I woke early this morning with lines and phrasing for a paper we are writing running through my head. No wonder I'm tired these days, if I'm working on the writing of several projects overnight. I generally write several versions of a paper project in my head. When I sit down to write or type, things come out in full sentences and paragraphs have been organized. With the four large projects currently in the writing phase, I find I'm not able to focus on one at time as well. I've done outlines and tried to populate these, but things just don't seem to flow the way they do if I work on one at a time. I shouldn't complain, as it is an embarrassment of riches to have more than one project to write for publication.
When I write, I really do need that focus. So, I may have to revisit the current writing model. Feeling fractured and unfocused requires time for quiet reflection in order to be able to develop that focused writing style. I also don't want to feel so anxious that I spin my wheels every day on these projects. There again, is the need for clarity and balance. Retirement was not meant to become another full time job.
The lyrics of a song from a group featured here often, seemed well suited to the thoughts of the day. The song comes from an album that marked a departure in style of the band. Enjoy!
This dreary sort of day began with snow that melted as it hit the ground, which was followed by rain. I worked inside doing Saturday chores. The highlight of the day was a wonderful chat with a colleague and friend. It has been a long time between chats and this was a good one. <smile>
Being open to the unexpected -- whether that be snow that doesn't stick or a call from a friend -- can provide some joy in the midst of those dreary moments in life. Spontaneity can be rather emancipatory. Being closed off to opportunities might keep us in that dank, grey spot we inhabit. Look up and see what is around you. You just might find a happy surprise.
Today is also tartan day -- a day to celebrate Scots heritage in North America. It began in the mid-1980s in Canada. It seemed appropriate to share a song about tartan. After all, I live in the highland heart of Nova Scotia. <smile> It is interesting to note that this key part of Scottish culture had been banned after the second Jacobite rising in 1745. For 36 years owning any piece of clan tartan was illegal and considered treason to the English king. The song lyrics are found in the shared video file. Enjoy!
While washing up after breakfast today, I noticed my first robin of the season. They have been back for a while, but I hadn't seen one in my yard yet. Some of that may have been due to weird weather and icy parts of the yard that make finding food difficult for the birds. It was pleasant to see this sign of spring, though.
Winds were still strong this morning and cold out of the north. At a seminar across campus I dropped my gloves in the hallway. They were placed on one of the hall chairs but were gone by the time I returned. Others had seen them. I do hope that if someone took them, they needed to have warm hands today. I walked across campus and later home with my hands in my pockets to try to keep a bit warm. I have more gloves at home, so will be fine if they aren't found. It seemed an odd way to end the week -- one that seemed to go on forever <smile>
A song from the mid-20th century came to mind for the blog today. The tempo and rhythm are fun and the lyrics border on silly, but it is a recognizable song from the era. Enjoy!
I walked out to a meeting early this morning mainly with the wind at my back. Heading back home afterwards had me walking head on into huge winds with gusts that did their best to push me off course and almost into the street. Wind was stronger than anything I encountered in the storm yesterday. Walking up to campus meant major cross winds that buffeted me around like a leaf. I had to stop to turn my back into the wind at one point and squat down a bit to remain rooted on the ground. I had been listening to music as I walked, but the wind was so loud I couldn't hear through the earbuds. Crazy. Working inside even without windows in the office, the winds could be heard howling around the building. Once home, in late afternoon, I found the remnants of a large branch from one of the trees lying on the ground. It fell and broke into pieces on impact. It was directly under the wires -- power, fiberop. Somehow the wind moved it around on the trip from tree to ground so that it missed landing on the wires -- a major point of gratitude for the day.
I wondered if the universe was sending me a message today -- one regarding my chosen directions. Was the wind letting me know there was something that needed examination? Or did it just want to dance? A line of a song lyric buzzed around in my head a bit. The lines from a chorus reminded me of what it felt the wind was attempting to do as we did battle today. The song uses synthesized and sung lyrics in an interesting manner. Enjoy! Knock me off my feet -- Dan Talevski
What a crazy weather day! I woke to major overcast skies. By mid-morning, snow was falling. Big fluffy flakes turned to tiny flakes as I walked into campus. By the time I was almost to the building, ice pellets were falling at greater than a 45 degree angle. I managed to walk through a building to avoid half of the walk directly into the huge wind and precipitation. By mid-afternoon, the wind was ferocious but precipitation had turned fully to rain -- rain that was moving in sheets across the parking lot. On the top floor (third floor) the vibration of the building was perceptible. As I made supper there appeared to be no precipitation and the trees were not doing the I wanna be free dance. Twenty minutes later when I headed across campus to my night class, the rain was back in sheets. Luckily the wind was at my back most of that trek. When I arrived at the other building, my bag was quite wet and I needed to towel down the jacket and rain pants before hanging them on the empty seat beside me. When class ended, it was just a light drizzle but the wind was unforgiving. I felt like a mime walking against the wind at one point.
This is common spring weather -- a late nor'easter with storm force winds and mixed precipitation. One person made a silly comment about this not being spring like a family member in the southern US was experiencing. I suggested this person could move there, too, if it meant that much to miss this great season. That comment was met with little enthusiasm <smile>. While I prefer a gentle rain, I was pleased that the snow did not accumulate here. The wind is to remain for another day, but with little if any stuff falling from the sky. I'll take it. <smile> The headache isn't entirely gone today, but the cooler air felt good on my face when walking, which provided some relief -- beats an ice pack any day.
I found a song performed by an singer-songwriter with a well recognized voice. The lyrics fit with some of the painful precipitation today and the unrelenting wind. Enjoy!
A bright sunny morning greeted me when I woke. I headed to the office and realized how fatigued I was when I arrived. I slept fitfully last night so put it down to that. Throughout the afternoon, I found myself deep into editing and revising a document. I got up to walk to the printer when I discovered that my head hurt -- a lot. Somehow the pain of a migraine had stealthily taken hold of my brain. I realized then that the extreme fatigue and fogginess of the morning were the upside of a migraine <sigh>. I shut down the electronics and headed home -- nausea growing as I walked downhill home. I had a shower before things got too bad -- where even the water hurts the head and skin. I felt I could eat something small, so opted for scrambled eggs since they were bland flavoured and quick to produce -- all aimed to ensure I got something into the system while I had the chance. After eating the meal, I promptly fell asleep -- hence, the lateness of this blog.
The title of a song came to mind much later when cognitive functions seemed to be more operational. I also find the tempo changes of this selection were unexpected and somewhat confusing -- attributes of the headache, too. The singer was in his heyday for this one. Enjoy!
April has arrived complete with April showers overnight and through the morning. It felt cool with the winds, heavy cloud and humidity, then the temperature dropped close to freezing by supper time. Forecasters suggest another day of heavy rain in mid-week and the rain-snow mixes by the end of the week. Spring is in full swing -- swinging temperatures and precipitation types. Even with the sunny days in between rain events, it isn't to be really warm.
Someone asked if they should put away the winter outerwear last week. Really? <smile> My shovels remain at the back door until the last frost in April or May. No need to tempt fate. Even with the 'April Fool' concept present this morning, the weather really was chilly, despite the numbers being above the freezing point. I love enthusiasm and excitement, but it just won't be sunbathing weather for a while, so chill (so to speak <grin>). I'm looking forward to watching the small daily changes as things begin to turn green again and then the early blooms appear. I like the soft spring rain like we had today. The next one looks like heavier rain with an inch or so during the day. That makes puddles and there is enough mud in the front area where things drain slowly all year.
A song lyric made me smirk today so it had to be shared. The singer has a pleasant gravel tinge to his voice. Enjoy!
