I still struggle to establish a consistent routine for writing blog posts. It's perplexing, really. It's not as if I'm overwhelmed with commitments. Perhaps it stems from a feeling that I lack compelling content. With the current global climate, I'm hesitant to share any potentially divisive opinions. I recall the old adage about avoiding "religion" and "politics" during travels. Now, it seems almost every topic is fraught with potential conflict. Thankfully, pizza remains a safe haven—or so I hope.

Indeed, pizza has been a recurring theme, and we've managed to indulge in a few delightful slices over the past month. From the casual, quick bites at Badali on Dovercourt to the full dining experience at Danny's on College.

Our daughter, Sarah, recently graduated university and was home for a few days, so we endeavored to fill her schedule with some culinary highlights, including a last-minute reservation at Danny's. Despite its constant popularity, we were fortunate to secure a table. We opted for an early dinner, which suited us perfectly. I can honestly say we've never had a disappointing meal there. While it might not grace the top 5 lists, it's undoubtedly one of my personal favorites. We kept it simple: two pizzas for the three of us. A classic cheese for Sarah, and a pepperoni for my partner and me.

By the time this gets posted, Sarah's will be off on a three-week trip to Australia to see her boyfriend. He's been down there finishing up his last semester of university for a few months now. They were in the same program and he decided to do his last semester abroad, and they've really missed each other. They're both super excited to be back together again.

In celebration of her graduation and as a farewell gesture, I made a reservation at Aera, a restaurant nestled within The Well, situated at the intersection of Spadina and Front. A fairly recent addition to the downtown landscape, The Well offers a distinctive fusion of shopping and dining experiences, catering to a wide array of tastes. Aera, with its elevated position, boasts breathtaking panoramic views of the city skyline. Unfortunately, on the evening of our reservation, a dense fog had settled over the city, obscuring the normally stunning vistas. Despite the disappointing weather, the restaurant's ambiance and the occasion itself ensured a memorable evening.

The restaurant, with its menu dominated by steak and seafood, certainly wasn't catering to those on a budget. The prices seemed to match the lofty heights of the establishment itself. Our dining experience began with a classic Caesar salad and freshly baked molasses bread. To accompany our meal, we opted for contrasting beverages: a sophisticated espresso martini and a glass of Catena Zapata, a rich Cabernet Sauvignon from the renowned Mendoza region of Argentina. The espresso martini, while delicious, came with a hefty price tag of $28.00. Both the salad and the bread were exceptional, setting a high standard for the rest of the meal. For our main courses, we decided to share two 5-ounce tenderloins, cooked to perfection. Sheila, always a fan of classic comfort food, chose the hamburger – albeit the most expensive one she'd likely ever encountered.

To complement our mains, we ordered two side dishes that truly stood out: crispy, golden fries and a creamy, buttery whipped potato mash. Both were so delicious they could have easily been meals in themselves.

For dessert, they indulged in a decadent chocolate molten cake, accompanied by raspberry stracciatella ripple ice cream and chambord gel.

Graduation - what a whirlwind! It feels like just yesterday we were at that private school expo, entertaining the wild idea of sending our daughter to an all girls' school. We toured two schools in the city, ultimately choosing Branksome Hall, a school with a long and storied history. Sarah began her Branksome journey in the third grade, and she graduated with high honors in the twelfth grade.

Her university search coincided with the challenging Covid years, making campus visits nearly impossible. We did manage one trip to Montreal to explore McGill University. I confess, I was secretly hoping she'd choose McGill.

Sarah had other plans. She applied and was granted early acceptance into the IVEY Business School at Western University. She's thrived there, forging friendships that I believe will last a lifetime. We hope she's on a path that leads her to fulfilling her dreams and aspirations.

It's truly astonishing how quickly the years have passed.

I've also been working part-time, one day a week, at The Merchant of Tennis. My job involves running around fetching shoes and rackets for customers, which keeps me on my toes. I usually work Saturdays, and business is picking up as the weather gets better. These are often long shifts, averaging nine and a half hours on my feet, but I'm handling it well. It gets me out of the house, and I think I'm pretty good at helping customers find what they need and making sure they have a positive experience. The store recently got a new manager, and I'm trying to be professional and figure out my place on the team. I'm committed to fitting in, helping out wherever the manager needs me, and always giving our customers great service. It's a fast-paced environment, and the day can move along quickly. And it’s paying for all the other things I’m doing.

Also, pickleball is still part of the agenda. But that's a story to be saved for the next blog.