Day 7 - 219 -- Finding Fortitude

It was another sunny and hot day in the Maritimes. NS has been hotter than the Caribbean often over the past few weeks. Humidity adds to the tropical nature of the days. Forecast indicate some pleasant by less hot days in the near future and then a return of the super-heated days. As long as there are some cooler nights that help the house to become more comfortable in between short spurts of hot and humid, I will survive. I'll complain, but I'll manage. <smile> The evening cooled a lot with cooling west winds -- sadly no west windows in the house but some will lead in through other windows. 

I chatted with a dear friend and discussed conundrums in our days. We spoke about our desires of  'getting away' for a day trip somewhere -- always somewhere rural -- so with much less disease risk. I have a couple places in mind that I could go in an afternoon, just need to be brave enough to venture forth. <smile> It isn't the same as sharing the experience with someone else as I've often done. I fear it will further the feelings of isolation from the world that pester me some days. There are a few peaceful places that I could try and see if it works for me. There is no way to understand the impact without trying first. 

I heard song lyrics in my head as I pondered it all today. Imagine! <grin> I used it as part of my physio rehab playlist a few years back -- something to inspire forward movement. Stay safe. Enjoy! 

Brave -- Sara Bareilles

Day 7 - 218 -- Change of Pace

Today was a fuller day than the last few. One online meeting led to some organizing of future work to complete. I then headed up to campus to pick up my mail. This involved redistributing two copies of the same text book that had arrived from the publisher. I won't be needing texts and others may find them useful -- or know someone else who might want a copy for their reference shelf. I chatted with a friend I hadn't spoken with for a few weeks. Then had to print some things for review, comment and edit processes. The clock got away on me, and I realized as I was printing that I had 20 minutes to pick up the Farmers Market order. Luckily, I live in a small town and this is just down the street from campus.  

The order looked great -- broccolini, zucchini, green onions, heritage tomatoes, dinner rolls and a new mask. I sauteed half of the broccolini with garlic scapes and a bit of lemon juice. This tasted amazing! I served it alongside an Asian chicken burger and perogies -- definitely a multicultural influence in dinner tonight <smile>. 

I decided recently that I would take most of August off from research work. this will allow me time to do nothing, tackle some things that need doing around the house or try a day trip or two to see new (to me) beaches and vistas. I hope this time will help me feel less oppressed by the uncertainty of the time we find ourselves in at present. It may also help me to establish a schedule that works again. Earlier, I had a day map that seemed to work for a while, but it needs some revamping to get things moving with some predictability -- something we are all missing at present. So -- that is where I'm heading and I will be sure to report on any progress here <smile>. 

Hunted for a version of this song, and only found this one that has a lot of extra stuff after the song ends. No need to listen to the recording outtakes unless you are so inclined. The song is first on the the longer track shared here. Stay well. Enjoy! 

Think I'm gonna feel better -- The Byrds

Day 7 - 217 -- A Musical Departure

While working online today, I read news of the loss of a wonderful songwriter -- Michael P. Smith. He was big in the Chicago folk scene and wrote and recorded many songs. Many other artists covered his songs. I knew of this man mainly through another singer-songwriter, James Lee Stanley, who wrote an amazing tribute to Smith in American Songwriter. 

In honour of this man, who didn't want online eulogies, the selection today is one of his songs -- filled with tenderness and spectacular word pictures. He sings this with a friend. Stay safe. Enjoy! 

There -- Michael P. Smith & James Lee Stanley

Day 7 - 216 -- All over the place

For a Monday, this was a not a bad day. I did a few household things, then focused on a peer review for a journal and submitted an order to the Farmers Market for pickup at the new Wednesday evening market. Some great produce starting to arrive at this point in the season. I ordered a good selection of vegetables. Looking forward to pick up day.  

With the day being very warm, I went for a walk in the evening when things were cooler -- still very humid, but cooler. I planned a usual route down Main Street and through the neighbourhood. As I walked east, I decided to walk up to the hospital and back. That hill can be a challenge, but it helps get calves and quads working well along with lungs and heart. <smile>.  It felt very humid and sticky by the time I got home, leading to a much needed shower. 

Given the bouncing around between many disparate activities today, a song title went through my head. Now the lyrics are clearly a love song, but the title still sounded like how I felt the day was put together. Stay safe. Enjoy! 

Here, There, and Everywhere -- The Beatles

Day 7 - 215 -- Whole lot of nothing?

Today had me doing a whole lot of nothing. There was some work with a hobby and the last laundry folded.  How exciting is that?! <smile>  At times, the day felt relaxing, though this was mixed with moments of anxiety -- smaller moments than in  past days, however. So -- for that, I'll call it a win.

While making supper, a song came to mind. The lyrics highlight things that might easily be overlooked -- those things to recognize and be grateful for. They may seem small, but they constitute much of the good in our days. So when I thought there was a whole lot of nothing in my day, when I looked at it from a different perspective, I found a lot of somethings. Stay safe. Enjoy!

Ordinary Day -- Great Big Sea

Day 7 - 214 -- Changing Mindset

Another new month. I turned the page of one calendar that told me that the Olympic Games end on August 9. That brought a flood of 'things that would have been' which were accompanied by tears. In some moments, the feeling are so acute -- that lack of hope or belief in moving towards being able to do what we'd planned but in a different way. Waiting for the world to change can be excruciating. I realized that I may need to change, too. Hmmm.  The overpowering feeling of loss can take over without a positive forward thinking mindset. Yes -- there will be moments with sadness and tears. The goal is to find a way to acknowledge those feelings while managing the self talk, which may help improve the hope.

Changing one's mindset can take time and much effort. Learning to take what had been planned and finding a new approach are worthy goals.Who I am should not change, so I need to find a way to be me even in this uncertain new swirling surround. It may mean embracing the current world situation -- something that has felt like admitting defeat. It may not be defeatist, though. Continuing to be who I am with the same aspirations should help me find that hope that seems so tenuous right now. I definitely will give this one a try. It can't be done alone, so support from others will be included.

When I turned a second calendar today, I recognized the portion of song lyric as one that should be part of the blog. It is from the final album release of an iconic band. Stay safe. Enjoy!

Across the Universe -- The Beatles

Day 7 - 213 -- Finding the Fun

For the weather update today -- drier air is present again but unrelenting sun kept the house overheated. The evening is cooler outside than inside and with windows open the hope is that some of that air will leak indoors overnight. there is very little air movement outside. With the cooler evening, I went for a wonderful walk at dusk -- so many lovely flowers and lots of people dining al fresco or going for an evening stroll.

During the day, I met with colleagues that I haven't seen since March 16 when I said good bye to them as we all headed into lockdown. It was great to see their faces and have a good group chat. I walked out to Main Street twice -- once to hit the post office and later to pick up take out supper. I'm hoping that the weekend will allow me to do the usual household chores, but also let me do a couple of fun things. A couple of hobby activities could occur along with watching a movie. We'll see what transpires. <smile>

The goal of this long weekend, is to infuse some 'fun' into the days -- do things that I haven't done recently. This reminded me of a song title and then of a cover of that title that might be unexpected (see that -- having fun with it already <smile>). Stay safe. Enjoy!

Fun, Fun, Fun -- Joan Jett and the Blackhearts