22 Monday Dec 2025
Posted in creativity, family, Health, pets
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.
T
18 Monday Aug 2025
Tags
Art, August, birthdays, Canada, cats, celebrations, community, creativity, fart walk, health, heatwaves, income, meals, Ottawa, pension, retirement, Rotary, seniors, summer, Walking
The past couple of weeks have brought small, joyous celebrations with friends to help me mark another orbit around the sun.
I am constantly aware of the struggles and injustices happening outside my little corner of the world, reassuring myself that I am helping in a small way with occasional charitable donations to humanitarian movements.
This birthday doesn’t mark a notable milestone in age yet it marks the completion of one year being retired from full-time work. What a year it has been with enjoying slow mornings, walks around the community, volunteer activities with purpose, and afternoon naps.
My favourite response when people ask how things are going with retirement is: Less responsibilities, less stress, and … less income.
During my birthday month, I have enjoyed light meals and catch-up chats with old work colleagues, Rotary club volunteers and close friends.
At my advancing age, I don’t need more “stuff” yet some of the lovely birthday gifts have brought me joy, laughter and an obligation to release the inner artist child.
One of the best ways to help me celebrate is to share in a meal, tasty treats and engage in meaningful conversation. Getting out for “fart walks” after meals is also appreciated – depending on the comfort level with walking companions.
When the weather conditions are kinder, I like to get out for walks around the community, walks with friends or solo walks that are longer than the usual grocery run. When I get too comfortable on the couch for too long, I motivate myself by repeating a fun quote to get up and “move it, move it”, to get the blood flowing while performing light housework and chores.
Sometimes, when I am planted in the wee corner office at my laptop, the old Tabby Cat likes to observe and supervise me from her various perches or hiding places. Her timing is impeccable during Zoom meetings, mewing loudly and demanding attention.
What about you? What are you doing to ensure a healthy and enjoyable retirement?
Thanks for dropping by.
T
10 Sunday Aug 2025
Tags
beauty, cats, cleansers, cosmetics, cost, exfoliants, health, heatwave, ice cream, makeup, perspiration, skin, skin-care, skincare, skincare-routine, summer
During summer heatwaves, I cringe at the thought of applying anything on my visage other than mascara, lip balm and colour. Even applying sunscreen on my body is a compromise. Due to being such a sensitive child, it feels like my skin is suffocating.
Imagine my practical, critical side rearing its sweaty head while watching an episode of The Social CTV last week. I observed a series of steps that would extend, refresh and enhance your makeup.
You too can enjoy sweat-proof makeup after spending hundreds of dollars and applying four layers of different substances to your face. Just imagine the packaging waste and gunk that washes down our drains.
Pass.
I hope they have gentle cleansers to remove layers of gunk, and clean those pores.
Imagine my practical penny-pinching guilt a couple of weeks ago when I spent nearly $50 on Clarin’s one-step gentle exfoliating cleanser. The sales lady promised me it would be a refreshing scrub option. At least I was able to get my Senior’s 20% discount. Score!
I have been using it almost daily during these heatwaves and I like to think it is soothing my super-sensitive facial skin. I can barely read the long list of ingredients on the box. I sense a slight fragrance of powdered laundry detergent while using it. I trust their claim online that it contains plant-based microbeads and not the cursed, environmentally harmful ones made from plastic. Usually, I just wash water and a soft facecloth. Easy-peasy …. and cheap.
Questions: How do you manage your sensitive skin care during hot, sticky seasons? Do you wear large-brimmed hats and long sleeved cotton tunics when venturing out into the sunshine and wildfire particles?
Stay cool and fresh. Check out the Tabby Cat’s blog. She is barely surviving this cruel summer heat too. We compensate and commiserate while sharing a guilty pleasure of ice cream. YOLO +8.
Please hold the judge-y comments with concerns about the cat’s diet and health. She’s 20 years old, survived bouts of diabetes, two household moves and one annoying roommate. The deaf old girl loudly, repeatedly demands to share MY snacks of cheese and ice cream while she sits on the sofa beside me or eerily positioned behind my head. What Kitty wants, Kitty gets (all in moderation, of course).
Thanks for stopping by.
T
Deep Blonde Thoughts 