sun climbs higher, they’ll burst forth like whispers turned to shouts. For now, though, everything is white, frozen in icy, prickly stems formed from the morning fog, thick enough to breathe.

Her book helped me become a better writer by teaching me to slow down, to truly feel the world around me—to notice the way light dances across a leaf, the scent of damp earth after rain, the texture of bark beneath my fingers. It’s a reminder that our senses are portals to memory, to emotion, to the deepest parts of ourselves.

To sit with Dianne Ackerman and talk about these things? About the alchemy of turning experience into art? That would be a gift.

Do you trust your instincts?

By Tracy Schruder

Yes, I trust my instincts one hundred percent!

I learned to listen to my higher self when I was about ten. As I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, I was an extremely sensitive and emotional child; I could always feel my instincts and would turn to the voice in my head for answers and guidance. Yet it wasn’t until that summer, at age ten, that I truly understood the purpose of that inner voice – it was a warning system.

That summer my baby sister and I were visiting family in Ottawa. We had been making the trip for years, so the neighbourhood was familiar.

My uncle lived on Summerset Street, my grandmother on Breezehill Avenue, and the eight‑to‑ten‑block walk between them took us through Little Italy, under a huge overpass, past busy streets, lights and stop signs. We always looked both ways and held hands.

On the day in question we decided to walk to Grandma’s. When we reached the overpass, a car pulled over. A man rolled down his window, said “hi,” and asked where we were going. I answered that we were on our way to Grandma’s, that we had just left Uncle’s, so the adults knew where we were. I added a polite “no thank you,” tugged my sister’s hand, and tried to walk a little faster.

The man kept following us slowly, then offered us twenty dollars to get in the car and drive us the rest of the way. My little sister, not understanding the danger, exclaimed “wow, twenty dollars” and let go of my hand, stepping toward the car. My heart pounded. I yanked her back, told the man, “We don’t need your money, sir. We’re fine—leave us alone or I’ll scream.”

Thank heavens he drove off. We raced to Grandma’s, and I told her what happened. She called my uncle, then the police. We gave the officers a description, and the officer praised my “sharp instincts.” He later told my grandmother we were lucky, advising us never to walk alone in the city again, since our small‑town upbringing made us too trusting.

I spoke up, insisting I would never let anyone take my sister, that I would protect her with my life. The officer patted my head, reaffirmed his warning, and left.

It was that day I realized the voice in my head and the gut feeling were my instincts—and mine are razor‑sharp.

So yes, I always listen to my instincts.

What is your favorite place to go in your city?

By Tracy Schruder

My favourite place in Smith’s Falls, Ontario, is along the Rideau Canal.

In our town there’s a beautiful limestone pathway that runs alongside the Rideau Canal and the lock bridges.

It starts at Victoria (the airplane Park) and Turtle Island, then stretches all the way through the locks, ending at Lower Reach Park.

During your walk you’ll pass several parks and picnic areas, cross busy streets and intersections, and eventually be rewarded with a stunning park landscape complete with docks and shorelines. At its base an opening reveals the beautiful Rideau River.

It’s a great spot for a stroll or a day out with your favourite people. Facilities are located at both ends, so you never have to worry about a bathroom break. There’s a beach section, an adult swimming area, a community hall, plenty of lovely bridges to cross, and historic buildings all around you on the journey through the park.

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What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever found (and kept)?

By Tracy Schruder

“The coolest thing I’ve ever found and kept isn’t a physical object – it’s a memory, one that still resonates deep within me. Let me take you back to 1979, a sweltering summer day at the Merrickville Locks, which we kids affectionately called the swimming hole. I’m perched atop a towering wall, gazing down into the basin below. Only grown adults dare to jump from this height, let alone dive into the depths below.

My friends, gathered at the water’s edge, are calling me chicken, taunting me with reminders of a promise I made last summer: to be the first to take the plunge off that intimidating wall.

As I stand there, a skinny, sun-kissed kid with a mix of fear and determination, I’m silently praying for courage. The taunts grow louder, and I hear a thunderous voice – not from my friends, but from within – urging me on: “Do it! You can do it! Go! Dive!”

I surrender to its allure, lift my arms overhead, and shout, “Clash of the Titans!” With a deep breath, I launch into the void, executing a flawless dive that slices into the dark water below.

I did it! The rush of accomplishment is palpable, and I feel an overwhelming sense of pride. My friends fall silent, their awestruck faces the only acknowledgement I need. In that moment, I discovered something invaluable – my bravery and confidence. It’s a treasure I’ve carried with me ever since, one that continues to inspire me to this day.”

What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?

By Tracy Schruder

I’ve never been one for setting rigid routines in my life. While some people thrive on structure, I’ve found that it stifles my creativity and makes me feel trapped. Instead, I’ve developed a approach that focuses on creating healthy habits around tasks I might not necessarily enjoy.

For me, it’s about turning everyday tasks into spiritual practices. When I notice myself resisting a particular task, I take a step back and ask myself some questions. What emotions are driving my resistance? Why do I resent this task? I then engage in a internal debate, weighing the reasons why the task needs to be done and the benefits of getting it out of the way.

Take, for example, changing the garbage. I used to dread this task, complaining and grumbling through the entire process. But once I became aware of the negative impact it was having on my mood, I decided to shift my perspective. Now, I approach it with a sense of purpose and responsibility. I remind myself that it’s my duty to keep my home tidy and clean, and that I can do it with swiftness and ease.

I’ve also found joy in the simple act of washing and drying the trash can. I see it as a way to rid my home of yesterday’s waste and all the energy that comes with it. By focusing on the positives, I’ve transformed a chore into a meaningful ritual.

Not having a routine doesn’t mean things don’t get done – they just get done when I get them done. This approach frees up my resources and allows me to live my best life. It’s about being mindful and present, rather than following a strict schedule. By embracing flexibility, I’ve found a sense of freedom and creativity that I wouldn’t trade for anything.