Keeping life fun and vibrant

My friend (and the illustrator of my book covers) Johanne Pepin just sent me a comment she received by someone to whom she recently gave my guides. 

No wonder I'm still so passionate about searching and sharing my enthusiasm for the daily pleasures of urban life. 

"Your package arrived today, a feast for the eyes before I opened it with the lovely "art envelope"  - it made me laugh and smile. When I opened it (just back from a trip to the city to pick up medications), two Toronto ladies and friends were here, and we all oohed and aahed for a half hour, looking through the books. 

They took down the name of the guides and will also look for the family book for their daughters and grandchildren. What a true work of art and thought, in beauty and conception, by Nathalie - how clever of her, and I bet it has been fun for her to create these. 

I look forward to many "walk explorations" using her book, on my own and with friends and family. One of these years I hope to have my own place somewhere in the area with a special guest room, a place to keep exploring. 

The book reminded me how, when I was young (age 9 - 11), a childhood friend and I used to walk the neighborhood as our fun, "exploring" streets and shops and alleys and everything. It was an adventure, it reminds me to keep seeing life with the wonder and fresh eyes of young ones. It keeps life fun and vibrant." 

The making of the cover for Toronto Urban Strolls

By the way, Johanne Pepin has created affordable vinyl murals that can be used to decorate rooms, playgrounds, daycares, waiting rooms... Very whimsical. Check them out!