For me, the world has become a much scarier place since January 20th. Here in Canada, I am disturbed daily by the things happening south of our border.
It’s hard not to feel powerless at this time. However, the good news is that people are not taking this shit lying down. Nosirree! The Women’s March has started something great – something that promises to continue in other marches and protests. So there’s hope.
For my own mental health, and maybe for yours too – I have decided to round up a listing of things that excited or inspired me this week. Something to change my focus from obsessing solely on all that is going south*, south of the border and other places. Like an online gratitude journal of sorts.
So here goes – the inaugural, “inaugurally-inspired” post:
- The amount of silver/white I am seeing in my hair – I have been (not so) patiently waiting for my head of hair to turn a glorious white, as per the females in my family who have come before me. It seems I have inherited my dad’s type of silvering – mostly temples and a sprinkle throughout every where else, unfortunately.
Lots of white happening here in Temple Land! However, lately I have noticed the silvering is accelerating. Excited!!!! I can notice the silver strands quite clearly in my hair’s part now. It didn’t photograph so well otherwise I’d show you. I am sick of touching-up roots at my temples. I think the time may be right to let it grow out au naturel and see what my real hair really looks like. I may decide to go back to colouring for a bit and try again later. Or I might not. Stay tuned.
- Invisalign – Remember that episode of the Simpsons where Lisa is told she needs braces? And she is shown how her teeth will look as she ages? I feel that is going on with my teeth. They seem to get crookeder the older I get. So when I come back from Barbados I am going to begin using Invisalign trays to fix my smile. I have paid off Edward II (my 2nd “Blizzard White” Prius) so those $$ have been freed up for another purpose! Very happy to be starting this journey, even at my advanced age. I’ll be damned if I live the rest of my life with these crooked teeth if I can afford to do something about it. Again, stay tuned. No doubt I’ll have plenty to say as I go through the next 2 years of this particular adventure!
My car’s namesake. My Edward sparkles just like this when the light hits it. If it’s clean, that is. - Physiotherapy – Since the beginning of the year I have been working steadily away at regaining my long-lost flexibility via yoga and barre exercises. I’m making good progress! However, no matter how diligent I am I know I need more help than this to regain range of motion in my left arm – an ongoing problem I have noticed for about the last 6 months. I was thinking I had strained something and that it would heal itself but that’s not happening. So last week I saw my doctor and got a referral for physiotherapy. So far my homework is a set of exercises to perform 4 times a day. And they hurt! But I am keeping my eye on the prize – 2 fully working arms!
- Pussy Hats – I missed taking part in the Women’s March for a multitude of reasons including a long-standing prior commitment for that date and not knowing until way too late there would be Canadian marches to take part in. And I feel really bad about it. So I made myself feel a bit better by at least knitting some pussy hats. I have finished one and am about to finish another (for my cousin). The way things are going, there should be many opportunities to march and wear pussy hats, unfortunately.
First pussy hat on the needles! - Rogue US Government Employees – I think the rogue or alt Twitter handles/postings that have sprung up in the past week are just brilliant. I can’t stop reading them. Between these and the organized protests, it makes me feel there is some hope of getting through this shit show the US/World is in, after all.
- March for Science – If I have any say in the matter, I won’t be missing these upcoming marches. Our last prime minister muzzled our scientists like Trump is doing now. During this dark time in Canada, I was otherwise preoccupied in Crazytown (i.e. OCD/MBA Land) and dealing with a dying husband/subsequent widowhood so I missed out completely on this issue and its protests. Looks like I’m getting a second chance to chime in and make my little voice heard. Why does this shit keep happening?!?!? Rhetorical question…I know why it keeps happening.
- My new pan – A couple of weeks ago now I bought a pan at the local Dutch store, very similar to one that I learned to cook in as a young girl. Dutchies call it a “braadpan” – simply put: a frying pan. It is enameled steel and cooks and cleans like a dream. The high sides keep the mess in. And the heavy lid makes braising a snap. Safe for stove-top or oven use. And induction-friendly. I love it.
Think Le Creuset – only lighter and 1/3 of the cost. And without the sexy colour choices, unfortunately. Your choice is any colour so long as it’s black, with an ultramarine blue interior. - My new GoPro camera – During Boxing Week, I pulled the trigger on a Hero 5 Black – a camera I had been eyeing for quite a while already. So far I love the features I have been discovering. I’m busy learning how to use it in advance of:
- 50 Years of Friendship Trip – by this time next week I will be snorkeling and relaxing with a good friend, down in Barbados. 2017 is the 50th anniversary year of when we first met and became friends – partway through Grade 2 – when she moved to Preston. To commemorate our first 40 years of being friends, we spent a day together at the Elmwood Spa in Toronto. That was a great day, and now this looks to be the makings of a great week. All I can say about this is WHEE!!!!!! More to come later…
Rock and Resist on,
The WB
*That Canadians like Kellie Leitch and Kevin O’Leary are threatening to bring to our great country as well.
Let’s hope that the Donald Trump shitstorm ends. In Western New York, I have front row seats to the madness, and it is pretty scary. After nine days of having Donald Trump as president, I am tired of him and am just wishing that he will go away. Fortunately, many people have gone to airports to support refugees, and that is a hopeful sign.
I’ve been following the airport protests on social media, Alice. I feel like I’ve been given the chance to re-experience the 1960s – I was too young to be a part of it then (much to my parents’ relief at that time!).
I really hope he goes away too, and before he can inflict any more damage to “his” people. Thanks for commenting.
Have a great time in Barbados! Celebrating the great things in our lives – big and small – is the perfect antidote to all the other crap going on!
Thanks Joanne! That’s our plan.
I want a pan like that! Where did you get it?
I did not wear a pussyhat to the march, but a friend gave one to Coraline, and she’s been wearing it to school. Her teacher marched here in Dayton, so I thought that was pretty cool.
Oh, you must be so excited for Barbados. Promise you’ll disengage from all social media while you’re there. The apocalypse will come whether you’re watching or not.
Here’s an address to a US Dutch web store that carries the BK pans (exactly what I have):
http://www.thedutchstore.com/webstore/product.aspx?code=162&list=105A162&type=ITEMCATEGORY
Yes, very excited to be going away. I need to pull away from all the shit that is going on with Trump while away – that is for sure! It’s so hard to look away from this particular train wreck though. I do hope to be posting some fun stuff including some video shot with the new camera…or maybe I’ll leave that for when I come back. Dunno…will depend on how I feel. You are right – I can’t do anything about the coming apocalypse – so I might as well drink rum punches and snorkel in the ocean instead! The Trump administration will still be here I return (unfortunately…for everyone). Thanks for commenting Reticula!
So I JUST SAID yesterday I need to go to Barbados. So, swing by and pick me up! Great grateful post! Have a GREAT time!
You have no idea how many people I am supposed to bring with me, Cyn! This list keeps growing. And I would if I could! Thanks for the comment and good wishes.
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