Sunday Coffee at Boffins

Posted on October 11, 2026 by hafong

A cool and misty October Sunday morning. It was 0℃ when I woke. Good thing I covered my sunburst squash and zucchini plants. Not that I need more but the sunburst has a million and one little yellow squash coming along and the zucchini has one almost a decent size. I would hate to see them go to waste. They are still under cover as the day has been overcast and cool.

It certainly wasn’t the kind of morning that would make you want to head out for a walk in the park. But my sister and I have this standing date to go out to Boffins Public Garden Sunday mornings. When you set up something, you just do it. It’s like this Ultimate Blog Challenge. I registered for it, to come and write a post every day in October. Some days, like today, is hard. It is difficult to get started. So I’ve messed around a bit, hemmed and hawed before I could find a few words to get started. Actually going out on a dreary cold October morning was easier.

October is beautiful in the early morning grey. The colours of fall all the more vibrant. We walked by one of the research greenhouses on the campus grounds. It was all lit up and we couldn’t resist putting our faces up to the windows.

We were not the only early birds there. We met a few joggers/walkers along the trail by the river. It tried to snow but it was just a fine drizzle. We were warmly dressed and did not feel the cold. Our coffee and scone were wonderful after our hike. We had the gazebo to ourselves except for a squirrel. I was not quick enough to capture him with my camera. I did not climb to the railway bridge. Maybe next Sunday.

Apple Picking Sunday

Posted on August 16, 2026 by hafong

Walks are thought provoking. The other morning walking home from the mall, the thought of going apple picking popped into my mind. So I went picking apples this morning at Boffins Public Garden where we went forest bathing a few Sundays ago. I found the arbour where the apples grew. There were some low hanging branches still with apples on them. There was enough to fill half a shopping bag.

I wished I could have gotten there a little earlier. The arbour was a perfect spot for a photo shoot. A family with young kids came along shortly after I got there. They stayed and stayed, snapping photos and talking the whole time. I found them very annoying. I am selfish, wanting the place to myself.

After I could not reach any more branches bearing apples, I went in search of the grapes. They are planted along the edible landscape and orchard areas just outside the north gates of the main garden park. The grapevines grow alongside other cold-hardy fruit and berry selections like haskaps, raspberries, rhubarb, and Nanking cherries, positioned near the rows of apple trees. I think it is too late for the grapes, haspkaps, raspberries and cherries. But there were loads of apple trees. I would need a ladder for these though.

It was pretty exciting, finding the orchard walk. I had to chill a bit by the koi pond before heading home.

Wordless Sunday – Forest Bathing

Posted on July 26, 2026 by hafong

This morning we participated in forest bathing led by the guy’s friend who is a trained therapist. Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is a mindful Japanese practice of soaking in the forest atmosphere through your senses to lower stress, reduce blood pressure and boost immunity. It was held from 9 am to 12 noon at Boffins Public Garden at the University of Saskatoon.

For the most part, I was mindful, bathed in the nature around me. It was hard to be fully immersed in the there and then. There’s this wanting to capture, have and hold. I haven’t learned yet to just experience with my senses and hold it within my body. Hence these photographs for this day 26 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.