Puttering in our small garden brings me joy. It helps me focus on beautiful things while acknowledging humanity’s challenges with natural disasters and oppressive regimes.
Upward view of Scarlet Runner Beans and silhouette of a fly resting on a leaf
I comfort myself by remembering my monthly donations to humanitarian organizations responding to disasters and medical emergencies. It’s the most I can do on a retirement income and limited energy from my quiet and safe corner of the world.
Odd little flower growing from the patio stone crack under the compost drum. Floribunda Petunia apparently.
We can cheer on the little guy, the refugee and oppressed as they rise from the rubble in a display of determination and beauty.
The first zucchini flower
We can hope for a modest harvest to celebrate our nurturing efforts. We can only provide so much support, love and patience for the late bloomers struggling to establish their place in our world.
Scarlet Runner Bean blossoms under the watchful eye of the garden owl
We should reflect on how nostalgia holds us back from what can be, for our descendents and the natural world ahead. It is important to respect traditions, but recognize what to let go of and what to embrace as we move forward in support of future generations.
Growing Scarlet Runner Beans and encouraging their climbing vines is one tradition I hold onto in honour of my parents and the summer gardens at the old homestead on Georgian Bay. I hold onto the nostalgia of growing up in a small town, free to roam the yards, forests and waters, oblivious to the risks.
Thank you for stopping by. What are you growing in your gardens?
It has been a while since I posted here. I had no energy to write and had no useful thoughts to add to the noise.
It has been four months since we said farewell to the elderly Tabby Cat. She had a good life with excellent care from her human servants for 20 years.
It has been a difficult winter in Eastern Ontario. Christmas and New Years arrived in a blur. To tackle the effects of winter depression, I set out on a mission: I subscribed to a 12-week weight-loss plan, installed an app on my phone and embraced the daily text chats with an AI coach. When the weather conditions allowed, I pushed myself to get out for frequent walks and grocery runs with friends. The app and AI coach appealed to my OCD tendencies so I obediently logged everything I ate and drank, and acquiesced to take longer overnight fasts. I met my target weight goal (shook off 14 pounds) three weeks before the April 1 completion date.
Key points:
Eat healthy
Eat less tasty snacks
Increase body movement
Drink more water
Fast for overnight periods longer than 12 hours
Simple weight-loss plan progress February 2026
Unfortunately, I have been hovering above my target weight this week due to icy conditions not conducive to walkies, plus stress eating after listening to the news. Aside from that, I am seeing better results than with last year’s attempt at losing weight.
World events have been getting me down, and the cruelty and corruption of the US administration makes me angry. These are things beyond my control but it’s reassuring to know that there are kind people and organizations who protest the injustices, challenge the bullies, and protect the downtrodden.
January brought some reassurance while listening to Canada’s articulate and calm Prime Minister Mark Carney speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. I have listened to his WEF speech many times. What a breath of fresh air compared to the lying windbag to the south who is constantly criticising established world organizations and threatening tariffs on trade partners. Puppet master Putin must be pleased with the progress. Let us have hope and trust in the calm and cooperative middle powers who are already establishing trade agreements with each other.
Then there’s the US-Israel war on Iran. The orange dictator and his minions were willing to aid in the unwarranted attacks, the constant bombing of the Iranian infrastructure, murdering political-religious leaders and innocent citizens. They kicked a hornet’s nest and are causing economic disruptions.
Yep, it’s all beyond my control. I keep my focus on doing good deeds around home and in the broader community.
As I did in 2025, I started gathering receipts, ticket stubs and small pieces of notepaper as records of good things happening in my small corner of the world. A large pickle jar is filling up with good things.
Good things that happened in 2026 jar
I added notes about pushing my social anxieties and aversion to noise by participating in philanthropic activities, fundraising events and attending a much-anticipated concert.
William Prince in concert at the National Arts Centre March 20, 2026
I had purchased the William Prince tickets in January and had the March 20th target date in my view as something fun to look forward to over the next two months. That tactic has gotten me through many a dark winter with the plan, the hope for an enjoyable experience to come.
One more Good Thing I can soon add to my jar is the fact that I got to cat-sit for neighbours who took a March Break road trip with their kids. Checking on the energetic and cute feline a couple of times a day brings me joy. Cleaning up after her reminds me about the mess, cost and responsibilities of pet ownership. I congratulate myself that I can return to a clean and quiet home with no intentions of bringing in another furry creature. I wish to travel more this year without the worry and costs for accommodating a pet. I am satisfied with caring for our houseplants.
Christmas Cactus blooms in March
I hope you are managing well as we navigate challenging times, and look forward to a slow, gentle spring. My next post may be about the joys of gardening in my peaceful little corner of the world.
I haven’t been feeling creative or joyful since November, after saying goodbye to our 20 year-old cat, holding her furry little body until the final heartbeat.
Inspiration may return after the holidays and in the hopeful beginnings of 2026.
Deep Blonde Thoughts 