Thursday, or Thereabouts - February 9, 2017

Small, Beautiful Things

I  scrolled through my Facebook® feed early this morning, bleary-eyed and not really attuned to anything. I stumbled across this post originally from The Idealist page:

I've been a grumpy old sod for a while now with not a whole lot to cheer about. But this sentiment gave me a bit of a whack upside the head. Then suddenly my space filled with light. No, not a religious experience, but close to it! The sun came out! My kitchen flooded with glorious warm rays. I got up from the computer and turned to embrace the day star's return.

I had to get out there. Donning parka, toque, mitts, scarf, and boots with ice cleats, I braced myself for the frosty -10°C air. It was indeed crisp but it was also clean and, out of the wind, warm solar rays soothed my sun-starved soul. It was a small but beautiful thing. Mitts and toque stuffed in my pockets, and now with camera in hand, I trudged around and about the ice-covered snow, looking for more beautiful things.

Here's what I found on my quest:

Even just the blue of the sky is stunning.

After I'd uploaded the photos, I was curious about what other beauties I had captured this month but not fully appreciated, or at least that were worth a re-visit.

These you have seen recently:

But then there are the ones from just this past Tuesday when freezing rain pelted down. Some days I have to work to find my own sparkle from somewhere other than the sky.

I'm happy to say that our puffin is looking much less burdened today:

And a steaming cappuccino first thing in the morning is a beautiful thing.

Whatever the day may bring, 

may you find enough small beautiful things to nourish you, heart and soul.

©2017 April Hoeller

Monday Moanings - February 6, 2017

Oh look, it's snowing!

The view outside my windows this morning was like peering into a snow globe. Choreographed by the wind, big fat swirls of white swayed across the yard, sometimes so thick I could not see across the street. The snowflakes were the only things enjoying the dance. I was not - not even close. The only steps my feet took were to stomp out a protest beat. And for our delectation, tomorrow's forecast is for freezing rain, rain, and more snow.







A mere two months ago I welcomed the exquisite white crystals from the sky with joy and wonder. I delighted in their accumulation. I swayed in delight, enchanted by the great white tapestry outside my door; all the colours of the rainbow woven together into one brilliant white exposition of form and texture. I was thrilled by every winter weather watch and warning that came along.



That was then. This is now. This is February in southern Ontario where the white stuff is so yesterday's news; neither fresh nor inspiring. SSDD - Same Snow, Different Day, or words to that effect. It's not just boring, it's dispiriting. That prognosticating varmint declared winter over just four days ago but clearly, the weather gods did not get the memo.







Ah, but even these February lamentations are nothing new, at least for me. I can depend on their annual visit. Better yet, I know I can bank on their annual departure.






This is one of those days when I can hear my Dad the weatherman, telling me and all his radio listeners how a good thick blanket of snow is good news for the coming Spring; how it insulates the ground from the bitter cold and prevents the frost from going so deep as to kill off the dormant seeds; how it will in time bathe the good earth in abundant yet gentle moisture that is so critical for new growth.



I hear ya, Dad. Thanks for the reminder.






The light is returning and underneath all that white, the green lies waiting for re-birth.

©2017 April Hoeller

Thursday, or Thereabouts - February 2, 2017

Of Ground Hogs and Candles

It's Ground Hog Day in these parts today. And if you are tired of winter, Wiarton Willie had good news for you this morning. The Ontario rodent did not see his shadow which means according to the folklore, that winter is pretty much over.






Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam agreed. Their western siblings reportedly held the opposing view, as their dark shadows stretched out across the snow.

Though one of the favoured east-enders of the nation, I won't be putting away any of my "Nanook of the North" equipment. For the next two months my tuque, mitts, scarves, heavy boots, down jacket and shovel will remain in place by the door. Tonight's forecast of gusting winds and temperatures of -12°C (10°F), along with an extreme cold alert gives good reason for that.













Today is also Candlemas Day, a Christian festival of light. In some traditions, candles are blessed, then lit and processed through the church all in commemoration of the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple.

It's quite likely that the early church chose February 2 in order to counter the ancient Celtic feast of Imbolc. Back in old England and Ireland, the spring lambs were born around this date thus bringing back the flow of ewe's milk or "Imbolc" (other spellings: Imbolg, Oimelc, and Imelg).

The ancients celebrated with candles, lots and lots of candles, to welcome the return of the light to their days, to welcome the first signs of Spring in their flocks.

I prefer candles over ground hogs. They are so much easier to keep and quietly hold their dance until I bring flame to wick. They give warmth and comfort without fur balls or poop. They give light and cheer to heart and home. But once lit, candles demand our attention - left to their own devices, they can go wild.

Bitter winds, cold and snow are not over, but as sure as the sun, the moon and the tides, the light is returning. In the forty days since Christmas (yes, it has been that long), our days have lengthened by sixty-one minutes to 9 hours:57 minutes. By the end of this month, daylight hours will have stretched to a full 11 hours and 10 minutes.

It's time to peruse the garden shops...

and check out the seed selection.

It's time to plan for new growth.

It's time to craft the storyline of Spring's arrival.

So bring out the candles today. 

Tend them carefully.

Enjoy the flickering dance and breathe in the warmth. 

Celebrate light.

©2017 April Hoeller

Monday Moanings - January 30, 2017

Me Today:

Felled by a virus that literally knocked the wind out of me, last week I was easy prey for that trio of muggers who go by the names of  Fear, Uncertainty, and Dread. And my goodness, didn't they have an unending supply of ammunition? Running on "alternate facts" and executive orders, social media and news services exploded with tweets, images, headlines, and sound bites.

At times I felt the sting of loss; not just of my world but the world. I grieved the loss of a bright, hopeful future for my children. At times I felt a prickling of fear shiver through me, body and soul. But then other voices emerged in the media, voices of well-reasoned commentary and astute observation. Then people stepped up to help those in need of shelter, of comfort, of hope. These words and actions did much to reassure me that there is wise, humane leadership in this old world after all; leadership that will call out injustice and not turn a blind eye.

This morning I awoke to read of the deadly attack at a mosque in Quebec. I grieve again. I will steer clear of the sensationalism that peppers social media and fuels fear. I will wait for the facts to emerge and in the meantime do what I can to be of comfort to others.

Desiderata 

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others,

even the dull and the ignorant;

they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,

they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain and bitter;

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;

for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals;

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love;

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,

be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. 

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be,

and whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, ©1952.

©2017 April Hoeller

Thursday, or Thereabouts - January 19, 2017

Faraway Places...

Grey January skies with too few sunny breaks, tune up my wistful heart to recall an old song. The version I recall was sung by none other than Vera Lynn with my parents joining in whenever it was played on the radio.

Have a listen...

"Faraway places
 With strange soundin' names
 Far away over the sea
 Those faraway places
 With the strange soundin' names
 Are callin', callin' me

Our 2017 excursion to faraway places begins 243 days. It's a bit of a long stretch for us between adventures, but there's work to be done home here, so we'll just have to whistle while we work and hope the time flies by. We are heading back to Europe as my love has a conference in Berlin (just like last year). I'm working on intriguing ways to get there. Looks like Prague will be the starting point for a river cruise. Here's hoping the Elbe River levels stay high enough to float the boat. All that's needed is 84cm (33.1 inches) of water under the hull.

image courtesy of Viking River Cruises

 Goin' to China
 Or maybe Siam
 I want to see for myself
 Those faraway places
 I've been readin' about
 In a book that I took from a shelf

2014 took us to Asia:

Hong Kong

Nagasaki

Busan

China: Laolongtou - The Dragon's Head, the eastern edge of the Great Wall.

Old Shanghai

Xian - The Terra Cotta Warriors

Beijing

 "I start getting restless
 Whenever I hear
 The whistle of a train
 I pray for the day
 I can get underway
 And look for those castles in Spain."

Several trips have taken us to Spain, the most recent being last year.

Alicante

Grenada - The Alhambra

Seville - The Alcazar

And we've been privileged to cruise to so many other faraway places.

St. Petersburg, Russia 2012

Venice 2013

Sydney, Australia 2010

Mumbai 2011

Ushuaia, Argentina 2008

Oslo, Norway 2007

And then some...

 "They call me a dreamer
 Well, maybe I am
 But I know that I'm burnin' to see
 Those faraway places
 With the strange soundin' names
 Callin', callin' me..."


©2017 April Hoeller

Monday Moanings - January 16, 2017

Blue Monday?



So apparently today has the notoriety of being the most depressing day of the year.

Unless of course, it's next Monday. There is some disagreement here on which day exactly Blue Monday falls. Most claim it is the third Monday in January -- that would be today -- while others say it is the Monday of the last full week in January -- that would be next Monday, the 23rd.


I think I'm getting a headache...

The theory is that late in the first month of the new year, the hype and hoopla machine that propelled us through 6+ weeks of the Christmas/New Year season, has finally run out of gas, AND the credit card bills detailing the excesses of those weeks have arrived.

Ah, but a little research reveals the real truth about Blue Monday. It's origins date back to 2005 when Sky Travel in the UK wanted to drum up January business. They called in a prof at Cardiff University and he developed an equation to calculate the most depressing day of the year.

Interestingly, it turned out to be in January! The idea caught on, along with the remedy: spend your way out of it by buying a vacation package. Oh, and while you're away, spend more money!

The retail industry loved it and we bought it - hook, line, and sinker.

Neuroscientist Dean Burnett has called a spade a spade: "This claim is incorrect. It is unscientific. It is pseudo-scientific. It is uber-scientific." His rant in the Guardian a few years back put it in no uncertain terms:
When asked whether it really was the most depressing day of the year, he answered,

"No.
No, no, no.
No. Na. Nein. Non. Nyet. Mhai. Illai. Não. Nee. Ne. Nope. Negatory. Nada. No way, Jose. Nil. Nu. Nie. Bu Dui. Iie. Nem. Nullus. Nej. Neen. And, in case any Klingons are reading this, Ghobe!"

There is no scientific evidence to support a Blue Monday in January, or a Blue Wednesday in October, or any other day of the year.










For those of us in the northern hemisphere, Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) does have some credibility in the world of science and medicine. For some of us, this time of year just doesn't bring enough hours of daylight to keep us merry and bright.

But have you noticed that both 7am and 5pm are looking a little brighter these days?
The sun where you live may not appear as a great fireball in the sky today, but it is still up there and rising a little bit higher each day.

Where there are shadows, there is light...

Blue, red, yellow or green, it's time to smile and kick off into a new week.

May there be enough light for all of us to enjoy.
Have a good one.












©2017 April Hoeller