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 |   Theses are my thoughts and ramblings as I forge my way through this thing they call life. |
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These are my thoughts and ramblings as I forge my way through this thing they call Life. I blog with these groups:     "Blogging Circle of Friends "  [E] 
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Blogging Circle of Friends - Day 2061: April 5, 2021 Prompt theme: Renewal - “We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come.” —Joseph Campbell How does this quote relate to renewal. This is an interesting quote. It resonates with me. I find many of the stories that I write tend to follow this pattern of renewal as the women I write about are rising up above situations they thought were good for them. Leaving abusive relationships, unfaithful men and dead-end jobs to find their true authentic self and their happiness. An old skin restricts movement and growth. Shedding it allows for growth to happen and freedom to move and change. Old skin cuts into the body and the soul, it can ultimately kill if it not shed. Nobody wants to be restricted and held back from new growth. Change is inevitable. Inevitable but not always negative. Even in a good situation, new growth and change are important. Who wants to live stagnantly?! Have you ever smelt a stagnant pool of water? Yeash! Spring is the perfect time to shed off the old, clingy winter that has keep up buried under coats, hats and mitts The freedom to go outside without all that extra to keep us warm is revitalizing. Yesterday I sat outside on the front stoop and read and wrote and just enjoyed being outside where I could watch the neighbours and say "Hello, Happy Easter" from a safe distance. It brought a lot of smiles to many faces, including mine. I am getting tired of writing downstairs in the basement. After a busy autumn, it was nice to get cozy by the fireplace, but that was months ago and I am ready for a change. I think the one thing about this Pandemic is not being able to get out and about. A change of scenery helps me blast through writing blocks. I miss watching people and the atmosphere's of various places. I missing popping over to another smaller village or small town to breath a bit of change... a bit of difference. It breaks up the mundane. I have plans to take a thermos of coffee and my laptop to the park downtown when the weather gets a little warmer. The park is able to pick up free WiFi from the City Hall making the perfect outdoor spot... it just hope the bathrooms open and then I will have it made in the shade! Being creative and finding ways to fulfill that need to get out, but still stay safe, is what has been keeping me sane when things get heavy. |
Blog City - DAY 2332 December 21, 2020 Prompt What was your biggest learning experience in 2020? 2020 has been a challenging year. There have been many learning opportunities. The one that runs through all of them is being grateful for what I have - family, friends, my health, my work - teaching and my writing. Staying close to home has not bothered me overly much. I have probably saved a ton of money not galivanting out and about. I miss exploring various places and people watching. In the spring, I was able to see our neighbourhood antics as I spent a good amount of time on the front stoop watching the neighbour families interact. Across the street, there are two little boys under 6 years. I called them the kindie show! Their antics were priceless! Being outside, I was also able to greet many people out walking their dogs. Our area is really quite vibrant. I appreciated that. Writing outside was just lovely. Now as the weather is colder, I have moved indoors. My writing has moved back into the basement... close to the fireplace. With Christmas coming at the end of the week... a mere three plus days away, I have begun to close in. I did go out today to spend a few hours wandering around in Indigo. I bought a few gifts, but was not able to find everything I wanted. I have also bought a few things online... including a bee necklace and a bee adoption through ProjectHoneyBees. This is perfect for my aunt as she is studying to be a master Gardener and bees are very important to our survival. I refuse to go to the mall. So I managed to buy the calendar my mother wanted online. Not sure when it will arrive, but I can always put a wee note in her stocking. Tomorrow I will pick another store to venture out to... Rexall... to get a few last minute gifts. Then it will be wrapping. I may also pickup some baking items and make a few cookies I really enjoy. Like whipped shortbread. Christmas will be a quiet affair. I'll miss the traditions and seeing my extended family, but I will be with my mother and we will make things lovely. I think it is important to stay positive and look for ways to make anything possible. Patience is also important to develop. Nothing is done in a hurry. Shopping could take two or three times as long, if there are long lines and excessive wait tines. Then there is the health aspects - handwashing and sanitizing. Wearing a mask. Keeping physical distance, but still interact with others with a smile, a wave or a cheery 'hello'. We still need others. I look forward to the day I can hug my friends again! |
Blog City - Day2312 December 1, 2020 Prompt: “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge.” Daniel J. Boorstin What do you think the illusion of knowledge is? Interesting concept. Not sure if I fully understand it and I think my admission of feeling less than knowledgeable in this area, makes me not an illusionist when it comes to knowledge. I would not call myself ignorant either. I think someone who is knowledgeable is confident in their abilities, but also humble enough to know that with that knowledge comes the idea that you are merely scrapping the surface of all that is to be known. The more you know, the more you realize you don't know. I felt like that in my last year of university. Knowledgeable people are open to other views and are willing to widen their knowledge base. They know where they are strong and where they are weaker. They are also willing to bring in others who can share their knowledge - people they can learn from... because a knowledgeable person knows that learning in a life long adventure. They share and collaborate to bring everyone around them up to a higher level. Building potential. Giving the illusion of knowledge has a level of cockiness and a belief that you are all knowing... or at least giving that impression to others. You act like you know, when in fact, you have no clue. You are just making stuff up. But because you sound like an authority, you can sway others... to believe things that are not true or even dangerously not true. These people are also closed to the idea of change or trying things a different way. It's their way or no way. Fake news springs to mind. The person may have knowledge in an area, but give the impression that they are more than capable in another area... in this, Trump springs to mind. He might have business savvy, but you can't run a country like a business. I am curious what others think of this concept. I could be way off base, but I am also willing to learn. |
Blog City - Day 2309 November 28, 2020 We're officially in holiday season. What are you doing differently than past years? Weird how the Americans set up the 'holiday season' with Thanksgiving. I wonder how many celebrations practiced 'safe, protected' connections this year. I hope for good things, but I am not sure... As for my family, I am not sure what will be happening this year. Today I intent to get the tree out and get it decorated. I hope to have apple cider and / or Egg Nog (not mixed) on hand to make the experience more festive... maybe even break out the Christmas music to set the mood. I think we will need these traditions to try to bring in that Christmas Spirit. A little snow would help, but not too much... I don't get my winter tires on until December 19! As we embark on more restrictions and our Premier, Doug Ford calls for no family gatherings beyond your immediate household, I expect we will be 'visiting' via Google Meet or Zoom as we have our Mimosas on Christmas morning. I will be spending less this year... and ordering more things online. There will be less travelling and more time to write. I don't mind. I expect we will make up for it next year. Last year I baked a lot and shared my treats with the neighbours and my cousins. This year I don't think I will be baking as much... I don't need to be eating all those yummy Christmas cookies or fudge. Oh, but it was so good last year. Still, not a good idea this year. Mom says she is not even doing Christmas cards this year. At school, the Secret Sock exchange is being modified to be delivered a week early so the socks can be quarantined for a week before we actually wear them and the treats inside are supposed to be gift cards or things to charities.... I don't know about that. I still think we should be able to put in gifts... just quarantine them like the socks. This is like a secret Santa kind of thing where you put in gifts for the person based on finding out what they like and surprising them. I like the surprises. I figure we'll keep close to home and enjoy the little things. |
Blogging Circle of Friends - Day 2901: October 23, 2020 Prompt: “There is no greater threat to the critics and cynics and fearmongers than those of us who are willing to fall because we have learned how to rise.” Brené Brown, Rising Strong What do you think is Ms Brown right? How do you rise strong? I am a fan of Brene Brown. Her ideas make sense to me. They buoy me up; give me confidence to try - to take the risk and see where it leads me. Fear only holds us back and limits our potential. Part of learning is making mistakes - Miss Takes. You try again, after assessing the miss step and learning from it. That is how we grow and stretch ourselves. That is how we rise strong. We let go of the fear of failure that is limiting and embrace discovery. We learn to laugh at our mistakes and take them in stride. Being willing to risk failure and looking foolish, humbles us and makes us more open and supportive of others trying to make their way. Exposing our vulnerability lets others know it can be done and they don't feel so alone. Anyone who bashes us for being fearless is not worth our concern. Taking the risk makes us human and opens us up to deeper connection. These critics, cynics and fearmongers will stagnate and fall like leaves passed their prime. Time will trample them into the ground. Forgotten. Rubbish. |
Blogging Circle of Friends DAY 2900 October 23, 2020 What do you like to do on a dark and stormy day? Or a foggy day? Stay under the covers. Sleep and read. It is the ultimate pyjama day. A day for a 'bed picnic' - where one only leaves the bed to use the facilities after collecting books, magazines, art supplies and the TV remote as well as a selection of foods - both healthy and junkie. There should be chips and chocolate involved. |
Blogging Circle of Friends Day 2891: October 17, 2020 Prompt: What is your favorite part of October that has nothing to do with Halloween? I like the cooler days and nippy nights. I like the coziness of October. I like being able to put on the fire place and enjoy the toastiness. I like that October is Preptober - as it leads up to November. It is relaxed and casual. I could wear sweaters...if I wasn't dealing with hot flashes and breaking out the longer pants and putting away the shorts is like a changing of the guard... a kind of natural season change that is refreshing after a hot, humid summer. This summer was weird. With Covid-19, a lot of my usual summer adventures did not happen. I missed things, but not as much as I thought I would. I saved a lot of money in the process and got a lot more writing done. I also wrote outside more - on the front stoop, where I could watch the '5 year old show' across the street. There is a lovely family across the street with two little boys around the age of 5. They love to play outside and their drama is quite comical. They have a younger sister as well, but she has only turned a year this month, so she wasn't in on the drama. When they went away on a family vacation, it was pretty quiet around here. Blog City - Day DAY 2267 October 17, 2020 Use these words in your blog entry... purple, pumpkin, determine, clock, scarecrow and Shelia. Well, you asked for it.... this is what happens at 5:30 in the morning! The purple pumpkin danced upon the clock, determined to wake Shelia from dreams too odd to be natural. A scarecrow winked at her as it ran off down the lane... A flock of crows flittering around like dust in his wake. Shelia shook herself, dragged in consciousness like air - after being submerged a moment too long. She looked about her room expecting the purple pumpkin to be grinning at her, his Jack-o-lantern face gapping with a cheeky grin. But all was silent All was calm Until... the slamming of a door. Cold gripped her. turned her insides out as she stared wide eyed through the blanket of darkness. She could hear footsteps. Footsteps unknown to her. Footsteps with a heavy gait and a scrapping... She forced herself to breathe. Tried telling herself she was still caught in the haze of dreams But the thump ... bump, bump, bump... The turning of the bedroom knob had her dizzy with fear. Clutching her mangled sheets she peered into oblivion, awaiting whatever was making its way from dreams to reality. The door shot open Like gunfire, sending shrapnel everywhere. Shelia ducked back under the covers As fear wrapped around her like a Boa Constrictor. Laughter ripped the air. A cackle that had a tinge of familiarity. From beneath fear and flannel Shelia peeked And saw... And saw... The devil's child dressed in scarecrow's attire; A grin as wide as sin. Light poured from the ceiling's bulb Glaring light, pulsing. As Sheila saw flashes of anger and whipped a book At the vagrant's head. Get Out, You Fool She screamed as her son dipped back into the shadows of the hall Laughter trailing muffled words calling Gotcha! |
| Thursday night I logged on after my first day of teaching. I was exhausted, but in a good, rewarding way... and then I noticed my name coming up and congratulations being given and I thought WT.... My sleepiness evaporated and I was smiling from ear to ear! I had been promoted to a BLUE case and given MODERATOR status. I am still not sure what this all entails, but I am honoured to accept my newfound status. Emily   mentioned feeling like a newbie again and I have to agree. I am still feeling a sense of shock and bewilderment. I have to thank The StoryMaster  and The StoryMistress  for all their hard work and attention to this wonderful website. It truly is my online home. It is my soft place to land and it inspires me and lifts me up, as well as challenges me to stretch beyond myself and my limiting beliefs. I have met many wonderful people here and made some great friendships. I have grown so much since I started here in March of 2013. My gratitude is vast. Thank you, thank you, thank you. So much has happened in the last 7 years and I look forward to many more. I share this honour with eight other wonderful, deserving ladies - all of whom I have seen around this amazing website on a regular basis... there are 5 of us doing the I Write in 2020 Challenge. Here is the list of uniquely wonderful individuals: I also want to thank everyone for all the wonderful cNotes and messages. It has been lovely to be acknowledged in such a great way. I look forward to doing my part and making WDC a rockin' good place to be. Cheers! Thanks! |
 30 Day Blogging Challenge Montreal, Canada Well, we're ending our month long adventure in Montreal. Another early morning just over 2 hour flight to Montreal. I got everyone a room at the Four Seasons. Today is our last day of continent hopping. So let's go out in style. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g155032-d16722291-Reviews-Four_Seasons_... I've offered 3 museum choices, feel free to pick whatever interests you. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g155032-d155193-Reviews-Insectariu... https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g155032-d6784342-Reviews-Museum_of... https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g155032-d11716180-Reviews-Barbie_E... We're meeting up after lunch at 2:00 pm to do a private walking tour. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g155032-d12561325-Old_Montre... Dinner is at the Famous Tandem. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g155032-d2709343-Reviews-Restauran... Perfect day to be in Montreal! I can join up with my friends for the Tais Toi et Ecris (Shut Up and Write!) group in person instead of Zooming! They meet at 12:30 pm until 3 pm. So cool! This means I miss the private walking tour at 2 pm, but I am okay with that. Everyone was all abuzz about their Charlotte, North Carolina adventures. It was great to catch up and see everyone again... even if it is our last day. It was so cool to here about the ghost pub crawl that some of you were adventurous enough to take! Since none of the museums really interest me, I opt to do the walking tour in the morning. Yes, I am a rebel again, but Barbie or insects aren't my thing and I would love to see the city. I have never been to Montreal. I have driven through it, and that was an experience and a half! Quebec itself feels like a different country, even when crossing from Ontario into Quebec. Getting into the heart of Montreal will be a treat. The city has a great feel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nludElZhjrs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poe2cLKw9ko Gotta get me some poutine and I hear the craft beer scene is really good. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge Charlotte, NC. Oops, guess I should have told you before we went to the beach crawl our flight was at 7:00, and we need to be at the airport at 5am. Don't forget to talk about your day, the things you saw and who surprised you. Well I missed the flight. Not too worried though, I'm kind-of on a 'no USA thing' until Trump is gone.... and I am sticking to it... even in a virtual sense. Besides sleeping in, was a welcome thing, especially after the wonderful time I had yesterday. So I take another day in Belize. I have thoughts of dipping over into Guatemala just to see where my cousins are from - I have two cousins who are adopted. Both are from Guatemala, both they are from two different indigenous groups, but instead I explore on my own and spend my day relaxing and soaking up more sun. Blogging Circle of Friends Charlotte, NC Prompt: Which one of these 15 Things to do in Charlotta https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g49022-Activities-Charlotte_North_Caroli... is the most fun? If I did venture here, I would be inclined to check out the Haunted Charlotte Ghost and walking Pub Crawl. It combines the mystery of a haunted tour with fun of a pub crawl for a great night out. A guide leads the group on a 2.5-hour walking tour through historic Charlotte. Stopping at several bars along the way, each housed in historic buildings with their own unique ghosts and stories. Guests will have time to enjoy a delicious libation as the guide tells them all about the fascinating history of Charlotte and some of its most famous and creepy haunted stories!   |
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I'd need some company after that ghost tour.
