11-30 (30/1/24) -- Wintry Winds

 Loads of snow -- in the 15+ cm (6+ in) range -- when I looked out the window today. I shoveled the driveway around the car and cleared the snow covering the car. The latter exercise required that I shovel the drive way around the care -- again. Drifting with the wind last night left deeper, solidly packed areas of very fine snow. Sun came out in early afternoon, which made it feel less nasty. The wind was vicious! My  plan to clear the patio was put on hold for tomorrow or the next day. The cold wind made the one task of clearing off the car more than adequate for the day. 

My appointment for today was rescheduled given the difficulty with drifted snow. I got a call soon after noting that the new date couldn't happen. I needed to go through the referral screening process again since it had been over three months since the last appointment. Luckily, it is a self referral, but it still took time to call the toll free number and get things worked out. Now the date I was given over the phone is further in the future than expected. It will likely be sooner as the practitioner can move things once a date is back in the system. Bureaucratic red tape is frustrating at best. Today went beyond that in my head. <smile> 

I pondered the reason behind the policy for making health care appointments as I moved the snow around the driveway. I managed a smile when a song line came to mind that fully explained this conundrum. There have been many covers of this song. I chose one that puts a very different spin on the music and rhythms. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Blowin' in the Wind -- Steview Wonder

11-29 (29/1/24) -- Inside & Cozy

I saw much snow out of the windows when I woke this morning. The storm intensified into the afternoon with loads of horizontal snow. The evening should bring a lot of blowing and drifting snow. The drifts in the driveway are already knee deep. I'm not sure when the clearing crews might begin moving the snow -- likely not until mid- to late-morning sometime. I do have an appointment in the early afternoon, so we'll have to see if I can get out or if a taxi might be available or if might I need to reschedule the meeting. 

Storm days can be fine if one is inside a cozy place. Today felt like found time, though it wasn't really. I got some planned things done. I enjoyed looking out the windows at the blowing snow from the warm inside. The unknowns of how much snow and when it will be moved away created a bit of anxiety -- only since I have appointments and errands that I'd planned for tomorrow. At times, I felt confined to quarters today. That, too, brought some anxious feelings. A major dislike of winter is the way it interferes with one's ability to move about by foot or vehicle. That results in further feelings of isolation. On an up note, our intrepid maintenance fellow came by to check on a few things I'd reported. His visit helped me feel less unreachable. Human contact can help reduce some anxiety well. 

Lyrics of the selection today reminded me that there are things that can help us feel positive, even when 'snowed in'. Finding the little things to be thankful for can improve our moods. Keep safe. Enjoy!

Grateful -- Jewel

11-28 (28/1/24) -- Latest Portent

This Sunday involved waiting on the storm to start. We seem to be between the 10cm (4 in) and the 15 cm (6 in) lines on the snowfall forecast map. A high pressure system has pushed this low pressure further south, so the entire province is covered by a snowfall warning. This will be the first larger snowfall that I've encountered in this new abode. We've had wind, rain and lesser amounts of snow, so I'm not expecting too much different. Winds should be less than the past couple of storms as long as the forecast is close to what arrives. Waiting for things to start feels stressful, as one wonders if the meteorologists have chosen the right computer model and things don't become worse than predicted -- or in a best case scenario, not as bad as predicted. <smile> 

I have been doing the basics like charging electronics and finding battery-operated lanterns and fondue pot (for eating water for tea and such). I plan to do some month end accounting and hope to get to the article that needs final polish edits. A title line from a song came to mind as I found myself folding laundry and thinking about the oncoming storm. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Waiting on the world to change -- John Mayer

11-27 (27/1/23) -- Plans Meet Inertia

It was a quiet Saturday. The physical activity today involved changing sheets and towels and getting most laundry completed by bedtime. Between laundry loads I moved the snow off the patio. The 4-5 cm/1.5-2 in of snow was a bit wet and heavy, so was a reasonable workout -- breathing and lifting in the correct ways to reduce risk of injury. <smile>  I'd hoped to get to a writing project, but I stared at it for a while and then I just moved to something not very productive instead. 

I'm finding lethargy takes over often leading to major periods of inactivity -- or at least any productive activity. Inertia rules the world.  If I could just get started, I might be able to sustain that activity, but when I stop for a break from physical activity to more sedentary activity, that inactivity takes over. So, like Newton's first law of motion states, body in motion stays in motion and a body at rest remains at rest -- unless, of course, they are acted upon by some external force. In my experience, that force is rather elusive. It seems to come from some internal place of initiative. Some days the ambition can be kicked into gear easily. Of late, more days have less ability to move forward.  When some projects move forward, it feels positive. One would think that would be reward enough for keeping things moving rather than stagnating. Yet, it isn't so. I'm working on this and trying to be kind to myself, though deadlines exist outside my control, so I can't just stop as often as seems to be happening. As I said, it is a work in progress. <smile> 

A song came to mind with lyrics about moving. The tempo also could get someone moving. So, maybe music can be the impetus to get a body out of inactivity. Hmmm  Keep safe. Enjy! 

The Loco-Motion -- Kylie Minogue

11-26 (26/1/24) -- Pondering Ice

More phone calls and messages left. I've decided to call some places regularly until they return my call and make the appointments needed. I'm so sick of waiting. The two situations in question involve documents that need to be signed and a health care appointment. Two other calls resulted in moving the issue to the next level. So, some progress was made today.

I salted parts of driveway since the thin slush layer that wouldn't move  yesterday froze overnight. This took my mind to the daily thought-provoking tidbits in my daily journal. Today this introduced the singing lake phenomenon. Ice on bodies of water shrinks and contracts as temperatures change and water freezes, thaws and refreezes. The sound also has been described as groaning or moaning. The high- and low-frequency noises almost seem to travel at different speeds as they separate and move at different distances from the surface of the ice. Physics plays a major role in explaining the sounds. 

The selection today came to mind with the thoughts of ice. Love the sampled bass line -- always a fave. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Ice Ice Baby -- Vanilla Ice

11-25 (25/1/24) -- Divesting Self of 'To Dos'

About 7 cm/3 inches of snow -- heavy wet snow -- arrived early this morning. I chose to call a taxi rather than drive downtown for my appointment this afternoon. Late afternoon would have been an easy drive home as the streets were only wet by that time.  Where are the mini-flying saucers from the Jetsons when you need them? <grin> 

I managed to get a couple of projects moving forward. One was submitted so it is on someone else's desk now. <smile> The others were smaller items that needed me to traverse Main Street to get to the next steps. It felt good to get things moving when so much has felt stagnated lately. In some ways, it felt like letting things go a bit. My input has gone as far as it can -- for now. 

We lost a wonderful singer from a few decades back. There were so many songs to choose from from this prolific artist. I settled on one that speaks to -- in some sense -- letting things go or laying them down.  It also fits with a moment of remembrance. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) -- Melanie

11-24 (24/1/24) -- A Good Day

Today held several walks as I did errands around town. I walked the length of Main Street twice stopping at a couple of stores. A walk up hill to campus was included, too. I did some printing, copying and sitting at the help desk as they tried to figure out what was up with the error message that stopped the office suite from functioning yesterday. After a couple of hours, things seemed to be working again. Something had been reset, but no one understood why or when. <sigh> I will wait a few days before I'm fully on board with the 'it's fixed' line of thinking. <grin>

Being outdoors for about an hour total as I walked instead of trying to find two parking places. The one I found wasn't all that close to my errands, but it worked for today. It did take a hot bath to get me feeling warm again, though. There was a mix of sun and cloud during the afternoon. By supper time, I was able to see the full moon. Amazing. Even seeing this for a short while felt wonderful. All in all, the day was different than the indoor phoning and writing planned, but it felt like I accomplished some things for a change. 

The selection for today is a cover of another song performed by an English Indie band. I like their approach. It seems like a good choice to celebrate a reasonably good day. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Dancing in the Moonlight -- Toploader

11-23 (23/1/24 ) -- Feeling in Control?

It was another sunny day. A breeze was present in the morning and just past noon, this turned into a major wind. I drove up to the grocery store to get a handful of things that had been depleted in the kitchen. Particularly in the winter, I tend to get items before totally running out at home. The weather can be unpredictable and impede transportation to the store, so having something in the pantry ready for the kitchen makes sense. I guess it goes back to the Girl Guide motto of my youth, "Be Prepared". <smile> 

That motto fits many aspects of life. I prepare for travel by planning what each day may hold, leaving room for other activities that come along once I get there. I plan a shopping trip in terms of the order in which I visit stores and how I traverse the stores to keep the back and forthing to a minimum. There are the weekend lists that actually become lists for the following week. I try to somewhat flexible with the preparations to take advantage of great weather for walking or time with friends that I encounter while out. I still miss things that have hard deadlines, which makes things take a bit longer than they might have, but perfection just doesn't exist. Errors occur. Life still moves forward. 

Maybe -- on reflection -- all the prepping and planning is just me trying to feel in control of things that aren't easily controlled. Hmmm. That thought brought a different look to the selection today. It is upbeat and discusses power and control in a more positive way than other song lyrics. The link leads to a lyric video, which will make sense <smile>. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Solar Power -- Lorde

    

11-22 (22/1/24) -- Glitter Everywhere

 Bright sunshine and clear blue sky filled the day. I moved the snow on the patio that fell overnight. It was gorgeous -- all sparkly. That happens when temperatures drop a bit. As the temperature rises closer to freezing, the sparkles disappear. I walked to the mailbox and decided that I'd do a walk after lunch. I also moved snow off the car so the sun would melt the ice that came from freezing drizzle. The walk was lovely. Very little wind helped the air feel comfortably cool and not too cold. Inside I got through a few household chores, but paused often to stare at the blue sky. <smile> 

Today was what I think of as a perfect winter day. A bit of light snow, little wind, great sunshine and blue sky. When I saw the snow crystals reflecting the sunshine,  like millions of tiny jewels, a song came to mind. <smile> The title line described what I saw and the impact of walking through the glitter. I chose an alternate version than I've used in the past. This one has an amazing bass line -- a very lyrical style. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes (Alternate unreleased version) -- Paul Simon 

 

11-21 (21/1/24) -- Needing to Focus

I moved 5 cm/2/in wet snow off the patio today. That served as my physical activity.  More will fall into the overnight, but moving some of it now means it won't freeze solid when the temperatures drop well below freezing my early morning tomorrow.  I worked diligently the rest of the day to finish ongoing projects. I made changes for the article that is nearing submission format. I sent that along to my research colleague for a second overview of the layout and such. I will do another proof to catch any phrasing or grammar issues that could be polished. It should be ready to go to all authors in a couple days and then to the journal in a week. One more thing placed on someone else's desk. As for the laundry that I started yesterday, I managed to fold linens and do two other loads. Some things have been hung to dry, so will be finished tomorrow once dry. 

Almost finishing something feels good -- even if it is just > < this far from being fully completed. The end is actually in sight. <smile> Today thee was a major household task and a professional task involved. While 'work' type things still exist as I work to finish the projects that I began before retiring. I get a bit testy some times when I realize that my end date for these projects has long past. COVID had a lot to do with that. I have several other things that I'd like to be doing -- getting better settled in the new place, traveling to visit people and places, reading the many of books on my 'yet to read' book shelf (and re-reading some old favourites) ... this list is lengthy. It is all part of that transition into retirement. 

Some days, I need to focus on the positive. A good friend gave me a card years back that stated the future held a lot of positives. The words are similar to a song title. I share that song today. The positive view of the future is what I'm missing these days. I'm working on it, though. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

The Best is Yet to Come -- Frank Sinatra ft. Count Basie and his Orchestra

 

11-20 (20/1/24) -- Grey Again

Clouds returned today so it was a cold grey walk this afternoon. The wind wasn't too strong, but it added to the cold. Next time out, I must remember to put on the rain pants which block the wind. Denim can be so cold. <smile> Inside I tried to get to some basics in the house. Saturday has been my laundry day for decades, so I managed to change linens and get the washer and dryer routine started. I also looked through the research article to determine what final alterations are needed before we submit for publication. The little details can be so frustrating to complete. They are very important, just so picky. <grin> Once I looked at it, though, I just set it all aside. 

As the afternoon wore on, I found myself drifting from the original plan and taking some time to just veg a bit. It makes sense to do this, too. Other things are getting addressed one step at a time. I still stress that I don't get to the tasks some days. Am I lazy or what? I become so disengaged at times. I suspect this is another of the impacts of grief. These mellow with time based on previous journeys with grief. Fatigue is the biggest obstacle. I'm not sure whether it is from disrupted sleep at night or that disengagement. I just know it makes me want to nap or just veg with the television. The goal is to have fewer of this type of day and more of the mainly 'up' days. It will come, but it does take work to get there. 

I know that this journey isn't taken alone. Some days it feels like it, but there are others available for support and to walk with me for a while. This song lyric reminds me of that while noting that life is unknown and will have many ups and downs. Keep save. Enjoy! 

Fields of Gray -- Bruce Hornsby

11-19 (19/1/24) -- Dreaded Lists

I woke very early today feeling anxious about one main thing on the 'to do' list. After eating breakfast, I decided that today I would start attending to that 'to do' list item. By the end of the afternoon, roughly half of the steps had been completed. It took visits to two offices on Main Street. While waiting for processing at one stop, I wandered through a couple of other stores to see what was new. I parked at the far end of Main and walked to the other end to get to the government office and then stopped at other businesses along the walk back to the car. The sun was glorious again today, but with much less wind than yesterday. It felt cold, but not as biting as it had been. We will get more wind and cold in the next few days. I have to remind myself that it is January and more winter will arrive before seasons change again. 

I had a great virtual visit with a friend that helped us both with the frustrations we've each faced of late. We talked about ways to manage the growing number of items on the many 'to do' lists. Each item tends to come with its own list of steps. For example, doing laundry involves many steps -- sorting, washing, drying, hanging, folding and such. Each step requires several small decisions. These micro-decisions may seem almost invisible to us, yet the brain is making those choices constantly. These decisions lead to 'decision fatigue'  which can leave us unable to address larger decisions. I've often thought of a 'to do' list as a reminder of things that need to be done. Since retirement I've begun to see these as things that control my actions rather than assist them. The lists tend to ignore the many things we do daily to keep body and soul together -- getting dressed, bathing, cooking and eating. Somedays anxiety interferes with making decisions beyond the daily activities.. It appears that the focus on the 'to do' list invalidates many of the other tasks we do and might explain why some items seems so overwhelming -- they have so many steps. 

The selection today comes from a grouping of pieces called "The Seasonings". The composer passed away this week. If you have 20 minutes, you should look up the full group of movements and give it a listen. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Seasonings "To curry favor" -- PDQ Bach -- Peter Scheckele

11-18 (18/1/24) -- Windy World

Today brought with it sunshine and cold with major wind and hence, wind chill. I put on extra clothes and was comfortable while walking around outside. The highlight of the day was an appointment with a new physician. She is taking over the practice from my former MD who retired in September. It was an introductory appointment -- something I've not done before. We reviewed main points from the chart and will do the annual blood work now instead of at the usual spring visit. My mother suggested that I find an MD younger than me. When I arrived here 26 years ago, there wasn't a choice, so my MD was 9 years older than me. We had a good run and I now have someone who is much younger than me. Maybe my mother is somewhere smiling today. 

While out for the appointment, I got groceries since the MD office is upstairs from the larger grocery store. I also went to the mall and walked to a couple of stores. The wind not only provided a big chill, but it gave major push back when walking against it -- like a mime, almost. When it was behind me, the wind pushed me along the walkways. It was the dominant force today. Thought it was cold feeling, the presence of the sun was delightful. A colleague from Saskatchewan reminded me of something I said when she arrived here several years ago. I'd noted that I'd rather have -30C with bright sunshine, than -5C with a meter of snow. <smile> In response to her reminder, I recalled how much I missed walking through the frozen air, where the moisture in the air freezes turning the air into a sparkling delight. There are pros and cons to both maritime and prairie winters. I'd likely enjoy being somewhere further south with no discernable wintery weather. <smile> 

The weather reminded me of a song that made me laugh. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

She Never Told me She was a Mime -- Weird Al Yankovic

11-17 (17/1/24) -- Finding Comfort

I went for a longer walk in the sun today. The wind was biting on the return trip as I headed into the west wind. It will get colder over the next few days and the wind chills will be much colder, too. So, it was a good day to do a longer walk. If I dress appropriately, I can do the walking in colder weather.  So, it may be time to break out the 'rea' winter outerwear. <smile> 

Sweaters and sweat shirts are fun to wear. They feel so cozy. I have a great fleece vest that keeps the core warm, but it doesn't help the arms. The heavier under layers help there. I have scarves and mitts of varying weights and the next couple of days will need heavier ones than I've been using. 

Even the warmer bedding can be comforting at this time of year -- the duvet, winter weight quilt and extra blanket are all friends. <smile>  I've had two restless nights lately -- difficulty getting to sleep, waking multiple times in the night, and waking far earlier than planned in the morning. Needless to say, it makes me a bit out of sorts and can lead to napping in the afternoon. It is much warmer in bed. Little gets done on such days. <sigh> The song shared tonight fits my lack of sleep more than my encounters with the reasons the singer didn't sleep. Just the title line caught in my head.  Keep safe. Enjoy! 

(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All -- The 5th Dimension

11-16 (16/1/24) -- Weathery Moods

Today was a greyer day with some flurries in the afternoon. This is to turn to rain with wind and will involve ice pellets or freezing rain briefly during the transition. Colder temperatures will follow this system. January can be difficult. It is a cold month and brings with it a number of storms. February isn't much different, but it may be slightly warmer. I long for the sunny days, My mood improves on those days. The grey today occurred both outside and inside. <sigh> The forecast suggests we might see sun later in the week. I hope so. 

Weather on the eastern coast brings many cloudy days where the sun or moon and stars are not visible for a week or two at a time. Growing up on the prairies, I was used to more sunny days than cloudy days. So perhaps I am more susceptible to greyer moods with the heavy cloud cover. I recall a very wet summer when I lived in Winnipeg. Two other grad students were from the Atlantic coast and they were in such a positive mood whenever it rained. That is what they grew up with, so all the sunshine created off moods for them. That weather affects how we feel is fascinating from a scientific point of view. Living through it is entirely different. <smile> 

I chose a song that says part of what I've been feeling lately. It mixes reality and metaphor very well. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Waiting for the Sun to Shine -- LeeAnn Womack

 

11-15 (15/1/24) -- Choosing to Smile

I woke to snow covered ground but snow covered the ice layer from freezing rain last night. I had to be on campus and downtown today, so I called a taxi. Today someone was working -- Two companies didn't answer the phone, but one did. I was pleased as I choose not to drive on such days with the steep hills on the way into town. The first event was a guest lecture on ageism for a class dealing with nutrition and aging. I loved being in the classroom again. I don't miss the other trappings of academia, but conversing with students is enjoyable. I treated myself to lunch since I wasn't heading home between meetings. 

The day was bright and sunny, which helped make up for the snow and ice. I was enjoying the brightness of the morning when the news told me that today was Blue Monday -- supposedly the day when moods are lowest. I chose to focus on the blue sky. I admit to feeling so over winter today <smile>. We're in the middle of it now. Days are getting longer -- slowly, but it is happening. When the sun shines, one can feel the warmth -- subtle but it is there. Overall today did not feel like the lowest of days -- I've had a few, but it wasn't today. When I took the garbage and composting to the curb this evening, I saw the moon for the first time in a very long time. I just stood in the road and looked at it. <smile> A song that was one of my dad's favourites came to mind. I find it relaxing and uplifting. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Moonlight Serenade -- Glenn Miller Orchestra

11-14 (14/1/24) -- Music and Movement

We had a sunny Sunday! There hasn't been a lot of sun and blue sky for some time, so this was enjoyable. I spent the afternoon working on the guest lecture I'm doing tomorrow.  I also did some catching up with email and social media. Much of the day was spent in sedentary pursuits. I was going to go for a walk, but I was trying to get the lecture polished more and by the time I finished things, the sun was setting. Maybe tomorrow when I'm downtown and on campus, I will make up with a longer walk. 

Walking helps me to focus and relax. If my mp3 player works, I walk while listening to tunes. The two activities together really help reduce anxiety levels. I will be sure to pack the music in my book bag tomorrow. A song with a beat that could lead to dancing instead of walking seemed to fit the feelings today. It can be used to move around the house, too. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Walking on Sunshine -- Katrina and the Waves

11-13 (13/1/24) -- Checks and X'es

Vacuuming -- Check. Steam cleaning floors -- Check. Laundry -- Check. Yummy supper of green salad with crispy skin salmon fillet made -- Check. Tickets to a local artists concert -- Fail. Now, to be honest, the fail was not on my part but the silly software program of the box office. It would not let me login without first resetting my password. Why? Who knows. Once that was completed, I updated my profile page with the new address. Then I went to pay for the tickets and the software did not hold in its tiny brain that the two seats it was holding were the ones I had chosen. I waited 15 minutes for the system to release the seats. It made me login again. Then took me to the page with the two seats held for me. I completed the all payment steps and it refused to process the sale. There was a cryptic message noting that the order was refused due to 'not honoured' -- whatever the heck that means. Some 40 minutes late, I called my friend and asked if she could try to purchase the seats. If that doesn't work, the box office won't be open for phone calls or drop ins until Monday. This show generally sells out quickly in a theatre with 222 seats. AAACCCKKK. <grin>  UPDATE: after three tries, my friend managed to secure tickets. YAY! I still think that some feedback is needed to the box office. Buying tickets should be a smooth process. 

All in all, its been a fairly productive day. A lot of physical activity involved, too. The show will be a tribute to the singer highlighted here tonight. The title line came to mind and just seemed to fit my mood after the argument with the software. <grin>  Keep safe. Enjoy! 

If You Could Read my Mind -- Gordon Lightfoot

11-12 (12/1/24) -- Kitchen Therapy

At lunch I said that I'd like a biscuit, but had none. Now I could drive out and buy them, which would take about 45 minutes. I realized that I could baked biscuits in less time that it took to buy what somebody else has made. I'mmight be getting lazy and relying on others to make and sell things I could make myself. Besides, research has shown the therapeutic nature of baking. I t has calming effects. I'd hazard a guess that other forms of cooking have a similar impact. These are creative activities that result in a tangible end product that brings satisfaction through eating and sharing. I like the tactile aspects of baking -- mixing, kneading, and such; yet, the chopping and mixing of cooking bring rewarding and pleasurable feelings, too.

We had some nice sunshine for a while in the early afternoon and are expecting some precipitation in the next 24 hours. It is January in the Maritimes, isn't it. That is why this blog may sound like a stuck record (a nod to my age there??<smile>) when covering the weather. 

Lyrics of today's selection mention cooking and even fresh scones -- somewhat akin to biscuits. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Lazy Day -- The Moodie Blues

11-11(11/1/24) -- Unexpected Events Along the Way

Green and White! Now that may look to some that I'm cheering on a sports team from my alma matter x2 (BScHEc and PhD). In fact, it was the view out my window this morning. The storm yesterday added rain to much of the snow cover. With temperatures above freezing for 24+ hours and the winds, much of the snow melted, revealing the green grass underneath. There is still much snow on the ground, but the green sections helped me smile. Thee was bright sunshine until just after noon, when a weird roundish cloud formation covered the town area. Skies appeared clear on the other side of the cloud in all directions. Like I said, weird. 

We live in a micro-climate zone -- one of several on the mainland. When driving to the airport about 2+ hours, we go through 5 or 6 different zones, each with the potential for very different weather events on the same day. One never knows what will be encountered along the journey. That is much like day to day life, isn't it? <smile> 

A song came to mind today that spoke to me about the journey of life. The version shared here is performed by someone for the original singer. I enjoyed the alterations in phrasing and some note changes. Keep safe. Enjoy!

The River -- James Taylor (sung for Garth Brooks at Kennedy Center Honours 2021) 

11-10 (10/1/24) -- Big Wind

This has been a storm day with schools and campus closed as the day wore on. It began with snow the fell horizontally or at a 45 degree angle. This changed to rain by late afternoon to early evening. The wind began to strenthen by early afternoon. We are in the "high risk" area for power outages. I hope that if we lose power, it is for a short time only. After having two outages yesterday with no storm present, I'm not sure I'm ready for more. I will get out the fondue pot so I can heat water for a decent cup of tea <smile> or heat soup and such -- just in case. The wind noise has been amazing so far. It throws the rain against the windows with such force. It rattles windows. It encourages some unknown and un-seeable object to hit against the side of the house. So, nothing left to do but ride it out and hope I can keep the wifi. <smile> 

A song title and chorus came to mind today. It seemed to fit the situation outside my windows. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

A Mighty Wind is Blowin' -- New Mains Street Singers, The Folksmen, & Mitch & Mickey

 

11-9 (9/1/24) -- Head Banging

 to appointment after a couple of errands -- then a couple more shopping stops before heading home. Power had been out overnight as I woke to flashing lights on kitchen appliances. A planned outage for 2 PM for the whole town was postponed until about 3:30 PM. This was to have been for an hour but lasted over two hours. I felt cold, so got into bed with an extra blanket to try to stay warm. Needless to say, I fell asleep for a chunk of time. Woke after full dark and walked into the edge of a door. Now I have a headache. <sigh> 

A big storm is headed this way. It has been in the US and west of hear in Ontario and Quebec. We expect big winds -- like BIG winds, but not a lot of snow or rain like other areas -- 5 cm snow (2 inches) topped off with 10ish mm (almost half in) rain. That will be a mess. Glad that I got my errands mostly done today. 

The song for today carries a beat that could work well for head-banging. That seemed to fit the bump on my brow. <grin> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

I Wanna Rock -- Twisted Sister 

11-8 (8/1/24) -- Waste Management Day

The north wind was very cold and blew me up the street as I walked from the mailbox around  the block. My other outing involved making three treks across the street to put out the composting, garbage and recycling. Yes, we have to put it on the lawn opposite our house since the collection truck only goes down one side of the street. <loud eyeroll> I guess the good side of that is that the truck goes up the opposite side of the street and I don't have other folks waste piled on my lawn. <smile>  The extra trips across the street came from the lack of pickup on the week of Christmas and Boxing day. In town, the pickup when a holiday fell on the usual day, happened on Friday. Here, the same company doesn't do that. Interesting. The temperature tonight will drop sharply, so I expect some of the green bin contents may freeze. We'll see tomorrow if the stuff got dumped into the truck or not. <sigh>  

So, I spent a lot of the day pondering the solid waste leaving the house tonight -- one garbage bag, three recycling bags and the little compost bin.  Getting it all ready to go and bundling up to get it out to the curb without me freezing mid-trip was a major event in the day. Like I've said, some days are just mundane <smile>. It may have been the cold affecting my brain, but the song that kept coming to mind was a silly one. Imagine that? <grin> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

I Love Trash -- Oscar the Grouch ft. Josh Grobin

11-7 (7/1/24) -- Quiet Day

We finally really saw some sun between cloudy periods today. Forecasters suggest that there will be more of the same for a couple of days, too. This afternoon, I pushed more snow -- about 5 cm (2 in) from the patio and bits from the front porch and driveway. Inside, I made a yummy baked pasta for supper tonight with oodles left for several other dinners. That will go into the deep freeze for safe keeping. <smile> 

It has been a quiet Sunday here. I tried to keep moving for fear of falling asleep <smile>. A song came to mind while I was cooking, doing bits of reading and writing. It is a fun little song and made me smile today. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon -- Queen

11-6 (6/1/24) -- Saving Energy

Out the window this morning, I saw more snow on the ground from overnight and more fell sporadically during the day. On the upside, I did see some small patches of blue sky between the clouds a couple of times this afternoon. I left pushing the snow until tomorrow when what might fall overnight will be done. 

I spent the afternoon inside and out of the cold west wind, doing laundry and preparing for an upcoming guest lecture. I enjoyed the quiet time. I expect the next power bill any day now. I feel that  it will be large due to the colder temperatures, but hold out some hope for nothing too large due to the energy efficiency of this new place. Insulation and water heating should be much less given the new technology in the house. Heating occurs by heat pump with some baseboard heating in the bedrooms and bathrooms that are off from the open concept of the main living area. All lights use LED bulbs, too. Speaking with others in the development, the average monthly costs are much lower that what I've lived with for 25 years. I look forward to using less energy for financial and environmental reasons. The greener aspects of this new build helped me to make the decision to move here. 

A song with an electricity theme came to mind while working this afternoon. It seemed to fit my energy thoughts today. I enjoy the genre mixed rhythms. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Electric Avenue -- Eddy Grant

11-5 (5/1/24) -- Finding Gratitude in the Snow

I wok to a cold north wind blowing new snow that is falling, I went to push what was to be about 1 cm (~1/2 in) snow according to forecasts last night and today. The patio had close to 5 cm (2 in) and half of that was at the front porch and driveway. I wanted to move it since under the light snow lies all the ice from a few days ago. After pushing the snow, I added some ice melter in hopes that it will break up the ice on the walking area of the driveway. A cup of hot tea was needed when I came in from the cold wind. 

I know January has arrived, but I so dislike winter. The icy part of the season add to anxiety of getting around on foot or by car. The good things I encountered today included --  the snow was light and easy to push and lift when necessary; a path to the mail box has been dug out after each snow fall finally.  I found the annual journal that had been packed for the move (it was easy -- right on top of the pile); and even though I am losing faith in the forecasters abilities, there is still hope that we will see the sun and blue sky amongst the clouds in two days. So, the day was not all bad and it was even productive on my part -- for a change <smile>. 

Today I was grateful that I managed to find the positives rather than letting the snow and cold wind darken the entire day. That isn't always easy to do. It may be time again to pull out the gratitude list at the end of each day. Or maybe even in the middle of the day <smile>. I chose a song with lyrics that find happiness in snow. I'm not sure I'll ever get there, though. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Snow -- Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, & Vera-Ellen (from White Christmas movie) 

11-4 (4/1/24) -- Blahs

The forecast for a mix of sun and cloud even for the brief time during the afternoon did not materialize. I did a few household tasks and then went down to Main Street to do errands. I found most of what I needed in one store, so took that as a win and headed home. I watched two recorded programs before making a light supper. So -- another mundane day. 

Today I thought about the concept of ennui -- a type of boredom marked by listlessness and fatigue. That describes what I've felt for a while now. Perhaps I've had the January blahs for a while. Just little me getting out ahead of the crowd perhaps <smile>.  The hours of sunshine are increasing now minute by minute, yet the weather is so grey. It is like twilight all day due to heavy cloud cover. The lack of being able to see sun or blue sky even for a short while adds to the feelings of lethargy. There may be a bit of a depressive component to the overall feeling, too. A bit of hope surfaces briefly every now and then -- hope that the light of spring will arrive sooner rather than later. 

A song I've used before came to mind. I found a different version to share tonight. The lyrics describe an attempt to escape the ennui. I'm not sure I've done much to overcome it all -- just sitting and marinating in the mundane. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Grand Ennui -- Michael Nesmith

 

11-3 (3/1/24) -- Grey Day

While forecasters stated that we would have a mix of sun and cloud today, the sky was grey and gloomy. This accentuated the feeling of being alone that showed up briefly several times today -- When shopping, I had two people engage in short conversation. The first was in the produce aisle as we bemoaned the lower quality of the veggies on display. That ended in me not finding a green veg that I'd take home due to quality and cost. I decided that I'd get a frozen veg instead. The second conversation was in the tea aisle as two of us were searching the shelves for products that weren't there. <sigh> The woman noted how she talked to herself out loud as she shopped. I said I did something similar but that it was generally complaints. When moving the ice off the car before leaving the driveway, a neighbour that I haven't seen before stopped to talk about the weather. Each of these encounters  and the received messages or texts,  reminded me that I wasn't alone. I have many people I know that I can count on and  I live in a community where people speak to their neighbours. <smile> 

Days when weather and mood provide varying grey hues make me wonder if the weather affects my mood more than I think. Or, less likely, is the opposite -- much like the line in Men In Black -- "It rains because you're sad, baby." I doubt that I have the power of that alien being, though <smile>.  I heard lines from a favourite song from way back when and one I've used in the blog in the past. The lyrics speak to various aspects of greyness through life. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Shades of Gray -- The Monkees 

11-2 (2/1/24) -- New Things

I headed out later in the afternoon for a short walk in the cold air as clouds thinned to show spots of blue sky. There were only fast food flyers in the main today. Just odd. <sigh> At supper, I watched TV after doing my first app download with the smart tv. Their instructions missed a few critical steps, but I got through it and now have access to favourite series that were moved from other networks to a single streaming service. <sigh> 

The new year has begun and I have already done something new to me with the streaming service app. Trying new things is important for brain health and mental health -- the biological and the psychological. Research shows that learning a new language or to play a new instrument can improve brain function and self perceived wellbeing. I still keep track of the new things I encounter through the year. The goal is to do more than my age each year. It hasn't been too difficult to do this. I began when I turned 50 and have continued the process of marking the newness with a list. It serves to remind me that things aren't as routine as I sometimes think.

The song for today presents a way of looking at new days. Keep safe. Enjoy!  

New Morning -- Bob Dylan

11-1 (1/1/24) -- Focus on the Journey

As a new year begins, I found myself reflecting on the past year. Life is filled with changes -- some are thrust upon us while others are chosen by us. Both arrive with little information on how the change will develop. Without that pre-cognition, we must manage the changes. This is rarely an easy task. Each year, life rhythms change based on small to large alterations. This past year has been no exception. Learning to manage the differences we encounter involves some sense of hope. 

Eleven years ago (yes -- 11!), I began a metaphorical journey in the form of this blog. Today, I read through blog posts for the first day of each year. Themes of finding inner peace and practicing hope seemed front and center. While it is an arbitrary date to begin a new year, we often approach it as a time to start anew. I am still searching for understanding and a sense of inner acceptance and calm. My plan is to continue the blog for another year as I find this space helpful to examine changes and learnings -- my ponderings, if you will. Finding new songs to mix in with the old can bring a pleasant musical end to the day. When thinking of the song to share today, I kept coming back to the song that helped me explain what intention of the blog journey. So, I share with you the first song featured here 3651 posts ago. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

River of Dreams -- Billy Joel