10-162 (11/6/23) -- Skyview

Most of the day was devoted to packing in the office room. So many things fill this area that it can be challenging to put it into boxes as related items. It did feel good to see some filled boxes taking over the space left when e-waste left the building. 

The day was sunny with mostly clear skies for a change. After sunset, stars were visible in parts of the sky. It has been a while given the much needed rain that has been around for several days. I heard a song while packing today. It fit the view of the sky well. I've used it inpast blogs becasue of the power it holds. There are several metaphors in play with the meaning behind the song that goes beyond the original reason behind the song. I chose my favourite version of this song -- a wonderful voice and presence here. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Stars -- Le Miserables (Phillip Quast 10th Anniversary concert) 

10-161 (10/6/23) -- Wake Up!

Another Satruday filled wth five loads of laundry and packign some of the many files that need to move with me. Everything will be moved into the filing cabinet once I get to the new place. It will be so much better have things in one central place. I finished packing in the storage room downstairs. I felt elated to hav one room completed. Lots lies ahead ofme, but one down and it was a biggie. 

I feel so tired. Packing can become all consuming -- all attention when awake and asleep. I lose focus at times by missing lunch. Setting an alarm helps me to pause and make a cup of tea or sit and rest a bit. But at times, I get so into the process that I miss resetting the alarm. I tell myself I'll just finish this one box or whatever is next. So, the goal going forward will be to stop when the alarm sounds and then reset the alarm when I get back into the thick of it all. 

I've heard a song playing in my head that may be a message to myself. I need to breathe and walk away from the packing processes to briefly regroup. It is a way to be kind to me. These moments of calm in a frenetic day are like waking up -- metaphorially. I need to be aware of the world around me, even if it is just outside my window. Whether I go for a walk or just pause to watch the birds or admire the plant growth, it will help me get through the move with some positive thoughts. . 

Lovely Day -- Bill  Withers

10-160 (9/6/23) -- Blossoms Blooming

Much of the day was spent running errands. I took several bags of books to drop off for the big sale tomorrow. I got groceries from two stores tor the few things I needed. I fonda bottle of wine recommended by a dear friend only to discover I brought the wrong grape variety home. That meant another trip out to return the Cab Franc for a Malbec. All bottles for four varietals have the same label with tiny writing noting which is which. It is much like the soup aisle at the grocery store when you get home with the wrong flavour. <smiles> I checked the mail on campus and chatted with a friend for a bit. At home I moved two bags and 14 boxes (of various sizes) to the front porch for donation pickup tomorrow. I did a bit more work packing in the office room, but had very little time left in the day after the protracted errands and a very late supper. 

while driving all over town, I noticed many wonderful purple flowers all around. Lilacs are nearly in full bloom. Out in my yard, the Japanese lilacs in full display mode with their tiny white flowers.  Pink and white blossoms from fruit trees are in full bloom right now, too. So, it is very lovely. I just need to take a moment to look around me instead of being focused on things that take much longer than planned. <smile> 

I share a song that fit the crazy day I had running all over town. I began with a cicular route, but ended up with major zig zag travels. It is a good thing I live in a small town <grin>. The selection for today brings a strong proggy focus -- or unfocus maybe? The title makes me giggle. Keep safe. Enjoy!    

When the Apple Blossoms Bloom in the Windmills of your Mind I'll be your Valentine -- Emerson, Lake and Palmer

 

10-159 (8/6/23) -- Tears & Smiles

We had some small bits of blue sky briefly this morning, followed by cloud cover and haze which threw us into twilight-like dimness. I had a short walk to run and errand. When back, I walked through the yard to see how things are growing. The honeysuckle are in bloom and create a gorgeous pink wall at that edge of the property. Other flowering plants are growing well. The heat followed by cool rainy days seem to have helped things move along. I will miss these growing things when I move. Some parts of a few plants will move with me, but I can't take them all. <sigh>

Back inside the house, I spent six hours sorting and packing photos and files. I found a few spots that I missed when sorting earlier. That left me frustrated for a while. I found photos that brought teats and others that made me smile through tears. Just before I took a break, I was in tears over the whole packing process. From the other room, I heard a song. I was listening to the music app through the television. The song made me laugh out loud. It didn't make me invalidate my feelings, but helped me acknowledge them and move along. 

I share that one with you today. I love the singer's voice -- so distinctive.  Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Cry Baby -- Janis Joplin

10-158 (7/6/23) -- Boosted!

Today brought some haze mixed in with the cloud cover. I encountered only a bit of drizzle,so not much rain at all. Today I did some bits of packing after a meeting and a trip to the e-waste depot. A friend helped me with the heavier electronic components  -- packing them into the car and unloading at the depot. It feels good to have those out of the house. I'm not sure why I kept them for so long. <sigh> I also filled several canvas shopping bags with books to drop off for the book sale this weekend in support of our local library. I'm happy that these old friends will find a new home and support a local gathering place and that the electronics will become something new. 

I felt very fatigued throughout the day, had a bit of headache and the arm was a bit sore.  While I felt somewhat yucky, I was pleased that the immune system showed it was working. That is what a booster vaccine dose is all about, after all. A song played while I was working today that made me giggle. The words meant something different to me today. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Hit me with your Best Shot -- Pat Benetar

10-157 (6/6/23) -- Get the Groove Back

Today was grey and cool with a bit of dampness and breeze. When I walked to my appointment, it felt comfortable, but cooler than most people would like at this time of year. I'm liking the cool damp days due to the fires and I sleep better without heat nad humidity. The heat pump at the new place will be a welcome change. I got a COVID booster for the bivalent vaccine this afternoon. I'm expecting a bit of arm soreness and a restless sleep tonight, but that is the worst of the past doses. Sometimes I've had a day or so of fatigue, too. I made a loaf pan of baked pasta so there is something easy to heat and eat over the next week. I plan to put a few portions into the freezer and keep the others for the next couple of days. It was my first effort and I did enjoy the flavours and textures. I've made lasagna, but this was much quicker to put together. So, something new in the midst of all the angst of cardboard. 

I'm worried that the soreness or fatigue will slow my progress with packing process. I'm trying to be kind to myself, but time is shrinking and I need to have things ready for the movers in five weeks. That sounds very scary. Several of the days are partial days due to meetings and medical appointments. I also am going to Halifax to shop for a few new things. All are necessary activities, but I work best with a large time -- like a whole day without interuption. Doing an hour here and there doesn't work well as I'm not sure what could be done in a shorter period. I have always been this way -- with writing projects and even grading. I get into a groove and stay there until things are done or completed enough to take a short break before restarting. It has proven difficult to change this work procedure. 

I chose a song that speaks to changing the way the world is seen and learning our place in it. This one has so many wonderful metaphors in the lyrics. I love metaphor in case you hadn't picked that up from the blog <grin>. Keep safe. Enjoy!

Finding My Groove -- Trace Adkins

10-156 (5/6/23) -- RAIN!

The week began with lots of rain and fairly cool temperatures. A trip to the e-waste depot was postponed to a less rainy day later in the week. I ran through the last of the book stashes and found a few more to donate. I spent some time in the afternoon writing an annual research report. I think things are moving forward more this year than last year at this time. It hasn't been as productive as I'd planned, but things are moving for the first time in a while. 

The heavy rain forecast by the meteorologists arrived into the evening. It poured -- like POURED. I love the sound of rain on the roof. Without major winds, the rain falls in a relaxing rhythm. It seems comforting in a way. This is especially so due to the rain needed to help contain the wildfires, which are the worst in history this year. I thought of a song from the dim, distant past. <grin> Keep safe. Enjoy

Rhythm of the Rain -- The Cascades