What I'm thinking today

Monday, 6 April 2020

Monday Meander - April 6, 2020

Report from the blankie fort - Week 4

As the siege of COVID-19 rages on, the world in which I live and move and have my being has shrunk. At times that loss of space and people, especially family, has been very discouraging, annoying, and indeed tearful. This past weekend, I cried as I watched the Easter family feast slide off the table of possibility. I then got into such a funk about it that I thought the unthinkable - don't bother putting out the Easter decorations!

This morning as I peeked outside of Fort Bear, I was greeted by a land sparkling brightly and Jack Frost's fine finger paintings on my windows.

A wonderful quiet joy eased its way into every cell, a full-body smile bubbled up, one that could not be erased or even muted by quarantines, masks, or anything else. So get out the Easter grass and eggs, the table runner and bunnies. Bake the bread.

It will be different, but Easter will happen and it will be joyful ... quietly.

Take Care.

Be well.

Please, STAY Home.

Thursday, 2 April 2020

Thursday, or Thereabouts - April 2, 2020

The sun is shining. The temperatures are warming. Spring is unimpeded, and perhaps even helped along, by our collective sheltering in place.

I think today is a day for flowers. They colour our world. They nourish bees, birds, and bunnies too, though I'm not best pleased about the rabbits!

Nevertheless, flowers bring such comfort, joy, and most of all hope. May these blooms bring you a smile, a breath of fresh air and a respite from the tedium of social/physical distancing. All the following photos are from my garden last year.

Take Care.

Be well.

Please, STAY Home.

Monday, 30 March 2020

Monday Meander - March 30, 2020

Report from the blankie fort - Week 3

Yup, I'm still here. It's getting a little tedious at times, a bit monotonous, even a bit annoying. Motivation ebbs and flows. I do my best to ride the good waves and make the most of the energy by accomplishing big things. Last Friday's brilliant sunshine and warm temperatures ushered in a perfect wave. I spent much of the day outside raking the lawns and garden. It felt great!

The rhubarb is up - a full two weeks earlier than last year.

The next two days were less exciting. Motivation got weighed down by the blanket of grey dampness outside my door. I became much like my dog - wandering around the house looking for treats, napping, occasionally barking at stuff and then getting really excited about going for a ride in the car! Who knew a trip into town to do a curbside pick-up at the hardware store could be so thrilling?! We did have to keep an eye on the speedometer. It's hard to claim we're just keeping up with traffic flow when there isn't any. It's a strange world outside the blankie fort.

So what shall we do for excitement this week? Another drive perhaps. A door-drop of groceries is due here mid-week, thanks to our city kids. It will be their big car adventure! If the weather is really nice, then we might even be able to set out some chairs, 2 metres apart of course, and have a visit. That would be lovely.

The really good news of the week though is that I have it on good authority that the Easter Bunny has immunity!

It's time for me to plan and then start baking because there is evidence that some hopping down the bunny trail has begun.

Take care. Be well.

Escape for a car ride if you can, but otherwise, Stay home.

Thursday, 26 March 2020

Thursday, or Thereabouts - March 26, 2020

As week two of the Covid-19 siege draws to close, I'm torn between offering humour or another virtual escape from the fortress in the form of armchair travel. I certainly could use both in generous quantity. A good pee-my-pants laughing fit would be truly wonderful as would a soothing stroll through the streets of faraway places.

That good belly laugh is not something that I can truly give to you because it is one of those things that bubbles up from a shared history, a story of family or friends that when told to someone who wasn't there, falls flat. So if a good long laugh is what you need today, call up a loved one, or three, and begin with, "Remember the time when..."

Sister Act - 1972: One had to be there...

A soothing stroll in a faraway land? Now that is a doorway that I can hold open for you.

Come wander with me beside the still waters along the Philosopher's Path in Kyoto, Japan.
It is Autumn along the path. The sun is shining and the air is soft and warm...

There are many temples along this path.
Bathe your hands in the purification fountains.

Breathe and bathe again in the soothing incense.

Hear the call of temple bells, great and small...

...and singing bowl.

Be entranced by Zen gardens

Take in simplicity

Be still.
Be patient.
Be kind.

..and STAY HOME!

Monday, 23 March 2020

Monday Meander - March 23, 2020

Report from inside the blankie fort - Week 2

It's very bright outside this morning, but it's not sunshine!

Nice one Old Man Winter - Not! On the other hand, the snow does give a nice white-wash over the dirty remnants of previous snowfalls.

Yeah, I know that doesn't quite cut it. It is supposed to be Spring and some warm breezes would be so very soothing in these uncertain times.

In my garden yesterday, there was just the reassuring comfort I needed. Fear not, Lady Spring is pushing her way into the land.

Even sitting inside looking out the window treated me to this beauty. The slight bulkiness of this coyote's back end suggests that she is pregnant - another sure sign of Spring.

And inside my opulent space station/blankie fort, spring cleaning has been happening. I've cleaned out two kitchen cupboards and inventoried the contents of fridges and freezers. Today's task is to do the same for the pantry. Based on posts from others, I'm given to believe we're all clearing, cleaning, and renovating. Stuff is getting done, stuff that has languished for eons. How can this not be a good thing?

I've found it helpful to set up a schedule. Meals for the week and activities. The activities schedule includes restricted social media time (10am and 3pm), and network news (9am and 6pm). I do take in our Prime Minister's daily addresses and occasionally the provincial. The radio station which has always been on in the house has been switched out for all music all the time (CD's, playlists, etc.) in order to avoid hourly newscasts. This helps keep me balanced.

We here are safe. We have food, shelter, warmth, and health. We visit family via Skype.
We can do this.