The weekend has continued to be hot and muggy. Regular weekend things have been done in the house as well as a couple of extras. It was so warm inside yesterday, I had to go outside for an evening walk. I chatted with the summer residents just down the street who have a gorgeous golden Great Pyrenees -- such a nice boy. While walking I encountered a friend I hadn't seen in several months and we made plans to meet up in the fall. Some of the cooler air got into the house to bring temps down a tiny bit overnight, but today didn't take long to reignite the fire and heat it all up again.
While watching some cooking shows on TV, I was fascinated by one with two chefs, two musicians and a photographer -- it really brought food into the artistic lifestyle -- showing the creativity involved in developing or adapting a recipe. In this episode, each was interviewed about their craft. They packed a lot into a 30 minute program. One musician was in Singapore to play with a legend. It seemed only fitting to share a selection where these two played and sang together. This is for the guitarists out there -- there is a fantastic lead and an amazing bass at play along with two reasonable voices covering a Blind Faith number <smile> . Enjoy!
Can't Find my Way Home -- Eric Clapton with Nathan East
Being from a country with two official languages has been a blessing. In grades 7, 8, and 9, French was a required subject. I continued with it through high school and took that as my language for my undergraduate degree. I also audited an advanced grammar and literature course when doing my doctoral degree. When I was unemployed before my career even got started, I took two Spanish courses as sanity savers. While there are some similarities between the languages, Spanish is more pedestrian and accessible. Every letter is pronounced, unlike in English or French. <smile>.
Languages seem to use different areas of the brain. I have been revisiting Spanish lately and found that even though it has been 30 years, some of the rhythms and structures were unearthed readily even when not used for so long. It seems that reading and writing are easier than speaking for me -- which shouldn't be a surprise since that is the same for English <smile>. Listening is a challenge -- it takes a long time to get my head around what was said. Often someone has asked me a question in French and it takes me a while to respond. Usually just as I am ready to respond, the person gives up and speaks English to me. <sigh> So, I began responding in English which seemed to create a pause on their side instead of mine <smile>. The issue with the pausing is that my brain will translate what they said and then translate my response -- a slow process. If I were working in the language daily, I'd be able to think in the language and the process would be more streamlined. Languages can help the brain to be challenged in a different way. They can help reinforce grammar of our mother tongue. Each of these can push us out of our lazy habits.
Music is its own language. Lyrics can communicate the feelings even when not fully understood by the listener. Think of opera -- it is moving even just knowing the gist of the story and not fully grasping all the words being sung in a different language. The selections for today came to mind when I was thinking of the French lyrics from a band from my youth and the Spanish lyrics from a more recent singer. Enjoy!
It always happens this way/c'est toujours a recommencer -- Toulouse
Mundane -- the word of the day. The day was filled with commonplace activities. Most places involved wait times. I left one of them when after over 15 minutes, no new people had been called to the desk. While waiting, I enjoyed the cooler air conditioned temperatures, though in one place the temperature was far too cold (I find that difficult to type or think during this wicked heat wave <smile>). I spent some time at the mall, looking for a hardware item that will now require further visits to other stores. I chatted with two people I hadn't seen for a few years, which made me smile. I had a phone conversation with the cable help desk to determine the issue with the snowy picture. A repair visit was booked, but later in the day the picture had cleared. That leaves a freer afternoon tomorrow <smile>. The day ended with a quick trip into the office to copy files that I thought I'd done a couple of weeks ago. It was a quiet visit being early evening on a Friday of a long weekend <smile>.
Having a day like today is pleasant. They are few and far between in academia -- days when one can do the simple things without feeling stressed by the wait times <smile>. Such days bring a sense of accomplishment and calm after knocking several items off a 'need to do' list. I feel today set the tone for a great long weekend.
The title and lyric of a song from the '90s settled in my mind to describe my day. It is another from an Atlantic Canadian band. Love the video here of when they were young and new <smile>. That's when I first saw them at a campus pub when doing my doctorate. Enjoy!
If at all possible, it felt hotter today than yesterday. The humidity made the air almost solid. Breathing was challenging. The fan worked overtime while I sat working in front of it. It feels like I've been dealing with this going on three weeks now. Weather forecasts always show something cooler and somewhat drier three to four days from now. So, now that means the weekend may see a break in this current heat wave -- don't worry, it still will be summer weather, just not as intense as it has been.
I don't enjoy going to the beach or to a pool. Yet, when I saw a group of people in a backyard pool yesterday, it looked very inviting. With all the beaches in the area, even a quick dip seems to offer a possible quick cooling off. I did head out to the drug store for a couple items and to wander the air-conditioned aisles. That did help for a while. Once the sun goes down, the house seems to get hotter, the breeze outside diminishes and the hope of a cool overnight disappears. Tomorrow is expected to bring much the same weather. I may need to head out to shop for a bathing suit after all. Cooling centres are often located at malls so a bit of time out shopping may help. Drinking more fluid than usual helps, too. Ice cubes in pet water dishes can help those who can only sweat through nose and toe leather -- not enough to cool a body.
The song chosen for today came from the worst part of the day. It doesn't reflect my main mood, just that when the heat is worst. The video shows some intriguing clothing styles <smile>. Enjoy!
Today actually felt like a vacation day. While it began with a couple business errands, the afternoon and evening were spent visiting with friends and relaxing by their home on the water. Sitting at the dock and on the deck brought such a superb sense of relaxation, I was surprised. We chatted about many things and also just sat and watched the water and the birds and squirrels. It was a fantastic visit.
I sometimes forget how peaceful water can be -- today the pond and the strait beyond were very calm, yet never still. The distant hills were partially obscured by the smokiness of the humidity present in the extreme heat. It is the movement of the water that seems most soothing. The temperature down at the water can be several degrees cooler than just up the bank, which can make things seem so refreshing. The repeated movement and invigorating air can bring a degree of clarity to any contemplation. Perhaps it is the slower deeper breathing from relaxing that brings more oxygen into the brain --this would be a great place for meditation. I've often spent time in deep thought at the cape north of town -- up on a high bluff with the strait below one can watch larger waves and listen to the buoy bells on the rocks below the lighthouse. Again, all good meditative aids since water washes away.
A couple songs went through my mind while reflecting on the day. The one I chose had a lyric that seemed to fit my thoughts best -- relating to water in a similar way. It is from an older Canadian band from Newfoundland with great harmonies and heart. Enjoy!
The weather changed today. It was cooler with a gentle summer rain. I found it a pleasant alternative to the heat and humidity. While outside briefly between showers, it was humid but felt much cooler than the past week. Tomorrow will heat up again, so today was a blessing.
I actually enjoy rainy days. They haven't always been a favourite, but living in a part of the world where it rains much more than on the prairies has helped me to see the positives and beauty in the rain. Interestingly, rain has been the go to metaphor for sadness and other negative aspects of life. Yet, without rain there would be no food or flowers and no rivers or lakes the size we are used to seeing. Things we require and those we enjoy on sunny days depend on the rain. Living beings require water to survive -- dehydration can kill more quickly than lack of nutrients. Whether it is a soft, gentle rain or a pounding horizontal rain, walking in rain can be invigorating. So, looking at rain as a negative thing seems odd.
Looking for a song that wasn't filled with sadness was not easy. In the end, I chose one that notes the abundance of sad rain songs, even while somewhat sad itself. Enjoy!
The day was filled with many positives -- good news in a couple places and an enjoyable shopping trip. An odd thing discovered at home in the late afternoon seemed a bit freaky. I had to find the fly swatter to deal with two of the critters in the hallway and heading to the kitchen. When I entered the bathroom I found a herd of flies between the sliding windows -- on all sides. (Mr. Google tells me I should use cloud or swarm to define a group of flies, but those both sound bigger than what I encountered -- so far.) Trusty fly swatter in hand, I tackled the group -- in short order I'd dispatched another 6 with two more an hour later. There seems to be a way around the sliding windows that is just the perfect size to let the flies pass from outside the screen to inside and then between the two panes of glass and finally into the house itself. I have no idea what caused this convention to occur. I do know that we need to find a way to relocate them and any potential colleagues from any possible planned sessions for tomorrow.
The freaky part was that it seemed very strange that for the first time in 18 years, there was a gathering here. I'll have to head out to the back yard tomorrow to check to see if there is something out there that is inviting to them. In the meantime, it does bring chills and seems like some b-movie horror flick. I dislike using insecticides since they can create transfer of chemicals from the neurotoxins to dishes, food, and other contact surfaces. Just not in my plans. So, I'll have to try to address the issue with the window leaking these critters into the house.
Oddly, one song stuck in m head. Most of the renditions online are less than listenable, but you will get the idea from this little clip (mercifully short <grin>). It seems to be a folk song that goes back to the US civil war. If you are as unlucky as I feel at present, it will become a nasty earworm in your head, too. Not sure that sleep will be easy -- with the hateful repeating song lines and possible nightmares. It may be an interesting night. Enjoy!
Weather was hot and humid again today, with an afternoon filled with thunder and rain. I had computer work to do and hand laundry, but those don't happen during an electrical storm. I did some paperwork and a few kitchen tasks. By supper time, the sky was clear blue, so I did water involved activities. It was not the most productive day, but a few things were done. I'd hoped to watch TV tonight, but there seems to be nothing on -- and it is a Sunday night. Odd. I do have a couple of movies that I could watch on demand, so that will likely be the fun thing for the evening.
Stormy days often leave me at loose ends, since they interfere with a number of things I might wish to do. Coming from the prairies, I've grown up knowing that lightning can follow water and telephone lines. I expect using a cell phone would be less of an issue than a land line, though. Storms that occur overnight seem less disruptive since we are sleeping. To be honest, thunderstorms happened so regularly in the night in Saskatchewan, that I often slept through them, only hearing of them at work the next day when someone would ask, "Did you hear that storm last night?" It obviously had disrupted their sleep. When such storms fill afternoons and evenings (and here two days in a row) much activity is impaired. It is likely that I find this more disruptive since electrical storms are less common in the maritimes, At least the skies are dark and foreboding so that people have some advance warning if in the midst of outdoor activities in the trees. The storms are lovely to watch from a distance if one is in a safe area.
I thought of a calming song for today that fits with our disruptive weather. Enjoy!
It's been a rather dull Saturday. I had great intentions, but few things were tackled -- did the floors and most of the laundry. I woke earlier than planned, which must explain falling asleep late afternoon. Thunderstorms circled the area for several hours this evening. Lots of noise and heavy rain accompanied the heavy cloud. Temperatures didn't fall much, so it was just turned stickier. The fan indoors has helped a bit as has heading to the basement to deal with the laundry. I also did some reading for a volunteer position. To end the day, I plan to watch a movie.
The song I chose for today was inspired by the beginning of a The Tragically Hip tour, the first public performances since the announcement of the health issues of their lead singer. It is a courageous venture. The lyrics of the day's selection are a bit introspective and end with an up note. Enjoy!
Major heat and wind arrived today. By the end of the work day, the wind was strong and a bit cooling. Earlier in the day it was like walking in a convection oven. A group from work sat on the deck at a local pub for our end of week debrief. Two of us then wandered through the local art fair, visiting with vendors and other acquaintances. It seemed to be reasonably busy, but some said the crowd was smaller than the first fair a couple of weeks ago (they are held every other week in July and August). Wonderful examples of creativity were everywhere -- painting, pottery, sculpture, photography, iron works, yarn work and so much more. Just lovely. The food vendors were varied, giving one a choice of snacks or meals. We chose two Indian currys - a paneer and a chana masala, each with great long grain rice. As we sat eating our dinners; we people watched and chatted with many other fair visitors. One visual juxtaposition was a cute tiny shih tzu and a lovely Irish wolfhound. It was almost comical to see these two in close proximity.
A community meeting place or event like the art fair can be delightful. Seeing people one knows and meeting new people can help to build community strength. Running into people you haven't seen for some time brings impromptu updates and insights into each others lives. One person I saw tonight laughed and noted we only 'see' each other in social media these days. Such community events bring many of us out of our routines to walk about and see something other than our usual four walled cells. Being out among others can be very refreshing, allowing the stresses of the day to melt away -- particularly in the heat of today <smile>.
Walking slowly among the stalls tonight made me think of a song that reflects this leisurely pace. If you are not familiar with the dance by the same name, there is a particularly good example of it in the movie Grease (danced to the tune Tears on my Pillow). Enjoy!
The day went along fairly well -- gorgeous blue skies as the temperature increased over yesterday and it will only get hotter tomorrow. Work brought some small requests that were easily completed. The major project for the day moved slightly forward with some extra reading on the topic. Heading home after work, I chose to go for gas tomorrow morning when the temperature is a bit cooler. I've noted greater traffic in town lately with at least 10 cars passing before I can make the left turn going into work. Heading home tonight was far worse. This was an actual traffic jam winding through the town. When I made it down and around to the traffic light on Main Street, I counted 15 vehicles in front of me and twice that many behind me until they wrapped around a curve and I could no longer count them. Luckily, I turn off just a block past Main Street, but there were far more than the 15 cars lined up going uphill towards a 4-way stop several blocks on.I am glad I didn't have to sit in the traffic for any longer than I did. It took about 20 minutes to go a distance that usually takes about 7 minutes. Walking takes 15 max. So, even small towns get a type of traffic jam -- and all I could think of while idling away on the streets was that the gas light had come on and I didn't want to run out of gas and cause a bigger jam.
I've been in major gridlock in large metropolitan centres in Canada -- even in Nova Scotia -- as well as in Thailand and the US. It can be a stressful situation. Focusing on something other than not moving at a desired rate can help maintain some element of calmness. Feeling trapped is never a good thing and it can stimulate the fight or flight response from the hind brain. Doing this day after day would get old very quickly, so I keep our occasional local episodes in perspective <smile>.
The selection for today comes from a song recorded some time ago and revisited for a more recent commercial. It is good for a smile or two -- and could be another explanation for road rage <smile>. Enjoy!
We lost a force of nature in the entertainment world today. Garry Marshall dominated so many television shows and movies of my formative years (and earlier and later, too). He wrote for comedians and sitcoms. He directed many movies over several decades. He produced television shows and movies. He acted in many shows including a recent appearance as Walter Madison, father of Oscar (played by Matthew Perry) in the latest iteration of The Odd Couple. He launched many careers through casting decisions including Robin Williams (Mork and Mindy) and Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman). I can't imagine what the media landscape would have been without him and it is difficult to imagine where it will go -- but we do have his huge body of work to help guide current and future moguls.
I found it difficult to choose a favourite from the movies and sitcoms -- Mork and Mindy, Happy Days, Pretty Woman, Princess Diaries, the Lucy Show, Dick van Dyke Show and so many of the others occupy a fond place in my mind. These contributions brought laughter and smiles to so many viewers then and now. What a gift that is -- to be able to make people laugh without being overly crass -- to help make people feel good for just a moment when their lives might be feeling off track. Luckily most of those episodes and films can be available for future viewing to relive memories or to make new ones.
The one song that kept coming to the fore may seem odd for a day of loss, though it could be a way of saying thank you for the entertainment. Enjoy!
What a day! It began with confrontation -- not my favourite thing. Our offices are in the midst of three separate construction work projects. Today there were four work crews -- three in our hallway with power tools and one with heavy equipment outside the windows. The indoor group seemed to be yelling at each other using colourful phrases. Now I'm not a prude and have used most words with the exception of a couple. But, if I'm on the phone or meeting with a prospective student and their parents, this sort of thing won't fly. Then, they turned on loud music and had to yell louder to be heard over it all. Things did come to a point when they needed to be told that this was inappropriate in our workplace. I didn't do this as well as I should have, but felt they have to work here as do we, so we need to have a respectful workplace for all. When I got home, the yard work done today mowed down the wild strawberries -- again -- after lengthy conversations to the contrary. The irises that I'd planted have looked like they've been nibbled by some little rodent critter. Turns out that the damage is due to a gas power trimmer -- why anyone would see 6 inch leaves that appear to be in a straight row about 3-4 inches apart and think they were weeds is beyond me.
Each of these episodes made me feel upset. I'll have to speak to the yard care guy and hopefully I'll be less angry by then. The day seemed overtaken by my reaction to these negative situations. It took a while before I could get myself out of that circular thinking and begin to find some positives in the day. The day lilies in the front yard have flower spikes and two blooms so far -- the first time in six or more years. Lovely. The weather seemed less humid than the past few days and the temperature was a bit lower than expected. The moon is big, bright and gorgeous shining though the trees. In a more material sense, I received one of my favourite food magazines -- something I plan to browse before bed tonight. So -- not a complete write-off today, but feeling on edge was distressing at best.
A phrase ran through my mind today and then I realized that there was a song with a similar title. It is performed by a stellar singer-songwriter and guitarist. Enjoy!
Today was another in a string of days filled with inertia, apathy and indolence. We had a productive meeting, I made several phone calls to check on projects, and had a wonderful chat with a former student who is on campus doing the beginning of a distance degree. The latter was a highlight of the day and brought a number of smiles. The major tasks that need to be done sat unattended as I busied myself with others. There is a pile of writing waiting for editing and two other piles of writing that have to begin and end soon. I know it needs to be done. Editing should be easier to address than a blank page, but that isn't happening either. I don't think I'm truly lazy, but I feel unmotivated. Even a looming deadline seems not to move me forward. Granted, I have co-authors who need to provide some input for a few points, but the rest I could tackle. <sigh>
Writing often brings this feeling of not wanting to begin. I generally feel a bit anxious and then can just sit down and do it after a few days. The anxiousness simply isn't there at present. It darn well should be given the timelines involved. It isn't that I am sitting playing video games or staring into space. I managed to write a few solid e-mail responses, prepare files for other tasks that need to be done before classes begin, and assist with future meetings and planning for several groups. So, what is holding me back from the writing? I know I write in my head, make notes and then write the full sentences. I have the notes done already, but can't seem to get the last action started. Soon, other things will become priority and this one will have missed a major deadline and will need to be resubmitted elsewhere. So, again, what is creating this huge barrier? I've tried a number of tactics and nothing seems to move me to move that one project forward. It simply creates further frustration when I try to start it. Something seems to be stopping me but I can't put my finger on it.
While I have felt that I was being lazy, I'm sure it is something else nagging at me. Time is passing by but not working on the project makes me feel I'm squandering the non-class time of the year. A lyric ran through my head when that thought crossed my mind this afternoon. The lyrics are angst-ridden, yet end with a glimmer of hope. The voice is one I could listen to all day long. Enjoy!
With so many projects awaiting attention, it was difficult to get started on anything today. The household inventory update won out since the renewal of insurance coverage falls at the end of the month. The day was spent looking through the spreadsheet files to see what needed removal and what needed to be added. Several items were marked for donation since they've not been used in a while and it was difficult to see them in use in the near future. That physical packing for pick up will have to wait for the vacation days. Until then, I've gotten through most of the files and should have an updated valuation ready in time for the visit to the insurance agent soon.
All this review of items gathered over an adult lifetime made my head spin. There are items that seemed more interesting and useful at a different life stage than they do today. There is nothing wrong with them other than their usefulness to me has passed, even when there may be much life left in the item. Luckily, a regional charity group does pick up from the front porch a couple times a year. If I call, they'll get me on their pick up list and then call me when they have a truck coming through town. I really find it amazing the number of small things that amass -- they don't take up much room, but are fun items often reminding me of friends, family and fun trips. However, there are a number of items that I think I may be able to move to a new home and there will still be adequate memorabilia. I will admit to feeling very odd about having so much 'stuff' -- I don't shop a lot in this little town and generally purchase only things I need and a few I want <smile>. Some things have come from family households over two generations. These are filled with family history so are less likely to be donated. It can be challenging and bring something close to a feeling of shame for owning so much stuff <shaking head>.
A few lines from a song ran through my head as I worked away at this task. It seemed to fit the head space I was in today. Enjoy!
I woke up early this morning and decided that I needed to go back to sleep. About 45 minutes later, I was woken by the phone. The landlord asked to come by to check on the washer and fuse box that have been arguing with each other this past week. He said he'd be here in about 20 minutes. Now I don't need more than 30 minutes to wash, dress and eat something, so when I had time to sweep the floors and bundle the garbage, it was clear he was going to be later than he'd estimated. About an hour after the call, he arrived to change the fuse and figure out which other one might let us check to see if the problem lies with the washer or the fuse box. I've now run four loads on a different duplex outlet with no issue so far. Last time it took about six loads over three days to choose to quit running -- both times with a full tub of water. An electrician will be by next week to look at the two items and make a repair plan. The landlord also called a plumber to check with the sewer issue which seemed to have backed up into the basement toilet -- not pretty but much less of an issue than in the past year. They checked and everything seems clear further down the line (we share with two public buildings and a small apartment building -- just one of the joys of living in an older part of town that has allowed subdivision where infrastructure won't support the growth. <smile>.
I find it interesting that things seem to break or act oddly in groups -- that 'it never rains but it pours' idiom. To add to the situation today, it was mega-hot and humid again outside and the inside had never cooled from yesterday. At least the basement was the coolest part of the house. Doing laundry allowed me to cool a bit each time I had to change a load or fold things from the dryer. That was pleasant. I don't fully understand electrical wiring and really don't care to deal with the fuse box -- a breaker box yes, but fuses not so much. I did learn a few things about how to manage it and I've been left some fuses should things act up again.
As I was folding laundry a mangled lyric ran through my head and made me laugh. I thought it was an original idea, but when I searched it, lo and behold, it had been written in this fashion -- handyman to the tune of Candyman (sung by Sammy Davis, Jr. eons ago). This one seems not to be recorded, though. That made me check a well known parody writer and there I found another performance that fits the days events. This one did make me giggle. Enjoy!
The day began cloudy and grey, with no rain to speak of throughout the morning. It was warm, but the wind made it feel cooler and pleasant. The humidity climbed into the afternoon and it all broke loose as the clouds left and the blazing sun hiked the temperature to 29-30C. By the end of the work day, it was sweltering as I walked to the car. Reported 'feel like' temperature was closer to 35C or more. The house has been getting warmer as the sun set. The wind that had been the saving grace this afternoon has stopped so even opening windows won't help. The heat of summer is upon us.
I've said that moderate temperatures suit me best, so today has been difficult to handle. The forecast shows similar weather for the coming 3 to 4 days, with very little overnight cooling. Just experiencing the heat in the house right now and knowing that it isn't going to change and will likely get worse, makes me feel a bit cranky. Sleeping, eating and daily activities become so much more difficult when surrounded by hot, wet air. Dehumidifiers help somewhat, but the motors throw more heat into the air as they remove the moisture. It becomes a trade-off. There are plans for jack hammering down the hall from my office, so even going there for a bit to cool off while working this weekend, will not be pleasant. So -- I'm trying to find something positive in this weather and I admit to being a bit blocked. Perhaps I'll think of something as I continue to live with it. <smile>
The song line that ran through my head this afternoon is the title of the selection shared here today. It deals with heat through a number of metaphors. I'm dipping into the music of the '80s again this week. Enjoy!
It was a long day, but a fun day. Early this morning a friend and I headed to the big city for a shopping day. It was bright and sunny and a bit hot by mid-afternoon. Being away from work for a day was a treat. Spending the day with a good friend was a gift. We went to one large mall, a big shopping area, a rural market and ended at a great Asian restaurant for supper. My feet are tired and a bit sore, but I was able to get some things on my list that just are tricky to find in this smaller town. My favourite Kenyan tea blend. A new pair of jeans (winter weight -- especially today <smile>). New socks. A kitchen gadget. Fresh bakery items and local spinach (likely to be eaten separately). And leftover Thai food to reheat for supper tomorrow. I also learned more about potential new phones, something that seems as intimidating as buying a new car.
I don't buy a lot during the year, but have a couple shopping runs to various areas during the summer. It seems I'm buying a lot of items, but it is like life in this country -- it is all packed into a few weeks we call summer. <smile> Time out shopping around seems the only way to find out what is really out there. I do look at items and read about them online, but it does help to see and touch things ahead of time. All in all, a productive day.
Shopping is a necessity yet the outing today was like therapy. Not 'retail therapy' where buying things one doesn't need or spending money is meant to be cathartic. It was the day trip that was fun even though searching needed items was involved. A song lyric that covers aspects of shopping seemed appropriate for today -- a fun little ditty from a fun group. Enjoy!
After a day filled with smaller tasks and shorter meetings, I headed home for supper. A cool wind had begun to blow making the warmth of the day dip to something I find more comfortable <smile>. It also makes the furry one happy when he can lay in front of an open screen. I changed into my evening lounge clothes and then discovered that I needed to head to Main Street for a couple errands. Redressed in 'public' clothes, I walked out to the bank machine and drug store.
While walking down the street admiring the sky, I noticed more traffic than usual on the street. A larger group of greying bikers passed by on my way out and when heading back I saw their bikes parked and then walked through the group as they waited for a table at a local eatery. I'd seen many small groups trolling for a dinner place when I drove home tonight. The number of tourists present in town has been noticeable. Generally, I've just been noticing this on the sidewalks, but tonight the vehicular traffic was much greater than is usual and it is only mid-week. All this made me happy to be walking instead of struggling down the street with stop lights on each corner for 4 blocks <smile>.
While walking back home this evening, one line ran through my head. I may have laughed since I tend to mutter as I walk -- often a whisper but sometimes out loud -- it's an absent minded professor thing <giggle>. This lyric fit my situation perfectly. Enjoy!
One conversation yesterday and two from today led me to thinking of how old thoughts seem to hang around and sneak into our consciousness to take over when we least expect it. I call these circular thoughts, since they lead me to go around and around without ever getting off the turntable. These dizzying thoughts fill all possible space making the switch to another topic extremely difficult.
How can we get out of these vortices? The first step is to notice when this thought process takes over. Suggestions for stopping the flow include changing body position -- sit or stand tall and then breathe. A deep breath can help since when being pulled into the illogical flow of thoughts, the body tends to breathe more rapidly and shallowly. The use of the body can disengage the hold that limbic system has on the body enough to lead us to countering the swirling ideas with something more logical. These steps are designed to help regain some control of the brains. It is challenging, but then we are changing physiological and biochemical processes that the fight-flight-freeze response has triggered. In short, it is a survival instinct and we've 'frozen' in place hoping the attacker will just think it has won and leave us alone. Still, this takes practice and I am a neophyte at this point. Lots more to do to improve the situation. <smile>
Thinking of the main concept today and how it would be represented in music presented a challenge. I did come upon a lyric that related to the need to be able to purge the thoughts from one's brain. I love the metaphor used here -- note that it is not a limo that takes them away <smile>. The visual metaphor links the purge to music. So, this made the song seem made for the blog today. Enjoy!
It has been a wet Monday. It began raining before supper last evening and then poured -- like POURED -- overnight and into the early morning. I left the house mid-morning and it was still lightly raining. It ended by mid-afternoon. The sun is expected tomorrow. The late afternoon and early evening were quite windy -- close to gale force winds. It is likely they are blowing in the higher pressure system that is to dominate for the rest of the week.
The parking lot beside our office building has been in development for a month. The drainage pipes were laid and then the ground packed and dug and packed and dug. Last week they were digging in one part of the land and added new fill and packing. Interestingly, there was a sizable puddle there after some lighter rain on Friday. Today, after the major rain of Friday night and last night, there is a pond that is likely deep enough to allow us to stock it with trout. Now, they will be back to work likely tomorrow or Wednesday when the engineers will revisit the drainage issue. As it sits, after a big rain, cars would be partly submerged -- enough to get water inside of the vehicle. They have about six weeks to complete the area and still be on time and able to accommodate the students from the residences in the vicinity.
I have found the cooler temperatures of the past few days to be wonderful. I even felt the rain and wind were pleasant. They made me smile. Those around me are just waiting for sun and heat, but not me. So, the selection I chose for today was the first song about rain that sounded happy and upbeat that came to mind. That, too, made me laugh. Enjoy!
The temperature was cool again today, but the rain held off until closer to the end of the Highland Games events this afternoon. There is warmer and more humid weather heading this way, so today was a day when cooking and baking wouldn't create major discomfort by raising the house temperature. I was a bit ambitious, but managed to get a number of things finished so that the microwave can do the heavy lifting as the weather changes. I made a big pot of chicken curry that will be supper tomorrow after the flavours have had time to meld. The rest will go into the deep freeze for other evenings. To serve with this, I made a batch of rice using the mixed rice blend given to me this weekend. It has long and short grain brown rice, wild rice (which is not botanically a rice but a grass <smile>), a red and a black rice. It smelled wonderful when cooking. I had purchased some plums late last week, so made those into a pie filling. This was then turned into 3 large portions with crisp topping and the remainder will be eaten with frozen yogurt. YUM! For supper I tried the new rice blend and it was tasty. I topped this with sweet and sour meat balls. Dessert will be strawberry shortcake with balsamic vinegar and black pepper tonight. It was a fruitful afternoon <smile>.
The bounty of summer can be wonderful and allows so much variety in our daily diets. I find the fridge gets rather full with the fresh fruits and vegetables and the various items made from these. Sadly, during the peak of the season, the temperature is very hot and cooking becomes a challenge due to the discomfort it brings. This summer I will try a new appliance -- a countertop induction cooker, to see if that will make hot meals easier in the dog days of summer. In theory this should work since the 'burner' doesn't radiate heat. I'll report on how well my theory is supported as the summer progresses.
A song that came to mind was a bit odd, but it deals with a love of food and the need to eat -- regardless of the weather <smile>. Enjoy!
Today brought with it a visit from friends. It has been a long time between visits -- four years since they've been in town and to my house. The youngest is now 6 and she was 2-1/2 when I last saw her. I do see her mother at annual meetings often, but even that hasn't happened for the past two years. So this was a real treat. We used to live a block apart for several years and being several provinces apart makes in person visits rare occurrences. Between these visits, we rely on various forms of technology to communicate. It works, but is not the same. I was reminded how busy little people can be -- so full of energy and fun. Her positive approach and playfulness brought many smiles.
Children see things without all the baggage -- a true gift, and one that adults would do well to re-master. If it were only that easy. Their energy can place demands on adults, but can also replace a gym membership -- so it can have many positive spin-offs. For adults, watching children's thinking styles and skill sets unfold is fascinating. As they listen and learn, we, too, can listen and learn. It may be something that can help us all see the positives in a less than great situation. Again, articulating the simple things can be a gift -- and we could learn by receiving it with grace. For it is this, I believe, that can help adults keep youthful in their thoughts and actions.
This train of thought brought me to a song that I have heard covered by many singers. The lyrics present positive thoughts for the future -- shared wishes and futures. I've chosen a version sung by the singer-songwriter in the late '70s. The video shows biographical photos with many famous faces. Enjoy!
I'm not sure where the week disappeared to, but it is over. Many things were completed, but many weren't even really begun. I've been trying to be kind to myself and not be angry with me or with any external force. Things will get done -- they always do, but it isn't always as pretty as we'd like. <smile>
I was reminded recently that anger and anxiety are central to grief. There is no calendar that says things will be 'normal' again by day such and such. Instead it is hugely individual. Even the same person will unlikely experience grief in the same way with different losses. I've noted that recently. There is a point at which a person expects things to be back to the way they were. We get tired of working through the process and just want it done NOW! When this happens, we stop acknowledging the negative emotions and behaviours that are common to grieving individuals. We become frustrated and angry with ourselves when we can't work at our regular pace or produce underwhelming work after what seems an herculean effort. This is when we have to be kind and forgive ourselves; we are not superhuman nor are we immune to the processes of loss. I've found it quite interesting that others have had to remind me that it takes time. Perhaps when we begin to smile again and feel more 'in charge' we think it is over. Often grief is not quite done with us. The other concept that needs to be faced head on is that 'normal' will never be the same as it was before the loss. There will be a 'new normal' that will be fashioned from processing the grief.
A few lines from a favourite song came to mind when working through these thoughts over the past few days. The lyrics speak well to working through loss and change. The singer is amazing. I've chosen an earlier video for the clarity of a younger voice. Even though his later voice is still strong, I felt the high notes were crisper on this version. Enjoy!
The day began far too early again today. I've woken after about 4-5 hours of sleep several times over the past 2-3 weeks. It got old a long time ago. While this early waking occurs every few months or so, this more regular wake cycle is not common. It is often about dawn. So, I wondered if my furry friend was somehow waking me. As it turns out, it is the other way around <smile>. Was it the light? I've made the room dark, so this shouldn't be the issue. Today I wondered if it was the multitude of songbirds in the yard -- somewhat loudly greeting the day. I've had the windows open over the past while, so their songs are much louder than when the windows are closed. I tend to close the windows if I am up in the night, so the cooler air inside will remain as the air outside heats up after sunrise. I usually don't have trouble getting back to sleep, but this changed recently.
Anxiety or frustration can wake people when the emotions have not been resolved. While one might think these issues have been quelled, they often rise up when we least expect them -- and during sleep seems to be a common time. Adding to the frustration, working through the issues becomes more difficult with inadequate sleep; hence, the viscous cycle is perpetuated. Some anxieties are examined in dreams, though these can turn dark and lead to waking. Sleep disruptions take a lot of effort to counteract. I'm hoping things improve, otherwise I'll have to move a few time zones east and just get up when I wake up <smile>.
Several songs came to mind today, but I settled on one about metaphorical song birds that touches on the power of music to soothe. It seemed to fit this blog well. The songstress is instantly recognizable by many. Enjoy!
The day began with a plan, one that soon went sideways. Several admin tasks have headed my way for the time being. Each time I got into the editing of a paper for publication, another task entered into my sphere. Alone each task was small, together they became major interruptions -- each pulling my attention away from 'my' task. All intrusions were managed by the end of the day, but at the expense of my writing plans.
Having one's focus pulled away from a major task can leave a feeling of disappointment and maybe even anxiety over completing that larger task. While smaller items are dealt with, they may not be our priority, so seem less important than the originally planned items. In short, they weren't on our 'to do' list so they seem less important to us. We can realize that these are important for others, yet that isn't the same as important to 'me'. Learning to address some of this awkward thought processing might help us to feel less negative after a day of helping with items on someone else's 'to do' list. Chances are that someone else may need to help with 'my' tasks sometime, too. It is a type of reciprocity -- though not one that is always planned.
For those of us who need a chunk of time to work on a major project, we may not be able to move things forward with the same amount of time divided into 6 shorter periods. Again, understanding one's own work process is needed. Then, learn to allow the smaller 'intrusive' items to sit for a couple hours before they are addressed. Both of these are challenges. One piece of advice I read years ago was to turn off the e-mail to avoid what that author called 'fritters' -- time wasters that keep interrupting a writing flow. It all takes a change or new mindset to help finish both planned and external tasks and (hopefully) feel less resentful and more productive.
The selection that fit my thinking today is a lesser known song by one of the kings of rock. The lyrics perfectly addressed my feelings today. Enjoy!
Negative body image presents itself to most people at one time or another. Much research has been done with females of all ages, with males being studied more only just recently. Triggers for the self loathing that goes hand-in-hand with the low self image are many, with most being socially constructed -- those brutish or even off-hand comments that people make about someone else's looks. Even those of us who feel comfortable in our own skin will often admit to dislike of a particular body part -- readily disembodying that part from the whole. Often these are thighs, upper arms, abdomen, hair, nose, toes or whatever -- each becomes a vessel to hold all the negative thoughts and feelings of self.
I've worked with adult and teenage women in the past and have witnessed many who 'would kill for a body like' whoever is on the front of a magazine. I recall using a cover from a major fashion magazine with a group of adult women. I asked what they thought of the image. Most were very complimentary and used the image to define beauty. I asked how old they thought the model was and got many numbers, most in the mid-20s but nothing below 20. When I told them it was a 13 year old Brooke Shields, they didn't believe me at first -- upon closer inspection, they agreed that it was indeed Brooke. I then posed a question asking why they felt that was the icon of beauty if it was someone who was still going through puberty -- famous or not? We had a lively discussion after this about the role society and the mass media play in telling us what is pretty and what is not. Why would I want to look like a pre-pubescent girl when I have been there long ago and wouldn't go back there for many reasons? Now, most people understand that we can be manipulated by social mores, yet that alone won't stop our buying into this idea. We have to work at reminding ourselves that we are fine as we are and size, shape, hair colour and such don't define beauty.
I've been pleased to hear of 'girl power' programs, but also want to see similar body acceptance for boys. Music lyrics also bolster or belittle self concept. The choice for today deals with positive body image. Enjoy!
The morning greeted me earlier than usual -- like about sunrise. Waking early tends to be accompanied by hunger or major anxiety. I think this morning was a bit of both. I made a light breakfast and tried to relax. About two hours later, around 7 AM, I thought I should just get up and start the day. That's when I fell back to sleep. I woke again at 9 AM and got ready for work. As I moved around, I thought I was a bit dizzy and tried to determine if it was vertigo, a migraine or something else. By the time I left the house around 10, the dizziness was joined by my good friend nausea. Very odd, though again with vertigo or migraine these two sometimes come together. At lunch I only ate my yogurt. I did some further file clearing since my head wouldn't concentrate on the writing that was planned for the day. Supper was soup and a cheese sandwich. By bedtime, I thought I should eat something else, but really didn't know what I should put into the system -- only knew whatever I chose should be a peacemaker food and nothing that might cause further revolt.
Eating when feeling under the weather can be challenging. We each have our own comfort foods -- those items that generally sit reasonably well. We know this from experience and from what we were fed as kids at times like this. Most food choices are really what in the biz we call 'diet as tolerated'; there is little scientific evidence behind their use for whatever seems to ail us. Continued feeding is important during illness since the body uses energy and nutrients faster when there is a war being waged throughout the body. Yet, this is the time when fewer calories and variety of foods are usually chosen or offered. A friend has studied this and found that much of the foods for illness are based in the four humours and have found their way into modern usage simply as part of the feeding lexicon present for centuries. Her work went back into the 17th and 18th centuries, before biochemistry and physiology of food and illness were understood in any clear way. So -- clear fluids when sick really have no basis in science and we might be better off eating what we feel like eating instead. Now if only that were clear in my mind today <smile>.
The lyrics that I said out loud today are from a song by a female group -- a girl band if you will. The words made me laugh as I was speaking to myself wondering what I should eat. The video seems to be inside an exclusive hotel that I've walked by many times. Enjoy!
Earlier today I listened to a song that I haven't heard for a while. I have thought of it often, but usually not when close to a listening post. It reminded me that I often say "I can't see" here in in Nova Scotia. There are so many trees and hills that I can't see the weather coming -- something I could see for most of my life. The Saskatchewan province motto is "land of living skies." It isn't that other terrains and cities are unattractive to me -- I love to visit many places, but can feel claustrophobic in many of them. Cities and other areas can lead to sensory overload. Perhaps having a bigger horizon and sky would make these other places more comfortable for me.
I love being able to stand on a bluff and look off across the terrain to see well over 50 miles -- without binoculars <smile> -- this is due to the dry air and low horizon of the prairies. In art classes, I've been told that landscapes should be 1/3 land and 2/3 sky. Where I grew up this was closer to 1/4 land and 3/4 sky. Many people who aren't from the prairies feel that there is nothing to see but flat land in all directions. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is a roll to the prairie land with several hill ranges -- the Missouri Coteau, Cypress Hills, Qu'Appelle valley, and Frenchman River valley among others -- that show up as hazy blue on the horizon or suddenly appear as you drive into an amazing valley. In between the major valleys are coulees filled with wildlife and local flora. Wow -- I so miss these areas.
The song today is by a Saskatchewan songstress and describes the feelings that I have often. It is comforting to know that others experience the same longings. Enjoy!
In conversations last night, a group of us discussed changes that were presently happening in our lives with family, self, or work. The first half of 2016 has led to altered family status, personal health situation changes and changes in jobs or moves to retirement. The energy involved in each of these can be all consuming and when more than one lands with the same individual it can be totally overwhelming. Learning to live with new normals takes a lot of effort. Yet, no one felt the need to cave to their situations. In fact, some voiced that their situation was no worse than another's or might even be less burdensome than someone else's situation. We humans are always comparing and contrasting. The upshot of the conversations throughout the evening came through a toast to new beginnings and a suggestion that we consider yesterday the first of a new year and begin again. Many heads nodded at that idea.
So -- my first day of the new beginning? The washer stopped working today. It filled with water, but would do nothing else. What was that load? Nothing like socks or underwear; it was sheets. I hefted them out of the washer wringing as I went. Took them into the bathroom and laid them in the tub where I wrung them more thoroughly and placed them in pails. I then wrung each a third time just before placing them in the dryer -- one at a time. There was still soap in the washer water since it never moved at all, so the sheets are dry but have some residual soap in them, I'm sure. I called the landlord and they will get someone in to look at it early next week -- it is a long weekend after all. So -- that meant I didn't have to worry about laundry today. I can hand wash any clothes if necessary, but to be honest, there are only a couple of items that will get this treatment and they are generally done by hand all the time anyway (and these were done this afternoon). There are more than enough sheets and towels to manage this week until the repairman fixes the washer. Other than that the day was productive -- got some needed reading done, watched a movie and will do another this evening. So for the first 24 hours, it seems like things are going well.
The song chosen is one I've liked, though currently it is being used to flog some commercial enterprise with part of the song being played in an advertisement. That aside, the lyric fits the notion of seeing things in a new positive light. Enjoy!
A day to celebrate and remember -- today was Canada Day and marked the 149th year since confederation. I watched part of the celebration from Parliament Hill between cleaning tasks. It was great to see so many people on the Hill for the day. A small group got together here for some nibblies and champagne before we went to the town fireworks display. We met other friends there. The show did not disappoint - there were a few new designs this year -- some happy faces, hearts and words -- along with the usual great floral like designs. The temperature was hot during the day but the evening was a perfect temperature with next to no wind -- made just for fireworks.
Today began as Memorial Day in Newfoundland and Labrador, with Canada Day celebrations later in the day. It was on this day 100 years ago that the Battle of the Somme began at Beaumont Hamil in France. The First Newfoundland Regiment (later the Royal Newfoundland Regiment) numbered about 778 men at this point. These men were among the nearly 1000 volunteers from the Dominion of Newfoundland (population abut 240,000). This group was the third and final wave over the top of the trenches on that fateful morning. They left at 9:15 AM and the battle ended by 9:45 AM. During that 30 minute period, the regiment suffered a devastating 91% casualty rate -- about half of whom were dead and the other half injured. When the role was called, only 68 men answered. This loss forever changed the island that would join Canada in 1949. A generation was lost. A small piece of the battle field is owned by Newfoundland and includes a memorial to those lost that day a century ago. The regiment was known as the 'blue puttees', for the colour of their leg bindings, since there was a shortage of khaki material at the time.
I have two songs to share today. The first is an upbeat song about the nation, sung by a modern troubadour. The video features many scenes from across Canada. The second is a song of remembrance for the Newfoundlanders sung by a well known group from 'the rock.' Enjoy!
