Day 4 - 365 -- Happy New Year!

The end of the calendar year presents a time to reflect on experiences of the past year and look to the hopes and plans for the next year. It often becomes a tallying of the dichotomous good and bad or success and failure. Perhaps this is the time we should examine all events along the continuum and attempt to learn from all. Failure can be a great teacher. How did we handle it? Did we stop and move to something entirely different? Did we rework the plan and try again? Learning from what we often see as negative outcomes can bring unique understandings of who we are and how we can alter our viewpoints and perceived successes. Even failing can be a positive outcome if viewed as a source for growth. Constructive feedback provides further fodder for reflection and deciding what we will do differently, if anything, when faced with similar situations in the future. 

This past year has had many wonderful experiences -- travel to a new city and province, seeing an iceberg, completing a great MOOC on food insecurity, wonderful meals with friends. There have been encounters that didn't have the outcome I'd intended. Persevering with the items led me to improve the approaches taken. Implementing the altered plans will take the activities to the next level. Sometimes throwing one's hands up in the air and walking away is the easy route. But, should we always take the smoothest road? 

My hopes for 2018 include having time to care for myself so that I am better equipped to care for others and that we all find the moments of beauty, wonder and joy that pass through our days. Health and peace are wished for us all. Happy New Year! 

For the fourth year, I have found this blog to be a place to ponder life's questions both large and small. I still find it interesting that others read my musings. <smile> As I've noted in the past, sharing ideas and music with others means the ideas are no longer mine alone. A song that often makes me think of the blog, rather that the other way around, is shared tonight. The singer-songwriter uses his poetic and musical  skills to put together lyrics and melody. The production uses a gramophone sound, while the intro has a decided psychedelic feel to it. Enjoy! 

Tapioca Tundra -- The Monkees (written by Michael Nesmith)

  

Day 4 - 364 -- Power of Little Things

When I woke this morning the sunshine filled the house. The furry one parked in the large light patch in the kitchen showing his golden undercoat in all its glory. By afternoon a few snowflakes danced in the air sparkling in the sunshine. The day was spent doing the ordinary tasks of a weekend -- laundry and cooking -- with some time devoted to writing an abstract for an upcoming conference submission. In the evening, I had a great chat with a friend who had just returned from a holiday visit with family.

While still feeling the effects of entropy and lethargy, I did appreciate the sunlight today. Taking note of the beauty around us sometimes takes effort. Other times it is big, bold and in your face. <smile> Coping with the chaos of life and keeping on track isn't easy. Finding the energy to juggle life's curves and hills can take more effort than is available. That is when seeing the beauty in the world can provide that slight lift to get things moving for us. I need to find a way to remind myself to look for the small things -- do they make alarm clocks like that? <smile>

A song came to mind when thinking of the inner and outer beauty that we sometimes miss seeing. It is by a wonderful singer-songwriter. It comes from an amazing album that I played many times. I loved the cover -- the singer with her tabby cat, Telemachus. Enjoy!

Beautiful -- Carole King

Day 4 - 363 -- Grey Day

After the brightness of the sunshine earlier this week, today was an abrupt change. Outside the window everything seemed grey. The sun tried to come out once or twice, but nothing major happened. I did move the 1 to 2 cm snow that fell last evening and overnight. It was a challenging process since solid ice hid under the snow in places.

My mood brought the greyness inside. Last night, I had odd dreams and woke very tired -- a feeling that didn't leave during the day. Concentrating on anything was difficult. I pulled out some papers needed for writing due next week, made some Thai burgers for the freezer, and steam cleaned the floors. I listened to music during much of the activities, which brought a few brief smiles. I plan to get to bed tonight and wake when my body chooses tomorrow.

When gloom is the word of the day, physical and mental efforts feel taxing. Reflecting on the mood and what the cause might be is difficult and not always productive. Is it just being too tired to care? If so, why might tears appear at the drop of hat? There are always things I don't want to do, those I don't like to do, and those that would be fun to do. Moving forward with any of these may work, but may not either. The will to do anything other than listen to reruns on TV or play online games runs low. Now, taking a day to do 'me' things sounds great, but it would work better if I felt good about it all <smile>.

The song that came to mind when looking at the grey skies and lack of colour in the neighbourhood is by a singer-songwriter featured often in this blog. The lyrics reflect the world-weariness experienced today. They also recognize the changes in perception that occur as the years progress. Enjoy!

Shades of Grey -- Billy Joel

Day 4 - 362 -- Cleaning and Clearing

Another very cold day today but with very little wind. Sunshine appeared for part of the morning followed by cloud that has led to snow. The total accumulation should be small, if the computer models used by the weather gurus have this correct. There is just enough right now to cover the ice and make walking trickier than earlier in the day. The temperatures are to warm a bit, but still be well below freezing. I know, it is winter now <smile>.

The indoor work involved much dusting, sweeping and vacuuming. It was a real workout and cheaper than joining a gym <smile>. It felt good to have the time to devote to cleaning more than the light surface touch ups of mid - to late academic term. I'm hoping to do a number of other cleaning and clearing tasks in the next two days. This work has a great purpose and gives the brain time to rest or think through conundrums. It is the internal decluttering that comes with the external clearing of detritus. Given the major muscle and brain work of today, I'm hoping that there is no need to push snow tomorrow -- the muscles need a brief rest between workouts.

A lyric line seemed to fit the cleaning of cluttery areas. The tempo is upbeat and the lyrics are fun. Enjoy!

Incense and Peppermints -- Strawberry Alarm Clock

Day 4 - 361 -- Bright Lights

The sun shone all day but it was very cold. Major winds continued to circle around with gusts roaring past. Even sitting inside it was deafening at times. I spent two hours at the dealership having the winter prep work done with oil change and the vehicle safety check. There is some work to be done in the new year, but it is under some very extended warranty thankfully, as this is an all day job to replace the cradles. I got to look at them when up on the hoist and they do look ugly -- not immediately problematic, but they should be done while the warranty is still in place. I won't argue with that.

Driving around town was challenging in the very bright sun, which hangs lower in the sky at this time of year and aims directly at the eyes of drivers. Coupled with the glare from the sunlight hitting the ice covered ground, this made it difficult to look in any direction or to see clearly -- something that makes operating a large vehicle so much easier. The parking lots at businesses that were closed over the Christmas storm look like skating rinks. Salt won't do much for it since the temperature will be below -10C for a few days. It is time to find the sand until it warms a bit. That and find a brimmed hat and wrap around sunglasses.

I said a line from a song lyric several times today. It is a wordy lyric with a number of scenes jumbled together. It was written by a master singer songwriter in his early days -- before he mastered word economy <smile> but the style is interesting. It was on his debut album in 1973 and was covered by a band about four years later. The cover version went to number one in the US and was top ten in UK and Canada. That is the version shared here tonight. Enjoy!

Blinded by the Lights -- Manfred Mann's Earth Band (written by Bruce Springsteen)

Day 4 - 360 -- Boxing Day Mystery

The major winds of last night abated early in the morning. A call from a friend invited me to a turkey dinner to celebrate the season albeit on a different day. I made a new vegetable dish to take and organized some cookies for our annual exchange. Theirs are always more elaborate than mine, but we enjoy trying each others recipes -- some are keepers and others are 'once-ers' <smile>. Dinner was lovely and I was sent home with leftovers for dinner tomorrow -- and for that wonderful turkey bunwich at bedtime <grin>.

When I looked out the front window this afternoon to see how icy it looked, I was startled by something large lying behind the car. It looked for all the world like a body -- at least it was the right size. As I tried to focus better on this (at least 75 feet away) a wind gust came along and lifted the edge of a blue tarp. The entire thing did not move, just the one edge waved in the air momentarily. So, something was holding the rest down. A Boxing Day mystery at my house. I thought that whatever it was could wait the hour before I headed out for supper. So, under cover of darkness, I trudged to the car and started it to melt the thick ice sheet on the windshield --well melt enough to be chiseled off. Then I took a deep breath and walked around the back of the car and discovered the tarp was gigantic -- like the size of Manhattan. As I lifted the part that I'd seen moving earlier, it became clear that parts of it were frozen into the slush of yesterday night. So, I tugged at it all, did my best to roll it into a ball of sorts and took it closer to the house and tucked it under the yew tree. I suspect it is from an uphill neighbour. I'll deal with that in the daylight. I obviously read to many murder mysteries <grin>.

Given the excitement of the day with the story in my driveway, I've chosen a song with lyrics that sort of fit the events. It is sung by a Nova Scotian singer with a lovely voice. enjoy!

Building a Mystery -- Sarah McLachlan

Day 4 - 359 -- Holiday Celebrations

This Christmas Day ended on a high note. The day began with a quasi-traditional breakfast -- purchased cinnamon ring rather than a homemade pull-apart ring. To be honest the homemade one is way too big for one person and a local bakery makes a small ring with 6 small rolls, which works much better. In the afternoon, I prepared a vegetable dish to take to dinner along with a cheese plate. A conversation with an uncle made me smile again -- so good to hear familiar voices on major holidays. Two inches of ice pellets fell in the early morning, so I moved those out of the way before the temperature warmed and the bits of rain began. It is to freeze overnight and be very cold for several days, so moving what could be moved will minimize the ice that forms later.

I walked up the hill to my friends' place for dinner before the sun set fully. Most of the sidewalks were covered in slushy stuff and water. Plows were out pushing water mixed with slush down the roads. They made an unholy loud noise as they passed. The evening involved amazing food, good wine and great conversations. There was much laughter and at times the seven of us were so loud we had to shout to be heard in our individual conversations. <smile> My walk back down the hill involved more care than the earlier uphill walk. Parts of the water had begun to freeze. The winds nearly blew me off my feet once, so when I heard a gust approaching, I anchored my feet in some semi-frozen slush and bent forward to keep myself from losing balance. There were two larger branches down across the sidewalk along the 20 minute walk that took great care to step over.

Once home I listened to the Queen's Christmas message where she noted that 60 years ago her message was the first to be televised where she spoke of the need to use changing technologies to communicate. Today, she noted that many people will watch the message on electronic devices -- yet another technological advance. She highlighted the concept of home as a place of peace, by saying, "We think of our homes as places of warmth, familiarity and love . . . there is a timeless simplicity to the pull of home."  Today, I found myself in a negative space feeling alone, yet it ended with a clear message to me that I am far from alone <smile>. Perhaps it wasn't really feeling alone, so much as realizing that many people who were part of holiday celebrations are not here to celebrate now. Holidays can enhance the hole left behind. But, looking up and around, we can find many newer celebrants if we just allow ourselves to look.

The song for today sounds slow and mournful, yet I think I can see it through a different lens. Even if we can't get to that place we think of as home -- whether it be past or present -- it will remain a part of us as a memory to treasure not one to get us bogged down. This version is sung by a Canadian often featured in this blog. Enjoy!

I'll be Home for Christmas -- Michael Buble

Day 4 - 358 -- Ready or Not . . .

Final preparations for tomorrow seem to be completed. Pre-prep for appetizer and vegetable side dish I'm taking out for dinner tomorrow. Gifts are wrapped for that trip, too. I made a supper that I only make once a year and today seemed as good a day as any. Toad in hole is a family dinner we had when I was a child -- rather high in fat, so it isn't made often. <smile> Three more cards were addressed and will be sent out on Wednesday when the post office reopens. Maybe by then I'll have the two final handwritten notes completed to send, too. For some reason these seem to sit for a long while before I got to them this year. I'm sure there is some big internal reason for that, but I'm not searching too deeply for this one. <smile>

Today I have thought of several people who aren't here for Christmas as in the past years. Yet, as I noted to a friend earlier today, new traditions can be fun to make -- difficult at times, but fun nonetheless. NORAD has been tracking Santa since his travels began in the west Pacific. The sleigh is in the west Atlantic now, so he should be flying overhead before we know it. I plan to wash my hair and watch Scrooge with a festive beverage <smile>. These thoughts brought a song to mind by a singer who is no longer here except in recordings (thankfully). I've also included a little greeting from another well known artist. Enjoy!

Christmas all over again -- Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Happy Christmas -- Nelson Wilbury

Day 4 - 357 -- Seasonal Greetings

It has been a busy but productive day -- doing housework, errands and Christmas decorating. I'm pleased to say the stockings are hung -- in this case from the buffet in absence of fireplace mantel. Two batches of cookies baked -- they seem a bit larger than usual, which must be why there are fewer in number <smile>. Ginger snaps and fruit spice cookies called 'rocks' -- ones mom made every year. Mine spread more, so will need to add more flour to the mix next time. Walked out to Main street to the drug store this afternoon. It was cloudy, but warmer than yesterday. It is now raining, with temperatures to remain above freezing into tomorrow, too.

While baking and listening to Christmas tunes, I found myself thinking of how people feel at the holidays. Some are super excited, just as children often are. Others accept the craziness and move along with the flow, though they understand that one doesn't have to bake dozens of different cookies and cakes and such to enjoy the season. Still others find the time of year accentuates the burdens carried throughout the year. Whether this stems from unpleasant memories of the holidays or missing the way holidays had been spent in the past, getting through the few weeks of festivities can be excessively challenging. I saw all of these faces walking on Main Street today. A smile was gifted to each of them. The season seems to expect only happy, joyful people. Not fitting that mold must add to the less happy feelings.

The lyrics of a traditional carol struck me as a greeting given. To me it sounds more like a wish for all to find moments of happiness and comfort. The version shared here today is a non-traditional take on a traditional song. It made me smile and I hope it does the same for you. Enjoy!

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen -- Pentatonix

Day 4 - 356 -- Relaxing Music

Another day filled with errands and work is almost over. For the first official day of winter, the day lived up to expectations. It was cold. Even with sun visible, there was snow in the air most of the day -- just dancing in the air and not really falling anywhere. At noon I braved the grocery store to get 4 of the 6 things on my list. The place was a madhouse. The parking lot had people driving in their own invented lanes without any thought whatsover. A radio DJ from home used to tell people to drive carefully since the bozo factor was high. Today was one of those days. I parked in the mall lot and walked back over to the grocery store. That seemed less stressful than trying to circle with the other folks all looking for the same empty spot.

The rest of the afternoon involved working on files for the course and lab websites. I'm hoping to take some time away from that over the next few days. There are many household and holiday things to do instead -- baking, letters and final house decorating still to be done. Then I just want to rest -- watch a movie or two, read a book that isn't for work, and visit with friends. Pulling back from work that is all consuming isn't easy to do. Our world seems to be filled with work requests and expectations that take most of one's waking hours. Granted, some of those expectations are from inside and not external demands. Those are the ones that seem most difficult to abandon -- well at least without replacing them with guilt. <smile>

Tonight I want to rest and get a good sleep. It may take some relaxing thoughts and sounds to get to that point. This thought brought to mind a song that I heard for the first time earlier this month. It was sung by our community chorus. I recall being struck by the beauty of the melody and the words -- as well as the delightful voices in the solo and chorus parts. I had to hunt about to find an online version (not many actual recordings available) but I did find one that has a great voice -- gives me goosebumps. Enjoy!

Christmas Angel -- (by Corlynn Hanney) performed by Quintessential Vocal Ensemble, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

Day 4 - 355 -- Light and Harmony

A long work day filled with lecture slides for the coming term. Much editing completed, but more that will need to occur once back in the office with some older slides from other courses and research projects that will fit very well. I guess that is my head making this mine -- and not someone else's way to present the information. <smile> It did help me to get into the 12 chapters of the text and begin to understand what the content involves. Still more there than can be easily fit into 13 weeks, but I can edit judiciously during the next term.

The day was sunny for the parts of the day that I actually saw outside the windows. Sunshine was a pleasant change from some of the cloudier days of late. It also made the shortest day of the year, which heralds the beginning of winter, brighter than usual. While the light was lessened, what was there was clear and bright. Days now begin to increase the daylight we experience -- by seconds and minutes, but it is moving in a positive direction.

I wanted a song that would speak to the positives of the season. One from a newer album crossed my path. I do like this version, but still have difficulty disentangling the chorus from a major marketing campaign from a few decades ago. The video for this one shows the wonderful multi-cultural nature of our country. Enjoy!

Santa's Wish (Teach the World) -- The Canadian Tenors

Day 4 - 354 -- Take a Break

A break at mid-day made the day that much more pleasant. The day began with a province-wide black ice warning. A late morning walk to the post office showed that there were still hidden spots of ice along the road and sidewalks. After mailing the parcels today, I met a friend from campus for lunch. It seemed that many others had the same idea -- there were  five tables of university employees, including the president, and at least two others that came in for retail purchases. <smile> Everyone must be feeling the time to breathe for a change.

Going out for lunch -- it sounds simple. In past jobs, it was something that happened regularly with colleagues and visitors. Having the flexibility to include this social act in one's life is something that can be taken for granted. Many jobs have shorter lunch breaks or require that people work through the traditional lunch times. I find that even if I have the time to run out for lunch, it can be difficult to find someone else with the time. The whole goal of going out for lunch is the social aspect of sharing food and conversations -- commensality. So, when we find the time, it feels rather decadent to go out. <smile>

At lunch, my friend used the lyrics from two holiday songs in her conversation. It made me giggle. I chose one of those songs for the blog today. Many covers exist. I chose one by a Canadian singer that has been featured in the blog several times. It is a song I remember from my childhood, but this version is more recent.  Enjoy!

FYI -- this singer did a duet of this song with Elvis that forced her to use her lower registers well, but missed on the higher end.

Silver Bells -- Anne Murray

Day 4 - 353 -- Rushing, Rushing Everywhere

The weather changed today. I walked into work in the snow and home in the rain. There were some rather slippery sections on the downhill slanted sidewalks. I stood at one place and simply slid down hill and into the street -- luckily no car in that lane then. The snow on the ground was quite slushy but I pushed what I could off the walkway at home. Tonight brings a temperature drop that will freeze it all solid. It really seems winter has arrived.  Other than the weather watching, I seemed to be running around at the office getting the final things done before leaving work tonight. I plan to work from home tomorrow and then the campus closes until January 2 -- and classes begin January 3. <yikes> So much left to do for work and for Christmas mailing -- celebrating on the Julian calendar this year, I think <smile..

Rushing around seems the norm for this time of year. People prepare for travel and guests over the holidays which involves much shopping, cooking, baking, decorating, cleaning, and on and on. Everyone is in a hurry. I'm not sure why we wind ourselves up so much but it has been like this for as long as I recall. Adding the world of academia to the mix just augments the high level stress. We need to find moments of calm in the craziness -- not an easy task. We did have a campus holiday lunch today, which gave us a short time to visit and relax. Yet, relaxing feels selfish when there is so much to do no matter which way we turn. This may be the time for the common anxiety dream of running away from all things pressuring us to be perfect. <smile>

I heard a song as I worked away this afternoon that seemed to be the anthem of the day. The lyrics seem to pressure the title character to push more to go faster -- like one's best just isn't enough. Many versions have been recorded. Today I share one from a great singer who grew up in Canada, and is from Scotland originally. Enjoy!

Run, Run, Rudolph -- Johnny Reid

Day 4 - 352 -- Mini-Celebration

I slept in today after getting to bed around 3 AM. I headed into the office with the piles of papers. I did the final grading for three assignments and added those to the spreadsheet program that calculates the grades for me. I will let them sit while I check through everything to ensure my equations are actually correct <smile> and will enter those grades tomorrow after meetings. At that point, I will be moving into January planning. The lab manuals that I left with the printer late last week arrived in the office today. So -- one major part is done. Now I just have to figure out what I have to do for each lab session <grin>.

The weather remained very cold today but with less wind than yesterday, yet still enough to register a colder 'feel like' temperature. After work I headed out to find a wreath to hang on the front of the house. I went to the tree lot at the mall and they sold the last of them yesterday! There are several places in town where independent vendors generally set up, but I have not seen them at all this month. So, unless the grocery store has something left <yuck> I will not have a wreath this year. <pout>  I did make a mini-celebration dinner tonight to mark the end of the big grading for this term -- chicken with gnocchi with mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and balsamic. Yummy. I even found the angel and placed it on the top of my tree. It reminds me of home as it is a wheat weaving -- gorgeous.

I felt the need for a different holiday song today -- one that challenges my foreign language skills <smile>. I love the two voices here that blend so well. Enjoy!

Mis Deseos/Feliz Navidad -- Michael Bulbe & Thalia

Day 4 - 351 -- Feeling Giddy

A day late getting this typed and up. I graded until the pile was done yesterday -- finishing abut 1 AM with another 1.5 hours of grade calculation. So, I had a huge case of grading brain and the need to sleep by the time it was over. My big break was a trip to the great outdoors to push snow. It was very cold and I did come in after 5 minutes to put on the bigger winter mittens. The wind was biting and even those mitts had my fingers very,very cold by the time I finished. This lasted about 20 minutes since the snow was very light due to the colder temperature and there was only 3-4 inches on the ground.

I'll admit to being a bit giddy when I finished the grading as well as finishing the first snow moving of the season. So the song that went through my head was a bit odd -- well the song isn't odd so much as the  version I had in my head was odd. I'm sure I felt a bit like Beaker does at the end of this one. <grin> Enjoy!

Carol of the Bells -- The Muppets (Beaker, Swedish Chef and Animal)

Day 4 - 350 -- Wishes

The day has been filled with me making red marks on piles of paper and adding numbers from the scratches on paper. There is still a long way to  go with this last exam -- it is pretty much all short answer questions. I'm about half way through the process and need another 12-16 hours to get to the end of grading -- with another 2 or so to calculate the grades. it will get done on time, but I want it done now <smile>. How's that for adult patience/ <grin>

I've always subscribed to the binge school of grading technique. I do one question at a time to ensure as much objectivity to the process as possible. I also grade blind (except for the odd paper where someone has written their name at the top of every page). I'd prefer not to know who was answering in what way or expect certain outcomes from each name. Again, it adds to objective grading by removing some of the subjectivity that all humans will carry. So, today I only did a few loads of laundry along with the grading. That ensured that I got up and moved around every so often. It made me do some of  the stretching recommended by my physio, too. As I was getting near the end of my grading effectiveness tonight, I was surprised by a loud noise outside. Was it? Could it be?? Yes indeed, it was the snow plough driving up and then down the street. It was obviously snowing more than the 1-3 cm the prognosticators had suggested this afternoon. It looked like about 8 cm sitting on the porch rails. After a couple mighty wind gusts, that left the rails, so my easy way to eyeball the amount has disappeared. Perhaps the exercise between questions tomorrow will be to push a path to the street and clear off the porch and sidewalks.

I heard a song that says much of what I often think of at this time of year. It is soothing and has a beautiful melody to go with the lyrics of hope. The singer/songwriter was introduced to me years ago by friends and I'm so glad they did. Enjoy!

That's What I Want for Christmas -- James Lee Stanley

Day 4 - 349 -- Hope

Woke way too early today -- about an hour before the alarm. This isn't uncommon on exam days. I certainly don't want to be late when all those people will be waiting to write this thing. Today was the last day of the exam period and everyone in the room was writing their last for the term and for at  least one student, the last exam of their undergrad career. Most had plans to head home in the next 24 hours. There was a line up for the bus out of town this afternoon -- a smaller group than earlier in the week but a lot of people and luggage. The sun was shining, though the air stayed below freezing all day. The moderate wind carried a big windchill. Walking across campus in mid-afternoon, made me question my decision not to wear my parka today -- I was warm except for my upper legs which the parka covers. It wasn't to be too cold (except for the wind) so I refused to acknowledge that winter weather might be upon us.

It was great to see the smiling faces as people left the exam today and to hear the wishes for a good holiday and break. After that was over, I had lunch with friends -- something that often makes me smile. Today I laughed and was semi-silly. It felt great. I'd rather be in a reasonable place when grading this weekend, so I hope the slight up-tick in mood can hold.

While thinking of the stresses and challenges many face over the holidays, a song by a Canadian singer/songwriter came to mind. The lyrics carry a message of hope. Enjoy!

Maybe This Christmas -- Ron Sexsmith

Day 4 - 348 -- Working Through

Accomplished many things today, but still feel buried under it all.  Some gift shopping happened, so just need to wrap and mail. That might be a good break during grading this weekend.  I got groceries and some fantastic bran muffins from a little bakery.  Those will hold me until I get my baking begun next week. As for the paid job <smile> I got the lab manual sent off to printing, exams to accessible learning for the final final exam of the year tomorrow, and online course web sites are under construction. I can do more of that while invigilating tomorrow morning.

I will admit that I felt a bit blue while running about today. There are a number of possible reasons, or perhaps it is a combination of these little things. I'm still not fully sure what that is all about. Working on it though <smile>. It was good to speak to people in stores and offices to find the smiles in the day. The wind was strong and cold so it kept me awake and moving smartly between visits. The sun was strong, though, which made things feel a bit brighter internally as well as externally. All in all, not a bad day.

My head went to two songs as I wasn't sure how the blog would focus. Since the writing did not fit more in one topic than the other, I guess we need to have both songs today. The first is about the overall feeling I've had today -- something that is not unusual for many people at this time of year. The second deals with a course I've been working on for January. It deals with communication theory and skills. This year we'll do a social media assignment in the lab component. Thinking through the course content today, brought this song to mind. It may even bring a smile to you all as it did to me. Enjoy!

Christmas Blues -- Dean Martin

Text me Merry Christmas (aka #tmmc) -- Straight No Shooter

Day 4 - 347 -- Remaining Grounded

I woke early this morning with loud wind rattling windows and smashing rain onto the house. That lasted much of the morning. This was the sound of weather patterns changing -- with a warmer (as in temps in the teens Celsius) with oodles of moisture. It POURED. When I headed out just before 3 PM, I thought the rain had stopped as it was so quiet. When I checked outside, it was clearly a steady rain -- more like a normal pouring rain <smile>. It was a day that required full rain gear. Even when the rain almost stopped near supper time, there are immense ponds that have sprung up overnight in parking lots and my front yard. Now the winds have picked up again, just as I head off to bed. This came along with a major cold front that is bringing freezing temperatures. In the morning, we'll find many unplanned skating ponds around town.

With the major wind gusts earlier today, I thought of the difficulty remaining upright such weather brings. Remaining grounded and not heading off into the sky becomes the focus. While working away indoors on course preparation and admin tasks, I was trying to remain focused on the work at hand but found my mind flying off in all directions at times. The loud rain and wind didn't help my focus <smile>.

When thinking of a song, one lyric line ran through my head over and over, so I had to hunt up the full song as that song was much more focused than I had been today <smile>. The song is by a country group that I saw in concert many years ago.  The line that stuck in my brain is at the end of the first stanza -- all about a flying object. Enjoy!

Little One -- The Oak Ridge Boys

Day 4 - 346 -- Snow and Lights

The day began with an early meeting but only after I'd spent some time sweeping the snow off the car. Parts were frozen to the windows, but most melted as the interior of the car warmed. By the time I came home in the early afternoon, the snow was gone except for on the porch. Temperatures are warming tonight and we should get rain tomorrow followed by a plunge in temperature to below freezing for several days. Then snow is expected almost every other day. So -- that's the weather report for today <smile>  While at the office I managed to get things ready for the exam on Friday. Some lingering e-mails and reports were dealt with and one other is left for tomorrow now. That means that some of the planning for January can begin this week as I'd fervently hoped. Late afternoon, I took the furry  guy in for a vaccination meaning he missed much of his afternoon sleep. He's been looking at me often with eyes that he can hardly keep open, but is only resting for short spurts. I hope he settles for the night soon and isn't going to feel too oogy with the stimulated immune system.

Today I chose to share a song for all my friends celebrating Hanukkah, which began at sundown. This one is written and performed by a fun Canadian group to celebrate the festival of lights. Enjoy!

Hanukkah Blessings -- The Barenaked ladies

Day 4 - 345 -- A Quiet Day

Today was a quiet Monday. I spent most of the day working on grading and grade calculations. Getting much of one course completed and the other one ready for entry of final exam grades -- once they are written at the end of the week and graded by me over the following 3-4 days. Other exam preparation involved a grading key for that next exam. Tomorrow after the morning meeting, I hope to get into some of the preparation for January courses -- preparing course outlines and course websites, finalizing the lab manual, and developing and reviewing course lecture notes and slides. So much to do and so little time. I was glad to have today to get through a few more urgent items on the gigantic 'to do' list.

Late afternoon as the sun was beginning to fade, the snow began.  I've hoped I wouldn't have to use that word for a while yet. It won't last for long, since there is warmer air with rain arriving on Wednesday. There is little wind out there, so the stuff is falling straight down. It has covered the shrubbery around the house and coated tree branches and grass. That centimetre or so would be just perfect -- if snow were a requirement. We are to get more, though not huge amounts tonight. I've often found the quiet of a snowfall to be enticing -- that is, quiet when it isn't a nor'ester or blizzard with mega winds. Snow insulates sound so that it is somewhat muffled -- a somewhat relaxing aspect of a snow fall.

Thinking of the sound changes with snow falling brought me to a song. The lyrics are by a major Canadian poet -- one of the outstanding nature poets of his time. The singer who composed the music, is another stellar Canadian talent from southern Manitoba. The lyrics present the softness and hushed aspects of snow. The melody follows suit with a slight Celtic feel, like much of her music. The visuals for the the version shared today are lovely, though some of them seem to be fairy folk fantasy places but many are just gorgeous winter photos. And, for those who are wondering, there is a Christmas touch at the end. <smile>  Enjoy!

Snow -- Loreena McKennett with lyrics by Archibald Lampman

Day 4 - 344 -- Maintaining Dignity

Today marks the 69th anniversary of the signing of the UN Declaration of Human Rights -- a documents developed to outline that all people are born free and equal. Oppression and power imbalances demonstrate the insecurities and inequities in our world. From school yard bullies to xenophobes to dictators we watch and experience rights being ignored. This declaration noted what those rights entail. Governing bodies have the obligation to ensure rights are being upheld in a way that maintains dignity and the world court can hear cases put before it where rights have been ignored. This happens everywhere in the world to some extent. It isn't always far away in some developing nation, but occurs in industrialized nations daily -- inadequate standards of living to ensure health, food  and housing, lack of freedom from bullying at school or in the workplace, lack of equal pay for equal work. The world has come a long way, but still has further work to do to ensure the rights of all people are upheld. 

A quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, who was instrumental in development of the Declaration, clearly notes the duties that go along with such rights. 

"Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home -- so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. [...] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world." 

When thinking about Human Rights Day today, two songs came to mind. Even after much thought, I couldn't get the selection down to just one -- so another two-for day. The first was recorded by a young artist several decades ago. The lyrics cover the many thoughts of peace and love that we hear at this time of year (though they are just as relevant all year long). The version shared here is from a more recent recording by the same artist. The second selection was recorded in 2014 as a follow up to the original version recorded in 1984. It, too, speaks to the need to be aware of what is going on around us and where we might be able to assist. Enjoy! 

Someday at Christmas -- Stevie Wonder ft. Andra Day 

Do They Know it's Christmas -- Live Aid 30 (fundraiser for Ebola) 

Day 4- 343 -- Disquieting Feelings

As I type,  I'm listening to rain on the roof. It can be a relaxing sound, though tonight it just adds to the disquiet in my head. I did some household chores and put up a few more decorations. The living room and hallway doors look a bit more festive now. Yet, that vague feeling of unease or maybe apprehension has stuck with me from yesterday and now through today. Many things could be at the crux of this headspace, so it is difficult to determine what might help it exit or hide for a while. I have plans to bake a couple of traditional Christmas items. Tomorrow there is a Christmas play on at the local theatre for which I have a ticket. Work for the job does loom over my shoulder often, so perhaps getting through the grading and preparations for January 3rd class start will ease my mind a bit. I look around and others have a that sense of anxiety about them. Maybe we all just need a few days rest. <smile>

A couple of songs played on in my head today and I'll share them both today. One is by a Canadian singer-songwriter with lyrics that highlight the wish to run away from it all. It was recorded in 1971. The other has been around for over half a century and has been covered by many artists throughout the decades. The version chosen tonight is by a wonderful band that - interestingly - began in 1971. These lyrics reminded me of something lost that I want back - though I can't put my finger on one specific thing today.  Both are lovely songs. Enjoy! 

River -- Joni Mitchell

Please Come Home for Christmas -- The Eagles

Day 4 - 342 -- Celebrating the Day

I woke much earlier than expected -- about 4 hours before the alarm. I didn't really ever get back to sleep in a way that I wasn't aware that I wasn't sleeping well. So, the day began unexpectedly. Our morning meeting went very smoothly and we were done ahead of schedule. That allowed me some extra time to gather things to bring home for working on grading and preparation for second term. I didn't actually feel well throughout the day, so I headed home in the early afternoon and laid down to rest and promptly fell asleep. I slept most of the afternoon, and then felt that I could maybe stop into the building pot luck for a visit. I'd left my contribution with a friend in case I didn't get back.

I'm so happy I chose to go. Fewer people were present than in past years, but we were no less merry and the food was plentiful even though heavy on the appetizers and desserts. There was more than enough for everyone. It was great to see some retired folks who I don't see as often. Several grad students attended so it wasn't all older folks <smile>. I did eat a bit of everything and felt somewhat better having done that. We'll see how the weekend unfolds. I'm hoping the yuckiness stems from being overtired and not some nasty virus.

I was reminded later in the day that it was the anniversary of the death of John Lennon. I do recall that day and feeling "dazed and confused" as Elton John so aptly sang. That made the song for the day so much easier, though I will share two versions -- the original and another by a Canadian singer/songwriter. Each singer gives their own feelings to the song so while the same, they are quite different. Enjoy!

Happy Christmas/War is Over  -- John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Happy Christmas/War is Over -- Sarah McLachlan (Music Outreach project)

Day 4 - 341 -- Signs of the Season

This week Christmas definitely seems to be in the air. For some time now, the stores have been decorated and playing Christmas music. The music began in late November, but the decoration and holiday products have been out since mid-October. Christmas movies -- the lower rated variety -- have been on television for about a month. But, this week, the lights and trees in town have been more noticeable to me. I received my first card and letter on Monday. I got the tree and lights up in the living room,, which brings a sense of peace looking at the lights in the darkness -- and there is more of that than daylight for another couple of weeks <smile>. The furry guy is happy to have 'his' tree back. He loves it. We will try to get a few pewter and cloth ornaments placed on the upper branches this weekend. I will also find a wreath for the front porch in the coming few days. Today I received the first Christmas gift. That makes it official. <smile>  I even addressed some cards while invigilating an exam on Tuesday and three holiday gatherings occurred during the week. It has begun in earnest.

My mood has been one of conflict -- moments of happiness with feelings of sadness and frustration. Memories of past holiday times spent with family and friends bring mixed emotions -- bittersweet since many of those people are no longer with us to celebrate in person. Others are geographically distant, so we don't spend the holidays together as often as we once did. The holidays often bring negative emotions for many people. Our consumer society builds the expectation of an ideal Christmas by telling us to buy more to feel better. That isn't the way it works, is it? <smile>   For students and instructors, the end of term coincides with the holiday seasons, bringing much angst into a celebration time already fraught with high expectations. Perhaps we could bake fewer items, buy fewer gifts, donate our time and skills to serve others, and listen -- to the voices of others and to our inner selves. Finding a sense of peace in the lights or laughter would be a different goal than marketers continually foist upon us.

In honour of the seasonal festivities and decorations, a song came to mind as I drove through town this week. I first heard this song sung by Bing Crosby with his amazing baritone. He made singing look like a cakewalk <smile>. The version I share here today is from a more recent male singer with an amazingly smooth voice, as well. This arrangement is a bit different from the original Crosby version. Enjoy!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas -- Michael Buble

Day 4 - 340 -- A Somber Anniversary

One hundred years ago today two ships collided in the Halifax harbour. One was a munitions ship -- it was WWI. When the fire began, many people on their way to work and school paused to watch the conflagration -- something out of the ordinary. At 9:04 AM the ship exploded. Of the 2000+ who died, most died within the first second while the shock wave took a few seconds more to reach the others who died instantly. Many others were injured with burns and eye damage being high on the list of injuries. North end Halifax was devastated -- flattened -- with fires from molten debris that flew farther from the waterfront. At least two survivors had been thrown about 800 metres. A major tidal wave washed away a Mi'kmaq settlement on the Dartmouth side. Windows shattered in Truro, just over an hour drive away today. The new memorial park at Fort Needham states that 1 in 25 residents died that day with 1 in 5 injured. There were those who saved lives while losing their own. Vince Coleman is a name familiar to many Canadians from the history vignettes aired on television. He was a train dispatcher located at the harbour. He lost his life with the explosion, but recognizing this was going to happen, he sent a telegraph to an incoming train warning them to stop. He also noted it was his last message. The train received the message, which saved the lives of hundreds of passengers. Firefighters and first responders heading to deal with the original fire were killed that morning, too.

Weather played a huge role in the aftermath. By evening, a major blizzard had arrived bringing extreme wind chills. This was followed by rain a day later which caused black, sooty water to run through the streets. The temperature then plummeted again freezing everything. For the rescue and recovery workers and the many stranded and homeless people, the weather created barriers. The relief train from Boston encountered weather problems getting to the city, yet arrived within two days. Many relief workers arrived later that day by train from around the region to help the people and with cleanup. The city rebuilt but scars are still present on some buildings in the north end and with cemeteries in the city. It isn't forgotten. At the time it was the largest man-made explosion ever -- it was until the advent of nuclear explosions. Today, at the memorial ceremonies at Fort Neeedham the scene was one of umbrellas and speakers stood in the rain to pay tribute to those lost that morning.

A song for the day took some thought. Once I settled on the song, I looked for a version that would fit well with the theme of today. The video shared is from 2010. The singer is 10 years old and is backed by adults -- that spoke to me knowing that so many children were on their way to school or were orphaned the day of the explosion. The lighting for the televised performance seemed perfect to me, too - symbolic in a way. I hope you agree. Enjoy!

Silent Night -- Jackie Evancho with the Canadian Tenors

Day 4 - 339 -- Good News Day

This week began with a number of good news stories. On Monday an announcement was made that a women in town had been appointed to the Senate. I was privileged to work with her for several years on an international project. Her expertise in development and social justice will serve the country well. On Tuesday, while I was getting ready for a midterm, a group met at the town library to await word of a community funding announcement. The affordable housing association in town had made it to the finals in the online voting process. The good news is they won. It is a $100,000 prize which will go towards more affordable housing in our little town. I was proud of the group who spear-headed the project. Their hard work definitely paid off. <smile>

So, while my students could put one exam behind them today, others had their dedication and work recognized in more public ways. The song that seemed to fit for today is a very recognizable carol.  I love this recent version with its wonderful harmonies and arrangement. Enjoy!

Joy to the World -- Pentatonix

Day 4 - 338 -- Festivities Begin

Given that classes ended last week, today was extremely full with me running in all directions. Exams were picked up from the printshop and distributed to accessible learning with the rest prepared for use tomorrow afternoon. A brief meeting occurred with a colleague from Ottawa who I haven't seen since before moving east -- about 22 years. It was good to have a quick chat today. Our department group had a Christmas lunch today before exams begin and people travel elsewhere to be with family. That was a wonderful break in the day. I attended a webinar on a new course management software suite that includes text book, study and test materials. It almost does the course for an instructor. A lot of potential there, and we will have one person piloting this in the winter term. The day at work ended with a Christmas social for faculty and staff -- always wonderful to get to see people outside of our offices even briefly. On the walk home from there, I met a student who graduated in May and we had a good catch up chat. The wind was a bit cool, but the rest of the walk was invigorating. Paused to put up the tree -- artificial due to allergies and the fact that I keep the thing up until Epiphany. Have seen little of the furry one since doing that, as he relishes the time he can sleep under the tree <smile>. Lights will go up tomorrow and we may try a few ornaments this year and check for adverse reactions. I ended the evening with a review of the exam for tomorrow and completion of most of the grading key.

While at lunch, there had been a suggestion that we all sing -- there were few takers, but the suggested song was 12 Days of Christmas. A rather long one. This had me thinking on my walk and run around campus. So the song for today comes from that suggestion, but with a twist. It is sung by a Canadian -- not a surprise given the title. Hope it makes you smile. Enjoy!

A Moose in a Maple Tree --  Chris Murray

Day 4 - 337 -- Rings and Things

Today is the feast day of St. Francis Xavier, so on campus it is celebrated with the annual receiving of school rings (X rings) by students in their final year of study. Countdowns to this day have been going all term in apartment windows in town and with a countdown app on phones. The ceremony contained student composed music just for the event today, greetings from the University President, a past graduate guest speaker, and the handing out of almost 1000 rings. During his remarks, the President mentioned hearing a song when driving back to town. He introduced a video of student events over the past four years edited to the song.  An honourary ring is awarded to a person from the campus community who has not graduated from the school but who has supported students during their time on campus. This year's recipient was a professor who is just short of 50 years on campus -- a perfect choice.

The vast majority of rings are brand new, though a few students choose to wear a ring from a family member who graduated earlier -- parents and grandparents usually. I find this touching. The energy in the room was amazing. A colleague noted the desire to bottle it somehow to use in small aliquots as needed <smile>. The smiles as they marched out of the room were luminous. Everybody glowed and the new rings are so so shiny they added much to that glow. I'll admit to an outsider -- as in not a graduate of this campus -- it seems a bit odd that a school ring can have such an impact. Yet, it is the most recognized ring in the world. Even the ring logo on my briefcase has gotten comments when I'm travelling from people with rings or whose family has rings or someone they know works on campus. For a small school in a tiny town it is extremely well known. The latest national survey by MacLeans magazine ranks us #1 in teaching critical thinking and #1 in 'professor knows my name' among other attributes. It seems the students feel very positive about their experience.

I chose two songs to share today. The first is the one highlighted by the President in his address today. The lyrics emphasize the need to live life to the fullest. The second song is one that the shininess of the rings brought to mind this afternoon. The singer is from a time past but the song lives on in an animated Christmas story. Enjoy!

I lived -- Onerepublic

Silver and Gold -- Burl Ives (from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer)

Day 4 - 336 -- Traditions

Tradition generally brings visions of older activities passed through generations. Yet, even those had to be newer at some point in time. Family holiday traditions may be only decades old or they may be something new. Making new traditions can give new meaning to events we look forward to for holidays. Since all indications point to the Christmas season being fully upon us, I've been thinking of traditions from my family background. As a small child we'd have Christmas day dinner at my paternal grandparents' home, where they still had kids at home. Christmas Eve dinner was always with my maternal grandparents. New Years dinner would see both sides of the family at our house. After the large turkey dinner, mom would make turkey a la king and biscuits -- something I do to this day, though my turkey dinner consists of a turkey breast only since there are far fewer to feed here.

Since my grandparents and parents have passed, newer traditions found their way into my seasonal festivities. Mom and I would go for Asian food on Christmas Eve and I still try to fit that in either for Christmas or New Years. Movies that we'd often watch are still on my list to watch throughout the month of December. Many are older ones but I have included some newer favourites. I try to bake a Christmas slice that mom or grandma made, but still have to do the fruit cake -- current job hours make that one more difficult to manage.

Tonight the movie I will watch is tied for my favourite Christmas movie with one from childhood. The main song from this newer tradition is shared here tonight. The young woman singing has an amazing talent for one so young (at the time). Enjoy!

All I want for Christmas is You -- Love actually (sung by Olivia Olson -- about 11 years of age)

Day 4 - 335 -- Home

Home -- a simple, short word but one packed with so much meaning and emotion. I've had a couple  of interesting conversations this week about what home means. One with a health professional friend was dealing with the pain of placing a loved one in memory care as dementia takes them away bit by bit. Similarly to others who enter a long term care facility, there is often the request, wish or demand to go home. Often the idea is taken quite literally by listeners, when it may not mean back to their recent abode, but rather it represents that nebulous feeling of belonging and safety. I had been thinking of this as I've heard several friends discuss the guilt that such requests engender. I feel I may now have something to say that might help put things in perspective for such conversations in the future. It isn't always a place, but more a feeling.  This fits with another piece of information that I encountered this week -- while memory will leave, the emotional self remains in dementias. So, while the person may not remember who came to visit that day, they recall the feeling of happiness and love. It is an entirely different way of interacting with the world -- one that isn't always tied up in sadness.

Home is where my head goes during stress. During times of heightened anxiety, I will often find myself in dreams in my grandmother's dining room, which served as both dining and living room. This intrigued me. Then one day when going through old photos with my parents, I came across a picture of me standing in a crib in that room. During the first 6 months of my life we lived with my mother's parents while Dad was building the house I grew up in. Until that moment in time, I didn't know I'd lived at Gramma's, and yet my brain always found that feeling of home -- safe, warm, loved -- in that room. I've always maintained brains are amazing things <smile>. So, while the structure itself brings aspects of home to mind, it is likely that the word embodies a concept of comfort more than an edifice.

The song that kept returning to my head while I pondered this throughout the day is by a Canadian singer and co-songwriter. The words and music embody the emotional aspect of a definition of home.

Moving back to the nascence of the blog, holiday music during December, today a second selection is included. This is a country Christmas version of the main song, which features the singer/songwriter along with a deeper voiced, country artist. Interesting pairing. Enjoy!

Home -- Michael Buble

Home -- Blake Shelton ft. Michael Buble