Damian & Katerina = How To [vil-helm] #87

How To Villlhelllm: How do You even Spell It?

Tiny Tales from Alyce's Weekly Wonders

Hello, world! It’s me, Alyce, and guess what? I just turned 10 months old today! Can you believe how fast time flies? I’m counting down the days till my first birthday—it’s going to be so exciting! I secretly think Mom and Dad are planning a special party for me because every baby deserves one, right?

Things have been super busy around here, but no worries—everyone always finds time to spend with me. My nanny is the best, and I even have a new nurse who's super kind. Mom is always around with all her care and love, and I love when Dad comes upstairs after work, especially when we both fall asleep together on the big bed. Somehow, I end up in my crib after that, but I love those cuddly moments.

This year has been all about "firsts," and today, I’ll be celebrating my very first Thanksgiving at Uncle Moe’s (Hopefully, with my Uncle Everton as well)! I can’t wait to taste some new things and feel all those fun textures in my mouth. Speaking of food, guess what? I can now eat 100 ml of puree—yay me! That’s a big step up from just a couple of spoonfuls a few months ago. I’ve discovered I love avocado, and corn puffs are magical—they just disappear in my mouth! And I’m totally into soups now too. Food is life when I can swallow it!

Oh, and while we’re on the topic of exciting things, I’m secretly looking forward to Christmas! I’ve heard stories about this magical tree that gets decorated with sparkly things, and I can’t wait to see it all lit up. First birthday, then Christmas…I just can’t wait!

Sending all the love and baby giggles your way,

Alyce 💕

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The Night I Saw the Northern Lights

It all started like any other night. I was at home, winding down, getting ready for bed. Seeing the Northern Lights has always been one of those bucket-list items for me, but I hadn’t made any active plans. Living in Ontario, I knew that I’d need to go up north to places like Algonquin or Moosonee to catch a glimpse. For years, it remained a distant dream—a part of my life, but not something I actively chased.

2024 has been an interesting year. More and more, I’ve been seeing photos from people in southern Ontario who managed to catch the Northern Lights without driving up north. Usually, I find out about these events the next day, scrolling through Facebook after a good night’s sleep, disappointed at what I missed. But last night was different. Just as I was getting ready for bed, I saw a post from a friend who had just seen the Northern Lights not far from home. They hadn’t driven up north—they’d only gone 20 minutes outside of Etobicoke. The moment I saw that post, something stirred inside me. Could this be my chance?

It was late. I was tired. I didn’t feel like going out for a drive. I thought to myself, “Maybe next time.” I decided to just take the dogs for a walk, convinced I wouldn’t see anything. Why bother? These kinds of opportunities pass me by all the time, and what’s one more missed chance?

But as I was walking the dogs, I glanced up and saw something—a faint shimmer dancing in the sky. At first, I wasn’t sure if my eyes were playing tricks on me, but as I kept watching, I realized: this was real. That shimmer was the Northern Lights. This was my moment. It wasn’t going to be handed to me—I had to go after it.

I rushed home, grabbed my snacks, put the dogs in the car, and set out on the road. Every red light seemed to conspire against me, as if testing my resolve. But I pushed through. This wasn’t a dream anymore. It was happening, and I wasn’t about to give up because of a few red lights. I left the city lights behind and drove into the darkness, heading to Binbrook Conservation Area. With every mile, I crossed further into the unknown, leaving my comfort zone behind.

When I arrived at the conservation area, I saw a few cars parked. I wasn’t alone. Others had seen the same posts and followed the same call. I walked deeper into the forest, surrounded by trees, shadows, and the unknown. My camera, which I hadn’t used in years, felt like both an ally and an enemy. I hadn’t checked its battery, I wasn’t sure if I remembered the settings. Could I capture this moment, or was I doomed to fail?

As I reached a clearing, the sky opened up above me. I sat down, waiting, unsure if I would actually see the Northern Lights or if it had all been a fleeting shimmer. The moments of doubt crept in. Would I see anything at all? Was I chasing something that wasn’t meant for me? But I stayed, listening to the soft music someone had playing in the background, and waited.

Then it happened. The faint shimmer became a dance of light. The Aurora Borealis stretched across the sky, shifting from green to red, moving slowly yet powerfully. It was a magical sight, more than I could have imagined. And yet, in that moment, I realized I wasn’t fully prepared. My camera, my trusted companion, had only one bar of battery left. I had the chance to capture this moment, but I was rusty. I fumbled with the settings, trying to remember everything I’d forgotten.

Well, I didn’t have my big camera, but I did have my iPhone. And they say the best camera is the one you have in your hand, right? So, I pulled it out and started taking a few photos. Sure, it wasn’t the professional shot I had dreamed of, but you know what? It worked. It goes to show that you don’t need a lot of fancy gear—just some time, patience, and the willingness to be in the moment. The iPhone captured the moment well enough, but my eyes—the best camera I’ll ever own—took it all in far better than any lens could.

As I packed up and started the drive home, I reflected on what I had just experienced. I didn’t get the perfect photo, but I had something far more valuable: the memory of a moment I had always dreamed of. The road back was quiet, but it wasn’t empty. I carried with me the satisfaction of having answered the call and witnessed something truly magical. As I sat in the car, I realized that this wasn’t just about the Northern Lights. It was about being ready—ready for the next moment, ready for the next opportunity. I hadn’t picked up my big camera in years, and while it let me down in that moment, it wasn’t the camera’s fault. I needed to pick it up more often, to stay sharp, to be prepared for the next adventure. But my iPhone reminded me that sometimes the simplest tools can still capture the magic. I may not have the perfect photo to share, but I have something even more valuable: a reminder that life’s magical moments don’t wait for us to be ready. They come when they come, and it’s up to us to answer the call, whether we’re fully prepared or not. The Northern Lights weren’t just something to check off my bucket list—they were a lesson in being present, embracing the unknown, and trusting that even when things don’t go perfectly, they can still be incredible. Next time, whether I have my big camera or my phone, I’ll be ready.

Until the next adventure,

Damian

And if you would like a Deep Dive into this, you can listen here:

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Woof Woof, we’re Moving! 🐾

Salut les amis! It’s us, your favorite Frenchies—Boujee and Dapper! Guess what? It's finally happened. Enfin! We’ve been waiting all summer long, sweating under the blazing sun like two croissants in a too-hot oven. But now? C'est incroyable ! It’s “French Bulldog weather” at last!

We could barely believe it. The first crisp breeze hit our faces, and we both looked at each other like, "Wait… is this it? Could it be?" And yes, les amis, it was real! The air is cool, the sun is gentle, and for once, we don’t feel like we need to take a nap after walking two steps! The time has come—we are OUT. Out in the woods, out on hikes, and out without having to stop every five seconds to catch our breath. Can you even imagine? It’s a new world for us!

You know what this means? Sweaters on! Time to dress in our finest autumn attire because this season, we are ready! We look très chic, as always. Dapper in his signature cool sweater, me, Boujee, in my perfectly coordinated outfit—à la mode, even in the wilderness. Fashion first, always!

But wait, there’s more! Our little human, Alyce, is ready too. We’ve been training her, you see. Dapper and I are the explorateurs of the family, and now that Alyce is getting bigger, it’s time for her to join us in our outdoor adventures! We’re talking hikes, leaf piles, and more squirrel-chasing than you can wag a tail at.

"Let’s go, Alyce! Pack your gear—those cute puffs, the G-tube kit, and that adorable baby sweater of yours—and follow us into the wild!" It’s Frenchie-approved exploring time. No more lounging by the window all day (though, let’s be honest, we’ll still squeeze in some sunbathing, naturellement). We’re taking full advantage of this weather, living our best lives.

And you know what? With Alyce in tow, it’s the perfect pack adventure. Just wait until Alyce sees us leaping over logs and sniffing every tree like the pros we are.

So get ready, world. The Frenchie brigade—Boujee, Dapper, and Alyce—is out and hitting the trails ASAP. No breathers needed. We’re unstoppable!

Now, onto some more exciting news: We’re Moving!

After a wonderful year on the Substack platform, we are transitioning to a new platform for our weekly newsletter. This change comes after an incredible journey where we've connected with so many of you, and we’re excited about what lies ahead.

Why Are We Moving? Enhanced Features: Our new platform will offer us more tools to create engaging content and improve your reading experience. Greater Flexibility: We want to explore new formats and ideas that will keep our newsletter fresh and exciting.

Community Growth: This move will help us connect with even more friends and family, expanding our Vilhelm community.

What Does This Mean for You? The Newsletter Continues: We are not stopping the weekly Vilhelm newsletter! In fact, we love it more than ever and are committed to delivering it every week.

Testing Phase: Over the next few weeks, you may receive two copies of the newsletter in your inbox as we test our new platform. This is all part of ensuring a smooth transition.

Your Feedback Matters: As we make this change, your thoughts and feedback will be invaluable. Let us know how you feel about the new format!

What’s Next? Stay tuned for more updates as we navigate this exciting transition. We can’t wait to bring you even more content that you love!

Thank you for being a part of our journey. Here’s to new beginnings with the Vilhelm newsletter!

Warm regards,

Boujee & Dapper

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Thank you, dear Vilhelmians, for following our adventures! We appreciate your support and would love for you to join our awesome Substack community. Hit that like button, subscribe, and get ready for a wild ride with us! Vilheeeeeelm!