Day 2 - 363 --Not 'Just" Anything

The penultimate day of 2015 -- spent at a grocery store that had many empty shelves, cooking a mediocre veggie dish for a wonderful supper with friends. For me, the accent lies heavily on that last word <smile>.  It is always pleasant and often quite relaxing to get out among people for a social event. Dinner was wonderful -- ham and scalloped potatoes, spinach and strawberry salad, warm beet and chard salad, and sautéed zucchini and eggplant with sticky toffee pudding for dessert. All very yummy.

As the year end approaches, there are several items that I always want to have done. So, tomorrow will see the completion of the yearly bookkeeping, cleaning of the house, and preparation of something to heat and eat for New Year's Day. My grandmother often said that what we do on the first day of the New Year is what we will be doing all year long -- trust me, I don't want that to be cleaning or accounting <grin>.  Granted, this is a superstition of sorts, but I often recognize how these little things creep into my daily thinking <smile>.  It could be that it is a tradition, since cleaning makes sense if company is expected for a holiday visit. Those who celebrate the lunar new year obtain new clothes, fresh flowers and updated household items prior to that New Year's Day. The stores are wall to wall customers. I was in Hong Kong once, flying out on the New Year. The four of us had to hold onto each others coats when crossing the street since there were hundreds of people heading in each direction. Everyone was out finding all those new items to usher in the New Year. Kai Tak Airport on lunar New Year's Day was a story unto itself, since everyone takes a couple weeks off and flies off to see relatives. All flights were overbooked and they tried their best to get us rerouted through Tokyo rather than direct to Vancouver. We stood our ground. That flight was the worst I've been on, with the many flight attendants holed up in the galley for hours without offering water or anything. Again, both of those adventures are for another blog. <smile>

The song for today is one that I've found to mean many things depending on my mood. This year, as in others, I do take issue with the word 'just' in the lyrics. No day should be thought of as 'just' anything. Each one is a gift and different from any other. They are unique and we shouldn't lose sight of that. On the other hand, the title could mean that there isn't a need to go out for a big bash to usher in a new year. Or, it could mean so many other things. I'll share it here so that you each can reflect on the lyrics and discover your own meaning (that is the postmodernist in me shining through <gg>). Enjoy!

It's Just Another New Year's Eve -- Barry Manilow

Day 2 - 362 -- A Stunning Musical Evening

The day was spent in mundane pursuits. The highlight of the day was unexpected. I chose to watch the Kennedy Center Honours -- and wow, just wow. There was music everywhere! Miss Cecely Tyson, who sang in The Trip to Bountiful on Broadway and did so many stunning performances in film and television, was clearly enjoying the performances on the stage. In particular, a youth choir from a program named for her, performed the hymn she'd sung in the play. Beautiful. Rita Moreno was honoured for her acting and musical career. She is perhaps best known for her breakout role in West Side Story, that presented the social oppression of Puerto Rican immigrants. George Lucas was honoured and one speaker noted that he loved music and had found a way for music to be a character of sorts in film. Very true. Star Wars or Indiana Jones without the music would be far less. Seiji Ozawa, famed conductor, has lived music his entire life. Yo Yo Ma played Tchaikovsky for him and it was stellar. The final honouree of the evening was Carole King -- and for her, music has been at the centre of her life. Parts of the musical biography play were shown and she was truly surprised by who showed up on stage and moved to tears with images of her mother. The culmination of the evening was the final song written by Goffin and King (with Wexler). From the wings came Aretha Franklin, who sat down at the piano and began to sing. She rocked the song. I urge you to Google the performance -- it brought tears to even the president's eyes. Considering I'd waffled on whether to watch or not, I'm so glad something directed me to this event. Simply stunning.

All of the honourees are strong role models for aging adults -- not sitting in rockers and handing things over to others to carry on. Aged 71-91, these folks are still active in their fields and in advocacy for a better world. I'm sure these stories will find their way into my Nutrition and Aging class when we talk about 'what is old' <smile>. The definition is definitely changing.  The song for today comes from the awards program. It closed out the evening in a giant sing along <g>.This version was the one I listened to a lot -- and loved the singer and her Telemachus on the cover. Enjoy!

I Feel the Earth Move -- Carole King

Day 2 - 361 -- winter displays no subtlety

It has been a busy day filled with physical and mental labours. It began with the need to clear away the overnight snow fall. Now, I did move 6 inches yesterday and there was more than that again today -- likely about 8 inches, but I didn't have my ruler handy <smile>.  The ploughs had left schmutz at the end of the drive and across the boulevard. The sidewalk plough dug up clods of grass and dirt that made moving the wet snow in that area almost impossible. It took two hands to lift and disentangle the grassy lumps in order to resume shovelling.

After my adventures in snow land, I worked on course prep for next week. The syllabi and readings for the first week need to be up on the course web site by the weekend. I also typed up two reviews for journals. There is much more to do to get myself ready to tackle the courses with new texts and readings -- change is a good thing, but it can be somewhat disruptive. Something like this silly weather.

After supper, the garbage had to go to the curb and the car needed to be cleared off so that it is ready to go for repairs tomorrow. So, I cleared off the foot or more of snow covering the vehicle, then used the shovel to re-clear the ground where it had all fallen. I also had to remove an extra inch of snow that had fallen after my earlier snow moving session. Luckily, the snow was light and fluffy as the temperatures had dropped by early evening. It was brisk -- that seems to be the usual word for bracing cold. It was actually pleasant and the air had that colder temperature smell to it. So -- the weather forecast does say more is on the way and there will be rain or something like it mixed into the next storm. That should arrive tomorrow evening. It seems that there is great trepidation in the populace; it is just too soon after the harshness of the ice and snow of last winter.

I will admit that I thought long and hard about being somewhere else earlier today while shovelling. It seems early to be cranky, but each of the next five days carries with it a snow-like icon on the weather forecast. I was thinking that maybe if winter had eased us into this, it might be easier to handle. I'm not sure even that would satisfy me. So -- a few lines from the song of the day came clearly and purposively to mind as I worked away at the snow. I do love the harmonies of this group and this song showcases these quite well. One of them was even a kid from north end Halifax so he knew winters <smile>. Enjoy!

California Dreamin' -- The Mamas and The Papas

Day 2 - 360 -- Shifting Biomechanics

Well, it's official. Winter has arrived. Snow fell overnight and throughout the day. About 15 cm (~ 6 inches) accumulated by mid-afternoon. Another 2+ inches are expected into tomorrow. Tuesday will bring more with estimates ranging from 10-20 cm (4-8 inches) as that storm begins Tuesday and runs into Wednesday, with a mix of rain and snow to follow on Thursday. We'll see how that all turns out. What today did bring was the second time this season that I shovelled snow, and there was considerably more this time than last.

Learning to shovel again will be interesting. The usual rhythm and movements used my whole life seem to need some tweeking. The left arm does not extend to be fully 'flat' so lifting and dumping snow hurts if I attempt to extend the arm as it has always moved. Lifting is easier if the shovel handle is grasped with my palm facing downwards instead of upwards. This, though, may be due to the work we are still doing on the triceps muscle. The snow was all moved though it took a wee bit longer than the old normal. It isn't anything that can't be dealt with. Training an old brain to develop new pathways of neuronal firing will be challenging, but I expect it should work -- likely by the end of the season. I would not complain loudly though, should there be less snow to practice upon this winter <smile>.

The end of the month and the year will be here before we have time to realize it. It has felt like a long month and ending with winter weather and shorter days only add to that feeling, I suspect. This, of course, reminded me of a song <surprise!> -- one with lyrics that wander about through many events and ideas, yet note the passing of time. Enjoy!

A Long December -- Counting Crows

Day 2 - 359 -- Boxing Day

Today is Boxing Day. This day began as the day servants and other workers received gifts from employers -- gifts in boxes. Sadly, like many other holidays it has become a day of excess and consumerism with Boxing Day sales now starting even before Christmas. Not all stores were open today, but will be open for the sales tomorrow. I dislike the crowds of people looking for a 'bargain' that is close to a 'steal' -- sometimes grabbing things out of the hands of others <sigh>. I've gone out on the 27th or 28th for necessities and have looked at the picked over piles of holiday items and have been known to take home an item or two mainly cards and wrapping. It seems that the day has moved from a day of giving to a day of avarice -- everything that yesterday did not stand for -- looking out for number one instead of caring for others.

I often feel that this day is a bit of a let down after all the scurrying about making ready for the one day celebration. The marketing hype that starts to build in October suddenly is over and can leave a lost feeling. I've often saved a gift to open on boxing day, just to help with that lack of direction. It does help. I spent the day cleaning and had planned to watch a movie or two. I did catch up on some recorded series -- The Doctor Who season finale and the Christmas special were particularly exciting, with unexpected twists and turns. <smile>  The exhaustion of the past weeks -- from work and holiday prep -- seems to have caught up to me. I felt I could sleep each time I sat down today. I'm hoping a few days of sleeping until I wake up instead of setting an alarm will help me to get myself back together for the next round known as the winter academic term <smile>.

For the selection today, the song title really doesn't reflect the origins of the day, though it might indicate the less than charitable behaviour amongst shoppers.<grin>  Enjoy!

The Boxer -- Simon and Garfunkel

Day 2 - 358 -- Bright Sunny Warm December Day

What a gorgeous day it has been.  The sun shone brightly through the day with temperatures reaching about 15C during the early afternoon. I walked to a friend's for supper, something that wouldn't generally occur. Coming home was lovely -- a peaceful 20 minute journey on a cooler evening with a large Christmas moon. They tell us that moon won't happen again for another 19 years. Given the regularity of overcast skies in the maritimes, seeing the moon tonight meant a lot.

I spoke with family by phone early today, then cooked a new recipe for dinner tonight. Trying something new when others will be eating it carries a bit of extra stress. I'm happy to report that it turned out wonderfully. Brussels sprouts separated into leaves and wilted with shallots, prosciutto, garlic and some pimentos. It turned out well and I will be making it in the future. Being green with the red pimento made it a perfect dish for Christmas dinner. <smile> Dinner with friends made the day extra-special -- so much conversation and laughter to add to the great foods and wine. All in all, a totally yummy day.

I listened to Christmas music as I walked up and back today. I even found myself singing as I walked along the street. (I will admit to feeling offended when others do this <smile>). The joy, peace and calm of the day are feelings that I'd like to capture to take forward into all other days. I suppose that is what memories are for, yet, having the populace maintaining these feelings en masse might make life easier to bear some days. The songs shared today deal with the day and the desire to hang onto the positive emotions. The video for the first uses some odd artwork choices and the second uses Spanish subtitles. The audio quality was best on these two, so I suggest listening rather than viewing for these two. Enjoy!


For unto you this night -- Garth Brooks

If Everyday was Like Christmas -- Elvis Presley

Day 2 - 357 -- Twas the night before . . .

Well -- I managed a few further Christmas related tasks. Wrapped gifts to take out tomorrow and made two batches of cookies. The latter are all iced and drying in the kitchen. I tried a new recipe -- a spiced sugar cookie -- have been messing with this recipe for a couple years and I think it might almost be there this year. We'll see after things sit for a couple days to 'cure'.  The other recipe was a version of oat cakes. I used Christmas design cutters and stencils to decorate most of these. There are about 5 dozen, so they will be used when I visit others. Any leftovers will head to the freezer to stop me from eating quite as many -- it makes one more mindful to have to walk downstairs to the deep freezer to get a cookie <smile>. I read the two Christmas books that have become tradition -- A Bush Nativity -- a children's book about the nativity among the fauna of  the outback of Australia. The other is A Wish for Wings that Worked by Berkeley Breathed -- with Opus as the key character. This is also a children's book but has a lot to say to adults as well. All that finished and I am relaxing in bed with Love Actually. And, according to NORAD Santa has been through town already.

The song chosen carries the sentiment that I was thinking of throughout the day -- the chorus lyrics ran through my head while I was scurrying around. Happy holidays. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas Everybody -- Train