Me On A Monday - January 30th

"We could all take a lesson from January's weather ... it takes no heed of criticism."  

The last Monday of the month. Did the month of January go fast, or was it a long month for you?  For the most part, in the area that I live, the weather was dreary & damp, so it made some days long.  But Mother Nature was not to be denied her turn at flinging winter at us - these last few days of January have been typical with lots & lots of snow & chilly temperatures.  I miss the sunshine.

Looking Across the farmer's field

The snow blower beginning it's shift

A covering of snow with no sunshine keeps the solar light dark

Damage to our front lawn from snow plough

 

"Through the chill of December, the early winter moans, but it is that January wind that rattles the bones"   ... John Facenda

Wisdom

 

If you made New Year's Resolutions & feel like they are not working, just remember this piece of Wisdom.  😃

You are not going to master the rest of your life in one day. (or one month)  Relax. Master the day. Then, just keeping doing that every day.

                               ... WOW, Iryna Dalton

Me On A Monday - January 23rd

 

Good morning.  It snowed Sunday afternoon well into the evening. It was what we call Christmas Eve snow - gentle & pretty.  And as I write this post this morning, I hear hear the snow plough going around to clear the road. Being that we live on a road that is designated as a school bus route, we can usually guarantee an early clearing.

Currently Reading: waiting for several books to arrive at the library for me.  This break in my supply will  have my goal of a book a week starting to slide.  I have requested a few new to me authors including  "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt. I am also waiting on a Debbie Macomber Cedar Cove book. Has anyone read either of these books/series?

Currently Watching:  We watched through Brit Box, Karen Pirie, which we both liked.  I am most hopeful that ITV will commission series 2 for Karen Pirie. We really like her (work) partner, DC Jason Murray (Chris Jenks) & her girlfriend, flatmate, River.  We just started DCI Bandcroft.  If ever AC12 was needed, it is for this DCI. (those that watch Line of Duty will understand... wink wink)

We tried watching Hope Street, got to episode 5 & said in agreement no more. 

Currently Preparing: my mind set for a doctor's appointment tomorrow for the first of two shingles vaccine jabs. My doctor is catching up with many regular vaccines that took a back seat during the pandemic.  The nurse "warned" me that  it can be a painful jab & can cause some swelling & stiffness afterwards.  I did have chickenpox as a child; mandatory vaccination had not come into play when I was a child.  Shingles is a very painful, nasty disease for anyone that has had chickenpox.  This virus can lay dormant for years & years. Stress is a major factor in awakening the virus, well at least that's what my doctor says.  Mandatory vaccination against chickenpox came into to play in 2010 for all Ontario school aged children, which was added to the list of already required vaccinations;  diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, measles, rubella, meningococcal.  Let's hope that I'm one of those that have no affects from the jab.  I'm due a tetanus booster in the summer.  Already I'm feeling like a pincushion.

Well it's a little later than normal for me to be posting, already running behind, so on wards for the day.  I hope everyone has a stellar week.  See you for some wisdom on Wednesday.

 

Wisdom

 

The sheep will spend its entire life fearing the wolf, only to be eaten by the shepherd.

            ... African Proverb

Me On A Monday - January 16th

 Greetings & Salutations this cold & bright January morning.  I feel like I am coming out of my blanket wrapped days.  It is amazing what two days of bright blue skies & sunshine can do.

Currently Reading: well to be accurate, it's more of what I am not reading.  The library called & I picked up Spare but I just cannot bring myself to read.  I'll say no more about that for now.  What I am reading is the big book Fayne & it is for me a tough going, this might be one of those books that I give up on.  I finished Hester & while I wouldn't say I loved this book, I did find it interesting on the take of The Scarlet Letter's character. What Hestor has tweaked in me, is an interest to read a little further on the witch hunts of Scotland.

Currently Doing: a lot of trying to source prescription medications for Mr Man's eye(s).  While worldwide every country seems to be battling along with their health care systems. Ours is also being made more difficult with a back orders or out of stock of prescription medications. For us, this includes several of Mr Man's much needed prescription eye drops.  Our local pharmacy is an independent drugstore (chemist) so cannot call in from a "sister" store.  Last week we spent a good chunk of one day calling several other drugstores to source a prescription eye drop - we found at a pharmacy 1 1/2 hours away. Thankfully it was a pleasant enough drive.  We may decide to switch Mr Man's prescription to a large chain drugstore to save us the sourcing calls as they would do that themselves & they would have it sent to a local pharmacy of the chain.  Membership does have some advantages.

Currently Mulling: over the last few weeks I kept hearing a phrase  that could be a source of OLW for me.  I've written this down & starting doodling how this could govern my actions & thoughts over the next quarter at least ... "more or less"  I think I felt a little tingle of excitement just writing about it now!  How are you & your OLW getting along?

Currently Watching: Brit Box - oh what have we done (lol).  We are caught up with Vera, Shetland & Line of Duty.  Line of Duty series 6 was a binge watch. Our intention was to just watch one episode a night but we were on the edge of our seats & just could not look away.  We have just started series 1 of Murder in Provence (books I've read). Seeing Roger Allam of Endeavour fame in another role (similar but different) was interesting.

Not on Brit Box, but we also started with the latest series of All Creatures Great & Small & Vienna Blood.

I hope everyone has an extraordinary week.

Wisdom

 

Caterpillars have to change into a pile of a cocoon goo to become butterflies.

So if you are a mess, wrapped up in a blanket right now, keep going.

                    ... unknown

Me On A Monday - January 9th 2023

 

Good morning & has not 2023 hit the ground running, we are already into the 2nd week of the new year.  How is everyone doing with their resolutions, promises & goals of 2023.  

Currently Watching:  Mr Man & I gave ourselves the gift of Brit Box for the new year.  This is a streaming service that has, as the name suggests, past & current British TV series.  I have not as yet, fully explored all the options.  Because of Brit Box we were able to stay awake to see the old year leave (thanks) & the new year arrive (welcome). We were binge watching season 6 of Shetland. Over the course of new year's week, we watched an episode a night of Shetland 7.  We are now in season 11 of Vera & taking it slow. Previous Vera series we had from the library.  We'll be ready for season 12 of Vera to start mid January. Next up on our list will be to catch up with Line of Duty.  

Currently Reading: For the start of January I have Fayne by Anne Marie McDonald & Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese.

Currently Noticing: After weeks of miserable dreary weather, this weekend ,I noticed that the daylight begins just a tad earlier & the sun sets just a wee bit later. I feel this renewal of light with the enthusiasm of a cave dweller. Maybe I am someone running on solar power.

Currently Tidying: And speaking of lights, we were rather late in taking down our primary Christmas tree. I had no trouble this year leaving the tree up until January 7th. Mr Man & I both agreed this was our best tree, ever! Ornaments & lights were seemingly perfectly placed this year.  The room feels just a little bit darker & a little bit emptier.  Of course the rest of the house had Christmas cleared by January 1st. 

Currently Wordless & Goalless: I have enjoyed reading all about your One Little Words (OLW) for 2023. There are some exciting  & engaging words chosen. I have also been in awe with some of the goals you have for yourself this year. So far I haven't filled in my goals sheet for 2023. Now that the tree is down & our Brit Box watching is under control, maybe Mr Man & I will turn an eye to making a list & checking it twice to set ourselves some inspiration for a fabulous & engaging 2023.  Watch this space! (wink wink).

 

 

Wisdom

 Often when I post these Wisdom quotes or sayings, they are often ones that are things I need to know or learn & practice  the lesson. So together, let us continue on with learning life in 2023.

"A wise person once told me, let people do what they are gonna do, so you can see what they would rather do.  That will answer any questions you may have about them."

                    ... unknown

Me On A Monday - January 2nd 2023

 

Good Morning. 2023 - WOW!

I've enjoyed reading many of your 2022 reviews. Lots of great & wonderful plans for a year of adventures.   I will say that my own 2022 wasn't horrible, but certainly not a year where there was a lot of time off the patio. 

 I'm not making any new year resolutions, nor I am picking a word (OLW) to use as a guide for 2023. If I sound a little down or discouraged, I admit I am.  2022 finished in rather a painful way.  We lost one of my nieces to cancer on the 28th of December & I am finding the grief a little over whelming at the moment.  Too young, too sweet to have endured such a horrible disease. 

I will leave you with my hope for you & myself  ...

"I hope this new year brings you courage to try again. Passion for doing what you love.  Ambition to aim higher. Resilience in over coming obstacles. Humility to learn from others. A breathe before you react.  Seeing your mistakes as lessons. Taking time for self care.   Kindness to others & yourself."

                            ... a compellation from Our Mindful Life