Happy March 1st!

Happy start of meteorological spring! (At least it is for weather forecasters here in Canada.) Astronomical spring is a mere 19 days away now, on the 20th. Yay!
 
I don't have much to write about, so I'll just post a few pics from Friday when downtown on an errand, and a couple of pics of Derry from the weekend. The usual snapshots!

BTW, I had to take two busy buses to get downtown Friday afternoon, and it was odd (to me) how anxious I felt on them, both going down and coming home. Even while walking downtown to my doctor's office and then to the waterfront. Depression and I are old friends, but real anxiety is a new companion for me, and I wonder if I'll be able to return to being around a lot of people, when the pandemic is over and life resumes more normalcy. I was doing the "square breathing" that is supposed to be good for calming, but didn't seem to work in the moment. Whew!
 
I hope everyone is doing well; do take care and stay safe!
 
Confederation Park, with the marina still frozen.
 
City Hall clock tower

 
The ferry heading over to Wolfe Island.
Most of you already know I'm obsessed with ferries!

 The Friday full moon.


Peace.

Comments

Such pretty photos, howdy Derry! Our Mom and Dad are still way nervous around other humans, it might take them a good while to be comfortable when they go out n' about.
Happy start to March!! We love seeing the beautiful photos that you shared. The City Hall clock tower looks amazing. The last two photos are just too cute. We love the snoozing photo. Have a beautiful rest of your week.
World of Animals Rittenhouse
The photos are lovely! You live in a beautiful area :)
I've always been anxious, though I try to stuff it down, and covid has brought
it out. I hope your long walks and Derry help you.
Maebeme said…
Great photos! The marina area looks cold but we're heading in the right direction. Absolutely love the moon shot...I've yet to be able to capture a photo I like of the moon. And Derry, what can I say - he's such a love.
I suffered from anxiety as a child, in fact I was on medication until I into my school years. But that went away until recently. Like you, I find myself moving away from people in the stores especially but even when I meet someone on the street. I hope that we'll both get over it when more people have received the vaccine (including us).
Take care, stay well!
catladymac said…
Purrs to you and Derry. Stay safe and well !
Dearest Kim,
Wow, that City Hall Clocktower is a GEM; what a lovely photo, such a joy to view.
The frozen area is quite a sight, so very different from the South...
And that full moon is a professional shot, never have managed to capture one and don't even try to. Enjoying others'.
Derry shows you how to relax. Sorry for your anxiety; that is a nasty little 'devil' tarting you. I've been blessed so far, never had any problems with that and especially since Pieter's open heart surgery (September 3, 2010), I've learned how to let go of unnecessary things + people that add to the negativity balance of life. For each of us it is a struggle to move forward, being it health wise, emotionally or at times even financially. So we should weed out as much of the negative aspects as we can. Then trying to reward ourselves with little things to look forward to, such as some fresh flowers on the breakfast table, or some good dark chocolate to enjoy with a tea. A warm soak in the tub with romantic music... Life is still giving us lots of 'vitamins' for our soul.
The negative media is for a big part banned from my mind, don't want to let it enter and ruin the blissful feeling of our home, our tiny world with the kitties and together... Not a paradise and not every day at a high but very good and so much to be grateful for!
Walked the dogs with a good friend, we're about the same age, she's a bit older and the dogs are rather strong and hyper. Now I'm used to their pulling and wanting to take off but running at our age is a no-no. Being outside in the fresh air does us a lot of good and without wearing a mask, around a private property anyway. Just around a little lake and some wooded area.
When we both bike, it is without a mask; would not be able to breath with one over my mouth!
Looking at Derry's photo with you, or you with Derry, I noticed that your mood reflects also the way Derry boy holds his mouth... It is funny how they manage to mimic us. Maybe it is time that we more and more learn to mimic them and take their teachings about how to 'really relax' to heart!
Drove this morning in heavy rain, to my eye doctor's appointment. Rest of the day was okay, just dreary and dark with heavy overcast. Tomorrow and Wednesday rain and Saturday night only 2℃ and Sunday only 1℃... That is the Georgia ping-pong ball spring: up and down and yes/no.
Big hugs,
Mariette
Mariette
John Bellen said…
Wonderful photographs, as always. I’m sorry you became so anxious. I don’t worry about too many important things, just insignificant problems. I think it’s because nothing ever happens to me, so I figure I’ll avoid all the catastrophes… I think you will return to normal eventually; once everyone and the general atmosphere becomes calmer, things will be easier for you - and spring is coming, so that will help!
Kea said…
I think you have significant (cat health) problems/catastrophes almost all the time, John. I've always been in awe of your resiliency to handle them and keep going in the face of terrible sickness and loss. ♥
Rian said…
The anxiety really comes with the territory these days. I too think that I will continue to be 'aware and cautious' around people even after this pandemic is over. And even now when things are a tiny bit better (with numbers going down and more vaccines around) our Texas governor is thinking about lifting the mask regulation (Can you believe?). I intend to wear my double mask for a bit longer... (as science and the medical profession advise - as well as common sense). We certainly don't want to stop taking precautions too early and start this whole thing over again.
Love the pics!
ANGEL ABBYGRACE said…
Things will continue and life goes on. I always think about the past and how our ancestors dealt with so much of the exact same things we have to deal with. As with the pandemic, I went and read up on the last one in 1918 and it was surprising how similar it was to the one we are going through. I suspect just as they dealt with adversaries so shall we. I suspect too your reactions to being around more people than you've been accustomed to will dissipate once we are past this. Not immediately but with time this will become a distant memory too. It will be over -- one day. It will. Those of us who survived will not forget it but we won't live it everyday like we do now. Hello sweet Derry!
Timmy Tomcat said…
Dad gets the D & A on occasion. Hope you are feeling as nice as your pictures and Derry
Kea said…
I've been double-masking since the fall, but still am paranoid in what feels like a crowded space (like some transit routes). Your governor is a bit foolish, IMO. Take care and stay well, Rian.
Kea said…
Thanks. One thing I've learned through this pandemic is that what I experience is not uncommon at all, I'm far, far from alone. In a way it's comforting.

Take care and stay well.
Kea said…
Yes, we'll get through it, and we have modern science and medicine to assist. The downside in some respects is that we also have media and social media to keep feeding us fear and negativity all day, every day. Sometimes it's hard to turn it off and still keep abreast of news!
Kea said…
I downloaded a not-for-profit meditation app a few weeks ago and have been doing sessions. That's a LONG term thing, though, something that will benefit years down the road if I stick with it.

You're smart to ban negative media from your bubble. I was doing that in November and December, but have been tuning into too much news again, part of the problem.

I do like your phrase of vitamins for the soul. I call them my "happys," the little things that are good about each day, like a cup of herbal tea or a hot shower, sunshine, etc. :-)
Kea said…
Thanks, Jo-Anne. Cold, though! LOL.
Kea said…
Thanks; you stay safe and well also!
Kea said…
The moon pic was just snapped with the point and shoot, so not bad. Better if I wanted (and had) a DSLR, but I'll pass on one at this stage of my life.

The vaccine can't come soon enough, though at my age I'm in the third tier, so it's going to be months yet unless the roll-out really speeds up in Ontario.
Kea said…
I think a lot of us might be in that same boat, a bit (or a lot) wary until the pandemic is actually over, though the virus will not be eradicated. Still, once enough of us are vaccinated, we'll be able to resume some sort of normal life again.
Kea said…
Thanks for stopping by. We hope you have a lovely week too. :-)
Kea said…
The area is nice, but then every part of Canada seems to have its own beauty. :-)

I haven't been walking at all, really, not in a long time, though I do daily workouts for women 50+ via videos. I do miss the walking, and even more, a REASON to walk. I've discovered that I'm not particularly fond of random walking unless it's specifically for picture-taking. Otherwise I'm a destination walker.
Rian said…
Very foolish. He's opening us up 100% as of March 10th (next Wednesday)... and no more mask mandates. He says that each person has a role to play in their own personal safety and the safety of others. But he doesn't seem to realize that some people just plain don't care... (IMO)
meowmeowmans said…
Your photos are wonderful, Kim! If it makes you feel any better, we are still really nervous about being around other people, too. Even after we get the vaccine, I would bet there will be a lot of wariness. Virtual hugs to you, and virtual scritches to Mr. Derry. :)
Treated myself to a bubble bath today as it went from 29℃ to 8℃ in the afternoon with rain and so dark and dreary. Glad I took the magnolia blossom photo on Sunday! It goes up and down... But I had lots of things to do, Pieter's old Swiss slides, done most of the posts by now. Happy!
Zoolatry said…
Beautiful, thoughtful photos as always. Words I so understand and feel. May send email today or
tomorrow ... questions.
Kea said…
Yes, I think it will take a bit of time to mentally relax after being vaccinated. I heard today that the US is hoping to have all doses needed for the country by the end of May, which would be terrific. I'm jealous. LOL.

Take care and stay well!
Kea said…
Please do, I'm happy to answer any questions, Ann, including about my own mental health struggles. It was different when I was younger, but as I've gotten older, I've realized we all have our own struggles in one way or another. ♥
Katie Isabella said…
I am forced to be in medical environments many many times because of a family member and that makes me especially wary, but there is nothing I can do other than wear the mask of course= and try to stay away from too many people if I can. I will have the shot tomorrow morning.