10-86 (27/3/23) -- That Unfocused Feeling

Oh, Yay!  More wet snow fell overnight -- less than the last episode so pushing it was easier. I ran around town doing some of the last-minute tasks for a major project. As I was working through other bits at home, my mind kept jumping from one task to another -- often leaving one underway to begin another one. This seems counter-productive. So many little things seem to need attention to finish. In  actuality, there are fewer tasks that must be done and the others might be useful, but not required.  This reminded me of a view to information conveyed during educational activities as presented by a wise woman at a conference years ago. She said there were things that people need to know, so these should be communicated clearly. Muddying the waters with the 'nice to know' or -- heaven forbid -- the 'nuts to know' <smile> would diminish the messaging effectiveness. That's how I felt today -- my mind hopping from the necessary to too many 'wouldn't it be nice if...' tasks. 

When speaking with a colleague, I felt my thoughts were popping all over the place -- that dreaded inability to focus that comes with anxiety. I then smiled as a song came to my mind. It is far from a favourite of mine, but it felt like the right song to express how my thoughts have been so unfocused today. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Popcorn Song -- Hot Butter

10-85 (26/3/23) -- Multi-faceted Projects

Today has been very cloudy with bits of snow in the air during the afternoon. We expect more snow in the evening and overnight. So -- Yay -- more shoveling tomorrow. <sigh> Most of my day has been spent working on a major planning project. It takes a lot of coordination but things are moving forward well. Several other steps need to deal with phone calls and one visit to businesses open tomorrow. So, the project should be fairly complete by end of day tomorrow.  

There are pros of sharing heavy loads -- it saves my back when actual physical things need to move, but may help to reduce anxiety levels with the mental loads. I should know this. Asking for assistance is difficult. Offering help is easier <smile>. Others are helping with the current project, for which I am extremely grateful. Two other large projects lie in the near future. I will need to ask for some assistance -- most of it for anxiety reduction, but there will be some smaller physical tasks that will work better with more than one person. For now, I need to focus on the current project and not let myself become so overwhelmed by the next big one -- I really don't want to be like weather forecasters always focused on the next big storm <smile>. 

A song came to mind today -- one I haven't heard for a long time. It talks about the trials we all experience. The same artist also recorded another song about working with others to get through those trials. I've chosen to share both tunes today. The first one has a title and lyrics that reminded me of the many smaller tasks that make up a big project. The second song has lines that remind me of how great it is to have good friends willing help. Keep safe. Enjoy!

Many Rivers to Cross -- Joe Cocker

With a Little Help from my Friends -- Joe Cocker

10-84 (25/3/23) -- Musical Journey

Sunshine visited for much of the day. Big clouds were present, but didn't block the sun for very long. More melting occurred today so the big snow from yesterday has been leaving <smile>. I spent much of the day doing laundry and household account tasks -- nothing big and exciting  <smile>. 

A cable station has been playing Oscar winning movies over the decades. This afternoon, The Glenn Miller Story was featured. I love the sound of this movie -- so much of his music and a good story about how his sound evolved. My dad had several of his recordings and even without lyrics, I know them by title <smile>. The music takes me back to times long past. I share two of the many wonderful melodies from Miller's career that were featured in the movie. I find these relaxing, so close your eyes and let the music bring a moment or two of peace. Keep safe. Enjoy!

String of Pearls -- Glenn Miller Orchestra

Moolight Serenade -- Glenn Miller Orchestra

10-83 (24/3/23) -- Big Soak

I am so totally over the shoveling <grump> Several inches of heavy and wet snow fell overnight. I pushed a pathway to the town sidewalk and then went for a different shovel to clear out the end of the driveway. When I returned, the section behind the car was almost cleared by the man who shovels for the neighbours across the street. What a lovely gesture. I thanked him and said I would do the 2 meter stretch beyond the sidewalk. The asphalt cover made that much easier than pushing snow sitting on a mud base.  I still have to do the back porch and clear the car.Those will wait until tomorrow. 

I worked through a few of the small unrelated tasks that need to be done by the beginning of next week -- paying bills, making calls and returning messages. Each takes a short time, unless like one company they require three pieces of information to make sure I am who I say I am. I had to hang up and find the e-bill to get the specifics they asked of me. So, that one took longer than expected. At leset the wait time was mercifully short today. <smile> It feels like I'm buried under all these tiny bits of time that turn into much more before I get through each one. 

After all the shoveling today, I just wanted to soak in a bath to help with the muscle soreness in upper legs and lower back. A couple of lines of a chorus came to mind as  I pondered an evening bath -- made me laugh a bit. Keep safe. Enjoy!  

Splish Splash -- Bobby Darin 

10-82 (23/3/23) -- Enjoying the Season

Cloud returned throughout the day bringing with it the snow that will fall late evening and into the overnight. This will cover the ground again. I was enjoying the sight of ground and grass again and the puddles that had dried fairly well after the last big melt. This is spring afterall -- a transition season. It isn't winter and it isn't summer; it is the movement from a colder season to a warmer season. I've heard people complaining that even with the warmer sun the air temperature is cold. I've found this frustrating over the years, when people see the sun and blue sky and expect it is now summer. The rental house across the street put up their hammock on the front porch this week during the sunnier days. That move may be a month or so early, but they are being optimistic. The wind blows from northerly directions these days and that comes across the ice pack on the strait about 15-20 minutes outside town. For these reasons, the wind is still cold. <smile> I removed a fleece layer worn under my parka this week and felt just comfortable. The sun is very warm -- lots of solar loading at play, but that warms the ground or me if I pause in a full sun area. 

I enjoy transition seasons. They offer a route to the major shifts in temperatures between winter and summer. Spring brings a re-greening of landscapes and surprising little pops of colour with spriing flowers. I'm looking forward to this change in views out the windows and along the sidewalks and roadways. It personifies hope with the constant changes. A song that describes how spring can affect me is shared tonight. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

59th Street Bridge Song -- Simon and Garfunkel

10-81 (22/3/23) -- Growing Sunshine

Today was another bright sunny spring day. I couldn't stay in the house, so I walked up to campus for a quick visit with a couple colleagues and to check mail and such. It felf very good to be out in the sunshine again. Forecasts suggest that we might have cloudy days for the coming two weeks. With that will come some frozen precipitation. The good news with this is that any accumulation of snow will not last for long. The warmer sunshine of this time of year ensures things melt fairly quickly. Even cloudy days see more melting than in the middle of winter. 

Getting into the change of seasons and warming sunshine can improve moods all around. A song with a vertigo inducing video and silly dancers seemed to keep my smiling today. If you get dizzy just sit and listen without watching the screen. This one bothers me a bit, but the beat, melody and lyrics seem to fit this time of year. Kep safe. Enjoy! 

Turn Up the Sun -- Diana Ross ft. Tame Impala (from Minions: The Rise of Gru) 

10-80 (21/3/23) -- Future Hopes

I had lunch out with friends today -- friends I haven't seen in quite a while. It was pleasant to visit. I then went for groceries in the afternoon and enjoyed walking in the sunshine. There was very little wind, so it felt much warmer than yesterday.  

Getting out and about with friends feels positive. I still don't get out as much as I did before lockdown. Finding a way back into the swing of things is taking a while. I'm not sure it will ever be quite the same as it was. It will feel less challenging as time goes on, I hope. 

A song about hope seemed to fit my thinking today. This one is a little different from the usual fare of this artist. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Hope for the Future -- Paul McCartney 

10-79 (20/3/23) -- Day/Night Equality

Today marked the vernal equinox. We had sunshine and clear blue skies. Things felt warm from the sun, which helped to counteract the colder north wind.  I walked up to campus for some errands and had a good chat with a couple of colleagues. Seeing sunlight for the full day was wonderful. Knowing that day and night are almost equal today helps with the anticipation of seasonal changes.  We will get more frozen precipitation in the near future, but it will not last long as the ground is warming again. 

I found a song by a jazz icon that fit the day. Sit back and relax to this one. Keep safe. Enjoy!

Equinox -- John Coltrane

10-78 (19/3/23) -- Anxious Moments

The day began with bright blue skies and full warm sunshine. At the end of the afternoon, I took a walk. By then the sky had clouded over and a bit of wind was present. It was a quiet walk. I felt the need to deal with anxious feelings. Walking usually helps -- must be the release of endorphins. <smile> Today this helped a bit, but not as much as I'd hoped. I have a couple of things that need to be tied up within the next couple of days. These are partially in my hands but also rest in the hands of others. I will need to do some major follow up to get things organized. <sigh>

The stress level was high today despite the sunshine and the physical activity. It brought to mind a song I heard yesterday. The upbeat rhythm and great bass riff can help me to feel a bit better -- at least for a few minutes. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Under Pressure -- Queen ft. David Bowie

10-77 (18/3/23) -- Seasonal Affliction

The day has been grey and colder with misty drizzle. Snow is melting slowly, so it is beginning to look more like spring.. I spent the day doing laundry and other household chores. I didn't get it all done as hoped. I slept poorly last night so I felt fatigued most of the day. The lower back pain I've had for a while referred to other areas that made movement very bothersome. I visited the physio yesterday and the session really hurt. That pain affected my sleep. I was pleased to wake with far less pain today. This enabled me to do some of the housework today <yay> <smile>.  

I went for a walk just after sunset. It was raining and felt warmer than I'd expected. There was much activity on the streets as the party from yesterday seemed to have carried over into today. Fireworks being set off as groups walked down Main Street startled me a couple of times. Ambulances and By-Law Enforcement were patroling the streets all day. This whole thing makes me sad. Granted, the noise and partying seems far less crazy than in years past, so maybe we are making some headway. 

Pondering the goings on in town this weekend and looking at the calendar made me think this could be a symptom of spring fever. The final push to the end of term is underway and the equinox will officially arrive in a couple of days. Lyrics that speak to this seasonal phenomenon seemed to fit well with the day's pondering. It is an older very commercial song. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Spring Fever -- Elvis Presley

 

10-76 (17/3/23) -- A Grand Journey

Today is St. Patrick's Day. I choose to celebrate my heritage in a different way than the many 'Irish for the day' folks. I often replect on the family history -- what we know and all that we don't know. A few facts exist, but what people felt, their motivations and their hardships are not fully understood. 

Several branches of my family tree originated in Ireland, while others came from Scotland and England. My dad's line emigrated from Ireland near the beginning of the famine. According to family lore, a young widow with a baby traveled with three brothers-in-law. When they arrived in North America, the woman, baby and youngest of the three men remained in Canada while the older two men continued on to the US. I'd like to find the ship's records to determine if the fourth brother had died in Ireland or during their travels. I think of that trip often. It was never an easy crossing; the north Atlantic is an unforgiving beast. Even arriving somewhere totally new would have been difficult to manage mentally. These were not rich individuals, so just finding shelter and food while getting settled somewhere in the vast expance of either nation would have been daunting. Work would have been menial, since the flood of immigrants from Ireland met with much discrimination. Irish were barred from many jobs and the ads of the time clearly stated that no Irish need apply. Their poverty was seen as a black mark on society, while there desire to build a better life was ignored. It was definitely a  'not in my backyard' sentiment. Even into the late 20th Century, the defamitory phrase "Irish washer woman" was hurled as an insult.

With all of that, the family seems to have thrived -- finding places to settle in eastern Canada and moving on to western provinces. I am thankful for these people for taking that large daunting step. I found a song that speaks to some of the emotion involved in making such a huge move. The song was written for a time 45 years or so after many Irish people left their homes, but the lyrics fit so well, I chose to share it here. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears -- The Irish Tenors

10-75 (16/3/23) -- Quietly Constrained

I went for three short walks today. One was for two errands on Main Street; In another, I picked up take out lunch with a friend. We ate at home and had a nice visit. The last outing was a walk around the block - a longer 'block' than found in most areas. The evening was cool due to a northerly wind blowing in over the ice in the strait north of town. There was drizzle that felt like a light mist on the face. This became frozen drizzle as the evening wore on. <yuck> 

While making plans for future research and personal travel I discovered that the roaming plan for the cell had changed but no update was provided. The data provided daily had doubled -- makes a big difference. That message likely comes as one crosses the border, but it would be nice to know ahead of time. Also, the daily rate increased by 33% <wow>. The plan only charges roaming fees for the day you use data -- which won't be everyday since the price would be ridiculous <smile>. Luckily, wifi is generally available in many indoor spaces and allows access to many of the apps and online messagng systems.  

It would be great to have a more open feeling plan that was affordable for travel to other countries. Something less constrained would feel more comfortable. This reminded me a few lines of lyric from a song my dad enjoyed. <smile> Many covers of this tune have been done, each with a different feel. I chose to use the original, since that how my head hears this one -- by my one of my dad's favourite singing cowboy from his youth.  Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Don't Fence Me I-- Gene Autry

-- got take out lunch with a friend and sat at home for a nice visit. 

-- cloudy and colder feeling outside today, but lots of puddles and melting still

10-74 (15/3/23) -- Puddles All Around

Today I pushed about 5 cm (2 inches) of slush that had half as much again in water underneath. Pushing slush with the mud underneath was a challenge. Once I got to the asphalt part of the driveway -- the town property -- it was a breeze. The detritus from the street plow had no water or mud beneath and the snow wasn't all slush, just more like chunks of icy stuff. So, that was my major exercise for the day <smile>. Later in the day, the temperature felt colder than it was due to the dampness in the air. The shallow puddles became deeper as the day wore on, so the need for waterproof footware became necessary. Sadly, my boots can leak a bit at times. The joys of spring! <smile> 

The afternoon was filled with a meeting and several small tasks from the 'to do' list. it is good to see some things disappearing from that document. I had a great visit with a friend over dinner tonight. I came home stuffed so the cake for the furry birthday boy will need to wait for tomorrow <smile>. 

Hole in My Shoe -- Traffic

10-73 (14/3/23) -- Whether Weather

We had sun and cloud in the morning followed by increasing cloud throughout the day. A weather advisory remians in effect, though we might be on the edge of the storm and receive less preceipitation than had been forecast earlier. Either way, shovelling will be involved. The extent of said shoveling remains to be seen. 

I have often spoken in derogatory terms about the science of metorology. To be clear, the art of forecasting through use of computer modeling is indeed a science. The reporting of potential weather experiences can be over- or under-done depending on the source of the forecasts. Forecasts change often. Sometimes these are out by orders of magnitude -- 1-3 cm vs. 10-15 cm. So, forecasting 7-14 days out leads to increased anxiety when the probability of the forecasts isn't clearly communicated. 

A song came to mind this morning from way back when. it made me smile <smile>. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Fortune Teller -- Bobby Curtola

10-72 (13/3/23) -- 'to do' List Situation

I was another sunny day. I was happy that I've been able tos ee the moon for the past few nights due to the clear skies -- a novelty at this time of year. Clouds will return tomorrow for several days of precipitation -- frozen or otherwise.  I'll take this to be the usual spring-ish storm in mid-March -- sweepiing out the remnants of winter from the system and making way for spring showers. 

I got a couple of errands done today, but quite a few other tasks were left undone. That seems to be the way things are moving at present -- barely or not at all. The list of things needing attention grows as so many items are not done. Some days go well, but most leave me feeling inadequate due to not working with the plan <smile>. The time-sensitive items seem to get attention, but the others sit there until it becomes necessary to get them off the list. Today, a few things left the list, but time did not allow me to get others done as planned due to the end of the workday meaning that I couldn't change appointment times and such. May some will get done tomorrow. 

A song from the distant past came to mind today. The group was from the Canadian prairies, so are dear to my heart <smile>. One even moved to my home town to retire. The title and some of the lyrics seem to fit my 'to do'' list situation. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Undun -- The Guess Who

10-71 (12/3/23) -- Something to Relax

Vertigo has visted again over the past couple of days. I managed to finish laundry and other cleaning chores. I rested between tasks and by evening things felt better. I was also very fatigues, so hope that will help me to sleep well tonight

A song that felt relaxing seemed apropos today. As part of a televised concert, the final song seemed to fit the bill. I've always liked this song and hearing it by a different artist was wonderful. The finale of the farewell tour from November 2022 by the artist held many great moments, so I chose to share it here tonight.  The video link is a recording made by a fan attending the concert, so the quality is not wonderful, but the performance is stellar and moving. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

While My Guitar Gently Weeps -- Peter Frampton

 

6-70 (11/3/23) -- A Hefty Conundrum

It was sunny today which made me feel a bit of that warmth. The lack of wind helped, too. I went to run a few errands on Main Street and then did the Saturday laundry and cleaning tasks -- well some of them, at least. I also chose take out dinner. The sun had set and a slight breeze materialized making that walk much cooler. I take this as a sign of spring. <smile> 

A delivery person yesterday left two boxesby the porch rather than on the porch. They perched on the bottom step leaning upright against the second last step, which blocked the stairs from either side. I was inside the house and it was very difficult to get to the boxes from a step higher since they took up the full width of the stairs. I had no way to lift with legs and not back <sigh> One box was 40 lb. I like home delivery to the front porch for heavier items. This repeat order has always been placed beside the front door.  Today took all my Newtonian physics background to move the really heavy one into the house. I generally 'roll' it over the front door sill, but today had to heft the box up four stairs and then roll it on in. I know the driver may have chosen not to carry it up the stairs, but I felt less able to deal with this one on my own. 

A song title came to mind when feeling cranky about the delivery of the boxes today. <smile> There are many wonderful versions of this available. Each of these carries different aspects that bring individuality to this well known song. The one shared is a favourite of mine for the multiple artists featured. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

The Weight -- Playing for Change ft. Robbie Robertson & Ringo Starr

6-69 (10/3/23) -- Unfocused

It has been a day with many small unrelated things to do. It feels like nothing is being accomplished when only tiny points of several larger items are being addressed -- like nothing is really moving forward. Now the small bits are steps in the larger processes, but the satisfaction in completing these is missing today. I flit from one thing to another with no concerted focus. Again, I understand the need to do small tasks to keep larger projects afloat, it is just that today seems less positive as I do small stuff. Feeling a bit yucky today doesn't helpmotivate me, either. 

Perhaps a day like today appears to have no clear path. None of the tasks to do today have anything to do with each other. There is no what to do first or any logic to how to approach the list. Larger projects can make me feel lost, too. When it is a huge endearvor, I find myself paralyzed by not knowing where to begin. There are many sequential steps but the smaller tasks within each step seem jumbled together and finding a start point seems impossible. So, shoving that aside and trying to find focus in other things often happens. This defines avoidance <smile>. I can do other things that clearly need to be done as I ignore the elephant in the room, but at night the 'elephant' invades my sleep. So, today I realized that with many small items I'm not motivated to put in the effort, but usually I'm avoiding larger things because of not knowing which small thing should be used to begin. Is this some classic 3-year-old "I don't want to" happening? Do I feel like my own suggested start points are like someone else telling me what to do? (remember I'm a non-conformist <grin>) Or is there something deeper at play with certain projects? All of these will affect my ability to engage in the big thing, which in turn can impact any other project. Hmmm  Lots here to unpack for sure. 

I heard a song while at a local business yesterday. I keep hearing the title line in my head -- an unexpected ear worm. It describes how I've felt over the past while -- no clear path. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Every Day is a Winding Road -- Sheryl Crow

 

10-68 (9/3/23) -- Something to Celebrate

We had some sunshine between the clouds today but the big wind remained. It was exhausting listening to the wind for most of a full day. I got a couple of larger things knocked off the 'to do' list today. With those done, the next steps for the projects will now fill the event horizon. The satisfaction of doing these tasks is fleeting due to the upcoming package of tasks. I did celebrate the completed parts of the projects, though. <smile> 

The big buzz in town was a funding announcement by the premier. The university -- and the town and country -- will benefit from $37.4 million for a new research centre -- the Institute for Innovation and Health. The focus will include improvement of health promtion and mental heath and wellness in rural communities, which includes chronic disease prevention and management, rehabilitation and aging in place. This will be an amazing place to pull together existing research in these areas with many new innovative research programs. Very good news indeed. 

Celebration -- Kool and the Gang

10-67 (8/3/23) -- Women's Day

Today is International Women's Day. I wore purple clothes and hat/mitts/scarf set to celebrate the day. Purple is a power colour and one that I enjoy in all its iterations. I had a chat with someone from the local Women's Centre today about the Stand for Women event held over the noon hour and the women's history trivia night at a local brew pub. It is nice that events such as these are back in action this year. 

I received a call this morning noting that while I had a car appointment set for Monday, the dealership had a cancelation and they could get me in this afternoon. How cool is that? I thanked her profusely for thinking of me. And Yes, the manager of the service department is a woman -- another reason that I stick with the dealership for my car's needs. This also showed me that I can be flexible -- something that I haven't been feeling as much of lately. When the inspection was completed, I headed to the grocery store that I have to pass by to get home. Why not stop and get some of the foods now rather than next week? So the day went fairly well. 

The song I chose to share today is from several decades ago -- five actually.  When it first hit the airwaves, I liked it but didn't fully understand the depth of the lyrics. As time moved forward, I began to comprehend the need for such an advocacy song. Over 50 years later, the words still speak to needed changes. We have come a long way since then, but there is still much to do. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

I am Woman -- Helen Reddy 

10-66 (7/3/23) -- ReFinding it All

I dealt with many things today. I had an early walk to the office to do some online work. At home I made a few appointments for the coming week, found that an item actually in stock that I have tried to order several times lately, and soaked my sore achilles and ankle.  I fell asleep when I sat down for a short cup of tea and woke an hour later! I know I've not slept well recently and this is likely a symptom of that. 

In the evening, I listened to some music concerts being shown as part of PBS pedge month. One was very relaxing. There were many wonderful songs that I still can sing by heart. Funny how the music processing part of the brain functions. I've forgotten many details of past phone numbers, addresses, special dates and such, but lyrics stick with you. This has led to music therapy especially in memory care treatment. Very cool indeed. 

It took some time, but I chose one song to share from the televised concert this evening. I love the lyrics. One line in particular stood out for me today. It reflected how I feel as I've been getting back into the research project groove -- things that feel newish again can mean refinding your soul. -- "Coming home to a place I've never been before." How perfect is that? <smile>  Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Rocky Mountain High -- John Denver

10-65 (6/3/23) -- Sleepy Time Tunes

I've been sleeping poorly lately and last night was no exception. I woke very early -- about 5 AM got to sleep an hour later. Most of the night and early morning I was waking every 45 minutes or so. I finally got up and got things together for my trip to campus for the guest lecture. I had been a bit nervous about this one, but it went better than I'd expected -- even without a good sleep behind me <smile>.  

In the afternoon, I moved the snow off the car. The temperatures warmed into the afternoon, so it slid off easily. Shoveling the mass of snow left on the ground after that task took a bit of effort, but wasn't too difficult. As I've said already, 

A good night's sleep is at the top of my 'to do' list. A lullaby would be wonderful or a visit from the sandman. <smile> This made me think of a wonderful medley from my youth -- the three songs sung in unison provide wonderfull counterpoint. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Medley from Five Pennies -- Louis Armstrong & Danny Kaye 

10-64 (5/2/23) -- Unexpected Visit

I found a surprise in my email today. A note from a friend to say she was in town. She asked if we could meet. We made plans for dinner at the hotel restaurant where she was staying. We hadn't seen each other since 2019, so this was long overdue. She was in town for business meetings tomorrow and then was flying back home. I so enjoyed our short visit. Again, electronic devices have let us remain in touch over the years. I've attended presentations that she gave through virtual platforms. That, too, has helped us remain in touch. While I wished that we could have visited longer, we were the last table left in the dining room, so decided we should move along. <smile> 

Other than that, the day was mundane. More laundry was completed. I did some bits of work on travel plans. The bigger task was practicing the lecture for tomorrow. I feel a bit worried about this one as it has some technical biochemical and physiological content dealing with nutritional impacts of particular medications. It serves more as an introdcution to how meds can affect appetite or nutrient metabolism. I always get uptight when the deeper biological machanisms come into the conversations. I know I prep way beyond what anyone will ask <smile>. But, I was a Girl Guide so have lived with the concept of 'be prepared' for most of my life now. <grin> 

I had a glass of wine with the yummy mushroom pasta dish for supper tonight. So, a song I've used before in the blog came to mind. It is a favourite for the ideas behind the lyrics. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Good Friend and a Glass of Wine -- LeAnn Rimes

10-63 (4/2/23) -- Sombre Introspective Day

It was a rather sombre day. I did a bit of laundry and listened to the television in the living room into the evening while trying to do some blog writing. I miss having the television in the bedroom. I do watch most of what I record in the evening before going to sleep. So, without the one that stopped working after the power outage yesterday, I feel lost. 

In the afternoon, I attended the funeral of a neighbour. The honour guard from the Royal Canadian Legion did a good job -- one that brought a couple of tears. The priest noted that a sudden death can be difficult. He then said somethng that a good friend reminds us of often -- tell the people you care about how you feel now -- today. Don't miss a chance to do this. This is for us as much as it is for others. So, just do it. 

The song chosen for today was the recessional for the funeral. At least, it was one I could sing along with behind my mask <smile> as the soloist sang in a register that fit my range. It was the first time in a very long time that I've heard this sung and not played by a piper. I share a version with two lovely voices that blend well. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Amazing Grace -- Andrea Bocelli & Alison Krauss

10-62 (3/3/23) -- Seasons at War

Snow<sigh> -- the forecast for 12-14 cm (~5-6 in) turned into 20+ cm (8+ in) of densly packed tiny snow flakes. At the bottom of the pile about 2.5 cm (1 in) was wetter and slushier. That will ensure sheets of ice develop over the next few days. <grump> I shoveled the front porch, sidewalk and out the driveway to the back end of the car -- a very long way with the heavier snow today. I then went into the house, called the plow guy and made some tea and a sandwich. When I sat down to eat, the power went out. Luckily it came on in about 2 hours. I had headed outside to finish the back porch and the pile behind the car after the driveway had been plowed. When I got back into the house, the sound of the humming refrigerator was like music. One telelvision is refusing to turn back on <sigh>. It has done this before, but always came on after some time. I hope that will occur again. I'm not in the mood to search for a new television. 

I am so over winter. It has gotten old very quickly this year. I came across a bit of verse that spoke to me. 

Your time has come, Now hasten little snowflakes to vanish quite away. the spring-tide  hours are sounding gentle warnings, forbidding you to stay. -- M.E. Hathaway

I hate to sound like I'm wishing my life away, but I'd like some warmer spring-like weather to arrive soon. I dream of the spring flowers in the lawn with their carpet of periwinkle blue. Even with cool damp weather, the colour changes are wonderful.  I feel like the weather has been teasing us by showing us the soil and greenery under the snow and then burying it deeply again. The weekly forecast notes we might get another 10 cm (4 inches) early next week. 

A song lyric reminded me of the tussle that is going on between winter and spring -- one dominates and then the other kicks it out of place and it goes on and on. Spring will eventually win the battle, but in the meantime Winter is putting up a fight to stay. I like the way the music seems to battle between two genres in the intro of this selection, one will prevail. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy!

Can't Stop the Spring -- The Flaming Lips

10-61 (2/3/23) -- Neighbourhood Loss

A mystery from Monday was solved today -- as I walked out to do errands, a neightbour noted that we had lost a neighbour this week. As I walked away, I realized that the ambulance that had been parked in a driveway behind my place must have been for this. It left without lights or siren after a lot of discussion. A half hour later when I was walking to an appointment, a police car remained across the street from the driveway. Sadly, this elderly man had passed away. He was a character and a very kind person. He did some plumbing and appliance repair when I first moved into the neighbourhood over 20 years ago. The memory that most sticks with me was when a barbecue from the house two doors down from me tipped over while the cook was inside the house. The owner had put straw over the mud in the backyard a week or two earlier. That straw caught fire and it spread very quickly. This man saw what was happening outside his window, grabbed two shovels and ran to start dousing the flames with dirt. Without his quick response, there would have been several buildings involved, including mine. As it was, there was major smoke damage in the house where it all began and a car demolished in their driveway. My neighbour knew everyone on the fire trucks that arrived. He'd called them, too. I have been grateful for his presence of mind that day and that he was even home at the time. 

The title of a song came to mind today when thinking of the gratitude I have for his actions that day. I try to pay it forward where I can. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

A Random Act of Senseless Kindness -- South Sixty Five

10-60 (1/3/23) -- (Re)New Activity

Today I gave a guest lecture on the research project dealing with the history of the dietetic profession. This year added a new twist. For the first time, I lectured in a newer building on campus. Very sparkly and new feeling. The technology was a bit tricky with two screens working and requiring slides to be advanced. There were stumbles along the way with that, but it worked in the end. 

The walk up to campus and back home was chilly. This was an evening class, so it was dark both ways -- no warming sunshine for my exercise today <smile>. I enjoy talking about history -- the why behind what we know and do today. Learning how current protocols grew out of past experiences can be fascinating. I have always enjoyed novels and movies set in different periods of history. Even some interesting television series are set in times past. It seemed only natural that I'd end up researching history in some way. I've focused on the Victorian era in the UK. I have looked at the impact of events in the UK on the Civil War era US, also. It is fun -- though it can be tedious at times. Finally being able to travel again has allowed me to begin planning visits to both countries to gather further information. I'm hoping to get back into that groove again. The isolation of the past three years left me feeling disengaged with much of the world around me. Getting it all back on some track to move forward is challenging, but it is moving bit by bit. 

Doing new things can bring good feelings. Today I thought of the new and renewed things going on right now. There is trepidation involved, for sure, but this is mixed with positive feelings. The lyrics and upbeat nature of the selection today reflect the positive in newness. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

New Morning -- Bob Dylan

 

10-59 (28/2/23) -- (Dis)Connections

In a discussion today the topic was about how major life events may alter relationships with friends or family groups. Such big events can pull people together for support and celebration. They can also lead to disintigration of relationships. Losses, in particular, result in many different emotions and each person works through it in their own way. A point of intersecition exists where relationships alter -- becoming stronger or weaker. I've moved to work or study across the nation and have retained connections in each area. Granted, this isn't with all players in each centre, but some have lasted. We don't see each other as often as we did when working together daily. We do keep in contact online, by letters and cards, or some in person meetings. I think of many other people with relationships that drifted away with time. I wonder how life has gone for them. I value the connections that have been retained, though. They are golden. 

I chose a song that fits my thoughts in a peripheral way. It reflects the hopeful child inside of me who wishes everyone I've known was still part of my larger circle of contacts. I did learn early on that people moved and we often lost that friendship. As I grew, that learning has been revisited often. The selection today speaks to the fanasy of eveyone uniting together. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

One Vision -- Queen 

10-58 (27/2/23) -- Small Makes Big

We had some sun amongst the clouds during the day. In the morning I headed out to get groceries while the weather was positive. I walaked to an afternoon appointment. If felt cold from the light breeze, but the sun was warming on my back going up. On the way home, it felt warmer. The exercise also felt good. I got some good news from a friend today, which helped boost my mood a bit. 

Sunshine and good news can impact how we see the world most days. These add bright spots to our days. Sometimes these smaller things in life make a big difference to emotions and outlook -- even fleetingly. A song line ran through my head when thinking through the day. It is even sun by an artist from a couple hours down the highway from here. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

A Little Good News -- Anne Murray 

10-57 (26/2/23) -- Sunny Feeling Day

Again the day was sunny and colder feeling. I walked up to campus to get some work done for the two upcoming guest lectures and a peer review report. It felt good to be in the office and getting some things knocked off the larger 'to do' list.  

On the way home, I met a friend I hadn't seen in three years. It was good to shareh a short update on the high points. I hope we can manage to get out for tea or lunch in the near future. I find that I haven't encountered a number of people since COVID began three years ago. It is a bit disconcerting when I don't know where people are anymore. Today was wonderful, when I found someone still in town and doing well. 

I thought of a song that sounded like my feelings today. Things felt fairly upbeat. I chose a cover by offspring of one of the original group. Keep safe. Enjoy!

Good Vibrations -- Wilson Phillips

10-56 (25/2/23) -- Feeling Lost

The weather brought brigh sunshine for most of the day but colder temperatures than in the past few days. The daily high was below our usual lows recently -- minus teens Celsius. The breeze made the feel like temperature in the minus 20s Celsius. At least the sun melted the ice off the kitchen window so I cold read the outdoor thermometer and see the neighbourhood.  

Today I've been struggling with a technology issue. I'm sure I can  find a way to solve this, but it might be easier to take it to the computer folks a block or so from here. <sigh> I want to export the music files from an older device to the laptop without invoking some demon software download. I've run into propriatary weirdness, so a tech could likely fix this in far less time than I've spent on it already. I should stop into the shop the next time I'm out for a walk. I miss my music when I go for a walk or am working in the kitchen. It is calming to have an eclectic mix of tunes playing while being physically active. I really miss it and feel a bit lost without it. 

The lyrics of the shared song state some of what I think my electronic music box helped me with. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Listen to the Music -- The Doobie Brothers