9-120 (30/4/22) -- Vulnerability

In the grey day, I walked out to get milk and eggs then came home to do laundry. I said to a colleague on a virtual meeting, "i'm just living the dream." <grin> Thinking further, the dream vacillates between something pleasant and something more akin to a nightmare. Often things tend towards the mean so are more in the middle -- not super and not horrid. While working and walking today, I recognized the discomfort that is part of triggering anxiety at present. Trying to name an emotion can be so difficult for me. I realized what I am in the midst of today carries aspects of vulnerability and shame. 

Those two feelings turned me to the work of Brene Brown, a renowned researcher in both areas. Her work notes that we often see vulnerability in others as courage and daring, while in ourselves we see it as weakness. She says, "This is where shame comes into play." Courage and vulnerability are linked;  being vulnerable is "having the courage to show up when you can't control the outcome." This can be so very difficult, particularly with the excess of vulnerability over the past two years of the pandemic. That is externally inflicted vulnerability rather than the internally chosen ability to be vulnerable to move forward. 

Shame is not guilt. Guilt comes from action -- something you did that you are sorry for. Shame originates in how we see ourselves. The difference between these two lies in something you did versus something your are. You did a bad thing vs. you are a bad person. Shame brings the need to hide from the world, along with physical signs such as sweating or nausea. Anxiety and fear bring those same feelings. Fear, vulnerability, and shame tend to come tightly tied together. So, how do we deal with shame that makes us feel paralyzed to work the problem. One step that Brown proposes is to "share your truth." Yet, shame makes showing that fear to others a major weakness. With these conflicting concepts in play, telling others about the issue becomes even more challenging. I have done this in the past and it felt like a weight was lifted. It does mean the recipient of the information needs to have empathy and not respond negatively or with platitudes. In my experience, the fear of reprisal is generally unfounded. Showing one's vulnerability takes work and courage <smile>. I've been working on this in some parts of my life where I can. When the shame comes from outside in something that I can't control as well, sharing becomes more difficult, but doing so can help move me past the 'you can't handle the truth' fears shouting in my face <smile>. Knowing that someone else can hold your hand, lend a shoulder and have your back can help with the sharing. Keep working the practice of being vulnerable.

The lyrics of a song seemed to fit my afternoon ponderings. The tempo and upbeat sound help a lot, too. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy!

Don't you Worry 'bout a Thing -- Stevie Wonder

9-119 (29/4/22) -- Moments to Cherish

Today I took the car to the service centre for an oil change, replacement of the rear wiper blade (when did those become so expensive?), and to change back to all season tires. For some of you, the latter may seem late, but we did have forecasts for rain-snow mix over the past couple of weeks and I chose to leave the winter tires on for the highway driving just in case. I was indoors most of the day except for a walk after supper. The day was grey with drizzle and light rain. Temperatures were cooler than than the last few days, so gloves and a hat made the evening walk more comfortable.  

Yesterday on campus and today on my street and elsewhere in town, many U-Haul trailers and trucks along with other trucks and cars were being loaded for the end of term trip home for students. I saw two girls from across the street heading out for supper with two father-aged men. They laughed and were clearly enjoying themselves. All of this reminded me of the many trips Dad and I took over my years in Saskatoon for the undergraduate degree. We always laughed and enjoyed the trips. We paused for dinner  before leaving town -- usually at the Greek-owned Italian restaurant just across the street from campus. the spaghetti and meatballs were amazing. They had this way with the pasta -- swirled  it in a frypan with olive oil to coat it and some tiny bits of carmelization on the pasta. I still dream of that meal and the great company of my dad.  

Seeing all the packing in town brought back some wonderful memories. Those were amazing trips. I'll admit to a few tears and a desire to tell those girls to treasure these moments -- however, I did not insinuate myself into their experience -- no need for me to be part of their memories. <smile> These thoughts brought to mind how much I miss my dad. He had answers to all things technical or automotive. He also listened when I was struggling with some aspect of life helping me to work through my problem solving. I could really use his input these days. I speak to him when I get stressed, but it isn't quite the same as a face-to-face or phone conversation. He would have loved virtual platforms for video conferencing <smile>.  A song by an acclaimed popular music songwriter was chosen to share today. The lyrics say much from the perspective of a father. I echo those sentiments as a daughter. Keep safe. Enjoy!  

Father and Daughter -- Paul Simon (& Friends) 

Day 9 - 118 (29/4/22) -- Lost Then Found

The day was mostly cloudy. The ground was wet and muddy after the rain overnight. The wind felt cool when I went out walking. I took a meandering route to the pharmacy and then around a few block radius using back alleys, sidewalks and parking lots. I checked out the huge magnolia in front of the bank. The buds closest to the brick wall of the building have bloomed. those closest to the sidewalk and street will be opening in the next week or so. 

Today was brought to me by The Case of the Missing Purchases. I did a pick up order from the grocery store. After putting everything away at home, I realized that the oats I'd ordered were no where to be found. I checked the receipt to be sure they had been included and there was a charge for them. They were not in the back of the car either. So, I phoned and they found the bag of oats in a different bin. I've not had that occur before, even though I expect things get a bit crazy where they are pulling all the orders together. The other purchase today was a prescription. Once I got back t the house, I realized that they had given me a 60 day supply when it should have been for 90 days. I called back and they are fixing that error and I will need to go back to pick the extra 30 day supply. Again, things can happen when people are distracted. Today that means that the time allotted to do the purchase pick ups has to be doubled -- more even if I count the time to check receipts and make phone calls. Other plans have to be shifted or I have to get things done in less time. I wish there was some acknowledgement of this from the vendors. 

What I found today when tracking down lost purchases is that much as it could be useful, there is no inter-dimensional portal in the car or my book bag. <grin> Errors occur, but I did find it interesting that the only two purchases made today each had an error. The song shared today came to mind and made me giggle a bit. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Midnight at the Lost and Found -- Meatloaf

9-117 (27/4/22) -- In the Grey Zone

The day has been grey and flat. Sometimes a cloudy day brings out the sharpness of the colours of nature. Today this did not occur. Instead the colours seemed more subdued. The forecast for much of the next week  suggests there will be more cloud than sun and some rain on most days. It is a spring pattern in the Maritimes so it isn't anything new <smile>. 

I mailed the tax returns today so hopefully that topic will disappear from the blog for another year <grin>. I had two virtual visits with good friends today, which helped elevate my mood which had sunk into the grey zone. I had a nap in the early evening. This helped me to feel a bit more 'up', too. There was more wakefulness than sleeping last night. I'm hoping for something more restful tonight. 

The tiredness and the cloudy skies brought to mind a favourite song. I always find this one relaxing. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Shades of Grey -- The Monkees

9-116 (26/4/22) -- Introspection

The sunshine today was wonderful. Temperature rose to the upper teens Celsius (about mid- to upper-60s F). I took time to sit on the back porch and deconstruct the balsam fir wreath that I had up over the winter. I generally do this task after Easter, which was later this year. It felt good to do some yard cleanup while enjoying the sun. The rest of my day included a couple of phone chats and completing the taxes to mail off tomorrow. In the evening, a friend and I had a good visit -- it has been a while -- over a glass of wine. 

I've been feeling uncomfortable lately. Several emotions seem to be involved  but the one that seemed at the core was fear. There are some changes afoot that make me feel anxious. Nothing serious, just some changes that don't feel quite comfortable yet. I heard some song lines in my head throughout the day. This made me smile a bit thinking of concerts from a while ago when we saw one of my favourite pianists <smile>. Stay safe. Enjoy!  

I'm Scared -- Burton Cummings

9-215 (25/4/22) -- Mixed Day

Today was cloudy when I woke, sunny in mid-day and cloudy again by late afternoon. The temperature was warmer than the past couple of days, but without the sun it didn't feel as warm. So it was a mixture of a day. My activities were mixed, too. I had an appointment after which I got some groceries and then went to campus to check mail and print a few things. While there, I spoke with a few people who I haven't gotten to see too often. That felt so good. I miss seeing folks with some regularity. I expected this to happen when I retired, since much of my social world has revolved around work for most of my working life. Having an office on campus to do research work, helped in the beginning. I visited two or three afternoons each week and got to see colleagues. Then COVID arrived and those visits to the office became much less frequent. Much of the research and writing that I expected to spend time on required further archival searching in the US and UK -- definitely not something that was happening over much of the past two years. The university wasn't supporting any international travel during that time period, and the funds for my research travel are administered through the university. So, now things are slowly opening up, so there is a glimmer of hope -- hope to be able to complete the research and hope to be able to see friends and colleagues more often. 

Now -- I'm being cautiously optimistic about this possible restart to research and travel and such. It does make me feel good to have just that bit of hope. The lyrics of a song ran through my mind today. The version shared is by a Canadian crooner. Be safe. Enjoy! 

How I Feel -- Michael Buble

9-114 (24/4/22) -- Homesickness?

When I got up this morning, some snow remained on roofs and in sheltered ground areas. I all disappeared into the afternoon with major wind and cooler temperatures. I spent time doing household accounts and housework. The taxes required that I download three specific forms. Once these are done, things will be ready to submit. <yay>. I don't understand why this process has to be so involved with a reasonably simple return. <sigh> 

While walking and doing housework, I've been feeling something akin to home sickness. I feel the need to see people who live further afield than my little area of the world. Some people provide the feeling of home just by being with them. Speaking over a virtual platform or by phone brings this feeling a bit, but not as much as seeing them in person. These thoughts brought to mind a few lines from the chorus of a song. The rest of the lyric doesn't describe how I felt today, but the chorus lines fit my thoughts well. I'll share that song here.

Feels Like Home -- Chantal Kreviazuk 

 

9-113 (23/4/22) -- Repetition

A mix of sun and cloud prevailed today. It was mainly cloudy when I went for a walk early in the afternoon and turned to blue skies and sun by late afternoon. The wind was cold and made the trip feel quite brisk. If I'd been out longer, I would have benefited from wearing a warm hat. Many plants and flowers greeted me along the way. The squill turns many lawns blue at this time of year. A group of tulips are almost ready to bloom as are the first blossoms of a huge white magnolia. A day with sun and warmth will move this process along well. -- likely into next week. Plants that will bloom in another month or two have been growing well, too. I enjoy seeing the differences day to day when I'm out walking. 

Most of the day was spent doing laundry and finalizing the tax forms. I should be able to get these submitted early next week. Receiving the final assessment isn't likely to occur for a month or more when I submit this late. For some reason, three separate information slips didn't arrive until mid- to late-March this year, when they should arrive by the end of February.  Perhaps I'm not the only one behind schedule <smile>. 

I chose a song today that brightened my mood. Doing the same thing over and over can get me down, but this helped me see things from a different point of view. <smile>. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Let's Dance On -- The Monkees

9-112 (22/04/22) -- Earth Day

The day was mainly sunny until when I went for my afternoon walk. Light grey clouds were blowing in by late afternoons. Within a half an hour of getting back from my walk, there was a huge deep grey cloud moving swiftly towards town. Temperatures dropped about 5C  (10F) in the short while it took for the cloud to cover the visible sky. Winds increased. As I was stirring a pot on the stove, I thought the ceiling light flickered. Then the whole house shook. It was a big thunderstorm complete with a huge down pour. Thunder continued for another 30 minutes or so and then that storm cell moved on while rain continued. 

The storm was a great reminder of what has been celebrated on this day for the past 52 years. Today was Earth Day 2022. -- a day for us to focus on the impact of global warming. This made me think of the deforestation occurring in my neck of the woods. To twin the highway -- a much needed upgrade for safety considerations -- there has been a lot of clear-cutting. This became very clear as I drove out of town a few times over the past two weeks. 

In my office on campus, I have a post card with a picture of old growth forest that had been clear-cut. The caption states -- "O, pardon me thou bleeding piece of earth that I am meek and gentle with these butchers." These words were written by Shakespeare and spoken by Antony in Julius Caesar.  

Forests help to clean the air and produce oxygen. They provide carbon to the soil. I walked a section of old growth forest on Vancouver Island and found the nurse trees to be truly amazing. As a larger, older tree falls to the forest floor, it will begin to decay. New trees begin to grow from the tree that nurses the next generation with the nutrients held in the decaying trunk. Even selective logging can deny a forest this regenerative ability. I am from the prairies. We do have trees there, but far fewer than in woodland and forested areas. Many trees have been planted in towns and cities. So, I learned to value trees because of their scarcity. Now I live in the middle of the Acadian Forest filled with evergreen softwood and deciduous hardwood. Seeing the forest through all four seasons is amazing. There are so many shades of green and later orange and red. Even in my yard there are wonderful variations of colour and bark designs. 

A song about forests seemed fitting to share today. It is by an

The Trees -- Rush 

 

9-110 (20/4/22) -- Windy Walk

Overnight the storm brought lighter winds and less rain than expected. The day dawned with sun and blue sky. I worked on laundry, blogs and some professional written work. The latter is due shortly and I've been struggling with the review. This one will require a conversation with the journal editor, I think. We'll see what I can pull together in the next day or two.  

I planned a later afternoon walk. In the 15 minutes I took to get ready to head outside, the sky had turned a dismal grey with complete cloud cover. Luckily the temperature remained warm which helped cover the effect of the wind. I enjoyed the walk. It felt invigorating and cleared some negative perspectives out of my mind. That helped me to work through more of the blog backlog and write some real mail correspondence. 

A song about walking seemed to fit the day. There are many, but this one felt upbeat and helped me smile. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Walk of Life -- Dire Straits

9-111 (21/4/22) -- Sunshine and Paperwork

Sunshine greeted me this morning. That made me smile. I walked out to get bread and milk. the breeze was cool, but the sun helped with warmth. In the afternoon, I went for a walk with a friend and we had a good chat over tea. We have done virtual chats over the winter when walking was less accessible. Days without rain or major winds mean we can walk around town easily. 

I spent time checking the draft of the tax forms to be sure that everything has been entered correctly. I generally complete forms and let things sit for a few days before reviewing it all. While things should be straightforward, there always seems to be one or two trickier calculations needed. Invariably, even after careful review, the official overview finds an error. Generally, this is a minor change that doesn't affect the outcome drastically. I use a software package, but for a couple of places a review with paper and pen helps to get things correctly entered. <smile> 

Only one song comes to mind whenever I undertake this particular task. I'll share it again this year. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

The Taxman -- The Beatles

9-109 (19/4/22) -- Stormy

A wind and rain storm arrived today. I completed my driving by early afternoon to avoid being out in the worst of it. Cross winds gusted in clearer areas or at the top of hills. That was uncomfortable, but at least they were sporadic and no rain had started at that point. By mid-afternoon rain and wind began in earnest. 

As I've noted, seeing people from outside of town is a major treat. Today I said good-bye to someone with the hope that we'll see each other again soon. I've lost trust in the systems that surround us over the past many months. I'll admit that having a plan in place can help me feel more positive. I also understand that such plans may change due to global and local events. That can be difficult to accept, but the plan helps me hang onto some bit of hope. It makes 'see you soon' feel more real <smile>. So, I had a small storm in my head as the one outside the window arrived.

Living with anxiety, I can get lost in my head at times. I'm working on getting out of my head and into the moment more <smile>.  Lyrics from the chorus of a song that played through the car speakers today got stuck in my head -- a short type of earworm. <smile> I share a version of that song here. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Giant Step  -- Peter Tork ft. backup vocals by Owen Eliot and Mackenzie Phillips

9-108 (18/4/22) -- Time Together

The day had neither bright sun nor full cloud, which made driving out of town easier. I was accompanied by a dear friend as we completed several errands that couldn't be done in town. We topped off the day with a fantastic dinner out -- so that's twice now eating in a restaurant. I may get used to this again -- as long as the dining room isn't too crowded. <smile>  The menu tonight contained some delights -- bahn mi wrap appetizer, mushroom ravioli with goat cheese, and Cajun chicken penne. I enjoyed the food, wine and conversation. <smile>   

Time with those dear to us has become so much more valued after the isolation of the pandemic. I craved time with close friends and family. Most 'visits' over the past two years have been virtual. Getting to be in the same physical space as them was sorely missed. As we slowly get into the swing of the new way of meeting and visiting, it has been feeling much better. 

A Good Friend and a Glass of Wine -- LeAnn Rimes 

9-107 (17/4/22) -- No Hat, No Shoes, No Sense

The day was sunny with some small breeze around the house. The sun was warm, which helped on the short walk around campus where the wind was very strong and cold. Earlier in the day, while sitting in the living room, I saw out the window that a major wooden divider by the edge of the driveway had been pushed sideways almost touching a front tire. Looking closely something else was at the edge of the lawn. Investigating the scene in person I felt I should have numbered markers for a crime scene <smile>.  Sometime last night, someone moved the heavy wooden divider and managed to walk away without their shoes, hat, lighter and phone. The phone had to be pried out of the mud where the wooden divider had been. The screen was cracked and it would not power up. These items were left in a consolodated pile for someone to pick up if they were able to retrace their path. (Update: These were still sitting on the lawn the next morning. I placed them on the boulevard near the street and they were gone the following day.) 

I've never had the wooden dividers moved by passers by before. I have had someone leave shoes and a hat behind before, but never a phone. Every scenario I thought about that led to these items being left on the lawn seemed so bizarre and improbable. I just can't quite understand that someone could be so under the influence that they would walk away without shoes in the cold and rain of last evening. There were no loud voices outside in the night, so whether this was a lone person or more than one in a group isn't clear. 

Pondering a song today brought me to one that made me laugh given the situation in the front yard. Maybe removing the shoes helped someone to dance better. <grin> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Footloose -- Kenny Loggins

9-106 (16/4/22) -- Warmth

Today was cool and cloudy. A short walk felt cool, but pleasant. Later in the day, a second walk occurred to pick up some take out Chinese food for dinner. The spicy hot and sour soup helped to clear sinuses -- at least briefly. The other two items were not as hot, but still had some spiciness that affected sinuses. The whole combination tasted fantastic -- a warming meal for a cooler day. 

Warmth comes in many forms -- spices, baths or showers, hugs, sunshine, music and so many more. Warmth regardless of the source is thought of as comforting, while cold can be rather jarring and uncomfortable. There are exceptions and some people do enjoy cold weather and winter sports. Someone has to <grin>. As a kid, I often had a hot water bottle when I felt sick or had an ache of some sort. I still use heat for sore muscles and joints. Warmth relaxes tighter muscles. One of my favourite physio treatments is a whirlpool bath --not that I want to have an injury, just that this process relaxes all of me. I've used it for elbow and ankle problems; the warmth improves circulation to the area. which removes the substances that create inflammation and soreness as well as the relaxation of muscle and connective tissues. Other forms of warmth can leave us with a great emotional buzz -- something that feels good all around. <smile> Today held a variety of types of warmth -- all good. 

There were so many songs that fit the thoughts of warmth today. It was difficult choosing one to share here. I decided on one that speaks about the physical and emotional effects of the sun. Keep safe. Enjoy!  

Good Day Sunshine -- The Beatles

9-105 (15/4/22) -- A Day Off

The day dawned rather grey and cloudy. Very light rain fell during the afternoon and the evening so a walk was postponed until tomorrow. It felt cold even inside the house -- it must be the dampness.   We spent the day quietly listening to TV programs and cooking supper. 

A quiet day without anything on the agenda can be enjoyable. For this retired person, such days can feel like a day off. <smile> Spontaneity can find its way into the day, allowing us to be flexible and do something unexpected. I find days like this let me recharge. It doesn't mean that I am hiding from the world, but that no effort went into planning have-to-do events for the day.  The only thing on that list today was to be open to the unexpected nature of spontaneity. <smile> 

A phrase my mother used came to mind today. The words can be said jokingly or as an insult. I don't think taking it easy means that one is lazy. We each need to take some down time alone or with someone else, in order to keep it all together <smile>.  There were song lyrics that my mother taught me that used this phrase. I share the song here in a version that makes me smile. Stay safe. Enjoy! 

Lazy Bones -- Harry Connick, Jr. 

9-104 (14/4/22) -- Peaceful Point

I went for a drive up to the cape north of town today. The sun shone early in the day, but rain-like cloud moved in by early afternoon. It was cool, but got colder up at the headland even with a lesser wind than usual there. The visibility was superb, though. We could see farther than many days. All of the mainland and Cape Breton coasts were easily viewed. 

The view brings peace. I often go there to sit and watch the waves and listen to the wind. I feel my shoulders drop from around my ears. Muscles relax and breathing regulates. I miss these visits in the winter -- the road to the lighthouse is a winding, hilly gravel road. It isn't a place that I go from late fall to warmer spring days since the icy narrow gravel roads make the trip too scary to be relaxing. Today marked the beginning of the next season of visits. <smile> I take visitors to this place so they can experience the calm that I do. Today, there was little wind, so the water was smooth and no buoy bells were sounding. I like hearing the bells over wind noise, but today we had neither. I enjoyed the visit on a rare calmer day for a change, though. 

Lyrics that describe how I feel when at the cape listening to the water. Technically the cape is on a narrow strait,  but the effect of the water and wind sounds is smilar to this song about the ocean. It is a peaceful song. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Only the Ocean -- Jack Johnson

9-103 (13/4/22) -- Masking

During a walk today, it felt cool but the sun was very warm. It was a pleasant outing although a bit 'brisk' when the sun went behind a cloud. Today was the first time I ate in a restaurant since 2020. This was a familiar restaurant, one I have used for takeout over the past many months. I felt fairly comfortable since the place wasn't full, but several tables were occupied, which meant space between diners did not feel too close. The meal was excellent as was the company of a very good friend. We enjoyed great conversation and wine to accompany the food. 

Being ready to give up public health guidelines will take time for many of us. I feel heartened to see many people masking in public places when I've been shopping recently -- even when the masking mandate has been lifted. Individual businesses can keep the requirement and health care settings will still use masks for the foreseeable future. I was the only person wearing a mask at a smaller business this week, but it didn't bother me to be the only one masked. At other businesses, most people have been masked. For me, I continue to mask as the reported covid case numbers rise -- as expected once the public health guidelines were dropped. 

An odd song came to mind when pondering masks. There are so many types after all. In this song, masks are part of the wares of a night market. I've been to night markets in Asia and there were carved wooden masks -- far larger than could fit into a suitcase <smile>. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Marakesh Night Market -- Loreena McKennitt

9-102 (12/4/22) -- Road Trip

The day began sunny and clouded over by early afternoon. There was no precipitation, but less sun than had been forecast. I drove down the highway today to pick up a friend from the airport. The construction on the main highway goes on for about 45 minutes. The twinning of the highway is underway so as work is being done, traffic is moved back and forth between the original 2-lane highway and the newer highway sections. This means that for much of the way, no passing is allowed. The next time I head out this way, I will take the older road that runs along the water instead of through the forest. In this way, I can avoid some of the construction. 

Road construction will increase over the next few months as the weather improves. Road reports can help drivers prepare for the type and location of active areas. I find these reports helpful when deciding which route to take, too. Summer brings more distance driving along with increased construction. Though with the cost of fuel at present, there may be less driving than during a usual summer. While it might feel freeing to go for a drive, construction work can add to the anxiousness of getting from point A to point B. There are some secondary roads less traveled that can make a drive more relaxing. I'll do my best to travel along those routes where possible. 

Thinking of travel brought forth a song from the dim distant past <smile>. The beginning lyric mentions getting out on the road. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Born to be Wild -- Steppenwolf

9-101 (11/4/22) -- Anticipation

The day was cold and windy. Last night, snow had dusted the ground with white. It had melted by morning today, though. I went to fill the gas tank today and for the first time ever, I had to 'pre-pay' for gas prior to fill up.Actually, it is a pre-authorization of the maximum amount you can purchase. I guessed how much it might take and was very happy when the amount was about half of the guess. Now, the price is a moving target, so guessing the cost is not an easy task. 

I am heading out of town for a day trip tomorrow and seem filled with anticipation. This includes some apprehension about the trip and some excitement about being out of town for a change. Generally, after a winter of being just around town, taking a trip elsewhere for any reason becomes a positive. Given that there has been far less travel both in and out of town due to pandemic surges, any travel brings excitement. For this trip, though, the focus of the travel brought much excitement. 

The first two lines of a song came to mind while thinking through the anticipation of the past few days. Those lyric lines describe how something expected moves towards you. It is an older song with a great upbeat style. It made me smile today. Keep safe. Enjoy!

Everyday -- Buddy Holly and The Crickets

9-100 (10/4/22) -- Seeing the World

Rain fell throughout the day again. Forecasts indicate that tomorrow will be a wintry mix -- rain and snow, but a sunny day will follow. Today I worked through household chores work and made a quick trip to the grocery store for things that weren't there on Friday when I did the bigger shopping trip. Now I have everything that was on the list last week and cook to my heart's content <smile>.  

I had a great phone visit with a friend from town. When they were out of the country on sabbatical we spoke weekly. Now that we are in the same town again, we speak less often. How does that work? <smile> This made me think of doing touristy things close to home. Again, we seem to site see more when away from home, but leave wonderful places closer to home for a later date. Currently, I live in an place where tourism is a key economic driver. I often set aside to time to tour about only when friends or family visit. It is fun to discover great views or cool food outlets together. I expect it would be just as much fun to find places even without visiting company. <smile>. 

The procrastination aspect of local travel has led the tourism industry to coin the term 'stay-cation'. Granted this was used a lot during the pandemic, but it was commonly used for some time prior to that event. This term presents a major paradigm shift -- that a vacation can take place without travelling to a far off place. It challenges people to choose local exploration rather than major travel. Day trips eliminate the cost of accommodation and some meals. Planning can be as involved as desired -- knowing exactly where one is heading when leaving the driveway or only knowing the general direction with a focus on discovery. Both work well, as do trips far from home. I guess it all comes down to curiosity to see the world around us. <smile>. 

I share a song with lyrics that remind me of traveling near and far. Keep safe. Enjoy!  

Sailing -- Christopher Cross

9-99 (9/4/22) -- Robotic Weirdness

This has been a frustrating week given the increase in robocalls that arrived. One day there were seven calls and two of them were repeat calls. I do not answer these calls. The call display shows they are overseas numbers or local numbers that I don't recognize. Some leave a message -- well part of a message. This week had what seemed to be an older male voice that was having difficulty saying the number to call back. That was a recorded call, as I got the same message twice. <sigh>  All of these calls come to the home number which doesn't have a block number feature. Not that this would help since the same messages come from different numbers. Switching numbers for each call makes the do not call list useless. These aren't legitimate businesses calling. There has to be a way to minimize this type of fraudulent activity. <sigh> This week the calls have been coming in between 6 and 7 AM. To avoid the frustration of being woken by this silliness, I've just turned my ringer off. That sort of defeats the purpose of having a phone. 

The song that came to mind while I was doing housework today is shared here. It made me smile a bit about the whole situation. Keep safe.Enjoy! 

Mr. Roboto -- Styx

9-98 (8/4/22) -- Where's my cart?

Major wind blew in a warm front. Tomorrow will be very warm. Today was cool and the wind made it feel cold. The snow did leave even without the sun. Wind is a snow eater. Many of my crocuses were in bloom under the new and they became visible as the day wore on. I look forward to a tour around the lawn tomorrow. I have avoided walking on it since the snowfall, as I didn't want to step on the flowers that I couldn't see. Tomorrow, I will be able to see them <smile>.  

It was a day of errands that ended with a trip to get groceries. I paused to read the label of a new product, and when I turned around my cart was gone. There was a tall, slim man walking away from me, but he disappeared as I walked and looked down each aisle for the figure or my cart. Nothing. It was so bizarre. I had nothing of value in the cart, just a bag of grocery bags. I had been at the back of the store, and by the time I got to the front of the store, I chose to go to customer service. A staff member walked back with me as we looked down each aisle for the man or the cart. Two aisles over from where I'd been standing, stood my abandoned little cart. The staff person thought that someone likely took my cart by mistake. It happens. <smiles>. There was another cart just over from where I had been standing, so maybe. I was just happy to have the cart back. I was hungry and tired and didn't want to start all over again. I had gotten most of what was on the list. Whether it was distracted shopping -- low blood sugar maybe since it was over a mealtime -- or someone looking for something that wasn't in my bag, we'll never know. So much for my label reading habit. I guess I'll have to do that with a hand or foot on the cart at the same time. <shaking head>. 

As I walked to the car with my groceries, a song came to mind. The first two lines stated what I felt without my cart <smile>. Keep Safe. Enjoy! 

Lost in the Grocery Store -- The Clash

9-97 (7/4/22) -- Springy Day

The day was mainly grey until late afternoon when the sun broke through. I walked out to do a few errands and went for a walk with a friend. We had a great chat about so many things. I felt good. 

The snow is melting slowly today. Spring plant growth is poking through the snow today. As it melts, I expect there will be much more green just waiting to greet the world.  A more recent song from an older group had some lines that made me think of the onset of Spring. It has a happy sound and lyrics. Keep safe. Enjoy!

Spring Vacation -- The Beach Boys

 

9-96 (6/4/22) -- Isolating Thought

After a phone meeting, I went for a short walk in the sunshine. I've been rearranging the items left after sorting so the rooms have a bit more flow. I'm not sure that it is feng shui, but it fits better and doesn't look as busy as it did before I began this process. <smile>  

I've been pondering inclusion and diversity in its broadest sense today. Throughout my career I've encountered peers who feel that not all specialties are as important to the profession. <sigh>. My research interests have also been seen differently by others. I encountered another example today. I have one foot in natural sciences and the other in social sciences and humanities. My base training is in natural science but there has been much learned in degree programs and research projects that fell more into social science and humanities. Neither group feels that what I do fits their purist views, which leaves me feeling ostracized by colleagues in both areas. This makes it difficult to do what I need to do. The latest example of this will need to be discussed with the the person in charge. I feel compelled to note the dismissal of my input based on my perspective and training. It is not the end of the world in any way, just a major irritation today. <smile>  I always felt that academia as a sphere should be ready to accept new ideas and discussion points from different angles. It hasn't always been that way <smile>. 

As a post-modernist who sees the world in shades of grey, it is frustrating to see people building walls when they could be building bridges. Dichotomies bother me since there are so many ways to look at an issue that only two seems to be lazy thinking -- and missing many interesting viewpoints. I enjoy discussion and debate that expand my world view. It is sad that others limit themselves. I received a wonderful piece  of advice when planning my doctoral work. I was advised to take something from a different discipline and bring it into my study. That first time, it was major concepts from social science and education. Over the years I have included more ideas from social sciences and humanities. I feel it enriched my understanding of the question being studied. 

A line from a song came to mind while I've been thinking through this one. To me, it notes the isolationist aspect of limiting our thinking. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

I am a Rock -- Simon and Garfunkel

9-95 (5/4/22) -- Last of Winter?

Today we had bright sun with great solar loading to begin to melt the snow. I shoveled the snow that arrived overnight and pile behind car left by the plow blade when the plow driver punched out the end of the driveway. This should be the last one for this season. After moving all the snow off the car, I drove to a meeting and ran an errand. Then came home to do more household tasks. 

The bright blue sky with warmer sunshine was the highlight of the day. It finally felt like winter will be left behind for now. It brings hope. A couple of lines from the beginning of a song seemed to fit the overall feel of the day. I love the line notes how isolating winter can be. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Here Comes the Sun -- George Harrison, Jeff Lynn, Phil Collins and Ringo Starr

9-94 (4/4/22) -- Facing the Storm

The world turned white again today, but with a thicker covering than the past few times flurries appeared. I shoveled when there was a break in the snowfall around noon. It was heavy, wet stuff --  15+ cm (6+ in). Ice pellets and some rain fell as I made a pathway to the street. More snow fell into the evening and should taper off overnight. 

I had a conundrum to deal with today. Tomorrow is pickup day for recycling. I worried that if I took it out, it would be buried by snowfall or plows when the waste management folks come by in the morning. I have many bags ready to take out this week due to my file clearing. If I don't get these out, they will have to be taken to the basement since I can't leave it all in the kitchen for another two weeks <sigh>. As the wind picked up and the very fine snow was falling in mid-evening, I decided to just do it. I took six bags to the curb as the snow should let up somewhat in the next hour or two. That was six trips with a single bag down the 100 foot driveway, in the dark, against the wind, in a snow storm <grin>. With that and the shoveling earlier in the day, I've done my cardio and weights for the week <grin>. The other four bags will wait in the basement for the next recycling pickup in two weeks. I suspect that I will have found more paper to recycle by then, too. <simile> If nothing else, there are the many, many magazines that need to be distributed into bags that weigh less than 40 lb each. Fingers crossed that the bags get picked up tomorrow and aren't buried in snow or redistributed down the block by the street plow. 

My commitment to recycling -- and the regulations and clear bags that ensure we follow procedure -- made me think of a song. The title alone said a lot to me today. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

A Hard Day's Night -- The Beatles

9-93 (3/4/22) -- One More Time

What a lovely sunny day! Very little wind made it quite pleasant. I went to campus to check my mail and then took a short walk in the sunshine. That was relaxing. Inside, I did a deep clean of bathroom cupboards. How do I accumulate all this 'stuff'? <smile>.  I purged a lot, but could -- or is that should? -- have put more into the garbage or recycling bags. 

The forecast is much as it was yesterday. There will be heavy snowfall tomorrow -- in the range of 15-20 cm (6-8 in). It could be as high as 25 cm (10 in) locally. This certainly isn't the news we wanted to see. The first crocuses bloomed in the yard today with several others ready to open tomorrow, though with snow this won't occur. I hope they will still be ready to dress up the yard when the snow event is over and the remnants disappear. Squill will be next with the blue patches in the lawn. So very beautiful. I will try to focus on how soon the flowers will arrive as the snow falls tomorrow. I did not put away the shovels yet, nor did I change the tires. I will be ready for this. Late season snow storms generally appear in mid- to late-March, but have been known to occur in early April. 

The song chosen for today carries a protest message. Several lines have been swirling around in my brain today. People I've spoken to are either angry or defeated when the storm forecast discussion opens. My thought is that this is one last storm for the season and it will last a day, after which we will be along our merry way with spring and mud and such. <smile> So, this song fit in many ways.The many individual stories that intertwine as the song progresses sound similar to many comments heard about our future weather. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

One Day More -- Les Miserables (10th Anniversary concert)

9-92 (2/4/22) -- Working Rhythms

I spent the day deep into housework -- cleaning, laundry and household accounts. Outside the strong winds blew and light rain and snow flurries filled the air often.  Rumour has it that something nasty is set to descend on us by Monday. I'll wait for the forecast by late tomorrow, though, when they may have a better idea of storm track and expected snow accumulation. No need to panic too early, is there? <smile>

While I was working away, there were two PBS specials playing in the background -- Tommy Emmanuel followed by Joe Bonamassa. Great music from two guitarists helped the work move along. I chose a song that is a cool cover of a Led Zeppelin song. The rhythms work well for inspiring movement to clean or just dance <grin>. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Boogie with Stu -- Joe Bonamassa

9-91 (1/4/22) -- April Fools

The day dawned with a grey and gloomy look outdoors. That made it more difficult to get out of bed after a less restful sleep. Dozing would have been very easy to continue for some time, I expect. I fought that even when moving much slower than I'd prefer. 

The universe recognized this as April Fool's Day and interfered with guest virtual access to the seminar given today. Some attendees were able to be in the room with the presenter while others -- both on and off campus -- were able to link by telephone -- far from ideal as the slides would have helped contextualize points. The event was recorded, so that link should be available soon for later viewing. These technological glitches today emphasize how much virtual connections have become central to the way we do day-to-day living and working. When things go wrong, though, users may not have the basic skills needed to keep everyone connected. Knowing how to make connections through different entry points would be most useful Software allows this, but users need to learn how to make this work for improved communication. Just one more thing to add to the 'to do' list. Technology is wonderful, but we all need to become informed users <smile>. 

The song that came to mind today made me smile -- a bit tongue in cheek. <grin>. Keep safe. Enjoy!

Fool on the Hill -- The Beatles

9-90 (31/3/22) -- Fridge Finds

A friend and I went for an early walk today and got a take out lunch. We had a very pleasant visit over food and tea. After completing a couple of errands, I decided to clean the fridge. Wow. Why does this take so long? Better yet, why don't I remember that it takes so long? Once you get into it, there is no way to backtrack before it is finished. Luckily, lunch was larger than I'd planned, so a growling stomach did not interfere with the process. <smile> 

I found a number of items that were well past the best before dates. I bought some of these fairly recently. I guess I'll have to check the dates more often when I'm shopping. I don't use some of these items regularly, so the replacement list is shorter. Other items will be on the shopping list as needed for particular recipes. It feels good to have this chore completed, though. Again, I am thankful for the recycling program we have that collects compostable items as well as beverage containers, paper, plastic, and aluminum cans.  The compost bin is large, which allows much space for such cleaning tasks. I do have to defrost the deep freeze, so I expect to find more items to compost with that job. 

A song came to mind that made me laugh. It seems to fit the cleaning efforts well. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Livin' in the Fridge -- 'Weird Al' Yankovic

9-89 (30/3/22) -- Mud Season

The day was grey with white ground cover this morning. Much of the snow had left by late afternoon. Cold northerly winds blasted us most of the day. Spring and the end of March seem to be reminding us of the colder weather right now. It will improve over the coming few days, but today had biting winds. I saw many people with winter parkas and hats. One fellow wore a long winter weight trench coat over his summer shorts -- I know this because he didn't button the coat to keep warmer, only wrapped it around himself like a blanket. Now it is March and I noted folks were wearing winter gear. I've been doing this all month, when others will wear summer weight gear just because the sun shines. Now air temperature often trumps sunshine at this time of year.  I've hear people complain that they are cold or sound incredulous that it was cold when the sun was shining. It is difficult to keep from laughing some days. I do my best, though. At worst it is a very loud eye roll. <smile> 

I laughed as I walked out the driveway and realized that it was muddy and snowy -- a mixture that has been termed 'snirt' for the combination of dirt and snow. That sums up spring in this area. The good thing in my mind is that the snow melts quickly since the ground has warmed over the last month. Many bulbs have made an appearance with their early greenery. Things are growing, albeit slowly. I so look forward to the naturalized flowers throughout the lawn. I love seeing the blue, purple and cream colours -- guaranteed to make me smile. So -- I will wait patiently for the blooms of early April -- well sort of patiently. <grin>

I find mud bits on the floor whenever I walk in through the house from outside, even on a less wet day. It is the season of mud. <smile> That thought brought a fun song to mind. It is about mud but on the prairies rather than the maritimes. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

The Truck got Stuck -- Corb Lund