The day began with loud noises outside. I thought it might be the garbage pickup, yet it lasted much longer. When looking out the window, there were roofers setting up at the house across the street. It was a year ago they arrived at my home unannounced and it happened again today, but for the neighbours. How odd is that? Getting out of the driveway was tricky as they have a big flatbed trailer on the other side of the street and then big pickup trucks parked in front of my house and further down the street -- there is no parking allowed on my side of the street. It was similar when I got home after 5, with no room for cars to pass on the street.
I headed out for supper with a friend who chooses to avoid the doorbell ringing of Halloween. Arriving home from that lovely dinner and conversation, I was greeted by the growing moon. I've seen it all but one of the evenings in the past 5 days and it is almost full tonight. Again, an interesting coincidence for today.
Two songs came to mind to cover the day and some of its events. The first seemed appropriate for Halloween -- an interesting choral piece. The second covers the appearance of the moon tonight, by a favourite band from my youth. Enjoy!
Double Trouble -- from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Today went differently from several past Mondays. I went into the office rather than grading at home. There was a committee meeting and a pile of e-files to complete. Parts of the web site still are not available but some back door links were shared today so we can continue on fairly well. The big issue involved fillable forms that were on the hidden part of the system <sigh>. This left me (and several others) to retype a report due tomorrow. Outside the window grey, ominous clouds filled the sky. Rain began in the afternoon along with wind. While the wind continued, the rain seems intermittent, though always at a sharp angle due to the major wind. Most of the leaves off the big gold tree in the front yard left during the afternoon. Other trees are just reaching peak colour while others are not yet changing much at all. Those will remain on the trees for now. It is this situation that can cause downed branches and entire trees when major winds arrive.
While we didn't get as much rain as expected, when it fell it was fierce. I'm glad I took my rain gear into the office today. It made the trudge to the car manageable with no wet denim to sit in on the ride home <smile>. A few lines from a song came to mind during this rainy walk. It is by a Canadian band. The video is a bit odd, but one must keep an open mind, right? <grin>. Enjoy!
It was a very usual Sunday. Doing the same things as other weekend days with little newness or excitement. That isn't always a bad thing, yet a bit of change can stimulate altered thinking and get people out of their ruts. Some work items were struck off the to do list, while others didn't get fully done due to technical issues with the major server system on campus. So, again things from today are front-loaded onto tomorrow's list. Not an unexpected event in the grand scheme of work life. <smile> The joys of the universe had different plans for me than I had for myself.
Ordinariness, monotony, commonplace -- these terms describe situations that can feel familiar, usual or mundane. Does this threaten our capacity for cerebral stimulation? Does it lead to regular responses to normal situations? Does our thinking become lazy? This may be the time when we need to challenge the status quo and explore other possible strategies that might work even better than the usual ideas. Sadly, the dullness of the situations may also set us up to coast along with our everyday routines. Shaking it up can seem rather difficult -- it may take more energy and thought than we have available, or so we think. There isn't a need to throw everything into the air so it lands differently, but doing it in one small task might renew our interest in that activity. Just a thought. <smile>
The song lyric that addresses some of these meanderings is by a British band. While the lyrics may be a bit bleaker than where I headed with the ideas, there is a hint of being prepared for disruption to routine or for no change at all when one is expected. Enjoy! Predictable -- The Kinks
My to do list didn't see as much completed today as I'd hoped. That means tomorrow will be fuller than planned. One major work task was completed as were a few things around the house. I woke earlier than planned to the sound of chain saws and then chippers. Several trees were being taken down a half block away, so the sounds were with us until later in the afternoon. I did walk up to campus to the theatre tonight to see a play about the Halifax explosion of 1917. It was a thought provoking piece.
The day made me think that taking some time for oneself may be more spiritual than purely self indulgent. It can feed the soul. During this hectic time of year at work, guilt often accompanies any activity not related to the office. Yet, losing self in work may lead to feeling anamatronic. The passion can diminish leaving one rather empty. Taking the time -- not finding the time -- to spend feeding the inner self may help to rediscover the lost purpose. Hmmm.
Of course, a few lines of lyric came to mind while thinking this through. They reminded me of the need to learn to fly again rather than be tied down. The version of the song shared here includes the singer/songwriter with another singer who had covered the song. The duet is a wonderful blending of the soprano and alto voices of these Nova Scotian songstresses. Enjoy!
Flying on your Own -- Rita MacNeil and Anne Murray
Today was a Friday that was too full for comfort. It began with me continuing to calculate grades for posting and letting admin know this would be late. Five hours straight of meeting, classes and meetings made the day feel like a merry-go-round. I ate lunch at 2:30 PM -- well most of it -- between final class and final meeting. I finished the admin tasks and then headed home to supper. The evening was filled with more assignments to post online and feedback to provide for past ones. The weekend will be filled with further tasks for classes and committees. I hope to have a few moments for me things -- even just walking to the store for milk would be a nice break. <smile>.
Days like today leave me wondering about focus and pace in life. What effects does the crazy pace have on people? How do caregivers get time to care for themselves? Do we need these processes to define ourselves? I'm not sure a daily marathon is the best way to manage projects. It may not provide the desired outcome or decision making, yet it is all we often have. Some days are so much easier than others to fit in a few moments to refuel and refocus. These are things that should occur every day, yet it seems that I often get caught in the vortex and spin in circles without being able to pause. I've said before that working to ensure moments of peace in extremely busy days is challenging. I'm still working on this one even after all these years -- not ready to give up yet, either.
Found a song that reiterates the thought for today. It is by a male artist with a huge body of work. This one is lesser known, but has lyrics that say a lot. Enjoy!
I've noted several times recently that the feelings of being overwhelmed -- that there is just too little time to do all tasks by deadlines -- are in full force at this time in term. I've been reminded by blogs from previous years that this is not a new feeling, nor is it likely worse than in the past. For some reason the mental anguish is blocked from memory. I'm not alone in this feeling or forgetting the intensity with which it arrives. Everyone on campus is in this position. It reminded me of an office I worked in years ago where we banned the word 'busy.' Hearing a coworker note they were 'so busy' or 'too busy' seemed to imply that others in the workplace had much less on their desks. After several discussions about the anger, or maybe feeling devalued by others, as a group we decided to ban the word. This led to stopping folks in mid-sentence to begin to rephrase their thoughts in a way that explained that time was tight, but in two days some free time could be found to do whatever was needed. It did make the workplace a bit more pleasant during times of extreme stress.
So -- in my current work setting this sense of panic happens repeatedly. Acknowledging this repetition and preparing for it as best as possible, might help a bit. The last thing one needs is to add to the pressure by wondering if there is something wrong with oneself making it impossible to get things done. Is it aging, illness, or what? If we can remind ourselves that this is usual and work to find some relief during the thick of it all -- a walk, a movie, a yoga class or even choose to phone a friend -- we may be able to navigate through the craziness.
A song that came to mind seems so perfect when thinking through the repeating rhythms of life. The lyrics and rhythms demonstrate repetition, a repetition that reflects stress and desperation. It is sung by a very talented musician. Enjoy!
Anyone who's paid attention here knows I have a an affinity for New Orleans. The city and its people found a way into my soul when I first visited just after the devastation of Katrina, Rita and the levee breaches. Today's news from that city communicated the death of a musical pioneer -- Fats Domino. His career in the 1950s and 1960s broke racial barriers. His R&B style became the beginnings of the genre of Rock'n'Roll. During the flooding of the Ninth ward east of New Orleans during the hurricane in 2005, he and his wife were rescued by helicopter from their rooftop. His home was destroyed including his piano. He did not rebuild in that area, but remained in the greater New Orleans region. His piano was on display at the state museum near Jackson Square -- something I couldn't bring myself to go see. I had lost my own piano in a flood of my parents' home and the pain of a destroyed instrument was more than I could manage. I do have a t-shirt with the mangled keyboard on the front. This was a fund raiser for the Musicians Relief Fund. Two years later on my second visit, I saw the new musicians' village built in the Ninth ward -- colourful and wonderful to see.
This blog has highlighted several Fats Domino songs in the past. Shared here is one new to the blog that suits the end of an era with his passing. Interestingly, story has it that this was the first song John Lennon learned to play -- Domino did influence many musicians who followed his heyday. The video here appears to be from the movie "Shake, Rattle, and Rock" (1956). In it Fats Domino performs the song in his trademark style -- sitting so he had to turn his head to look at the audience. Enjoy!
The morning had a heavy dew to wipe off car windows before heading off to work. Along the way, the windows fogged up, but on the outside. Using wipers on front and rear windows helped a bit to see where I was going, but the side windows obscured seeing the mirrors. Luckily, I was heading into the parking lot at this point. Once I was at my desk and making the morning mug of tea, I realized that I could have opened and closed the window to clear the view out the window and to see the mirror better. So much for being fully alert while driving today <sigh>.
I did wake very early and then fell back to sleep for an hour or so before the alarm sounded. I realized that I hadn't sent one report yesterday as planned just as I woke the first time. It took some time to relax and fall back to sleep. The rest of the day felt draggy -- foggy even -- as I worked on writing tasks. Still more waiting for tomorrow.
The lyrics of a song really fit my surroundings and internal feelings today. It is from a Canadian band and speaks to the challenges of moving projects forward. Enjoy!
It was an odd day filled with more of that inertia. I did do some writing and preparation for another report, but my heart wasn't in it -- or much else for that matter. I woke to a gorgeous golden-orange glow out my window. The large maple (one of two) on the front lawn seems to be in peak colour. It looks very golden with tips and some branches that hold more orange and red. Technically, each leaf has bits of all those colours -- just some are predominantly gold and others move into the red hues. It is gorgeous <smile> Walking out the driveway today was enjoyable -- the leaves are dry and make that wondrous rustling noise as you walk through them. The sun was strong again today and the temperature climbed into the high teens (60s) with tomorrow to be over 20C (into 70s). It seems that this is similar to this time last year, though it also seems out of character for autumn. Given that the past few days didn't get into double digit highs, today was quite unexpected.
A song line seemed to fit the feeling of walking under the maple tree -- looking up and looking down at the amazing colour -- a great place to rest. This song is by a Canadian troubadour. Enjoy!
Writing for work took over much of the day, leaving a bit of time for the other things on the weekend list. I did some cleaning -- not all, but some -- and cooked a big pot of stew with dumplings and a wonderful plum crisp. Both very tasty. These will provide a number of quick supper meals once I get the stew into the freezer. The crisp will ensure something nutritious for the sweet item often desired for bedtime snack. So -- all in all a win for both of these. I'd hope to bake some muffins, but that will need to wait for another day.
I found the time while cooking led to reflection. Music in the background brought many memories from different time periods. I also watched Long Time Running -- the movie filmed during the final tour of The Tragically Hip. It was set for release later in November, but was shown on network TV last week as a memorial to Gord Downie. This had me reflecting on the courage, grace and love it took to do the tour and have it filmed. Other thoughts took me to pondering the weather this fall -- dry and warm. So -- an eclectic day of thoughts <smile>.
I've noticed the sun on the kitchen floor on recent sunny days. This means the earth has tilted and now provides a wonderful resting place for feline beings. My fellow smiles a lot while basking. That brought up a song. While these lyrics deal with a different season, they fit autumn well, too. Enjoy!
It was a day of juxtapositions. The sun shone and then it was grey and then sunny and then grey. Housework and course based work brought feelings of accomplishment, but also brought that unrelenting question "why". This, of course, led to frustrations today. I needed a long walk, but that aggravates the sore leg so will have to wait for a week or two. When checking in with a friend, she asked if I was going to the local theatre fund-raiser -- an evening of protest songs. That is exactly what I needed <smile>. The event was wonderful. Many local performers played and sang songs from different time periods. The new a cappella choral group from campus led off the evening, followed by many solo artists. One singer played his guitar and had accompaniment by a harp -- stunning combination. It was an intimate setting at the bar of the local live theatre venue. We sang along with many songs. I was introduced to many new songs and reintroduced to ones that have been around for a longer time. Some brought tears due to their subject matter or the sheer beauty of the lyrics.
The evening was cathartic. It presented an emotional release that helped deal with the stresses of the day. Again, music is powerful. Similar events occur almost monthly, so I will need to watch for the next one. There were so many wonderful songs tonight, it is difficult to pick one or even two to share with you all, but I tried. The first is by a Canadian singer-songwriter, known as a pacifist and social activist. She was born in Saskatchewan. The second was written by a Canadian living in Halifax and it has been sung by many different artists. Each song crosses between protest and peace. Enjoy!
As I left the house this morning, I was greeted by the letter carrier -- wearing shorts. It was that kind of day -- sunny and warm. Evenings cool quickly once the sun sets, but until then it is beautiful. It helped make up for the leg pain -- which seems worse in terms of how long the IT band catches before stretching out again. I'm learning a few work arounds, but forget every so often and then remember when I straighten up again <smile>.
The day ended with an evening out with a friend -- our fall term dinner out. We were seated by the window so could watch the happenings on Main Street. The food and wine were lovely and the conversations covered many topics. It was relaxing as usual -- a fun way to end the week.
The light from the sun today shone through tree leaves -- most of the leaves have yet to fall. The golds and reds seemed much brighter with the sun shining from behind the leaves. Just beautiful. A song came to mind that deals with the gorgeous fall colours and how these add to the colour of a day. It has a great relaxing quality to it - so fit today wonderfully. The video is from drone footage in four US states. Enjoy!
The sky was amazingly blue today with full bright, warm sun. I did some walking around campus in the morning and it was a near perfect day. In the afternoon I headed to my physio again. I have a major pain in my quad after I bend over -- even less than a 90 degree bend at the waist. It is a bursitis that is affecting the IT band. Needless to say the pain is rather severe, but usually only lasts for a couple of seconds. Though later today it was much longer before it left and I could weight bear on that leg again. There doesn't seem to be anything in particular that I did differently this week, so we don't know what caused this silliness. Not sure when it will subside, but we've got treatment begun for now.
Pain can be irritating or it can stop you in your tracks. We all deal with a certain degree of physical pain without issue. Finding a coping strategy for pain that takes your breath away though, is much more difficult. Physical and emotional pains seem similar in this respect. Trying different things to find a solution that works for now seems reasonable, but it does get fatiguing if that strategy doesn't work for long. Time and work are needed to get back to being oneself again.
A few lines of song came to mind when working through the pain today-- "I know its time, one big step - I can't go, I'm not ready yet." The song is by a Canadian group from Toronto. They have a great country rock sound. Enjoy! 'Til I'm myself again -- Blue Rodeo
As I was leaving for my first meeting of the day, I heard the news -- THE news of the day. Gord Downie passed away overnight. He was the front man for the band The Tragically Hip, a band formed by high school friends from Kingston Ontario. The name is said to come from a comedy sketch on Michael Nesmith's hour long video, Elephant Parts -- a strange world that links us together in such unexpected ways. The Prime Minister made a statement about the death of this friend -- with obvious tears in his eyes -- "We are less as a country without Gord Downie."
Gord left us with so much. A definite legacy has been left behind in his music and ideas. The Hip made studio albums and Gord made several solo albums. Of the group's 13 albums, three were certified diamond while eight certified as platinum. Seven made number 1 in Canada. Gord's poetic words drew mental pictures that made us see life and ourselves differently. Those words put to music told the stories of Canada --not just the uplifting, happy stories, either. Gord never shied away from looking at the parts of life and our identity that might make some people squirm a bit. He told the stories of tragedies that might have been avoided -- such as wrongful imprisonment or the tragedy of the residential school system. He showed us where we could be better.
In recent years, Gord worked to bring Canadians to a place of understanding the situation present and past of indigenous peoples. He understood that to achieve the second part of Truth and Reconciliation meant we had to see the truth -- in all its ugliness. He developed an audio and visual recording called The Secret Path, a story about an aboriginal boy who died of hunger and exposure when he ran away from a residential school. Gord spoke out at those final concerts, pleading with us to see the problem and work together to fix it.
I chose two songs to share today. The lyrics of the first deal with struggle of indigenous peoples. The second song is about a police officer in Toronto who visits a small town further north to relax. There Gord sang of seeing 'the constellations reveal themselves one star at a time.' Tonight there is one more star out there to reveal itself.
It was a cool but pleasant day. Classes went fairly well as did a meeting and an appointment. I seemed to be in a hurry everywhere I went so walking was more purposeful than usual -- breathing wasn't relaxed as it should be. I arrived to all places just in time today, so found that walking had me hurrying not just walking quickly with my shoulders lowered to their rightful place.
After the last appointment, I stopped by to pick up an item and had to wait, so I wandered the store to see what was in stock. The overhead music caught my attention, so I stood under the speaker listening to the full song -- one from my youth <smile>. It made me smile, stop and breathe. I looked at all the towels and linens in that aisle while I listened. That made the rest of the day feel less rushed.
Interestingly, when I got home, I wasn't sure which song it was I'd heard. I did recall the singer. It was that distinctive voice that first caught my attention. I didn't sing along with it in my head as often happens, but I just sort of sank into it. So -- since I can't figure out which song it actually was, I'll share one from the same artist. Lyrics fit my experience with the singer in the store -- 'swept away by a distant voice calling' and 'falling back into your spell' <smile>. It is a voice I've always found soothing. Enjoy!
Another long work day is almost behind me. I spent the day grading midterms and writing parts of a report for a work committee. When taking short breaks, I checked for the mail and it was warm and humid at noon. By 2 PM it was far cooler and the wind had moved from southerly to northerly. It is to be single digit cold overnight and not too warm for a couple of days. Then maybe the temps will be slightly warmer and seasonal. Transitions of the season have been erratic and the hurricane season has six more weeks to surprise us further.
Transitions of seasons mark the days and years. Some years are more predictable than others. This year has been a challenge with so many Atlantic tropical-type storms. Living by the Gulf Stream means the warmer water and weather pass by or make landfall in this part of the nation. I suppose this could be a metaphor for life -- the ups and downs of the calm and stormy parts of life. The unpredictability of weather can also mirror a life -- something over which there seems to be little control. Making some alterations to develop stronger coping strategies could be one way to retake control. It is part of the journey after all.
The selection shared here has lyrics that fit the internal ideas of change as well as those occurring outside my window today. Enjoy!
Today saw some major files completed, It took most of the day, but things were done -- well for now <smile>. There's always the next iteration to deal with, but that will be a week or so. A full day of work for the office made me feel better about the to do list. Given that I'm a health professional, I've had jobs that required me to work weekends -- patients need to eat every day after all <smile> and meetings often occur on weekends in community work. With those jobs there were other days off during the week. With the current one, things will be crazy busy for weeks now. I hope to have a slow weekend day or two over the coming few weeks and am trying to build in some outings to give that me time feel to some of the days. It has to be done consciously otherwise we risk being sucked into the vortex.
A chorus from a song seems to fit the feeling for the day. This was recorded by a Canadian band from Halifax. Enjoy!
Sunshine began the day and then wind followed, bringing with it major cloud banks and rising temperatures. We expect rain into tomorrow. But for today, there was sun for a while. I ran an errand to the office to pick up files I'd left behind last night -- things I needed to work on this weekend. Later in the evening I realized that all the needed files were not on the flash drive, so I'll have to head up again tomorrow to fetch those so the project can be completed. Grading for one course was completed along with posting of the next assignment. The other course grading will need to wait until the committee work writing is completed. Some reading for one committee was completed today, which now leaves the written parts for both firmly at the top of the list for tomorrow.
The weariness I've been feeling led to a bit of apathy today -- well, to be truthful, a lot of apathy. <smile>. I did a bit of housework and baked a big fruit crisp for the coming week -- great for breakfast and for bedtime snack. This keeps me from eating less nutrient dense snacks when I'm tired and stressed. Tackling the apathetic feelings seems tricky. Some worry exists when the inertia settles in -- is it me not caring or is it a form of self-preservation? Some work is necessary to understand the origins. In my spare time, perhaps <grin>.
One song came to mind -- one I've shared here in the past. The lyrics cover the general apathy and the fear that comes with that feeling. The singer/songwriter put together these poetic words with a unique melody. Have loved this voice for decades. Enjoy!
Grand Ennui -- Michael Nesmith & First National Band
The end of the week arrived with much of that 'to do' list still undone. It was a long weekend, so we had a four-day week. But, we also had a four-day weekend, so that left six days of work to do in four days. <smile> I managed to get several things started well today, but not close to finishing. So, the weekend will be a working one again. It is mid-October, so this is to be expected -- actually this pace stays until finals are graded around December 20th.
The day was sunny without wind for a change. I managed through two classes and meetings, leaving time to get a start on the deadlines for next week. I'd planned to do the one that should be completed by the end of the weekend, Friday evening, but I was so tired, it just wouldn't happen. So-- I headed off to bed with the hope of getting course things and some committee things done on Saturday.
A song line ran through my mind -- the title and chorus line that expressed my inability to get things done by set deadlines. I chose a version that is a fun cover sung by a Canadian and an American. The Canadian is a comedian, side-line singer, and winery owner. Enjoy!
Time won't let me -- the Blues Brothers (Dan Ackroyd & Jim Belushi)
Sunny and cool today. I managed to head out for a couple of errands around campus, so was able to be part of the outside world -- watch the clouds and enjoy the blue patches of sky. I needed this. Things are piling up this week -- on everyone's desks. I'm not sure how I'll get it all done for next week when it will all begins again. Several larger administrative projects weigh heavily right now and fight to push all other needed work and focus into a corner somewhere -- simply demanding undivided attention. That sort of singular approach to the work just can't happen. There's just too much to do.
This is not uncommon for this time of year. Finding ways to deal with the stress can be difficult. In grad school, a friend and I provided sounding boards and support for each other, though we recognized the one key to success in this approach was that we both couldn't have bad days on the same day. We were joking, but there is some truth there. When all around you are in the same heightened state of anxiety, providing support and not adding to someone's burden can be almost impossible. Open communication lines can help.
When thinking of a soothing song, the selection for today came to mind. The lyrics describe a supportive relationship and the keyboards and harmonies can bring a sense of calm. Enjoy!
The temperature turned today. Seasonal weather makes a jacket a necessity -- especially with northerly winds. While cool, there was much sun between wicked looking clouds that didn't drop any rain in town. With a fleece vest under the wind-breaker/rain jacket, it would be perfect for a walk. Maybe tomorrow, I'll work that in somewhere.
This morning I heard a newer song by a favourite Canadian singer/songwriter. He has released a new album and a new memoir book -- both sounded worth the time to read or listen, as he spoke about them on the morning show today. The book tells about his musical tour across Canada for the first time.I saw the band on that and a couple of later tours. The song he played is shared here -- a fun, high energy tune with lyrics that made me think of what the sun was saying to me today. <smile> Would have beaten the paper shuffle in my office for sure. Enjoy!
During this busy day, with the remnants of tropical cyclone Nate moving through with rain, there was one activity that was different from the usual days. I was able to meet with a researcher from the UK who has done some work on the career of someone I've been studying. Speaking to someone who has a passion for the same personage was delightful. It doesn't always happen, particularly when studying someone from the mid-19th Century. <smile> The chef involved is part of the work I've been doing on the Crimean War and feeding of fighting and injured troops in the British army of the time. The gentleman I met with today, studied this same chef in the decades before the war. It was wonderful to discuss the chef, his personality and many accomplishments in food services of the day. There is a major historical display set for a major museum in 2019 -- so once the timing on that is nailed down, there will be a trip planned for me. I'm also hoping to go before that to work through some library collections to fill in the gaps in the current research.
Finding someone to chat with about the things that stir the creativeness in one is a true gift. I can speak to many people about this project, but most glaze over before I have the project purpose and exciting findings laid out. Being able to speak to someone who truly understands the subject and the historical time period involved really is rare for me. I found myself using the 1850s place names -- most of which changed in the early 20th Century -- so Constantinople (Istanbul) and Scutari (Uskadar) came out of my mouth today. The port area on the Asian side of the Bosporus was in Scutari and the strait led into the Black Sea, where injured troops were transported from the Crimean peninsula to the huge hospital that still stands. So, today I heard back story on one of the key characters in my investigations -- information that helped to put the chef into context. Very cool. Making connections along the way with other researchers is a fun part of the job.
So today I'm going to share a song from the 1950s -- a time of less enlightenment -- but a song that speaks to the changes in names that have occurred many times in many places throughout time. This song speaks to the city that straddles the Bosporus and sits in both Europe and Asia. Enjoy!
We got together for dinner tonight to celebrate Thanksgiving. I cooked a vegetable dish -- turnip and carrot puff. Other dishes included candied sweet potatoes, vegetable rice salad (with red and wild rice), green beans with onions and pine nuts, vegetable fried rice, roasted tomatoes, and chicken. Needless to say the plate was covered in veggies and whole grains with some meat as an accompaniment. <smile> Dessert was a pumpkin roll (like jelly roll) with raisin cinnamon filling. All was yummy. A meeting of several of us who were by ourselves for Thanksgiving this year made the evening fun. Conversations had many perspectives represented and topics were truly varied. Again, a wonderful evening together with colleagues and friends.
Commensality -- the act of sharing a meal with others -- that seems to be the centre of many Thanksgiving dinners. A friend had a small group of international students join her family for dinner and a Canadian tradition. Our table included people from across the country and two continents. Students who don't live close to 'home' stayed in town for the weekend, with several getting together to cook a traditional feast together. Each of these dinners demonstrates caring for others and working together to produce a lovely meal. While cooking for one does not mean meals are dull, a large meal means more when shared with others.
So -- what am I thankful for today? Warm fall weather -- even with the rain involved. Good friends to share a meal. Changing leaves --even if they are later than usual this year <smile> they are still stunning as reds, pinks, yellows and oranges in many shades. Having a full season -- 3 months -- that is autumn. Music and electronic media that connect me with so many wonderful people -- phone conversations and snail mail would not help us keep updated as well as the laptop/phone/tablet does.
The song shared here was meant for a day such as today. The lyrics speak to a meal together in a subdued and calming melody. the visuals for this one were the least offensive of those I found -- only one photo early on of indigenous people that bothers me. My apologies. Enjoy!
Overnight rain fell in spurts. There were further sharp showers throughout the day. Accompanying the rain was major wind. All of this is blowing in from the south -- Nate pushing things northward. We are expecting more rain when the remnants of Nate flow through -- likely Tuesday. Until then, the humidity will be high and temperatures warmer than seasonal norms. Overnight lows are higher than daytime highs of the past week.
Wind and rain bring changes. They blow leaves and branches from trees. They mess up hair and remove hats from heads. They can bring a change in weather -- wanted or otherwise. I've often thought that when we are working to make changes in the world or in ourselves, we produce micro-climates of changing winds around us. These, in turn, can affect the climates of those around us -- for good or not so good. One person can push weather towards others, with some more powerful than others. Interesting -- more metaphors to ponder.
A song about the wind is shared today. It is from a singer/songwriter from decades ago, who had a major name change. His songs carry deeper thoughts. Enjoy!
The Wind -- Cat Stevens (Yusef Islam) from album Teaser and the Firecat
Well, another Saturday almost over. I managed my way through most of the laundry today and finished up a few smaller pieces for work. Some cooking projects began and will be completed tomorrow and Monday. The pre-prep for a vegetable dish as my contribution to the Thanksgiving gathering on Monday was at the centre of the kitchen activities. I hope to get some things into the deep freeze this weekend so that dinners will require a quick reheat in the coming few weeks of craziness. I thought a fruit crisp would be great for the next week to get extra fruit/veg servings into me in the evenings when I'd like something sweet. That is on tomorrow's agenda.
The weather was sunny and warm -- still in the teens (60sF), but such clear blue skies and wonderful light. I went out for a bit to pick up some items needed for cooking. People were out for walks and were enjoying the weather of the day. Sunny days seem special, especially when we know the rain and then something frozen will follow. The fall has been drier than usual and much warmer than usual. Tropical air has been pushed northward ahead of the many storms this season -- and there are still about six weeks left in the official hurricane season. This also means the house can be painted later in the year than usual.
An upbeat song for this warm fall day was selected to share. A musical genius was behind the song, though the singer is newer. Enjoy!
This morning began as every other day this week -- with outside workers scraping and sanding the side of the house to ready it for painting. The scraping was manageable as it was not as continuous as a power tool version. The latter provides the loudest noise indoors but very little sound outside. The vibration in the house was major at times -- creating fear and consternation in the furry one and messing with my head over time. It could give me a headache from the sound. I felt sorry for the little guy with the super hearing -- it must be horrific for him. Luckily once this was done we've had two days with mainly painting. For the most part, this was much quieter. Sleep will be on the agenda for both of us over the weekend, I'm sure.
While I was trying to sound reassuring for the furry one, I was trying to say the sound was a good one. It meant our house would look prettier when it was all done. The back looks great with the new paint and today we had scraping and sanding and then painting of one side of the house. That appears freshened up as I walked by this evening. Perhaps we could all use a freshen-up, but from the inside rather than external changes. For it is who we are inside that really shows to the world and not just the external decor. While we generally think of a spring cleaning, it may be just as reasonable to do this in the fall. Hmmm.
The lines of lyric in my head this week come from a famous song. Covers of this one aren't as common -- the original was done with amazing production that gave a very distinctive sound. One cover that works in its own way is shared here today. Enjoy!
The musical world is mourning the loss of one of the greats -- Tom Petty. This singer, songwriter, and guitarist enjoyed respect from industry giants. His unassuming persona fed his songs about ordinary people and underdogs. Some of the most amazing lyrics came from his poetic nature. During his career he fronted with two groups -- Mudcruch and the Heartbreakers. Later he joined the group began by George Harrison, the Travelling Wilburys, along with Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne. He also released two major solo albums -- Full Moon Fever and Wildflowers. He toured with Bob Dylan, had a wonderful duet with Stevie Nicks and backed one of Johnny Cash's later albums.
Petty's approach to music was organic -- with songs arriving through him as a type of conduit from elsewhere. They arrived from places he did not fully understand, but were salient to listeners. His distinctive voice delivered the lyrics and melodies so well. His creativity will be sorely missed.
Choosing just one song wouldn't work today. I have two -- and even that was difficult. The first is from his solo album, Full Moon Fever (tonight is a full moon after all). The lyrics of this one seemed to catch me this week -- "I'm gonna free fall out into nothin'; gonna leave this world for a while." The second selection was sung by all in the group -- it seemed a fitting farewell as the 3rd man exits the train. I think there would have been a great reunion concert with Orbison, Harrison, and Petty this week. <smile> Enjoy!
It was a glorious day! Temperatures rose to summery levels with minimal wind. The sky was an expanse of blue with a few wispy clouds. As I walked from my car to the building this morning, I noticed there were jet contrails in the sky -- 3 or 4 of them. When I headed out in mid-afternoon to go to a meeting, there were 7 visible bands across the sky -- newer narrow trails and older wide trails. There was even a jet producing a brand new trace. So, why was I struck by this? Since moving to the maritimes, this is not as common a sight as it is on the prairies. I found myself looking up when outside today, monitoring the contrails and pondering their nature. Interesting.
As I left campus tonight, I was going to turn left, but when I looked right there was a huge -- like HUGE -- moon rising in the east. So I drove that way to look at it. A block later it was hidden behind the trees, still being low in the sky. I looked out tonight and it is beautiful and bright in the southern sky.
Given the skyward gazes of my day, I chose a song that made me think of watching the sky. While it deals with a different meteorological entity, the lyrics made me think of pondering the contrails today. Where are those planes going to or coming from? It made me think of travel I'd like to do and that I've already done. I love the poetic nature of the lyrics from this singer-songwriter.this video includes pictures with rock illuminati -- watch for the famous faces <smile> (not bad from a girl born in Fort McLeod AB who lived in Saskatoon later. <big smile>.) Enjoy!
Today was filled with a number of work tasks. A changeover of the ceiling lights has made it difficult to see while at my desk -- too dark -- and I had an eye strain issue after an hour of trying to work there. Now, over by the door and file cabinet, where the light was moved, I can see reasonably well. Just can't do the work without a desk there. Sitting in a chair balancing binders of information and still make notes for myself was a challenge -- balancing it all on my knee was just plain silly. There was to be a consultation before any further changes were made from the major one in the summer -- two banks of lights down to a single light. So frustrating. I'm sure we'll get the issue sorted out, but I still need to work during the sorting it all out phase.
I wore my mothers wedding band, which I do most days. Today I also wore her engagement set. I'd hoped to wear Dad's band, but thumb wasn't big enough to keep it on -- on humid days my hands swell more and it would fit then -- just not today. So, why did I choose to wear these items today? Sixty-four years ago today, my parents were married. I've wondered what the day looked like. All the photos are in black and white. It wasn't raining, but it is difficult to tell what the sky was like from the light of the photos. It must have been warm as the bridesmaids were outside without sleeves and did not look uncomfortable. I've recently wondered, why I never asked what the day was like, beyond the event itself. I'll have to ask some other relatives who were there for their recollections.
The song shared today was one of my Dad's favourites. His waltz included a bit of an extra step -- sort of a foxtrot or two-step addition. This version is sung by a Canadian singer both mom and dad enjoyed. We went as a family to see her on her first cross-country tour -- where she wore her green tie-dyed dress (wedding dress) and went barefoot on stage <grin>. Enjoy!
Today brought the installation of a new Governor General for Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette. She is an accomplished business woman who speaks 7 languages, holds a graduate degree in engineering, was the second Canadian woman in space and the first Canadian on the ISS. Her love of music was reflected in the ceremony today. She plays piano and has sung with the Montreal symphony and chamber choirs.
The coat of arms prepared for her includes a couple of bars of music, an astronaut helmet, two Canadian lynx rampant, and the motto per aspera ad astra' -- through hardship to the stars. This motto has been used by astronauts, but it has much meaning beyond that. The network host noted that these words indicate that hope is found in all situations -- we only need to look for it. I found it inspiring -- as a motto should be <smile>. It reminded me of a line I'd heard in some show or other that noted if you were going through hell, keep going.
While grading at home today, I had the ceremony playing in the background. I looked up when I heard a familiar voice singing in the foyer as the GG left the chamber. I haven't found the exact song he was singing, but will choose one that he still sings -- first heard this from the first album 30 years ago. The singer, songwriter (and author) writes in Innu (and occasionally French), a First Nations language spoken by a very small group of people living in northern Quebec. The lyrics of the song shared here note the pride in one's heritage. Enjoy!
Frost warnings were out for last night and it was rather chilly indoors this morning. The daytime high felt so pleasant -- high 60sF or about 16-18C. The sky was clear blue. I drove to the office to pick up a file I'd forgotten on Friday. It would have been a perfect day to walk up and back to enjoy the day, but given the sore foot, I had to forgo that pleasure. There will be fewer days like this as we venture further into fall. I do hope that the soreness improves and I can get in some walking on days that aren't just grey and rainy -- though I would take that if this painful foot would improve <smile>.
I worked throughout the day on lecture prep and exam drafts. It felt like a calm day -- almost peaceful.
Finding days that arrive with that air of calm is a gift. I'm not convinced -- as some platitudes would have it -- that this is fully in my control. The universe sees fit to provide moments here and there that close in on perfection. My job becomes recognizing and accepting them. Today was that kind of day. Listening to a movie and a documentary as I worked led me to ponder forgiveness. This, I believe to be a key to the door where we find acceptance, peace and love. Forgiving others is often the focus, but learning to forgive oneself may be more difficult.
Several songs came to mind that explained aspects of today. I chose one with lyrics that covered the overall feeling of the day. Lyrics and melody provide a light, up beat feel -- one that doesn't question the feeling, but just rolls with it. Enjoy!
