It’s Spring!!!! Let me just speak for all (OK, maybe not you guys on Vancouver Island…grrrr! 😉 ) Canadians and say how relieved we are that IT IS OFFICIALLY SPRING ON THE CALENDAR and Winter 2019 is now behind us.
As is my habit, I use these times of the year to check in on my progress towards my intentions. This provides me with a quarterly reminder and opportunity for course-correction, if needed. It’s like using the Daylight Savings Time changes to remind you to check the batteries in a smoke detector, except more in keeping with the natural world!
So…so far, so good. I am keeping up with making good on my word for 2019: Record, entering a few bon mots (or not so bon mots) every day in my journal.
My health journey – also so far, so good! I’m killing my 10K step goal. And, as of today, I have lost just over 13 pounds since I joined WW last October. I feel great, with lots of energy and enthusiasm to get me through my days. My jeans fits nicely – even a bit loose – for the first time in a long time. I love everything about WW – I love the app; the flexibility; the variety; the focus on healthy, whole foods and daily activity; the support and sharing at the workshop; and of course (so important for me) – the accountability. I even lost 1/2 pound after coming back from my winter travels – and believe me, I did not track my food/liquor intake or even try to restrict myself while vacationing!
One of the best things about this weight loss is that already my blood pressure has come down significantly. I may soon have to adjust how I take my BP medication, and hopefully can get off it completely at some point.
The A-Z Blog Challenge is coming up at the beginning of April, and for the first time in 4 years, I won’t be participating. Because I’ll be travelling again (AGAIN!!!) in the middle of the month. This is turning out to be quite the year for me. So here’s what’s happening: my SIL and BIL have put their names in every year for the past 10 years, for the opportunity to buy passes to the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. And you guessed it – this year they got notified their names were drawn. So guess who got invited to join them down there? That’s right. THIS GAL!
We’ll be staying in an “executive home” and meals and transportation to and from the course are included. I don’t have much more details than that, at this point. Except for knowing the dress code and rules for being a spectator (no cameras, cell phone, no electronics PERIOD). This last part has me a bit stressed. What is a blogger without her camera??? Speaking of …
I decided, after months of thinking about it, to treat myself to a new camera.
My previous camera is 5 years old. Which is like using a 5 year old phone or computer. Ancient technology. I’m looking forward to using the video function more and more. I may eventually post the odd video diary to YouTube if I feel confident enough to try out this vlogging thing. Speaking of YouTube…
My new obsession: Caitlin Doughty, and her channel
Caitlin is an author and YouTuber, and the founder/leader (or at least one of them) of The Order of the Good Death – a death-positivity movement. I hope I haven’t lost you yet! She is a mortician and an advocate of helping families take back control of their loved one’s death and funeral rites, helping them to choose greener burials (usually much lower in cost than the traditional way too) and to say goodbye in a healthier, more personal and meaningful way. She is trying to change the dialogue around death and empower families to stand up to pushy funeral homes, and does it with short, fun videos that I find very entertaining and educational. Her channel has hours of content about death-related topics and rituals from around the world (Ask a Mortician! Iconic Corpses! Morbid Minutes!) that are addictive to watch!
Here’s a really good one about grief, to give you a sample. One that’s not quite so macabre – not that there is anything wrong with that! A-hem!!!
What she says really resonates with me because I consider myself a pretty death-positive person. I don’t shy away from the topic or people who are dying. (Let’s face it: we are all dying. Just some of us sooner than others).
In fact, with all the deaths I’ve had to experience in my family lately, I’ve found that I have kind of an aptitude for it, if that’s the right term. Someday I may volunteer in some capacity to help people with death. Like at a hospice.
And I feel really strongly about having a green burial. I sent Mizz J a random text this week telling her (again) of my wishes to be sewn into a biodegradable shroud and dumped, un-embalmed, into a hole in the ground, to nourish the soil and plant life. I even sent her a link to a green burial cemetery – you know – just in case something happens before I can arrange it for myself. As one does…
Thinking of and planning my death is not at all morbid, to me. My mom planned and paid for her funeral years in advance and it brought her great peace of mind. And made our job of caring for her in her illness and death so much easier at a difficult time. Because we knew exactly what she wanted done, at the end.
That’s it for me. Happily thinking about death at the start of this season of new life. 🙂 How are you all doing at this point in 2019? Please feel free to share in the comments.
Rock on,
The WB
A really interesting update Deb – I LOVE that new cup btw! I won’t be doing the AtoZ this year either – it just sucks my time trying to comment on so many posts each day, and with Easter in the mix I want to be more present for when the family comes down to visit. I’m also quite interested in Green burials (or having my ashes turned into a gemstone sounds rather good too).
Thanks Leanne! One thing I learned from Caitlin is that there’s an even greener option than cremation. I think it’s called aquamation. You still end up with cremains but it’s more eco-friendly. Not legal everywhere yet unfortunately.
I have a niche I’m paying for. lol. I want to be above ground, in a heated building. LOL.
I’ve been doing a lot of meditation classes lately. I’m more interested in being present in the here and now and not worry so much about the past or the future. It’s a great way to tune into what my purpose is on this earth and fulfilling that. I’m also drawn to shiny things. I’m a bling bling gal. 😀 I love your cup.
Thanks GW! Ah yes, the impermanence of it all! Might as well be here now 😄
Be glad you only bought a point-and-shoot. You may find the manual is a lot easier to finish than it appears (especially since only a third of it is English). Congratulations on being able to attend the Masters, but what a disappointment that you can’t take your new camera. If you get hay fever at the Masters, do they kick you out for fear that your sneezing will disrupt the players?
As for death, I’m positive about it also. We just put our 16-year-old dog to sleep on Monday. I was glad for the poor dog, because she is now out of her misery. But my wife has taken it very hard, and has been moping about all week. She’s death-negative. I don’t know if there’s an afterlife, but I like to assume there is. Otherwise, I’d be death-negative also.
Have fun at the Masters!
Thanks TG! Yep, still at the point n shoot stage of my photographer journey. I may never advance to a real camera and that’s OK. I am pretty happy with the pictures I can take, so far anyways.
I hope I don’t get kicked out for sneezing, coughing, laughing…all things I am guilty of doing at inopportune moments. ☺️
After my current camera dies, I’m thinking of “advancing” back down to a point-and-shoot. They’re smaller, easier to use, and take decent photos.
My condolences on the loss of your dog. I’m still grieving my Lucy. It’s been 4 years.
Thanks. We still have four dogs left. We’re winnowing out canine population down, through attrition.
I’ve heard good things about this newer Weight Watchers program. I like how it is more personal and less meeting oriented than the old one. I have yet to join it although I’m sure that there could be a case made that I need to. I’ve seen Caitlin Doughty mentioned in other places. I think she and her message are making an impact. I don’t have my funeral arrangements figured out, but I realize I’ll need to do that at some point. I wouldn’t want anyone burdened with the burden of unburdening me to the hereafter. [Witty or wisecracking?]
Witty, Ally. Definitely witty! 😁
Interesting blog post. Love that drinking cup too.
I’ve written out so many instructions for my death, it like your camera manual. I call it being a control freak in my case. I don’t shy away from the topic either, but I know people who do. I was lucky when my husband died that the funeral home didn’t try to up sell me anything and they listened. A couple of years ago I took a tour of the back rooms of funeral home and attended a lecture given by people in the industry. It was fascinating and came away appreciating way some things cost as much as they do.
Well you’ve got me beat, Jean. Mine could fill up a Post It note, so far. “Throw me in a bag and into a hole in the ground. Have a party.” Thanks for reading!
Nice camera Deb.
Leslie
I hope so, Leslie. It has great reviews.
Looking forward to seeing some of your photos, Deb….
I just pulled out my Canon Power shot for the first time in 5 years. Tried to decipher and have given up.
Uh oh! I don’t find the buttons much different from my Panasonic Lumix…so far. 🤞
Wow – so much to congratulate you for … weight loss, new camera, another trip … you are rocking 2019!
Thank you, Joanne! Working my plan, and my plan is working. Enjoying the journey so far in 2019…
Wow! You covered a lot here! Kudos to your progress. Wish I could say the same but I’m also not complaining. I’m still on the right side of the ground! I almost lost one of my close relatives in a car crash recently so we’ve gone through the “get it down in writing please” phase. My husband is very green. I swear if he could get buried in the yard, he would. He is opting for cremation. I’m still on the fence. All those years of Catholic dogma although it’s less strong every year. Glad I found you Ms. Badass!
The feeling is mutual, my dear Kate!
My great-grandmother did the same thing. After burying her, my grandfather, and her sister, my mom has pretty much done the same thing as well. She said she doesn’t want people stressing after her death.
It’s really a great thing to do for your loved ones. Thanks, Akilah 💕
I really like the concept of Intentions and they do make a difference for me, when I remember to review them. Wonderful on your health journey. Inspirational how the healthy basics do work. I still remember the era of fasting and I fell into that trap. Not healthy and overall not successful. This was the year of the new point and shoot for me after a 6 year old version of the same camera. Definitely worth the new one and I look forward to seeing your photos (not of the golf tournament). Your information on Caitlin is intriguing. Likely easier to think about death and plan funerals when healthy. You have given me a lot to think about in this post. Thank you, Deb.
Thank you Erica/Erika! Yes, everything is easier when healthy – good point!
Hi, Deb – Vancouver Islanders are also very happy that it’s Spring. I’ve already put away my winter clothes — no sense in delaying — day times all this week are in the 13C range! Congratulations on being invited to attend The Masters’ Golf Tournament. Please sneak in a photo or two and keep us updated! 🙂
13C! We can still only dream of those temps, Donna. I am thinking about how to sneak some photos without embarrassing my family and potentially getting us thrown off the course 😜. Where’s a spy camera when you really need one?
I bought myself a new camera last year an dit is a Canon Powershot! Mine is SX730HS though (no idea what the difference between mine and yours is – although yours is probably a better one than mine). Except I *love* my camera. So glad I bought it. Hope you are as happy with yours.
Thanks AJ! I hope so too.
Good for you – 10K steps! I’m right with you on being open about death talk. And I want to be put into one of those tree-bulb burials. I’ve not looked into the logistics of it — but this is a nudge! Thanks!
Thanks Janet!
Life and death. Spring and Winter. The cycle of life.
Makes sense to me. With my parents in their last chapter of life I have been thinking a lot about death and about choices we make and have read some interesting books in particular “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande. You would probably find it interesting too. Thinking about death and being clear about our wishes and intent are obviously very helpful to our loved ones, but culturally the West fears death and is not comfortable talking about or thinking about it.
Here in Asia though death is just seen as part of life and the body is viewed as the physical structure. With death the spirit rises and continues, just in a different way.
Interesting thought provoking post.
Peta
Thank you Peta. I have read Being Mortal, years ago. Time for a reread – thanks for reminding me of this great book. Another good one is When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanthi. Have you read it?