Day 2- 127 -- Move it on out

Today has been fairly uneventful. That is not a bad thing. Having a calm day every now and then can be revitalizing. Overall, the sunny day was delightful but required extra layers due to the cool wind. I had time to clear out some e-files to make room for the new materials. Hopefully this will stop the daily messages about the inbox being close to the limit for size. It can be challenging when there are many student e-mails along with messages from task groups that should be archived --not forever but for the requisite amount of time based on the ethics guidelines. Once deadlines pass, many messages can be eliminated. Once my eyes were so dry and scratchy from staring at the screen for too long, it was time to head out for a physio appointment -- trying to get ahead of a problem this time.

Clearing through files can be challenging. Many items are easy to delete or keep, while others take more thought. The latter can be emotionally draining if a favourite project is involved. Cleaning through the multitude of files can be time-consuming -- often leading to only part of the job being completed each year resulting in unmanageable numbers of documents in short order. I try to get through the active files each year along with at least one of the drawers of the upright file. The paper file attack has yet to occur, but will need to be completed to make more room, just as with the e-files. The need to be brutal with the sorting can be a challenge. Sometimes it seems easier to just walk away <smile>, however the plan is to begin the process not complete a full overhaul -- small steps toward the goal <smile>. 

One song for sending things along their way came to mind. While the lyrics don't relate directly to the file sorting process, the thought is the same -- moving things to which we may have an emotional attachment out of our lives. Challenging, but I'm told this is rewarding, too. Enjoy!

Hit the Road Jack -- The Stampeders

Day - 2-126 -- Hopeful Signs of Winter Departing

A sunny day with strong northerly winds made this pleasant but cool -- and called for a comb to be on hand. Work involved a meeting and one that was rescheduled for next week, as well as getting through a bit of overdue paperwork. For staff appreciation day today, we attended a barbecue (held inside thankfully) where we had chicken breast on a bun and ice cream treats. That was a fun break in the middle of the day. After work, I did some errands on Main Street and enjoyed walking in the late day sunshine, even if it was cool. The snow on the front lawn seems gone this evening -- that 10 foot ice mountain has melted away. There are still two piles of snow right by the front porch, but they are shrinking slowly since they are in full shade.

It is interesting that summer activities in spring can bring happy feelings. It was great to see all the smiling and laughing faces at the noon bbq -- a simple event that raised spirits. Maybe it gives us some hope that the dark of winter is behind us and we will soon enjoy sunny summer days. Maybe it was part of having this fun event in the midst of a work day. Or maybe some combination of these two. Whatever the reason I felt a bit lighter for the rest of the day.

I've selected an instrumental with a title that fits the day's theme. The musician is an icon and a true master. Every time I hear him play, it reminds me of my dad as he truly loved this musician's style. Enjoy!

Struttin' with some Barbecue -- Louis Armstrong

Day 2-125 -- Strong Woman of History

The Google doodle today is for the 151st birthday of Nellie Bly. It celebrates the need for women to stand up for themselves and for other women. This woman was an investigative journalist by trade, shedding light on many inequities of the time. She circumnavigated the globe for a story, doing so in 80 days. Her courage and perseverance are a model for all.

In grade 8 we were given a biography of Nellie Bly to read. It surely contained only the sanitized version of her trip into the women's asylum in New York. I admit that I don't recall a lot of the story, but a group of students were assigned to do a group book report in some creative way. Our group chose to do a play based heavily on the book. I agreed to be director. We met at several homes to complete the work of writing and rehearsing. On the day of the play, we prepped in the cloak room off the classroom, with actors heading into the classroom for the 20-odd scenes we'd devised. It did not go off without a hitch, but it went fairly well. Looking back, I know I wasn't fully aware of the pioneering spirit of this woman and how she was one of those who led the way to greater freedoms for women. She met with suffragettes so would have been part of the social unrest involved in women receiving the right to vote. I'd like to find that book again and read through it now. I'm sure it would be eye-opening on many levels.

Today's selection presents aspects of being female and being strong and empowered -- and it does it with a fair degree of sarcasm <smile>. Enjoy!

Just a Girl -- No Doubt (w/ Gwen Stefani)

Day 2 - 124 -- Purples, Blues and Creams

This was the warmest day we've had since Christmas Day 2014. It rose to almost 20C. There is still snow in the yard, but with another day or two like this -- warm with full sun -- I expect most of it will be gone. <smile> On the weekend, there were 4 snowdrops peeking through the front lawn. Yesterday there were a few periwinkles and budding crocuses. Today, four crocuses opened -- two creamy white and two purple with white stripes. There are more popping up to bloom soon. I stopped at a friend's home after work and the front yard there is ablaze with yellow and dark purple blooms. The house up the street from me also has dark blue lining the walkway today. Gorgeous!

I so look forward to seeing these signs of spring. They are naturalized through the front lawn and promise that things will get greener. They were up and waiting under the snow pack that melted off that part of the yard two days ago. Blues and creams would be my choice for landscaping, so I am very pleased to live in this yard where someone before me felt the same. In my yard the next to show will be tulips --still a few weeks away, though they are about 6 inches tall today. These are 'black' tulips -- a beautiful deep, deep purple. This is the beginning. Can the magnolias and rhodies be far behind? <smile>

The relaxed feeling these flowers bring calls for a relaxing song. The thought of these blooms and those yet to come brought to mind a line from a sixties song. Enjoy!

San Francisco -- Scott McKenzie

Day 2 - 123 -- Sunshine and Excitement

Today was bright and sunny -- a perfect day for convocation. It was even warm enough to walk outside without gloves <smile>. I helped organize our group in order for the lineup -- 4 across. It is somewhat like herding cats -- that organized chaos. It all worked out perfectly. So many happy, excited people, it was wonderful to be part of that. We hold a tea for students and families right after the ceremonies. Meeting parents, siblings, partners and friends is delightful. It can be bittersweet as the students are all going their separate ways at that point.

Endings and beginnings. Exciting plans for the summer are shared with longer term plans for grad school, internship or further training in the fall. While one chapter ends, the new one is already being written. There is much excitement, many photos being taken, always big smiles; yet in the corner of the eye is a slight hint of sadness -- sad to see this part of life's journey ending -- but its just a small, almost hidden feature. I've done this several times through life and have experienced the wistfulness of an ending. Leaving somewhere that has become a sort of home -- school or work -- brings mixed feelings. Perhaps it is somewhat like that proverbial emotional roller-coaster. Sadness, excitement, fear, joy -- it truly is a workout.

The song title that came to mind today covers the endings and beginnings, while the lyrics present many contradictory ideas. It was written by a prolific duo, members of the fabulous foursome who perform the song. Enjoy!

Hello, Goodbye -- The Beatles

Day 2 - 122 -- Under the Effects of Inertia

The day has been less productive than planned. Inertia rules. If you are moving it keeps you moving and if you are not moving it sustains that lack of action. Needless to say, the latter is prominent at my place today. A bit of laundry was completed but many of the reading and calculating projects seemed not to take off well.

In the evening, the first major event of the convocation weekend occurred. It has gone by many names over the years, but has settled on a farewell ceremony rather than the earlier mass or liturgy, which limited attendance of some. It is a lovely event that combines tradition with current norms. It can be delightful when weather cooperates as the procession is outdoors with everyone in academic regalia (not the warmest nor does it stand up well in a wind <smile>).  Beginning in early evening, the sun has set by the end of the ceremony. Students traditionally form an honour guard outside the chapel with lit candles through which the faculty walk as they exit the event. Very beautiful to see tonight along with the nearly full moon and stars.

I'm not sure why some days it seems so difficult to get to the 'to do' list even when it involves reading reports or calculating accounts <smile>.  The overwhelming urge to do nothing is an odd feeling. I tried to make a grocery list and couldn't concentrate long enough -- I felt bored <sigh>. It brought to mind a song we sang when I was a child -- one that I rediscovered on a Harry Connick, Jr. CD years later. I'll share another somewhat recent version here tonight. Enjoy!

Lazy Bones -- Leon Redbone

Day 2-121 -- Elusive Writing Muse

This has been a good week for writing -- well writing that was completed a year ago or more. Messages received this week noted that a food issues encyclopaedia (with 2 entries from me) was finally published. Another entry into an edited book was approved and will be printed in English and Italian. Cool. <smile> One of these projects was submitted almost 2 years ago and the other was a year ago. Another proposed chapter in a book submitted by a graduated student a year ago was chosen for inclusion in a volume about food in everyday life. This was work from her Honours thesis. These projects always take longer to get to print than planned. Editing a book project must be like herding cats. I've worked on content gathering for a national newsletter and deadlines seem to be ballpark dates for many people <smile>. Gentle reminders or finding replacement writers takes time. I admire the work of these editors. It interests me, but seems more like a retirement project than something that could be shepherded along with a full time academic position.

Other writing projects from various research projects sit partially completed in my office.  They are in the back of my mind, but I find the focused 2 to 4 days I need to write a project aren't available during the teaching term. Fitting all of these projects into the four months between terms is challenging, too. Conference presentations occur here and this is the only time to fit in any vacation time. Needless to say, writing becomes a vacation activity -- so not really a vaca. However, finding somewhere interesting to sit and write could be a vacation of sorts. I will need to work on that <smile>  or find an ideal muse.

A song about writing was a challenge. One came to mind about a famous author. I hesitated to use this as I don't see my writing anywhere close to the caliber of this man. No. Where. Near. The lyrics note the trials of the writing process, though, so I will share that selection today. Enjoy!

Hemingway's Whiskey -- Kenny Chesney