All in Diary

Hola - Greetings from San Miguel

Hola - Greetings from San Miguel

Doug Coombs
Food & Drink, Diary, Musings

 "Saludos desde San Miguel de Allende" – Greetings from San Miguel de Allende. I am currently on the fourth day of a month-long sojourn in Mexico.

Should you have read my previous blog post, you would be aware that I was preparing to depart for this retreat from the cold weather. I left the frigid conditions of Toronto several days ago, following a period of record-setting snowfall, making the timing quite opportune. The journey was extensive, comprising a flight of over five hours, followed by a car transfer of approximately three to four hours to my accommodation. I arrived while it was still daylight, and the driver facilitated a curbside drop-off.

I Think It's Time to Leave

I Think It's Time to Leave

Doug Coombs
Diary, Musings

I think it’s definitely time to get out of here. I mean it this time, I swear on all my winter boots. I’m looking out the window, and it’s a terrifying tableau of swirling snow, wind, and the dreaded "code orange" snowfall alert. According to today's reports, a staggering 65% of flights out of Toronto Airport have been cancelled. It's not just a snowstorm; it's another full-blown Snow Armageddon. Sigh… My life it seems is being held hostage by Mother Nature, who seems to have a wicked sense of humour and an overabundance of snowflakes.

2026 Keeping It Real with Resolutions

2026 Keeping It Real with Resolutions

Doug Coombs
Diary, Musings

It's that time of year. You know what I mean, don’t you? The annual appointment with self-improvement, where we attempt to draft some *meaningful New Year's Resolutions. Ideally, this would also be the moment we dust off last year’s list and tally our magnificent successes (or spectacular failures). Since my previous list was apparently scribbled on a cocktail napkin and lost to the ages, we’re starting fresh!

Leaving 2025 and Ready for 2026

Leaving 2025 and Ready for 2026

Doug Coombs
Diary, Fitness, Musings

I had fun playing with a rotation of partners, including: MD (pickleball princess, who since removed me off her speed dial), CM (taco belle, because she's a bit spicy), JC (younger version of Brad Pitt...LOL, he knows it, too), LE (can’t play on Fridays, which is inconveniently when all the good tournaments are), ED (we won the Provincials, but I should apologize to), PB (lefty, which is both a blessing and a curse), SJ (hit hard and harder, dink?  What's that?), CC (every ball is coming back, like a terrifying boomerang and JH (it’s not badminton out there.).  I would be remiss if I didn’t mention SA or SM (the same person - the Queen B of organizing) - tries to include the old man when she can.  

Another Summer Coming to an End

Another Summer Coming to an End

Doug Coombs
Diary, Musings

September is also US Open tennis time, and it's my favorite tennis tournament to watch. I rarely ever sit and watch any type of sports for hours on end, but I have had tennis on the tube most days, much to the chagrin of my significant other who now believes our television has a strong preference for yellow fuzzy balls. I find myself grabbing my phone and checking for scores – who is up, and who is on their way home, probably already planning their revenge for next year. I won’t bore you with images of trips to NYC (mostly because I haven't been recently), but I could sure use a slice of great pizza from one of the many great red sauce joints in the city. A New York slice is basically a hug in carbohydrate form.

Joined a New Club!

Joined a New Club!

Doug Coombs
Musings, Diary

Ah, yes, the "golden years" they promised! Turns out, "golden" might just refer to the color of my simmering rage. And the leisurely strolls? More like a hobble punctuated by involuntary noises of discomfort. Yelling at squirrels isn't an inexplicable urge; it's a public service announcement to those furry little menaces.

My body's rebellion tour is less Cirque du Soleil and more "Weekend at Bernie's," except Bernie is a collection of protesting joints. Sleep? It's a mythical creature I vaguely recall from a bygone era, replaced by nocturnal negotiations with my bladder and the insistent whispers of "things I should be worrying about." And the world? Don't even get me STARTED on the "newfangled nonsense." My internal monologue sounds like a broken record stuck on "Back in my day..."

The Highs and Lows of Pickleball: When the Game Gets Frustrating

The Highs and Lows of Pickleball: When the Game Gets Frustrating

Doug Coombs
Fitness, Diary, Musings

Let's be honest: pickleball can be incredibly frustrating. I’m putting it out there because I know I’m not alone. Anyone who's tried to learn a new skill, whether it's a sport, cooking, or building something, understands that progress isn’t always linear. Some days, it clicks; other days, you just shake your head in disbelief. And yes, there's also a thing called "pickleball politics," which we'll delve into later.  

“Annex’s New Tex-Mex Gem”

“Annex’s New Tex-Mex Gem”

Doug Coombs
Diary, Food, Food & Drink

Okay, maybe that’s a bold claim, but hear me out. We recently discovered a new spot on Bloor Street West, just a few blocks from Spadina, and it might just be a contender.

According to BlogTO, this place is part of a chain from out west, and this is their first Toronto location. The photos from the article looked inviting, the reviews were positive, so we decided to check it out on a chilly Friday night—also known as date night :)

Harvard Here I Come?

Harvard Here I Come?

Doug Coombs
Food, Food & Drink, Hotels, Diary

With the afternoon open we grabbed a train and headed towards Harvard. There was a tour starting at 2 pm and signed up when we go there. We waited….and we waited and unfortunately we were told that the tour guide (who is a student) was going to make it due to mid-term exams. But, the good news is another guide would be there for a 3 pm tour and we were welcome to take that one. I would say that the Harvard Tour for me was the highlight of the trip.

Goodbye Saddlebrook Road

Goodbye Saddlebrook Road

Doug Coombs
Musings, Diary

After over ten years of ownership we recently decided to sell our condo at Saddlebrook in Florida. It’s been a long time coming and coming to this final decision was hard but also easy. So, how about let’s start at the very beginning.

When I'm 64

When I'm 64

Doug Coombs
Musings, Diary

Well….it’s official, I’m old. The picture above was taken recently and I didn’t post it on social media -well……because, I think I look old. I imagine we all have some sort of image in our mind that we are still 25 years old and no doubt, there are times when I still feel I can run as fast as I used to, but I took a look at this picture and realized - I’m getting old.