Musings on a Small Life

I got a call last night from a number that seemed familiar but that I couldn't place. Didn't pick up as I was in the middle of something, but it turned out to be from a (former) friend that my ex and I knew. Actually, he had met this couple many years ago in Toronto and when I hooked up with the Putz, met them through him. The four of us became friends and eventually, when the ex and I were looking to move from Halifax, we chose this area in part because of their proximity. (Not in the same city, about 45 minutes west.) Eventually they split up, and the Putz and I not long after. I kept in touch with them both for a while, but of course people take different paths and drift apart. The common ground we shared was gone. So I've been out of touch with this person for oh, about four years now, give or take. I really can't recall. But she's in town today and wants to meet, go for dinner. I called her back yesterday evening and said sure, all the while wondering if I ...

I've finally given in to need over pride and added a "donate" button to the cats' blog , for help with Derry's vet bills. And I'm going to have my name added to the list of CB auctions. An auction was suggested to me by Zoolatry back in early June, but I wasn't ready, didn't want to come with cyber-hat in hand. What else is there but one's pride, after all? Yet I've been more than happy to make small donations toward others' vet bills, a number of times since I joined the CB. I don't think it's shameful or embarrassing that others need a bit of help now and again; why is it different when it's me? I guess that even at my age, I still have the whole "I'm not worthy" thing going on. Or perhaps it's because I realize I'm one of the lucky people on this planet, with a job, house, food, clothing, the fur kids--many, many people have far less. So what that I live paycheque to paycheque, just getting by paying...

I had a good early morning walk through the Cemetery today, before it got too desperately hot and muggy. The sign is new, since I last was there. As always, I enjoy looking at the headstones, always wonder who the people were, what their dreams were, if they were happy or at least content or if they welcomed the oblivion of death. Today, this headstone (below) caught my eye, simply because of the "wife of." Never mind that she died while still in her prime. All we know about her is that she was "wife of." Not her passions, her likes and dislikes, her hopes, her achievements. Just that she was a wife. As if that was the only identity that mattered. Wife. Or mother. It so clearly demonstrates to me how the female identity is tied to being someone's "property," and to how well she breeds. We like to think we've come so far, and a few have, but most women on this planet still are someone's property, someone's broodmare. Or have value onl...

That would be today's intended walk, essentially aborted. I stayed up (late for me) to watch the replay of the Netherlands' win over Brazil, because I had been out yesterday AM and missed it. So I was pretty tired when Derry came and woke me around 3:40AM, wanting food and to be let out into the back space. I debated going back to bed, but really wanted to get out and enjoy the gorgeous morning. So off I went at 6AM, having decided to pass on the conservation area. It's an hour out, two hours there, an hour back and I just didn't have that much energy. Plus, I wanted to be back in time to see Argentina and Germany play, which also factored into my decision to pass on the conservation area. Instead, I thought I'd trek along part of the Rideau Trail that runs between Princess Street and Bath Road, then perhaps continue on the trail over to Front Road. Well, I got down to Princess Street, to the point where one picks up the trail, but there were two women and a ...

"Three days" is my mantra right now -- only three days to work this week. Thursday July 1st is Canada Day, when we celebrate our Nation's birth (1867), and while Friday is not a holiday, as far as I know, none of us is coming in to work that day. I'm certainly not spending almost two hours commuting, when nothing will get done anyway, and the campus will be mostly dead, so to speak. So three days to work and four days off. Yippee! If we ever would get two dry days in a row, I have some outdoor painting to do (my rusty back step). I'm also hoping to get to the conservation area, as I haven't been since early May (I think). So Friday and Saturday, depending on weather, will be for the usual post-payday errands/groceries/cat food and hiking. Fingers crossed! Have a good Monday! More pics from yesterday's walk. Someone's clematis is growing like mad!  Hollyhock This gorgeous cat was very vocal as I was standing in the driveway, and I imagined him/h...

I broke in the new sneakers today by doing the "block," the 12 km loop from my house, over to Portsmouth, along Bath Road, then Gardiners Road, down Princess Street and home via Counter Street. No real issues, just the usual foot pain, so the sneakers held up well. Took me 3 hours and 10 minutes, but that included a lot of stopping to take pics (gardens and wildflowers), a pit stop at Tim Horton's for an iced coffee to go, a peek into mattress store for a few minutes, and a break at a civic park for an oatcake (no sitting down, though). That's only the fourth time I've done the entire loop in one shot and I just knew I could do it today without too much problem. I was fine for the first 8km anyway, it was only the final 4 that was a bit more difficult, foot-wise (nothing to do with the new shoes). I took 93 snapshots, kept 54, so I have enough for a few days' posting, at least. Lucky you, out in blog land. (I'm being tongue in cheek.) And since I lef...

Or just a longer weekend. :-) I really think Derry's mouth should be checked--he's had gingivitis from the get-go, but lately I've seen him make the same "clacking" motion with his jaw when he yawns as Nicki started doing last fall. No issues with chewing, not that I can see. And he doesn't make the motion when I scratch under his chin. But still, after Nicki's two deep pockets of infection and eight extractions back in November, I want to get Derry in sooner than later, particularly if he does need a dental cleaning. I'll call the clinic tomorrow AM and see when I can get him in. Would an antibiotic shot hurt, does anyone know? I don't mean "hurt" as in cause him pain, but "hurt" as in cause any problems even if he doesn't have an infection. Handyman #1, Gary, called me earlier this afternoon to let me know he had emailed me a quote. He's given me a quote for 27 sheets of the corrugated PVC material, plus nuts and ...

Years ago, in my 20s, I started keeping a journal of the good things about the day. I was unknowingly depressed at the time (hindsight always is 20-20, of course), and writing down the small things that were special about the day helped me focus, even for a few minutes, on the positive. Most of those things were Nature-based: the sunshine, birds, flowers, touching an Elder tree, the stars, the dogs and cats I met during the day and so on. Or were food-related, or perhaps were things like a good book I happened upon in a second-hand bookstore, or a favourite song I heard on the radio. More recently, when I was knowingly clinically depressed (and this time being treated), I would post to my on-line support group the "happys" for the day. Same concept, really, because most of my "happys" still were Nature-related or food-related (of course). I forced myself to do this, because there was so much negative energy within me thanks to the wonky brain chemistry, and so muc...

Just a few more...Of course, these aren't all the ones I took, just the ones I wanted to share! :-)  I had to sit down on a nearby stump and wait quite a while for Mr. Bluejay to come out of the tree. I couldn't get any closer, I was at full zoom here. The last time I passed this way, I had to balance on the logs to get through the deep mud. It's certainly nice and dry now!  Another squirrel snacking on seeds a hiker left.

More pics from yesterday's jaunt. Today's another glorious day--so far--but no, I didn't take an additional vacation day. :-)  Look closely to see the snake!  It's a carpet of trilliums right now. They are Ontario's official flower. Mr. or Ms. Squirrel had been eating seeds on the bench (next photos), but scurried to the tree when I stopped. I sat down on a stump and waited for him/her to go back to nibbling. Bored yet? LOL. I have more to post tomorrow.