Halloween

Halloween. I started out dressed as a pioneer woman. Then a charwoman. Then a gypsy.  Then in a fit of disgust, I put on a short 60's inspired multi-coloured circle dress that I bought this year and went as myself.  Somehow, DNi thought I dressed as a pirate and left Yoda at home. WTH?  Proof that he doesn't actually look at me.

It's been raining all day but I saw little Trick or Treaters out there.  Not much gets between kids and their candy. We were the same way at that age.

The best thing today though, hands down, was watching Little Shop of Horrors with DNi and Yoda. The little green parrot laughed his way through the flick. I looked over to see him leaning way over in his cage to see the screen.  There were times when he was laughing and we weren't.  He amuses the hell out of me.

This was his favourite scene.  RIP Levi Stubbs

Keeping busy

DNi slept through his alarm this morning and I ignored mine so you can imagine the speed with which we fell out of bed and raced to get him to work by 5am.  We got there a few minutes late but under five.  Considering what time I yelled at him that was fantastic.

There was a lovely email in my inbox this morning from a dear friend. She's going to be in Toronto in ten days and said she could pop by for a visit. Even twenty minutes with this lovely lady would be delightful but the idea of a day with her is sheer joy.  My fingers are crossed that all will work out so that we can visit with each other.

One good thing about dad burning the meat loaf was that it reminded me of his dad. Grandpa always said the carbon from burnt food was good for the heart. It was sweet that he turned Grandma's horrible cooking (everything was burned to a char) into a health benefit. 

I can't quite figure out what to wear for Halloween. I have my lovely regency dress but no hat.  I was thinking it would be nice to have a lace bonnet but I don't have time to make it for tomorrow and can't quite find a pattern I like.  I did snip stills of Mrs Bridges' cap from Upstairs Downstairs

I could live without the tassel but I think it's actually a rag curl

The blasted woman would not stop moving

It's very pretty. I'm sure I'd find an occasion to wear it.

Appreciation

Sorry I didn't post last night. I was exhausted and went to bed. Ky had a seizure, he's okay, no lasting ill effects, but I was on high alert from then on.  I had plenty of good things - especially the part where Ky is okay, no lasting ill effects - but no energy with which to share them.

Today involved a lot of oil of oregano, orange juice, Bleak House, Much ado about Nothing, an interview with Chris Hadfield and the feeling that I'm truly blessed. Eliot hunted a mouse that made its way inside the heating vent.  Yoda and Kiki had a few flights around the apartment. Milo is feeling much stronger and feistier. Ky enjoyed all of the vigilant attention.

The weather is warming up. I think this back and forth between hot and cold is what's making me sick so often lately. Today was another day on the couch chugging oil of oregano and orange juice with a side of cookies.  Later in the day, I switched to cinnamon and honey in hot water. It's yummy and soothing.

Hadfield's photos of space, and his wonder at the world on which we live is an uplifting contrast to the the worlds portrayed by Dickens and Shakespeare. It's no wonder I have a great appreciation for creature comforts, for foods and beverages that soothe my ills, for friends and family who ensure I am entertained, loved and protected, luxurious shelter and good jobs with people I like.  Really, life is good. 

And the cookies are fresh baked chocolate chip.

Associations

I'm watching History of Scotland just for the lyrical accent and gorgeous scenery.  It's been three long years since last my feet walked the sacred soil of my ancestors but I think about my experiences almost every day.  There are worse ways to occupy my mind.

I talk to myself way too much. None of the animals, or humans for that matter, pay much attention to the sound of my voice as a result.  I changed it up a bit today by singing my thoughts.  At least I was amused.

Despite the fact that I feel fat, I'm wearing my smallest jeans - and they're loose. Perceptions.  Huh. 

I've been making the effort to cook meals so that we're getting all of our nutritional needs instead of scarfing back calories.  This plan is most effective when I cook ahead. Tonight's fare was stuffed peppers. It's something my mom made a lot when we lived in Kingston.  It's funny how I associate that meal with those years. Some great memories.

What food to you most associate with good times?

Uncomplicated

A few things. One. Someone hates my guts because I defended their loved one. From them. I'm okay with it. It's easier for them to place blame on me for interfering instead of looking at their own abusive behavior.  Their hate isn't hurting me. It's hurting their loved one, but not me.  I'm not always this forgiving but it's not someone who matters to me in any way, shape or form.  I was upset for a couple of hours until I put all of the above pieces together.

Another thing. A heavily sarcastic thank you to Cineplex.  Because they've chosen only to show the 3D versions of Gravity, I will not be watching that movie on the big screen. There's a growing trend of 3D movies.  The local theatre showed both versions until Cineplex forced them into installing 3D screens. I spoke with the manager about it last year before the big renovation. She said there were a lot of customers who had trouble watching the 3D.  I know home theatres are advanced models, with giant screen tvs, surround sound and even movie theater popcorn.  I still want a night out, with friends, to watch a movie on a wall of screen without the option to pause the action.  Grumble grumble grouch. 






It may have been a gloomy wet day here but our sense of humour was intact at work. This is always a bonus and makes the day so much more enjoyable for ourselves as well as our patrons. I love when I'm able to help a child find a book that excites their imagination. It's neat when I do the same for adults.

My great-aunt was tickled that I made socks for her. She thinks I'm clever. That makes me giggle for some reason.  I guess I'll be alternating between pairs for her and my mom.  Knitting soothes my jangled nerves and brings them joy. I don't see the down side. Thanks to Stashaholic, I still have enough yarn to make several pairs of socks. 

Eliot waits at the back door for DNe to come inside the house. He waits by the bathroom door. He races into the attic, across the furniture, over top of the dog.  There are no obstacles between Eliot and his boy.  That makes my heart so happy. It's good for DNe to experience unconditional love. We should all be so lucky.

My brain has been clicking away on so many things.  It feels like the more tired my body, the more active my brain. I'm making some important connections to behaviours, people and consequences.  I'm learning to listen to what I need, not just what everyone else needs from me.  It feels a bit selfish but it is necessary.

Ky and I played ball, wrestled for the giant stuffed frog and burned thousands of calories while having fun.  Life can be that simple and uncomplicated.

Attitude

I was in a good mood all day, had lots of energy and optimism. I went for walks on both of my breaks, took tree photos and generally enjoyed the day. I'm not sure what made my attitude so good. Knowledge would make it easier to recreate. I hope I do as well tomorrow.

Too cold to think

One good thing about dropping half a shelf of books on my head was that they were all soft cover.

I figured out a scene today and spent some time writing it down. I also made plans to write online with a friend several days next week. In the meantime, I'll flesh out the aftermath and the reactions.

I'm tired, going to bed early. I do not have a concussion. I was up incredibly early again. While I don't mind it, I think of all sorts of interesting thoughts, it does make the day verrrrrry long.

Planning

One good thing about getting up at 4am to drive DNe to work is the light traffic.  I enjoy that time of day when it feels like post zombie apocalypse -without the fight for survival. Few people are awake.

When I got home, I spent some time brainstorming a scene with my paranoid character. I wrote for a couple of hours and made plans with a good friend to do the same again tomorrow.

I also confirmed plans for Friday night that involve pizza, beer and hockey.  Let's hope number 81 is in the groove again that night.

Life rarely works out as planned. My living arrangements are a case in point. But if you make the most of whatever comes your way, disappointment can be minimized. That's my theory. What's yours?

Serendipity

Work broke with routine and sent me off to run errands.  Every light was green, the bridges stayed down and I was the only one in line at each of the stops. I was back considerably before anyone expected me.

At the day's second job, I kept tripping over the number 81. As soon as I got home, I asked the score of the hockey game. 2-0 for the other team. When I told everyone about my 81 interactions they laughed and said that player had been sleeping so far.  Yeah, well, number 81 ended up with a hat trick.

All in all, an interesting day.

animal vibes

The weather was so incredibly beautiful. The walk home from work was windier than I expected but enjoyable none-the-less.  It's going to be winter soon enough so I'm taking advantage of the gorgeous weather as much as I can do so.

Ky and I went to see the Ky-ropractor.  She adjusted both of us and really worked on my sacrum. It's been hard to sit lately, which is a problem at work some days.  I love my stand-up desk. I wish I could take it to work with me.

My morning started with fresh scones, and day ended with roasted beets.  Food is so yummy and the options are endless during Harvest Time. 

I just threw my cell phone across the room. I forgot it was attached to the laptop. When I moved the laptop to the table, the phone disconnected and went flying.It's fine. I have an otter box and it works.

Milo seems to be feeling better.  I put plastic tablecloths on my bed to protect it but he's kept food down for the last 24 hours. He's so old and frail that he doesn't have reserves for those times when his tummy is upset.  He's always been a healer.  He won't be able to do that forever but I'm grateful for every moment we have together.

Eliot loves my DNe. He's not my cat. He waits at the door for DNe, races to greet him when he awakes, sleeps as close to him as he can at all times.  It makes me smile to watch the two of them. DNe pretends the "cat" annoys him but he isn't fooling anyone. Least of all Eliot.

Shopping list Sunday

No Internet last night meant no post. The day had tea, scones, trees, Jordan, rain, cats, dogs, hockey, homemade pizza and yarn. Tears in the car were cathartic.

Today dawned sunny and cool. More homemade pizza, apple sticky buns, chocolate, orange juice, autumn leaves, potatoes, beets, tomatoes, books, planning, plotting and problem solving. No tears today.  Sometimes I feel like we are all four years old and faking maturity. Other days, I feel like we're ninety and tired of the silliness.  I'm sure there's a happy medium.  Today felt like all things are possible.

Full moon Friday

I pedaled my way into work, fighting a head wind and arrived exhausted. Going home, the wind had shifted so it was more of the same, and my basket was loaded down with books. I was grousing to myself about it then realized I had burned twice as many calories this way. Just think how much strength training my legs experienced.

We were swamped at work, and the printers were cantankerous but the day zipped along. There was no time to second guess anything.  Considering I had nightmares about losing my job, that was a very good thing.

Now I have company, animals are co-existing and the moon is full. Strange energies at play. I like it - as long as the nightmares keep their distance.

Mixed bag

One good thing about the shower leaking - again - is how creative we're getting about the experience. I think we should go to a large copper tub and have servants fill it with hot water they boiled over an open fire.

One good thing about seeing a former flirt that never progressed from casual interaction was the fact that I had dressed really well today. I wore a flattering purple dress with a cream lace sweater. I even had my hair down.  I ended up braiding it later as it was heavy against my neck.

One good thing about being up and about at 4am was the clear roads and heavy full moon lighting our drive.  That time of day reminds me of some great long drives cross country with good friends and other interesting companions.

Alternatives

We joked about turning the bathtub into a planter when it started leaking again - the day after we put the floor back down. It's important to laugh.

I made banana bread out of fruit that was ready for the compost. It tastes much better than that would lead you to believe.

I stepped away from a "discussion " I started about politics.  It's not worth a friendship. I just deleted a paragraph that outlined my point of view.  Backing away slowly.

How was your day?

Fresh air

My one coworker today provided us with hours of entertainment, very much without intention. She set bread to toast in the toaster oven but for some reason it didn't turn off.  It continued to toast well into charcoal.  Who knows what would have happened if the boss hadn't gone into the lunchroom to see what was going on?  We all went from thinking we were having a collective seizure to sympathizing with our coworker. She felt so bad about it.  When I left six hours later, smoke still hung heavy in the building.

For lunch, I chose to go for a walk instead of hanging around in the lunchroom.  It was gorgeous outside. The sun was shining, the air was fresh and smelled sweet. Because we haven't had a frost yet, fruit continues to grow.  The grapes are particularly lush.

I might not have gone for that walk if not for the toast incident. I'm really glad I went. Not only was the bakery having a 50% off sale on pies and cakes (I went back and told my coworkers who all went out and took advantage) Pumpkin cheesecake is much tastier than you would expect.

I had a great text conversation with a good friend tonight.  He's taken some big changes in his life and made them wonderful. He says he's more at peace and comfortable than he has in years.  It made me unbelievably happy to hear how happy he is. Misery may love company but happiness spreads joy. It's like a plague - without the pestilence.

Thanksgiving Monday

I  can not express my gratitude for Oil of Oregano strong enough.  Followed by a chaser of orange juice, it works wonders for the flu.  I can't eat much yet but that's actually a good thing.  I have some reserves.

I read a book The telling of bees which sucked me right into the story and characters. I loved the rhythm of the hive and how the main character fashioned his life on the bees' example of order and interaction. 

I'm close to finishing the first sock for my great-aunt.  The yarn is dyed Scottish Heather so of course it's perfect for her.

One good thing about being sick over the holiday weekend is the time and peace in which to heal without guilt.  I'm not back to par yet but close enough.  That's something for which to be grateful.

Thanksgiving Sunday

I was exhausted last night after making and jarring applesauce for eight hours that I fell into bed without posting. It had been an eventful day far removed from my fantasy of sitting on the book-covered fabric chair and reading the day away.  It was productive which is often good.

Here's the canning in process

We also worked on the bathroom floor, now that it no longer leaks, we can put it back together.  We finished the standing desk today. I LOVE it.  I'm so proud of the design.  Only the piano hinge and four brackets to hold the dowels beneath the swinging shelf are new. Everything else is original from the waterbed.

Ta-da!

There's a lot of blue in that photo.  The mulberry tree is through that window to the left of the desk.  The pilates ball is my chair when I really need one and the laptop goes down a shelf or onto the filing cabinet. Those books are from my good friend, Brenda Harlen.  One of them is the Icelandic version.  It always makes me smile.

I was awake most of the night alternating between chills and fever. Today has been much of the same so I opted out of the extended family Thanksgiving dinner. I feel sorry for myself that I'm missing out on the fun but at the same time, I can hear the rain outside my window. The cat is asleep on one bed, the dog asleep on the floor beside me.  I've had two doses of Oil of Oregano, half a gallon of orange juice and three big mugs of cinnamon honey tea.  I'm fortunate to have today and tomorrow off work so that I can recover.

I had a good conversation with a friend about the importance of finding good in every day.  On the days that are the most challenge is when it's most important. It's so easy to think the worst is going to happen, is happening but the truth is that there is always someone or something that makes the day tolerable. We look back on the tough times and remember small kindnesses more than the slights because the kindness is what sustains us.

Thank you all for your kindness.

Change -up

Milo spent time in the living room tonight. Some hissing and growling gave way to one eye open naps. Then Eliot jumped onto the couch and fur flew. Literally. This is going to take some time.

New chair means the living room has to be rearranged - again. I like the couch in front of the window but there doesn't seem to be enough room for everything. More thought is required.

Thursday

Another beautiful day in Niagara. I'm grateful for every single day of sunshine and warm temperatures. It will be winter soon enough. I bought a pair of work slacks in anticipation.

I made Milo spend some time in the living room with the rest of the household. You would think I'd held his paws over an open flame. Sheesh. I'm determined to re-integrate him into the family regardless of his preferences.  Mean, aren't I?

Water tasted good today.

New projects

Uh, yesterday's post should have said Syfy, not spyfy (three guesses what I was watching as I wrote). Fangasm is still a blast.

On the way home to Stashaholic's we bought a roasting pan that can double as a slow cooker, two more 10 lb bags of beets, 2 lbs of onions, an orifice hook for her spinning wheel and some fudge for me.

On the way home, I got off the highway and took the scenic route. This is the best time of year for that as it is truly scenic.  I made apple turnovers when I got home.

I also spent a ridiculous amount of time online looking for sample photos of a Russian fleece comb. Another friend of mine has agreed to build one if I can find the pins.  They're about ten inches long, made of steel.  The Internet wasn't too helpful but we think a machine shop can make us some.  More research is required.

Ky and Eliot are sad that the extra set of petting hands has returned to her own home. 

Disjointed but good

There's a show on Spyfy called Fangasm. It's about seven interns at Stan Lee's Comic Contact. It's great to watch real people with such passion get to meet and work for their hero. I have a great deal of affection for these people. I'm glad it's not an elimination type show.

It's Autumn outside. I love the smells -wood-burning stoves, wet leaves, decaying plants, rich soil, apples and grapes.

I'm going to finish the base of the minion hats tonight. Yay. I'm anxious to get to my aunt's socks.

Today was my very long day at work. It was great to get pet updates and photos from Stashaholic. It sounded like they all enjoyed each other's company.

Massage

Never underestimate the importance of a good massage. I wasn't sure I would make it through the day until we went for an appointment.  Much better.

Ky is really enjoying our visit with Stashaholic.  He thinks she's here solely for his enjoyment.  He might be right. Yoda has picked up a few new whistles.

My online friends are silly. The have a poetry-reciting ocelot.

Auto-correct suggested Iceland for ocelot. It knows me well.

Perception.

No one died. This is a very good thing.

I woke up full of self-loathing. I expanded it to those around me. Ky and I went for a walk.  A dog ran off its front porch straight at us.  Ky perceived that as a threat when, in fact, I think it was an enthusiastic hello.

Perception.  It is the difference between hailing a cab and bidding on a priceless work of art.

I hope your day was full of priceless art. 

Day full of good things

It was Pioneer Day in Jordan.

That means we had the Best Fudge in the World.  Apple fritters. Hand-churned butter.  Homemade sausage (I just watched them make that, I didn't eat any but others did and enjoyed). We saw rope-making, spinning, tatting, and rug hooking.  DNi was thrilled she could do the latter with her broken arm.

I think my Great Aunt used to tat lace so I'm going to ask her to teach me. I bought gorgeous sock yarn today called Scottish Heather. They're already on the needles. She has tiny feet so I should be able to give them to her in a couple of weeks. 

The weather co-operated. The hockey team won.  The van was repaired instead of replaced.  Life is good.

Friends

And bottle of wine with Stashaholic.
That is plenty of wonderful. We may have talked about frivolous things as well as serious.  Sheep and alpaca definitely came up in conversation. If you know either one of us, you are not surprised.
Expect more of the same over the next few days.

Coincidence and entertainment

Another beautiful day in fruit country.  I walked around the building when I got to work and took pictures of all of our trees slowly turning colour in the Autumn sun.  They literally started changing overnight.

Girl Guide mint cookies were delivered to me today.  The person who delivered them has become a dear friend through the Laura Secord Walk.  Coincidentally, four people who went on that walk came in today and commended me on a wonderful experience.  I was just one of many cogs in that wheel but the feedback was appreciated.

My wonderful Internet friends wrote a funny story about me being Alone in the Library. It amused me greatly even if the reality was not that of a Romantic Hero searching for True Love but rather that of 30 Women from the University in a quest to learn more about Higher Education and Resources.  Either way, I was less alone.

Good day

The morning drive was dangerously foggy but ethereal. I wanted to stop and take photos but visibility made that too risky. It didn't burn off til noon so the morning had an insular feel.

One of the board members brought in a box of fresh fruit.  Nectarines - yum.

We solved the problems of the free world. Too bad no one asked us.

Hockey is back. My team won.