Day 5 - 243 -- Last Day

Well -- the countdown ended today. I was watching the sky as I waited for the kettle to boil at work this morning. There was blue sky, wispy clouds, big puffy white clouds and even a few taller white clouds with dark grey bottoms. So, it was a mixed bag. That seemed to presage my day. There were moments of amazing laughter, a short bit of big frustration, some wistfulness, valued exchanges with friends, and even a solid productive meeting. Really not a bad combination for the last day of work.

The meeting today involved an update on committee work from 12 years ago. Thinking through the progress since that time brought many great memories. I chatted with a few other folks wishing them well on the final two days before meeting first year students the day before classes begin. It feels odd to not be in the frenzy of preparation, which on its own creates a new kind of turmoil. I woke abruptly at 1 AM last night with noise outside and couldn't get back to sleep until sometime after 5 AM. From that, the presence of anxious feelings became clearer. Other insomnia lasted for a shorter time period of late. Brene Brown's post today stated, "It takes courage to say yes to rest and play in a culture where exhaustion is seen as a status symbol." I added that such tired individuals wear their exhaustion as a badge of honour. I need to put that medal away in a memory box and pick up the permission badge. I also must register in the course that teaches how to use the permission badge to say yes to moments of relaxation without doing three other things at the same time. <grin>

A song came to mind early for today. The lyrics present much of what I felt throughout the day -- melancholy for it seemed to end with a whimper and not with fireworks <giggle>. The final lines of the song note a calmness that is mimicked by the melody -- another paradoxical feeling for me today. I love the meter of this one. Enjoy!

All is Said and Done -- ABBA

Day 5 - 242 -- End of Day Two

Today is day two and is almost over. I ran some errands in the heat and humidity of the morning. Traffic on the roads and in the grocery stores is beginning to increase. Students are returning to town as classes begin next Tuesday.  Grocery shopping in the next week will be a futile endeavor since anyone moving into an apartment or residence will be laying in the staples and essentials -- making huge groceries. This often leaves store shelves empty -- and not only the grocery stores. 

In the afternoon, I headed out to an afternoon gathering with my colleagues to celebrate my retirement. It was a lovely gathering at a local restaurant with yummy scones and a fantastic cake decorated with summer berries and white chocolate shavings. Very very tasty. Conversations involved much laughter -- a good time. The farewell processes are part of the journey, though there are mixed emotions from the good-bye aspect. That is where most anxiety resides -- the nebulous nature of what the new normal will entail. New routines become necessary, but setting that without knowing what the goals or purposes will be brings a challenge. The research goals provide a place to begin but asking the questions, 'what should I do this evening?' still seems foreign. Perhaps I need to learn to give myself permission to watch a movie without doing three other things at the same time <smile>. It is a whole new world, I expect.

A song that ran through my mind most of today speaks about the future. In some way it made me feel I was missing today to focus on tomorrow, but while I did my best to be present today, the title of this song does deal with the future. I've loved this song since I first heard the full musical. It closes an Act so summarizes many stories in one number. The hopes and expectations of numerous characters foreshadow what occurs in the following Act. The musical counterpoint brings each story into the whole until the entire piece becomes a cacophony of juxtaposed melodies -- not unlike the rising anxieties of a major life change. Yet, there is a positive note of excitement along with the fear. The version chosen comes from an anniversary celebration for the musical with many well-known past cast members performing. Enjoy!

One Day More -- Les Miserables (10th anniversary concert at Royal Albert Hall ft. Colm Wilkerson, Lea Solonga, Phillip Quast, Michael Ball and other cast members)

Day 5 - 241 -- Three

For anyone out there counting down with me -- today was day number three. <smile> Interestingly, the 'to do' list was pretty much completed for the day. The one meeting had to be rescheduled to Friday. Not a big issue -- the other party had a big item land on the desk today. While working on some small writing tasks, the carpenters came along to reinstall the keyboard tray. I was convinced the short cord would not reach the drawer but with some finagling it worked. Thank goodness for masking tape to adhere the cord to the underside of the desk -- didn't want the chair or my legs to get entwined in the cord while sitting at the desk. <g> So for the most part things went well today.

A good day. I'm not sure I say that often enough. Even the major heat was tempered with a cooler northerly breeze. The house is warm, but the heat is expected to last for one more day rather than another month -- so it is all good <smile>. Perhaps the anxiety that has been following me around was put in perspective after being attacked by a prescription med this week. Feeling a bit relaxed after a few days of stress is fantastic. It may be that the end process feels a bit surreal - especially as everyone around me is scrambling for the beginning of classes next week. As the students return this weekend, I may feel a bit odd. We'll see.

A song chosen to share today is a bit silly -- happy sounding, but silly. The main part of the lyric resonated with my marking the day. Enjoy!

Number Three -- They Might Be Giants

Day 5 - 240 -- Heal or Hurt

When I woke this morning, I felt better than I had in a day. It came to mind about 3 AM when in the midst of another bout of pain and dizziness, that the prescription medication I took yesterday might be the cause of all the negativeness. I ate and decided to head into work since most of that was just sitting and typing. While still feeling a bit weak,  I managed the journey. As the day wore on, I felt better and better. I ate a whole lunch -- the first solid food in 24 hours. By supper time, I was pretty much back to normal, though I did fall asleep for a bit after eating.

I often wonder about how prescribed drugs can do such good, working with the body internally to get the biochemistry just right. It is quite intriguing -- when it works. I suppose it is just as interesting to some researcher when the drug does not work. From my perspective, any adverse reaction is far from interesting. It is fully the opposite -- something that should not occur, or at least something that could be better targeted to those who won't react in a negative way. When someone has a side effect, why isn't more work done to determine why instead of just making a long list of possible effects? Several answers exist and likely work in combination.

A song title that came to mind fits my pondering today. The lyrics outline something  as a need instead of something to avoid, so it is different from what I experienced, but the title said it all to me today. <smile>  Enjoy!

Bad Medicine -- Bon Jovi

Day 5 - 239 -- Under the Weather

Sorry that this is a day late. I got to the office and then began to feel ill, so I headed back home. I spent the rest of the day and night in bed with little else happening. Nothing really interesting to say from the day without getting into details, which isn't at all necessary -- and likely not wanted. <smile>  I hope your days went much better than mine.

The song for the day says it all -- none of us really understood what was happening with me.  Enjoy!

The Shape I'm In -- The Band

Day 5 - 238 -- Sorting at Home

The day contained time for several jobs around the house. The new fluorescent bulbs were changed out for the old ones. Within a minute of being turned on, the gases in the new bulbs begin to dance and a scary buzzing -- not a hum, but a crackle that sounds like a short. Needless to say, that isn't what is needed, so old bulbs back in and only one of them seems to light <sigh>. Back to the hardware store tomorrow to see what else can be done. Several other small tasks were completed. A larger job was to sort paper piles from work and home. This involved sorting much like has been occurring at the office -- a bag for recycling, a pile for shredding and a much edited pile for files.

Tomorrow evening I put out the recycling for curbside pick up early Tuesday morning. This provincially legislated waste management system diverts tons of waste from landfill. If all provinces instituted this type of process, the world would be improved. Reducing  the amount of waste is key -- as with use of fewer single use plastics. Reuse any recyclable products as possible. An often ignored 'R' is refuse -- use reusable bags and containers for shopping. Recycling is important, but it isn't enough on its own. There needs to be less of the materials overall. I have been part of greening offices and my home since the 1970s with a major up tick in the world's attention in the 1990s and again in the 2010s -- seems about every generation or 20 years behaviours change. If we could sustain that change, things might improve. Here, I truly believe the actions of an individual do matter. If one of us composts (also legislated for curbside pickup here) all the vegetable and fruit trimmings and cores, that is a lot less going to a landfill operation. If we can convince one or two others to do the same, and they do the same, then more far more nutrients will be converted to compost to grow plants. Small changes can lead to larger impacts.

A song that fit my thoughts as I sorted through the files and papers today involves many artists. The recording supports caring for the environment through a positive message. Enjoy!

Love Song to the Earth -- Paul McCartney, Natasha Bedingfield, Colbie Caillet, Sean Paul, & others

Day 5 - 237 -- Heroes

Temperatures rose today to become higher than the past few days. The skies remained hazy -- a reminder of the many wildfires across the North American continent. This led my thoughts to the many firefighters working diligently to try to contain the blazes. Firefights from within and outside the country. These people have left their homes to help to save wild spaces, farms and towns. We should pause and thank those who are putting themselves in harm's way.

Firefighters -- of wildfires and structural fires -- are first responders., as are police and EMTs. In the midst of major fires, all become involved in the situation. They extinguish and redirect fire, assist with health issues and direct evacuations. Volunteers operate places for displaced people to shelter and find food, water and supplies for daily living. My thought processes took me to several movies about firefighters. The first two that came to mind were Backdraft and Only the Brave. The first, about a city fire department crew, I saw just as a family member was beginning a career as a firefighter -- so it does stick in my memory more than the many others I've seen. The second tells the story of a group of wildfire experts who died while fighting a fire -- it was based on a true story. While such pieces of entertainment can inform, they also show only parts of the whole story. Yet, I felt each of these showed the audience more about the camaraderie of the teams and not only the sensational aspects of a fire. What they present clearly shows the heroic nature of people who fight fires to help communities and families. Again, take a moment and send some positive thoughts into the universe for those working in the many current wildfires. For my family and friends who are first responders, know that I appreciate your career choices -- very much.

Finding a song today wasn't easy. I settled on one that speaks to the role of heroes in our lives. While the lyrics present heroes in a different way than I have here, the chorus notes the importance of heroes. I am aware that many such people don't consider themselves heroes, but when someone runs toward a dangerous situation to help, it is difficult for me not to see them as heroes.  Enjoy!

Heroes and Friends -- Randy Travis

Day 5 - 236 -- Road Trip

The morning began with sun and blue sky. We headed out for a drive through the backroads. Lunch was at a wonderful little restaurant on a maple syrup farm. They do all day breakfast with pancakes. We opted for added blueberries since they were fresh with the season underway. Local sausage with maple mustard and baked beans accompanied the pancakes. While we waited for the main course, we were served a biscuit and maple butter. Yes, it was a carb-loading meal, but isn't done often. This was our first time at this establishment. -- Sugar Moon Farm. It was yummy <smile>. We stopped in the larger city for a quick shopping errand, visited a large market with local produce, a bakery, and a new creamery and butcher shop. We headed home driving off the major highway as much as possible.

Traveling through the forests was lovely and fun to see the homes tucked into small clearings along the way. The secondary highways brought more relaxed feelings than the main highway. People seem to be in such a hurry to get somewhere and when we get down to two lanes on the major road, it is just nerve-wracking. Going off the beaten track brings new opportunities to see the beauty all around. Interestingly, while it might take a bit more time, the lower speed limits demand less fuel usage. So, not unlike moving outside the usual routine, the back roads brought many benefits.

As the afternoon wore on, we noticed the sky had been obscured by haze. As the sun began to drop in the sky, its colour was a bit more orange than usual. Checking showed that smoke from fires on the western side of the continent had reached the eastern shores. This smoke will remain in the upper atmosphere and shouldn't affect air quality. Interesting what travels on the jet stream.

The song shared today won't be a huge surprise. The lyrics cover the joy and relaxation of traveling off the main paths. Enjoy!

Backroads -- Ricky Van Shelton

 

Day 5 - 235 -- Tired and Uninspired

A bit of humidity again last night made sleeping a bit difficult. I woke with a start when the alarm sounded this morning and felt half awake most of the day. This messes with cognitive functioning and inspiration to do anything including the small writing tasks sitting on my desk. I did several other unconnected bits of work instead, just to be sure I was doing 'something'. There have been many days with this excessive fatigue in the past two months. I know it is most likely lack of sleep from heat, humidity, and anxiety in all its disguises. That doesn't make it better, though. <smile>. Just another example of knowledge not meshing well with behaviour.

Resting on weekends should help, but insomnia attacks at both ends of sleep -- awake longer and awake earlier. I'm hoping with time and routine, this will resolve itself. I found an amazing song that suits the wussy wearisome. The soulful vocal performance is amazing. Enjoy!

I'm Tired, I'm Tired, I'm Tired (things better change before its too late) -- Marva Whitney

Day 5 - 234 -- New Digs

A second full day in the new office. Several areas tackled -- the last of the boxes emptied, distribution of empty boxes to new homes, further reorganizing of storage drawers, the final box for recycling. I even managed to do some online searching for a research project and an upcoming meeting next week. So, things are moving forward. So much more needs to occur with the desk setup, but will have some assistance with that early next week.

An interesting aspect of the move is that even though I'm only one floor up, I now live in a new neighbourhood. The people on this floor are all familiar to me, but we now share a hallway. The sounds of this new venue are different -- different voices, different phone rings, different building noises. Nothing unlivable has surfaced, but it is just different. As I often say, different is not bad, it is just not the same. <smile> With time this will feel more usual or normal, too.

An old song came to mind. It sounds rather kitchy in the current day, but the lyrics support the pros of belonging to a neighourhood. Enjoy!

 Friends and Neighbours -- Billy Cotton and his Band

Day 5 - 233 -- Eye on the Sky

The day had sun and the most amazing clouds -- white and grey masses that looked like rain might arrive any moment. But, it didn't. After doing some further unpacking in the office, I headed out to a meeting with a colleague. Walking in the sunshine was pleasant. It still feels like autumn approaching. Groceries were on the list for early evening then I headed home for supper. As the sun moved toward the horizon, I went for another walk down Main Street to do an errand and to just enjoy the evening.

Watching the sky has been a pastime of  mine since childhood. Even what appears to be a plain blue sky can have various shades of blue and tiny wisps of cloud or contrails. Tonight I pondered on where the planes headed toward Halifax were before I saw them. Clouds can show weather changes with rain or a major thunderstorm. Watching storms cross the horizon is peaceful in some ways. Such activity is difficult from town or even much of the county due to trees and hills. Yet, on the shoreline, one can see as far as possible across open water -- not as far as on land, but far enough to see the bigger picture in the sky. Finding the right vantage point or points to view life changes can be difficult. When we can see things from different angles, finding solutions to problems or acceptance of changes becomes a bit easier. Clearing one's mind of clutter can be like finding a bluff above the trees and hills -- it all provides a wider viewpoint.

A song that ran through my head while walking today is shared. The lyrics talk about the positives of paying attention to the sky. Enjoy!

Good Day Sunshine -- The Beatles

Day 5 - 232 -- Unpacking Plans

Today was my first full day in the new office space. Things need a lot of work to get it into working order. A few boxes to unpack and many empty ones to move elsewhere. The computer setup works but the ergonomics are problematic. With some time and another small table or stool or something, I'm sure we can get that working again. While pondering where to put things, I managed to get a number of small online tasks completed that were somewhat overdue -- not truly late, but later than I'd planned. I returned some 'extra' cords and an extra phone to IT and got my new parking pass for the upcoming year. The walk outside was pleasant today -- warm sun but a nice breeze that cooled things to a  pleasant temperature.

Cleaning and organizing the office space resembles the work with my mindset on living in a new space. It was odd being somewhere strange to me. I have had this occur on sabbatical leaves in the past, and it is doable. It just takes time to organize furnishings and thoughts to make it a positive work space. There are support systems that will help with this. I plan to connect with them all this week to get on the list for work orders. I look forward to choosing places to hang pictures and such once I get the cardboard clutter relocated. Then it will feel more like my place. Today it felt like a storage closet with wifi <grin>. Fixable but not without some lifting and toting. I aim to get much of this done during this week. I really have to be able to sit and type for the writing that needs to get started very soon.

While thinking of the unpacking left to do, I began to think of magical assistance -- like maybe the packing pixies could help while I sleep. <smile>  The song that came to mind should bring a smile or laugh -- it did for me. But the new office doesn't have a window -- Hmmm. Enjoy!

Happy Working Song -- Amy Adams

Day 5 - 231 -- Sleep Disruption Again

Insomnia continues. I woke after about 4 hours sleep and got another 30 minutes  before being fully awake. I felt a bit off most of the day -- headache and a bit queasy -- so little productivity. The rain ended overnight and it was cooler than the past few weeks. Today has been sunny and warm, just not overly hot. I'm hoping for coolness again tonight to assist with sleep and that I get a reasonable amount of sleep before work tomorrow.

A song by a Canadian group seemed best to encompass the minimal thoughts of this day -- brain too tired <smile>. Enjoy!

Who Needs Sleep -- The Barenaked Ladies

Day 5 -- 230 -- Live or Electronic?

After a day at home with housework, I went to a play at our local summer rep theatre. The play, titled Burnin' Love, dealt with end of life care and limbo. Based on the title, it should be no surprise that the music of Elvis Presley played a central role -- with the original Elvis guiding people through limbo and a live (for the most part) Elvis impersonator. A main character was a young woman in a coma and her mother who is struggling with the need to continue life support after a year. It was a comedy based in the negative aspects of life. The music was familiar and fun and the acting well done. It struck me as I waited for the play to begin, that Elvis died 41 years (plus 2 days) ago.

This summer I attended all four plays -- the first time in a long time. This highlight of the summer, plays a major role in this small town. We wondered as we glanced around at the audience -- most of a certain age -- if this meant live theatre would diminish as the streaming age group moves forward. Live theatre allows a group of people to become part of a more intimate production -- something that watching video alone at home does not provide. Social interactions have been changing as they become more digitized. This can be fantastic but it can also be isolating and reduce empathy. I have a set of online friends that have been in contact daily for over 20 years -- all on the various electronic platforms of the day. So -- I do understand the benefits of e-communications. I've also seen people texting when they are walking side by side or sitting at the same restaurant table. Technology can provide us with great tools for communication, knowledge acquisition and transfer, and entertainment, though I strongly hope that live conversations, gatherings and entertainment are not lost.

Lyrics that suit the pondering of the day focus on changes in society and technology as we age. The video brings a few smiles. Enjoy!

Last Time for Everything -- Brad Paisley

Day 5 - 229 -- One Last Time

Today began with clouds and became a blue sky sunny day by afternoon. Temperatures were cooler again overnight. When I walked out this morning it was 17C (63F). The air was drier as the humidity was leaving. I stood on the front porch and one thought came to mind. It felt a bit like Fall. When I mentioned this at work, two others filled in the sentence before I had to say the F word. The quality of light is changing so it looked different. The air smelled different. So, it wasn't just the cooler overnight temps. The strip of sunshine on the kitchen floor disappears in late June and had just reappeared in the past 2-3 weeks. Last week it was about 1.5 inches wide and this morning it was about 3 inches -- so almost doubled in a week or so. In mid-winter this patch reaches 3-4 feet in width. So, the sun is not as high in the sky as it is in the midst of summer. To me this is summer beginning its long goodbye.

At the office, the long goodbye came to an end today. I left the office I've inhabited for 20 years and one week for the last time. Next week a new colleague will make this place home. There is so much history wrapped up in that room. Many amazing experiences occurred there -- wonderful phone calls and sad phone calls, great interactions and stressful interactions, exciting written documents and incomplete documents. All in all, it has been a communications hub. Soul searching conversations with students, friends and colleagues brought shared enlightenment -- in person, by phone or online. Technology changes have been huge over that time and the equipment that has shared the space with me has changed dramatically. I stood in the room as I carried my book bag, plant and a box of magazines. It looked naked, but still felt warm and inviting. I took the time to thank the space and ask that it treat those who come later as well as it did me. I turned and closed the door -- the one still swollen from the humidity -- with a bit of tug, took a deep breath and walked out into the early evening sun. Next week will feel weird I'm sure -- walking in the same building entrance but going up a floor and into a different room to begin to find a new way of working in a new space and room layout.

In my head as I was taking the last boxes out of the office today, I heard a line repeating in my head. The lyric was a bit different than it had been written -- I changed "could be" to "will be" and I do know that it is <smile>. Enjoy!

The Last Time -- The Rolling Stones

Day 5 - 228 -- Stellar Voice Stilled

While I was working away at my insignificant packing and moving today, something enormous occurred. A major musical artist left this world. Aretha Franklin performed with such passion throughout six decades of recording. She had a vocal range of 4 octaves. Her nuanced interpretations displayed her musicality and skill. Phrasing shone due to her breath control and emotive vocalizations. Franklin began in gospel music at her father's church and moved through many genres settling on a soulful sound -- all genres benefited from the immense power of her voice.

Aretha Franklin was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and she received 18 Grammy awards. These events show that she was held in high regard within the industry as well as by the fans. This respect was evident at any live or televised performance -- she was able to touch our souls with her performances.

Surprisingly, song choice today was not overly difficult. While there are many, many songs that we can access, only two seemed to fit my thoughts today -- though I strongly recommend you listen to her version of Rolling in the Deep from 2014 recorded when when she was 72. The first selection shared today was a number one song in the US and received two Grammy awards. It is one that comes to mind for many people when they think of Aretha. I chose it to represent the role she played in women's rights. The second song shared today spoke more to my feelings at the loss of this amazing person and the talent she shared willingly. Enjoy!

Respect -- Aretha Franklin

Today I Sing the Blues -- Aretha Franklin

Day 5 - 227 -- Moving

Many historical events occurred on this date. 1) In 1881, this date was chosen as the national day of celebration of the Acadian culture in Canada. It wasn't until 2003 that it was made an official Canadian holiday.  2) In 1945, the Second World War ended when Japan surrendered. Known as VJ day for most of the allies, it is recognized on September 2 in the US since this was the day the actual documents were signed. 3) In 1912, Julia Child was born in California. She became a culinary icon with the publication of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, which brought these cooking techniques and foods to the American public. She became the first chef with a regular televised program with WGBH in Boston, now a PBS station, in 1963. An interesting day for sure.

Now, I don't see my day fitting into the global impact of such noted historic events, but it has potential impact on me and my future. <smile> The next step in the move to a research office occurred today. While I'd expected the movers around 4 PM, a call at 11:55 AM noted that they would arrive at 12:45 PM. The job took about 15-20 minutes and they were then off to the 60-70 moves occurring in the building next to me. So a small part of the movers' day, but a bigger part for me. I will need to unpack the boxes moved today before I can take the remaining items up myself -- wall art, computer system, bulletin board items, and desktop items. I expect to be out by end of day tomorrow --which could be 11:59PM <grin> but I do hope to be done before that. So -- the dominoes are back in play today.

A song instantly came to mind this morning as I said what would happen at work today. The new office is one floor up. For context, the building runs almost north and south, the two wings bend slightly and point a bit to the northeast and southeast. The lyrics reference food and are linked to television (one of my early research subjects). I hope this makes you giggle like I did earlier today. Enjoy!

Movin' on Up (Theme from The Jefferesons) -- Tinseltown Singers ft. Ja'net Dubois

Day 5 - 226 -- Boxes Piled Up

A short note to update on the move situation. If nothing emergent occurs, I should get boxes and cabinet moved tomorrow. Then I'll be busy clearing out the last of the items in the office I've had for the past 20 years (as of last week). Tomorrow I will put further items in boxes. The fragile items will be taken by me and the trusty cart I've been using over the past while. So --things are moving forward <smile> -- not without some stress, but a firmer date does help a bit. I need to remind myself to live in the moment and let things fall into place.

A line from a song fits the feeling of the past and coming few days. Each box at the office holds memories -- past and future. The sound is somewhat alt rock. Enjoy!

Boxes -- Goo Goo Dolls

Day 5 - 225 -- Still Waiting

Awake again before the alarm with some anxiety about the office move not happening when it should. At work, I packed most of the remaining stuff today -- just some artwork from the walls and the bulletin board left (desktop and computer, too, of course <smile>). The deadline given the movers is almost here, so I'm not sure what more to do. Worries also focus on how to make the new space work ergonomically for me. This will take input from others, so not necessarily something to lose sleep over.

I spoke with a friend about these sleep disruptions. I know that there is not much logic in the fears that surface in dreams and when awake. Naming the anxiety and noting the truth have  been purported to reduce anxious feelings. I clearly know the truth of the situation, yet the anxiety keeps surfacing. I've articulated plans to avoid the frustrations -- stated to myself and now to another person. I'm hoping this will help with the early morning waking.

A few lines from a song ran through my head today. "Waiting is the hardest part," was the key statement. The singer-songwriter is one of my favourites. Enjoy!

The Waiting -- Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Day 5 - 224 -- Pachyderm Plight

Today is World Elephant Day. Habitat destruction, poaching for ivory, and human-elephant conflict are the key reasons for the elephant population reduction. Many organizations, including World Wildlife Fund, are working in Africa and Asia to mitigate the effects of poaching, deforestation, and elephants using farmland for food sources. They also work globally to stop the trade in elephant ivory. Actions of individuals can make a difference, too. How? -- spreading the word about refusing to purchase ivory, insisting on sustainably grown palm oil in products we purchase, or donating when able.

Learn more about these amazing creatures -- the world's largest land mammals. They have a tight matriarchal social group and share care for infants and young elephants. Their annual migrations across regions for water and food sources also help to maintain flora of the areas.

Only one melody stayed with me today. It is an instrumental that sounds a bit quirky, but upbeat. It was written for a movie. The version shared is played by the composer's orchestra. The video has wonderful images of adults and youngsters. Enjoy!

Baby Elephant Walk -- Henry Mancini with the Henry Mancini Orchestra

Day 5 - 223 -- Recharging

Saturday is my day to recharge. I often don't even leave the house. Today I made a quick trip to two stores for milk and biscuits. The productive part of the day involved housework. Between laundry loads, I binge watched most of a season of a television show. I want to go through all past 10 seasons before the next one begins.

Binge viewing is the newer way to watch televised programming. Now lets look at words used so far in this blog -- productive and binge. Use of these words implies that viewing is non-productive or a waste of one's time. Binge is generally associated with negative actions such as eating or drinking to excess. From a medical viewpoint, such binges are damaging to body and mind. Should the same concept of over-consumption be applied to leisure activity? Being physically active brings positive health connotations. Is that why we feel that being sedentary for the several hours to catch up on a story of interest will affect health? Research is showing that such inactivity can be a problem. Even walking back and forth to the bathroom can help to stop the negative physical effects in adults. Yet, streaming often omits commercial breaks, so the prompt to get up and move a bit can be lost. Now, is it a waste of time? Would we feel the same if someone sat to read a book over a day off? Many of us need time to recoup energy lost during the week. For introverts this time alone allows us to be ready to face the world again <smile>.

I'm still working through the language society has adopted for the program viewing as well as my own punishing phraseology for taking time to do something enjoyable. A few lines of lyric came to mind when thinking about this one. The song I settled on speaks well to the concept of overindulgence -- not with serial television but the idea is quite similar. More than one song carries this title. I chose to share the older one today -- one with a hint of disco <smile>. It was one of two hits for the singer -- a less than stellar aspect of a successful larger career. Enjoy!

Party all the Time -- Eddie Murphy

Day 5 - 222 -- Intersecting Paths

A day reflecting on the intersections of lives. I attended a play this evening that portrayed the interrelated aspects of the lives of the characters. The story was told in a non-linear fashion, which added a touch of sleuthing to audience members' as they pieced together the story. Watching the lives of others crisscross brought memories of my own intersecting path. Friends I met 20 years ago had been roommates with someone I knew from grade school to undergraduate years. While clearing my office, I found a set of abstracts I'd written for a national journal for 8 years. There among the articles was one written by a researcher I didn't meet for another 10 years when he was a close colleague.

Our life paths wind their way along a journey that is far from solitary. While unique, the path meets with many other paths momentarily or becomes intertwined with paths of others for longer periods of time. The patterns of the paths must make a wonderful woven pattern -- a tapestry like that sung about by Carole King. 

The idea of weaving brought forth a folk song that involves a loom. The version shared here shows the singers recreating the rhythmic sound of a large loom. Enjoy! 

Gaelic Weaving Song -- Sgioba Luaidh

Day 5 - 221 -- Shelves - Empty and Full

The day began with some panic and hyperbole. I calmly made a couple of calls, gathered all the information and shared this with others involved. People seemed more relaxed after managing that crisis. From there the day unfolded well. I took several cart loads of boxes up to the new office. Books now reside on the bookshelves. With a little work, it will begin to feel like home. Waiting on the movers to get to my work order and then it will be time to remove all the pictures, bulletin board materials, and empty the desk drawers and desktop. So, it seems I'm almost there and the next domino drops when another line runs into mine and releases the other intersecting lines. Until then, I wait and pack up bits of 'me' to move to their new home.

I laughed a lot with others today about the state of the office -- boxes, full and empty, scattered in piles among the furniture. Empty bookshelves seem a bit scary to see, but it is also a sign of progress. Moving is a disruption of the status quo. Routines change and change can create anxiety. Some of the immediate future is beginning to take shape, which quells the nausea that accompanies distress. Much still resides in fog and shadow, but that will take shape as time passes.

The lyric(and title) that entered my consciousness today involved the time of year as well as change. I did change the pronoun from first person plural 'our' to the singular form 'my'. But, perhaps 'our' fits if I think of the office space as an entity. The second lyric from this song that struck me was, "Living for the day, worries far away." This seemed to be what I have been striving for lately. I love the lyrics and melody as they tell a wonderful story of memories past. Enjoy!

Our Last Summer -- ABBA

Day 5 - 220 -- Light Returns

The day began with continued heat and humidity with indoors being very similar to outdoors. I remained home to meet the electrician. His work order was for two jobs. One seemed to have no cause but the solution was to change out the fuse -- again. The washer blows the fuse but only when plugged into one particular outlet. Checking could find no problem with the outlet or wiring. He had no answer as to why the spin cycle would do this but not every time, just every few months. If plugged into a different outlet, no problems occur -- other than the huge extension cord piled in the middle of the floor. As I said in a conversation, it is just one more of life's mysteries. The second job required new ballasts to be put into the fluorescent fixture. The old tubes worked once this was done, so I will try to return the new pair. These usually last for several years, so no need to keep the things around. They could easily break in storage, as well -- not good when they contain hazardous chemicals. So -- back they will go.

For the past month I've been flipping the switch for the fixture with no bulbs in it. Habits are difficult to break. This light sits above the kitchen counter work space. In the dimmer light of cloudy days, evenings and nights, it has been difficult to see well. There are lights over the table but they are not very bright and are on the other side of the room. It was interesting to note that without some sort of light, it was difficult to complete simple daily tasks -- well at least safely. Much like life's journey, some form of light acts to guide our progress. It might mean that one has to simply open their eyes or maybe look in a different direction -- be willing to see what lies ahead on the pathway. Many obstacles require a traveler to go over, through or around rather than remove the offending object. Having some light can help with planning forward movement and often make the journey smoother.  This reminds me of a saying I read once -- those mountains you have been moving, you were only meant to climb.

I will admit to feeling wonderful to have light in the kitchen again -- well lights beyond those above the stove or table. I carefully phrased my thank you to the electrician to avoid any light puns, which was not an easy task. After he left, I thought of a phrase from a song -- and was so glad I hadn't burst into song while he was here <smile>. The version of that song shared here tonight is one of many covers that have been recorded. Enjoy!

You Light Up my Life -- LeAnn Rimes

Day 5 - 219 -- Stuck

The Atlantic regions of Canada and the northeastern US are in the midst of an ongoing heat wave. We had almost 24 hours of noticeably cooler weather -- not cool, but cooler than something that feel like 30s or into the low 40s. The house cooled to the point of being able to turn on the stove for a quick stir-fry with fresh veggies from the market. Today has been one of the warmest feeling days with humidity making it feel into the high-30s with some places expecting to feel 40-41C. Crazy. While getting ready for work this morning, the weather forecast noted that the national climatologist reported that the hot and humid weather on this coast is from a tropical high pressure system parked over the Bahamas. He then stated that it would have major impact on our weather until the end of August.

I'm sure I said something inappropriate when I heard that. Like, really? I've had enough with the majority of July being blistering hot. Now I'm supposed to mentally prepare for the rest of this month, as well? We should have another quick respite by the end of this week. Then the whole thing begins again. If a low pressure system was strong enough to push this out of the way, it would be one huge storm -- hurricane storm. That I don't want either. So, am I just not willing to accept the weather? Likely not. <smile> It is one thing we can't control and one that has enormous impact on our daily lives. A salesman came to the door during supper tonight. He had sweat running down his face the whole time we chatted on the new front step. I felt sorry for him having to be outside working today. The worker to repair the back porch didn't show up today, but my lawn care guy did. I thought he should just let it go -- healthier for him. But there was a bit of shade for most places on his list for the day. With the humidity, I'm not sure that helped a lot, but he was prepared to do the full day. Again, I'm grateful for the a/c at the office.

Thinking of a song to fit this stationary high pressure system stuck in the Atlantic didn't take too long. I expect the heat has affected my thought processes, but the song that came to mind made me laugh out loud. Could be a sign that it is time to drink more fluid <smile>. The song itself makes me laugh, not just the title and story line of the lyrics. It is a bit countrified by an artist from Alberta. Enjoy!

The Truck Got Stuck -- Corb Lund & the Hurtin' Albertans

Day 5 - 218 -- Exploring Judgement

An extra day off work in this summer long weekend. Here it is called Natal Day, while other provinces call it BC Day, Heritage Day, Saskatchewan Day and various other titles.  I was outside for a short bit today when I moved the potted plants from the back stairs to the front yard. Three of the pots will need to be replanted back around the new porch. The others need to be safe while the workmen do some repairs on the back stairs and porch. That work should begin tomorrow -- a day where temperatures will be the hottest of the week and humidity will make it feel in the mid- to high-30s. In the afternoon, I spent time sitting and reading a book. Now the book is one I find interesting, but it still involves volunteer work of sorts <smile>. I offered to write a review of the book for a journal. It deals with portrayal of foods in Broadway musicals, so is similar in some ways to much of the research I've been involved with in the for almost three decades. It explains the meaning of those portrayals. I've just begun the book, so will leave the rest for the review.

It felt somewhat odd to just be sitting and reading a book in the middle of the afternoon. There are clearly household chores that could be done -- not the weekly chores that are done, but the seasonal ones that are somewhat overdue. Given the warmth of the air, it seemed best to leave the sweat inducing type of work for a cooler day. Giving myself permission to read seemed intriguing, yet it worked. As I've said, for a long time now most reading has been for courses and professional reports and such. I do enjoy fiction, but areas of non-fiction can be very fascinating, too.

A song about judging seemed perfect for the  thoughts of the day. Activities that fill a day need not be judged as harshly as I seem to do. With time, I'm sure I'll get the hang of that <smile>. The song has been covered by a few artists. I found this version upbeat with a clearer young voice for the singer. Enjoy!

You Can't Judge a Book by its Cover -- Bo Diddley

Day 5 - 217 -- Defining Nothing

For a Sunday, today involved less than usual. I headed out for groceries and a few items at one other store. Temperatures were warm with full cloud cover and bits of rain throughout the day. Once the errands were run, I felt so tired -- again --  or is that 'still'? I spent most of the afternoon lying down and binge watching Doctor Who. I'd like to review all of the 'new' seasons -- Doctors 9 onward. The goal involves revisiting all ten seasons before the new doctor begins the next season. I have several favourite episodes as well as a favourite doctor and favourite companion -- well that last may be two favourite companions. <smile>  I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I do love the writing and storytelling. While it may appear to be nothing more than good vs. evil in whatever form it takes, there are strong undertones of ethical and philosophical natures.

So -- as I listened and dozed a bit, I thought of a song title. I was focused on the nothingness accomplished in the afternoon. Yet, it was somewhat enjoyable. Feeling tired and yucky wasn't fun, but revisiting old 'friends' seemed delightful. So, not fully a nothing day. The song is from a few decades ago and has a lively sound. Enjoy!

Nothing from Nothing -- Billy Preston

Day 5 - 216 -- Doing Nothing

When not in the office, I've been asking myself what I should do. It came to me today, that perhaps I should do nothing. An Italian idiom says it all -- Il dolce far niente -- commonly translated as the sweetness of doing nothing. It occurred to me that I used to do this before becoming an academic -- well maybe did it more often and without guilt. I remember lying on the floor of the home office and listening to the full libretto of a new musical from London's West End -- a prize I'd just acquired from traveling parents. I spent the full afternoon in this pursuit -- just becoming one with the music. That hasn't happened for many years now -- that sheer pleasure of being idle.

So, when I told myself that I needed to learn to do nothing, I corrected myself. I need to re-learn to do this. It will take time and effort. It isn't simply being lazy, avoiding less favoured tasks, or getting lost in a mediated world online or onscreen. It is learning to be still, learning to observe, learning to be comfortable ignoring the 'to do' list. I should have a list that says 'do nothing' <smile>. After years of every minute of every day being packed with work-related action, this will not be instantaneous. Perhaps this is what is meant by retirees who say that it just gets better with time. This will be a deeply personal journey to understand the freedom of choosing what will be done each day when there are fewer deadlines to meet. I look forward to re-learning this life skill.

A song lyric fit today's pondering perfectly. It is a demo version of a song written before this artist changed his name. The unplugged aspect of the song is delightful. It reflects the sound of the time -- 1968 and may remind you of other famous artists just getting a toehold in the business. Enjoy!

Sitting, Doing Nothing -- Elton John (Written as Reg Dwight)

Day 5 - 215 -- Yawning All Day

The morning began with a few errands. Being in an air-conditioned car was a blessing. In two hours, the temperature rose dramatically. The Special Olympics again postponed afternoon outdoor events until early evening due to the extreme heat. At the office I worked on moving items from one office to the next. There is little air movement in the new office. The humidity in the room made lifting and unpacking  magazine cases filled with journals a very taxing job. Stepping into the hallway helped a bit. When speaking to a friend, I kept yawning. We've both hit the wall early over the past week. Even when I felt I'd had a good sleep last night, I was extremely fatigued. I've felt this way for about 3 weeks. Interestingly, that is when the really hot weather arrived. My appetite has been off, too. Like others I've encountered, we are blaming it all on the weather. <smile>

Heading off to bed earlier than usual should help but may not given various types of weather -- things beyond our control. I'm hoping the long weekend will help get things back in sync physiologically. The urge to lay my head down for a nap has run through all days this week. Ensuring adequate fluid and food intake can help a bit, but disrupted sleep creates a challenge for recovery. Time should rectify this -- time and patience <smile>.

Thinking of sleep and bouncing back from inadequate sleep led to me a song. It has been around for a very long time . The music was composed 150 years ago and the lyrics were written as a poem nearly 20 years before that. It has been commonly used as a lullaby. I love this more recent recording with two wonderful voices that mesh in the most amazing way. Enjoy!

Brahms' Lullaby -- Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville

Day 5 - 214 -- Switching it Up

It felt cool -- well cooler than it has been in some time -- on the walk in today with cloud cover and a stiff breeze. This did change by lunch and by early afternoon all Special Olympic afternoon events taking place outdoors were postponed until late afternoon and early evening. The humidity would make it feel like 40C by mid-afternoon, so that seemed a sensible decision. This begins more than a week of major heat and humidity. I am so ready for this to be over. <sigh>

At the office boxes now contain binders and files. That was my plan to try to move past the fear of getting to the point of packing the heavy stuff. I'm still moving lighter things or smaller loads of books and such using a cart. This might help to get things moving along while I wait in line for the moving team to arrive to tote the bigger items to the research office. Many offices will be moving beginning next week. Getting that part begun, helped me feel that I can keep moving forward -- out past the fear. We live in a world where fear is all around. It is a major way of thinking. Newscasters, marketers, and general conversations can be saturated with fear passing it along from one person to another or to many others. Mindset can put this in perspective, but being tired or stressed can open the doors we've closed -- the doors that keep fear at bay. Positive self talk can help to reset the thought processes. Catching ourselves before we spiral too deeply into the negative talk vortex, takes practice and sometimes assistance from others. Countering the fight or flight response through grounding can begin the process.

I found lyrics today that speak to this topic. This alt rock song notes that one person can nudge another into action. The lyrics also speak to the 'between' -- that place we occupy while moving from one role to another. Enjoy!

Dare You to Move -- Switchfoot

Day 5 - 213 -- Facing Change

The sun was brutal today -- so strong, unrelenting and HOT. It was 31C at 6 PM. It was a bit drier than last week, but that won't last with the rain expected tomorrow. So, August (how did that happen so quickly?) weather seems fully entrenched.

Worked away in the office organizing things to go into boxes. That seems to be a stumbling point. It makes it real and final. It took some time to figure this out. Tomorrow we will tackle that beast head on and just do it. I feel that not starting this part of the journey will only add to the moments of anxiety and panic that present themselves -- and with greater frequency of late. I've written about change many times in this blog. As I've said before, change is the only constant. It is with us every moment of every day. Some days we are able to cope better than others, yet some changes present greater needs for high level coping skills. Major life changes such as a new job, loss of a loved one, unexpected illness or injury, moving house, or retirement bring with them large disruptions to one's status quo. So, I shouldn't be surprised that my changing circumstances have created negative stress. At times like this, I am especially glad that I have this blog to turn to as I work through the many layers and components of the anxiety of change.

I heard lines from a song this morning that seemed to explain some of the aspects of the stress encountered. "Take your best shot. It might be scary." That is where I'm headed today and tomorrow -- one step at a time as I work through the positive and the less positive parts of a major life change. The singer of the song is a Canadian who will turn 20 next week. Enjoy!

Life of the Party -- Shawn Mendes