Oh Deary Me, Weary Me

Here I am, on the 29th of October. The days are flying by. People are beginning to talk about Christmas, and I say, "not yet". There is the whole month of November before us, and an important day, November 11th, Remembrance Day. It is a special day.

I am still wandering around in a fog of no energy. Life is monotonous, each day running into the next. The thing is, I don't mind the monotony, since I have no energy. Too much excitement would probably kill me.

Dawn pretty well has the orchard wrapped up for the winter, except for odds and ends. The freeze did its damage, and crop yield on some varieties was down or non existent.

Okay, so now it is the 30th. Had to make a quick trip to the store for Halloween candy. I probably won't get many children, so of course I bought chocolate bars that the Captain and I would eat.

Two weeks ago, my washer quit, and a new one purchased. Then, my laptop decided it didn't want to open for me. Took it to the shop, and it was the hard drive....thus a new laptop purchased. Of course, everything is different on this one, and I'm just getting used to it. I also lost my email contacts.

Can you believe it is November 12th......... I really need to get ahold of myself, and move forward with something. Every day I tell myself that it would help if I wrote because I have to let loose instead of keeping everything in my poor old head. At this point, I move to begin writing and end up just staring out the window.

I do have something of consequence to write today. Granddaughter #1 has left on a great adventure with members of her university class and their professor. The have gone to The Gambia, and had a very special Remembrance Day service, where they laid poppies on the graves of Canadian Airmen who had died there during the 2nd World War. One of the men was actually from Nova Scotia. The students had researched information about these men, so the occasion was very meaningful. She has eight more days there, doing some work for their course.

13th - uh huh, another day....and it is snowing. Of course this really improves my mood, with the overcast sky. The snow isn't sticking, but it is a sign of things to come. It is supposed to get very cold toward the end of the week.

Aslan having a nap on my lap

Aslan getting in my way as I attempt to finish Christmas Card

He found a new place to nap

One of his weird positions (not unusual)

So it is now the 14th of November and I am going to finish this off

and post it.

I have a visual fields test this afternoon and my Christmas Card is ready

at the printers. 

The Captain is not doing that well, and is a constant worry.

Ah well. Such is life on the mountain.

The wind is bitter cold today.

I am  not looking forward to going out.

Endings and Beginnings

Though summer doesn't end until September 22nd,  it always feels that summer is over when ads start promoting back to school sales. The weeks have passed, and I really have had no inclination to write.  I have no idea why, but perhaps it's because my thoughts have been running in all directions.

This summer has been strange with regards to our weather. A big freeze hit the orchards and vegetable fields, along with  blueberries and grapes in early summer, and recently the days have been extremely hot with high humidity, though it is not as bad as a few weeks ago. The air conditioner has been working overtime most days.  We have also had rain that fell so fast it flooded the streets in a town close to us.

Summer was for the most part uneventful. Days ran into weeks and before I knew it, September loomed large. Today, #1 Granddaughter began her last year of University, and #2 Granddaughter began her last year of High School. Amazing. Both had spent their summer working hard, one as a camp assistant cook, and the other a day camp leader. I am a little sad that they are growing older, but am also very proud of who they are becoming.

There were no trips to the camp this summer. The Captain is finding it harder and harder to walk, and would not have been able to stay overnight. A friend of his is planning to take him to the camp for a day. I could have taken him, but was concerned that if something happened to him and I was alone, it probably wouldn't have been good.

I was fortunate enough to get out to Ironwood Farm a couple of times. I guess that is the only thing I did this summer. I can only go for a few hours, having to be home for supper or at least bring supper home as take out.

I have spent a lot of hours needle felting, and acquired quite a few of the little 'critters' as I call them. Some of them have gone to a nursery school, and some I gave away. I even sold two bears. I was amazed at the price of felted creatures crafters were asking on line, on Etsy. That's not for me though. Totally out of my league.....I needle felt because it lets me go away to a world of fleece, poked fingers, and creative thoughts. It's good for my mental health, I think.

I am finally going to post this, because I have been working on this for days, a little bit at a time. I am having a little difficulty getting used to the new med and the side effects are bothering me a bit. I hope they gradually go away.

Cheers everyone. Be back soon (perhaps).

And so it is May, past the middle of May, and I don't know how I got here. The days roll by and all of a sudden I realize how many have past. I look back, and wonder what, if anything I have accomplished.
I have spent some time finishing a painting and sending it off to a friend, and I have made some felt critters for some friends at a coffee shop. I've also done a few abstracts, but that is about all.
Weariness is my constant companion, and after a visit with the doctor, and a change in meds, I am not sure how I am feeling. I am half way through stopping one and beginning another and trying to decide if it is making any difference yet. Blood tests and an x ray also added to my itinerary, and another Dr. appointment in a week. If wishing could make me energetic and strong I would be jumping up and down, getting out to weed and clean out my garden, such as it is, and get a wrought iron pole for my bird feeder. I fear my friendly birds have felt abandoned, since I haven't put food out for them in weeks. A couple of raccoons were raiding the feeder so I decided to stop.
My daughter is busy in the orchard now as Spring had bought decent weather most days. Blossoms on the early varieties are ready to come out. I must get over and take a walk through the orchard, since she has also planted new trees. That will happen, if and when I ever get that strength and desire to move.
 I hadn't realized how depression can sneak up on you and take over without you realizing it. I have had no desire to eat for months, and told the doctor that I didn't care if I ate or not. Along with other symptoms, it seems that though I thought I was doing okay the old depression was having its way with me. Hopefully the switch in medication will work. I didn't realize my not caring attitude was affecting my health and causing my girls concern. Now I must do my best to set their minds at ease.

Here are a few photos of the work I have done, and perhaps I will throw in a few of Aslan, who does his best to keep me from working on my projects, bless his little feline heart.

This post has sat for days, so I will publish it today as it is now the 29th of May. 

Ahhhhh.....someday perhaps I will get things done in a proper manner. .......

Memories

Life has a way of bringing you up short and making it clear what is important in living each day. One knows this and yet we still think about tomorrow or worry about what might happen or dream of better days. Sometimes, those better days never come.

Such is the case for my son-in-law Joseph Patrick Chiasson. How suddenly life can be taken away. He leaves behind two beautiful daughters who will miss having a father as they grow into maturity.

I will only be able to write this in bits and pieces, as my heart is crying for my girls and for Joe's family. Bear with me for there are things I want to say.

I remember the times when Joe and I put up the swimming pools for the girls when they were small. We always had the pools here, because I had room. We'd put them up, then take them down. The next year, repeat. Each year the pool got a little bigger and a little harder to handle. He took me for a ride on his motorcycle one Mother's day, just because that was what I said I wanted. It was fun and scary at the same time and I clung to Joe so hard I could have crushed his ribs. Joe coached Rae in soccer and basketball, and I was so happy to be his 'assistant' for a year or two. What an experience that was. I loved it. So many memories, but so many forgotten things too. Sad. There is so much more in Joe's life, and I have only mentioned some of my special times with him. His life was full, and he has gone much to soon.

I sat one afternoon this week, and got out all the photo albums of when the girls were very small. Joe was a wonderful dad and you can see the love for his girls in his eyes. Thank goodness for pictures.

His Memorial Service won't be till the end of the month. It will be a long few weeks.

So many people are heart broken.

Rest in peace, dear Joe. I love you.

This is Spring?

Here we are enjoying? Spring. March the 22nd. Stores are closed, school was cancelled, as was choir practice. No way was I asking anyone to go out in this....

The wind is nasty and cold, and this is the 4th storm in 2 weeks I think.

I have been doing some abstract work the last little while. I cannot get up the nerve to

finish my painting of Squeak. Something is just not right, but perhaps in time I will get

the muse I need.

Aslan, meanwhile has been just as naughty as ever. He would disagree. He would think he was helping.  

Here are a three of the abstracts. They are fairly small. 5x7 in. Will use them for cards. I used coloured pens for them. I gave a few to a little granddaughter of a friend who was having fun finding animals and faces in one I had posted on face book.  

As an aside, I am using facebook wisely, I hope and have got rid of apps that were there. Not sure, just how it will work. I do post photos on Instagram if anyone is interested. You can fine me at bonnie1142. It's not any more exciting than this but a lot of Aslan and his antics.

I certainly hope it warms up a bit for Easter. The Sunrise Service could be a little chilly. There's always hope.......isn't there?

Guess that's all for now. My dear daughter will be up tomorrow to plow us out. In the meantime, I think I need a good book.

Cheers!

February Ending

Ah yes, the end of February....Spring is on the horizon (I hope). I mean, I know it is coming but you know how it is. The weather can not make up its mind....one day cold, one day rainy, one day warm.
I know that we will probably have more snow. March is such a strange month. I can't help but wonder if the global warming has anything to do with the weird weather we have.

I had a wonderful but tiring week last week. It seems that I go for days on the regular routine, and then in the course of seven days I go, go, go. On the Monday things just worked out so that I, along with Dawn and Lindsay were able to go the Ironwood to see Heather and the new lambs. This is always a joy, to see the wee babes, bottle feed some of them, and to have a chance to see Heather. The weather even cooperated and the day was lovely.

Wednesday evening I went to the opening night of the high school play, The Wizard of Oz. Granddaughter Lindsay was in it, and the students did a marvelous job. It was long, about three hours, but well worth seeing. In fact, I went again to the matinee on Sunday to see it again. It was thoroughly professional. I am amazed how well the students perform. My favourite character was the cowardly lion, who was perfect for the part, and did an outstanding job. All of the characters were well played, but the lion stood out.

By Sunday night I was worn to a frazzle, but wouldn't have it any other way. It bugs me that going and doing is hard on this old body, but I guess one just has to do the best they can. I'll always have fibro, but going to the play and seeing Heather is special and the chances of doing that come along only once in a while.

As usual Aslan has been up to his attention seeking self. He is worming himself further into my heart, but he is a pest sometimes. He managed to spill my coffee all over my desk the other morning. Not a pretty sight, but it was the first time he did that.

My granddaughter Rae was home for a day or two from university so I was also able to spend some time with her and Colton last week as well. Tomorrow is her 21st birthday. Wow. Oh my. Time does not march on, it races....

This little fellow was one day old.

I sat in the pen and had several of the babies suck on my fingers, chew on

my boots and jacket. I told the girls that the time spent with the lambs

was soul lifting. Felt good, just enjoying the new life and not

thinking of anything else.

I have also been doing what I call abstract doodling, and Aslan is always on hand to help out. 

Ah, the sun is shining. How lovely. On that bright note I will end this. Hope you have a good day

as you are reading this. I'm going to try.

I shall end this before Aslan stars walking on the keys....

February Beginning

Outside a fine snow or freezing rain is falling. Perhaps it is the in between stuff that falls when snow is turning to rain. I am, to be truthful, quite weary of winter, with its ever changing forms. One day, inches of snow fall, another day it pours and the snow disappears to reveal a very grundgy world, and then it snows again, the roads freeze and the radio voices tell of cars off the road, black ice and all that goes with Nova Scotia winters. It may be doing one thing in the Annapolis Valley and a totally different thing on the east shore, and again in Cape Breton. It can even be different from here to 30km from here.
When I was younger, I used to enjoy the winter, with my girls, and then my granddaughters. Younger and more energetic to be sure. Now I just hope that I can get out once in a while to get food and mail.
I wonder if there is anything else I can write about besides weather?

Of course there is always my best friend.

And the days have passed again before getting back

to this. I seem to always leave this on the

back burner.

It's a wonder it hasn't burned dry. 

Each day brings it's own tests

and sometimes burdens

but so far I've gotten through.

Forgetting to take your pills for a whole day is not a good thing either.....

The days are noticeably longer and that's a good thing. The skies are brighter today and the sun has made an appearance for two days.

Unfortunately it's warmth doesn't dry up the water in my basement. It's the 2nd time in just a little more than a week. Needless to say, Aslan is not impressed. 🐈💧💧💧💧

I will close this even though I have said nothing much. At least I am trying.

Pictures....

I must admit that after checking the "help" for blogger, I was no further ahead.

But, as you can see this morning, it worked.

So now I have a post of pictures, which since they are here,

I will post.

It snowed again last night and school is closed again today.

Winter marches on.......

Waiting for the Storm...

Thursday, 4th - As I begin this 1st post for 2018, we are awaiting an expected weather bomb....snow, rain, high winds. Preparations are made, but I am sincerely hoping against hope that the power does not go off.  Schools are cancelled already and some businesses have closed. It is 10:30 am. and the snow is just beginning. We shall see what takes place.

Well the storm arrived and with it fierce winds. We were very lucky that our power was only out for 4 hours. I can't imagine how cold it would be for the workers trying to fix the downed lines and reconnect the power. Once the storm had passed, the temperature  returned to bone-chilling cold with wind chill. Once again, I have remained in the house, rather than fight the wind and snow. I am becoming a real wimp I think. Thank heaven for daughter Dawn who ventures forth into the weather and picks up milk and bread for us. Oh I hope this weird weather soon decides to level out and give us a break.

Sunday, 7th - Well, other than having more snow, the weather sort of improved but the temperature dropped so we are back in the deep chill. It is supposed to get a wee bit warmer tomorrow, which I will believe when I see it.
Dawn came today with the tractor and plowed the driveway. The Captain didn't even suggest that he could do it. He hasn't really been outside. He wanted to go to the library, but decided against it. I think the cold really bothers him, which is one reason why he isn't plowing. He didn't even say anything when Dawn came today. I honestly think that his legs are so much weaker, that he couldn't get up on the tractor. He is shuffling now which means even his "good" leg is getting weaker.
We had church this morning but not many turned out. I think the cold was the main factor.
I have decided that I am posting this tonight, so with a few pictures to go with this, I'll sign off.
Now that's nice. I cannot get my pictures to work.....hmmm.
Well that's not fun. I'll end this anyway, and try to see what wrong, say I just like I know what I'm doing.😉