Joscelyn Gagnon is a recently retired pharmacist learning the ways of rambling. She hopes to follow in her Dad’s footsteps, who was known by the many high school students he inspired as Father Nature, and share the joy of nature with her grandchildren (3 and counting) and pups ( 2 big Portuguese Waterdogs).
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Southwestern Ontario,… born & bred in Norfolk-Haldimand, then ended up back there for the last 15 years of my career. We raised our kids in Sudbury, Ontario.
Where do you live now?
I recently transplanted to the Victoria area on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. I also return regularly to my favorite place, Northern Ontario. I feel calm when I see the rocky landscape of the Canadian Shield that typifies that part of Canada. We visited our cottage, which my family has owned for over 60 years.
What is the most important thing in your life?
Family is my touchstone. I have two sisters, a son, a daughter, their spouses, and now three granddaughters. My husband once asked where we should look to retire, and “Where will the kids be?” was my instant response. I just can’t get them to agree.
How do you like to spend your spare time?
My hobbies have always been sedentary activities like reading, knitting, and singing. I love to sing. I have sung in many choirs and am in two in my new hometown of Victoria. My parents, sister, and children attended a family music camp in Quebec, Canada, for several years called CAMMAC (which stands for Canadian Amateur Musicians and then repeated in French). It was an incredible experience that I highly recommend.
What are you reading and watching?
My all-time favorite books are the Outlander series. I love how it combines romance, history, and family relationships with fantasy. Recently, I’ve also become addicted to the Australian comedy series called Offspring.
How do you ramble?
Recently, I have taken up walking and hiking to ensure I can keep up with the Littles in my life.
What is your biggest fear?
My biggest fear is not not being needed or not fitting in.
What is something you struggle with in mid-life and beyond?
Trying to please everyone has been an ongoing theme in my life for as long as I can remember.
I’m still learning to set boundaries as I learn more about self-care. That “no” is a complete sentence is some of the best advice I have received.
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