Skip to content

Posts from the ‘Following Daisies – The Book’ Category

Jan 29

following-daisies-cover

Following Daisies – Chapter Seven: Look Mom, I Bought an RV!

This is the eighth installment of a 17 part blog series launching my new book, Following Daisies – A True Story about One Woman’s Adventures Finding Happiness, Fulfilling Dreams and Becoming Herself. You’ll be able to enjoy and preview 16 of the 64 chapters here online.

If you’re looking to pursue some of your own life dreams, longing to learn how to follow your heart or just wanting a funspirational, adventure-filled read, then this book is for you!

If you are just joining us, you can catch up on reading by beginning at the Introduction and continue reading from there.

If you’d like to order your copy of Following Daisies you may do so by clicking on the link on the right-hand side of this page.

Now, let’s continue Following Daisies!

© Copyright by Heather Pardon, 2012. All rights reserved.

She was sitting in the living room knitting when I walked in the front door that day. I’d just made the four-hour journey to my Mom’s house to show her my new rig. Miss Daisy was parked just out of sight of the front window for full surprise effect.

This wouldn’t be the first time that I’d surprised my Mom with a significant shift in my life. There was the time that I dyed my hair bleach blonde days before my cousin’s wedding, or the time I quit my job unexpectedly, or when I surprised her with the purchase of my new SUV or the time I suddenly informed her, “Hey, I’m moving to Ottawa.” As the person who birthed me into the world, I reasoned that it simply came with the territory for her to be able to flow with my moments of randomness. Read more

Jan 22

following-daisies-cover

Following Daisies – Chapter 6: On Finding Miss Daisy

This is the seventh installment of a 17 part blog series launching my new book, Following Daisies – A True Story about One Woman’s Adventures Finding Happiness, Fulfilling Dreams and Becoming Herself.  You’ll be able to enjoy and preview 16 of the 64 chapters here online.

If you’re looking to pursue some of your own life dreams, longing to learn how to follow your heart or just wanting a funspirational, adventure-filled read, then this book is for you!

If you are just joining us, you can catch up on reading by beginning at the Introduction and continue reading from there.

 If you would like to order your copy of Following Daisies you may do so by clicking on the link on the right-hand side of this page.

Now, let’s continue Following Daisies!

© Copyright by Heather Pardon, 2012. All rights reserved.

When you’re about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, then a traditional motor home will simply not do. Thus, I’d begun my search for a camper by looking for a Volkswagen Westphalia, the much-revered hippie camper of the ′60s and ′70s.

The Westphalia subculture is unique and even as a Birkenstock-wearing, environmentally conscious, peace-minded daisy lover, I quickly learned that I would not be granted immediate access.

“What would you be doing with the camper?” asked one owner, as I examined his used Westphalia. I suspected that he did not want to hear that I’d be heading to the nearest provincial park every weekend to bask in a comfortable camping experience.

“I’ve recently sold my house and got rid of my worldly possessions as I no longer wish to feed the capitalist machine. I intend to spend the rest of my days countering traditional cultural norms, fighting the establishment and eating a completely organic, granola-based diet. There is also a good chance I’ll be putting some daisy decals on the camper.”

He smiled, apparently pleased with my answer. Read more

Jan 15

following-daisies-cover

Following Daisies – Chapter Five: Freedom Day

This is the sixth installment of a 17 part blog series launching my new book, Following Daisies – A True Story about One Woman’s Adventures Finding Happiness, Fulfilling Dreams and Becoming Herself. Each Sunday, I’ll be posting a new chapter for you to enjoy here on the Wild Daisy blog, up to Chapter 16.

If you’re looking to pursue some of your own life dreams, longing to learn how to follow your heart or just wanting a funspirational, adventure-filled read, then this book is for you!

If you are just joining us, you can catch up on reading by beginning at the Introduction and continue reading from there.

If you’d like to order your copy you can do so by clicking on the link on the right-hand side of this page.

Now, let’s continue Following Daisies!

© Copyright by Heather Pardon, 2012. All rights reserved.

In late spring 2009, I’d begun searching for a camper van of my own, the hippie within wanted a VW Westphalia. An inner voice however told me that I wouldn’t find my camper until the deal on my house had closed. I don’t know why, but I don’t think life allows us to hang onto two things at once. You can’t have the house filled with contradictory energy that caused so much turmoil and pain, and also have your new dream home. It just doesn’t work that way.

The rate at which I began to empty my house had also increased significantly. I was willing, ready and able to let go of much in life. I gave away, sold or donated items, emptying my house of possessions with the same ferocity that most folks reserve for Boxing Days sales. My neighbours loved me as every day I had new offerings at the curb, ready for them to take away to their homes.

Many of us find joy, or think we do, in the accumulation of possessions and stuff. Yet, I found even greater joy in getting rid of most of mine, except for those items that I treasured deeply which were headed for my storage unit. I heeded Grace’s advice on that. Many friends asked whether it was difficult to get rid of my things. It wasn’t. Most of my items went to ideal owners, people who would treasure them, needed them or couldn’t afford new. I found a friend who’d lost her job and was in need of a desk. Other items went to a woman who was recovering from an abusive relationship and starting over in life. A neighbour made a point to drop by and tell me how wonderfully my antique lamp fit into her surroundings. Some items went to a shelter for men rebuilding their lives in the wake of homelessness. I found people who would value my items more than I had or ever would. I was simply beginning to value different things in life.

On one hand, getting rid of my household ‘stuff’ was the easy part. It would be ridding myself of the large amount of unresolved emotional ‘stuff’ I’d gathered over the years that would be far more difficult. You can’t sell that stuff at a garage sale or leave it at the curb for your neighbours. Read more

Jan 8

following-daisies-cover

Following Daisies – Chapter Four: Intuitively Speaking

This is the fifth installment of a 17 part blog series launching my new book, Following Daisies – A True Story about One Woman’s Adventures Finding Happiness, Fulfilling Dreams and Becoming Herself. You’ll be able to enjoy and preview 16 of the 64 chapters here online.

If you’re looking to pursue some of your own life dreams, longing to learn how to follow your heart or just wanting a funspirational, adventure-filled read, then this book is for you!

If you are just joining us, you can catch up on reading by beginning at the Introduction and continue reading from there.

Now, let’s continue Following Daisies!

© Copyright by Heather Pardon, 2012. All rights reserved.

I sensed that 2008 was going to be a very different kind of year. It began innocuously enough that January, with its usual pattern of normalcy. One week I was blissfully unaware and enjoying bonbons on the couch while watching Friends reruns. A few weeks later, a wacky series of synchronous life events unfolded that landed me in a church basement, studying the poetry of Rumi amidst Sufi Masters and pondering large existential life questions. Something strange, powerful and very new was going on in my life and I wasn’t sure exactly what it was. I needed some insight. I decided that if there was ever a year for me to see a psychic, 2008 would be the year. Read more

Jan 2

following-daisies-cover

Following Daisies – Chapter Three: My Brush with Grace

This is the fourth installment of a 17 part blog series launching my new book, Following Daisies – A True Story about One Woman’s Adventures Finding Happiness, Fulfilling Dreams and Becoming Herself. You’ll be able to enjoy and preview 16 of the 64 chapters here online.

If you’re looking to pursue some of your own life dreams, longing to learn how to follow your heart or just wanting a funspirational, adventure-filled read, then this book is for you!

If you are just joining us, I suggest you begin by reading the Introduction, Chapter One and Chapter Two before continuing.

Now, let’s continue Following Daisies!

© Copyright by Heather Pardon, 2012. All rights reserved.

Feng shui. I could barely pronounce the term, but for some reason in the months prior to selling my house, I suddenly developed an interest in it.

No, it’s not an oriental noodle dish. Feng shui does have its origins in the Eastern world however. Let me clearly state that I am not a feng shui expert by any means. On the other hand, I do make a very nice pad thai which would be helpful if we were discussing noodles but we’re not. My understanding of feng shui is this—it’s a rather mystical and complex body of knowledge that shows us how to balance the energies of any given space to help assure our health and good fortune.

How were my surroundings impacting me? I’d begun to wonder. Could I incorporate feng shui into my own life and achieve different results? I’d heard stories of folks who’d integrated the principles of feng shui only to see their business profits increase or to attract new love. At the very least, I figured it might help me locate a few pairs of missing socks or take my pad thai to even greater heights. Read more

Dec 26

following-daisies-cover
4 Comments

Following Daisies – Chapter Two: The Somewhat Spontaneous House Sale

This is the third installment of a 17 part blog series launching my new book, Following Daisies – A True Story about One Woman’s Adventures Finding Happiness, Fulfilling Dreams and Becoming Herself. You’ll be able to enjoy and preview 16 of the 64 chapters here online.

If you’re looking to pursue some of your own life dreams, longing to learn how to follow your heart or just wanting a funspirational, adventure-filled read, then this book is for you!

If you are just joining us, I suggest you begin by reading the Introduction and Chapter One before continuing.

Now, let’s continue Following Daisies!

© Copyright by Heather Pardon, 2012. All rights reserved.

“I’m selling my house,” I told my friend in the spring of 2009. Then the shocked questions began.

“What? When did you decide this? What about your bed and breakfast? What are you going to do about that? Where are you going to live? Are you going to buy another house? Why are you selling?” my panicked friend asked. I soon learned that I didn’t need to worry because I would have plenty of friends and family who seemed happy to worry on my behalf.

“Well, I wasn’t thinking about selling, then one thing lead to another and now there’s a For Sale sign on my front yard. It probably seems a bit sudden, but it just feels right. I don’t know yet what I’m going to do. I’ll see how life unfolds from here,” I explained, sort of.

My stunned friend looked at me as if my head had turned into a melon, struggling to comprehend why I’d leave behind my familiar life. I hadn’t lost my mind, I assured her, I was simply beginning to find my heart.

* Read more

Dec 18

following-daisies-cover
7 Comments

Following Daisies – Chapter One: The Weird, Wacky and Wonderful Way in Which Our Dreams Come True

This is the second installment of a 17 part blog series launching my new book, Following Daisies – A True Story about One Woman’s Adventures Finding Happiness, Fulfilling Dreams and Becoming Herself. 

If you’re looking to pursue some of your own life dreams, longing to learn how to follow your heart or just wanting a funspirational, adventure-filled read, then this book is for you!

If you missed the first post, you can read the Introduction to the book by clicking here.

Now, let’s continue Following Daisies!

© Copyright by Heather Pardon, 2012. All rights reserved.

I want to be a truck driver.

At the tender age of seven that was my reply to the question that every child is eventually asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

The possibilities are endless and surmountable at that stage in our lives. Ballet dancer, astronaut, doctor, circus clown, truck driver … whatever our dreams they are never too big for us when we’re young. We need only be prepared for the rather meandering path that life may lay at our feet on the way to seeing them come true. Read more

Dec 11

following-daisies-cover
5 Comments

Following Daisies – Introduction

Welcome!!

This is the first of a 17 part blog series sharing chapters of my new book, Following Daisies – A True Story about One Woman’s Adventures Finding Happiness, Fulfilling Dreams and Becoming Herself. Here on the Wild Daisy blog you’ll be able to enjoy up to Chapter 16 of the 64 chapters in the book. If you’d like to learn more about the book or order your copy now, simply click here.

If you’re looking to pursue some of your own life dreams, longing to learn how to follow your heart or just wanting a funspirational, adventure-filled read, then this book is for you.

A few thanks are in order before moving on. First, I’d like to thank the many friends and colleagues who have agreed to be a part of this book. They have allowed me to use their real names and to share stories that help weave the fabric of this book. The many adventures of Following Daisies were made richer because of them.

Secondly, I owe a huge thank you to my editor, Sheila Ascroft, who went above and beyond in working with me to finish and edit the manuscript. Not only did she edit my work with exceptional diligence and skill, she was my Number One cheerleader and coach. Her efforts truly helped me make this book the best it could possibly be.

Thirdly, I’d like to thank my good friend, Lindsay Wickware, for her wonderfully beautiful cover and interior design.

Finally, I’d like to thank you. For coming here and joining in on the adventure.

Now, let’s start Following Daisies!!! Read more

Dec 5

Stay Tuned…….

Stay tuned! Something fun and something that has to do with daisies and something I’ve been working on for a very long time is coming to this blog very soon……..

In the meantime, here’s a very cute picture of a pug. I don’t think its  name is Daisy though.

 

 

Newer Entries »