10-332 (29/11/23) -- Interviewing

As I've been thinking through the two writing projects I have on my plate, I keep thinking of the nature of qualitative inquiry. Gathering information involves individual interviews or larger focus group interviews. Archival research of written items or objects can also be used to answer the research question. Of the two projects, one has interviews and the other is archival. 

Interviewing strangers and asking personal questions can be a challenge. The participant must be put at ease. The researcher must use active listening and probing questions to clearly understand what is being said by the participant. It is a skill that is developed over time, though some people have strong skills when they start the research process. Perhaps it is the personality type that the interviewer possesses. 

In a recent interview I heard Geddy Lee speak about a newer project where he interviews famous bassists. The interviewer asked Geddy what he thought of that process, recognizing that he was trying to pull information from the interviewee. Geddy felt getting interesting bits of information from people was a challenge. Yet, he did find the process intriguing. A key may be to be relaxed and find some common ground to help build rapport. I found this discussion to be similar to what I've done as a researcher and as a public health professional. For the latter, I did a monthly interview program for the local cable channel where we highlighted local health initiatives and health professionals. That was fun and helped me to be more relaxed as an interviewer and an interviewee. So -- I had something in common with Geddy Lee <grin>. 

I've often felt that an interview was like a dance. Whether it be a pas de deux or the whole company is involved on stage. It takes practice to develop the trust in each other to make the whole thing work. While I often use a ballet metaphor, today the selection goes in an entirely different direction. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Shall We Dance -- Yul Brenner & Deborah Kerr from the King and I 

 

10-333 (30/11/23) -- Weariness

I woke to the alarm this morning. This was followed by some very slow movement. It took longer than usual to get breakfast prepared and get changed for the day. I did get out to run a few errands at the planned time. Standing in line at one store with a fairly full basket, I realized that I didn't have my credit card or the loyalty card. I had cash, but needed the other card to get the 20% discount provided for 'seniors'. I managed to leave my basket behind the counter so I didn't have to go through the store again to gather it all together. What would have been a 10-15 minute walk a few months ago is now a 20+ minute drive. I got the cards from the other coat I wore earlier in the week when it was warmer, got the stuff paid for and hit one other store before I just felt like I'd had enough. 

Fatigue followed me around all day. I did some online work and made lunch and supper. By early evening, I thought I needed to just lay down. Luckily, I have nothing that requires me to leave the house tomorrow. There are a few household things to do and a list of online tasks, but neither will take excess energy. <smile> 

I thought of a relaxing song that could work as a lullaby of sorts. While the lyrics highlight the quiet of the earlier parts of the day as relaxing, I still prefer the later evening hours for this <smile>. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Early Morning Blues and Greens -- The Monkees

10/331 (28/11/23) -- Grocery Bill Shock

I headed out to get groceries and hit another store just after noon. There was a bit of blue sky and some sunshine present at that time. When I came home three hours later, the sky looked like one big cloud and we had some rain beginning. Wet flurries will arrive into the late evening and with colder temperatures, I expect some white stuff on the ground in the morning. 

My trip to the grocery store took much longer than I'd expected. The place was not crowded. However, shelves had not been fully restocked even though trollies filled with boxes of goods were left precariously in many aisles. So frustrating. <sigh>. I had to go to the second larger grocer in town to get the final three items -- bulk sweet potatoes and potatoes being high on that list. I could buy a five or ten pound bag, but they would rot before I used them all. They should have two or two and a half pound bags for single households. I'm sure they'd sell a lot. When I was at the store, the other shoppers were mainly older adults. Federal monthly pensions came into bank accounts today. Later in the day there should be many more youth shopping as it is student day where they get a discount for shopping on this day of the week. The slowest part was waiting at the cashier -- only three lines were open. I choose not to use the self-checkout area. I should get a discount for doing it myself. <smile>  At the other store on my list today, I managed to lose my shopping bag. It was no where to be founds. I backtracked through the rather large store and even checked at the customer service desk. Nothing. Now it was an older bag and I do have others at home I could use. I was just frustrated that I'd dropped it somewhere. I hope whoever found it gets good use of it. I did forget one other stop, but will try to do that at the end of the week. 

I'm still having issues judging the cost of a list of groceries. Prices change so often, it is difficult to estimate. It is always more than I want to pay. <sigh> each time I go, the total seems to creep upwards. We seem to be closing in on double what I paid four years ago. I expect this makes budgeting difficult for many people. I chose a song that deals with managing tight budgets. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Cost of Livin' -- Ronnie Dunn 

10-330 (27/11/23) -- Loud Storm

One in person meeting was cancelled today and moved to next week -- which will be into December. How does that happen?  My other virtual meeting went as planned. We got some research stuff discussed and will do some further editing and proofing for another meeting next week. 

The forecast told of impending stormy weather. Major rain and big winds occurred into the afternoon. I'm so glad I didn't have to drive in this mess and could stay safe and dry inside. We had a few bouts of horizontal rain being hurled against my windows from early afternoon until late evening when everything suddenly went quiet. Rather eerie. The noise was incredible. I'm still learning what wind sounds like in the new place. There was some big rattling and banging on the patio side. There is nothing outside there except cement and the privacy fence, so I'm not sure what might be higher up on the building that may be producing that sound. It was way too wet and windy for me to suit up and go out to look. I'll chat with others to see what noises they here in the new builds. The lack of light due to heavy cloud cover required lights on everywhere I went in the house today-- twilight level of light at best. 

I thought something bluesy would fit the day. This one is from a concert at Royal Albert Hall almost 20 years ago. Just close your eyes, sit back and listen. I find it relaxing. Hope you do, too. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Stormy Monday -- Cream 

10-329 (26/11/23) -- Seeing the Sky

Today's walk fit the description of 'brisk', which could be read as COLD. <smile> The sun was shining but the temperature and wind felt biting. I encountered one other person on my walk. We nodded to each other and kept walking. It was to cold to pause or even slow down. 

We had clear skies during the day and evening. This meant that I saw the last full moon of autumn. It was stunningly bright and lit up the ground. Venus was also clearly visible and the brightest celestial body next to the moon tonight. I miss seeing the sun and the moon when we encounter weeks of cloudy days. These are common in fall and winter. It weighs on a person's pschye to be separated from the sky. When the sun comes out people walk taller and make eye contact more often. Intriguing. 

A melody came to me today -- a favourite of my dad's. I share that here tonight for its calm and soothing sound that fit so well with the view out my patio window tonight. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Moonlight Serenade -- Glenn Miller and his Orchestra

10-328 (25/11/23) -- Changing Rhythms

I've been working at establishing a new routine for some time now. I had one and then the packing began and now the unpacking seems to have halted. Getting used to a new space with different ways to get where I need to go has been a challenge in and of itself. Add the need to get boxes up onto storage shelves in the garage so the car can be inside during the worst of sinter and I feel overwhelmed. The loss of a major social support in my best friend and I feel I've come to a total stop. 

When I listened to an interview with Geddy Lee the other day, he spoke of his take on why the band didn't have a string of number one hits. He said it was likely due to the fact that the songs were "rhythmically challenging" -- they weren't the type of song the audience could clap along to. He also spoke to how one can measure success. In his view instead of the number of hit songs, he focused on improving self and skills. To him, it wasn't all about money or external recognition. 

Both of these points struck me as profound. With all the life changes I've encountered in the past 4+ months, the rhythms have been challenged. It doesn't make them wrong, just 'challenging' to feel comfortable with them.  I may need to reflect on things differently to find the successes that occur as I move through the major changes. 

The song shared today took some time to choose. Rush had many songs with multiple time signature changes as well as less commonly used signatures. He suggested one, but I went with a different one that I enjoy for its use of Morse code as well as changing time signatures. No plain old 4/4 time for this band <smile>. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

YYZ -- Rush 

10-327 (24/11/23) -- Warm Buns

The morning walk was in bright sunshine but a very cold wind. I chose to do a shorter walk than planned due to the colder feel of the air. I was glad for the sun, though. When it came out from behind a major cloud, it warmed my backside. That must mean that I need to wear a coat instead of a short jacket when walking. The clouds are harbingers of snow. We have snow squall watches in place for today and into the evening. Forecasters said we could receive 10 cm (4 inches) of snow from squalls -- otherwise known as on-shore flurries. These blow in from the north across the water. The positive thing is that we will get rain again in a few days, so the snow won't stay -- yet. <sigh> 

This time of year brings many decisions when planning to the leave the house. Runners or boots? Jacket or coat? Gloves or mitts? Ear band, toque or hoodie? Do I need an extra layer of fleece? I sometimes walk to the end of the block to pick up the mail and then head back home to re-adjust the outerwear to more or less, as needed. 

As I walked with the sun behind me, I heard a line from a song that made me giggle. I share the song and the giggle with you today. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Warmth of the Sun -- The Beach Boys 

 

1--326 (23/11/23) -- Puddle Dancing

The pouring rain overnight left a lot of puddles and ponding on roads and other areas. When I headed to Main Street for a meeting and some errands, I parked in a puddle -- a big puddle. I had to walk carefully so I did not create waves that would wash over my shoes -- not waterproof, though my next pair will be. <smile>  One my trip to the mall for the final errand of the day,  I chose to get a take-out lunch since it was well past time. I chose a turkey great turkey sandwich with a lovely salad. That was my meal to celebrate the US Thanksgiving with my friends and family. 

The song today came to mind when thinking of all the rain that fell in the past day. It is the way of autumn in the  Maritimes -- wind with rain, snow or both. I thought it would be a good day to wear boots instead of runners -- not for warmth but for dryness. Sadly my boots also leak. Footwear shopping is in my future -- and I dislike shoe shopping -- a lot! <smile> Mind you, wet feet aren't a fave either. <sigh> This song came to mind was I carefully waded across the parking lot pond -- I needed a choreographer for that trip <grin>. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

These Boots are made for Walking -- Nancy Sinatra

10-325 (22/11/23) -- 60 Years Ago Today

Sixty years ago today, President Kennedy was shot. I recall snippets of the day. The main one was the coverage on our television -- a 36 inch CRT black and white screen. The usual graininess was worsened by the quality of the television cameras at work that day. They were never good at closeups -- so not like the HD we live with today. The event was replayed over and over again, so I do recall seeing the shooting multiple times. 

Fast forward 30 some years and I was doing my doctoral degree in content analysis of television. I've often wondered if seeing the Viet Nam war life on the set as well as the deaths of JFK, RFK and MLK might have affected that choice. I inherently knew that media content could affect how we feel and think, which led me to looing at body image and food related messages in prime time TV. 

A friend brought up a good questions. My thesis aside, what might have happened if JFK had not been shot or if it were someone else in the presidency at the time? So many points of history may have changed or may have remained the same. All the "What ifs" could bring forth many events that might have been connected to the JFK shooting. Something like the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon, this could begin a whole new connection to potential outcomes. Hmmm. There is a lot to ponder there. 

I chose a more recent song written about the assassination by a poet and musician. It was released with an album in 2020. It is a longer piece of spoken word, but is worth the journey. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Murder Most Foul -- Bob Dylan

10-324 (21/11/23) -- White Stuff

Well, it has happened. Our first snow. I woke to the sound of a shovel on cement, which told me that the snow wasn't set to melt if we just waited. <sigh> So, my first task after doing breakfast was to push snow off the patio, front porch and around the car. Someone from the complex came by shortly after to spread some salt on the driveway and up to the front door. During the day, snow squalls came and went, so I chose to do my meeting by phone today instead of in person. instead of driving and walking in the slippery areas. Also, not everyone has their winter tires on yet or remembers to slow down when road conditions are not perfect. Perhaps  it is a bit of defensive driving to just stay home. <smile> Forecasts suggest that we will have some sun and melting over the next few days, before it snows again. 

I chose an odd little number that addresses the weather phenomenon encountered today. It demonstrates some great creativity, though I could come up with a few more words -- but that might affect ratings <grin>. Keep safe. Enjoy!

50 Words for Snow -- Kate Bush

10-323 (20/11/23) -- Lack of Clarity

I felt very defeated today. Couldn't muster any ambition to do anything -- neither chores nor fun things. The feeling was nagging at me all day. About 9:30 PM, I realized that it was Monday. Now, I'm not that disoriented that I didn't know what day it was; the significance of the day hadn't hit me until then. My best friend and I spoke on Mondays. Now, somewhere in my subconscious mind my brain knew this was Monday. Yet, it didn't allow my conscious mind to be aware of this -- like it was trying to protect me from some pain. So, instead of that, my brain referred that pain to the fatigue and darkness without me understanding the origin of it all. The pain hasn't been stopped, it was just hidden and created other discomforts. 

Brains are amazing things. We really don't understand how they function as well as we might think we do. <smile> Pondering the day and my lack of clarity brought to mind something Professor Dumbledore said in Deathly Hallows. When speaking to Harry in the afterworld, Harry asked if this was real or just all in his head. Dumbledore replied saying "Of course, it is happening inside your head, Harry. Why should that mean that it's not real?" I had wondered what the heck was wrong with me today, but grief never surfaced as the answer. 

One thing that helps on days like this is finding something to focus on like counting or breathing. This brought a song to mind that deals with challenging days. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Breathe -- Ariana Grande

 

10-322 (19/11/23) -- Neighbourhoods

During my walk today I had chats with three people. One was walking a poodle and we recognized each other from our time working on campus. I recognized the husky walking with her person. I love the dog vocalizations that huskies seem to do. She was wanting to get moving again <smile>. Then I met a woman I first saw in the late summer. She was walking with her husband. I hadn't met him before. We had a good chat and then went our separate ways. It was sunny but the wind felt very cool, which facilitated a brisker walk -- good for the cardiovascular health. <smile> 

While indoors, I finished some household chores and made a supper with everything cooked in the oven. It was all yummy. I also finished polishing and posted four blogs. I am still a long way from catching up, but with some concerted effort, this will happen -- sooner rather than later, I hope.  

While working today, I pondered the idea of neighbourhood. I left what I consider my neighbourhood. Now I live in a space that I have to rediscover that concept. Generally, major changes to life require a year -- living through all four seasons with the new circumstances before things feel more comfortable. It will be different. Each time I've moved, settling in takes a long time. Given that I was in the same place for 25 years before this move likely means it will take a bit longer to become comfortable in the new place. 

I chose a song about neighbourhoods, leaving and returning. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Neighbourhood -- American Authors ft. Bear Rinehart

10-321 (18/11/23) -- Big Rain & Wind

The weather today deteriorated after some great sunny spots in the morning. Clouds and wind picked up and then it began to rain. Pour would be a better term. The winds were major and blew rain against the side of the house with patio doors and bedroom windows. It was loud. At one point, I thought it was thunder, but it was the wind hurling the heavy rain against the windows. It will take time to begin to understand the sounds of storms in the new house, I know. But this one was really something. 

I chose to move the perennials to the garage today. They are finished for the season, but waiting to more these in the coming few days would not work as well. The expected heavy rainfall would mean the pots would be saturated with water. The temperatures will be dropping, so this would just freeze the soil in the pots. This has two drawbacks. It can crack the pots necessitating new purchases next season. Also, when sitting in the garage, this would thaw and leave water all over the floor. So, I moved them inside today. To be honest, there will just be many more storms so it is time to do this one chore. The plants will pick up again in the spring. For now they can rest indoors. 

Lyrics of the selection today are simplistic, but state what I was thinking through the day. There may be a deeper meaning here, but on the surface the words carry a simple message, too.  Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Stormy Weather -- Pixies

 

10-320 (17/11/23) -- Looking Skyward

When out for a walk today, I noticed the many contrails in the clear blue sky. I haven't noticed this many for a very long time. They hung around for a couple of hours, as I saw some old ones along with newer once when out at the grocery store. These made me ponder the many places I would like to visit -- some I have been to several times and others I haven't been to yet. Just getting away appealed to me today. 

This evening, I had a great dinner with a dear friend. We cooked together -- a fun activity for two foodies. <smile> It was relaxing to just cook, consume and visit together. <smile> 

Several songs came to mind when thinking of traveling today. While the airlines are still getting their collective acts together and things may not be as pleasant as they once were, I would still travel that way to save time getting to some destinations and other places just require a plane -- difficult to drive across an ocean <grin>.  I chose one that describes flying well. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Learning to Fly -- Pink Floyd

10-319 (16/11/23) -- Blind-Sided

After an appointment this afternoon, I had a meeting with a research colleague. I warned her that I felt firmly ensconced in the anger phase of grief. And, yes, there was an outburst in response to my vision issues with the teeny tiny print on the shared screen. It was more focused at my frustration with me than anything else. 

When speaking to a friend later, I noted that this sort of thing comes out of no where and is so unexpected. I feel blind-sided by it. My friend noted that it can be an unusually large response to a small thing. That made me laugh as I pictured the ROUS (Rodents of Unusual Size) from Princess Bride coming up from behind and knocking me down. What a perfect visual for the feeling. That helped me to smile and relax a bit. I tend to think in metaphor and this one is so very perfect. I will need to practice strategies to battle the creatures. May have to watch the movie again, too. 

In honour of the origin of the metaphor, I share music from the movie. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Storybook Love -- Mark Knopfler & Willie DeVille

 

10-315 (12/11/23) -- Isolated Feeling

It was sunny today so I went for a longer walk than usual. I had a good chat with a neighbour along the way. She told me of a different pathway out of the development. It is still a long walk, but fewer hills to climb. That path ends by the tertiary highway. There is a great garden for walking and contemplation on the other side. I'm now looking for a shortcut to get to this trail. That would save two or three blocks. 

I still find it difficult to be so far from Main Street and campus. It is a 10 minute drive unless there is traffic. I can park at the end of Main and get in a good walk down to businesses or to my office on campus. Walking the whole way would be about 45 minutes one way. That is a huge walk. There is a community bus, but the route is all through town, so the ride one way can be an hour. I feel trapped at times. The area is not huge, and all townhomes look the same and the yards are all similar -- though some residents have personalized their spaces somewhat. Being in the centre of town meant I could walk in several directions and keep the daily outing interesting. I need to find a way to do this here. It has been a challenge, but I will keep trying and ask others where they walk. 

A song that came to mind when pondering the isolated feelings I've had. It made me smile, though it does have a few lines that hit home a bit. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Hotel California -- The Eagles

10-318 (15/11/23) -- Tooth Repair

Today was filled with a number of disparate activities. It began with a research meeting to discuss next steps in writing a paper. I then virtually attended a celebration of life for a mentor and friend. The Next came a dental visit for a filling. The existing filling had cracked over decades of service and there were a few micro-fractures in the tooth as well as the start of a cavity between that tooth and the one beside it. Near the end, I noted that my hands were shaking. I was told that would be due to the adrenaline added to the freezing compound. He also noted that I was a bit wound when I arrived today, so had a lot of adrenaline circulating before that. I had planned to walk to do a couple of errands, but chose to head home and rest. I chose not to eat lunch before going to the dentist, so I tried eating when I got home. The experience was interesting. as I had to ensure I didn't bite the frozen cheek and lip. I wanted to let the filling set a bit, so had to chew on the opposite side from usual. I will likely have some soreness in the jaw joints tomorrow as well as the area where the work was done. The healing will take some time, but shouldn't be too bothersome.

The song today is about visiting the dentist. It is a parody of a rock song that brought a smile after my experience today. Keep well. Enjoy!  

parody of a song by U2 "Hold me, thrill me kiss me kill me' Made me laugh. 

Cavity Search -- 'Weird Al' Yankovic (parody of U2,song  "Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me")

10-317 (14/11/23) -- Mundane Existence

Nothing major happened today -- just the ordinary things of an ordinary day. I pondered on the nature of the blog. Much of the blog is about the mundane and finding some challenge or meaning in the experience. Life isn't filled with major events day after day after day. I firmly believe that this is a good thing. The stresses both positive and negative, can create negative side effects when present in large number. Reflecting on what can seem like a boring day helps us find reasons to be grateful. 

A song about the mundane aspects of daily life is shared here today. Keep safe. Enjoy!  

Ordinary Life -- Van Morrison 

10-316 (13/11/23) -- KIndness Day

The day has been rainy and cool. I spent most of the day indoors doing household tasks and catching up on the blog backlog. Now, I've said that phrase a few time and have wondered if that what blog stands for -- Back Log <grin> I will get caught up. It takes patience, though, which I find difficult to embrace. 

I read that today was World Kindness Day. I've written about the importance of kindness many times. Small acts can mean a lot. Larger actions also bring gratitude from all people involved. So, today would be a good day to practice kindness -- to others and to yourself. 

I like the concept covered by the selection of the day. There is verse that romanticizes the past in a way that may not be truthful. Other than that, the lyrics speak to spreading kindness. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

A Random Act of Senseless Kindness -- South 65

10-314 (11/11/23) -- Time for Remembrance

Today I watched the Remembrance Day ceremonies from the National War Memorial in Ottawa. In front of the memorial is the Tomb of the Unknown. I have been to the ceremonies in person once when visiting my cousin. It was chilly, but moving to be there. The guns off by the river shook the ground we stood on in the middle of the downtown area. That added a lot to the experience. I've laid a poppy on the tomb several times when in town for meetings, since I always make a point of visiting the monuments. On the same trip, my cousin and I visited the National War Museum, which covers the five centuries of various conflicts on what is now Canadian soil and those wars fought abroad and the peace keeping missions overseas. The chronological sections of the museum are very well done. They help to interpret what life for service members must have been like.  The architecture is amazing. Two areas in particular stood out for me. At the end of the displays, there is a window that frames the Peace Tower. I found that very moving. At the front of the museum is the grave marker of the unknown soldier from World War I. A very high narrow window is in the wall across from the grave stone. On November 11 at 11 AM, the sun shines through that window landing directly on the stone. A very nice way to pay tribute to this sacrifice. 

One speaker asked that we 'celebrate difference rather than exclusion'. That is something that we should all ponder. I believe our differences provide strength, as did this speaker. 

I chose a favourite song for remembrance. It is written and performed by a group from Newfoundland and Labrador -- a dominion who lost most of a generation in a single battle at Beaumont Hamel in 1916. Now, this province remembers those lost in battle on July 1 in the morning, and celebrate Canada Day in the afternoon. The Rooms museum has a fantastic display about those who fought that day -- those who came home and those who didn't. A trail of blue forget-me-nots leads the way to that display area. 

I will Sing You Home -- Ennis Sisters 

10-313 (10/11/23) -- Disoriented

I had a business meeting today that seemed not to deal with the business at hand. It was rather odd. We will meet in two weeks o do the business that I'd hope to conclude today. There may be more work needed in the near future, too. We'll see. 

I went to campus to scan some documents that need to be submitted electronically. While there, I had a great talk with a friend. I felt less stressed on my way home. I ate a late lunch and then fell asleep. Granted, I haven't been sleeping well, but this was bizarre. I woke about two hours later and was very disoriented. I wasn't sure if it was morning or night. Had I slept through the night or what. It took some time to fully wake and understand that this had been a hefty nap but not a full night's sleep. Happily, this doesn't happen often.

I heard two words repeatedly from a song lyric today. It is the way the song ends that stuck in my head tonight. Keep safe. Enjoy!  

Only Sleeping -- The Monkees

10-312 (9/11/23) -- Fun Gathering

The highlight of the day was lunch with former colleagues. Four of us are retired and one is still working. We haven't gotten together for a few months. While service was abysmally slow, we had time to visit as we waited. I had a great sandwich -- roasted vegetables with goat cheese and aioli on focaccia. It came with a bowl of broccoli soup. Everything was delicious. So, it was worth the wait.  

Getting out with a group is a wonderful feeling. It doesn't happen too often, but I am grateful for such visits. After being isolated for the pandemic, my gratitude for gathering with friends is felt more than it might have been three years ago.

Lyrics of the selection today represent the simple things that bring joy. Getting together with friends is one of these as is the enjoyment in sharing good conversation over great food. Keep safe. Enjoy!

What a Wonderful World -- Louis Armstrong

10-311 (8/11/23) -- Ground Cover

I spent most of the day indoors. I worked on one writing project to complete a list of edits my co-worker and I agreed upon last week. We will discuss these and other possible changes early next week. Outside the windows it was sunny with blue sky in the morning and grey cloud cover by mid-afternoon. A friend and I went out for a lovely dinner at our favourite local fine dining facility. On the way there, there were a few white flake in the air, but it all melted as it hit the ground. As we ate, we could see snow piling up on cars passing by. We thought they'd come in from west of here. Then we began to see snow on the parked vehicles. There was snow when we drove home. Apparently, snow squall warning had been in effect for the evening. By midnight the snow on the fence posts reached a depth of 7-10 cm (3-4 inches). The street was fully covered with tracks from a single car visible. 

I am not really ready for this type of precipitation. Anything frozen is unwelcome anytime. Some people get excited about this change in ground cover, but many of us prefer to be able to get around without this obstacle getting in the way. I really need to live somewhere warmer. 

The title line of a song got stuck in my head as I watched the precipitation fall. The song pace and tone fit my feelings well, too. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Whiter Shade of Pale -- Procal Haram 

 

10-310 (7/11/23) -- Customer Disservice

 I ran some errands on Main Street and got a good walk in while doing this. My phone rang when I was in one store. This rarely rings, so I checked to see who was calling. It was a business that I have been trying to contact for some time. So, there I am in the card aisle trying to answer their questions and agree to an in-person meeting at the end of the week. That was just odd. 

After getting to everything on my shopping list, it was past lunch time and I decided to stop at a quick-service place I pass on the way home. I looked over their new menu. It has changed after the reopening post-pandemic. There was a sandwich that sounded doable. I asked the cashier what the ingredients were. I have a few food allergies and they aren't the usual ones. She didn't know, but asked a co-worker who told her to ask the woman who makes the sandwiches. That person reviewed the basics. I asked if particular grains were part of the 'rice' mixture. She told me no. So, I got one to go. At home, I still felt wary, so I went online and read the ingredient list. There is black and white was the one grain I had asked about. I was frustrated. So, I got in the car and went back to discuss this with the workers. I explained the situation to the cashier, who went to another co-worker. They both went to someone who seemed to be somewhat in charge. They spoke a different language, but the grain name was repeatedly said and the discussion did not sound happy. The 'manager' came to chat to me and all she said, rather curtly, "Do you want your money back?" I was a bit taken aback, but said yes. She hadn't offered anything else, had she? <sigh> Other competitor businesses have a binder listing the ingredients of every product sold. I've asked and people politely look at the binder and will even show me the listing. Now, wouldn't that be good business practice? Needless to say, I doubt I will return to this chain. We have others in town that I feel more confident that I won't be fed something that creates issues.  

I chose a song for its title. It said what I need to say to this company -- and a couple of others. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Keep the Customer Satisfied -- Simon & Garfunkel 

10-309 (6/11/23) -- Looking Up

I felt more positive for most of the day. There was a moment or two of sadness expressed later in the day. It is always there, but some days are less teary than others. 

Adding to the positive viewpoints was a meeting about a writing project. Things seem to be moving forward. There is a lot of work ahead of us, but things seem to be moving along well. This is a project that we have been talking about and through for many years and have been writing parts of it for several years. I am still gathering information in a research setting, which will add to this project well. So, while a bit challenging to look at the large project, I keep reminding myself of my advice to many students over the years. Take it one step at a time. Don't look at the size of the end project, but look at the small chunk that you can start now. Then knit them all together later. Not easy to take one's own advice <grin>. 

The chorus of a song ran through my head today. Even with sadness, the day can still be good. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Beautiful Day -- U2

10-308 (5/11/23) -- Old School?

While I was cooking today -- made a big pot of stew -- I pulled up the music app on the television. When searching the channels, one was called 'Old School Weekend'. I found this way to vague, so checked out the description. Apparently this channel is devoted to '90s Hip Hop. Granted that was 30-ish years ago. But my idea of ' old school' goes back further than that <grin>. Some days aging hits me in the face like this. It is all perspective, isn't it? We come from different backgrounds and the passage of time is seen differently as we age. This one shocked me into the reality of how long ago the turn of the millennium occurred. So, for those who were born after 2000, the '90s is way old school, eh? <smile> 

In the evening I had a good phone visit with my cousins in Ottawa. It is always great to chat with them. We keep up a bit on social media, but speaking directly to each other is always fun. I needed a lift today and this did help -- as did the music once I found a channel that I could sing along with <grin>. 

A song that fit my musings on aging came to mind as I was chopping vegetables. It says it all. I chose a cover from the '90s -- just because of the 'old school' statement I'd encountered. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

My Generation -- Green Day

  

10-307 (4/11/23) -- Pondering Time

This evening many people set their clocks back. I wait until I get up tomorrow to do this silly task. I come from a province where we didn't change time. We were on Central Standard Time all year round. But the provinces on either side of us did change, so half the year we were the same as Alberta and the other half we were the same as Manitoba. It made things challenging for people calling from southern Ontario as they often got things wrong and the early morning meeting calls often came while I was still in bed. <smile>. 

The first time I experienced a time change was in the fall after undergraduate school and I was living in Toronto. I found it bizarre to be in almost full dark between 3 PM and 4 PM. I understand going to school or work in the dark for an 8 AM start and then heading home in the dark at 5 PM -- but that was mostly into mid- to late-December. With time change this goes on for weeks. <sigh> Much conversation about staying at one time all year has been bandied about of late. What remains to be seen is who chooses Standard time who chooses Daylight Savings time. Either way, we are likely to be on different time schedules in what is currently the same time zone. Sir Sanford Fleming, pr0posed 24 time zones with each being 1 hour apart, which equated to 15 degrees of longitude. He called this Standard Time. Until then each city or county declared what the time of day would be. That might not have been such a big deal when we travelled less than we do now.  

The title line of a song ran through my head repeatedly today. The rest of the lyrics don't really fit the day, but I'm sharing it anyway. I have to get this earworm out of my head. Sorry to pass it along. <grin> 

It's a Sign of the Times -- Petulia Clark

10-306 (3/11/23) -- Fun Food Shopping

I was out at a local bakery getting supplies when my phone rang. A friend was out by my new place and was in town nearer to her place. Odd <smile>. She waited for me to get home and we went out to a local farmgate sale -- the place with apple and pear orchards and a large garden. Produce is still coming in after the hard freezes we've had. In fact, cabbage family vegetables taste better -- a bit sweeter -- after a major frost. So, the cabbage, brussels sprouts and such will be ready in the next couple of weeks. My friend ordered a stalk of sprouts for the holiday dinners. I came home with a bunch of apple seconds for my favourite apple sauce recipe. Bosc pears were ready this week, so I have four of these in a bag on the counter. They will ripen over the next few days and be great snacks or desserts. I also got some heirloom reddish pink onions that originate in Italy. They are a bit sweeter and less harsh than a typical red onion. I have a bunch of peppers so will do a pan or two of peppers and onions for my veggie side dishes. These go well with most dinners and are yummy with an egg breakfast. 

We had sun as we drove out to the farm and within a few minutes heavy cloud had filled the sky. We did have a bit of drizzle with flakes expected later in the evening. It was a cold day, so I was glad to have my gloves with me. I dislike this time of year when one has to carry extra clothing and then we will need to wear it all before leaving the house. While shopping, one needs to remove mitts and undo scarves if in the store for a while and then find a place to re-dress when purchases have or have not been made. I feel like the spontaneity of being out and about is compromised with the need for all the extra accoutrements required to protect us from the environment. Had to get that out of my system, though I expect it will rise again over the next few months. <sigh>  

I chose the song today based on the chorus phrases mainly. It seemed to fit the dreariness of the later part of the day. I also picked a cover version to share. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Hazy Shade of Winter -- The Bangles

10-305 (2/11/23) -- Fish Fiasco

Today was COLD! We had a hard freeze and there was snow west of here. Our turn will come. <sigh> 

I went for a few groceries today. Salmon was on sale, so I looked over the packages and chose two. Upon closer inspection, price per kilogram was too high. They were costed as boneless skinless and it was quite clear that the skin was still on, but they had been boned. Now you might thik that this was a small thing, but it changed the pricing by $10/kg -- so what should have been $25 became about $35 per kilo.  I brought this to the attention of a worker in the department. He retagged them at the correct price, but the weights were then wrong as he had measured the wrapped packages instead of the fillet alone. I asked that he redo it again, which saved me a couple of dollars more. Attention to details is necessary when shopping these days when inflationary pricing is everywhere. 

A song came to mind when pondering searching for fish at the store. It's like a new form of fishing. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Gone Fishin' -- Louis Armstrong & Bing Crosby

10-304 (1/11/23) -- New Tech Concerns

I've heard concerns about the latest developments in AI -- artificial intelligence. In the academic world, the potential for AI written term papers seems to be top of mind these days. We know that papers have been ghost written or plagiarized for some time. This is just the latest method for those who might wish to avail themselves. On the other hand, I've read several news items covering the latest uses of AI for research purposes -- ways for technology to help assess gathered data. Several examples of such projects involve map  habitat degradation and others to develop strategies to minimize impact of environmental damage. 

As with any new technology development from the printing presses that made books available to the masses to cell phones and improved AI, much consternation and fear surround the adoption of technology. Including newer technology in our lives can be good or less so. Yet, the response to such changes in routine are often seen mainly for the potential negative applications. It plays out like centuries old myths of good vs. evil. We seem to bein our thought processes by looking for a silver bullet or wooden stake equivalent, without examining the issue from all perspectives. Perhaps this is part of human nature -- seeing the negatives not the positives -- the threat and not the helper. Rather than only reacting to a story about possible negative impacts, critical thinking needs to be employed to understand the the big picture, otherwise the new item is banned from the kingdom before being fully understood. 

This pondering today came when I heard the latest song developed via the newer AI. I share that song here today as an example of the potential positives the newer technology. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

   

10-303 (31/10/23) -- Treats & Teeth

I had two big health appointments today. One was a regular screening appointment. The other was the semi-annual teeth cleaning. We did x-rays for this one and found a darker patch around one molar than had been their six months ago. So, we will need to deal with that soon. We made an appointment for two weeks from now. And believe me, the irony of finding a cavity on Halloween when I'm handing out sugary treats has not been lost on me. 

I enjoyed the early evening visitors at the front door. I had about 30 kids come by on this first year at this address. Considering I had a total of three kids over 25 years at the old address, this was a win. I had purchased the smallest bag of 50 candy bars just in case I had any kids come to the door. The costumes were great fun! I had two dinosaurs in inflatable suits. I laughed as I watched them walking up the hill taking teeny tiny steps. I would be so sore tomorrow, but they are young an likely won't experience that. Another inflatable costume was a sumo wrestler -- very cool.  Little ones came as fairy princesses, witches and super heroes. One tiny spiderman was running back and forth on the front porch and then ran down the driveway to his parent, who told him to stop running. Had the parent been closer, I would have suggested the little guy should have been the Flash. <grin> It was a fun evening. It has been way too long since this tradition has visited my home. I found myself laughing and giggling a lot. 

I chose a song that seemed to fit the evening well.  Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Double Trouble -- Hogwarts Choir

10-302 (30/10/23) -- Being Present

I did a number of small errands today, running around to various stores and shopping areas. I felt a bit on edge at times. For the most part I just felt 'off' all day. I wasn't sure why, which only added to the edginess. 

Once home, I sat with a cup of tea and booted the computer to check emails and messages. While reading, in mid-sentence, I said out loud, "It's Monday." Everything finally made sense to me. This was the day my friend and I would speak every week. So, in the midst of grief, the body senses and expresses things before the conscious mind catches up. A friend who has been on her own grief journey suggested that I embrace that feeling and spend some time remembering my friend. That sounds simple, but it will not be easy to do. It is part of the 'work' of grief. It doesn't just flow through us and finally leave. We have to actually do some work that gets us face to face with grief. Acknowledging in this way seems like it might help with that. Feel the feelings and work through it all. Be present with the pain. 

I chose a song about time and working through life. I particularly like the imagery of the line about trees. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Comes a Time -- Neil Young

10-301 (29/10/23) -- Word Power

The weather report today is one word -- COLD! <smile> One my quick walk to the post box, I could have used mitts. I guess I will need to pull those out of the storage bag. I shouldn't be surprised that I saw my first Christmas commercial today. It still seems early. I'd like it all to wait until after Remembrance Day, but wishing won't make it so. 

I wrote cards of condolence today. It wasn't easy to find words. There just aren't any that describe how I feel and how I'd like them to know that they are in my thoughts as they walk this journey. I went to the post box to mail these and I could have used mitts. As I pondered what to say and how to say it, I recalled the words of Dumbledore in Deathly Hallows. He stated, " Words are -- in my not so humble opinion -- our most inexhaustible form of magic -- capable of inflicting injury and remedying it," What wise words. I took time to reflect on words and phrases I have received in past times of grief. To be honest, most messages took me a while to actually read. When the wound is so fresh, I found words added to the pain. Once the early phases of loss begin to pass, I've found comfort in the words and stories of others. That helped me somewhat in writing notes in the cards today. Once I relaxed my brain a bit, my feelings came out in words that I hope will help as time goes by. 

Thinking of words left me with several song ideas. A dear friend reminded me of the perfect one to share. It is all about words. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Elephant Talk -- King Crimson

10-300 (28/10/23) -- Further Tech Issues

 After a nice breakfast, I called the cable repair people to report that things weren't all fixed yesterday. Just like last time this happened, the pvr failed to function. The person on the phone got the pvr to work. Within a half an hour, the picture began to stutter -- freezing every minute or two. I made another call to the help line. While working on this latest issue, the hesitation seemed to stop. We waited 5 minutes and nothing quirky happened, so it was deemed fixed. Twenty minutes later I was on the phone with the third person because the stuttering returned.  This time, nothing seemed to make it stop. They suggested that I needed a new pvr as one is older than the other. But, they told me to wait for at least 48 hours to see if things cleared up as the system settled down after a reboot. Now that sounded like a BS response -- one that would get me to stop calling them today. <sigh> There will be phone calls, but I have be in the right frame of mind to do this. 

I went for a long walk to clear my head. Above there was a group of geese heading south. This was the first time that I'd seen a double line of geese on each side of the V. Very cool. This sight made me smile -- something that hadn't happened for a while today. I thought how nice it would be to head south with them to just escape the repair goofiness I've dealt with this week. I chose a song brought to us by the letter V <grin> -- several V's and even one with the performer. Hey, I needed something that made me laugh. Keep safe. Enjoy!

Viva Las Vegas -- Elvis Presley 

10-299 (27/10/23) -- Infuriating Repetition

I felt very stressed today. I found myself pacing while waiting -- AGAIN -- for the ISP provider repair technician. They showed up at the front door without the call to tell me they were on their way. They likely called the house phone (which isn't working) instead of the cell as directed. <sigh> They worked on the outside lines since it wasn't the modem. I called that one.  They checked all devices albeit very quickly, before leaving. They did not speak to me or explain what had been fixed. It was so nice to have a television that worked again. Wifi without setting up a hotspot and a working phone are great, too. Unfortunately, when I tried to use the pvr in the evening, it would not record or rewind. I was too tired and angry to call the repair help line. I will do that tomorrow. 

I found waiting stressful. The going through the same thing that we did 2-1/2 months ago is infuriating. Repeated calls to the help line is soooo frustrating. I need a good sleep and hopefully we can get this next thing fixed, as it should have been before the techs left today.  I heard part of a song in my head today. An iterative process is not useful in some circumstances it seems <smile>  Keep safe. Enjoy!

Circle Game -- Joni Mitchell

10-298 (26/10/23) -- Hanging In

It felt warmer today -- always welcomed. It wasn't an easy day, but I did get a couple things accomplished. I had two in person appointments today. The first was instead of a telephone follow up that just hasn't happened. So, I said I'd be in the office to get the business cleared up. There will be more paperwork before things are all completed, but hopefully that will go without any further delays. After the two appointments, I headed home and worked to submit my friend's obituary to a news website in our home town. It took a couple of phone calls and I'm not sure the email went through. I'll have to check again in the morning. 

I found both meetings today helped with some coping strategies. Conversations helped me feel a bit more in control at times.  Grief takes over thought processes often, and getting re-grounded becomes nearly impossible. The people I met with today helped more than they may realize. 

Lyrics from a song came to mind today. I share that one here with you all. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Leave a Light On -- Garth Brooks

10-297 (25/10/23) -- Waiting Game

Sun shone again today, but the light wind felt rather cold. Today I was home waiting for the internet/tv/phone repair technician to arrive and set things straight again. They were to arrive between 8 AM and 4 PM. I called the repair help line when I hadn't heard from anyone at 3 PM. We should get a call 30 minutes before they arrive. The help desk person called another department to discover what was up. The technician was still working at another problem and wouldn't finish there until after their day was officially done. I did note that in my mind if someone is on the list, then the work isn't really done. <sigh> So, now we have another date for Friday -- two more days without service. 

I have been watching the Harry Potter movie series while I've not had any access to usual television service. I had two running in the background today as I paced and fretted while waiting for the tech that never showed. I was assured that since they had missed me once, someone would definitely arrive at the next booking. I'm finding this whole concept of service that isn't there regularly problematic. I should be compensated for the lack of service and will be calling someone once everything is working well again. I'm not holding my breath on that happening soon. I feel a bit deflated by this nonsense. 

A song came to mind today that spoke to the weariness of waiting. The lyrics mention that sometimes things don't happen as expected. How perfect for today? <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Waitin' on Superman -- The Flaming Lips

10-296 (24/10/23) -- Gratitude Expressed

The finally shone today. It has been a while. I find it interesting how this can affect my mood -- and likely the moods of those around me. I did some walking while doing errands downtown, which helped me feel a bit more relaxed. The physio's office had a gratitude pumpkin -- the first time I've seen this as a fall decoration. Paper leaves were available in the waiting room and clients were encouraged to write something they are grateful for on the leaves. At the end of the day, these messages are written on the pumpkin. I spent some time reading all the things people are grateful for. 

It was interesting and heartening to have this piece of interactive artwork available to people at the clinic. Very cool idea. The reason behind it came from research noting that expressing gratitude helped improve mental health, which in turn improves physical health. What a perfect way of helping others reflect and articulate their gratitude. I felt grateful for the 'gratitude pumpkin' which is an annual activity at that clinic. Cool, eh? 

So -- there were many things that came to mind as I pondered the pumpkin. I left one to be added today, but so many others came to mind as the day wore on. I chose one to share her today. I am so grateful for music and those who write and perform it. After all, where would this blog be without music? <smile>  The lyrics of this song say much. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Thank You for the Music -- ABBA

10-295 (23/10/23) -- Frustrating Monday

It has been a Monday. <sigh> I waited for a phone meeting with a business. I called 30 minutes after the meeting time as booked. The reception people assured me I would get a call shortly. and hour later I called to say that I had to go out and might be back later in the afternoon. I would call them when I was available again. So very frustrating. I did the errands and once home realized that the telecom services were all down -- phone, television, wifi. Again!! I shouted some less than pleasant things and called the repair help line. This is the same error message on the modem as we had just after moving in July. I insisted that a tech come to deal with the problem rather than them mailing me a new modem. It is the line not the modem, but their 'help' book doesn't tell them that. So, I have an appointment for between 8 AM and 4 PM two days from now. At least they provided some extra data so I could set up a hot spot to keep somewhat connected. This is the fifth or sixth time the service has gone down during the past three months. I never had difficulties like this at the old address. So, very irritating. I did call the business after I had dealt with the ISP help people. I told them that my cell was the only thing working, so to please use that and not the house phone or email. I asked that someone set up a phone meeting tomorrow. We'll see how that goes. 

There are days that I just can't manage the ineptitude surrounding me. It makes me very cranky when I have to do someone else's job or provide suggestions as to how they should do their won jobs. Basic customer service is so not basic anymore. I chose a song that reflected how I summarized the day. The lyrics and title are quite clear <smile>. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

I Don't Like Mondays -- Boomtown Rats 

10-294 (22/10/23) -- Make Believe

The front grass has really filled in well after the major rains of the past few days. The ground is fully saturated. I hope that the grass roots will take hold and help with drainage and holding the soil in place. I look forward to the spring to see it fill in even more. 

I've found that for the past few days, it has been easier to just ignore my feelings when in public. It isn't as easy as it was to type that, though. I find that when I am in stores or see someone briefly when out for a walk, I just respond that I'm hanging in there rather than letting folks see how I really feel. It is  more socially acceptable to hide things and just be bright and bubbly when involved in any exchanges with others. I really just want to say that things are less than perfect and not have to force a smile. I find that as I walk on or leave the store, that I take a deep breath, relax muscles and return to my real feelings. It will improve, but that will take time. 

A song came to mind while pondering the social conundrum today. It is an older tune, but says what I feel, though our reasons are different. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

The Great Pretender -- The Platters

  

10-293 (21/10/23) -- Mentor & Friend

While doing some email tasks today, I received a message that a mentor and friend had died. Dr. Vivian Bruce was on my masters thesis committee. She had a quirky sense of humour and was from Saskatchewan, which may have been why we hit it off so well. I appreciated that she treated graduate students as peers rather than underling irritants <smile>. There are so many fun memories with her. When the grad students held a wine and cheese gathering for faculty, we were distressed to discover that the kitchen room we had booked did not have a corkscrew. Well, Vivian came to the rescue when she pulled one out of her oversized purse. She must have been a girl guide -- be prepared. <grin> She and I attended several conferences over the years. Whenever we were in the same place, we'd get together. The first time we were at a major international conference just as I was finishing my degree program. We got ourselves a glass of wine and she said, " Let's play spot the famous nutritionist." I laughed but we circulated and she pointed out people who I knew only from reading some of their many research publications. It was fun! It was also a bit odd, since she was one of those famous nutritionists. She was part of the nutrition group who determined how canola consumption affected blood lipids. She also had worked closely with the food science folks who had developed canola. She received the Order of Manitoba for her input into that oilseed crop -- one that changed the face of the prairies with the bright yellow flowers of canola in fields rather than the more golden shade of wheat. There is nothing like seeing the yellow fields side by side with fields of blue flax. Beautiful. 

The last conference we were both at was almost 20 years ago in Chicago. We met for lunch at the former Marshall Fields (then a Macy's outlet) on State Street. Their dining room had dark wood paneling and tables with crisp white linens. It reminded me of the old dining room at Eatons in Toronto. After lunch she showed me the mosaic ceiling in one part of the store -- stunning. The last time we spoke was in 2020 just after the Portapique mass shooting. She said she was listening to the news and wondered who she should check on in Nova Scotia. We had a great chat. That small effort meant so very much to me, since everyone seemed to be more on edge than usual at that time. 

I will miss her annual Christmas letter with the lovely handwriting. She was a support to me throughout my career. She told me once that she enjoyed reading my "from the Board Chair" notes in the Journal and seeing my face at the top of the page. <smile> Little things mean so much. 

I chose a song by a singer-songwriter from Saskatchewan. The lyrics describe where Vivian (and I) grew up. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

These Prairies -- Connie Kaldor

10-292 (20/10/23) -- Mercurial Day

Well, I did say yesterday that anger would rise up sometime soon. I could feel it lurking in the shadows over my right shoulder and today it made a full on appearance. I've had two situations where businesses seemed to mess up or fail to fulfill their customer service promises. Each of the two episodes of frustration today dealt with me losing my cool a bit. I tried to be kind, but I got a little firm with people. I did apologize to one person on the phone who had failed to get things done as promised. The other one is not acknowledging my requests for a service to be completed so we can move on from it. That one requires an apology to me, but that may never occur. I just want what was promised done as discussed some time ago. As a friend noted recently -- we need to have common sense come to the party. <sigh> 

A song title came to mind when I thought of that wish for common sense. The lyrics are interesting and give one lots to ponder. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Common Sense -- John Prine

10-291 (19/10/23) -- Rejecting It All

The day has been challenging. I still can't believe my friend is gone. Denial is part of the grieving process and I am firmly entrenched in that step. I expect that anger will follow in short order. We'll see. <sigh> 

I suppose that denial is the mind's way of trying to shelter us from the pain of loss. Reality pokes through the veil every so often, though. While each experience with grief is different, all steps show up as one works through the process. This is an iterative journey, circling back on former steps. My hope is that as I do the circling through the stages, that each trip through is somewhat elevated. I'd like to see it as a spiral rather than running ins circles -- there will be some of that, too, I'm sure.

A song came to mind that made me smile a bit -- so it is shared here. The chorus fits how I felt at times today. The rest of the story doesn't fit the situation. The video is as goofy as the song lyrics. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Queen of Denial -- Pam Tillis

 

10-290 (18/10/23) -- No Screaming

When I went to the mail box today, the sky was blue with next to no clouds. As I walked down the street, I heard birds chirping, but I couldn't recognize the calls. They were close so I took time to pause and look at roof tops to see if the birds were there. Not there. I looked at houses in a 360 degree manner. Still no sightings. Then I looked just above the roof of one unit and there they were -- two of them. Bald eagles. Chattering back and forth. One was riding the thermals way up in the sky. The other was just above the roof tops and flapping wings to fly. They made me feel a moment of peace -- something I needed today. I watched them until they just disappeared -- always chirping and never moving up or down to fly together. 

When back in the house, I checked online to be sure of what I had heard. I discovered that  eagles don't scream like hawks, just make a chirping sound. So, the regional hockey team, the screaming eagles, has a wildly inappropriate name <smile>. And all of those movies and shows that portray eagles with a screaming hawk sound track just aren't right. So, two positives today -- a moment of peace and I learned something new. <smile> 

A song came to mind as I was pondering this sighting today. It seemed fitting on several levels. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

The Eagle and the Hawk -- John Denver

  

10-289 (17/10/23) -- A Very Bad Day

Where to start? It has been a sad day. My close friend died today. To use the term 'friend' seems inadequate. We were in nursery at church from at least age 3 to 6 months (She was 3 months older than me). We were baptized together and were confirmed on the same day. We grew up three doors down the back alley from each other from the age of 6 or 9 months. I was in her bridal party. We spoke weekly when she would update me on the growth and development of the grand-daughters aged 17 and 7 year old twins. She made me feel a part of her family. I will miss her updates. We helped each other through the yuckiness and reveled in the many wonderful events of life. The day before she passed we spoke about our upcoming high school reunion next summer. She was so excited about going. We had plans to be wild old ladies together -- something that might have surfaced at the reunion <sigh>. 

I feel lost and alone. I'm so not sure how to navigate this one without her. My brain can't fully accept this as real. I keep thinking of things I'll need to ask her next week when we talk -- things that only she could answer the who, or when, etc. It's like a chunk of my life is missing and I'm not sure I can find the answers to fill that void. 

This woman was kind and gentle but never shied from giving you advice. She often told you things that you may not have been ready to hear, but it needed to be heard at some point in your growth process. She got that one from her mother, a forthright, no nonsense discussant. <smile> Her legacy is the strong, caring family that she helped to build. She so delighted in spending time with her family. My heart hurts for them as they walk the rest of the journey without her physical presence. 

So -- being behind in the blog helped me today. I wrote oodles of back logged blogs. It gave me something to focus on and stopped me from pacing and crying. I'm afraid the blog continued to be behind as this one took some time to find some words to express part of what I've been feeling, though I think the words are still not adequate to express how much a part of my being involved her. 

I heard lines from two songs today. The first comes to mind whenever there is a major loss. The second seemed fitting for the loss of a very good friend. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

A Hole in the World -- The Eagles

Cryin' for Me (Wayman's Song) -- Toby Keith

 

10-288 (16/10/23) -- Winter Bedding Time

Well, we are back to the rainy weather as the week starts. I did a short walk and came back with damp denim. Is there anything more uncomfortable? <sigh> I had a great chat with a good friend -- looking forward to events next summer and laughing over past experiences together. 

In the afternoon, I took some time to dig out the winter bedding. Nights are getting colder and it is time to reintroduce the duvet to the bed. I will need to bring in the winter sweatshirts, sweaters and pjs soon, too. Most of these are in the garage in two boxes and the old steamer trunk. In the new closet, I will need to remove some summer t-shirts and blouses to make room for the bulkier winter gear. I'm glad I labeled most boxes reasonably well for the move. It does make it easier to locate belongings. Now, this doesn't mean that everything is easy to find. As is inevitable, some items got shoved into boxes with unrelated articles just because the space was a perfect fit for an item. This happened more towards the end of the packing ordeal. So, I know that a couple of items are out there, It is unclear where, though. They will show up as I work my way through things to get them off the garage floor and onto shelving units and upper shelves for storage. The fervent wish is that the car will fit at some point before winter visits with nor'easter vengeance. I'm not holding out a lot of hope for this <sigh>. 

The song for today came to mind when I changed the summer quilt on the bed to a heavier winter weight quilt. The backing of both is lavender. Both were made my my grandmother. The quilt pieces remind me of her dresses, mom's clothes and dad's shirts -- with a few pieces of bedroom drape material, too. They are a form of living history, much like the story told in these lyrics. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Aunt Mattie's Quilt -- The Chicks

10-287 (15/10/23) -- Canine Neighbours

Happily, the day was warm, dry and sunny when compared to yesterday. I took advantage of the great weather to take a long walk in the new neighbourhood. I met another dog today. Many people here have dogs. I find meeting new neighbours easier when I can ask the dog's name and in some cases ask if it is such-and-such a breed. Many times we chat about the dog and then go our own ways without having exchanged human names. <smile> Later, I expect. Today the new-to-me dog was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named 'Star'. 

In my walks I have met several breeds -- husky, dachshund (smooth), Dandie Dinmont, Bernese Mountain Dog, Airedale, Yorkshire terrier and many others. I guess all those hours spent watching the Westminster Kennel Club shows paid off. People really warm to you when you know the breed. <grin> I laughed when I thought of friends who are bird watchers. They keep a life list of what new species they have seen at home and on travels. I should start a list for the dogs I meet. <LOL> 

Needless to say, a very silly song came to mind when pondering the canine neighbours. I did choose a different one just to save us from a nasty ear worm. So, the selected song comes from a few decades back. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Me and You and a Dog Named Boo -- Lobo

10-286 (14/10/23) -- Slow Day

It has been a quiet Saturday. The rain fell in lesser amounts than predicted yesterday. That is good, since the ground is saturated from the major rains of the past few weeks. Inside, the air felt cool and damp. The dehumidifier ran throughout the day. I did a couple of loads of laundry; after all , it is Saturday. <smile> I even did some cooking for supper with a mini meatloaf and baked potato and sweet potato. It was yummy and helped battle the cooler weather today. 

Since the main accomplishment today seemed to be laundry, I found a few lines of a song in my head. It was written by the singer and Danny Kortchmar, a session musician for many including Carole King and James Taylor. I like the rhythm and the pacing -- slower than some might wish it to be -- kinda like my day has been. <smile> Keep safe. Ennjoy! 

Dirty Laundry -- Don Henley