The start of a new month. Today is Beltane and May day. -- prep for spring planting, herding, and fires to ward off disease and bad luck. -- originally, Mayday also involved new beginnings with dancing around a decorated pole to improve fertility.
This afternoon, a fete for retiring faculty occurred -- another group celebrating new starts. It was fun to see people I know and to meet a few new folks. The turnout was reasonable, though not as many people gathered as did pre-pandemic. I was able to speak to some other 'already retired' faculty, including the man who was Dean when I was hired. I enjoyed getting out to do something social today. The walk across campus was brisk -- winds were cold and strong, but not as bad as yesterday. I guess I'll take that as a win. <smile>
A friend reminded me of this song when stating that 'you can dance if you want to' as she explained the history of this calendar date. That immediately brought a song to mind. It was a new wave production by a Canadian band that charted globally. The song came from a protest for freedom to dance in clubs. (If interested, read the history notes found in the attached link.) The tempo is great for dancing around the kitchen, patio, Maypole or Beltane community fires. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Very strong, cold wind from the west overnight and during the day. When I headed out mid-morning, there was some rain and some snow in the air. The latter only lasted for a part of a minute at a time, the former was always around in a light drizzle way. Temperatures were cold even without the wind. By mid-afternoon, a mix of sun and cloud replaced the precipitation. April chose to exit with a reminder of winter.
I had my first post-surgical checkup today. Healing is moving along as expected. In another four weeks, we decide on what type of prescription lenses might be needed. I'm expecting that this will be for reading and computer work -- close and mid-range vision. At present I'm wearing readers from the drug store. They work for short term stuff, but have created eye strain headaches when used for more than a quick vision job. I've had these readers for a while to use overtop of contacts that I needed for distance. I look forward to glasses that will correct for the slight differences in each eye.
Again, I amazed myself when I could read the 20/20 lines -- such a huge difference over what I was able to see before -- and that was the corrected vision. Uncorrected, I could see nothing. So, this is a wild change. With ongoing healing and brain adjustments to changes, today was a good reminder that the process is still underway. Things will continue to change and the brain will continue to adapt. It all takes time and energy.
The chorus lyrics of the selection for today say a lot of what I've felt recently. It is also an uplifting power ballad. If you listen closely you can hear Don Henley singing along with the lead singer in places. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy!
Today I went to postal kiosk to mail the tax return -- in just under the wire. I then walked down Main Street to the bank to pay the taxes owing. Along the way there and back to the car, I walked by the town library to admire the magnolias. These white ones are just starting to unfurl. there are many fuzzy buds (like pussy willows) left to open in the next week or so. The large white one by the bank has more blooms than last week, though some have been scarred by the frost over the past few mornings. This left brown streaks on some blossoms. More buds remain unopened, so that will be with us for the next week, too.
At home, I did some online catching-up with email and social media. I then organized the recycling, compostable waste and the bag that goes to landfill. I am happy to live somewhere where this is picked up at the curb weekly (recyling every other week and compost and garbage weekly). Very cool. It has diverted a large chunk of stuff that used to head to the landfill. We also are able to take bulkier items and excess cardboard or hazardous waste directly to the solid waste management facility outside of town. AS a province, we have done more than many others do to minimize landfill waste.
Having missed Earth Day in the blog last week, I dedicate the blog today to that day. I chose a song by a Canadian songwriter to share today. It was written in the 1970s and the singer-songwriter-lyricist has updated the lyrics to state 'in the 21st century'. I chose a cover with lovely harmonies from three gifted singers. Keep safe. Enjoy!
After the Gold Rush -- Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, & Linda Ronstadt
I took a walk around the block to help me move between tasks. Sometimes I just stall. The temperature was surprisingly warmer with less wind than has been usual. The sun felt warm, so some folks were sitting on their porches to enjoy the afternoon. I think we still need to wear something to keep warm, but it was a pleasant day.
The main tasks today involved work on household accounting -- end of month stuff. It is always a chore. Days like this, I think it would be nice to have an assistant to do such things for me. They could also arrange appointments and meetings and remind me of such. Some days it is more than I care to do. <smile> I did manage to get things completed as per plan -- for a change. <grin>
Again, chorus lyrics caught my mind today. When I work on such household projects I can feel overwhelmed. The chorus and title of this song fit perfectly today. The music itself brings a feel of too much going on making it difficult to focus. Keep safe. Enjoy!
It was a day for cleaning out the corners. The fancy baseboards have less dust now <smile>. They look nice, but the many grooves and ridges attract dust and such way too well. A longer dusting implement will be needed to reach the ceiling corners. Nine foot ceilings are wonderful, but getting to the inevitable cob webs is very challenging. I will add that to my shopping list. I did not vacuum but will do some sweeping instead. Upon re-reading the instructions from the surgeon, it seems I should be doing less intense stuff for another week or so. I must admit that I am pleased to have a reason not to vacuum <grin>. Laundry is also underway as is usual for a Saturday at my place.
While cleaning the house, I took some time to reflect on my moods and attitudes lately -- sort of clearing the corners of the mind, if you will. Getting some good sleep and seeing the sunshine and blue skies out the windows can improve my approach to the day. It is cold outside with a strong north wind today. Given the work inside today, I chose not to go for a walk. Next week there should be some double digit highs, though it may only be 10C. Overnight lows have been below freezing for the past few nights and will continue until mid-week. At that point, I plan to put out my perennials that over-wintered in the garage. Having some things growing on the patio, will help my outlook, too.
One song title seemed to fit with the work and the pondering done today. The lyrics speak to why I tend to only read scrolling headlines these days. <sigh> Keep safe. Enjoy!
We had sunny blue skies again today, with cold temperature and wind that made it feel cooler. I did a walk along Main Street and stopped to do a couple of errands along the way. I stood and gazed at the magnolia that often is the first in town to bloom. The blossoms were just starting. It should be in full bloom in a few days. It has lovely creamy, white flowers. I really love these trees. The blooms are large and arrive before the leaves are even in bud. My favourite are the pink blooms. There are some of those on campus along with some yellow and different whites. I should take a walk up there next week to see the trees. Several smaller new trees were planted a year ago, so there are more pink trees around.
I love the flowers of spring. They bring a feeling of hope. Trees will soon be budding and late spring and early summer flowers will arrive. Yet, spring holds my favourite changes. Making plans for the next few months helps me to maintain the hope and enjoyment of the warmer season. I've maintained that Canadians try to cram 12 months of living into the three months of summer. <smile> We really should find things to enjoy in the other seasons. Spending nine months wishing it would be summer seems a waste of much of one's life. A friend who lived to 100 often said to me not to wish my life away. I expect she meant that living in the present while looking forward to the future was best. We can miss so much if we are only future focused.
The selection tonight has a relaxing sound and lyrics that reference the flowering tree I love at this time of year. Keep safe. Enjoy!
The sky today was a bright cloudless blue with great sunshine. Air temperatures were in the single digits for a high today (and for the coming week or so). The sun helped the car interior feel warm, though. I did a quick trip out to get a few groceries and then to a store for a few non-food items and their senior's discount day at a store. Hey, there are some perks to getting older <smile>. I had an eclectic list for that store, where I got a few things like batteries and teabags and saline spray
In the afternoon, I tried to finish up the tax return forms. I didn't get things fully completed, but will do that tomorrow. I might head out to photocopy a few attachments and do an errand or two while out. We'll see. I do have time to get this done before the deadline, I just have to remain calm <grin>. More working on being kind to myself is underway. Many things need attention, but one can't do it all at once. Prioritizing the list can be challenging, but is worthwhile. I think that is how my 'to do' lists have been working. I make the list for the weekend and then it becomes the start for the weekly list. There are some 'nice to do' things added to the list that may or may not get done, but they are there for future moments when I need something fun to do.
A song chorus came into my head today. It said what I needed to say to myself. <smile> The whole song makes me want to dance around the kitchen. <grin> Keep safe. Enjoy!
On my brief outing to the mailbox at the end of the street, it was windy and felt cold. The sky was mainly cloudy. I did very little today. I felt very tired. I had very little planned for the day, and certainly nothing strenuous just some household accounting. After lunch, I laid down for a short nap that lasted a couple of hours. Granted, I had less sleep than usual last night as I didn't get to sleep until much later than usual. The nap helped me feel a bit more 'awake', but emotionally I felt defeated.
I understand that the medical procedure a week ago would leave me feeling a bit fatigued for a while. I haven't had a nap any day since then, though. Why today? Did I do more than I should have yesterday? Or was it just the lack of usual sleep last night. Today I'd planned a very sedentary day, yet even when doing almost nothing, fatigue overtook the day. I've found that my eyes get tired more easily, which can give me a headache from eye strain. That makes planned activities move along more slowly. I keep thinking I should take off my contacts and let my eyes rest, but there are no contacts to remove anymore. This is a great thing, but it will take time to get things settled. I have a two week check early next week and the 6 week check at the end of May. New prescriptive lenses are not advised before the six weeks, since the implanted lenses take a while to connect in the eye. I can see well, but they are still settling in and the brain is working harder than usual <grin>.
I guess the bottom line is patience and being kind to myself. Neither of these are easy for me. I guess on days like this, I need to sit with the feelings before moving forward. A phrase often used when someone is feeling down came to mind. It is also the title of a song that I share today. Some of the lines fit my thoughts today. The title is the reminder that some days or times of day may not be great, but that doesn't mean that things won't improve. I'll get some sleep and try to do the paperwork tomorrow. <smile>
I went for lunch with a friend today. We had great food and a good visit. I checked the grocery store for lettuce again and had to get a rain check. There was very little lettuce of any type there again today -- after a supply truck had come overnight. <sigh> The lettuce was on sale (until tomorrow), but they had been shorted in their stock for the past two shipments. Other produce was available for pre-covid prices this week, too. I'm not sure where things are being sourced, but I will pay more attention to that in the coming weeks as local salad greens will be available.
We had another bright blue sky day but still cooler with temperature and breeze. It froze overnight, so it felt colder in the house. Odd that this happens even when the temperature is set much warmer inside than it is outside. Hmmm. There was a slight expectation of frozen precipitation later in the week, but that may change as we get within 24 hours of the day.
My attempts to spend money today only to find the items I was looking for were not in stock brought the first verse of a song into my head -- where it has been playing over and over most of the afternoon <grin>. I love the title of the song as it pays homage to my favourite piece of clothing. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Forever in Blue Jeans -- Neil Diamond
-- checked grocery store and fourth item from yesterday's list was not in stock today, so I got a rain check for next time I am there.
I drove for the first time since surgery. It felt good to get out in this way. I picked up a phone order in store and went to grocery store for four items. They only had three in stock. I will check when up this way tomorrow.
I then went to Main Street for a couple errands. I walked to the library to print some forms for the tax return. I had parked at one end of Main and walked to the other end. I was very fatigued when I got there and would have had to sit down even if there wasn't a computer terminal open at a seated desk. I did much more than I should have. I find it interesting that what seems a smaller surgery still has full effects on the body. Taking it easy was recommended, but I thought I felt well enough to do a longer walk only to find I wasn't. Such is the story for most people who try to do something sooner than medical wisdom suggests. <sigh> Any recuperation involves multiple body systems. To heal one needs to build new cells which requires nutritional inputs such as protein, vitamins and such. The body is focused on healing as well as the usual daily maintenance, so can be a bit overwhelmed. That is why advice involves caution to avoid major physical activity for a while after treatment. So -- I should remind myself that this will take time and patience (not my strong suit <smile>).
Once home I had a cup of tea and rested a bit watching a recorded show. As the evening wore on, I was full on sleepy earlier than usual. I did fall asleep before an evening virtual chat with a dear friend. It was a short chat, but still pleasant to see each other.
My overdoing things today brought a couple lines of lyric to mind. The chorus of the daily selection made me think of how I tend to go further than I should at times -- like today <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy!
I finished the laundry left from yesterday. I also went for a short walk around the block. It had been sunny and warm today. By the time I got out in late afternoon, the sky had clouded over so less sunshine was present. I spoke with a neighbour who was outside working and noted that I may have to move my walk to earlier in my day just to see the sun. Many folks are out walking early in the day -- alone or with their dogs. I'd get to see more locals if I got out before 4 PM, I expect. I met many people when out walking in the summer and fall. Once the snow arrived in February, walking wasn't something that happened as much or when it did, I didn't meet too many other people. The spring is moving towards more sunny days and temperatures are moving upwards. Granted, the wind will be cold until the ice over the straits leaves.
Spring is a time of transition. Weather moves towards the summer and plants that have been dormant reappear showing the many shades of green and marvelous colours of spring flowers. I spent time today thinking of the cycles of seasons and how they serve as a great metaphor for personal growth. A song from an animated movie came to mind. I share that song here today using the recording made by the songwriter. Keep safe. Enjoy!
I took things easy today -- actually more than I'd expected. Being Saturday, I did two loads of laundry. One moved from the washer to the dryer and another made it to the washer. They sit there waiting for me to move them to the next steps. <sigh> There are two more full loads to do tomorrow.
I ran out of steam early in the day. It has been only three days since surgery, so I know the body systems are still sorting out the healing processes and coming to terms with the physical insult to the body. I keep having to remind myself of this even for the small area at the centre of the disruption to body routines. They tell you to take it easy for reason. <smile>
My pondering recovery brought lines to mine from a favourite band. Keep safe. Enjoy!
My first full day at home after surgery. It seems like someone turned the lights on. I'm seeing details that I didn't see before -- places that I need to dust or clean better <smile> and still finding the colours and clarity amazing. I went for a walk today and stood and stared at the crocuses -- so gorgeous. As I walked around the block, I heard birds and stopped to try to locate them. As I followed the contrails in the sky, I found the teeny tiny images of three eagles riding the thermals way up in the sky. It was wonderful to see them. I'm not sure I would have seen them before.
I feel very fatigued as the body and brain work overtime to figure out what happened and how to make the vision work. The ceiling lights in the house are all LED, known for being extra bright. They seem to create starbursts when light hits the eyes at just the right angle. I may have to wear a ballcap inside for a few days. <smile>
I know the title of the selection for today may seem trite. However, the gratitude I feel for being able to see things in a new way makes some of the lyrics of this one take on a new meaning. So, I hope you will forgive me using this song. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy!
Today began early again. I'm not a morning person, but managed for yesterday and today. <smile> The post-surgery check was this morning. When I woke, the brain had sorted out some things and I saw only one image rather than multiples. The vision test went well. And less than 18 hours after surgery, the surgeon noted I was good to drive whenever I was ready! I will wait a few days to let the brain continue with its reboot before I head out for a drive. When riding back home, I saw further than I ever remember seeing -- reading signs 2-3 blocks away. Cool. It will take some time to get used to not seeing clearly up close and having to distribute reading glasses all around the house <smile>.
I felt very hungry and was eating more than usual after the checkup -- a big breakfast and a chai latte and oat bar just over an hour later. I guess that makes up for not eating well for a few days due to nerves. The wort part of the whole thing was having the eye shield removed as the tape had industrial strength adhesive. It was a major facial. I had the tech do that as I didn't want to stretch eyelids or end up poking an eye. I plan to wear these for a few more nights. The eyes feel scratchy, dry and itchy at times, and I don't want to rub them while I sleep. The shield will help me avoid doing damage.
I had a nap once I got back home. I expect to feel rather tired for a few days as the body adjusts to the trauma of surgery. The surgeon said to take it easy and not do anything strenuous for a week or so. I said to him that this was great -- I have a medical reason not to vacuum. <grin>.
A bit of song lyric came to me as I kept wanting to look at everything to see how the colours pop more than before and the clarity of distance vision. I wandered around the house just looking at things and noticing things I couldn't see well before. So cool. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Can't Take my Eyes Off of You -- Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
Today began early. A friend picked me up about 8:30 am and we headed to Halifax. Just past noon, I checked into the vision centre surgical clinic to have my cataracts dealt with. One was very bad and the second eye had begun to encroach on the visual field, so my optometrist referred me to the surgeon. I had both eyes done today. Surgery began about 1:30 and by 2 PM, I was walking out the door with my friend. Thankfully the eye shields they use are transparent, so I could see though it was rather blurry. They provided a sedative that helped me relax a bit but it hung on for longer than expected. I was very sleepy from that and from the less than restful sleep I had last night. This day has been creating major anxiety for some time.
During the early evening, I wasn't seeing very clearly. I had a brief virtual visit with a dear friend. I saw multiple images on the screen. Covering one or the other of the eyes provided fewer images, but still at least two of everything on screen. I headed to bed early for a very early risng again tomorrow. The follow up with the surgeon is 8 am tomorrow.
The support received from wonderful friends provided a sense of calm. They checked in with texts, messages and skype ahead of and after the surgery. These communications helped me know I wasn't alone when I walked into the OR suite. I also appreciated the calm voice of the surgeon and his sense of humour. When he came to get me in the prep area, I was a bit wobbly when I stood up. He took my arm saying he was good at fixing eyes but wouldn't be much help with a hip. That made me laugh as we entered the cold scary room.
The song chosen today highlights that we are part of networks that provide social support as we need it and allow us to help carry the loads of others on their journeys. It is reciprocal in nature and means so very much. I share the original recording by the singer-songwriter. It has been covered by others over the years. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Clouds and spitting rain greeted me on my journey to the mailbox today. By supper time, the rain clouds were fewer and portions of blue sky were visible. Not seeing sun or blue sky for days can create negative emotions in people. I met a man walking a poodle named Elvis while out. The man agreed that sunshine would help elevate feelings.
I've been dealing with anxiety and fear lately. It affects me in interesting ways. I often feel cold. A soak in the tub can help warm me again. I feel tense, so muscles hurt. My jaw can be sore from clenching. I find myself pacing -- something that can help to reduce anxious feelings. Nausea can be part of the process, so I tend to drink ginger tea and eat crackers. Both are known to help ease nausea. Getting adequate sleep can help reduce symptoms, but sleep can be disrupted by the symptoms, so it becomes a circuitous plan that doesn't always work to reduce the anxiousness. Today I felt slightly better, though the butterflies, rapid breathing and muscle tension were still with me and were at a lower level than has been usual. The issue at the core of the anxiety will end soon, which should help me to feel less weird. Chatting with friends lately has helped me to refocus somewhat.
Lyrics of a song speak to the circle-like process of anxiety. Keep safe. Enjoy!
We had yet another grey and drizzly day. We need moisture to get plants and crops growing, but it is tiresome to have more grey days than those with any visible sun. I did a short walk when I went out to get the mail. No wind blew me around today, but the drizzle made things slightly damp along the way. I spent time indoors doing household paperwork and gathering together the garbage, compost and recycling to go to the curb tonight. Oddly enough these two tasks took me most of the afternoon. <smile> Living the dream <grin>.
The reputative weather led me to a title and lyric that fit well. Stay safe. Enjoy!
At a meeting with a research colleague yesterday, we submitted the manuscript to a journal. It feels quite good to have the this off our desk for now. Now I'm working to get the taxes completed and off to someone else to review. In the past two or three years, their reassessment of my calculations led to a bill for a smaller amount. The explanation for last year seemed odd as it referred to a tax credit that I don't qualify for -- so not sure why that was disallowed as I didn't claim it. There was also a calculation error that changed the overall tax due figure. That is more believable, though I check the software calculations when reviewing things before submitting. I've come to expect such missives now. So, once I get through the check and re-check, the package will be sent and I just wait to hear back from the agency -- cheque book at the ready. <shaking head>
I went for a short walk today. There were moments of bright sunshine but lots of clouds flying across the sky with the strong westerly winds. Walking into the wind was somewhat uncomfortable. With warmish temperatures the winds made things feel much cooler. That was the main reason I took a shorter walk -- walking into the wind was challenging as it pushed back a lot. It made the quads work on the uphill into the wind portion of the walk.
After working against the wind and against the software calculations, I chose a song that addressed the difficulty of such experiences. The songwriter had been a cross-country runner, so understood the extra effort needed to move into the wind. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Against the Wind -- Bob Seager and the Silver Bullet Band
I spent today doing the usual Saturday laundry and household tasks. The less usual item involved me entering figures into a software program for income tax calculation. Just like last year I seem to owe more than I expected. <sigh> It may come to paying quarterly, but I will let them make that decision. I will take time tomorrow to review the worksheets and ensure that everything is in place -- at least as far as I can tell. Then get ready to submit next week. I can pay electronically but have attached a cheque to the paper copy in the past. I miss the days of a refund, though understand that was my money to begin with <smile>. Paying a large amount all at once feels more painful than the smaller amounts that left with monthly pay periods while working. Just one more thing to get used to as a retiree, I guess.
I've pondered the new routines that are being developed post retirement and post-covid a lot recently. I like some of the reflection of these lyrics by and older artist. "You might get lost, but you'll find a way." <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy!
There was a knock at the door just before I started supper. I was two young girls selling Girl Guide cookies. Delightful! This was the first time I recall having them come to my door since I moved to town 25 years ago. I have been able to buy them from colleagues whose daughters were selling cookies, though. So, I had my evening chai last night with a couple of cookies. <smile>
This reminded me of the many years that I toured the neighbourhood with my best friend as we sold these cookies. They were much less expensive back then -- 50 cents a box (I paid $6 yesterday). That may seem like a large increase, but that same 50 cents could get me into a movie at the theatre and the $6 won't do that for me now. <grin>
You just never know when grief will broadside you. I was laughing about being so excited about the cookies and the next instant I was crying as I recalled a memory with my best friend. I do miss her a lot. I share a song about missing someone. The second verse says a lot of what I've felt for some time now. 'I don't know how to do this'. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Today was filled with bright blue skies and sunshine. Winds were less cool than the past few days, so walking was less intense <smile>. I spent much of the afternoon uploading files to a journal template. We've worked on this article for some time. It will be nice to see it off to a potential publisher. Each online submission platform I've encountered has been different. They are consistent in the vagueness of what is expected for the different sections of the platform. Grad school didn't hone my clairvoyant skills adequately to complete the submission processes. <sigh> I will discuss this with my colleague and co-author tomorrow and we will make the joint decision to just click on submit. <grin>
The other online task today was to download tax preparation software. The paper submission I still make comes from the calculations done by the software package. The mailed package I received this year does not have the detailed discussion and explanation for each line of the tax form. I used this often to ensure I was doing things correctly -- or that the software had the correct figures with which to calculate. Apparently, the federal taxation gurus asked people who submitted on paper if they used all the of the taxation package and they concluded that few people used that part of the package. Odd. My return is likely a bit more involved than some people using the simplified package. I can find online some of the information and extra forms that we used to receive in hard copy. I'm hoping the explanation booklet is online for assistance when things get murky. I do have someone I can call for clarification, but given this time of year is insane for people who do this for a living, I hate to resort to that. We'll see.
So -- with all the uploads and downloads involved in my day, I need to walk away from the laptop for a while. Unplug as it were. There still is a lot to do for both projects, but I need time to clear my head. Several songs come to mind when I need something to sooth or calm me. I chose one of those to share tonight. Keep safe. Enjoy!
This morning I headed up to campus with a laptop to get the office suite working again. Some system update created an issue -- again. <sigh>. I then printed some files, but pdfs would not print due to 'paper size' error. In the past these often insist on being printed on document size paper -- huge! Today it wouldn't even do that. So, I will leave those two files for another day. I had a good visit with a colleague I hadn't seen for a while. I miss being next door to her during work days. Retiring has some up sides, but the social networks from a worksite are lost -- well not entirely, but they aren't daily connections.
It was nice to be outside walking and doing stairs as I moved around campus. The day was bright and sunny with few clouds. The wind was very cold, though. The walks were 'brisk' <smile>. The songbirds back from their southern vacations could be heard as I walked around the block at home. I enjoyed hearing them again. More will arrive soon. Hummingbird sightings have begun in the southern part of the province, so they will be back here soon. I hope to get some feeders up on the patio for this summer. I would enjoy watching them out the windows.
An older song came to mind today when I was out walking in the sun. I enjoy the upbeat lyrics and the easy R&B rhythm. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Today is Vimy Ridge Day in Canada with remembrance ceremonies held at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, on a piece of Canadian soil in northern France. The battle began 107 years ago on a cold snowy Easter morning. Men had huddled in the trenches overnight knowing they would head over the top in the early morning hours. It couldn't have been a comfortable or relaxing night for them. On that fateful 1917 morning, the battle to capture the ridge began. It lasted for four days. Men fought forward through the mud carrying huge packs weighing about 36 kg (about 80 lb). Of the 100,000 Canadian troops that fought there, about 11,000 casualties occurred with around 3600 of those fatalities.
This battle was the first where all Canadian divisions fought side-by-side with a Canadian commander. The expeditionary forces to that point had fought under British command. This battle served to define the Canadian troops and a young nation. The Vimy Ridge area was gifted to Canada by France in perpetuity. Some areas have been rebuilt to help visitors understand the nature of trench warfare there. I hope to visit this area. My grandfather participated in the battle and made it home to build a life on the Canadian prairie.
I chose a song that tells a story from this historic battle. The artist has a wonderful voice that is well suited to the haunting sound of the work. She has also worked with baroque music and has trained in opera. This particular song placed her as a finalist in two major songwriting awards, while the video won 10 international video awards. Keep safe. Enjoy!
From the Google doodle wearing eclipse glasses to every news channel on the TV, it was all about the eclipse. We all have a new word to use in our vocabulary -- totality. <smile> We were not in the path of totality, but those not far away were in PEI and northern Cape Breton. I did not have special eyewear, so I spent the time inside the house with a cup of tea watching out the window. The shadows seemed more distinct. The light had the quality it has before sunset in the summer. As I sat there, I realized that less light was getting into the house. I had been reading the flyers in the kitchen and a few minutes later it was too dark to read. Had I spent the time outside, I wouldn't have really noticed much. The light was still bright, but not as bright as before or after the event. I will admit it was surprising to be in the dim light inside. We have big windows and lots of light except on cloudy days. Many folks took time to view the eclipse partial or complete. Meat Cove a fishing hamlet on the northern tip of Cape Breton was a place of total eclipse -- it consists of a few houses and a large wharf area where the fishing fleets moor between trips. There isn't a lot of room there or along the narrow two lane road from the highway down to the wharf. I haven't seen any news footage from there. Perhaps something will be on the late night news.
I chose a song with a great line about the skyward event of the day. <smile> One line from the last half of the song has been in my head for the past few days as the news amped up over the potential to see the eclipse. If you listen closely to the chorus parts, you can pick up the voice of one of the backup singers -- Mick Jagger. Keep safe. Enjoy!
It was a quiet day. I did a few things around the house, finished some blogs and cooked a bit. Each time I thought of going for a quick walk, the wind picked up and rain arrived. Each time that was a brief set of events, but by the time it cleared up, I was into something else. So, no walk today. I will make up for it when downtown tomorrow and park at the far end of Main Street and walk to the other end where my errands are situated.
Watching the shrubs out the patio window demonstrated the strength of the wind. This has become my way to gauge the winds -- severity and directionality. It is easier than finding local measurements online. The area forecasters use is larger than just the town area. Measurements are taken down the highway a bit and are much closer to the straits than we are here. So, it is always a gamble as to what will actually occur in town. The app on the television will be removed by the end of the month since they seem not to be able to get the software working consistently and often the wind speed is provided but not the direction. That was the closest we had for local weather. So, with it gone, my information sources will diminish if not disappear. I think there are online apps that will work, but now I have to search and determine which is worth keeping on the devices. One more thing for that lengthy list of chores <grin>
It was a lullaby sort of day <smile>. A dear friend went to a concert of big band tunes recently, which got me thinking of some of my faves -- Glenn Miller, Goodman, the Dorsey brothers and so many more. All of these folks got there starts in a band with Red Nichols called The Five Pennies. A biopic of his career was released in 1959. We watched this when I was a kid every time it showed up on TV. I own a copy of the dvd and cd. The music is wonderful. A favourite is a round (though Youtube posts insist on calling it a medley <smile>). The counterpoint is amazing. It could easily lull someone to sleep. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Good Night, Sleep Tight; Lullaby in Ragtime; and The Five Pennies -- Louis Armstrong, Danny Kaye, & Susan Gordon
It was another cool, damp, grey day again. That is what April is all about, though. More sunshine will begin to appear with time. Today I found myself contemplating courage. I haven't felt very brave lately. Some tasks bring anxiety in the form of fear. Some life events have added to that emotions, too.
I was reminded yesterday of the words of Maya Angelou when she stated, "Without courage we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.”
From this quotation, I realized that everything we do requires a degree of courage. It also made me see that to be living life in a positive way and being kind to others, also means that I need to be 'kind, true, merciful, generous and honest' with myself. Now that was an interesting realization. I'm working on the fear, but I may need to be kinder to myself and recognize that I need support from inside as well as outside. No small task, but one that should bring some positive outcomes.
Words from a song on my physio playlist came to mind today. This list was constructed when I was going through extensive work to get a broken elbow back into full working order. I've used it often when out walking and thinking -- something I have to do more of. Anyway, back to the point <smile>. This song encourages me to see how big my brave is. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Well -- no snow on the ground and only drizzle in the air today. Winds are less than last night. The forecast is for more mixed precipitation, but it looks like it will be less than original forecasts suggested.
I worked on one of the writing projects today, readying a manuscript for submission. So much small detail work required for this process. It takes much longer than one thinks -- even when I've done this many time before, I still expect it to take an hour or two. Just pulling the full manuscript apart to be submitted to an electronic template took longer than that. <sigh> So, next step is to begin uploading to the publisher's platform.
Scheduling things from the 'to do' list into a day can be difficult when things take longer than expected. I have set alarms when getting into a major project that can't be finished in a day. This helps me get things moving in smaller chunks. I may have to resort to that with several items on that infamous list. A friend has been organizing projects using a series of 'to do' lists in journals for every few months. We each have to find a way to organize what needs to be done. It feels different when retired -- being one's own boss isn't all that easy, after all <grin>
Lyrics of a song reminded me of my activities today deconstructing lists and manuscripts. This selection fits my thoughts of how nice it would be to have the steps needed to complete a task laid out for me -- or at least some of the steps that would get me to that destination. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Well, the spring storm has created havoc in Quebec and Ontario with heavy wet snow that caused numerous power outages. By late afternoon, we had some snow flakes intermingled with lots of drops of rain. Around midday, snow was falling in the Valley west and south of here. So, we may get more frozen precipitation overnight.
While I had the electronics charging in case of power disruption, I had a meeting about a writing project. We walked through a couple of short documents. Then I sent out a message to the publisher for input. So, this project sits elsewhere -- for now. It is gratifying to have something off my desk and onto someone else's. It will return to me for further input at a future point. So, at present, I can focus on moving another item or two elsewhere. <smile> While not completion, it is progress <smile>. Perhaps its all about perseverance -- moving forward at any pace.
A song lyric that encourages positive movement is shared here. Hang in there. Keep safe. Enjoy!
The day began with a phone call returned from over a week ago -- a delay that only added to the anxiety around an upcoming event. I'm not great at making decisions -- part of the anxiety I live with. I second guess things over and over before settling on something that feels comfortable. And yes, I am one of those travelers that has all hotel rooms and transport booked long before a trip. I am not as rigid when I get where I'm going. I have a list of things to see and do and work from that when deciding what to do on any given day. I don't get to everything in a trip as that wish list can be rather lengthy. <smile> But I cover a lot of things and enjoy doing it. I also don't feel that when traveling with someone else that we have to do all sightseeing together. I do have trouble making the first steps in the planning process -- when, where, how, etc. It does take a long time for me to find the right flights and such -- thankfully I have a great travel agent who helps me through those decisions. <smile> Ins short, decision fatigue is a real thing and is exacerbated by higher anxiety levels. Discussing decisions with others can help a lot.
And to follow up on yesterday's post -- Today was sunny from morning to sunset. I was pleased with this since it still looks like everything is going to break loose tomorrow and into the weekend <sigh>. Forecast seem to have a bit more confidence that reported in yesterday's forecast. We'll see what transpires.
Today's selection challenges listeners to face the fear and move forward -- that's what decisions are, after all. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy!
This busy day began with physio appointment And was followed by shopping errands. I visited both grocery stores and three other stores to get the items needed to refill the pantry staples. I had planned to do this on Thursday, but a special weather statement warned of impending doom -- well some type of nor'easter actually. The days involved have low confidence levels for the forecast. How much precipitation will fall and in what form also has low confidence. What has high confidence level is that something is approaching Atlantic Canada. Storm track and strength will become clearer as we get closer. The storm should begin overnight tomorrow and could last up to four days after than start. Rain and snow mix is most likely, but how much could be a little or a lot at this point. So, shopping on Thursday seemed unwise at this point and I had much of the afternoon available today.
Special weather statements are indicators that something is brewing. Watches and warnings may follow if things appear to have high winds or major precipitation. The forecasting of something vague can let people know that weather might interfere with plans. At the statement phase, though, the computer models are all over, so nothing definite can be shared. Sadly, some forecasters report the worst case scenario more than others, which increases anxiety among people who have dealt with major storms in the past. We noticed this after Hurricane Fiona. This past hurricane season brought a lot of anxiety and fear about 'what if' forecasts. The huge snowfall we had two months ago will make the current potential numbers for the next storm very triggering. So, if they could find that happy medium when communicating a forecast, we'd know something was on its way without the hysteria of 'it could be huge' statements.
When listening to weather forecasts, I often think of the same thing. I found a great collaboration on a song that fits my thoughts well. Keep safe. Enjoy!
It is just that time of year. We had yet another cool cloudy day. March left like a lamb, though <smile>. I worked on writing projects and got a couple of smaller tasks moved along to the next phase. It feels good to get things moving after they've sat waiting for a while. The greyness of the day was countered by such positives in the day. I spent some time thinking about that. Little things mean a lot -- those brief moments of sunshine in a cloudy day; a quick e-note from someone special; a smile; a laugh. These things bring moments of positivity into the day. Sometimes these arrive just as one is feeling low. Those are special gifts. Look for the small things.
While thinking about the topic today, a title line from a song stuck in my mind. There are more covers of this than I expected. I chose one that sounded cool in a golden oldie way. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy!
We had wonderful bright sunshine this morning. I made a plan to go for a walk after doing morning chores and lunch. As soon as the dishes were done, the sun became obscured by clouds. This seems to be the norm for me getting out into the sunshine recently. I'm trying not to take it as a personal insult from nature. <smile> While out walking, I saw lots of extra cars on the street today. It must have been for a midday Easter dinner. By early evening, the cars were gone.
I felt at a bit of a loss. A group of us used to get together for holidays, but the key person involved retired and moved away. So, the rest of us have tried to get together, but while we are keen to do this, the timing never seems right. I'm sure we will find a way that works -- a new format or tradition specific to us. I found myself thinking of Easter as a child. We went to church and I recall always having a new hat to wear on that day. I particularly recall one that was pale blue with wide ribbons down the back and a couple of daisies on the brim. This event is where I learned the words to the song shared here. It made me laugh as a kid and I still smile when I hear it. I've chosen to share the song from the original 1948 movie soundtrack -- it is somewhat older than I am. Keep safe. Enjoy!
The day was calmer than expected -- cloudy with sunny breaks after the loud wind and rain storm overnight. Temperatures were cooler but it was a nice day for a short walk -- even in the misty rain in the afternoon. I spent most of the day with laundry and vacuuming. I so dislike the latter. I always have. As an adult, I found it strains my lower back -- the gymnastics injury from high school. So, I often have pain after cleaning the place. It doesn't last for days, just a short while. I do like the cleaner floors when I've finished this chore, though. <smile>
While working and walking I had songs running through my mind. Others were on the television at times. It made me think how wonderful music can be and how it fits all moods and topics <smile>. Without that, there would be no blog. Cool, eh? One song came to me with lyrics that fit my gratitude for having music in my life. Though it I have met some amazing friends. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Yesterday felt like I might be turning a corner. From the perspective today, I might have found the corner yesterday <smile>. Adapting to major life changes takes time and lots of mental work. Now as I've thought through this idea today, I wondered if I'd found "a" corner rather than "the" corner. Hmmmm. This journey goes through that liminal space between here and there. I'm not sure I know where there is, but I'm on my way. Many corners lie ahead and a few are behind me, too. Knowing this helps a bit. While I did feel different yesterday, much more of this journey lies ahead. Now, I don't mean that to be a negative. I took note of the change I discovered yesterday and will take that as a win while I continue the process. I suppose one could be disappointed that there was only a change in direction in the trip. That seems counterproductive. Progress is being made. I chose to recognize that and acknowledge the changes to date. I'm not convinced there is an end point for this wandering trip. <smile>
I was reminded of a few lines of lyric as I walked in the misty rain today. It made me smile. I look forward to encountering more musical snippets as I work my way through the no man's land ahead. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Down on the Corner -- Creedence Clearwater Revival
Today the temperature rose higher than it has been in months. Rain and cloud predominated, but it was pleasant for walking. I went out to do shopping in three places. The grocery store was a zoo -- the day before a Friday and Sunday closure. The place was full of people and it was quite difficult to navigate. I was only picking up four items so I quickly got them and then stood in line to pay. That didn't take as long as I expected. I checked another store for an item that wasn't in stock -- seeing a lot of that these days <sigh>. Rather than go to the second grocery store, I chose to put that off until next week. There was nothing urgent on that list. I then headed to the final store where it was seniors' day and all non-sale items are discounted. I had a lengthy list this week. I even scored a gift card for the store to use in the next few weeks. Cool.
I had a great chat with a colleague that helped me to find some clarity with current happenings. I so miss my weekly chats with a lifelong friend who passed last fall. Talking through things with her was part of life for as long as recall. Learning to navigate the world without that activity has been challenging. I expect it will be for some time to come, too. Things are improving albeit slowly. Some days are still more down than up, but the up part is growing bit by bit. I don't have a meltdown as often as I did a while back. So, today it feels like things are getting better.
Lyrics from a song fit my thoughts today. The full song is about a very different relationship, but some of the words reflect how I felt and how I feel now. Keep safe. Enjoy!
When I went out to check the mail box down the street, the air was damp, but felt a bit warmer than the chill we've had recently. Then I realized that there was virtually no wind. That made a huge difference to how the temperature was perceived. I enjoyed the warmer feel of the humid air. That made the greyness less intense today.
I had a shorter than planned meeting today due to confusion about the date we'd booked. We rescheduled for next week. When plans are altered, it is like 'found' time. <smile> I took some time to do a bit of planning and cleaning around the house. I guess that is being flexible. <smile>. I expect that in the past I would have been frustrated with a change in my daily schedule. This was no the case today. Perhaps this points to positive growth in my approach to things. That doesn't meant that I'm always chill about changes, but there are times when I can go with that flow. Interesting.
The final verse of a song came to mind while thinking through the flexibility discovered today. This verse focuses on learning to go with the flow. The lyrics for this one are interesting and it can be bit difficult to catch them all. Take care. Enjoy!
Tuesday -- grey day with cool wind again. Rain arrived by early evening. Went to campus to take the laptop to the Help Desk. A weird Windows message has been showing up and staying on my screen since last week. As soon as I explained it, the tech and the student assistant both said "Oh, yeah" in unison. This error message appears if one has not logged in through a hard-wire connection on campus. Wireless logins won't work. It must be their way of ensuring that those logging in are on the 'approved' list. Apparently, there is a work around that I may have to learn how to do. I know people who are on sabbatical overseas and they don't lose connection or get odd messages. I guess they knew the magic formula to keep connected <smile>. At least, it was an easy fix and I had a good chat with the tech.
While on campus, I stopped by to say 'hello' to a friend. I feel somewhat disconnected since not being on campus daily. As I was walking along, I ran into another colleague and had a great chat. Yesterday, I met a former administrator -- one who was on the hiring group when I arrived -- at the grocery store and we had a good catch up. Last week, I met another retired admin person at the other grocery store and we had a great chat. He and his wife had an adventure when traveling in Asia. It was fun to hear how things worked out.
Connections are important. At times, I feel isolated living far away from the bustle downtown and on campus and with new neighbours that I don't know. People always say hello or wave as they drive past me when I'm out walking. They are friendly, but I don't 'know' them. I do enjoy chatting with people when I am shopping -- customers and staff. Those micro-socializations can mean a lot, but spending time with those you know well, fills a deeper social need. I need to make a better effort to keep in touch with folks. I plan to phone and then find it is late evening by the time I think of it again. <sigh> It isn't that I don't want to chat, I just get mired in other things, it appears.
When pondering connections, a song came to mind. The lyrics cover many larger concepts, even though it sounds more childish. Many covers have been done of this one, but I went to the original singer. Stay safe. Enjoy!
It has been a cooler day but it felt spring-like. Walking felt cold even with the lighter wind than we've had for several days. I ran around town to complete a few errands. At the top of the list was to procure enough canned food for the furry one to ensure we had enough to last until the online order arrives. I got the only three cans at the one store and had to get an alternate flavour from a second store. I calculated enough to get us to the end of the week. I expect the order will be delivered Thursday or Friday. Once home, I realized that Friday is a holiday. So, I may need to get more food to make it through the holiday weekend. I hope one of the stores has the preferred flavour when I am out later this week.
Finding this food has been challenging of late. The pet store had none arrive on the supply truck this week and they only had the three cans I left with. Another store carries it, but had none on the shelves. This happened last month, too. There are five other flavour and texture varieties and these are always present on shelves. Given that the one I want to purchase is the flavour and texture that the furry fellow will eat makes me feel frustrated. I'm not the only one buying this so why can't the stores get inventory up to meet the demand?
I called Canada Post twice today. It took some doing to get to a human customer service person. Once I got past the phone bot and the chat bot, though, I did find someone to help. I now have a service ticket to investigate what is happening with a parcel returned to a company in the Greater Toronto Area. Tracking tells me that it is 'in transit' in Toronto for over a week. If it isn't delivered in another week, it will be deemed 'missing' and there will be 'next steps' to follow. <sigh> The second call to them went quicker since it was to technical support. Each time I try to login to my account, the system reports that my e-mail is not found. We fixed one problem last month -- supposedly-- so I could register for text updates on tracking packages. It seems that either my e-mail or postal code were not recognized , so we reset the password. I hope this will remain in place now.
Interesting interactions with corporate entities today left me feeling a bit deflated. I'm hoping that things go smoothly and that no further disruptions occur. It feels like a tiny voice in the wilderness -- one that is vaguely heard by the powers that be. For one of the phone calls, I was asked to complete a short survey. I said yes as I wanted to note how unhelpful the bots had been. Sadly the two questions survey had fixed responses only and no space for a brief verbal message. A useless couple of questions -- was you questions answered (yes/no) and on a scale of ten how would I rate the human service rep. No way to rate the bots. The fact that it took over 30 minutes to argue with the bots to get to speak to a human should be made clear to tech services who might be able to improve the AI. <sigh>
When thinking through what I want from corporations today -- what I paid for and what I want to pay for -- I felt somewhat unheard. I need to be heard and I want the goods and services that I have or will pay for. That did bring a song to mind -- the title clearly defines my feelings. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy!
You Can't Always Get What You Want -- The Rolling Stones
The day was grey and cool -- again. <smile> I slept poorly due to the noisy winds and driving rain overnight. I moved rather slowly today. Several things needed to be started and others finished, yet fewer than hoped made any movement at all.
At times I'm feeling quite stuck in a rut. Getting back to what I had been doing before the pandemic has been difficult. I know I can't get back to the same moment and impetus since I've changed over the past four years -- can't expect to get back to where I was then. I should be able to nurture the enthusiasm to do a handful of things, though. All were things that can still excite me -- writing projects, a craft project and a hobby that has been sadly neglected. Yet, finding that rhythm again seems elusive. Others can help. It can't be done alone. Step by step, I'll get there. Having patience with myself will be needed. <smile>
I thought of a song that speaks to moving forward with the help of others. OK. It is a stretch, but it makes me smile. Keep safe. Enjoy!
The Truck Got Stuck -- Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans
Today Canada said goodbye to a "nation builder" (as stated by Jean Charest), The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney. I respected and admired this man regardless of his political bent. The state funeral had an indelible personal touch. He was a consequential (CBC term) and controversial leader who led his party, the country, the Commonwealth and the world into key policy decisions. He laid the ground for the new territory of Nunavut, negotiated the first free trade agreement with the US (NAFTA), renegotiated the NORAD treaty, proposed the Meech Lake Accord (which was not accepted by all provinces and territories), brought in the GST (Goods and Services Tax) to bring the federal budget into a healthier place just to name a few. Three larger issues should be noted, too. He stood against other Commonwealth nations by condemning apartheid in South Africa, which helped lead to the release of Mandela, who was made an honourary Canadian after his release. Mulroney focused on environmental issues long before other nations were doing so. He pressured Reagan to sign an agreement to reduce acid rain and work to repair the ozone layer of the atmosphere.
The event that I have felt strongly about since it began in the 1980s was Canada's role in leading the UN to address the famine in Ethiopia under the Marxist regime of the time. I included this piece of Canadian history in one of the courses I taught at the university, since it isn't something that one finds in history texts. Canada broke the news to the world of just how bad things were in the Eritrean area of the north. Mulroney had just begun his first term as Prime Minister when this news came across his desk. To me, it was one of the early signs that he was willing to make the difficult decisions. In his eulogy, current Prime Minister Trudeau quoted Mulroney on leadership -- "Leaders must have vision, and they must find the courage to fight for the policies that will give that vision life." In short, Mulroney "changed the course of history" (from the eulogy given by his daughter Caroline).
Mulroney was a true elder statesman -- being non-partisan as he provided support, guidance and advice to politicians of all stripes, business leaders and friends and family. He was known for his phone calls. He spoke to each of his four children daily. He was also often the first to call people to speak to them in times of success, failure or personal loss.
He had a great sense of humour and an amazing command of language -- in both official languages. Besides major political speeches, on the world stage Mulroney gave eulogies for Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and George H.W. Bush.
He loved music. The ceremony involved an eclectic mix. The processional was the aria 'La Wally' -- a perfect choice for saying farewell, especially with the line about the snow. (there was a major snowfall underway when the cortege was going from St. Patrick's Basilica to Notre Dame Basilica -- lots of black clothing with accumulating snow on shoulders and hats). During the ceremony a series of lovely classical pieces were performed by a choir and string orchestra. Popular secular music told a story of the man with both English and French songs involved. His grand-daughter sang one of his favourite songs, the beautiful "Mais qu'est-ce que j'ai" She was joined by a tenor to sing another of Mulroney's favourites -- one he sang with Ronald Reagan back in the day -- 'When Irish eyes are smiling". The surprise here was the final verse being sung by Brian Mulroney. He had recorded a CD recently to leave for his younger grandchildren to hear him and the songs. The Tenors also provided a wonderful rendition of "Danny Boy." I'll admit to laughing at one point. He had such a great sense of humour and timing. The recessional began with a bright and bouncy piano and then the singing began -- it was from Mulroney's recent recording. He sang "We'll Meet Again" as the casket and entourage exited the basilica. Leave 'em with a smile. <grin>
I was able to hear him speak several times as he was a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University and also held an honourary doctorate from there (as does his wife, Mila). His way with words and careful responses to questions was great to witness. He raised funds for a building to house the Mulroney Institute of Government -- a large modernist building in the middle of campus. The main hallway of the building holds much memorabilia including a replica of his prime ministerial office. Walking down that hall is like walking through history.
I chose two songs to share today. The first was sung at the funeral and fits Mulroney's approach to people and his willingness to play the 'long game' and not look for short term solutions. The second was the song sung during the processional into the basilica -- a fitting farewell. I have included links below to the lyrics in English and the original languages. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Quand les hommes vivront l'amour -- Marie Denise Pelletier
The day was filled with sunshine, light cloudiness, wind and pain. I seem to have another migraine. I felt a bit of pain last night and the day before, but this is full on migraine pain. The last one was just over a month ago. This is not common. I've gotten 2 or 3 a year for a long time. If this is the new normal, I'm not on board with it. <sigh> Luckily, the pain meds do help. The fatigue stays along with occasional dizziness and cognitive dysfunction -- like slower thinking processes. On an up note, I got a phone call for a short discussion and opinion on a health care question. That made me feel much better as I have more data for an informed decision. Cool. <smile>
My only outing was a walk down to the corner to get the mail. It was a bill <pout>. That bit of cool air was refreshing. The wind increased as the afternoon progressed. I had many questions answered in two of my conversations today. That brought a song to mind that I will share here. There are many covers of this song, but I chose one by a very young Nobel-prize winning singer-songwriter. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Overnight I heard big howling wind. By morning this created intermittent driving rain. I headed out in light rain for a lovely lunch with a friend. We got caught up on the recent happenings in our lives. I ran several small errands afterwards. Then the appointment from yesterday was completed and I headed home just as large fluffy flakes of snow blew through the air. These lasted for a very short time and then the sun emerged. Temperatures were cool and even colder with the strong wind. The mixed precipitation will continue for the next few days. Winter leaving its last marks, perhaps.
It felt good to get out to visit and get some walking into the day. Wrapping up a major project gave me some relief. I even felt productive by getting several errands done, too. Being out and active helps my mood be a bit more positive for a change. The trick is maintaining the physical activity to a daily walk either when out doing errands or taking a break between activities at home. I try to park away from the stores or businesses I visit. In this way I am required to walk longer distances to finish the goals of the outing. I like to walk with a purpose. Aimless wandering around a neighbourhood isn't always my thing. At the old place, I did go for walks in the area and down Main Street. I looked for the various flower gardens and trees that had buds and blooms at different parts of the year. At the new place, each place has similar plants, so there isn't much difference when walking. I may need to drive downtown and do the walk around the old routes to see the seasonal changes. I am waiting for magnolias to bloom -- great ones to see on Main Street and across campus. The spring flowering ground cover should be in full swing -- crocuses and squill. I miss seeing those in the yard. I have some bulbs and hope they will grow when I put the perennials outside next week -- after the next potential snow.
Bright sunny day with cold wind -- nice to be outside walking, though. I drove to Main Street to do some of that walking. There were also two meetings -- difficult decision-making for one. I did get through that one and will second guess myself for a day or tow, but will settle with time. The other meeting was to finalize a document and that did not happen. I was frustrated that I moved other meetings and tasks in order to be there today -- only to have to return tomorrow. <grump> This one should have been done a long time ago, but not all players were on the same page, it seems.
I felt exhausted when I got home. I had missed lunch to change the one meeting, so that may have been part of it. I also know I was feeling positive and leaving the second office, my mood changed. Once I got home and ate something, I felt very tired so I had a short rest. That did help. I find it odd that one thing can change my whole mood. I need to work on that, I guess. <smile>
Given that the day was filled with great sunshine that helped to elevate my mood, I decided to share a song that does something similar. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Today was the Vernal equinox -- the arrival of astronomical spring -- in Northern hemisphere, at least. <smile> This year is the earliest equinox since the late 19th century. Reasons for this involve the extra day in February this year and the rules about when leap years occur and when they don't. It gets rather murky but there are some great places online to explain it all. <smile> To add to the confusion and mathematical aspects of the day, meteorological spring began on the first of the month. Meteorologists have adopted standard three month periods from the Gregorian calendar. These allow for the comparison of weather patterns and statistics over time given the same number of days in each seasonal quarter. Astronomical spring takes into account the solar year -- the actual time it takes the earth to orbit the sun, which is longer than 365 days -- hence the leap year helps to correct for this longer time.
Weather today felt spring-like. Skies were mainly cloudy -- large rain-like clouds with occasional bright sunshine breaks. Temperatures were single digits above freezing but the westerly wind made it feel cooler. In mid=afternoon, when I was headed to an appointment, there was snow in the air that turned to rain as I made my way into town. The dampness made the air feel even cooler.
Despite the convoluted nature of the date and the seasonal change, many more signs of spring will appear. It is a season of transition, so keep an eye out for the daily newness. Keep safe. Enjoy!
The day had much sunshine with some clouds blowing across the sky. At times in the late afternoon, some light rain arrived and left. The dark grey clouds looked menacing often, but very little precipitation fell. I enjoyed seeing the sunshine and blue sky in the breaks between clouds. It helped me to feel more positive and some days this is very necessary.
I spent part of the day gathering ideas for a writing project. This led to a stop on campus to print some documents when I was out late in the afternoon. on campus. My first stop of that outing was the physiotherapist. He attended to my sore back. I'm hoping things will feel much better tomorrow after the treatment today. I find things feel more painful after the treatment, but in 12 -18 hours a major improvement is noticeable. being back in alignment sounds good to me right now. <smile>
Getting to sleep with a painful back often needs some assistance. I thought of a great song by a favourite prairie singer to help me wind down tonight. He even did this one from his den at home four years ago during the early phase of lockdown. HIs voice is so calm and soothing. This song makes me smile and relax. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Today is St. Patrick's Day. Many of my family roots are from Ireland. Most of these are on my paternal side, though there are some likely on the maternal side, as well. Given this, we never made a big deal of the saint's day. As a child, I would get something to pin to my coat. I recall a shamrock made of furry green pipe cleaner type of stuff. It had something in the centre that I'm not fully remembering, but it was likely a leprechaun top hat with a buckle. We didn't cook anything different or sing Irish songs. I did try to wear something green on that day, though.
In North America, the day has become an all out bar brawl type of day. Regardless of lineage, everyone seems to celebrate the day at a huge party or pub crawl. In town yesterday, about 1/2 block from my previous abode, one street was jammed with people out for a 'run' -- many with some form of alcoholic beverage in hand. Much of this goes along with the stereotype of Irish as over-consumers of alcohol. This commonly held prejudice likely has roots in the famine of the mid-19th Century. At this time, in Ireland English land-owners and aristocratic British army officers witnessed many people staggering along the streets. The easy assumption was that they were drunk, when in fact, they were starving. The central nervous system requires glucose to function. Without food, then, the system malfunctions causing inability to walk or talk. Stumbling and slurring would appear.
My paternal ancestors left Ireland during the beginning of the famine -- three brothers with the widow and child of a fourth. What a journey that must have been. The two older brothers went to the US while the youngest brother and sister-in-law remained in Canada. I admire their bravery and understand some of the desperation that must have driven them to leave their homeland. I hope to visit Ireland to see the places where they lived.
The song that best suited my thoughts today deals with the urge to return to a homeland. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Saturday and another weekend begun. It has been a mundane day filled with the usual household chores with some TV movies in the background -- and a nap to make up for the earlier than planned awakening today. Outdoors it was grey with drizzle -- one of those dismal days that leaves one with less energy than on sunny days.
I find it interesting that it isn't always clear when a weekend begins. Being retired, the usual routine of work days and weekend no longer exists. I try to maintain some routine by doing cleaning and laundry on Saturday rather than throughout the week. Yet, I still wake some mornings in mid-week and wonder if it is the weekend yet. Now, I did this while working, but that was wishful thinking versus the current lack of clarity on the actual day of the week. <smile> I recall hearing similar confusion from people who retired before me. So, I realize it isn't just me. As for daily routine Monday to Friday, I had to re-establish one during the isolation days of the pandemic. Yet, after the move to a new abode, a new routine has eluded me. I don't want a rigid 9 to 5 style routine, but something a little looser that has me managing chores with walks and other work-like activities.
A song title and some of the lyric lines sound relatable when I get thinking of a workable routine. It feels like everything remains the same while I'm hoping it will all begin to feel comfortable. Something for me to continue to work on, I guess. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy!
Some sun appeared between the clouds a bit today. My outing was a quick stop at the two grocery stores for a few items. In the afternoon, I had a virtual meeting with a research colleague. Our plan is being massaged as we refocus our efforts. I did have a short rest in the evening before meeting with a friend for a chat.
It has been a busy and sometimes stressful week with appointments in and out of town. Next week has several important meetings, so I need to organize my files and my thoughts to move forward with these projects. I'm not sure how but I realized that I'd twisted my back sometime recently. It is quite sore, so I made an appointment with the physio to help correct the injury and reduce the pain. I have oodles to do and being sore and unable to move well at times just doesn't fit my agenda <sigh> -- not that I have a choice in this matter. Some cleaning activities will not be on the to do list this weekend in order to give the back a rest.
A song title line ran through my head a lot today. It agrees with how I feel about the back soreness. Keep safe. Enjoy!
After a morning appointment that went longer than expected, I had lunch with a great friend at a French bistro by a park that will be gorgeous in the summer. The ambiance and menu were delightful. I look forward to a return visit. The wind was cold so our walk from the car was a bit nippy. There was blue sky between light cloud, though. Seeing the sun felt good. On our drive back home, the sun and cloud turned to cloud and fog and mist. The wind increased in strength, too. Happily, the roads were not as busy as they are sometimes.
Once home I felt very tired. I made some supper, showered and laid down to rest. I made a list of calls that need to be made tomorrow and started a shopping list for the next day. I hope to take it easy tomorrow and don't plan to go any further than the mailbox <grin>. I thought about the music from the bistro -- mainly soft old style jazz. That helped me to relax. I share one of those songs here tonight. Keep safe. Enjoy!
I had a quiet day after the hubbub of the last two days -- exhausted from the external stressers. My outings were to the mail box, once to pick up mail and once more to mail a letter. I made several phone calls to deal with a backlog of paperwork needing external inputs.
Today two lightbulbs were changed out for a flickering fixture in the master bath. If flickering continues the fixture will be replaced. Not odd, I guess, for a new build. With 16 new builds last summer, a faulty fixture or other item is to be expected. So far, anything here has been minor. The neighbours had a faulty fridge and another had major drainage issues in the side yard. So, I'm not complaining. I'm just happy to have a maintenance someone to assist when things go awry. They generally arrive quickly -- today it was 3 hours after the call. It has been years since I had a landlord who got on top of smaller things at all. <sigh>
The theme of the day dealt with reliance on external people and organizations to help me move projects forward. More of these contacts will follow in the coming few weeks. I made a few calls to order items, to request information, to repair things and to pay bills. Everyone I encountered today was delightful. They addressed my questions and provided information I needed. They each helped me to complete household and personal tasks today.
Actually, the week has included a number of people helping me to get where I need to be physically and in terms of knowledge and understanding. Several lines from the song shared today have been in my head for most of the week. I love the album cover -- reminds me of my time in Brownies learning to communicate with flags. <grin> Keep safe. Enjoy!
A good friend and I drove to Halifax through wet snow and fog along the way. The top of the two mountains were most foggy and more wet snow flurries occurred closer to Halifax. We visited Pier 21 -- a museum of Canadian immigration. The displays were wonderful. We went through the interactive area detailing the immigrant experience on a ship crossing the Atlantic, through the entry process at Pier 21 and travel beyond the harbour via train. The other area that we did quickly due to an imminent closing time, involved the personal experience of various waves of immigrants over the centuries. This area had interactive areas where visitors can record their family's experience of arriving in Canada. It would be fun to spend more time there to adequately reflect on when, why and how my family relocated to Canada.
It must have been difficult, knowing that you might never get back to your family and original home. There would be sadness with the excitement and trepidation of starting anew in an unknown place. Had these ancestors not chosen to move to find a new life, I would not have been born. They gave me a gift of a homeland and parts of their stories of why they moved. I hope to spend some time digging into the arrival documentation of the family members I know of who first set foot in North America. I'd like to know more about them all.
Lines from a song ran through my head as I looked at the many photos of people arriving at the port. I've shared this song in the past but use a different cover of the song today. This one has a bit of country-folk flavour when the earlier version shared had a stronger Celtic vibe. Keep safe. Enjoy!
I read an interesting review of an Oscar speech from last night. Robert Downey, Jr. started his speech with an impactful sentence -- "I want to thank my horrible childhood and the academy." The reviewer provided insight into this statement of gratitude. Having experienced much upheaval in his life due to addiction, Downy is in a place where he can acknowledge the awful things he has encountered and feel at peace with it all. This gave me a lot to think about.
I often end the day with reflection and noting things that I am grateful for. I don't usually look at the ugly things as sources of gratitude. That will take more work, but it would be wonderful to be where Downy showed the world he was.
While listening to the Oscar awards last night, I found one performance of a nominated song to be quite moving. The young songwriters (and performers) won the Oscar for Best song. I share that performance with you all. The lyrics are in the notes in the link. Keep safe. Enjoy!
What was I Made For? -- Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell
