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Deep Blonde Thoughts

~ Emitting thoughts, tongue-in-cheek observations on life and lifestyles

Deep Blonde Thoughts

Category Archives: writing

Art Therapy and Meditations for Ukraine

18 Monday Apr 2022

Posted by shewrite63 in activism, Art, philosophy, therapy, writing

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Art, art therapy, defense, doodles, drawing, history repeats itself, meditation, Stand with Ukraine, sunflowers, Ukraine, world peace

I am sad and angry about the Russian invasion of Ukraine that started in February 2022. Who with any conscience and hint of humanity isn’t?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine

History is repeating itself and it seems that Poland is the only European country that is helping the throngs of refugees lately. What the hell, United Nations, European Union and NATO? Your economic sanctions aren’t stopping this bullshit.

US satellite images showed proof of troops and artillery amassing on the Eastern borders many weeks prior. Russia denied any plans of an invasion. They lied. It seems that some European countries hesitate to get involved because they rely on Russian oil and gas, plus don’t want to be the next target.

Feeling sadness and guilt, we watch helplessly from a distance, from the comforts of our relatively stable democratic regions. After crying and shouting into the void, the best that some of us can do is to donate money to the international relief organizations so that they can help the refugees – all this during a fucking pandemic. Those people, especially their children are going to live with trauma for many years after this is resolved. We cannot forget the refugees from Syria and Afghanistan either.

Some of my anger and PTSD symptoms still linger from effects of the so-called anti vaccine mandate trucker convoy that occupied streets and terrorized residents of Ottawa weeks prior. Many of them were clueless puppets of dirty money and foreign political interference. Remember that the western Canada convoy founders encouraging these “demonstrations” had plans to overthrow our government. Let that sink in, Conservative sympathizers.

Other countries are feeling the ripple effect of this latest invasion and destabilization of supply chains. Countries in Africa depend on Ukrainian wheat to feed their people. Do we want to prevent yet another famine of epic proportions?

Africa could be hit hard by loss of Ukrainian grain exports, institute says
Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/africa-could-be-hit-hard-by-loss-ukrainian-grain-exports-institute-says-2022-03-11/

You can count your blessings of family, shelter and food. You can reduce fuel use and emissions by limiting air travel for pleasure, and limiting your daily commutes by working from home. You can feel some relief that corporate cultures are finally realizing that hybrid and remote work options are the new normal, acknowledging that people are leaving organizations in droves for jobs that offer more flexibility.

You still feel some helpless guilt for Ukraine. Sometimes the best you can do is pray and meditate for a peaceful solution while turning to art therapy for your soul’s relief. You pray that Russian soldiers and commanders will see the light and follow a different path.

Sunflower Sunburst Meditation #1 for Ukraine – Pencil crayon and yellow marker on repurposed charity plea snail mail envelope
Sunflower Sunburst Meditation #2 for Ukraine – Pencil crayon and marker on repurposed charity plea snail mail envelope
Sunflower Sunburst Meditation #3 for Ukraine – Pencil crayon and blue marker on repurposed charity plea snail mail envelope

You can feel some consolation knowing that Canada sent armed forces troops to Poland, to help with the refugee assistance efforts.

Canada to deploy military personnel to Poland to support Ukrainian refugees
Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/world/canada-deploy-military-personnel-poland-support-ukrainian-refugees-2022-04-14/

If ever we needed to see the Second Coming of Christ, this would be the time. Evildoers are still profiting on the suffering of others while damaging our environment, our Mother Earth. We need the courage to step up and stop the abuse. God has abandoned us.

You can clutch that package of Sunflower seeds you purchased at the local grocery store in anticipation to plant them in your small garden and watch them grow tall this summer, praying this latest humanitarian horror is over by then.

Thank you for dropping by. Take care and be kind.

T

Advertisement

Canadian Thanksgiving 2021

10 Sunday Oct 2021

Posted by shewrite63 in community, Health, pets, philosophy, therapy, writing

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

boundaries, canadian thanksgiving, celebration, COVID-19, family, friends, health, pandemic, reflection

What is there to be thankful for eighteen months into the COVID-19 pandemic?

You have your health.

You are double vaccinated.

You have the privilege to visit restaurants, theatres and gyms – if you actually wanted to.

You have a place to call home.

You have family and close friends, still reachable on various platforms.

None of your family or friends have succumbed to the virus.

You still have a job.

You still are able to work from home.

You are less stressed because you aren’t forced to use unreliable public transportation two hours a day.

You are more productive, creative and relaxed when you aren’t forced to conform to the visual expectations of some corporate culture.

You have the freedom to get outside for walks around your neighbourhood for fresh air, to pick up provisions, and engage with community acquaintances.

You found a new network of like-minded folks, opportunities to rekindle that sense of purpose, of contributing your time, energy and skills.

You have remembered that you have the right to set boundaries with family, friends and others.

You have had plenty of time for quiet reflection on life, your values and priorities.

You have let your inner child emerge during bouts of creativity.

Basket of kittens for the Grand kids

You continue to review your list of accomplishments, and many things to look forward to.

You finally have opportunities to warm the home by using the oven and stove top to cook delicious meals.

You can still afford to buy groceries and necessities.

You can share your thoughts with others through a talk radio show this evening, using various platforms.

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/checkup/what-are-you-thankful-for-this-thanksgiving-1.6204049

Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanks for dropping by.

T

Evaluating the historical value of our junk

05 Wednesday May 2021

Posted by shewrite63 in community, Health, pets, therapy, writing

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

archives, books, boxes, downsizing, family history, moving, packing, photographs, storage, writing

There’s nothing like moving into a smaller home to challenge one’s ability to skim off the excessive possessions.

Of course, this is not to lessen experiences of people leaving their homes due to civil strife and natural disasters.

Moving during a pandemic provides enough limitations and extra costs – even within the same community.

I recently had to make difficult decisions: I had been holding on to nicnacs, family portraits, letters, Christmas cards from years gone by and artwork my children made many years ago. I had to get tough with my sentimental leanings and those “what if” situations where we would need extra dishes, linens, towels and sleeping bags. It’s not like we can accommodate house guests or invite people over for dinner any time soon.

Family history

I embrace and cherish my journals and albums tracing the family activities through good times and bad. To me, these are important memoirs, accounts, photos documenting the children’s growth, the reunion with my oldest child, meeting his wife and my beautiful grandchildren.

What about the doodles and whimsical sketches I made to keep my sanity during the quiet evenings of the many COVID-19 stay at home orders in 2020 and 2021? I like to think they will also have historical value some day. The people at the Ottawa Archives may think so too. I wouldn’t want to be the entry level Archivist who has to sort through and categorize thousands of boxes. We can be sure that by now, most Archives will accept digital copies of memorable documents and pandemic artefacts.

Downsizing questions

  • At what point do you justify paying monthly rent for a storage unit?
  • How much effort are you able to put into getting useful items to local charities?
  • How much are you willing to pay for a service that will take your junk away, and promise at best effort to redirect useful items to charity?
  • How many wine boxes does it take to pack your beloved books and other delicate items? How many bottles of wine would you buy in exchange for the Wine Shop staff putting boxes aside for you on a bi-weekly basis? How many of those bottles do you consume or gift to others who are helping you in the process?
  • When can I unpack my books and place them on the limited bookcases in our new home? Am I willing to make some difficult choices? Haven’t we been through this before?
  • How long until I decide to move again? Will I have unpacked all of the boxes or piled some into a cramped corner?
The Tabby Cat squeezed into a temporary hidey box after we moved in the first truckload.

Resources:

  • Tips to be mindful and avoid acquiring too many trappings – Becoming Minimalist blog, Twitter feed and YouTube channel – https://www.becomingminimalist.com/
  • Invest in your local LCBO or Wine Shop by making nominal purchases while picking up the empty boxes their staff put aside for you – https://www.thewineshops.com/
  • Pay someone to take away your excess – Just Junk – https://justjunk.com/
  • Pay someone to move the essentials to your new home – Universe Moving – https://universemoving.business.site/
  • Pay someone to clean the dusty, grimy windows at your old apartment – Mike’s Window Cleaning – https://mikeswindowcleaning.ca/

Distractions

You can spend another five minutes reading a humorous account of activities surrounding the recent move.

The Tabby Cat survived the move

Thanks for stopping by. Please excuse the mess. I am trying to unpack one or two boxes per day now that we are settled in. I should be done by Thanksgiving.

Stay well. Stay safe. Be kind.

T

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