Giving Thanks

12 Monday Oct 2015

Posted by in Food and Cooking, Health, Travel, Warm fuzzy

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This time of year you can’t skim through blog post titles without encountering many about giving thanks.

I think that’s great. I think we should do this at least four times a year if we’re not able to perform the ritual every week at some place of community worship. We can each express gratitude, repeat “thank you” when we wake up to start our day, and when we lay our heads on our pillows, reviewing our experiences and serendipitous encounters throughout the day.

These are just a few of the things for which I am thankful:

  1. Family and friends;
  2. Food and wine;
  3. Books!
  4. Freedom, the right to vote. Opportunity to vote in advanced polls during this longest election campaign in Canadian history; WTF?! #ABC!
  5. Freedom of not having to openly declare myself associated with one particular belief system or political party;
  6. Opportunities to learn about different belief systems, political parties, platforms, candidates and guides. Sometimes, you may not be thrilled with the leader or the bombardment of negatively comparative messages but can identify with some of the teachings, platform promises and really admire the work of some of the representatives; (apologies for that clever analogy!)
  7. Full time employment;
  8. Vacation time away from the daily grind, time for reflection on my experiences, accomplishments and plans for the future;
  9. Opportunity to push myself with my flying anxieties again, this time in a larger aircraft and for a bittersweet journey down memory lane;
  10. My nerve-damaged yet persistently expressive hands on any QWERTY keyboard;
  11. The Internet, virtual and real communities, and blogs;
  12. Opportunities for narrative in rewriting my own stories, taming that inner-critic to bring about major changes in my life.

 

 

How about you?

Thanks for dropping by.

T

Poetry – Is it worth the coal?

03 Saturday Oct 2015

Posted by in reading, writing

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I am making slow, steady progress with sorting through and parting with some books.

Now I have reached the poetry piles. For years I dabbled and struggled with reading and writing poetry. I fell in love with the sonnets of a dead poet, was inspired by an adventurous young man, and intrigued by the complexity of writing Haiku. That sh*t is hard to write.

books poetry

Just some of the poetry books I have collected

Many years ago, a local poet and retired University Professor spoke at one of my writing group’s meetings.

What caught my attention during his presentation about poetry, writing poetry and wanting to write poetry was a loud, painful yell “Aaaaaaah!” about whether that was how you wanted your readers to see you, just blaring out words and angry tirades.

He mentioned a saying from way back in England: “Is it worth the coal?”.

From what I recollect, his explanation was that this question would be asked when there was need for a journey by train and if there weren’t enough passengers or cargo loads to justify the expense.

He equated that to writing and publishing poetry. It’s a little antiquated but I can agree in theory.

For a couple of years, I schmoozed with poetry groups. I read different kinds of poetry but just couldn’t appreciate most. Some were too personal or required a dictionary – or even worse – an encyclopedia by your side.  I just wasn’t the same as being raised by a Father who would recite the works of Robert Service while juiced up on rum and coke or beer.

I even made attempts of my own.  At least mine were mostly published electronically.  No coal was burned.  No trees were harmed.

Thanks for dropping by. You may just find some of my unwanted poetry books at a used book store one day.

T

Eat, Think, Vote

18 Friday Sep 2015

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What a good idea to connect with candidates, to get their feedback on issues like sustainable farming, safe, affordable food, and recognizing the importance of local and Canadian production.

In any case, get out to meet the candidates in your area, take the opportunity to express your priority issues and engage in civil dialogue. Vote.

Food for thought, indeed!

Theresa

GreenLivingOttawa's avatarGreen Living Ottawa

Written by Denise Deby.

Image from Food Secure Canada on Facebook

Given our need for healthy food, it’s surprising that food issues are often not on the agenda.

That’s a problem, especially because many people don’t have healthy and sustainable food:

  • Here in Ottawa, eight per cent of people live in households that are food insecure—meaning unable to afford or access a sufficient, healthy diet. For low income residents, it’s worse: a third of households don’t get enough to eat.
  • Across Canada, four million Canadians are food insecure. That includes 1.15 million kids. Among Inuit, First Nations and Métis people and in the North, food insecurity is five or six times higher.
  • Food prices have been rising faster than incomes. Food bank use has increased by 25 per cent since 2008. Every month, around 850,000 Canadians—including working people, people on fixed incomes and children—need food banks in order to make ends meet.
  • More than half…

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