Category Archives: therapy

Half-way through the February blues

16 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in community, education, Health, pets, philosophy, reading, therapy, Warm fuzzy, writing

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It has been four months since my previous post. Life has been busy but not eventful enough to warrant the pixels and time.

Recent world news and national events could encourage one to curl up and hide in a hole until spring.

  • COVID-19
  • Forest fires, floods, droughts, earthquakes
  • Railway blockades, fossil fuel pipeline disputes, indigenous rights
  • Political circus and acquitted clown in the USA
  • Shitty public transit service in our nation’s capital

My Saturday routines include picking up a couple of newspapers so I can disconnect from social media for a few hours over the weekend and read content that I trust has gone through the process of professional journalistic editing and publishing.

I still practice gratitude as I go about the daily mundaneness, working for a living, surviving the winter, and being strategic with workday bus commutes.

This cute little book brought me comfort and advice to get through winter in the northern hemisphere. It’s the perfect size for bus reading. You might like it too.

The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30045683-the-little-book-of-hygge

book page pronounce hygge as hooGa

Hygge – pronounced Hoo Ga

I find comfort and pleasure in sharing meals and conversation with family and friends. I find purpose in volunteering, caring for the elderly diabetic cat and recently, one injured offspring who came home for a few days of nursing and Motherly love.

I find joy as I correspond with my offspring and offshoots. I find hope as I continue my part-time college education where I learn new things, make new friends and prepare for Career 2.0.

Although I haven’t written much of substance lately, I still engage with friends and followers through social media posts, comments and shares. You can follow some of my creative writing and doodling posts over at the blog where the Tabby Cat rules.

In the meantime, you might enjoy some Little Blonde Jots. I bought these cute little key ring tabs (plus a few other items) from a friend to support his downsizing efforts a few years ago. They prove handy to carry around, where I can jot down thoughts while waiting for buses, people watching or contemplating life.

Little Blonde Jots

Little Blonde Jots, words of wisdom and observations

Thanks for dropping by. I hope you are enjoying and appreciating what rays of sunshine and hope you encounter in your corner of the world.

See you in the spring.

T

My week of gratitude

20 Sunday Oct 2019

Posted by in community, education, Food and Cooking, Health, pets, reading, therapy, Warm fuzzy

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We just passed through Canadian Thanksgiving.

I took my usual vacation so I could extend the gratitude, times for reflection and enjoy me some cool autumn temperatures.

We had a mixed bag of weather but that didn’t affect the memorable moments during various family gatherings.

autumn colours Gatineau Hills

Camp Fortune ski hill and fall colours

Accomplishments:

  • Succeeded with an argument-free, three-night, four-day visit from a sibling;
  • Tasted several new, healthy dishes – even helped make a batch of Keto freezer cookies;
  • Learned an exciting new recipe;
  • Avoided tourist-y crowds in Gatineau so we could see the fall colours of the Gatineau Hills (been there, done that);
  • Attended a fund raiser event that supported medical research plus the love of reading. Came away with a warm, fuzzy feeling and a bag-o-books;
  • Went for morning walks when it wasn’t rainy and dark;
  • Only had to use the Ottawa public transit bus service twice;
  • Read, relaxed and got in lots of afternoon naps! They are SO underrated.
autumn path 2019

A lightly carpeted path in the park

autumn trees and waning moon

The waning moon accompanied me on my morning walk

autumn moon tree

Tickle, tickle moon!

I spent no personal time on a Windows computer. Yay! 

windows 10 feature update blue screen

Your PC will restart several times – and make you guess if it does!

I got to spend more time with the Tabby Cat.

tabby cat being cute

Now it’s reality time on a Sunday evening. I feel like a kid on a school night, having not finished my homework and dreading the next day. I have a job. I have a job. I want a job closer to home! 

What are you thankful for? 

T

Comforting thoughts of going home

07 Saturday Apr 2018

Posted by in Art, community, Health, pets, therapy, Warm fuzzy

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I recently pushed my limits with social anxieties.

I was proud with how I kept it together at a public event last month. Yeah, I lasted about an hour and a half. 

The event was a mid-week fund raiser for a local agency that provides temporary shelter plus mental health support for the homeless and those caught in the claws of addiction.

Based on the ticket cost, the quality of the tasty treats, wine and dignitaries in attendance, I could soon tell I was in with a different crowd.

According to the suggested starting bids for the items in the silent auction and the live auction, I felt a sense of disparity between the purpose of the event and the money flowing from attendees. I felt disappointment at the waste of food and lack of sustainable measures taken for composting and recycling.

I was certainly in with a different crowd.

The one thing that kept me staying longer than I wanted was to see if anyone else would outbid me on a quilt in the silent auction. I lingered beside the table, nursing my wine while wincing at the loud music from the speakers and the over-excited voice of the live auctioneer. I had my fill of food and wine. I had my fill of social interactions.

The quilt appealed to me because my paternal grandmother used to make them – back in the day when they used scrap material and there was symbolism, cultural meaning in the patterns.

The quilt appealed to me because of the comforting feeling it can represent, a feeling like a loving home, like a soft blanket wrapped around you, holding you tight and assuring that everything is going to be alright.

It also appealed to me because it was one of the less-expensive items on the table. 

Quilt on futon

I approached the people at the registration desk and explained my need to leave. They assured me it was okay and that they would call my cell number later if I had the winning bid.

And they did.

I was soon the proud owner of a locally crafted quilt. I like how it adds to the colour and comfort of my quiet, humble home. 

Tabby cat on quilt on futon

Miss Geneva Tabby checks out the new quilt on her futon

I have a home. For that I am grateful.

Thank you for stopping by.

 T